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The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary: Letters M, N & O
February, 1999 [Etext #665]
The Project Gutenberg Etext of The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary
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M.
M (&ebreve;m). 1. M, the thirteenth
letter of the English alphabet, is a vocal consonant, and from the
manner of its formation, is called the labio-nasal consonant.
See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 178-180,
242.
The letter M came into English from the Greek, through the
Latin, the form of the Greek letter being further derived from the
Phœnician, and ultimately, it is believed, from the Egyptian.
Etymologically M is related to n, in lime,
linden; emmet, ant; also to b.
M is readily followed by b and p. the position
of the lips in the formation of both letters being the same. The
relation of b and m is the same as that of d and
t to n. and that of g and k to
ng.
2. As a numeral, M stands for one thousand,
both in English and Latin.
M, n. 1.
(Print.) A quadrat, the face or top of which is a perfect
square; also, the size of such a square in any given size of type,
used as the unit of measurement for that type: 500 m's of pica would
be a piece of matter whose length and breadth in pica m's multiplied
together produce that number. [Written also em.]
2. (law) A brand or stigma, having the
shape of an M, formerly impressed on one convicted of manslaughter
and admitted to the benefit of clergy.
M roof (Arch.), a kind of roof formed
by the junction of two common roofs with a valley between them, so
that the section resembles the letter M.
Ma (mä), n. [Cf. Mamma.]
1. A child's word for mother.
2. [Hind.] In Oriental countries, a
respectful form of address given to a woman; mother. Balfour
(Cyc. of India).
||Ma, conj. [It.] (Mus.)
But; -- used in cautionary phrases; as, "Vivace, ma non
troppo presto" (i. e., lively, but not too quick).
Moore (Encyc. of Music).
Maa (?), n. [See New a gull.]
(Zoöl.) The common European gull (Larus
canus); -- called also mar. See New, a
gull.
Maad (?), obs. p. p. of Make.
Made. Chaucer.
Maa"lin (?), n. (Zoöl.)
(a) The sparrow hawk. (b)
The kestrel.
Ma'am (?), n. Madam; my lady; -- a
colloquial contraction of madam often used in direct address,
and sometimes as an appellation.
Ma"a*ra shell` (?). (Zoöl.) A large,
pearly, spiral, marine shell (Turbo margaritaceus), from the
Pacific Islands. It is used as an ornament.
||Ma*ash"a (?), n. An East Indian
coin, of about one tenth of the weight of a rupee.
Maat (?), a. [See Mate,
a.] Dejected; sorrowful; downcast.
[Obs.] "So piteous and so maat." Chaucer.
Mab (măb), n. [Cf. W. mad
a male child, a boy.]
1. A slattern. [Prov. Eng.]
2. The name of a female fairy, esp. the queen
of the fairies; and hence, sometimes, any fairy.
Shak.
Mab"ble (?), v. t. To wrap
up. [Obs.]
Mab"by (?), n. A spirituous liquor
or drink distilled from potatoes; -- used in the Barbadoes.
||Ma*bo"lo (?), n. (Bot.) A
kind of persimmon tree (Diospyros discolor) from the
Philippine Islands, now introduced into the East and West Indies. It
bears an edible fruit as large as a quince.
Mac (?). [Gael., son.] A prefix, in names of Scotch
origin, signifying son.
||Ma*ca"co (?), n. [Cf. Pg.
macaco.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species
of lemurs, as the ruffed lemur (Lemur macaco), and the ring-
tailed lemur (L. catta).
||Ma*ca"cus (?), n. [NL., a word of
African origin. Cf. Macaco, Macaque.]
(Zoöl.) A genus of monkeys, found in Asia and the
East Indies. They have short tails and prominent eyebrows.
Mac*ad`am*i*za"tion (?), n. The
process or act of macadamizing.
Mac*ad"am*ize (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Macadamized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Macadamizing.] [From John Loudon McAdam,
who introduced the process into Great Britain in 1816.] To
cover, as a road, or street, with small, broken stones, so as to form
a smooth, hard, convex surface.
Mac*ad"am road` (?). [See Macadamize.] A
macadamized road.
Ma*ca"o (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A macaw.
||Ma`caque" (?), n. [F. See
Macacus.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species
of short-tailed monkeys of the genus Macacus; as, M.
maurus, the moor macaque of the East Indies.
Mac`a*ran"ga gum` (?). A gum of a crimson color,
obtained from a tree (Macaranga Indica) that grows in the East
Indies. It is used in taking impressions of coins, medallions, etc.,
and sometimes as a medicine. Balfour (Cyc. of
India).
Mac"a*rize, v. t. [Gr. &?; to bless.]
To congratulate. [Oxford Univ. Cant] Whately.
Mac`a*ro"ni (?), n.; pl.
Macaronis (#), or Macaronies.
[Prov. It. macaroni, It. maccheroni, fr. Gr. &?;
happiness, later, a funeral feast, fr. &?; blessed, happy. Prob. so
called because eaten at such feasts in honor of the dead; cf. Gr. &?;
blessed, i. e., dead. Cf. Macaroon.] 1.
Long slender tubes made of a paste chiefly of wheat flour, and
used as an article of food; Italian or Genoese paste.
&fist; A paste similarly prepared is largely used as food in
Persia, India, and China, but is not commonly made tubular like the
Italian macaroni. Balfour (Cyc. of India).
2. A medley; something droll or
extravagant.
3. A sort of droll or fool. [Obs.]
Addison.
4. A finical person; a fop; -- applied
especially to English fops of about 1775.
Goldsmith.
5. pl. (U. S. Hist.) The
designation of a body of Maryland soldiers in the Revolutionary War,
distinguished by a rich uniform. W. Irving.
{ Mac`a*ro"ni*an (?), Mac`a*ron"ic (?), }
a. [Cf. It. maccheronico, F.
macaronique.] 1. Pertaining to, or like,
macaroni (originally a dish of mixed food); hence, mixed; confused;
jumbled.
2. Of or pertaining to the burlesque
composition called macaronic; as, macaronic poetry.
Mac`a*ron"ic (?), n. 1.
A heap of thing confusedly mixed together; a jumble.
2. A kind of burlesque composition, in which
the vernacular words of one or more modern languages are intermixed
with genuine Latin words, and with hybrid formed by adding Latin
terminations to other roots.
Mac`a*roon" (?), n. [F. macaron,
It. maccherone. See Macaroni.] 1.
A small cake, composed chiefly of the white of eggs, almonds,
and sugar.
2. A finical fellow, or macaroni.
[Obs.]
Ma*cart"ney (?), n. [From Lord
Macartney.] (Zoöl.) A fire-backed pheasant.
See Fireback.
Ma*cas`sar oil" (?). A kind of oil formerly used in
dressing the hair; -- so called because originally obtained from
Macassar, a district of the Island of Celebes. Also, an
imitation of the same, of perfumed castor oil and olive
oil.
||Ma*cau"co (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Any one of several species of small lemurs, as Lemur
murinus, which resembles a rat in size.
||Ma`ca*va"hu (?), n.
(Zoöl.) A small Brazilian monkey (Callithrix
torquatus), -- called also collared teetee.
Ma*caw" (?), n. [From the native name
in the Antilles.] (Zoöl.) Any parrot of the genus
Sittace, or Macrocercus. About eighteen species are
known, all of them American. They are large and have a very long
tail, a strong hooked bill, and a naked space around the eyes. The
voice is harsh, and the colors are brilliant and strongly
contrasted.
Macaw bush (Bot.), a West Indian name
for a prickly kind of nightshade (Solanum mammosum). --
Macaw palm, Macaw tree
(Bot.), a tropical American palm (Acrocomia
fusiformis and other species) having a prickly stem and pinnately
divided leaves. Its nut yields a yellow butter, with the perfume of
violets, which is used in making violet soap. Called also grugru
palm.
Mac`ca*be"an (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Judas Maccabeus or to the Maccabees; as, the
Maccabean princes; Maccabean times.
Mac"ca*bees (?), n. pl.
1. The name given in later times to the
Asmonæans, a family of Jewish patriots, who headed a religious
revolt in the reign of Antiochus IV., 168-161 B. C., which led
to a period of freedom for Israel. Schaff-Herzog.
2. The name of two ancient historical books,
which give accounts of Jewish affairs in or about the time of the
Maccabean princes, and which are received as canonical books in the
Roman Catholic Church, but are included in the Apocrypha by
Protestants. Also applied to three books, two of which are found in
some MSS. of the Septuagint.
{ Mac"ca*boy (?), Mac"co*boy (?), }
n. [From a district in the Island of Martinique
where it is made: cf. F. macouba.] A kind of
snuff.
Mac"co (?), n. A gambling game in
vogue in the eighteenth century. Thackeray.
Mace (?), n. [Jav. & Malay.
mās, fr. Skr. māsha a bean.] A money
of account in China equal to one tenth of a tael; also, a weight of
57.98 grains. S. W. Williams.
Mace (?), n. [F. macis, L.
macis, macir, Gr. &?;; cf. Skr. makaranda the
nectar or honey of a flower, a fragrant mango.] (Bot.) A
kind of spice; the aril which partly covers nutmegs. See
Nutmeg.
&fist; Red mace is the aril of Myristica tingens,
and white mace that of M. Otoba, -- East Indian trees
of the same genus with the nutmeg tree.
Mace, n. [OF. mace, F.
masse, from (assumed) L. matea, of which the dim.
mateola a kind of mallet or beetle, is found.]
1. A heavy staff or club of metal; a spiked
club; -- used as weapon in war before the general use of firearms,
especially in the Middle Ages, for breaking metal armor.
Chaucer.
Death with his mace petrific . . .
smote.
Milton.
2. Hence: A staff borne by, or carried
before, a magistrate as an ensign of his authority. "Swayed the
royal mace." Wordsworth.
3. An officer who carries a mace as an emblem
of authority. Macaulay.
4. A knobbed mallet used by curriers in
dressing leather to make it supple.
5. (Billiards) A rod for playing
billiards, having one end suited to resting on the table and pushed
with one hand.
Mace bearer, an officer who carries a mace
before persons in authority.
Mac`e*do"ni*an (?), a. [L.
Macedonius, Gr. &?;.] (Geog.) Belonging, or
relating, to Macedonia. -- n. A native
or inhabitant of Macedonia.
Mac`e*do"ni*an, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a certain religious sect, followers of Macedonius,
Bishop of Constantinople, in the fourth century, who held that the
Holy Ghost was a creature, like the angels, and a servant of the
Father and the Son.
Mac`e*do"ni*an*ism (?), n. The
doctrines of Macedonius.
Ma"cer (?), n. [F. massier. See
Mace staff.] A mace bearer; an officer of a court.
P. Plowman.
Mac"er*ate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Macerated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Macerating.] [L. maceratus, p. p. of
macerare to make soft, weaken, enervate; cf. Gr. &?; to
knead.] 1. To make lean; to cause to waste
away. [Obs. or R.] Harvey.
2. To subdue the appetites of by poor and
scanty diet; to mortify. Baker.
3. To soften by steeping in a liquid, with or
without heat; to wear away or separate the parts of by steeping; as,
to macerate animal or vegetable fiber.
Mac"er*a`ter (?), n. One who, or
that which, macerates; an apparatus for converting paper or fibrous
matter into pulp.
Mac`er*a"tion (?), n. [L.
maceratio: cf. F. macération.] The act or
process of macerating.
{ ||Ma*chæ"ro*dus
(m&adot;*kē"r&osl;*dŭs), ||Ma*chai"ro*dus
(m&adot;*kī"r&osl;*dŭs), } n. [NL.,
fr. Gr. ma`chaira dagger + 'odoy`s tooth.]
(Paleon.) A genus of extinct mammals allied to the cats,
and having in the upper jaw canine teeth of remarkable size and
strength; -- hence called saber-toothed tigers.
||Ma*che"te (m&adot;*chā"t&asl;),
n. [Sp.] A large heavy knife resembling a
broadsword, often two or three feet in length, -- used by the
inhabitants of Spanish America as a hatchet to cut their way through
thickets, and for various other purposes. J.
Stevens.
Mach`i*a*vel"ian (?), a. [From
Machiavel, an Italian writer, secretary and historiographer to
the republic of Florence.] Of or pertaining to Machiavel, or to
his supposed principles; politically cunning; characterized by
duplicity or bad faith; crafty.
Mach`i*a*vel"ian, n. One who
adopts the principles of Machiavel; a cunning and unprincipled
politician.
{ Mach"i*a*vel*ism (?), Mach`i*a*vel"ian*ism
(?), } n. [Cf. F. machiavélisme; It.
machiavellismo.] The supposed principles of Machiavel, or
practice in conformity to them; political artifice, intended to favor
arbitrary power.
Ma*chic"o*la`ted (?), a. [LL.
machicolatus, p. p. of machicolare,
machicollare. See Machicolation.] Having
machicolations. "Machicolated turrets." C.
Kingsley.
Mach`i*co*la"tion (?), n. [Cf. LL.
machicolamentum, machacolladura, F.
mâchicolis, mâchecoulis; perh. fr. F.
mèche match, combustible matter + OF. coulis,
couleis, flowing, fr. OF. & F. couler to flow. Cf.
Match for making fire, and Cullis.]
1. (Mil. Arch.) An opening between the
corbels which support a projecting parapet, or in the floor of a
gallery or the roof of a portal, for shooting or dropping missiles
upon assailants attacking the base of the walls. Also, the
construction of such defenses, in general, when of this character.
See Illusts. of Battlement and Castle.
2. The act of discharging missiles or pouring
burning or melted substances upon assailants through such
apertures.
||Ma`chi`cou`lis" (?), n. [F.
mâchicoulis.] (Mil. Arch.) Same as
Machicolation.
Ma*chin"al (?), a. [L.
machinalis: cf. F. machinal.] Of or pertaining to
machines.
Mach"i*nate (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Machinated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Machinating (?).] [L. machinatus, p. p. of
machinari to devise, plot. See Machine.] To plan;
to contrive; esp., to form a scheme with the purpose of doing harm;
to contrive artfully; to plot. "How long will you
machinate!" Sandys.
Mach"i*nate (?), v. t. To
contrive, as a plot; to plot; as, to machinate evil.
Mach`i*na"tion (?), n. [L.
machinatio: cf. F. machination.] 1.
The act of machinating. Shak.
2. That which is devised; a device; a hostile
or treacherous scheme; an artful design or plot.
Devilish machinations come to
naught.
Milton.
His ingenious machinations had
failed.
Macaulay.
Mach"i*na`tor (?), n. [L.] One who
machinates, or forms a scheme with evil designs; a plotter or artful
schemer. Glanvill. Sir W. Scott.
Ma*chine" (m&adot;*shēn"), n.
[F., fr. L. machina machine, engine, device, trick, Gr. &?;,
from &?; means, expedient. Cf. Mechanic.] 1.
In general, any combination of bodies so connected that their
relative motions are constrained, and by means of which force and
motion may be transmitted and modified, as a screw and its nut, or a
lever arranged to turn about a fulcrum or a pulley about its pivot,
etc.; especially, a construction, more or less complex, consisting of
a combination of moving parts, or simple mechanical elements, as
wheels, levers, cams, etc., with their supports and connecting
framework, calculated to constitute a prime mover, or to receive
force and motion from a prime mover or from another machine, and
transmit, modify, and apply them to the production of some desired
mechanical effect or work, as weaving by a loom, or the excitation of
electricity by an electrical machine.
&fist; The term machine is most commonly applied to such
pieces of mechanism as are used in the industrial arts, for
mechanically shaping, dressing, and combining materials for various
purposes, as in the manufacture of cloth, etc. Where the effect is
chemical, or other than mechanical, the contrivance is usually
denominated an apparatus, not a machine; as, a bleaching
apparatus. Many large, powerful, or specially important pieces of
mechanism are called engines; as, a steam engine,
fire engine, graduating engine, etc. Although there is
no well-settled distinction between the terms engine and
machine among practical men, there is a tendency to restrict the
application of the former to contrivances in which the operating part
is not distinct from the motor.
2. Any mechanical contrivance, as the wooden
horse with which the Greeks entered Troy; a coach; a bicycle.
Dryden. Southey. Thackeray.
3. A person who acts mechanically or at the
will of another.
4. A combination of persons acting together
for a common purpose, with the agencies which they use; as, the
social machine.
The whole machine of government ought not to
bear upon the people with a weight so heavy and
oppressive.
Landor.
5. A political organization arranged and
controlled by one or more leaders for selfish, private or partisan
ends. [Political Cant]
6. Supernatural agency in a poem, or a
superhuman being introduced to perform some exploit.
Addison.
Elementary machine, a name sometimes given
to one of the simple mechanical powers. See under
Mechanical. -- Infernal machine.
See under Infernal. -- Machine
gun.See under Gun. -- Machine
screw, a screw or bolt adapted for screwing into metal,
in distinction from one which is designed especially to be screwed
into wood. -- Machine shop, a workshop
where machines are made, or where metal is shaped by cutting, filing,
turning, etc. -- Machine tool, a machine
for cutting or shaping wood, metal, etc., by means of a tool;
especially, a machine, as a lathe, planer, drilling machine, etc.,
designed for a more or less general use in a machine shop, in
distinction from a machine for producing a special article as in
manufacturing. -- Machine twist, silken
thread especially adapted for use in a sewing machine. --
Machine work, work done by a machine, in
contradistinction to that done by hand labor.
Ma*chine", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Machined (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Machining.] To subject to the action of machinery; to
effect by aid of machinery; to print with a printing
machine.
Ma*chin"er (?), n. One who or
operates a machine; a machinist. [R.]
Ma*chin"er*y (?), n. [From
Machine: cf. F. machinerie.] 1.
Machines, in general, or collectively.
2. The working parts of a machine, engine, or
instrument; as, the machinery of a watch.
3. The supernatural means by which the action
of a poetic or fictitious work is carried on and brought to a
catastrophe; in an extended sense, the contrivances by which the
crises and conclusion of a fictitious narrative, in prose or verse,
are effected.
The machinery, madam, is a term invented by the
critics, to signify that part which the deities, angels, or demons,
are made to act in a poem.
Pope.
4. The means and appliances by which anything
is kept in action or a desired result is obtained; a complex system
of parts adapted to a purpose.
An indispensable part of the machinery of
state.
Macaulay.
The delicate inflexional machinery of the Aryan
languages.
I. Taylor (The Alphabet).
Ma*chin"ing, a. Of or pertaining
to the machinery of a poem; acting or used as a machine. [Obs.]
Dryden.
Ma*chin"ist, n. [Cf. F.
machiniste.] 1. A constrictor of machines
and engines; one versed in the principles of machines.
2. One skilled in the use of machine
tools.
3. A person employed to shift scenery in a
theater.
Ma"cho (?), n. [Sp.]
(Zoöl.) The striped mullet of California (Mugil
cephalus, or Mexicanus).
Mac"i*len*cy (?), n. [See
Macilent.] Leanness. [Obs.] Sandys.
Mac"i*lent (?), a. [L.
macilentus, fr. macies leanness, macere to be
lean.] Lean; thin. [Obs.] Bailey.
Mac"in*tosh (?), n. Same as
Mackintosh.
Mack"er*el (?), n. [OF.
maquerel, F. maquereau, fr. D. makelaar
mediator, agent, fr. makelen to act as agent.] A pimp;
also, a bawd. [Obs.] Halliwell.
Mack`er*el (?), n. [OF.
maquerel, F. maquereau (LL. macarellus), prob.
for maclereau, fr. L. macula a spot, in allusion to the
markings on the fish. See Mail armor.] (Zoöl.)
Any species of the genus Scomber, and of several related
genera. They are finely formed and very active oceanic fishes. Most
of them are highly prized for food.
&fist; The common mackerel (Scomber scombrus), which
inhabits both sides of the North Atlantic, is one of the most
important food fishes. It is mottled with green and blue. The Spanish
mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus), of the American coast, is
covered with bright yellow circular spots.
Bull mackerel, Chub mackerel.
(Zoöl.) See under Chub. --
Frigate mackerel. See under
Frigate. -- Horse mackerel . See
under Horse. -- Mackerel bird
(Zoöl.), the wryneck; -- so called because it arrives
in England at the time when mackerel are in season. --
Mackerel cock (Zoöl.), the Manx
shearwater; -- so called because it precedes the appearance of the
mackerel on the east coast of Ireland. -- Mackerel
guide. (Zoöl.) See Garfish
(a). -- Mackerel gull
(Zoöl.) any one of several species of gull which feed
upon or follow mackerel, as the kittiwake. -- Mackerel
midge (Zoöl.), a very small oceanic gadoid
fish of the North Atlantic. It is about an inch and a half long and
has four barbels on the upper jaw. It is now considered the young of
the genus Onos, or Motella. -- Mackerel
plow, an instrument for creasing the sides of lean
mackerel to improve their appearance. Knight. --
Mackerel shark (Zoöl.), the
porbeagle. -- Mackerel sky, or
Mackerel-back sky, a sky flecked with small
white clouds; a cirro-cumulus. See Cloud.
Mackerel sky and mare's-tails
Make tall ships carry low sails.
Old Rhyme.
{ Mack"i*naw blan"ket (?), Mack"i*naw. }[From
Mackinac, the State of Michigan, where blankets and other
stores were distributed to the Indians.] A thick blanket
formerly in common use in the western part of the United
States.
Mack"in*tosh (?), n. A waterproof
outer garment; -- so called from the name of the inventor.
Mac"kle (?), n. [See Macle.]
Same as Macule.
Mac"kle, v. t. & i. To blur, or be
blurred, in printing, as if there were a double impression.
Ma"cle (?), n. [L. macula a
spot: cf. F. macle. Cf. Mackle, Mascle.]
(Min.) (a) Chiastolite; -- so called from
the tessellated appearance of a cross section. See
Chiastolite. (b) A crystal having a
similar tessellated appearance. (c) A twin
crystal.
Ma"cled (?), a. 1.
(Min.) (a) Marked like macle
(chiastolite). (b) Having a twin
structure. See Twin, a.
2. See Mascled.
||Ma*clu"re*a (?), n. [NL. Named from
William Maclure, the geologist.] (Paleon.) A genus
of spiral gastropod shells, often of large size, characteristic of
the lower Silurian rocks.
Ma*clu"rin (?), n. (Chem.)
See Morintannic.
Mac"ra*me lace" (?). A coarse lace made of twine,
used especially in decorating furniture.
{ Mac`ren*ce*phal"ic (?), Mac`ren*ceph"a*lous
(?), } a. [Macro + encephalic,
encephalous.] Having a large brain.
Mac"ro- (?). [Gr. makro`s, adj.] A
combining form signifying long, large, great; as
macrodiagonal, macrospore.
Mac`ro*bi*ot"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; long-
lived; makro`s long + &?; life: cf. F.
macrobiotique.] Long-lived. Dunglison.
Mac`ro*bi*ot"ics (?), n.
(Physiol.) The art of prolonging life.
Mac`ro*ceph"a*lous (?), a.
[Macro + Gr. kefalh` the head.] 1.
Having a large head.
2. (Bot.) Having the cotyledons of a
dicotyledonous embryo confluent, and forming a large mass compared
with the rest of the body. Henslow.
Mac`ro-chem"is*try (?), n. [Macro-
+ chemistry.] (Chem.) The science which
treats of the chemical properties, actions or relations of substances
in quantity; -- distinguished from micro-chemistry.
||Mac`ro*chi"res (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. makro`s long + &?; hand.] (Zoöl.) A
division of birds including the swifts and humming birds. So called
from the length of the distal part of the wing.
Mac"ro*cosm (?), n. [Macro- +
Gr. &?; the world: cf. F. macrocosme.] The great world;
that part of the universe which is exterior to man; -- contrasted
with microcosm, or man. See Microcosm.
Mac`ro*cos"mic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the macrocosm. Tylor.
||Mac`ro*cys"tis (?), n. [NL. See
Macro-, and Cyst.] (Bot.) An immensely long
blackish seaweed of the Pacific (Macrocystis pyrifera), having
numerous almond-shaped air vessels.
Mac`ro*dac"tyl (măk`r&osl;*dăk"t&ibreve;l),
n. [Gr. makroda`ktylos long-fingered;
makro`s long + da`ktylos finger: cf. F.
macrodactyle.] (Zoöl.) One of a group of
wading birds (Macrodactyli) having very long toes.
[Written also macrodactyle.]
{ Mac`ro*dac*tyl"ic (?), Mac`ro*dac"tyl*ous (?),
} a. (Zoöl.) Having long
toes.
Mac`ro*di*ag"o*nal (?), n. [Macro-
+ diagonal.] (Crystallog.) The longer of two
diagonals, as of a rhombic prism. See
Crystallization.
Mac"ro*dome (?), n. [Macro- +
dome.] (Crystallog.) A dome parallel to the longer
lateral axis of an orthorhombic crystal. See Dome,
n., 4.
Mac"ro*dont, a. [Macro- + Gr.
'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.]
(Zoöl.) Having large teeth. --
n. A macrodont animal.
Mac"ro*far`ad (?), n. [Macro- +
farad.] (Elec.) See Megafarad.
[R.]
||Mac`ro*glos"si*a (?), n. [NL. See
Macro-, and Glossa.] (Med.) Enlargement or
hypertrophy of the tongue.
Mac`rog*nath"ic (?), a. [Macro-
+ gnathic.] (Anthropol.) Long-jawed.
Huxley.
Ma*crol"o*gy (?), n. [L.
macrologia, Gr. &?;; &?; long + lo`gos discourse:
cf. F. macrologie.] Long and tedious talk without much
substance; superfluity of words.
Ma*crom"e*ter (?), n. [Macro- +
-meter.] An instrument for determining the size or
distance of inaccessible objects by means of two reflectors on a
common sextant.
Ma"cron (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
long.] (Pron.) A short, straight, horizontal mark [-],
placed over vowels to denote that they are to be pronounced with a
long sound; as, ā, in dāme; ē,
in sēam, etc.
Mac`ro*pet"al*ous (?), a. [Macro-
+ petal.] (Bot.) Having long or large
petals.
Ma*croph"yl*lous (?), a. [Macro-
+ Gr. &?; a leaf.] (Bot.) Having long or large
leaves.
Mac`ro*pin"a*coid (?), n. [Macro-
+ pinacoid.] (Crystallog.) One of the two
planes of an orthorhombic crystal which are parallel to the vertical
and longer lateral (macrodiagonal) axes.
Mac"ro*pod (?), n. [Macro- +
-pod.] (Zoöl.) Any one of a group of maioid
crabs remarkable for the length of their legs; -- called also
spider crab.
Ma*crop"o*dal (?), a. Having long
or large feet, or a long stem.
Mac`ro*po"di*an (?), n. A
macropod.
Ma*crop"o*dous (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Having long legs or feet.
Mac"ro*prism (?), n. [Macro- +
prism.] (Crystallog.) A prism of an orthorhombic
crystal between the macropinacoid and the unit prism; the
corresponding pyramids are called macropyramids.
||Ma*crop"te*res (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; long + &?; feather, wing.] (Zoöl.) A
division of birds; the Longipennes.
Ma*crop"ter*ous (?), a. [See
Macropteres.] (Zoöl.) Having long
wings.
||Mac"ro*pus (?), n. [NL. See
Macropod.] (Zoöl.) A genus of marsupials
including the common kangaroo.
Mac`ro*pyr"a*mid (?), n. [Macro-
+ pyramid.] (Crystallog.) See
Macroprism.
{ Mac`ro*scop"ic (?), Mac`ro*scop"ic*al (?), }
a. [Macro- + Gr. &?; to view.] Visible
to the unassisted eye; -- as opposed to microscopic. --
Mac`ro*scop"ic*al*ly, adv.
||Mac`ro*spo*ran"gi*um (?), n. [NL. See
Macro-, and Sporangium.] (Bot.) A
sporangium or conceptacle containing only large spores; -- opposed to
microsporangium. Both are found in the genera
Selaginella, Isoctes, and Marsilia, plants
remotely allied to ferns.
Mac"ro*spore (?), n. [Macro- +
spore.] (Bot.) One of the specially large spores
of certain flowerless plants, as Selaginella, etc.
Mac`ro*spor"ic (?), a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to macrospores.
Mac"ro*tone (?), n. [Gr. &?; stretched
out. See Macro-, and Tone.] (Pron.) Same as
Macron.
Ma*cro"tous (?), a. [Macro- +
Gr. o"y^s, gen. 'wto`s, the ear.]
(Zoöl.) Large-eared.
||Ma*crou"ra (?), n. pl.,
Ma*crou"ral (&?;), a., etc.
(Zoöl.) Same as Macrura, Macrural,
etc.
Mac`ro*zo"ö*spore (?), n.
[Macro- + zoöspore.] (Bot.) A large
motile spore having four vibratile cilia; -- found in certain green
algæ.
||Ma*cru"ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; long + &?; tail.] (Zoöl.) A subdivision of
decapod Crustacea, having the abdomen largely developed. It includes
the lobster, prawn, shrimp, and many similar forms. Cf.
Decapoda.
Ma*cru"ral (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Same as Macrurous.
Ma*cru"ran (?), n. (Zoöl.)
One of the Macrura.
Ma*cru"roid (?), a. [Macrura +
-oid.] (Zoöl.) Like or pertaining to the
Macrura.
Ma*cru"rous (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Of or pertaining to the Macrura; having a long tail.
Mac*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
mactatio, fr. macture to slay, sacrifice.] The act
of killing a victim for sacrifice. [Obs.]
||Mac"tra (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
kneading trough, fr. &?; to knead.] (Zoöl.) Any
marine bivalve shell of the genus Mactra, and allied genera.
Many species are known. Some of them are used as food, as Mactra
stultorum, of Europe. See Surf clam, under
Surf.
||Mac"u*la (?), n.; pl.
Maculæ (#). [L., spot, stain, blot. See
Mail armor, and cf. Mackle, Macule.]
1. A spot, as on the skin, or on the surface of
the sun or of some other luminous orb.
2. (Zoöl.) A rather large spot or
blotch of color.
Mac"u*late (?), v. t. [L.
maculatus, p. p. of maculare to spot. See
Macula, and cf. Macule, v.] To
spot; to stain; to blur.
Maculate the honor of their
people.
Sir T. Elyot.
Mac"u*late (?), a. [L.
maculatus, p. p.] Marked with spots or maculæ;
blotched; hence, defiled; impure; as, most maculate
thoughts. Shak.
Mac"u*la`ted (?), a. Having spots
or blotches; maculate.
Mac"u*la"tion (?), n. [L.
maculatio.] The act of spotting; a spot; a blemish.
Shak.
Mac"u*la*to*ry (?), a. Causing a
spot or stain. T. Adams.
Mac"u*la*ture (?), n. Blotting
paper. [Obs.]
Mac"ule (?), n. [F. macule. See
Macula.] 1. A spot. [Obs.]
2. (Print.) A blur, or an appearance
of a double impression, as when the paper slips a little; a
mackle.
Mac"ule, v. t. [Cf. F. maculer.
See Maculate, v.] To blur; especially
(Print.), to blur or double an impression from type. See
Mackle.
Mac"u*lose` (?), a. [L.
maculosus.] Of or pertaining to spots upon a surface;
spotted; maculate.
Mad (?), obs. p. p. of
Made. Chaucer.
Mad (?), a. [Compar.
Madder (?); superl. Maddest (?).]
[AS. gem&?;d, gemād, mad; akin to OS.
gem&?;d foolish, OHG. gameit, Icel. mei&?;a to
hurt, Goth. gamáids weak, broken. &?;.]
1. Disordered in intellect; crazy;
insane.
I have heard my grandsire say full oft,
Extremity of griefs would make men mad.
Shak.
2. Excited beyond self-control or the
restraint of reason; inflamed by violent or uncontrollable desire,
passion, or appetite; as, to be mad with terror, lust, or
hatred; mad against political reform.
It is the land of graven images, and they are
mad upon their idols.
Jer. 1. 88.
And being exceedingly mad against them, I
persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Acts xxvi.
11.
3. Proceeding from, or indicating, madness;
expressing distraction; prompted by infatuation, fury, or extreme
rashness. "Mad demeanor." Milton.
Mad wars destroy in one year the works of many
years of peace.
Franklin.
The mad promise of Cleon was
fulfilled.
Jowett (Thucyd.).
4. Extravagant; immoderate. "Be
mad and merry." Shak. "Fetching mad bounds."
Shak.
5. Furious with rage, terror, or disease; --
said of the lower animals; as, a mad bull; esp., having
hydrophobia; rabid; as, a mad dog.
6. Angry; out of patience; vexed; as, to get
mad at a person. [Colloq.]
7. Having impaired polarity; -- applied to a
compass needle. [Colloq.]
Like mad, like a mad person; in a furious
manner; as, to run like mad. L'Estrange. --
To run mad. (a) To become wild
with excitement. (b) To run wildly about
under the influence of hydrophobia; to become affected with
hydrophobia. -- To run mad after, to
pursue under the influence of infatuation or immoderate desire.
"The world is running mad after farce." Dryden.
Mad, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Madded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Madding.] To make mad or furious; to madden.
Had I but seen thy picture in this plight,
It would have madded me.
Shak.
Mad, v. i. To be mad; to go mad;
to rave. See Madding. [Archaic] Chaucer.
Festus said with great voice, Paul thou
maddest.
Wyclif (Acts).
Mad, n. [AS. ma&?;a; akin to D.
& G. made, Goth. mapa, and prob. to E. moth.]
(Zoöl.) An earthworm. [Written also
made.]
Mad"am (?), n.; pl.
Madams, or Mesdames (#). [See
Madame.] A gentlewoman; -- an appellation or courteous
form of address given to a lady, especially an elderly or a married
lady; -- much used in the address, at the beginning of a letter, to a
woman. The corresponding word in addressing a man is
Sir.
||Ma`dame" (?), n.; pl.
Mesdames (#). [F., fr. ma my (L. mea)
+ dame dame. See Dame, and cf. Madonna.] My
lady; -- a French title formerly given to ladies of quality; now, in
France, given to all married women. Chaucer.
Mad"-ap`ple (?), n. (Bot.)
See Eggplant.
Mad"brain` (?), a. Hot-headed;
rash. Shak. -- n. A rash or hot-
headed person.
Mad"brained` (?), a. Disordered in
mind; hot-headed. Shak.
Mad"cap` (?), a. 1.
Inclined to wild sports; delighting in rash, absurd, or
dangerous amusements. "The merry madcap lord."
Shak.
2. Wild; reckless. "Madcap
follies" Beau. & Fl.
Mad"cap`, n. A person of wild
behavior; an excitable, rash, violent person. Shak.
Mad"den (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Maddened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Maddening.] To make mad; to drive to madness; to craze;
to excite violently with passion; to make very angry; to
enrage.
Mad"den, v. i. To become mad; to
act as if mad.
They rave, recite, and madden round the
land.
Pope.
Mad"der (măd"d&etilde;r), n.
[OE. mader, AS. mædere; akin to Icel.
maðra.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus
Rubia (R. tinctorum). The root is much used in dyeing
red, and formerly was used in medicine. It is cultivated in France
and Holland. See Rubiaceous.
&fist; Madder is sometimes used in forming pigments, as lakes,
etc., which receive their names from their colors; as. madder
yellow.
Field madder, an annual European weed
(Sherardia arvensis) resembling madder. -- Indian
madder , the East Indian Rubia cordifolia, used
in the East for dyeing; -- called also munjeet. --
Wild madder, Rubia peregrina of Europe;
also the Galium Mollugo, a kind of bedstraw.
Mad"der*wort` (?), n. (Bot.)
A name proposed for any plant of the same natural order
(Rubiaceæ) as the madder.
Mad"ding (?), a. Affected with
madness; raging; furious. -- Mad"ding*ly,
adv. [Archaic]
Far from the madding crowd's ignoble
strife.
Gray.
The madding wheels
Of brazen chariots raged.
Milton.
Mad"dish (?), a. Somewhat
mad. Beau. & Fl.
Made (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Mad, n.
Made (?), imp. & p. p. of
Make.
Made, a. Artificially produced;
pieced together; formed by filling in; as, made ground; a
made mast, in distinction from one consisting of a single
spar.
Made up. (a) Complete;
perfect. "A made up villain." Shak.
(b) Falsely devised; fabricated; as, a made
up story. (c) Artificial; as, a made
up figure or complexion.
{ Mad"e*cass (?), Mad`e*cas"see (?), }
n. A native or inhabitant of Madagascar, or
Madecassee; the language of the natives of Madagascar. See
Malagasy.
Mad`e*cas"see, a. Of or pertaining
to Madagascar or its inhabitants.
{ Mad`e*fac"tion (?), Mad`e*fi*ca"tion (?), }
n. [L. madefacere to make wet; madere
to be wet + facere to make: cf. F. madéfaction.]
The act of madefying, or making wet; the state of that which is
made wet. [R.] Bacon.
Mad"e*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Madefied (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Madefying (?).] [Cf. F. madéfier, L.
madefacere. See Madefaction.] To make wet or
moist. [R.]
Mad`e*gas"sy (?), n. & a. See
Madecassee.
Ma*dei"ra (?), n. [Pg., the Island
Madeira, properly, wood, fr. L. materia stuff, wood. The
island was so called because well wooded. See Matter.] A
rich wine made on the Island of Madeira.
A cup of Madeira, and a cold capon's
leg.
Shak.
Madeira nut (Bot.), the European
walnut; the nut of the Juglans regia.
||Ma`de*moi`selle" (?), n.; pl.
Mesdemoiselles (#). [F., fr. ma my, f. of
mon + demoiselle young lady. See Damsel.]
1. A French title of courtesy given to a girl or
an unmarried lady, equivalent to the English Miss.
Goldsmith.
2. (Zoöl.) A marine food fish
(Sciæna chrysura), of the Southern United States; --
called also yellowtail, and silver perch.
Madge, n. [Cf. OF. & Prov. F.
machette.] (Zoöl.) (a) The
barn owl. (b) The magpie.
Mad"-head`ed (?), a. Wild; crack-
brained.
Mad"house` (?), n. A house where
insane persons are confined; an insane asylum; a bedlam.
||Ma"di*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Sp.
madi, fr. Chilian madi, the native name.] (Bot.)
A genus of composite plants, of which one species (Madia
sativa) is cultivated for the oil yielded from its seeds by
pressure. This oil is sometimes used instead of olive oil for the
table.
Mad"id (?), a. [L. madidus, fr.
madere to be wet.] Wet; moist; as, a madid
eye. [R.] Beaconsfield.
||Mad`is*te"ri*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?;.] (Surg.) An instrument to extract hairs.
||Mad"joun (?), n. [Hind., fr. Ar.
ma'j&?;n.] An intoxicating confection from the hemp
plant; -- used by the Turks and Hindoos. [Written also
majoun.]
Mad"ly (?), adv. [From Mad,
a.] In a mad manner; without reason or
understanding; wildly.
Mad"man (?), n.; pl.
Madmen (&?;). A man who is mad; lunatic; a
crazy person.
When a man mistakes his thoughts for person and
things, he is mad. A madman is properly so
defined.
Coleridge.
Mad"nep (?), n. (Bot.) The
masterwort (Peucedanum Ostruthium).
Mad"ness, n. [From Mad,
a.] 1. The condition of being
mad; insanity; lunacy.
2. Frenzy; ungovernable rage; extreme
folly.
Syn. -- Insanity; distraction; derangement; craziness;
lunacy; mania; frenzy; franticness; rage; aberration; alienation;
monomania. See Insanity.
Ma*don"na (?), n. [It. madonna
my lady. See Dame, Donna, and cf. Madame,
Monkey.] 1. My lady; -- a term of address
in Italian formerly used as the equivalent of Madame, but for
which Signora is now substituted. Sometimes introduced into
English. Shak.
2. [pl. Madonnas (n&adot;z).] A
picture of the Virgin Mary (usually with the babe).
The Italian painters are noted for drawing the
Madonnas by their own wives or mistresses.
Rymer.
||Ma"do*qua (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A small Abyssinian antelope (Neotragus Saltiana), about
the size of a hare.
||Ma`drague" (?), n. [R.] A large
fish pound used for the capture of the tunny in the Mediterranean;
also applied to the seines used for the same purpose.
Ma"dre*perl (?), n. [It.
madreperla.] Mother-of-pearl.
||Mad`re*po"ra (măd`r&esl;*pō"r&adot;),
n. [NL. See Madrepore.] (Zoöl.)
A genus of reef corals abundant in tropical seas. It includes
than one hundred and fifty species, most of which are elegantly
branched. -- Mad`re*po"ral (#),
a.
||Mad`re*po*ra"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL.
See Madrepore.] (Zoöl.) An extensive division
of Anthozoa, including most of the species that produce stony corals.
See Illust. of Anthozoa. --
Mad`re*po*ra"ri*an (#), a. & n.
Mad"re*pore (?), n. [F.
madrepore, perh. fr. madré spotted, fr. OF.
madre, mazre, a kind of knotty wood with brown spots,
fr. OHG. masar a knot, grain, or vein in wood, a speck, G.
maser + pore (see Pore); or perh. F.
madrépore is rather from It. madrepora, and this
perh. fr. It. madre mother (see Mother) + Gr. &?; a
soft stone.] (Zoöl.) Any coral of the genus
Madrepora; formerly, often applied to any stony coral.
{ Mad`re*po"ri*an (?), Mad`re*po"ric (?), }
a. (Zoöl.) Resembling, or
pertaining to, the genus Madrepora.
Madreporic plate (Zoöl.), a
perforated plate in echinoderms, through which water is admitted to
the ambulacral tubes; -- called also madreporic
tubercule.
Mad`re*po"ri*form (?), a.
[Madrepore + -form.] (Zoöl.)
Resembling a madreporian coral in form or structure.
Mad"re*po*rite (?), n. [Cf. F.
madréporite] 1. (Paleon.) A
fossil coral.
2. (Zoöl.) The madreporic plate
of echinoderms.
Ma*drier" (?), n. [F., from Sp.
madero, or Pg. madeiro, fr. Sp. madera wood for
building, timber, Pg. madeira, L. materia stuff,
materials, lumber. See Matter.] A thick plank, used for
several mechanical purposes; especially: (a)
A plank to receive the mouth of a petard, with which it is
applied to anything intended to be broken down.
(b) A plank or beam used for supporting the
earth in mines or fortifications.
Mad"ri*gal (măd"r&ibreve;*gal),
n. [It. madrigale, OIt. madriale,
mandriale (cf. LL. matriale); of uncertain origin,
possibly fr. It mandra flock, L. mandra stall, herd of
cattle, Gr. ma`ndra fold, stable; hence, madrigal,
originally, a pastoral song.] 1. A little
amorous poem, sometimes called a pastoral poem, containing
some tender and delicate, though simple, thought.
Whose artful strains have oft delayed
The huddling brook to hear his madrigal.
Milton.
2. (Mus.) An unaccompanied polyphonic
song, in four, five, or more parts, set to secular words, but full of
counterpoint and imitation, and adhering to the old church modes.
Unlike the freer glee, it is best sung with several voices on a part.
See Glee.
Mad"ri*gal*er (?), n. A
madrigalist.
Mad"ri*gal*ist, n. A composer of
madrigals.
Mad`ri*le"ni*an (?), a. [Sp.
Madrileño.] Of or pertaining to Madrid in Spain,
or to its inhabitants. -- n. A native or
inhabitant of Madrid.
||Ma*dri"na (?), n. [Sp., prop., a
godmother.] An animal (usually an old mare), wearing a bell and
acting as the leader of a troop of pack mules. [S. America]
Ma*dro"ña (?), n. [Sp.
madroño.] (Bot.) A small evergreen tree or
shrub (Arbutus Menziesii), of California, having a smooth
bark, thick shining leaves, and edible red berries, which are often
called madroña apples. [Written also
madroño.]
Mad"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A
genus of cruciferous plants (Alyssum) with white or yellow
flowers and rounded pods. A. maritimum is the commonly
cultivated sweet alyssum, a fragrant white-flowered annual.
{ Mæg"bote`, Mag"bote` } (?),
n. [AS. m&aemacr;g kinsman +
bōt compensation.] (Anglo-Saxon Law)
Compensation for the injury done by slaying a kinsman.
Spelman.
Mael"strom (?), n. [Norw., a
whirlpool.] 1. A celebrated whirlpool on the
coast of Norway.
2. Also Fig. ; as, a maelstrom of
vice.
||Mæ"nad (?), n. [L.
Maenas, -adis, Gr. &?;, &?;, fr. &?; to rave.]
1. A Bacchante; a priestess or votary of
Bacchus.
2. A frantic or frenzied woman.
||Ma`es*to"so (?), a. & adv. [It.]
(Mus.) Majestic or majestically; -- a direction to
perform a passage or piece of music in a dignified manner.
Maes"tricht mon"i*tor (?). [So called from
Maestricht, a town in Holland.] (Paleon.) The
Mosasaurus Hofmanni. See Mosasaurus.
||Ma*es"tro (?), n. [It., fr. L.
magister. See Master.] A master in any art,
especially in music; a composer.
Maf"fle (?), v. i. [Akin to OD.
maffelen to stammer. Cf. Muffle to mumble.] To
stammer. [Obs.]
Maf"fler (?), n. A
stammerer. [Obs.]
Mag`a*zine" (?), n. [F. magasin,
It. magazzino, or Sp. magacen, almagacen; all
fr. Ar. makhzan, almakhzan, a storehouse, granary, or
cellar.]
1. A receptacle in which anything is stored,
especially military stores, as ammunition, arms, provisions,
etc. "Armories and magazines." Milton.
2. The building or room in which the supply
of powder is kept in a fortification or a ship.
3. A chamber in a gun for holding a number of
cartridges to be fed automatically to the piece.
4. A pamphlet published periodically
containing miscellaneous papers or compositions.
Magazine dress, clothing made chiefly of
woolen, without anything metallic about it, to be worn in a powder
magazine. -- Magazine gun, a portable
firearm, as a rifle, with a chamber carrying cartridges which are
brought automatically into position for firing. --
Magazine stove, a stove having a chamber for
holding fuel which is supplied to the fire by some self-feeding
process, as in the common base-burner.
Mag`a*zine" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Magazined (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Magazining.] To store in, or as in, a
magazine; to store up for use.
Mag`a*zin"er (?), n. One who edits
or writes for a magazine. [R.] Goldsmith.
Mag`a*zin"ing, n. The act of
editing, or writing for, a magazine. [Colloq.]
Byron.
Mag`a*zin"ist, n. One who edits or
writes for a magazine. [R.]
Mag"bote` (?), n. See
Mægbote.
Mag"da*la (?), a. Designating an
orange-red dyestuff obtained from naphthylamine, and called
magdala red, naphthalene red, etc.
Mag"da*len (?), n. [From Mary
Magdalene, traditionally reported to have been the repentant
sinner forgiven by Christ. See Luke vii. 36.] A reformed
prostitute.
Mag*da"le*on (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
crumb of bread, fr. &?; to knead.] (Med.) A medicine in
the form of a roll, a esp. a roll of plaster.
Mag"de*burg (?), n. A city of
Saxony.
Magdeburg centuries, Magdeburg
hemispheres. See under Century, and
Hemisphere.
Mage (?), n. [F. mage. See
Magi.] A magician. [Archaic] Spenser.
Tennyson.
Mag`el*lan"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to, or named from, Magellan, the
navigator.
Magellenic clouds (Astron.), three
conspicuous nebulæ near the south pole, resembling thin white
clouds.
Ma*gen"ta (?), n. (Chem.)
An aniline dye obtained as an amorphous substance having a green
bronze surface color, which dissolves to a shade of red; also, the
color; -- so called from Magenta, in Italy, in allusion to the
battle fought there about the time the dye was discovered. Called
also fuchsine, roseïne, etc.
Magged (?), a. (Naut.)
Worn; fretted; as, a magged brace. Ham. Nav.
Encyc.
||Mag`gio"re (?), a. [It., from L.
major, compar. of magnus great. See Major.]
(Mus.) Greater, in respect to scales, intervals, etc.,
when used in opposition to minor; major. Moore
(Encyc. of Music).
Mag"got (?), n. [W. macai, pl.
maceiod, magiod, a worn or grub; cf. magu to
bread.] 1. (Zoöl.) The footless
larva of any fly. See Larval.
2. A whim; an odd fancy. Hudibras.
Tennyson.
Mag"got*i*ness (?), n. State of
being maggoty.
Mag"got*ish, a. Full of whims or
fancies; maggoty.
Mag"got-pie` (?), n. A
magpie. [Obs.] Shak.
Mag"got*y (?), a. 1.
Infested with maggots.
2. Full of whims; capricious.
Norris.
Ma"ghet (?), n. [Cf. Fl. maghet
maid.] (Bot.) A name for daisies and camomiles of several
kinds.
||Ma"gi (?), n. pl. [L., pl. of
Magus, Gr. &?;; of Per. origin. Cf. Mage,
Magic.] A caste of priests, philosophers, and magicians,
among the ancient Persians; hence, any holy men or sages of the
East.
The inspired Magi from the Orient
came.
Sandys.
Ma"gi*an (?), a. Of or pertaining
to the Magi.
Ma"gi*an, n. One of the Magi, or
priests of the Zoroastrian religion in Persia; an adherent of the
Zoroastrian religion. -- Ma"gi*an*ism (#),
n.
Mag"ic (?), n. [OE. magique, L.
magice, Gr. &?; (sc. &?;), fr. &?;. See Magic,
a., and Magi.] A comprehensive name for
all of the pretended arts which claim to produce effects by the
assistance of supernatural beings, or departed spirits, or by a
mastery of secret forces in nature attained by a study of occult
science, including enchantment, conjuration, witchcraft, sorcery,
necromancy, incantation, etc.
An appearance made by some magic.
Chaucer.
Celestial magic, a supposed supernatural
power which gave to spirits a kind of dominion over the planets, and
to the planets an influence over men. -- Natural
magic, the art of employing the powers of nature to
produce effects apparently supernatural. --
Superstitious, or Geotic,
magic, the invocation of devils or demons,
involving the supposition of some tacit or express agreement between
them and human beings.
Syn. -- Sorcery; witchcraft; necromancy; conjuration;
enchantment.
{ Mag"ic (?), Mag"ic*al (?), }
a. [L. magicus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?;: cf. F.
magique. See Magi.] 1. Pertaining
to the hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed by the Magi; relating
to the occult powers of nature, and the producing of effects by their
agency.
2. Performed by, or proceeding from, occult
and superhuman agencies; done by, or seemingly done by, enchantment
or sorcery. Hence: Seemingly requiring more than human power;
imposing or startling in performance; producing effects which seem
supernatural or very extraordinary; having extraordinary properties;
as, a magic lantern; a magic square or
circle.
The painter's magic skill.
Cowper.
&fist; Although with certain words magic is used more than
magical, -- as, magic circle, magic square,
magic wand, -- we may in general say magic or
magical; as, a magic or magical effect; a
magic or magical influence, etc. But when the adjective
is predicative, magical, and not magic, is used; as,
the effect was magical.
Magic circle, a series of concentric circles
containing the numbers 12 to 75 in eight radii, and having somewhat
similar properties to the magic square. -- Magic humming
bird (Zoöl.), a Mexican humming bird
(Iache magica) , having white downy thing tufts. --
Magic lantern. See Lantern. --
Magic square, numbers so disposed in parallel
and equal rows in the form of a square, that each row, taken
vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, shall give the same sum, the
same product, or an harmonical series, according as the numbers taken
are in arithmetical, geometrical, or harmonical progression. --
Magic wand, a wand used by a magician in
performing feats of magic.
Mag"ic*al*ly (?), adv. In a
magical manner; by magic, or as if by magic.
Ma*gi"cian (?), n. [F. magicien.
See Magic, n.] One skilled in magic;
one who practices the black art; an enchanter; a necromancer; a
sorcerer or sorceress; a conjurer.
{ Ma*gilp" (?), Ma*gilph" (?), }
n. (Paint.) See
Megilp.
||Ma*gis"ter (?), n. [L. See
Master.] Master; sir; -- a title of the Middle Ages,
given to a person in authority, or to one having a license from a
university to teach philosophy and the liberal arts.
Mag`is*te"ri*al (?), a. [L.
magisterius magisterial. See Master.]
1. Of or pertaining to a master or magistrate,
or one in authority; having the manner of a magister; official;
commanding; authoritative. Hence: Overbearing; dictatorial;
dogmatic.
When magisterial duties from his home
Her father called.
Glover.
We are not magisterial in opinions, nor,
dictator-like, obtrude our notions on any man.
Sir T.
Browne.
Pretenses go a great way with men that take fair words
and magisterial looks for current payment.
L'Estrange.
2. (Alchem. & Old Chem.) Pertaining
to, produced by, or of the nature of, magistery. See
Magistery, 2.
Syn. -- Authoritative; stately; august; pompous; dignified;
lofty; commanding; imperious; lordly; proud; haughty; domineering;
despotic; dogmatical; arrogant. -- Magisterial,
Dogmatical, Arrogant. One who is magisterial
assumes the air of a master toward his pupils; one who is
dogmatical lays down his positions in a tone of authority or
dictation; one who is arrogant in sults others by an undue
assumption of superiority. Those who have long been teachers
sometimes acquire, unconsciously, a manner which borders too much on
the magisterial, and may be unjustly construed as
dogmatical, or even arrogant.
Mag`is*te`ri*al"i*ty (?), n.
Magisterialness; authoritativeness. [R.]
Fuller.
Mag`is*te"ri*al*ly (?), adv. In a
magisterial manner.
Mag`is*te"ri*al*ness, n. The
quality or state of being magisterial.
Mag"is*ter*y (?), n. [L.
magisterium the office of a chief, president, director, tutor.
See Magistrate.] 1. Mastery; powerful
medical influence; renowned efficacy; a sovereign remedy.
[Obs.] Holland.
2. A magisterial injunction. [R.]
Brougham.
3. (Chem.) A precipitate; a fine
substance deposited by precipitation; -- applied in old chemistry to
certain white precipitates from metallic solutions; as,
magistery of bismuth. Ure.
Mag"is*tra*cy (?), n.; pl.
Magistracies (#). [From Magistrate.]
1. The office or dignity of a magistrate.
Blackstone.
2. The collective body of
magistrates.
Mag"is*tral (?), a. [L.
magistralis: cf. F. magistral. See Magistrate.]
1. Pertaining to a master; magisterial;
authoritative; dogmatic.
2. Commanded or prescribed by a magister,
esp. by a doctor; hence, effectual; sovereign; as, a magistral
sirup. "Some magistral opiate." Bacon.
3. (Pharmacy) Formulated
extemporaneously, or for a special case; -- opposed to
officinal, and said of prescriptions and medicines.
Dunglison.
Magistral line (Fort.), the guiding
line, or outline, by which the form of the work is determined. It is
usually the crest line of the parapet in fieldworks, or the top line
of the escarp in permanent fortifications.
Mag"is*tral, n. 1.
(Med.) A sovereign medicine or remedy. [Obs.]
Burton.
2. (Fort.) A magistral line.
3. (Metal.) Powdered copper pyrites
used in the amalgamation of ores of silver, as at the Spanish mines
of Mexico and South America.
Mag`is*tral"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
-ties (&?;). Magisterialness; arbitrary
dogmatism. Bacon.
Mag"is*tral*ly (?), adv. In a
magistral manner. Abp. Bramhall.
Mag"is*trate (?), n. [L.
magistratus, fr. magister master: cf. F.
magistrat. See Master.] A person clothed with
power as a public civil officer; a public civil officer invested with
the executive government, or some branch of it. "All Christian
rulers and magistrates." Book of Com. Prayer.
Of magistrates some also are supreme, in whom
the sovereign power of the state resides; others are
subordinate.
Blackstone.
{ Mag`is*trat"ic (?), Mag`is*trat"ic*al (?), }
a. Of, pertaining to, or proceeding from, a
magistrate; having the authority of a magistrate. Jer.
Taylor.
Mag"is*tra`ture (?), n. [Cf. F.
magistrature.] Magistracy. [Obs.]
||Mag"ma (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr.
&?; to squeeze, knead.] 1. Any crude mixture of
mineral or organic matters in the state of a thin paste.
Ure.
2. (Med.) (a) A thick
residuum obtained from certain substances after the fluid parts are
expressed from them; the grounds which remain after treating a
substance with any menstruum, as water or alcohol.
(b) A salve or confection of thick
consistency. Dunglison.
3. (Geol.) (a) The
molten matter within the earth, the source of the material of lava
flows, dikes of eruptive rocks, etc. (b)
The glassy base of an eruptive rock.
4. (Chem.) The amorphous or homogenous
matrix or ground mass, as distinguished from well-defined crystals;
as, the magma of porphyry.
||Mag"na Char"ta (?). [L., great charter.]
1. The great Charter, so called, obtained by the
English barons from King John, A. D. 1215. This name is also
given to the charter granted to the people of England in the ninth
year of Henry III., and confirmed by Edward I.
2. Hence, a fundamental constitution which
guaranties rights and privileges.
Mag*nal"i*ty (?), n. [L.
magnalis mighty, fr. magnus great.] A great act or
event; a great attainment. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Mag`na*nim"i*ty (?), n. [F.
magnanimité, L. magnanimitas.] The quality
of being magnanimous; greatness of mind; elevation or dignity of
soul; that quality or combination of qualities, in character, which
enables one to encounter danger and trouble with tranquility and
firmness, to disdain injustice, meanness and revenge, and to act and
sacrifice for noble objects.
Mag*nan"i*mous (?), a.[L.
magnanimus; magnus great + animus mind. See
Magnate, and Animus.] 1. Great of
mind; elevated in soul or in sentiment; raised above what is low,
mean, or ungenerous; of lofty and courageous spirit; as, a
magnanimous character; a magnanimous
conqueror.
Be magnanimous in the enterprise.
Shak.
To give a kingdom hath been thought
Greater and nobler done, and to lay down
Far more magnanimous than to assume.
Milton.
2. Dictated by or exhibiting nobleness of
soul; honorable; noble; not selfish.
Both strived for death; magnanimous
debate.
Stirling.
There is an indissoluble union between a
magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity
and felicity.
Washington.
Mag*nan"i*mous*ly, adv. In a
magnanimous manner; with greatness of mind.
Mag"nase black` (?). (Paint.) A black pigment
which dries rapidly when mixed with oil, and is of intense
body. Fairholt.
Mag"nate (?), [F. magnat, L. (pl.)
magnates, magnati, fr. magnus great. See
Master.] 1. A person of rank; a noble or
grandee; a person of influence or distinction in any sphere.
Macaulay.
2. One of the nobility, or certain high
officers of state belonging to the noble estate in the national
representation of Hungary, and formerly of Poland.
Mag"nes (?), n. [L.] Magnet.
[Obs.] Spenser.
Mag*ne"si*a (?; 277), n. [L.
Magnesia, fem. of Magnesius of the country Magnesia,
Gr. h` Magnhsi`a li`qos a magnet. Cf. Magnet.]
(Chem.) A light earthy white substance, consisting of
magnesium oxide, and obtained by heating magnesium hydrate or
carbonate, or by burning magnesium. It has a slightly alkaline
reaction, and is used in medicine as a mild antacid laxative. See
Magnesium.
Magnesia alba [L.] (Med. Chem.), a
bulky white amorphous substance, consisting of a hydrous basic
carbonate of magnesium, and used as a mild cathartic.
Mag*ne"sian (?), a. Pertaining to,
characterized by, or containing, magnesia or magnesium.
Magnesian limestone. (Min.) See
Dolomite.
Mag*ne"sic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or containing, magnesium; as, magnesic
oxide.
Mag"ne*site (?), n. [Cf. F.
magnésite.] (Min.) Native magnesium
carbonate occurring in white compact or granular masses, and also in
rhombohedral crystals.
Mag*ne"si*um (?), n. [NL. & F. See
Magnesia.] (Chem.) A light silver-white metallic
element, malleable and ductile, quite permanent in dry air but
tarnishing in moist air. It burns, forming (the oxide) magnesia, with
the production of a blinding light (the so-called magnesium
light) which is used in signaling, in pyrotechny, or in
photography where a strong actinic illuminant is required. Its
compounds occur abundantly, as in dolomite, talc, meerschaum, etc.
Symbol Mg. Atomic weight, 24.4. Specific gravity, 1.75.
Magnesium sulphate. (Chem.) Same as
Epsom salts.
Mag"net (măg"n&ebreve;t), n.
[OE. magnete, OF. magnete, L. magnes, -
etis, Gr. Magnh^tis li`qos a magnet, metal that looked
like silver, prop., Magnesian stone, fr. Gr. Magnhsi`a, a
country in Thessaly. Cf. Magnesia, Manganese.]
1. The loadstone; a species of iron ore (the
ferrosoferric or magnetic ore, Fe3O4) which has
the property of attracting iron and some of its ores, and, when
freely suspended, of pointing to the poles; -- called also natural
magnet.
Dinocrates began to make the arched roof of the temple
of Arsinoë all of magnet, or this loadstone.
Holland.
Two magnets, heaven and earth, allure to
bliss,
The larger loadstone that, the nearer this.
Dryden.
2. (Physics) A bar or mass of steel or
iron to which the peculiar properties of the loadstone have been
imparted; -- called, in distinction from the loadstone, an
artificial magnet.
&fist; An artificial magnet, produced by the action of a voltaic
or electrical battery, is called an electro-magnet.
Field magnet (Physics & Elec.), a
magnet used for producing and maintaining a magnetic field; -- used
especially of the stationary or exciting magnet of a dynamo or
electromotor in distinction from that of the moving portion or
armature.
{ Mag*net"ic (?), Mag*net"ic*al (?), }
a. [L. magneticus: cf. F.
magnétique.] 1. Pertaining to the
magnet; possessing the properties of the magnet, or corresponding
properties; as, a magnetic bar of iron; a magnetic
needle.
2. Of or pertaining to, or characterized by,
the earth's magnetism; as, the magnetic north; the
magnetic meridian.
3. Capable of becoming a magnet; susceptible
to magnetism; as, the magnetic metals.
4. Endowed with extraordinary personal power
to excite the feelings and to win the affections; attractive;
inducing attachment.
She that had all magnetic force
alone.
Donne.
5. Having, susceptible to, or induced by,
animal magnetism, so called; as, a magnetic sleep. See
Magnetism.
Magnetic amplitude,
attraction, dip,
induction, etc. See under Amplitude,
Attraction, etc. -- Magnetic battery,
a combination of bar or horseshoe magnets with the like poles
adjacent, so as to act together with great power. --
Magnetic compensator, a contrivance connected
with a ship's compass for compensating or neutralizing the effect of
the iron of the ship upon the needle. -- Magnetic
curves, curves indicating lines of magnetic force, as
in the arrangement of iron filings between the poles of a powerful
magnet. -- Magnetic elements.
(a) (Chem. Physics) Those elements, as
iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, etc., which are capable or
becoming magnetic. (b) (Physics) In
respect to terrestrial magnetism, the declination, inclination, and
intensity. (c) See under
Element. -- Magnetic equator, the
line around the equatorial parts of the earth at which there is no
dip, the dipping needle being horizontal. -- Magnetic
field, or Field of magnetic force,
any space through which a magnet exerts its influence. --
Magnetic fluid, the hypothetical fluid whose
existence was formerly assumed in the explanations of the phenomena
of magnetism. -- Magnetic iron, or
Magnetic iron ore. (Min.) Same as
Magnetite. -- Magnetic needle, a
slender bar of steel, magnetized and suspended at its center on a
sharp-pointed pivot, or by a delicate fiber, so that it may take
freely the direction of the magnetic meridian. It constitutes the
essential part of a compass, such as the mariner's and the
surveyor's. -- Magnetic poles, the two
points in the opposite polar regions of the earth at which the
direction of the dipping needle is vertical. -- Magnetic
pyrites. See Pyrrhotite. --
Magnetic storm (Terrestrial Physics), a
disturbance of the earth's magnetic force characterized by great and
sudden changes. -- Magnetic telegraph, a
telegraph acting by means of a magnet. See Telegraph.
Mag*net"ic (?), n. 1.
A magnet. [Obs.]
As the magnetic hardest iron
draws.
Milton.
2. Any metal, as iron, nickel, cobalt, etc.,
which may receive, by any means, the properties of the loadstone, and
which then, when suspended, fixes itself in the direction of a
magnetic meridian.
Mag*net"ic*al*ly, adv. By or as
by, magnetism.
Mag*net"ic*al*ness, n. Quality of
being magnetic.
Mag`ne*ti"cian (?), n. One versed
in the science of magnetism; a magnetist.
Mag*net"ic*ness, n.
Magneticalness. [Obs.]
Mag*net"ics (?), n. The science of
magnetism.
Mag`net*if"er*ous (?), a. [L.
magnes, -etis + -ferous.] Producing or
conducting magnetism.
Mag"net*ism (?), n. [Cf. F.
magnétisme.] The property, quality, or state, of
being magnetic; the manifestation of the force in nature which is
seen in a magnet.
2. The science which treats of magnetic
phenomena.
3. Power of attraction; power to excite the
feelings and to gain the affections. "By the magnetism
of interest our affections are irresistibly attracted."
Glanvill.
Animal magnetism, a force, more or less
analogous to magnetism, which, it has been alleged, is produced in
animal tissues, and passes from one body to another with or without
actual contact. The existence of such a force, and its potentiality
for the cure of disease, were asserted by Mesmer in 1775. His
theories and methods were afterwards called mesmerism, a name
which has been popularly applied to theories and claims not put
forward by Mesmer himself. See Mesmerism, Biology,
Od, Hypnotism. -- Terrestrial
magnetism, the magnetic force exerted by the earth, and
recognized by its effect upon magnetized needles and bars.
Mag"net*ist, n. One versed in
magnetism.
Mag"net*ite (?), n. (Min.)
An oxide of iron (Fe3O4) occurring in
isometric crystals, also massive, of a black color and metallic
luster. It is readily attracted by a magnet and sometimes possesses
polarity, being then called loadstone. It is an important iron
ore. Called also magnetic iron.
Mag"net*i`za*ble (?), a. Capable
of being magnetized.
Mag`net*i*za"tion (?), n. The act
of magnetizing, or the state of being magnetized.
Mag"net*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Magnetized (?); prep. & adv.
Magnetizing (?).] [Cf. F. magnétiser.]
1. To communicate magnetic properties to; as, to
magnetize a needle.
2. To attract as a magnet attracts, or like a
magnet; to move; to influence.
Fascinated, magnetized, as it were, by his
character.
Motley.
3. To bring under the influence of animal
magnetism.
Mag`net*i*zee" (?), n. A person
subjected to the influence of animal magnetism. [R.]
Mag"net*i`zer (?), n. One who, or
that which, imparts magnetism.
Mag"net*o- (?). [See Magnet.] A prefix
meaning pertaining to, produced by, or in some way
connected with, magnetism.
{ Mag`net*o-e*lec"tric (?), Mag`net*o-
e*lec"tric*al (?), } a. (Physics)
Pertaining to, or characterized by, electricity by the action of
magnets; as, magneto-electric induction.
Magneto-electric machine, a form of dynamo-
electric machine in which the field is maintained by permanent steel
magnets instead of electro-magnets.
Mag`net*o-e`lec*tric"i*ty (?), n.
1. Electricity evolved by the action of
magnets.
2. (Physics) That branch of science
which treats of the development of electricity by the action of
magnets; -- the counterpart of electro-magnetism.
Mag*net"o*graph (?), n. [Magneto-
+ -graph.] (Physics) An automatic instrument
for registering, by photography or otherwise, the states and
variations of any of the terrestrial magnetic elements.
Mag`net*om"e*ter (?), n. [Magneto-
+ -meter: cf. F. magnétomètre.]
(Physics) An instrument for measuring the intensity of
magnetic forces; also, less frequently, an instrument for determining
any of the terrestrial magnetic elements, as the dip and
declination.
Mag`net*o*met"ric (?), a.
Pertaining to, or employed in, the measurement of magnetic
forces; obtained by means of a magnetometer; as, magnetometric
instruments; magnetometric measurements.
Mag`net*o*mo"tor (?), n. A voltaic
series of two or more large plates, producing a great quantity of
electricity of low tension, and hence adapted to the exhibition of
electro-magnetic phenomena. [R.]
Mag`net*o*ther"a*py (?), n.
(Med.) The treatment of disease by the application of
magnets to the surface of the body.
Mag"ni*fi`a*ble, a. [From
Magnify.] Such as can be magnified, or
extolled.
{ Mag*nif"ic (?), Mag*nif"ic*al (?), }
a. [L. magnificus; magnus great +
facere to make: cf. F. magnifique. See
Magnitude, Fact. and cf. Magnificent.]
Grand; splendid; illustrious; magnificent. [Obs.] 1
Chron. xxii. 5. "Thy magnific deeds." Milton. --
Mag*nif"ic*al*ly, adv. [Obs.]
||Mag*nif"i*cat (?), n. [L., it
magnifies.] The song of the Virgin Mary, Luke i. 46; --
so called because it commences with this word in the
Vulgate.
Mag*nif"i*cate (?), v. t. [L.
magnificatus, p. p. of magnificare.] To magnify or
extol. [Obs.] Marston.
Mag`ni*fi*ca"tion (?), n. The act
of magnifying; enlargement; exaggeration. [R.]
Mag*nif"i*cence (?), n. [F.
magnificence, L. magnificentia. See Magnific.]
The act of doing what is magnificent; the state or quality of
being magnificent. Acts xix. 27. "Then cometh
magnificence." Chaucer.
And, for the heaven's wide circuit, let it speak
The Maker's high magnificence, who built
so spacious.
Milton.
The noblest monuments of Roman
magnificence.
Eustace.
Mag*nif"i*cent (?), a. [See
Magnificence.] 1. Doing grand things;
admirable in action; displaying great power or opulence, especially
in building, way of living, and munificence.
A prince is never so magnificent
As when he's sparing to enrich a few
With the injuries of many.
Massinger.
2. Grand in appearance; exhibiting grandeur
or splendor; splendid; pompous.
When Rome's exalted beauties I descry
Magnificent in piles of ruin lie.
Addison.
Syn. -- Glorious; majestic; sublime. See Grand.
Mag*nif"i*cent*ly, adv. In a
Magnificent manner.
Mag*nif"i*co (?), n.; pl.
Magnificoes (#). [It. See Magnific.]
1. A grandee or nobleman of Venice; -- so called
in courtesy. Shak.
2. A rector of a German university.
Mag"ni*fi`er (?), n. One who, or
that which, magnifies.
Mag"ni*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Magnified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Magnifying (?).] [OE. magnifien, F. magnifier,
L. magnificare. See Magnific.] 1.
To make great, or greater; to increase the dimensions of; to
amplify; to enlarge, either in fact or in appearance; as, the
microscope magnifies the object by a thousand
diameters.
The least error in a small quantity . . . will in a
great one . . . be proportionately magnified.
Grew.
2. To increase the importance of; to augment
the esteem or respect in which one is held.
On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the
sight of all Israel.
Joshua iv. 14.
3. To praise highly; to laud; to extol.
[Archaic]
O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt
his name together.
Ps. xxxiv. 3.
4. To exaggerate; as, to magnify a
loss or a difficulty.
To magnify one's self (Script.), to
exhibit pride and haughtiness; to boast. -- To magnify
one's self against (Script.), to oppose with
pride.
Mag"ni*fy, v. i. 1.
To have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they
really are; to increase the apparent dimensions of objects; as, some
lenses magnify but little.
2. To have effect; to be of importance or
significance. [Cant & Obs.] Spectator.
Magnifying glass, a lens which magnifies the
apparent dimensions of objects seen through it.
Mag*nil"o*quence (?), n. [L.
magniloquentia.] The quality of being magniloquent;
pompous discourse; grandiloquence.
Mag*nil"o*quent (?), a. [L.
magnus great + loquens, -entis, p. pr. of
loqui to speak. See Magnitude, Loquacious.]
Speaking pompously; using swelling discourse; bombastic; tumid
in style; grandiloquent. -- Mag*nil"o*quent*ly,
adv.
Mag*nil"o*quous (?), a. [L.
magniloquus.] Magniloquent. [Obs.]
Mag"ni*tude (?), n. [L.
magnitudo, from magnus great. See Master, and
cf. Maxim.] 1. Extent of dimensions;
size; -- applied to things that have length, breadth, and
thickness.
Conceive those particles of bodies to be so disposed
amongst themselves, that the intervals of empty spaces between them
may be equal in magnitude to them all.
Sir I.
Newton.
2. (Geom.) That which has one or more
of the three dimensions, length, breadth, and thickness.
3. Anything of which greater or less can be
predicated, as time, weight, force, and the like.
4. Greatness; grandeur. "With plain,
heroic magnitude of mind." Milton.
5. Greatness, in reference to influence or
effect; importance; as, an affair of magnitude.
The magnitude of his designs.
Bp. Horsley.
Apparent magnitude (Opt.), the
angular breadth of an object viewed as measured by the angle which it
subtends at the eye of the observer; -- called also apparent
diameter. -- Magnitude of a star
(Astron.), the rank of a star with respect to brightness.
About twenty very bright stars are said to be of first magnitude, the
stars of the sixth magnitude being just visible to the naked eye.
Telescopic stars are classified down to the twelfth magnitude or
lower. The scale of the magnitudes is quite arbitrary, but by means
of photometers, the classification has been made to tenths of a
magnitude.
Mag*no"li*a (?), n. [NL. Named after
Pierre Magnol, professor of botany at Montpellier, France, in
the 17th century.] (Bot.) A genus of American and Asiatic
trees, with aromatic bark and large sweet-scented whitish or reddish
flowers.
&fist; Magnolia grandiflora has coriaceous shining leaves
and very fragrant blossoms. It is common from North Carolina to
Florida and Texas, and is one of the most magnificent trees of the
American forest. The sweet bay (M. glauca)is a small tree
found sparingly as far north as Cape Ann. Other American species are
M. Umbrella, M. macrophylla, M. Fraseri, M.
acuminata, and M. cordata. M. conspicua and M.
purpurea are cultivated shrubs or trees from Eastern Asia. M.
Campbellii, of India, has rose-colored or crimson flowers.
Magnolia warbler (Zoöl.), a
beautiful North American wood warbler (Dendroica maculosa).
The rump and under parts are bright yellow; the breast and belly are
spotted with black; the under tail coverts are white; the crown is
ash.
Mag*no`li*a"ceous (?), a. (Bot.)
Pertaining to a natural order (Magnoliaceæ) of
trees of which the magnolia, the tulip tree, and the star anise are
examples.
||Mag"num (?), n. [Neut. sing. of L.
magnus great.] 1. A large wine
bottle.
They passed the magnum to one another
freely.
Sir W. Scott.
2. (Anat.) A bone of the carpus at the
base of the third metacarpal bone.
Mag"ot (?), n. [F.] (Zoöl.)
The Barbary ape.
Mag"ot-pie` (?), n. A
magpie. [Obs.] Shak.
Mag"pie (?), n. [OE. & Prov. E.
magot pie, maggoty pie, fr. Mag, Maggot,
equiv. to Margaret, and fr. F. Marquerite, and common
name of the magpie. Marguerite is fr. L. margarita
pearl, Gr. &?;, prob. of Eastern origin. See Pie magpie, and
cf. the analogous names Tomtit, and Jackdaw.]
(Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of the genus
Pica and related genera, allied to the jays, but having a long
graduated tail.
&fist; The common European magpie (Pica pica, or P.
caudata) is a black and white noisy and mischievous bird. It can
be taught to speak. The American magpie (P. Hudsonica) is very
similar. The yellow-belled magpie (P. Nuttalli) inhabits
California. The blue magpie (Cyanopolius Cooki) inhabits
Spain. Other allied species are found in Asia. The Tasmanian and
Australian magpies are crow shrikes, as the white magpie
(Gymnorhina organicum), the black magpie (Strepera
fuliginosa), and the Australian magpie (Cracticus
picatus).
Magpie lark (Zoöl.), a common
Australian bird (Grallina picata), conspicuously marked with
black and white; -- called also little magpie. --
Magpie moth (Zoöl.), a black and
white European geometrid moth (Abraxas grossulariata); the
harlequin moth. Its larva feeds on currant and gooseberry
bushes.
||Ma`gua*ri" (?), n. [From native name:
cf. Pg. magoari.] (Zoöl.) A South American
stork (Euxenara maguari), having a forked tail.
Mag"uey (?), n. [Sp. maguey,
Mexican maguei and metl.] (Bot.) The
century plant, a species of Agave (A. Americana). See
Agave.
Mag"yar (măg"yär; Hung.
m&obreve;d"y&obreve;r), n. [Hung.]
1. (Ethnol.) One of the dominant people
of Hungary, allied to the Finns; a Hungarian.
2. The language of the Magyars.
||Ma"ha (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A kind of baboon; the wanderoo.
{ ||Ma*ha*ba"ra*ta (?), ||Ma*ha*bha"ra*tam (?),
} n. [Skr. mahābhārata.] A
celebrated epic poem of the Hindus. It is of great length, and is
chiefly devoted to the history of a civil war between two dynasties
of ancient India.
||Ma*ha"led (?), n.[Ar. mahled.]
(Bot.) A cherry tree (Prunus Mahaleb) of Southern
Europe. The wood is prized by cabinetmakers, the twigs are used for
pipe stems, the flowers and leaves yield a perfume, and from the
fruit a violet dye and a fermented liquor (like kirschwasser) are
prepared.
||Ma*ha*ra"jah (?), n. [Skr.
mahārāja; mahat great + rāja
king.] A sovereign prince in India; -- a title given also to
other persons of high rank.
||Ma`ha*rif" (?), n.
(Zoöl.) An African antelope (Hippotragus
Bakeri). Its face is striped with black and white.
||Ma*har"mah (?), n. A muslin
wrapper for the head and the lower part of the face, worn by Turkish
and Armenian women when they go abroad.
Mah"di (?), n. [Ar., guide, leader.]
Among Mohammedans, the last imam or leader of the
faithful. The Sunni, the largest sect of the Mohammedans, believe
that he is yet to appear.
&fist; The title has been taken by several persons in countries
where Mohammedanism prevails, -- notably by Mohammad Ahmed, who
overran the Egyptian Sudan, and in 1885 captured Khartum, his
soldiers killing General Gordon, an Englishman, who was then the
Egyptian governor of the region.
Mahl"-stick` (?), n. See Maul-
stick.
Ma"hoe (?), n. (Bot.) A
name given to several malvaceous trees (species of Hibiscus,
Ochroma, etc.), and to their strong fibrous inner bark, which
is used for strings and cordage.
Ma*hog"a*ny (?), n. [From the South
American name.] 1. (Bot.) A large tree of
the genus Swietenia (S. Mahogoni), found in tropical
America.
&fist; Several other trees, with wood more or less like mahogany,
are called by this name; as, African mahogany (Khaya
Senegalensis), Australian mahogany (Eucalyptus
marginatus), Bastard mahogany (Batonia apetala of the West
Indies), Indian mahogany (Cedrela Toona of Bengal, and trees
of the genera Soymida and Chukrassia), Madeira mahogany
(Persea Indica), Mountain mahogany, the black or cherry birch
(Betula lenta), also the several species of Cercocarpus
of California and the Rocky Mountains.
2. The wood of the Swietenia Mahogoni.
It is of a reddish brown color, beautifully veined, very hard, and
susceptible of a fine polish. It is used in the manufacture of
furniture.
3. A table made of mahogany wood.
[Colloq.]
To be under the mahogany, to be so drunk as
to have fallen under the table. [Eng.] -- To put one's
legs under some one's mahogany, to dine with him.
[Slang]
||Ma*ho"li (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A South African lemur (Galago maholi), having very large
ears. [Written also moholi.]
{ Ma*hom"ed*an (?), Ma*hom"et*an (?), }
n. See Mohammedan.
Ma*hom"et*an*ism (?), n. See
Mohammedanism.
Ma*hom"et*an*ize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mahometanized (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. Mahometanizing (?).] To convert to
the religion of Mohammed; to Mohammedanize.
Ma*hom"et*ism (?), n. See
Mohammedanism.
Ma*hom"et*ist, n. A
Mohammedan. [R.]
Ma*hom"et*ry (?), n.
Mohammedanism. [Obs.]
Ma*hone" (?), n. A large Turkish
ship. Crabb.
Ma*ho"ni*a (?), n. [Named after Bernard
McMahon.] (Bot.) The Oregon grape, a species of
barberry (Berberis Aquifolium), often cultivated for its
hollylike foliage.
Ma*hon" stock` (?). (Bot.) An annual
cruciferous plant with reddish purple or white flowers (Malcolmia
maritima). It is called in England Virginia stock, but the
plant comes from the Mediterranean.
||Ma*hoo"hoo (?), n.
(Zoöl.) The African white two-horned rhinoceros
(Atelodus simus).
Ma"ho*ri (?), n. [Native name. Cf.
Maori.] (Ethnol.) One of the dark race inhabiting
principally the islands of Eastern Polynesia. Also used
adjectively.
Ma`hound (?), n. A contemptuous
name for Mohammed; hence, an evil spirit; a devil. [Obs.]
Who's this, my mahound cousin ?
Beau. & Fl.
||Ma*hout" (?), n. [Hind.
mahāwat, Skr. mahāmātra; mahat
great + mātrā measure.] The keeper and driver
of an elephant. [East Indies]
Ma*ho"vo (?), n. (Mach.) A
device for saving power in stopping and starting a railroad car, by
means of a heavy fly wheel.
Mah*rat"i (?), n. The language of
the Mahrattas; the language spoken in the Deccan and Concan.
[Written also Marathi.]
Mah*rat"ta (?), n. [Hind.
Marhatā, Marhāttā, the name of a
famous Hindoo race, from the old Skr. name Mahā-
rāshtra.] One of a numerous people inhabiting the
southwestern part of India. Also, the language of the Mahrattas;
Mahrati. It is closely allied to Sanskrit. --
a. Of or pertaining to the Mahrattas.
[Written also Maratha.]
{ Ma*hu"met*an (?), Ma*hu"met*an*ism (?),
n. } See Mohammedan,
Mohammedanism.
Mah"wa tree` (?). (Bot.) An East Indian
sapotaceous tree (Bassia latifolia, and also B.
butyracea), whose timber is used for wagon wheels, and the
flowers for food and in preparing an intoxicating drink. It is one of
the butter trees. The oil, known as mahwa and yallah,
is obtained from the kernels of the fruit.
||Ma"i*a (?), n. [From L. Maia,
a goddess.] (Zoöl.) (a) A genus of
spider crabs, including the common European species (Maia
squinado). (b) A beautiful American
bombycid moth (Eucronia maia).
Ma"ian (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Any spider crab of the genus Maia, or family
Maiadæ.
Maid (?), n. [Shortened from
maiden. &?;. See Maiden.] 1.
An unmarried woman; usually, a young unmarried woman; esp., a
girl; a virgin; a maiden.
Would I had died a maid,
And never seen thee, never borne thee son.
Shak.
Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her
attire? Yet my people have forgotten me.
Jer. ii.
32.
2. A man who has not had sexual
intercourse. [Obs.]
Christ was a maid and shapen as a
man.
Chaucer.
3. A female servant.
Spinning amongst her maids.
Shak.
&fist; Maid is used either adjectively or in composition,
signifying female, as in maid child,
maidservant.
4. (Zoöl.) The female of a ray or
skate, esp. of the gray skate (Raia batis), and of the
thornback (R. clavata). [Prov. Eng.]
Fair maid. (Zoöl.) See under
Fair, a. -- Maid of
honor, a female attendant of a queen or royal princess;
-- usually of noble family, and having to perform only nominal or
honorary duties. -- Old maid. See under
Old.
Maid"en (?), n. [OE. maiden,
meiden, AS. mægden, dim. of AS.
mæg&?;, fr. mago son, servant; akin to G.
magd, mädchen, maid, OHG. magad, Icel.
mögr son, Goth. magus boy, child, magaps
virgin, and perh. to Zend. magu youth. Cf. Maid a
virgin.] 1. An unmarried woman; a girl or woman
who has not experienced sexual intercourse; a virgin; a
maid.
She employed the residue of her life to repairing of
highways, building of bridges, and endowing of
maidens.
Carew.
A maiden of our century, yet most
meek.
Tennyson.
2. A female servant. [Obs.]
3. An instrument resembling the guillotine,
formerly used in Scotland for beheading criminals.
Wharton.
4. A machine for washing linen.
Maid"en, a. 1. Of
or pertaining to a maiden, or to maidens; suitable to, or
characteristic of, a virgin; as, maiden innocence. "Amid
the maiden throng." Addison.
Have you no modesty, no maiden shame
?
Shak.
2. Never having been married; not having had
sexual intercourse; virgin; -- said usually of the woman, but
sometimes of the man; as, a maiden aunt. "A surprising
old maiden lady." Thackeray.
3. Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure;
hitherto unused. "Maiden flowers." Shak.
Full bravely hast thou fleshed
Thy maiden sword.
Shak.
4. Used of a fortress, signifying that it has
never been captured, or violated. T. Warton.
Macaulay.
Maiden assize (Eng. Law), an assize
which there is no criminal prosecution; an assize which is unpolluted
with blood. It was usual, at such an assize, for the sheriff to
present the judge with a pair of white gloves. Smart. --
Maiden name, the surname of a woman before her
marriage. -- Maiden pink. (Bot.)
See under Pink. -- Maiden plum
(Bot.), a West Indian tree (Comocladia
integrifolia) with purplish drupes. The sap of the tree is
glutinous, and gives a persistent black stain. -- Maiden
speech, the first speech made by a person, esp. by a
new member in a public body. -- Maiden tower,
the tower most capable of resisting an enemy.
Maid"en, v. t. To act coyly like a
maiden; -- with it as an indefinite object.
For had I maiden'd it, as many use.
Loath for to grant, but loather to refuse.
Bp.
Hall.
Maid"en*hair` (?), n. (Bot.)
A fern of the genus Adiantum (A. pedatum), having
very slender graceful stalks. It is common in the United States, and
is sometimes used in medicine. The name is also applied to other
species of the same genus, as to the Venus-hair.
Maiden grass, the smaller quaking
grass. -- Maiden tree. See
Ginkgo.
Maid"en*head (?), n. [See
Maidenhood.] 1. The state of being a
maiden; maidenhood; virginity. Shak.
2. The state of being unused or
uncontaminated; freshness; purity. [Obs.]
The maidenhead of their credit.
Sir H. Wotton.
3. The hymen, or virginal membrane.
Maid"en*hood (?), n. [AS.
mægdenhād. See Maid, and -hood.]
1. The state of being a maid or a virgin;
virginity. Shak.
2. Newness; freshness; uncontaminated
state.
The maidenhood
Of thy fight.
Shak.
Maid"en*like` (?), a. Like a
maiden; modest; coy.
Maid"en*li*ness (?), n. The
quality of being maidenly; the behavior that becomes a maid; modesty;
gentleness.
Maid"en*ly, a. Like a maid;
suiting a maid; maiden-like; gentle, modest, reserved.
Must you be blushing ? . . .
What a maidenly man-at-arms are you become !
Shak.
Maid"en*ly, adv. In a maidenlike
manner. "Maidenly demure." Skelton.
Maid"en*ship, n. Maidenhood.
[Obs.] Fuller.
Maid"hood (?), n. [AS.
mægðhād. See Maid, and -hood.]
Maidenhood. Shak.
Maid`ma"ri*an (?), n. [Maid +
Marian, relating to Mary, or the Virgin Mary.]
1. The lady of the May games; one of the
characters in a morris dance; a May queen. Afterward, a grotesque
character personated in sports and buffoonery by a man in woman's
clothes.
2. A kind of dance. Sir W.
Temple.
Maid"pale` (?), a. Pale, like a
sick girl. Shak.
Maid"serv`ant (?), n. A female
servant.
Maid's" hair` (?). (Bot.) The yellow bedstraw
(Galium verum).
{ Ma*ieu"tic (m&asl;*ū"t&ibreve;k),
Ma*ieu"tic*al (-t&ibreve;*kal), }
a. [Gr. maieytiko`s, fr.
mai^a midwife.] 1. Serving to assist
childbirth. Cudworth.
2. Fig. : Aiding, or tending to, the
definition and interpretation of thoughts or language.
Payne.
Ma*ieu"tics (?), n. The art of
giving birth (i. e., clearness and conviction) to ideas, which
are conceived as struggling for birth. Payne.
Mai"ger (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The meagre.
Mai"gre (?), a. [F. See Meager.]
Belonging to a fast day or fast; as, a maigre day.
Walpole.
Maigre food (R. C. Ch.), food allowed
to be eaten on fast days.
Mai"hem (mā"h&ebreve;m), n.
See Maim, and Mayhem.
||Mai*kel" (mä&ibreve;*k&asl;l"),
n. (Zoöl.) A South American
carnivore of the genus Conepatus, allied to the skunk, but
larger, and having a longer snout. The tail is not bushy.
||Mai*kong" (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A South American wild dog (Canis cancrivorus); the crab-
eating dog.
Mail (māl), n. A spot.
[Obs.]
Mail, n. [F. maille, OF. also
maaille, LL. medalia. See Medal.]
1. A small piece of money; especially, an
English silver half-penny of the time of Henry V. [Obs.]
[Written also maile, and maille.]
2. Rent; tribute. [Obs., except in
certain compounds and phrases, as blackmail, mails and duties,
etc.]
Mail and duties (Scots Law), the
rents of an estate, in whatever form paid.
Mail, n. [OE. maile,
maille, F. maille a ring of mail, mesh, network, a coat
of mail, fr. L. macula spot, a mesh of a net. Cf.
Macle, Macula, Mascle.] 1.
A flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. It was used
especially for defensive armor. Chaucer.
Chain mail, Coat of mail.
See under Chain, and Coat.
2. Hence generally, armor, or any defensive
covering.
3. (Naut.) A contrivance of
interlinked rings, for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white
cordage.
4. (Zoöl.) Any hard protective
covering of an animal, as the scales and plates of reptiles, shell of
a lobster, etc.
We . . . strip the lobster of his scarlet
mail.
Gay.
Mail, v. t. 1. To
arm with mail.
2. To pinion. [Obs.]
Mail, n. [OE. male bag, OF.
male, F. malle bag, trunk, mail, OHG. malaha,
malha, wallet; akin to D. maal, male; cf. Gael.
& Ir. mala, Gr. molgo`s hide, skin.]
1. A bag; a wallet. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
2. The bag or bags with the letters, papers,
or other matter contained therein, conveyed under public authority
from one post office to another; the whole system of appliances used
by government in the conveyance and delivery of mail
matter.
There is a mail come in to-day, with letters
dated Hague.
Tatler.
3. That which comes in the mail; letters,
etc., received through the post office.
4. A trunk, box, or bag, in which clothing,
etc., may be carried. [Obs.] Sir W. Scott.
Mail bag, a bag in which mailed matter is
conveyed under public authority. -- Mail boat,
a boat that carries the mail. -- Mail
catcher, an iron rod, or other contrivance, attached to
a railroad car for catching a mail bag while the train is in
motion. -- Mail guard, an officer whose
duty it is to guard the public mails. [Eng.] -- Mail
train, a railroad train carrying the mail.
Mail, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mailed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mailing.] To deliver into the custody of the postoffice
officials, or place in a government letter box, for transmission by
mail; to post; as, to mail a letter. [U. S.]
&fist; In the United States to mail and to post are
both in common use; as, to mail or post a letter. In
England post is the commoner usage.
Mail"a*ble (?), a. Admissible
lawfully into the mail. [U.S.]
Mail"clad` (?), a. Protected by a
coat of mail; clad in armor. Sir W. Scott.
Mailed (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Protected by an external coat, or covering, of scales or
plates.
Mailed, a. [See 1st Mail.]
Spotted; speckled.
Mail"ing (?), n. [Scot., fr.
mail tribute, rent. See 2d Mail.] A farm.
[Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
Mail"-shell` (?), n.
(Zoöl.) A chiton.
Maim (mām), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Maimed (māmd);p. pr. & vb.
n. Maiming.] [OE. maimen, OF.
mahaignier, mehaignier, meshaignier, cf. It.
magagnare, LL. mahemiare, mahennare; perh. of
Celtic origin; cf. Armor. mac'haña to mutilate,
māc'ha to crowd, press; or cf. OHG. mangōn
to lack, perh. akin to E. mangle to lacerate. Cf.
Mayhem.] 1. To deprive of the use of a
limb, so as to render a person in fighting less able either to defend
himself or to annoy his adversary.
By the ancient law of England he that maimed
any man whereby he lost any part of his body, was sentenced to lose
the like part.
Blackstone.
2. To mutilate; to cripple; to injure; to
disable; to impair.
My late maimed limbs lack wonted
might.
Spenser.
You maimed the jurisdiction of all
bishops.
Shak.
Syn. -- To mutilate; mangle; cripple.
Maim, n. [Written in law language
maihem, and mayhem.] [OF. mehaing. See
Maim, v.] 1. The
privation of the use of a limb or member of the body, by which one is
rendered less able to defend himself or to annoy his
adversary.
2. The privation of any necessary part; a
crippling; mutilation; injury; deprivation of something essential.
See Mayhem.
Surely there is more cause to fear lest the want there
of be a maim than the use of it a blemish.
Hooker.
A noble author esteems it to be a maim in
history that the acts of Parliament should not be
recited.
Hayward.
Maim"ed*ly (?), adv. In a maimed
manner.
Maim"ed*ness, n. State of being
maimed. Bolton.
Main (?), n. [F. main hand, L.
manus. See Manual.] 1. A hand or
match at dice. Prior. Thackeray.
2. A stake played for at dice. [Obs.]
Shak.
3. The largest throw in a match at dice; a
throw at dice within given limits, as in the game of
hazard.
4. A match at cockfighting. "My lord
would ride twenty miles . . . to see a main fought."
Thackeray.
5. A main-hamper. [Obs.]
Ainsworth.
Main, n. [AS. mægen
strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan, Icel.
megin, and to E. may, v. &?;. See May,
v.] 1. Strength; force; might;
violent effort. [Obs., except in certain phrases.]
There were in this battle of most might and
main.
R. of Gl.
He 'gan advance,
With huge force, and with importable main.
Spenser.
2. The chief or principal part; the main or
most important thing. [Obs., except in special uses.]
Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the
main, and to use the other two . . . but as
supporters.
Bacon.
3. Specifically: (a) The
great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc. ; the high sea;
the ocean. "Struggling in the main." Dryden.
(b) The continent, as distinguished from an
island; the mainland. "Invaded the main of Spain."
Bacon. (c) principal duct or pipe, as
distinguished from lesser ones; esp. (Engin.), a principal
pipe leading to or from a reservoir; as, a fire
main.
Forcing main, the delivery pipe of a
pump. -- For the main, or In the
main, for the most part; in the greatest part. --
With might and main, or With all one's
might and main, with all one's strength; with violent
effort.
With might and main they chased the murderous
fox.
Dryden.
Main (?), a. [From Main
strength, possibly influenced by OF. maine, magne,
great, L. magnus. Cf. Magnate.] 1.
Very or extremely strong. [Obs.]
That current with main fury ran.
Daniel.
2. Vast; huge. [Obs.] "The main
abyss." Milton.
3. Unqualified; absolute; entire;
sheer. [Obs.] "It's a man untruth." Sir W.
Scott.
4. Principal; chief; first in size, rank,
importance, etc.
Our main interest is to be happy as we
can.
Tillotson.
5. Important; necessary. [Obs.]
That which thou aright
Believest so main to our success, I bring.
Milton.
By main force, by mere force or sheer force;
by violent effort; as, to subdue insurrection by main
force.
That Maine which by main force Warwick did
win.
Shak.
--
By main strength, by sheer strength; as,
to lift a heavy weight by main strength. -- Main
beam (Steam Engine), working beam. --
Main boom (Naut.), the boom which
extends the foot of the mainsail in a fore and aft vessel. --
Main brace. (a) (Mech.)
The brace which resists the chief strain. Cf. Counter
brace. (b) (Naut.) The brace
attached to the main yard. -- Main center
(Steam Engine), a shaft upon which a working beam or side
lever swings. -- Main chance. See under
Chance. -- Main couple (Arch.),
the principal truss in a roof. -- Main
deck (Naut.), the deck next below the spar deck;
the principal deck. -- Main keel
(Naut.), the principal or true keel of a vessel, as
distinguished from the false keel.
Syn. -- Principal; chief; leading; cardinal; capital.
Main, adv. [See Main,
a.] Very; extremely; as, main
heavy. "I'm main dry." Foote. [Obs. or Low]
Maine (?), n. One of the New
England States.
Maine law, any law prohibiting the
manufacture and sale of intoxicating beverages, esp. one resembling
that enacted in the State of Maine.
Main`-gauche" (măN`gōsh"),
n. [F., the left hand.] (Ancient Armor)
The dagger held in the left hand, while the rapier is held in
the right; -- used to parry thrusts of the adversary's
rapier.
Main"-ham`per (?), n. [F. main
hand (see Main a hand at dice) + E. hamper.] A
hamper to be carried in the hand; a hand basket used in carrying
grapes to the press.
Main"land` (?), n. The continent;
the principal land; -- opposed to island, or
peninsula. Dryden.
After the two wayfarers had crossed from the peninsula
to the mainland.
Hawthorne.
Main"ly (?), adv. [From main
strong. See Main strength.] Very strongly; mightily; to a
great degree. [Obs.] Bacon. Shak.
Main"ly, adv. [From main
principal, chief.] Principally; chiefly.
Main"mast` (?), n. (Naut.)
The principal mast in a ship or other vessel.
Main"or (?), n. [Anglo-Norm.
meinoure, OF. manuevre. See Maneuver.] (O.
Eng. Law) A thing stolen found on the person of the
thief.
&fist; A thief was said to be "taken with the mainor," when
he was taken with the thing stolen upon him, that is, in his
hands. Wharton. Bouvier.
Main"per*na*ble (?), a. [OF.
main hand + pernable, for prenable, that may be
taken, pregnable. See Mainpernor.] (Law) Capable
of being admitted to give surety by mainpernors; able to be
mainprised.
Main"per*nor (?), n. [OF. main
hand + pernor, for preneor, a taker, F. preneur,
fr. prendre to take.] (Law) A surety, under the
old writ of mainprise, for a prisoner's appearance in court at a
day.
&fist; Mainpernors differ from bail in that a man's
bail may imprison or surrender him before the stipulated day
of appearance; mainpernors can do neither; they are bound to
produce him to answer all charges whatsoever. Blackstone.
Main"pin (?), n. (Vehicles)
A kingbolt.
Main"prise (?), n. [F. main hand
+ prise a taking, fr. prendre, p. p. pris to
take, fr. L. prehendere, prehensum.] (Law)
(a) A writ directed to the sheriff, commanding
him to take sureties, called mainpernors, for the prisoner's
appearance, and to let him go at large. This writ is now
obsolete. Wharton. (b) Deliverance
of a prisoner on security for his appearance at a day.
Main"prise, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mainprised (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mainprising.] (Law) To suffer to go
at large, on his finding sureties, or mainpernors, for his appearance
at a day; -- said of a prisoner.
Mains (mānz), n. [Scot. See
Manse.] The farm attached to a mansion house.
[Scot.]
Main"sail` (mān"sāl`), n.
(Naut.) The principal sail in a ship or other
vessel.
[They] hoised up the mainsail to the
wind.
Acts xxvii. 40.
&fist; The mainsail of a ship is extended upon a yard
attached to the mainmast, and that of a sloop or schooner upon the
boom.
Main"sheet` (?), n. (Naut.)
One of the ropes by which the mainsail is hauled aft and
trimmed.
Main"spring` (?), n. The principal
or most important spring in a piece of mechanism, especially the
moving spring of a watch or clock or the spring in a gunlock which
impels the hammer. Hence: The chief or most powerful motive; the
efficient cause of action.
Main"stay` (?), n. 1.
(Naut.) The stay extending from the foot of the foremast
to the maintop.
2. Main support; principal
dependence.
The great mainstay of the Church.
Buckle.
Main"swear` (?), v. i. [AS.
mānswerian to forswear; mān sin, crime +
swerian to swear.] To swear falsely. [Obs.]
Blount.
Main*tain (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Maintained (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Maintaining.] [OE. maintenen, F. maintenir,
properly, to hold by the hand; main hand (L. manus) +
F. tenir to hold (L. tenere). See Manual, and
Tenable.] 1. To hold or keep in any particular
state or condition; to support; to sustain; to uphold; to keep up;
not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain
degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain a fence or a
railroad; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the
stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain
present reputation.
2. To keep possession of; to hold and defend;
not to surrender or relinquish.
God values . . . every one as he maintains his
post.
Grew.
3. To continue; not to suffer to cease or
fail.
Maintain talk with the duke.
Shak.
4. To bear the expense of; to support; to
keep up; to supply with what is needed.
Glad, by his labor, to maintain his
life.
Stirling.
What maintains one vice would bring up two
children.
Franklin.
5. To affirm; to support or defend by
argument.
It is hard to maintain the truth, but much
harder to be maintained by it.
South.
Syn. -- To assert; vindicate; allege. See
Assert.
Main*tain"a*ble (?), a. That may
be maintained.
Main*tain"er (?), n. One who
maintains.
Main*tain"or (?), n. [OF.
mainteneor, F. mainteneur.] (Crim. Law) One
who, not being interested, maintains a cause depending between
others, by furnishing money, etc., to either party.
Bouvier. Wharton.
Main"te*nance (?), n. [OF.
maintenance. See Maintain.] 1. The
act of maintaining; sustenance; support; defense;
vindication.
Whatsoever is granted to the church for God's honor
and the maintenance of his service, is granted to
God.
South.
2. That which maintains or supports; means of
sustenance; supply of necessaries and conveniences.
Those of better fortune not making learning their
maintenance.
Swift.
3. (Crim. Law) An officious or
unlawful intermeddling in a cause depending between others, by
assisting either party with money or means to carry it on. See
Champerty. Wharton.
Cap of maintenance. See under
Cap.
Main"top` (?), n. (Naut.)
The platform about the head of the mainmast in square-rigged
vessels.
Main" yard` (?). (Naut.) The yard on which
the mainsail is extended, supported by the mainmast.
Mai"oid (?), a. [Maia + -
oid.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the genus
Maia, or family Maiadeæ.
Mais"ter (?), n. Master.
[Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.
Mais"ter, a. Principal;
chief. [Obs.] Chaucer.
{ Mais"tre (?), Mais"trie, Mais"try (?)
}, n. Mastery; superiority; art. See
Mastery. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mais"tress (?), n. Mistress.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mai"thes (?), n. (Bot.)
Same as Maghet.
Maize (?), n. [Sp. maiz. fr.
mahiz or mahis, is the language of the Island of
Hayti.] (Bot.) A large species of American grass of the
genus Zea (Z. Mays), widely cultivated as a forage and
food plant; Indian corn. Also, its seed, growing on cobs, and used
as food for men and animals.
Maize eater (Zoöl.), a South
American bird of the genus Pseudoleistes, allied to the
troupials. -- Maize yellow, a delicate
pale yellow.
{ Maj`es*tat"ic (?), Maj`es*tat"*al (?), }
a. Majestic. [Obs.] E. Pocock.
Dr. J. Scott.
Ma*jes"tic (?), a. [From
Majesty.] Possessing or exhibiting majesty; of august
dignity, stateliness, or imposing grandeur; lofty; noble;
grand. "The majestic world." Shak. "Tethys' grave
majestic pace." Milton.
The least portions must be of the epic kind; all must
be grave, majestic, and sublime.
Dryden.
Syn. -- August; splendid; grand; sublime; magnificent;
imperial; regal; pompous; stately; lofty; dignified; elevated.
Ma*jes"tic*al (?), a.
Majestic. Cowley.
An older architecture, greater, cunninger, more
majestical.
M. Arnold.
-- Ma*jes"tic*al*ly, adv. --
Ma*jes"tic*al*ness, n.
Ma*jes"tic*ness (?), n. The
quality or state of being majestic. Oldenburg.
Maj"es*ty (?), n.; pl.
Majesties (#). [OE. magestee, F.
majesté, L. majestas, fr. an old compar. of
magnus great. See Major, Master.] The
dignity and authority of sovereign power; quality or state which
inspires awe or reverence; grandeur; exalted dignity, whether
proceeding from rank, character, or bearing; imposing loftiness;
stateliness; -- usually applied to the rank and dignity of
sovereigns.
The Lord reigneth; he is clothed with
majesty.
Ps. xciii. 1.
No sovereign has ever represented the majesty
of a great state with more dignity and grace.
Macaulay.
2. Hence, used with the possessive pronoun,
the title of an emperor, king or queen; -- in this sense taking a
plural; as, their majesties attended the concert.
In all the public writs which he [Emperor Charles V.]
now issued as King of Spain, he assumed the title of Majesty,
and required it from his subjects as a mark of respect. Before that
time all the monarchs of Europe were satisfied with the appellation
of Highness or Grace.
Robertson.
3. Dignity; elevation of manner or
style. Dryden.
Ma*jol"i*ca (?), n. [It.] A kind
of pottery, with opaque glazing and showy decoration, which reached
its greatest perfection in Italy in the 16th century.
&fist; The term is said to be derived from Majorca, which was an
early seat of this manufacture. Heyse.
Ma"jor (?), [L. major, compar. of magnus great:
cf. F. majeur. Cf. Master, Mayor,
Magnitude, More, a.]
1. Greater in number, quantity, or extent; as,
the major part of the assembly; the major part of the
revenue; the major part of the territory.
2. Of greater dignity; more important.
Shak.
3. Of full legal age. [Obs.]
4. (Mus.) Greater by a semitone,
either in interval or in difference of pitch from another
tone.
Major axis (Geom.), the greater axis.
See Focus, n., 2. -- Major
key (Mus.), a key in which one and two, two and
three, four and five, five and six and seven, make major seconds, and
three and four, and seven and eight, make minor seconds. --
Major offense (Law), an offense of a
greater degree which contains a lesser offense, as murder and robbery
include assault. -- Major premise
(Logic), that premise of a syllogism which contains the
major term. -- Major scale (Mus.),
the natural diatonic scale, which has semitones between the third
and fourth, and seventh and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees;
the scale of the major mode, of which the third is major. See
Scale, and Diatonic. -- Major
second (Mus.), a second between whose tones is a
difference in pitch of a step. -- Major sixth
(Mus.), a sixth of four steps and a half step. In major
keys the third and sixth from the key tone are major. Major keys and
intervals, as distinguished from minors, are more cheerful. --
Major term (Logic), that term of a
syllogism which forms the predicate of the conclusion. --
Major third (Mus.), a third of two
steps.
Ma"jor, n. [F. major. See
Major, a.] 1. (Mil.)
An officer next in rank above a captain and next below a
lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer.
2. (Law) A person of full
age.
3. (Logic) That premise which contains
the major term. It its the first proposition of a regular syllogism;
as: No unholy person is qualified for happiness in heaven [the
major]. Every man in his natural state is unholy [minor]. Therefore,
no man in his natural state is qualified for happiness in heaven
[conclusion or inference].
&fist; In hypothetical syllogisms, the hypothetical premise is
called the major.
4. [LL. See Major.] A mayor.
[Obs.] Bacon.
||Ma`jo`rat" (?), n. [F.
majorat, LL. majoratus. See Major,
a., and cf. Majorate.] 1.
The right of succession to property according to age; -- so
termed in some of the countries of continental Europe.
2. (French Law) Property, landed or
funded, so attached to a title of honor as to descend with
it.
Ma"jor*ate (?), n. The office or
rank of a major.
Ma"jor*ate (?), v. t. [LL.
majorare to augment. See Major, a.]
To augment; to increase. [Obs.] Howell.
Ma`jor*a"tion (?), n. Increase;
enlargement. [Obs.] Bacon.
Ma*jor"can (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Majorca. -- n. A native or
inhabitant of Majorca.
Ma`jor-do"mo (?), n. [Sp.
mayordomo, or It. maggiordomo; both fr. LL.
majordomus; L. major greater + domus house.]
A man who has authority to act, within certain limits, as master
of the house; a steward; also, a chief minister or officer.
Ma"jor gen"er*al (?). An officer of the army holding
a rank next above that of brigadier general and next below that of
lieutenant general, and who usually commands a division or a
corps.
Ma*jor"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Majorities (#). [F. majorité. See
Major.] 1. The quality or condition of
being major or greater; superiority. Specifically:
(a) The military rank of a major.
(b) The condition of being of full age, or
authorized by law to manage one's own affairs.
2. The greater number; more than half; as, a
majority of mankind; a majority of the votes
cast.
3. [Cf. L. majores.] Ancestors;
ancestry. [Obs.]
4. The amount or number by which one
aggregate exceeds all other aggregates with which it is contrasted;
especially, the number by which the votes for a successful candidate
exceed those for all other candidates; as, he is elected by a
majority of five hundred votes. See
Plurality.
To go over to, or To join, the
majority, to die.
Ma"jor*ship (?), n. The office of
major.
Maj"oun (?), n. See
Madjoun.
||Ma*jus"cu*læ (?), n. pl. [L.,
fem. pl. fr. majusculus somewhat greater or great, dim. of
major, majus. See Major.]
(Palæography) Capital letters, as found in
manuscripts of the sixth century and earlier.
Ma*jus"cule (?), n. [Cf. F.
majuscule. See Majusculæ.] A capital letter;
especially, one used in ancient manuscripts. See
Majusculæ.
Majuscule writing, writing composed wholly
of capital letters, especially the style which prevailed in Europe
from the third to the sixth century.
Mak"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being
made.
Mak"a*ron (?), n. See
Macaroon, 2. [Obs.]
Make (?), n. [AS. maca,
gemaca. See Match.] A companion; a mate; often, a
husband or a wife. [Obs.]
For in this world no woman is
Worthy to be my make.
Chaucer.
Make, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Made (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Making.] [OE. maken, makien, AS. macian;
akin to OS. mak&?;n, OFries. makia, D. maken, G.
machen, OHG. mahh&?;n to join, fit, prepare, make, Dan.
mage. Cf. Match an equal.] 1. To
cause to exist; to bring into being; to form; to produce; to frame;
to fashion; to create. Hence, in various specific uses or
applications: (a) To form of materials; to cause
to exist in a certain form; to construct; to fabricate.
He . . . fashioned it with a graving tool, after he
had made it a molten calf.
Ex. xxxii.
4.
(b) To produce, as something artificial,
unnatural, or false; -- often with up; as, to make up a
story.
And Art, with her contending, doth aspire
To excel the natural with made delights.
Spenser.
(c) To bring about; to bring forward; to be
the cause or agent of; to effect, do, perform, or execute; -- often
used with a noun to form a phrase equivalent to the simple verb that
corresponds to such noun; as, to make complaint, for to
complain; to make record of, for to record; to make
abode, for to abide, etc.
Call for Samson, that he may make us
sport.
Judg. xvi. 25.
Wealth maketh many friends.
Prov. xix. 4.
I will neither plead my age nor sickness in excuse of
the faults which I have made.
Dryden.
(d) To execute with the requisite
formalities; as, to make a bill, note, will, deed, etc.
(e) To gain, as the result of one's efforts; to
get, as profit; to make acquisition of; to have accrue or happen to
one; as, to make a large profit; to make an error; to
make a loss; to make money.
He accuseth Neptune unjustly who makes
shipwreck a second time.
Bacon.
(f) To find, as the result of calculation or
computation; to ascertain by enumeration; to find the number or
amount of, by reckoning, weighing, measurement, and the like; as, he
made the distance of; to travel over; as, the ship
makes ten knots an hour; he made the distance in one
day. (h) To put in a desired or desirable
condition; to cause to thrive.
Who makes or ruins with a smile or
frown.
Dryden.
2. To cause to be or become; to put into a
given state verb, or adjective; to constitute; as, to make
known; to make public; to make fast.
Who made thee a prince and a judge over
us?
Ex. ii. 14.
See, I have made thee a god to
Pharaoh.
Ex. vii. 1.
&fist; When used reflexively with an adjective, the reflexive
pronoun is often omitted; as, to make merry; to make
bold; to make free, etc.
3. To cause to appear to be; to constitute
subjectively; to esteem, suppose, or represent.
He is not that goose and ass that Valla would
make him.
Baker.
4. To require; to constrain; to compel; to
force; to cause; to occasion; -- followed by a noun or pronoun and
infinitive.
&fist; In the active voice the to of the infinitive is
usually omitted.
I will make them hear my words.
Deut. iv. 10.
They should be made to rise at their early
hour.
Locke.
5. To become; to be, or to be capable of
being, changed or fashioned into; to do the part or office of; to
furnish the material for; as, he will make a good musician;
sweet cider makes sour vinegar; wool makes warm
clothing.
And old cloak makes a new jerkin.
Shak.
6. To compose, as parts, ingredients, or
materials; to constitute; to form; to amount to.
The heaven, the air, the earth, and boundless sea,
Make but one temple for the Deity.
Waller.
7. To be engaged or concerned in.
[Obs.]
Gomez, what makest thou here, with a whole
brotherhood of city bailiffs?
Dryden.
8. To reach; to attain; to arrive at or in
sight of. "And make the Libyan shores."
Dryden.
They that sail in the middle can make no land
of either side.
Sir T. Browne.
To make a bed, to prepare a bed for being
slept on, or to put it in order. -- To make a
card (Card Playing), to take a trick with
it. -- To make account. See under
Account, n. -- To make account
of, to esteem; to regard. -- To make
away. (a) To put out of the way; to
kill; to destroy. [Obs.]
If a child were crooked or deformed in body or mind,
they made him away.
Burton.
(b) To alienate; to transfer; to make
over. [Obs.] Waller. --
To make
believe, to pretend; to feign; to simulate. --
To make bold, to take the liberty; to
venture. -- To make the cards (Card
Playing), to shuffle the pack. -- To make choice
of, to take by way of preference; to choose. --
To make danger, to make experiment. [Obs.]
Beau. & Fl. -- To make default (Law),
to fail to appear or answer. -- To make the
doors, to shut the door. [Obs.]
Make the doors upon a woman's wit, and it will
out at the casement.
Shak.
-
To make free with. See under Free,
a. -- To make good. See
under Good. -- To make head, to
make headway. -- To make light of. See
under Light, a. -- To make
little of. (a) To belittle.
(b) To accomplish easily. -- To make
love to. See under Love,
n. -- To make meat, to
cure meat in the open air. [Colloq. Western U. S.] -- To
make merry, to feast; to be joyful or jovial. --
To make much of, to treat with much
consideration,, attention, or fondness; to value highly. --
To make no bones. See under Bone,
n. -- To make no difference,
to have no weight or influence; to be a matter of
indifference. -- To make no doubt, to have
no doubt. -- To make no matter, to have no
weight or importance; to make no difference. -- To make
oath (Law), to swear, as to the truth of
something, in a prescribed form of law. -- To make
of. (a) To understand or think
concerning; as, not to know what to make of the news.
(b) To pay attention to; to cherish; to esteem;
to account. "Makes she no more of me than
of a slave." Dryden. -- To make one's
law (Old Law), to adduce proof to clear one's
self of a charge. -- To make out.
(a) To find out; to discover; to decipher; as,
to make out the meaning of a letter. (b)
To prove; to establish; as, the plaintiff was unable to
make out his case. (c) To make complete
or exact; as, he was not able to make out the money. --
To make over, to transfer the title of; to
convey; to alienate; as, he made over his estate in trust or
in fee. -- To make sail. (Naut.)
(a) To increase the quantity of sail already
extended. (b) To set sail. --
To make shift, to manage by expedients; as,
they made shift to do without it. [Colloq.]. --
To make sternway, to move with the stern
foremost; to go or drift backward. -- To make
strange, to act in an unfriendly manner or as if
surprised; to treat as strange; as, to make strange of a
request or suggestion. -- To make suit to,
to endeavor to gain the favor of; to court. -- To
make sure. See under Sure. -- To
make up. (a) To collect into a sum or
mass; as, to make up the amount of rent; to make up a
bundle or package. (b) To reconcile; to
compose; as, to make up a difference or quarrel.
(c) To supply what is wanting in; to complete;
as, a dollar is wanted to make up the stipulated sum.
(d) To compose, as from ingredients or parts; to
shape, prepare, or fabricate; as, to make up a mass into
pills; to make up a story.
He was all made up of love and
charms!
Addison.
(e) To compensate; to make good; as, to
make up a loss. (f) To adjust, or to
arrange for settlement; as, to make up accounts.
(g) To dress and paint for a part, as an actor;
as, he was well made up. --
To make up a
face, to distort the face as an expression of pain or
derision. -- To make up one's mind, to
reach a mental determination; to resolve. -- To make
water. (a) (Naut.) To leak.
(b) To urinate. -- To make
way, or To make one's way.
(a) To make progress; to advance.
(b) To open a passage; to clear the way. --
To make words, to multiply words.
Make (?), v. i. 1.
To act in a certain manner; to have to do; to manage; to
interfere; to be active; -- often in the phrase to meddle or
make. [Obs.]
A scurvy, jack-a-nape priest to meddle or
make.
Shak.
2. To proceed; to tend; to move; to go; as,
he made toward home; the tiger made at the
sportsmen.
&fist; Formerly, authors used to make on, to make
forth, to make about; but these phrases are obsolete. We
now say, to make at, to make away, to make for,
to make off, to make toward, etc.
3. To tend; to contribute; to have effect; --
with for or against; as, it makes for his
advantage. M. Arnold.
Follow after the things which make for
peace.
Rom. xiv. 19.
Considerations infinite
Do make against it.
Shak.
4. To increase; to augment; to
accrue.
5. To compose verses; to write poetry; to
versify. [Archaic] Chaucer. Tennyson.
To solace him some time, as I do when I
make.
P. Plowman.
To make as if, or To make as
though, to pretend that; to make show that; to make
believe (see under Make, v. t.).
Joshua and all Israel made as if they were
beaten before them, and fled.
Josh. viii. 15.
My lord of London maketh as though he were
greatly displeased with me.
Latimer.
--
To make at, to go toward hastily, or in a
hostile manner; to attack. -- To make away
with. (a) To carry off.
(b) To transfer or alienate; hence, to spend; to
dissipate. (c) To kill; to destroy. --
To make off, to go away suddenly. --
To make out, to succeed; to be able at last; to
make shift; as, he made out to reconcile the contending
parties. -- To make up, to become
reconciled or friendly. -- To make up for,
to compensate for; to supply an equivalent for. --
To make up to. (a) To approach;
as, a suspicious boat made up to us. (b)
To pay addresses to; to make love to. -- To make up
with, to become reconciled to. [Colloq.] --
To make with, to concur or agree with.
Hooker.
Make, n. Structure, texture,
constitution of parts; construction; shape; form.
It our perfection of so frail a make
As every plot can undermine and shake?
Dryden.
On the make,bent upon making great profits;
greedy of gain. [Low, U. S.]
Make"bate` (?), n. [Make, v. +
bate a quarrel.] One who excites contentions and
quarrels. [Obs.]
Make"-be*lief` (?), n. A feigning
to believe; make believe. J. H. Newman.
Make"-be*lieve` (?), n. A feigning
to believe, as in the play of children; a mere pretense; a fiction;
an invention. "Childlike make-believe."
Tylor.
To forswear self-delusion and make-
believe.
M. Arnold.
Make"-be*lieve`, a. Feigned;
insincere. "Make-believe reverence." G.
Eliot.
Mak"ed (?), obs. p. p. of Make.
Made. Chaucer.
Make"-game` (?), n. An object of
ridicule; a butt. Godwin.
Make"less, a. [See 1st Make, and
cf. Matchless, Mateless.] 1.
Matchless. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. Without a mate. Shak.
Make"-peace` (-pēs`), n. A
peacemaker. [R.] Shak.
Mak"er (māk"&etilde;r), n.
1. One who makes, forms, or molds; a
manufacturer; specifically, the Creator.
The universal Maker we may praise.
Milton.
2. (Law) The person who makes a
promissory note.
3. One who writes verses; a poet.
[Obs.]
&fist; "The Greeks named the poet poihth`s, which name,
as the most excellent, hath gone through other languages. It cometh
of this word poiei^n, make; wherein, I know not
whether by luck or wisdom, we Englishmen have met well the Greeks in
calling him a maker." Sir P. Sidney.
Make"shift` (māk"sh&ibreve;ft`),
n. That with which one makes shift; a
temporary expedient. James Mill.
I am not a model clergyman, only a decent
makeshift.
G. Eliot.
Make"-up` (?), n. The way in which
the parts of anything are put together; often, the way in which an
actor is dressed, painted, etc., in personating a
character.
The unthinking masses are necessarily teleological in
their mental make-up.
L. F. Ward.
Make"weight` (&?;), n. That which
is thrown into a scale to make weight; something of little account
added to supply a deficiency or fill a gap.
||Ma"ki (?), n. [F., from native name.]
(Zoöl.) A lemur. See Lemur.
Mak"ing (?), n. 1.
The act of one who makes; workmanship; fabrication;
construction; as, this is cloth of your own making; the
making of peace or war was in his power.
2. Composition, or structure.
3. a poem. [Obs.] Sir J.
Davies.
4. That which establishes or places in a
desirable state or condition; the material of which something may be
made; as, early misfortune was the making of him.
5. External appearance; from. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mak"ing-i`ron (?), n. A tool
somewhat like a chisel with a groove in it, used by calkers of ships
to finish the seams after the oakum has been driven in.
Mak"ing-up` (?), n. 1.
The act of bringing spirits to a certain degree of strength,
called proof.
2. The act of becoming reconciled or
friendly.
Mal- (măl-). A prefix in composition denoting
ill, or evil, F. male, adv., fr. malus, bad,
ill. In some words it has the form male-, as in
malediction, malevolent. See Malice.
&fist; The form male- is chiefly used in cases where the
e, either alone or with other letters, is pronounced as a
separate syllable, as in malediction, malefactor,
maleficent, etc. Where this is not the case, as in
malfeasance or male-feasance, malformation or
male-formation, etc., as also where the word to which it is
prefixed commences with a vowel, as in maladministration,
etc., the form mal is to be preferred, and is the one commonly
employed.
||Ma"la (?), n.; pl. of
Malum. [L.] Evils; wrongs; offenses
against right and law.
Mala in se [L.] (Law), offenses which
are such from their own nature, at common law, irrespective of
statute. -- Mala prohibita [L.] (Law),
offenses prohibited by statute, as distinguished from mala in
se, which are offenses at common law.
Mal"a*bar` (?), n. A region in the
western part of the Peninsula of India, between the mountains and the
sea.
Malabar nut (Bot.), the seed of an
East Indian acanthaceous shrub, the Adhatoda Vasica, sometimes
used medicinally.
Mal`a*ca*tune" (?), n. See
Melocoton.
Ma*lac"ca (?), n. A town and
district upon the seacoast of the Malay Peninsula.
Malacca cane (Bot.), a cane obtained
from a species of palm of the genus Calamus (C.
Scipionum), and of a brown color, often mottled. The plant is a
native of Cochin China, Sumatra, and Malays.
Mal"a*chite (?), n. [Fr. Gr. &?; a
mallow, from its resembling the green color of the leaf of mallows:
cf. F. malachite. Cf. Mallow.] (Min.)
Native hydrous carbonate of copper, usually occurring in green
mammillary masses with concentric fibrous structure.
&fist; Green malachite, or malachite proper, admits of a
high polish, and is sometimes used for ornamental work. Blue
malachite, or azurite, is a related species of a deep blue
color.
Malachite green. See Emerald green,
under Green, n.
Mal`a*cis"sant (?), a. [See
Malacissation.] Softening; relaxing. [Obs.]
Mal`a*cis*sa"tion (?), n. [L.
malacissare to make soft, Gr. &?;.] The act of making
soft or supple. [Obs.] Bacon.
||Mal`a*cob*del"la (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; soft + &?; a leech.] (Zoöl.) A genus of
nemertean worms, parasitic in the gill cavity of clams and other
bivalves. They have a large posterior sucker, like that of a leech.
See Illust. of Bdellomorpha.
Mal"a*co*derm (?), n. [Gr. &?; soft +
&?; skin.] (Zoöl.) One of a tribe of beetles
(Malacodermata), with a soft and flexible body, as the
fireflies.
Mal"a*co*lite (?), n. [Gr. &?; soft +
-lite.] (Min.) A variety of pyroxene.
Mal`a*col"o*gist (?), n. One
versed in the science of malacology.
Mal`a*col"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; soft +
-logy: cf. F. malacologie.] The science which
relates to the structure and habits of mollusks.
||Mal`a*cop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; soft + -poda.] (Zoöl.) A class of
air-breathing Arthropoda; -- called also Protracheata, and
Onychophora.
&fist; They somewhat resemble myriapods, and have from seventeen
to thirty-three pairs of short, imperfectly jointed legs, two pairs
of simple jaws, and a pair of antennæ. The trancheæ are
connected with numerous spiracles scattered over the surface of the
body. Peripatus is the only known genus. See
Peripatus.
Mal`a*cop`ter*yg"i*an (?), n. [Cf. F.
malacoptérygien.] (Zoöl.) One of the
Malacopterygii.
||Mal`a*cop`te*ryg"i*i (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. &?; soft + &?; wing, fin, fr. &?; feather.]
(Zoöl.) An order of fishes in which the fin rays,
except the anterior ray of the pectoral and dorsal fins, are closely
jointed, and not spiny. It includes the carp, pike, salmon, shad,
etc. Called also Malacopteri.
Mal`a*cop`ter*yg"i*ous (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Belonging to the Malacopterygii.
Mal`a*cos"te*on (?), n. [NL., Gr. fr.
&?; soft + &?; bone.] (Med.) A peculiar disease of the
bones, in consequence of which they become softened and capable of
being bent without breaking.
Mal`a*cos"to*mous (?), a. [Gr. &?; soft
+ &?; mouth.] (Zoöl.) Having soft jaws without
teeth, as certain fishes.
||Mal`a*cos"tra*ca (?), n. pl. [NL.,
from Gr. &?; soft + &?; shell of a testacean.] (Zoöl.)
A subclass of Crustacea, including Arthrostraca and
Thoracostraca, or all those higher than the Entomostraca.
Mal`a*cos"tra*can (?), n.
(Zoöl.) One of the Malacostraca.
Mal`a*cos`tra*col"o*gy (?), n.
[Malacostracan + -logy.] That branch of
zoölogical science which relates to the crustaceans; -- called
also carcinology.
Mal`a*cos"tra*cous (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Belonging to the Malacostraca.
Mal`a*co*toon" (?), n. (Bot.)
See Melocoton.
||Mal`a*co*zo"a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; soft + zo^,on an animal.] (Zoöl.)
An extensive group of Invertebrata, including the Mollusca,
Brachiopoda, and Bryozoa. Called also Malacozoaria.
Mal`a*co*zo"ic (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Malacozoa.
Mal`ad*dress" (?), n. [Mal- +
address.] Bad address; an awkward, tactless, or offensive
way of accosting one or talking with one. W. D.
Howells.
Mal`ad*just"ment (?), n. [Mal- +
adjustment.] A bad adjustment.
Mal`ad*min`is*tra"tion (?), n. [Mal-
+ administration.] Bad administration; bad
management of any business, especially of public affairs.
[Written also maleadministration.]
Mal`a*droit" (?), a. [F. See
Malice, and Adroit.] Of a quality opposed to
adroitness; clumsy; awkward; unskillful. --
Mal"a*droit`ly, adv. --
Mal`a*droit"ness, n.
Mal"a*dy (?), n.; pl.
Maladies (#). [F. maladie, fr. malade
ill, sick, OF. also, malabde, fr. L. male habitus, i.
e., ill-kept, not in good condition. See Malice, and
Habit.] 1. Any disease of the human body;
a distemper, disorder, or indisposition, proceeding from impaired,
defective, or morbid organic functions; especially, a lingering or
deep-seated disorder.
The maladies of the body may prove medicines to
the mind.
Buckminster.
2. A moral or mental defect or
disorder.
Love's a malady without a cure.
Dryden.
Syn. -- Disorder; distemper; sickness; ailment; disease;
illness. See Disease.
Mal"a*ga (?), n. A city and a
province of Spain, on the Mediterranean. Hence, Malaga
grapes, Malaga raisins, Malaga wines.
||Mal`a*gash" (?), n. Same as
Malagasy.
Mal`a*gas"y (?), n. sing. & pl. A
native or natives of Madagascar; also (sing.), the
language.
||Ma`laise" (?), n. [F., fr. mal
ill + aise ease.] (Med.) An indefinite feeling of
uneasiness, or of being sick or ill at ease.
Ma*lam"ate (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of malamic acid.
||Ma*lam"bo (?), n. [Pg.] A
yellowish aromatic bark, used in medicine and perfumery, said to be
from the South American shrub Croton Malambo.
Mal`am*eth"ane (?), n. [Malamic
+ ethane.] (Chem.) A white crystalline substance
forming the ethyl salt of malamic acid.
Ma*lam"ic (?), a. [Malic +
amic.] (Chem.) Of or designating an acid
intermediate between malic acid and malamide, and known only by its
salts.
Ma*lam"ide (?), n. [Malic +
amide.] (Chem.) The acid amide derived from malic
acid, as a white crystalline substance metameric with
asparagine.
Mal"an*ders (?), n. pl. [F.
malandres, fr. L. malandria blisters or pustules on the
neck, especially in horses.] (Far.) A scurfy eruption in
the bend of the knee of the fore leg of a horse. See
Sallenders. [Written also mallenders.]
Mal"a*pert (?), a. [OF. malapert
unskillful, ill-taught, ill-bred; mal ill + apert open,
adroit, intelligent, L. apertus, p. p. of aperire to
open. See Malice, and Aperient.] Bold; forward;
impudent; saucy; pert. Shak. -- n.
A malapert person.
Are you growing malapert! Will you force me
to make use of my authority ?
Dryden.
-- Mal"a*pert`ly, adv. --
Mal"a*pert`ness, n.
Mal"a*prop*ism (?), n. [From Mrs.
Malaprop, a character in Sheridan's drama, " The Rivals," who
makes amusing blunders in her use of words. See Malapropos.]
A grotesque misuse of a word; a word so used.
Mal*ap"ro*pos` (?), a. & adv. [F.
mal à propos; mal evil + à propos
to the purpose.] Unseasonable or unseasonably; unsuitable or
unsuitably.
||Mal*ap`te*ru"rus
(măl*ăp`t&esl;*r&udd;"rŭs), n.
[NL., from Gr. malako`s soft + ptero`n wing +
o'yra` tail.] (Zoöl.) A genus of African
siluroid fishes, including the electric catfishes. See Electric
cat, under Electric.
Ma"lar (?), a. [L. mala the
cheek: cf. F. malaire.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining
to the region of the cheek bone, or to the malar bone;
jugal.
Ma"lar (?), n. (Anat.) The
cheek bone, which forms a part of the lower edge of the
orbit.
Ma*la"ri*a (?), n. [It., contr. fr.
malaaria bad air. See Malice, and Air.]
1. Air infected with some noxious substance
capable of engendering disease; esp., an unhealthy exhalation from
certain soils, as marshy or wet lands, producing fevers;
miasma.
&fist; The morbific agent in malaria is supposed by some to be a
vegetable microbe or its spores, and by others to be a very minute
animal blood parasite (an infusorian).
2. (Med.) A morbid condition produced
by exhalations from decaying vegetable matter in contact with
moisture, giving rise to fever and ague and many other symptoms
characterized by their tendency to recur at definite and usually
uniform intervals.
{ Ma*la"ri*al (?), Ma*la"ri*an (?),
Ma*la"ri*ous (?) }, a. Of or
pertaining, to or infected by, malaria.
Malarial fever (Med.), a fever
produced by malaria, and characterized by the occurrence of chills,
fever, and sweating in distinct paroxysms, At intervals of definite
and often uniform duration, in which these symptoms are wholly absent
(intermittent fever), or only partially so (remittent
fever); fever and ague; chills and fever.
Ma`la*sha"ga*nay (?), n. [Indian name.]
(Zoöl.) The fresh-water drumfish (Haploidonotus
grunniens).
Mal`as*sim`i*la"tion (?), n. [Mal-
+ assimilation.] (Physiol.) (a)
Imperfect digestion of the several leading constituents of the
food. (b) An imperfect elaboration by the
tissues of the materials brought to them by the blood.
Ma"late (?), n. [L. malum apple:
cf. F. malate. See Malic.] (Chem.) A salt
of malic acid.
{ Ma"lax (?), Ma*lax"ate (?), } v.
t. [L. malaxare, malaxatum, cf. Gr. &?;, fr.
&?; soft: cf. F. malaxer.] To soften by kneading or
stirring with some thinner substance. [R.]
Mal`ax*a"tion (?), n. [L.
malaxatio: cf. F. malaxation.] The act of
softening by mixing with a thinner substance; the formation of
ingredients into a mass for pills or plasters. [R.]
Mal"ax*a`tor (?), n. One who, or
that which, malaxates; esp., a machine for grinding, kneading, or
stirring into a pasty or doughy mass. [R.]
Ma*lay" (?), n. One of a race of a
brown or copper complexion in the Malay Peninsula and the western
islands of the Indian Archipelago.
{ Ma*lay" (?), Ma*lay"an (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to the Malays or their
country. -- n. The Malay
language.
Malay apple (Bot.), a myrtaceous tree
(Eugenia Malaccensis) common in India; also, its applelike
fruit.
Ma"la*ya"lam (?), n. The name
given to one the cultivated Dravidian languages, closely related to
the Tamil. Yule.
||Mal"brouck (?), n. [F.]
(Zoöl.) A West African arboreal monkey
(Cercopithecus cynosurus).
Mal*con`for*ma"tion (?), n. [Mal-
+ conformation.] Imperfect, disproportionate, or
abnormal formation; ill form; disproportion of parts.
Mal"con*tent` (?), a. [F., fr.
mal ill + content. See Malice, Content.]
discontented; uneasy; dissatisfied; especially, dissatisfied
with the government. [Written also malecontent.]
The famous malcontent earl of
Leicester.
Milner.
Mal"con*tent`, n. [F.
malcontent.] One who discontented; especially, a
discontented subject of a government; one who expresses his
discontent by words or overt acts. Spenser.
Berkeley.
Mal`con*tent"ed (?), a.
Malcontent. -- Mal`con*tent"ed*ly,
adv. -- Mal`con*tent"ed*ness,
n.
Mal*da"ni*an (?), n.
(Zoöl.) Any species of marine annelids of the genus
Maldane, or family Maldanidæ. They have a
slender, round body, and make tubes in the sand or mud.
Male- (măl- or măl&esl;-). See
Mal-.
Male (māl), a. [L. malus.
See Malice.] Evil; wicked; bad. [Obs.]
Marston.
Male, n. Same as Mail, a
bag. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Male, a. [F. mâle, OF.
masle, mascle, fr. L. masculus male, masculine,
dim. of mas a male; possibly akin to E. man. Cf.
Masculine, Marry, v. t.]
1. Of or pertaining to the sex that begets or
procreates young, or (in a wider sense) to the sex that produces
spermatozoa, by which the ova are fertilized; not female; as,
male organs.
2. (Bot.) Capable of producing
fertilization, but not of bearing fruit; -- said of stamens and
antheridia, and of the plants, or parts of plants, which bear
them.
3. Suitable to the male sex; characteristic
or suggestive of a male; masculine; as, male
courage.
4. Consisting of males; as, a male
choir.
5. (Mech.) Adapted for entering
another corresponding piece (the female piece) which is hollow
and which it fits; as, a male gauge, for gauging the size or
shape of a hole; a male screw, etc.
Male berry (Bot.), a kind of coffee.
See Pea berry. -- Male fern
(Bot.), a fern of the genus Aspidium (A.
Filixmas), used in medicine as an anthelmintic, esp. against the
tapeworm. Aspidium marginale in America, and A.
athamanticum in South Africa, are used as good substitutes for
the male fern in medical practice. See Female fern, under
Female. -- Male rhyme, a rhyme in
which only the last syllables agree, as laid, afraid,
dismayed. See Female rhyme, under Female. -
- Male screw (Mech.), a screw having
threads upon its exterior which enter the grooves upon the inside of
a corresponding nut or female screw. -- Male
thread, the thread of a male screw.
Male, n. 1. An
animal of the male sex.
2. (Bot.) A plant bearing only
staminate flowers.
Male`ad*min`is*tra"tion
(măl`ăd*m&ibreve;n`&ibreve;s*trā"shŭn),
n. Maladministration.
Ma*le"ate (?), n. A salt of maleic
acid.
Male*branch"ism (?), n. The
philosophical system of Malebranche, an eminent French metaphysician.
The fundamental doctrine of his system is that the mind can not have
knowledge of anything external to itself except in its relation to
God.
Male*con`for*ma"tion (?), n.
Malconformation.
Male"con*tent` (?), a.
Malcontent.
Mal`e*di"cen*cy (?), n. [L.
maledicentia. See Maledicent.] Evil
speaking. [Obs.] Atterbury.
Mal`e*di"cent (?), a. [L.
maledicens, p. pr. of maledicere to speak ill;
male ill + dicere to say, speak. See Malice, and
Diction.] Speaking reproachfully; slanderous.
[Obs.] Sir E. Sandys.
Mal"e*dict (?), a. [L.
maledictus, p. p. of maledicere.] Accursed;
abominable. [R.]
Mal`e*dic"tion, n. [L.
maledictio: cf. F. malédiction. See
Maledicent.] A proclaiming of evil against some one; a
cursing; imprecation; a curse or execration; -- opposed to
benediction.
No malediction falls from his
tongue.
Longfellow.
Syn. -- Cursing; curse; execration; imprecation;
denunciation; anathema. -- Malediction, Curse,
Imprecation, Execration. Malediction is the most
general term, denoting bitter reproach, or wishes and predictions of
evil. Curse implies the desire or threat of evil, declared
upon oath or in the most solemn manner. Imprecation is
literally the praying down of evil upon a person. Execration
is literally a putting under the ban of excommunication, a curse
which excludes from the kingdom of God. In ordinary usage, the last
three words describe profane swearing, execration being the
strongest.
Mal`e*fac"tion (?), n. [See
Malefactor.] A crime; an offense; an evil deed.
[R.] Shak.
Mal`e*fac"tor (?), n. [L., fr.
malefacere to do evil; male ill, evil + facere
to do. See Malice, and Fact.] 1.
An evil doer; one who commits a crime; one subject to public
prosecution and punishment; a criminal.
2. One who does wrong by injuring another,
although not a criminal. [Obs.] H. Brooke. Fuller.
Syn. -- Evil doer; criminal; culprit; felon; convict.
Mal`e*fac"tress (?), n. A female
malefactor. Hawthorne.
Male*fea"sance (?), n. See
Malfeasance.
Ma*lef"ic (?), a. [L. maleficus:
cf. F. maléfique. See Malefaction.] Doing
mischief; causing harm or evil; nefarious; hurtful. [R.]
Chaucer.
Mal"e*fice (?), n. [L.
maleficium: cf. F. maléfice. See
Malefactor.] An evil deed; artifice; enchantment.
[Obs.]
Ma*lef"i*cence (?), n. [L.
maleficentia. Cf. Malfeasance.] Evil doing, esp.
to others.
Ma*lef"i*cent (?), a. [See
Malefic.] Doing evil to others; harmful;
mischievous.
Mal`e*fi"cial (?), a.
Injurious. Fuller.
Mal`e*fi"ci*ate (?), v. t. [LL.
maleficiatus, p. p. of maleficiare to bewitch, fr. L.
maleficium. See Malefice.] To bewitch; to
harm. [Obs.] Burton.
Mal`e*fi`ci*a"tion (?), n. A
bewitching. [Obs.]
Mal`e*fi"cience (?), n. [See
Maleficence.] The doing of evil, harm, or
mischief.
Mal`e*fi"cient (?), a. [See
Maleficent.] Doing evil, harm, or mischief.
Male`for*ma"tion (?), n. See
Malformation.
Ma*le"ic (?), a. [Cf. F.
maléique. See Malic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of the ethylene series,
metameric with fumaric acid and obtained by heating malic
acid.
Ma*len"gine (?), n. [OF.
malengin; L. malus bad, evil + ingenium natural
capacity. See Engine.] Evil machination; guile;
deceit. [Obs.] Gower.
Ma"le*o (?), n. [From its native name.]
(Zoöl.) A bird of Celebes (megacephalon
maleo), allied to the brush turkey. It makes mounds in which to
lay its eggs.
Male-o"dor (?), n. See
Malodor.
Male*prac"tice (?), n. See
Malpractice.
Male"-spir`it*ed (?), a. Having
the spirit of a male; vigorous; courageous. [R.] B.
Jonson.
Mal"et (?), n. [F. mallette,
dim. of malle. See Mail a bag.] A little bag or
budget. [Obs.] Shelton.
Male*treat" (?), v. t. See
Maltreat.
Ma*lev"o*lence (?), n. [L.
malevolentia. See Malevolent.] The quality or
state of being malevolent; evil disposition toward another;
inclination to injure others; ill will. See Synonym of
Malice.
Ma*lev"o*lent (?), a. [L.
malevolens, -entis; male ill + volens, p.
pr. of velle to be willing or disposed, to wish. See
Malice, and Voluntary.] Wishing evil; disposed to
injure others; rejoicing in another's misfortune.
Syn. -- Ill-disposed; envious; mischievous; evil-minded;
spiteful; malicious; malignant; rancorous.
Ma*lev"o*lent*ly, adv. In a
malevolent manner.
Ma*lev"o*lous (?), a. [L.
malevolus; fr. male ill + velle to be disposed.]
Malevolent. [Obs.] Bp. Warburton.
Mal*ex`e*cu"tion (?), n. [Mal- +
execution.] Bad execution. D. Webster.
Ma*le"yl (?), n. [Maleic + -
yl.] (Chem.) A hypothetical radical derived from
maleic acid.
Mal*fea"sance (?), n. [F.
malfaisance, fr. malfaisant injurious, doing ill;
mal ill, evil + faisant doing, p. pr. of faire
to do. See Malice, Feasible, and cf.
Maleficence.] (Law) The doing of an act which a
person ought not to do; evil conduct; an illegal deed. [Written
also malefeasance.]
Mal`for*ma"tion (?), n. [Mal- +
formation.] Ill formation; irregular or anomalous
formation; abnormal or wrong conformation or structure.
Mal*gra"cious (?), a. [F.
malgracieux.] Not graceful; displeasing. [Obs.]
Gower.
Mal"gre (?), prep. See
Mauger.
Ma"lic (?), a. [L. malum an
apple: cf. F. malique.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or
obtained from, apples; as, malic acid.
Malic acid, a hydroxy acid obtained as a
substance which is sirupy or crystallized with difficulty, and has a
strong but pleasant sour taste. It occurs in many fruits, as in green
apples, currants, etc. It is levorotatory or dextrorotatory according
to the temperature and concentration. An artificial variety is a
derivative of succinic acid, but has no action on polarized light,
and thus malic acid is a remarkable case of physical isomerism.
Mal"ice (măl"&ibreve;s), n. [F.
malice, fr. L. malitia, from malus bad, ill,
evil, prob. orig., dirty, black; cf. Gr. me`las black,
Skr. mala dirt. Cf. Mauger.] 1.
Enmity of heart; malevolence; ill will; a spirit delighting in
harm or misfortune to another; a disposition to injure another; a
malignant design of evil. "Nor set down aught in
malice." Shak.
Envy, hatred, and malice are three distinct
passions of the mind.
Ld. Holt.
2. (Law) Any wicked or mischievous
intention of the mind; a depraved inclination to mischief; an
intention to vex, annoy, or injure another person, or to do a
wrongful act without just cause or cause or excuse; a wanton
disregard of the rights or safety of others; willfulness.
Malice aforethought or
prepense, malice previously and deliberately
entertained.
Syn. -- Spite; ill will; malevolence; grudge; pique;
bitterness; animosity; malignity; maliciousness; rancor; virulence.
See Spite. -- Malevolence, Malignity,
Malignancy. Malice is a stronger word than
malevolence, which may imply only a desire that evil may
befall another, while malice desires, and perhaps intends, to
bring it about. Malignity is intense and deepseated
malice. It implies a natural delight in hating and wronging
others. One who is malignant must be both malevolent
and malicious; but a man may be malicious without being
malignant.
Proud tyrants who maliciously destroy
And ride o'er ruins with malignant joy.
Somerville.
in some connections, malignity seems rather
more pertinently applied to a radical depravity of nature, and
malignancy to indications of this depravity, in temper and
conduct in particular instances.
Cogan.
Mal"ice, v. t. To regard with
extreme ill will. [Obs.]
Mal"i*cho (?), n. [Sp. malhecho;
mal bad + hecho deed, L. factum. See
Fact.] Mischief. [Obs.] Shak.
Ma*li"cious (?), a. [Of.
malicius, F. malicieux, fr. L. malitiosus. See
Malice.] 1. Indulging or exercising
malice; harboring ill will or enmity.
I grant him bloody, . . .
Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin
That has a name.
Shak.
2. Proceeding from hatred or ill will;
dictated by malice; as, a malicious report; malicious
mischief.
3. (Law) With wicked or mischievous
intentions or motives; wrongful and done intentionally without just
cause or excuse; as, a malicious act.
Malicious abandonment, the desertion of a
wife or husband without just cause. Burrill. --
Malicious mischief (Law), malicious
injury to the property of another; -- an offense at common law.
Wharton. -- Malicious prosecution or
arrest (Law), a wanton prosecution or
arrest, by regular process in a civil or criminal proceeding, without
probable cause. Bouvier.
Syn. -- Ill-disposed; evil-minded; mischievous; envious;
malevolent; invidious; spiteful; bitter; malignant; rancorous;
malign.
-- Ma*li"cious*ly, adv. --
Ma*li"cious*ness, n.
Ma*lign" (?), a. [L. malignus,
for maligenus, i. e., of a bad kind or nature; malus
bad + the root of genus birth, race, kind: cf. F.
malin, masc., maligne, fem. See Malice,
Gender, and cf. Benign, Malignant.]
1. Having an evil disposition toward others;
harboring violent enmity; malevolent; malicious; spiteful; -- opposed
to benign.
Witchcraft may be by operation of malign
spirits.
Bacon.
2. Unfavorable; unpropitious; pernicious;
tending to injure; as, a malign aspect of planets.
3. Malignant; as, a malign
ulcer. [R.] Bacon.
Ma*lign", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Maligned (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Maligning.] [Cf. L. malignare. See Malign,
a.] To treat with malice; to show hatred
toward; to abuse; to wrong; to injure. [Obs.]
The people practice what mischiefs and villainies they
will against private men, whom they malign by stealing their
goods, or murdering them.
Spenser.
2. To speak great evil of; to traduce; to
defame; to slander; to vilify; to asperse.
To be envied and shot at; to be maligned
standing, and to be despised falling.
South.
Ma*lign", v. i. To entertain
malice. [Obs.]
{ Ma*lig"nance (?), Ma*lig"nan*cy , }
n. [See Malignant.] 1.
The state or quality of being malignant; extreme malevolence;
bitter enmity; malice; as, malignancy of heart.
2. Unfavorableness; evil nature.
The malignancy of my fate might perhaps
distemner yours.
Shak.
3. (Med.) Virulence; tendency to a
fatal issue; as, the malignancy of an ulcer or of a
fever.
4. The state of being a malignant.
Syn. -- Malice; malevolence; malignity. See
Malice.
Ma*lig"nant (?), a. [L.
malignans, -antis, p. pr. of malignare,
malignari, to do or make maliciously. See Malign, and
cf. Benignant.] 1. Disposed to do harm,
inflict suffering, or cause distress; actuated by extreme malevolence
or enmity; virulently inimical; bent on evil; malicious.
A malignant and a turbaned Turk.
Shak.
2. Characterized or caused by evil
intentions; pernicious. "Malignant care."
Macaulay.
Some malignant power upon my life.
Shak.
Something deleterious and malignant as his
touch.
Hawthorne.
3. (Med.) Tending to produce death;
threatening a fatal issue; virulent; as, malignant
diphtheria.
Malignant pustule (Med.), a very
contagious disease, transmitted to man from animals, characterized by
the formation, at the point of reception of the virus, of a vesicle
or pustule which first enlarges and then breaks down into an
unhealthy ulcer. It is marked by profound exhaustion and usually
fatal. Called also charbon, and sometimes, improperly,
anthrax.
Ma*lig"nant (?), n. 1.
A man of extreme enmity or evil intentions.
Hooker.
2. (Eng. Hist.) One of the adherents
of Charles I. or Charles II.; -- so called by the opposite
party.
Ma*lig"nant*ly, adv. In a
malignant manner.
Ma*lign"er (?), n. One who
maligns.
Ma*lig"ni*fy (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Malignified (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Malignifying (?).] [L. malignus malign +
-fy.] To make malign or malignant. [R.] "A strong
faith malignified." Southey.
Ma*lig"ni*ty (?), n. [F.
malignité, L. malignitas.] 1.
The state or quality of being malignant; disposition to do evil;
virulent enmity; malignancy; malice; spite.
2. Virulence; deadly quality.
His physicians discerned an invincible
malignity in his disease.
Hayward.
3. Extreme evilness of nature or influence;
perniciousness; heinousness; as, the malignity of fraud.
[R.]
Syn. -- See Malice.
Ma*lign"ly (?), adv. In a malign
manner; with malignity.
Ma*lin"ger (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. MAlingered (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Malingering.] To act the part of a
malingerer; to feign illness or inability.
Ma*lin"ger*er (?), n. [F.
malingre sickly, weakly, prob. from mal ill + OF.
heingre, haingre, thin, lean, infirm, fr. L.
aeger.] In the army, a soldier who feigns himself sick,
or who induces or protracts an illness, in order to avoid doing his
duty; hence, in general, one who shirks his duty by pretending
illness or inability.
Ma*lin"ger*y (?), n. The spirit or
practices of a malingerer; malingering.
Mal"i*son (?), n. [OF. maleicon,
L. maledictio. See Malediction, and cf.
Benison.] Malediction; curse; execration.
[Poetic]
God's malison on his head who this
gainsays.
Sir W. Scott.
Mal"kin (?), n. [Dim. of Maud,
the proper name. Cf. Grimalkin.] [Written also
maukin.] 1. Originally, a kitchenmaid; a
slattern. Chaucer.
2. A mop made of clouts, used by the kitchen
servant.
3. A scarecrow. [Prov. Eng.]
4. (Mil.) A mop or sponge attached to
a jointed staff for swabbing out a cannon.
Mall (m&add;l; 277), n. [Written also
maul.] [OE. malle, F. mail, L. malleus.
Cf. Malleus.] 1. A large heavy wooden
beetle; a mallet for driving anything with force; a maul.
Addison.
2. A heavy blow. [Obs.]
Spenser.
3. An old game played with malls or
mallets and balls. See Pall-mall. Cotton.
4. A place where the game of mall was
played. Hence: A public walk; a level shaded walk.
Part of the area was laid out in gravel walks, and
planted with elms; and these convenient and frequented walks obtained
the name of the City Mall.
Southey.
Mall (m&add;l), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Malled (m&add;ld); p. pr. & vb.
n. Malling.] [Cf. OF. mailler. See
Mall beetle, and cf. Malleate.] To beat with a
mall; to beat with something heavy; to bruise; to maul.
Mall (măl), n. [LL.
mallum a public assembly; cf. OHG. mahal assembly,
transaction; akin to AS. mæðel, meðel,
assembly, m&aemacr;lan to speak, Goth. maþl
market place.] Formerly, among Teutonic nations, a meeting of
the notables of a state for the transaction of public business, such
meeting being a modification of the ancient popular assembly.
Hence: (a) A court of justice.
(b) A place where justice is administered.
(c) A place where public meetings are
held.
Councils, which had been as frequent as diets or
malls, ceased.
Milman.
Mal"lard (?), n. [F. malari,fr.
mâle male + -art =-ard. See Male,
a., and -ard.] 1.
(Zoöl.) A drake; the male of Anas
boschas.
2. (Zoöl.) A large wild duck
(Anas boschas) inhabiting both America and Europe. The
domestic duck has descended from this species. Called also
greenhead.
Mal"le*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. [CF. F.
malléabilité.] The quality or state of
being malleable; -- opposed to friability and
brittleness. Locke.
Mal"le*a*ble (?), a. [F.
malléable, fr. LL. malleare to hammer. See
Malleate.] Capable of being extended or shaped by beating
with a hammer, or by the pressure of rollers; -- applied to
metals.
Malleable iron, iron that is capable of
extension or of being shaped under the hammer; decarbonized cast
iron. See under Iron. -- Malleable iron
castings, articles cast from pig iron and made
malleable by heating then for several days in the presence of some
substance, as hematite, which deprives the cast iron of some of its
carbon.
Mal"le*a*ble*ize (?), v. t. To
make malleable.
Mal"le*a*ble*ness, n. Quality of
being malleable.
Mal"le*al (?), a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to the malleus.
Mal"le*ate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Malleated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Malleating (?).] [L. malleatus hammered,
fr. malleus a hammer. See Mall, v.
t.] To hammer; to beat into a plate or leaf.
Mal`le*a"tion (?), n. [LL.
malleatio: cf. OF. malléation.] The act or
process of beating into a plate, sheet, or leaf, as a metal;
extension by beating.
Mal"le*cho (?), n. Same as
Malicho.
Mal*lee" bird` (?). (Zoöl.) [From native
name.] The leipoa. See Leipoa.
{ Mal"le*mock (?), Mal"le*moke (?), }
n. (Zoöl.) See
Mollemoke.
Mal"len*ders (?), n. pl. (Far.)
Same as Malanders.
Mal*le"o*lar (?), a. [See
Malleolus.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the
malleolus; in the region of the malleoli of the ankle
joint.
||Mal*le"*o*lus (?), n.; pl.
Malleoli (#). [L., dim. of malleus hammer.]
1. (Anat.) A projection at the distal end
of each bone of the leg at the ankle joint. The malleolus of the
tibia is the internal projection, that of the fibula the
external.
2. " A layer, " a shoot partly buried in the
ground, and there cut halfway through.
Mal"let (?), n. [F. maillet,
dim. of mail. See Mall a beetle.] A small maul
with a short handle, -- used esp. for driving a tool, as a chisel or
the like; also, a light beetle with a long handle, -- used in playing
croquet.
||Mal"le*us (?), n.; pl.
Mallei (#). [L., hammer. See Mall a beetle.]
1. (Anat.) The outermost of the three
small auditory bones, ossicles; the hammer. It is attached to the
tympanic membrane by a long process, the handle or manubrium. See
Illust. of Far.
2. (Zoöl.) One of the hard
lateral pieces of the mastax of Rotifera. See
Mastax.
3. (Zoöl.) A genus of bivalve
shells; the hammer shell.
||Mal*loph"a*ga (măl*l&obreve;f"&adot;*g&adot;),
n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. mallo`s a lock of
wool + fagei^n to eat.] (Zoöl.) An
extensive group of insects which are parasitic on birds and mammals,
and feed on the feathers and hair; -- called also bird lice.
See Bird louse, under Bird.
||Mal*lo"tus (?), n. [NL., fr Gr. &?;
fleecy.] (Zoöl.) A genus of small Arctic fishes. One
American species, the capelin (Mallotus villosus), is
extensively used as bait for cod.
{ Mal"low (?), Mal"lows (?), }
n. [OE. malwe, AS. mealwe, fr. L.
malva, akin to Gr. mala`chh; cf.
mala`ssein to soften, malako`s soft. Named
either from its softening or relaxing properties, or from its soft
downy leaves. Cf. Mauve, Malachite.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants (Malva) having mucilaginous qualities.
See Malvaceous.
&fist; The flowers of the common mallow (M. sylvestris) are
used in medicine. The dwarf mallow (M. rotundifolia) is a
common weed, and its flattened, dick-shaped fruits are called
cheeses by children. Tree mallow (M. Mauritiana and
Lavatera arborea), musk mallow (M. moschata), rose
mallow or hollyhock, and curled mallow (M. crispa), are less
commonly seen.
Indian mallow. See Abutilon. --
Jew's mallow, a plant (Corchorus
olitorius) used as a pot herb by the Jews of Egypt and
Syria. -- Marsh mallow. See under
Marsh.
Mal"low*wort` (măl"l&osl;*wûrt),
n. (Bot.) Any plant of the order
Malvaceæ.
{ Malm (?), Malm"brick` (?), }
n. [Cf. AS. mealm sand.] A kind of
brick of a light brown or yellowish color, made of sand, clay, and
chalk.
Mal"ma (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A spotted trout (Salvelinus malma), inhabiting Northern
America, west of the Rocky Mountains; -- called also Dolly Varden
trout, bull trout, red-spotted trout, and
golet.
||Mal"mag (?), n. [F., from native name
in Madagascar.] (Zoöl.) The tarsius, or spectral
lemur.
Malm"sey (?), n. [OE. malvesie,
F. malvoisie, It. malvasia, malavagia, fr.
Malvasia, or Napoli di Malvasia, in the Morea.] A
kind of sweet wine from Crete, the Canary Islands, etc.
Shak.
Mal`nu*tri"tion (?), n. [Mal- +
nutrition.] (Physiol.) Faulty or imperfect
nutrition.
Mal*ob`ser*va"tion (?), n. [Mal-
+ observation.] Erroneous observation. J. S
Mill.
Mal*o"dor (?), n. An offensive
odor.
[1913 Webster]
Mal*o"dor*ous (?), a. Offensive to
the sense of smell; ill-smelling. --
Mal*o"dor*ous*ness. n.
Carlyle.
[1913 Webster]
Mal"o*nate (?), a. (Chem.)
A salt of malonic acid.
Ma*lon"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid produced artifically as a
white crystalline substance,
CH2.(CO2H)2, and so called because
obtained by the oxidation of malic acid.
Mal"o*nyl (?), n. [Malonic +
-yl.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon radical,
CH2.(CO)2, from malonic acid.
||Mal*pi"ghi*a (?), n. [NL. See
Malpighian.] (Bot.) A genus of tropical American
shrubs with opposite leaves and small white or reddish flowers. The
drupes of Malpighia urens are eaten under the name of
Barbadoes cherries.
Mal*pi`ghi*a"ceous (?), a.
(Bot.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order
of tropical trees and shrubs (Malpighiaceæ), some of
them climbing plants, and their stems forming many of the curious
lianes of South American forests.
Mal*pi"ghi*an (?), a. (Anat.)
Of, pertaining to, or discovered by, Marcello Malpighi, an
Italian anatomist of the 17th century.
Malpighian capsules or
corpuscles, the globular dilatations, containing the
glomeruli or Malpighian tufts, at the extremities of the urinary
tubules of the kidney. -- Malpighian corpuscles of the
spleen, masses of adenoid tissue connected with
branches of the splenic artery.
Mal`po*si"tion (?), n. [Mal- +
position.] A wrong position.
Mal*prac"tice (?), n. [Mal- +
practice.] Evil practice; illegal or immoral conduct;
practice contrary to established rules; specifically, the treatment
of a case by a surgeon or physician in a manner which is contrary to
accepted rules and productive of unfavorable results. [Written
also malepractice.]
Malt (?), n. [AS. mealt; akin to
D. mout, G. malz, Icel., Sw., & Dan. malt, and
E. melt. √108. See Melt.] Barley or other
grain, steeped in water and dried in a kiln, thus forcing germination
until the saccharine principle has been evolved. It is used in
brewing and in the distillation of whisky.
Malt, a. Relating to, containing,
or made with, malt.
Malt liquor, an alcoholic liquor, as beer,
ale, porter, etc., prepared by fermenting an infusion of malt. -
- Malt dust, fine particles of malt, or of the
grain used in making malt; -- used as a fertilizer. " Malt
dust consists chiefly of the infant radicle separated from the
grain." Sir H. Davy. -- Malt floor, a
floor for drying malt. -- Malt house, or
Malthouse, a house in which malt is made.
-- Malt kiln, a heated chamber for drying
malt.
Malt, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Malted: p. pr. & vb. n.
Malting.] To make into malt; as, to malt
barley.
Malt, v. i. To become malt; also,
to make grain into malt. Mortimer.
Mal"ta*lent (?), n. [F. See
Malice, and Talent.] Ill will; malice.
[Obs.] Rom. of R. Spenser.
Mal*tese" (?), a. Of or pertaining
to Malta or to its inhabitants. -- n. sing. &
pl. A native or inhabitant of Malta; the people of
Malta.
Maltese cat (Zoöl.), a mouse-
colored variety of the domestic cat. -- Maltese
cross. See Illust. 5, of Cross. --
Maltese dog (Zoöl.), a breed of
small terriers, having long silky white hair. The breed originated in
Malta.
||Mal"tha (măl"th&adot;), n.
[L., fr. Gr. ma`lqa.] 1. A variety of
bitumen, viscid and tenacious, like pitch, unctuous to the touch, and
exhaling a bituminous odor.
2. Mortar. [Obs.] Holland.
Mal*thu"sian (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the political economist, the Rev. T. R. Malthus,
or conforming to his views; as, Malthusian theories.
&fist; Malthus held that population tends to increase faster than
its means of subsistence can be made to do, and hence that the lower
classes must necessarily suffer more or less from lack of food,
unless an increase of population be checked by prudential restraint
or otherwise.
Mal*thu"sian, n. A follower of
Malthus.
Mal*thu"sian*ism (?), n. The
system of Malthusian doctrines relating to population.
{ Malt"in (?), Malt"ine (?), }
n. (Physiol. Chem.) The fermentative
principle of malt; malt diastase; also, a name given to various
medicinal preparations made from or containing malt.
Malt"ing (?), n. The process of
making, or of becoming malt.
Malt"man (?), n.; pl.
Maltmen (&?;). A man whose occupation is to
make malt.
Mal*ton"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, maltose; specif.,
designating an acid called also gluconic or dextronic
acid. See Gluconic.
Malt"ose` (m&add;lt"ōs`), n.
[From Malt.] (Physiol. Chem.) A crystalline sugar
formed from starch by the action of diastase of malt, and the
amylolytic ferment of saliva and pancreatic juice. It resembles
dextrose, but rotates the plane of polarized light further to the
right and possesses a lower cupric oxide reducing power.
Mal*treat" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Maltreated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Maltreating.] [Mal- + treat: cf. F.
maltraiter.] To treat ill; to abuse; to treat
roughly.
Mal*treat"ment (?), n.; [Cf. F.
maltraitement.] Ill treatment; ill usage;
abuse.
Malt"ster (?), n. A maltman.
Swift.
Malt"worm` (?), n. A
tippler. [R.] Shak.
Malt"y (?), a. Containing, or
like, malt. Dickens.
||Ma"lum (?), n.; pl.
Mala (#). [L.] An evil. See
Mala.
Mal*va"ceous (?), a. [L.
malvaceus, from malva mallows. See Mallow.]
(Bot.) Pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order of
plants (Malvaceæ), of which the mallow is the type. The
cotton plant, hollyhock, and abutilon are of this order, and the
baobab and the silk-cotton trees are now referred to it.
Mal`ver*sa"tion (?), n. [F., fr.
malverser to be corrupt in office, fr. L. male ill +
versari to move about, to occupy one's self, vertere to
turn. See Malice, and Verse.] Evil conduct;
fraudulent practices; misbehavior, corruption, or extortion in
office.
Mal"ve*sie (?), n. Malmsey wine.
See Malmsey. " A jub of malvesye."
Chaucer.
Mam (măm), n. [Abbrev. fr.
mamma.] Mamma.
Ma*ma" (?), n. See
Mamma.
Mam"a*luke (?), n. Same as
Mameluke.
||Mam"e*lon (?), n. [F.] A rounded
hillock; a rounded elevation or protuberance. Westmin.
Rev.
||Mam`e*lu"co (?), n. [Pg.] A
child born of a white father and Indian mother. [S. Amer.]
Mam"e*luke (?), n. [F. mamelouk,
cf. Sp. mameluco, It. mammalucco; all fr. Ar.
maml&?;k a purchased slave or captive; lit., possessed or in
one's power, p. p. of malaka to possesses.] One of a body
of mounted soldiers recruited from slaves converted to Mohammedanism,
who, during several centuries, had more or less control of the
government of Egypt, until exterminated or dispersed by Mehemet Ali
in 1811.
Mam"il*la`ted (?), a. See
Mammillated.
Mam*ma" (?), n. [Reduplicated from the
infantine word ma, influenced in spelling by L. mamma.]
Mother; -- word of tenderness and familiarity. [Written
also mama.]
Tell tales papa and mamma.
Swift.
Mam"ma (?), n.; pl.
Mammæ (#). [L. mamma breast.]
(Anat.) A glandular organ for secreting milk,
characteristic of all mammals, but usually rudimentary in the male; a
mammary gland; a breast; udder; bag.
Mam"mal (?), n.; pl.
Mammals (#). [L. mammalis belonging to the
breast, fr. mamma the breast or pap: cf. F. mammal.]
(Zoöl.) One of the Mammalia.
Age of mammals. See under Age,
n., 8.
||Mam*ma"li*a (?), n. pl. [NL., from L.
mammalis. See Mammal.] (Zoöl.) The
highest class of Vertebrata. The young are nourished for a time by
milk, or an analogous fluid, secreted by the mammary glands of the
mother.
&fist; Mammalia are divided into three subclasses; --
I. Placentalia. This subclass embraces all the higher
orders, including man. In these the fetus is attached to the uterus
by a placenta.
II. Marsupialia. In these no placenta is formed, and the
young, which are born at an early state of development, are carried
for a time attached to the teats, and usually protected by a
marsupial pouch. The opossum, kangaroo, wombat, and koala are
examples.
III. Monotremata. In this group, which includes the genera
Echidna and Ornithorhynchus, the female lays large eggs
resembling those of a bird or lizard, and the young, which are
hatched like those of birds, are nourished by a watery secretion from
the imperfectly developed mammæ.
Mam*ma"li*an (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the Mammalia or mammals.
Mam`ma*lif"er*ous (?), a.
[Mammal + -ferous.] (Geol.) Containing
mammalian remains; -- said of certain strata.
Mam`ma*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to mammalogy.
Mam*mal"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F.
mammalogiste.] One versed in mammalogy.
Mam*mal"o*gy (?), n. [Mamma
breast + -logy: cf. f. mammalogie.] The science
which relates to mammals or the Mammalia. See
Mammalia.
Mam"ma*ry (?), a. [Cf. F.
mammaire.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the
mammæ or breasts; as, the mammary arteries and
veins.
Mam*mee" (?), n. [Haytian
mamey.] (Bot.) A fruit tree of tropical America,
belonging to the genus Mammea (M. Americana); also, its
fruit. The latter is large, covered with a thick, tough ring, and
contains a bright yellow pulp of a pleasant taste and fragrant scent.
It is often called mammee apple.
Mam"mer (?), v. i. [Cf. G. memme
coward, poltroon.] To hesitate; to mutter doubtfully.
[Obs.]
Mam"met (?), n. [See Mawmet.]
An idol; a puppet; a doll. [Obs.] Selden.
Shak.
Mam"met*ry (?), n. See
Mawmetry. [Obs.]
Mam"mi*fer (?), n. [NL. See
Mammiferous.] (Zoöl.) A mammal. See
Mammalia.
Mam*mif"er*ous (?), a. [Mamma
breast + -ferous: cf. F. mammifère.] Having
breasts; of, pertaining to, or derived from, the Mammalia.
Mam"mi*form (?), a. [Mamma
breast + -form: cf. F. mammiforme.] Having the
form of a mamma (breast) or mammæ.
||Mam*mil"la (?), n.; pl.
Mammilæ (#). [L., dim. of mamma a
breast.] (Anat.) The nipple.
Mam"mil*la*ry (?), a. [Cf. F.
mammilaire. See Mammilla.] 1. Of
or pertaining to the mammilla, or nipple, or to the breast;
resembling a mammilla; mammilloid.
2. (Min.) Composed of convex convex
concretions, somewhat resembling the breasts in form; studded with
small mammiform protuberances.
{ Mam"mil*late (?), Mam"mil*la`ted (?), }
a. [See Mammilla.] 1.
Having small nipples, or small protuberances like nipples or
mammæ.
2. (Zoöl.) Bounded like a nipple;
-- said of the apex of some shells.
Mam*mil"li*form (?), a.
[Mammilla + -form.] Having the form of a
mammilla.
Mam"mil*loid (?), a. [Mammilla +
-oid.] Like a mammilla or nipple; mammilliform.
Mam"mock (?), n. [Ir. & Gael.
mam a round hill + -ock.] A shapeless piece; a
fragment. [Obs.]
Mam"mock, v. t. To tear to
pieces. [Obs.] Milton.
Mam"mo*dis (?), n. [F. mamoudis,
fr. Hind. mahmūdī a muslin.] Coarse plain
India muslins.
Mam*mol"o*gy (?), n. [Mamma +
-logy.] Mastology. See Mammalogy.
Mam"mon (?), n. [L. mammona, Gr.
&?; riches, Syr. mam&?;nā; cf. Heb. matm&?;n a
hiding place, subterranean storehouse, treasury, fr.
tāman to hide.] Riches; wealth; the god of riches;
riches, personified.
Ye can not serve God and Mammon.
Matt. vi. 24.
Mam"mon*ish, a. Actuated or
prompted by a devotion to money getting or the service of
Mammon. Carlyle.
Mam"mon*ism (?), n. Devotion to
the pursuit of wealth; worldliness. Carlyle.
Mam"mon*ist, n. A
mammonite.
Mam"mon*ite (?), n. One devoted to
the acquisition of wealth or the service of Mammon. C.
Kingsley.
Mam`mon*i*za"tion (?), n. The
process of making mammonish; the state of being under the influence
of mammonism.
Mam"mon*ize (?), v. t. To make
mammonish.
Mam*mose" (?), a. [L. mammosus
having large breasts, mamma breast.] (Bot.) Having
the form of the breast; breast-shaped.
Mam"moth (?), n. [Russ.
mâmont, mámant, fr. Tartar mamma
the earth. Certain Tartar races, the Tungooses and Yakoots, believed
that the mammoth worked its way in the earth like a mole.]
(Zoöl.) An extinct, hairy, maned elephant
(Elephas primigenius), of enormous size, remains of which are
found in the northern parts of both continents. The last of the race,
in Europe, were coeval with prehistoric man.
&fist; Several specimens have been found in Siberia preserved
entire, with the flesh and hair remaining. They were imbedded in the
ice cliffs at a remote period, and became exposed by the melting of
the ice.
Mam"moth (?), a. Resembling the
mammoth in size; very large; gigantic; as, a mammoth
ox.
Mam"mo*thrept (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?;
grandmother + &?; to nourish.] A child brought up by its
grandmother; a spoiled child. [R.]
O, you are a more mammothrept in
judgment.
B. Jonson.
Mam"my (?), n.; pl.
Mammies (&?;). A child's name for
mamma, mother.
||Mam"zer (?), n. [Heb.
mámz&?;r.] A person born of relations between whom
marriage was forbidden by the Mosaic law; a bastard. Deut.
xxiii. 2 (Douay version).
Man (măn), n.; pl.
Men (m&ebreve;n). [AS. mann, man,
monn, mon; akin to OS., D., & OHG. man, G.
mann, Icel. maðr, for mannr, Dan.
Mand, Sw. man, Goth. manna, Skr. manu,
manus, and perh. to Skr. man to think, and E.
mind. √104. Cf. Minx a pert girl.]
1. A human being; -- opposed to
beast.
These men went about wide, and man found
they none,
But fair country, and wild beast many [a] one.
R. of
Glouc.
The king is but a man, as I am; the violet
smells to him as it doth to me.
Shak.
2. Especially: An adult male person; a grown-
up male person, as distinguished from a woman or a child.
When I became a man, I put away childish
things.
I Cor. xiii. 11.
Ceneus, a woman once, and once a
man.
Dryden.
3. The human race; mankind.
And God said, Let us make man in our image,
after our likeness, and let them have dominion.
Gen.
i. 26.
The proper study of mankind is
man.
Pope.
4. The male portion of the human
race.
Woman has, in general, much stronger propensity than
man to the discharge of parental duties.
Cowper.
5. One possessing in a high degree the
distinctive qualities of manhood; one having manly excellence of any
kind. Shak.
This was the noblest Roman of them all . . . the
elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world "This was a man!"
Shak.
6. An adult male servant; also, a vassal; a
subject.
Like master, like man.
Old
Proverb.
The vassal, or tenant, kneeling, ungirt, uncovered,
and holding up his hands between those of his lord, professed that he
did become his man from that day forth, of life, limb, and
earthly honor.
Blackstone.
7. A term of familiar address often implying
on the part of the speaker some degree of authority, impatience, or
haste; as, Come, man, we 've no time to lose!
8. A married man; a husband; -- correlative
to wife.
I pronounce that they are man and
wife.
Book of Com. Prayer.
every wife ought to answer for her
man.
Addison.
9. One, or any one, indefinitely; -- a
modified survival of the Saxon use of man, or mon, as
an indefinite pronoun.
A man can not make him laugh.
Shak.
A man would expect to find some antiquities;
but all they have to show of this nature is an old rostrum of a Roman
ship.
Addison.
10. One of the piece with which certain
games, as chess or draughts, are played.
&fist; Man is often used as a prefix in composition, or as
a separate adjective, its sense being usually self-explaining; as,
man child, man eater or maneater, man-
eating, man hater or manhater, man-hating,
manhunter, man-hunting, mankiller, man-
killing, man midwife, man pleaser, man
servant, man-shaped, manslayer, manstealer,
man-stealing, manthief, man worship, etc.
Man is also used as a suffix to denote a person of the male
sex having a business which pertains to the thing spoken of in the
qualifying part of the compound; ashman, butterman,
laundryman, lumberman, milkman, fireman,
showman, waterman, woodman. Where the
combination is not familiar, or where some specific meaning of the
compound is to be avoided, man is used as a separate
substantive in the foregoing sense; as, apple man, cloth
man, coal man, hardware man, wood man (as
distinguished from woodman).
Man ape (Zoöl.), a anthropoid
ape, as the gorilla. -- Man at arms, a
designation of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries for a soldier
fully armed. -- Man engine, a mechanical
lift for raising or lowering people through considerable distances;
specifically (Mining), a contrivance by which miners ascend or
descend in a shaft. It consists of a series of landings in the shaft
and an equal number of shelves on a vertical rod which has an up and
down motion equal to the distance between the successive landings. A
man steps from a landing to a shelf and is lifted or lowered to the
next landing, upon which he them steps, and so on, traveling by
successive stages. -- Man Friday, a person
wholly subservient to the will of another, like Robinson Crusoe's
servant Friday. -- Man of straw, a puppet;
one who is controlled by others; also, one who is not responsible
pecuniarily. -- Man-of-the earth
(Bot.), a twining plant (Ipomœa pandurata)
with leaves and flowers much like those of the morning-glory, but
having an immense tuberous farinaceous root. -- Man of
war. (a) A warrior; a soldier.
Shak. (b) (Naut.) See in the
Vocabulary. -- To be one's own man, to
have command of one's self; not to be subject to another.
Man (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Manned (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Manning.] 1. To supply with men; to
furnish with a sufficient force or complement of men, as for
management, service, defense, or the like; to guard; as, to
man a ship, boat, or fort.
See how the surly Warwick mans the wall
!
Shak.
They man their boats, and all their young men
arm.
Waller.
2. To furnish with strength for action; to
prepare for efficiency; to fortify. "Theodosius having
manned his soul with proper reflections." Addison.
3. To tame, as a hawk. [R.]
Shak.
4. To furnish with a servant or
servants. [Obs.] Shak.
5. To wait on as a manservant. [Obs.]
Shak.
&fist; In "Othello," V. ii. 270, the meaning is uncertain, being,
perhaps: To point, to aim, or to manage.
To man a yard (Naut.), to send men
upon a yard, as for furling or reefing a sail. -- To man
the yards (Naut.), to station men on the yards
as a salute or mark of respect.
Man"a*ble (?), a.
Marriageable. [Obs.]
Man"ace (?), n. & v. Same as
Menace. [Obs.]
Man"a*cle (?), n. [OE. manicle,
OF. manicle, F. manicle sort glove, manacle, L.
manicula a little hand, dim. of manus hand; cf. L.
manica sleeve, manacle, fr. manus. See Manual.]
A handcuff; a shackle for the hand or wrist; -- usually in the
plural.
Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and
like manacles on the right hand.
Ecclus. xxi.
19.
Man"a*cle, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Manacled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Manacling (?).] To put handcuffs or other fastening upon,
for confining the hands; to shackle; to confine; to restrain from the
use of the limbs or natural powers.
Is it thus you use this monarch, to manacle and
shackle him hand and foot ?
Arbuthnot.
Man"age (?), n. [F.
manège, It. maneggio, fr. maneggiare to
manage, fr. L. manushand. Perhaps somewhat influenced by F.
ménage housekeeping, OF. mesnage, akin to E.
mansion. See Manual, and cf. Manege.] The
handling or government of anything, but esp. of a horse; management;
administration. See Manege. [Obs.]
Young men, in the conduct and manage of
actions, embrace more than they can hold.
Bacon.
Down, down I come; like glistering Phaëthon
Wanting the manage of unruly jades.
Shak.
The unlucky manage of this fatal
brawl.
Shak.
&fist; This word, in its limited sense of management of a horse,
has been displaced by manege; in its more general meaning, by
management.
Man"age (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Managed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Managing (?).] [From Manage, n.]
1. To have under control and direction; to
conduct; to guide; to administer; to treat; to handle.
Long tubes are cumbersome, and scarce to be easily
managed.
Sir I. Newton.
What wars Imanage, and what wreaths I
gain.
Prior.
2. Hence: Esp., to guide by careful or
delicate treatment; to wield with address; to make subservient by
artful conduct; to bring around cunningly to one's plans.
It was so much his interest to manage his
Protestant subjects.
Addison.
It was not her humor to manage those over whom
she had gained an ascendant.
Bp. Hurd.
3. To train in the manege, as a horse; to
exercise in graceful or artful action.
4. To treat with care; to husband.
Dryden.
5. To bring about; to contrive.
Shak.
Syn. -- To direct; govern; control; wield; order; contrive;
concert; conduct; transact.
Man"age, v. i. To direct affairs;
to carry on business or affairs; to administer.
Leave them to manage for thee.
Dryden.
Man`age*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The
state or quality of being manageable; manageableness.
Man"age*a*ble (?), a. Such as can
be managed or used; suffering control; governable; tractable;
subservient; as, a manageable horse.
Syn. -- Governable; tractable; controllable; docile.
-- Man"age*a*ble*ness, n. --
Man"age*a*bly, adv.
Man"age*less, a.
Unmanageable. [R.]
Man"age*ment (?), n. [From
Manage, v.] 1. The act
or art of managing; the manner of treating, directing, carrying on,
or using, for a purpose; conduct; administration; guidance; control;
as, the management of a family or of a farm; the
management of state affairs. "The management of
the voice." E. Porter.
2. Business dealing; negotiation;
arrangement.
He had great managements with
ecclesiastics.
Addison.
3. Judicious use of means to accomplish an
end; conduct directed by art or address; skillful treatment; cunning
practice; -- often in a bad sense.
Mark with what management their tribes
divide
Some stick to you, and some to t'other side.
Dryden.
4. The collective body of those who manage or
direct any enterprise or interest; the board of managers.
Syn. -- Conduct; administration; government; direction;
guidance; care; charge; contrivance; intrigue.
Man"a*ger (?), n. 1.
One who manages; a conductor or director; as, the manager
of a theater.
A skillful manager of the rabble.
South.
2. A person who conducts business or
household affairs with economy and frugality; a good
economist.
A prince of great aspiring thoughts; in the main, a
manager of his treasure.
Sir W.
Temple.
3. A contriver; an intriguer.
Shak.
Man`a*ge"ri*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to management or a manager; as, managerial
qualities. "Managerial responsibility." C.
Bronté.
Man"a*ger*ship (?), n. The office
or position of a manager.
Man"age*ry (?), n. [Cf. OF.
menagerie, mesnagerie. See Manage,
n., and cf. Menagerie.] 1.
Management; manner of using; conduct; direction.
2. Husbandry; economy; frugality.
Bp. Burnet.
Man"a*kin (?), n. [Cf. F. & G.
manakin; prob. the native name.] (Zoöl.) Any
one of numerous small birds belonging to Pipra,
Manacus, and other genera of the family Pipridæ.
They are mostly natives of Central and South America. Some are
bright-colored, and others have the wings and tail curiously
ornamented. The name is sometimes applied to related birds of other
families.
Man"a*kin, n. A dwarf. See
Manikin. Shak.
Man`a*tee" (?), n. [Sp.
manatí, from the native name in Hayti. Cf.
Lamantin.] (Zoöl.) Any species of
Trichechus, a genus of sirenians; -- called also sea
cow. [Written also manaty, manati.]
&fist; One species (Trichechus Senegalensis) inhabits the
west coast of Africa; another (T. Americanus) inhabits the
east coast of South America, and the West-Indies. The Florida manatee
(T. latirostris) is by some considered a distinct species, by
others it is thought to be a variety of T. Americanus. It
sometimes becomes fifteen feet or more in length, and lives both in
fresh and salt water. It is hunted for its oil and flesh.
Ma*na"tion (?), n.[L. manatio,
fr. manare to flow.] The act of issuing or flowing
out. [Obs.]
Man"bote` (?), n. [AS. man man,
vassal + bōt recompense.] (Anglo-Saxon Law)
A sum paid to a lord as a pecuniary compensation for killing his
man (that is, his vassal, servant, or tenant).
Spelman.
Man"ca (?), n. [LL.] See
Mancus.
Manche (?), n. [Also maunch.]
[F. manche, fr. L. manica. See Manacle.] A
sleeve. [Obs.]
Man"chet (?), n. Fine white bread;
a loaf of fine bread. [Archaic] Bacon. Tennyson.
Man`chi*neel" (?), n. [Sp.
manzanillo, fr. manzana an apple, fr. L. malum
Matianum a kind of apple. So called from its apple-like fruit.]
(Bot.) A euphorbiaceous tree (Hippomane
Mancinella) of tropical America, having a poisonous and
blistering milky juice, and poisonous acrid fruit somewhat resembling
an apple.
Bastard manchineel, a tree (Cameraria
latifolia) of the East Indies, having similar poisonous
properties. Lindley.
Man*chu" (?), a. [Written also
Manchoo, Mantchoo, etc.] Of or pertaining to
Manchuria or its inhabitants. -- n. A
native or inhabitant of Manchuria; also, the language spoken by the
Manchus.
Man"ci*pate (?), v. t. [L.
mancipatus, p. p. of mancipare to sell. Cf.
Emancipate.] To enslave; to bind; to restrict.
[Obs.] Sir M. Hale.
Man`ci*pa"tion (?), n. [L.
mancipatio a transfer.] Slavery; involuntary
servitude. [Obs.] Johnson.
Man"ci*ple (?), n. [From OF.
mancipe slave, servant (with l inserted, as in
participle), fr. L. mancipium. See Mancipate.]
A steward; a purveyor, particularly of a college or Inn of
Court. Chaucer.
Man*co"na bark` (?). See Sassy
bark.
Man"cus (?), n. [AS.] An old Anglo
Saxon coin both of gold and silver, and of variously estimated
values. The silver mancus was equal to about one shilling of
modern English money.
-man`cy (?). [Gr. &?; divination: cf. F. -mancie.]
A combining form denoting divination; as,
aleuromancy, chiromancy, necromancy,
etc.
Mand (?), n. A demand.
[Obs.] See Demand.
||Man*da"mus (?), n. [L., we command,
fr. mandare to command.] (Law) A writ issued by a
superior court and directed to some inferior tribunal, or to some
corporation or person exercising authority, commanding the
performance of some specified duty.
Man`da*rin" (?), n. [Pg.
mandarim, from Malay mantrī minister of state,
prop. a Hind. word, fr. Skr. mantrin a counselor,
manira a counsel, man to think.] 1.
A Chinese public officer or nobleman; a civil or military
official in China and Annam.
2. (Bot.) A small orange, with easily
separable rind. It is thought to be of Chinese origin, and is counted
a distinct species (Citrus nobilis).
Mandarin duck (Zoöl.), a
beautiful Asiatic duck (Dendronessa galericulata), often
domesticated, and regarded by the Chinese as an emblem of conjugal
affection. -- Mandarin language, the
spoken or colloquial language of educated people in China. --
Mandarin yellow (Chem.), an artificial
aniline dyestuff used for coloring silk and wool, and regarded as a
complex derivative of quinoline.
Man`da*rin"ate (?), n. The
collective body of officials or persons of rank in China.
S. W. Williams.
Man`da*rin"ic (?), a. Appropriate
or peculiar to a mandarin.
Man`da*rin"ing, n. (Dyeing)
The process of giving an orange color to goods formed of animal
tissue, as silk or wool, not by coloring matter, but by producing a
certain change in the fiber by the action of dilute nitric
acid. Tomlinson.
Man`da*rin"ism (?), n. A
government mandarins; character or spirit of the mandarins.
F. Lieder.
Man"da*ta*ry (?), n. [L. mandatarius,
fr. mandatum a charge, commission, order: cf. F.
mandataire. See Mandate.] 1. One
to whom a command or charge is given; hence, specifically, a person
to whom the pope has, by his prerogative, given a mandate or order
for his benefice. Ayliffe.
2. (Law) One who undertakes to
discharge a specific business commission; a mandatory.
Wharton.
Man"date (?), n. [L. mandatum,
fr. mandare to commit to one's charge, order, orig., to put
into one's hand; manus hand + dare to give: cf. F.
mandat. See Manual, Date a time, and cf.
Commend, Maundy Thursday.] 1. An
official or authoritative command; an order or injunction; a
commission; a judicial precept.
This dream all-powerful Juno; I bear
Her mighty mandates, and her words you hear.
Dryden.
2. (Canon Law) A rescript of the pope,
commanding an ordinary collator to put the person therein named in
possession of the first vacant benefice in his collation.
3. (Scots Law) A contract by which one
employs another to manage any business for him. By the Roman law, it
must have been gratuitous. Erskine.
||Man*da"tor (?), n. [L.]
1. A director; one who gives a mandate or
order. Ayliffe.
2. (Rom. Law) The person who employs
another to perform a mandate. Bouvier.
Man"da*to*ry (?), a. [L.
mandatorius.] Containing a command; preceptive;
directory.
Man"da*to*ry, n. Same as
Mandatary.
Man"del*ate (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of mandelic acid.
Man*del"ic (?), a. [G. mandel
almond.] (Chem.) Pertaining to an acid first obtained
from benzoic aldehyde (oil of better almonds), as a white crystalline
substance; -- called also phenyl glycolic acid.
Man"der (?), v. t. & i. See
Maunder.
Man"der*il (?), n. A
mandrel.
Man"di*ble (?), n. [L.
mandibula, mandibulum, fr. mandere to chew. Cf.
Manger.] 1. (Anat.) The bone, or
principal bone, of the lower jaw; the inferior maxilla; -- also
applied to either the upper or the lower jaw in the beak of
birds.
2. (Zoöl.) The anterior pair of
mouth organs of insects, crustaceaus, and related animals, whether
adapted for biting or not. See Illust. of
Diptera.
Man*dib"u*lar (?), a. [Cf. F.
mandibulaire.] Of or pertaining to a mandible; like a
mandible. -- n. The principal mandibular
bone; the mandible.
Mandibular arch (Anat.), the most
anterior visceral arch, -- that in which the mandible is
developed.
{ Man*dib"u*late (?), Man*dib"u*la`ted (?), }
a. (Zoöl.) Provided with mandibles
adapted for biting, as many insects.
Man*dib"u*late (?), n.
(Zoöl.) An insect having mandibles.
Man`di*bu"li*form (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Having the form of a mandible; -- said
especially of the maxillæ of an insect when hard and adapted
for biting.
Man*dib`u*lo*hy"oid (?), a.
(Anat.) Pertaining both to the mandibular and the hyoid
arch, or situated between them.
Man"dil (măn"d&ibreve;l), n.
[OF. mandil; cf. Sp. & Pg. mandil a coarse apron, a
haircloth; all from Ar. mandil tablecloth, handkerchief,
mantle, fr. LGr. mandh`lion, fr. L. mantile,
mantele. See Mantle.] A loose outer garment worn
the 16th and 17th centuries.
Man*dil"ion (?), n. See
Mandil. Chapman.
Man*din"gos (?), n. pl. sing.
Mandingo. (Ethnol.) An extensive
and powerful tribe of West African negroes.
{ Man"di*oc (?), ||Man`di*o"ca (?), }
n. (Bot.) See Manioc.
Man"dle*stone` (?), n. [G.
mandelstein almond stone.] (Min.)
Amygdaloid.
Mand"ment (?), n.
Commandment. [Obs.]
{ Man"do*lin, Man"do*line } (?),
n. [F. mandoline, It. mandolino, dim.
of mandola, fr. L. pandura. See Bandore.]
(Mus.) A small and beautifully shaped instrument
resembling the lute.
Man"dore (?), n. [See Mandolin,
and Bandore.] (Mus.) A kind of four-stringed
lute.
Man*drag"o*ra (?), n. [L.,
mandragoras the mandrake.] (Bot.) A genus of
plants; the mandrake. See Mandrake, 1.
Man*drag"o*rite (?), n. One who
habitually intoxicates himself with a narcotic obtained from
mandrake.
Man"drake (măn"drāk), n.
[AS. mandragora, L. mandragoras, fr. Gr.
mandrago`ras: cf. F. mandragore.]
1. (Bot.) A low plant (Mandragora
officinarum) of the Nightshade family, having a fleshy root,
often forked, and supposed to resemble a man. It was therefore
supposed to have animal life, and to cry out when pulled up. All
parts of the plant are strongly narcotic. It is found in the
Mediterranean region.
And shrieks like mandrakes, torn out of the
earth,
That living mortals, hearing them, run mad.
Shak.
&fist; The mandrake of Scripture was perhaps the same plant, but
proof is wanting.
2. (Bot.) The May apple
(Podophyllum peltatum). See May apple under May,
and Podophyllum. [U.S.]
Man"drel (?), n. [F. mandrin,
prob. through (assumed) LL. mamphurinum, fr. L. mamphur
a bow drill.] (Mach.) (a) A bar of metal
inserted in the work to shape it, or to hold it, as in a lathe,
during the process of manufacture; an arbor.
(b) The live spindle of a turning lathe; the
revolving arbor of a circular saw. It is usually driven by a
pulley. [Written also manderil.]
Mandrel lathe, a lathe with a stout spindle,
adapted esp. for chucking, as for forming hollow articles by turning
or spinning.
Man"drill (-dr&ibreve;l), n. [Cf. F.
mandrille, Sp. mandril, It. mandrillo; prob. the
native name in Africa. Cf. Drill an ape.] (Zoöl.)
A large West African baboon (Cynocephalus, or Papio,
mormon). The adult male has, on the sides of the nose, large,
naked, grooved swellings, conspicuously striped with blue and
red.
Man"du*ca*ble (?), a. [Cf. F.
manducable. See Manducate.] Such as can be chewed;
fit to be eaten. [R.]
Any manducable creature.
Sir T.
Herbert.
Man"du*cate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Manducated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Manducating (?).] [L. manducatus, p. p. of
manducare to chew. See Manger.] To masticate; to
chew; to eat. [R.] Jer. Taylor.
Man`du*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
manducatio: cf. F. manducation.] The act of
chewing. [R.] Jer. Taylor.
Man"du*ca*to*ry (?), a. Pertaining
to, or employed in, chewing.
||Man*du"cus (?), n. [L., fr.
manducare to chew.] (Gr. & Rom. Antiq.) A
grotesque mask, representing a person chewing or grimacing, worn in
processions and by comic actors on the stage.
Mane (mān), n. [AS. manu;
akin to OD. mane, D. maan, G. mähne, OHG.
mana, Icel. mön, Dan. & Sw. man, AS.
mene necklace, Icel. men, L. monile, Gr. &?;,
&?;, Skr. manyā neck muscles. √275.]
1. The long and heavy hair growing on the upper
side of, or about, the neck of some quadrupedal animals, as the
horse, the lion, etc. See Illust. of Horse.
2. The hair growing on a person's head,
especially hair that is long and thick; -- usually used
humorously. [jocose]
[PJC]
Man"-eat`er (?), n. (Zoöl.)
One who, or that which, has an appetite for human flesh;
specifically, one of certain large sharks (esp. Carcharodon
Rondeleti); also, a lion or a tiger which has acquired the habit
of feeding upon human flesh.
Maned (?), a. Having a
mane.
Maned seal (Zoöl.), the sea
lion. -- Maned sheep (Zoöl.),
the aoudad.
Ma*nege" (?; 277), n. [F.
manège. See Manage, n.]
1. Art of horsemanship, or of training
horses.
2. A school for teaching horsemanship, and
for training horses. Chesterfield.
||Ma"neh (?), n. [Heb.
māneh.] A Hebrew weight for gold or silver, being
one hundred shekels of gold and sixty shekels of silver.
Ezek. xlv. 12.
Mane"less (?), a. Having no
mane.
Maneless lion (Zoöl.), a variety
of the lion having a short, inconspicuous mane. It inhabits Arabia
and adjacent countries.
Man"e*quin (?), n. [See
Manikin.] An artist's model of wood or other
material.
Ma*ne"ri*al (?), a. See
Manorial.
||Ma"nes (?), n. pl. [L.] (Rom.
Antiq.) The benevolent spirits of the dead, especially of
dead ancestors, regarded as family deities and protectors.
Hail, O ye holy manes!
Dryden.
Mane"sheet` (?), n. A covering
placed over the upper part of a horse's head.
{ Ma*neu"ver, Ma*nœu"vre } (?),
n. [F. manœuvre, OF. manuevre,
LL. manopera, lit., hand work, manual labor; L. manus
hand + opera, fr. opus work. See Manual,
Operate, and cf. Mainor, Manure.]
1. Management; dexterous movement; specif., a
military or naval evolution, movement, or change of
position.
2. Management with address or artful design;
adroit proceeding; stratagem.
{ Ma*neu"ver, Ma*nœu"vre, } v.
i. [imp. & p. p. Maneuvered (#) or
Manœuvred; p. pr. & vb. n.
Maneuvering (&?;), or Manœuvring (&?;).] [Cf. F.
manœuvrer. See Maneuver, n.]
1. To perform a movement or movements in
military or naval tactics; to make changes in position with reference
to getting advantage in attack or defense.
2. To manage with address or art; to
scheme.
{ Ma*neu"ver, Ma*nœu"vre, } v.
t. To change the positions of, as of troops of
ships.
{ Ma*neu"ver*er (?), Ma*nœu"vrer (?), }
n. One who maneuvers.
This charming widow Beaumont is a
nanœuvrer. We can't well make an English word of
it.
Miss Edgeworth.
Man"ful (?), a. Showing manliness,
or manly spirit; hence, brave, courageous, resolute, noble. "
Manful hardiness." Chaucer. -- Man"ful*ly,
adv. -- Man"ful*ness,
n.
Man"ga*bey (?), n. [So called by Buffon
from Mangaby, in Madagascar, where he erroneously supposed
them be native.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several African
monkeys of the genus Cercocebus, as the sooty mangabey (C.
fuliginosus), which is sooty black. [Also written
mangaby.]
Man"gan (?), n. See
Mangonel.
Man"ga*nate (?), n. [Cf. F.
manganate.] (Chem.) A salt of manganic
acid.
&fist; The manganates are usually green, and are well-known
compounds, though derived from a hypothetical acid.
Man`ga*ne"sate (?), n. (Chem.)
A manganate. [Obs.]
Man`ga*nese" (?), n. [F.
manganèse, It. manganese, sasso magnesio;
prob. corrupted from L. magnes, because of its resemblance to
the magnet. See Magnet, and cf. Magnesia.]
(Chem.) An element obtained by reduction of its oxide, as
a hard, grayish white metal, fusible with difficulty, but easily
oxidized. Its ores occur abundantly in nature as the minerals
pyrolusite, manganite, etc. Symbol Mn. Atomic weight 54.8.
&fist; An alloy of manganese with iron (called
ferromanganese) is used to increase the density and hardness
of steel.
Black oxide of manganese, Manganese
dioxide or peroxide, or Black
manganese (Chem.), a heavy black powder
MnO2, occurring native as the mineral pyrolusite, and
valuable as a strong oxidizer; -- called also familiarly
manganese. It colors glass violet, and is used as a
decolorizer to remove the green tint of impure glass. --
Manganese bronze, an alloy made by adding from
one to two per cent of manganese to the copper and zinc used in
brass.
Man`ga*ne"sian (?), a. [Cf. F.
manganésien.] (Chem.) Manganic.
[R.]
Man`ga*ne"sic (?), a. [Cf. F.
manganésique.] (Chem.) Manganic.
[Obs.]
Man`ga*ne"sious (?), a. (Chem.)
Manganous.
Man`ga*ne"si*um (?), n. [NL.]
Manganese.
Man`ga*ne"sous (?), a. (Chem.)
Manganous.
Man`gan"ic (?), a. [Cf. F.
manganique.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to resembling,
or containing, manganese; specif., designating compounds in which
manganese has a higher valence as contrasted with manganous
compounds. Cf. Manganous.
Manganic acid, an acid,
H2MnO4, formed from manganese, analogous to
sulphuric acid.
Man`ga*nif"er*ous (?), a.
[Manganese + -ferous.] Containing
manganese.
Man"ga*nite (?), n. 1.
(Min.) One of the oxides of manganese; -- called also
gray manganese ore. It occurs in brilliant steel-gray or iron-
black crystals, also massive.
2. (Chem.) A compound of manganese
dioxide with a metallic oxide; so called as though derived from the
hypothetical manganous acid.
Man*ga"ni*um (?), n. [NL.]
Manganese.
Man"ga*nous (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, designating, those compounds of manganese in
which the element has a lower valence as contrasted with
manganic compounds; as, manganous oxide.
Manganous acid, a hypothetical compound
analogous to sulphurous acid, and forming the so-called
manganites.
Mang"corn` (?), n. [OE. mengen
to mix. See Mingle, and Corn.] A mixture of wheat
and rye, or other species of grain. [Prov Eng.]
Mange (?), n. [See Mangy.]
(Vet.) The scab or itch in cattle, dogs, and other
beasts.
Mange insect (Zoöl.), any one of
several species of small parasitic mites, which burrow in the skin of
cattle. horses, dogs, and other animals, causing the mange. The mange
insect of the horse (Psoroptes, or Dermatodectes, equi), and
that of cattle (Symbiotes, or Dermatophagys, bovis) are the
most important species. See Acarina.
Man"gel-wur`zel (?), n. [G., corrupted
fr. mangoldwurzel; mangold beet + wurzel root.]
(Bot.) A kind of large field beet (B. macrorhiza),
used as food for cattle, -- by some considered a mere variety of the
ordinary beet. See Beet. [Written also mangold-
wurzel.]
Man"ger (?), n. [F. mangeoire,
fr. manger to eat, fr. L. manducare, fr. mandere
to chew. Cf. Mandible, Manducate.] 1.
A trough or open box in which fodder is placed for horses or
cattle to eat.
2. (Naut.) The fore part of the deck,
having a bulkhead athwart ships high enough to prevent water which
enters the hawse holes from running over it.
Man"gi*ly (?), adv. In a mangy
manner; scabbily.
Man"gi*ness, n. [From Mangy.]
The condition or quality of being mangy.
Man"gle (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mangled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mangling (?).] [A frequentative fr. OE. manken to main,
AS. mancian, in bemancian to mutilate, fr. L.
mancus maimed; perh. akin to G. mangeln to be wanting.]
1. To cut or bruise with repeated blows or
strokes, making a ragged or torn wound, or covering with wounds; to
tear in cutting; to cut in a bungling manner; to lacerate; to
mutilate.
Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and
mail.
Milton.
2. To mutilate or injure, in making, doing,
or performing; as, to mangle a piece of music or a
recitation.
To mangle a play or a novel.
Swift.
Man"gle, n. [D. mangel, fr. OE.
mangonel a machine for throwing stones, LL. manganum,
Gr. &?; a machine for defending fortifications, axis of a pulley.
Cf. Mangonel.] A machine for smoothing linen or cotton
cloth, as sheets, tablecloths, napkins, and clothing, by roller
pressure.
Mangle rack (Mach.), a contrivance
for converting continuous circular motion into reciprocating
rectilinear motion, by means of a rack and pinion, as in the mangle.
The pinion is held to the rack by a groove in such a manner that it
passes alternately from one side of the rack to the other, and thus
gives motion to it in opposite directions, according to the side in
which its teeth are engaged. -- Mangle wheel,
a wheel in which the teeth, or pins, on its face, are interrupted
on one side, and the pinion, working in them, passes from inside to
outside of the teeth alternately, thus converting the continuous
circular motion of the pinion into a reciprocating circular motion of
the wheel.
Man"gle (?), v. t. [Cf. D.
mangelen. See Mangle, n.] To
smooth with a mangle, as damp linen or cloth.
Man"gler (?), n. [See 1st
Mangle.] One who mangles or tears in cutting; one who
mutilates any work in doing it.
Man"gler, n. [See 3d Mangle.]
One who smooths with a mangle.
Man"go (?), n.; pl.
Mangoes (#). [Pg. manga, fr. Tamil
mānkāy.] 1. The fruit of the
mango tree. It is rather larger than an apple, and of an ovoid shape.
Some varieties are fleshy and luscious, and others tough and tasting
of turpentine. The green fruit is pickled for market.
2. A green muskmelon stuffed and
pickled.
Mango bird (Zoöl.), an oriole
(Oriolus kundoo), native of India. -- Mango
fish (Zoöl.), a fish of the Ganges
(Polynemus risua), highly esteemed for food. It has several
long, slender filaments below the pectoral fins. It appears about the
same time with the mango fruit, in April and May, whence the
name. -- Mango tree (Bot.), an East
Indian tree of the genus Mangifera (M. Indica), related
to the cashew and the sumac. It grows to a large size, and produces
the mango of commerce. It is now cultivated in tropical
America.
Man"gold*wur`zel (?), n. [G.]
(Bot.) See Mangel-wurzel.
Man"go*nel (?), n. [OF.
mangonel, LL. manganellus, manganum, fr. Gr. &?;
See Mangle, n.] A military engine
formerly used for throwing stones and javelins.
Man"go*nism (?), n. The art of
mangonizing, or setting off to advantage. [Obs.]
Man"go*nist (?), n. 1.
One who mangonizes. [Obs.]
2. A slave dealer; also, a strumpet.
[Obs.]
Man"go*nize (?), v. t. [L.
mangonizare, fr. mango a dealer in slaves or wares, to
which he tries to give an appearance of greater value by decking them
out or furbishing them up.] To furbish up for sale; to set off
to advantage. [Obs. or R.] B. Jonson.
{ Man"go*steen (?), Man"go*stan (?), }
n. [Malay mangusta, mangis.]
(Bot.) A tree of the East Indies of the genus
Garcinia (G. Mangostana). The tree grows to the height
of eighteen feet, and bears fruit also called mangosteen, of
the size of a small apple, the pulp of which is very delicious
food.
Man"grove (?), n. [Malay manggi-
manggi.] 1. (Bot.) The name of one or
two trees of the genus Rhizophora (R. Mangle, and R.
mucronata, the last doubtfully distinct) inhabiting muddy shores
of tropical regions, where they spread by emitting aërial roots,
which fasten in the saline mire and eventually become new stems. The
seeds also send down a strong root while yet attached to the parent
plant.
&fist; The fruit has a ruddy brown shell, and a delicate white
pulp which is sweet and eatable. The bark is astringent, and is used
for tanning leather. The black and the white mangrove (Avicennia
nitida and A. tomentosa) have much the same habit.
2. (Zoöl.) The mango
fish.
||Mangue (?), n. [F.]
(Zoöl.) The kusimanse.
Man"gy (?), a.
[Compar. Mangier (?);
superl. Mangiest.] [F. mangé,
p. p. of manger to eat. See Manger.] Infected with
the mange; scabby.
Man*ha"den (?), n. See
Menhaden.
Man"head (?), n. Manhood.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Man"hole` (?), n. A hole through
which a man may descend or creep into a drain, sewer, steam boiler,
parts of machinery, etc., for cleaning or repairing.
Man"hood, n. [Man- + -
hood.] 1. The state of being man as a human
being, or man as distinguished from a child or a woman.
2. Manly quality; courage; bravery;
resolution.
I am ashamed
That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus.
Shak.
Ma"ni*a (?), n. [L. mania, Gr.
&?;, fr. &?; to rage; cf. OE. manie, F. manie. Cf.
Mind, n., Necromancy.]
1. Violent derangement of mind; madness;
insanity. Cf. Delirium.
2. Excessive or unreasonable desire; insane
passion affecting one or many people; as, the tulip
mania.
Mania a potu [L.], madness from drinking;
delirium tremens.
Syn. -- Insanity; derangement; madness; lunacy; alienation;
aberration; delirium; frenzy. See Insanity.
Man"i*a*ble (?), a. [F., fr.
manier to manage, fr. L. manus hand.]
Manageable. [Obs.] Bacon.
Ma"ni*ac (?), a. [F. maniaque.
See Mania.] Raving with madness; raging with disordered
intellect; affected with mania; mad.
Ma"ni*ac (?), n. A raving lunatic;
a madman.
Ma*ni"a*cal (?), a. Affected with,
or characterized by, madness; maniac. --
Ma*ni"a*cal*ly, adv.
Man"i*cate (?), a. [L. manicatus
sleeved, fr. manica a sleeve.] (Bot.) Covered with
hairs or pubescence so platted together and interwoven as to form a
mass easily removed.
{ Man`i*chæ"an (?), Man`i*che"an,
Man"i*chee (?) }, n. [LL.
Manichaeus: cf. F. manichéen.] A believer
in the doctrines of Manes, a Persian of the third century A. D., who
taught a dualism in which Light is regarded as the source of Good,
and Darkness as the source of Evil.
The Manichæans stand as representatives
of dualism pushed to its utmost development.
Tylor.
{ Man`i*chæ"an, Man`i*che"an (?) },
a. Of or pertaining to the
Manichæans.
{ Man"i*chæ*ism, Man"i*che*ism (?) },
n. [Cf. F. manichéisme.] The
doctrines taught, or system of principles maintained, by the
Manichæans.
Man"i*che*ist, n. [Cf. F.
manichéiste.] Manichæan.
{ Man"i*chord (?), Man`i*chor"don (?), } [L.
monochordon, Gr. &?;; -- so called because it orig. had only
one string. See Monochord.] (Mus.) The clavichord
or clarichord; -- called also dumb spinet.
Man"i*cure (?), n. [F., fr. L.
manus hand + curare to cure.] A person who makes a
business of taking care of people's hands, especially their
nails.
[Men] who had taken good care of their hands by
wearing gloves and availing themselves of the services of a
manicure.
Pop. Sci. Monthly.
Ma"nid (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Any species of the genus Manis, or family
Manidæ.
Ma`nie" (?), n. [F. See Mania.]
Mania; insanity. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Man"i*fest (?), a. [F.
manifeste, L. manifestus, lit., struck by the hand,
hence, palpable; manus hand + fendere (in comp.) to
strike. See Manual, and Defend.] 1.
Evident to the senses, esp. to the sight; apparent; distinctly
perceived; hence, obvious to the understanding; apparent to the mind;
easily apprehensible; plain; not obscure or hidden.
Neither is there any creature that is not
manifest in his sight.
Heb. iv. 13.
That which may be known of God is manifest in
them.
Rom. i. 19.
Thus manifest to sight the god
appeared.
Dryden.
2. Detected; convicted; -- with
of. [R.]
Calistho there stood manifest of
shame.
Dryden.
Syn. -- Open; clear; apparent; evident; visible;
conspicuous; plain; obvious. -- Manifest, Clear,
Plain, Obvious, Evident. What is clear
can be seen readily; what is obvious lies directly in our way,
and necessarily arrests our attention; what is evident is seen
so clearly as to remove doubt; what is manifest is very
distinctly evident.
So clear, so shining, and so
evident,
That it will glimmer through a blind man's eye.
Shak.
Entertained with solitude,
Where obvious duty erewhile appeared unsought.
Milton.
I saw, I saw him manifest in view,
His voice, his figure, and his gesture knew.
Dryden.
Man"i*fest, n.; pl.
Manifests (#). [Cf. F. manifeste. See
Manifest, a., and cf. Manifesto.]
1. A public declaration; an open statement; a
manifesto. See Manifesto. [Obs.]
2. A list or invoice of a ship's cargo,
containing a description by marks, numbers, etc., of each package of
goods, to be exhibited at the customhouse. Bouvier.
Man"i*fest, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Manifested (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Manifesting.] 1. To show plainly; to make
to appear distinctly, -- usually to the mind; to put beyond question
or doubt; to display; to exhibit.
There is nothing hid which shall not be
manifested.
Mark iv. 22.
Thy life did manifest thou lovedst me
not.
Shak.
2. To exhibit the manifests or prepared
invoices of; to declare at the customhouse.
Syn. -- To reveal; declare; evince; make known; disclose;
discover; display.
Man"i*fest`a*ble (?), a. Such as
can be manifested.
Man`i*fes*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
manifestatio: cf. F. manifestation.] The act of
manifesting or disclosing, or the state of being manifested;
discovery to the eye or to the understanding; also, that which
manifests; exhibition; display; revelation; as, the
manifestation of God's power in creation.
The secret manner in which acts of mercy ought to be
performed, requires this public manifestation of them at the
great day.
Atterbury.
Man"i*fest`i*ble (?), a.
Manifestable.
Man"i*fest*ly (?), adv. In a
manifest manner.
Man"i*fest*ness, n. The quality or
state of being manifest; obviousness.
Man`i*fes"to (?), n.; pl.
Manifestoes (#). [It. manifesto. See
Manifest, n. & a.] A public
declaration, usually of a prince, sovereign, or other person claiming
large powers, showing his intentions, or proclaiming his opinions and
motives in reference to some act done or contemplated by him; as, a
manifesto declaring the purpose of a prince to begin war, and
explaining his motives. Bouvier.
it was proposed to draw up a manifesto, setting
forth the grounds and motives of our taking arms.
Addison.
Frederick, in a public manifesto, appealed to
the Empire against the insolent pretensions of the pope.
Milman.
Man"i*fold (?), a. [AS.
manigfeald. See Many, and Fold.]
1. Various in kind or quality; many in number;
numerous; multiplied; complicated.
O Lord, how manifold are thy
works!
Ps. civ. 24.
I know your manifold
transgressions.
Amos v. 12.
2. Exhibited at divers times or in various
ways; -- used to qualify nouns in the singular number. "The
manifold wisdom of God." Eph. iii. 10. "The
manifold grace of God." 1 Pet. iv. 10.
Manifold writing, a process or method by
which several copies, as of a letter, are simultaneously made, sheets
of coloring paper being infolded with thin sheets of plain paper upon
which the marks made by a stylus or a type-writer are
transferred.
Man"i*fold (?), n. 1.
A copy of a writing made by the manifold process.
2. (Mech.) A cylindrical pipe fitting,
having a number of lateral outlets, for connecting one pipe with
several others.
3. pl. The third stomach of a ruminant
animal. [Local, U.S.]
Man"i*fold, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Manifolded (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Manifolding.] To take copies of by the process of
manifold writing; as, to manifold a letter.
Man"i*fold`ed, a. Having many
folds, layers, or plates; as, a manifolded shield.
[Obs.]
Man"i*fold`ly, adv. In a manifold
manner.
Man"i*fold`ness, n. 1.
Multiplicity. Sherwood.
2. (Math.) A generalized concept of
magnitude.
Man"i*form (?), a. [L. manus
hand + -form.] Shaped like the hand.
Ma*ni"glion (m&adot;*n&ibreve;l"yŭn),
n. [It. maniglio, maniglia, bracelet,
handle. Cf. Manilio.] (Gun.) Either one of two
handles on the back of a piece of ordnance.
{ Man"i*hoc (?), Man"i*hot (?), }
n. See Manioc.
Man"i*kin (?), n. [OD. manneken,
dim. of man man. See Man, and -kin.]
1. A little man; a dwarf; a pygmy; a
manakin.
2. A model of the human body, made of papier-
mache or other material, commonly in detachable pieces, for
exhibiting the different parts and organs, their relative position,
etc.
{ Ma*nil"a (?), Ma*nil"la },
a. Of or pertaining to Manila or Manilla, the
capital of the Philippine Islands; made in, or exported from, that
city.
Manila cheroot or cigar, a
cheroot or cigar made of tobacco grown in the Philippine
Islands. -- Manila hemp, a fibrous
material obtained from the Musa textilis, a plant allied to
the banana, growing in the Philippine and other East India islands; -
- called also by the native name abaca. From it matting,
canvas, ropes, and cables are made. -- Manila
paper, a durable brown or buff paper made of Manila
hemp, used as a wrapping paper, and as a cheap printing and writing
paper. The name is also given to inferior papers, made of other
fiber.
Ma*nil"io (?), n. See
Manilla, 1. Sir T. Herbert.
Ma*nil"la (?), n. [Sp. manilla;
cf. It. maniglio, maniglia; F. manille; Pg.
manilha; all fr. L. manus hand, and formed after the
analogy of L. monile, pl. monilia, necklace: cf. F.
manille.] 1. A ring worn upon the arm or
leg as an ornament, especially among the tribes of Africa.
2. A piece of copper of the shape of a
horseshoe, used as money by certain tribes of the west coast of
Africa. Simmonds.
Ma*nil"la, a. Same as
Manila.
||Ma*nille" (?), n. [F.] See 1st
Manilla, 1.
Ma"ni*oc (?), n. [Pg. mandioca,
fr. Braz.] (Bot.) The tropical plants (Manihot
utilissima, and M. Aipi), from which cassava and tapioca
are prepared; also, cassava. [Written also mandioc,
manihoc, manihot.]
Man"i*ple (?), n. [L. manipulus,
maniplus, a handful, a certain number of soldiers;
manus hand + root of plere to fill, plenus full:
cf. F. maniple. See Manual, and Full,
a.] 1. A handful. [R.]
B. Jonson.
2. A division of the Roman army numbering
sixty men exclusive of officers; any small body of soldiers; a
company. Milton.
3. Originally, a napkin; later, an ornamental
band or scarf worn upon the left arm as a part of the vestments of a
priest in the Roman Catholic Church. It is sometimes worn in the
English Church service.
Ma*nip"u*lar (?), a. [L.
manipularis: cf. F. manipulaire.] 1.
Of or pertaining to the maniple, or company.
2. Manipulatory; as, manipular
operations.
Ma*nip"u*late (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Manipulated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Manipulating (?).] [LL. manipulatus, p. p.
of manipulare to lead by the hand, fr. L. manipulus.
See Maniple.] 1. To treat, work, or
operate with the hands, especially when knowledge and dexterity are
required; to manage in hand work; to handle; as, to manipulate
scientific apparatus.
2. To control the action of, by management;
as, to manipulate a convention of delegates; to
manipulate the stock market; also, to manage artfully or
fraudulently; as, to manipulate accounts, or election
returns.
Ma*nip"u*late, v. i. To use the
hands in dexterous operations; to do hand work; specifically, to
manage the apparatus or instruments used in scientific work, or in
artistic or mechanical processes; also, specifically, to use the hand
in mesmeric operations.
Ma*nip`u*la"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
manipulation.] 1. The act or process of
manipulating, or the state of being manipulated; the act of handling
work by hand; use of the hands, in an artistic or skillful manner, in
science or art.
Manipulation is to the chemist like the
external senses to the mind.
Whewell.
2. The use of the hands in mesmeric
operations.
3. Artful management; as, the
manipulation of political bodies; sometimes, a management or
treatment for purposes of deception or fraud.
Ma*nip"u*la*tive (?), a. Of or
pertaining to manipulation; performed by manipulation.
Ma*nip"u*la`tor (?), n. One who
manipulates.
Ma*nip"u*la*to*ry
(m&adot;*n&ibreve;p"&usl;*l&adot;*t&osl;*r&ybreve;),
a. Of or pertaining to manipulation.
||Ma"nis (mā"n&ibreve;s), n.
[NL., fr. L. manes the ghosts or shades of the dead. So called
from its dismal appearance, and because it seeks for its food by
night.] (Zoöl.) A genus of edentates, covered with
large, hard, triangular scales, with sharp edges that overlap each
other like tiles on a roof. They inhabit the warmest parts of Asia
and Africa, and feed on ants. Called also Scaly anteater. See
Pangolin.
{ Man"i*to (?), Man"i*tou (?), Man"i*tu
(?) }, n. A name given by tribes of American
Indians to a great spirit, whether good or evil, or to any object of
worship. Tylor.
Gitche Manito the mighty,
The Great Spirit, the creator,
Smiled upon his helpless children!
Longfellow.
Mitche Manito the mighty,
He the dreadful Spirit of Evil,
As a serpent was depicted.
Longfellow.
Man"i*trunk (?), n. [L. manus
hand + E. trunk.] (Zoöl.) The anterior
segment of the thorax in insects. See Insect.
Man`kind" (?), n. [AS. mancynn.
See Kin kindred, Kind, n.]
1. The human race; man, taken
collectively.
The proper study of mankind is
man.
Pore.
2. Men, as distinguished from women; the male
portion of human race. Lev. xviii. 22.
3. Human feelings; humanity. [Obs]
B. Jonson.
Man"kind` (?), a. Manlike; not
womanly; masculine; bold; cruel. [Obs]
Are women grown so mankind? Must they be
wooing?
Beau. & Fl.
Be not too mankind against your
wife.
Chapman.
Manks (mă&nsm;ks), prop. a.
Of or pertaining to the language or people of the Isle of
Man. -- n. The language spoken in the
Isle of Man. See Manx.
Man"less (?), a. 1.
Destitute of men. Bakon.
2. Unmanly; inhuman. [Obs.]
Chapman.
Man"less*ly, adv. Inhumanly.
[Obs.]
Man"like` (?), a. [Man +
like. Cf. Manly.] Like man, or like a man, in form
or nature; having the qualities of a man, esp. the nobler qualities;
manly. " Gentle, manlike speech." Testament of
Love. " A right manlike man." Sir P. Sidney.
In glaring Chloe's manlike taste and
mien.
Shenstone.
Man"li*ness (?), n. The quality or
state of being manly.
Man"ling (?), n. A little
man. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Man"ly, a. [Compar.
Manlier (?); superl. Manliest.]
[Man + -ly. Cf. Manlike.] Having qualities
becoming to a man; not childish or womanish; manlike, esp. brave,
courageous, resolute, noble.
Let's briefly put on manly
readiness.
Shak.
Serene and manly, hardened to sustain
The load of life.
Dryden.
Syn. -- Bold; daring; brave; courageous; firm; undaunted;
hardy; dignified; stately.
Man"ly, adv. In a manly manner;
with the courage and fortitude of a manly man; as, to act
manly.
Man"na (măn"n&adot;), n. [L.,
fr. Gr. ma`nna, Heb. mān; cf. Ar.
mann, properly, gift (of heaven).] 1.
(Script.) The food supplied to the Israelites in their
journey through the wilderness of Arabia; hence, divinely supplied
food. Ex. xvi. 15.
2. (Bot.) A name given to lichens of
the genus Lecanora, sometimes blown into heaps in the deserts
of Arabia and Africa, and gathered and used as food.
3. (Bot. & Med.) A sweetish exudation
in the form of pale yellow friable flakes, coming from several trees
and shrubs and used in medicine as a gentle laxative, as the
secretion of Fraxinus Ornus, and F. rotundifolia, the
manna ashes of Southern Europe.
&fist; Persian manna is the secretion of the camel's thorn
(see Camel's thorn, under Camel); Tamarisk
manna, that of the Tamarisk mannifera, a shrub of Western
Asia; Australian, manna, that of certain species of
eucalyptus; Briançon manna, that of the European
larch.
Manna grass (Bot.), a name of several
tall slender grasses of the genus Glyceria. they have long
loose panicles, and grow in moist places. Nerved manna grass
is Glyceria nervata, and Floating manna grass is G.
fluitans. -- Manna insect
(Zoöl), a scale insect (Gossyparia mannipara),
which causes the exudation of manna from the Tamarix tree in
Arabia.
Man"na croup` (kr&oomac;p`). [Manna + Russ. & Pol.
krupa groats, grits.] 1. The portions of
hard wheat kernels not ground into flour by the millstones: a kind of
semolina prepared in Russia and used for puddings, soups, etc. --
called also manna groats.
2. The husked grains of manna
grass.
Man"ner (?), n. [OE. manere, F.
manière, from OF. manier, adj., manual,
skillful, handy, fr. (assumed) LL. manarius, for L.
manuarius belonging to the hand, fr. manus the hand.
See Manual.] 1. Mode of action; way of
performing or effecting anything; method; style; form;
fashion.
The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the
cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the
land.
2 Kings xvii. 26.
The temptations of prosperity insinuate themselves
after a gentle, but very powerful, manner.
Atterbury.
2. Characteristic mode of acting, conducting,
carrying one's self, or the like; bearing; habitual style.
Specifically: (a) Customary method of acting;
habit.
Paul, as his manner was, went in unto
them.
Acts xvii. 2.
Air and manner are more expressive than
words.
Richardson.
(b) pl. Carriage; behavior;
deportment; also, becoming behavior; well-bred carriage and
address.
Good manners are made up of petty
sacrifices.
Emerson.
(c) The style of writing or thought of an
author; characteristic peculiarity of an artist.
3. Certain degree or measure; as, it is in a
manner done already.
The bread is in a manner common.
1 Sam. xxi.5.
4. Sort; kind; style; -- in this application
sometimes having the sense of a plural, sorts or kinds.
Ye tithe mint, and rue, and all manner of
herbs.
Luke xi. 42.
I bid thee say,
What manner of man art thou?
Coleridge.
&fist; In old usage, of was often omitted after
manner, when employed in this sense. "A manner Latin
corrupt was her speech." Chaucer.
By any manner of means, in any way possible;
by any sort of means. -- To be taken
in, or with the manner. [A
corruption of to be taken in the mainor. See Mainor.]
To be taken in the very act. [Obs.] See Mainor. --
To make one's manners, to make a bow or
courtesy; to offer salutation. -- Manners bit,
a portion left in a dish for the sake of good manners.
Hallwell.
Syn. -- Method; mode; custom; habit; fashion; air; look;
mien; aspect; appearance. See Method.
Man"nered (?), a. 1.
Having a certain way, esp. a polite way, of carrying and
conducting one's self.
Give her princely training, that she may be
Mannered as she is born.
Shak.
2. Affected with mannerism; marked by excess
of some characteristic peculiarity.
His style is in some degree mannered and
confined.
Hazlitt.
Man"ner*ism (?), n. [Cf. F.
maniérisme.] Adherence to a peculiar style or
manner; a characteristic mode of action, bearing, or treatment,
carried to excess, especially in literature or art.
Mannerism is pardonable,and is sometimes even
agreeable, when the manner, though vicious, is natural . . . . But a
mannerism which does not sit easy on the mannerist, which has
been adopted on principle, and which can be sustained only by
constant effort, is always offensive.
Macaulay.
Man"ner*ist, n. [Cf. F.
maniériste.] One addicted to mannerism; a person
who, in action, bearing, or treatment, carries characteristic
peculiarities to excess. See citation under
Mannerism.
Man"ner*li*ness (?), n. The
quality or state of being mannerly; civility; complaisance.
Sir M. Hale.
Man"ner*ly, a. Showing good
manners; civil; respectful; complaisant.
What thou thinkest meet, and is most
mannerly.
Shak.
Man"ner*ly, adv. With good
manners. Shak.
Mann"heim gold" (?). [From Mannheim in Germany,
where much of it was made.] A kind of brass made in imitation of
gold. It contains eighty per cent of copper and twenty of zinc.
Ure.
Man"nide (?), n. [Mannite +
anhydride.] (Chem.) A white amorphous or
crystalline substance, obtained by dehydration of mannite, and
distinct from, but convertible into, mannitan.
Man"nish (?), a. [Man + -
ish: cf. AS. mennisc, menisc.] 1.
Resembling a human being in form or nature; human.
Chaucer.
But yet it was a figure
Most like to mannish creature.
Gower.
2. Resembling, suitable to, or characteristic
of, a man, manlike, masculine. Chaucer.
A woman impudent and mannish
grown.
Shak.
3. Fond of men; -- said of a woman.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
-- Man"nish*ly (#),adv. --
Man"nish*ness, n.
Man"ni*tan (?), n. [Mannite +
anhydrite.] (Chem.) A white amorphous or
crystalline substance obtained by the partial dehydration of
mannite.
Man"ni*tate (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of mannitic acid.
Man"nite (?), n. [Cf. F.
mannite.] 1. (Chem.) A white
crystalline substance of a sweet taste obtained from a so-called
manna, the dried sap of the flowering ash (Fraxinus
ornus); -- called also mannitol, and hydroxy
hexane. Cf. Dulcite.
2. (Bot.) A sweet white efflorescence
from dried fronds of kelp, especially from those of the Laminaria
saccharina, or devil's apron.
Man*nit"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, resembling, or derived from,
mannite.
Mannitic acid (Chem.), a white
amorphous substance, intermediate between saccharic acid and mannite,
and obtained by the partial oxidation of the latter.
Man"ni*tol (?), n. [Mannite +
-ol.] (Chem.) The technical name of mannite. See
Mannite.
Man"ni*tose` (?), n. (Chem.)
A variety of sugar obtained by the partial oxidation of mannite,
and closely resembling levulose.
Ma*nœu"vre (?), n. & v. See
Maneuver.
Man`-of-war" (?), n; pl.
Men-of-war. A government vessel employed for
the purposes of war, esp. one of large size; a ship of war.
Man-of-war bird (Zoöl.), The
frigate bird; also applied to the skua gulls, and to the wandering
albatross. -- Man-of-war hawk
(Zoöl.), the frigate bird. -- Man-of-
war's man, a sailor serving in a ship of war. --
Portuguese man-of-war (Zoöl.), any
species of the genus Physalia. See Physalia.
Ma*nom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; thin,
rare + -meter: cf. F. manomètre.] An
instrument for measuring the tension or elastic force of gases,
steam, etc., constructed usually on the principle of allowing the gas
to exert its elastic force in raising a column of mercury in an open
tube, or in compressing a portion of air or other gas in a closed
tube with mercury or other liquid intervening, or in bending a
metallic or other spring so as to set in motion an index; a pressure
gauge. See Pressure, and Illust. of Air
pump.
{ Man`o*met"ric (?), Man`o*met"ric*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. manométrique.] Of or
pertaining to the manometer; made by the manometer.
Man"or (?), n. [OE. maner, OF.
maneir habitation, village, F. manoir manor, prop. the
OF. inf. maneir to stay, remain, dwell, L. manere, and
so called because it was the permanent residence of the lord and of
his tenants. See Mansion, and cf. Remain.]
1. (Eng. Law) The land belonging to a
lord or nobleman, or so much land as a lord or great personage kept
in his own hands, for the use and subsistence of his
family.
My manors, rents, revenues, l
forego.
Shak.
&fist; In these days, a manor rather signifies the
jurisdiction and royalty incorporeal, than the land or site, for a
man may have a manor in gross, as the law terms it, that is, the
right and interest of a court-baron, with the perquisites thereto
belonging.
2. (American Law) A tract of land
occupied by tenants who pay a free-farm rent to the proprietor,
sometimes in kind, and sometimes by performing certain stipulated
services. Burrill.
Manor house, or Manor seat,
the house belonging to a manor.
Ma*no"ri*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to a manor. " Manorial claims."
Paley.
Man"o*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; thin, rare
+ -scope.] Same as Manometer.
Ma*nos"co*py (?), n. The science
of the determination of the density of vapors and gases.
Ma*no"ver*y (?), n. [See
Maneuver.] (Eng. Law) A contrivance or maneuvering
to catch game illegally.
Man"quell`er (?), n. A killer of
men; a manslayer. [Obs.] Carew.
{ Man"red (?), Man"rent` (?), }
n. Homage or service rendered to a superior,
as to a lord; vassalage. [Obs. or Scots Law]
Jamieson.
Man"rope` (?), n. (Naut.)
One of the side ropes to the gangway of a ship.
Totten.
Man"sard roof" (?). [So called from its inventor,
François Mansard, or Mansart, a distinguished
French architect, who died in 1666.] (Arch.) A hipped
curb roof; that is, a roof having on all sides two slopes, the lower
one being steeper than the upper one.
Manse (?), n. [LL. mansa,
mansus, mansum, a farm, fr. L. manere,
mansum, to stay, dwell. See Mansion, Manor.]
1. A dwelling house, generally with land
attached.
2. The parsonage; a clergyman's house.
[Scot.]
Capital manse, the manor house, or lord's
court.
Man"serv`ant (?), n. A male
servant.
Man"sion (?), n. [OF. mansion,
F. maison, fr. L. mansio a staying, remaining, a
dwelling, habitation, fr. manere, mansum, to stay,
dwell; akin to Gr. &?;. Cf. Manse, Manor,
Menagerie, Menial, Permanent.]
1. A dwelling place, -- whether a part or whole
of a house or other shelter. [Obs.]
In my Father's house are many
mansions.
John xiv. 2.
These poets near our princes sleep,
And in one grave their mansions keep.
Den&?;am.
2. The house of the lord of a manor; a manor
house; hence: Any house of considerable size or pretension.
3. (Astrol.) A twelfth part of the
heavens; a house. See 1st House, 8. Chaucer.
4. The place in the heavens occupied each day
by the moon in its monthly revolution. [Obs.]
The eight and twenty mansions
That longen to the moon.
Chaucer.
Mansion house, the house in which one
resides; specifically, in London and some other cities, the official
residence of the Lord Mayor. Blackstone.
Man"sion, v. i. To dwell; to
reside. [Obs.] Mede.
Man"sion*a*ry (?), a. Resident;
residentiary; as, mansionary canons.
Man"sion*ry (?), n. The state of
dwelling or residing; occupancy as a dwelling place. [Obs.]
Shak.
Man"slaugh`ter (?), n.
1. The slaying of a human being; destruction of
men. Milton.
2. (Law) The unlawful killing of a
man, either in negligence or incidentally to the commission of some
unlawful act, but without specific malice, or upon a sudden
excitement of anger.
Man"slay`er (?), n. One who kills
a human being; one who commits manslaughter.
Man"steal`er (?), n. A person who
steals or kidnaps a human being or beings.
Man"steal`ing, n. The act or
business of stealing or kidnaping human beings, especially with a
view to e&?;slave them.
Man"suete (?), a. [L. mansuetus,
p. p. of mansuescere to tame; manus hand +
suescere to accustom: cf. F. mansuet.] Tame;
gentle; kind. [Obs.] Ray.
Man"sue*tude (?), n. [L.
mansuetudo: cf. F. mansuétude.] Tameness;
gentleness; mildness. [Archaic]
Man"swear` (?), v. i. To swear
falsely. Same as Mainswear.
||Man"ta (?), n. [From the native
name.] (Zoöl.) See Cephaloptera and Sea
devil.
Mant*choo" (?), a. & n. Same as
Manchu.
||Man`teau" (?), n.; pl. F.
Manteaux (#), E. Manteaus (#).
[F. See Mantle, n.] 1.
A woman's cloak or mantle.
2. A gown worn by women. [Obs.]
Man"tel (?), n. [The same word as
mantle a garment; cf. F. manteau de cheminée.
See Mantle.] (Arch.) The finish around a
fireplace, covering the chimney-breast in front and sometimes on both
sides; especially, a shelf above the fireplace, and its
supports. [Written also mantle.]
Man"tel*et (?), n. [F., dim. of
manteau, OF. mantel. See Mantle.]
1. (a) A short cloak formerly
worn by knights. (b) A short cloak or
mantle worn by women.
A mantelet upon his shoulders
hanging.
Chaucer.
2. (Fort.) A musket-proof shield of
rope, wood, or metal, which is sometimes used for the protection of
sappers or riflemen while attacking a fortress, or of gunners at
embrasures; -- now commonly written mantlet.
Man"tel*piece` (?), n. Same as
Mantel.
Man"tel*shelf` (?), n. The shelf
of a mantel.
Man"tel*tree` (?), n. (Arch.)
The lintel of a fireplace when of wood, as frequently in early
houses.
Man"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?; prophetic.]
Of or pertaining to divination, or to the condition of one
inspired, or supposed to be inspired, by a deity; prophetic.
[R.] "Mantic fury." Trench.
Man*til"la (?), n. [Sp. See
Mantle.] 1. A lady's light cloak of cape
of silk, velvet, lace, or the like.
2. A kind of veil, covering the head and
falling down upon the shoulders; -- worn in Spain, Mexico,
etc.
||Man"tis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a
prophet.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of
voracious orthopterous insects of the genus Mantis, and allied
genera. They are remarkable for their slender grotesque forms, and
for holding their stout anterior legs in a manner suggesting hands
folded in prayer. The common American species is M.
Carolina.
Mantis shrimp. (Zoöl.) See
Sguilla.
Man*tis"pid (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Any neuropterous insect of the genus Mantispa, and allied
genera. The larvæ feed on plant lice. Also used adjectively.
See Illust. under Neuroptera.
Man*tis*sa (?), n. [L., an addition,
makeweight; of Tuscan origin.] (Math.) The decimal part
of a logarithm, as distinguished from the integral part, or
characteristic.
Man"tle (?), n. [OE. mantel, OF.
mantel, F. manteau, fr. L. mantellum,
mantelum, a cloth, napkin, cloak, mantle (cf. mantele,
mantile, towel, napkin); prob. from manus hand + the
root of tela cloth. See Manual, Textile, and cf.
Mandil, Mantel, Mantilla.]
1. A loose garment to be worn over other
garments; an enveloping robe; a cloak. Hence, figuratively, a
covering or concealing envelope.
[The] children are clothed with mantles of
satin.
Bacon.
The green mantle of the standing
pool.
Shak.
Now Nature hangs her mantle green
On every blooming tree.
Burns.
2. (Her.) Same as
Mantling.
3. (Zoöl.) (a)
The external fold, or folds, of the soft, exterior membrane of
the body of a mollusk. It usually forms a cavity inclosing the gills.
See Illusts. of Buccinum, and Byssus.
(b) Any free, outer membrane.
(c) The back of a bird together with the folded
wings.
4. (Arch.) A mantel. See
Mantel.
5. The outer wall and casing of a blast
furnace, above the hearth. Raymond.
6. (Hydraulic Engin.) A penstock for a
water wheel.
Man"tle, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mantled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mantling (?).] To cover or envelop, as with a mantle; to
cloak; to hide; to disguise. Shak.
Man"tle, v. i. 1.
To unfold and spread out the wings, like a mantle; -- said of
hawks. Also used figuratively.
Ne is there hawk which mantleth on her
perch.
Spenser.
Or tend his sparhawk mantling in her
mew.
Bp. Hall.
My frail fancy fed with full delight.
Doth bathe in bliss, and mantleth most at ease.
Spenser.
2. To spread out; -- said of wings.
The swan, with arched neck
Between her white wings mantling proudly, rows.
Milton.
3. To spread over the surface as a covering;
to overspread; as, the scum mantled on the pool.
Though mantled in her cheek the
blood.
Sir W. Scott.
4. To gather, assume, or take on, a covering,
as froth, scum, etc.
There is a sort of men whose visages
Do cream and mantle like a standing pond.
Shak.
Nor bowl of wassail mantle warm.
Tennyson.
Man"tlet (?), n. See
Mantelet.
Man"tling (?), n. (Her.)
The representation of a mantle, or the drapery behind and around
a coat of arms: -- called also lambrequin.
Man"to (?), n. [It. or Sp.
manto, abbrev., from L. mantelum. See Mantle.]
See Manteau. [Obs.] Bailey.
Man*tol"o*gist (?), n. One who is
skilled in mantology; a diviner. [R.]
Man*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; prophet +
-logy.] The act or art of divination. [R.]
||Man"tra (?), n. [Skr.] A prayer;
an invocation; a religious formula; a charm. [India]
&fist; Among the Hindoos each caste and tribe has a mantra
peculiar to itself; as, the mantra of the Brahmans.
Balfour (Cyc. of India).
Man"trap` (?), n. 1.
A trap for catching trespassers. [Eng.]
2. A dangerous place, as an open hatch, into
which one may fall.
Man"tu*a (?), n. 1.
A superior kind of rich silk formerly exported from Mantua in
Italy. [Obs.] Beck (Draper's Dict.).
2. A woman's cloak or mantle; also, a woman's
gown. [Obs.]
Man"tu*a*mak`er (?), n. One who
makes dresses, cloaks, etc., for women; a dressmaker.
Man"tu*an (?), a. Of or pertaining
to Mantua. -- n. A native or inhabitant
of Mantua.
||Ma"nu (?), n. [Skr.] (Hind.
Myth.) One of a series of progenitors of human beings, and
authors of human wisdom.
Man"u*al (măn"&usl;*al),
a. [OE. manuel, F. manuel, L.
manualis, fr. manus hand; prob. akin to AS. mund
hand, protection, OHG. munt, G. mündel a ward,
vormund guardian, Icel. mund hand. Cf.
Emancipate, Legerdemain, Maintain,
Manage, Manner, Manure, Mound a hill.]
Of or pertaining to the hand; done or made by the hand; as,
manual labor; the king's sign manual.
"Manual and ocular examination." Tatham.
Manual alphabet. See
Dactylology. -- Manual exercise
(Mil.) the exercise by which soldiers are taught the use
of their muskets and other arms. -- Seal
manual, the impression of a seal worn on the hand as a
ring. -- Sign manual. See under
Sign.
Man"u*al (?), n. [Cf. F. manuel,
LL. manuale. See Manual, a.]
1. A small book, such as may be carried in the
hand, or conveniently handled; a handbook; specifically, the service
book of the Roman Catholic Church.
This manual of laws, styled the Confessor's
Laws.
Sir M. Hale.
2. (Mus.) A keyboard of an organ or
harmonium for the fingers, as distinguished from the pedals; a
clavier, or set of keys. Moore (Encyc. of Music).
3. (Mil.) A prescribed exercise in the
systematic handing of a weapon; as, the manual of arms; the
manual of the sword; the manual of the piece (cannon,
mortar, etc.).
Man"u*al*ist, n. One who works
with the hands; an artificer.
Man"u*al*ly, adv. By
hand.
Man"u*a*ry (?), a. [L.
manuarius, fr. manus hand.] Manual. --
n. An artificer. [Obs.] Bp.
Hall.
Ma*nu"bi*al (?), a. [L.
manubialis, fr. manubiae money obtained from the sale
of booty, booty.] Belonging to spoils; taken in war.
[Obs.] Bailey.
Ma*nu"bri*al (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to a manubrium; shaped like a manubrium;
handlelike.
||Ma*nu"bri*um (?), n.; pl. L.
Manubria (#), E. Manubriums (#).
[L., handle, fr. manus hand.]
1. (Anat.) A handlelike process or
part; esp., the anterior segment of the sternum, or presternum, and
the handlelike process of the malleus.
2. (Zoöl.) The proboscis of a
jellyfish; -- called also hypostoma. See Illust. of
Hydromedusa.
Man"u*code (?), n. [Javanese
manukdewata the bird of the gods: cf. F. manucode.]
(Zoöl.) Any bird of the genus Manucodia, of
Australia and New Guinea. They are related to the bird of
paradise.
Man`u*du"cent (?), n. One who
leads by the hand; a manuductor. [Obs.]
Man`u*duc"tion (?), n. [L. manus
hand + ductio a leading, ducere to lead: cf. F.
manuduction.] Guidance by the hand. [Obs.]
Glanvill. South.
Man`u*duc"tor (?), n. [L. manus
the hand + ductor a leader, ducere to lead: cf. F.
manuducteur.] (Mus.) A conductor; an officer in
the ancient church who gave the signal for the choir to sing, and who
beat time with the hand, and regulated the music. Moore
(Encyc. of Music.)
Man`u*fac"to*ry (?), n.; pl.
-ries (#). [Cf. L. factorium an oil press,
prop., place where something is made. See Manufacture.]
1. Manufacture. [Obs.]
2. A building or place where anything is
manufactured; a factory.
Man`u*fac"to*ry, a. Pertaining to
manufacturing.
Man`u*fac"tur*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to manufactures. [R.]
Man`u*fac"ture (?), n. [L. manus
the hand + factura a making, fr. facere to make: cf. F.
manufacture. See Manual, and Fact.]
1. The operation of making wares or any products
by hand, by machinery, or by other agency.
2. Anything made from raw materials by the
hand, by machinery, or by art, as cloths, iron utensils, shoes,
machinery, saddlery, etc.
Man`u*fac"ture, v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Manufactured (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Manufacturing.] [Cf. F. manufacturer.]
1. To make (wares or other products) by hand, by
machinery, or by other agency; as, to manufacture cloth,
nails, glass, etc.
2. To work, as raw or partly wrought
materials, into suitable forms for use; as, to manufacture
wool, cotton, silk, or iron.
Man`u*fac"ture, v. i. To be
employed in manufacturing something.
Man`u*fac"tur*er (?), n. One who
manufactures.
Man`u*fac"tur*ing, a.
1. Employed, or chiefly employed, in
manufacture; as, a manufacturing community; a
manufacturing town.
2. Pertaining to manufacture; as,
manufacturing projects.
||Ma"nul (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A wild cat (Felis manul), having long, soft, light-
colored fur. It is found in the mountains of Central Asia, and dwells
among rocks.
Man"u*mise` (?), v. t. [See
Manumit.] To manumit. [Obs.] Dryden.
Man`u*mis"sion (?), n. [L.
manumissio: cf. F. manumission. See Manumit.]
The act of manumitting, or of liberating a slave from
bondage. "Given to slaves at their manumission."
Arbuthnot.
Man`u*mit" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Manumitted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Manumitting.] [L. manumittere, manumissum;
manus the hand + mittere to send, to send off. See
Manual, and Missile.] To release from slavery; to
liberate from personal bondage or servitude; to free, as a
slave. "Manumitted slaves." Hume.
Man"u*mo`tive (?), a. [L. manus
the hand + E. motive.] Movable by hand. [R.]
Man"u*mo`tor (?), n. [L. manus
the hand + E. motor.] A small wheel carriage, so
constructed that a person sitting in it may move it.
Ma*nur"a*ble (&?;), a.
1. Capable of cultivation. [Obs.] Sir
M. Hale.
2. Capable of receiving a fertilizing
substance.
Ma*nur"age (?), n.
Cultivation. [Obs.] Warner.
Ma*nur"ance (?), n.
Cultivation. [Obs.] Spenser.
Ma*nure" (m&adot;*nūr"), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Manured (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. Manuring.] [Contr, from OF. manuvrer,
manovrer, to work with the hand, to cultivate by manual labor,
F. manœuvrer. See Manual, Ure,
Opera, and cf. Inure.] 1. To
cultivate by manual labor; to till; hence, to develop by
culture. [Obs.]
To whom we gave the strand for to
manure.
Surrey.
Manure thyself then; to thyself be
improved;
And with vain, outward things be no more moved.
Donne.
2. To apply manure to; to enrich, as land, by
the application of a fertilizing substance.
The blood of English shall manure the
ground.
Shak.
Ma*nure" (m&adot;*nūr"), n.
Any matter which makes land productive; a fertilizing substance,
as the contents of stables and barnyards, dung, decaying animal or
vegetable substances, etc. Dryden.
Ma*nure"ment, n. [Cf. OF.
manouvrement.] Cultivation. [Obs.] W.
Wotton.
Ma*nur"er (?), n. One who manures
land.
Ma*nu"ri*al (?), a. Relating to
manures.
Ma*nur"ing (?), n. The act of
process of applying manure; also, the manure applied.
||Ma"nus (?), n.; pl.
Manus. [L., the hand.] (Anat.) The
distal segment of the fore limb, including the carpus and fore foot
or hand.
Man"u*script (?), a. [L. manu
scriptus. See Manual, and Scribe.] Written
with or by the hand; not printed; as, a manuscript
volume.
Man"u*script, n. [LL.
manuscriptum, lit., something written with the hand. See
Manuscript, a.] 1. A
literary or musical composition written with the hand, as
distinguished from a printed copy.
2. Writing, as opposed to print; as, the book
exists only in manuscript. Craik.
&fist; The word is often abbreviated to MS., plural
MSS.
Man"u*script`al (?), a.
Manuscript. [Obs.]
Man`u*ten"en*cy (?), n. [L.
manus hand + tenere to hold.] Maintenance.
[Obs.] Abp. Sancroft.
Man"way` (?), n. A small
passageway, as in a mine, that a man may pass through.
Raymond.
Manx (?), a. Of or pertaining to
the Isle of Man, or its inhabitants; as, the Manx
language.
Manx cat (Zoöl.), a breed of
domestic cats having a rudimentary tail, containing only about three
vertebrae. -- Manx shearwater
(Zoöl.), an oceanic bird (Puffinus anglorum,
or P. puffinus), called also Manx petrel, Manx
puffin. It was formerly abundant in the Isle of Man.
Manx, n. The language of the
inhabitants of the Isle of Man, a dialect of the Celtic.
Ma"ny (?), n. [See Meine,
Mansion.] A retinue of servants; a household.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Ma"ny, a. or pron. [It has no variation
to express degrees of comparison; more and most, which
are used for the comparative and superlative degrees, are from a
different root.] [OE. mani, moni, AS. manig,
mænig, monig; akin to D. menig, OS. & OHG.
manag, G. manch, Dan. mange, Sw.
månge, Goth. manags, OSlav. mnog', Russ.
mnogii; cf. Icel. margr, Prov. E. mort.
√103.] Consisting of a great number; numerous; not
few.
Thou shalt be a father of many
nations.
Gen. xvii. 4.
Not many wise men after the flesh, not
many mighty, not many noble, are called.
1 Cor. i. 26.
&fist; Many is freely prefixed to participles, forming
compounds which need no special explanation; as, many-angled,
many-celled, many-eyed, many-footed, many-
handed, many-leaved, many-lettered, many-
named, many-peopled, many-petaled, many-
seeded, many-syllabled (polysyllabic), many-
tongued, many-voiced, many-wived, and the like.
Comparison is often expressed by many with as or
so. "As many as were willing hearted . . . brought
bracelets." Exod. xxxv. 22. "So many laws argue so
many sins." Milton.
Many stands with a singular substantive with a or
an.
Many a, a large number taken distributively;
each one of many. "For thy sake have I shed many a tear."
Shak. "Full many a gem of purest ray serene."
Gray. -- Many one, many a one; many
persons. Bk. of Com. Prayer. -- The
many, the majority; -- opposed to the few. See
Many, n. -- Too many,
too numerous; hence, too powerful; as, they are too many
for us. L'Estrange.
Syn. -- Numerous; multiplied; frequent; manifold; various;
divers; sundry.
Ma"ny, n. [AS. menigeo,
menigo, menio, multitude; akin to G. menge, OHG.
managī, menigī, Goth. managei. See
Many, a.] 1. The
populace; the common people; the majority of people, or of a
community.
After him the rascal many ran.
Spenser.
2. A large or considerable number.
A many of our bodies shall no doubt
Find native graves.
Shak.
Seeing a great many in rich gowns.
Addison.
It will be concluded by manythat he lived like
an honest man.
Fielding.
&fist; In this sense, many is connected immediately with
another substantive (without of) to show of what the
many consists; as, a good many [of] people think
so.
He is liable to a great many
inconveniences.
Tillotson.
Ma"ny-mind`ed (?), a. Having many
faculties; versatile; many-sided.
Ma"ny*plies (?), n. [Many, adj.
+ plies, pl. of ply a fold.] (Anat.) The
third division, or that between the reticulum, or honeycomb stomach,
and the abomasum, or rennet stomach, in the stomach of ruminants; the
omasum; the psalterium. So called from the numerous folds in its
mucous membrane. See Illust of Ruminant.
Ma"ny-sid`ed (?), a. 1.
Having many sides; -- said of figures. Hence, presenting many
questions or subjects for consideration; as, a many-sided
topic.
2. Interested in, and having an aptitude for,
many unlike pursuits or objects of attention; versatile.
-- Ma"ny-sid`ed*ness, n.
{ Ma"ny*ways` (?), Ma"ny*wise` (?), }
adv. In many different ways;
variously.
Man`za*ni"ta (?), n. [Sp., dim. of
munzana an apple.] (Bot.) A name given to several
species of Arctostaphylos, but mostly to A. glauca and
A. pungens, shrubs of California, Oregon, etc., with reddish
smooth bark, ovate or oval coriaceous evergreen leaves, and bearing
clusters of red berries, which are said to be a favorite food of the
grizzly bear.
Ma"o*ri (?), n.; pl.
Maoris (&?;). (Ethnol.) One of the
aboriginal inhabitants of New Zealand; also, the original language of
New Zealand. -- a. Of or pertaining to
the Maoris or to their language.
Map (?), n. [From F. mappe, in
mappemonde map of the world, fr. L. mappa napkin,
signal cloth; -- a Punic word. Cf. Apron, Napkin,
Nappe.] 1. A representation of the
surface of the earth, or of some portion of it, showing the relative
position of the parts represented; -- usually on a flat surface.
Also, such a representation of the celestial sphere, or of some part
of it.
&fist; There are five principal kinds of projection used in making
maps: the orthographic, the stereographic, the
globuar, the conical, and the cylindrical, or
Mercator's projection. See Projection.
2. Anything which represents graphically a
succession of events, states, or acts; as, an historical
map.
Thus is his cheek the map of days
outworn.
Shak.
Map lichen (Bot.), a lichen
(Lecidea geographica.) growing on stones in curious maplike
figures. Dr. Prior.
Map, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mapped (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mapping (?).] To represent by a map; -- often with
out; as, to survey and map, or map out, a
county. Hence, figuratively: To represent or indicate
systematically and clearly; to sketch; to plan; as, to map, or
map out, a journey; to map out business.
I am near to the place where they should meet, if
Pisanio have mapped it truly.
Shak.
||Ma*pach" (?), n. [Mexican.] The
raccoon.
Ma"ple (?), n. [AS. mapolder,
mapulder, mapol; akin to Icel. möpurr; cf.
OHG. mazzaltra, mazzoltra, G. massholder.]
(Bot.) A tree of the genus Acer, including about
fifty species. A. saccharinum is the rock maple, or sugar
maple, from the sap of which sugar is made, in the United States, in
great quantities, by evaporation; the red or swamp maple is A.
rubrum; the silver maple, A. dasycarpum, having fruit
wooly when young; the striped maple, A. Pennsylvanium, called
also moosewood. The common maple of Europe is A.
campestre, the sycamore maple is A. Pseudo-platanus, and
the Norway maple is A. platanoides.
&fist; Maple is much used adjectively, or as the first part
of a compound; as, maple tree, maple leaf, etc.
Bird's-eye maple, Curled
maple, varieties of the wood of the rock maple, in
which a beautiful lustrous grain is produced by the sinuous course of
the fibers. -- Maple honey, Maple
molasses, or Maple sirup, maple sap
boiled to the consistency of molasses. -- Maple
sugar, sugar obtained from the sap of the sugar maple
by evaporation.
Map"like` (?), a. Having or
consisting of lines resembling a map; as, the maplike figures
in which certain lichens grow.
Map"per*y (?), n. [From Map.] The
making, or study, of maps. [Obs.] Shak.
Ma"qui (?), n. (Bot.) A
Chilian shrub (Aristotelia Maqui). Its bark furnishes strings
for musical instruments, and a medicinal wine is made from its
berries.
Mar (?), n. A small lake. See
Mere. [Prov. Eng.]
Mar, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Marred (märd); p. pr. & vb.
n. Marring.] [OE. marren, merren, AS.
merran, myrran (in comp.), to obstruct, impede,
dissipate; akin to OS. merrian, OHG. marrjan,
merran; cf. D. marren, meeren, to moor a ship,
Icel. merja to bruise, crush, and Goth. marzjan to
offend. Cf. Moor, v.] 1.
To make defective; to do injury to, esp. by cutting off or
defacing a part; to impair; to disfigure; to deface.
I pray you mar no more trees with wiring love
songs in their barks.
Shak.
But mirth is marred, and the good cheer is
lost.
Dryden.
Ire, envy, and despair
Which marred all his borrowed visage.
Milton.
2. To spoil; to ruin. "It makes us, or
it mars us." "Striving to mend, to mar the subject."
Shak.
Mar, n. A mark or blemish made by
bruising, scratching, or the like; a disfigurement.
||Ma"ra (?), n. [Skr.
māra.] (Hind. Myth.) The principal or ruling
evil spirit. E. Arnold.
||Ma"ra, n. [Icel. mara
nightmare, an ogress. See Nightmare.] (Norse Myth.)
A female demon who torments people in sleep by crouching on
their chests or stomachs, or by causing terrifying visions.
||Ma"ra, n. (Zoöl.)
The Patagonian cavy (Dolichotis Patagonicus).
Mar`a*bou" (?), n. [F.]
1. (Zoöl.) A large stork of the
genus Leptoptilos (formerly Ciconia), esp. the African
species (L. crumenifer), which furnishes plumes worn as
ornaments. The Asiatic species (L. dubius, or L.
argala) is the adjutant. See Adjutant. [Written also
marabu.]
2. One having five eighths negro blood; the
offspring of a mulatto and a griffe. [Louisiana]
Bartlett.
Marabout" (?), n. [F., from Pg.
marabuto, Ar. morābit. Cf. Maravedi.]
A Mohammedan saint; especially, one who claims to work cures
supernaturally.
Mar"a*can (?), n. [Braz.
maracaná.] (Zoöl.) A macaw.
||Ma*rai" (?), n. A sacred
inclosure or temple; -- so called by the islanders of the Pacific
Ocean.
Mar`a*nath"a (?), n. [Aramaic
māran athā.] "Our Lord cometh;" -- an
expression used by St. Paul at the conclusion of his first Epistle to
the Corinthians (xvi. 22). This word has been used in anathematizing
persons for great crimes; as much as to say, "May the Lord come
quickly to take vengeance of thy crimes." See Anathema
maranatha, under Anathema.
Ma*ran"ta (?), n. [NL.] (Bot.)
A genus of endogenous plants found in tropical America, and some
species also in India. They have tuberous roots containing a large
amount of starch, and from one species (Maranta arundinacea)
arrowroot is obtained. Many kinds are cultivated for
ornament.
||Ma`ra*schi"no (?), n. [It., fr.
marasca, amarasca, a sour cherry, L. amarus
bitter.] A liqueur distilled from fermented cherry juice, and
flavored with the pit of a variety of cherry which grows in
Dalmatia.
Ma*ras"mus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; ,
fr. &?;, to quench, as fire; pass., to die away.] (Med.)
A wasting of flesh without fever or apparent disease; a kind of
consumption; atrophy; phthisis.
Pining atrophy,
Marasmus, and wide-wasting pestilence.
Milton.
Marasmus senilis [L.], progressive atrophy
of the aged.
Ma*raud" (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Marauded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Marauding.] [F. marauder, fr. maraud vagabond,
OF. marault; of uncertain origin, perh. for malault,
fr. (assumed) LL. malaldus; fr. L. malus bad, ill + a
suffix of German origin (cf. Herald). Cf. Malice.]
To rove in quest of plunder; to make an excursion for booty; to
plunder. "Marauding hosts." Milman.
Ma*raud", n. An excursion for
plundering.
Ma*raud`er (?), n. [From Maraud,
v.: cf. F. maraudeur.] A rover in quest
of booty or plunder; a plunderer; one who pillages. De
Quincey.
Mar`a*ve"di (?), n. [Sp.
maravedí; -- so called from the
Morābitīn (lit., the steadfast), an Arabian
dynasty which reigned in Africa and Spain. Cf. Marabout.]
(Numis.) A small copper coin of Spain, equal to three
mils American money, less than a farthing sterling. Also, an ancient
Spanish gold coin.
Mar"ble (mär"b'l), n. [OE.
marbel, marbre, F. marbre, L. marmor, fr.
Gr. ma`rmaros, fr. marmai`rein to sparkle,
flash. Cf. Marmoreal.] 1. A massive,
compact limestone; a variety of calcite, capable of being polished
and used for architectural and ornamental purposes. The color varies
from white to black, being sometimes yellow, red, and green, and
frequently beautifully veined or clouded. The name is also given to
other rocks of like use and appearance, as serpentine or verd antique
marble, and less properly to polished porphyry, granite,
etc.
&fist;
Breccia marble consists of limestone
fragments cemented together. -- Ruin marble, when
polished, shows forms resembling ruins, due to disseminated iron
oxide. -- Shell marble contains fossil shells. --
Statuary marble is a pure, white, fine-grained
kind, including Parian (from Paros) and Carrara marble.
If coarsely granular it is called saccharoidal.
2. A thing made of, or resembling, marble, as
a work of art, or record, in marble; or, in the plural, a collection
of such works; as, the Arundel or Arundelian marbles; the
Elgin marbles.
3. A little ball of marble, or of some other
hard substance, used as a plaything by children; or, in the plural, a
child's game played with marbles.
&fist; Marble is also much used in self-explaining
compounds; when used figuratively in compounds it commonly means,
hard, cold, destitute of compassion or feeling; as, marble-
breasted, marble-faced, marble-hearted.
Mar"ble, a. 1.
Made of, or resembling, marble; as, a marble mantel;
marble paper.
2. Cold; hard; unfeeling; as, a marble
breast or heart.
Mar"ble, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Marbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Marbling (?).] [Cf. F. marbrer. See Marble,
n.] To stain or vein like marble; to variegate
in color; as, to marble the edges of a book, or the surface of
paper.
Mar"bled (?), a. 1.
Made of, or faced with, marble. [Obs.] "The marbled
mansion." Shak.
2. Made to resemble marble; veined or spotted
like marble. "Marbled paper." Boyle.
3. (zoöl.) Varied with irregular
markings, or witch a confused blending of irregular spots and
streaks.
Mar"ble-edged` (?), a. Having the
edge veined or spotted with different colors like marble, as a
book.
Mar"ble*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Marbleized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Marbleizing (?).] To stain or grain in
imitation of marble; to cover with a surface resembling marble; as,
to marbleize slate, wood, or iron.
Mar"bler (&?;), n. 1.
One who works upon marble or other stone. [R.]
Fuller.
2. One who colors or stains in imitation of
marble.
Mar"bling (?), n. 1.
The art or practice of variegating in color, in imitation of
marble.
2. An intermixture of fat and lean in meat,
giving it a marbled appearance.
3. pl. (Zoöl.) Distinct
markings resembling the variegations of marble, as on birds and
insects.
Mar"bly, a. Containing, or
resembling, marble.
||Mar*bri"nus (?), n. [LL., fr. OF. &
F. marble marble. See Marble.] A cloth woven so as
to imitate the appearance of marble; -- much used in the 15th and
16th centuries. Beck (Draper's Dict.).
Marc (?), n. [F.] The refuse
matter which remains after the pressure of fruit, particularly of
grapes.
Marc, n. [AS. marc; akin to G.
mark, Icel. mörk, perh. akin to E. mark a
sign. √106, 273.] [Written also mark.]
1. A weight of various commodities, esp. of gold
and silver, used in different European countries. In France and
Holland it was equal to eight ounces.
2. A coin formerly current in England and
Scotland, equal to thirteen shillings and four pence.
3. A German coin and money of account. See
Mark.
Mar"can*tant (?), n. [It.
mercatante. See Merchant.] A merchant.
[Obs.] Shak.
Mar"ca*site (?), n. [F.
marcassite; cf. It. marcassita, Sp. marquesita,
Pg. marquezita; all fr. Ar. marqashītha.]
(Min.) A sulphide of iron resembling pyrite or common
iron pyrites in composition, but differing in form; white iron
pyrites.
Golden marcasite, tin. [Obs.]
{ Mar`ca*sit"ic (?), Mar`ca*sit"ic*al (?), }
a. Containing, or having the nature of,
marcasite.
Mar*cas"sin (?), n. [F.] (Her.)
A young wild boar.
||Mar*ca"to (?), a. [It.] (Mus.)
In a marked emphatic manner; -- used adverbially as a
direction.
Mar"cel*ine (?), n. [F., fr. L.
marcidus withered, fr. marcere to wither, shrivel.]
A thin silk fabric used for linings, etc., in ladies'
dresses.
Mar*ces"cent (?), a. [L.
marcescens, p. pr. of marcescere to wither, decay, fr.
marcere to wither, droop: cf. F. marcescent.]
(Bot.) Withering without falling off; fading;
decaying.
Mar*ces"ci*ble (?), a. [Cf. F.
marcescible.] Liable to wither or decay.
March (?), n. [L. Martius mensis
Mars'month fr. Martius belonging to Mars, the god of
war: cf. F. mars. Cf. Martial.] The third month
of the year, containing thirty-one days.
The stormy March is come at last,
With wind, and cloud, and changing skies.
Bryant.
As mad as a March Hare, an old English
Saying derived from the fact that March is the rutting time of hares,
when they are excitable and violent. Wright.
March, n. [OE. marche, F.
marche; of German origin; cf. OHG. marcha, G.
mark, akin to OS. marka, AS. mearc, Goth.
marka, L. margo edge, border, margin, and possibly to
E. mark a sign. √106. Cf. Margin,
Margrave, Marque, Marquis.] A territorial
border or frontier; a region adjacent to a boundary line; a confine;
-- used chiefly in the plural, and in English history applied
especially to the border land on the frontiers between England and
Scotland, and England and Wales.
Geneva is situated in the marches of several
dominions -- France, Savoy, and Switzerland.
Fuller.
Lords of waste marches, kings of desolate
isles.
Tennyson.
March, v. i. [Cf. OF. marchir.
See 2d March.] To border; to be contiguous; to lie side
by side. [Obs.]
That was in a strange land
Which marcheth upon Chimerie.
Gower.
To march with, to have the same boundary for
a greater or less distance; -- said of an estate.
March, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Marched (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Marching.] [F. marcher, in OF. also, to tread, prob.
fr. L. marcus hammer. Cf. Mortar.] 1.
To move with regular steps, as a soldier; to walk in a grave,
deliberate, or stately manner; to advance steadily.
Shak.
2. To proceed by walking in a body or in
military order; as, the German army marched into
France.
March, v. t. To cause to move with
regular steps in the manner of a soldier; to cause to move in
military array, or in a body, as troops; to cause to advance in a
steady, regular, or stately manner; to cause to go by peremptory
command, or by force.
March them again in fair array.
Prior.
March, n. [F. marche.]
1. The act of marching; a movement of soldiers
from one stopping place to another; military progress; advance of
troops.
These troops came to the army harassed with a long and
wearisome march.
Bacon.
2. Hence: Measured and regular advance or
movement, like that of soldiers moving in order; stately or
deliberate walk; steady onward movement.
With solemn march
Goes slow and stately by them.
Shak.
This happens merely because men will not bide their
time, but will insist on precipitating the march of
affairs.
Buckle.
3. The distance passed over in marching; as,
an hour's march; a march of twenty miles.
4. A piece of music designed or fitted to
accompany and guide the movement of troops; a piece of music in the
march form.
The drums presently striking up a
march.
Knolles.
To make a march, (Card Playing), to
take all the tricks of a hand, in the game of euchre.
March"er (?), n. One who
marches.
March"er, n. [See 2d March.]
The lord or officer who defended the marches or borders of a
territory.
{ Mar"chet (?), Mer"chet (?) },
n. [LL. marcheta; of uncertain origin.]
In old English and in Scots law, a fine paid to the lord of the
soil by a tenant upon the marriage of one the tenant's
daughters.
March"ing (?), a. & n., fr.
March, v.
Marching money (Mil.), the additional
pay of officer or soldier when his regiment is marching. --
In marching order (Mil.), equipped for a
march. -- Marching regiment. (Mil.)
(a) A regiment in active service.
(b) In England, a regiment liable to be ordered
into other quarters, at home or abroad; a regiment of the
line.
Mar"chion*ess (?), n. [LL.
marchionissa, fr. marchio a marquis. See
Marquis.] The wife or the widow of a marquis; a woman who
has the rank and dignity of a marquis. Spelman.
March"-mad` (?), a. Extremely
rash; foolhardy. See under March, the month. Sir W.
Scott.
March"man (?), n. A person living
in the marches between England and Scotland or Wales.
March"pane` (?), n. [Cf. It.
marzapane,Sp. pan,. massepain, prob. fr. L.
maza frumenty (Gr. ma^za) + L. panis bread;
but perh. the first part of the word is from the name of the
inventor.] A kind of sweet bread or biscuit; a cake of pounded
almonds and sugar. [Obs.] Shak.
March"-ward` (?), n. A warden of
the marches; a marcher.
Mar"cian (?), a. Under the
influence of Mars; courageous; bold. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mar"cid (?), a. [L. marcidus,
fr. marcere to wither, pine.] 1. Pining;
lean; withered. Dryden.
2. Characterized by emaciation, as a
fever. Harvey.
Mar*cid"i*ty (?), n. [LL.
marciditas.] The state or quality of being withered or
lean. [R.]
Mar"cion*ite (?), n. (Eccl.
Hist) A follower of Marcion, a Gnostic of the second
century, who adopted the Oriental notion of the two conflicting
principles, and imagined that between them there existed a third
power, neither wholly good nor evil, the Creator of the world and of
man, and the God of the Jewish dispensation. Brande &
C.
||Mar`co*brun"ner (?), n. [G.
Marcobrunner.] A celebrated Rhine wine.
||Mar"cor (?), n. [L., fr.
marcere to wither.] A wasting away of flesh; decay.
[Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Mar*co"sian (?), n. (Eccl.
Hist.) One of a Gnostic sect of the second century, so
called from Marcus, an Egyptian, who was reputed to be a
margician.
||Mar"di` gras" (?), n. [F., literally,
fat Tuesday.] The last day of Carnival; Shrove Tuesday; -- in
some cities a great day of carnival and merrymaking.
Mare (mâr), n. [OE. mere,
AS. mere, myre, fem of AS. mearh horse, akin to
D. merrie mare, G. mähre, OHG. marah horse,
meriha mare, Icel. marr horse, OCelt. marka
(Pausan. 19, 19,4), Ir. marc, W. march. Cf.
Marshal.] The female of the horse and other equine
quadrupeds.
Mare, n. [AS. mara incubus; akin
to OHG. & Icel. mara; cf. Pol. mora, Bohem.
můra.] (Med.) Sighing, suffocative panting,
intercepted utterance, with a sense of pressure across the chest,
occurring during sleep; the incubus; -- obsolete, except in the
compound nightmare.
I will ride thee o' nights like the
mare.
Shak.
Mare"chal Niel" (?). [F.] A kind of large yellow
rose. [Written also Marshal Niel.]
Mar"eis (?), n. A Marsh.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Ma*re"na (?), n. [NL. Salmo
maraena, G. maräne, moräne; -- so called
from Lake Morin, in the March of Brandenburg, in Prussia.]
(Zoöl.) A European whitefish of the genus
Coregonus.
Mare"schal (?), n. [OF.
mareschal, F. maréchal. See Marshal.]
A military officer of high rank; a marshal. [Obs.]
Mare's"-nest` (?), n. A supposed
discovery which turns out to be a hoax; something grossly
absurd.
Mare's"-tail` (?), n.
1. A long streaky cloud, spreading out like a
horse's tail, and believed to indicate rain; a cirrus cloud. See
Cloud.
Mackerel sky and mare's-tails
Make tall ships carry low sails.
Old Rhyme.
2. (Bot.) An aquatic plant of the
genus Hippuris (H. vulgaris), having narrow leaves in
whorls.
Mar"ga*rate (?), n. [Cf. F.
margarate.] (Physiol. Chem.) A compound of the so-
called margaric acid with a base.
Mar*gar"ic (?), a. [Cf. F.
margarique. See Margarite.] Pertaining to, or
resembling, pearl; pearly.
Margaric acid. (a) (Physiol.
Chem.) A fatty body, crystallizing in pearly scales, and
obtained by digesting saponified fats (soaps) with an acid. It was
formerly supposed to be an individual fatty acid, but is now known to
be simply an intimate mixture of stearic and palmitic acids.
(b) (Chem.) A white, crystalline
substance, C17H34O2 of the fatty
acid series, intermediate between palmitic and stearic acids, and
obtained from the wax of certain lichens, from cetyl cyanide, and
other sources.
Mar"ga*rin (?), n. [Cf. F.
margarine. See Margarite.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A fatty substance, extracted from animal fats and certain
vegetable oils, formerly supposed to be a definite compound of
glycerin and margaric acid, but now known to be simply a mixture or
combination of tristearin and tripalmitin.
Mar`ga*ri*ta"ceous (?), a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, pearl; pearly.
Mar"ga*rite (?), n. [L.
margarita, Gr. &?; a pearl; cf. F. marguerite.]
1. A pearl. [Obs.] Peacham.
2. (Min.) A mineral related to the
micas, but low in silica and yielding brittle folia with pearly
luster.
Mar`ga*rit"ic (?), a. [Cf. F.
margaritique.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Margaric.
Mar`ga*ri*tif"er*ous (?), a. [L.
margaritifer; margarita pearl + ferre to bear:
cf. F. margaritifère.] Producing pearls.
Mar*gar"o*dite (?), n. [Gr. &?; pearl-
like.] (Min.) A hidrous potash mica related to
muscovite.
Mar"ga*rone (?), n. [Margaric +
-one.] (Chem.) The ketone of margaric
acid.
Mar"ga*rous (?), a. (Chem.)
Margaric; -- formerly designating a supposed acid.
[Obs.]
Mar"gate fish" (?). (Zoöl.) A sparoid
fish (Diabasis aurolineatus) of the Gulf of Mexico, esteemed
as a food fish; -- called also red-mouth grunt.
Mar"gay (?), n. (Zoöl.)
An American wild cat (Felis tigrina), ranging from Mexico
to Brazil. It is spotted with black. Called also long-tailed
cat.
Marge (?), n. [F. marge. See
Margin.] Border; margin; edge; verge. [Poetic]
Tennyson.
Along the river's stony marge.
Wordsworth.
Mar"gent (?), n. [OE. See
Margin.] A margin; border; brink; edge. [Obs.]
The beached margent of the sea.
Shak.
Mar"gent, v. t. To enter or note
down upon the margin of a page; to margin. [Obs.] Mir. for
Mag.
Mar"gin (?), n. [OE. margine,
margent, L. margo, ginis. Cf. March a
border, Marge.] 1. A border; edge; brink;
verge; as, the margin of a river or lake.
2. Specifically: The part of a page at the
edge left uncovered in writing or printing.
3. (Com.) The difference between the
cost and the selling price of an article.
4. Something allowed, or reserved, for that
which can not be foreseen or known with certainty.
5. (Brokerage) Collateral security
deposited with a broker to secure him from loss on contracts entered
into by him on behalf of his principial, as in the speculative buying
and selling of stocks, wheat, etc. N. Biddle.
Margin draft (Masonry), a smooth cut
margin on the face of hammer-dressed ashlar, adjacent to the
joints. -- Margin of a course (Arch.),
that part of a course, as of slates or shingles, which is not
covered by the course immediately above it. See 2d
Gauge.
Syn. -- Border; brink; verge; brim; rim.
Mar"gin (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Margined (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Marginging.] 1. To furnish with a
margin.
2. To enter in the margin of a
page.
Mar"gin*al (?), a. [Cf. F.
marginal.] 1. Of or pertaining to a
margin.
2. Written or printed in the margin; as, a
marginal note or gloss.
||Mar`gi*na"li*a (?), n. pl. [NL.]
Marginal notes.
Mar"gin*al*ly, adv. In the margin
of a book.
Mar"gin*ate (?), a. [L.
marginatus, p. p. of marginare to margin. See
Margin, n.] Having a margin distinct in
appearance or structure.
Mar"gin*ate (?), v. t. To furnish
with a distinct margin; to margin. [R.] Cockeram.
Mar"gin*a`ted (?), a. Same as
Marginate, a.
Mar"gined (?), a. 1.
Having a margin. Hawthorne.
2. (Zoöl.) Bordered with a
distinct line of color.
||Mar`gi*nel"la (?), n. [NL., dim. of
L. margo, marginis, a margin.] (Zoöl.)
A genus of small, polished, marine univalve shells, native of
all warm seas.
Mar"gin*i*ci`dal (?), a. [L.
margo, -ginis, margin + caedere to cut.]
(Bot.) Dehiscent by the separation of united carpels; --
said of fruits.
Mar*go"sa (?), n. [Pg. amargoso
bitter.] (Bot.) A large tree of the genus Melia
(M. Azadirachta) found in India. Its bark is bitter, and used
as a tonic. A valuable oil is expressed from its seeds, and a
tenacious gum exudes from its trunk. The M. Azedarach is a
much more showy tree, and is cultivated in the Southern United
States, where it is known as Pride of India, Pride of
China, or bead tree. Various parts of the tree are
considered anthelmintic.
The margosa oil . . . is a most valuable balsam
for wounds, having a peculiar smell which prevents the attacks of
flies.
Sir S. Baker.
{ Mar"gra*vate (?), Mar*gra"vi*ate (?), }
n. [Cf. F. margraviat.] The territory
or jurisdiction of a margrave.
Mar"grave (?), n. [G. markgraf,
prop., lord chief justice of the march; mark bound, border,
march + graf earl, count, lord chief justice; cf. Goth.
gagrëfts decree: cf. D. markgraaf, F.
margrave. See March border, and cf. Landgrave,
Graff.] 1. Originally, a lord or keeper
of the borders or marches in Germany.
2. The English equivalent of the German title
of nobility, markgraf; a marquis.
Mar"gra*vine (?), n. [G.
markgräfin: cf. F. margrafine.] The wife of a
margrave.
Mar"gue*rite (?), n. [F., a pearl, a
daisy. See Margarite.] (Bot.) The daisy (Bellis
perennis). The name is often applied also to the ox-eye daisy and
to the China aster. Longfellow.
Ma"ri*an (?), a. Pertaining to the
Virgin Mary, or sometimes to Mary, Queen of England, daughter of
Henry VIII.
Of all the Marian martyrs, Mr. Philpot was the
best-born gentleman.
Fuller.
Maid Marian. See Maidmarian in the
Vocabulary.
Mar"ie (?), interj. Marry.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mar"i*et (?), n. [F. mariette,
prop. dim. of Marie Mary.] (Bot.) A kind of
bellflower, Companula Trachelium, once called Viola
Mariana; but it is not a violet.
Ma*rig"e*nous (?), a. [L. mare
the sea + -genous.] Produced in or by the sea.
Mar"i*gold (?), n. [Mary +
gold.] (Bot.) A name for several plants with
golden yellow blossoms, especially the Calendula officinalis
(see Calendula), and the cultivated species of
Tagetes.
&fist; There are several yellow-flowered plants of different
genera bearing this name; as, the African or French marigold
of the genus Tagetes, of which several species and many
varieties are found in gardens. They are mostly strong-smelling herbs
from South America and Mexico: bur marigold, of the genus
Bidens; corn marigold, of the genus
Chrysanthemum (C. segetum, a pest in the cornfields of
Italy); fig marigold, of the genus Mesembryanthemum;
marsh marigold, of the genus Caltha (C.
palustris), commonly known in America as the cowslip. See
Marsh Marigold.
Marigold window. (Arch.) See Rose
window, under Rose.
Mar`i*ki"na (?), n. [From the native
name: cf. Pg. mariquinha.] (Zoöl) A small
marmoset (Midas rosalia); the silky tamarin.
||Ma*rim"ba (?), n. [Pg.] A
musical istrument of percussion, consisting of bars yielding musical
tones when struck. Knight.
||Mar`i*mon"da (?), n. [Sp.]
(Zoöl.) A spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth) of
Central and South America.
Mar`i*nade" (?), n. [F.: cf. It.
marinato marinade, F. mariner to preserve food for use
at sea. See Marinate.] (Cookery) A brine or pickle
containing wine and spices, for enriching the flavor of meat and
fish.
Mar"i*nate (?), v. t. [See
Marine, and cf. Marinade.] To salt or pickle, as
fish, and then preserve in oil or vinegar; to prepare by the use of
marinade.
Ma*rine" (?), a. [L. marinus,
fr. mare the sea: cf. F. marin. See Mere a
pool.] 1. Of or pertaining to the sea; having to
do with the ocean, or with navigation or naval affairs; nautical; as,
marine productions or bodies; marine shells; a
marine engine.
2. (Geol.) Formed by the action of the
currents or waves of the sea; as, marine deposits.
Marine acid (Chem.), hydrochloric
acid. [Obs.] -- Marine barometer. See
under Barometer. -- Marine corps, a
corps formed of the officers, noncommissioned officers, privates, and
musicants of marines. -- Marine engine
(Mech.), a steam engine for propelling a vessel. --
Marine glue. See under Glue. --
Marine insurance, insurance against the perils
of the sea, including also risks of fire, piracy, and barratry.
-- Marine interest, interest at any rate agreed
on for money lent upon respondentia and bottomry bonds. --
Marine law. See under Law. --
Marine league, three geographical miles. -
- Marine metal, an alloy of lead, antimony, and
mercury, made for sheathing ships. Mc Elrath. --
Marine soap, cocoanut oil soap; -- so called
because, being quite soluble in salt water, it is much used on
shipboard. -- Marine store, a store where
old canvas, ropes, etc., are bought and sold; a junk shop.
[Eng.]
Ma*rine", n. [F. marin a sea
solider, marine naval economy, a marine picture, fr. L.
marinus. See Marine, a.]
1. A solider serving on shipboard; a sea
soldier; one of a body of troops trained to do duty in the
navy.
2. The sum of naval affairs; naval economy;
the department of navigation and sea forces; the collective shipping
of a country; as, the mercantile marine.
3. A picture representing some marine
subject.
Tell that to the marines, an expression of
disbelief, the marines being regarded by sailors as
credulous. [Colloq.]
Ma*rined" (?), a. [Cf. F.
mariné.] (Her.) Having the lower part of
the body like a fish. Crabb.
Mar"i*ner (?), n. [F. marinier,
LL. marinarius. See Marine.] One whose occupation
is to assist in navigating ships; a seaman or sailor.
Chaucer.
Mariner's compass. See under
Compass.
Mar"i*ner*ship, n.
Seamanship. [Obs.] Udalt.
Mar`i*no*ra"ma (?), n. [NL., from L.
marinus marine + Gr. &?; view.] A representation of a sea
view.
Ma`ri*ol"a*ter (?), n. [See
Mariolatry.] One who worships the Virgin Mary.
Ma`ri*ol"a*try (?), n. [Gr. &?; Mary +
&?; worship.] The worship of the Virgin Mary.
Mar`i*o*nette" (?), n. [F.
marionette, prop. a dim. of Marie Mary.]
1. A puppet moved by strings, as in a puppet
show.
2. (Zoöl.) The buffel
duck.
Ma`ri*otte's law` (?). (Physics.) See
Boyle's law, under Law.
Ma`ri*po"sa lil`y (?). [Sp. mariposa a butterfly +
E. lily. So called from the gay appearance of the blossoms.]
(Bot.) One of a genus (Calochortus) of tuliplike
bulbous herbs with large, and often gaycolored, blossoms. Called also
butterfly lily. Most of them are natives of
California.
Mar"i*put (măr"&ibreve;*pŭt),
n. (Zoöl.) A species of civet; the
zoril.
Mar"ish (măr"&ibreve;sh), n.
[Cf. F. marais, LL. marascus. See Marsh.]
Low, wet ground; a marsh; a fen; a bog; a moor. [Archaic]
Milton. Tennyson.
Mar"ish, a. 1.
Moory; fenny; boggy. [Archaic]
2. Growing in marshes. "Marish
flowers." Tennyson.
Mar"i*tal (măr"&ibreve;*tal),
a. [F., fr. L. maritalis, fr. maritus
belonging to marriage, n., a husband. See
Marry, v.] Of or pertaining to a
husband; as, marital rights, duties, authority.
"Marital affection." Ayliffe.
Mar"i*ta`ted (măr"&ibreve;*tā`t&ebreve;d),
a. [L. maritatus married.] Having a
husband; married. [Obs.]
{ Ma*rit"i*mal, Ma*rit"i*male }
(m&adot;*r&ibreve;t"&ibreve;*mal), a.
See Maritime. [Obs.]
Mar"i*time (măr"&ibreve;*t&ibreve;m; 277),
a. [L. maritimus, fr. mare the sea:
cf. F. maritime. See Mere a pool.] 1.
Bordering on, or situated near, the ocean; connected with the
sea by site, interest, or power; having shipping and commerce or a
navy; as, maritime states. "A maritime town."
Addison.
2. Of or pertaining to the ocean; marine;
pertaining to navigation and naval affairs, or to shipping and
commerce by sea. "Maritime service." Sir H.
Wotton.
Maritime law. See Law. --
Maritime loan, a loan secured by bottomry or
respodentia bonds. -- Martime nations,
nations having seaports, and using the sea more or less for war
or commerce.
Mar"jo*ram (mär"j&osl;*ram),
n. [OE. majoran, F. marjolaine, LL.
marjoraca, fr. L. amaracus, amaracum, Gr.
'ama`rakos, 'ama`rakon.] (Bot.) A
genus of mintlike plants (Origanum) comprising about twenty-
five species. The sweet marjoram (O. Majorana) is pecularly
aromatic and fragrant, and much used in cookery. The wild marjoram
of Europe and America is O. vulgare, far less fragrant than
the other.
Mark (märk), n. A license of
reprisals. See Marque.
Mark, n. [See 2d Marc.]
1. An old weight and coin. See
Marc. "Lend me a mark." Chaucer.
2. The unit of monetary account of the German
Empire, equal to 23.8 cents of United States money; the equivalent of
one hundred pfennigs. Also, a silver coin of this value.
Mark, n. [OE. marke,
merke, AS. mearc; akin to D. merk, MHG.
marc, G. marke, Icel. mark, Dan.
mærke; cf. Lith. margas party-colored.
√106, 273. Cf. Remark.] 1. A
visible sign or impression made or left upon anything; esp., a line,
point, stamp, figure, or the like, drawn or impressed, so as to
attract the attention and convey some information or intimation; a
token; a trace.
The Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding
him should kill him.
Gen. iv. 15.
2. Specifically: (a) A
character or device put on an article of merchandise by the maker to
show by whom it was made; a trade-mark. (b)
A character (usually a cross) made as a substitute for a
signature by one who can not write.
The mark of the artisan is found upon the most
ancient fabrics that have come to light.
Knight.
3. A fixed object serving for guidance, as of
a ship, a traveler, a surveyor, etc.; as, a seamark, a
landmark.
4. A trace, dot, line, imprint, or
discoloration, although not regarded as a token or sign; a scratch,
scar, stain, etc.; as, this pencil makes a fine
mark.
I have some marks of yours upon my
pate.
Shak.
5. An evidence of presence, agency, or
influence; a significative token; a symptom; a trace; specifically, a
permanent impression of one's activity or character.
The confusion of tongues was a mark of
separation.
Bacon.
6. That toward which a missile is directed; a
thing aimed at; what one seeks to hit or reach.
France was a fairer mark to shoot at than
Ireland.
Davies.
Whate'er the motive, pleasure is the
mark.
Young.
7. Attention, regard, or respect.
As much in mock as mark.
Shak.
8. Limit or standard of action or fact; as,
to be within the mark; to come up to the
mark.
9. Badge or sign of honor, rank, or official
station.
In the official marks invested, you
Anon do meet the Senate.
Shak.
10. Preëminence; high position; as,
patricians of mark; a fellow of no mark.
11. (Logic) A characteristic or
essential attribute; a differential.
12. A number or other character used in
registering; as, examination marks; a mark for
tardiness.
13. Image; likeness; hence, those formed in
one's image; children; descendants. [Obs.] "All the mark
of Adam." Chaucer.
14. (Naut.) One of the bits of leather
or colored bunting which are placed upon a sounding line at intervals
of from two to five fathoms. The unmarked fathoms are called
"deeps."
A man of mark, a conspicuous or eminent
man. -- To make one's mark. (a) To
sign, as a letter or other writing, by making a cross or other
mark. (b) To make a distinct or lasting
impression on the public mind, or on affairs; to gain
distinction.
Syn. -- Impress; impression; stamp; print; trace; vestige;
track; characteristic; evidence; proof; token; badge; indication;
symptom.
Mark (märk), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Marked (märkt); p. pr. & vb.
n. Marking.] [OE. marken, merken, AS.
mearcian, from mearc. See Mark the sign.]
1. To put a mark upon; to affix a significant
mark to; to make recognizable by a mark; as, to mark a box or
bale of merchandise; to mark clothing.
2. To be a mark upon; to designate; to
indicate; -- used literally and figuratively; as, this monument
marks the spot where Wolfe died; his courage and energy
marked him for a leader.
3. To leave a trace, scratch, scar, or other
mark, upon, or any evidence of action; as, a pencil marks
paper; his hobnails marked the floor.
4. To keep account of; to enumerate and
register; as, to mark the points in a game of billiards or
cards.
5. To notice or observe; to give attention
to; to take note of; to remark; to heed; to regard.
"Mark the perfect man." Ps. xxxvii. 37.
To mark out. (a) To
designate, as by a mark; to select; as, the ringleaders were
marked out for punishment. (b) To
obliterate or cancel with a mark; as, to mark out an item in
an account. -- To mark time (Mil.),
to keep the time of a marching step by moving the legs
alternately without advancing.
Syn. -- To note; remark; notice; observe; regard; heed;
show; evince; indicate; point out; betoken; denote; characterize;
stamp; imprint; impress; brand.
Mark, v. i. To take particular
notice; to observe critically; to note; to remark.
Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh
mischief.
1 Kings xx. 7.
Mark"a*ble (?), a.
Remarkable. [Obs.] Sandys.
Marked (märkt), a. Designated
or distinguished by, or as by, a mark; hence; noticeable;
conspicuous; as, a marked card; a marked coin; a
marked instance. -- Mark"ed*ly (#),
adv. J. S. Mill.
A marked man, a man who is noted by a
community, or by a part of it, as, for excellence or depravity; --
usually with an unfavorable suggestion.
Mar*kee" (mär*kē"), n.
See Marquee.
Mark"er (?), n. One who or that
which marks. Specifically: (a) One who
keeps account of a game played, as of billiards.
(b) A counter used in card playing and other
games. (c) (Mil.) The soldier who
forms the pilot of a wheeling column, or marks the direction of an
alignment. (d) An attachment to a sewing
machine for marking a line on the fabric by creasing it.
Mar"ket (?), n. [Akin to D.
markt, OHG. markāt, merkāt, G.
markt; all fr.L. mercatus trade, market place, fr.
mercari, p. p. mercatus, to trade, traffic,
merx, mercis, ware, merchandise, prob. akin to
merere to deserve, gain, acquire: cf. F. marché.
See Merit, and cf. Merchant, Mart.]
1. A meeting together of people, at a stated
time and place, for the purpose of traffic (as in cattle, provisions,
wares, etc.) by private purchase and sale, and not by auction; as, a
market is held in the town every week.
He is wit's peddler; and retails his wares
At wakes, and wassails, meetings, markets, fairs.
Shak.
Three women and a goose make a
market.
Old Saying.
2. A public place (as an open space in a
town) or a large building, where a market is held; a market place or
market house; esp., a place where provisions are sold.
There is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a
pool.
John v. 2.
3. An opportunity for selling anything;
demand, as shown by price offered or obtainable; a town, region, or
country, where the demand exists; as, to find a market for
one's wares; there is no market for woolen cloths in that
region; India is a market for English goods.
There is a third thing to be considered: how a
market can be created for produce, or how production can be
limited to the capacities of the market.
J. S.
Mill.
4. Exchange, or purchase and sale; traffic;
as, a dull market; a slow market.
5. The price for which a thing is sold in a
market; market price. Hence: Value; worth.
What is a man
If his chief good and market of his time
Be but to sleep and feed ?
Shak.
6. (Eng. Law) The privelege granted to
a town of having a public market.
&fist; Market is often used adjectively, or in forming
compounds of obvious meaning; as, market basket, market
day, market folk, market house, marketman,
market place, market price, market rate,
market wagon, market woman, and the like.
Market beater, a swaggering bully; a noisy
braggart. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- Market
bell, a bell rung to give notice that buying and
selling in a market may begin. [Eng.] Shak. --
Market cross, a cross set up where a market is
held. Shak. -- Market garden, a
garden in which vegetables are raised for market. --
Market gardening, the raising of vegetables for
market. -- Market place, an open square or
place in a town where markets or public sales are held. --
Market town, a town that has the privilege of a
stated public market.
Mar"ket (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Marketed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Marketing.] To deal in a market; to buy or sell; to make
bargains for provisions or goods.
Mar"ket, v. t. To expose for sale
in a market; to traffic in; to sell in a market, and in an extended
sense, to sell in any manner; as, most of the farmes have
marketed their crops.
Industrious merchants meet, and market
there
The world's collected wealth.
Southey.
Mar"ket*a*ble (?), a.
1. Fit to be offered for sale in a market; such
as may be justly and lawfully sold; as, dacayed provisions are not
marketable.
2. Current in market; as, marketable
value.
3. Wanted by purchasers; salable; as, furs
are not marketable in that country.
Mar"ket*a*ble*ness, n. Quality of
being marketable.
Mar"ket*er (?), n. One who attends
a market to buy or sell; one who carries goods to market.
Mar"ket*ing, n. 1.
The act of selling or of purchasing in, or as in, a
market.
2. Articles in, or from, a market;
supplies.
Mar"ket*stead (?), n. [Market +
stead a place.] A market place. [Obs.]
Drayton.
||Mark"hoor` (?), n. [Per.
mār-kh&?;r snake eater.] (Zoöl.) A
large wild goat (Capra megaceros), having huge flattened
spiral horns. It inhabits the mountains of Northern India and
Cashmere.
Mark"ing (?), n. The act of one
who, or that which, marks; the mark or marks made; arrangement or
disposition of marks or coloring; as, the marking of a bird's
plumage.
Marking ink, indelible ink, because used in
marking linen. -- Marking nut (Bot.),
the nut of the Semecarpus Anacardium, an East Indian tree.
The shell of the nut yields a blackish resinous juice used for
marking cotton cloth, and an oil prepared from it is used for
rheumatism.
Mar"kis (?), n. A marquis.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mar"kis*esse (?), n. A
marchioness. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mark"man (?), n. A marksman.
[Obs.] Shak.
Marks"man (?), n.; pl.
Marksmen (#). [Earlier markman; mark
+ man.] 1. One skillful to hit a mark
with a missile; one who shoots well.
2. (Law) One who makes his mark,
instead of writing his name, in signing documents.
Burrill.
Marks"man*ship, n. Skill of a
marksman.
Marl (?), v. t. [See Marline.]
(Naut.) To cover, as part of a rope, with marline,
marking a pecular hitch at each turn to prevent unwinding.
Marling spike. (Naut.) See under
Marline.
Marl, n. [OF. marle, F.
marne, LL. margila, dim. of L. marga marl.
Originally a Celtic word, according to Pliny, xvii. 7: "Quod genus
terræ Galli et Britanni margam vocant." √274.]
A mixed earthy substance, consisting of carbonate of lime, clay,
and sand, in very variable proportions, and accordingly designated as
calcareous, clayey, or sandy. See Greensand.
Marl, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Marled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Marling.] [Cf. F. marner. See Marl,
n.] To overspread or manure with marl; as, to
marl a field.
Mar*la"ceous (?), a. Resembling
marl; partaking of the qualities of marl.
Mar"lin (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The American great marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa). Applied
also to the red-breasted godwit (Limosa
hæmatica).
Hook-billed marlin, a curlew.
Mar"line (?), n. [LG. marlien,
marling, or D. marling, marlijn, fr. D.
marren to tie, prob. akin to E. moor, v., and
lijn line: cf.F. merlin. See Moor,
v., Line.] (Naut.) A small line
composed of two strands a little twisted, used for winding around
ropes and cables, to prevent their being weakened by
fretting.
Marline spike, Marling spike
(Naut.), an iron tool tapering to a point, used to
separate the strands of a rope in splicing and in marling. It has an
eye in the thick end to which a lanyard is attached. See
Fid. [Written also marlin spike] --
Marline-spike bird. [The name alludes to the long
middle tail feathers.] (Zoöl.) (a) A
tropic bird. (b) A jager, or skua
gull.
Mar"line (?), v. t. [F.
merliner.] (Naut.) To wind marline around; as, to
marline a rope.
Marl"ite (?), n. [Cf. F.
marlite. See Marl, n.] (Min.)
A variety of marl.
Mar*lit"ic (?), a. Partaking of
the qualites of marlite.
Marl"pit` (?), n. Apit where marl
is dug.
Marl"stone` (?), n. (Geol.)
A sandy calcareous straum, containing, or impregnated with,
iron, and lying between the upper and lower Lias of
England.
Marl"y (?), a.
[Compar. Marlier (?);
superl. Marliest.] Consisting or
partaking of marl; resembling marl; abounding with marl.
Mar"ma*lade (?), n. [F.
marmelade, Pg. marmelada, fr. marmélo a
quince, fr. L. melimelum honey apple, Gr. &?; a sweet apple,
an apple grafted on a quince; &?; honey + &?; apple. Cf.
Mellifluous, Melon.] A preserve or confection made
of the pulp of fruit, as the quince, pear, apple, orange, etc.,
boiled with sugar, and brought to a jamlike consistence.
Marmalade tree (Bot.), a sapotaceous
tree (Lucuma mammosa) of the West Indies and Tropical America.
It has large obovate leaves and an egg-shaped fruit from three to
five inches long, containing a pleasant-flavored pulp and a single
large seed. The fruit is called marmalade, or natural
marmalade, from its consistency and flavor.
Mar"ma*let` (?), n. See
Marmalade. [Obs.]
Mar"ma*tite (?), n. [Cf. F.
marmatite.] (Min.) A ferruginous variety of
shalerite or zinc blende, nearly black in color.
Mar"mo*lite (-m&osl;*līt), n.
[Gr. maramai`rein to sparkle + -lite.]
(Min.) A thin, laminated variety of serpentine, usually
of a pale green color.
Mar`mo*ra"ceous (?), a. [L.
marmor marble. See Marble.] Pertaining to, or
like, marble.
{ Mar"mo*rate (?), Mar"mo*ra`ted (?), }
a. [L. marmoratus, p. p. of marmorate
to overlay with marble, fr. marmor marble.] Variegated
like marble; covered or overlaid with marble. [R.]
Mar`mo*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
marmoratio.] A covering or incrusting with marble; a
casing of marble; a variegating so as to resemble marble.
[R.]
||Mar`mo*ra`tum o"pus (?). [L. See Marmorate, and
Opus.] (Arch.) A kind of hard finish for
plasterwork, made of plaster of Paris and marble dust, and capable of
taking a high polish.
{ Mar*mo"re*al (?), Mar*mo"re*an (?), }
a. [L. marmoreus, fr. marmor marble:
cf. F. marmoréen. See Marble.] Pertaining
to, or resembling, marble; made of marble.
||Mar`mo*ro"sis (?), n. [NL.]
(Geol.) The metamorphism of limestone, that is, its
conversion into marble. Geikie.
Mar"mose` (?), n. [F.]
(Zoöl.) A species of small opossum (Didelphus
murina) ranging from Mexico to Brazil.
Mar"mo*set` (?), n. [F.
marmouset a grotesque figure, an ugly little boy, prob. fr.
LL. marmoretum, fr. L. marmor marble. Perhaps confused
with marmot. See Marble.] (Zoöl.) Any
one of numerous species of small South American monkeys of the genera
Hapale and Midas, family Hapalidæ. They
have long soft fur, and a hairy, nonprehensile tail. They are often
kept as pets. Called also squirrel monkey.
Mar"mot (?), n. [It. marmotta,
marmotto, prob. fr. L. mus montanus, or mus
montis, lit., mountain mouse or rat. See Mountain, and
Mouse.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any rodent
of the genus Arctomys. The common European marmot (A.
marmotta) is about the size of a rabbit, and inhabits the higher
regions of the Alps and Pyrenees. The bobac is another European
species. The common American species (A. monax) is the
woodchuck.
2. Any one of several species of ground
squirrels or gophers of the genus Spermophilus; also, the
prairie dog.
Marmot squirrel (Zoöl.), a
ground squirrel or spermophile. -- Prairie
marmot. See Prairie dog.
Mar"mottes oil` (?). A fine oil obtained from the
kernel of Prunus brigantiaca. It is used instead of olive or
almond oil. De Colange.
Mar"mo*zet` (?), n. See
Marmoset.
Ma*rone" (?), n. See
Maroon, the color.
Mar"o*nite (?), n.; pl.
Maronites (&?;). (Eccl. Hist.) One of a
body of nominal Christians, who speak the Arabic language, and reside
on Mount Lebanon and in different parts of Syria. They take their
name from one Maron of the 6th century.
Ma*roon" (?), n. [Written also
marroon.] [F. marron, abbrev. fr. Sp. cimarron
wild, unruly, from cima the summit of a mountain; hence,
negro cimarron a runaway negro that lives in the mountains.]
In the West Indies and Guiana, a fugitive slave, or a free
negro, living in the mountains.
Ma*roon", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Marooned (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Marooning.] [See Maroon a fugitive slave.] To put
(a person) ashore on a desolate island or coast and leave him to his
fate.
Marooning party, a social excursion party
that sojourns several days on the shore or in some retired place; a
prolonged picnic. [Southern U. S.] Bartlett.
Ma*roon" (m&adot;*r&oomac;n"), a. [F.
marron chestnut-colored, fr. marron a large French
chestnut, It. marrone; cf. LGr. ma`raon. Cf.
Marron.] Having the color called maroon. See 4th
Maroon.
Maroon lake, lake prepared from madder, and
distinguished for its transparency and the depth and durability of
its color.
Ma*roon", n. 1. A
brownish or dull red of any description, esp. of a scarlet cast
rather than approaching crimson or purple.
2. An explosive shell. See Marron,
3.
Mar"plot` (?), n. One who, by his
officious interference, mars or frustrates a design or
plot.
Marque (?), n. [F. marque, in
lettre de marque letter of marque, a commission with which the
commandant of every armed vessel was obliged to be provided, under
penalty of being considered a pirate or corsair; marque here
prob. meaning, border, boundary (the letter of marque being a
permission to go beyond the border), and of German origin. See
March border.] (Law) A license to pass the limits
of a jurisdiction, or boundary of a country, for the purpose of
making reprisals.
Letters of marque, Letters of marque and
reprisal, a license or extraordinary commission granted
by a government to a private person to fit out a privateer or armed
ship to cruise at sea and make prize of the enemy's ships and
merchandise. The ship so commissioned is sometimes called a letter
of marque.
Mar*quee" (?), n. [F. marquise,
misunderstood as a plural; prob. orig., tent of the marchioness. See
Marquis.] A large field tent; esp., one adapted to the
use of an officer of high rank. [Written also
markee.]
Mar"quess (?), n. [Cf. Sp.
marques. See Marquis.] A marquis.
Lady marquess, a marchioness. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mar"quet*ry (?), n. [F.
marqueterie, from marqueter to checker, inlay, fr.
marque mark, sign; of German origin. See Mark a sign.]
Inlaid work; work inlaid with pieces of wood, shells, ivory, and
the like, of several colors.
Mar"quis (?), n. [F. marquis,
OF. markis, marchis, LL. marchensis; of German
origin; cf. G. mark bound, border, march, OHG. marcha.
See March border, and cf. Marchioness, Marquee,
Marquess.] A nobleman in England, France, and Germany, of
a rank next below that of duke. Originally, the marquis was an
officer whose duty was to guard the marches or frontiers of the
kingdom. The office has ceased, and the name is now a mere title
conferred by patent.
Mar"quis*ate (?), n. [Cf. F.
marquisat.] The seigniory, dignity, or lordship of a
marquis; the territory governed by a marquis.
Mar"quis*dom (?), n. A
marquisate. [Obs.] "Nobles of the marquisdom of Saluce."
Holinshed.
||Mar`quise" (?), n. [F. See
Marquis, and cf. Marquee.] The wife of a marquis;
a marchioness.
Mar"quis*ship (?), n. A
marquisate.
Mar"ram (?), n. (Bot.) A
coarse grass found on sandy beaches (Ammophila arundinacea).
See Beach grass, under Beach.
Mar"rer (?), n. One who mars or
injures.
Mar"ri*a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F.
mariable.] Marriageable. [R.]
Coleridge.
Mar"riage (?), n. [OE. mariage,
F. mariage. See Marry, v. t.]
1. The act of marrying, or the state of being
married; legal union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and
wife; wedlock; matrimony.
Marriage is honorable in all.
Heb. xiii. 4.
2. The marriage vow or contract. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
3. A feast made on the occasion of a
marriage.
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king
which made a marriage for his son.
Matt. xxii.
2.
4. Any intimate or close union.
Marriage brokage. (a) The
business of bringing about marriages. (b)
The payment made or demanded for the procurement of a
marriage. -- Marriage favors, knots of
white ribbons, or bunches of white flowers, worn at weddings. --
Marriage settlement (Law), a settlement
of property in view, and in consideration, of marriage.
Syn. -- Matrimony; wedlock; wedding; nuptials. --
Marriage, Matrimony, Wedlock. Marriage is
properly the act which unites the two parties, and
matrimony the state into which they enter.
Marriage is, however, often used for the state as well as the
act. Wedlock is the old Anglo-Saxon term for
matrimony.
Mar`riage*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The
quality or state of being marriageable.
Mar"riage*a*ble (?), a. Fit for,
or capable of, marriage; of an age at which marriage is
allowable. -- Mar"riage*a*ble*ness,
n.
Mar"ried (?), a. 1.
Being in the state of matrimony; wedded; as, a married
man or woman.
2. Of or pertaining to marriage; connubial;
as, the married state.
Mar"ri*er (?), n. One who
marries.
Mar*ron" (?), n. [See Maroon,
a.]
1. A large chestnut. [Obs.]
Holland.
2. A chestnut color; maroon.
3. (Pyrotechny & Mil.) A paper or
pasteboard box or shell, wound about with strong twine, filled with
an explosive, and ignited with a fuse, -- used to make a noise like a
cannon. [Written also maroon.]
Mar*roon" (?), n. & a. Same as 1st
Maroon.
Mar"rot (?), n. (Zoöl.)
(a) The razor-billed auk. See Auk.
(b) The common guillemot.
(c) The puffin. [Prov. Eng.] [Written also
marrott, and morrot.]
Mar"row (?), n. [OE. marou,
mary, maruh, AS. mearg, mearh; akin to
OS. marg, D. merg, G. Mark, OHG. marg,
marag, Icel. mergr, Sw. merg, Dan. marv,
Skr. majjan; cf. Skr. majj to sink, L. mergere.
√274 Cf. Merge.]
1. (Anat.) The tissue which fills the
cavities of most bones; the medulla. In the larger cavities it is
commonly very fatty, but in the smaller cavities it is much less
fatty, and red or reddish in color.
2. The essence; the best part.
It takes from our achievements . . .
The pith and marrow of our attribute.
Shak.
3. [OE. maru, maro; -- perh. a
different word; cf. Gael. maraon together.] One of a
pair; a match; a companion; an intimate associate. [Scot.]
Chopping and changing I can not commend,
With thief or his marrow, for fear of ill end.
Tusser.
Marrow squash (Bot.), a name given to
several varieties of squash, esp. to the Boston marrow, an
ovoid fruit, pointed at both ends, and with reddish yellow flesh, and
to the vegetable marrow, a variety of an ovoid form, and
having a soft texture and fine grain resembling marrow. --
Spinal marrow. (Anat.) See Spinal
cord, under Spinal.
Mar"row (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Marrowed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Marrowing.] To fill with, or as with, marrow or fat; to
glut.
Mar"row*bone` (?), n. A bone
containing marrow; pl. ludicrously, knee bones or knees; as,
to get down on one's marrowbones, i. e., to
kneel.
Mar"row*fat (?), n. A rich but
late variety of pea.
Mar"row*ish, a. Of the nature of,
or like, marrow.
Mar"row*less, a. Destitute of
marrow.
Mar"row*y (?), a. Full of marrow;
pithy.
||Mar*ru"bi*um (?), n. [L.]
(Bot.) A genus of bitter aromatic plants, sometimes used
in medicine; hoarhound.
Mar"ry (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Married (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Marrying.] [OE. marien, F. marier, L.
maritare, fr. maritus husband, fr. mas,
maris, a male. See Male, and cf. Maritral.]
1. To unite in wedlock or matrimony; to perform
the ceremony of joining, as a man and a woman, for life; to
constitute (a man and a woman) husband and wife according to the laws
or customs of the place.
Tell him that he shall marry the couple
himself.
Gay.
2. To join according to law, (a man) to a
woman as his wife, or (a woman) to a man as her husband. See the Note
to def. 4.
A woman who had been married to her twenty-
fifth husband, and being now a widow, was prohibited to
marry.
Evelyn.
3. To dispose of in wedlock; to give away as
wife.
Mæcenas took the liberty to tell him [Augustus]
that he must either marry his daughter [Julia] to Agrippa, or
take away his life.
Bacon.
4. To take for husband or wife. See the Note
below.
&fist; We say, a man is married to or marries a
woman; or, a woman is married to or marries a man. Both
of these uses are equally well authorized; but given in
marriage is said only of the woman.
They got him [the Duke of Monmouth] . . . to declare
in writing, that the last king [Charles II.] told him he was never
married to his mother.
Bp. Lloyd.
5. Figuratively, to unite in the closest and
most endearing relation.
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am
married unto you.
Jer. iii. 14.
To marry ropes. (Naut.)
(a) To place two ropes along side of each other
so that they may be grasped and hauled on at the same time.
(b) To join two ropes end to end so that both
will pass through a block. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Mar"ry, v. i. To enter into the
conjugal or connubial state; to take a husband or a wife.
I will, therefore, that the younger women
marry.
1 Tim. v. 14.
Marrying man, a man disposed to marry.
[Colloq.]
Mar"ry, interj. Indeed ! in truth
! -- a term of asseveration said to have been derived from the
practice of swearing by the Virgin Mary. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mars (?), n. [L. Mars, gen.
Martis, archaic Mavors, gen. Mavortis.]
1. (Rom. Myth.) The god of war and
husbandry.
2. (Astron.) One of the planets of the
solar system, the fourth in order from the sun, or the next beyond
the earth, having a diameter of about 4,200 miles, a period of 687
days, and a mean distance of 141,000,000 miles. It is conspicuous for
the redness of its light.
3. (Alchemy) The metallic element
iron, the symbol of which ♂ was the same as that of the planet
Mars. [Archaic] Chaucer.
Mars brown, a bright, somewhat yellowish,
brown.
Mar*sa"la (?), n. [It., fr.
Marsala, in Sicyly.] A kind of wine exported from Marsala
in Sicily.
||Mars*de"ni*a (?), n. [NL. From W.
Marsden, an English author.] (Bot.) A genus of
plants of the Milkweed family, mostly woody climbers with fragrant
flowers, several species of which furnish valuable fiber, and one
species (Marsdenia tinctoria) affords indigo.
{ ||Mar`sei`llais" (?), a. m.
||Mar`sei`llaise" (?), a. f. }[F.] Of
or pertaining to Marseilles, in France, or to its
inhabitants.
Marseillaise hymn, or The
Marseillaise, the national anthem of France, popularly
so called. It was composed in 1792, by Rouget de l'Isle, an officer
then stationed at Strasburg. In Paris it was sung for the first time
by the band of men who came from Marseilles to aid in the revolution
of August 10, 1792; whence the name.
{ ||Mar`sei`llais", n. m.
||Mar`sei`llaise", n. f. }[F.] A
native or inhabitant of Marseilles.
Mar*seilles" (?), n. A general
term for certain kinds of fabrics, which are formed of two series of
threads interlacing each other, thus forming double cloth, quilted in
the loom; -- so named because first made in Marseilles,
France.
Marsh (?), n. [OE. mersch, AS.
mersc, fr. mere lake. See Mere pool, and cf.
Marish, Morass.] A tract of soft wet land,
commonly covered partially or wholly with water; a fen; a swamp; a
morass. [Written also marish.]
Marsh asphodel (Bot.), a plant
(Nartheeium ossifragum) with linear equitant leaves, and a
raceme of small white flowers; -- called also bog
asphodel. -- Marsh cinquefoil
(Bot.), a plant (Potentilla palustris) having
purple flowers, and found growing in marshy places; marsh five-
finger. -- Marsh elder. (Bot.)
(a) The guelder-rose or cranberry tree
(Viburnum Opulus). (b) In the United
States, a composite shrub growing in salt marshes (Iva
frutescens). -- Marsh five-finger.
(Bot.) See Marsh cinquefoil (above). --
Marsh gas. (Chem.) See under
Gas. -- Marsh grass (Bot.),
a genus (Spartina) of coarse grasses growing in marshes; -
- called also cord grass. The tall S. cynosuroides is
not good for hay unless cut very young. The low S. juncea is a
common component of salt hay. -- Marsh harrier
(Zoöl.), a European hawk or harrier (Circus
æruginosus); -- called also marsh hawk, moor
hawk, moor buzzard, puttock. -- Marsh
hawk. (Zoöl.) (a) A hawk or
harrier (Circus cyaneus), native of both America and Europe.
The adults are bluish slate above, with a white rump. Called also
hen harrier, and mouse hawk. (b)
The marsh harrier. -- Marsh hen
(Zoöl.), a rail; esp., Rallus elegans of
fresh-water marshes, and R. longirostris of salt-water
marshes. -- Marsh mallow (Bot.), a
plant of the genus Althæa ( A. officinalis)
common in marshes near the seashore, and whose root is much used in
medicine as a demulcent. -- Marsh marigold.
(Bot.) See in the Vocabulary. -- Marsh
pennywort (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous
genus Hydrocotyle; low herbs with roundish leaves, growing in
wet places; -- called also water pennywort. --
Marsh quail (Zoöl.), the meadow
lark. -- Marsh rosemary (Bot.), a
plant of the genus Statice (S. Limonium), common in
salt marshes. Its root is powerfully astringent, and is sometimes
used in medicine. Called also sea lavender. --
Marsh samphire (Bot.), a plant
(Salicornia herbacea) found along seacoasts. See
Glasswort. -- Marsh St. John's-wort
(Bot.), an American herb (Elodes Virginica) with
small opposite leaves and flesh-colored flowers. --
Marsh tea. (Bot.). Same as Labrador
tea. -- Marsh trefoil. (Bot.)
Same as Buckbean. -- Marsh wren
(Zoöl.), any species of small American wrens of the
genus Cistothorus, and allied genera. They chiefly inhabit
salt marshes.
Mar"shal (?), n. [OE. mareschal,
OF. mareschal, F. maréchal, LL.
mariscalcus, from OHG. marah-scalc (G.
marschall); marah horse + scalc servant (akin to
AS. scealc, Goth. skalks). F. maréchal
signifies, a marshal, and a farrier. See Mare horse, and cf.
Seneschal.]
1. Originally, an officer who had the care of
horses; a groom. [Obs.]
2. An officer of high rank, charged with the
arrangement of ceremonies, the conduct of operations, or the
like; as, specifically: (a) One who goes
before a prince to declare his coming and provide entertainment; a
harbinger; a pursuivant. (b) One who
regulates rank and order at a feast or any other assembly, directs
the order of procession, and the like. (c)
The chief officer of arms, whose duty it was, in ancient times,
to regulate combats in the lists. Johnson.
(d) (France) The highest military
officer. In other countries of Europe a marshal is a military
officer of high rank, and called field marshal.
(e) (Am. Law) A ministerial officer,
appointed for each judicial district of the United States, to execute
the process of the courts of the United States, and perform various
duties, similar to those of a sheriff. The name is also sometimes
applied to certain police officers of a city.
Earl marshal of England, the eighth officer
of state; an honorary title, and personal, until made hereditary in
the family of the Duke of Norfolk. During a vacancy in the office of
high constable, the earl marshal has jurisdiction in the court of
chivalry. Brande & C. -- Earl marshal of
Scotland, an officer who had command of the cavalry
under the constable. This office was held by the family of Keith, but
forfeited by rebellion in 1715. -- Knight
marshal, or Marshal of the King's house,
formerly, in England, the marshal of the king's house, who was
authorized to hear and determine all pleas of the Crown, to punish
faults committed within the verge, etc. His court was called the
Court of Marshalsea. -- Marshal of the Queen's
Bench, formerly the title of the officer who had the
custody of the Queen's bench prison in Southwark. Mozley &
W.
Mar"shal, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Marshaled (?) or Marshalled; p.
pr. & vb. n. Marshaling or Marshalling.]
1. To dispose in order; to arrange in a
suitable manner; as, to marshal troops or an army.
And marshaling the heroes of his name
As, in their order, next to light they came.
Dryden.
2. To direct, guide, or lead.
Thou marshalest me the way that I was
going.
Shak.
3. (Her.) To dispose in due order, as
the different quarterings on an escutcheon, or the different crests
when several belong to an achievement.
Mar"shal*er (?), n. [Written also
marshaller.] One who marshals.
Mar"shal*ing, n. [Written also
marshalling.]
1. The act of arranging in due
order.
2. (Her.) The arrangement of an
escutcheon to exhibit the alliances of the owner.
Marshaling of assets (Law), the
arranging or ranking of assets in due order of
administration.
Mar"shal*sea (?), n. [Marshal +
OE. se a seat. See See a seat.] The court or seat
of a marshal; hence, the prison in Southwark, belonging to the
marshal of the king's household. [Eng.]
Court of Marshalsea, a court formerly held
before the steward and marshal of the king's house to administer
justice between the king's domestic servants.
Blackstone.
Mar"shal*ship, n. The office of a
marshal.
{ Marsh"bank`er (?), Marse"bank`er (?), }
n. (Zoöl.) The menhaden.
Marsh"i*ness (märsh"&ibreve;*n&ebreve;s),
n. The state or condition of being
marshy.
Marsh mar"i*gold (măr"&ibreve;*g&osl;ld).
(Bot.) A perennial plant of the genus Caltha
(C. palustris), growing in wet places and bearing bright
yellow flowers. In the United States it is used as a pot herb under
the name of cowslip. See Cowslip.
Marsh"y (-&ybreve;), a. [E.
Marsh.]
1. Resembling a marsh; wet; boggy;
fenny.
2. Pertaining to, or produced in, marshes;
as, a marshy weed. Dryden.
Mar"si*po*branch` (?), n.
(Zoöl.) One of the Marsipobranchia.
||Mar"si*po*bran"chi*a (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. &?; a pouch + &?; a gill.] (Zoöl.) A
class of Vertebrata, lower than fishes, characterized by their
purselike gill cavities, cartilaginous skeletons, absence of limbs,
and a suckerlike mouth destitute of jaws. It includes the lampreys
and hagfishes. See Cyclostoma, and Lamprey. Called also
Marsipobranchiata, and Marsipobranchii.
Mar*su"pi*al (mär*sū"p&ibreve;*al),
a. [Cf. F. marsupial.]
1. (Zoöl.) Having a pouch for
carrying the immature young; of or pertaining to the
Marsupialia.
2. (Anat. & Zoöl.) Of or
pertaining to a marsupium; as, the marsupial bones.
Marsupial frog. (Zoöl.) See
Nototrema.
Mar*su"pi*al, n. (Zoöl.)
One of the Marsupialia.
||Mar*su`pi*a"li*a (-ā"l&ibreve;*&adot;),
n. pl. [NL., fr. L. marsupium a pouch, bag,
purse, Gr. marsy`pion, dim. of ma`rsypos,
ma`rsipos.] (Zoöl.) A subclass of
Mammalia, including nearly all the mammals of Australia and the
adjacent islands, together with the opossums of America. They differ
from ordinary mammals in having the corpus callosum very small, in
being implacental, and in having their young born while very
immature. The female generally carries the young for some time after
birth in an external pouch, or marsupium. Called also
Marsupiata.
{ Mar*su`pi*a"li*an (?), Mar*su"pi*an (?), }
n. (Zoöl.) One of the
Marsupialia.
Mar*su"pi*ate (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Related to or resembling the marsupials;
furnished with a pouch for the young, as the marsupials, and also
some fishes and Crustacea.
||Mar*su"pi*on (?), n. [NL.] Same
as Marsupium.
Mar"su*pite (?), n. [See
Marsupial.] (Paleon.) A fossil crinoid of the
genus Marsupites, resembling a purse in form.
||Mar*su"pi*um (?), n.; pl.
Marsupia (#). [L., a pouch], (Anat. &
Zoöl.) (a) The pouch, formed by a fold
of the skin of the abdomen, in which marsupials carry their young;
also, a pouch for similar use in other animals, as certain
Crustacea. (b) The pecten in the eye of
birds and reptiles. See Pecten.
Mart (märt), n. [Contr. fr.
market.]
1. A market.
Where has commerce such a mart . . . as London
?
Cowper.
2. A bargain. [Obs.] Shak.
Mart, v. t. To buy or sell in, or
as in, a mart. [Obs.]
To sell and mart your officer for gold
To undeservers.
Shak.
Mart, v. t. To traffic.
[Obs.] Shak.
Mart, n. [See Mars.]
1. The god Mars. [Obs.]
2. Battle; contest. [Obs.]
Fairfax.
Mar"ta*gon (?), n. [Cf. F. & Sp.
martagon, It. martagone.] (Bot.) A lily
(Lilium Martagon) with purplish red flowers, found in Europe
and Asia.
Mar"tel (?), v. i. [F. marteler,
fr. martel, marteau, hammer, a dim. fr. L.
martulus, marculus, dim. of marcus hammer. Cf.
March to step.] To make a blow with, or as with, a
hammer. [Obs.] Spenser.
||Mar`tel` de fer" (?). [OF., hammer of iron.] A
weapon resembling a hammer, often having one side of the head
pointed; -- used by horsemen in the Middle Ages to break armor.
Fairholt.
Mar"te*line (?), n. [F.] A small
hammer used by marble workers and sculptors.
Mar*tel"lo tow`er (?). [It. martello hammer. The
name was orig. given to towers erected on the coasts of Sicily and
Sardinia for protection against the pirates in the time of Charles
the Fifth, which prob. orig. contained an alarm bell to be struck
with a hammer. See Martel.] (Fort.) A building of
masonry, generally circular, usually erected on the seacoast, with a
gun on the summit mounted on a traversing platform, so as to be fired
in any direction.
&fist; The English borrowed the name of the tower from Corsica in
1794.
Mar"ten (mär"t&ebreve;n), n.
(Zoöl.) A bird. See Martin.
Mar"ten, n. [From older martern,
marter, martre, F. martre, marte, LL.
martures (pl.), fr. L. martes; akin to AS.
mearð, meard, G. marder, OHG. mardar,
Icel. mörðr. Cf. Foumart.] 1.
(Zoöl.) Any one of several fur-bearing carnivores of
the genus Mustela, closely allied to the sable. Among the
more important species are the European beech, or stone, marten
(Mustela foina); the pine marten (M. martes); and the
American marten, or sable (M. Americana), which some
zoölogists consider only a variety of the Russian
sable.
2. The fur of the marten, used for hats,
muffs, etc.
Mar"tern (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Same as Marten. [Obs.]
Mar"-text` (?), n. A blundering
preacher.
Mar"tial (?), a. [F., fr. L.
martialis of or belonging to Mars, the god of war. Cf.
March the month.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or suited for, war;
military; as, martial music; a martial
appearance. "Martial equipage." Milton.
2. Practiced in, or inclined to, war;
warlike; brave.
But peaceful kings, o'er martial people
set,
Each other's poise and counterbalance are.
Dryden.
3. Belonging to war, or to an army and navy;
-- opposed to civil; as, martial law; a court-
martial.
4. Pertaining to, or resembling, the god, or
the planet, Mars. Sir T. Browne.
5. (Old Chem. & Old Med.) Pertaining
to, or containing, iron; chalybeate; as, martial
preparations. [Archaic]
Martial flowers (Med.), a reddish
crystalline salt of iron; the ammonio-chloride of iron. [Obs.] -
- Martial law, the law administered by the
military power of a government when it has superseded the civil
authority in time of war, or when the civil authorities are unable to
enforce the laws. It is distinguished from military law, the
latter being the code of rules for the regulation of the army and
navy alone, either in peace or in war.
Syn. -- Martial, Warlike. Martial
refers more to war in action, its array, its attendants, etc.;
as, martial music, a martial appearance, a
martial array, courts-martial, etc. Warlike
describes the feeling or temper which leads to war, and the adjuncts
of war; as, a warlike nation, warlike indication, etc.
The two words are often used without discrimination.
Mar"tial*ism (?), n. The quality
of being warlike; exercises suitable for war. [Obs.]
Mar"tial*ist, n. A warrior.
[Obs.] Fuller.
Mar"tial*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Martialized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Martializing (?).] To render warlike; as, to
martialize a people.
Mar"tial*ly, adv. In a martial
manner.
Mar"tial*ness, n. The quality of
being martial.
Mar"tin (?), n. (Stone Working)
[Etymol. uncertain.] A perforated stone-faced runner for
grinding.
Mar"tin, n. [F. martin, from the
proper name Martin. Cf. Martlet.] (Zoöl.)
One of several species of swallows, usually having the tail less
deeply forked than the tail of the common swallows. [Written
also marten.]
&fist; The American purple martin, or bee martin (Progne subis,
or purpurea), and the European house, or window, martin
(Hirundo, or Chelidon, urbica), are the best known
species.
Bank martin. (a) The bank
swallow. See under Bank. (b) The
fairy martin. See under Fairy. -- Bee
martin. (a) The purple martin.
(b) The kingbird. -- Sand
martin, the bank swallow.
Mar"ti*net` (?), n. [So called from an
officer of that name in the French army under Louis XIV. Cf.
Martin the bird, Martlet.] In military language, a
strict disciplinarian; in general, one who lays stress on a rigid
adherence to the details of discipline, or to forms and fixed
methods. [Hence, the word is commonly employed in a
depreciatory sense.]
Mar"ti*net`, n. [F.]
(Zoöl.) The martin.
Mar`ti*ne"ta (?), n. [Cf. Sp.
martinete.] (Zoöl.) A species of tinamou
(Calopezus elegans), having a long slender crest.
Mar"ti*net`ism (?), n. The
principles or practices of a martinet; rigid adherence to discipline,
etc.
{ Mar"tin*gale (?), Mar"tin*gal (?), }
n. [F. martingale; cf. It. martingala
a sort of hose, martingale, Sp. martingala a greave, cuish,
martingale, Sp. almártaga a kind of bridle.]
1. A strap fastened to a horse's girth, passing
between his fore legs, and fastened to the bit, or now more commonly
ending in two rings, through which the reins pass. It is intended to
hold down the head of the horse, and prevent him from
rearing.
2. (Naut.) A lower stay of rope or
chain for the jib boom or flying jib boom, fastened to, or reeved
through, the dolphin striker. Also, the dolphin striker
itself.
3. (Gambling) The act of doubling, at
each stake, that which has been lost on the preceding stake; also,
the sum so risked; -- metaphorically derived from the bifurcation of
the martingale of a harness. [Cant]
Thackeray.
Mar"tin*mas (?), n. [St. Martin +
mass religious service.] (Eccl.) The feast of St.
Martin, the eleventh of November; -- often called
martlemans.
Martinmas summer, a period of calm, warm
weather often experienced about the time of Martinmas; Indian
summer. Percy Smith.
Mar"tite (?), n. [L. Mars,
Martis, the god Mars, the alchemical name of iron.]
(Min.) Iron sesquioxide in isometric form, probably a
pseudomorph after magnetite.
Mar"tle*mas (?), n. See
Martinmas. [Obs.]
Mart"let (?), n. [F. martinet.
See Martin the bird, and cf. Martinet a
disciplinarian.]
1. (Zoöl.) The European house
martin.
2. [Cf. F. merlette.] (Her.) A
bird without beak or feet; -- generally assumed to represent a
martin. As a mark of cadency it denotes the fourth
son.
Mar"tyr (?), n. [AS., from L.
martyr, Gr. ma`rtyr, ma`rtys, prop., a
witness; cf. Skr. sm&rsdot; to remember, E.
memory.]
1. One who, by his death, bears witness to
the truth of the gospel; one who is put to death for his religion;
as, Stephen was the first Christian martyr.
Chaucer.
To be a martyr, signifies only to witness the
truth of Christ; but the witnessing of the truth was then so
generally attended with persecution, that martyrdom now signifies not
only to witness, but to witness by death.
South.
2. Hence, one who sacrifices his life, his
station, or what is of great value to him, for the sake of principle,
or to sustain a cause.
Then if thou fall'st, O Cromwell,
Thou fall'st a blessed martyr !
Shak.
Mar"tyr (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Martyred (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Martyring.] 1. To put to death for
adhering to some belief, esp. Christianity; to sacrifice on account
of faith or profession. Bp. Pearson.
2. To persecute; to torment; to
torture. Chaucer.
The lovely Amoret, whose gentle heart
Thou martyrest with sorrow and with smart.
Spenser.
Racked with sciatics, martyred with the
stone.
Pope.
Mar"tyr*dom (?), n. [Martyr +
-dom.]
1. The condition of a martyr; the death of a
martyr; the suffering of death on account of adherence to the
Christian faith, or to any cause. Bacon.
I came from martyrdom unto this
peace.
Longfellow.
2. Affliction; torment; torture.
Chaucer.
Mar`tyr*i*za"tion (?), n. Act of
martyrizing, or state of being martyrized; torture. B.
Jonson.
Mar"tyr*ize (?), v. t. [Cf. F.
martyriser, LL. martyrizare.] To make a martyr
of. Spenser.
Mar"tyr*ly, adv. In the manner of
a martyr.
Mar"tyr*o*loge (?), n. [LL.
martyrologium: cf. F. martyrologe.] A
martyrology. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
{ Mar`tyr*o*log"ic (?), Mar`tyr*o*log"ic*al (?),
} a. Pertaining to martyrology or martyrs;
registering, or registered in, a catalogue of martyrs.
Mar`tyr*ol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F.
martyrologiste.] A writer of martyrology; an historian of
martyrs. T. Warton.
Mar`tyr*ol"o*gy (?), n.; pl.
-gies (#). [Martyr + -logy.] A
history or account of martyrs; a register of martyrs. Bp.
Stillingfleet.
Mar"tyr*ship, n. Martyrdom.
[R.] Fuller.
Mar"vel (?), n. [OE. mervaile,
F. merveille, fr. L. mirabilia wonderful things, pl.,
fr. mirabilis wonderful, fr. mirari to wonder or marvel
at. See Admire, Smile, and cf. Miracle.]
1. That which causes wonder; a prodigy; a
miracle.
I will do marvels such as have not been
done.
Ex. xxxiv. 10.
Nature's sweet marvel undefiled.
Emerson.
2. Wonder. [R.] "Use lessens
marvel." Sir W. Scott.
Marvel of Peru. (Bot.) See Four-
o'clock.
Mar"vel, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Marveled (?) or Marvelled; p. pr.
& vb. n. Marveling or Marvelling.] [OE.
merveilen, OF. merveillier.] To be struck with
surprise, astonishment, or wonder; to wonder.
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate
you.
1 john iii. 13.
Mar"vel, v. t. 1.
To marvel at. [Obs.] Wyclif.
2. To cause to marvel, or be surprised; --
used impersonally. [Obs.]
But much now me marveleth.
Rich. the Redeless.
Mar"vel*ous (?), a. [OE.
merveillous, OF. merveillos, F. Merveilleux. See
Marvel, n.] [Written also
marvellous.] 1. Exciting wonder or
surprise; astonishing; wonderful.
This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in
our eyes.
Ps. cxiii. 23.
2. Partaking of the character of miracle, or
supernatural power; incredible.
The marvelous fable includes whatever is
supernatural, and especially the machines of the gods.
Pope.
The marvelous, that which exceeds natural
power, or is preternatural; that which is wonderful; -- opposed to
the probable.
Syn. -- Wonderful; astonishing; surprising; strange;
improbable; incredible. -- Marvelous, Wonderful. We
speak of a thing as wonderful when it awakens our surprise and
admiration; as marvelous when it is so much out of the
ordinary course of things as to seem nearly or quite incredible.
Mar"vel*ous*ly, adv. In a
marvelous manner; wonderfully; strangely.
Mar"vel*ous*ness, n. The quality
or state of being marvelous; wonderfulness; strangeness.
Mar"ver (?), n. [Prob. corrupt. fr. OE.
or F. marbre marble.] (Glass Marking) A stone, or
cast-iron plate, or former, on which hot glass is rolled to give it
shape.
Mar"y (?), n. Marrow. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Ma"ry (?), interj. See
Marry. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Ma"ry-bud` (?), n. (Bot.)
The marigold; a blossom of the marigold. Shak.
Ma`ry*ol"a*try (?), n.
Mariolatry.
Ma"ry*sole (?), n. [Mary, the
proper name + sole the fish.] (Zoöl.) A large
British fluke, or flounder (Rhombus megastoma); -- called also
carter, and whiff.
{ Mas*ca"gnin (?), Mas*ca"gnite (?), }
n. [Cf. F. mascagnin.] (Min.)
Native sulphate of ammonia, found in volcanic districts; -- so
named from Mascagni, who discovered it.
Mas"cle (măs"k'l), n. [OF.
mascle, F. macle, L. macula spot, mesh of a net,
LL. macula, macla, mascla a scale of a coat of
mail. See Mail armor.] (Her.) A lozenge
voided.
Mas"cled (-k'ld), a. Composed of,
or covered with, lozenge-shaped scales; having lozenge-shaped
divisions.
Mascled armor, armor composed of small
lozenge-shaped scales of metal fastened on a foundation of leather or
quilted cloth.
{ Mas"cot, Mas"cotte } (?),
n. [Through French fr. Pr. mascot a little
sorcerer or magician, mascotto witchcraft, sorcery.] A
person who is supposed to bring good luck to the household to which
he or she belongs; anything that brings good luck.
Mas"cu*late (?), v. t. [L.
masculus male, masculine.] To make strong. [Obs.]
Cockeram.
Mas"cu*line (măs"k&usl;*l&ibreve;n),
a. [L. masculinus, fr. masculus male,
manly, dim. of mas a male: cf. F. masculin. See
Male masculine.] 1. Of the male sex; not
female.
Thy masculine children, that is to say, thy
sons.
Chaucer.
2. Having the qualities of a man; suitable
to, or characteristic of, a man; virile; not feminine or effeminate;
strong; robust.
That lady, after her husband's death, held the reins
with a masculine energy.
Hallam.
3. Belonging to males; appropriated to, or
used by, males. [R.] "A masculine church."
Fuller.
4. (Gram.) Having the inflections of,
or construed with, words pertaining especially to male beings, as
distinguished from feminine and neuter. See
Gender. -- Mas"cu*line*ly,
adv. -- Mas"cu*line*ness,
n.
Mas`cu*lin"i*ty (?), n. The state
or quality of being masculine; masculineness.
Mase (?), n. & v. See
Maze. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mas"e*lyn (?), n. A drinking cup.
See 1st Maslin, 2. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Ma"ser (?), n. Same as
Mazer.
Mash (?), n. A mesh.
[Obs.]
Mash, n. [Akin to G. meisch,
maisch, meische, maische, mash, wash, and prob.
to AS. miscian to mix. See Mix.]
1. A mass of mixed ingredients reduced to a
soft pulpy state by beating or pressure; a mass of anything in a soft
pulpy state. Specifically (Brewing), ground or bruised malt,
or meal of rye, wheat, corn, or other grain (or a mixture of malt and
meal) steeped and stirred in hot water for making the wort.
2. A mixture of meal or bran and water fed to
animals.
3. A mess; trouble. [Obs.] Beau. &
Fl.
Mash tun, a large tub used in making mash
and wort.
Mash, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mashed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mashing.] [Akin to G. meischen, maischen, to
mash, mix, and prob. to mischen, E. mix. See 2d
Mash.] To convert into a mash; to reduce to a soft pulpy
state by beating or pressure; to bruise; to crush; as, to mash
apples in a mill, or potatoes with a pestle. Specifically
(Brewing), to convert, as malt, or malt and meal, into the
mash which makes wort.
Mashing tub, a tub for making the mash in
breweries and distilleries; -- called also mash tun, and
mash vat.
Mash"er (?), n. 1.
One who, or that which, mashes; also (Brewing), a machine
for making mash.
2. A charmer of women. [Slang]
London Punch.
Mash"lin (?), n. See
Maslin.
Mash"y (?), a. Produced by
crushing or bruising; resembling, or consisting of, a mash.
Mask (?), n. [F. masque, LL.
masca, mascha, mascus; cf. Sp. & Pg.
máscara, It. maschera; all fr. Ar.
maskharat buffoon, fool, pleasantry, anything ridiculous or
mirthful, fr. sakhira to ridicule, to laugh at. Cf.
Masque, Masquerade.] 1. A cover,
or partial cover, for the face, used for disguise or protection; as,
a dancer's mask; a fencer's mask; a ball player's
mask.
2. That which disguises; a pretext or
subterfuge.
3. A festive entertainment of dancing or
other diversions, where all wear masks; a masquerade; hence, a revel;
a frolic; a delusive show. Bacon.
This thought might lead me through the world's vain
mask.
Milton.
4. A dramatic performance, formerly in vogue,
in which the actors wore masks and represented mythical or
allegorical characters.
5. (Arch.) A grotesque head or face,
used to adorn keystones and other prominent parts, to spout water in
fountains, and the like; -- called also mascaron.
6. (Fort.) (a) In a
permanent fortification, a redoubt which protects the
caponiere. (b) A screen for a
battery.
7. (Zoöl.) The lower lip of the
larva of a dragon fly, modified so as to form a prehensile
organ.
Mask house, a house for masquerades.
[Obs.]
Mask, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Masked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Masking.] 1. To cover, as the face, by
way of concealment or defense against injury; to conceal with a mask
or visor.
They must all be masked and
vizarded.
Shak.
2. To disguise; to cover; to hide.
Masking the business from the common
eye.
Shak.
3. (Mil.) (a) To
conceal; also, to intervene in the line of. (b)
To cover or keep in check; as, to mask a body of troops
or a fortress by a superior force, while some hostile evolution is
being carried out.
Mask, v. i. 1. To
take part as a masker in a masquerade. Cavendish.
2. To wear a mask; to be disguised in any
way. Shak.
Masked (?), a. 1.
Wearing a mask or masks; characterized by masks; concealed;
hidden.
2. (Bot.) Same as
Personate.
3. (Zoöl.) Having the anterior
part of the head differing decidedly in color from the rest of the
plumage; -- said of birds.
Masked ball, a ball in which the dancers
wear masks. -- Masked battery (Mil.),
a battery so placed as not to be seen by an enemy until it opens
fire. H. L. Scott. -- Masked crab
(Zoöl.), a European crab (Corystes
cassivelaunus) with markings on the carapace somewhat resembling
a human face. -- Masked pig
(Zoöl.), a Japanese domestic hog (Sus
pliciceps). Its face is deeply furrowed.
Mask"er (?), n. One who wears a
mask; one who appears in disguise at a masquerade.
Mask"er, v. t. To confuse; to
stupefy. [Obs.] Holland.
Mask"er*y (?), n. The dress or
disguise of a masker; masquerade. [Obs.] Marston.
Mas"ki*nonge (?), n. The
muskellunge.
Mask" shell` (?). (Zoöl.) Any spiral
marine shell of the genus Persona, having a curiously twisted
aperture.
Mas"lach (?), n. [Ar. maslaq:
cf. F. masloc.] (Med.) An excitant containing
opium, much used by the Turks. Dunglison.
Mas"lin (?), n. [OE. missellane,
misceline, miscelin, meslin, fr.
miscellane. See Miscellane.] 1. A
mixture composed of different materials; especially:
(a) A mixture of metals resembling brass.
(b) A mixture of different sorts of grain, as
wheat and rye. [Written also meslin, mislin,
maselyn, mastlin.]
2. A vessel made of maslin, 1
(a). [Obs.]
Mead eke in a maselyn.
Chaucer.
Mas"lin, a. Composed of different
sorts; as, maslin bread, which is made of rye mixed with a
little wheat. [Written also meslin, mislin,
etc.]
Ma"son (?), n. [F. maçon,
LL. macio, machio, mattio, mactio,
marcio, macerio; of uncertain origin.]
1. One whose occupation is to build with
stone or brick; also, one who prepares stone for building
purposes.
2. A member of the fraternity of Freemasons.
See Freemason.
Mason bee (Zoöl.), any one of
numerous species of solitary bees of the genus Osmia. They
construct curious nests of hardened mud and sand. --
Mason moth (Zoöl.), any moth whose
larva constructs an earthen cocoon under the soil. --
Mason shell (Zoöl.), a marine
univalve shell of the genus Phorus; -- so called because it
cements other shells and pebbles upon its own shell; a carrier
shell. -- Mason wasp (Zoöl.),
any wasp that constructs its nest, or brood cells, of hardened
mud. The female fills the cells with insects or spiders, paralyzed by
a sting, and thus provides food for its larvæ
Ma"son, v. t. To build stonework
or brickwork about, under, in, over, etc.; to construct by masons; --
with a prepositional suffix; as, to mason up a well or
terrace; to mason in a kettle or boiler.
Ma*son"ic (m&adot;*s&obreve;n"&ibreve;k),
a. Of or pertaining to Freemasons or to their
craft or mysteries.
Ma"son*ry (?), n. [F.
maçonnerie.]
1. The art or occupation of a
mason.
2. The work or performance of a mason; as,
good or bad masonry; skillful masonry.
3. That which is built by a mason; anything
constructed of the materials used by masons, such as stone, brick,
tiles, or the like. Dry masonry is applied to structures made
without mortar.
4. The craft, institution, or mysteries of
Freemasons; freemasonry.
Ma*soo"la boat` (?). A kind of boat used on the
coast of Madras, India. The planks are sewed together with strands of
coir which cross over a wadding of the same material, so that the
shock on taking the beach through surf is much reduced.
[Written also masula, masulah, etc.]
||Ma*so"ra (?), n. [NHeb.
māsōrāh tradition.] A Jewish critical
work on the text of the Hebrew Scriptures, composed by several
learned rabbis of the school of Tiberias, in the eighth and ninth
centuries. [Written also Masorah, Massora, and
Massorah.]
Mas"o*ret (?), n. A
Masorite. [Written also Masorete, and
Massorete.]
{ Mas`o*ret"ic (?), Mas`o*ret"ic*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. massorétique.] Of or
relating to the Masora, or to its authors.
Masoretic points and accents, the vowel
points and accents of the Hebrew text of the Bible, of which the
first mention is in the Masora.
Mas"o*rite (?), n. One of the
writers of the Masora.
Masque (?), n. A mask; a
masquerade.
Mas`quer*ade" (?), n. [F.
mascarade, fr. Sp. mascarada, or It. mascherata.
See Mask.]
1. An assembly of persons wearing masks, and
amusing themselves with dancing, conversation, or other
diversions.
In courtly balls and midnight
masquerades.
Pope.
2. A dramatic performance by actors in masks;
a mask. See 1st Mask, 4. [Obs.]
3. Acting or living under false pretenses;
concealment of something by a false or unreal show; pretentious show;
disguise.
That masquerade of misrepresentation which
invariably accompanied the political eloquence of Rome.
De Quincey.
4. A Spanish diversion on
horseback.
Mas`quer*ade", v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Masqueraded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Masquerading.]
1. To assemble in masks; to take part in a
masquerade.
2. To frolic or disport in disquise; to make
a pretentious show of being what one is not.
A freak took an ass in the head, and he goes into the
woods, masquerading up and down in a lion's skin.
L'Estrange.
Mas`quer*ade", v. t. To conceal
with masks; to disguise. "To masquerade vice."
Killingbeck.
Mas`quer*ad"er (?), n. One who
masquerades; a person wearing a mask; one disguised.
Mass (?), n. [OE. masse,
messe, AS. mæsse. LL. missa, from L.
mittere, missum, to send, dismiss: cf. F. messe.
In the ancient churches, the public services at which the catechumens
were permitted to be present were called missa catechumenorum,
ending with the reading of the Gospel. Then they were
dismissed with these words : "Ite, missa est" [sc.
ecclesia], the congregation is dismissed. After that the sacrifice
proper began. At its close the same words were said to those who
remained. So the word gave the name of Mass to the sacrifice
in the Catholic Church. See Missile, and cf. Christmas,
Lammas, Mess a dish, Missal.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) The sacrifice in the
sacrament of the Eucharist, or the consecration and oblation of the
host.
2. (Mus.) The portions of the Mass
usually set to music, considered as a musical composition; -- namely,
the Kyrie, the Gloria, the Credo, the
Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei, besides sometimes an
Offertory and the Benedictus.
Canon of the Mass. See Canon. --
High Mass, Mass with incense, music, the
assistance of a deacon, subdeacon, etc. -- Low
Mass, Mass which is said by the priest throughout,
without music. -- Mass bell, the sanctus
bell. See Sanctus. -- Mass book,
the missal or Roman Catholic service book.
Mass (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Massed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Massing.] To celebrate Mass. [Obs.]
Hooker.
Mass, n. [OE. masse, F.
masse, L. massa; akin to Gr. &?; a barley cake, fr. &?;
to knead. Cf. Macerate.]
1. A quantity of matter cohering together so
as to make one body, or an aggregation of particles or things which
collectively make one body or quantity, usually of considerable size;
as, a mass of ore, metal, sand, or water.
If it were not for these principles, the bodies of the
earth, planets, comets, sun, and all things in them, would grow cold
and freeze, and become inactive masses.
Sir I.
Newton.
A deep mass of continual sea is slower
stirred
To rage.
Savile.
2. (Phar.) A medicinal substance made
into a cohesive, homogeneous lump, of consistency suitable for making
pills; as, blue mass.
3. A large quantity; a sum.
All the mass of gold that comes into
Spain.
Sir W. Raleigh.
He had spent a huge mass of
treasure.
Sir J. Davies.
4. Bulk; magnitude; body; size.
This army of such mass and charge.
Shak.
5. The principal part; the main
body.
Night closed upon the pursuit, and aided the
mass of the fugitives in their escape.
Jowett
(Thucyd.).
6. (Physics) The quantity of matter
which a body contains, irrespective of its bulk or volume.
&fist; Mass and weight are often used, in a general
way, as interchangeable terms, since the weight of a body is
proportional to its mass (under the same or equal gravitative
forces), and the mass is usually ascertained from the
weight. Yet the two ideas, mass and weight, are
quite distinct. Mass is the quantity of matter in a body;
weight is the comparative force with which it tends towards
the center of the earth. A mass of sugar and a mass of
lead are assumed to be equal when they show an equal weight by
balancing each other in the scales.
Blue mass. See under Blue. --
Mass center (Geom.), the center of
gravity of a triangle. -- Mass copper,
native copper in a large mass. -- Mass
meeting, a large or general assembly of people, usually
a meeting having some relation to politics. -- The
masses, the great body of the people, as contrasted
with the higher classes; the populace.
Mass, v. t. To form or collect
into a mass; to form into a collective body; to bring together into
masses; to assemble.
But mass them together and they are terrible
indeed.
Coleridge.
Mas"sa*cre (?), n. [F., fr. LL.
mazacrium; cf. Prov. G. metzgern, metzgen, to
kill cattle, G. metzger a butcher, and LG. matsken to
cut, hew, OHG. meizan to cut, Goth. máitan.]
1. The killing of a considerable number of human
beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty, or contrary to the
usages of civilized people; as, the massacre on St.
Bartholomew's Day.
2. Murder. [Obs.] Shak.
Syn. -- Massacre, Butchery, Carnage.
Massacre denotes the promiscuous slaughter of many who
can not make resistance, or much resistance. Butchery refers
to cold-blooded cruelty in the killing of men as if they were brute
beasts. Carnage points to slaughter as producing the heaped-up
bodies of the slain.
I'll find a day to massacre them all,
And raze their faction and their family.
Shak.
If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds,
Brhold this pattern of thy butcheries.
Shak.
Such a scent I draw
Of carnage, prey innumerable !
Milton.
Mas"sa*cre, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Massacred (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Massacring (?).] [Cf. F. massacrer. See
Massacre, n.] To kill in considerable
numbers where much resistance can not be made; to kill with
indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and contrary to the
usages of nations; to butcher; to slaughter; -- limited to the
killing of human beings.
If James should be pleased to massacre them
all, as Maximian had massacred the Theban legion.
Macaulay.
Mas"sa*crer (?), n. One who
massacres. [R.]
Mas"sage (?), n. [F.] A rubbing or
kneading of the body, especially when performed as a hygienic or
remedial measure.
Mas`sa*sau"ga (?), n.
(Zoöl.) The black rattlesnake (Crotalus, or
Caudisona, tergemina), found in the Mississippi Valley.
{ Massé, or Massé shot (?) },
n. (Billiards) A stroke made with the
cue held vertically.
Mass"er, n. A priest who
celebrates Mass. [R.] Bale.
Mas"se*ter (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a
chewer, &?; a muscle of the lower jaw used in chewing, from &?; to
chew: cf. F. masséter.] (Anat.) The large
muscle which raises the under jaw, and assists in
mastication.
Mas`se*ter"ic (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the masseter.
Mas"se*ter`ine (?), a. (Anat.)
Masseteric.
{ ||Mas`seur" (?), n. m.,
||Mas`seuse" (?), n. f.,} [F., or formed
in imitation of French. See Massage.] (Med.) One
who performs massage.
Mas"si*cot (?), n. [F. massicot;
E. masticot is a corruption.] (Chem.) Lead
protoxide, PbO, obtained as a yellow amorphous powder, the fused and
crystalline form of which is called litharge; lead ocher. It
is used as a pigment.
&fist; Massicot is sometimes used by painters, and also as
a drier in the composition of ointments and plasters.
Mass"i*ness (?), n. [From
Massy.] The state or quality of being massy;
ponderousness.
Mass"ive (?), a. [F. massif.]
1. Forming, or consisting of, a large mass;
compacted; weighty; heavy; massy. "Massive armor."
Dr. H. More.
2. (Min.) In mass; not necessarily
without a crystalline structure, but having no regular form; as, a
mineral occurs massive.
Massive rock (Geol.), a compact
crystalline rock not distinctly schistose, as granite; also, with
some authors, an eruptive rock.
Mass"ive*ly, adv. In a heavy
mass.
Mass"ive*ness, n. The state or
quality of being massive; massiness.
Mas*soo"la boat`. See Masoola boat.
Mas*so"ra (?), n. Same as
Masora.
Mas"so*ret (?), n. Same as
Masorite.
Mass"y (?), a.
[Compar. Massier (?);
superl. Massiest.] Compacted into, or
consisting of, a mass; having bulk and weight or substance;
ponderous; bulky and heavy; weighty; heavy; as, a massy
shield; a massy rock.
Your swords are now too massy for your
strengths,
And will not be uplifted.
Shak.
Yawning rocks in massy fragments
fly.
Pope.
Mast (m&adot;st), n. [AS.
mæst, fem.; akin to G. mast, and E. meat.
See Meat.] The fruit of the oak and beech, or other
forest trees; nuts; acorns.
Oak mast, and beech, . . . they
eat.
Chapman.
Swine under an oak filling themselves with the
mast.
South.
Mast, n. [AS. mæst, masc.;
akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw. mast, Icel. mastr, and
perh. to L. malus.]
1. (Naut.) A pole, or long, strong,
round piece of timber, or spar, set upright in a boat or vessel, to
sustain the sails, yards, rigging, etc. A mast may also consist of
several pieces of timber united by iron bands, or of a hollow pillar
of iron or steel.
The tallest pine
Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast
Of some great ammiral.
Milton.
&fist; The most common general names of masts are
foremast, mainmast, and mizzenmast, each of
which may be made of separate spars.
2. (Mach.) The vertical post of a
derrick or crane.
Afore the mast, Before the
mast. See under Afore, and Before. -
- Mast coat. See under Coat. --
Mast hoop, one of a number of hoops attached to
the fore edge of a boom sail, which slip on the mast as the sail is
raised or lowered; also, one of the iron hoops used in making a made
mast. See Made.
Mast, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Masted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Masting.] To furnish with a mast or masts; to put the
masts of in position; as, to mast a ship.
||Mas"tax (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
mouth, jaws.] (Zoöl.) (a) The
pharynx of a rotifer. It usually contains four horny pieces. The two
central ones form the incus, against which the mallei, or lateral
ones, work so as to crush the food. (b)
The lore of a bird.
Mast"ed (?), a. Furnished with a
mast or masts; -- chiefly in composition; as, a three-masted
schooner.
Mast"er (-&etilde;r), n. (Naut.)
A vessel having (so many) masts; -- used only in compounds; as,
a two-master.
Mas"ter (m&adot;s"t&etilde;r), n. [OE.
maistre, maister, OF. maistre, mestre, F.
maître, fr. L. magister, orig. a double
comparative from the root of magnus great, akin to Gr.
me`gas. Cf. Maestro, Magister,
Magistrate, Magnitude, Major, Mister,
Mistress, Mickle.] 1. A male
person having another living being so far subject to his will, that
he can, in the main, control his or its actions; -- formerly used
with much more extensive application than now.
(a) The employer of a servant.
(b) The owner of a slave.
(c) The person to whom an apprentice is
articled. (d) A sovereign, prince, or
feudal noble; a chief, or one exercising similar authority.
(e) The head of a household.
(f) The male head of a school or college.
(g) A male teacher. (h)
The director of a number of persons performing a ceremony or
sharing a feast. (i) The owner of a docile
brute, -- especially a dog or horse. (j)
The controller of a familiar spirit or other supernatural
being.
2. One who uses, or controls at will,
anything inanimate; as, to be master of one's time.
Shak.
Master of a hundred thousand
drachms.
Addison.
We are masters of the sea.
Jowett (Thucyd. ).
3. One who has attained great skill in the
use or application of anything; as, a master of oratorical
art.
Great masters of ridicule.
Macaulay.
No care is taken to improve young men in their own
language, that they may thoroughly understand and be masters
of it.
Locke.
4. A title given by courtesy, now commonly
pronounced m&ibreve;ster, except when given to boys; --
sometimes written Mister, but usually abbreviated to
Mr.
5. A young gentleman; a lad, or small
boy.
Where there are little masters and misses in a
house, they are impediments to the diversions of the
servants.
Swift.
6. (Naut.) The commander of a merchant
vessel; -- usually called captain. Also, a commissioned
officer in the navy ranking next above ensign and below lieutenant;
formerly, an officer on a man-of-war who had immediate charge, under
the commander, of sailing the vessel.
7. A person holding an office of authority
among the Freemasons, esp. the presiding officer; also, a person
holding a similar office in other civic societies.
Little masters, certain German engravers of
the 16th century, so called from the extreme smallness of their
prints. -- Master in chancery, an officer
of courts of equity, who acts as an assistant to the chancellor or
judge, by inquiring into various matters referred to him, and
reporting thereon to the court. -- Master of
arts, one who takes the second degree at a university;
also, the degree or title itself, indicated by the abbreviation M.
A., or A. M. -- Master of the horse, the
third great officer in the British court, having the management of
the royal stables, etc. In ceremonial cavalcades he rides next to the
sovereign. -- Master of the rolls, in
England, an officer who has charge of the rolls and patents that pass
the great seal, and of the records of the chancery, and acts as
assistant judge of the court. Bouvier. Wharton. --
Past master, one who has held the office of
master in a lodge of Freemasons or in a society similarly
organized. -- The old masters,
distinguished painters who preceded modern painters; especially,
the celebrated painters of the 16th and 17th centuries. --
To be master of one's self, to have entire
self-control; not to be governed by passion. -- To be
one's own master, to be at liberty to act as one
chooses without dictation from anybody.
&fist; Master, signifying chief, principal,
masterly, superior, thoroughly skilled, etc., is
often used adjectively or in compounds; as, master builder or
master-builder, master chord or master-chord,
master mason or master-mason, master workman or
master-workman, master mechanic, master mind,
master spirit, master passion, etc.
Throughout the city by the master
gate.
Chaucer.
Master joint (Geol.), a quarryman's
term for the more prominent and extended joints traversing a rock
mass. -- Master key, a key adapted to open
several locks differing somewhat from each other; figuratively, a
rule or principle of general application in solving
difficulties. -- Master lode (Mining),
the principal vein of ore. -- Master
mariner, an experienced and skilled seaman who is
certified to be competent to command a merchant vessel. --
Master sinew (Far.), a large sinew that
surrounds the hough of a horse, and divides it from the bone by a
hollow place, where the windgalls are usually seated. --
Master singer. See Mastersinger. --
Master stroke, a capital performance; a
masterly achievement; a consummate action; as, a master stroke
of policy. -- Master tap (Mech.), a
tap for forming the thread in a screw cutting die. --
Master touch. (a) The touch or
skill of a master. Pope. (b) Some
part of a performance which exhibits very skillful work or
treatment. "Some master touches of this admirable piece."
Tatler. -- Master work, the most
important work accomplished by a skilled person, as in architecture,
literature, etc.; also, a work which shows the skill of a master; a
masterpiece. -- Master workman, a man
specially skilled in any art, handicraft, or trade, or who is an
overseer, foreman, or employer.
Mas"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mastered (?); p. pr. vb. n.
Mastering.] 1. To become the master of;
to subject to one's will, control, or authority; to conquer; to
overpower; to subdue.
Obstinacy and willful neglects must be
mastered, even though it cost blows.
Locke.
2. To gain the command of, so as to
understand or apply; to become an adept in; as, to master a
science.
3. To own; to posses. [Obs.]
The wealth
That the world masters.
Shak.
Mas"ter, v. i. To be skillful; to
excel. [Obs.]
Mas"ter*dom (?), n. [Master +
-dom.] Dominion; rule; command. [R.]
Shak.
Mas"ter*ful (?), a. 1.
Inclined to play the master; domineering; imperious;
arbitrary. Dryden.
2. Having the skill or power of a master;
indicating or expressing power or mastery.
His masterful, pale face.
Mrs.
Browning.
Mas"ter*ful*ly, adv. In a
masterful manner; imperiously.
A lawless and rebellious man who held lands
masterfully and in high contempt of the royal
authority.
Macaulay.
Mas"ter*hood (?), n. The state of
being a master; hence, disposition to command or hector. C.
Bronté.
Mas"ter*less, a. Destitute of a
master or owner; ungoverned or ungovernable. --
Mas"ter*less*ness, n.
Mas"ter*li*ness (?), n. The
quality or state of being masterly; ability to control wisely or
skillfully.
Mas"ter*ly, a. 1.
Suitable to, or characteristic of, a master; indicating thorough
knowledge or superior skill and power; showing a master's hand; as, a
masterly design; a masterly performance; a
masterly policy. "A wise and masterly
inactivity." Sir J. Mackintosh.
2. Imperious; domineering;
arbitrary.
Mas"ter*ly, adv. With the skill of
a master.
Thou dost speak masterly.
Shak.
Mas"ter*ous (?), a.
Masterly. [Obs.] Milton.
Mas"ter*piece` (?), n. Anything
done or made with extraordinary skill; a capital performance; a chef-
d'œuvre; a supreme achievement.
The top and masterpiece of art.
South.
Dissimulation was his masterpiece.
Claredon.
Mas"ter*ship, n. 1.
The state or office of a master.
2. Mastery; dominion; superior skill;
superiority.
Where noble youths for mastership should
strive.
Driden.
3. Chief work; masterpiece. [Obs.]
Dryden.
4. An ironical title of respect.
How now, seignior Launce ! what news with your
mastership ?
Shak.
Mas"ter*sing`er (?), n. [A translation
of G. meistersänger.] One of a class of poets which
flourished in Nuremberg and some other cities of Germany in the 15th
and 16th centuries. They bound themselves to observe certain
arbitrary laws of rhythm.
Mas"ter*wort` (?), n. (Bot.)
(a) A tall and coarse European umbelliferous
plant (Peucedanum Ostruthium, formerly
Imperatoria). (b) The Astrantia
major, a European umbelliferous plant with a showy colored
involucre. (c) Improperly, the cow parsnip
(Heracleum lanatum).
Mas"ter*y (?), n.; pl.
Masteries (#). [OF. maistrie.]
1. The position or authority of a master;
dominion; command; supremacy; superiority.
If divided by mountains, they will fight for the
mastery of the passages of the tops.
Sir W.
Raleigh.
2. Superiority in war or competition;
victory; triumph; preëminence.
The voice of them that shout for
mastery.
Ex. xxxii. 18.
Every man that striveth for the mastery is
temperate in all things.
1 Cor. ix. 25.
O, but to have gulled him
Had been a mastery.
B. Jonson.
3. Contest for superiority. [Obs.]
Holland.
4. A masterly operation; a feat.
[Obs.]
I will do a maistrie ere I go.
Chaucer.
5. Specifically, the philosopher's
stone. [Obs.]
6. The act process of mastering; the state of
having mastered.
He could attain to a mastery in all
languages.
Tillotson.
The learning and mastery of a tongue, being
unpleasant in itself, should not be cumbered with other
difficulties.
Locke.
Mast"ful (?), a. [See lst Mast.]
Abounding in mast; producing mast in abundance; as, the
mastful forest; a mastful chestnut.
Dryden.
Mast"head` (?), n. (Naut.)
The top or head of a mast; the part of a mast above the
hounds.
Mast"head", v. t. (Naut.)
To cause to go to the masthead as a punishment.
Marryat.
Mast"house` (?), n. A building in
which vessels' masts are shaped, fitted, etc.
Mas"tic (?), n. [F., fr. L.
mastiche, mastichum, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to chew, because
of its being used in the East for chewing.] [Written also
mastich.]
1. (Bot.) A low shrubby tree of the
genus Pistacia (P. Lentiscus), growing upon the islands
and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; --
called also, mastic tree.
2. A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and
obtained by incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent
tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an
aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes.
3. A kind of cement composed of burnt clay,
litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc.
Barbary mastic (Bot.), the
Pistachia Atlantica. -- Peruvian mastic
tree (Bot.), a small tree (Schinus Molle)
with peppery red berries; -- called also pepper tree. --
West Indian mastic (Bot.), a lofty tree
(Bursera gummifera) full of gum resin in every part.
Mas"ti*ca*ble (?), a. Capable of
being masticated.
Mas`ti*ca"dor (?), n. [Cf. Sp.
mastigador. See Masticate.] (Man.) A part
of a bridle, the slavering bit. [Written also
mastigador.]
Mas"ti*cate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Masticated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Masticating (?).] [L. masticatus, p. p. of
masticare to chew, prob. fr. mastiche mastic. See
Mastic.] To grind or crush with, or as with, the teeth
and prepare for swallowing and digestion; to chew; as, to
masticate food.
Mas"ti*ca`ter (?), n. One who
masticates.
Mas`ti*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
masticatio: cf. F. mastication.] The act or
operation of masticating; chewing, as of food.
Mastication is a necessary preparation of solid
aliment, without which there can be no good digestion.
Arbuthnot.
Mas"ti*ca`tor (?), n.
1. One who masticates.
2. A machine for cutting meat into fine
pieces for toothless people; also, a machine for cutting leather,
India rubber, or similar tough substances, into fine pieces, in some
processes of manufacture.
Mas"ti*ca*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. F.
masticatoire.] Chewing; adapted to perform the office of
chewing food.
Mas"ti*ca*to*ry, n.; pl.
-ries (&?;). (Med.) A substance to be
chewed to increase the saliva. Bacon.
Mas"tich (?), n. See
Mastic.
Mas"ti*cin (?), n. (Chem.)
A white, amorphous, tenacious substance resembling caoutchouc,
and obtained as an insoluble residue of mastic.
Mas"ti*cot (?), n. (Chem.)
Massicot. [Obs.]
Mas"tiff (?), n.; pl.
Mastiffs (&?;). [Mastives is
irregular and unusual.] [Prob. fr. Prov. E. masty, adj.,
large, n., a great dog, prob. fr. mast fruit, and hence, lit.,
fattened with mast. There is perh. confusion with OF. mestif
mongrel; cf. also F. mâtin mastiff, OF. mastin.]
(Zoöl.) A breed of large dogs noted for strength and
courage. There are various strains, differing in form and color, and
characteristic of different countries.
Mastiff bat (Zoöl.) , any bat of
the genus Molossus; so called because the face somewhat
resembles that of a mastiff.
Mas"ti*go*pod (?), n.
(Zoöl.) One of the Mastigopoda.
||Mas`ti*gop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. ma`stix, -igos, a whip + poy`s,
podo`s, foot.] (Zoöl.) The
Infusoria.
Mas"ti*gure (?), n. [Gr.
ma`stix, -igos, a scourge + &?; tail.]
(Zoöl.) Any one of several large spiny-tailed
lizards of the genus Uromastix. They inhabit Southern Asia and
North Africa.
Mast"ing (?), n. (Naut.)
The act or process of putting a mast or masts into a vessel;
also, the scientific principles which determine the position of
masts, and the mechanical methods of placing them.
Masting house (Naut.), a large
building, with suitable mechanism overhanging the water, used for
stepping and unstepping the masts of vessels.
||Mas*ti"tis (?), n. [Gr.
masto`s breast + -itis.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the breast.
Mast"less (?), a. [See lst
Mast.] Bearing no mast; as, a mastless oak or
beech. Dryden.
Mast"less, a. [See 2d Mast.]
Having no mast; as, a mastless vessel.
Mast"lin (măst"l&ibreve;n), n.
See Maslin.
Mas"to*don (?), n. [Gr.
masto`s the breast + 'odoy`s,
'odo`ntos, a tooth. So called from the conical projections
upon its molar teeth.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of
mammals closely allied to the elephant, but having less complex molar
teeth, and often a pair of lower, as well as upper, tusks, which are
incisor teeth. The species were mostly larger than elephants, and
their remains occur in nearly all parts of the world in deposits
ranging from Miocene to late Quaternary time.
||Mas`to*don*sau"rus (?), n. [NL., fr.
E. Mastodon + Gr. say^ros a lizard.]
(Paleon.) A large extinct genus of labyrinthodonts, found
in the European Triassic rocks.
Mas`to*don"tic (?), a. Pertaining
to, or resembling, a mastodon; as, mastodontic
dimensions. Everett.
||Mas`to*dyn"i*a (?), Mas*tod"y*ny (&?;),
n. [NL. mastodynia, fr. Gr.
masto`s the breast + &?; pain.] (Med.) Pain
occuring in the mamma or female breast, -- a form of
neuralgia.
Mas"toid (?), a. [Gr. &?;;
masto`s the breast + &?; form: cf. F.
mastoïde.] (Anat.) (a)
Resembling the nipple or the breast; -- applied specifically to
a process of the temporal bone behind the ear.
(b) Pertaining to, or in the region of, the
mastoid process; mastoidal.
Mas*toid"al (?), a. Same as
Mastoid.
Mas*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr.
masto`s the breast + -logy: cf. F.
mastologie.] The natural history of Mammalia.
Mas"tress (?), n. Mistress.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mas`tur*ba"tion (?), n. [L.
masturbatus, p. p. of masturbari to practice onanism:
cf. F. masturbation.] Onanism; self-pollution.
Mast"y (?), a. [See lst Mast.]
Full of mast; abounding in acorns, etc.
Ma*su"la boat` (?). Same as Masoola
boat.
Mat (?), n. [Cf. Matte.] A
name given by coppersmiths to an alloy of copper, tin, iron, etc.,
usually called white metal. [Written also
matt.]
Mat, a. [OF. See 4th Mate.]
Cast down; dejected; overthrown; slain. [Obs.]
When he saw them so piteous and so
maat.
Chaucer.
Mat, n. [AS. matt, meatt,
fr. L. matta a mat made of rushes.] 1. A
fabric of sedge, rushes, flags, husks, straw, hemp, or similar
material, used for wiping and cleaning shoes at the door, for
covering the floor of a hall or room, and for other
purposes.
2. Any similar fabric for various uses, as
for covering plant houses, putting beneath dishes or lamps on a
table, securing rigging from friction, and the like.
3. Anything growing thickly, or closely
interwoven, so as to resemble a mat in form or texture; as, a
mat of weeds; a mat of hair.
4. An ornamental border made of paper,
pasterboard, metal, etc., put under the glass which covers a framed
picture; as, the mat of a daguerreotype.
Mat grass. (Bot.) (a)
A low, tufted, European grass (Nardus stricta).
(b) Same as Matweed. -- Mat
rush (Bot.), a kind of rush (Scirpus
lacustris) used in England for making mats.
Mat, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Matted (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Matting.] 1. To cover or lay with
mats. Evelyn.
2. To twist, twine, or felt together; to
interweave into, or like, a mat; to entangle.
And o'er his eyebrows hung his matted
hair.
Dryden.
Mat, v. i. To grow thick together;
to become interwoven or felted together like a mat.
||Ma`ta*chin" (?), n. [Sp.] An old
dance with swords and bucklers; a sword dance.
Mat"a*co (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutis tricinctus). See
Illust. under Loricata.
{ Mat"a*dore, Mat"a*dor} (?),
n. [Sp. matador, prop., a killer, fr.
matar to kill, L. mactare to sacrifice, kill.]
1. The killer; the man appointed to kill the
bull in bullfights.
2. (Card Playing) In the game of
quadrille or omber, the three principal trumps, the ace of spades
being the first, the ace of clubs the third, and the second being the
deuce of a black trump or the seven of a red one.
When Lady Tricksey played a four,
You took it with a matadore.
Swift.
Mat`a*gasse" (?), n.
(Zoöl.) A shrike or butcher bird; -- called also
mattages. [Prov. Eng.]
||Ma`ta*ma"ta (?), n. [Pg.]
(Zoöl.) The bearded tortoise (Chelys
fimbriata) of South American rivers.
Ma*tan"za (?), n. [Sp., slaughter, fr.
matar to kill.] A place where animals are slaughtered for
their hides and tallow. [Western U. S.]
Match (măch), n. [OE.
macche, F. mèche, F. mèche, fr. L.
myxa a lamp nozzle, Gr. my`xa mucus, nostril, a
lamp nozzle. Cf. Mucus.] Anything used for catching and
retaining or communicating fire, made of some substance which takes
fire readily, or remains burning some time; esp., a small strip or
splint of wood dipped at one end in a substance which can be easily
ignited by friction, as a preparation of phosphorus or chlorate of
potassium.
Match box, a box for holding matches. -
- Match tub, a tub with a perforated cover for
holding slow matches for firing cannon, esp. on board ship. The tub
contains a little water in the bottom, for extinguishing sparks from
the lighted matches. -- Quick match,
threads of cotton or cotton wick soaked in a solution of
gunpowder mixed with gum arabic and boiling water and afterwards
strewed over with mealed powder. It burns at the rate of one yard in
thirteen seconds, and is used as priming for heavy mortars,
fireworks, etc. -- Slow match, slightly
twisted hempen rope soaked in a solution of limewater and saltpeter
or washed in a lye of water and wood ashes. It burns at the rate of
four or five inches an hour, and is used for firing cannon,
fireworks, etc.
Match, n. [OE. macche, AS.
gemæcca; akin to gemaca, and to OS.
gimako, OHG. gimah fitting, suitable, convenient, Icel.
mark suitable, maki mate, Sw. make, Dan.
mage; all from the root of E. make, v. See Make
mate, and Make, v., and cf. Mate an
associate.]
1. A person or thing equal or similar to
another; one able to mate or cope with another; an equal; a
mate.
Government . . . makes an innocent man, though of the
lowest rank, a match for the mightiest of his fellow
subjects.
Addison.
2. A bringing together of two parties suited
to one another, as for a union, a trial of skill or force, a contest,
or the like; as, specifically: (a) A
contest to try strength or skill, or to determine superiority; an
emulous struggle. "Many a warlike match."
Drayton.
A solemn match was made; he lost the
prize.
Dryden.
(b) A matrimonial union; a
marriage.
3. An agreement, compact, etc. "Thy
hand upon that match." Shak.
Love doth seldom suffer itself to be confined by other
matches than those of its own making.
Boyle.
4. A candidate for matrimony; one to be
gained in marriage. "She . . . was looked upon as the richest
match of the West." Clarendon.
5. Equality of conditions in contest or
competition.
It were no match, your nail against his
horn.
Shak.
6. Suitable combination or bringing together;
that which corresponds or harmonizes with something else; as, the
carpet and curtains are a match.
7. (Founding) A perforated board,
block of plaster, hardened sand, etc., in which a pattern is partly
imbedded when a mold is made, for giving shape to the surfaces of
separation between the parts of the mold.
Match boarding (Carp.), boards fitted
together with tongue and groove, or prepared to be so fitted. --
Match game, a game arranged as a test of
superiority. -- Match plane (Carp.),
either of the two planes used to shape the edges of boards which
are joined by grooving and tonguing. -- Match
plate (Founding), a board or plate on the
opposite sides of which the halves of a pattern are fastened, to
facilitate molding. Knight. -- Match
wheel (Mach.), a cogwheel of suitable pitch to
work with another wheel; specifically, one of a pair of cogwheels of
equal size.
Match, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Matched (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Matching.] 1. To be a mate or match for;
to be able to complete with; to rival successfully; to
equal.
No settled senses of the world can match
The pleasure of that madness.
Shak.
2. To furnish with its match; to bring a
match, or equal, against; to show an equal competitor to; to set
something in competition with, or in opposition to, as
equal.
No history or antiquity can matchis policies
and his conduct.
South.
3. To oppose as equal; to contend
successfully against.
Eternal might
To match with their inventions they presumed
So easy, and of his thunder made a scorn.
Milton.
4. To make or procure the equal of, or that
which is exactly similar to, or corresponds with; as, to match
a vase or a horse; to match cloth. "Matching of
patterns and colors." Swift.
5. To make equal, proportionate, or suitable;
to adapt, fit, or suit (one thing to another).
Let poets match their subject to their
strength.
Roscommon.
6. To marry; to give in marriage.
A senator of Rome survived,
Would not have matched his daughter with a king.
Addison.
7. To fit together, or make suitable for
fitting together; specifically, to furnish with a tongue and a
groove, at the edges; as, to match boards.
Matching machine, a planing machine for
forming a tongue or a groove on the edge of a board.
Match, v. i. 1. To
be united in marriage; to mate.
I hold it a sin to match in my
kindred.
Shak.
Let tigers match with hinds, and wolves with
sheep.
Dryden.
2. To be of equal, or similar, size, figure,
color, or quality; to tally; to suit; to correspond; as, these vases
match.
Match"a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being matched; comparable on equal conditions; adapted to being
joined together; correspondent. -- Match"a*ble*ness,
n.
Sir Walter Raleigh . . . is matchable with the
best of the ancients.
Hakewill.
Match"-cloth` (?), n. A coarse
cloth.
Match"-coat` (?), n. A coat made
of match-cloth.
Match"er (?), n. One who, or that
which, matches; a matching machine. See under 3d
Match.
Match"less, a. [Cf.
Mateless.]
1. Having no equal; unequaled. "A
matchless queen." Waller.
2. Unlike each other; unequal;
unsuited. [Obs.] "Matchless ears." Spenser.
-- Match"less*ly, adv. --
Match"less*ness, n.
Match"lock` (?), n. An old form of
gunlock containing a match for firing the priming; hence, a musket
fired by means of a match.
Match"mak`er (?), n. 1.
One who makes matches for burning or kinding.
2. One who tries to bring about
marriages.
Match"mak`ing, n. 1.
The act or process of making matches for kindling or
burning.
2. The act or process of trying to bring
about a marriage for others.
Match"mak`ing, a. Busy in making
or contriving marriages; as, a matchmaking woman.
||Ma"te (?), n. [Sp.] The Paraguay
tea, being the dried leaf of the Brazilian holly (Ilex
Paraguensis). The infusion has a pleasant odor, with an agreeable
bitter taste, and is much used for tea in South America.
Mate (?), n. [F. mat, abbrev.
fr. échec et mat. See Checkmate.] (Chess)
Same as Checkmate.
Mate, a. See 2d Mat.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mate, v. t. [F. mater to
fatigue, enfeeble, humiliate, checkmate. See Mate
checkmate.]
1. To confuse; to confound. [Obs.]
Shak.
2. To checkmate.
Mate, n. [Perhaps for older make
a companion; cf. also OD. maet companion, mate, D.
maat. Cf. Make a companion, Match a mate.]
1. One who customarily associates with another;
a companion; an associate; any object which is associated or combined
with a similar object.
2. Hence, specifically, a husband or wife;
and among the lower animals, one of a pair associated for propagation
and the care of their young.
3. A suitable companion; a match; an
equal.
Ye knew me once no mate
For you; there sitting where you durst not soar.
Milton.
4. (Naut.) An officer in a merchant
vessel ranking next below the captain. If there are more than one
bearing the title, they are called, respectively, first mate,
second mate, third mate, etc. In the navy, a
subordinate officer or assistant; as, master's mate; surgeon's
mate.
Mate, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Mating.] 1. To match; to marry.
If she be mated with an equal
husband.
Shak.
2. To match one's self against; to oppose as
equal; to compete with.
There is no passion in the mind of man so weak but it
mates and masters the fear of death.
Bacon.
I, . . . in the way of loyalty and truth, . . .
Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be.
Shak.
Mate, v. i. To be or become a mate
or mates, especially in sexual companionship; as, some birds
mate for life; this bird will not mate with that
one.
Mate"less, a. [Cf. Matchless.]
Having no mate.
Mat"e*lote (măt"&esl;*lōt),
n. [F., fr. matelot a sailor; properly, a
dish such as sailors prepare.] A dish of food composed of many
kinds of fish.
Ma`te*ol"o*gy
(mā`t&esl;*&obreve;l"&osl;*j&ybreve;), n.
[Gr. mataiologi`a; ma`taios useless, vain +
lo`gos discourse: cf. F. matéologie.] A
vain, unprofitable discourse or inquiry. [R.]
Ma`te*o*tech"ny
(mā`t&esl;*&osl;*t&ebreve;k"n&ybreve;), n.
[Gr. mataiotechni`a; ma`taios vain +
te`chnh art, science.] Any unprofitable
science. [Obs.]
||Ma"ter (?), n. [L., mother. See
Mother.] See Alma mater, Dura mater, and
Pia mater.
Ma*te"ri*al (?), a. [L.
materialis, fr. materia stuff, matter: cf. F.
matériel. See Matter, and cf.
MatÉriel.]
1. Consisting of matter; not spiritual;
corporeal; physical; as, material substance or
bodies.
The material elements of the
universe.
Whewell.
2. Hence: Pertaining to, or affecting, the
physical nature of man, as distinguished from the mental or moral
nature; relating to the bodily wants, interests, and
comforts.
3. Of solid or weighty character; not
insubstantial; of consequence; not be dispensed with;
important.
Discourse, which was always material, never
trifling.
Evelyn.
I shall, in the account of simple ideas, set down only
such as are most material to our present purpose.
Locke.
4. (Logic.) Pertaining to the matter,
as opposed to the form, of a thing. See Matter.
Material cause. See under Cause.
-- Material evidence (Law), evidence
which conduces to the proof or disproof of a relevant
hypothesis. Wharton.
Syn. -- Corporeal; bodily; important; weighty; momentous;
essential.
Ma*te"ri*al, n. The substance or
matter of which anything is made or may be made.
Raw material, any crude, unfinished, or
elementary materials that are adapted to use only by processes of
skilled labor. Cotton, wool, ore, logs, etc., are raw
material.
Ma*te"ri*al, v. t. To form from
matter; to materialize. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Ma*te"ri*al*ism (?), n. [Cf. F.
matérialisme.]
1. The doctrine of materialists;
materialistic views and tenets.
The irregular fears of a future state had been
supplanted by the materialism of Epicurus.
Buckminster.
2. The tendency to give undue importance to
material interests; devotion to the material nature and its
wants.
3. Material substances in the aggregate;
matter. [R. & Obs.] A. Chalmers.
Ma*te"ri*al*ist
(m&adot;*tē"r&ibreve;*al*&ibreve;st),
n. [Cf. F. matérialiste.]
1. One who denies the existence of spiritual
substances or agents, and maintains that spiritual phenomena, so
called, are the result of some peculiar organization of
matter.
2. One who holds to the existence of matter,
as distinguished from the idealist, who denies it.
Berkeley.
{ Ma*te`ri*al*is"tic (?), Ma*te`ri*al*is"tic*al
(?), } a. Of or pertaining to materialism or
materialists; of the nature of materialism.
But to me his very spiritualism seemed more
materialistic than his physics.
C.
Kingsley.
Ma*te`ri*al"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
matérialité.]
1. The quality or state of being material;
material existence; corporeity.
2. Importance; as, the materiality of
facts.
Ma*te`ri*al*i*za"tion (?), n. The
act of materializing, or the state of being materialized.
Ma*te"ri*al*ize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Materialized (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. Materializing (?).] [Cf. F.
matérialiser.] 1. To invest with
material characteristics; to make perceptible to the senses; hence,
to present to the mind through the medium of material
objects.
Having with wonderful art and beauty
materialized, if I may so call it, a scheme of abstracted
notions, and clothed the most nice, refined conceptions of philosophy
in sensible images.
Tatler.
2. To regard as matter; to consider or
explain by the laws or principles which are appropriate to
matter.
3. To cause to assume a character appropriate
to material things; to occupy with material interests; as, to
materialize thought.
4. (Spiritualism) To make visable in,
or as in, a material form; -- said of spirits.
A female spirit form temporarily materialized,
and not distinguishable from a human being.
Epes
Sargent.
Ma*te"ri*al*ize, v. i. To appear
as a material form; to take substantial shape. [Colloq.]
Ma*te"ri*al*ly, adv. 1.
In the state of matter.
I do not mean that anything is separable from a body
by fire that was not materially preëxistent in
it.
Boyle.
2. In its essence; substantially.
An ill intention is certainly sufficient to spoil . .
. an act in itself materially good.
South.
3. In an important manner or degree;
essentially; as, it materially concerns us to know the real
motives of our actions.
Ma*te"ri*al*ness, n. The state of
being material.
||Ma*te"ri*a med"i*ca (?). [L. See Matter, and
Medical.] 1. Material or substance used
in the composition of remedies; -- a general term for all substances
used as curative agents in medicine.
2. That branch of medical science which
treats of the nature and properties of all the substances that are
employed for the cure of diseases.
Ma*te`ri*a"ri*an (?), n. [L.
materiarius.] See Materialist. [Obs.]
{ Ma*te"ri*ate (?), Ma*te"ri*a`ted (?), }
a. [L. materiatus, p. p. of materiare
to build of wood.] Consisting of matter. [Obs.]
Bacon.
Ma*te`ri*a"tion (?), n. [L.
materiatio woodwork.] Act of forming matter. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
||Ma`té`ri`el" (?), n. [F. See
Material.] That in a complex system which constitutes the
materials, or instruments employed, in distinction from the
personnel, or men; as, the baggage, munitions, provisions,
etc., of an army; or the buildings, libraries, and apparatus of a
college, in distinction from its officers.
Ma*te"ri*ous (?), a. See
Material. [Obs.]
Ma*ter"nal (?), a. [F. maternel,
L. maternus, fr. mater mother. See Mother.]
Of or pertaining to a mother; becoming to a mother; motherly;
as, maternal love; maternal tenderness.
Syn. -- See Motherly.
Ma*ter"nal*ly, adv. In a motherly
manner.
Ma*ter"ni*ty (?), n. [F.
maternité, LL. maternitas.] The state of
being a mother; the character or relation of a mother.
Mat"fel*on (?), n. [W.
madfelen.] (Bot.) The knapweed (Centaurea
nigra).
Math (?), n. [AS.
m&aemacr;ð; akin to māwan to mow, G.
mahd math. See Mow to cut (grass).] A mowing, or
that which is gathered by mowing; -- chiefly used in composition; as,
an aftermath. [Obs.]
The first mowing thereof, for the king's use, is wont
to be sooner than the common math.
Bp.
Hall.
Math`e*mat"ic (?), a. [F.
mathématique, L. mathematicus, Gr. &?; disposed
to learn, belonging to learning or the sciences, especially to
mathematics, fr. &?; that which is learned, learning, pl. &?; things
learned, learning, science, especially mathematical science, fr. &?;,
&?;, to learn; akin to E. mind. See Mind.] See
Mathematical.
Math`e*mat"ic*al (?), a. [See
Mathematic.] Of or pertaining to mathematics; according
to mathematics; hence, theoretically precise; accurate; as,
mathematical geography; mathematical instruments;
mathematical exactness. -- Math`e*mat"ic*al*ly,
adv.
Math`e*ma*ti"cian (?), n. [Cf. F.
mathématicien.] One versed in
mathematics.
Math`e*mat"ics (?), n. [F.
mathématiques, pl., L. mathematica, sing., Gr.
&?; (sc. &?;) science. See Mathematic, and -ics.]
That science, or class of sciences, which treats of the exact
relations existing between quantities or magnitudes, and of the
methods by which, in accordance with these relations, quantities
sought are deducible from other quantities known or supposed; the
science of spatial and quantitative relations.
&fist; Mathematics embraces three departments, namely:
1. Arithmetic. 2. Geometry, including
Trigonometry and Conic Sections. 3.
Analysis, in which letters are used, including Algebra,
Analytical Geometry, and Calculus. Each of these
divisions is divided into pure or abstract, which
considers magnitude or quantity abstractly, without relation to
matter; and mixed or applied, which treats of magnitude
as subsisting in material bodies, and is consequently interwoven with
physical considerations.
Math"er (?), n. See
Madder.
Math"es (?), n. [Perh. corrupted fr. L.
anthemis camomile, Gr. &?; .] (Bot.) The mayweed.
Cf. Maghet.
||Ma*the"sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;,
from &?;, &?;, to learn.] Learning; especially,
mathematics. [R.] Pope.
Math"u*rin (?), n. (R. C. Ch.)
See Trinitarian.
Ma*ti"co (?), n. (Bot.) A
Peruvian plant (Piper, or Artanthe, elongatum), allied to the
pepper, the leaves of which are used as a styptic and
astringent.
Mat"ie (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A fat herring with undeveloped roe. [Written also
matty.] [Eng. & Scot.]
||Mâ`tin" (?), n. [F.
mâtin.] (Zoöl.) A French
mastiff.
Mat"in (?), n. [F. fr. L.
matutinum the morning, matutinus of the morning,
Matuta the goddess of the morning. See Matutinal.]
1. Morning. [Obs.] Shak.
2. pl. [F. matines. See Etymol.
above.] Morning worship or service; morning prayers or
songs.
The winged choristers began
To chirp their matins.
Cleveland.
3. Time of morning service; the first
canonical hour in the Roman Catholic Church.
Mat"in, a. Of or pertaining to the
morning, or to matins; used in the morning; matutinal.
Mat"in*al (?), a. Relating to the
morning, or to matins; matutinal.
Mat`i*née" (?), n. [F., from
matin. See Matin.] A reception, or a musical or
dramatic entertainment, held in the daytime. See
SoirÉe.
Ma*trass" (?), n. [F. matras;
perh. so called from its long narrow neck; cf. OF. matras
large arrow, L. materis, mataris, matara, a
Celtic javelin, pike; of Celtic origin.] (Chem.) A round-
bottomed glass flask having a long neck; a bolthead.
Mat"ress (?), n. See
Matress.
Ma"tri*arch (?), n. [L. mater
mother + -arch.] The mother and ruler of a family or of
her descendants; a ruler by maternal right.
Ma`tri*ar"chal (?), a. Of or
pertaining to a matriarch; governed by a matriarch.
Ma"tri*ar"chate (?), n. The office
or jurisdiction of a matriarch; a matriarchal form of
government.
Ma"trice (?), n. [Cf. F.
matrice. See Matrix.] See Matrix.
Mat"ri*ci`dal (?), a. Of or
pertaining to matricide.
Mat"ri*cide (?), n. [L.
matricidium; mater mother + coedere to kill,
slay: cf. F. matricide. See Mother, and cf.
Homicide.] 1. The murder of a mother by
her son or daughter.
2. [L. matricida: cf. F. matricide.]
One who murders one's own mother.
Ma*tric"u*late (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Matriculated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Matriculating.] [L. matricula a public
roll or register, dim. of matrix a mother, in respect to
propagation, also, a public register. See Matrix.] To
enroll; to enter in a register; specifically, to enter or admit to
membership in a body or society, particularly in a college or
university, by enrolling the name in a register.
In discovering and matriculating the arms of
commissaries from North America.
Sir W.
Scott.
Ma*tric"u*late, v. i. To go though
the process of admission to membership, as by examination and
enrollment, in a society or college.
Ma*tric"u*late (?), a.
Matriculated. Skelton. -- n.
One who is matriculated. Arbuthnot.
Ma*tric`u*la"tion (?), n. The act
or process of matriculating; the state of being
matriculated.
Mat"ri*moine (?), n.
Matrimony. [Obs.]
Mat`ri*mo"ni*al (?), a. [L.
matrimonialis: cf. F. matrimonial. See
Matrimony.] Of or pertaining to marriage; derived from
marriage; connubial; nuptial; hymeneal; as, matrimonial rights
or duties.
If he relied upon that title, he could be but a king
at courtesy, and have rather a matrimonial than a regal
power.
Bacon.
Syn. -- Connubial; conjugal; sponsal; spousal; nuptial;
hymeneal.
Mat`ri*mo"ni*al*ly, adv. In a
matrimonial manner.
Mat`ri*mo"ni*ous (?), a.
Matrimonial. [R.] Milton.
Mat"ri*mo*ny (?), n. [OE.
matrimoine, through Old French, fr. L. matrimonium, fr.
mater mother. See Mother.]
1. The union of man and woman as husband and
wife; the nuptial state; marriage; wedlock.
If either of you know any impediment, why ye may not
be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess
it.
Book of Com. Prayer (Eng. Ed. )
2. A kind of game at cards played by several
persons.
Matrimony vine (Bot.), a climbing
thorny vine (Lycium barbarum) of the Potato family.
Gray.
Syn. -- Marriage; wedlock. See Marriage.
Ma"trix (mā"tr&ibreve;ks), n.;
pl. Matrices
(măt"r&ibreve;*sēz). [L., fr. mater mother. See
Mother, and cf. Matrice.]
1. (Anat.) The womb.
All that openeth the matrix is
mine.
Ex. xxxiv. 19.
2. Hence, that which gives form or origin to
anything; as: (a) (Mech.) The
cavity in which anything is formed, and which gives it shape; a die;
a mold, as for the face of a type. (b)
(Min.) The earthy or stony substance in which metallic
ores or crystallized minerals are found; the gangue.
(c) pl. (Dyeing) The five simple
colors, black, white, blue, red, and yellow, of which all the rest
are composed.
3. (Biol.) The lifeless portion of
tissue, either animal or vegetable, situated between the cells; the
intercellular substance.
4. (Math.) A rectangular arrangement
of symbols in rows and columns. The symbols may express quantities or
operations.
Ma"tron (?), n. [F. matrone, L.
matrona, fr. mater mother. See Mother.]
1. A wife or a widow, especially, one who has
borne children; a woman of staid or motherly manners.
Your wives, your daughters,
Your matrons, and your maids.
Shak.
Grave from her cradle, insomuch that she was a
matron before she was a mother.
Fuller.
2. A housekeeper; esp., a woman who manages
the domestic economy of a public instution; a head nurse in a
hospital; as, the matron of a school or hospital.
Jury of matrons (Law), a jury of
experienced women called to determine the question of pregnancy when
set up in bar of execution, and for other cognate purposes.
Mat"ron*age (?), n. 1.
The state of a matron.
2. The collective body of matrons.
Burke.
Can a politician slight the feelings and convictions
of the whole matronage of his country ?
Hare.
Mat"ron*al (?), a. [L.
matronalis.] Of or pertaining to a matron; suitable to an
elderly lady or to a married woman; grave; motherly.
Ma"tron*hood (?), n. The state of
being a matron.
Mat"ron*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Matronized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Matronizing (?).] 1. To make
a matron of; to make matronlike.
Childbed matronizes the giddiest
spirits.
Richardson.
2. To act the part of a matron toward; to
superintend; to chaperone; as, to matronize an
assembly.
Ma"tron*like` (?), a. Like a
matron; sedate; grave; matronly.
Ma"tron*ly, a. 1.
Advanced in years; elderly.
2. Like, or befitting, a matron; grave;
sedate.
Mat`ro*nym"ic (?), n. [L. mater
mother + -nymic, as in patronimic.] See
Metronymic.
Ma*tross" (?), n. [D. matroos,
fr. F. matelot.] (Mil.) Formerly, in the British
service, a gunner or a gunner's mate; one of the soldiers in a train
of artillery, who assisted the gunners in loading, firing, and
sponging the guns. [Obs.]
Matt (?), n. See
Matte. Knight.
Mat`ta*ges" (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A shrike or butcher bird; -- written also
matagasse. [Prov. Eng.]
Mat"ta*more` (?), n. [F.
matamore, from Ar. ma&tsdot;mōra.] A
subterranean repository for wheat.
Matte (măt), n. [F.
matte; cf. F. mat, masc., matte, fem., faint,
dull, dim; -- said of metals. See Mate checkmate.]
1. (Metallurgy) A partly reduced copper
sulphide, obtained by alternately roasting and melting copper ore in
separating the metal from associated iron ores, and called coarse
metal, fine metal, etc., according to the grade of
fineness. On the exterior it is dark brown or black, but on a fresh
surface is yellow or bronzy in color.
2. A dead or dull finish, as in gilding where
the gold leaf is not burnished, or in painting where the surface is
purposely deprived of gloss.
Mat"ted (?), a. [See Matte.]
Having a dull surface; unburnished; as, matted gold leaf
or gilding.
Matted glass, glass ornamented with figures
on a dull ground.
Mat"ted, a. [See 3d Mat.]
1. Covered with a mat or mats; as, a
matted floor.
2. Tangled closely together; having its parts
adhering closely together; as, matted hair.
Mat"ter (?), n. [OE. matere, F.
matière, fr. L. materia; perh. akin to L.
mater mother. Cf. Mother, Madeira,
Material.] 1. That of which anything is
composed; constituent substance; material; the material or
substantial part of anything; the constituent elements of conception;
that into which a notion may be analyzed; the essence; the pith; the
embodiment.
He is the matter of virtue.
B.
Jonson.
2. That of which the sensible universe and
all existent bodies are composed; anything which has extension,
occupies space, or is perceptible by the senses; body;
substance.
&fist; Matter is usually divided by philosophical writers
into three kinds or classes: solid, liquid, and
aëriform. Solid substances are those whose parts
firmly cohere and resist impression, as wood or stone. Liquids
have free motion among their parts, and easily yield to impression,
as water and wine. Aëriform substances are elastic
fluids, called vapors and gases, as air and oxygen
gas.
3. That with regard to, or about which,
anything takes place or is done; the thing aimed at, treated of, or
treated; subject of action, discussion, consideration, feeling,
complaint, legal action, or the like; theme. "If the
matter should be tried by duel." Bacon.
Son of God, Savior of men ! Thy name
Shall be the copious matter of my song.
Milton.
Every great matter they shall bring unto thee,
but every small matter they shall judge.
Ex.
xviii. 22.
4. That which one has to treat, or with which
one has to do; concern; affair; business.
To help the matter, the alchemists call in many
vanities out of astrology.
Bacon.
Some young female seems to have carried matters
so far, that she is ripe for asking advice.
Spectator.
5. Affair worthy of account; thing of
consequence; importance; significance; moment; -- chiefly in the
phrases what matter ? no matter, and the
like.
A prophet some, and some a poet, cry;
No matter which, so neither of them lie.
Dryden.
6. Inducing cause or occasion, especially of
anything disagreeable or distressing; difficulty; trouble.
And this is the matter why interpreters upon
that passage in Hosea will not consent it to be a true story, that
the prophet took a harlot to wife.
Milton.
7. Amount; quantity; portion; space; -- often
indefinite.
Away he goes, . . . a matter of seven
miles.
L' Estrange.
I have thoughts to tarry a small
matter.
Congreve.
No small matter of British forces were
commanded over sea the year before.
Milton.
8. Substance excreted from living animal
bodies; that which is thrown out or discharged in a tumor, boil, or
abscess; pus; purulent substance.
9. (Metaph.) That which is permanent,
or is supposed to be given, and in or upon which changes are effected
by psychological or physical processes and relations; -- opposed to
form. Mansel.
10. (Print.) Written manuscript, or
anything to be set in type; copy; also, type set up and ready to be
used, or which has been used, in printing.
Dead matter (Print.), type which has
been used, or which is not to be used, in printing, and is ready for
distribution. -- Live matter (Print.),
type set up, but not yet printed from. -- Matter in
bar, Matter of fact. See under
Bar, and Fact. -- Matter of
record, anything recorded. -- Upon the
matter, or Upon the whole matter,
considering the whole; taking all things into view.
Waller, with Sir William Balfour, exceeded in horse,
but were, upon the whole matter, equal in foot.
Clarendon.
Mat"ter (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Mattered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mattering.] 1. To be of importance; to
import; to signify.
It matters not how they were
called.
Locke.
2. To form pus or matter, as an abscess; to
maturate. [R.] "Each slight sore mattereth." Sir P.
Sidney.
Mat"ter, v. t. To regard as
important; to take account of; to care for. [Obs.]
He did not matter cold nor hunger.
H. Brooke.
Mat"ter*less, a. 1.
Not being, or having, matter; as, matterless
spirits. Davies (Wit's Pilgr. ).
2. Unimportant; immaterial. [Obs.]
Mat"ter-of-fact" (?), a. Adhering
to facts; not turning aside from absolute realities; not fanciful or
imaginative; commonplace; dry.
Mat"ter*y (?), a. 1.
Generating or containing pus; purulent.
2. Full of substance or matter;
important. B. Jonson.
Mat"ting (?), n. [From Mat,
v. t. & i.] 1. The act of
interweaving or tangling together so as to make a mat; the process of
becoming matted.
2. Mats, in general, or collectively; mat
work; a matlike fabric, for use in covering floors, packing articles,
and the like; a kind of carpeting made of straw, etc.
3. Materials for mats.
4. An ornamental border. See 3d Mat,
4.
Mat"ting, n. [See Matte.] A
dull, lusterless surface in certain of the arts, as gilding, metal
work, glassmaking, etc.
Mat"tock (?), n. [AS. mattuc;
cf. W. matog.] An implement for digging and grubbing. The
head has two long steel blades, one like an adz and the other like a
narrow ax or the point of a pickax.
'T is you must dig with mattock and with
spade.
Shak.
Mat`to*wac"ca (?), n. [Indian name.]
(Zoöl.) An American clupeoid fish (Clupea
mediocris), similar to the shad in habits and appearance, but
smaller and less esteemed for food; -- called also hickory
shad, tailor shad, fall herring, and shad
herring.
Mat"tress (?), n. [OF. materas,
F. matelas, LL. matratium; cf. Sp. & Pg.
almadraque, Pr. almatrac; all from Ar.
ma&tsdot;rah a place where anything is thrown, what is thrown
under something, fr. &tsdot;araha to throw.]
1. A quilted bed; a bed stuffed with hair,
moss, or other suitable material, and quilted or otherwise
fastened. [Written also matress.]
2. (Hydraulic Engin.) A mass of
interwoven brush, poles, etc., to protect a bank from being worn away
by currents or waves.
Mat"u*rant (?), n. [L. maturans,
p. pr. See Maturate.] (Med.) A medicine, or
application, which promotes suppuration.
Mat"u*rate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Maturated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Maturating (?).] [L. maturatus, p. p. of
maturare to make ripe, fr. maturus ripe, mature. See
Mature, v. & a.]
1. To bring to ripeness or maturity; to
ripen.
A tree may be maturated
artificially.
Fuller.
2. To promote the perfect suppuration of (an
abscess).
Mat"u*rate, v. i. To ripen; to
become mature; specifically, to suppurate.
Mat`u*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
maturatio a hastening: cf. F. maturation.] The
process of bringing, or of coming, to maturity; hence, specifically,
the process of suppurating perfectly; the formation of pus or
matter.
Mat"u*ra*tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
maturatif.] Conducing to ripeness or maturity; hence,
conducing to suppuration.
Mat"u*ra*tive, n. (Med.) A
remedy promoting maturation; a maturant.
Ma*ture" (?), a.
[Compar. Maturer (?);
superl. Maturest.] [L. maturus; prob.
akin to E. matin.]
1. Brought by natural process to completeness
of growth and development; fitted by growth and development for any
function, action, or state, appropriate to its kind; full-grown;
ripe.
Now is love mature in ear.
Tennison.
How shall I meet, or how accost, the sage,
Unskilled in speech, nor yet mature of age ?
Pope.
2. Completely worked out; fully digested or
prepared; ready for action; made ready for destined application or
use; perfected; as, a mature plan.
This lies glowing, . . . and is almost mature
for the violent breaking out.
Shak.
3. Of or pertaining to a condition of full
development; as, a man of mature years.
4. Come to, or in a state of, completed
suppuration.
Syn. -- Ripe; perfect; completed; prepared; digested;
ready. -- Mature, Ripe. Both words describe
fullness of growth. Mature brings to view the
progressiveness of the process; ripe indicates the result. We
speak of a thing as mature when thinking of the successive
stayes through which it has passed; as ripe, when our
attention is directed merely to its state. A mature judgment;
mature consideration; ripe fruit; a ripe
scholar.
Ma*ture" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Matured (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Maturing.] [See Maturate, Mature.] To bring
or hasten to maturity; to promote ripeness in; to ripen; to complete;
as, to mature one's plans. Bacon.
Ma*ture", v. i. 1.
To advance toward maturity; to become ripe; as, wine
matures by age; the judgment matures by age and
experience.
2. Hence, to become due, as a note.
Ma*ture"ly, adv. 1.
In a mature manner; with ripeness; completely.
2. With caution; deliberately.
Dryden.
3. Early; soon. [A Latinism, little
used] Bentley.
Ma*ture"ness, n. The state or
quality of being mature; maturity.
Ma*tur"er (?), n. One who brings
to maturity.
Mat`u*res"cent (?), a. [L.
maturescens, p. pr. of maturescere to become ripe, v.
incho. from maturus. See Mature, a.]
Approaching maturity.
Ma*tur"ing (?), a. Approaching
maturity; as, maturing fruits; maturing notes of
hand.
Ma*tu"ri*ty (?), n. [L.
maturitas: cf. F. maturité.]
1. The state or quality of being mature;
ripeness; full development; as, the maturity of corn or of
grass; maturity of judgment; the maturity of a
plan.
2. Arrival of the time fixed for payment; a
becoming due; termination of the period a note, etc., has to
run.
Mat`u*ti"nal (?), a. [L.
matutinalis, matutinus: cf. F. matutinal. See
Matin.] Of or pertaining to the morning; early.
Ma*tu"ti*na*ry (?), a.
Matutinal. [R.]
Mat"u*tine (?), a.
Matutinal. [R.]
Mat"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) A
name of several maritime grasses, as the sea sand-reed (Ammophila
arundinacea) which is used in Holland to bind the sand of the
seacoast dikes (see Beach grass, under Beach); also,
the Lygeum Spartum, a Mediterranean grass of similar
habit.
Mat"y (?), n. [Etymology uncertain.]
A native house servant in India. Balfour (Cyc. of
India).
||Matz"oth (?), n. [Heb.
matstsōth, pl. of matstsāh unleavened.]
A cake of unleavened bread eaten by the Jews at the feast of the
Passover.
||Mau*ca"co (?), n. [From the native
name.] (Zoöl.) A lemur; -- applied to several
species, as the White-fronted, the ruffed, and the ring-tailed
lemurs.
Maud (?), n. A gray plaid; -- used
by shepherds in Scotland.
Mau"dle (?), v. t. To throw onto
confusion or disorder; to render maudlin. [Obs.]
Maud"lin (?), a. [From Maudlin,
a contr. of Magdalen, OE. Maudeleyne, who is drawn by
painters with eyes swelled and red with weeping.] 1.
Tearful; easily moved to tears; exciting to tears; excessively
sentimental; weak and silly. "Maudlin eyes."
Dryden. "Maudlin eloquence." Roscommon. "A
maudlin poetess." Pope. "Maudlin crowd."
Southey.
2. Drunk, or somewhat drunk; fuddled; given
to drunkenness.
Maudlin Clarence in his malmsey
butt.
Byron.
{ Maud"lin, Maude"line (?), }
n. (Bot.) An aromatic composite herb,
the costmary; also, the South European Achillea Ageratum, a
kind of yarrow.
Maud"lin*ism (?), n. A maudlin
state. Dickens.
Maud"lin*wort` (?), n. (Bot.)
The oxeye daisy.
{ Mau"ger, Mau"gre } (m&add;"g&etilde;r),
prep. [OF. maugré,
malgré, F. malgré. See Mal-,
Malice, and Agree.] In spite of; in opposition to;
notwithstanding.
A man must needs love maugre his
heed.
Chaucer.
This mauger all the world will I keep
safe.
Shak.
Mau"gre, v. t. To defy.
[Obs.] J. Webster.
Mau"kin (?), n. 1.
See Malkin.
2. (Zoöl.) A hare.
[Scot.]
Maul (?), n. [See Mall a
hammer.] A heavy wooden hammer or beetle. [Written also
mall.]
Maul, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mauled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mauling.] 1. To beat and bruise with a
heavy stick or cudgel; to wound in a coarse manner.
Meek modern faith to murder, hack, and
maul.
Pope.
2. To injure greatly; to do much harm
to.
It mauls not only the person misrepreseted, but
him also to whom he is misrepresented.
South.
Maule (?), n. (Bot.) The
common mallow.
Maul"ing (?), n. A severe beating
with a stick, cudgel, or the fist.
Maul"-stick` (?), n. [G.
malerstock; maler a painter + stock stick.]
A stick used by painters as a rest for the hand while
working. [Written also mahl-stick.]
Mau"met (?), n. See
Mawmet. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Maunch (?), v. t. To munch.
[Obs.]
Maunch (?), n. See
Manche.
Maund (?), n. [AS. mand,
mond.] A hand basket. [Obs.] Herrick.
Maund, n. [Hind, & Per. man.]
An East Indian weight, varying in different localities from 25
to about 82 pounds avoirdupois.
{ Maund (?), Maund"er (?), } v.
i. [Cf. F. mendier to beg, E. mendicant.]
1. To beg. [Obs.] B. Jonson. Beau. &
Fl.
2. To mutter; to mumble; to grumble; to speak
indistinctly or disconnectedly; to talk incoherently.
He was ever maundering by the how that he met a
party of scarlet devils.
Sir W. Scott.
Maund"er, v. t. To utter in a
grumbling manner; to mutter.
Maund"er, n. A beggar.
[Obs.]
Maund"er*er (?), n. One who
maunders.
Maun"dril (?), n. [Cf. Mandrel.]
(Coal Mining) A pick with two prongs, to pry
with.
Maun"dy Thurs"day (?). [OE. maunde a command, OF.
mandé, L. mandatum, from mandare to
command. See called from the ancient custom of washing the feet of
the poor on this day, which was taken to be the fulfillment of the
"new commandment," John xiii. 5, 34.] (Eccl.) The
Thursday in Passion week, or next before Good Friday.
Maun"gy (?), a. Mangy.
[Obs.] Skelton.
Mau*resque" (?), a. & n. See
Moresque.
Maur"ist (?), n. [From Maurus,
the favorite disciple of St. Benedict.] A member of the
Congregation of Saint Maur, an offshoot of the Benedictines,
originating in France in the early part of the seventeenth century.
The Maurists have been distinguished for their interest in
literature.
Mau`so*le"an (?), a. [L.
Mausoleus. See Mausoleum.] Pertaining to a
mausoleum; monumental.
Mau`so*le"um (?), n.; pl. E.
Mausoleums (#), L. -lea (#). [L.
mausoleum, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; Mausolus, king of Caria, to whom
Artemisia, his widow, erected a stately monument.] A magnificent
tomb, or stately sepulchral monument.
Mau"ther (?), n. [Cf. AS.
mægþ a maid.] [Also spelled mawther,
mother.] A girl; esp., a great, awkward girl; a
wench. [Prov. Eng.]
Mauv`an"i*line (?), n. (Chem.)
See Mauve aniline, under Mauve.
Mauve (mōv), n. [F., mallow, L.
malva. So named from the similarity of the color to that of
the petals of common mallow, Malva sylvestris. See
Mallow.] A color of a delicate purple, violet, or
lilac.
Mauve aniline (Chem.), a dyestuff
produced artificially by the oxidation of commercial aniline, and the
first discovered of the so-called coal-tar, or aniline,
dyes. It consists of the sulphate of mauveïne, and is a
dark brown or bronze amorphous powder, which dissolves to a beatiful
purple color. Called also aniline purple, violine,
etc.
Mauve"ïne (?), n. (Chem.)
An artificial organic base, obtained by oxidizing a mixture of
aniline and toluidine, and valuable for the dyestuffs it forms.
[Written also mauvine.]
Mauv"ine (?), a. Mauve-
colored.
Mav"er*ick (?), n. In the
southwestern part of the united States, a bullock or heifer that has
not been branded, and is unclaimed or wild; -- said to be from
Maverick, the name of a cattle owner in Texas who neglected to
brand his cattle.
Ma"vis (mā"v&ibreve;s), n. [F.
mauvis, Arm. milvid, milfid, milc'hhouid,
Corn. melhuez.] (Zoöl.) The European throstle
or song thrush (Turdus musicus).
Maw (m&add;), n. [See Mew a
gull.] (Zoöl.) A gull.
Maw, n. [OE. mawe, AS.
maga stomach; akin to D. maag, OHG. mago, G.
magen, Icel. magi, Sw. mage, Dan. mave.
√103.] 1. A stomach; the receptacle into
which food is taken by swallowing; in birds, the craw; -- now used
only of the lower animals, exept humorously or in contempt.
Chaucer.
Bellies and maws of living
creatures.
Bacon.
2. Appetite; inclination. [Obs.]
Unless you had more maw to do me
good.
Beau. & Fl.
Fish maw. (Zoöl.) See under
Fish.
Maw, n. An old game at
cards. Sir A. Weldon.
Mawk (m&add;k), n. [OE. mauk,
maðek, Icel. maðkr; akin to Dan. maddik,
and E. mad an earthworm. See Mad,
n.]
1. A maggot. [Scot.]
2. A slattern; a mawks. [Prov.
Eng.]
Maw"kin (?), n. See Malkin,
and Maukin.
Mawk"ing*ly (?), adv.
Slatternly. [Obs.]
Mawk"ish, a. [Orig., maggoty. See
Mawk.] 1. Apt to cause satiety or
loathing; nauseous; disgusting.
So sweetly mawkish', and so smoothly
dull.
Pope.
2. Easily disgusted; squeamish; sentimentally
fastidious. J. H. Newman.
Mawk"ish*ly, adv. In a mawkish
way.
Mawk"ish*ness, n. The quality or
state of being mawkish. J. H. Newman.
Mawks (?), n. A slattern; a
mawk. [Prov. Eng.]
Mawk"y (?), a. Maggoty.
[Prov. Eng.]
Maw"met (?), n. [Contr. fr.
Mahomet.] A puppet; a doll; originally, an idol, because
in the Middle Ages it was generally believed that the Mohammedans
worshiped images representing Mohammed. [Obs.] Wyclif.
Beau. & Fl.
Maw"met*ry (?), n. The religion of
Mohammed; also, idolatry. See Mawmet. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Maw"mish (?), a. [Prov. E. maum
soft, mellow, rotten; cf. OD. molm rotten wood, G.
mulm.] Nauseous. [Obs.] L' Estrange.
Maw"seed` (?), n. [Cf. G.
magsamen.] (Bot.) The seed of the opium
poppy.
Maw"worm` (?), n. [Maw the belly
+ worm.] (Zoöl.) (a) Any
intestinal worm found in the stomach, esp. the common round worm
(Ascaris lumbricoides), and allied species.
(b) One of the larvæ of botflies of
horses; a bot.
||Max*il"la (?), n.; pl.
Maxillæ (#). [L., dim. of mala jaw,
jawbone.] 1. (Anat.) (a)
The bone of either the upper or the under jaw.
(b) The bone, or principal bone, of the upper
jaw, the bone of the lower jaw being the mandible. [Now
commonly used in this restricted sense.]
2. (Zoöl.) One of the lower or
outer jaws of arthropods.
&fist; There are usually two pairs in Crustacea and one pair in
insects. In certain insects they are not used as jaws, but may form
suctorial organs. See Illust. under Lepidoptera, and
Diptera.
{ Max"il*lar (?), Max"il*la*ry (?), }
a. [L. maxillaris, fr. maxilla
jawbone, jaw: cf. F. maxillaire.] 1.
(Anat.) Pertaining to either the upper or the lower jaw,
but now usually applied to the upper jaw only. --
n. The principal maxillary bone; the
maxilla.
2. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to a
maxilla.
Max*il"li*form (?), a. [Maxilla
+ -form: cf. F. maxilliforme.] Having the form, or
structure, of a maxilla.
Max*il"li*ped (?), n. [Maxilla +
L. pes, pedis, foot.] (Zoöl.) One of
the mouth appendages of Crustacea, situated next behind the
maxillæ. Crabs have three pairs, but many of the lower
Crustacea have but one pair of them. Called also jawfoot, and
foot jaw.
Max*il`lo-man*dib"u*lar (?), a.
[Maxilla + mandibular.] (Anat.) Pertaining
to the maxilla and mandible; as, the maxillo-mandibular
nerve.
Max*il`lo-pal"a*tine (?), a.
[Maxilla + palatine.] (Anat.) Pertaining to
the maxillary and palatine regions of the skull; as, the maxillo-
palatine process of the maxilla. Also used as
n.
Max*il`lo*tur`bi*nal (?), a.
[Maxilla + turbinal.] (Anat.) Pertaining to
the maxillary and turbinal regions of the skull. --
n. The maxillo-turbinal, or inferior
turbinate, bone.
Max"im (?), n. [F. maxime, L.
maxima (sc. sententia), the greatest sentence,
proposition, or axiom, i. e., of the greatest weight or authority,
fem. fr. maximus greatest, superl. of magnus great. See
Magnitude, and cf. Maximum.]
1. An established principle or proposition; a
condensed proposition of important practical truth; an axiom of
practical wisdom; an adage; a proverb; an aphorism.
'T is their maxim, Love is love's
reward.
Dryden.
2. (Mus.) The longest note formerly
used, equal to two longs, or four breves; a large.
Syn. -- Axiom; aphorism; apothegm; adage; proverb; saying.
See Axiom.
Max`i*mil"ian (?), n. [From the proper
name.] A gold coin of Bavaria, of the value of about 13s. 6d.
sterling, or about three dollars and a quarter.
Max`i*mi*za"tion (?), n. The act
or process of increasing to the highest degree.
Bentham.
Max"i*mize (?), v. t. [L.
maximus greatest.] To increase to the highest
degree. Bentham.
Max"i*mum (?), n.; pl.
Maxima (#). [L., neut. from maximus the
greatest. See Maxim.] The greatest quantity or value
attainable in a given case; or, the greatest value attained by a
quantity which first increases and then begins to decrease; the
highest point or degree; -- opposed to minimum.
Good legislation is the art of conducting a nation to
the maximum of happiness, and the minimum of
misery.
P. Colquhoun.
Maximum thermometer, a thermometer that
registers the highest degree of temperature attained in a given time,
or since its last adjustment.
Max"i*mum, a. Greatest in quantity
or highest in degree attainable or attained; as, a maximum
consumption of fuel; maximum pressure; maximum
heat.
May (mā), v.
[imp. Might (mīt)] [AS. pres.
mæg I am able, pret. meahte, mihte; akin
to D. mogen, G. mögen, OHG. mugan,
magan, Icel. mega, Goth. magan, Russ.
moche. √103. Cf. Dismay, Main strength,
Might. The old imp. mought is obsolete, except as a
provincial word.] An auxiliary verb qualifying the meaning of
another verb, by expressing: (a) Ability,
competency, or possibility; -- now oftener expressed by
can.
How may a man, said he, with idle speech,
Be won to spoil the castle of his health !
Spenser.
For what he [the king] may do is of two kinds;
what he may do as just, and what he may do as
possible.
Bacon.
For of all sad words of tongue or pen
The saddest are these: "It might have been."
Whittier.
(b) Liberty; permission; allowance.
Thou mayst be no longer steward.
Luke xvi. 2.
(c) Contingency or liability; possibility or
probability.
Though what he learns he speaks, and may
advance
Some general maxims, or be right by chance.
Pope.
(d) Modesty, courtesy, or concession, or a
desire to soften a question or remark.
How old may Phillis be, you ask.
Prior.
(e) Desire or wish, as in prayer,
imprecation, benediction, and the like. "May you live
happily." Dryden.
May be, ∧ It may be,
are used as equivalent to possibly, perhaps, by
chance, peradventure. See 1st Maybe.
May, n. [Cf. Icel. mær,
Goth. mawi; akin to E. maiden. √103.] A
maiden. [Obs.] Chaucer.
May, n. [F. Mai, L.
Maius; so named in honor of the goddess Maia (Gr. &?;),
daughter of Atlas and mother of Mercury by Jupiter.]
1. The fifth month of the year, containing
thirty-one days. Chaucer.
2. The early part or springtime of
life.
His May of youth, and bloom of
lustihood.
Shak.
3. (Bot.) The flowers of the hawthorn;
-- so called from their time of blossoming; also, the
hawthorn.
The palm and may make country houses
gay.
Nash.
Plumes that mocked the may.
Tennyson.
4. The merrymaking of May Day.
Tennyson.
Italian may (Bot.), a shrubby species
of Spiræa (S. hypericifolia) with many clusters
of small white flowers along the slender branches. --
May apple (Bot.), the fruit of an
American plant (Podophyllum peltatum). Also, the plant itself
(popularly called mandrake), which has two lobed leaves, and
bears a single egg-shaped fruit at the forking. The root and leaves,
used in medicine, are powerfully drastic. -- May
beetle, May bug (Zoöl.),
any one of numerous species of large lamellicorn beetles that
appear in the winged state in May. They belong to Melolontha,
and allied genera. Called also June beetle. --
May Day, the first day of May; -- celebrated in
the rustic parts of England by the crowning of a May queen with a
garland, and by dancing about a May pole. -- May
dew, the morning dew of the first day of May, to which
magical properties were attributed. -- May
flower (Bot.), a plant that flowers in May;
also, its blossom. See Mayflower, in the vocabulary. --
May fly (Zoöl.), any species of
Ephemera, and allied genera; -- so called because the mature
flies of many species appear in May. See Ephemeral fly, under
Ephemeral. -- May game, any May-day
sport. -- May lady, the queen or lady of
May, in old May games. -- May lily
(Bot.), the lily of the valley (Convallaria
majalis). -- May pole. See
Maypole in the Vocabulary. -- May
queen, a girl or young woman crowned queen in the
sports of May Day. -- May thorn, the
hawthorn.
||Ma"ya (mä"yä), n.
(Hindoo Philos.) The name for the doctrine of the
unreality of matter, called, in English, idealism; hence,
nothingness; vanity; illusion.
May"be (?), adv. [For it may
be.] Perhaps; possibly; peradventure.
Maybe the amorous count solicits
her.
Shak.
In a liberal and, maybe, somewhat reckless
way.
Tylor.
May"be, a. Possible; probable, but
not sure. [R.]
Then add those maybe years thou hast to
live.
Driden.
May"be, n. Possibility;
uncertainty. [R.]
What they offer is mere maybe and
shift.
Creech.
May"bird` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
(a) The whimbrel; -- called also May
fowl, May curlew, and May whaap.
(b) The knot. [Southern U. S.]
(c) The bobolink.
May"bloom` (?), n. (Bot.)
The hawthorn.
May"bush` (?), n. (Bot.)
The hawthorn.
May"duke` (?), n. [Corrupt. of
Médoc, a province in France, where it is supposed to
have originated.] A large dark-red cherry of excellent
quality.
May"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A common American minnow (Fundulus majalis). See
Minnow.
May"flow`er (?), n. (Bot.)
In England, the hawthorn; in New England, the trailing arbutus
(see Arbutus); also, the blossom of these plants.
May"hap (?), adv. Perhaps;
peradventure. [Prov. or Dialectic]
May"hem (?), n. [The same as
maim. See Maim.] (Law) The maiming of a
person by depriving him of the use of any of his members which are
necessary for defense or protection. See Maim.
May"ing (?), n. The celebrating of
May Day. "He met her once a-Maying." Milton.
Ma`yon`naise" (?), n. [F.] A sauce
compounded of raw yolks of eggs beaten up with olive oil to the
consistency of a sirup, and seasoned with vinegar, pepper, salt,
etc.; -- used in dressing salads, fish, etc. Also, a dish dressed
with this sauce.
May"or (?), n. [OE. maire, F.
maire, fr. L. major greater, higher, nobler, compar. of
magnus great; cf. Sp. mayor. See Major, and cf.
Merino.] The chief magistrate of a city or borough; the
chief officer of a municipal corporation. In some American cities
there is a city court of which the major is chief judge.
||May"or*al (?), n. [Sp., fr.
mayor greater, L. major.] The conductor of a mule
team; also, a head shepherd.
May"or*al*ty (?), n. The office,
or the term of office, of a mayor.
May"or*ess (?), n. The wife of a
mayor.
May"or*ship, n. The office of a
mayor.
May"pole` (?), n. A tall pole
erected in an open place and wreathed with flowers, about which the
rustic May-day sports were had.
May"pop (?), n. [Perh. corrupt. fr.
maracock.] (Bot.) The edible fruit of a passion
flower, especially that of the North American Passiflora
incarnata, an oval yellowish berry as large as a small
apple.
May"weed` (?), n. (Bot.)
(a) A composite plant (Anthemis Cotula),
having a strong odor; dog's fennel. It is a native of Europe, now
common by the roadsides in the United States.
(b) The feverfew.
{ Ma*za"ma (?), Ma*za"me (?), }
n. (Zoöl.) A goatlike antelope
(Haplocerus montanus) which inhabits the Rocky Mountains,
frequenting the highest parts; -- called also mountain
goat.
Maz"ard (?), n. [Cf. F. merise a
wild cherry.] (Bot.) A kind of small black
cherry.
Maz"ard, n. [Prob. fr. mazer,
the head being compared to a large goblet.] The jaw; the head or
skull. [Obs.] Shak.
Maz"ard, v. t., To knock on the
head. [Obs.]
Maz`a*rine" (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Cardinal Mazarin, prime minister of France,
1643-1661.
Mazarine Bible, the first Bible, and perhaps
the first complete book, printed with movable metal types; -- printed
by Gutenberg at Mentz, 1450-55; -- so called because a copy was found
in the Mazarine Library, at Paris, about 1760. --
Mazarine blue, a deep blue color, named in
honor of Cardinal Mazarin.
Maz`a*rine", n. Mazarine
blue.
Maz"de*an (?), a. Of or pertaining
to Ahura-Mazda, or Ormuzd, the beneficent deity in the
Zoroastrian dualistic system; hence, Zoroastrian.
Maz"de*ism (?), n. The Zoroastrian
religion.
Maze (?), n. [OE. mase; cf. OE.
masen to confuse, puzzle, Norweg. masast to fall into a
slumber, masa to be continually busy, prate, chatter, Icel.
masa to chatter, dial. Sw. masa to bask, be slow, work
slowly and lazily, mas slow, lazy.] 1. A
wild fancy; a confused notion. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. Confusion of thought; perplexity;
uncertainty; state of bewilderment.
3. A confusing and baffling network, as of
paths or passages; an intricacy; a labyrinth. "Quaint
mazes on the wanton green." Shak.
Or down the tempting maze of Shawford
brook.
Wordaworth.
The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate,
Puzzled with mazes, and perplexed with error.
Addison.
Syn. -- Labyrinth; intricacy. See Labyrinth.
Maze (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mazed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mazing.] To perplex greatly; to bewilder; to astonish and
confuse; to amaze. South.
Maze, v. i. To be
bewildered. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Maz"ed*ness (?), n. The condition
of being mazed; confusion; astonishment. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Maze"ful (?), a. Mazy.
[Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.
Maz"er (?), n. [OE. maser, akin
to OD. maser an excrescence on a maple tree, OHG.
masar, G. maser spot, Icel. mösurr maple.]
A large drinking bowl; -- originally made of maple.
[Obs.]
Their brimful mazers to the feasting
bring.
Drayton.
Ma"zi*ly (?), adv. In a mazy
manner.
Ma"zi*ness, n. The state or
quality of being mazy.
Maz`o*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to mazology.
Ma*zol"o*gist (?), n. One versed
in mazology or mastology.
Ma*zol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; the breast
+ -logy.] Same as Mastology.
{ Ma*zour"ka (?), Ma*zur"ka (?), }
n. A Polish dance, or the music which
accompanies it, usually in 3-4 or 3-8 measure, with a strong accent
on the second beat.
Ma"zy (?), a. [From Maze.]
Perplexed with turns and windings; winding; intricate;
confusing; perplexing; embarrassing; as, mazy error.
Milton.
To range amid the mazy thicket.
Spenser.
To run the ring, and trace the mazy
round.
Dryden.
Me (?), pron. One. See Men,
pron. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Me (mē), pers. pron. [AS.
mē, dat. & acc., mec, acc. only ; akin to D.
mij, G. mich, Icel. & Goth. mik, L. me,
Gr. me`, 'eme`, Skr. mā,
mām. √187. Cf. 2d Mine.] The person
speaking, regarded as an object; myself; a pronoun of the first
person used as the objective and dative case of the pronoum I; as, he
struck me; he gave me the money, or he gave the money
to me; he got me a hat, or he got a hat for
me.
&fist; In methinks, me is properly in the dative
case, and the verb is impersonal, the construction being, it
appears to me. In early use me was often placed before
forms of the verb to be with an adjective; as, me were
lief.
Me rather had my heart might frrl your love
Than my unpleased eye see your courtesy.
Shak.
Meach (?), v. i. To skulk; to
cower. See Mich.
Mea"cock (?), n. [Prob. fr. meek
+ cock.] An uxorious, effeminate, or spiritless
man. [Obs.] Johnson.
Mead (mēd), n. [OE. mede,
AS. meodo; akin to D. mede, G. met, meth,
OHG. metu, mitu, Icel. mjöðr, Dan.
miöd, Sw. mjöd, Russ. med', Lith.
midus, W. medd, Gr. me`qy wine, Skr.
madhu honey, a sweet drink, as adj., sweet. √270. Cf.
Metheglin.] 1. A fermented drink made of
water and honey with malt, yeast, etc.; metheglin; hydromel.
Chaucer.
2. A drink composed of sirup of sarsaparilla
or other flavoring extract, and water. It is sometimes charged with
carbonic acid gas. [U. S.]
Mead, n. [AS. m&aemacr;d. See
Meadow.] A meadow.
A mede
All full of freshe flowers, white and reede.
Chaucer.
To fertile vales and dewy meads
My weary, wandering steps he leads.
Addison.
Mead"ow (?), n. [AS. meady; akin
to m&aemacr;d, and to G. matte; prob. also to E.
mow. See Mow to cut (grass), and cf. 2d Mead.]
1. A tract of low or level land producing grass
which is mown for hay; any field on which grass is grown for
hay.
2. Low land covered with coarse grass or rank
herbage near rives and in marshy places by the sea; as, the salt
meadows near Newark Bay.
Mead"ow, a. Of or pertaining to a
meadow; of the nature of a meadow; produced, growing, or living in, a
meadow. "Fat meadow ground." Milton.
&fist; For many names of plants compounded with meadow, see
the particular word in the Vocabulary.
Meadow beauty. (Bot.) Same as
Deergrass. -- Meadow foxtail
(Bot.), a valuable pasture grass (Alopecurus
pratensis) resembling timothy, but with softer spikes. --
Meadow grass (Bot.), a name given to
several grasses of the genus Poa, common in meadows, and of
great value for nay and for pasture. See Grass. --
Meadow hay, a coarse grass, or true sedge,
growing in uncultivated swamp or river meadow; -- used as fodder or
bedding for cattle, packing for ice, etc. [Local, U. S.] --
Meadow hen. (Zoöl.) (a)
The American bittern. See Stake-driver.
(b) The American coot (Fulica).
(c) The clapper rail. -- Meadow
lark (Zoöl.), any species of
Sturnella, a genus of American birds allied to the starlings.
The common species (S. magna) has a yellow breast with a black
crescent. -- Meadow mouse (Zoöl.),
any mouse of the genus Arvicola, as the common American
species A. riparia; -- called also field mouse, and
field vole. -- Meadow mussel
(Zoöl.), an American ribbed mussel (Modiola
plicatula), very abundant in salt marshes. -- Meadow
ore (Min.), bog-iron ore , a kind of
limonite. -- Meadow parsnip. (Bot.)
See under Parsnip. -- Meadow pink.
(Bot.) See under Pink. -- Meadow
pipit (Zoöl.), a small singing bird of the
genus Anthus, as A. pratensis, of Europe. --
Meadow rue (Bot.), a delicate early
plant, of the genus Thalictrum, having compound leaves and
numerous white flowers. There are many species. --
Meadow saffron. (Bot.) See under
Saffron. -- Meadow sage. (Bot.)
See under Sage. -- Meadow saxifrage
(Bot.), an umbelliferous plant of Europe (Silaus
pratensis), somewhat resembling fennel. -- Meadow
snipe (Zoöl.), the common or jack
snipe.
{ Mead"ow*sweet` (?), Mead"ow*wort` (?), }
n. (Bot.) The name of several plants of
the genus Spiræa, especially the white- or pink-flowered
S. salicifolia, a low European and American shrub, and the
herbaceous S. Ulmaria, which has fragrant white flowers in
compound cymes.
Mead"ow*y (?), a. Of or pertaining
to meadows; resembling, or consisting of, meadow.
{ Mea"ger, Mea"gre } (?), a.
[OE. merge, F. maigre, L. macer; akin to D. & G.
mager, Icel. magr, and prob. to Gr. makro`s
long. Cf. Emaciate, Maigre.]
1. Destitue of, or having little, flesh;
lean.
Meager were his looks;
Sharp misery had worn him to the bones.
Shak.
2. Destitute of richness, fertility,
strength, or the like; defective in quantity, or poor in quality;
poor; barren; scanty in ideas; wanting strength of diction or
affluence of imagery. "Meager soil." Dryden.
Of secular habits and meager religious
belief.
I. Taylor.
His education had been but meager.
Motley.
3. (Min.) Dry and harsh to the touch,
as chalk.
Syn. -- Thin; lean; lank; gaunt; starved; hungry; poor;
emaciated; scanty; barren.
{ Mea"ger, Mea"gre }, v. t.
To make lean. [Obs.]
{ Mea"ger*ly, Mea"gre*ly },
adv. Poorly; thinly.
{ Mea"ger*ness, Mea"gre*ness },
n. The state or quality of being meager;
leanness; scantiness; barrenness.
Mea"gre (?), n. [F. maigre.]
(Zoöl.) A large European sciænoid fish
(Sciæna umbra or S. aquila), having white
bloodless flesh. It is valued as a food fish. [Written also
maigre.]
Meak (?), n. [Cf. AS. mēce
sword, OS. māki, Icel. mækir.] A hook
with a long handle. [Obs.] Tusser.
Meak"ing, n. [See Meak.]
(Naut.) The process of picking out the oakum from the
seams of a vessel which is to be recalked.
Meaking iron (Naut.), the tool with
which old oakum is picked out of a vessel's seams.
Meal (mēl), n. [OE. mele,
AS. m&aemacr;l part, portion, portion of time; akin to E.
meal a repast. Cf. Piecemeal.] A part; a
fragment; a portion. [Obs.]
Meal, n. [OE. mel; akin to E.
meal a part, and to D. maal time, meal, G. mal
time, mahl meal, Icel. māl measure, time, meal,
Goth. mēl time, and to E. measure. See
Measure.] The portion of food taken at a particular time
for the satisfaction of appetite; the quantity usually taken at one
time with the purpose of satisfying hunger; a repast; the act or time
of eating a meal; as, the traveler has not eaten a good meal
for a week; there was silence during the meal.
What strange fish
Hath made his meal on thee ?
Shak.
Meal, n. [OE. mele, AS.
melu, melo; akin to D. meel, G. mehl,
OHG. melo, Icel. mjöl, SW. mjöl, Dan.
meel, also to D. malen to grind, G. mahlen,
OHG., OS., & Goth. malan, Icel. mala, W. malu,
L. molere, Gr. my`lh mill, and E. mill.
√108. Cf. Mill, Mold soil, Mole an
animal, Immolate, Molar.]
1. Grain (esp. maize, rye, or oats) that is
coarsely ground and unbolted; also, a kind of flour made from beans,
pease, etc.; sometimes, any flour, esp. if coarse.
2. Any substance that is coarsely pulverized
like meal, but not granulated.
Meal beetle (Zoöl.), the adult
of the meal worm. See Meal worm, below. -- Meal
moth (Zoöl.), a lepidopterous insect
(Asopia farinalis), the larvæ of which feed upon meal,
flour, etc. -- Meal worm (Zoöl.),
the larva of a beetle (Tenebrio molitor) which infests
granaries, bakehouses, etc., and is very injurious to flour and
meal.
Meal, v. t. 1. To
sprinkle with, or as with, meal. Shak.
2. To pulverize; as, mealed
powder.
Meal"ies (?), n. pl. [From
Mealy.] (Bot.) Maize or Indian corn; -- the common
name in South Africa.
Meal"i*ness (?), n. The quality or
state of being mealy.
Meal"-mouthed` (?), a. See
Mealy-mouthed.
Meal"time` (?), n. The usual time
of eating a meal.
Meal"y (?), a.
[Compar. Mealier (?);
superl. Mealiest.]
1. Having the qualities of meal; resembling
meal; soft, dry, and friable; easily reduced to a condition
resembling meal; as, a mealy potato.
2. Overspread with something that resembles
meal; as, the mealy wings of an insect.
Shak.
Mealy bug (Zoöl.), a scale
insect (Coccus adonidum, and related species), covered with a
white powderlike substance. It is a common pest in
hothouses.
Meal"y-mouthed` (?), a. Using soft
words; plausible; affectedly or timidly delicate of speech; unwilling
to tell the truth in plain language. "Mealy-mouthed
philanthropies." Tennyson.
She was a fool to be mealy-mouthed where nature
speaks so plain.
L'Estrange.
-- Meal"y-mouth`ness (#), n.
Mean (mēn), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Meant (m&ebreve;nt); p. pr. & vb.
n. Meaning.] [OE. menen, AS.
m&aemacr;nan to recite, tell, intend, wish; akin to OS.
mēnian to have in mind, mean, D. meenen, G.
meinen, OHG. meinan, Icel. meina, Sw.
mena, Dan. mene, and to E. mind. √104.
See Mind, and cf. Moan.] 1. To
have in the mind, as a purpose, intention, etc.; to intend; to
purpose; to design; as, what do you mean to do ?
What mean ye by this service ?
Ex. xii. 26.
Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it
unto good.
Gen. 1. 20.
I am not a Spaniard
To say that it is yours and not to mean it.
Longfellow.
2. To signify; to indicate; to import; to
denote.
What mean these seven ewe lambs ?
Gen. xxi. 29.
Go ye, and learn what that
meaneth.
Matt. ix. 13.
Mean, v. i. To have a purpose or
intention. [Rare, except in the phrase to mean well, or ill.]
Shak.
Mean (mēn), a.
[Compar. Meaner (mēn"&etilde;r);
superl. Meanest.] [OE. mene, AS.
m&aemacr;ne wicked; akin to mān, a., wicked, n.,
wickedness, OS. mēn wickedness, OHG. mein, G.
meineid perjury, Icel. mein harm, hurt, and perh. to
AS. gem&aemacr;ne common, general, D. gemeen, G.
gemein, Goth. gamáins, and L. communis.
The AS. gem&aemacr;ne prob. influenced the meaning.]
1. Destitute of distinction or eminence;
common; low; vulgar; humble. "Of mean parentage."
Sir P. Sidney.
The mean man boweth down, and the great man
humbleth himself.
Is. ii. 9.
2. Wanting dignity of mind; low-minded; base;
destitute of honor; spiritless; as, a mean motive.
Can you imagine I so mean could prove,
To save my life by changing of my love ?
Dryden.
3. Of little value or account; worthy of
little or no regard; contemptible; despicable.
The Roman legions and great Cæsar found
Our fathers no mean foes.
J. Philips.
4. Of poor quality; as, mean
fare.
5. Penurious; stingy; close-fisted;
illiberal; as, mean hospitality.
&fist; Mean is sometimes used in the formation of
compounds, the sense of which is obvious without explanation; as,
meanborn, mean-looking, etc.
Syn. -- Base; ignoble; abject; beggarly; wretched;
degraded; degenerate; vulgar; vile; servile; menial; spiritless;
groveling; slavish; dishonorable; disgraceful; shameful; despicable;
contemptible; paltry; sordid. See Base.
Mean, a. [OE. mene, OF.
meiien, F. moyen, fr. L. medianus that is in the
middle, fr. medius; akin to E. mid. See Mid.]
1. Occupying a middle position; middle; being
about midway between extremes.
Being of middle age and a mean
stature.
Sir. P. Sidney.
2. Intermediate in excellence of any
kind.
According to the fittest style of lofty, mean,
or lowly.
Milton.
3. (Math.) Average; having an
intermediate value between two extremes, or between the several
successive values of a variable quantity during one cycle of
variation; as, mean distance; mean motion; mean
solar day.
Mean distance (of a planet from the sun)
(Astron.), the average of the distances throughout one
revolution of the planet, equivalent to the semi-major axis of the
orbit. -- Mean error (Math. Phys.),
the average error of a number of observations found by taking the
mean value of the positive and negative errors without regard to
sign. -- Mean-square error, or Error
of the mean square (Math. Phys.), the error the
square of which is the mean of the squares of all the errors; --
called also, especially by European writers, mean error.
-- Mean line. (Crystallog.) Same as
Bisectrix. -- Mean noon, noon as
determined by mean time. -- Mean proportional
(between two numbers) (Math.), the square root of their
product. -- Mean sun, a fictitious sun
supposed to move uniformly in the equator so as to be on the meridian
each day at mean noon. -- Mean time, time
as measured by an equable motion, as of a perfect clock, or as
reckoned on the supposition that all the days of the year are of a
mean or uniform length, in contradistinction from apparent
time, or that actually indicated by the sun, and from sidereal
time, or that measured by the stars.
Mean, n. 1. That
which is mean, or intermediate, between two extremes of place, time,
or number; the middle point or place; middle rate or degree;
mediocrity; medium; absence of extremes or excess; moderation;
measure.
But to speak in a mean, the virtue of
prosperity is temperance; the virtue of adversity is
fortitude.
Bacon.
There is a mean in all things.
Dryden.
The extremes we have mentioned, between which the
wellinstracted Christian holds the mean, are
correlatives.
I. Taylor.
2. (Math.) A quantity having an
intermediate value between several others, from which it is derived,
and of which it expresses the resultant value; usually, unless
otherwise specified, it is the simple average, formed by adding the
quantities together and dividing by their number, which is called an
arithmetical mean. A geometrical mean is the square
root of the product of the quantities.
3. That through which, or by the help of
which, an end is attained; something tending to an object desired;
intermediate agency or measure; necessary condition or coagent;
instrument.
Their virtuous conversation was a mean to work
the conversion of the heathen to Christ.
Hooker.
You may be able, by this mean, to review your
own scientific acquirements.
Coleridge.
Philosophical doubt is not an end, but a
mean.
Sir W. Hamilton.
&fist; In this sense the word is usually employed in the plural
form means, and often with a singular attribute or predicate,
as if a singular noun.
By this means he had them more at
vantage.
Bacon.
What other means is left unto us.
Shak.
4. pl. Hence: Resources; property,
revenue, or the like, considered as the condition of easy livelihood,
or an instrumentality at command for effecting any purpose;
disposable force or substance.
Your means are very slender, and your waste is
great.
Shak.
5. (Mus.) A part, whether alto or
tenor, intermediate between the soprano and base; a middle
part. [Obs.]
The mean is drowned with your unruly
base.
Shak.
6. Meantime; meanwhile. [Obs.]
Spenser.
7. A mediator; a go-between. [Obs.]
Piers Plowman.
He wooeth her by means and by
brokage.
Chaucer.
By all means, certainly; without fail; as,
go, by all means. -- By any means,
in any way; possibly; at all.
If by any means I might attain to the
resurrection of the dead.
Phil. iii. ll.
--
By no means, or By no manner of
means, not at all; certainly not; not in any
degree.
The wine on this side of the lake is by no
means so good as that on the other.
Addison.
Me*an"der (?), n. [L. Maeander,
orig., a river in Phrygia, proverbial for its many windings, Gr. &?;:
cf. F. méandre.] 1. A winding,
crooked, or involved course; as, the meanders of the veins and
arteries. Sir M. Hale.
While lingering rivers in meanders
glide.
Sir R. Blackmore.
2. A tortuous or intricate
movement.
3. (Arch.) Fretwork. See
Fret.
Me*an"der, v. t. To wind, turn, or
twist; to make flexuous.
Dryton.
Me*an"der, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Meandered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Meandering.] To wind or turn in a course or passage; to
be intricate.
Five miles meandering with a mazy motion
Through wood and dale the sacred river ran.
Coleridge.
Me*an"dri*an (?), a. [L.
Maeandrius: cf. F. méandrien.] Winding;
having many turns.
||Me`an*dri"na (?), n. [NL.: cf. F.
méandrine.] (Zoöl.) A genus of corals
with meandering grooves and ridges, including the brain
corals.
{ Me*an"drous (?), Me*an"dry (?), }
a. Winding; flexuous.
Mean"ing (?), n. 1.
That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim; object;
as, a mischievous meaning was apparent.
If there be any good meaning towards
you.
Shak.
2. That which is signified, whether by act
lanquage; signification; sense; import; as, the meaning of a
hint.
3. Sense; power of thinking. [R.]
-- Mean"ing*less, a. --
Mean"ing*ly, adv.
Mean"ly, adv. [Mean middle.]
Moderately. [Obs.]
A man meanly learned himself, but not
meanly affectioned to set forward learning in
others.
Ascham.
Mean"ly, adv. [From Mean low.]
In a mean manner; unworthily; basely; poorly;
ungenerously.
While the heaven-born child
All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies.
Milton.
Would you meanly thus rely
On power you know I must obey ?
Prior.
We can not bear to have others think meanly of
them [our kindred].
I. Watts.
Mean"ness, n. 1.
The condition, or quality, of being mean; want of excellence;
poorness; lowness; baseness; sordidness; stinginess.
This figure is of a later date, by the meanness
of the workmanship.
Addison.
2. A mean act; as, to be guilty of
meanness. Goldsmith.
Mean"-spir`it*ed (?), a. Of a mean
spirit; base; groveling. -- Mean"-spir`it*ed*ness,
n.
Meant (?), imp. & p. p. of
Mean.
{ Mean"time` (?), Mean"while` (?), }
n. The intervening time; as, in the
meantime (or mean time).
{ Mean"time`, Mean"while`, }
adv. In the intervening time; during the
interval.
Mear (?), n. A boundary. See
Mere. [Obs.]
Mease (?), n. [Cf. G. mass
measure.] Five hundred; as, a mease of herrings.
[Prov. Eng.]
Mea"sel*ry (?), n. [OE.
meselrie, OF. mesellerie. See lst Measle.]
Leprosy. [Obs.] R. of Brunne.
Mea"sle (?), n. [OE. mesel, OF.
mesel, LL. misellus, L. misellus unfortunate,
dim. of miser. See Miser.] A leper. [Obs.]
[Written also meazel, and mesel.] Wyclif (Matt. x.
8. ).
Mea"sle, n. (Zoöl.) A
tapeworm larva. See 2d Measles, 4.
Mea"sled (?), a. [See 2d
Measles.] Infected or spotted with measles, as
pork. -- Mea"sled*ness, n.
Mea"sles (?), n. [From lst
Measle.] Leprosy; also, a leper. [Obs.]
Mea"sles, n.; pl. in form, but
used as singular in senses 1, 2, & 3. [D. mazelen; akin
to G. masern, pl., and E. mazer, and orig. meaning,
little spots. See Mazer.]
1. (Med.) A contagious febrile
disorder commencing with catarrhal symptoms, and marked by the
appearance on the third day of an eruption of distinct red circular
spots, which coalesce in a crescentic form, are slightly raised above
the surface, and after the fourth day of the eruption gradually
decline; rubeola.
Measles commences with the ordinary symptoms of
fever.
Am. Cyc.
2. (Veter. Med.) A disease of cattle
and swine in which the flesh is filled with the embryos of different
varieties of the tapeworm.
3. A disease of trees. [Obs.]
4. pl. (Zoöl.) The
larvæ of any tapeworm (Tænia) in the cysticerus
stage, when contained in meat. Called also bladder
worms.
Mea"sly (?), a. 1.
Infected with measles.
2. (Zoöl.) Containing larval
tapeworms; -- said of pork and beef.
Meas"ur*a*ble (?), a. [F.
mesurable, L. mensurabilis. See Measure, and cf.
Mensurable.]
1. Capable of being measured; susceptible of
mensuration or computation.
2. Moderate; temperate; not
excessive.
Of his diet measurable was he.
Chaucer.
-- Meas"ur*a*ble*ness, n. --
Meas"ur*a*bly, adv.
Yet do it measurably, as it becometh
Christians.
Latimer.
Meas"ure (m&ebreve;zh"&usl;r; 135), n.
[OE. mesure, F. mesure, L. mensura, fr.
metiri, mensus, to measure; akin to metrum
poetical measure, Gr. me`tron, E. meter. Cf.
Immense, Mensuration, Mete to measure.]
1. A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of
quantity or extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or
multiples of which anything is estimated and stated; hence, a rule by
which anything is adjusted or judged.
2. An instrument by means of which size or
quantity is measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the
like.
False ells and measures be brought all clean
adown.
R. of Gloucester.
3. The dimensions or capacity of anything,
reckoned according to some standard; size or extent, determined and
stated; estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a
coat.
The measure thereof is longer than the earth,
and broader than the sea.
Job xi. 9.
4. The contents of a vessel by which quantity
is measured; a quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited
quantity or amount.
It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three
measures of meal.
Luke xiii. 21.
5. Extent or degree not excessive or beyong
bounds; moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in
measure; with measure; without or beyond
measure.
Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth
without measure.
Is. v. 14.
6. Determined extent, not to be exceeded;
limit; allotted share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like;
due proportion.
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure
of my days.
Ps. xxxix. 4.
7. The quantity determined by measuring,
especially in buying and selling; as, to give good or full
measure.
8. Undefined quantity; extent;
degree.
There is a great measure of discretion to be
used in the performance of confession.
Jer.
Taylor.
9. Regulated division of movement:
(a) (Dancing) A regulated movement
corresponding to the time in which the accompanying music is
performed; but, especially, a slow and stately dance, like the
minuet. (b) (Mus.) (1) The group or
grouping of beats, caused by the regular recurrence of accented
beats. (2) The space between two bars. See
Beat, Triple, Quadruple, Sextuple,
Compound time, under Compound, a.,
and Figure. (c) (Poetry) The
manner of ordering and combining the quantities, or long and short
syllables; meter; rhythm; hence, a foot; as, a poem in iambic
measure.
10. (Arith.) A number which is
contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; as
in the phrases, the common measure, the greatest common
measure, etc., of two or more numbers.
11. A step or definite part of a progressive
course or policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the
accomplishment of an object; as, political measures; prudent
measures; an inefficient measure.
His majesty found what wrong measures he had
taken in the conferring that trust, and lamented his
error.
Clarendon.
12. The act of measuring; measurement.
Shak.
13. pl. (Geol.) Beds or strata;
as, coal measures; lead measures.
Lineal, or Long,
measure, measure of length; the measure of
lines or distances. -- Liquid measure, the
measure of liquids. -- Square measure, the
measure of superficial area of surfaces in square units, as inches,
feet, miles, etc. -- To have hard measure,
to have harsh treatment meted out to one; to be harshly or
oppressively dealt with. -- To take measures,
to make preparations; to provide means. -- To take
one's measure, to measure one, as for a garment; hence,
to form an opinion of one's disposition, character, ability,
etc. -- To tread a measure, to dance in
the style so called. See 9 (a).
Say to her, we have measured many miles
To tread a measure with her on this grass.
Shak.
Meas"ure, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Measured (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Measuring.] [F. mesurer, L. mensurare. See
Measure, n.] 1. To
ascertain by use of a measuring instrument; to compute or ascertain
the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by a certain rule
or standard; to take the dimensions of; hence, to estimate; to judge
of; to value; to appraise.
Great are thy works, Jehovah, infinite
Thy power! what thought can measure thee?
Milton.
2. To serve as the measure of; as, the
thermometer measures changes of temperature.
3. To pass throught or over in journeying, as
if laying off and determining the distance.
A true devoted pilgrim is not weary
To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps.
Shak.
4. To adjust by a rule or standard.
To secure a contented spirit, measure your
desires by your fortunes, not your fortunes by your
desires.
Jer. Taylor.
5. To allot or distribute by measure; to set
off or apart by measure; -- often with out or
off.
With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured
to you again.
Matt. vii. 2.
That portion of eternity which is called time,
measured out by the sun.
Addison.
To measure swords with one, to try another's
skill in the use of the sword; hence, figuratively, to match one's
abilities against an antagonist's.
Meas"ure (?), v. i. 1.
To make a measurement or measurements.
2. To result, or turn out, on measuring; as,
the grain measures well; the pieces measure
unequally.
3. To be of a certain size or quantity, or to
have a certain length, breadth, or thickness, or a certain capacity
according to a standard measure; as, cloth measures three
fourths of a yard; a tree measures three feet in
diameter.
Meas"ured (?), a. Regulated or
determined by a standard; hence, equal; uniform; graduated; limited;
moderated; as, he walked with measured steps; he expressed
himself in no measured terms. -- Meas"ured*ly,
adv.
Meas"ure*less (?), a. Without
measure; unlimited; immeasurable. --
Meas"ure*less*ness, n.
Syn. -- Boundless; limitless; endless; unbounded;
unlimited; vast; immense; infinite; immeasurable.
Meas"ure*ment (?), n.
1. The act or result of measuring; mensuration;
as, measurement is required.
2. The extent, size, capacity, amount. or
quantity ascertained by measuring; as, its measurement is five
acres.
Meas"ur*er (?), n. One who
measures; one whose occupation or duty is to measure commondities in
market.
Meas"ur*ing, a. Used in, or
adapted for, ascertaining measurements, or dividing by
measure.
Measuring faucet, a faucet which permits
only a given quantity of liquid to pass each time it is opened, or
one by means of which the liquid which passes can be measured. -
- Measuring worm (Zoöl.), the larva
of any geometrid moth. See Geometrid.
Meat (?), n. [OE. mete, AS.
mete; akin to OS. mat, meti, D. met
hashed meat, G. mettwurst sausage, OHG. maz food, Icel.
matr, Sw. mat, Dan. mad, Goth. mats. Cf.
Mast fruit, Mush.] 1. Food, in
general; anything eaten for nourishment, either by man or beast.
Hence, the edible part of anything; as, the meat of a lobster,
a nut, or an egg. Chaucer.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb
bearing seed, . . . to you it shall be for meat.
Gen. i. 29.
Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat
for you.
Gen. ix. 3.
2. The flesh of animals used as food; esp.,
animal muscle; as, a breakfast of bread and fruit without
meat.
3. Specifically, dinner; the chief
meal. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Meat biscuit. See under Biscuit.
-- Meat earth (Mining), vegetable
mold. Raymond. -- Meat fly.
(Zoöl.) See Flesh fly, under
Flesh. -- Meat offering
(Script.), an offering of food, esp. of a cake made of
flour with salt and oil. -- To go to meat,
to go to a meal. [Obs.] -- To sit at meat,
to sit at the table in taking food.
Meat, v. t. To supply with
food. [Obs.] Tusser.
His shield well lined, his horses meated
well.
Chapman.
Me*a"tal (?), a. Of or pertaining
to a meatus; resembling a meatus. Owen.
Meat"ed (?), a. 1.
Fed; fattened. [Obs.] Tusser.
2. Having (such) meat; -- used chiefly in
composition; as, thick-meated.
{ Meath, Meathe (?) }, n. [See
Mead.] A sweet liquor; mead. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Milton.
Meat"i*ness (?), n. Quality of
being meaty.
Meat"less, a. Having no meat;
without food.
"Leave these beggars meatless."
Sir T. More.
Me*at"o*scope (?), n. [Meatus +
-scope.] (Med.) A speculum for examining a natural
passage, as the urethra.
Me*at"o*tome (?), n. [Meatus +
Gr. &?; to cut.] (Surg.) An instrument for cutting into
the urethra so as to enlarge its orifice.
||Me*a"tus (?), n. sing. & pl.; E.
pl. Meatuses (&?;). [L., a going, passage,
fr. meare to go.] (Anat.) A natural passage or
canal; as, the external auditory meatus. See Illust. of
Ear.
Meat"y (?), a. Abounding in
meat.
Meaw (?), n. The sea mew.
[Obs.] Spenser.
Meaw, v. i. See Mew, to cry
as a cat.
Meawl (?), v. i. See Mewl,
and Miaul.
Mea"zel (?), n. See 1st
Measle. [Obs.]
Meaz"ling (?), a. Falling in small
drops; mistling; mizzing. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.
Me"bles (?), n. pl. See
Moebles. [Obs.]
||Me*ca"te (?), n. [Sp.] A rope of
hair or of maguey fiber, for tying horses, etc. [Southwestern
U. S.]
Mec`ca*wee" (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Mecca, in Arabia. -- n. A
native or inhabitant of Mecca.
Me*chan"ic (?), n. [F.
mécanique mechanics. See Mechanic,
a.] 1. The art of the
application of the laws of motion or force to construction.
[Obs.]
2. A mechanician; an artisan; an artificer;
one who practices any mechanic art; one skilled or employed in
shaping and uniting materials, as wood, metal, etc., into any kind of
structure, machine, or other object, requiring the use of tools, or
instruments.
An art quite lost with our
mechanics.
Sir T. Browne.
Me*chan"ic (m&esl;*kăn"&ibreve;k),
a. [F. mécanique, L.
mechanicus, Gr. mhchaniko`s, fr.
mhchanh` a machine. See Machine.]
1. Having to do with the application of the laws
of motion in the art of constructing or making things; of or
pertaining to mechanics; mechanical; as, the mechanic
arts. "These mechanic philosophers." Ray.
Mechanic slaves,
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers.
Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to a mechanic or
artificer, or to the class of artisans; hence, rude; common;
vulgar.
To make a god, a hero, or a king
Descend to a mechanic dialect.
Roscommon.
Sometimes he ply'd the strong, mechanic
tool.
Thomson.
3. Base. [Obs.] Whitlock.
Me*chan"ic*al (?), a. [From
Mechanic, a.]
1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in
accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the
quantitative relations of force and matter, as distinguished from
mental, vital, chemical, etc.; as,
mechanical principles; a mechanical theory;
mechanical deposits.
2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to
machinery or tools; made or formed by a machine or with tools; as,
mechanical precision; mechanical products.
We have also divers mechanical
arts.
Bacon.
3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by
will or emotion; proceeding automatically, or by habit, without
special intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing;
mechanical verses; mechanical service.
4. Made and operated by interaction of forces
without a directing intelligence; as, a mechanical
universe.
5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.;
approximate; empirical. See the 2d Note under
Geometric.
Mechanical effect, effective power; useful
work exerted, as by a machine, in a definite time. --
Mechanical engineering. See the Note under
Engineering. -- Mechanical maneuvers
(Mil.), the application of mechanical appliances to the
mounting, dismounting, and moving of artillery. Farrow. -
- Mechanical philosophy, the principles of
mechanics applied to the investigation of physical phenomena. --
Mechanical powers, certain simple instruments,
such as the lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the
pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the screw and the
wedge), which convert a small force acting through a great space into
a great force acting through a small space, or vice versa, and
are used separately or in combination. -- Mechanical
solution (Math.), a solution of a problem by any
art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means of the ruler
and compasses, or other instruments.
Me*chan"ic*al, n. A
mechanic. [Obs.] Shak.
Me*chan"ic*al*ize (?), v. t. To
cause to become mechanical.
Me*chan"ic*al*ly, adv. In a
mechanical manner.
Me*chan"ic*al*ness, n. The state
or quality of being mechanical.
Mech`a*ni"cian (?), n. [Cf. F.
mécanicien. See Mechanic.] One skilled in
the theory or construction of machines; a machinist.
Boyle.
Me*chan`i*co-chem"ic*al (?), a.
Pertaining to, connected with, or dependent upon, both mechanics
and chemistry; -- said especially of those sciences which treat of
such phenomena as seem to depend on the laws both of mechanics and
chemistry, as electricity and magnetism.
Me*chan"ics (?), n. [Cf. F.
mécanique.] That science, or branch of applied
mathematics, which treats of the action of forces on
bodies.
&fist; That part of mechanics which considers the action of
forces in producing rest or equilibrium is called statics;
that which relates to such action in producing motion is called
dynamics. The term mechanics includes the action of
forces on all bodies, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous. It is
sometimes, however, and formerly was often, used distinctively of
solid bodies only: The mechanics of liquid bodies is
called also hydrostatics, or hydrodynamics, according
as the laws of rest or of motion are considered. The mechanics of
gaseous bodies is called also pneumatics. The mechanics
of fluids in motion, with special reference to the methods of
obtaining from them useful results, constitutes
hydraulics.
Animal mechanics (Physiol.), that
portion of physiology which has for its object the investigation of
the laws of equilibrium and motion in the animal body. The most
important mechanical principle is that of the lever, the bones
forming the arms of the levers, the contractile muscles the power,
the joints the fulcra or points of support, while the weight of the
body or of the individual limbs constitutes the weight or
resistance. -- Applied mechanics, the
principles of abstract mechanics applied to human art; also, the
practical application of the laws of matter and motion to the
construction of machines and structures of all kinds.
Mech"an*ism (?), n. [Cf. F.
mécanisme, L. mechanisma. See Mechanic.]
1. The arrangement or relation of the parts of a
machine; the parts of a machine, taken collectively; the arrangement
or relation of the parts of anything as adapted to produce an effect;
as, the mechanism of a watch; the mechanism of a sewing
machine; the mechanism of a seed pod.
2. Mechanical operation or action.
He acknowledges nothing besides matter and motion; so
that all must be performed either by mechanism or
accident.
Bentley.
3. (Kinematics) An ideal machine; a
combination of movable bodies constituting a machine, but considered
only with regard to relative movements.
Mech"an*ist, n. 1.
A maker of machines; one skilled in mechanics.
2. One who regards the phenomena of nature as
the effects of forces merely mechanical.
Mech"an*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Mechanized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mechanizing (?).] [Cf. F.
méchaniser.] To cause to be mechanical.
Shelley.
Mech"an*o*graph (?), n. [Gr.
mhchanh` machine + -graph.] One of a number of
copies of anything multiplied mechanically.
Mech`an*o*graph`ic
(m&ebreve;k`an*&osl;*grăf"&ibreve;k),
a. 1. Treating of
mechanics. [R.]
2. Written, copied, or recorded by machinery;
produced by mechanography; as, a mechanographic record of
changes of temperature; mechanographic prints.
Mech`an*og"ra*phist (-&obreve;g"r&adot;*f&ibreve;st),
n. An artist who, by mechanical means,
multiplies copies of works of art.
Mech`an*og"ra*phy (?), n. The art
of mechanically multiplying copies of a writing, or any work of
art.
Mech"an*ur`gy (?), n. [Gr.
mhchanh` machine + the root of &?; work.] That branch
of science which treats of moving machines.
Mech"i*tar*ist (?), n. [From
Mechitar, an Armenian., who founded the congregation in the
early part of the eighteenth century.] (Eccl. Hist.) One
of a religious congregation of the Roman Catholic Church devoted to
the improvement of Armenians.
Mech"lin (?), n. A kind of lace
made at, or originating in, Mechlin, in Belgium.
Me*cho"a*can (?), n. A species of
jalap, of very feeble properties, said to be obtained from the root
of a species of Convolvulus (C. Mechoacan); -- so
called from Michoacan, in Mexico, whence it is
obtained.
Meck*e"li*an (?), a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to, or discovered by, J. F. Meckel, a German
anatomist.
Meckelian cartilage, the cartilaginous rod
which forms the axis of the mandible; -- called also Meckel's
cartilage.
Mec"o*nate (?), n. [Cf. F.
méconate.] (Chem.) A salt of meconic
acid.
Me*con"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; belonging to
the poppy, fr. &?; the poppy: cf. F. méconique.]
Pertaining to, or obtained from, the poppy or opium; specif.
(Chem.), designating an acid related to aconitic acid, found
in opium and extracted as a white crystalline substance.
Me*con"i*dine (?), n. (Chem)
An alkaloid found in opium, and extracted as a yellow amorphous
substance which is easily decomposed.
||Mec`o*nid"i*um (?), n. [NL., dim. of
Gr. &?; a poppy. So called in allusion to the shape of the seed
capsules of the poppy.] (Zoöl.) A kind of gonophore
produced by hydroids of the genus Gonothyræa. It has
tentacles, and otherwise resembles a free medusa, but remains
attached by a pedicel.
Mec"o*nin (?), n. [Cf. F.
méconine.] (Chem.) A substance regarded as
an anhydride of meconinic acid, existing in opium and extracted as a
white crystalline substance. Also erroneously called meconina,
meconia, etc., as though it were an alkaloid.
Mec`o*nin"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid which occurs in opium,
and which may be obtained by oxidizing narcotine.
||Me*co"ni*um (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;,
fr. &?; poppy.] (Med.) (a) Opium.
[Obs.] (b) The contents of the fetal intestine;
hence, first excrement.
Med"al (?), n. [F.
médaille, It. medaglia, fr. L. metallum
metal, through (assumed) LL. metalleus made of metal. See
Metal, and cf. Mail a piece of money.] A piece of
metal in the form of a coin, struck with a device, and intended to
preserve the remembrance of a notable event or an illustrious person,
or to serve as a reward.
Med"al, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Medaled (?), or Medalled; p. pr. &
vb. n. Medaling or Medalling.] To honor
or reward with a medal. "Medaled by the king."
Thackeray.
Med"al*et (?), n. A small
medal.
Med"al*ist, n. [Cf. F.
médailliste, It. medaglista.] [Written also
medallist.]
1. A person that is skilled or curious in
medals; a collector of medals. Addison.
2. A designer of medals.
Macaulay.
3. One who has gained a medal as the reward
of merit.
Me*dal"lic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to a medal, or to medals. "Our medallic
history." Walpole.
Me*dal"lion (?), n. [F.
médaillion, It. medaglione, augm. of
medaglia. See Medal.]
1. A large medal or memorial coin.
2. A circular or oval (or, sometimes, square)
tablet bearing a figure or figures represented in relief.
Med"al*ur`gy (?), n. [Medal +
the root of Gr. &?; work.] The art of making and striking medals
and coins. [Written also medallurgy.]
Med"dle` (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Meddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Meddling (?).] [OE. medlen to mix, OF. medler,
mesler, F. mêler, LL. misculare, a dim.
fr. L. miscere to mix. √271. See Mix, and cf.
Medley, Mellay.]
1. To mix; to mingle. [Obs.]
More to know
Did never meddle with my thoughts.
Shak.
2. To interest or engage one's self; to have
to do; -- in a good sense. [Obs.] Barrow.
Study to be quiet, and to meddle with your own
business.
Tyndale.
3. To interest or engage one's self
unnecessarily or impertinently, to interfere or busy one's self
improperly with another's affairs; specifically, to handle or distrub
another's property without permission; -- often followed by
with or in.
Why shouldst thou meddle to thy
hurt?
2 Kings xiv. 10.
The civil lawyers . . . have meddled in a
matter that belongs not to them.
Locke.
To meddle and make, to intrude one's self
into another person's concerns. [Archaic] Shak.
Syn. -- To interpose; interfere; intermeddle.
Med"dle, v. t. To mix; to
mingle. [Obs.] Chaucer.
"Wine meddled with gall."
Wyclif (Matt. xxvii. 34).
Med"dler (?), n. One who meddles;
one who interferes or busies himself with things in which he has no
concern; an officious person; a busybody.
Med"dle*some (?), a. Given to
meddling; apt to interpose in the affairs of others; officiously
intrusive. -- Med"dle*some*ness,
n.
Med"dling (?), a.
Meddlesome. Macaulay.
Med"dling*ly, adv. In a meddling
manner.
Mede (?), n. A native or
inhabitant of Media in Asia.
Mede, n. See lst & 2d Mead,
and Meed. [Obs.]
||Me"di*a (?), n.,
pl. of Medium.
||Me"di*a, n.; pl.
Mediæ (-ē). [NL., fr. L. medius
middle.] (Phonetics) One of the sonant mutes β,
δ, γ (b, d, g), in Greek, or of
their equivalents in other languages, so named as intermediate
between the tenues, π, τ, κ (p, t,
k), and the aspiratæ (aspirates) φ, θ,
χ (ph or f, th, ch). Also called
middle mute, or medial, and sometimes soft
mute.
Me"di*a*cy (?), n. The state or
quality of being mediate. Sir W. Hamilton.
Me`di*æ"val (?), a. [L.
medius middle + aevum age. See Middle, and
Age.] Of or relating to the Middle Ages; as,
mediæval architecture. [Written also
medieval.]
Me`di*æ"val*ism (?), n. The
method or spirit of the Middle Ages; devotion to the institutions and
practices of the Middle Ages; a survival from the Middle Ages.
[Written also medievalism.]
Me`di*æ"val*ist, n. One who
has a taste for, or is versed in, the history of the Middle Ages; one
in sympathy with the spirit or forms of the Middle Ages.
[Written also medievalist.]
Me`di*æ"val*ly, adv. In the
manner of the Middle Ages; in accordance with
mediævalism.
Me`di*æ"vals (?), n. pl. The
people who lived in the Middle Ages. Ruskin.
Me"di*al (?), a. [L. medialis,
fr. medius middle: cf. F. médial. See
Middle.] Of or pertaining to a mean or average; mean; as,
medial alligation.
Me"di*al, n. (Phonetics)
See 2d Media.
||Me"di*a*lu"na (?), n. [Sp. media
luna half-moon.] (Zoöl.) See Half-
moon.
Me"di*an (?), a. [L. medianus,
fr. medius middle. See Medial.] 1.
Being in the middle; running through the middle; as, a
median groove.
2. (Zoöl.) Situated in the
middle; lying in a plane dividing a bilateral animal into right and
left halves; -- said of unpaired organs and parts; as, median
coverts.
Median line. (a) (Anat.)
Any line in the mesial plane; specif., either of the lines in
which the mesial plane meets the surface of the body.
(b) (Geom.) The line drawn from an angle
of a triangle to the middle of the opposite side; any line having the
nature of a diameter. -- Median plane
(Anat.), the mesial plane. -- Median
point (Geom.), the point where the three median
lines of a triangle mutually intersect.
Me"di*an, n. (Geom.) A
median line or point.
Me"di*ant (?), n. [L. medians,
p. p. of mediare to halve: cf. It. mediante, F.
médiante.] (Mus.) The third above the
keynote; -- so called because it divides the interval between the
tonic and dominant into two thirds.
Me`di*as*ti"nal (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to a mediastinum.
{ Me`di*as"tine (?), ||Me`di*as*ti"num (?), }
n. [NL. mediastinum, fr. L. medius
middle; cf. mediastinus helper, a menial servant, LL.
mediastinus equiv. to medius: cf F.
médiastin.] (Anat.) A partition; a septum;
specifically, the folds of the pleura (and the space included between
them) which divide the thorax into a right and left cavity. The space
included between these folds of the pleura, called the mediastinal
space, contains the heart and gives passage to the esophagus and
great blood vessels.
Me"di*ate (?), a. [L. mediatus,
p. p. of mediare, v. t., to halve, v. i., to be in the middle.
See Mid, and cf. Moiety.] 1. Being
between the two extremes; middle; interposed; intervening;
intermediate. Prior.
2. Acting by means, or by an intervening
cause or instrument; not direct or immediate; acting or suffering
through an intervening agent or condition.
3. Gained or effected by a medium or
condition. Bacon.
An act of mediate knowledge is
complex.
Sir W. Hamilton.
Me"di*ate (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Mediated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mediating.] [LL. mediatus, p. p. of mediare to
mediate. See Mediate, a.]
1. To be in the middle, or between two; to
intervene. [R.]
2. To interpose between parties, as the equal
friend of each, esp. for the purpose of effecting a reconciliation or
agreement; as, to mediate between nations.
Me"di*ate, v. t. 1.
To effect by mediation or interposition; to bring about as a
mediator, instrument, or means; as, to mediate a
peace.
2. To divide into two equal parts. [R.]
Holder.
Me"di*ate*ly (?), adv. In a
mediate manner; by a secondary cause or agent; not directly or
primarily; by means; -- opposed to immediately.
God worketh all things amongst us
mediately.
Sir W. Raleigh.
The king grants a manor to A, and A grants a portion
of it to B. In this case. B holds his lands immediately of A, but
mediately of the king.
Blakstone.
Me"di*ate*ness, n. The state of
being mediate.
Me`di*a"tion (?), n. [OE.
mediacioun, F. médiation. See Mediate,
a.] 1. The act of mediating;
action or relation of anything interposed; action as a necessary
condition, means, or instrument; interposition;
intervention.
The soul [acts] by the mediation of these
passions.
South.
2. Hence, specifically, agency between
parties at variance, with a view to reconcile them; entreaty for
another; intercession. Bacon.
Me"di*a*tive (?), a. Pertaining to
mediation; used in mediation; as, mediative efforts.
Beaconsfield.
Me`di*at`i*za"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
médiatisation.] The act of mediatizing.
Me"di*a*tize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Mediatized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mediatizing.] [Cf. F. médiatiser.]
To cause to act through an agent or to hold a subordinate
position; to annex; -- specifically applied to the annexation during
the former German empire of a smaller German state to a larger, while
allowing it a nominal sovereignty, and its prince his rank.
The misfortune of being a mediatized
prince.
Beaconsfield.
Me"di*a`tor (?), n. [L.
mediator: cf. E. médiateur.] One who
mediates; especially, one who interposes between parties at variance
for the purpose of reconciling them; hence, an intercessor.
For there is one God, and one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
1 Tim. ii.
5.
Me`di*a*to"ri*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to a mediator, or to mediation; mediatory; as, a
mediatorial office. -- Me`di*a*to"ri*al*ly,
adv.
My measures were . . . healing and
mediatorial.
Burke.
Me"di*a`tor*ship (?), n. The
office or character of a mediator.
Me"di*a*to*ry (?), a.
Mediatorial.
{ Me`di*a"tress (?), Me`di*a*"trix (?), }
n. [L. mediatrix, f. of mediator: cf.
F. médiatrice.] A female mediator.
Med"ic (?), n. [L. medica, Gr.
&?; (sc. &?;) a kind of clover introduced from Media, from &?;
Median.] (Bot.) A leguminous plant of the genus
Medicago. The black medic is the Medicago lupulina; the
purple medic, or lucern, is M. sativa.
Med"ic, a. [L. medicus.]
Medical. [R.]
Med"i*ca*ble (?), a. [L.
medicabilis, from medicare, medicari, to heal,
fr. medicus physician. See Medical.] Capable of
being medicated; admitting of being cured or healed.
Med"ic*al (?), a. [LL.
medicalis, L. medicus belonging to healing, fr.
mederi to heal; cf. Zend madha medical science, wisdom,
Gr. &?; to learn, E. mind: cf. F. médical.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or having to do with,
the art of healing disease, or the science of medicine; as, the
medical profession; medical services; a medical
dictionary; medical jurisprudence.
2. Containing medicine; used in medicine;
medicinal; as, the medical properties of a plant.
Med"ic*al*ly, adv. In a medical
manner; with reference to healing, or to the principles of the
healing art.
Med"i*ca*ment (?), n. [L.
medicamentum, fr. medicare, medicari, to heal:
cf. F. médicament. See Medicable.] Anything
used for healing diseases or wounds; a medicine; a healing
application.
Med`ica*men"tal (?), a. Of or
pertaining to medicaments or healing applications; having the
qualities of medicaments. -- Med`ica*men"tal*ly, adv.
Med"i*cas`ter (?), n. [Cf. F.
médicastre. See Medical.] A quack.
[R.] Whitlock.
Med"i*cate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Medicated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Medicating (?).] [L. medicatus, p. p. of
medicare, medicari. See Medicable.]
1. To tincture or impregnate with anything
medicinal; to drug. "Medicated waters."
Arbuthnot.
2. To treat with medicine.
Med`i*ca"tion (?), [L. medicatio: cf. F.
médication.] The act or process of
medicating.
Med"i*ca*tive (?), a. Medicinal;
acting like a medicine.
Med`i*ce"an (?), a. Of or relating
to the Medici, a noted Italian family; as, the Medicean
Venus.
Medicean planets (Astron.), a name
given by Galileo to the satellites of Jupiter.
Me*dic"i*na*ble (?), a. Medicinal;
having the power of healing. [Obs.] Shak.
Me*dic"i*nal (?), a. [L.
medicinalis: cf. F. médicinal. See
Medicine.] 1. Having curative or
palliative properties; used for the cure or alleviation of bodily
disorders; as, medicinal tinctures, plants, or
springs.
Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees
Their medicinal gum.
Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to medicine;
medical.
Me*dic"i*nal*ly, adv. In a
medicinal manner.
Med"i*cine (?), n. [L. medicina
(sc. ars), fr. medicinus medical, fr. medicus:
cf. F. médecine. See Medical.]
1. The science which relates to the prevention,
cure, or alleviation of disease.
2. Any substance administered in the
treatment of disease; a remedial agent; a remedy; physic.
By medicine, life may be
prolonged.
Shak.
3. A philter or love potion. [Obs.]
Shak.
4. [F. médecin.] A
physician. [Obs.] Shak.
Medicine bag, a charm; -- so called among
the North American Indians, or in works relating to them. --
Medicine man (among the North American Indians),
a person who professes to cure sickness, drive away evil spirits,
and regulate the weather by the arts of magic. --
Medicine seal, a small gem or paste engraved
with reversed characters, to serve as a seal. Such seals were used by
Roman physicians to stamp the names of their medicines.
Med"i*cine, v. t. To give medicine
to; to affect as a medicine does; to remedy; to cure.
"Medicine thee to that sweet sleep." Shak.
Med`i*co-le"gal (?), a. Of or
pertaining to law as affected by medical facts.
Med`i*com"mis*sure (?), n. [L.
medius middle + E. commissure.] (Anat.) A
large transverse commissure in the third ventricle of the brain; the
middle or soft commissure. B. G. Wildex.
||Med`i*cor"nu (?), n.; pl.
Medicornua (#). [NL., fr. L. medius middle +
cornu horn.] (Anat.) The middle or inferior horn
of each lateral ventricle of the brain. B. G.
Wilder.
Med"ics (?), n. Science of
medicine. [Obs.]
Me*di"e*ty (?), n. [L.
medietas.] The middle part; half; moiety. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
{ Me`di*e"val, Me`di*e"val*ism,
Me`di*e"val*ist }. Same as Medi&?;val,
Medi&?;valism, etc.
Me*di"na ep"och (?). [From Medina in New York.]
(Geol.) A subdivision of the Niagara period in the
American upper Silurian, characterized by the formations known as the
Oneida conglomerate, and the Medina sandstone. See the Chart
of Geology.
Me*di"no (m&esl;*dē"n&osl;), n.
Same as Para.
Me"di*o`cral (?), a.
Mediocre. [R.]
Me"di*o`cre (mē"d&ibreve;*ō`k&etilde;r),
a. [F. médiocre, L. mediocris,
fr. medius middle. See Mid.] Of a middle quality;
of but a moderate or low degree of excellence; indifferent;
ordinary. " A very mediocre poet." Pope.
Me"di*o`cre, n. 1.
A mediocre person. [R.]
2. A young monk who was excused from
performing a portion of a monk's duties. Shipley.
Me"di*o`crist (?), n. A mediocre
person. [R.]
Me`di*oc"ri*ty (?), n. [F.
médiocrité, L. mediocritas.]
1. The quality of being mediocre; a middle
state or degree; a moderate degree or rate. "A
mediocrity of success." Bacon.
2. Moderation; temperance. [Obs.]
Hooker.
Me`di*o*sta*pe"di*al (?), a. [L.
medius middle + E. stapedial.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to that part of the columella of the ear which, in
some animals, connects the stapes with the other parts of the
columella. -- n. The mediostapedial part
of the columella.
Me`di*ox"u*mous (?), a. [L.
medioxumus middlemost.] Intermediate. [Obs.]
Dr. H. More.
Med"i*tance (?), n.
Meditation. [Obs.]
Med"i*tate (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Meditated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Meditating.] [L. meditatus, p. p. of
meditari to meditate; cf. Gr. &?; to learn, E. mind.]
To keep the mind in a state of contemplation; to dwell on
anything in thought; to think seriously; to muse; to cogitate; to
reflect. Jer. Taylor.
In his law doth he meditate day and
night.
Ps. i. 2.
Med"i*tate, v. t. 1.
To contemplate; to keep the mind fixed upon; to study.
"Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things."
Ecclus. xiv. 20.
2. To purpose; to intend; to design; to plan
by revolving in the mind; as, to meditate a war.
I meditate to pass the remainder of life in a
state of undisturbed repose.
Washington.
Syn. -- To consider; ponder; weigh; revolve; study. -- To
Meditate, Contemplate, Intend. We
meditate a design when we are looking out or waiting for the
means of its accomplishment; we contemplate it when the means
are at hand, and our decision is nearly or quite made. To
intend is stronger, implying that we have decided to act when
an opportunity may offer. A general meditates an attack upon
the enemy; he contemplates or intends undertaking it at
the earliest convenient season.
Med`i*ta"tion (?), n. [OE.
meditacioun, F. méditation, fr. L.
meditatio.] 1. The act of meditating;
close or continued thought; the turning or revolving of a subject in
the mind; serious contemplation; reflection; musing.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of
my heart be acceptable in thy sight.
Ps. xix.
14.
2. Thought; -- without regard to kind.
[Obs.]
With wings as swift
As meditation or the thoughts of love.
Shak.
Med"i*ta`tist, n. One who is given
to meditation.
Med"i*ta*tive (?), a. [L.
meditativus: cf. F. méditatif.] Disposed to
meditate, or to meditation; as, a meditative man; a
meditative mood. -- Med"i*ta*tive*ly,
adv. -- Med"i*ta*tive*ness,
n.
Med`i*ter*ra"ne*an (?), a. [L.
mediterraneus; medius middle + terra land. See
Mid, and Terrace.]
1. Inclosed, or nearly inclosed, with land;
as, the Mediterranean Sea, between Europe and
Africa.
2. Inland; remote from the ocean.
[Obs.]
Cities, as well mediterranean as
maritime.
Holland.
3. Of or pertaining to the Mediterranean Sea;
as, Mediterranean trade; a Mediterranean
voyage.
Med`i*ter*ra"ne*ous (?), a.
Inland. Sir T. Browne.
Me"di*um (?), n.; pl. L.
Media (#), E.
Mediums (#). [L. medium the middle, fr.
medius middle. See Mid, and cf. Medius.]
1. That which lies in the middle, or between
other things; intervening body or quantity. Hence, specifically:
(a) Middle place or degree; mean.
The just medium . . . lies between pride and
abjection.
L'Estrange.
(b) (Math.) See Mean.
(c) (Logic) The mean or middle term of a
syllogism; that by which the extremes are brought into
connection.
2. A substance through which an effect is
transmitted from one thing to another; as, air is the common
medium of sound. Hence: The condition upon which any event or
action occurs; necessary means of motion or action; that through or
by which anything is accomplished, conveyed, or carried on;
specifically, in animal magnetism, spiritualism, etc., a person
through whom the action of another being is said to be manifested and
transmitted.
Whether any other liquors, being made mediums,
cause a diversity of sound from water, it may be tried.
Bacon.
I must bring together
All these extremes; and must remove all mediums.
Denham.
3. An average. [R.]
A medium of six years of war, and six years of
peace.
Burke.
4. A trade name for printing and writing
paper of certain sizes. See Paper.
5. (Paint.) The liquid vehicle with
which dry colors are ground and prepared for application.
Circulating medium, a current medium of
exchange, whether coin, bank notes, or government notes. --
Ethereal medium (Physics), the
ether. -- Medium of exchange, that which
is used for effecting an exchange of commodities -- money or current
representatives of money.
Me"di*um, a. Having a middle
position or degree; mean; intermediate; medial; as, a horse of
medium size; a decoction of medium strength.
Me"di*um-sized` (?), a. Having a
medium size; as, a medium-sized man.
||Me"di*us (?), n.; pl.
Medii (#). [NL., fr. L. medius middle. See
Medium.] (Anat.) The third or middle finger; the
third digit, or that which corresponds to it.
Med"lar (?), n. [OE. medler
medlar tree, OF. meslier, F. néflier, L.
mespilum, mespilus, Gr. &?;, &?;. Cf.
Naseberry.] A tree of the genus Mespilus (M.
Germanica); also, the fruit of the tree. The fruit is something
like a small apple, but has a bony endocarp. When first gathered the
flesh is hard and austere, and it is not eaten until it has begun to
decay.
Japan medlar (Bot.), the loquat. See
Loquat. -- Neapolitan medlar
(Bot.), a kind of thorn tree (Cratægus
Azarolus); also, its fruit.
Med"le (?), v. t. [See Meddle.]
To mix; to mingle; to meddle. [Written also medly.]
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Med"ley (?), n.; pl.
Medleys (#). [OE. medlee, OF.
meslée, medlée, mellée, F.
mêlée. See Meddle, and cf.
MelÉe, Mellay.] 1. A
mixture; a mingled and confused mass of ingredients, usually
inharmonious; a jumble; a hodgepodge; -- often used
contemptuously.
This medley of philosophy and war.
Addison.
Love is a medley of endearments, jars,
Suspicions, reconcilements, wars.
W. Walsh.
2. The confusion of a hand to hand battle; a
brisk, hand to hand engagement; a mêlée. [Obs.]
Holland.
3. (Mus.) A composition of passages
detached from several different compositions; a potpourri.
&fist; Medley is usually applied to vocal, potpourri
to instrumental, compositions.
4. A cloth of mixed colors.
Fuller.
Med"ley, a. 1.
Mixed; of mixed material or color. [Obs.] "A
medlé coat." Chaucer.
2. Mingled; confused.
Dryden.
Med"ly (?), v. t. See
Medle. Johnson.
||Mé`doc" (?), n. [Cf.
Mayduke.] A class of claret wines, including several
varieties, from the district of Médoc in the department of
Gironde.
Med"re*gal (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Bonito, 3.
Med"rick (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
(Zoöl.) A species of gull or tern. [Prov.]
Lowell.
Me*dul"la (?), n. [L.]
1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.]
Milton.
2. (Anat.) The marrow of bones; the
deep or inner portion of an organ or part; as, the medulla, or
medullary substance, of the kidney; specifically, the medula
oblongata.
3. (Bot.) A soft tissue, occupying the
center of the stem or branch of a plant; pith.
||Medulla oblongata. [L., oblong medulla]
(Anat.), the posterior part of the brain connected with
the spinal cord. It includes all the hindbrain except the cerebellum
and pons, and from it a large part of the cranial nerves arise. It
controls very largely respiration, circulation, swallowing, and other
functions, and is the most vital part of the brain; -- called also
bulb of the spinal cord. See Brain.
Me*dul"lar (?), a. See
Medullary.
Med"ul*la*ry (?), a. [L.
medullaris, fr. medulla marrow: cf. F.
médullaire.] 1. (Anat.)
(a) Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling,
marrow or medulla. (b) Pertaining to the
medula oblongata.
2. (Bot.) Filled with spongy pith;
pithy.
Medullary groove (Anat.), a groove,
in the epiblast of the vertebrate blastoderm, the edges of which
unite, making a tube (the medullary canal) from which the brain and
spinal cord are developed. -- Medullary rays
(Bot.), the rays of cellular tissue seen in a transverse
section of exogenous wood, which pass from the pith to the bark.
-- Medullary sheath (Anat.), the layer
of white semifluid substance (myelin), between the primitive sheath
and axis cylinder of a medullated nerve fiber.
Me*dul"la*ted (?), a. (Anat.)
Furnished with a medulla or marrow, or with a medullary sheath;
as, a medullated nerve fiber.
Me*dul"lin (?), n. [Cf. F.
médulline.] (Bot. Chem.) A variety of
lignin or cellulose found in the medulla, or pith, of certain plants.
Cf. Lignin, and Cellulose.
||Me*du"sa (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.]
1. (Class. Myth.) The Gorgon; or one of
the Gorgons whose hair was changed into serpents, after which all who
looked upon her were turned into stone.
2. [pl. Medusae (&?;).]
(Zoöl.) Any free swimming acaleph; a
jellyfish.
&fist; The larger medusæ belong to the Discophora,
and are sometimes called covered-eyed medusæ; others,
known as naked-eyed medusæ, belong to the Hydroidea, and
are usually developed by budding from hydroids. See
Discophora, Hydroidea, and Hydromedusa.
Medusa bud (Zoöl.), one of the
buds of a hydroid, destined to develop into a gonophore or medusa.
See Athecata, and Gonotheca. -- Medusa's
head. (a) (Zoöl.) An
astrophyton. (b) (Astron.) A cluster
of stars in the constellation Perseus. It contains the bright star
Algol.
Me*du"si*an (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A medusa.
Me*du"si*form (?), a. [Medusa +
-form.] (Zoöl.) Resembling a medusa in shape
or structure.
Me*du"soid (?), a. [Medusa +
-oid.] (Zoöl.) Like a medusa; having the
fundamental structure of a medusa, but without a locomotive disk; --
said of the sessile gonophores of hydroids. --
n. A sessile gonophore. See Illust.
under Gonosome.
Meech (mēch), v. i. See
Mich. [Obs. or Colloq.]
Meed (mēd), n. [OE. mede,
AS. mēd, meord; akin to OS. mēda,
OHG. miata, mieta, G. miethe hire, Goth.
mizdō reward, Bohem. & Russ. mzda, Gr.
mistho`s, Skr. mīdha. √276.]
1. That which is bestowed or rendered in
consideration of merit; reward; recompense.
A rosy garland was the victor's
meed.
Spenser.
2. Merit or desert; worth.
My meed hath got me fame.
Shak.
3. A gift; also, a bride. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Meed, v. t. 1. To
reward; to repay. [Obs.] Waytt.
2. To deserve; to merit. [Obs.]
Heywood.
Meed"ful (?), a. Worthy of meed,
reward, or recompense; meritorious. "Meedful works."
Wiclif.
Meed"ful*ly, adv. According to
merit; suitably.
Meek (mēk), a.
[Compar. Meeker (-&etilde;r);
superl. Meekest.] [OE. mek,
meoc; akin to Icel. mj&?;kr mild, soft, Sw.
mjuk, Dan. myg, D. muik, Goth.
mukamōdei gentleness.] 1. Mild of
temper; not easily provoked or orritated; patient under injuries; not
vain, or haughty, or resentful; forbearing; submissive.
Now the man Moses was very meek.
Num. xii. 3.
2. Evincing mildness of temper, or patience;
characterized by mildness or patience; as, a meek answer; a
meek face. "Her meek prayer."
Chaucer.
Syn. -- Gentle; mild; soft; yielding; pacific; unassuming;
humble. See Gentle.
{ Meek, Meek"en (-'n) }, v. t.
To make meek; to nurture in gentleness and humility.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Meek"ly, adv. In a meek
manner. Spenser.
Meek"ness, n. The quality or state
of being meek.
Meer (mēr), a. Simple;
unmixed. See Mere, a. [Obs.]
Meer, n. See Mere, a
lake.
Meer, n. A boundary. See
Mere.
||Meer"kat (mēr"kăt), n.
[D.] (Zoöl.) A South African carnivore (Cynictis
penicillata), allied to the ichneumons.
Meer"schaum (mēr"sh&add;m; 277),
n. [G., lit., sea foam; meer sea +
schaum foam; but it perh. is a corruption of the Tartaric name
myrsen. Cf. Mere a lake, and Scum.]
1. (Min.) A fine white claylike mineral,
soft, and light enough when in dry masses to float in water. It is a
hydrous silicate of magnesia, and is obtained chiefly in Asia Minor.
It is manufacturd into tobacco pipes, cigar holders, etc. Also called
sepiolite.
2. A tobacco pipe made of this
mineral.
Meet (mēt), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Met (m&ebreve;t); p. pr. & vb.
n. Meeting.] [OE. meten, AS.
mētan, fr. mōt, gemōt, a
meeting; akin to OS. mōtian to meet, Icel.
mæta, Goth. gamōtjan. See Moot,
v. t.] 1. To join, or come in
contact with; esp., to come in contact with by approach from an
opposite direction; to come upon or against, front to front, as
distinguished from contact by following and overtaking.
2. To come in collision with; to confront in
conflict; to encounter hostilely; as, they met the enemy and
defeated them; the ship met opposing winds and
currents.
3. To come into the presence of without
contact; to come close to; to intercept; to come within the
perception, influence, or recognition of; as, to meet a train
at a junction; to meet carriages or persons in the street; to
meet friends at a party; sweet sounds met the
ear.
His daughter came out to meet him.
Judg. xi. 34.
4. To perceive; to come to a knowledge of; to
have personal acquaintance with; to experience; to suffer; as, the
eye met a horrid sight; he met his fate.
Of vice or virtue, whether blest or curst,
Which meets contempt, or which compassion first.
Pope.
5. To come up to; to be even with; to equal;
to match; to satisfy; to ansver; as, to meet one's
expectations; the supply meets the demand.
To meet half way, literally, to go half the
distance between in order to meet (one); hence, figuratively, to
yield or concede half of the difference in order to effect a
compromise or reconciliation with.
Meet, v. t. 1. To
come together by mutual approach; esp., to come in contact, or into
proximity, by approach from opposite directions; to join; to come
face to face; to come in close relationship; as, we met in the
street; two lines meet so as to form an angle.
O, when meet now
Such pairs in love and mutual honor joined !
Milton.
2. To come together with hostile purpose; to
have an encounter or conflict.
Weapons more violent, when next we meet,
May serve to better us and worse our foes.
Milton.
3. To assemble together; to congregate; as,
Congress meets on the first Monday of December.
They . . . appointed a day to meet
together.
2. Macc. xiv. 21.
4. To come together by mutual concessions;
hence, to agree; to harmonize; to unite.
To meet with. (a) To light
upon; to find; to come to; -- often with the sense of
unexpectedness.
We met with many things worthy of
observation.
Bacon.
(b) To join; to unite in company.
Shak. (c) To suffer unexpectedly; as, to
meet with a fall; to meet with a loss.
(d) To encounter; to be subjected to.
Prepare to meet with more than brutal fury
From the fierce prince.
Rowe.
(e) To obviate. [Obs.] Bacon.
Meet, n. An assembling together;
esp., the assembling of huntsmen for the hunt; also, the persons who
so assemble, and the place of meeting.
Meet, a. [OE. mete fitting,
moderate, scanty, AS. m&aemacr;te moderate; akin to
gemet fit, meet, metan to mete, and G.
mässig moderate, gemäss fitting. See
Mete.] Suitable; fit; proper; appropriate; qualified;
convenient.
It was meet that we should make
merry.
Luke xv. 32.
To be meet with, to be even with; to be
equal to. [Obs.]
Meet (mēt), adv.
Meetly. [Obs.] Shak.
Meet"en (mēt"'n), v. t. To
render fit. [R.]
Meet"er (mēt"&etilde;r), n.
One who meets.
Meeth (mēth), n. Mead. See
Meathe. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Meet"ing, n. 1. A
coming together; an assembling; as, the meeting of
Congress.
2. A junction, crossing, or union; as, the
meeting of the roads or of two rivers.
3. A congregation; a collection of people; a
convention; as, a large meeting; an harmonious
meeting.
4. An assembly for worship; as, to attend
meeting on Sunday; -- in England, applied distinctively and
disparagingly to the worshiping assemblies of Dissenters.
Syn. -- Conference; assembly; company; convention;
congregation; junction; confluence; union.
Meet"ing*house` (?), n. A house
used as a place of worship; a church; -- in England, applied only to
a house so used by Dissenters.
Meet"ly, adv. Fitly; suitably;
properly.
Meet"ness, n. Fitness;
suitableness; propriety.
{ Meg- (m&ebreve;g-), Meg"a (m&ebreve;g"&adot;-
), Meg"a*lo- (-l&osl;-) }. [Gr. me`gas, gen.
mega`loy, great.] Combining forms signifying:
(a) Great, extended, powerful; as, megascope,
megacosm. (b) (Metric System, Elec.,
Mech., etc.) A million times, a million of; as,
megameter, a million meters; megafarad, a million
farads; megohm, a million ohms.
{ Meg`a*ce*phal"ic
(m&ebreve;g`&adot;*s&esl;*făl"&ibreve;k),
Meg`a*ceph"a*lous (-s&ebreve;f"&adot;*lŭs) },
a. [Mega- + Gr. kefalh` head.]
(Biol.) Large headed; -- applied to animals, and to
plants when they have large flower heads.
||Me*gac"e*ros (m&esl;*găs"&esl;*r&obreve;s),
n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas great +
ke`ras horn.] (Paleon.) The Irish
elk.
Meg"a*chile (?), n. [Mega- + Gr.
&?; lip.] (Zoöl.) A leaf-cutting bee of the genus
Megachilus. See Leaf cutter, under
Leaf.
Meg"a*cosm (?), n. [Mega- + Gr.
&?; world.] See Macrocosm. Croft.
Meg`a*cou`lomb" (?), n. [Mega- +
coulomb.] (Elec.) A million coulombs.
Meg"a*derm (?), n. [Mega- + Gr.
&?; skin.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of Old
World blood-sucking bats of the genus Megaderma.
Meg"a*dyne (?), n. [Mega- +
dyne.] (Physics) One of the larger measures of
force, amounting to one million dynes.
Meg"a*far`ad (?), n. [Mega- +
farad.] (Elec.) One of the larger measures of
electrical capacity, amounting to one million farads; a
macrofarad.
Meg"a*lerg (?), n. [Megalo- +
erg.] (Physics) A million ergs; a
megerg.
Meg`a*le"sian (?), a. [L.
Megalesius, fr. Gr. Mega`lh the Great, a surname of
Cybele, the Magna Mater.] Pertaining to, or in honor of, Cybele;
as, the Megalesian games at Rome.
Meg`a*leth"o*scope (?), n. [Mega-
+ alethoscope.] An optical apparatus in which
pictures are viewed through a large lens with stereoptical effects.
It is often combined with the stereoscope.
Meg"a*lith (?), n. [Mega- + -
lith; cf. F. mégalithe.] A large stone;
especially, a large stone used in ancient building. --
Meg`a*lith"ic (#), a.
Meg"a*lo- (?). See Meg-.
Meg"a*lo*cyte (?), n. [Megalo- +
Gr. &?; a hollow vessel.] (Physiol.) A large, flattened
corpuscle, twice the diameter of the ordinary red corpuscle, found in
considerable numbers in the blood in profound anæmia.
Meg`a*lo*ma"ni*a (?), n. [NL., fr.
megalo- + mania.] (Pathol.) A form of
mental alienation in which the patient has grandiose
delusions.
||Meg`a*lon"yx (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
me`gas, mega`lh, great + 'o`nyx
claw.] (Paleon.) An extinct quaternary mammal, of great
size, allied to the sloth.
Meg`a*loph"o*nous
(m&ebreve;g`&adot;*l&obreve;f"&osl;*nŭs), a.
[Megalo- + Gr. fwnh` voice.] Having a loud
voice.
Meg`a*lop"o*lis (-l&obreve;p"&osl;*l&ibreve;s),
n. [NL., fr. Gr. megalo`polis;
me`gas, mega`lh, great + po`lis
city.] A chief city; a metropolis. [R.]
Meg"a*lops (m&ebreve;g"&adot;*l&obreve;ps),
n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas, -
a`loy, large + 'w`ps eye.] (Zoöl.)
1. A larva, in a stage following the zoëa,
in the development of most crabs. In this stage the legs and
abdominal appendages have appeared, the abdomen is relatively long,
and the eyes are large. Also used adjectively.
2. A large fish; the tarpum.
Meg`a*lop"sy*chy (?), n. [Megalo-
+ Gr. &?; soul, mind.] Greatness of soul. [Obs. &
R.]
{ Meg"a*lo*saur` (?), ||Meg`a*lo*sau"rus (?), }
n. [NL. megalosaurus, fr. Gr.
me`gas, mega`lh, great + say^ros
lizard: cf. F. mégalosaure.] (Paleon.) A
gigantic carnivorous dinosaur, whose fossil remains have been found
in England and elsewhere.
Me*gam"e*ter (?), n. [Mega- +
-meter: cf. F. mégamètre.]
(Physics) 1. An instrument for
determining longitude by observation of the stars.
2. A micrometer. [R.]
Knight.
{ Meg"a*me`ter, Meg"a*me`tre } (?),
n. [Mega- + meter, metre, n.,
2.] In the metric system, one million meters, or one thousand
kilometers.
Meg`am`père" (?), n. [Mega-
+ ampère.] (Elec.) A million
ampères.
Meg"a*phone (?), n. [Mega- + Gr.
fwnh` voice.] A device to magnify sound, or direct it
in a given direction in a greater volume, such as a very large funnel
used as an ear trumpet or as a speaking trumpet.
||Me*gaph"y*ton (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
me`gas great + fyto`n plant.] (Paleon.)
An extinct genus of tree ferns with large, two-ranked leaves, or
fronds.
Meg"a*pode (?), n. [Mega- + Gr.
poy`s, podo`s, foot.] (Zoöl.)
Any one of several species of large-footed, gallinaceous birds
of the genera Megapodius and Leipoa, inhabiting
Australia and other Pacific islands. See Jungle fowl
(b) under Jungle, and Leipoa.
Me*gap"o*lis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`gas great + po`lis city.] A
metropolis. [Obs.] Sir T. Herbert.
{ Me*ga"ri*an (?), Me*gar"ic (?), }
a. Belonging, or pertaining, to Megara, a city
of ancient Greece.
Megarian, or Megaric,
school, a school of philosophy established at
Megara, after the death of Socrates, by his disciples, and remarkable
for its logical subtlety.
Meg"a*scope (?), n. [Mega- +
-scope: cf. F. mégascope.] A modification
of the magic lantern, used esp. for throwing a magnified image of an
opaque object on a screen, solar or artificial light being
used. [archaic]
Meg"a*seme (?), a. [Mega- + Gr.
&?; sing, mark: cf. F. mégasème.] (Anat.)
Having the orbital index relatively large; having the orbits
narrow transversely; -- opposed to microseme.
{ Me"gass" (?), Me*gasse" },
n. See Bagasse.
Meg"as*thene (?), n. [Gr.
me`gas great + sthe`nos strength.]
(Zoöl.) One of a group which includes the higher
orders of mammals, having a large size as a typical
characteristic.
Meg`as*then"ic (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Having a typically large size; belonging to
the megasthenes.
Meg"a*stome (?), n. [Gr.
me`gas great + sto`ma mouth.]
(Zoöl.) One of a group of univalve shells, having a
large aperture or mouth.
{ Meg"a*there (?), ||Meg`a*the"ri*um (?), }
n. [NL. megatherium, fr. Gr.
me`gas great + thyri`on beast.]
(Paleon.) An extinct gigantic quaternary mammal, allied
to the ant-eaters and sloths. Its remains are found in South
America.
Meg`a*the"roid (?), n.
[Megatherium + -oid.] (Paleon.) One of a
family of extinct edentates found in America. The family includes
the megatherium, the megalonyx, etc.
Meg`a*volt" (?), n. [Mega- +
volt.] (Elec.) One of the larger measures of
electro-motive force, amounting to one million volts.
Meg`a*we"ber (?), n. [Mega- +
weber.] (Elec.) A million webers.
Meg"erg` (?), n. [Mega- +
erg.] (Physics) One of the larger measures of
work, amounting to one million ergs; -- called also
megalerg.
{ Me*gilp" (?), Me*gilph" (?) },
n. (Paint.) A gelatinous compound of
linseed oil and mastic varnish, used by artists as a vehicle for
colors. [Written also magilp, and magilph.]
Meg"ohm" (?), n. [Mega- +
ohm.] (Elec.) One of the larger measures of
electrical resistance, amounting to one million ohms.
Me"grim (?), n. [OE. migrim,
migrene, F. migraine, LL. hemigrania, L.
hemicrania, hemicranium, Gr. "hmikrani`a;
"hmi- half + krani`on skull. See Hemi-
and Cranium, and cf. Hemicrania, Migraine.]
1. A kind of sick or nervous headache, usually
periodical and confined to one side of the head.
2. A fancy; a whim; a freak; a humor; esp.,
in the plural, lowness of spirits.
These are his megrims, firks, and
melancholies.
Ford.
3. pl. (Far.) A sudden vertigo
in a horse, succeeded sometimes by unconsciousness, produced by an
excess of blood in the brain; a mild form of apoplexy.
Youatt.
Me"grim, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
(Zoöl.) The British smooth sole, or scaldfish
(Psetta arnoglossa).
Mei*bo"mi*an (?), a. (Anat.)
Of, pertaining to, or discovered by, Meibomius.
Meibomian glands, the slender sebaceous
glands of the eyelids, which discharge, through minute orifices in
the edges of the lids, a fatty secretion serving to lubricate the
adjacent parts.
Meine (?), v. t. See
Menge.
{ Mein"e, Mein"y, (&?;), } n.
[OF. maisniée, maisnie. See Menial.]
1. A family, including servants, etc.;
household; retinue; train. [Obs.] Chaucer. Shak.
2. Company; band; army. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mei"o*cene (?), a. (Geol.)
See Miocene.
Mei"o*nite (?), n. [Gr.
mei`wn smaller. So called in a allusion to the low
pyramids of the crystals.] (Min.) A member of the
scapolite group, occuring in glassy crystals on Monte Somma, near
Naples.
||Mei*o"sis (m&isl;*ō"s&ibreve;s),
n. [NL., fr. Gr. mei`wsis, fr.
meioy^n to make smaller, from mei`wn. See
Meionite.] (Rhet.) Diminution; a species of
hyperbole, representing a thing as being less than it really
is.
Mei`o*stem"o*nous (?), a. [Gr.
mei`wn smaller + &?; warp, thread.] (Bot.)
Having fever stamens than the parts of the corolla.
||Meis"ter*sing`er (?), n. [G.]
See Mastersinger.
Mekh"i*tar*ist (?), n. (Eccl.
Hist.) See Mechitarist.
Me*lac"o*nite (?), n. [Gr.
me`las black + &?; dust.] (Min.) An earthy
black oxide of copper, arising from the decomposition of other
ores.
{ ||Me*la"da (?), ||Me*la"do (?), }
n. [Sp., prop. p. p. of melar to sugar,
candy, fr. L. mel honey. See Molasses.] A mixture
of sugar and molasses; crude sugar as it comes from the pans without
being drained.
||Me*læ"na (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`las, m., me`laina, f., black.] (Med.)
A discharge from the bowels of black matter, consisting of
altered blood.
Mel"ain (?), n. [See
Melæna.] The dark coloring matter of the liquid of
the cuttlefish.
Me*lai"no*type (?), n. See
Melanotype.
Me"lam (mē"lăm), n. [Cf.
F. mélam.] (Chem.) A white or buff-colored
granular powder, C6H9N11, obtained
by heating ammonium sulphocyanate.
Me*lam"ine (?), n. (Chem.)
A strong nitrogenous base,
C3H6N6, produced from several
cyanogen compounds, and obtained as a white crystalline substance, --
formerly supposed to be produced by the decomposition of
melam. Called also cyanuramide.
Mel"am*pode (?), n. [Gr.
melampo`dion; of uncertain origin.] The black
hellebore. [Obs.] Spenser.
{ Mel`am*py"rin (?), Mel`am*py"rite (?), }
n. [NL. Melampyrum cowwheat; Gr.
me`las black + pyro`s wheat.] (Chem.)
The saccharine substance dulcite; -- so called because found in
the leaves of cowwheat (Melampyrum). See
Dulcite.
||Mel`a*næ"mi*a (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. me`las, -anos, black + a"i^ma
blood.] (Med.) A morbid condition in which the blood
contains black pigment either floating freely or imbedded in the
white blood corpuscles.
Me*lan"a*gogue (?), n. [Gr.
me`las, -anos, black + &?; leading, driving,
&?; to lead.] (Med.) A medicine supposed to expel black
bile or choler. [Obs.]
||Mel`an*cho"li*a (?), n. [L. See
Melancholy.] (Med.) A kind of mental unsoundness
characterized by extreme depression of spirits, ill-grounded fears,
delusions, and brooding over one particular subject or train of
ideas.
Mel`an*cho"li*an (?), n. A person
affected with melancholy; a melancholic. [Obs.] Dr. J.
Scott.
Mel"an*chol`ic (?), a. [L.
melancholicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. mélancholique.]
Given to melancholy; depressed; melancholy; dejected;
unhappy.
Just as the melancholic eye
Sees fleets and armies in the sky.
Prior.
Mel"an*chol`ic, n. [Obs.]
1. One affected with a gloomy state of
mind. J. Spenser.
2. A gloomy state of mind; melancholy.
Clarendon.
Mel"an*chol`i*ly (?), adv. In a
melancholy manner.
Mel"an*chol`i*ness, n. The state
or quality of being melancholy. Hallywell.
Mel`an*cho"li*ous (?), a. [Cf. OF.
melancholieux.] Melancholy. [R.]
Milton.
Mel"an*chol*ist (?), n. One
affected with melancholy or dejection. [Obs.]
Glanvill.
Mel"an*cho*lize (?), v. i. To
become gloomy or dejected in mind. Barrow.
Mel"an*cho*lize, v. t. To make
melancholy.
Mel"an*chol*y (?), n. [OE.
melancolie, F. mélancolie, L.
melancholia, fr. Gr. &?;; me`las, -anos,
black + &?; gall, bile. See Malice, and 1st Gall.]
1. Depression of spirits; a gloomy state
continuing a considerable time; deep dejection; gloominess.
Shak.
2. Great and continued depression of spirits,
amounting to mental unsoundness; melancholia.
3. Pensive maditation; serious
thoughtfulness. [Obs.] "Hail, divinest Melancholy !"
Milton.
4. Ill nature. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mel"an*chol*y, a. 1.
Depressed in spirits; dejected; gloomy dismal.
Shak.
2. Producing great evil and grief; causing
dejection; calamitous; afflictive; as, a melancholy
event.
3. Somewhat deranged in mind; having the
jugment impaired. [Obs.] Bp. Reynolds.
4. Favorable to meditation; somber.
A pretty, melancholy seat, well wooded and
watered.
Evelin.
Syn. -- Gloomy; sad; dispirited; low-spirited; downhearted;
unhappy; hypochondriac; disconsolate; heavy, doleful; dismal;
calamitous; afflictive.
Mel`a*ne"sian (?), a. [Gr.
me`las, -anos, black + &?; island.
Melanesia was so called from the dark complexion of the
natives.] Of or pertaining to Melanesia.
||Mé`lange" (?), n. [F. See
Mell, Meddle.] A mixture; a medley.
Me*la"ni*an (?), n. (Zoöl.)
One of a family of fresh-water pectinibranchiate mollusks,
having a turret-shaped shell.
Me*lan"ic (?), a. [Gr.
me`las, -anos, black.] 1.
Melanotic.
2. (Ethnol.) Of or pertaining to the
black-haired races. Prichard.
Me*lan"i*line (?), n. (Chem.)
A complex nitrogenous hydrocarbon obtained artificially (as by
the action of cyanogen chloride on aniline) as a white, crystalline
substance; -- called also diphenyl guanidin.
Mel"a*nin (?), n. [Gr.
me`las, -anos, black.] (Physiol.) A
black pigment found in the pigment-bearing cells of the skin
(particularly in the skin of the negro), in the epithelial cells of
the external layer of the retina (then called fuscin), in the
outer layer of the choroid, and elsewhere. It is supposed to be
derived from the decomposition of hemoglobin.
Mel"a*nism (m&ebreve;l"&adot;*n&ibreve;z'm),
n. [Gr. me`las, -anos,
black.]
1. An undue development of dark-colored
pigment in the skin or its appendages; -- the opposite of
albinism.
2. (Med.) A disease; black jaundice.
See Melæna.
Mel`a*nis"tic (?), a. Affected
with melanism; of the nature of melanism.
Mel"a*nite (?), n. [Gr.
me`las, -anos, black: cf. F.
mélanite.] (Min.) A black variety of
garnet.
||Mel`a*noch"ro*i (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Melanochroic.] (Ethnol.) A group of the human
race, including the dark whites.
Mel`a*no*chro"ic (?), a. [Gr.
melana`chroos; me`las, -anos, black
+ chroa` color.] Having a dark complexion; of or
pertaining to the Melanochroi.
Mel`a*no*chro"ite (?), n. [See
Melanochroic.] (Min.) A mineral of a red, or
brownish or yellowish red color. It is a chromate of lead; -- called
also phœnicocroite.
Mel`a*noc"o*mous (?), a. [Gr.
me`las, -anos, black + &?; hair.] Having
very dark or black hair; black-haired. Prichard.
||Mel`a*nor*rhœ"a (?), n. [NL.,
fr. Gr. me`las, -anos, black + &?; to flow.]
(Bot.) An East Indian genus of large trees.
Melanorrhœa usitatissima is the lignum-vitæ of
Pegu, and yields a valuable black varnish.
Me*lan"o*scope (?), n. [Gr.
me`las, -anos, black + -scope.]
(Opt.) An instrument containing a combination of colored
glasses such that they transmit only red light, so that objects of
other colors, as green leaves, appear black when seen through it. It
is used for viewing colored flames, to detect the presence of
potassium, lithium, etc., by the red light which they emit.
||Mel`a*no"sis (?), [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a growing black,
fr. me`las, -anos, black.] (Med.)
The morbid deposition of black matter, often of a malignant
character, causing pigmented tumors.
Me*lan"o*sperm (?), n. [Gr.
me`las, -anos, black + spe`rma
seed.] (Bot.) An alga of any kind that produces blackish
spores, or seed dust. The melanosperms include the rockweeds and all
kinds of kelp. -- Mel`a*no*sper"mous (#),
a.
Mel`a*not"ic (?), a.
Melanistic.
Me*lan"o*type (?), n. [Gr.
me`las, -anos, black + -type.]
(Photog.) A positive picture produced with sensitized
collodion on a smooth surface of black varnish, coating a thin plate
of iron; also, the process of making such a picture. [Written
also melainotype.]
Me*lan"ter*ite (?), n. (Min.)
A hydrous sulphate of iron of a green color and vitreous luster;
iron vitriol.
Mel"a*nure (?), n. [NL.
melanurus, fr. Gr. me`las, -anos, black
+ o'ura` tail.] (Zoöl.) A small fish of
the Mediterranean; a gilthead. See Gilthead
(a).
Mel`a*nu"ric (?), a. [Melam +
urea.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a
complex nitrogenous acid obtained by decomposition of melam, or of
urea, as a white crystalline powder; -- called also melanurenic
acid.
Mel"a*phyre (?), n. [F., fr. Gr.
me`las, -anos, black + porphyre
porphyry.] (Min.) Any one of several dark-colored
augitic, eruptive rocks allied to basalt.
||Me*las"ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
black spot.] (Med.) A dark discoloration of the skin,
usually local; as, Addison's melasma, or Addison's
disease. -- Me*las"mic (#), a.
Me*las"ses (?), n. See
Molasses.
Me*las"sic (?), a. [See
Molasses.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating,
an acid obtained from molasses or glucose, and probably identical
with saccharic acid. See Saccharic.
||Me*las"to*ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`las black + sto`ma mouth.] (Bot.)
A genus of evergreen tropical shrubs; -- so called from the
black berries of some species, which stain the mouth.
Mel`a*sto*ma"ceous (?), a.
(Bot.) Belonging to the order of which Melastoma is the
type.
Mel"chite (?), n. [Heb. melek
king.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect, chiefly in Syria and
Egypt, which acknowledges the authority of the pope, but adheres to
the liturgy and ceremonies of the Eastern Church.
Mel`e*a"grine (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the genus
Meleagris.
||Mel`e*a"gris (?), n. [L., the Guinea
fowl.] (Zoöl.) A genus of American gallinaceous
birds, including the common and the wild turkeys.
||Mê`lée" (m&asl;`l&asl;"),
n. [F., fr. mêler to mix. See
Meddle, Mell, and cf. Mellay.] A fight in
which the combatants are mingled in one confused mass; a hand to hand
conflict; an affray.
||Me*le"na (?), n. (Med.)
See Melæna.
Mel"ene (?), n. [Melissic +
ethylene.] (Chem.) An unsaturated hydrocarbon,
C30H60, of the ethylene series, obtained from
beeswax as a white, scaly, crystalline wax; -- called also
melissene, and melissylene.
Mel"e*nite (?), n. [Gr.
me`li honey.] An explosive of great destructive
power; -- so called from its color, which resembles honey.
Mel"e*tin (?), n. (Chem.)
See Quercitin.
Me*lez"i*tose` (?), n. [F.
mélèze the larch + melitose.]
(Chem.) A variety of sugar, isomeric with sucrose,
extracted from the manna of the larch (Larix). [Written
also melicitose.]
Me`li*a"ceous (?), a. (Bot.)
Pertaining to a natural order (Meliacæ) of plants
of which the genus Melia is the type. It includes the mahogany
and the Spanish cedar.
{ Mel`i*be"an (?), Mel`i*b&?;"an },
a. [From L. Meliboeus, one of the
interlocutors in Virgil's first Eclogue.] (Rhet.)
Alternately responsive, as verses.
Mel"ic (?), [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; song.] Of or
pertaining to song; lyric; tuneful.
Me*lic"er*ous (?), a. [L.
meliceris a kind of tumor, fr. Gr. &?;; me`li honey
+ &?; wax.] (Med.) Consisting of or containing matter
like honey; -- said of certain encysted tumors.
Mel"ic grass` (?). (Bot.) A genus of grasses
(Melica) of little agricultural importance.
Mel`i*co*toon" (?), n. (Bot.)
See Melocoton.
Me*lic"ra*to*ry (?), n. [Gr.
meli`kraton.] A meadlike drink. [Obs.]
Mel"i*lite (m&ebreve;l"&ibreve;*līt),
n. [Gr. me`li honey + -lite; cf.
F. mélilithe.] (Min.) A mineral occurring
in small yellow crystals, found in the lavas (melilite basalt)
of Vesuvius, and elsewhere. [Written also
mellilite.]
Mel"i*lot (-l&obreve;t), n. [F.
mélilot, L. melilotus, fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, a kind
of clover containing honey; me`li honey + &?; lotus.]
(Bot.) Any species of Melilotus, a genus of
leguminous herbs having a vanillalike odor; sweet clover; hart's
clover. The blue melilot (Melilotus cærulea) is used in
Switzerland to give color and flavor to sapsago cheese.
Mel`i*lot"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, sweet clover or melilot;
specifically, designating an acid of the aromatic series, obtained
from melilot as a white crystalline substance.
Mel"io*rate (mēl"y&osl;*rāt), v.
t. [imp. & p. p. Meliorated (-
rā`t&ebreve;d); p. pr. & vb. n.
Meliorating.] [L. melioratus, p. p. of meliorare
to meliorate, fr. melior better; akin to Gr.
ma^llon rather, ma`la very. Cf.
Ameliorate.] To make better; to improve; to ameliorate;
to soften; to make more tolerable.
Nature by art we nobly meliorate.
Denham.
The pure and benign light of revelation has had a
meliorating influence on mankind.
Washington.
Mel"io*rate, v. i. To grow
better.
Mel"io*ra`ter (?), n. Same as
Meliorator.
Mel`io*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
melioratio.] The act or operation of meliorating, or the
state of being meliorated; improvement. Bacon.
Mel"io*ra`tor (?), n. One who
meliorates.
Mel"io*rism (?), n. [From L.
melior better.] The doctrine that there is a tendency
throughout nature toward improvement. J. Sully.
Mel*ior"i*ty (?), n. [LL.
melioritas, fr. L. melior. See Meliorate.]
The state or quality of being better; melioration. [Obs.]
Bacon.
Me*liph"a*gan (?), a. [Gr.
me`li honey + &?; to eat.] (Zoöl.)
Belonging to the genus Meliphaga.
Me*liph"a*gan, n. (Zoöl.)
Any bird of the genus Meliphaga and allied genera; a
honey eater; -- called also meliphagidan.
Me*liph"a*gous (?), a. [See
Meliphagan.] (Zool.) Eating, or feeding upon,
honey.
||Me*lis"ma (?), n.; pl.
Melismata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. me`lisma a
song.] (Mus.) (a) A piece of melody; a
song or tune, -- as opposed to recitative or musical
declamation. (b) A grace or
embellishment.
||Me*lis"sa (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`lissa a bee, honey.] (Bot.) A genus of
labiate herbs, including the balm, or bee balm (Melissa
officinalis).
Me*lis"sic (?), a. [Gr.
me`lissa a bee, honey.] (Chem.) Pertaining to,
or derived from, beeswax; specif., denoting an acid obtained by
oxidation of myricin.
Me*lis"syl (?), n. [Melissic
+yl.] (Chem.) See Myricyl.
Me*lis"sy*lene (?), n. [Melissic
+ -yl + -ene.] (Chem.) See
Melene.
Mel"i*tose` (?), n. [Gr.
me`li honey.] (Chem.) A variety of sugar
isomeric with sucrose, extracted from cotton seeds and from the so-
called Australian manna (a secretion of certain species of
Eucalyptus).
Mell (?), v. i. & t. [F.
mêler, OF. meller, mester. See
Meddle.] To mix; to meddle. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mell, n. [See Mellifluous.]
Honey. [Obs.] Warner.
Mell, n. A mill. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mel"late (?), n. [L. mel,
mellis, honey. Cf. Mellitate.] (Chem.) A
mellitate. [R.]
Mel"lay (?), n. A
mêlée; a conflict. Tennyson.
Mel"lic (?), a. (Chem.) See
Mellitic. [R.]
Mel*lif"er*ous (?), a. [L.
mellifer; mel, mellis, honey + ferre to
bear.] Producing honey.
Mel*lif"ic (?), a. [L. mel,
mellis, honey + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -
fy.] Producing honey.
Mel`li*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
mellificare to make honey: cf. F. mellification. See
Mellific.] The making or production of honey.
Mel*lif"lu*ence (?), n. A flow of
sweetness, or a sweet, smooth flow.
Mel*lif"lu*ent (?), a. [L.
mellifluens. See Mellifluous.] Flowing as with
honey; smooth; mellifluous.
Mel*lif"lu*ent*ly, adv. In a
mellifluent manner.
Mel*lif"lu*ous (?), a. [L.
mellifluus; mel, mellis, honey (akin to Gr. &?;,
Goth. milip) + fluere to flow. See Mildew,
Fluent, and cf. Marmalade.] Flowing as with honey;
smooth; flowing sweetly or smoothly; as, a mellifluous
voice. -- Mel*lif"lu*ous*ly,
adv.
Mel*lig"e*nous (?), a. [L. mel,
mellis + -genous.] Having the qualities of honey.
[R.]
||Mel*li"go (?), n. [L.]
Honeydew.
Mel*lil"o*quent (?), a. [L. mel,
mellis honey + loquens speaking, p. pr. of loqui
to speak.] Speaking sweetly or harmoniously.
Mel*liph"a*gan (?), n. See
Meliphagan.
Mel*liph"a*gous (?), a. See
Meliphagous.
Mel"li*tate (?), n. [Cf. F.
mellitate. See Mellitic.] (Chem.) A salt of
mellitic acid.
Mel"lite (?), n. [L. mel,
mellis, honey: cf. F. mellite.] (Min.) A
mineral of a honey color, found in brown coal, and partly the result
of vegetable decomposition; honeystone. It is a mellitate of
alumina.
Mel*lit"ic (?), a. [Cf. F.
mellitique. See Mellite.] (Chem.)
(a) Containing saccharine matter; marked by
saccharine secretions; as, mellitic diabetes.
(b) Pertaining to, or derived from, the mineral
mellite.
Mellitic acid (Chem.), a white,
crystalline, organic substance,
C6(CO2H)6, occurring naturally in
combination with aluminium in the mineral mellite, and produced
artificially by the oxidation of coal, graphite, etc., and hence
called also graphitic acid.
Mel"lone (?), n. (Chem.) A
yellow powder, C6H3N9, obtained from
certain sulphocyanates. It has acid properties and forms compounds
called mellonides.
Mel"lon*ide (?), n. See
Mellone.
Mel"low (?), a.
[Compar. Mellower (?);
superl. Mellowest.] [OE. melwe; cf.
AS. mearu soft, D. murw, Prov. G. mollig soft,
D. malsch, and E. meal flour.]
1. Soft or tender by reason of ripeness;
having a tender pulp; as, a mellow apple.
2. Hence: (a) Easily worked
or penetrated; not hard or rigid; as, a mellow soil.
"Mellow glebe." Drayton (b) Not
coarse, rough, or harsh; subdued; soft; rich; delicate; -- said of
sound, color, flavor, style, etc. "The mellow horn."
Wordsworth. "The mellow-tasted Burgundy."
Thomson.
The tender flush whose mellow stain imbues
Heaven with all freaks of light.
Percival.
3. Well matured; softened by years; genial;
jovial.
May health return to mellow age.
Wordsworth.
As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever
followed a hound.
W. Irving.
4. Warmed by liquor; slightly
intoxicated. Addison.
Mel"low, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mellowed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mellowing.] To make mellow. Shak.
If the Weather prove frosty to mellow it [the
ground], they do not plow it again till April.
Mortimer.
The fervor of early feeling is tempered and
mellowed by the ripeness of age.
J. C.
Shairp.
Mel"low, v. i. To become mellow;
as, ripe fruit soon mellows. "Prosperity begins to
mellow." Shak.
Mel"low*ly, adv. In a mellow
manner.
Mel"low*ness, n. Quality or state
of being mellow.
Mel"low*y (?), a. Soft;
unctuous. Drayton.
||Mel*lu"co (?), n. (Bot.)
A climbing plant (Ullucus officinalis) of the Andes,
having tuberous roots which are used as a substitute for
potatoes.
Mel"ne (?), n. A mill.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
{ Mel`o*co*ton", Mel`o*co*toon" } (?),
n. [Sp. melocoton a kind of peach tree and
its fruit, L. malum cotonium, or cotonea, or
Cydonia, a quince, or quince tree, lit., apple of
Cydonia, Gr. &?; &?;. See Quince.] (Bot.)
(a) A quince. (b) A
kind of peach having one side deep red, and the flesh yellow.
[Written also malacatoon, malacotune.]
Me*lo"de*on (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
musical. See Melody, and cf. Odeon.]
1. (Mus.) A kind of small reed organ;
-- a portable form of the seraphine.
2. A music hall.
Me*lod"ic (?), a. [L. melodicus,
Gr. &?;: cf. F. mélodique.] Of the nature of
melody; relating to, containing, or made up of, melody;
melodious.
Me*lod"ics (?), n. The department
of musical science which treats of the pitch of tones, and of the
laws of melody.
Me*lo"di*o*graph (?), n. [Melody
+ -graph.] A contrivance for preserving a record of
music, by recording the action of the keys of a musical instrument
when played upon.
Me*lo"di*ous (?), a. [Cf. F.
mélodieux. See Melody.] Containing, or
producing, melody; musical; agreeable to the ear by a sweet
succession of sounds; as, a melodious voice. "A
melodious voice." "A melodious undertone."
Longfellow. -- Me*lo"di*ous*ly,
adv. -- Me*lo"di*ous*ness,
n.
Mel"o*dist (?), n. [Cf. F.
mélodiste.] A composer or singer of
melodies.
Mel"o*dize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Melodized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Melodizing (?).] To make melodious; to form
into, or set to, melody.
Mel"o*dize, v. i. To make melody;
to compose melodies; to harmonize.
Mel`o*dra"ma (?), n. [F.
mélodrame, fr. Gr. me`los song +
dra^ma drama.] Formerly, a kind of drama having a
musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes. Now,
a drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations,
with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially
thrilling or pathetic. In opera, a passage in which the orchestra
plays a somewhat descriptive accompaniment, while the actor speaks;
as, the melodrama in the gravedigging scene of Beethoven's
"Fidelio".
Mel`o*dra*mat"ic (?), a. [Cf. F.
mélodramatique.] Of or pertaining to melodrama;
like or suitable to a melodrama; unnatural in situation or
action. -- Mel`o*dra*mat"ic*al*ly (#),
adv.
Mel`o*dram"a*tist (?), n. One who
acts in, or writes, melodramas.
Mel"o*drame (?), n. [F.]
Melodrama.
Mel"o*dy (?), n.; pl.
Melodies (#). [OE. melodie, F.
mélodie, L. melodia, fr. Gr. &?; a singing,
choral song, fr. &?; musical, melodious; me`los song, tune
+ &?; song. See Ode.]
1. A sweet or agreeable succession of
sounds.
Lulled with sound of sweetest
melody.
Shak.
2. (Mus.) A rhythmical succession of
single tones, ranging for the most part within a given key, and so
related together as to form a musical whole, having the unity of what
is technically called a musical thought, at once pleasing to the ear
and characteristic in expression.
&fist; Melody consists in a succession of single tones;
harmony is a consonance or agreement of tones, also a
succession of consonant musical combinations or chords.
3. The air or tune of a musical
piece.
Syn. -- See Harmony.
||Mel"o*e (?), [ NL., fr. Gr. &?; to probe a wound.]
(Zoöl.) A genus of beetles without wings, but having
short oval elytra; the oil beetles. These beetles are sometimes used
instead of cantharides for raising blisters. See Oil beetle,
under Oil.
Mel"o*graph (m&ebreve;l"&osl;*gr&adot;f),
n. [Gr. me`los a song + -graph :
cf. F. mélographe.] Same as
Melodiograph.
Mel`o*lon*thid"i*an (?), n. [Gr. &?;
the cockchafer.] (Zoöl.) A beetle of the genus
Melolontha, and allied genera. See May beetle, under
May.
Mel"on (m&ebreve;l"ŭn), n. [F.,
fr. L. melo, for melopepo an apple-shaped melon, Gr.
&?; ; mh^lon apple + &?; a species of large melon; cf. L.
malum apple. Cf. Marmalade.]
1. (Bot.) The juicy fruit of certain
cucurbitaceous plants, as the muskmelon, watermelon, and citron
melon; also, the plant that produces the fruit.
2. (Zoöl.) A large, ornamental,
marine, univalve shell of the genus Melo.
Melon beetle (Zoöl.), a small
leaf beetle (Diabrotiea vittata), which damages the leaves of
melon vines. -- Melon cactus, Melon
thistle. (a) (Bot.) A genus of
cactaceous plants (Melocactus) having a fleshy and usually
globose stem with the surface divided into spiny longitudinal ridges,
and bearing at the top a prickly and woolly crown in which the small
pink flowers are half concealed. M. communis, from the
West Indies, is often cultivated, and sometimes called Turk's
cap. (b) The related genus Mamillaria,
in which the stem is tubercled rather than ribbed, and the flowers
sometimes large. See Illust. under Cactus.
Mel`o*pi*a"no (?), n. [Gr.
me`los song + E. piano.] A piano having a
mechanical attachment which enables the player to prolong the notes
at will.
Mel`o*plas"tic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to meloplasty, or the artificial formation of a new
cheek.
Mel"o*plas`ty (m&ebreve;l"&osl;*plăs`t&ybreve;),
n. [Gr. mh^lon an apple, a cheek + -
plasty: cf. F. méloplastie.] (Surg.)
The process of restoring a cheek which has been destroyed wholly
or in part.
||Mel`o*pœ"ia (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?;; me`los song + poiei^n to make.]
(Mus.) The art of forming melody; melody; -- now often
used for a melodic passage, rather than a complete melody.
Mel"o*type (?), n. (Photog.)
A picture produced by a process in which development after
exposure may be deferred indefinitely, so as to permit transportation
of exposed plates; also, the process itself.
Mel*pom"e*ne (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;,
lit., the songstress, fr. &?;, &?;, to sing.]
1. (Class. Myth.) The Muse of
tragedy.
2. (Astron.) The eighteenth
asteroid.
Mel"rose (?), n. Honey of
roses.
Melt (m&ebreve;lt), n.
(Zoöl.) See 2d Milt.
Melt, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Melted (obs.) p. p.
Molten (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Melting.]
[AS. meltan; akin to Gr. me`ldein, E. malt,
and prob. to E. smelt, v. √108. Cf. Smelt,
v., Malt, Milt the spleen.]
1. To reduce from a solid to a liquid state, as
by heat; to liquefy; as, to melt wax, tallow, or lead; to
melt ice or snow.
2. Hence: To soften, as by a warming or
kindly influence; to relax; to render gentle or susceptible to mild
influences; sometimes, in a bad sense, to take away the firmness of;
to weaken.
Thou would'st have . . . melted down thy
youth.
Shak.
For pity melts the mind to love.
Dryden.
Syn. -- To liquefy; fuse; thaw; mollify; soften.
Melt, v. i. 1. To
be changed from a solid to a liquid state under the influence of
heat; as, butter and wax melt at moderate
temperatures.
2. To dissolve; as, sugar melts in the
mouth.
3. Hence: To be softened; to become tender,
mild, or gentle; also, to be weakened or subdued, as by
fear.
My soul melteth for heaviness.
Ps. cxix. 28.
Melting with tenderness and kind
compassion.
Shak.
4. To lose distinct form or outline; to
blend.
The soft, green, rounded hills, with their flowing
outlines, overlapping and melting into each
other.
J. C. Shairp.
5. To disappear by being dispersed or
dissipated; as, the fog melts away. Shak.
Melt"a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being melted.
Melt"er (-&etilde;r), n. One who,
or that which, melts.
Melt"ing, n. Liquefaction; the act
of causing (something) to melt, or the process of becoming
melted.
Melting point (Chem.), the degree of
temperature at which a solid substance melts or fuses; as, the
melting point of ice is 0° Centigrade or 32° Fahr.,
that of urea is 132° Centigrade. -- Melting
pot, a vessel in which anything is melted; a
crucible.
Melt"ing a. Causing to melt;
becoming melted; -- used literally or figuratively; as, a
melting heat; a melting appeal; a melting
mood. -- Melt"ing*ly, adv.
Mel"ton (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
A kind of stout woolen cloth with unfinished face and without
raised nap. A commoner variety has a cotton warp.
Mem"ber (?), v. t. [See
Remember.] To remember; to cause to remember; to
mention. [Obs.]
Mem"ber, n. [OE. membre, F.
membre, fr. L. membrum; cf. Goth. mimz flesh,
Skr. mamsa.]
1. (Anat.) A part of an animal capable
of performing a distinct office; an organ; a limb.
We have many members in one body, and all
members have not the same office.
Rom. xii.
4.
2. Hence, a part of a whole; an independent
constituent of a body; as: (a) A part of a
discourse or of a period or sentence; a clause; a part of a
verse. (b) (Math.) Either of the
two parts of an algebraic equation, connected by the sign of
equality. (c) (Engin.) Any
essential part, as a post, tie rod, strut, etc., of a framed
structure, as a bridge truss. (d)
(Arch.) Any part of a building, whether constructional,
as a pier, column, lintel, or the like, or decorative, as a molding,
or group of moldings. (e) One of the
persons composing a society, community, or the like; an individual
forming part of an association; as, a member of the society of
Friends.
Compression member, Tension
member (Engin.), a member, as a rod, brace,
etc., which is subjected to compression or tension,
respectively.
Mem"bered (?), a. 1.
Having limbs; -- chiefly used in composition.
2. (Her.) Having legs of a different
tincture from that of the body; -- said of a bird in heraldic
representations.
Mem"ber*ship, n. 1.
The state of being a member.
2. The collective body of members, as of a
society.
Mem"bral (?), a. (Anat.)
Relating to a member.
Mem`bra*na"ceous (?), a. [L.
membranaceus.]
1. Same as Membranous.
Arbuthnot.
2. (Bot.) Thin and rather soft or
pliable, as the leaves of the rose, peach tree, and aspen
poplar.
Mem"brane (?), n. [F., fr. L.
membrana the skin that covers the separate members of the
body, fr. L. membrum. See Member.] (Anat.)
A thin layer or fold of tissue, usually supported by a fibrous
network, serving to cover or line some part or organ, and often
secreting or absorbing certain fluids.
&fist; The term is also often applied to the thin, expanded parts,
of various texture, both in animals and vegetables.
Adventitious membrane, a membrane connecting
parts not usually connected, or of a different texture from the
ordinary connection; as, the membrane of a cicatrix. --
Jacob's membrane. See under Retina.
-- Mucous membranes (Anat.), the
membranes lining passages and cavities which communicate with the
exterior, as well as ducts and receptacles of secretion, and
habitually secreting mucus. -- Schneiderian
membrane. (Anat.) See Schneiderian.
-- Serous membranes (Anat.) , the
membranes, like the peritoneum and pleura, which line, or lie in,
cavities having no obvious outlet, and secrete a serous
fluid.
Mem*bra"ne*ous (?), a. [L.
membraneus of parchment.] See
Membranous.
Mem`bra*nif"er*ous (?), a.
[Membrane + -ferous.] Having or producing
membranes.
Mem*bra"ni*form (?), a.
[Membrane + -form: cf. F. membraniforme.]
Having the form of a membrane or of parchment.
Mem`bra*nol"o*gy (?), n.
[Membrane + -logy.] The science which treats of
membranes.
Mem"bra*nous (?), a. [Cf. F.
membraneux.]
1. Pertaining to, consisting of, or
resembling, membrane; as, a membranous covering or
lining.
2. (Bot.) Membranaceous.
Membranous croup (Med.), true croup.
See Croup.
Me*men"to (?), n.; pl.
Mementos (#). [L., remember, be mindful, imper. of
meminisse to remember. See Mention.] A hint,
suggestion, token, or memorial, to awaken memory; that which reminds
or recalls to memory; a souvenir.
Seasonable mementos may be useful.
Bacon.
||Me*min"na (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A small deerlet, or chevrotain, of India.
Mem"non (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;,
lit., the Steadfast, Resolute, the son of Tithonus and Aurora, and
king of the Ethiopians, killed by Achilles.] (Antiq.) A
celebrated Egyptian statue near Thebes, said to have the property of
emitting a harplike sound at sunrise.
{ Mem"oir (?), or pl. Mem"oirs (?) },
n. [F. mémoire, m., memorandum, fr.
mémoire, f., memory, L. memoria. See
Memory.] 1. A memorial account; a history
composed from personal experience and memory; an account of
transactions or events (usually written in familiar style) as they
are remembered by the writer. See History, 2.
2. A memorial of any individual; a biography;
often, a biography written without special regard to method and
completeness.
3. An account of something deemed noteworthy;
an essay; a record of investigations of any subject; the journals and
proceedings of a society.
Mem"oir*ist, n. A writer of
memoirs.
||Mem`o*ra*bil"i*a (?), n. pl. [L., fr.
memorabilis memorable. See Memorable.] Things
remarkable and worthy of remembrance or record; also, the record of
them.
Mem`o*ra*bil"i*ty (?), n. The
quality or state of being memorable.
Mem"o*ra*ble (?), a. [L.
memorabilis, fr. memorare to bring to remembrance, fr.
memor mindful, remembering. See Memory, and cf.
Memorabilia.] Worthy to be remembered; very important or
remarkable. -- Mem"o*ra*ble*ness, n.
-- Mem"o*ra*bly, adv.
Surviving fame to gain,
Buy tombs, by books, by memorable deeds.
Sir
J. Davies.
Mem`o*ran"dum (?), n.; pl. E.
Memorandums, L. Memoranda (#).
[L., something to be remembered, neut. of memorandus, fut.
pass. p. of memorare. See Memorable.]
1. A record of something which it is desired
to remember; a note to help the memory.
I . . . entered a memorandum in my
pocketbook.
Guardian.
I wish you would, as opportunity offers, make
memorandums of the regulations of the academies.
Sir J. Reynolds.
2. (Law) A brief or informal note in
writing of some transaction, or an outline of an intended instrument;
an instrument drawn up in a brief and compendious form.
Memorandum check, a check given as an
acknowledgment of indebtedness, but with the understanding that it
will not be presented at bank unless the maker fails to take it up on
the day the debt becomes due. It usually has Mem. written on
its face.
Mem"o*rate (?), v. t. [L.
memoratus, p. p. of memorare. See Memorable.]
To commemorate. [Obs.]
Mem"o*ra*tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
mémoratif.] Commemorative. [Obs.]
Hammond.
||Me*mo"ri*a (?), n. [L.]
Memory.
Memoria technica, technical memory; a
contrivance for aiding the memory.
Me*mo"ri*al (?), a. [F.
mémorial, L. memorialis, fr. memoria. See
Memory.]
1. Serving to preserve remembrance;
commemorative; as, a memorial building.
There high in air, memorial of my name,
Fix the smooth oar, and bid me live to fame.
Pope.
2. Contained in memory; as, a memorial
possession.
3. Mnemonic; assisting the memory.
This succession of Aspirate, Soft, and Hard, may be
expressed by the memorial word ASH.
Skeat.
Memorial Day. Same as Decoration
Day. [U.S.]
Me*mo"ri*al, n. [Cf. F.
mémorial.]
1. Anything intended to preserve the memory
of a person or event; something which serves to keep something else
in remembrance; a monument. Macaulay.
Churches have names; some as memorials of
peace, some of wisdom, some in memory of the Trinity
itself.
Hooker.
2. A memorandum; a record. [Obs. or R.]
Hayward.
3. A written representation of facts,
addressed to the government, or to some branch of it, or to a
society, etc., -- often accompanied with a petition.
4. Memory; remembrance. [Obs.]
Precious is the memorial of the
just.
Evelyn.
5. (Diplomacy) A species of informal
state paper, much used in negotiation.
Me*mo"ri*al*ist, n. [Cf. F.
mémorialiste.] One who writes or signs a
memorial.
Me*mo"ri*al*ize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Memorialized (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. Memorializing (?).] To address or
petition by a memorial; to present a memorial to; as, to
memorialize the legislature. T. Hook.
Me*mo"ri*al*i`zer (?), n. One who
petitions by a memorial. T. Hook.
Mem"o*rist (?), n. [See
Memorize.] One who, or that which, causes to be
remembered. [Obs.]
||Me*mor"i*ter (?), adv. [L., fr.
memor mindful. See Memorable.] By, or from,
memory.
Mem"o*rize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Memorized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Memorizing (?).] [See Memory.]
1. To cause to be remembered ; hence, to
record. [Obs.]
They neglect to memorize their
conquest.
Spenser.
They meant to . . . memorize another
Golgotha.
Shak.
2. To commit to memory; to learn by
heart.
Mem"o*ry (?), n.; pl.
Memories (#). [OE. memorie, OF.
memoire, memorie, F. mémoire, L.
memoria, fr. memor mindful; cf. mora delay. Cf.
Demur, Martyr, Memoir, Remember.]
1. The faculty of the mind by which it
retains the knowledge of previous thoughts, impressions, or
events.
Memory is the purveyor of reason.
Rambler.
2. The reach and positiveness with which a
person can remember; the strength and trustworthiness of one's power
to reach and represent or to recall the past; as, his memory
was never wrong.
3. The actual and distinct retention and
recognition of past ideas in the mind; remembrance; as, in
memory of youth; memories of foreign lands.
4. The time within which past events can be
or are remembered; as, within the memory of man.
And what, before thy memory, was done
From the begining.
Milton.
5. Something, or an aggregate of things,
remembered; hence, character, conduct, etc., as preserved in
remembrance, history, or tradition; posthumous fame; as, the war
became only a memory.
The memory of the just is blessed.
Prov. x. 7.
That ever-living man of memory, Henry the
Fifth.
Shak.
The Nonconformists . . . have, as a body, always
venerated her [Elizabeth's] memory.
Macaulay.
6. A memorial. [Obs.]
These weeds are memories of those worser
hours.
Shak.
Syn. -- Memory, Remembrance,
Recollection, Reminiscence. Memory is the
generic term, denoting the power by which we reproduce past
impressions. Remembrance is an exercise of that power when
things occur spontaneously to our thoughts. In
recollection we make a distinct effort to collect
again, or call back, what we know has been formerly in the mind.
Reminiscence is intermediate between remembrance and
recollection, being a conscious process of recalling past
occurrences, but without that full and varied reference to particular
things which characterizes recollection. "When an idea again
recurs without the operation of the like object on the external
sensory, it is remembrance; if it be sought after by the mind,
and with pain and endeavor found, and brought again into view, it is
recollection." Locke.
To draw to memory, to put on record; to
record. [Obs.] Chaucer. Gower.
Mem"phi*an (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the ancient city of Memphis in Egypt; hence, Egyptian;
as, Memphian darkness.
Men (?), n., pl.
of Man.
Men, pron. [OE. me, men.
"Not the plural of man, but a weakened form of the word
man itself." Skeat.] A man; one; -- used with a
verb in the singular, and corresponding to the present indefinite
one or they. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.
Men moot give silver to the poure
friars.
Chaucer.
A privy thief, men clepeth death.
Chaucer.
Me*nac"can*ite (?), n. [From
Menaccan, in Cornwall, where it was first found.]
(Min.) An iron-black or steel-gray mineral, consisting
chiefly of the oxides of iron and titanium. It is commonly massive,
but occurs also in rhombohedral crystals. Called also titanic iron
ore, and ilmenite.
Men"ace (m&ebreve;n"&asl;s; 48), n.
[F., fr. L. minaciae threats, menaces, fr. minax, -
acis, projecting, threatening, minae projecting points or
pinnacles, threats. Cf. Amenable, Demean,
Imminent, Minatory.] The show of an intention to
inflict evil; a threat or threatening; indication of a probable evil
or catastrophe to come.
His (the pope's) commands, his rebukes, his
menaces.
Milman.
The dark menace of the distant
war.
Dryden.
Men"ace (m&ebreve;n"&asl;s; 48), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Menaced (āst);
p. pr. & vb. n. Menacing (?).] [OF.
menacier, F. menacer. See Menace,
n.] 1. To express or show an
intention to inflict, or to hold out a prospect of inflicting, evil
or injury upon; to threaten; -- usually followed by with
before the harm threatened; as, to menace a country with
war.
My master . . . did menace me with
death.
Shak.
2. To threaten, as an evil to be
inflicted.
By oath he menaced
Revenge upon the cardinal.
Shak.
Men"ace, v. i. To act in
threatening manner; to wear a threatening aspect.
Who ever knew the heavens menace
so?
Shak.
Men"a*cer (?), n. One who
menaces.
Men"a*cing*ly, adv. In a
threatening manner.
||Mé`nage" (?), n. See
Manage.
||Mé`nage" (?), n. [See
Menagerie.] A collection of animals; a menagerie.
[Obs.] Addison.
Men*ag"er*ie (?), n. [F.
ménagerie, fr. ménager to keep house,
ménage household. See Menial, Mansion.]
1. A piace where animals are kept and
trained.
2. A collection of wild or exotic animals,
kept for exhibition.
Men"a*gogue (?), n. [F.
ménagogue, fr. Gr. mh`n month + &?;
leading.] (Med.) Emmenagogue.
||Me*na"ion (?), n.; pl.
Menaia (-yå). [NL., from Gr. &?; monthly.]
(Eccl.) A work of twelve volumes, each containing the
offices in the Greek Church for a month; also, each volume of the
same. Shipley.
{ Men"ald (?), Men"ild (?), }
a. Covered with spots; speckled;
variegated. [Obs.]
Mend (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mended; p. pr. & vb. n.
Mending.] [Abbrev. fr. amend. See Amend.]
1. To repair, as anything that is torn,
broken, defaced, decayed, or the like; to restore from partial decay,
injury, or defacement; to patch up; to put in shape or order again;
to re-create; as, to mend a garment or a machine.
2. To alter for the better; to set right; to
reform; hence, to quicken; as, to mend one's manners or
pace.
The best service they could do the state was to
mend the lives of the persons who composed it.
Sir W. Temple.
3. To help, to advance, to further; to add
to.
Though in some lands the grass is but short, yet it
mends garden herbs and fruit.
Mortimer.
You mend the jewel by the wearing
it.
Shak.
Syn. -- To improve; help; better; emend; amend; correct;
rectify; reform.
Mend, v. i. To grow better; to
advance to a better state; to become improved.
Shak.
Mend"a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being mended.
Men*da"cious (?), a. [L. mendax,
-acis, lying, cf. mentiri to lie.] 1.
Given to deception or falsehood; lying; as, a mendacious
person.
2. False; counterfeit; containing falsehood;
as, a mendacious statement.
-- Men*da"cious*ly, adv. --
Men*da"cious*ness, n.
Men*dac"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Mendacities (#). [L. mendacitas.]
1. The quality or state of being mendacious; a
habit of lying. Macaulay.
2. A falsehood; a lie. Sir T.
Browne.
Syn. -- Lying; deceit; untruth; falsehood.
Mend"er (?), n. One who mends or
repairs.
Men"di*ant (?), n. See
Mendinant. [Obs.]
Men"di*can*cy (?), n. The
condition of being mendicant; beggary; begging.
Burke.
Men"di*cant (?), a. [L.
mendicans, -antis, p. pr. of mendicare to beg,
fr. mendicus beggar, indigent.] Practicing beggary;
begging; living on alms; as, mendicant friars.
Mendicant orders (R. C. Ch.), certain
monastic orders which are forbidden to acquire landed property and
are required to be supported by alms, esp. the Franciscans, the
Dominicans, the Carmelites, and the Augustinians.
Men"di*cant, n. A beggar; esp.,
one who makes a business of begging; specifically, a begging
friar.
Men"di*cate (?), v. t.& i. [L.
mendicatus, p. p. of mendicare to beg.] To
beg. [R.] Johnson.
Men`di*ca"tion (?), n. The act or
practice of begging; beggary; mendicancy. Sir T.
Browne.
Men*dic"i*ty (?), n. [L.
mendicitas: cf. F. mendicité. See
Mendicant.] The practice of begging; the life of a
beggar; mendicancy. Rom. of R.
Men"di*nant (?), n. A mendicant or
begging friar. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mend"ment (?), n. Amendment.
[Obs.]
Men"dole (m&ebreve;n"dōl), n.
[Cf. F. mendol, mendole.] (Zoöl.) The
cackerel.
Men"dre*gal (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Medregal.
Mends (m&ebreve;ndz), n. See
Amends. [Obs.] Shak.
Menge (m&ebreve;nj), v. i.
[imp. Mente, Meinte; p.
p. Ment, Meint.] [See Mingle.] To
mix. [Obs.] Spenser.
Men*ha"den (?), n. (Zoöl.)
An American marine fish of the Herring family (Brevoortia
tyrannus), chiefly valuable for its oil and as a component of
fertilizers; -- called also mossbunker, bony fish,
chebog, pogy, hardhead, whitefish,
etc.
Men"hir (?), n. [F. Armor. men
stone + hir high.] A large stone set upright in olden
times as a memorial or monument. Many, of unknown date, are found in
Brittany and throughout Northern Europe.
Men"ial (?), a. [OE. meneal, fr.
meine, maine, household, OF. maisniée,
maisnie, LL. mansionaticum. See Mansion, and cf.
Meine, n., Meiny.]
1. Belonging to a retinue or train of
servants; performing servile office; serving.
Two menial dogs before their master
pressed.
Dryden.
2. Pertaining to servants, esp. domestic
servants; servile; low; mean. " Menial offices."
Swift.
Men"ial, n. 1. A
domestic servant or retainer, esp. one of humble rank; one employed
in low or servile offices.
2. A person of a servile character or
disposition.
Mé`nière's" dis*ease" (?). (Med.)
A disease characterized by deafness and vertigo, resulting in
incoördination of movement. It is supposed to depend upon a
morbid condition of the semicircular canals of the internal ear.
Named after Ménière, a French
physician.
Men"i*lite (?), n. [F.
ménilite; -- so called because it is found at
Ménilmontant, near Paris.] (Min.) See
Opal.
Me*nin"ge*al (m&esl;*n&ibreve;n"j&esl;*al),
a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the
meninges.
Me*nin"ges (-jēz), n. pl.; sing.
Meninx (&?;). [NL., fr. Gr. mh^nigx,
-iggos, a membrane.] (Anat.) The three
membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord; the pia mater, dura
mater, and arachnoid membrane.
Men`in*gi"tis (?), n. [NL. See
Meninges, and -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation
of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord.
Cerebro-spinal meningitis. See under
Cerebro-spinal.
Me*nis"cal (?), a. Pertaining to,
or having the form of, a meniscus.
Me*nis"coid (?), a. [Meniscus +
-oid.] Concavo-convex, like a meniscus.
me*nis"cus (?), n.; pl. L.
menisci (-sī), E.
Meniscuses (#). [NL., from Gr.
mhni`skos, dim. of mh`nh the moon.]
1. A crescent.
2. (Opt.) A lens convex on one side
and concave on the other.
3. (Anat.) An interarticular synovial
cartilage or membrane; esp., one of the intervertebral synovial disks
in some parts of the vertebral column of birds.
Converging meniscus, Diverging
meniscus. See Lens.
Men`i*sper*ma"ceous (?), a. [Gr.
mh`nh the moon + spe`rma seed.] (Bot.)
Pertaining to a natural order (Menispermaceæ) of
climbing plants of which moonseed (Menispermum) is the
type.
Men`i*sper"mic (&?;), a.
Pertaining to, or obtained from, moonseed (Menispermum),
or other plants of the same family, as the Anamirta
Cocculus.
Men`i*sper"mine (?), n. [Cf. F.
ménispermine.] (Chem.) An alkaloid distinct
from picrotoxin and obtained from the cocculus indicus (the fruit of
Anamirta Cocculus, formerly Menispermum Cocculus) as a
white, crystalline, tasteless powder; -- called also
menispermina.
Men"i*ver (?), n. [OF. menuver,
menuveir, menuvair, a grayish fur; menu small +
vair a kind of fur. See Minute, a.,
and Vair.] Same as Miniver.
{ Men"non*ist (?), Men"non*ite (?), }
n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a small
denomination of Christians, so called from Menno Simons of
Friesland, their founder. They believe that the New Testament is the
only rule of faith, that there is no original sin, that infants
should not be baptized, and that Christians ought not to take oath,
hold office, or render military service.
{ Men"o*branch (?), ||Men`o*bran"chus (?), }
n. [NL. menobranchus, fr. Gr. &?; to remain
+ &?; a gill.] (Zoöl.) A large aquatic American
salamander of the genus Necturus, having permanent external
gills.
{ ||Men`o*lo"gi*um (?), Me*nol"o*gy (?), }
n.; pl. L. Menologia (#),
E. Menologies (#). [NL. menologium, fr. Gr.
mh`n month + lo`gos discourse : cf. F.
ménologe.] 1. A register of
months. Bp. Stillingfleet.
2. (Gr. Church) A brief calendar of
the lives of the saints for each day in the year, or a simple
remembrance of those whose lives are not written.
Men"o*pause (?), n. [Gr.
mh`n month + &?; to cause to cease. See Menses.]
(Med.) The period of natural cessation of menstruation.
See Change of life, under Change.
{ ||Men`o*po"ma (?), Men"o*pome (?), }
n. [NL. menopoma, fr. Gr. &?; to remain +
&?; lid.] (Zoöl.) The hellbender.
||Men`or*rha"gi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
mh`n month + &?; to break.] (Med.)
(a) Profuse menstruation.
(b) Any profuse bleeding from the uterus;
Metrorrhagia.
||Me*nos"ta*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
mh`n month + 'istan`nai to stop.] (Med.)
Stoppage of the menses.
Men`os*ta"tion (?), n. (Med.)
Same as Menostasis.
Men"ow (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A minnow.
Men"-pleas`er (?), n. One whose
motive is to please men or the world, rather than God. Eph.
vi. 6.
Men"sal (?), a. [L. mensalis,
fr. mensa table.] Belonging to the table; transacted at
table; as, mensal conversation.
Men"sal (?), a. [L. mensis
month.] Occurring once in a month; monthly.
Mense (?), n. [OE. menske, AS.
mennisc human, man. See Man.] Manliness; dignity;
comeliness; civility. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] --
Mense"ful (#), a. -- Mense"less,
a.
Mense, v. t. To grace.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
||Men"ses (?), n. pl. [L. mensis
month, pl. menses months, and the monthly courses of women.
Cf. Month.] (Med.) The catamenial or menstrual
discharge, a periodic flow of blood or bloody fluid from the uterus
or female generative organs.
Men"stru*al (?), a. [L.
menstrualis: cf. F. menstruel. See Menstruous.]
1. Recurring once a month; monthly; gone through
in a month; as, the menstrual revolution of the moon;
pertaining to monthly changes; as, the menstrual equation of
the sun's place.
2. Of or pertaining to the menses; as,
menstrual discharges; the menstrual period.
3. Of or pertaining to a menstruum.
Bacon.
Men"stru*ant (?), a. [L.
menstruans, p. pr. of menstruare to have a monthly
term, fr. menstruus. See Menstruous.] Subject to
monthly flowing or menses.
Men"stru*ate (?), a.
Menstruous. [Obs.]
Men"stru*ate (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Menstruated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Menstruating (?).] To discharge the menses;
to have the catamenial flow.
Men`stru*a"tion (?), n. The
discharge of the menses; also, the state or the period of
menstruating.
Men"strue (?), n. [Cf. F.
menstrues. See Menstruous.] The menstrual flux;
menses. [Obs.]
Men"stru*ous (?), a. [L.
menstruus, fr. mensis month. Cf. Menstruum.]
1. Having the monthly flow or discharge;
menstruating.
2. Of or pertaining to the monthly flow;
catamenial.
Men"stru*um (?), n.; pl. E.
Menstruums (#), L. Menstrua (#).
[L. menstruus. See Menstruous.] Any substance
which dissolves a solid body; a solvent.
The proper menstruum to dissolve
metal.
Bacon.
All liquors are called menstruums which are
used as dissolvents, or to extract the virtues of ingredients by
infusion or decoction.
Quincy.
&fist; The use is supposed to have originated in some notion of
the old chemists about the influence of the moon in the preparation
of dissolvents. Johnson.
Men`su*ra*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
mensurabilité.] The quality of being
mensurable.
Men"su*ra*ble (?), a. [L.
mensurabilis, fr. mensurare to measure, fr.
mensura measure: cf. F. mensurable. See
Measurable, Measure.] Capable of being measured;
measurable.
Men"su*ra*ble*ness, n. The quality
or state of being mensurable; measurableness.
Men"su*ral (?), a. [L.
mensuralis.] Of or pertaining to measure.
Men"su*rate (?), v. t. [L.
mensuratus, p. p. of mensurare. See Measure,
v.] To measure. [Obs.]
Men`su*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
mensuratio : cf. F. mensuration.] 1.
The act, process, or art, of measuring.
2. That branch of applied geometry which
gives rules for finding the length of lines, the areas of surfaces,
or the volumes of solids, from certain simple data of lines and
angles.
-ment (?), [F. -ment, L. -mentum.] A
suffix denoting that which does a thing; an act or
process; the result of an act or process;
state or condition; as, aliment, that which
nourishes, ornament, increment; fragment, piece
broken, segment; abridgment, act of abridging,
imprisonment, movement, adjournment;
amazement, state of being amazed,
astonishment.
Ment (?), p. p. of
Menge.
||Men"ta*gra (?), n. [NL., fr. L.
mentum chin + Gr. &?; a catching.] (Med.)
Sycosis.
Men"tal (?), a. [L. mentum the
chin.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the chin; genian; as,
the mental nerve; the mental region.
Men"tal, n. (Zoöl.) A
plate or scale covering the mentum or chin of a fish or
reptile.
Men"tal, a. [F., fr. L.
mentalis, fr. mens, mentis, the mind; akin to E.
mind. See Mind.] Of or pertaining to the mind;
intellectual; as, mental faculties; mental operations,
conditions, or exercise.
What a mental power
This eye shoots forth!
Shak.
Mental alienation, insanity. --
Mental arithmetic, the art or practice of
solving arithmetical problems by mental processes, unassisted by
written figures.
Men*tal"i*ty (?), n. Quality or
state of mind. "The same hard mentality."
Emerson.
Men"tal*ly (?), adv. In the mind;
in thought or meditation; intellectually; in idea.
||Men"tha (?), n. [L. See Mint
the plant.] (Bot.) A widely distributed genus of fragrant
herbs, including the peppermint, spearmint, etc. The plants have
small flowers, usually arranged in dense axillary clusters.
Men"thene (?), n. [Menthol +
terpene.] (Chem.) A colorless liquid hydrocarbon
resembling oil of turpentine, obtained by dehydrating menthol. It has
an agreeable odor and a cooling taste.
Men"thol (?), n. [Mentha + -
ol.] (Chem.) A white, crystalline, aromatic substance
resembling camphor, extracted from oil of peppermint (Mentha);
-- called also mint camphor or peppermint
camphor.
Men"thyl (?), n. [Mentha + -
yl.] (Chem.) A compound radical forming the base of
menthol.
Men`ti*cul"tur*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to mental culture; serving to improve or strengthen the
mind. [R.]
Men"tion (?), n. [OE. mencioun,
F. mention, L. mentio, from the root of
meminisse to remember. See Mind.] A speaking or
notice of anything, -- usually in a brief or cursory manner. Used
especially in the phrase to make mention of.
I will make mention of thy
righteousness.
Ps. lxxi. 16.
And sleep in dull, cold marble, where no
mention
Of me more must be heard of.
Shak.
Men"tion (m&ebreve;n"shŭn), v.
t. [imp. & p. p. Mentioned (-
shŭnd); p. pr. & vb. n. Mentioning.]
[Cf. F. mentionner.] To make mention of; to speak briefly
of; to name.
I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the
Lord.
Is. lxiii. 7.
Men"tion*a*ble (?), a. Fit to be
mentioned.
Men`to*meck*e"li*an (?), a. [1st
mental + Meckelian.] (Anat.) Of or
pertaining to the chin and lower jaw. -- n.
The bone or cartilage forming the anterior extremity of the
lower jaw in some adult animals and the young of others.
Men"tor (?), n. [From Mentor,
the counselor of Telemachus, Gr. Me`ntwr, prop.,
counselor. Cf. Monitor.] A wise and faithful counselor
or monitor.
Men*to"ri*al (?), a. [From
Mentor.] Containing advice or admonition.
||Men"tum (?), n. [L., chin.]
(Zoöl.) The front median plate of the labium in
insects. See Labium.
||Me*nu" (?), n. [F., slender, thin,
minute. See 4th Minute.] The details of a banquet; a bill
of fare.
Me"nuse (?), v. i. See
Amenuse. [Obs.]
Me*ow" (?), v. i. & n. See 6th and
7th Mew.
Meph`is*to*phe"li*an (? or ?), a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, the devil Mephistopheles, "a
crafty, scoffing, relentless fiend;" devilish; crafty.
{ Me*phit"ic (?), Me*phit"ic*al (?), }
a. [L. mephiticus, fr. mephitis
mephitis: cf. F. méphitique.] 1.
Tending to destroy life; poisonous; noxious; as, mephitic
exhalations; mephitic regions.
2. Offensive to the smell; as,
mephitic odors.
Mephitic air (Chem.), carbon dioxide;
-- so called because of its deadly suffocating power. See Carbonic
acid, under Carbonic.
||Me*phi"tis (?), n. [L.
mephitis : cf. F. méphitis.] 1.
Noxious, pestilential, or foul exhalations from decomposing
substances, filth, or other source.
2. (Zoöl.) A genus of mammals,
including the skunks.
Meph"i*tism (?), n. Same as
Mephitis, 1.
Me*ra"cious (?), a. [L. meracus,
fr. merus pure, inmixed.] Being without mixture or
adulteration; hence, strong; racy. [Obs.]
Mer"ca*ble (?), a. [L.
mercabilis, fr. mercari to trade, traffic, buy. See
Merchant.] Capable of being bought or sold.
[Obs.]
Mer"can*tile (?; 277), a. [F.
mercantile, It. mercantile, fr. L. mercans, -
antis, p. pr. of mercari to traffic. See Merchant.]
Of or pertaining to merchants, or the business of merchants;
having to do with trade, or the buying and selling of commodities;
commercial.
The expedition of the Argonauts was partly
mercantile, partly military.
Arbuthnot.
Mercantile agency, an agency for procuring
information of the standing and credit of merchants in different
parts of the country, for the use of dealers who sell to them. -
- Mercantile marine, the persons and vessels
employed in commerce, taken collectively. -- Mercantile
paper, the notes or acceptances given by merchants for
goods bought, or received on consignment; drafts on merchants for
goods sold or consigned. McElrath.
Syn. -- Mercantile, Commercial.
Commercial is the wider term, being sometimes used to embrace
mercantile. In their stricter use, commercial relates
to the shipping, freighting, forwarding, and other business connected
with the commerce of a country (whether external or internal),
that is, the exchange of commodities; while mercantile applies
to the sale of merchandise and goods when brought to market. As the
two employments are to some extent intermingled, the two words are
often interchanged.
Mer*cap"tal (?), n. [Mercaptan +
aldehyde.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of
compounds of mercaptans with aldehydes.
Mer*cap"tan (?), n. [F., fr. NL.
mercurius mercury + L. captans, p. pr. of
captare to seize, v. intens. fr. capere.]
(Chem.) Any one of series of compounds, hydrosulphides of
alcohol radicals, in composition resembling the alcohols, but
containing sulphur in place of oxygen, and hence called also the
sulphur alcohols. In general, they are colorless liquids
having a strong, repulsive, garlic odor. The name is specifically
applied to ethyl mercaptan, C2H5SH. So called
from its avidity for mercury, and other metals.
Mer*cap"tide (? or ?), n.
(Chem.) A compound of mercaptan formed by replacing its
sulphur hydrogen by a metal; as, potassium mercaptide,
C2H5SK.
Mer"cat (?), n. [L. mercatus :
cf. It. mercato. See Market.] Market; trade.
[Obs.] Bp. Sprat.
Mer`ca*tan"te (?; It. ?), n. [It. See
Merchant.] A foreign trader. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mer*ca"tor's chart" (?). See under Chart, and
see Mercator's projection, under Projection.
Mer"ca*ture (?; 135), n. [L.
mercatura commerce.] Commerce; traffic; trade.
[Obs.]
Merce (?), v. t. [See Amerce.]
To subject to fine or amercement; to mulct; to amerce.
[Obs.]
||Mer`ce*na"ri*a (?), n. [NL. See
Mercenary.] (Zoöl.) The quahog.
Mer`ce*na"ri*an (-an), n. A
mercenary. [Obs.]
Mer"ce*na`ri*ly (?), adv. In a
mercenary manner.
Mer"ce*na*ri*ness, n. The quality
or state of being mercenary; venality. Boyle.
Mer"ce*na*ry (?), a. [OE.
mercenarie, F. mercenaire, fr. L. mercenarius,
fr. merces wages, reward. See Mercy.]
1. Acting for reward; serving for pay; paid;
hired; hireling; venal; as, mercenary soldiers.
2. Hence: Moved by considerations of pay or
profit; greedy of gain; sordid; selfish. Shak.
For God forbid I should my papers blot
With mercenary lines, with servile pen.
Daniel.
Syn. -- See Venal.
Mer"ce*na*ry (?), n.; pl.
Mercenaries (&?;). One who is hired; a
hireling; especially, a soldier hired into foreign service.
Milman.
Mer"cer (?), n. [F. mercier, fr.
L. merx, mercis, wares, merchandise. See
Merchant.] Originally, a dealer in any kind of goods or
wares; now restricted to a dealer in textile fabrics, as silks or
woolens. [Eng.]
Mer"cer*ship, n. The business of a
mercer.
Mer"cer*y (?), n. [F. mercerie.]
The trade of mercers; the goods in which a mercer
deals.
Mer"chand (?), v. i. [F.
marchander. See Merchant.] To traffic.
[Obs.] Bacon.
Mer"chan*di`sa*ble (?), a. Such as
can be used or transferred as merchandise.
Mer"chan*dise (?), n. [F.
marchandise, OF. marcheandise.] 1.
The objects of commerce; whatever is usually bought or sold in
trade, or market, or by merchants; wares; goods; commodities.
Spenser.
2. The act or business of trading; trade;
traffic.
Mer"chan*dise, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Merchandised (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Merchandising (?).] To trade; to carry on
commerce. Bacon.
Mer"chan*dise, v. t. To make
merchandise of; to buy and sell. "Love is merchandised."
Shak.
Mer"chan*di`ser (?), n. A
trader. Bunyan.
Mer"chand*ry (?), n. [See
Merchant.] Trade; commerce. [Obs.] Bp.
Sanderson.
Mer"chant (?), n. [OE. marchant,
OF. marcheant, F. marchand, fr. LL. mercatans,
-antis, p. pr. of mercatare to negotiate, L.
mercari to traffic, fr. merx, mercis, wares. See
Market, Merit, and cf. Commerce.]
1. One who traffics on a large scale, especially
with foreign countries; a trafficker; a trader.
Others, like merchants, venture trade
abroad.
Shak.
2. A trading vessel; a merchantman.
[Obs.] Shak.
3. One who keeps a store or shop for the sale
of goods; a shopkeeper. [U. S. & Scot.]
Mer"chant, a. Of, pertaining to,
or employed in, trade or merchandise; as, the merchant
service.
Merchant bar, Merchant iron or
steel, certain common sizes of wrought iron and
steel bars. -- Merchant service, the
mercantile marine of a country. Am. Cyc. --
Merchant ship, a ship employed in
commerce. -- Merchant tailor, a tailor who
keeps and sells materials for the garments which he makes.
Mer"chant, v. i. To be a merchant;
to trade. [Obs.]
Mer"chant*a*ble (?), a. Fit for
market; such as is usually sold in market, or such as will bring the
ordinary price; as, merchantable wheat; sometimes, a technical
designation for a particular kind or class.
Mer"chant*ly, a. Merchantlike;
suitable to the character or business of a merchant. [Obs.]
Gauden.
Mer"chant*man (?), n.; pl.
Merchantmen (&?;).
1. A merchant. [Obs.] Matt. xiii.
45.
2. A trading vessel; a ship employed in the
transportation of goods, as, distinguished from a man-of-
war.
Mer"chant*ry (?), n. 1.
The body of merchants taken collectively; as, the
merchantry of a country.
2. The business of a merchant;
merchandise. Walpole.
Mer"ci*a*ble (?), a. [OF.]
Merciful. [Obs.]
Mer"ci*ful (?), a. [Mercy + -
ful.] 1. Full of mercy; having or exercising
mercy; disposed to pity and spare offenders; unwilling to
punish.
The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and
gracious.
Ex. xxxiv. 6.
Be merciful, great duke, to men of
mold.
Shak.
2. Unwilling to give pain;
compassionate.
A merciful man will be merciful to his
beast.
Old Proverb.
Syn. -- Compassionate; tender; humane; gracious; kind;
mild; clement; benignant.
-- Mer"ci*ful*ly, adv. --
Mer"ci*ful*ness, n.
Mer"ci*fy (?), v. t. To
pity. [Obs.] Spenser.
Mer"ci*less, a. Destitute of
mercy; cruel; unsparing; -- said of animate beings, and also,
figuratively, of things; as, a merciless tyrant;
merciless waves.
The foe is merciless, and will not
pity.
Shak.
Syn. -- Cruel; unmerciful; remorseless; ruthless; pitiless;
barbarous; savage.
-- Mer"ci*less*ly, adv. --
Mer"ci*less*ness, n.
Mer`cur*am*mo"ni*um (?), n.
[Mercuric + ammonium.] (Chem.) A radical
regarded as derived from ammonium by the substitution of mercury for
a portion of the hydrogen.
Mer*cu"ri*al (?), a. [L.
mercurialis, fr. Mercurius Mercury: cf. F.
mercuriel.] 1. Having the qualities
fabled to belong to the god Mercury; swift; active; sprightly;
fickle; volatile; changeable; as, a mercurial youth; a
mercurial temperament.
A mercurial man
Who fluttered over all things like a fan.
Byron.
2. Having the form or image of Mercury; --
applied to ancient guideposts. [Obs.]
Chillingworth.
3. Of or pertaining to Mercury as the god of
trade; hence, money-making; crafty.
The mercurial wand of commerce.
J. Q. Adams.
4. Of or pertaining to, or containing,
mercury; as, mercurial preparations, barometer. See
Mercury, 2.
5. (Med.) Caused by the use of
mercury; as, mercurial sore mouth.
Mer*cu"ri*al, n. 1.
A person having mercurial qualities. Bacon.
2. (Med.) A preparation containing
mercury.
Mer*cu"ri*al*ist, n. 1.
One under the influence of Mercury; one resembling Mercury in
character.
2. (Med.) A physician who uses much
mercury, in any of its forms, in his practice.
Mer*cu"ri*al*ize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mercurialized (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. Mercurializing (?).] 1.
(Med.) To affect with mercury.
2. (Photography) To treat with
mercury; to expose to the vapor of mercury.
Mer*cu"ri*al*ize, v. i. To be
sprightly, fantastic, or capricious. [Obs.]
Mer*cu"ri*al*ly, adv. In a
mercurial manner.
Mer*cu"ric (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, mercury; containing mercury;
-- said of those compounds of mercury into which this element enters
in its lowest proportion.
Mercuric chloride, corrosive sublimate. See
Corrosive.
Mer*cu`ri*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
mercurification. See Mercurify.] 1.
(Metal.) The process or operation of obtaining the
mercury, in its fluid form, from mercuric minerals.
2. (Chem.) The act or process of
compounding, or the state of being compounded, with mercury.
[R.]
Mer*cu"ri*fy (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Mercurified (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mercurifying (?).] [Mercury + -fy.]
1. To obtain mercury from, as mercuric minerals,
which may be done by any application of intense heat that expels the
mercury in fumes, which are afterward condensed. [R.]
2. To combine or mingle mercury with; to
impregnate with mercury; to mercurialize. [R.]
Mer"cu*rism (?), n. A
communication of news; an announcement. [Obs.] Sir T.
Browne.
Mer*cu"rous (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, mercury; containing mercury;
-- said of those compounds of mercury in which it is present in its
highest proportion.
Mercurous chloride. (Chem.) See
Calomel.
Mer"cu*ry (?), n. [L. Mercurius;
akin to merx wares.] 1. (Rom. Myth.)
A Latin god of commerce and gain; -- treated by the poets as
identical with the Greek Hermes, messenger of the gods, conductor of
souls to the lower world, and god of eloquence.
2. (Chem.) A metallic element mostly
obtained by reduction from cinnabar, one of its ores. It is a heavy,
opaque, glistening liquid (commonly called quicksilver), and
is used in barometers, thermometers, etc. Specific gravity 13.6.
Symbol Hg (Hydrargyrum). Atomic weight 199.8. Mercury has a
molecule which consists of only one atom. It was named by the
alchemists after the god Mercury, and designated by his symbol,
&mercury;.
&fist; Mercury forms alloys, called amalgams, with many
metals, and is thus used in applying tin foil to the backs of
mirrors, and in extracting gold and silver from their ores. It is
poisonous, and is used in medicine in the free state as in blue pill,
and in its compounds as calomel, corrosive sublimate, etc. It is the
only metal which is liquid at ordinary temperatures, and it
solidifies at about -39° Centigrade to a soft, malleable, ductile
metal.
3. (Astron.) One of the planets of the
solar system, being the one nearest the sun, from which its mean
distance is about 36,000,000 miles. Its period is 88 days, and its
diameter 3,000 miles.
4. A carrier of tidings; a newsboy; a
messenger; hence, also, a newspaper. Sir J. Stephen.
"The monthly Mercuries." Macaulay.
5. Sprightly or mercurial quality; spirit;
mutability; fickleness. [Obs.]
He was so full of mercury that he could not fix
long in any friendship, or to any design.
Bp.
Burnet.
6. (Bot.) A plant (Mercurialis
annua), of the Spurge family, the leaves of which are sometimes
used for spinach, in Europe.
&fist; The name is also applied, in the United States, to certain
climbing plants, some of which are poisonous to the skin, esp. to the
Rhus Toxicodendron, or poison ivy.
Dog's mercury (Bot.), Mercurialis
perennis, a perennial plant differing from M. annua by
having the leaves sessile. -- English mercury
(Bot.), a kind of goosefoot formerly used as a pot herb; -
- called Good King Henry. -- Horn
mercury (Min.), a mineral chloride of mercury,
having a semitranslucent, hornlike appearance.
Mer"cu*ry, v. t. To wash with a
preparation of mercury. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Mer"cy (?), n.; pl.
Mercies (#). [OE. merci, F. merci, L.
merces, mercedis, hire, pay, reward, LL., equiv. to
misericordia pity, mercy. L. merces is prob. akin to
merere to deserve, acquire. See Merit, and cf.
Amerce.] 1. Forbearance to inflict harm
under circumstances of provocation, when one has the power to inflict
it; compassionate treatment of an offender or adversary;
clemency.
Examples of justice must be made for terror to some;
examples of mercy for comfort to others.
Bacon.
2. Compassionate treatment of the unfortunate
and helpless; sometimes, favor, beneficence. Luke x.
37.
3. Disposition to exercise compassion or
favor; pity; compassion; willingness to spare or to help.
In whom mercy lacketh and is not
founden.
Sir T. Elyot.
4. A blessing regarded as a manifestation of
compassion or favor.
The Father of mercies and the God of all
comfort.
2 Cor. i. 3.
Mercy seat (Bib.), the golden cover
or lid of the Ark of the Covenant. See Ark, 2. --
Sisters of Mercy (R. C. Ch.),a religious
order founded in Dublin in the year 1827. Communities of the same
name have since been established in various American cities. The
duties of those belonging to the order are, to attend lying-in
hospitals, to superintend the education of girls, and protect decent
women out of employment, to visit prisoners and the sick, and to
attend persons condemned to death. -- To be at the mercy
of, to be wholly in the power of.
Syn. -- See Grace.
Merd (?), n. [F. merde, L.
merda.] Ordure; dung. [Obs.] Burton.
-mere (?). [Gr. &?; part.] A combining form meaning
part, portion; as, blastomere,
epimere.
Mere (mēr), n. [Written also
mar.] [OE. mere, AS. mere mere, sea; akin to D.
meer lake, OS. meri sea, OHG. meri, mari,
G. meer, Icel. marr, Goth. marei, Russ.
more, W. mor, Ir. & Gael. muir, L. mare,
and perh. to L. mori to die, and meaning originally, that
which is dead, a waste. Cf. Mortal, Marine,
Marsh, Mermaid, Moor.] A pool or
lake. Drayton. Tennyson.
Mere, n. [Written also meer and
mear.] [AS. gem&aemacr;re. √269.] A
boundary. Bacon.
Mere (?), v. t. To divide, limit,
or bound. [Obs.]
Which meared her rule with Africa.
Spenser.
Mere, n. A mare. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mere (?), a. [Superl.
Merest. The comparative is rarely or never used.] [L.
merus.] 1. Unmixed; pure; entire;
absolute; unqualified.
Then entered they the mere, main
sea.
Chapman.
The sorrows of this world would be mere and
unmixed.
Jer. Taylor.
2. Only this, and nothing else; such, and no
more; simple; bare; as, a mere boy; a mere
form.
From mere success nothing can be concluded in
favor of any nation.
Atterbury.
Mere"ly, adv. 1.
Purely; unmixedly; absolutely.
Ulysses was to force forth his access,
Though merely naked.
Chapman.
2. Not otherwise than; simply; barely;
only.
Prize not your life for other ends
Than merely to oblige your friends.
Swift.
Syn. -- Solely; simply; purely; barely; scarcely.
||Me*ren"chy*ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; a part + -enchyma, as in parenchyma.] (Bot.)
Tissue composed of spheroidal cells.
Meres"man (?), n. An officer who
ascertains meres or boundaries. [Eng.]
Mere"stead (?), n. [Mere
boundary + stead place.] The land within the boundaries
of a farm; a farmstead or farm. [Archaic.]
Longfellow.
Mere"stone` (?), n. A stone
designating a limit or boundary; a landmark. Bacon.
Mer`e*tri"cious (?), a. [L.
meretricius, from meretrix, -icis, a prostitute,
lit., one who earns money, i. e., by prostitution, fr.
merere to earn, gain. See Merit.] 1.
Of or pertaining to prostitutes; having to do with harlots;
lustful; as, meretricious traffic.
2. Resembling the arts of a harlot; alluring
by false show; gaudily and deceitfully ornamental; tawdry; as,
meretricious dress or ornaments.
-- Mer`e*tri"cious*ly, adv. --
Mer`e*tri"cious*ness, n.
Mer*gan"ser (?), n. [Sp.
mergánsar, fr. mergo a diver (L. mergus,
fr. mergere to dip, dive) + ánsar goose, L.
anser.] (Zoöl.) Any bird of the genus
Merganser, and allied genera. They are allied to the ducks,
but have a sharply serrated bill.
&fist; The red-breasted merganser (Merganser serrator)
inhabits both hemispheres. It is called also sawbill,
harle, and sheldrake. The American merganser (M.
Americanus.) and the hooded merganser (Lophodytes
cucullatus) are well-known species. --
White
merganser, the smew or white nun.
Merge (m&etilde;rj), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Merged (m&etilde;rjd);
p. pr. & vb. n. Merging
(m&etilde;r"j&ibreve;ng).] [L. mergere, mersum. Cf.
Emerge, Immerse, Marrow.] To cause to be
swallowed up; to immerse; to sink; to absorb.
To merge all natural . . . sentiment in
inordinate vanity.
Burke.
Whig and Tory were merged and swallowed up in
the transcendent duties of patriots.
De
Quincey.
Merge, v. i. To be sunk, swallowed
up, or lost.
Native irresolution had merged in stronger
motives.
I. Taylor.
Mer"ger (?), n. 1.
One who, or that which, merges.
2. (Law) An absorption of one estate,
or one contract, in another, or of a minor offense in a
greater.
Mer"i*carp (?), n. [Gr.
me`ros a part + karpo`s fruit.] (Bot.)
One carpel of an umbelliferous fruit. See
Cremocarp.
Mer"ide (? or ?), n. [Gr. &?; a part.]
(Biol.) A permanent colony of cells or plastids which may
remain isolated, like Rotifer, or may multiply by gemmation to form
higher aggregates, termed zoides. Perrier.
Me*rid"i*an (?), a. [F.
méridien, L. meridianus pertaining to noon, fr.
meridies noon, midday, for older medidies;
medius mid, middle + dies day. See Mid, and
Diurnal.] 1. Being at, or pertaining to,
midday; belonging to, or passing through, the highest point attained
by the sun in his diurnal course. "Meridian hour."
Milton.
Tables . . . to find the altitude
meridian.
Chaucer.
2. Pertaining to the highest point or
culmination; as, meridian splendor.
Me*rid"i*an, n. [F.
méridien. See Meridian,
a.]
1. Midday; noon.
2. Hence: The highest point, as of success,
prosperity, or the like; culmination.
I have touched the highest point of all my
greatness,
And from that full meridian of my glory
I haste now to my setting.
Shak.
3. (Astron.) A great circle of the
sphere passing through the poles of the heavens and the zenith of a
given place. It is crossed by the sun at midday.
4. (Geog.) A great circle on the
surface of the earth, passing through the poles and any given place;
also, the half of such a circle included between the poles.
&fist; The planes of the geographical and astronomical meridians
coincide. Meridians, on a map or globe, are lines drawn at certain
intervals due north and south, or in the direction of the poles.
Calculated for, or fitted to,
or adapted to, the meridian of,
suited to the local circumstances, capabilities, or special
requirements of.
All other knowledge merely serves the concerns of this
life, and is fitted to the meridian
thereof.
Sir M. Hale.
--
First meridian, the meridian from which
longitudes are reckoned. The meridian of Greenwich is the one
commonly employed in calculations of longitude by geographers, and in
actual practice, although in various countries other and different
meridians, chiefly those which pass through the capitals of the
countries, are occasionally used; as, in France, the meridian of
Paris; in the United States, the meridian of Washington, etc. --
Guide meridian (Public Land Survey), a
line, marked by monuments, running North and South through a section
of country between other more carefully established meridians called
principal meridians, used for reference in surveying.
[U.S.] -- Magnetic meridian, a great circle,
passing through the zenith and coinciding in direction with the
magnetic needle, or a line on the earth's surface having the same
direction. -- Meridian circle
(Astron.), an instrument consisting of a telescope
attached to a large graduated circle and so mounted that the
telescope revolves like the transit instrument in a meridian plane.
By it the right ascension and the declination of a star may be
measured in a single observation. -- Meridian
instrument (Astron.), any astronomical
instrument having a telescope that rotates in a meridian plane.
-- Meridian of a globe, or Brass
meridian, a graduated circular ring of brass, in which
the artificial globe is suspended and revolves.
Me*rid"i*o*nal (?), a. [F.
méridional, L. meridionalis, fr. meridies
midday. See Meridian.]
1. Of or pertaining to the
meridian.
2. Having a southern aspect; southern;
southerly.
Offices that require heat . . . should be
meridional.
Sir H. Wotton.
Meridional distance, the distance or
departure from the meridian; the easting or westing. --
Meridional parts, parts of the meridian in
Mercator's projection, corresponding to each minute of latitude from
the equator up to 70 or 80 degrees; tabulated numbers representing
these parts used in projecting charts, and in solving cases in
Mercator's sailing.
Me*rid`i*o*nal"i*ty (?), n.
1. The state of being in the meridian.
2. Position in the south; aspect toward the
south.
Me*rid"i*o*nal*ly (?), adv. In the
direction of the meridian.
Mer"ils (?), n. [F.
mérelle, marelle, marelles, LL.
marella, marrella. Cf. Morris the game.] A
boy's play, called also fivepenny morris. See
Morris.
||Me`ringue" (F. m&etilde;`răN"g'; E.
m&ebreve;*răng"), n. [F.] A delicate
pastry made of powdered sugar and the whites of eggs whipped up, --
with jam or cream added.
Me*ri"no (?), a. [Sp. merino
moving from pasture to pasture, fr. merino a royal judge and
superintendent or inspector of sheep walks, LL. merinus, fr.
majorinus, i. e., major vill&?;, fr. L. major greater.
See Major. Merino sheep are driven at certain seasons from one
part of Spain to another, in large flocks, for pasturage.]
1. Of or pertaining to a variety of sheep with
very fine wool, originally bred in Spain.
2. Made of the wool of the merino
sheep.
Me*ri"no, n.; pl.
Merinos (#). [Sp.] 1.
(Zoöl.) A breed of sheep originally from Spain,
noted for the fineness of its wool.
2. A fine fabric of merino wool.
Mer`is*mat"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;
division, fr. &?; part.] (Biol.) Dividing into cells or
segments; characterized by separation into two or more parts or
sections by the formation of internal partitions; as,
merismatic growth, where one cell divides into many.
Mer"i*stem (?), n. [Gr. &?; divisible.]
(Bot.) A tissue of growing cells, or cells capable of
further division.
Mer"it (?), n. [F.
mérite, L. meritum, fr. merere,
mereri, to deserve, merit; prob. originally, to get a share;
akin to Gr. &?; part, &?; fate, doom, &?; to receive as one's
portion. Cf. Market, Merchant, Mercer,
Mercy.] 1. The quality or state of
deserving well or ill; desert.
Here may men see how sin hath his
merit.
Chaucer.
Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought
For things that others do; and when we fall,
We answer other's merits in our name.
Shak.
2. Esp. in a good sense: The quality or state
of deserving well; worth; excellence.
Reputation is . . . oft got without merit, and
lost without deserving.
Shak.
To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known,
And every author's merit, but his own.
Pope.
3. Reward deserved; any mark or token of
excellence or approbation; as, his teacher gave him ten
merits.
Those laurel groves, the merits of thy
youth.
Prior.
Mer"it, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Merited; p. pr. & vb. n.
Meriting.] [F. mériter, L. meritare, v.
intens. fr. merere. See Merit, n.]
1. To earn by service or performance; to have a
right to claim as reward; to deserve; sometimes, to deserve in a bad
sense; as, to merit punishment. "This kindness
merits thanks." Shak.
2. To reward. [R. & Obs.]
Chapman.
Mer"it, v. i. To acquire desert;
to gain value; to receive benefit; to profit. [Obs.] Beau.
& Fl.
Mer"it*a*ble (?), a. Deserving of
reward. [R.]
Mer"it*ed*ly, adv. By merit;
deservedly.
{ Mer"i*thal (?), ||Mer`i*thal"lus (?), }
n. [NL. merithallus, fr. Gr. &?;, or
&?;, a part + &?; a young shoot.] (Bot.) Same as
Internode.
Mer"it*mon`ger (?), n. One who
depends on merit for salvation. [Obs.] Milner.
Mer`i*to"ri*ous (?), a. [L.
meritorius that brings in money.] Possessing merit;
deserving of reward or honor; worthy of recompense;
valuable.
And meritorious shall that hand be called,
Canonized, and worshiped as a saint.
Shak.
-- Mer`i*to"ri*ous*ly, adv. --
Mer`i*to"ri*ous*ness, n.
Mer"i*to*ry (?), a.
Meritorious. [Obs.]
Mer"i*tot (?), n. A play of
children, in swinging on ropes, or the like, till they are
dizzy.
Merk (?), n. [See Marc.] An
old Scotch silver coin; a mark or marc. [Scot.]
Merk, n. A mark; a sign.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Merke (?), a. Murky. [Obs.]
Piers Plowman.
Mer"kin (?), n. Originally, a wig;
afterwards, a mop for cleaning cannon.
{ Merl (?), Merle, } n. [F.
merle, L. merula, merulus. Cf. Ousel.]
(Zoöl.) The European blackbird. See
Blackbird. Drayton.
Mer"lin (?), n. [OE. merlion, F.
émerillon ; cf. OHG. smirl, G. schmerl ;
prob. fr. L. merula blackbird. Cf. Merle.]
(Zoöl.) A small European falcon (Falco
lithofalco, or F. æsalon).
Mer"ling (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The European whiting.
Mer"lon (?), n. [F., perh. fr. L.
moerus, for murus a wall, through (assumed) dim.
moerulus.] (Fort.) One of the solid parts of a
battlemented parapet; a battlement. See Illust. of
Battlement.
Mer"luce (?), n. [F. merluche,
merlus.] (Zoöl.) The European hake; -- called
also herring hake and sea pike.
Mer"maid (?), n. [AS. mere lake,
sea. See Mere lake, and maid.] A fabled marine
creature, typically represented as having the upper part like that of
a woman, and the lower like a fish; a sea nymph, sea woman, or woman
fish.
&fist; Chaucer uses this word as equivalent to the siren of
the ancients.
Mermaid fish (Zoöl.) the angel
fish (Squatina). -- Mermaid's glove
(Zoöl.), a British branched sponge somewhat
resembling a glove. -- Mermaid's head
(Zoöl.), a European spatangoid sea urchin
(Echinocardium cordatum) having some resemblance to a
skull. -- Mermaid weed (Bot.), an
aquatic herb with dentate or pectinate leaves (Proserpinaca
palustris and P. pectinacea).
Mer"man (?), n.; pl.
Mermen (&?;). The male corresponding to
mermaid; a sea man, or man fish.
Mer"o*blast (?), n. [Gr. &?; part +
-blast.] (Biol.) An ovum, as that of a mammal,
only partially composed of germinal matter, that is, consisting of
both a germinal portion and an albuminous or nutritive one; --
opposed to holoblast.
Mer`o*blas"tic (?), a. (Biol.)
Consisting only in part of germinal matter; characterized by
partial segmentation only; as, meroblastic ova, in which a
portion of the yolk only undergoes fission; meroblastic
segmentation; -- opposed to holoblastic.
Me"ro*cele (?), n. [Gr. &?; thigh + &?;
tumor.] (Med.) Hernia in the thigh; femoral hernia
.
Mer`o*is"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?; part +
&?; an egg.] (Zoöl.) Applied to the ovaries of
insects when they secrete vitelligenous cells, as well as
ova.
Me*rop"i*dan (?), n. [L. merops
a bee-eating bird, Gr. me`rops.] (Zoöl.)
One of a family of birds (Meropidæ), including the
bee-eaters.
Me*rop"o*dite (?), n. [Gr. &?; thigh +
poy`s, podo`s, foot.] (Zoöl.)
The fourth joint of a typical appendage of Crustacea.
Mer*or`gan*i*za"tion (?), n. [Gr. &?;
part + E. organization.] Organization in part.
[R.]
||Me"ros (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?;
part.] (Arch.) The plain surface between the channels of
a triglyph. [Written also merus.] Weale.
||Me"ros, n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; the
thigh.] (Anat.) The proximal segment of the hind limb;
the thigh.
Mer"o*some (?), n. [Gr. &?; part + -
some body.] (Zoöl.) One of the serial segments,
or metameres, of which the bodies of vertebrate and articulate
animals are composed.
||Mer`o*stom"a*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; thigh + &?;, -&?;, mouth.] (Zoöl.) A class
of Arthropoda, allied to the Crustacea. It includes the trilobites,
Eurypteroidea, and Limuloidea. All are extinct except the horseshoe
crabs of the last group. See Limulus.
||Mé`rou" (?), n. [F.]
(Zoöl.) See Jack, 8
(c).
Mer`o*vin"gi*an (?), a. [From
Merovaeus, the Latin name of a king of the Franks.] Of or
pertaining to the first Frankish dynasty in Gaul or France. --
n. One of the kings of this dynasty.
Mer"ri*ly (?), adv. [From
Merry.] In a merry manner; with mirth; with gayety and
laughter; jovially. See Mirth, and Merry.
Merrily sing, and sport, and play.
Granville.
Mer"ri*make` (?), n. See
Merrymake, n.
Mer"ri*make`, v. i. See
Merrymake, v. Gay.
Mer"ri*ment (?), n. Gayety, with
laughter; mirth; frolic. "Follies and light merriment."
Spenser.
Methought it was the sound
Of riot and ill-managed merriment.
Milton.
Mer"ri*ness, n. The quality or
state of being merry; merriment; mirth; gayety, with
laughter.
Mer"ry (?), a.
[Compar. Merrier (?);
superl. Merriest.] [OE. merie,
mirie, murie, merry, pleasant, AS. merge,
myrige, pleasant; cf. murge, adv.; prob. akin to OHG.
murg, short, Goth. gamaúrgjan to shorten; cf. L.
murcus a coward, who cuts off his thumb to escape military
service; the Anglo-Saxon and English meanings coming from the idea of
making the time seem short. Cf. Mirth.] 1.
Laughingly gay; overflowing with good humor and good spirits;
jovial; inclined to laughter or play ; sportive.
They drank, and were merry with
him.
Gen. xliii. 34.
I am never merry when I hear sweet
music.
Shak.
2. Cheerful; joyous; not sad;
happy.
Is any merry? let him sing
psalms.
Jas. v. 13.
3. Causing laughter, mirth, gladness, or
delight; as, a merry jest. "Merry wind and
weather." Spenser.
Merry dancers. See under Dancer.
-- Merry men, followers; retainers.
[Obs.]
His merie men commanded he
To make him bothe game and glee.
Chaucer.
--
To make merry, to be jovial; to indulge
in hilarity; to feast with mirth. Judg. ix. 27.
Syn. -- Cheerful; blithe; lively; sprightly; vivacious;
gleeful; joyous; mirthful; jocund; sportive; hilarious.
Mer"ry (m&ebreve;r"r&ybreve;), n.
(Bot.) A kind of wild red cherry.
Mer"ry-an"drew (-ăn"dr&udd;), n.
One whose business is to make sport for others; a buffoon; a
zany; especially, one who attends a mountebank or quack
doctor.
&fist; This term is said to have originated from one Andrew Borde,
an English physician of the 16th century, who gained patients by
facetious speeches to the multitude.
Mer"ry-go`-round" (?), n. Any
revolving contrivance for affording amusement; esp., a ring of flying
hobbyhorses.
Mer"ry*make` (?), n. Mirth;
frolic; a meeting for mirth; a festival. [Written also
merrimake.]
Mer"ry*make`, v. i. To make merry;
to be jolly; to feast. [Written also merrimake.]
Mer"ry*mak`er (?), n. One who
makes merriment or indulges in conviviality; a jovial
comrade.
Mer"ry*mak`ing (?), a. Making or
producing mirth; convivial; jolly.
Mer"ry*mak`ing, n. The act of
making merry; conviviality; merriment; jollity.
Wordsworth.
Mer"ry*meet`ing (?), n. A meeting
for mirth.
Mer"ry*thought` (?), n. The forked
bone of a fowl's breast; -- called also wishbone. See
Furculum.
&fist; It is a sportive custom for two persons to break this bone
by pulling the ends apart to see who will get the longer piece, the
securing of which is regarded as a lucky omen, signifying that the
person holding it will obtain the gratification of some secret
wish.
Mer"sion (?), n. [L. mersio. See
Merge.] Immersion. [R.] Barrow.
Me*ru"li*dan (?), n. [L. merula,
merulus, blackbird. See Merle.] (Zoöl.)
A bird of the Thrush family.
||Me"rus (?), n. [NL.] (Arch.)
See Meros.
Mer"vaille` (?), n. Marvel.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mes- (?). See Meso-.
||Me"sa (?), &?;. [Sp.] A high
tableland; a plateau on a hill. [Southwestern U.S.]
Bartlett.
Mes*ac"o*nate (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of mesaconic acid.
Mes`a*con"ic (?), a. [Mes- +
-aconic, as in citraconic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, one of several isomeric acids
obtained from citric acid.
Mes"ad (?), adv. Same as
Mesiad.
Mes"al (?), a. Same as
Mesial.
||Mé`sal`li`ance" (?), n. [F.]
A marriage with a person of inferior social position; a
misalliance.
Mes"al*ly (m&ebreve;s"al*l&ybreve;),
adv. Same as Mesially.
Mes`a*mœ"boid (m&ebreve;s`&ador;*mē"boid),
n. [Mes- + amœboid.]
(Biol.) One of a class of independent, isolated cells
found in the mesoderm, while the germ layers are undergoing
differentiation.
Mes`a*ra"ic (?), a. [Gr.
mesa`raion mesentery; me`sos middle +
'araia` flank.] (Anat.) Mesenteric.
Mes`a*ti*ce*phal"ic (?), a. [Gr.
&?; midmost + E. cephalic.] (Anat.) Having
the ratio of the length to the breadth of the cranium a medium one;
neither brachycephalic nor dolichocephalic.
Mes`a*ti*ceph"a*lous (?), a.
(Anat.) Mesaticephalic.
||Mes*cal" (?), n. [Sp.] A
distilled liquor prepared in Mexico from a species of agave. See
Agave.
||Mes`dames" (F. ?, E. ?), n.,
pl. of Madame and
Madam.
Me*seems" (?), v. impers.
[imp. Meseemed (?).] It seems to
me. [Poetic]
Me"sel (?), n. [See Measle.]
A leper. [Obs.]
Me"sel*ry (?), n. Leprosy.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
||Me*sem`bry*an"the*mum (?), n. [NL.,
fr. Gr. meshmbri`a midday + 'a`nqos flower.]
(Bot.) A genus of herbaceous or suffruticose plants,
chiefly natives of South Africa. The leaves are opposite, thick, and
f&?;eshy. The flowers usually open about midday, whence the
name.
Mes`en*ce*phal"ic (?), a.
(Anat.) Of or pertaining to the mesencephalon or
midbrain.
||Mes`en*ceph"a*lon (?), n. [NL. See
Meso- and Encephalon.] (Anat.) The middle
segment of the brain; the midbrain. Sometimes abbreviated to
mesen. See Brain.
||Mes*en"chy*ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`sos middle + -enchyma, as in E.
parenchyma.] (Biol.) The part of the mesoblast
which gives rise to the connective tissues and blood.
Mes`en*ter"ic (?), a. [Cf. F.
mésentérique.] (Anat.) Pertaining to
a mesentery; mesaraic.
||Mes*en"te*ron (?), n. [NL. See
Meso-, and Enteron.] (Anat.) All that part
of the alimentary canal which is developed from the primitive enteron
and is lined with hypoblast. It is distinguished from the
stomodæum, a part at the anterior end of the canal,
including the cavity of the mouth, and the proctodæum, a
part at the posterior end, which are formed by invagination and are
lined with epiblast.
Mes"en*ter*y (?; 277), n. [Gr.
mesente`rion, me`sos + 'e`nteron
intestine: cf. F. mésentère.]
1. (Anat.) The membranes, or one of
the membranes (consisting of a fold of the peritoneum and inclosed
tissues), which connect the intestines and their appendages with the
dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity. The mesentery proper is
connected with the jejunum and ilium, the other mesenteries being
called mesocæcum, mesocolon, mesorectum,
etc.
2. (Zoöl.) One of the vertical
muscular radiating partitions which divide the body cavity of
Anthozoa into chambers.
Mes`e*ra"ic (?), a. (Anat.)
Mesaraic.
Mes*eth"moid (?), a. [Mes- +
ethmoid.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the middle
of the ethmoid region or ethmoid bone. -- n.
(Anat.) The median vertical plate, or median element, of
the ethmoid bone.
Mesh (m&ebreve;sh), n. [AS.
masc, max, mæscre; akin to D. maas,
masche, OHG. masca, Icel. möskvi; cf. Lith.
mazgas a knot, megsti to weave nets, to knot.]
1. The opening or space inclosed by the threads
of a net between knot and knot, or the threads inclosing such a
space; network; a net.
A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of
men.
Shak.
2. (Gearing) The engagement of the
teeth of wheels, or of a wheel and rack.
Mesh stick, a stick on which the mesh is
formed in netting.
Mesh, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Meshed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Meshing.] To catch in a mesh. Surrey.
Mesh, v. i. (Gearing) To
engage with each other, as the teeth of wheels.
Meshed (?), a. Mashed;
brewed. [Obs.] Shak.
Mesh"y (?), a. Formed with meshes;
netted.
Mes"i*ad (?), adv. [Gr.
me`sos middle + L. ad to.] (Anat.)
Toward, or on the side toward, the mesial plane; mesially; --
opposed to laterad.
Me"sial (?; 277), a. [Gr.
me`sos middle.] (Anat.) Middle; median; in, or
in the region of, the mesial plane; internal; -- opposed to
lateral.
Mesial plane. (Anat.) See
Meson.
Me"sial*ly, adv. (Anat.)
In, near, or toward, the mesial plane; mesiad.
Mes"i*tyl (?), n. (Chem.) A
hypothetical radical formerly supposed to exist in mesityl
oxide.
Mesityl oxide (Chem.), a volatile
liquid having the odor of peppermint, obtained by certain dehydrating
agents from acetone; -- formerly called also dumasin.
Me*sit"y*le*nate (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of mesitylenic acid.
Me*sit"y*lene (?), n. (Chem.)
A colorless, fragrant liquid,
C6H3(CH3)3, of the
benzene series of hydrocarbons, obtained by distilling acetone with
sulphuric acid. -- Me*sit`y*len"ic (#),
a.
Me*sit"y*lol (?), n. [Mesitylene
+ -ol.] (Chem.) A crystalline substance obtained
from mesitylene.
Mes"lin (? or ?), n. See
Maslin.
Mes`mer*ee" (?), n. A person
subjected to mesmeric influence; one who is mesmerized.
[R.]
{ Mes*mer"ic (?), Mes*mer"ic*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. mesmérique.] Of,
pertaining to, or induced by, mesmerism; as, mesmeric
sleep.
Mes"mer*ism (?), n. [From
Mesmer, who first brought it into notice at Vienna, about
1775: cf. F. mesmérisme.] The art of inducing an
extraordinary or abnormal state of the nervous system, in which the
actor claims to control the actions, and communicate directly with
the mind, of the recipient. See Animal magnetism, under
Magnetism.
Mes"mer*ist, n. One who practices,
or believes in, mesmerism.
Mes`mer*i*za"tion (?), n. The act
of mesmerizing; the state of being mesmerized.
Mes"mer*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Mesmerized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mesmerizing (?).] To bring into a state of
mesmeric sleep.
Mes"mer*i`zer (?), n. One who
mesmerizes.
Mesne (?), a. [Cf. Mean
intermediate.] (Law) Middle; intervening; as, a
mesne lord, that is, a lord who holds land of a superior, but
grants a part of it to another person, in which case he is a
tenant to the superior, but lord or superior to the
second grantee, and hence is called the mesne lord.
Mesne process, intermediate process; process
intervening between the beginning and end of a suit, sometimes
understood to be the whole process preceding the execution.
Blackstone. Burrill. -- Mesne
profits, profits of premises during the time the owner has
been wrongfully kept out of the possession of his estate.
Burrill.
{ Mes"o- (?), Mes- (?) }. [Gr. me`sos
in the middle.] A combining form denoting in the middle,
intermediate; specif. (Chem.), denoting a
type of hydrocarbons which are regarded as methenyl
derivatives. Also used adjectively.
||Mes`o*a"ri*um (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
me`sos middle + 'w,a`rion, dim. of
'w,o`n an egg.] (Anat.) The fold of peritoneum
which suspends the ovary from the dorsal wall of the body
cavity.
Mes"o*blast (?), n. [Meso- +
-blast.] (Biol.) (a) The
mesoderm. (b) The cell nucleus;
mesoplast.
Mes`o*blas"tic (?), a. (Biol.)
Relating to the mesoblast; as, the mesoblastic
layer.
Mes`o*bran"chi*al (?), a. [Meso-
+ branchial.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to a
region of the carapace of a crab covering the middle branchial
region.
||Mes`o*bron"chi*um (?), n.; pl.
Mesobronchia (#). [NL. See Meso-, and
Bronchia.] (Anat.) The main bronchus of each
lung.
||Mes`o*cæ"cum (?), n.
(Anat.) [NL. See Meso-, and Cæcum.]
The fold of peritoneum attached to the cæcum. --
Mes`o*cæ"cal (#), a.
Mes"o*carp (?), n. [Meso- + Gr.
karpo`s fruit.] (Bot.) The middle layer of a
pericarp which consists of three distinct or dissimilar layers.
Gray.
Mes`o*ce*phal"ic (?), a. [Meso-
+ cephalic.] (Anat.) (a) Of or
pertaining to, or in the region of, the middle of the head; as, the
mesocephalic flexure. (b) Having
the cranial cavity of medium capacity; neither megacephalic nor
microcephalic. (c) Having the ratio of the
length to the breadth of the cranium a medium one;
mesaticephalic.
||Mes`o*ceph"a*lon (?), n. [NL. See
Meso-, and Cephalon.] (Anat.) The pons
Varolii.
Mes`o*ceph"a*lous (?), a.
(Anat.) Mesocephalic.
{ Mes`o*cœ"le (?), ||Mes`o*cœ"li*a
(?), } n. [NL. mesocoelia. See Meso-,
and Cœlia.] (Anat.) The cavity of the
mesencephalon; the iter.
Mes`o*co"lon (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;;
me`sos middle + &?; the colon : cf. F.
mésocôlon.] (Anat.) The fold of
peritoneum, or mesentery, attached to the colon. --
Mes`o*col"ic (#), a.
Mes`o*cor"a*coid (?), n. [Meso-
+ coracoid.] (Anat.) A process from the middle of
the coracoid in some animals.
{ Mes`o*cu*ne"i*form (?), Mes`o*cu"ni*form (?),
} n. [Meso- + cuneiform,
cuniform.] (Anat.) One of the bones of the tarsus.
See 2d Cuneiform.
Mes"o*derm (?), n. [Meso- + Gr.
de`rma skin.] (Biol.) (a) The
layer of the blastoderm, between the ectoderm and endoderm;
mesoblast. See Illust. of Blastoderm and
Ectoderm. (b) The middle body layer
in some invertebrates. (c) The middle
layer of tissue in some vegetable structures.
Mes`o*der"mal (?), a. (Biol.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, the mesoderm; as,
mesodermal tissues.
Mes`o*der"mic (?), a. Same as
Mesodermal.
Mes"o*dont (?), a. [Meso- + Gr.
'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.] (Anat.)
Having teeth of moderate size.
||Mes`o*gas"ter (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`sos middle + &?; belly.] (Anat.) The fold
of peritoneum connecting the stomach with the dorsal wall of the
abdominal cavity; the mesogastrium.
Mes`o*gas"tric (?), a. [Meso- +
gastric.]
1. (Anat.) (a) Of or
pertaining to the middle region of the abdomen, or of the
stomach. (b) Of or pertaining to the
mesogaster.
2. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to
the middle gastric lobe of the carapace of a crab.
||Mes`o*gas"tri*um (?), n. [NL. See
Mesogaster.] (Anat.) (a) The
umbilical region. (b) The
mesogaster.
||Mes`o*glœ"a (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. me`sos middle + &?; a glutinous substance.]
(Zoöl.) A thin gelatinous tissue separating the
ectoderm and endoderm in certain cœlenterates. --
Mes`o*glœ"al (#), a.
Me*sog"na*thous (?), a. [Meso- +
Gr. gna`qos jaw.] (Anat.) Having the jaws
slightly projecting; between prognathous and orthognathous. See
Gnathic index, under Gnathic.
||Mes`o*he"par (?), n. [NL. See
Meso-, and Hepar.] (Anat.) A fold of the
peritoneum connecting the liver with the dorsal wall of the abdominal
cavity.
||Mes`o*hip"pus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`sos middle + &?; a horse.] (Paleon.) An
extinct mammal of the Horse family, but not larger than a sheep, and
having three toes on each foot.
Mes"o*labe (?), n. [L.
mesolabium, Gr. &?;; me`sos middle + &?; to take.]
An instrument of the ancients for finding two mean proportionals
between two given lines, required in solving the problem of the
duplication of the cube. Brande & C.
Mes"ole (?), n. [Gr. me`sos
middle.] (Min.) Same as Thomsonite.
Mes"o*lite (?; 277), n. [Meso- +
-lite.] (Min.) A zeolitic mineral, grayish white
or yellowish, occuring in delicate groups of crystals, also fibrous
massive. It is a hydrous silicate of alumina, lime, and
soda.
Mes`o*log"a*rithm (?), n. [Meso-
+ logarithm : cf. F. mésologarithme.]
(Math.) A logarithm of the cosine or cotangent.
[Obs.] Kepler. Hutton.
||Mes`o*me"tri*um (?), n. [NL. See
Meso-, and Metrium.] (Anat.) The fold of
the peritoneum supporting the oviduct.
Mes`o*my*o"di*an (?), n.
(Zoöl.) A bird having a mesomyodous
larynx.
Mes`o*my"o*dous (?), a. [Meso- +
Gr. &?;, &?;, a muscle.] (Zoöl.) Having the
intrinsic muscles of the larynx attached to the middle of the
semirings.
||Mes"on (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`son middle, neut. of me`sos, a., middle.]
(Anat.) The mesial plane dividing the body of an animal
into similar right and left halves. The line in which it meets the
dorsal surface has been called the dorsimeson, and the
corresponding ventral edge the ventrimeson. B. G.
Wilder.
Mes`o*na"sal (?), a. [Meso- +
nasal.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the middle
portion of the nasal region.
Mes`o*neph"ric (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the mesonephros; as, the mesonephric,
or Wolffian, duct.
||Mes`o*neph"ros (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`sos middle + nefro`s kidney.] (Anat.)
The middle one of the three pairs of embryonic renal organs
developed in most vertebrates; the Wolffian body.
||Mes`o*no"tum (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`sos middle + nw^ton the back.]
(Zoöl.) The dorsal portion of the mesothorax of
insects.
||Mes`o*phlœ"um (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. me`sos middle + floio`s bark.]
(Bot.) The middle bark of a tree; the green layer of
bark, usually soon covered by the outer or corky layer, and
obliterated.
||Me*soph"ry*on (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
meso`fryon.] (Anat.) See
Glabella.
||Mes`o*phyl"lum (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`sos middle + fy`llon leaf.] (Bot.)
The parenchyma of a leaf between the skin of the two
surfaces. Gray.
Mes"o*plast (?), n. [Meso- +
-plast.] (Biol.) The nucleus of a cell;
mesoblast. Agassiz.
Mes`o*po"di*al
(m&ebreve;s`&osl;*pō"d&ibreve;*al), a.
(Anat.) Of or pertaining to the mesopodialia or to the
parts of the limbs to which they belong.
||Mes`o*po`di*a"le (?), n.; pl.
Mesopodialia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos
middle + &?;, dim. of poy`s, podo`s, foot.]
(Anat.) One of the bones of either the carpus or
tarsus.
||Mes`o*po"di*um (?), n. [NL. See
Mesopodiale.] (Zoöl.) The middle portion of
the foot in the Gastropoda and Pteropoda.
||Me*sop`te*ryg"i*um (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. me`sos middle + &?; a fin.] (Anat.) The
middle one of the three principal basal cartilages in the fins of
fishes. -- ||Me*sop`ter*yg"i*al (#),
a.
||Me*sor"chi*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`sos middle + &?; a testicle.] (Anat.) The
fold of peritoneum which attaches the testis to the dorsal wall of
the body cavity or scrotal sac.
||Mes`o*rec"tum (?), n. [Meso- +
rectum.] (Anat.) The fold of peritoneum, or
mesentery, attached to the rectum. -- Mes`o*rec"tal
(#), a.
Mes"o*rhine (?), a. [Meso- + Gr.
&?;, &?;, the nose.] (Anat.) Having the nose of medium
width; between leptorhine and platyrhine.
||Mes`o*sau"ri*a (?), n. Same as
Mosasauria.
||Mes`o*scap"u*la (?), n. [Meso-
+ scapula.] (Anat.) A process from the middle of
the scapula in some animals; the spine of the scapula.
Mes`o*scap"u*lar (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the mesoscapula.
||Mes`o*scu"tum (?), n. [Meso- +
scutum.] (Zoöl.) The scutum or dorsal plate
of the middle thoracic segment of an insect. See Illust. of
Butterfly.
Mes"o*seme (?), a. [Meso- + Gr.
&?; sign, mark; cf. F. mésosème.] (Anat.)
Having a medium orbital index; having orbits neither broad nor
narrow; between megaseme and microseme.
Mes`o*sid"er*ite (?), n. [Meso-
+ siderite.] (Min.) See the Note under
Meteorite.
Mes"o*sperm (?), n. [Meso- + Gr.
&?; seed: cf. F. mésosperme.] (Bot.) A
membrane of a seed. See Secundine.
Mes"o*state (?), n. [Meso- + Gr.
&?; to make to stand.] (Physiol.) A product of metabolic
action.
&fist; Every mesostate is either an anastate or
katastate, according as it is formed by an anabolic or
katabolic process. See Metabolism.
Mes`o*ster"nal (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the mesosternum.
||Mes`o*ster"num (?), n. [Meso-
+ sternum.]
1. (Anat.) The middle portion, or
body, of the sternum.
2. (Zoöl.) The ventral piece of
the middle segment of the thorax in insects.
Mes`o*tar*tar"ic (?), a. [Meso-
+ tartaric.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or
designating, an acid called also inactive tartaric
acid.
||Mes`o*the"ca (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`sos middle + &?; box.] (Zoöl.) The
middle layer of the gonophore in the Hydrozoa.
||Mes`o*the"li*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`sos middle + E. epithelium.] (Biol.)
Epithelial mesoderm; a layer of cuboidal epithelium cells,
formed from a portion of the mesoderm during the differetiation of
the germ layers. It constitutes the boundary of the
cœlum.
Mes`o*tho*rac"ic (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
mesothorax.
Mes`o*tho"rax (?), n. [Meso- +
thorax: cf. F. mésothorax.] (Zoöl.)
The middle segment of the thorax in insects. See Illust.
of Coleoptera.
Mes"o*tro`chal (?), a. [Meso- +
Gr. &?; anything round, a hoop.] (Zoöl.) Having the
middle of the body surrounded by bands of cilia; -- said of the
larvæ of certain marine annelids.
Mes"o*type (?), n. [Meso- + -
type: cf. F. mésotype.] (Min.) An old
term covering natrolite or soda mesolite, scolecite or lime
mesotype, and mesolite or lime-soda mesotype.
||Mes`o*va"ri*um (?), n. [NL. See
Meso-, and Ovary.] (Anat.) The fold of
peritoneum connecting the ovary with the wall of the abdominal
cavity.
Mes*ox"a*late (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of mesoxalic acid.
Mes`ox*al"ic (?), a. [Mes- +
oxalic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an
acid, CH2O2(CO2H)2,
obtained from amido malonic acid.
||Mes`o*zo"a (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Mesozoic.] (Zoöl.) A group of very lowly
organized, wormlike parasites, including the Dicyemata. They are
found in cephalopods. See Dicyemata.
Mes`o*zo"ic (?), a. [Meso- + Gr.
&?; life, fr. &?; to live.] (Geol.) Belonging, or
relating, to the secondary or reptilian age, or the era between the
Paleozoic and Cenozoic. See Chart of Geology.
Mes`o*zo"ic, n. The Mesozoic age
or formation.
Mes*prise" (?), n. [OF. mespris,
F. mépris. See Misprize.] 1.
Contempt; scorn. [Obs.]
2. [Perh. for F. méprise mistake.
Cf. Misprision.] Misadventure; ill-success. [Obs.]
Spenser.
{ Mes*qui"te (m&ebreve;s*kē"t&asl;),
Mes*quit" (m&ebreve;s*kēt") }, n.
[Sp. mezquite; said to be a Mexican Indian word.]
(Bot.) A name for two trees of the southwestern part of
North America, the honey mesquite, and screw-pod mesquite.
Honey mesquite. See Algaroba
(b). -- Screw-pod mesquite,
a smaller tree (Prosopis pubescens), having spiral pods
used as fodder and sometimes as food by the Indians. --
Mesquite grass, a rich native grass in Western
Texas (Bouteloua oligostachya, and other species); -- so
called from its growing in company with the mesquite tree; -- called
also muskit grass, grama grass.
Mess (?), n. Mass; church
service. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mess (?), n. [OE. mes, OF.
mets, LL. missum, p. p. of mittere to put, place
(e. g., on the table), L. mittere to send. See
Mission, and cf. Mass religious service.]
1. A quantity of food set on a table at one
time; provision of food for a person or party for one meal; as, a
mess of pottage; also, the food given to a beast at one
time.
At their savory dinner set
Of herbs and other country messes.
Milton.
2. A number of persons who eat together, and
for whom food is prepared in common; especially, persons in the
military or naval service who eat at the same table; as, the wardroom
mess. Shak.
3. A set of four; -- from the old practice of
dividing companies into sets of four at dinner. [Obs.]
Latimer.
4. The milk given by a cow at one
milking. [U.S.]
5. [Perh. corrupt. fr. OE. mesh for
mash: cf. muss.] A disagreeable mixture or
confusion of things; hence, a situation resulting from blundering or
from misunderstanding; as, he made a mess of it.
[Colloq.]
Mess (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Messed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Messing.] To take meals with a mess; to belong to a mess;
to eat (with others); as, I mess with the wardroom
officers. Marryat.
Mess, v. t. To supply with a
mess.
Mes"sage (?; 48), n. [F., fr. LL.
missaticum, fr. L. mittere, missum, to send. See
Mission, and cf. Messenger.] 1.
Any notice, word, or communication, written or verbal, sent from
one person to another.
Ehud said, I have a message from God unto
thee.
Judg. iii. 20.
2. Hence, specifically, an official
communication, not made in person, but delivered by a messenger; as,
the President's message.
Message shell. See Shell.
Mes"sage, v. t. To bear as a
message. [Obs.]
Mes"sage, n. [OE., fr. OF.
message, fr. LL. missaticus. See 1st Message.]
A messenger. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mes"sa*ger (?), n. [OE.] A
messenger. [Obs.]
Mes"sen*ger (?), n. [OE.
messager, OF. messagier, F. messager. See
Message.] 1. One who bears a message; the
bearer of a verbal or written communication, notice, or invitation,
from one person to another, or to a public body; specifically, an
office servant who bears messages.
2. One who, or that which, foreshows, or
foretells.
Yon gray lines
That fret the clouds are messengers of day.
Shak.
3. (Naut.) A hawser passed round the
capstan, and having its two ends lashed together to form an endless
rope or chain; -- formerly used for heaving in the cable.
4. (Law) A person appointed to perform
certain ministerial duties under bankrupt and insolvent laws, such as
to take charge of the estate of the bankrupt or insolvent.
Bouvier. Tomlins.
Syn. -- Carrier; intelligencer; courier; harbinger;
forerunner; precursor; herald.
Messenger bird, the secretary bird, from its
swiftness.
Mes"set (?), n. A dog. [Obs.
or Prov. Eng.]
Mes*si"ad (?), n. A German epic
poem on the Messiah, by Klopstock.
Mes*si"ah (?), n. [Heb.
māshīakh anointed, fr. māshakh to
anoint. Cf. Messias.] The expected king and deliverer of
the Hebrews; the Savior; Christ.
And told them the Messiah now was
born.
Milton.
Mes*si"ah*ship, n. The state or
office of the Messiah.
Mes`si*an"ic (?), a. Of or
relating to the Messiah; as, the Messianic office or
character.
Mes*si"as (?), n. [LL., fr. Gr. &?;.
See Messiah.] The Messiah.
I know that Messias cometh, which is called
Christ.
John iv. 25.
||Mes`si`dor" (F. ?; E. ?), n. [F., fr.
L. messis harvest.] The tenth month of the French
republican calendar dating from September 22, 1792. It began June 19,
and ended July 18. See VendÉmiaire.
Mes"sieurs (?; F. ?; 277), n. pl. [F.;
pl. of monsieur.] Sirs; gentlemen; -- abbreviated to
Messrs., which is used as the plural of Mr.
Mes`si*nese" (? or ?), a. Of or
pertaining to Messina, or its inhabitans.
Mess"mate` (?), n. An associate in
a mess.
Mes"suage (?; 48), n. [Cf. OF.
mesuage, masnage, LL. messuagium,
mansionaticum, fr. L. mansio, -onis, a staying,
remaining, dwelling, fr. manere, mansum, to stay,
remain, E. mansion, manse.] (Law) A
dwelling house, with the adjacent buildings and curtilage, and the
adjoining lands appropriated to the use of the household.
Cowell. Bouvier.
They wedded her to sixty thousand pounds,
To lands in Kent, and messuages in York.
Tennyson.
Mest (?), a. Most. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mes*tee" (?), n. [See Mestizo.]
The offspring of a white person and a quadroon; -- so called in
the West Indies. [Written also mustee.]
Mes"ter (?), n. [Obs.] See
Mister, a trade.
Mes*ti"no (?), n.; pl.
Mestinos (&?;). See Mestizo.
Mes*ti"zo (?), n.; pl.
Mestizos (#). [Sp. mestizo; akin to OF.
mestis, F. métis; all fr. (assumed) LL.
mixtitius, fr. L. mixtus mixed, p. p. of miscere
to mix. See Mix, and cf. Mestee, MÉtif,
MÉtis, Mustee.] The offspring of an Indian
or a negro and a European or person of European stock. [Spanish
America]
Mestizo wool, wool imported from South
America, and produced by mixed breeds of sheep.
Mest"ling (?), n. A kind of brass.
See Maslin. [Obs.]
||Me*sym"ni*cum (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
me`sos middle + &?; a festive song. See Hymn.]
(Anc. Poetry) A repetition at the end of a
stanza.
Met (?), imp. & p. p. of
Meet.
Met, obs. imp. & p. p. of
Mete, to measure. Chapman.
Met, obs. p. p. of Mete, to
dream. Chaucer.
{ Met"a- (?), Met- (?) }. [Gr. meta`
between, with, after; akin to AS. mid with, G. mit,
Goth. miþ, E. mid, in midwife.]
1. A prefix meaning between, with, after,
behind, over, about, reversely; as, metachronism, the error of
placing after the correct time; metaphor, lit., a carrying
over; metathesis, a placing reversely.
2. (Chem.) A prefix denoting:
(a) Other; duplicate, corresponding to;
resembling; hence, metameric; as, meta-arabinic,
metaldehyde. (b) (Organic Chem.)
That two replacing radicals, in the benzene nucleus, occupy the
relative positions of 1 and 3, 2 and 4, 3 and 5, 4 and 6, 5
and 1, or 6 and 2; as, metacresol, etc. See Ortho-,
and Para-. (c) (Inorganic Chem.)
Having less than the highest number of hydroxyl groups; -
- said of acids; as, metaphosphoric acid. Also used
adjectively.
Me*tab"a*sis (?), n.; pl.
Metabases (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to pass
over; &?; beyond, over + &?; to go.] 1.
(Rhet.) A transition from one subject to
another.
2. (Med.) Same as
Metabola.
{ ||Me*tab"o*la (?), ||Me*tab"o*le (?), }
n. [NL., from Gr. &?; change; &?; beyond + &?; to
throw.] (Med.) A change or mutation; a change of disease,
symptoms, or treatment.
{ ||Me*tab"o*la (?), ||Met`a*bo"li*a (?), }
n. pl. [NL. See 1st Metabola.]
(Zoöl.) A comprehensive group of insects, including
those that undegro a metamorphosis.
Met`a*bo"li*an (?), n. [See
Metabola.] (Zoöl.) An insect which undergoes
a metamorphosis.
Met`a*bol"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;. See
Metabola.] 1. (Biol.) Of or
pertaining to metamorphosis; pertaining to, or involving,
change.
2. (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to
metabolism; as, metabolic activity; metabolic
force.
||Met`a*bol"i*sis (?), n. [NL.]
Metabolism. [R.]
Me*tab"o*lism (?), n. (Physiol.)
The act or process, by which living tissues or cells take up and
convert into their own proper substance the nutritive material
brought to them by the blood, or by which they transform their cell
protoplasm into simpler substances, which are fitted either for
excretion or for some special purpose, as in the manufacture of the
digestive ferments. Hence, metabolism may be either constructive
(anabolism), or destructive (katabolism).
Me*tab"o*lite (?), n. (Physiol
Chem.) A product of metabolism; a substance produced by
metabolic action, as urea.
Me*tab"o*lize (?), v. t. & i.
(Physiol.) To change by a metabolic process. See
Metabolism.
Met`a*bran"chi*al (?), a. [Meta-
+ branchial.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
lobe of the carapace of crabs covering the posterior
branchiæ.
Met`a*car"pal (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the metacarpus. --
n. A metacarpal bone.
Met`a*car"pus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?;; &?; beyond, between + &?; the wrist.] (Anat.) That
part of the skeleton of the hand or forefoot between the carpus and
phalanges. In man it consists of five bones. See Illust. of
Artiodactyla.
{ Met`a*cen"ter (?) or -tre },
n. [Pref. meta- + center.]
(Hydrostatics) The point of intersection of a vertical
line through the center of gravity of the fluid displaced by a
floating body which is tipped through a small angle from its position
of equilibrium, and the inclined line which was vertical through the
center of gravity of the body when in equilibrium.
&fist; When the metacenter is above the center of gravity, the
position of the body is stable; when below it, unstable.
Me*tac"e*tone (?), n. [Pref. met-
+ acetone.] (Chem.) A colorless liquid of an
agreeable odor, C6H10O, obtained by distilling
a mixture of sugar and lime; -- so called because formerly regarded
as a polymeric modification of acetone.
Met`a*chlo"ral (?), n. [Pref. meta-
+ chloral.] (Chem.) A white, amorphous,
insoluble substance regarded as a polymeric variety of
chloral.
Me*tach"ro*nism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;,
after the time, happening afterward; &?; beyond + &?; time: cf. F.
métachronisme.] An error committed in chronology
by placing an event after its real time.
||Met`a*chro"sis (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
&?; beyond + &?; a coloring.] (Biol.) The power of
changing color at will by the expansion of special pigment cells,
under nerve influence, as seen in many reptiles, fishes, etc.
Cope.
Met`a*cin"na*bar*ite (?), n. [Pref.
meta- + cinnabar.] (Min.) Sulphide of
mercury in isometric form and black in color.
Met"a*cism (?), n. [L.
metacismus, Gr. &?; fondness for the letter &?;.] A
defect in pronouncing the letter m, or a too frequent use of
it.
Met`a*cro"le*in (?), n. [Pref. met-
+ acrolein.] (Chem.) A polymeric modification
of acrolein obtained by heating it with caustic potash. It is a
crystalline substance having an aromatic odor.
||Met`a*cro"mi*on (?), n. [NL.]
(Anat.) A process projecting backward and downward from
the acromion of the scapula of some mammals.
Met`a*dis*coid"al (?), a. [Meta-
+ discoidal.] (Anat.) Discoidal by derivation; --
applied especially to the placenta of man and apes, because it is
supposed to have been derived from a diffused placenta.
Met`a*gas"tric (?), a. [Pref. meta-
+ gastric.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to
the two posterior gastric lobes of the carapace of crabs.
Met"age (?; 48), n. [From Mete,
v.] 1. Measurement, especially
of coal. De Foe.
2. Charge for, or price of, measuring.
Simmonds.
Met`a*gen"e*sis (?), n. [Pref. meta-
+ genesis.] 1. (Biol.) The
change of form which one animal species undergoes in a series of
successively produced individuals, extending from the one developed
from the ovum to the final perfected individual. Hence, metagenesis
involves the production of sexual individuals by nonsexual means,
either directly or through intervening sexless generations. Opposed
to monogenesis. See Alternate generation, under
Generation.
2. (Biol.) Alternation of sexual and
asexual or gemmiparous generations; -- in distinction from
heterogamy.
Met`a*ge*net"ic
(m&ebreve;t`&adot;*j&esl;*n&ebreve;t"&ibreve;k), a.
(Biol.) Of or pertaining to metagenesis.
Met`a*gen"ic (-j&esl;n"&ibreve;k), a.
(Biol.) Metagenetic.
Me*tag"na*thous (?), a. [Pref. meta-
+ Gr. gna`qos the jaw.] (Zoöl.)
Cross-billed; -- said of certain birds, as the
crossbill.
Met`a*gram"ma*tism (?), n.
Anagrammatism.
Met`a*graph"ic (?), a. By or
pertaining to metagraphy.
Me*tag"ra*phy (?), n. [Pref. meta-
+ -graphy.] The art or act of rendering the letters
of the alphabet of one language into the possible equivalents of
another; transliteration. Stormonth.
Met"al (? or ?; 277), n. [F.
métal, L. metallum metal, mine, Gr. &?; mine;
cf. Gr. &?; to search after. Cf. Mettle, Medal.]
1. (Chem.) An elementary substance, as
sodium, calcium, or copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather
than acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or
metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals and
nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid and basic
qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc.
&fist; Popularly, the name is applied to certain hard, fusible
metals, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, nickel, etc.,
and also to the mixed metals, or metallic alloys, as brass, bronze,
steel, bell metal, etc.
2. Ore from which a metal is derived; -- so
called by miners. Raymond.
3. A mine from which ores are taken.
[Obs.]
Slaves . . . and persons condemned to
metals.
Jer. Taylor.
4. The substance of which anything is made;
material; hence, constitutional disposition; character;
temper.
Not till God make men of some other metal than
earth.
Shak.
5. Courage; spirit; mettle. See
Mettle. Shak.
&fist; The allusion is to the temper of the metal of a sword
blade. Skeat.
6. The broken stone used in macadamizing
roads and ballasting railroads.
7. The effective power or caliber of guns
carried by a vessel of war.
8. Glass in a state of fusion.
Knight.
9. pl. The rails of a railroad.
[Eng.]
Base metal (Chem.), any one of the
metals, as iron, lead, etc., which are readily tarnished or oxidized,
in contrast with the noble metals. In general, a metal of small
value, as compared with gold or silver. -- Fusible
metal (Metal.), a very fusible alloy, usually
consisting of bismuth with lead, tin, or cadmium. --
Heavy metals (Chem.), the metallic
elements not included in the groups of the alkalies, alkaline earths,
or the earths; specifically, the heavy metals, as gold, mercury,
platinum, lead, silver, etc. -- Light metals
(Chem.), the metallic elements of the alkali and alkaline
earth groups, as sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.; also,
sometimes, the metals of the earths, as aluminium. --
Muntz metal, an alloy for sheathing and other
purposes, consisting of about sixty per cent of copper, and forty of
zinc. Sometimes a little lead is added. It is named from the
inventor. -- Prince's metal (Old
Chem.), an alloy resembling brass, consisting of three parts
of copper to one of zinc; -- also called Prince Rupert's
metal.
Met"al, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Metaled (? or ?) or Metalled; p.
pr. & vb. n. Metaling or Metalling.] To
cover with metal; as, to metal a ship's bottom; to
metal a road.
Met`al*am*mo"ni*um (?), n.
[Metal + ammonium.] (Chem.) A hypothetical
radical derived from ammonium by the substitution of metallic atoms
in place of hydrogen.
Met`al*bu"min (?), n. [Pref. met-
+ albumin.] (Physiol. Chem.) A form of
albumin found in ascitic and certain serous fluids. It is sometimes
regarded as a mixture of albumin and mucin.
Me*tal"de*hyde (?), n. [Pref. met-
+ aldehyde.] (Chem.) A white crystalline
substance isomeric with, and obtained from, acetic aldehyde by
polymerization, and reconvertible into the same.
||Met`a*lep"sis (?), n.; pl.
Metalepses (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?; participation,
alteration, fr. &?; to partake, to take in exchange; &?; beyond + &?;
to take.] (Rhet.) The continuation of a trope in one word
through a succession of significations, or the union of two or more
tropes of a different kind in one word.
Met"a*lep`sy (?), n. (Chem.)
Exchange; replacement; substitution; metathesis. [R.]
Met`a*lep"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?;]
1. Of or pertaining to a metalepsis.
2. Transverse; as, the metaleptic
motion of a muscle.
3. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to,
concerned in, or occurring by, metalepsy.
Met`a*lep"tic*al (?), a.
Metaleptic. -- Met`a*lep"tic*al*ly,
adv.
Me*tal"lic (?), a. [L.
metallicus, fr. metallum: cf. F.
métallique. See Metal.] 1.
Of or pertaining to a metal; of the nature of metal; resembling
metal; as, a metallic appearance; a metallic
alloy.
2. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or
characterized by, the essential and implied properties of a metal, as
contrasted with a nonmetal or metalloid; basic; antacid;
positive.
Metallic iron, iron in the state of the
metal, as distinquished from its ores, as magnetic iron. --
Metallic paper, paper covered with a thin
solution of lime, whiting, and size. When written upon with a pewter
or brass pencil, the lines can hardly be effaced. --
Metallic tinking (Med.), a sound heard
in the chest, when a cavity communicating with the air passages
contains both air and liquid.
Me*tal"lic*al (?), a. See
Metallic. [Obs.]
Me*tal"lic*ly (?), adv. In a
metallic manner; by metallic means.
Me*tal`li*fac"ture (?; 135), n. [L.
metallum metal + facere, factum, to make.]
The production and working or manufacture of metals. [R.]
R. Park.
Met`al*lif"er*ous (?), a. [L.
metallifer; metallum metal + ferre to bear: cf.
F. métallifère.] Producing metals; yielding
metals.
Me*tal"li*form (?), a. [L.
metallum metal + -form: cf. F.
métalliforme.] Having the form or structure of a
metal.
Met"al*line (?), a. [Cf. F.
métallin.] (Chem.) (a)
Pertaining to, or resembling, a metal; metallic; as,
metalline properties. (b)
Impregnated with metallic salts; chalybeate; as,
metalline water. [R.]
Met"al*line (? or ?), n. (Chem.)
A substance of variable composition, but resembling a soft,
dark-colored metal, used in the bearings of machines for obviating
friction, and as a substitute for lubricants.
Met"al*list (?), n. A worker in
metals, or one skilled in metals.
Met`al*li*za"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
métallisation.] The act or process of
metallizing. [R.]
Met"al*lize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Metallized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Metallizing (?).] [Cf. F.
métalliser.] To impart metallic properties to; to
impregnate with a metal. [R.]
Me*tal"lo*chrome (?), n. [See
Metallochromy.] A coloring produced by the deposition of
some metallic compound; specifically, the prismatic tints produced by
depositing a film of peroxide of lead on polished steel by
electricity.
Me*tal"lo*chro`my (?), n. [L.
metallum metal + Gr. &?; color.] The art or process of
coloring metals.
Me*tal"lo*graph (?), n. [L.
metallum metal + -graph.] A print made by
metallography.
Me*tal`lo*graph"ic (?), a.
Pertaining to, or by means of, metallography.
Met`al*log"ra*phist (?), n. One
who writes on the subject of metals.
Met`al*log"ra*phy (?), n. [L.
metallum metal + -graphy: cf. F.
métallographie.] 1. The science or
art of metals and metal working; also, a treatise on
metals.
2. A method of transferring impressions of
the grain of wood to metallic surfaces by chemical action.
Knight.
3. A substitute for lithography, in which
metallic plates are used instead of stone. Knight.
Met"al*loid (?), n. [L. metallum
metal + -oid: cf. F. métalloïde.]
(a) Formerly, the metallic base of a fixed
alkali, or alkaline earth; -- applied by Sir H. Davy to sodium,
potassium, and some other metallic substances whose metallic
character was supposed to be not well defined.
(b) Now, one of several elementary substances
which in the free state are unlike metals, and whose compounds
possess or produce acid, rather than basic, properties; a nonmetal;
as, boron, carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, chlorine,
bromine, etc., are metalloids.
Met"al*loid, a. 1.
Having the appearance of a metal.
2. (Chem.) Having the properties of a
nonmetal; nonmetallic; acid; negative.
Met`al*loid"al (?), a.
Metalloid.
Met`al*lor*gan"ic (?), a.
Metalorganic.
Me*tal`lo*ther"a*py (?), n. [L.
metallum metal + E. therapy.] (Med.)
Treatment of disease by applying metallic plates to the surface
of the body.
{ Met`al*lur"gic (?), Met`al*lur"gic*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. métallurgique.] Of or
pertaining to metallurgy.
Met"al*lur`gist (?), n. [Cf. F.
métallurgiste.] One who works in metals, or
prepares them for use; one who is skilled in metallurgy.
Met"al*lur`gy (?), n. [F.
métallurgie, fr. L. metallum metal, Gr. &?; a
mine + the root of &?; work. See Metal, and Work.]
The art of working metals, comprehending the whole process of
separating them from other matters in the ore, smelting, refining,
and parting them; sometimes, in a narrower sense, only the process of
extracting metals from their ores.
Met"al*man (?), n.; pl.
Metalmen (&?;). A worker in metals.
Met`a*log"ic*al (?), a. Beyond the
scope or province of logic.
Met`al*or*gan"ic (?), a. [Metal,
L. metallum + E. organic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or denoting, any one of a series of compounds of
certain metallic elements with organic radicals; as, zinc methyl,
sodium ethyl, etc. [Written also metallorganic.]
Met"a*mer (?), n. [See
Metamere.] (Chem.) Any one of several metameric
forms of the same substance, or of different substances having the
same composition; as, xylene has three metamers, viz.,
orthoxylene, metaxylene, and paraxylene.
Met"a*mere (?), n. [Pref. meta-
+ -mere.] (Biol.) One of successive or
homodynamous parts in animals and plants; one of a series of similar
parts that follow one another in a vertebrate or articulate animal,
as in an earthworm; a segment; a somite. See Illust. of
Loeven's larva.
Met`a*mer"ic (?), a. [Pref. meta-
+ Gr. &?; part.] 1. (Chem.) Having
the same elements united in the same proportion by weight, and with
the same molecular weight, but possessing a different structure and
different properties; as, methyl ether and ethyl alcohol are
metameric compounds. See Isomeric.
&fist; The existence of metameric compounds is due to the
different arrangement of the same constituents in the molecule.
2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to a
metamere or its formation; as, metameric
segmentation.
Met`a*mer"ic*al*ly, adv. In a
metameric manner.
Me*tam"er*ism (?), n.
1. (Biol.) The symmetry of a metameric
structure; serial symmetry; the state of being made up of
metameres.
2. (Chem.) The state or quality of
being metameric; also, the relation or condition of metameric
compounds.
Met`a*mor"phic (?), a. [See
Metamorphosis.] 1. Subject to change;
changeable; variable.
2. Causing a change of structure.
3. (Geol.) Pertaining to, produced by,
or exhibiting, certain changes which minerals or rocks may have
undergone since their original deposition; -- especially applied to
the recrystallization which sedimentary rocks have undergone through
the influence of heat and pressure, after which they are called
metamorphic rocks.
Met`a*mor"phism (?), n. (Geol.)
The state or quality of being metamorphic; the process by which
the material of rock masses has been more or less recrystallized by
heat, pressure, etc., as in the change of sedimentary limestone to
marble. Murchison.
Met`a*mor"phist (?), n. (Eccl.)
One who believes that the body of Christ was merged into the
Deity when he ascended.
Met`a*mor"phize (?), v. t. To
metamorphose.
Met`a*mor"phose (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Metamorphosed (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. Metamorphosing.] [Cf. F.
métamorphoser.] To change into a different form;
to transform; to transmute.
And earth was metamorphosed into
man.
Dryden.
Met`a*mor"phose (?), n. [Cf. F.
métamorphose. See Metamorphosis.] Same as
Metamorphosis.
Met`a*mor"pho*ser (?), n. One who
metamorphoses. [R.] Gascoigne.
Met`a*mor"pho*sic (?), a. Changing
the form; transforming. [R.] Pownall.
Met`a*mor"pho*sis (?), n.; pl.
Metamorphoses (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to be
transformed; meta` beyond, over + morfh`
form.]
1. Change of form, or structure;
transformation.
2. (Biol.) A change in the form or
function of a living organism, by a natural process of growth or
development; as, the metamorphosis of the yolk into the
embryo, of a tadpole into a frog, or of a bud into a blossom.
Especially, that form of sexual reproduction in which an embryo
undergoes a series of marked changes of external form, as the
chrysalis stage, pupa stage, etc., in insects. In these intermediate
stages sexual reproduction is usually impossible, but they ultimately
pass into final and sexually developed forms, from the union of which
organisms are produced which pass through the same cycle of changes.
See Transformation.
3. (Physiol.) The change of material
of one kind into another through the agency of the living organism;
metabolism.
Vegetable metamorphosis (Bot.), the
doctrine that flowers are homologous with leaf buds, and that the
floral organs are transformed leaves.
||Met`a*nau"pli*us (?), n. [NL. See
Meta-, and Nauplius.] (Zoöl.) A larval
crustacean in a stage following the nauplius, and having about seven
pairs of appendages.
Met`a*ne*phrit"ic (?), a.
(Anat.) Of or pertaining to the metanephros.
||Met`a*neph"ros (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; behind + &?; kidney.] (Anat.) The most posterior of
the three pairs of embryonic renal organs developed in many
vertebrates.
||Met`a*no"tum (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; behind + &?; back.] (Zoöl.) The dorsal portion
of the metaphorax of insects.
Met`an*ti*mo"nate (?), n.
(Chem.) A salt of metantimonic acid.
Met`an*ti*mon"ic (?), a. [Pref. met-
+ antimonic.] (Chem.) (a)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid (formerly called
antimonic acid) analogous to metaphosphoric acid, and obtained
as a white amorphous insoluble substance, (HSbO3).
(b) Formerly, designating an acid, which is now
properly called pyroantimonic acid, and analogous to
pyrophosphoric acid.
Met`a*pec"tic (?), a. [Pref. meta-
+ pectic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or
designating, a supposed acid obtained from pectin.
Met`a*pec"tin (?), n. (Chem.)
A substance obtained from, and resembling, pectin, and occurring
in overripe fruits.
Met`a*pep"tone (?), n. [Pref. meta-
+ peptone.] (Physiol. Chem.) An intermediate
product formed in the gastric digestion of albuminous
matter.
Met"a*phor (m&ebreve;t"&adot;*f&etilde;r),
n. [F. métaphore, L.
metaphora, fr. Gr. metafora`, fr.
metafe`rein to carry over, transfer; meta`
beyond, over + fe`rein to bring, bear.] (Rhet.)
The transference of the relation between one set of objects to
another set for the purpose of brief explanation; a compressed
simile; e. g., the ship plows the sea. Abbott &
Seeley. "All the world's a stage." Shak.
&fist; The statement, "that man is a fox," is a metaphor; but
"that man is like a fox," is a simile, similitude, or comparison.
{ Met`a*phor"ic (?), Met`a*phor"ic*al (?), }
a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. métaphorique.]
Of or pertaining to metaphor; comprising a metaphor; not
literal; figurative; tropical; as, a metaphorical expression;
a metaphorical sense. -- Met`a*phor"ic*al*ly,
adv. -- Met`a*phor"ic*al*ness,
n.
Met"a*phor*ist (?), n. One who
makes metaphors.
Met`a*phos"phate (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of metaphosphoric acid.
Met`a*phos*phor"ic (?), a. [Pref.
meta- + phosphoric.] (Chem.) Pertaining to,
or designating, a monobasic acid, HPO3, analogous to
nitric acid, and, by heating phosphoric acid, obtained as a
crystalline substance, commonly called glacial phosphoric
acid.
Met"a*phrase (m&ebreve;t"&adot;*frāz),
n. [Gr. meta`frasis, from
metafra`zein to paraphrase; meta` beyond, over
+ fra`zein to speak: cf. F. métaphrase.]
1. A verbal translation; a version or
translation from one language into another, word for word; -- opposed
to paraphrase. Dryden.
2. An answering phrase; repartee.
Mrs. Browning.
Met"a*phrased (m&ebreve;t"&adot;*frāzd),
a. Translated literally.
Me*taph"ra*sis (m&esl;*tăf"r&adot;*s&ibreve;s),
n. [NL. See Metaphrase.]
Metaphrase.
Met"a*phrast (?), n. [Gr. &?;: cf. F.
métaphraste.] A literal translator.
{ Met`a*phras"tic (?), Met`a*phras"tic*al (?), }
a. [Gr. &?;.] Close, or literal.
Met`a*phys"ic (?), n. [Cf. F.
métaphysique.] See Metaphysics.
Met`a*phys"ic, a.
Metaphysical.
Met`a*phys"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F.
métaphysique. See Metaphysics.]
1. Of or pertaining to metaphysics.
2. According to rules or principles of
metaphysics; as, metaphysical reasoning.
3. Preternatural or supernatural.
[Obs.]
The golden round
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
To have thee crowned withal.
Shak.
Met`a*phys"ic*al*ly, adv. In the
manner of metaphysical science, or of a metaphysician.
South.
Met`a*phy*si"cian (?), n. [Cf. F.
métaphysicien.] One who is versed in
metaphysics.
Met`a*phys"ics (?), n. [Gr. &?; &?; &?;
after those things which relate to external nature, after physics,
fr. &?; beyond, after + &?; relating to external nature, natural,
physical, fr. &?; nature: cf. F. métaphysique. See
Physics. The term was first used by the followers of Aristotle
as a name for that part of his writings which came after, or
followed, the part which treated of physics.]
1. The science of real as distinguished from
phenomenal being; ontology; also, the science of being, with
reference to its abstract and universal conditions, as distinguished
from the science of determined or concrete being; the science of the
conceptions and relations which are necessarily implied as true of
every kind of being; philosophy in general; first principles, or the
science of first principles.
&fist; Metaphysics is distinguished as general and
special. General metaphysics is the science of all
being as being. Special metaphysics is the science of one kind
of being; as, the metaphysics of chemistry, of morals, or of
politics. According to Kant, a systematic exposition of those notions
and truths, the knowledge of which is altogether independent of
experience, would constitute the science of metaphysics.
Commonly, in the schools, called metaphysics,
as being part of the philosophy of Aristotle, which hath that for
title; but it is in another sense: for there it signifieth as much as
"books written or placed after his natural philosophy." But the
schools take them for "books of supernatural philosophy;" for the
word metaphysic will bear both these senses.
Hobbes.
Now the science conversant about all such inferences
of unknown being from its known manifestations, is called ontology,
or metaphysics proper.
Sir W.
Hamilton.
Metaphysics are [is] the science which
determines what can and what can not be known of being, and the laws
of being, a priori.
Coleridge.
2. Hence: The scientific knowledge of mental
phenomena; mental philosophy; psychology.
Metaphysics, in whatever latitude the term be
taken, is a science or complement of sciences exclusively occupied
with mind.
Sir W. Hamilton.
Whether, after all,
A larger metaphysics might not help
Our physics.
Mrs. Browning.
||Me*taph"y*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; after + &?; nature.] Change of form;
transformation.
Met"a*plasm (?), n. [L.
metaplasmus, Gr. &?;; &?; beyond, over + &?; to mold: cf. F.
métaplasme.] (Gram.) A change in the
letters or syllables of a word.
Met"a*plast (?), n. [See
Metaplasm.] (Gram.) A word having more than one
form of the root.
Met"a*pode (?), n. [NL.
metapodium, from Gr. &?; behind + &?;, dim. of
poy`s, podo`s, foot.] (Zoöl.)
The posterior division of the foot in the Gastropoda and
Pteropoda.
Met`a*po"di*al (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the metapodialia, or to the parts of the
limbs to which they belong.
||Met`a*po`di*a"le (?), n.; pl.
Metapodialia (#). [NL. See Metapode.]
(Anat.) One of the bones of either the metacarpus or
metatarsus.
||Met`a*po"di*um (?), n.; pl.
Metapodia (#). [NL.] (Zoöl.) Same
as Metapode.
||Met`a*poph"y*sis (?), n.; pl.
Metapophyses (#). [NL. See Meta-, and
Apophysis.] (Anat.) A tubercle projecting from the
anterior articular processes of some vertebræ; a mammillary
process.
||Me*tap`te*ryg"i*um (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; after + &?; fin.] (Anat.) The posterior of the
three principal basal cartilages in the fins of fishes. --
Me*tap`ter*yg"i*al (#), a.
Met`a*sil"i*cate (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of metasilicic acid.
Met`a*si*lic"ic (?), a. [Pref. meta-
+ silicic.] (Chem.) Designating an acid
derived from silicic acid by the removal of water; of or pertaining
to such an acid.
&fist; The salts of metasilicic acid are often called
bisilicates, in mineralogy, as Wollastonite
(CaSiO3).
Metasilicic acid (Chem.), a
gelatinous substance, or white amorphous powder, analogous to
carbonic acid, and forming many stable salts.
Met`a*so"ma*tism (?), n. [Pref.
meta- + Gr. &?;, &?;, body.] (Geol.) An alteration
in a mineral or rock mass when involving a chemical change of the
substance, as of chrysolite to serpentine; -- opposed to ordinary
metamorphism, as implying simply a recrystallization. --
Met`a*so*mat"ic (#), a.
Met"a*some (?), n. [Pref. meta-
+ -some body.] (Zoöl.) One of the component
segments of the body of an animal.
Met`a*stan"nate (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of metastannic acid.
Met`a*stan"nic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a compound of tin (metastannic
acid), obtained, as an isomeric modification of stannic acid, in the
form of a white amorphous substance.
Me*tas"ta*sis (?), n.; pl.
Metastases (#). [L., transition, fr. Gr. &?;, fr.
&?; to place in another way; &?; after + &?; to place.]
1. (Theol.) A spiritual change, as
during baptism.
2. (Med.) A change in the location of
a disease, as from one part to another. Dunglison.
3. (Physiol.) The act or process by
which matter is taken up by cells or tissues and is transformed into
other matter; in plants, the act or process by which are produced all
of those chemical changes in the constituents of the plant which are
not accompanied by a production of organic matter;
metabolism.
Met`a*stat"ic (?), a. Of,
pertaining to, or caused by, metastasis; as, a metastatic
abscess; the metastatic processes of growth.
Met`a*ster"nal (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the metasternum.
||Met`a*ster"num (?), n. [Pref.
meta- + sternum.] 1. (Anat.)
The most posterior element of the sternum; the ensiform process;
xiphisternum.
2. (Zoöl.) The ventral plate of
the third or last segment of the thorax of insects.
{ ||Me*tas"to*ma (?), Met"a*stome (?), }
n. [NL. metastoma, from Gr. meta`
behind + sto`ma mouth.] (Zoöl.) A median
elevation behind the mouth in the arthropods.
Met`a*tar"sal (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the metatarsus. --
n. A metatarsal bone.
Met"a*tarse (?), n. (Anat.)
Metatarsus.
Met`a*tar"sus (?), n.; pl.
Metatarsi (#). [NL. See Meta-, and
Tarsus.] (Anat.) That part of the skeleton of the
hind or lower limb between the tarsus and phalanges; metatarse. It
consists, in the human foot, of five bones. See Illustration
in Appendix.
Me*tath"e*sis (?), n.; pl.
Metatheses (&?;). [L., fr. Gr.
meta`thesis, fr. metatithe`nai to place
differently, to transpose; meta` beyond, over +
tithe`nai to place, set. See Thesis.]
1. (Gram.) Transposition, as of the
letters or syllables of a word; as, pistris for
pristis; meagre for meager.
2. (Med.) A mere change in place of a
morbid substance, without removal from the body.
3. (Chem.) The act, process, or result
of exchange, substitution, or replacement of atoms and radicals;
thus, by metathesis an acid gives up all or part of its
hydrogen, takes on an equivalent amount of a metal or base, and forms
a salt.
{ Met`a*thet"ic (?), Met`a*thet"ic*al (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to metathesis.
Met`a*tho*rac"ic (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
metathorax.
Met`a*tho"rax (?), n. [NL.: cf. F.
métathorax. See Meta-, and Thorax.]
(Zoöl.) The last or posterior segment of the thorax
in insects. See Illust. of Coleoptera.
Met`a*ti*tan"ic (?), a. [Pref. meta-
+ titanic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or
designating, an acid of titanium analogous to metasilicic
acid.
Met`a*tung"state (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of metatungstic acid.
Met`a*tung"stic (?), a. [Pref. meta-
+ tungstic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or
designating, an acid known only in its salts (the
metatungstates) and properly called polytungstic, or
pyrotungstic, acid.
Met`a*van"a*date (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of metavanadic acid.
Met`a*va*nad"ic (?), a. [Pref. meta-
+ vanadic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or
designating, a vanadic acid analogous to metaphosphoric
acid.
Met`a*xy"lene (?), n. [Pref. meta-
+ xylene.] (Chem.) That variety of xylene, or
dimethyl benzene, in which the two methyl groups occupy the meta
position with reference to each other. It is a colorless inflammable
liquid.
||Mé`ta`yage" (?), n. [F. See
Métayer.] A system of farming on halves.
[France & Italy]
||Mé`ta`yer" (F. ?; E. ?), n.
[F., fr. LL. medietarius, fr. L. medius middle, half.
See Mid, a.] One who cultivates land
for a share (usually one half) of its yield, receiving stock, tools,
and seed from the landlord. [France & Italy]
Milman.
||Met`a*zo"a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; after + zo^,on an animal.] (Zoöl.)
Those animals in which the protoplasmic mass, constituting the
egg, is converted into a multitude of cells, which are metamorphosed
into the tissues of the body. A central cavity is commonly developed,
and the cells around it are at first arranged in two layers, -- the
ectoderm and endoderm. The group comprises nearly all
animals except the Protozoa.
Met`a*zo"an (?), n.; pl.
Metazoans (&?;). (Zoöl.) One of
the Metazoa.
Met`a*zo"ic (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Of or pertaining to the Metazoa.
||Met`a*zo"ön (?), n. [NL.]
(Zoöl.) One of the Metazoa.
Mete (?), n. Meat. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mete, v. t. & i. To meet.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mete, v. i. & t.
[imp. Mette (?); p. p.
Met.] [AS. m&?;tan.] To dream; also impersonally;
as, me mette, I dreamed. [Obs.] "I mette of him
all night." Chaucer.
Mete (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Meted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Meting.] [AS. metan; akin to D. meten, G.
messen, OHG. mezzan, Icel. meta, Sw.
mäta, Goth. mitan, L. modus measure,
moderation, modius a corn measure, Gr. &?; to rule, &?; a corn
measure, and ultimately from the same root as E. measure, L.
metiri to measure; cf. Skr. mā to measure.
√99. Cf. Measure, Meet, a.,
Mode.] To find the quantity, dimensions, or capacity of,
by any rule or standard; to measure.
Mete (?), v. i. To measure.
[Obs.] Mark iv. 24.
Mete, n. [AS. met. See
Mete to measure.] Measure; limit; boundary; -- used
chiefly in the plural, and in the phrase metes and
bounds.
Mete"corn` (?), n. A quantity of
corn formerly given by the lord to his customary tenants, as an
encouragement to, or reward for, labor and faithful
service.
Mete"ly, a. According to measure
or proportion; proportionable; proportionate. [Obs.]
{ Met`em*pir"ic (?), Met`em*pir"ic*al (?), }
a. [Pref. met- + empiric, -
ical.] (Metaph.) Related, or belonging, to the
objects of knowledge within the province of metempirics.
If then the empirical designates the province we
include within the range of science, the province we exclude may be
fitly styled the metempirical.
G. H.
Lewes.
Met*em*pir"i*cism (?), n. The
science that is concerned with metempirics.
Met`em*pir"ics (?), n. The
concepts and relations which are conceived as beyond, and yet as
related to, the knowledge gained by experience.
Me*temp"sy*chose (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Metempsychosed (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. Metempsychosing (?).] [See
Metempsychosis.] To translate or transfer, as the soul,
from one body to another. [R.] Peacham.
Me*temp`sy*cho"sis (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?;; &?; beyond, over + &?; to animate; &?; in + &?; soul. See
Psychology.] The passage of the soul, as an immortal
essence, at the death of the animal body it had inhabited, into
another living body, whether of a brute or a human being;
transmigration of souls. Sir T. Browne.
Met`emp*to"sis (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
&?; beyond, after + &?; a falling upon, fr. &?; to fall in or upon;
&?; in + &?; to fall.] (Chron.) The suppression of a day
in the calendar to prevent the date of the new moon being set a day
too late, or the suppression of the bissextile day once in 134 years.
The opposite to this is the proemptosis, or the addition of a
day every 330 years, and another every 2,400 years.
Met`en*ceph"a*lon (?), n. [Met-
+ encephalon.] (Anat.) The posterior part of the
brain, including the medulla; the afterbrain. Sometimes abbreviated
to meten.
||Met`en*so`ma*to"sis (?), n. [L., a
change of body (by the soul), fr. Gr. &?;.] (Biol.) The
assimilation by one body or organism of the elements of
another.
Me"te*or (?), n. [F.
météore, Gr. &?;, pl. &?; things in the air, fr.
&?; high in air, raised off the ground; &?; beyond + &?;, &?;, a
suspension or hovering in the air, fr. &?; to lift, raise up.]
1. Any phenomenon or appearance in the
atmosphere, as clouds, rain, hail, snow, etc.
Hail, an ordinary meteor.
Bp.
Hall.
2. Specif.: A transient luminous body or
appearance seen in the atmosphere, or in a more elevated
region.
The vaulty top of heaven
Figured quite o'er with burning meteors.
Shak.
&fist; The term is especially applied to fireballs, and the masses
of stone or other substances which sometimes fall to the earth; also
to shooting stars and to ignes fatui. Meteors are often classed as:
aerial meteors, winds, tornadoes, etc.; aqueous
meteors, rain, hail, snow, dew, etc.; luminous meteors,
rainbows, halos, etc.; and igneous meteors, lightning,
shooting stars, and the like.
Me`te*or"ic (?), a. [Cf. F.
météorique.] 1. Of or
pertaining to a meteor, or to meteors; atmospheric, as,
meteoric phenomena; meteoric stones.
2. Influenced by the weather; as,
meteoric conditions.
3. Flashing; brilliant; transient; like a
meteor; as, meteoric fame. "Meteoric politician."
Craik.
Meteoric iron, Meteoric stone.
(Min.) See Meteorite. -- Meteoric
paper, a substance of confervoid origin found floating
in the air, and resembling bits of coarse paper; -- so called because
formerly supposed to fall from meteors. -- Meteoric
showers, periodical exhibitions of shooting stars,
occuring about the 9th or 10th of August and 13th of November, more
rarely in April and December, and also at some other
periods.
Me`te*or"ic*al (?), a.
Meteoric.
Me"te*or*ism (?), n. (Med.)
Flatulent distention of the abdomen; tympanites.
Me"te*or*ite (?), n. [Cf. F.
météorite.] (Min.) A mass of stone
or iron which has fallen to the earth from space; an
aërolite.
&fist; Meteorites usually show a pitted surface with a fused
crust, caused by the heat developed in their rapid passage through
the earth's atmosphere. A meteorite may consist: 1. Of
metallic iron, alloyed with a small percentage of nickel (meteoric
iron, holosiderite). When etched this usually exhibits
peculiar crystalline figures, called Widmanstätten
figures. 2. Of a cellular mass of iron with imbedded
silicates (mesosiderite or siderolite). 3. Of a
stony mass of silicates with little iron (meteoric stone,
sporadosiderite). 4. Of a mass without iron
(asiderite).
Me"te*or*ize (?), v. i. [Gr. &?; to
raise to a height.] To ascend in vapors; to take the form of a
meteor. Evelyn.
Me`te*or"o*graph (?), n. [Meteor
+ -graph.] An instrument which registers meteorologic
phases or conditions.
Me`te*or`o*graph"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to meteorography.
Me`te*or*og"ra*phy (?), n.
[Meteor + -graphy.] The registration of
meteorological phenomena.
Me"te*or*oid (mē"t&esl;*&etilde;r*oid),
n. [Meteor + -oid.] (Astron.)
A small body moving through space, or revolving about the sun,
which on entering the earth's atmosphere would be deflagrated and
appear as a meteor.
These bodies [small, solid bodies] before they come
into the air, I call meteoroids.
H. A.
Newton.
Me`te*or*oid"al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to a meteoroid or to meteoroids.
Me`te*or"o*lite (?; 277), n.
[Meteor + -lite : cf. F.
météorolithe.] A meteoric stone; an
aërolite; a meteorite.
{ Me`te*or`o*log"ic (?), Me`te*or`o*log"ic*al
(?), } a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F.
météorologique.] Of or pertaining to the
atmosphere and its phenomena, or to meteorology.
Meteorological table, Meteorological
register, a table or register exhibiting the state of
the air and its temperature, weight, dryness, moisture, motion,
etc.
Me`te*or*ol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F.
météorologiste.] A person skilled in
meteorology.
Me`te*or*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?;
+ lo`gos discourse: cf. F.
météorologie. See Meteor.] The
science which treats of the atmosphere and its phenomena,
particularly of its variations of heat and moisture, of its winds,
storms, etc.
Me`te*or"o*man`cy (?), n.
[Meteor + -mancy : cf. F.
météoromancie.] A species of divination by
meteors, chiefly by thunder and lightning, which was held in high
estimation by the Romans.
Me`te*or*om"e*ter (?), n.
[Meteor + -meter.] An apparatus which transmits
automatically to a central station atmospheric changes as marked by
the anemometer, barometer, thermometer, etc.
Me`te*or"o*scope (?; 277), n. [Gr. &?;,
fr. &?; observing the heavenly bodies; &?; + &?; to view: cf. F.
météoroscope. See Meteor.]
(Astron.) (a) An astrolabe; a
planisphere. [Obs.] (b) An instrument for
measuring the position, length, and direction, of the apparent path
of a shooting star.
Me*te"o*rous (? or ?), a. [See
Meteor.] Of the nature or appearance of a
meteor.
-me"ter (?). [L. metrum measure, or the allied Gr.
&?;. See Meter rhythm.] A suffix denoting that by
which anything is measured; as, barometer,
chronometer, dynamometer.
Me"ter (?), n. [From Mete to
measure.] 1. One who, or that which, metes or
measures. See Coal-meter.
2. An instrument for measuring, and usually
for recording automatically, the quantity measured.
Dry meter, a gas meter having measuring
chambers, with flexible walls, which expand and contract like bellows
and measure the gas by filling and emptying. -- Wet
meter, a gas meter in which the revolution of a
chambered drum in water measures the gas passing through it.
Me"ter, n. A line above or below a
hanging net, to which the net is attached in order to strengthen
it.
{ Me"ter, Me"tre } (?), n.
[OE. metre, F. mètre, L. metrum, fr. Gr.
&?;; akin to Skr. mā to measure. See Mete to
measure.] 1. Rhythmical arrangement of syllables
or words into verses, stanzas, strophes, etc.; poetical measure,
depending on number, quantity, and accent of syllables; rhythm;
measure; verse; also, any specific rhythmical arrangements; as, the
Horatian meters; a dactylic meter.
The only strict antithesis to prose is
meter.
Wordsworth.
2. A poem. [Obs.] Robynson (More's
Utopia).
3. A measure of length, equal to 39.37
English inches, the standard of linear measure in the metric system
of weights and measures. It was intended to be, and is very nearly,
the ten millionth part of the distance from the equator to the north
pole, as ascertained by actual measurement of an arc of a meridian.
See Metric system, under Metric.
Common meter (Hymnol.), four iambic
verses, or lines, making a stanza, the first and third having each
four feet, and the second and fourth each three feet; -- usually
indicated by the initials C.M. -- Long meter
(Hymnol.), iambic verses or lines of four feet each, four
verses usually making a stanza; -- commonly indicated by the initials
L. M. -- Short meter (Hymnol.),
iambic verses or lines, the first, second, and fourth having each
three feet, and the third four feet. The stanza usually consists of
four lines, but is sometimes doubled. Short meter is indicated
by the initials S. M.
Me"ter*age (?), n. [See 1st
Meter.] The act of measuring, or the cost of
measuring.
Me"ter*gram` (?), n. (Mech.)
A measure of energy or work done; the power exerted in raising
one gram through the distance of one meter against
gravitation.
Mete"wand` (?), n. [Mete to
measure + wand.] A measuring rod.
Ascham.
Mete"yard` (?), n. [AS.
metgeard. See Mete to measure, and Yard stick.]
A yard, staff, or rod, used as a measure. [Obs.]
Shak.
Meth (?), n. See
Meathe. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Met`hæm*o*glo"bin (? or ?), n.
[Pref. met- + hæmoglobin.] (Physiol.
Chem.) A stable crystalline compound obtained by the
decomposition of hemoglobin. It is found in old blood
stains.
Meth"al (?), n. [Myristic +
ether + alcohol.] (Chem.) A white waxy
substance, found in small quantities in spermaceti as an ethereal
salt of several fatty acids, and regarded as an alcohol of the
methane series.
Meth"ane (?), n. [See Methal.]
(Chem.) A light, colorless, gaseous, inflammable
hydrocarbon, CH4; marsh gas. See Marsh gas, under
Gas.
Methane series (Chem.), a series of
saturated hydrocarbons, of which methane is the first member and
type, and (because of their general chemical inertness and
indifference) called also the paraffin (little affinity)
series. The lightest members are gases, as methane, ethane;
intermediate members are liquids, as hexane, heptane, etc. (found in
benzine, kerosene, etc.); while the highest members are white, waxy,
or fatty solids, as paraffin proper.
Me*theg"lin (?), n. [W.
meddyglyn; medd mead + llyn liquor, juice. See
Mead a drink.] A fermented beverage made of honey and
water; mead. Gay.
Meth"ene (?), n. [Methyl +
ethylene.] (Chem.) See Methylene.
Meth"e*nyl (?), n. [Methene +
-yl.] (Chem.) The hypothetical hydrocarbon radical
CH, regarded as an essential residue of certain organic
compounds.
Meth"ide (? or ?), n. [See
Methyl.] (Chem.) A binary compound of methyl with
some element; as, aluminium methide,
Al2(CH3)6.
Me*thinks" (?), v. impers.
[imp. Methought (?).] [AS.
þyncan to seem, mē þynceð,
mē þūhte, OE. me thinketh, me
thoughte; akin to G. dünken to seem, denken to
think, and E. think. See Me, and Think.] It
seems to me; I think. See Me. [R., except in
poetry.]
In all ages poets have been had in special reputation,
and, methinks, not without great cause.
Spenser.
Me*thi"on*ate (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of methionic acid.
Meth`i*on"ic (?), a. [Methyl +
thionic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or
designating, a sulphonic (thionic) acid derivative of methane,
obtained as a stable white crystalline substance,
CH2.(SO3H)2, which forms well
defined salts.
Meth"od (?), n. [F.
méthode, L. methodus, fr. Gr. meqodos
method, investigation following after; meta` after +
"odo`s way.] 1. An orderly procedure
or process; regular manner of doing anything; hence, manner; way;
mode; as, a method of teaching languages; a method of
improving the mind. Addison.
2. Orderly arrangement, elucidation,
development, or classification; clear and lucid exhibition;
systematic arrangement peculiar to an individual.
Though this be madness, yet there's method in
it.
Shak.
All method is a rational progress, a progress
toward an end.
Sir W. Hamilton.
3. (Nat. Hist.) Classification; a mode
or system of classifying natural objects according to certain common
characteristics; as, the method of Theophrastus; the
method of Ray; the Linnæan method.
Syn. -- Order; system; rule; regularity; way; manner; mode;
course; process; means. -- Method, Mode,
Manner. Method implies arrangement; mode, mere
action or existence. Method is a way of reaching a given end
by a series of acts which tend to secure it; mode
relates to a single action, or to the form which a series of acts,
viewed as a whole, exhibits. Manner is literally the
handling of a thing, and has a wider sense, embracing both
method and mode. An instructor may adopt a good
method of teaching to write; the scholar may acquire a bad
mode of holding his pen; the manner in which he is
corrected will greatly affect his success or failure.
{ Me*thod"ic (?), Me*thod"ic*al (?), }
a. [L. methodicus, Gr. &?;: cf. F.
méthodique.] 1. Arranged with
regard to method; disposed in a suitable manner, or in a manner to
illustrate a subject, or to facilitate practical observation; as, the
methodical arrangement of arguments; a methodical
treatise. "Methodical regularity." Addison.
2. Proceeding with regard to method;
systematic. "Aristotle, strict, methodic, and orderly."
Harris.
3. Of or pertaining to the ancient school of
physicians called methodists. Johnson.
-- Me*thod"ic*al*ly, adv. --
Me*thod"ic*al*ness, n.
Me*thod"ios (?), n. The art and
principles of method.
Meth"o*dism (?), n. (Eccl.)
The system of doctrines, polity, and worship, of the sect called
Methodists. Bp. Warburton.
Meth"o*dist (?), n. [Cf. F.
méthodiste. See Method.] 1.
One who observes method. [Obs.]
2. One of an ancient school of physicians who
rejected observation and founded their practice on reasoning and
theory. Sir W. Hamilton.
3. (Theol.) One of a sect of
Christians, the outgrowth of a small association called the "Holy
Club," formed at Oxford University, A.D. 1729, of which the
most conspicuous members were John Wesley and his brother Charles; --
originally so called from the methodical strictness of members of the
club in all religious duties.
4. A person of strict piety; one who lives in
the exact observance of religious duties; -- sometimes so called in
contempt or ridicule.
Meth"o*dist, a. Of or pertaining
to the sect of Methodists; as, Methodist hymns; a
Methodist elder.
{ Meth`o*dis"tic (?), Meth`o*dis"tic*al (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to methodists, or to the
Methodists. -- Meth`o*dis"tic*al*ly,
adv.
Meth`od*i*za"tion (?), n. The act
or process of methodizing, or the state of being
methodized.
Meth"od*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Methodized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Methodizing (?).] To reduce to method; to
dispose in due order; to arrange in a convenient manner; as, to
methodize one's work or thoughts. Spectator.
Meth"od*i`zer (?), n. One who
methodizes.
Meth`od*o*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to methodology.
Meth`od*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; method
+ -logy.] The science of method or arrangement; a
treatise on method. Coleridge.
Meth"ol (?), n. [Gr. &?; wine + -
ol.] (Chem.) The technical name of methyl alcohol or
wood spirit; also, by extension, the class name of any of the series
of alcohols of the methane series of which methol proper is
the type. See Methyl alcohol, under Methyl.
Me*thought" (?), imp. of
Methinks.
Meth*ox"yl (?), n. [Methyl +
hydroxyl.] (Chem.) A hypothetical radical,
CH3O, analogous to hydroxyl.
Meth"yl (?), n. [See Methylene.]
(Chem.) A hydrocarbon radical, CH3, not
existing alone but regarded as an essential residue of methane, and
appearing as a component part of many derivatives; as, methyl
alcohol, methyl ether, methyl amine, etc.
[Formerly written also methule, methyle, etc.]
Methyl alcohol (Chem.), a light,
volatile, inflammable liquid, CH3.OH, obtained by the
distillation of wood, and hence called wood spirit; -- called
also methol, carbinol, etc. -- Methyl
amine (Chem.), a colorless, inflammable,
alkaline gas, CH3.NH2, having an ammoniacal,
fishy odor. It is produced artificially, and also occurs naturally in
herring brine and other fishy products. It is regarded as ammonia in
which a third of its hydrogen is replaced by methyl, and is a type of
the class of substituted ammonias. -- Methyl
ether (Chem.), a light, volatile ether
CH3.O.CH3, obtained by the etherification of
methyl alcohol; -- called also methyl oxide. --
Methyl green. (Chem.) See under
Green, n. -- Methyl
orange. (Chem.) See Helianthin. --
Methyl violet (Chem.), an artificial
dye, consisting of certain methyl halogen derivatives of
rosaniline.
Meth"yl*al (?), n. [Methylene +
alcohol.] (Chem.) A light, volatile liquid,
H2C(OCH3)2, regarded as a complex
ether, and having a pleasant ethereal odor. It is obtained by the
partial oxidation of methyl alcohol. Called also
formal.
Meth`yl*am"ine (? or ?), n.
(Chem.) See Methyl amine, under
Methyl.
Meth"yl*ate (?), n. [Methyl +
alcoholate.] (Chem.) An alcoholate of methyl
alcohol in which the hydroxyl hydrogen is replaced by a metal, after
the analogy of a hydrate; as, sodium methylate,
CH3ONa.
Meth"yl*ate (?), v. t. To
impregnate or mix with methyl or methyl alcohol.
Meth"yl*a`ted (?), a. (Chem.)
Impregnated with, or containing, methyl alcohol or wood spirit;
as, methylated spirits.
Meth"yl*ene (?), n. [F.
méthylène, from Gr. &?; wine + &?; wood; -- a
word coined to correspond to the name wood spirit.]
(Chem.) A hydrocarbon radical, CH2, not known
in the free state, but regarded as an essential residue and component
of certain derivatives of methane; as, methylene bromide,
CH2Br2; -- formerly called also
methene.
Methylene blue (Chem.), an artificial
dyestuff consisting of a complex sulphur derivative of diphenyl
amine; -- called also pure blue.
Me*thyl"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, methyl;
specifically, designating methyl alcohol. See under
Methyl.
Me*thys"ti*cin (?), n. (Chem.)
A white, silky, crystalline substance extracted from the thick
rootstock of a species of pepper (Piper methysticum) of the
South Sea Islands; -- called also kanakin.
Met"ic (? or ?; 277), n. [Gr. &?;,
prop., changing one's abode; &?;, indicating change + &?; house,
abode: cf. L. metoecus, F. métèque.]
(Gr. Antiq.) A sojourner; an immigrant; an alien resident
in a Grecian city, but not a citizen. Mitford.
The whole force of Athens, metics as well as
citizens, and all the strangers who were then in the
city.
Jowett (Thucyd. ).
Me*tic"u*lous (?), a. [L.
meticulosus, fr. metus fear: cf. F.
méticuleux.] Timid; fearful.
-- Me*tic"u*lous*ly, adv.
{ ||Mé`tif" (?), n. m.
||Mé`tive" (?), n. f. }[F.]
See Métis.
{ ||Mé`tis" (?), n. m.
||Mé`tisse" (?), n. f. }[F.; akin
to Sp. mestizo. See Mestizo.] 1.
The offspring of a white person and an American
Indian.
2. The offspring of a white person and a
quadroon; an octoroon. [Local, U. S.] Bartlett.
Met"o*che (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a
sharing, fr. &?; to share in; &?; with + &?; to have.] (Arch.)
(a) The space between two dentils.
(b) The space between two triglyphs.
Me*ton"ic (?), a. [Cf. F.
métonique.] Pertaining to, or discovered by,
Meton, the Athenian.
Metonic cycle or year.
(Astron.) See under Cycle.
{ Met`o*nym"ic (?), Met`o*nym"ic*al (?), }
a. [See Metonymy.] Used by way of
metonymy. -- Met`o*nym"ic*al*ly,
adv.
Me*ton"y*my (m&esl;*t&obreve;n"&ibreve;*m&ybreve;; 277),
n. [L. metonymia, Gr. metwnymi`a;
meta`, indicating change + 'o`nyma , for
'o`noma a name: cf. F. métonymie. See
Name.] (Rhet.) A trope in which one word is put
for another that suggests it; as, we say, a man keeps a good
table instead of good provisions; we read
Virgil, that is, his poems; a man has a warm
heart, that is, warm affections.
Met"o*pe (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;;
meta` with, between + &?; opening, hole, the hole in the
frieze between the beam ends.] 1. (Arch.)
The space between two triglyphs of the Doric frieze, which,
among the ancients, was often adorned with carved work. See
Illust. of Entablature.
2. (Zoöl.) The face of a
crab.
&fist; In the Parthenon, groups of centaurs and heroes in high
relief occupy the metopes.
Me*top"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; the
forehead.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the forehead or
frontal bones; frontal; as, the metopic suture.
Met"o*po*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. &?; the
forehead + -mancy.] Fortune telling by physiognomy.
[R.] Urquhart.
{ Met`o*po*scop"ic (?), Met`o*po*scop"ic*al (?),
} a. Of or relating to metoposcopy.
Met`o*pos"co*pist (?), n. One
versed in metoposcopy.
Met`o*pos"co*py (?), n. [Gr. &?;
observing the forehead; &?; the forehead + &?; to view: cf. F.
métoposcopie.] The study of physiognomy; the art
of discovering the character of persons by their features, or the
lines of the face.
||Me*tos"te*on (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; after + &?; bone.] (Anat.) The postero-lateral
ossification in the sternum of birds; also, the part resulting from
such ossification.
Me"tre (mē"t&etilde;r), n.
See Meter.
Met"ric (m&ebreve;t"r&ibreve;k), a. [L.
metricus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. métrique. See
Meter rhythm.] 1. Relating to
measurement; involving, or proceeding by, measurement.
2. Of or pertaining to the meter as a
standard of measurement; of or pertaining to the decimal system of
measurement of which a meter is the unit; as, the metric
system; a metric measurement.
Metric analysis (Chem.), analysis by
volume; volumetric analysis. -- Metric system,
a system of weights and measures originating in France, the use
of which is required by law in many countries, and permitted in many
others, including the United States and England. The principal unit
is the meter (see Meter). From this are formed the
are, the liter, the stere, the gram, etc.
These units, and others derived from them, are divided decimally, and
larger units are formed from multiples by 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000.
The successive multiplies are designated by the prefixes, deca-
, hecto-, kilo-, and myria-; successive
parts by deci-, centi-, and milli-. The prefixes
mega- and micro- are sometimes used to denote a
multiple by one million, and the millionth part, respectively. See
the words formed with these prefixes in the Vocabulary. For metric
tables, see p. 1682.
Met"ric*al (?), a. 1.
Of or pertaining to the meter; arranged in meter; consisting of
verses; as, metrical compositions.
2. Of or pertaining to measurement; as, the
inch, foot, yard, etc., are metrical terms; esp., of or
pertaining to the metric system.
Met"ric*al*ly, adv. In a metrical
manner.
Me*tri"cian (?), n. [Cf. F.
métricien. See Meter rhythm.] A composer of
verses. [Obs.]
Met"ric sys"tem (?). See Metric,
a.
Met`ri*fi*ca"tion (?), n.
Composition in metrical form; versification. [R.]
Tennyson.
Met"ri*fy (?), v. i. [L. metrum
meter + -fy: cf. F. métrifier.] To make
verse. [R.] Skelton.
Me"trist (?), n. A maker of
verses. Bale.
Spenser was no mere metrist, but a great
composer.
Lowell.
||Me*tri"tis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
womb + -tis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the
womb.
Met"ro*chrome (?), n. [Gr. &?; + &?;
color.] An instrument for measuring colors.
Met"ro*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?; measure +
-graph.] An instrument attached to a locomotive for
recording its speed and the number and duration of its
stops.
Met`ro*log"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F.
métrologique.] Of or pertaining to
metrology.
Me*trol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; measure +
-métrologie.] The science of, or a system of,
weights and measures; also, a treatise on the subject.
Met`ro*ma"ni*a (?), n. [Gr. &?; measure
+ E. mania.] A mania for writing verses.
Met`ro*ma"ni*ac (?), n. One who
has metromania.
Me*trom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; womb +
-meter.] (Med.) An instrument for measuring the
size of the womb. Knight.
Met"ro*nome (?), n. [Gr. &?; measure +
&?; distribute, assign: cf. F. métronome, It.
metronomo.] An instrument consisting of a short pendulum
with a sliding weight. It is set in motion by clockwork, and serves
to measure time in music.
Me*tron"o*my (?), n. [See
Metronome.] Measurement of time by an
instrument.
Met`ro*nym"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;; &?;
mother + &?;, for &?; name.] Derived from the name of one's
mother, or other female ancestor; as, a metronymic name or
appellation. -- n. A metronymic
appellation.
Met"ro*pole (?), n. [Cf. F.
métropole. See Metropolis.] A
metropolis. [Obs.] Holinshed.
Me*trop"o*lis (?), n. [L.
metropolis, Gr. &?;, prop., the mother city (in relation to
colonies); &?; mother + &?; city. See Mother, and
Police.]
1. The mother city; the chief city of a
kingdom, state, or country.
[Edinburgh] gray metropolis of the
North.
Tennyson.
2. (Eccl.) The seat, or see, of the
metropolitan, or highest church dignitary.
The great metropolis and see of
Rome.
Shak.
Met`ro*pol"i*tan (?; 277), a. [L.
metropolitanus: cf. F. métropolitain.]
1. Of or pertaining to the capital or
principal city of a country; as, metropolitan
luxury.
2. (Eccl.) Of, pertaining to, or
designating, a metropolitan or the presiding bishop of a country or
province, his office, or his dignity; as, metropolitan
authority. "Bishops metropolitan." Sir T.
More.
Met`ro*pol"i*tan, n. [LL.
metropolitanus.] 1. The superior or
presiding bishop of a country or province.
2. (Lat. Church.) An
archbishop.
3. (Gr. Church) A bishop whose see is
a civil metropolis. His rank is intermediate between that of an
archbishop and a patriarch. Hook.
Met`ro*pol"i*tan*ate (?), n. The
see of a metropolitan bishop. Milman.
Me*trop"o*lite (?), n. [L.
metropolita, Gr. &?;.] A metropolitan.
Barrow.
Met`ro*po*lit"ic*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to a metropolis; being a metropolis; metropolitan; as, the
metropolitical chair. Bp. Hall.
||Met`ror*rha"gi*a (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; womb + &?; to break.] (Med.) Profuse bleeding
from the womb, esp. such as does not occur at the menstrual
period.
Met"ro*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; womb +
-scope.] A modification of the stethoscope, for directly
auscultating the uterus from the vagina.
||Met`ro*si*de"ros (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; heart of a tree + &?; iron.] (Bot.) A myrtaceous
genus of trees or shrubs, found in Australia and the South Sea
Islands, and having very hard wood. Metrosideros vera is the
true ironwood.
Met"ro*tome (?), n. [See
Metrotomy.] (Surg.) An instrument for cutting or
scarifying the uterus or the neck of the uterus.
Me*trot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?; womb +
&?; to cut: cf. F. métrotomie.] (Surg.) The
operation of cutting into the uterus; hysterotomy; the Cæsarean
section.
-me*try (?). [See -meter.] A suffix denoting
the art, process, or science, of
measuring; as, acidimetry, chlorometry,
chronometry.
Mette (?), obs. imp. of
Mete, to dream. Chaucer.
Met"tle (?), n. [E. metal, used
in a tropical sense in allusion to the temper of the metal of a sword
blade. See Metal.] Substance or quality of temperament;
spirit, esp. as regards honor, courage, fortitude, ardor, etc.;
disposition; -- usually in a good sense.
A certain critical hour which shall . . . try what
mettle his heart is made of.
South.
Gentlemen of brave mettle.
Shak.
The winged courser, like a generous horse,
Shows most true mettle when you check his course.
Pope.
To put one one's mettle, to cause or incite
one to use one's best efforts.
Met"tled (?), a. Having mettle;
high-spirited; ardent; full of fire. Addison.
Met"tle*some (?), a. Full of
spirit; possessing constitutional ardor; fiery; as, a
mettlesome horse.
-- Met"tle*some*ly, adv. --
Met"tle*some*ness, n.
Meute (?), n. A cage for hawks; a
mew. See 4th Mew, 1. Milman.
Meve (?), v. t. & i. To
move. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mew (?), n. [AS. m&?;w, akin to
D. meeuw, G. möwe, OHG. m&?;h, Icel.
mār.] (Zoöl.) A gull, esp. the common
British species (Larus canus); called also sea mew,
maa, mar, mow, and cobb.
Mew, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mewed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Mewing.] [OE. muen, F. muer, fr. L.
mutare to change, fr. movere to move. See Move,
and cf. Mew a cage, Molt.] To shed or cast; to
change; to molt; as, the hawk mewed his feathers.
Nine times the moon had mewed her
horns.
Dryden.
Mew, v. i. To cast the feathers;
to molt; hence, to change; to put on a new appearance.
Now everything doth mew,
And shifts his rustic winter robe.
Turbervile.
Mew, n. [OE. mue, F. mue
change of feathers, scales, skin, the time or place when the change
occurs, fr. muer to molt, mew, L. mutare to change. See
2d Mew.]
1. A cage for hawks while mewing; a coop for
fattening fowls; hence, any inclosure; a place of confinement or
shelter; -- in the latter sense usually in the plural.
Full many a fat partrich had he in
mewe.
Chaucer.
Forthcoming from her darksome mew.
Spenser.
Violets in their secret mews.
Wordsworth.
2. A stable or range of stables for horses; -
- compound used in the plural, and so called from the royal stables
in London, built on the site of the king's mews for hawks.
Mew, v. t. [From Mew a cage.]
To shut up; to inclose; to confine, as in a cage or other
inclosure.
More pity that the eagle should be
mewed.
Shak.
Close mewed in their sedans, for fear of
air.
Dryden.
Mew, v. i. [Of imitative origin; cf. G.
miauen.] To cry as a cat. [Written also
meaw, meow.] Shak.
Mew, n. The common cry of a
cat. Shak.
Mewl (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Mewled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mewling.] [Cf. F. miauler to mew, E. mew to cry
as a cat. Cf. Miaul.] To cry, as a young child; to
squall. [Written also meawl.] Shak.
Mewl"er (?), n. One that
mewls.
Mews (?), n. sing. & pl. [Prop. pl. of
mew. See Mew a cage.] An alley where there are
stables; a narrow passage; a confined place. [Eng.]
Mr. Turveydrop's great room . . . was built out into a
mews at the back.
Dickens.
||Mex*al" (?), Mex"i*cal (#),
n. [Sp. mexcal.] See
Mescal.
Mex"i*can (?), a. Of or pertaining
to Mexico or its people. -- n. A native
or inhabitant of Mexico.
Mexican poppy (Bot.), a tropical
American herb of the Poppy family (Argemone Mexicana) with
much the look of a thistle, but having large yellow or white
blossoms. -- Mexican tea (Bot.), an
aromatic kind of pigweed from tropical America (Chenopodium
ambrosioides).
Mex"i*can*ize (?), v. t. To cause
to be like the Mexicans, or their country, esp. in respect of
frequent revolutions of government.
Mex"i*can*ize, v. i. To become
like the Mexicans, or their country or government.
Meyn"e (m&ebreve;n"&esl;), n. [Obs.]
Same as Meine.
Mez*cal" (?), n. Same as
Mescal.
Me*ze"re*on (?), n. [F.
mézéréon, Per.
māzriyūn.] (Bot.) A small European
shrub (Daphne Mezereum), whose acrid bark is used in
medicine.
||Mez*qui"ta (?), n. [Sp.] A
mosque.
Mez"u*zoth (?), n. [Heb.
m&ebreve;zūzōth, pl. of
m&ebreve;zūzāh doorpost.] A piece of
parchment bearing the Decalogue and attached to the doorpost; -- in
use among orthodox Hebrews.
Mez"za*nine (?), n. [F.
mezzanine, It. mezzanino, fr. mezzano middle,
fr. mezzo middle, half. See Mezzo.] (Arch.)
(a) Same as Entresol.
(b) A partial story which is not on the same
level with the story of the main part of the edifice, as of a back
building, where the floors are on a level with landings of the
staircase of the main house.
||Mez"za vo"ce (?). [It., fr. mezzo, fem.
mezza middle, half + voce voice, L. vox.]
(Mus.) With a medium fullness of sound.
||Mez"zo (?), a. [It., from L.
medius middle, half. See Mid, a.]
(Mus.) Mean; not extreme.
Mez"zo-re*lie"vo (?), n. Mezzo-
rilievo.
||Mez"zo-ri*lie"vo (?), n. [It.]
(a) A middle degree of relief in figures,
between high and low relief. (b) Sculpture
in this kind of relief. See under Alto-rilievo.
Mez"zo-so*pra"no (?), a. (Mus.)
Having a medium compass between the soprano and contralto; --
said of the voice of a female singer. -- n.
(a) A mezzo-soprano voice.
(b) A person having such a voice.
Mez"zo*tint (?), n. [Cf. F. mezzo-
tinto.] A manner of engraving on copper or steel by drawing
upon a surface previously roughened, and then removing the roughness
in places by scraping, burnishing, etc., so as to produce the
requisite light and shade. Also, an engraving so produced.
Mez"zo*tint, v. t. To engrave in
mezzotint.
Mez"zo*tint`er (?), n. One who
engraves in mezzotint.
Mez`zo*tin"to (?), n. [It. mezzo
half + tinto tinted, p. p. of tingere to dye, color,
tinge, L. tingere. See Mezzo.]
Mezzotint.
Mez`zo*tin"to, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mezzotintoed (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mezzotintoing (?).] To engrave in mezzotint;
to represent by mezzotint.
Mhorr (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Mohr.
Mi (?), n. [It.] (Mus.) A
syllable applied to the third tone of the scale of C, i. e.,
to E, in European solmization, but to the third tone of any scale in
the American system.
Mi*a"mis (?), n. pl.; sing.
Miami (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of
Indians that formerly occupied the country between the Wabash and
Maumee rivers.
Mi*ar"gy*rite (?), n. [Gr. &?; less +
&?; silver. So called because it contains less silver than some
kindred ore.] (Min.) A mineral of an iron-black color,
and very sectile, consisting principally of sulphur, antimony, and
silver.
Mi"as (?), n. [Malayan.] The
orang-outang.
Mi*asc"ite (?), n. [Named from
Miask, in the Ural Mountains.] (Min.) A granitoid
rock containing feldspar, biotite, elæolite, and
sodalite.
Mi"asm (?), n. [Cf. F. miasme.]
Miasma.
Mi*as"ma (?), n.; pl.
Miasmata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; defilement, fr. &?;
to pollute.] Infectious particles or germs floating in the air;
air made noxious by the presence of such particles or germs; noxious
effluvia; malaria.
Mi*as"mal (?), a. Containing
miasma; miasmatic.
{ Mi`as*mat"ic (?), Mi`as*mat"ic*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. miasmatique.] Containing, or
relating to, miasma; caused by miasma; as, miasmatic
diseases.
Mi*as"ma*tist (?), n. One who has
made a special study of miasma.
Mi`as*mol"o*gy (?), n. [Miasma +
-logy.] That department of medical science which treats
of miasma.
Mi*aul" (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Miauled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Miauling.] [Cf. F. miauler, of imitative origin, and E.
mew. Cf. Mewl.] To cry as a cat; to mew; to
caterwaul. Sir W. Scott.
Mi*aul", n. The crying of a
cat.
Mi"ca (?), n. [L. mica crumb,
grain, particle; cf. F. mica.] (Min.) The name of
a group of minerals characterized by highly perfect cleavage, so that
they readily separate into very thin leaves, more or less elastic.
They differ widely in composition, and vary in color from pale brown
or yellow to green or black. The transparent forms are used in
lanterns, the doors of stoves, etc., being popularly called
isinglass. Formerly called also cat-silver, and
glimmer.
&fist; The important species of the mica group are:
muscovite, common or potash mica, pale brown or green, often
silvery, including damourite (also called hydromica);
biotite, iron-magnesia mica, dark brown, green, or black;
lepidomelane, iron, mica, black; phlogopite, magnesia
mica, colorless, yellow, brown; lepidolite, lithia mica, rose-
red, lilac.
Mica (usually muscovite, also biotite) is an essential
constituent of granite, gneiss, and mica slate; biotite is
common in many eruptive rocks; phlogopite in crystalline
limestone and serpentine.
Mica diorite (Min.), an eruptive rock
allied to diorite but containing mica (biotite) instead of
hornblende. -- Mica powder, a kind of
dynamite containing fine scales of mica. -- Mica
schist, Mica slate (Geol.), a
schistose rock, consisting of mica and quartz with, usually, some
feldspar.
Mi*ca`ce*o-cal*ca"re*ous (?), a.
(Geol.) Partaking of the nature of, or consisting of,
mica and lime; -- applied to a mica schist containing carbonate of
lime.
Mi*ca"ceous (?), a. [Cf. F.
micacé.] Pertaining to, or containing, mica;
splitting into laminæ or leaves like mica.
Mice (?), n., pl
of Mouse.
||Mi*cel"la (?), n.; pl.
Micellæ (#). [NL., dim. of L. mica a
morsel, grain.] (Biol.) A theoretical aggregation of
molecules constituting a structural particle of protoplasm, capable
of increase or diminution without change in chemical
nature.
{ Mich, Miche } (?), v. i.
[OE. michen; cf. OE. muchier, mucier, to
conceal, F. musser, and OHG. mūhhen to waylay.
Cf. Micher, Curmudgeon, Muset.] To lie hid;
to skulk; to act, or carry one's self, sneakingly. [Obs. or
Colloq.] [Written also meach and meech.]
Spenser.
Mich"ael*mas (?), n. [Michael +
mass religious service; OE. Mighelmesse.] The
feast of the archangel Michael, a church festival, celebrated on the
29th of September. Hence, colloquially, autumn.
Michaelmas daisy. (Bot.) See under
Daisy.
Mich"er (?), n. [OE. michare,
muchare. See Mich.] One who skulks, or keeps out
of sight; hence, a truant; an idler; a thief, etc. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mich"er*y (?), n. Theft;
cheating. [Obs.] Gower.
Mich"ing, a. Hiding; skulking;
cowardly. [Colloq.] [Written also meaching and
meeching.]
Mic"kle (m&ibreve;k"k'l), a. [OE.
mikel, muchel, mochel, mukel, AS.
micel, mycel; akin to OS. mikil, OHG.
mihil, mihhil, Icel. mikill, mykill,
Goth. mikils, L. magnus, Gr. me`gas, gen.
mega`loy; cf. Skr. mahat. √103. Cf.
Much, Muckle, Magnitude.] Much;
great. [Written also muckle and mockle.] [Old
Eng. & Scot.] "A man of mickle might." Spenser.
Mic"macs (?), n. pl.; sing.
Micmac (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of
Indians inhabiting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. [Written also
Mikmaks.]
Mi"co (?), n. [Sp. or Pg. mico.]
(Zoöl.) A small South American monkey (Mico
melanurus), allied to the marmoset. The name was originally
applied to an albino variety.
Mi`cra*cous"tic (?), a. Same as
Microustic.
||Mi*cras"ter (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
mikro`s small + &?; star.] (Paleon.) A genus
of sea urchins, similar to Spatangus, abounding in the chalk
formation; -- from the starlike disposal of the ambulacral
furrows.
Mi`cren*ceph"a*lous (?), [Micr- + Gr. &?; brain.]
Having a small brain.
{ Mi"cro- (?), Mi"cr- }. [Gr.
mikro`s small.] A combining form signifying:
(a) Small, little, trivial,
slight; as, microcosm, microscope.
(b) (Metric System, Elec., Mech., etc.)
A millionth part of; as, microfarad,
microohm, micrometer.
Mi`cro*am`père" (?), n.
[Micr- + ampère.] (Elec.) One of the
smaller measures of electrical currents; the millionth part of one
ampère.
||Mi`cro*bac*te"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL.
See Micro-, and Bacterium.] (Biol.) In the
classification of Cohn, one of the four tribes of Bacteria.
&fist; In this classification bacteria are divided into four
tribes: 1. Spherobacteria, or spherical bacteria, as the genus
Micrococcus. 2. Microbacteria, or bacteria in the form
of short rods, including the genus Bacterium. 3.
Desmobacteria, or bacteria in straight filaments, of which the
genus Bacillus is a type. 4. Spirobacteria, or bacteria
in spiral filaments, as the genus Vibrio.
{ Mi"crobe (?), ||Mi*cro"bi*on (?), }
n. [NL. microbion, fr. Gr. &?; little + &?;
life.] (Biol.) A microscopic organism; -- particularly
applied to bacteria and especially to pathogenic forms; as, the
microbe of fowl cholera.
Mi*cro"bi*an (?), a. (Biol.)
Of, pertaining to, or caused by, microbes; as, the
microbian theory; a microbian disease.
Mi*crob"ic (?), a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to a microbe.
Mi*crob"i*cide (?), n. [Microbe
+ L. caedere to kill.] (Biol.) Any agent
detrimental to, or destructive of, the life of microbes or bacterial
organisms.
{ Mi`cro*ce*phal"ic (?), Mi`cro*ceph"a*lous (?),
} a. [Micro- + cephalic,
cephalous.] (Anat.) Having a small head; having
the cranial cavity small; -- opposed to
megacephalic.
Mi`cro-chem"ic*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to micro-chemistry; as, a micro-chemical
test.
Mi`cro-chem"is*try (?), n. [Micro-
+ chemistry.] The application of chemical tests to
minute objects or portions of matter, magnified by the use of the
microscopy; -- distinguished from macro-chemistry.
Mi`cro*chro*nom"e*ter (?), n. A
chronoscope.
Mi"cro*cline (?), n. [Micro- +
Gr. &?; to incline.] (Min.) A mineral of the feldspar
group, like orthoclase or common feldspar in composition, but
triclinic in form.
Mi`cro*coc"cal (?), a. Of or
pertaining to micrococci; caused by micrococci.
Nature.
||Mi`cro*coc"cus (?), n.; pl.
Micrococci (#). [NL. See Micro-, and
Coccus.] (Biol.) A genus of Spherobacteria,
in the form of very small globular or oval cells, forming, by
transverse division, filaments, or chains of cells, or in some cases
single organisms shaped like dumb-bells (Diplococcus), all
without the power of motion. See Illust. of
Ascoccus.
&fist; Physiologically, micrococci are divided into three groups;
chromogenic, characterized by their power of forming pigment;
zymogenic, including those associated with definite chemical
processes; and pathogenic, those connected with disease.
Mi"cro*cosm (?), n. [F.
microcosme, L. microcosmus, fr. Gr. mikro`s
small + ko`smos the world.] A little world; a
miniature universe. Hence (so called by Paracelsus), a man, as a
supposed epitome of the exterior universe or great world. Opposed to
macrocosm. Shak.
{ Mi`cro*cos"mic (?), Mi`cro*cos"mic*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. microcosmique.] Of or
pertaining to the microcosm.
Microcosmic salt (Chem.), a white
crystalline substance obtained by mixing solutions of sodium
phosphate and ammonium phosphate, and also called hydric-sodic-
ammonic-phosphate. It is a powerful flux, and is used as a
substitute for borax as a blowpipe reagent in testing for the
metallic oxides. Originally obtained by the alchemists from human
urine, and called sal microcosmicum.
Mi`cro*cos*mog"ra*phy (?), n.
[Microcosm + -graphy.] Description of man as a
microcosm.
Mi`cro*cou`lomb" (?), n. [Micro-
+ coulomb.] (Elec.) A measure of electrical
quantity; the millionth part of one coulomb.
Mi`cro*cous"tic (?), a. [Micro-
+ acoustic: cf. F. microcoustique,
micracoustique.] Pertaining, or suited, to the audition
of small sounds; fitted to assist hearing.
Mi`cro*cous"tic, n. An instrument
for making faint sounds audible, as to a partially deaf
person.
Mi`cro*crith" (?), n. [Micro- +
crith.] (Chem.) The weight of the half hydrogen
molecule, or of the hydrogen atom, taken as the standard in comparing
the atomic weights of the elements; thus, an atom of oxygen weighs
sixteen microcriths. See Crith. J. P.
Cooke.
Mi`cro*crys"tal*line (?), a. [Micro-
+ crystalline.] (Crystallog.) Crystalline on
a fine, or microscopic, scale; consisting of fine crystals; as, the
ground mass of certain porphyrics is
microcrystalline.
Mi"cro*cyte (?), n. [Micro- +
Gr. &?; a hollow vessel.] (Physiol.) One of the
elementary granules found in blood. They are much smaller than an
ordinary corpuscle, and are particularly noticeable in disease, as in
anæmia.
Mic"ro*dont (?), a. [Micr- + Gr.
'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.] (Anat.)
Having small teeth.
Mi`cro*far"ad (?), n. [Micro- +
farad.] (Elec.) The millionth part of a
farad.
Mi"cro*form (?), n. [Micro- +
form, n.] (Biol.) A microscopic form of life; an
animal or vegetable organism of microscopic size.
Mi`cro-ge`o*log"ic*al (?), a. Of
or pertaining to micro-geology.
Mi`cro-ge*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Micro-
+ geology.] The part of geology relating to
structure and organisms which require to be studied with a
microscope.
Mi"cro*graph (?), n. [See
Micrography.] An instrument for executing minute writing
or engraving.
Mi`cro*graph"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to micrography.
Mi*crog"ra*phy (?), n. [Micro- +
-graphy: cf. F. micrographie.] The description of
microscopic objects.
Mi*crohm" (?), n. [Micr- +
ohm.] (Elec.) The millionth part of an
ohm.
||Mi`cro*lep`i*dop"te*ra (?), n. pl.
[NL. See Micro-, and Lepidoptera.] (Zoöl.)
A tribe of Lepidoptera, including a vast number of minute
species, as the plume moth, clothes moth, etc.
||Mi`cro*les"tes (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
mikro`s small + &?; a robber.] (Paleon.) An
extinct genus of small Triassic mammals, the oldest yet found in
European strata.
Mi"cro*lite (?), n. [Micro- +
-lite.] (Min.)
1. A rare mineral of resinous luster and high
specific gravity. It is a tantalate of calcium, and occurs in
octahedral crystals usually very minute.
2. (Min.) A minute inclosed crystal,
often observed when minerals or rocks are examined in thin sections
under the microscope.
Mi"cro*lith (?), n. [Micro- +
lith.] (Min.) Same as Microlite,
2.
Mi`cro*lith"ic (?), a. Formed of
small stones.
{ Mi`cro*log"ic (?), Mi`cro*log"ic*al (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to micrology; very minute;
as, micrologic examination. --
Mi`cro*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
Mi*crol"o*gy (?), n. [Micro- +
-logy.]
1. That part of science which treats of
microscopic objects, or depends on microscopic observation.
2. Attention to petty items or
differences. W. Taylor.
Mi"cro*mere (?), n. [Micro- +
-mere.] (Biol.) One of the smaller cells, or
blastomeres, resulting from the complete segmentation of a
telolecithal ovum.
Mi*crom"e*ter (?), n. [Micro- +
-meter: cf. F. micromètre.] An instrument,
used with a telescope or microscope, for measuring minute distances,
or the apparent diameters of objects which subtend minute angles. The
measurement given directly is that of the image of the object formed
at the focus of the object glass.
Circular, or Ring, micrometer,
a metallic ring fixed in the focus of the object glass of a
telescope, and used to determine differences of right ascension and
declination between stars by observations of the times at which the
stars cross the inner or outer periphery of the ring. --
Double image micrometer, a micrometer in which
two images of an object are formed in the field, usually by the two
halves of a bisected lens which are movable along their line of
section by a screw, and distances are determined by the number of
screw revolutions necessary to bring the points to be measured into
optical coincidence. When the two images are formed by a bisected
object glass, it is called a divided-object-glass micrometer,
and when the instrument is large and equatorially mounted, it is
known as a heliometer. -- Double refraction
micrometer, a species of double image micrometer, in
which the two images are formed by the double refraction of rock
crystal. -- Filar, or Bifilar,
micrometer. See under Bifilar. --
Micrometer caliper or gauge
(Mech.), a caliper or gauge with a micrometer screw, for
measuring dimensions with great accuracy. -- Micrometer
head, the head of a micrometer screw. --
Micrometer microscope, a compound microscope
combined with a filar micrometer, used chiefly for reading and
subdividing the divisions of large astronomical and geodetical
instruments. -- Micrometer screw, a screw
with a graduated head used in some forms of micrometers. --
Position micrometer. See under
Position. -- Scale, or
Linear, micrometer, a minute
and very delicately graduated scale of equal parts used in the field
of a telescope or microscope, for measuring distances by direct
comparison.
{ Mi`cro*met"ric (?), Mi`cro*met"ric*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. micrométrique.]
Belonging to micrometry; made by the micrometer. --
Mi`cro*met"ric*al*ly, adv.
Mi*crom"e*try (?), n. The art of
measuring with a micrometer.
Mi`cro*mil"li*me`ter (?), n. [Micro-
+ millimeter.] The millionth part of a
meter.
Mic"ron (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
mikro`s small.] (Physics) A measure of length;
the thousandth part of one millimeter; the millionth part of a
meter.
Mi"cro*ne"sian (?), a. [From
Micronesia, fr. Gr. mikro`s small +
nh^sos an island.] Of or pertaining to Micronesia, a
collective designation of the islands in the western part of the
Pacific Ocean, embracing the Marshall and Gilbert groups, the
Ladrones, the Carolines, etc.
Mi`cro*ne"sians (?), n. pl.; sing.
Micronesian. (Ethnol.) A dark race
inhabiting the Micronesian Islands. They are supposed to be a mixed
race, derived from Polynesians and Papuans.
Mi`cro*nom"e*ter (?), n. [Micro-
+ chronometer.] An instrument for noting minute portions
of time.
Mi`cro*ör"gan*ism (?), n.
[Micro- + organism.] (Biol.) Any
microscopic form of life; -- particularly applied to bacteria and
similar organisms, esp. such are supposed to cause infectious
diseases.
Mi`cro*pan"to*graph (?), n. [Micro-
+ pantograph.] A kind of pantograph which produces
copies microscopically minute.
Mi`cro*peg"ma*tite (?), n. [Micro-
+ pegmatite.] (Min.) A rock showing under the
microscope the structure of a graphic granite (pegmatite). --
Mi`cro*peg`ma*tit"ic (#), a.
Mi"cro*phone (?), n. [Micro- +
Gr. &?; sound, voice: cf. F. microphone.] (Physics)
An instrument for intensifying and making audible very feeble
sounds. It produces its effects by the changes of intensity in an
electric current, occasioned by the variations in the contact
resistance of conducting bodies, especially of imperfect conductors,
under the action of acoustic vibrations.
Mi`cro*phon"ics (?), n. [See
Microphone.] The science which treats of the means of
increasing the intensity of low or weak sounds, or of the
microphone.
Mi*croph"o*nous (?), a. Serving to
augment the intensity of weak sounds; microcoustic.
Mi`cro*pho"to*graph (?), n. [Micro-
+ photograph.]
1. A microscopically small photograph of a
picture, writing, printed page, etc.
2. An enlarged representation of a
microscopic object, produced by throwing upon a sensitive plate the
magnified image of an object formed by a microscope or other suitable
combination of lenses.
&fist; A picture of this kind is preferably called a
photomicrograph.
Mi`cro*pho*tog"ra*phy (?), n. The
art of making microphotographs.
{ Mi`croph*thal"mi*a (?), Mi`croph*thal"my (?),
} n. [Micro- + Gr. 'ofqalmo`s
eye.] An unnatural smallness of the eyes, occurring as the
result of disease or of imperfect development.
Mi*croph"yl*lous (?), a. [Micro-
+ Gr. fy`llon leaf.] (Bot.) Small-
leaved.
Mi*croph"y*tal (?), a. (Bot.)
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, microphytes.
Mi"cro*phyte (?), n. [Micro- +
Gr. &?; a plant: cf. F. microphyte.] (Bot.) A very
minute plant, one of certain unicellular algæ, such as the
germs of various infectious diseases are believed to be.
Mi"cro*pyle (?), n. [Micro- +
Gr. &?; gate, orifice: cf. F. micropyle.] (Biol.)
(a) An opening in the membranes surrounding the
ovum, by which nutrition is assisted and the entrance of the
spermatozoa permitted. (b) An opening in
the outer coat of a seed, through which the fecundating pollen enters
the ovule. -- Mi*crop"y*lar (#),
a.
Mi*cros"co*pal (?), a. Pertaining
to microscopy, or to the use of the microscope.
Huxley.
Mi"cro*scope (?), n. [Micro- +
-scope.] An optical instrument, consisting of a lens, or
combination of lenses, for making an enlarged image of an object
which is too minute to be viewed by the naked eye.
Compound microscope, an instrument
consisting of a combination of lenses such that the image formed by
the lens or set of lenses nearest the object (called the
objective) is magnified by another lens called the
ocular or eyepiece. -- Oxyhydrogen
microscope, and Solar microscope. See
under Oxyhydrogen, and Solar. -- Simple,
or Single, microscope, a single
convex lens used to magnify objects placed in its focus.
Mi`cro*sco"pi*al (?), a.
Microscopic. [R.] Berkeley.
{ Mi`cro*scop"ic (?), Mi`cro*scop"ic*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. microscopique.]
1. Of or pertaining to the microscope or to
microscopy; made with a microscope; as, microscopic
observation.
2. Able to see extremely minute
objects.
Why has not man a microscopic eye?
Pope.
3. Very small; visible only by the aid of a
microscope; as, a microscopic insect.
Mi`cro*scop"ic*al*ly, adv. By the
microscope; with minute inspection; in a microscopic
manner.
Mi*cros"co*pist (?; 277), n. One
skilled in, or given to, microscopy.
Mi*cros"co*py (?), n. The use of
the microscope; investigation with the microscope.
Mi"cro*seme (?), a. [Micro- +
Gr. &?; sign, mark: cf. F. microsème.] (Anat.)
Having the orbital index relatively small; having the orbits
broad transversely; -- opposed to megaseme.
Mi`cro*spec"tro*scope
(mī`kr&osl;*sp&ebreve;k"tr&osl;*skōp or
m&ibreve;`kr&osl;-), n. [Micro- +
spectroscope.] (Physics) A spectroscope arranged
for attachment to a microscope, for observation of the spectrum of
light from minute portions of any substance.
||Mi`cro*spo*ran"gi*um (?), n. [NL. See
Micro-, and Sporangium.] (Bot.) A
sporangium or conceptacle containing only very minute spores. Cf.
Macrosporangium.
Mi"cro*spore (?), n. [Micro- +
spore.] (Bot.) One of the exceedingly minute
spores found in certain flowerless plants, as Selaginella and
Isoetes, which bear two kinds of spores, one very much smaller
than the other. Cf. Macrospore.
Mi`cro*spor"ic (?), a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to microspores.
Mi"cro*sthene (?), n. [Micro- +
Gr. sqe`nos might, strength.] (Zoöl.) One
of a group of mammals having a small size as a typical
characteristic. It includes the lower orders, as the
Insectivora, Cheiroptera, Rodentia, and
Edentata.
Mi`cro*sthen"ic (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Having a typically small size; of or
pertaining to the microsthenes.
Mi`cro*ta*sim"e*ter (?), n. [Micro-
+ tasimeter.] (Physics) A tasimeter,
especially when arranged for measuring very small extensions. See
Tasimeter.
Mi"cro*tome (?), n. [Micro- +
Gr. te`mnein to cut.] An instrument for making very
thin sections for microscopical examination.
Mi*crot"o*mist (?), n. One who is
skilled in or practices microtomy.
Mi*crot"o*my (?), n. The art of
using the microtome; investigation carried on with the
microtome.
Mi`cro*volt" (?), n. [Micro- +
volt.] (Elec.) A measure of electro-motive force;
the millionth part of one volt.
Mi`cro*we"ber (?), n. [Micro- +
weber.] (Elec.) The millionth part of one
weber.
||Mi`cro*zo"a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.
mikro`s small + zw^,on an animal.]
(Zoöl.) The Infusoria.
Mi`cro*zo"ö*spore (?), n.
[Micro- + zoöspore.] (Bot.) A small
motile spore furnished with two vibratile cilia, found in certain
green algæ.
Mi"cro*zyme (?), n. [Micro- +
Gr. zy`mh leaven.] (Biol.) A
microörganism which is supposed to act like a ferment in causing
or propagating certain infectious or contagious diseases; a
pathogenic bacterial organism.
Mic`tu*ri"tion (?), n. [L.
micturire to desire to make water, v. desid. fr.
mingere, mictum, to make water.] The act of
voiding urine; also, a morbidly frequent passing of the urine, in
consequence of disease.
Mid (m&ibreve;d), a.
[Compar. wanting; superl.
Midmost.] [AS. midd; akin to OS. middi, D.
mid (in comp.), OHG. mitti, Icel. miðr,
Goth. midjis, L. medius, Gr. me`sos, Skr.
madhya. √271. Cf. Amid, Middle,
Midst, Mean, Mediate, Meridian,
Mizzen, Moiety.]
1. Denoting the middle part; as, in
mid ocean.
No more the mounting larks, while Daphne sings,
Shall list'ning in mid air suspend their wings.
Pope.
2. Occupying a middle position; middle; as,
the mid finger; the mid hour of night.
3. (Phon.) Made with a somewhat
elevated position of some certain part of the tongue, in relation to
the palate; midway between the high and the low; --
said of certain vowel sounds; as, ā (āle), &ebreve;
(&ebreve;ll), ō (ōld). See Guide to Pronunciation,
§§ 10, 11.
&fist; Mid is much used as a prefix, or combining form,
denoting the middle or middle part of a thing; as,
mid-air, mid-channel, mid-age, midday,
midland, etc. Also, specifically, in geometry, to denote a
circle inscribed in a triangle (a midcircle), or relation to
such a circle; as, mid-center, midradius.
Mid, n. Middle. [Obs.]
About the mid of night come to my
tent.
Shak.
Mid, prep. See
Amid.
Mi"da (?), n. [Gr. &?; a destructive
insect in pulse.] (Zoöl.) The larva of the bean
fly.
Mi"das (?), n. [So called from L.
Midas, a man fabled to have had ass's ears.]
(Zoöl.) A genus of longeared South American monkeys,
including numerous species of marmosets. See
Marmoset.
Mi"das's ear" (?). [See Midas.]
(Zoöl.) A pulmonate mollusk (Auricula, or
Ellobium, aurismidæ); -- so called from resemblance to a
human ear.
Mid"brain` (?), n. [Mid, a. +
brain.] (Anat.) The middle segment of the brain;
the mesencephalon. See Brain.
Mid"day` (?), n. [AS.
middæg. See Mid, a., and
Day.] The middle part of the day; noon.
Mid"day`, a. Of or pertaining to
noon; meridional; as, the midday sun.
Mid"den (?), n. [Also midding.]
[Cf. Dan. mögdynge, E. muck, and dung.]
1. A dunghill. [Prov. Eng.]
2. An accumulation of refuse about a dwelling
place; especially, an accumulation of shells or of cinders, bones,
and other refuse on the supposed site of the dwelling places of
prehistoric tribes, -- as on the shores of the Baltic Sea and in many
other places. See Kitchen middens.
Mid"den crow" (?). (Zoöl.) The common
European crow. [Prov. Eng.]
Mid"dest (?), a.;
superl. of Mid. [See Midst.]
Situated most nearly in the middle; middlemost; midmost.
[Obs.] " 'Mongst the middest crowd." Spenser.
Mid"dest, n. Midst; middle.
[Obs.] Fuller.
Mid"ding (?), n. Same as
Midden.
Mid"dle (-d'l), a. [OE. middel,
AS. middel; akin to D. middel, OHG. muttil, G.
mittel. √271. See Mid, a.]
1. Equally distant from the extreme either of
a number of things or of one thing; mean; medial; as, the
middle house in a row; a middle rank or station in
life; flowers of middle summer; men of middle
age.
2. Intermediate; intervening.
Will, seeking good, finds many middle
ends.
Sir J. Davies.
&fist; Middle is sometimes used in the formation of self-
explaining compounds; as, middle-sized, middle-
witted.
Middle Ages, the period of time intervening
between the decline of the Roman Empire and the revival of letters.
Hallam regards it as beginning with the sixth and ending with the
fifteenth century. -- Middle class, in
England, people who have an intermediate position between the
aristocracy and the artisan class. It includes professional men,
bankers, merchants, and small landed proprietors
The middle-class electorate of Great
Britain.
M. Arnold.
--
Middle distance. (Paint.) See
Middle-ground. -- Middle English.
See English, n., 2. --
Middle Kingdom, China. -- Middle
oil (Chem.), that part of the distillate
obtained from coal tar which passes over between 170° and
230° Centigrade; -- distinguished from the light, and the
heavy or dead, oil. -- Middle
passage, in the slave trade, that part of the Atlantic
Ocean between Africa and the West Indies. -- Middle
post. (Arch.) Same as King-post. --
Middle States, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, and Delaware; which, at the time of the formation of
the Union, occupied a middle position between the Eastern States (or
New England) and the Southern States. [U.S.] -- Middle
term (Logic), that term of a syllogism with
which the two extremes are separately compared, and by means of which
they are brought together in the conclusion. Brande. --
Middle tint (Paint.), a subdued or
neutral tint. Fairholt. -- Middle
voice. (Gram.) See under Voice. --
Middle watch, the period from midnight to four
A. M.; also, the men on watch during that time.
Ham. Nav. Encyc. -- Middle weight, a
pugilist, boxer, or wrestler classed as of medium weight, i.
e., over 140 and not over 160 lbs., in distinction from those
classed as light weights, heavy weights, etc.
Mid"dle (?), n. [AS. middel. See
Middle, a.] The point or part equally
distant from the extremities or exterior limits, as of a line, a
surface, or a solid; an intervening point or part in space, time, or
order of series; the midst; central portion; specif., the
waist. Chaucer. "The middle of the land."
Judg. ix. 37.
In this, as in most questions of state, there is a
middle.
Burke.
Syn. -- See Midst.
Mid"dle-age` (?), [Middle + age. Cf.
Mediæval.] Of or pertaining to the Middle Ages;
mediæval.
Mid"dle-aged` (?), a. Being about
the middle of the ordinary age of man; between 30 and 50 years
old.
Mid"dle-earth` (?), n. The world,
considered as lying between heaven and hell. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mid"dle-ground` (?), n. (Paint.)
That part of a picture between the foreground and the
background.
Mid"dle*man (?), n.; pl.
Middlemen (&?;).
1. An agent between two parties; a broker; a
go-between; any dealer between the producer and the consumer; in
Ireland, one who takes land of the proprietors in large tracts, and
then rents it out in small portions to the peasantry.
2. A person of intermediate rank; a
commoner.
3. (Mil.) The man who occupies a
central position in a file of soldiers.
Mid"dle*most` (?), a. [Cf.
Midmost.] Being in the middle, or nearest the middle;
midmost.
Mid"dler (?), n. One of a middle
or intermediate class in some schools and seminaries.
Mid"dling (?), a. Of middle rank,
state, size, or quality; about equally distant from the extremes;
medium; moderate; mediocre; ordinary. "A town of but
middling size." Hallam.
Plainly furnished, as beseemed the middling
circumstances of its inhabitants.
Hawthorne.
-- Mid"dling*ly, adv. --
Mid"dling*ness, n.
Mid"dlings (?), n. pl.
1. A combination of the coarser parts of ground
wheat the finest bran, separated from the fine flour and coarse bran
in bolting; -- formerly regarded as valuable only for feed; but now,
after separation of the bran, used for making the best quality of
flour. Middlings contain a large proportion of
gluten.
2. In the southern and western parts of the
United States, the portion of the hog between the ham and the
shoulder; bacon; -- called also middles.
Bartlett.
Mid"dy (?), n.; pl.
Middies (&?;). A colloquial abbreviation of
midshipman.
Mid"feath`er (?), n. 1.
(Steam Boilers) A vertical water space in a fire box or
combustion chamber.
2. (Mining) A support for the center
of a tunnel.
Mid"gard` (?), n. [Icel.
miðgarðr.] (Scand. Myth.) The middle space
or region between heaven and hell; the abode of human beings; the
earth.
Midge (?), n. [OE. migge, AS.
mycge; akin to OS. muggia, D. mug, G.
mücke, OHG. mucca, Icel. m&?;, Sw.
mygga, mygg, Dan. myg; perh. named from its
buzzing; cf. Gr. &?; to low, bellow.] (Zoöl.)
1. Any one of many small, delicate, long-
legged flies of the Chironomus, and allied genera, which do
not bite. Their larvæ are usually aquatic.
2. A very small fly, abundant in many parts
of the United States and Canada, noted for the irritating quality of
its bite.
&fist; The name is also applied to various other small flies. See
Wheat midge, under Wheat.
Midg"et (?), n. [Dim. of
midge.]
1. (Zoöl.) A minute bloodsucking
fly. [Local, U. S.]
2. A very diminutive person.
Mid"gut` (?), n. [Mid, a. +
gut.] (Anat.) The middle part of the alimentary
canal from the stomach, or entrance of the bile duct, to, or
including, the large intestine.
Mid"heav`en (?), n. 1.
The midst or middle of heaven or the sky.
2. (Astron.) The meridian, or middle
line of the heavens; the point of the ecliptic on the
meridian.
Mid"land (?), a. 1.
Being in the interior country; distant from the coast or
seashore; as, midland towns or inhabitants.
Howell.
2. Surrounded by the land;
mediterranean.
And on the midland sea the French had
awed.
Dryden.
Mid"land (?), n. The interior or
central region of a country; -- usually in the plural.
Drayton.
Mid"main` (?), n. The middle part
of the main or sea. [Poetic] Chapman.
Mid"most` (?), a. [OE.
middemiste. Cf. Foremost.] Middle;
middlemost.
Ere night's midmost, stillest hour was
past.
Byron.
Mid"night` (?), n. [AS.
midniht.] The middle of the night; twelve o'clock at
night.
The iron tongue of midnight hath told
twelve.
Shak.
Mid"night`, a. Being in, or
characteristic of, the middle of the night; as, midnight
studies; midnight gloom. "Midnight shout and
revelry." Milton.
||Mid*rash" (?), n.; pl.
Midrashim (#), Midrashoth (#).
[Heb., explanation.] A talmudic exposition of the Hebrew law, or
of some part of it.
Mid"rib` (?), n. (Bot.) A
continuation of the petiole, extending from the base to the apex of
the lamina of a leaf.
Mid"riff (m&ibreve;d"r&ibreve;f), n.
[AS. midhrif; midd mid, middle + hrif bowels,
womb; akin to OFries. midref midriff, rif, ref,
belly, OHG. href body, and to L. corpus body. See
Corpse.] (Anat.) See Diaphragm,
n., 2.
Smote him into the midriff with a
stone.
Milton.
{ Mid" sea", or Mid"-sea" (?) }. The middle
part of the sea or ocean. Milton.
The Mid-sea, the Mediterranean Sea.
[Obs.]
Mid"ship`, a. Of or pertaining to,
or being in, the middle of a ship.
Midship beam (Naut.), the beam or
timber upon which the broadest part of a vessel is formed. --
Midship bend, the broadest frame in a
vessel. Weale.
Mid"ship`man (?), n.; pl.
Midshipmen (&?;).
1. (a) Formerly, a kind of
naval cadet, in a ship of war, whose business was to carry orders,
messages, reports, etc., between the officers of the quarter-deck and
those of the forecastle, and render other services as required.
(b) In the English naval service, the second
rank attained by a combatant officer after a term of service as naval
cadet. Having served three and a half years in this rank, and passed
an examination, he is eligible to promotion to the rank of
lieutenant. (c) In the United States navy,
the lowest grade of officers in line of promotion, being graduates of
the Naval Academy awaiting promotion to the rank of ensign.
2. (Zoöl.) An American marine
fish of the genus Porichthys, allied to the
toadfish.
Cadet midshipman, formerly a title
distinguishing a cadet line officer from a cadet engineer at the U.
S. Naval Academy. See under Cadet. -- Cadet
midshipman, formerly, a naval cadet who had served his
time, passed his examinations, and was awaiting promotion; -- now
called, in the United States, midshipman; in England,
sublieutenant.
Mid"ships`, adv. [For
amidships.] (Naut.) In the middle of a ship; --
properly amidships.
Mid"ships`, n. pl. (Naut.)
The timbers at the broadest part of the vessel. R. H.
Dana, Jr.
Midst (?), n. [From middest,
in the middest, for older in middes, where -s is
adverbial (orig. forming a genitive), or still older a midde,
a midden, on midden. See Mid, and cf.
Amidst.]
1. The interior or central part or place; the
middle; -- used chiefly in the objective case after in; as, in
the midst of the forest.
And when the devil had thrown him in the midst,
he came out of him.
Luke iv. 35.
There is nothing . . . in the midst [of the
play] which might not have been placed in the beginning.
Dryden.
2. Hence, figuratively, the condition of
being surrounded or beset; the press; the burden; as, in the
midst of official duties; in the midst of secular
affairs.
&fist; The expressions in our midst, in their midst,
etc., are avoided by some good writers, the forms in the midst of
us, in the midst of them, etc., being preferred.
Syn. -- Midst, Middle. Midst in
present usage commonly denotes a part or place surrounded on
enveloped by or among other parts or objects (see Amidst);
while middle is used of the center of length, or surface, or
of a solid, etc. We say in the midst of a thicket; in the
middle of a line, or the middle of a room; in the
midst of darkness; in the middle of the night.
Midst, prep. In the midst of;
amidst. Shak.
Midst, adv. In the middle.
[R.] Milton.
Mid"sum`mer (?), n. [AS.
midsumor.] The middle of summer. Shak.
Midsummer daisy (Bot.), the oxeye
daisy.
Mid"ward (?), a. Situated in the
middle.
Mid"ward, adv. In or toward the
midst.
Mid"way` (?), n. The middle of the
way or distance; a middle way or course. Shak.
Paths indirect, or in the midway
faint.
Milton.
Mid"way`, a. Being in the middle
of the way or distance; as, the midway air.
Shak.
Mid"way`, adv. In the middle of
the way or distance; half way. "She met his glance
midway." Dryden.
Mid"week` (?), n. The middle of
the week. Also used adjectively.
Mid"wife` (?), n.; pl.
Midwives (#). [OE. midwif, fr. AS.
mid with (akin to Gr. &?;) + &?; woman, wife. Properly, the
woman or wife who is attendant upon a woman in childbirth. See
Meta-, and Wife.] A woman who assists other women
in childbirth; a female practitioner of the obstetric art.
Mid"wife`, v. t. To assist in
childbirth.
Mid"wife`, v. i. To perform the
office of midwife.
Mid"wife`ry (?; 277), n.
1. The art or practice of assisting women in
childbirth; obstetrics.
2. Assistance at childbirth; help or
coöperation in production.
Mid"win`ter (?), n. [AS.
midwinter.] The middle of winter.
Dryden.
Mid"wive` (m&ibreve;d"w&ima;cv`), v. t.
To midwife. [Obs.]
Mien (mēn), n. [F. mine;
perh. from sane source as mener to lead; cf. E. demean,
menace, mine, n.] Aspect; air; manner; demeanor;
carriage; bearing.
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As, to be hated, needs but to be seen.
Pope.
Miff (?), n. [Cf. Prov. G. muff
sullenness, sulkiness, muffen to be silky, muffïg
sullen, pouting.] A petty falling out; a tiff; a quarrel;
offense. Fielding.
Miff, v. t. To offend
slightly. [Colloq.]
Might (mīt), imp. of
May. [AS. meahte, mihte.]
Might, n. [AS. meaht,
miht, from the root of magan to be able, E. may;
akin to D. magt, OS. maht, G. macht, Icel.
māttr, Goth. mahts. √103. See May,
v.] Force or power of any kind, whether of
body or mind; energy or intensity of purpose, feeling, or action;
means or resources to effect an object; strength; force; power;
ability; capacity.
What so strong,
But wanting rest, will also want of might?
Spenser.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Deut. vi. 5.
With might and main. See under 2d
Main.
Might"ful (?), a. Mighty.
[Obs.] Shak.
Might"i*ly (?), adv. [From
Mighty.]
1. In a mighty manner; with might; with great
earnestness; vigorously; powerfully.
Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his
working, which worketh in me mightily.
Col. i.
29.
2. To a great degree; very much.
Practical jokes amused us
mightily.
Hawthorne.
Might"i*ness, n. 1.
The quality of being mighty; possession of might; power;
greatness; high dignity.
How soon this mightiness meets
misery.
Shak.
2. Highness; excellency; -- with a possessive
pronoun, a title of dignity; as, their high
mightinesses.
Might"less, a. Without;
weak. [Obs.]
Might"y (?), a.
[Compar. Mightier (?);
superl. Mightiest.] [AS. meahtig,
mihtig; akin to G. mächtig, Goth. mahteigs.
See Might, n.]
1. Possessing might; having great power or
authority.
Wise in heart, and mighty in
strength.
Job ix. 4.
2. Accomplished by might; hence,
extraordinary; wonderful. "His mighty works." Matt.
xi. 20.
3. Denoting an extraordinary degree or
quality in respect of size, character, importance, consequences,
etc. "A mighty famine." Luke xv. 14. "Giants of
mighty bone." Milton.
Mighty was their fuss about little
matters.
Hawthorne.
Might"y, n.; pl.
Mighties (#). A warrior of great force and
courage. [R. & Obs.] 1 Chron. xi. 12.
Might"y, adv. In a great degree;
very. [Colloq.] "He was mighty methodical."
Jeffrey.
We have a mighty pleasant garden.
Doddridge.
Mign"iard (?), a. [F. mignard,
akin to mignon. See Minion.] Soft; dainty.
[Obs.] B. Jonson.
Mign"iard*ise (?), n. [F.
mignardise.] Delicate fondling. [Obs.] B.
Jonson.
Mi"gnon (?), a. [F.] See 3d
Minion.
Mi"gnon, v. t. To flatter.
[R. & Obs.] Danie&?;.
Mi`gnon*ette" (?), n. [F.
mignonnette, dim. of mignon darling. See 2d
Minion.] (Bot.) A plant (Reseda odorata)
having greenish flowers with orange-colored stamens, and exhaling a
delicious fragrance. In Africa it is a low shrub, but further north
it is usually an annual herb.
Mignonette pepper, coarse pepper.
Mi*graine" (?), n. [F.] Same as
Megrim. -- Mi*grain"ous, a.
Mi"grant (?), a. [L. migrans, p.
pr. of migrare. See Migrate.] Migratory.
Sir T. Browne. -- n. A migratory bird
or other animal.
Mi"grate (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Migrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Migrating (?).] [L. migratus, p. p. of migrare
to migrate, transfer.]
1. To remove from one country or region to
another, with a view to residence; to change one's place of
residence; to remove; as, the Moors who migrated from Africa
into Spain; to migrate to the West.
2. To pass periodically from one region or
climate to another for feeding or breeding; -- said of certain birds,
fishes, and quadrupeds.
Mi*gra"tion (?), n. [L.
migratio: cf. F. migration.] The act of
migrating.
Mi"gra*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. F.
migratoire.]
1. Removing regularly or occasionally from
one region or climate to another; as, migratory
birds.
2. Hence, roving; wandering; nomad; as,
migratory habits; a migratory life.
Migratory locust (Zoöl.) See
Locust. -- Migratory thrush
(Zoöl.), the American robin. See
Robin.
Mi*ka"do (?), n. [Jap.] The
popular designation of the hereditary sovereign of Japan.
Mik"maks (?), n. Same as
Micmacs.
Mil"age (?; 48), n. Same as
Mileage.
Mil`an*ese" (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Milan in Italy, or to its inhabitants. --
n. sing. & pl. A native or inhabitant of
Milan; people of Milan.
Milch (?), a. [OE. milche; akin
to G. melk, Icel. milkr, mjōlkr, and to E.
milk. See Milk.]
1. Giving milk; -- now applied only to
beasts. "Milch camels." Gen. xxxii. "Milch
kine." Shak.
2. Tender; pitiful; weeping. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mild (?), a. [Compar.
Milder (?); superl. Mildest.] [AS.
milde; akin to OS. mildi, D. & G. mild, OHG.
milti, Icel. mildr, Sw. & Dan. mild, Goth.
milds; cf. Lith. melas dear, Gr. &?; gladdening gifts.]
Gentle; pleasant; kind; soft; bland; clement; hence, moderate in
degree or quality; -- the opposite of harsh, severe,
irritating, violent, disagreeable, etc.; --
applied to persons and things; as, a mild disposition; a
mild eye; a mild air; a mild medicine; a
mild insanity.
The rosy morn resigns her light
And milder glory to the noon.
Waller.
Adore him as a mild and merciful
Being.
Rogers.
Mild, or Low,
steel, steel that has but little carbon in it
and is not readily hardened.
Syn. -- Soft; gentle; bland; calm; tranquil; soothing;
pleasant; placid; meek; kind; tender; indulgent; clement; mollifying;
lenitive; assuasive. See Gentle.
Mild"en (?), v. t. To make mild,
or milder. Lowell.
Mil"dew (?), n. [AS.
meledeáw; akin to OHG. militou, G.
mehlthau, mehltau; prob. orig. meaning, honeydew; cf.
Goth. milip honey. See Mellifluous, and Dew.]
(Bot.) A growth of minute powdery or webby fungi, whitish
or of different colors, found on various diseased or decaying
substances.
Mil"dew, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mildewed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mildewing.] To taint with mildew.
He . . . mildews the white wheat.
Shak.
Mil"dew, v. i. To become tainted
with mildew.
Mild"ly (?), adv. In a mild
manner.
Mild"ness, n. The quality or state
of being mild; as, mildness of temper; the mildness of
the winter.
Mile (?), n. [AS. mīl, fr.
L. millia, milia; pl. of mille a thousand, i.
e., milia passuum a thousand paces. Cf. Mill the tenth
of a cent, Million.] A certain measure of distance, being
equivalent in England and the United States to 320 poles or rods, or
5,280 feet.
&fist; The distance called a mile varies greatly in
different countries. Its length in yards is, in Norway, 12,182; in
Brunswick, 11,816; in Sweden, 11,660; in Hungary, 9,139; in
Switzerland, 8,548; in Austria, 8,297; in Prussia, 8,238; in Poland,
8,100; in Italy, 2,025; in England and the United States, 1,760; in
Spain, 1,552; in the Netherlands, 1,094.
Geographical, or Nautical
mile, one sixtieth of a degree of a great circle of the
earth, or 6080.27 feet. -- Mile run. Same
as Train mile. See under Train. -- Roman
mile, a thousand paces, equal to 1,614 yards English
measure. -- Statute mile, a mile
conforming to statute, that is, in England and the United States, a
mile of 5,280 feet, as distinguished from any other mile.
Mile"age (?; 48), n. 1.
An allowance for traveling expenses at a certain rate per
mile.
2. Aggregate length or distance in miles;
esp., the sum of lengths of tracks or wires of a railroad company,
telegraph company, etc. [Written also milage.]
Constructive mileage, a mileage allowed for
journeys supposed to be made, but not actually made.
Bartlett.
Mile"post` (?), n. A post, or one
of a series of posts, set up to indicate spaces of a mile each or the
distance in miles from a given place.
Mi*le"sian (?), a. [L. Milesius,
Gr. &?;.]
1. (Anc. Geog.) Of or pertaining to
Miletus, a city of Asia Minor, or to its inhabitants.
2. (Irish Legendary Hist.) Descended
from King Milesius of Spain, whose two sons are said to have
conquered Ireland about 1300 b. c.; or pertaining to the
descendants of King Milesius; hence, Irish.
Mi*le"sian, n. 1.
A native or inhabitant of Miletus.
2. A native or inhabitant of
Ireland.
Mile"stone` (?), n. A stone
serving the same purpose as a milepost.
Mil"foil (?), n. [F. mille-
feuille, L. millefolium; mille thousand +
folium leaf. See Foil a leaf.] (Bot.) A
common composite herb (Achillea Millefolium) with white
flowers and finely dissected leaves; yarrow.
Water milfoil (Bot.), an aquatic herb
with dissected leaves (Myriophyllum).
||Mil`i*a"ri*a (?), n. [NL. See
Miliary.] (Med.) A fever accompanied by an
eruption of small, isolated, red pimples, resembling a millet seed in
form or size; miliary fever.
Mil"ia*ry (?; 277), a. [L.
miliarius, fr. milium millet: cf. F.
miliaire.]
1. Like millet seeds; as, a miliary
eruption.
2. (Med.) Accompanied with an eruption
like millet seeds; as, a miliary fever.
3. (Zoöl.) Small and numerous;
as, the miliary tubercles of Echini.
Mil"ia*ry, n. (Zoöl.)
One of the small tubercles of Echini.
||Mi`lice" (?), n. [F.]
Militia. [Obs.]
||Mil"i*o`la (?), n. [NL., dim. of L.
milium millet. So named from its resemblance to millet seed.]
(Zoöl.) A genus of Foraminifera, having a
porcelanous shell with several longitudinal chambers.
Mil"i*o*lite (?), n. (Paleon.)
A fossil shell of, or similar to, the genus Miliola.
Mil"i*o*lite, a. The same
Miliolitic.
Miliolite limestone (Geol.), a
building stone, one of the group of the Paris basin, almost entirely
made up of many-chambered microscopic shells.
Mil`i*o*lit"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the genus Miliola; containing miliolites.
Mil"i*tan*cy (?), n. [See
Militant.]
1. The state of being militant;
warfare.
2. A military spirit or system;
militarism. H. Spencer.
Mil"i*tant (?), a. [L. militans,
-antis, p. pr. of militare to be soldier: cf. F.
militant. See Militate.] Engaged in warfare;
fighting; combating; serving as a soldier. --
Mil"i*tant*ly, adv.
At which command the powers militant . . .
Moved on in silence.
Milton.
Church militant, the Christian church on
earth, which is supposed to be engaged in a constant warfare against
its enemies, and is thus distinguished from the church
triumphant, in heaven.
Mil"i*tar (?), a. Military.
[Obs.] Bacon.
Mil"i*ta*ri*ly (?), adv. In a
military manner.
Mil"i*ta*rism (?), n. [Cf. F.
militarisme.]
1. A military state or condition; reliance on
military force in administering government; a military
system.
2. The spirit and traditions of military
life. H. Spencer.
Mil"i*ta*rist (?), n. A military
man. [Obs.] Shak.
Mil"i*ta*ry (?), a. [L.
militaris, militarius, from miles,
militis, soldier: cf. F. militaire.]
1. Of or pertaining to soldiers, to arms, or
to war; belonging to, engaged in, or appropriate to, the affairs of
war; as, a military parade; military discipline;
military bravery; military conduct; military
renown.
Nor do I, as an enemy to peace,
Troop in the throngs of military men.
Shak.
2. Performed or made by soldiers; as, a
military election; a military expedition.
Bacon.
Military law. See Martial law, under
Martial. -- Military order. (a)
A command proceeding from a military superior.
(b) An association of military persons under a
bond of certain peculiar rules; especially, such an association of
knights in the Middle Ages, or a body in modern times taking a
similar form, membership of which confers some distinction. --
Military tenure, tenure of land, on condition
of performing military service.
Mil"i*ta*ry, n. [Cf. F.
militaire.] The whole body of soldiers; soldiery;
militia; troops; the army.
Mil"i*tate (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Militated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Militating (?).] [L. militare,
militatum, to be a soldier, fr. miles, militis,
soldier.] To make war; to fight; to contend; -- usually followed
by against and with.
These are great questions, where great names
militate against each other.
Burke.
The invisible powers of heaven seemed to
militate on the side of the pious emperor.
Gibbon.
Mi*li"tia (?), n. [L., military
service, soldiery, fr. miles, militis, soldier: cf. F.
milice.]
1. In the widest sense, the whole military
force of a nation, including both those engaged in military service
as a business, and those competent and available for such service;
specifically, the body of citizens enrolled for military instruction
and discipline, but not subject to be called into actual service
except in emergencies.
The king's captains and soldiers fight his battles,
and yet . . . the power of the militia is he.
Jer. Taylor.
2. Military service; warfare. [Obs.]
Baxter.
Mi*li"tia*man (?), n.; pl.
Militiamen (&?;). One who belongs to the
militia.
Mi*li"ti*ate (?), v. i. To carry
on, or prepare for, war. [Obs.] Walpole.
Milk (m&ibreve;lk), n. [AS.
meoluc, meoloc, meolc, milc; akin to
OFries. meloc, D. melk, G. milch, OHG.
miluh, Icel. mjōlk, Sw. mjölk, Dan.
melk, Goth. miluks, G. melken to milk, OHG.
melchan, Lith. milszti, L. mulgere, Gr.
'ame`lgein. √107. Cf. Milch,
Emulsion, Milt soft roe of fishes.]
1. (Physiol.) A white fluid secreted
by the mammary glands of female mammals for the nourishment of their
young, consisting of minute globules of fat suspended in a solution
of casein, albumin, milk sugar, and inorganic salts. "White as
morne milk." Chaucer.
2. (Bot.) A kind of juice or sap,
usually white in color, found in certain plants; latex. See
Latex.
3. An emulsion made by bruising seeds; as,
the milk of almonds, produced by pounding almonds with sugar
and water.
4. (Zoöl.) The ripe, undischarged
spat of an oyster.
Condensed milk. See under Condense,
v. t. -- Milk crust
(Med.), vesicular eczema occurring on the face and scalp
of nursing infants. See Eczema. -- Milk
fever. (a) (Med.) A fever which
accompanies or precedes the first lactation. It is usually
transitory. (b) (Vet. Surg.) A form
puerperal peritonitis in cattle; also, a variety of meningitis
occurring in cows after calving. -- Milk
glass, glass having a milky appearance. --
Milk knot (Med.), a hard lump forming in
the breast of a nursing woman, due to obstruction to the flow of milk
and congestion of the mammary glands. -- Milk
leg (Med.), a swollen condition of the leg,
usually in puerperal women, caused by an inflammation of veins, and
characterized by a white appearance occasioned by an accumulation of
serum and sometimes of pus in the cellular tissue. --
Milk meats, food made from milk, as butter and
cheese. [Obs.] Bailey. -- Milk mirror.
Same as Escutcheon, 2. -- Milk
molar (Anat.), one of the deciduous molar teeth
which are shed and replaced by the premolars. -- Milk of
lime (Chem.), a watery emulsion of calcium
hydrate, produced by macerating quicklime in water. --
Milk parsley (Bot.), an umbelliferous
plant (Peucedanum palustre) of Europe and Asia, having a milky
juice. -- Milk pea (Bot.), a genus
(Galactia) of leguminous and, usually, twining plants. --
Milk sickness (Med.), a peculiar
malignant disease, occurring in some parts of the Western United
States, and affecting certain kinds of farm stock (esp. cows), and
persons who make use of the meat or dairy products of infected
cattle. Its chief symptoms in man are uncontrollable vomiting,
obstinate constipation, pain, and muscular tremors. Its origin in
cattle has been variously ascribed to the presence of certain plants
in their food, and to polluted drinking water. -- Milk
snake (Zoöl.), a harmless American snake
(Ophibolus triangulus, or O. eximius). It is variously
marked with white, gray, and red. Called also milk adder,
chicken snake, house snake, etc. -- Milk
sugar. (Physiol. Chem.) See Lactose, and
Sugar of milk (below). -- Milk thistle
(Bot.), an esculent European thistle (Silybum
marianum), having the veins of its leaves of a milky
whiteness. -- Milk thrush. (Med.)
See Thrush. -- Milk tooth
(Anat.), one of the temporary first set of teeth in young
mammals; in man there are twenty. -- Milk tree
(Bot.), a tree yielding a milky juice, as the cow tree of
South America (Brosimum Galactodendron), and the Euphorbia
balsamifera of the Canaries, the milk of both of which is
wholesome food. -- Milk vessel (Bot.),
a special cell in the inner bark of a plant, or a series of
cells, in which the milky juice is contained. See Latex.
-- Rock milk. See Agaric mineral, under
Agaric. -- Sugar of milk. The sugar
characteristic of milk; a hard white crystalline slightly sweet
substance obtained by evaporation of the whey of milk. It is used in
pellets and powder as a vehicle for homeopathic medicines, and as an
article of diet. See Lactose.
Milk (m&ibreve;lk), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Milked (m&ibreve;lkt); p. pr. & vb.
n. Milking.]
1. To draw or press milk from the breasts or
udder of, by the hand or mouth; to withdraw the milk of.
"Milking the kine." Gay.
I have given suck, and know
How tender 't is to love the babe that milks me.
Shak.
2. To draw from the breasts or udder; to
extract, as milk; as, to milk wholesome milk from healthy
cows.
3. To draw anything from, as if by milking;
to compel to yield profit or advantage; to plunder.
Tyndale.
They [the lawyers] milk an unfortunate estate
as regularly as a dairyman does his stock.
London
Spectator.
To milk the street, to squeeze the smaller
operators in stocks and extract a profit from them, by alternately
raising and depressing prices within a short range; -- said of the
large dealers. [Cant] -- To milk a telegram,
to use for one's own advantage the contents of a telegram
belonging to another person. [Cant]
Milk, v. i. To draw or to yield
milk.
Milk"en (?), a. Consisting of
milk. [Obs.]
Milk"er (?), n. 1.
One who milks; also, a mechanical apparatus for milking
cows.
2. A cow or other animal that gives
milk.
Milk"ful (?), a. Full of milk;
abounding with food. [R.] "Milkful vales."
Sylvester.
Milk"i*ly (?), adv. In a milky
manner.
Milk"i*ness, n. State or quality
of being milky.
Milk"-liv`ered (?), a. White-
livered; cowardly; timorous.
Milk"maid` (?), n. A woman who
milks cows or is employed in the dairy.
Milk"man (?), n.; pl.
Milkmen (&?;). A man who sells milk or
delivers it to customers.
Milk"sop` (?), n. A piece of bread
sopped in milk; figuratively, an effeminate or weak-minded
person. Shak.
To wed a milksop or a coward ape.
Chaucer.
Milk" vetch` (?). (Bot.) A leguminous herb
(Astragalus glycyphyllos) of Europe and Asia, supposed to
increase the secretion of milk in goats.
&fist; The name is sometimes taken for the whole genus
Astragalus, of which there are about two hundred species in
North America, and even more elsewhere.
Milk"weed` (?), n. (Bot.)
Any plant of the genera Asclepias and Acerates,
abounding in a milky juice, and having its seed attached to a long
silky down; silkweed. The name is also applied to several other
plants with a milky juice, as to several kinds of spurge.
Milk"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A
genus of plants (Polygala) of many species. The common
European P. vulgaris was supposed to have the power of
producing a flow of milk in nurses.
&fist; The species of Campanula, or bellflower, are
sometimes called milkwort, from their juice.
Milk"y (?), a. 1.
Consisting of, or containing, milk.
Pails high foaming with a milky
flood.
Pope.
2. Like, or somewhat like, milk; whitish and
turbid; as, the water is milky. "Milky juice."
Arbuthnot.
3. Yielding milk. "Milky
mothers." Roscommon.
4. Mild; tame; spiritless.
Has friendship such a faint and milky
heart?
Shak.
Milky Way. (Astron.) See
Galaxy, 1.
Mill (m&ibreve;l), n. [L. mille
a thousand. Cf. Mile.] A money of account of the United
States, having the value of the tenth of a cent, or the thousandth of
a dollar.
Mill, n. [OE. mille,
melle, mulle, milne, AS. myln,
mylen; akin to D. molen, G. mühle, OHG.
mulī, mulīn, Icel. mylna; all prob.
from L. molina, fr. mola millstone; prop., that which
grinds, akin to molere to grind, Goth. malan, G.
mahlen, and to E. meal. √108. See Meal
flour, and cf. Moline.]
1. A machine for grinding or comminuting any
substance, as grain, by rubbing and crushing it between two hard,
rough, or indented surfaces; as, a gristmill, a coffee
mill; a bone mill.
2. A machine used for expelling the juice,
sap, etc., from vegetable tissues by pressure, or by pressure in
combination with a grinding, or cutting process; as, a cider
mill; a cane mill.
3. A machine for grinding and polishing; as,
a lapidary mill.
4. A common name for various machines which
produce a manufactured product, or change the form of a raw material
by the continuous repetition of some simple action; as, a
sawmill; a stamping mill, etc.
5. A building or collection of buildings with
machinery by which the processes of manufacturing are carried on; as,
a cotton mill; a powder mill; a rolling
mill.
6. (Die Sinking) A hardened steel
roller having a design in relief, used for imprinting a reversed copy
of the design in a softer metal, as copper.
7. (Mining) (a) An
excavation in rock, transverse to the workings, from which material
for filling is obtained. (b) A passage
underground through which ore is shot.
8. A milling cutter. See Illust. under
Milling.
9. A pugilistic encounter. [Cant]
R. D. Blackmore.
Edge mill, Flint mill,
etc. See under Edge, Flint, etc. --
Mill bar (Iron Works), a rough bar
rolled or drawn directly from a bloom or puddle bar for conversion
into merchant iron in the mill. -- Mill
cinder, slag from a puddling furnace. --
Mill head, the head of water employed to turn
the wheel of a mill. -- Mill pick, a pick
for dressing millstones. -- Mill pond, a
pond that supplies the water for a mill. -- Mill
race, the canal in which water is conveyed to a mill
wheel, or the current of water which drives the wheel. --
Mill tail, the water which flows from a mill
wheel after turning it, or the channel in which the water flows.
-- Mill tooth, a grinder or molar tooth. -
- Mill wheel, the water wheel that drives the
machinery of a mill. -- Roller mill, a
mill in which flour or meal is made by crushing grain between
rollers. -- Stamp mill (Mining), a
mill in which ore is crushed by stamps. -- To go through
the mill, to experience the suffering or discipline
necessary to bring one to a certain degree of knowledge or skill, or
to a certain mental state.
Mill (m&ibreve;l), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Milled (m&ibreve;ld); p. pr. & vb.
n. Milling.] [See Mill, n.,
and cf. Muller.]
1. To reduce to fine particles, or to small
pieces, in a mill; to grind; to comminute.
2. To shape, finish, or transform by passing
through a machine; specifically, to shape or dress, as metal, by
means of a rotary cutter.
3. To make a raised border around the edges
of, or to cut fine grooves or indentations across the edges of, as of
a coin, or a screw head; also, to stamp in a coining press; to
coin.
4. To pass through a fulling mill; to full,
as cloth.
5. To beat with the fists. [Cant]
Thackeray.
6. To roll into bars, as steel.
To mill chocolate, to make it frothy, as by
churning.
Mill, v. i. (Zoöl.) To
swim under water; -- said of air-breathing creatures.
Mill"board` (?), n. A kind of
stout pasteboard.
Mill"-cake` (?), n. The
incorporated materials for gunpowder, in the form of a dense mass or
cake, ready to be subjected to the process of granulation.
Mill"dam` (?), n. A dam or mound
to obstruct a water course, and raise the water to a height
sufficient to turn a mill wheel.
Milled (?), a. Having been
subjected to some process of milling.
Milled cloth, cloth that has been beaten in
a fulling mill. -- Milled lead, lead
rolled into sheets.
Mil`le*fi*o"re glass` (?). [It. mille thousand +
fiore flower.] Slender rods or tubes of colored glass
fused together and embedded in clear glass; -- used for paperweights
and other small articles.
Mil`le*na"ri*an (?), a. [See
Millenary.] Consisting of a thousand years; of or
pertaining to the millennium, or to the Millenarians.
Mil`le*na"ri*an, n. One who
believes that Christ will personally reign on earth a thousand years;
a Chiliast.
{ Mil`le*na"ri*an*ism (?), Mil"le*na*rism (?), }
n. The doctrine of Millenarians.
Mil"le*na*ry (?), a. [L.
millenarius, fr. milleni a thousand each, fr.
mille a thousand: cf. F. millénaire. See
Mile.] Consisting of a thousand; millennial.
Mil"le*na*ry, n. The space of a
thousand years; a millennium; also, a
Millenarian."During that millenary."
Hare.
Mil*len"ni*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the millennium, or to a thousand years; as, a
millennial period; millennial happiness.
Mil*len"ni*al*ist, n. One who
believes that Christ will reign personally on earth a thousand years;
a Chiliast; also, a believer in the universal prevalence of
Christianity for a long period.
{ Mil*len"ni*an*ism (?), Mil*len"ni*a*rism (?),
} n. Belief in, or expectation of, the
millennium; millenarianism.
Mil"len*nist (m&ibreve;l"l&ebreve;n*n&ibreve;st),
n. One who believes in the millennium.
[Obs.] Johnson.
Mil*len"ni*um
(m&ibreve;l*l&ebreve;n"n&ibreve;*ŭm), n.
[LL., fr. L. mille a thousand + annus a year. See
Mile, and Annual.] A thousand years; especially,
the thousand years mentioned in the twentieth chapter of Revelation,
during which holiness is to be triumphant throughout the world. Some
believe that, during this period, Christ will reign on earth in
person with his saints.
Mil"le*ped (m&ibreve;l"l&esl;*p&ebreve;d&ibreve;),
n. [L. millepeda; mille a thousand +
pes, pedis, foot: cf. F. mille-pieds.]
(Zoöl.) A myriapod with many legs, esp. a
chilognath, as the galleyworm. [Written also millipede
and milliped.]
||Mil*le*po"ra (m&ibreve;l*l&esl;*pō"r&adot;),
n. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A genus of
Hydrocorallia, which includes the millipores.
Mil"le*pore (m&ibreve;l"l&esl;*pōr),
n. [L. mille thousand + porus pore:
cf. F. millépore.] (Zoöl.) Any coral
of the genus Millepora, having the surface nearly smooth, and
perforated with very minute unequal pores, or cells. The animals are
hydroids, not Anthozoa. See Hydrocorallia.
Mil"le*po*rite (?), n. (Paleon.)
A fossil millepore.
Mill"er (m&ibreve;l"&etilde;r), n.
1. One who keeps or attends a flour mill or
gristmill.
2. A milling machine.
3. (Zoöl.) (a) A
moth or lepidopterous insect; -- so called because the wings appear
as if covered with white dust or powder, like a miller's clothes.
Called also moth miller. (b) The
eagle ray. (c) The hen harrier.
[Prov. Eng.]
Miller's thumb. (Zoöl.)
(a) A small fresh-water fish of the genus
Uranidea (formerly Cottus), as the European species
(U. gobio), and the American (U. gracilis); -- called
also bullhead. (b) A small bird, as
the gold-crest, chiff-chaff, and long-tailed tit. [Prov.
Eng.]
Mil"ler*ite (?), n. A believer in
the doctrine of William Miller (d. 1849), who taught that the
end of the world and the second coming of Christ were at
hand.
Mil"ler*ite, n. [From W. H.
Miller, of Cambridge, Eng.] (Min.) A sulphide of
nickel, commonly occurring in delicate capillary crystals, also in
incrustations of a bronze yellow; -- sometimes called hair
pyrites.
Mil*les"i*mal (?), a. [L.
millesimus, fr. mille a thousand.] Thousandth;
consisting of thousandth parts; as, millesimal
fractions.
Mil"let (?), n. [F., dim. of
mil, L. milium; akin to Gr. &?;, AS. mil.]
(Bot.) The name of several cereal and forage grasses
which bear an abundance of small roundish grains. The common millets
of Germany and Southern Europe are Panicum miliaceum, and
Setaria Italica.
&fist;
Arabian millet is Sorghum Halepense.
-- Egyptian or East Indian,
millet is Penicillaria spicata. --
Indian millet is Sorghum vulgare. (See under
Indian.) -- Italian millet is Setaria
Italica, a coarse, rank-growing annual grass, valuable for fodder
when cut young, and bearing nutritive seeds; -- called also
Hungarian grass. -- Texas millet is
Panicum Texanum. -- Wild millet, or
Millet grass, is Milium effusum, a tail
grass growing in woods.
Mil"li- (?). [From L. mille a thousand.]
(Metric System, Elec., Mech., etc.) A prefix denoting a
thousandth part of; as, millimeter, milligram,
milliampère.
Mil`li*am`père" (?), n.
[Milli- + ampère.] (Elec.) The
thousandth part of one ampère.
||Mil`liard" (?), n. [F., from
mille, mil, thousand, L. mille.] A thousand
millions; -- called also billion. See
Billion.
Mil"li*a*ry (?), a. [L.
milliarius containing a thousand, fr. mille thousand:
cf. F. milliaire milliary. See Mile.] Of or
pertaining to a mile, or to distance by miles; denoting a mile or
miles.
A milliary column, from which they used to
compute the distance of all the cities and places of
note.
Evelyn.
Mil"li*a*ry, n.; pl.
Milliaries (#). [L. milliarium. See
Milliary, a.] A milestone.
||Mil`lier" (?), n. [F., fr.
mille thousand.] A weight of the metric system, being one
million grams; a metric ton.
Mil"li*fold` (?), a. [L. mille
thousand + E. fold times.] Thousandfold. [R.]
Davies (Holy Roode).
{ Mil"li*gram, Mil"li*gramme } (?),
n. [F. milligramme; milli- milli- +
gramme. See 3d Gram.] A measure of weight, in the
metric system, being the thousandth part of a gram, equal to the
weight of a cubic millimeter of water, or .01543 of a grain
avoirdupois.
{ Mil"li*li`ter, Mil"li*li`tre } (?),
n. [F. millilitre; milli- milli- +
litre. See Liter.] A measure of capacity in the
metric system, containing the thousandth part of a liter. It is a
cubic centimeter, and is equal to .061 of an English cubic inch, or
to .0338 of an American fluid ounce.
{ Mil"li*me`ter, Mil"li*me`tre } (?),
n. [F. millimètre; milli-
milli- + mètre. See 3d Meter.] A lineal
measure in the metric system, containing the thousandth part of a
meter; equal to .03937 of an inch. See 3d Meter.
Mil"li*ner (?), n. [From Milaner
an inhabitant of Milan, in Italy; hence, a man from
Milan who imported women's finery.]
1. Formerly, a man who imported and dealt in
small articles of a miscellaneous kind, especially such as please the
fancy of women. [Obs.]
No milliner can so fit his customers with
gloves.
Shak.
2. A person, usually a woman, who makes,
trims, or deals in hats, bonnets, headdresses, etc., for
women.
Man milliner, a man who makes or deals in
millinery; hence, contemptuously, a man who is busied with trifling
occupations or embellishments.
Mil"li*ner*y (?), n. 1.
The articles made or sold by milliners, as headdresses, hats or
bonnets, laces, ribbons, and the like.
2. The business of work of a
milliner.
Mil`li*net" (?), n. A stiff cotton
fabric used by milliners for lining bonnets.
Mill"ing (?), n. The act or
employment of grinding or passing through a mill; the process of
fulling; the process of making a raised or intented edge upon coin,
etc.; the process of dressing surfaces of various shapes with rotary
cutters. See Mill.
High milling, milling in which grain is
reduced to flour by a succession of crackings, or of slight and
partial crushings, alternately with sifting and sorting the
product. -- Low milling, milling in which
the reduction is effected in a single crushing or grinding. --
Milling cutter, a fluted, sharp-edged rotary
cutter for dressing surfaces, as of metal, of various shapes. --
Milling machine, a machine tool for dressing
surfaces by rotary cutters. -- Milling tool,
a roller with indented edge or surface, for producing like
indentations in metal by rolling pressure, as in turning; a knurling
tool; a milling cutter.
Mil"lion (m&ibreve;l"yŭn), n.
[F., from LL. millio, fr. L. mille a thousand. See
Mile.] 1. The number of ten hundred
thousand, or a thousand thousand, -- written 1,000,000. See the Note
under Hundred.
2. A very great number; an indefinitely large
number.
Millions of truths that a man is not concerned
to know.
Locke.
3. The mass of common people; -- with the
article the.
For the play, I remember, pleased not the
million.
Shak.
Mil`lion*aire" (?; 277), n. [F.
millionnaire.] One whose wealth is counted by millions of
francs, dollars, or pounds; a very rich person; a person worth a
million or more. [Written also millionnaire.]
Mil`lion*air"ess, n. A woman who
is a millionaire, or the wife of a millionaire. [Humorous]
Holmes.
Mil"lion*a*ry (?), a. Of or
pertaining to millions; consisting of millions; as, the
millionary chronology of the pundits.
Pinkerton.
Mil"lioned (?), a. Multiplied by
millions; innumerable. [Obs.] Shak.
||Mil`lion`naire" (?), n. [F.]
Millionaire.
Mil"lionth (?), a. Being the last
one of a million of units or objects counted in regular order from
the first of a series or succession; being one of a
million.
Mil"lionth, n. The quotient of a
unit divided by one million; one of a million equal parts.
Mil"li*ped (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The same Milleped.
Mil"li*stere (?), n. [F.
millistère, from milli- milli- +
stère.] A liter, or cubic decimeter.
Mil`li*we"ber (?), n. [Milli- +
weber.] (Physics) The thousandth part of one
weber.
{ Mill"rea` (m&ibreve;l"rē`), Mill"ree`,
Mill"reis` (-rēs`) }, n. See
Milreis.
{ Mill"rind` (-rīnd`), Mill"rynd` (-
rīnd`) }, n. [Mill + rynd.]
(Her.) A figure supposed to represent the iron which
holds a millstone by being set into its center.
Mill"-sixpence (?), n. A milled
sixpence; -- the sixpence being one of the first English coins milled
(1561).
Mill"stone` (?), n. One of two
circular stones used for grinding grain or other substance.
No man shall take the nether or the upper
millstone to pledge.
Deut. xxiv. 6.
&fist; The cellular siliceous rock called buhrstone is usually
employed for millstones; also, some kinds of lava, as that
Niedermendig, or other firm rock with rough texture. The surface of a
millstone has usually a series of radial grooves in which the
powdered material collects.
Millstone girt (Geol.), a hard and
coarse, gritty sandstone, dividing the Carboniferous from the
Subcarboniferous strata. See Farewell rock, under
Farewell, a., and Chart of
Geology. -- To see into, or
through, a millstone, to see into or
through a difficult matter. (Colloq.)
Mill"work` (?), n. 1.
The shafting, gearing, and other driving machinery of
mills.
2. The business of setting up or of operating
mill machinery.
Mill"wright` (?), n. A mechanic
whose occupation is to build mills, or to set up their
machinery.
Mil"reis` (?), n. [Pg. mil reis,
i. e., one thousand reis; mil a thousand + reis, pl. of
real a rei.] A Portuguese money of account rated in the
treasury department of the United States at one dollar and eight
cents; also, a Brazilian money of account rated at fifty-four cents
and six mills.
Milt (?), n. [AS. milte; akin to
D. milt, G. milz, OHG. milzi, Icel.
milti, Dan. milt, Sw. mjälte, and prob. to
E. malt, melt. √108. See Malt the grain.]
(Anat.) The spleen.
Milt, n. [Akin to Dan. melk, Sw.
mjölke, G. milch, and E. milk. See
Milk.] (Zoöl.) (a) The
spermatic fluid of fishes. (b) The testes,
or spermaries, of fishes when filled with spermatozoa.
Milt, v. t. To impregnate (the roe
of a fish) with milt.
Milt"er (?), n. [Cf. D. milter,
G. milcher, milchner. See 2d Milt.]
(Zoöl.) A male fish.
Mil*to"ni*an (?), a.
Miltonic. Lowell.
Mil*ton"ic (?), a. Of, pertaining
to, or resembling, Milton, or his writings; as, Miltonic
prose.
Milt"waste` (?), [1st milt + waste.]
(Bot.) A small European fern (Asplenium Ceterach)
formerly used in medicine.
Mil"vine (?), a. [L. milvus
kite.] (Zoöl.) Of or resembling birds of the kite
kind.
Mil"vine, n. (Zoöl.) A
bird related to the kite.
||Mil"vus (?), n. [L., a kite.]
(Zoöl.) A genus of raptorial birds, including the
European kite.
Mime (?), n. [L. mimus, Gr. &?;,
akin to &?; to imitate, to mimic: cf. F. mime. Cf.
Mimosa.]
1. A kind of drama in which real persons and
events were generally represented in a ridiculous manner.
2. An actor in such
representations.
Mime, v. i. To mimic. [Obs.]
-- Mim"er (#), n.
Mim"e*o*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?; to
imitate + -graph.] An autographic stencil copying device
invented by Edison.
||Mi*me"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
imitation.] (Rhet. & Biol.) Imitation; mimicry.
Mim"e*tene (?), n. (Min.)
See Mimetite.
{ Mi*met"ic (?; 277), Mi*met"ic*al (?), }[Gr.
&?;, fr. &?; to imitate.]
1. Apt to imitate; given to mimicry;
imitative.
2. (Biol.) Characterized by mimicry; -
- applied to animals and plants; as, mimetic species;
mimetic organisms. See Mimicry.
Mim"e*tism (?), n. [From Gr. &?; to
mimic.] (Biol.) Same as Mimicry.
Mim"e*tite (?), n. [Gr. &?; an
imitator. So called because it resembles pyromorphite.] (Min.)
A mineral occurring in pale yellow or brownish hexagonal
crystals. It is an arseniate of lead.
{ Mim"ic (?), Mim"ic*al (?), }
a. [L. mimicus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; mime: cf.
F. mimique. See Mime.]
1. Imitative; mimetic.
Oft, in her absence, mimic fancy wakes
To imitate her.
Milton.
Man is, of all creatures, the most
mimical.
W. Wotton.
2. Consisting of, or formed by, imitation;
imitated; as, mimic gestures. "Mimic hootings."
Wordsworth.
3. (Min.) Imitative; characterized by
resemblance to other forms; -- applied to crystals which by twinning
resemble simple forms of a higher grade of symmetry.
&fist; Mimic often implies something droll or ludicrous,
and is less dignified than imitative.
Mimic beetle (Zoöl.), a beetle
that feigns death when disturbed, esp. the species of Hister
and allied genera.
Mim"ic, n. One who imitates or
mimics, especially one who does so for sport; a copyist; a
buffoon. Burke.
Mim"ic, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mimicked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mimicking.]
1. To imitate or ape for sport; to ridicule
by imitation.
The walk, the words, the gesture, could supply,
The habit mimic, and the mien belie.
Dryden.
2. (Biol.) To assume a resemblance to
(some other organism of a totally different nature, or some
surrounding object), as a means of protection or advantage.
Syn. -- To ape; imitate; counterfeit; mock.
Mim"ic*al*ly (?), adv. In an
imitative manner.
Mim"ick*er (?), n. 1.
One who mimics; a mimic.
2. (Zoöl.) An animal which
imitates something else, in form or habits.
Mim"ic*ry (?), n. 1.
The act or practice of one who mimics; ludicrous imitation for
sport or ridicule.
2. (Biol.) Protective resemblance; the
resemblance which certain animals and plants exhibit to other animals
and plants or to the natural objects among which they live, -- a
characteristic which serves as their chief means of protection
against enemies; imitation; mimesis; mimetism.
Mi*mog"ra*pher (?), n. [L.
mimographus, Gr. &?;; &?; a mime + &?; to write: cf. F.
mimographe.] A writer of mimes. Sir T.
Herbert.
||Mi*mo"sa (?; 277), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; imitator. Cf. Mime.] (Bot.) A genus of
leguminous plants, containing many species, and including the
sensitive plants (Mimosa sensitiva, and M.
pudica).
&fist; The term mimosa is also applied in commerce to
several kinds bark imported from Australia, and used in tanning; --
called also wattle bark. Tomlinson.
Mi`mo*tan"nic (?), a. [Mimosa +
tannic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a
variety of tannin or tannic acid found in Acacia, Mimosa,
etc.
||Mi"na (?), n.; pl. L.
Minæ (#), E. Minas (#).
[L., fr. Gr. &?;.] An ancient weight or denomination of money,
of varying value. The Attic mina was valued at a hundred
drachmas.
Mi"na (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Myna.
Min"a*ble (?), a. Such as can be
mined; as, minable earth. Sir T. North.
Mi*na"cious (?), a. [L. minax,
-acis. See Menace.] Threatening; menacing.
[R.]
Mi*nac"i*ty (?), n. Disposition to
threaten. [R.]
Min"a*ret (?), n. [Sp. minarete,
Ar. manārat lamp, lantern, lighthouse, turret, fr.
nār to shine.] (Arch.) A slender, lofty
tower attached to a mosque and surrounded by one or more projecting
balconies, from which the summon to prayer is cried by the
muezzin.
Min*ar"gent (?), n. [Prob. contr. from
aluminium + L. argentum silver.] An alloy
consisting of copper, nickel, tungsten, and aluminium; -- used by
jewelers.
{ Min`a*to"ri*al*ly (?), Min"a*to*ri*ly (?) },
adv. In a minatory manner; with
threats.
Min"a*to*ry (?), a. [L.
minatorius, fr. minari to threaten. See Menace.]
Threatening; menacing. Bacon.
Mi*naul" (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Same as Manul.
Mince (m&ibreve;ns), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Minced (m&ibreve;nst);
p. pr. & vb. n. Minging
(m&ibreve;n"s&ibreve;ng).] [AS. minsian to grow less, dwindle,
fr. min small; akin to G. minder less, Goth.
minniza less, mins less, adv., L. minor, adj.
(cf. Minor); or more likely fr. F. mincer to mince,
prob. from (assumed) LL. minutiare. √101. See
Minish.]
1. To cut into very small pieces; to chop
fine; to hash; as, to mince meat. Bacon.
2. To suppress or weaken the force of; to
extenuate; to palliate; to tell by degrees, instead of directly and
frankly; to clip, as words or expressions; to utter half and keep
back half of.
I know no ways to mince it in love, but
directly to say -- "I love you."
Shak.
Siren, now mince the sin,
And mollify damnation with a phrase.
Dryden.
If, to mince his meaning, I had either omitted
some part of what he said, or taken from the strength of his
expression, I certainly had wronged him.
Dryden.
3. To affect; to make a parade of. [R.]
Shak.
Mince, v. i. 1. To
walk with short steps; to walk in a prim, affected manner.
The daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with
stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, . . . mincing as they
go.
Is. iii. 16.
I 'll . . . turn two mincing steps
Into a manly stride.
Shak.
2. To act or talk with affected nicety; to
affect delicacy in manner.
Mince, n. A short, precise step;
an affected manner.
Mince"-meat` (?), n. Minced meat;
meat chopped very fine; a mixture of boiled meat, suet, apples, etc.,
chopped very fine, to which spices and raisins are added; -- used in
making mince pie.
Mince" pie` (?). A pie made of mince-meat.
Min"cer (?), n. One who
minces.
Min"cing (?), a. That minces;
characterized by primness or affected nicety.
Min"cing*ly, adv. In a mincing
manner; not fully; with affected nicety.
Mind (mīnd), n. [AS. mynd,
gemynd; akin to OHG. minna memory, love, G.
minne love, Dan. minde mind, memory, remembrance,
consent, vote, Sw. minne memory, Icel. minni, Goth.
gamunds, L. mens, mentis, mind, Gr.
me`nos, Skr. manas mind, man to think.
√104, 278. Cf. Comment, Man, Mean,
v., 3d Mental, Mignonette,
Minion, Mnemonic, Money.]
1. The intellectual or rational faculty in
man; the understanding; the intellect; the power that conceives,
judges, or reasons; also, the entire spiritual nature; the soul; --
often in distinction from the body.
By the mind of man we understand that in him
which thinks, remembers, reasons, wills.
Reid.
What we mean by mind is simply that which
perceives, thinks, feels, wills, and desires.
Sir W.
Hamilton.
Let every man be fully persuaded in his own
mind.
Rom. xiv. 5.
The mind shall banquet, though the body
pine.
Shak.
2. The state, at any given time, of the
faculties of thinking, willing, choosing, and the like; psychical
activity or state; as: (a) Opinion; judgment;
belief.
A fool uttereth all his mind.
Prov. xxix. 11.
Being so hard to me that brought your mind, I
fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling her
mind.
Shak.
(b) Choice; inclination; liking; intent;
will.
If it be your minds, then let none go
forth.
2 Kings ix. 15.
(c) Courage; spirit.
Chapman.
3. Memory; remembrance; recollection; as, to
have or keep in mind, to call to mind, to put in
mind, etc.
To have a mind or great mind,
to be inclined or strongly inclined in purpose; -- used with an
infinitive. "Sir Roger de Coverly . . . told me that he had a
great mind to see the new tragedy with me." Addison. --
To lose one's mind, to become insane, or
imbecile. -- To make up one's mind, to
come to an opinion or decision; to determine. -- To put
in mind, to remind. "Regard us simply as
putting you in mind of what you already know to be good
policy." Jowett (Thucyd. ).
Mind (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Minded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Minding.] [AS. myndian, gemyndīan to
remember. See Mind, n.]
1. To fix the mind or thoughts on; to regard
with attention; to treat as of consequence; to consider; to heed; to
mark; to note. "Mind not high things, but condescend to
men of low estate." Rom. xii. 16.
My lord, you nod: you do not mind the
play.
Shak.
2. To occupy one's self with; to employ one's
self about; to attend to; as, to mind one's
business.
Bidding him be a good child, and mind his
book.
Addison.
3. To obey; as, to mind parents; the
dog minds his master.
4. To have in mind; to purpose.
Beaconsfield.
I mind to tell him plainly what I
think.
Shak.
5. To put in mind; to remind. [Archaic]
M. Arnold.
He minded them of the mutability of all earthly
things.
Fuller.
I do thee wrong to mind thee of
it.
Shak.
Never mind, do not regard it; it is of no
consequence; no matter.
Syn. -- To notice; mark; regard; obey. See
Attend.
Mind, v. i. To give attention or
heed; to obey; as, the dog minds well.
Mind"ed, a. Disposed; inclined;
having a mind.
Joseph . . . was minded to put her away
privily.
Matt. i. 19.
If men were minded to live
virtuously.
Tillotson.
&fist; Minded is much used in composition; as, high-
minded, feeble-minded, sober-minded, double-
minded.
Mind"er (?), n. 1.
One who minds, tends, or watches something, as a child, a
machine, or cattle; as, a minder of a loom.
2. One to be attended; specif., a pauper
child intrusted to the care of a private person. [Eng.]
Dickens.
Mind"ful (?), a. Bearing in mind;
regardful; attentive; heedful; observant.
What is man, that thou art mindful of
him?
Ps. viii. 4.
I promise you to be mindful of your
admonitions.
Hammond.
-- Mind"ful*ly, adv. --
Mind"ful*ness, n.
Mind"ing, n. Regard;
mindfulness.
Mind"less, a. 1.
Not indued with mind or intellectual powers; stupid;
unthinking.
2. Unmindful; inattentive; heedless;
careless.
Cursed Athens, mindless of thy
worth.
Shak.
Mine (mēn), n. [F.] See
Mien. [Obs.]
Mine (mīn), pron. & a. [OE.
min, fr. AS. mīn; akin to D. mijn, OS.,
OFries., & OHG. mīn, G. mein, Sw. & Dan.
min, Icel. minn, Goth. meins my, mine,
meina of me, and E. me. √187. See Me, and
cf. My.] Belonging to me; my. Used as a pronominal to me;
my. Used as a pronominal adjective in the predicate; as, "Vengeance
is mine; I will repay." Rom. xii. 19. Also, in the old
style, used attributively, instead of my, before a noun
beginning with a vowel.
I kept myself from mine iniquity.
Ps. xviii. 23.
&fist; Mine is often used absolutely, the thing possessed
being understood; as, his son is in the army, mine in the
navy.
When a man deceives me once, says the Italian proverb,
it is his fault; when twice, it is mine.
Bp.
Horne.
This title honors me and mine.
Shak.
She shall have me and mine.
Shak.
Mine, v. i. [F. miner, L.
minare to drive animals, in LL. also, to lead, conduct, dig a
mine (cf. E. lode, and lead to conduct), akin to L.
minari to threaten; cf. Sp. mina mine, conduit,
subterraneous canal, a spring or source of water, It. mina.
See Menace, and cf. Mien.]
1. To dig a mine or pit in the earth; to get
ore, metals, coal, or precious stones, out of the earth; to dig in
the earth for minerals; to dig a passage or cavity under anything in
order to overthrow it by explosives or otherwise.
2. To form subterraneous tunnel or hole; to
form a burrow or lodge in the earth; as, the mining
cony.
Mine, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mined (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mining.]
1. To dig away, or otherwise remove, the
substratum or foundation of; to lay a mine under; to sap; to
undermine; hence, to ruin or destroy by slow degrees or secret
means.
They mined the walls.
Hayward.
Too lazy to cut down these immense trees, the spoilers
. . . had mined them, and placed a quantity of gunpowder in
the cavity.
Sir W. Scott.
2. To dig into, for ore or metal.
Lead veins have been traced . . . but they have not
been mined.
Ure.
3. To get, as metals, out of the earth by
digging.
The principal ore mined there is the bituminous
cinnabar.
Ure.
Mine, n. [F., fr. LL. mina. See
Mine, v. i.]
1. A subterranean cavity or passage;
especially: (a) A pit or excavation in the
earth, from which metallic ores, precious stones, coal, or other
mineral substances are taken by digging; -- distinguished from the
pits from which stones for architectural purposes are taken, and
which are called quarries. (b)
(Mil.) A cavity or tunnel made under a fortification or
other work, for the purpose of blowing up the superstructure with
some explosive agent.
2. Any place where ore, metals, or precious
stones are got by digging or washing the soil; as, a placer
mine.
3. Fig.: A rich source of wealth or other
good. Shak.
Mine dial, a form of magnetic compass used
by miners. -- Mine pig, pig iron made
wholly from ore; in distinction from cinder pig, which is made
from ore mixed with forge or mill cinder. Raymond.
Min"er (?), n. [Cf. F.
mineur.]
1. One who mines; a digger for metals, etc.;
one engaged in the business of getting ore, coal, or precious stones,
out of the earth; one who digs military mines; as, armies have
sappers and miners.
2. (Zoöl.) (a)
Any of numerous insects which, in the larval state, excavate
galleries in the parenchyma of leaves. They are mostly minute moths
and dipterous flies. (b) The chattering,
or garrulous, honey eater of Australia (Myzantha
garrula).
Miner's elbow (Med.), a swelling on
the black of the elbow due to inflammation of the bursa over the
olecranon; -- so called because of frequent occurrence in
miners. -- Miner's inch, in hydraulic
mining, the amount of water flowing under a given pressure in a given
time through a hole one inch in diameter. It is a unit for measuring
the quantity of water supplied.
Min"er*al (?), n. [F.
minéral, LL. minerale, fr. minera mine.
See Mine, v. i.]
1. An inorganic species or substance
occurring in nature, having a definite chemical composition and
usually a distinct crystalline form. Rocks, except certain glassy
igneous forms, are either simple minerals or aggregates of
minerals.
2. A mine. [Obs.] Shak.
3. Anything which is neither animal nor
vegetable, as in the most general classification of things into three
kingdoms (animal, vegetable, and mineral).
Min"er*al, a. 1.
Of or pertaining to minerals; consisting of a mineral or of
minerals; as, a mineral substance.
2. Impregnated with minerals; as,
mineral waters.
Mineral acids (Chem.), inorganic
acids, as sulphuric, nitric, phosphoric, hydrochloric, acids, etc.,
as distinguished from the organic acids. --
Mineral blue, the name usually given to
azurite, when reduced to an impalpable powder for coloring
purposes. -- Mineral candle, a candle made
of paraffine. -- Mineral caoutchouc, an
elastic mineral pitch, a variety of bitumen, resembling caoutchouc in
elasticity and softness. See Caoutchouc, and
Elaterite. -- Mineral chameleon
(Chem.) See Chameleon mineral, under
Chameleon. -- Mineral charcoal. See
under Charcoal. -- Mineral cotton.
See Mineral wool (below). -- Mineral
green, a green carbonate of copper; malachite. --
Mineral kingdom (Nat. Sci.), that one of
the three grand divisions of nature which embraces all inorganic
objects, as distinguished from plants or animals. --
Mineral oil. See Naphtha, and
Petroleum. -- Mineral paint, a
pigment made chiefly of some natural mineral substance, as red or
yellow iron ocher. -- Mineral patch. See
Bitumen, and Asphalt. -- Mineral
right, the right of taking minerals from land. --
Mineral salt (Chem.), a salt of a
mineral acid. -- Mineral tallow, a
familiar name for hatchettite, from its fatty or spermaceti-
like appearance. -- Mineral water. See
under Water. -- Mineral wax. See
Ozocerite. -- Mineral wool, a
fibrous wool-like material, made by blowing a powerful jet of air or
steam through melted slag. It is a poor conductor of heat.
Min"er*al*ist, n. [Cf. F.
minéraliste.] One versed in minerals;
mineralogist. [R.]
Min`er*al*i*za"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
minéralisation.]
1. The process of mineralizing, or forming a
mineral by combination of a metal with another element; also, the
process of converting into a mineral, as a bone or a plant.
2. The act of impregnating with a mineral, as
water.
3. (Bot.) The conversion of a cell
wall into a material of a stony nature.
Min"er*al*ize (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Mineralized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mineralizing (?).] [Cf. F.
minéraliser.]
1. To transform into a mineral.
In these caverns the bones are not
mineralized.
Buckland.
2. To impregnate with a mineral; as,
mineralized water.
Min"er*al*ize, v. i. To go on an
excursion for observing and collecting minerals; to
mineralogize.
Min"er*al*i`zer (?), n. An element
which is combined with a metal, thus forming an ore. Thus, in galena,
or lead ore, sulphur is a mineralizer; in hematite, oxygen is
a mineralizer.
Min`er*al*og"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F.
minéralogique. See Mineralogy.] Of or
pertaining to mineralogy; as, a mineralogical table.
Min`er*al*og"ic*al*ly, adv.
According to the principles of, or with reference to,
mineralogy.
Min`er*al"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F.
minéralogiste.]
1. One versed in mineralogy; one devoted to
the study of minerals.
2. (Zoöl.) A carrier shell
(Phorus).
Min`er*al"o*gize (?), v. i. To
study mineralogy by collecting and examining minerals. Miss
Edgeworth.
Min`er*al"o*gy (?), n.; pl.
Mineralogies (#). [Mineral + -logy:
cf. F. minéralogie.]
1. The science which treats of minerals, and
teaches how to describe, distinguish, and classify them.
2. A treatise or book on this
science.
Mi*ner"va (?), n. [L.] (Rom.
Myth.) The goddess of wisdom, of war, of the arts and
sciences, of poetry, and of spinning and weaving; -- identified with
the Grecian Pallas Athene.
Mi*nette" (?), n. The smallest of
regular sizes of portrait photographs.
Min"e*ver (?), n. Same as
Miniver.
Minge (?), v. t. [AS. myngian;
akin to E. mind.] To mingle; to mix. [Obs.]
Minge, n. [Prob. corrupt. fr.
midge.] (Zoöl.) A small biting fly; a
midge. [Local, U. S.]
Min"gle (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mingled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mingling (?).] [From OE. mengen, AS. mengan;
akin to D. & G. mengen, Icel. menga, also to E.
among, and possibly to mix. Cf. Among,
Mongrel.]
1. To mix; intermix; to combine or join, as
an individual or part, with other parts, but commonly so as to be
distinguishable in the product; to confuse; to confound.
There was . . . fire mingled with the
hail.
Ex. ix. 24.
2. To associate or unite in society or by
ties of relationship; to cause or allow to intermarry; to
intermarry.
The holy seed have mingled themselves with the
people of those lands.
Ezra ix. 2.
3. To deprive of purity by mixture; to
contaminate.
A mingled, imperfect virtue.
Rogers.
4. To put together; to join. [Obs.]
Shak.
5. To make or prepare by mixing the
ingredients of.
[He] proceeded to mingle another
draught.
Hawthorne.
Min"gle, v. i. To become mixed or
blended.
Min"gle, n. A mixture.
[Obs.] Dryden.
Min"gle*a*ble (?), a. That can be
mingled. Boyle.
Min"gled*ly (?), adv.
Confusedly.
Min"gle-man`gle (?), v. t.
[Reduplicated fr. mingle.] To mix in a disorderly way; to
make a mess of. [Obs.] Udall.
Min"gle-man`gle, n. A
hotchpotch. [Obs.] Latimer.
Min"gle*ment (?), n. The act of
mingling, or the state of being mixed.
Min"gler (?), n. One who
mingles.
Min"gling*ly (?), adv. In a
mingling manner.
Min`*a"ceous (?), a. Of the color
of minium or red lead; miniate.
Min"iard (?), a. Migniard.
[Obs.]
Min"iard*ize (?), v. t. To render
delicate or dainty. [Obs.] Howell.
Min"i*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Miniated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Miniating (?).] [L. miniatus, p. p. of miniare.
See Minium.] To paint or tinge with red lead or
vermilion; also, to decorate with letters, or the like, painted red,
as the page of a manuscript. T. Wharton.
Min"i*ate (?), a. Of or pertaining
to the color of red lead or vermilion; painted with
vermilion.
Min"i*a*ture (?; 277), n. [It.
miniatura, fr. L. miniare. See Miniate,
v.,Minium.]
1. Originally, a painting in colors such as
those in mediæval manuscripts; in modern times, any very small
painting, especially a portrait.
2. Greatly diminished size or form; reduced
scale.
3. Lettering in red; rubric
distinction. [Obs.]
4. A particular feature or trait.
[Obs.] Massinger.
Min"i*a*ture, a. Being on a small
scale; much reduced from the reality; as, a miniature
copy.
Min"i*a*ture, v. t. To represent
or depict in a small compass, or on a small scale.
Min"i*a*tur`ist (?), n. A painter
of miniatures.
Min"i*bus (?), n. [L. minor less
+ -bus, as in omnibus.] A kind of light passenger
vehicle, carrying four persons.
Min"ie ball` (?). [From the inventor, Captain
Minié, of France.] A conical rifle bullet, with a
cavity in its base plugged with a piece of iron, which, by the
explosion of the charge, is driven farther in, expanding the sides to
fit closely the grooves of the barrel.
Min"ie ri"fle (?). A rifle adapted to minie
balls.
Min"i*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Minified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Minifying (?).] [L. minor less + -fly.]
1. To make small, or smaller; to diminish the
apparent dimensions of; to lessen.
2. To degrade by speech or action.
Min"i*kin (?), n. [OD. minneken
a darling, dim. of minne love; akin to G. minne, and to
E. mind.]
1. A little darling; a favorite; a
minion. [Obs.] Florio.
2. A little pin. [Obs.]
Min"i*kin, a. Small;
diminutive. Shak.
Min"im (?), n. [F. minime, L.
minimus the least, smallest, a superl. of minor: cf.
It. minima a note in music. See Minor, and cf.
Minimum.]
1. Anything very minute; as, the
minims of existence; -- applied to animalcula; and the
like.
2. The smallest liquid measure, equal to
about one drop; the sixtieth part of a fluid drachm.
3. (Zoöl.) A small fish; a
minnow. [Prov. Eng.]
4. A little man or being; a dwarf.
[Obs.] Milton.
5. (Eccl. Hist.) One of an austere
order of mendicant hermits or friars founded in the 15th century by
St. Francis of Paola.
6. (Mus.) A time note, formerly the
shortest in use; a half note, equal to half a semibreve, or two
quarter notes or crotchets.
7. A short poetical encomium. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Min"im, a. Minute.
"Minim forms." J. R. Drake.
Min"i*ment (?), n. [Prob. corrupt. of
moniment.] A trifle; a trinket; a token. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Min`i*mi*za"tion (?), n. The act
or process of minimizing. Bentham.
Min"i*mize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Minimized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Minimizing (?).] To reduce to the smallest
part or proportion possible; to reduce to a minimum.
Bentham.
Min"i*mum (?), n.; pl.
Minima (#). [L., fr. minimus. See
Minim.] The least quantity assignable, admissible, or
possible, in a given case; hence, a thing of small consequence; --
opposed to maximum.
Minimum thermometer, a thermometer for
recording the lowest temperature since its last adjustment.
||Min"i*mus (?), n.; pl.
Minimi (#). [L. See Minim.]
1. A being of the smallest size. [Obs.]
Shak.
2. (Anat.) The little finger; the
fifth digit, or that corresponding to it, in either the manus or
pes.
Min"ing (?), n. [See Mine,
v. i.] The act or business of making mines or
of working them.
Min"ing, a. Of or pertaining to
mines; as, mining engineer; mining machinery; a
mining region.
Mining engineering. See the Note under
Engineering.
Min"ion (?), n. Minimum.
[Obs.] Burton.
Min"ion, n. [F. mignon, fr. OHG.
minni love, G. minne; akin to E. mind. See
Mind, and cf. Mignonette.]
1. A loved one; one highly esteemed and
favored; -- in a good sense. [Obs.]
God's disciple and his dearest
minion.
Sylvester.
Is this the Athenian minion whom the world
Voiced so regardfully?
Shak.
2. An obsequious or servile dependent or
agent of another; a fawning favorite. Sir J.
Davies.
Go, rate thy minions, proud, insulting
boy!
Shak.
3. (Print.) A small kind of type, in
size between brevier and nonpareil.
&fist; This line is printed in minion
type.
4. An ancient form of ordnance, the caliber
of which was about three inches. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
Min"ion, a. [See 2d Minion.]
Fine; trim; dainty. [Obs.] "Their . . . minion
dancing." Fryth.
Min`ion*ette" (?), a. Small;
delicate. [Obs.] "His minionette face."
Walpole.
Min"ion*ette, n. (Print.) A
size of type between nonpareil and minion; -- used in ornamental
borders, etc.
Min"ion*ing (?), n. Kind
treatment. [Obs.]
Min"ion*ize (?), v. t. To
flavor. [Obs.]
{ Min"ion*like` (?), Min"ion*ly, } a. &
adv. Like a minion; daintily.
Camden.
Min"ion*ship, n. State of being a
minion. [R.]
Min"ious (?), a. [L. minium red
lead.] Of the color of red or vermilion. [Obs.] Sir T.
Browne.
Min"ish (?), v. t. [OE. menusen,
F. menuiser to make small, cut small, fr. (assumed) LL.
minutiare, for minutare, fr. L. minutus small.
See Minute, a., and cf. Diminish,
Minge.] To diminish; to lessen.
The living of poor men thereby
minished.
Latimer.
Min"ish*ment (?), n. The act of
diminishing, or the state of being diminished; diminution.
[Obs.]
Min"is*ter (?), n. [OE.
ministre, F. ministre, fr. L. minister, orig. a
double comparative from the root of minor less, and hence
meaning, an inferior, a servant. See 1st Minor, and cf.
Master, Minstrel.]
1. A servant; a subordinate; an officer or
assistant of inferior rank; hence, an agent, an instrument.
Moses rose up, and his minister
Joshua.
Ex. xxiv. 13.
I chose
Camillo for the minister, to poison
My friend Polixenes.
Shak.
2. An officer of justice. [Obs.]
I cry out the on the ministres, quod he,
That shoulde keep and rule this cité.
Chaucer.
3. One to whom the sovereign or executive
head of a government intrusts the management of affairs of state, or
some department of such affairs.
Ministers to kings, whose eyes, ears, and hands
they are, must be answerable to God and man.
Bacon.
4. A representative of a government, sent to
the court, or seat of government, of a foreign nation to transact
diplomatic business.
&fist; Ambassadors are classed (in the diplomatic sense) in the
first rank of public ministers, ministers plenipotentiary in the
second. "The United States diplomatic service employs two classes of
ministers, -- ministers plenipotentiary and ministers resident."
Abbott.
5. One who serves at the altar; one who
performs sacerdotal duties; the pastor of a church duly authorized or
licensed to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments.
Addison.
Syn. -- Delegate; official; ambassador; clergyman; parson;
priest.
Min"is*ter, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Ministered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Ministering.] [OE. ministren, OF. ministrer, fr.
L. ministrare. See Minister, n.]
To furnish or apply; to afford; to supply; to
administer.
He that ministereth seed to the
sower.
2 Cor. ix. 10.
We minister to God reason to suspect
us.
Jer. Taylor.
Min"is*ter, v. i. 1.
To act as a servant, attendant, or agent; to attend and serve;
to perform service in any office, sacred or secular.
The Son of man came not to be ministered unto,
but to minister.
Matt. xx. 28.
2. To supply or to things needful; esp., to
supply consolation or remedies. Matt. xxv. 44.
Canst thou not minister to a mind
diseased?
Shak.
Min`is*te"ri*al (?), a. [L.
ministerialis: cf. F. ministériel. See
Minister, and cf. Minstrel.]
1. Of or pertaining to ministry or service;
serving; attendant.
Enlightening spirits and ministerial
flames.
Prior.
2. Of or pertaining to the office of a
minister or to the ministry as a body, whether civil or
sacerdotal. "Ministerial offices." Bacon. "A
ministerial measure." Junius. "Ministerial
garments." Hooker.
3. Tending to advance or promote;
contributive. "Ministerial to intellectual culture."
De Quincey.
The ministerial benches, the benches in the
House of Commons occupied by members of the cabinet and their
supporters; -- also, the persons occupying them. "Very solid and
very brilliant talents distinguish the ministerial benches."
Burke.
Syn. -- Official; priestly; sacerdotal; ecclesiastical.
Min`is*te"ri*al*ist, n. A
supporter of the ministers, or the party in power.
Min`is*te"ri*al*ly, adv. In a
ministerial manner; in the character or capacity of a
minister.
Min"is*ter*y (?), n. See
Ministry. Milton.
Min"is*tra*cy (?), n.
Ministration. [Obs.]
Min"is*tral (?), a.
Ministerial. [Obs.] Johnson.
Min"is*trant (m&ibreve;n"&ibreve;s*trant),
a. [L. ministrans, -antis, of
ministrare to minister.] Performing service as a
minister; attendant on service; acting under command;
subordinate. "Princedoms and dominations ministrant."
Milton. -- n. One who
ministers.
Min`is*tra"tion (?), n. [L.
ministratio, fr. ministrare.] The act of
ministering; service; ministry. "The days of his
ministration." Luke i. 23.
Min"is*tra*tive (?), a. Serving to
aid; ministering.
Min"is*tress (?), n. [Cf. L.
ministrix.] A woman who ministers.
Akenside.
Min"is*try (?), n.; pl.
Ministries (#). [L. ministerium. See Minister,
n., and cf. Mystery a trade.]
1. The act of ministering; ministration;
service. "With tender ministry." Thomson.
2. Hence: Agency; instrumentality.
The ordinary ministry of second
causes.
Atterbury.
The wicked ministry of arms.
Dryden.
3. The office, duties, or functions of a
minister, servant, or agent; ecclesiastical, executive, or
ambassadorial function or profession.
4. The body of ministers of state; also, the
clergy, as a body.
5. Administration; rule; term in power; as,
the ministry of Pitt.
Min"is*try*ship, n. The office of
a minister. Swift.
Min"i*um (?; 277), n. [L.
minium, an Iberian word, the Romans getting all their cinnabar
from Spain; cf. Basque armineá.] (Chem.) A
heavy, brilliant red pigment, consisting of an oxide of lead,
Pb3O4, obtained by exposing lead or massicot to
a gentle and continued heat in the air. It is used as a cement, as a
paint, and in the manufacture of flint glass. Called also red
lead.
Min"i*ver (?), n. [See Meniver.]
A fur esteemed in the Middle Ages as a part of costume. It is
uncertain whether it was the fur of one animal only or of different
animals.
Min"i*vet (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A singing bird of India of the family
Campephagidæ.
Mink (?), n. [Cf. 2d Minx.]
(Zoöl.) A carnivorous mammal of the genus
Putorius, allied to the weasel. The European mink is
Putorius lutreola. The common American mink (P. vison)
varies from yellowish brown to black. Its fur is highly valued.
Called also minx, nurik, and vison.
Min"ne*sing`er (?), n. [G., fr.
minne love + singen to sing.] A love-singer;
specifically, one of a class of German poets and musicians who
flourished from about the middle of the twelfth to the middle of the
fourteenth century. They were chiefly of noble birth, and made love
and beauty the subjects of their verses.
Min"now, n. [OE. menow, cf. AS.
myne; also OE. menuse, OF. menuise small fish;
akin to E. minish, minute.] [Written also
minow.]
1. (Zoöl.) A small European
fresh-water cyprinoid fish (Phoxinus lævis, formerly
Leuciscus phoxinus); sometimes applied also to the young of
larger kinds; -- called also minim and minny. The name
is also applied to several allied American species, of the genera
Phoxinus, Notropis, or Minnilus, and
Rhinichthys.
2. (Zoöl.) Any of numerous small
American cyprinodont fishes of the genus Fundulus, and related
genera. They live both in fresh and in salt water. Called also
killifish, minny, and mummichog.
Min"ny (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A minnow.
Mi"no bird" (mī"n&osl; b&etilde;rd). [Hind.
mainā.] (Zoöl.) An Asiatic bird
(Gracula musica), allied to the starlings. It is black, with a
white spot on the wings, and a pair of flat yellow wattles on the
head. It is often tamed and taught to pronounce words.
Mi"nor (mī"n&etilde;r), a. [L., a
comparative with no positive; akin to AS. min small, G.
minder less, OHG. minniro, a., min, adv., Icel.
minni, a., minnr, adv., Goth. minniza, a.,
mins, adv., Ir. & Gael. min small, tender, L.
minuere to lessen, Gr. miny`qein, Skr. mi to
damage. Cf. Minish, Minister, Minus,
Minute.]
1. Inferior in bulk, degree, importance,
etc.; less; smaller; of little account; as, minor divisions of
a body.
2. (Mus.) Less by a semitone in
interval or difference of pitch; as, a minor third.
Asia Minor (Geog.), the Lesser Asia;
that part of Asia which lies between the Euxine, or Black Sea, on the
north, and the Mediterranean on the south. -- Minor
mode (Mus.), that mode, or scale, in which the
third and sixth are minor, -- much used for mournful and solemn
subjects. -- Minor orders (Eccl.),
the rank of persons employed in ecclesiastical offices who are
not in holy orders, as doorkeepers, acolytes, etc. --
Minor scale (Mus.) The form of the minor
scale is various. The strictly correct form has the third and sixth
minor, with a semitone between the seventh and eighth, which involves
an augmented second interval, or three semitones, between the sixth
and seventh, as, 6/F, 7/G♯,
8/A. But, for melodic purposes, both the sixth and the
seventh are sometimes made major in the ascending, and minor in the
descending, scale, thus: --
See Major.
-- Minor term of a
syllogism (Logic), the subject of the
conclusion.
Mi"nor (?), n. 1.
A person of either sex who has not attained the age at which
full civil rights are accorded; an infant; in England and the United
States, one under twenty-one years of age.
&fist; In hereditary monarchies, the minority of a sovereign ends
at an earlier age than of a subject. The minority of a sovereign of
Great Britain ends upon the completion of the eighteenth year of his
age.
2. (Logic) The minor term, that is,
the subject of the conclusion; also, the minor premise, that is, that
premise which contains the minor term; in hypothetical syllogisms,
the categorical premise. It is the second proposition of a regular
syllogism, as in the following: Every act of injustice partakes of
meanness; to take money from another by gaming is an act of
injustice; therefore, the taking of money from another by gaming
partakes of meanness.
3. A Minorite; a Franciscan friar.
Mi"nor*ate (?), v. t. [L.
minoratus; p. p. of minorare to diminish, fr.
minor, a. See 1st Minor.] To diminish. [R.]
Sir T. Browne.
Mi`nor*a"tion (?), n. [L.
minoratio: cf. F. minoration.] A diminution.
[R.] Sir T. Browne.
Mi"nor*ess (?), n. See
Franciscan Nuns, under Franciscan,
a.
Mi"nor*ite (?), n. [L. minor
less. Cf. 2d Minor, 3.] A Franciscan friar.
Mi*nor"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Minorities (#). [Cf. F. minorité. See
Minor, a. & n.]
1. The state of being a minor, or under
age.
2. State of being less or small. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
3. The smaller number; -- opposed to
majority; as, the minority must be ruled by the
majority.
Mi"nos (?), n. [Gr. &?;.] (Class.
Myth.) A king and lawgiver of Crete, fabled to be the son of
Jupiter and Europa. After death he was made a judge in the Lower
Regions.
Min"o*taur (m&ibreve;n"&ocl;*t&add;r),
n. [L. Minotaurus, Gr.
Minw`tayros; Mi`nos, the husband of
Pasiphaë + tay^ros a bull, the Minotaur being the
offspring of Pasiphaë and a bull: cf. F. minotaure.]
(Class. Myth.) A fabled monster, half man and half bull,
confined in the labyrinth constructed by Dædalus in
Crete.
Min"ow (?), n. See
Minnow.
Min"ster (?), n. [AS. mynster,
fr. L. monasterium. See Monastery.] (Arch.)
A church of a monastery. The name is often retained and applied
to the church after the monastery has ceased to exist (as Beverly
Minster, Southwell Minster, etc.), and is also
improperly used for any large church.
Minster house, the official house in which
the canons of a cathedral live in common or in rotation.
Shipley.
Min"strel (?), n. [OE. minstrel,
menestral, OF. menestrel, fr. LL. ministerialis
servant, workman (cf. ministrellus harpist), fr. L.
ministerium service. See Ministry, and cf.
Ministerial.] In the Middle Ages, one of an order of men
who subsisted by the arts of poetry and music, and sang verses to the
accompaniment of a harp or other instrument; in modern times, a poet;
a bard; a singer and harper; a musician. Chaucer.
Min"strel*sy (?), n. 1.
The arts and occupation of minstrels; the singing and playing of
a minstrel.
2. Musical instruments. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
3. A collective body of minstrels, or
musicians; also, a collective body of minstrels' songs.
Chaucer. "The minstrelsy of heaven." Milton.
Mint (m&ibreve;nt), n. [AS.
minte, fr. L. mentha, Gr. mi`nqa,
mi`nqh.] (Bot.) The name of several aromatic
labiate plants, mostly of the genus Mentha, yielding
odoriferous essential oils by distillation. See
Mentha.
&fist;
Corn mint is Mentha arvensis. --
Horsemint is M. sylvestris, and in the
United States Monarda punctata, which differs from the true
mints in several respects. -- Mountain mint is any
species of the related genus Pycnanthemum, common in North
America. -- Peppermint is M. piperita. --
Spearmint is M. viridis. -- Water
mint is M. aquatica.
Mint camphor. (Chem.) See
Menthol. -- Mint julep. See
Julep. -- Mint sauce, a sauce
flavored with spearmint, for meats.
Mint, n. [AS. mynet money, coin,
fr. L. moneta the mint, coined money, fr. Moneta, a
surname of Juno, in whose at Rome money was coined; akin to
monere to warn, admonish, AS. manian, and to E.
mind. See Mind, and cf. Money, Monition.]
1. A place where money is coined by public
authority.
2. Hence: Any place regarded as a source of
unlimited supply; the supply itself.
A mint of phrases in his brain.
Shak.
Mint, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Minted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Minting.] [AS. mynetian.]
1. To make by stamping, as money; to coin; to
make and stamp into money.
2. To invent; to forge; to fabricate; to
fashion.
Titles . . . of such natures as may be easily
minted.
Bacon.
Minting mill, a coining press.
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.
Mint"er (?), n. One who
mints.
Mint"man (?), n.; pl.
Mintmen (&?;). One skilled in coining, or in
coins; a coiner.
Mint"-mas`ter (?), n. The master
or superintendent of a mint. Also used figuratively.
Min"u*end (?), n. [L. minuendus
to be diminished, fr. minuere to lessen, diminish. See
Minish.] (Arith.) The number from which another
number is to be subtracted.
Min"u*et (?), n. [F., fr. menu
small, L. minutus small. So called on account of the short
steps of the dance. See 4th Minute.]
1. A slow graceful dance consisting of a
coupee, a high step, and a balance.
2. (Mus.) A tune or air to regulate
the movements of the dance so called; a movement in suites, sonatas,
symphonies, etc., having the dance form, and commonly in 3-4,
sometimes 3-8, measure.
Min"um (?), n. [See 2d Minion,
Minum, 6.] [Obs.]
1. A small kind of printing type;
minion.
2. (Mus.) A minim.
Mi"nus (mī"nŭs), a. [L.
See Minor, and cf. Mis- pref. from the French.]
(Math.) Less; requiring to be subtracted; negative; as, a
minus quantity.
Minus sign (Math.), the sign [-]
denoting minus, or less, prefixed to negative
quantities, or quantities to be subtracted. See Negative sign,
under Negative.
Mi*nus"cule (?), n. [L.
minusculus rather small, fr. minus less: cf. F.
minuscule.]
1. Any very small, minute object.
2. A small Roman letter which is neither
capital nor uncial; a manuscript written in such letters. --
a. Of the size and style of minuscules;
written in minuscules.
These minuscule letters are cursive forms of
the earlier uncials.
I. Taylor (The
Alphabet).
Min"u*ta*ry (?), a. Pertaining to,
or consisting of, minutes. [Obs.] Fuller.
Min"ute (?; 277), n. [LL. minuta
a small portion, small coin, fr. L. minutus small: cf. F.
minute. See 4th Minute.]
1. The sixtieth part of an hour; sixty
seconds. (Abbrev. m.; as, 4 h. 30 m.)
Four minutes, that is to say, minutes of
an hour.
Chaucer.
2. The sixtieth part of a degree; sixty
seconds (Marked thus (′); as, 10° 20′).
3. A nautical or a geographic mile.
4. A coin; a half farthing. [Obs.]
Wyclif (Mark xii. 42)
5. A very small part of anything, or anything
very small; a jot; a tittle. [Obs.]
Minutes and circumstances of his
passion.
Jer. Taylor.
6. A point of time; a moment.
I go this minute to attend the
king.
Dryden.
7. The memorandum; a record; a note to
preserve the memory of anything; as, to take minutes of a
contract; to take minutes of a conversation or
debate.
8. (Arch.) A fixed part of a module.
See Module.
&fist; Different writers take as the minute one twelfth, one
eighteenth, one thirtieth, or one sixtieth part of the module.
Min"ute, a. Of or pertaining to a
minute or minutes; occurring at or marking successive
minutes.
Minute bell, a bell tolled at intervals of a
minute, as to give notice of a death or a funeral. --
Minute book, a book in which written minutes
are entered. -- Minute glass, a glass
measuring a minute or minutes by the running of sand. --
Minute gun, a discharge of a cannon repeated
every minute as a sign of distress or mourning. --
Minute hand, the long hand of a watch or clock,
which makes the circuit of the dial in an hour, and marks the
minutes.
Min"ute, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Minuted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Minuting.] To set down a short sketch or note of; to jot
down; to make a minute or a brief summary of.
The Empress of Russia, with her own hand,
minuted an edict for universal tolerance.
Bancroft.
Mi*nute" (?), a. [L. minutus, p.
p. of minuere to lessen. See Minish, Minor, and
cf. Menu, Minuet.]
1. Very small; little; tiny; fine; slight;
slender; inconsiderable. "Minute drops."
Milton.
2. Attentive to small things; paying
attention to details; critical; particular; precise; as, a
minute observer; minute observation.
Syn. -- Little; diminutive; fine; critical; exact;
circumstantial; particular; detailed. -- 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.
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.
Mi*nute"ly (?), adv. [From 4th
Minute.] In a minute manner; with minuteness; exactly;
nicely.
Min"ute*ly (?), a. [From 1st
Minute.] Happening every minute; continuing;
unceasing. [Obs.]
Throwing themselves absolutely upon God's
minutely providence.
Hammond.
Min"ute*ly, adv. At intervals of a
minute; very often and regularly. J. Philips.
Minutely proclaimed in thunder from
heaven.
Hammond.
Min"ute*man (?), n.; pl.
Minutemen (&?;). A militiaman who was to be
ready to march at a moment's notice; -- a term used in the American
Revolution.
Mi*nute"ness (?), n. The quality
of being minute.
||Mi*nu"ti*a, n.; pl.
Minutiæ (-ē). [L., fr. minutus
small, minute. See 4th Minute.] A minute particular; a
small or minor detail; -- used chiefly in the plural.
Minx (?), n. [Prob. of Low German
origin; cf. LG. minsk wench, jade, hussy, D. mensch;
prop. the same word as D. & G. mensch man, human being, OHG.
mennisco, AS. mennisc, fr. man. See
Man.]
1. A pert or a wanton girl.
Shak.
2. A she puppy; a pet dog. [Obs.]
Udall.
Minx, n. [See Mink.]
(Zoöl.) The mink; -- called also minx
otter. [Obs.]
Min"y (mīn"&ybreve;), a.
Abounding with mines; like a mine. "Miny caverns."
Thomson.
Mi"o*cene (mī"&osl;*sēn),
a. [Gr. mei`wn less + kaino`s
new, fresh, recent.] (Geol.) Of or pertaining to the
middle division of the Tertiary. -- n.
The Miocene period. See Chart of
Geology.
||Mi`o*hip"pus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
mei`wn less + "ippo`s horse.] (Paleon.)
An extinct Miocene mammal of the Horse family, closely related
to the genus Anhithecrium, and having three usable hoofs on
each foot.
Miq"ue*let (?), n. [Sp.
miquelete.] (Mil.) An irregular or partisan
soldier; a bandit.
Mir (?), n. A Russian village
community. D. M. Wallace.
Mir, n. [Per. mīr.]
Same as Emir.
||Mi"ra (?), n. [NL., from L.
mirus wonderful.] (Astron.) A remarkable variable
star in the constellation Cetus (ο Ceti).
Mi*rab"i*la*ry (?), n.; pl.
Mirabilaries (&?;). One who, or a work which,
narrates wonderful things; one who writes of wonders. [Obs.]
Bacon.
||Mi*rab"i*lis (?), n. [L., wonderful.]
(Bot.) A genus of plants. See Four-
o'clock.
Mi*rab"i*lite (?), n. (Min.)
Native sodium sulphate; Glauber's salt.
Mi"ra*ble (?), a. [L. mirabilis,
fr. mirari to wonder: cf. OF. mirable. See
Marvel.] Wonderful; admirable. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mir"a*cle (?), n. [F., fr. L.
miraculum, fr. mirari to wonder. See Marvel, and
cf. Mirror.]
1. A wonder or wonderful thing.
That miracle and queen of genus.
Shak.
2. Specifically: An event or effect contrary
to the established constitution and course of things, or a deviation
from the known laws of nature; a supernatural event, or one
transcending the ordinary laws by which the universe is
governed.
They considered not the miracle of the
loaves.
Mark vi. 52.
3. A miracle play.
4. A story or legend abounding in
miracles. [Obs.]
When said was all this miracle.
Chaucer.
Miracle monger, an impostor who pretends to
work miracles. -- Miracle play, one of the
old dramatic entertainments founded on legends of saints and martyrs
or (see 2d Mystery, 2) on events related in the
Bible.
Mir"a*cle, v. t. To make
wonderful. [Obs.] Shak.
Mi*rac"u*lize (?), v. t. To cause
to seem to be a miracle. [R.] Shaftesbury.
Mi*rac"u*lous (?), a. [F.
miraculeux. See Miracle.]
1. Of the nature of a miracle; performed by
supernatural power; effected by the direct agency of almighty power,
and not by natural causes.
2. Supernatural; wonderful.
3. Wonder-working. "The
miraculous harp." Shak.
-- Mi*rac"u*lous*ly, adv. --
Mi*rac"u*lous*ness, n.
Mir`a*dor" (?), n. [Sp., fr.
mirar to behold, view. See Mirror.] (Arch.)
Same as Belvedere.
Mi`rage" (?), n. [F., fr. mirer
to look at carefully, to aim, se mirer to look at one's self
in a glass, to reflect, to be reflected, LL. mirare to look
at. See Mirror.] An optical effect, sometimes seen on the
ocean, but more frequently in deserts, due to total reflection of
light at the surface common to two strata of air differently heated.
The reflected image is seen, commonly in an inverted position, while
the real object may or may not be in sight. When the surface is
horizontal, and below the eye, the appearance is that of a sheet of
water in which the object is seen reflected; when the reflecting
surface is above the eye, the image is seen projected against the
sky. The fata Morgana and looming are species of
mirage.
By the mirage uplifted the land floats vague in
the ether,
Ships and the shadows of ships hang in the motionless
air.
Longfellow.
Mir"bane (?), n. See
Nitrobenzene.
Mire (mīr), n. [AS.
mīre, m&ymacr;re; akin to D. mier, Icel.
maurr, Dan. myre, Sw. myra; cf. also Ir.
moirbh, Gr. my`rmhx.] An ant. [Obs.]
See Pismire.
Mire, n. [OE. mire, myre;
akin to Icel. m&ymacr;rr swamp, Sw. myra marshy ground,
and perh. to E. moss.] Deep mud; wet, spongy earth.
Chaucer.
He his rider from the lofty steed
Would have cast down and trod in dirty mire.
Spenser.
Mire crow (Zoöl.), the pewit, or
laughing gull. [Prov. Eng.] -- Mire drum,
the European bittern. [Prov. Eng.]
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, v. i. To stick in
mire. Shak.
{ Mi*rif"ic (?), Mi*rif"ic*al (?), }
a. [L. mirificus; mirus wonderful +
-ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.] Working
wonders; wonderful.
Mi*rif"i*cent (?), a.
Wonderful. [Obs.]
Mir"i*ness (?), n. The quality of
being miry.
Mirk (?), a. [See Murky.]
Dark; gloomy; murky. Spenser. Mrs. Browning.
Mirk, n. Darkness; gloom;
murk. "In mirk and mire." Longfellow.
Mirk"some (?), a. Dark; gloomy;
murky. [Archaic] Spenser. -- Mirk"some*ness,
n. [Archaic]
Mirk"y (?), a. Dark; gloomy. See
Murky.
Mir"ror (?), n. [OE. mirour, F.
miroir, OF. also mireor, fr. (assumed) LL.
miratorium, fr. mirare to look at, L. mirari to
wonder. See Marvel, and cf. Miracle,
Mirador.]
1. A looking-glass or a speculum; any glass
or polished substance that forms images by the reflection of rays of
light.
And in her hand she held a mirror bright,
Wherein her face she often 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.) 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.
Mir"ror (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mirrored (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mirroring.] To reflect, as in a mirror.
Mirth (?), n. [OE. mirthe,
murthe, merthe, AS. myrð, myrgð,
merhð, mirhð. 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.
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.
Mirth"less, a. Without
mirth. -- Mirth"less*ness, n.
Mir"y (?), a. [From 2d Mire.]
Abounding with deep mud; full of mire; muddy; as, a miry
road.
Mir"za (?), n. [Per.
mīrzā, abbrev. fr. mīrzādeh son
of the prince; mīr prince (Ar. amīr,
emīr) + zādeh son.] The common title
of honor in Persia, prefixed to the surname of an individual. When
appended to the surname, it signifies Prince.
Mis- (m&ibreve;s-). [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. mīdan, AS. mīðan
(√100. Cf. 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.] A prefix used adjectively and
adverbially in the sense of amiss, wrong, ill, wrongly, unsuitably;
as, misdeed, mislead, mischief,
miscreant.
Mis (m&ibreve;s), a. & adv. [See
Amiss.] Wrong; amiss. [Obs.] "To correcten that
[which] is mis." Chaucer.
Mis*ac`cep*ta"tion (?), n. Wrong
acceptation; understanding in a wrong sense.
Mis`ac*compt" (?), v. t. To
account or reckon wrongly. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mis`ad*just" (?), v. t. To adjust
wrongly of unsuitably; to throw of adjustment. I.
Taylor.
Mis`ad*just"ment (?), n. Wrong
adjustment; unsuitable arrangement.
Mis`ad*ven"ture (?; 135), n. [OE.
mesaventure, F. mésaventure.] Mischance;
misfortune; ill luck; 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.
Mis`ad*ven"tured (?), a.
Unfortunate. [Obs.]
Mis`ad*ven"tur*ous (?), a.
Unfortunate.
Mis`ad*vert"ence (?), n.
Inadvertence.
Mis`ad*vice" (?), n. Bad
advice.
Mis`ad*vise" (?), v. t. To give
bad counsel to.
Mis`ad*vised" (?), a. Ill
advised. -- Mis`ad*vis"ed*ly (#),
adv.
Mis`af*fect" (?), v. t. To
dislike. [Obs.]
Mis`af*fect"ed, a. Ill
disposed. [Obs.]
Mis`af*fec"tion (?), n. An evil or
wrong affection; the state of being ill affected. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
Mis`af*firm" (?), v. t. To affirm
incorrectly.
Mis*aimed" (?), a. Not rightly
aimed. Spenser.
Mis*al`le*ga"tion (?), n. A
erroneous statement or allegation. Bp. Hall.
Mis`al*lege" (?), v. t. To state
erroneously.
Mis`al*li"ance (?), n. [F.
mésalliance.] 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.
Mis`al*lied" (?), a. Wrongly
allied or associated.
Mis`al*lot"ment (?), n. A wrong
allotment.
Mis*al"ter (?), v. t. To alter
wrongly; esp., to alter for the worse. Bp. Hall.
Mis"an*thrope (m&ibreve;s"ăn*thrōp),
n. [Gr. misa`nqrwpos; misei^n
to hate + 'a`nqrwpos a man; cf. F. misanthrope.
Cf. Miser.] A hater of mankind; a
misanthropist.
{ Mis`an*throp"ic (?), Mis`an*throp"ic*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. misanthropique.] Hating or
disliking mankind.
Mis*an"thro*pist (?), n. A
misanthrope.
Mis*an"thro*pos (?), n. [NL. See
Misanthrope.] A misanthrope. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mis*an"thro*py (?), n. [Gr. &?;: cf. F.
misanthropie.] Hatred of, or dislike to, mankind; --
opposed to philanthropy. Orrery.
Mis*ap`pli*ca"tion (?), n. A wrong
application. Sir T. Browne.
Mis`ap*ply" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Misapplied (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Misapplying.] To apply wrongly; to use for a
wrong purpose; as, to misapply a name or title; to
misapply public money.
Mis`ap*pre"ci*a`ted (?), a.
Improperly appreciated.
Mis*ap`pre*hend" (?), v. t. To
take in a wrong sense; to misunderstand. Locke.
Mis*ap`pre*hen"sion (?), n. A
mistaking or mistake; wrong apprehension of one's meaning of a fact;
misconception; misunderstanding.
Mis*ap`pre*hen"sive*ly (?), adv.
By, or with, misapprehension.
Mis`ap*pro"pri*ate (?), v. t. To
appropriate wrongly; to use for a wrong purpose.
Mis`ap*pro`pri*a"tion (?), n.
Wrong appropriation; wrongful use.
Mis`ar*range" (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Misarranged (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Misarranging (?).] To place in a wrong
order, or improper manner.
Mis`ar*range"ment (?), n. Wrong
arrangement.
Mis`ar*cribe" (?), v. t. To
ascribe wrongly.
Mis`as*say" (?), v. t. To assay,
or attempt, improperly or unsuccessfully. [Obs.] W.
Browne.
Mis`as*sign" (?), v. t. To assign
wrongly.
Mis`at*tend" (?), v. t. To
misunderstand; to disregard. [Obs.] Milton.
Mis`a*ven"ture (?), n.
Misadventure. [Obs.]
Mis`a*vize" (?), v. t. To
misadvise. [Obs.]
Mis*bear" (?), v. t. To carry
improperly; to carry (one's self) wrongly; to misbehave. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mis`be*come" (?), v. t. Not to
become; to suit ill; not to befit or be adapted to.
Macaulay.
Thy father will not act what misbecomes
him.
Addison.
Mis`be*com"ing, a.
Unbecoming. Milton. -- Mis`be*com"ing*ly,
adv. -- Mis`be*com"ing*ness,
n. Boyle.
Mis*bede" (?), v. t.
[imp. Misbode (?); p. p.
Misboden (?).] [AS. mis-beôdan.] To wrong;
to do injury to. [Obs.]
Who hath you misboden or offended?
Chaucer.
Mis`be*fit"ting (?), a. Not
befitting.
{ Mis`be*got" (?), Mis`be*got"ten (&?;), }
p. a. Unlawfully or irregularly begotten; of
bad origin; pernicious. "Valor misbegot."
Shak.
Mis`be*have" (?), v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Misbehaved (?); p. pr.
& vb. n. Misbehaving.] To behave ill; to
conduct one's self improperly; -- often used with a reciprocal
pronoun.
Mis`be*haved" (?), a. Guilty of
ill behavior; illbred; rude. "A misbehaved and sullen
wench." Shak.
Mis`be*hav"ior (?), n. Improper,
rude, or uncivil behavior; ill conduct. Addison.
Mis`be*lief" (?), n. Erroneous or
false belief.
Mis`be*lieve" (&?;), v. i. To
believe erroneously, or in a false religion. "That
misbelieving Moor." Shak.
Mis`be*liev"er (?), n. One who
believes wrongly; one who holds a false religion.
Shak.
Mis`be*seem" (?), v. t. To suit
ill.
Mis`be*stow" (?), v. t. To bestow
improperly.
Mis`be*stow"al (?), n. The act of
misbestowing.
Mis`bi*leve" (?), n. Misbelief;
unbelief; suspicion. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mis*bode" (?), imp. of
Misbede.
Mis*bo"den (?), p. p. of
Misbede.
Mis"born` (?), a. Born to
misfortune. Spenser.
Mis*cal"cu*late (?), v. t. & i. To
calculate erroneously; to judge wrongly. --
Mis*cal`cu*la"tion (#), n.
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.
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.
Mis*car"riage*a*ble (?), a.
Capable of miscarrying; liable to fail. [R.] Bp.
Hall.
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.
Mis*cast" (?), v. t. To cast or
reckon wrongly.
Mis*cast", n. An erroneous cast or
reckoning.
Mis`ce*ge*na"tion (?), n. [L.
miscere to mix + the root of genus race.] A mixing
of races; amalgamation, as by intermarriage of black and
white.
Mis`cel*la*na"ri*an (?), a. [See
Miscellany.] Of or pertaining to miscellanies.
Shaftesbury. -- n. A writer of
miscellanies.
Mis"cel*lane (?), n. [See
Miscellaneous, and cf. Maslin.] A mixture of two
or more sorts of grain; -- now called maslin and
meslin. Bacon.
||Mis"cel*la"ne*a (?), n. pl. [L. See
Miscellany.] A collection of miscellaneous matters;
matters of various kinds.
Mis`cel*la"ne*ous (?), a. [L.
miscellaneus mixed, miscellaneous, fr. miscellus mixed,
fr. miscere to mix. See Mix, and cf.
Miscellany.] Mixed; mingled; consisting of several
things; of diverse sorts; promiscuous; heterogeneous; as, a
miscellaneous collection. "A miscellaneous
rabble." Milton. -- Mis`cel*la"ne*ous*ly,
adv. -- Mis`cel*la"ne*ous*ness,
n.
Mis"cel*la*nist (?), n. A writer
of miscellanies; miscellanarian.
Mis"cel*la*ny (?), n.; pl.
Miscellanies (#). [L. miscellanea, neut. pl.
of. miscellaneus: cf. F. miscellanée, pl.
miscellanées. See Miscellaneous.] A mass or
mixture of various things; a medley; esp., a collection of
compositions on various subjects.
'T is but a bundle or miscellany of sin; sins
original, and sins actual.
Hewyt.
Miscellany madam, a woman who dealt in
various fineries; a milliner. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Mis"cel*la*ny (m&ibreve;s"s&ebreve;l*l&asl;*n&ybreve;),
a. Miscellaneous; heterogeneous. [Obs.]
Bacon.
Mis*cen"sure (?), v. t. To
misjudge. [Obs.] Daniel. -- n.
Erroneous judgment. [Obs.] Sylvester.
Mis*chance" (?), n. [OE.
meschance, OF. mescheance.] Ill luck; ill fortune;
mishap. Chaucer.
Never come mischance between us
twain.
Shak.
Syn. -- Calamity; misfortune; misadventure; mishap;
infelicity; disaster. See Calamity.
Mis*chance", v. i. To happen by
mischance. Spenser.
Mis*chance"ful (?), a.
Unlucky. R. Browning.
Mis*char"ac*ter*ize (?), v. t. To
characterize falsely or erroneously; to give a wrong character
to.
They totally mischaracterize the
action.
Eton.
Mis*charge" (?), v. t. To charge
erroneously, as in an account. -- n. A
mistake in charging.
Mis"chief (m&ibreve;s"ch&ibreve;f), n.
[OE. meschef bad result, OF. meschief; pref. mes-
(L. minus less) + chief end, head, F. chef
chief. See Minus, and Chief.]
1. Harm; damage; esp., disarrangement of
order; trouble or vexation caused by human agency or by some living
being, intentionally or not; often, calamity, mishap; trivial evil
caused by thoughtlessness, or in sport. Chaucer.
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs.
Ps. lii. 2.
The practice whereof shall, I hope, secure me from
many mischiefs.
Fuller.
2. Cause of trouble or vexation;
trouble. Milton.
The mischief was, these allies would never
allow that the common enemy was subdued.
Swift.
To be in mischief, to be doing harm or
causing annoyance. -- To make mischief, to
do mischief, especially by exciting quarrels. -- To play
the mischief, to cause great harm; to throw into
confusion. [Colloq.]
Syn. -- Damage; harm; hurt; injury; detriment; evil; ill.
-- 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.
Mis"chief, v. t. To do harm
to. [Obs.] Milton.
Mis"chief*a*ble (?), a.
Mischievous. [R.] Lydgate.
Mis"chief*ful (?), a.
Mischievous. [Obs.] Foote.
Mis"chief-mak`er (?), n. One who
makes mischief; one who excites or instigates quarrels or
enmity.
Mis"chief-mak`ing, a. Causing
harm; exciting enmity or quarrels. Rowe. --
n. The act or practice of making mischief,
inciting quarrels, etc.
Mis"chie*vous (m&ibreve;s"ch&esl;*vŭs),
a. Causing mischief; harmful; hurtful; -- now
often applied where the evil is done carelessly or in sport; as, a
mischievous child. "Most mischievous foul sin."
Shak.
This false, wily, doubling disposition is intolerably
mischievous to society.
South.
Syn. -- Harmful; hurtful; detrimental; noxious; pernicious;
destructive.
-- Mis"chie*vous*ly, adv. --
Mis"chie*vous*ness, n.
Misch"na (?), n. See
Mishna.
Misch"nic (?), a. See
Mishnic.
Mis*choose" (?), v. t.
[imp. Mischose (?); p. p.
Mischosen (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mischoosing.] To choose wrongly.
Milton.
Mis*choose", v. i. To make a wrong
choice.
Mis*chris"ten (?), v. t. To
christen wrongly.
Mis`ci*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
miscibilité.] Capability of being mixed.
Mis"ci*ble (?), a. [Cf. F.
miscible, fr. L. miscere to mix.] Capable of being
mixed; mixable; as, water and alcohol are miscible in all
proportions. Burke.
Mis`ci*ta"tion (?), n. Erroneous
citation.
Mis*cite", v. t. To cite
erroneously.
Mis*claim" (?), n. A mistaken
claim.
Mis*cog"ni*zant (?), a. (Law)
Not cognizant; ignorant; not knowing.
Mis*cog"nize (?), v. t. To fail to
apprehend; to misunderstand. [Obs.] Holland.
Mis*col`lo*ca"tion (?), n. Wrong
collocation. De Quincey.
Mis*col"or (?), v. t. To give a
wrong color to; figuratively, to set forth erroneously or unfairly;
as, to miscolor facts. C. Kingsley.
Mis*com"fort (?), n.
Discomfort. [Obs.]
Mis*com`pre*hend" (?), v. t. To
get a wrong idea of or about; to misunderstand.
Mis*com`pu*ta"tion (?), n.
Erroneous computation; false reckoning.
Mis`com*pute" (?), v. t. [Cf.
Miscount.] To compute erroneously. Sir T.
Browne.
Mis`con*ceit" (?), n.
Misconception. [Obs.]
Mis`con*ceive" (?), v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Misconceived (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. Misconceiving.] To conceive
wrongly; to interpret incorrectly; to receive a false notion of; to
misjudge; to misapprehend.
Those things which, for want of due consideration
heretofore, they have misconceived.
Hooker.
Syn. -- To misapprehend; misunderstand; mistake.
Mis`con*ceiv"er (?), n. One who
misconceives.
Mis`con*cep"tion (?), n. Erroneous
conception; false opinion; wrong understanding.
Harvey.
Mis`con*clu"sion (?), n. An
erroneous inference or conclusion. Bp. Hall.
Mis*con"duct (?), n. Wrong
conduct; bad behavior; mismanagement. Addison.
Syn. -- Misbehavior; misdemeanor; mismanagement; misdeed;
delinquency; offense.
Mis`con*duct" (?), v. t. To
conduct amiss; to mismanage. Johnson.
To misconduct one's self, to behave
improperly.
Mis`con*duct", v. i. To behave
amiss.
Mis*con"fi*dent (?), a. Having a
mistaken confidence; wrongly trusting. [R.] Bp.
Hall.
Mis`con*jec"ture (?; 135), n. A
wrong conjecture or guess. Sir T. Browne.
Mis`con*jec"ture (?), v. t. & i.
To conjecture wrongly.
Mis*con"se*crate (?), v. t. To
consecrate amiss. "Misconsecrated flags." Bp.
Hall.
Mis*con`se*cra"tion, n. Wrong
consecration.
Mis*con"se*quence (?), n. A wrong
consequence; a false deduction.
Mis*con"stru*a*ble (?), a. Such as
can be misconstrued, as language or conduct. R.
North.
Mis`con*struct" (?), v. t. To
construct wrongly; to construe or interpret erroneously.
Mis`con*struc"tion (?), n.
Erroneous construction; wrong interpretation. Bp.
Stillingfleet.
Mis*con"strue (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Misconstrued (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Misconstruing.] To construe wrongly; to
interpret erroneously.
Do not, great sir, misconstrue his
intent.
Dryden.
Much afflicted to find his actions
misconstrued.
Addison.
Mis*con"stru*er (?), n. One who
misconstrues.
Mis`con*tent" (?), a.
Discontent. [Obs.]
Mis`con*tin"u*ance (?), n. (Law)
Discontinuance; also, continuance by undue process.
Mis*copy" (?), v. t. To copy
amiss.
Mis*copy", n. A mistake in
copying. North Am. Rev.
Mis`cor*rect" (?), v. t. To fail
or err in attempting to correct. "Scaliger miscorrects
his author." Dryden.
Mis*coun"sel (?), v. t. To counsel
or advise wrongly.
Mis*count" (?), v. t. & i. [Cf. OF.
mesconter, F. mécompter. Cf.
Miscompute.] To count erroneously.
Mis*count", n. [Cf. F.
mécompte error, OF. mesconte.] An erroneous
counting.
Mis*cov"et (?), v. t. To covet
wrongfully. [Obs.]
{ Mis"cre*ance (?), Mis"cre*an*cy (?), }
n. [OF. mescreance, F.
mécréance incredulity.] The quality of
being miscreant; adherence to a false religion; false faith.
[Obs.] Ayliffe.
Mis"cre*ant (?), n. [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 vile wretch.
Addison.
[1913 Webster]
Mis"cre*ant, a. 1.
Holding a false religious faith.
2. Destitute of conscience;
unscrupulous. Pope.
Mis`cre*ate" (?), a. Miscreated;
illegitimate; forged; as, miscreate titles. [Obs. or
Poet.] Shak.
Mis`cre*ate" (?), v. t. To create
badly or amiss.
Mis`cre*at"ed (?), a. Formed
unnaturally or illegitimately; deformed. Spenser.
Milton.
Mis`cre*a"tive, a. Creating
amiss. [R.]
Mis*cre"dent (?), n. [Pref. mis-
+ credent. Cf. Miscreant.] A miscreant, or
believer in a false religious doctrine. [Obs.]
Holinshed.
Mis`cre*du"li*ty (?), n. Wrong
credulity or belief; misbelief. Bp. Hall.
Mis*cue" (?), n. (Billiards)
A false stroke with a billiard cue, the cue slipping from the
ball struck without impelling it as desired.
Mis*date", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Misdated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misdating.] To date erroneously. Young.
Mis*deal" (?), v. t. & i. [imp.
& p. p. Misdealt (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Misdealing.] To deal or distribute wrongly,
as cards; to make a wrong distribution.
Mis*deal", n. The act of
misdealing; a wrong distribution of cards to the players.
Mis*deed" (?), n. [AS.
misd&aemacr;d. See Deed, n.] An
evil deed; a wicked action.
Evils which our own misdeeds have
wrought.
Milton.
Syn. -- Misconduct; misdemeanor; fault; offense; trespass;
transgression; crime.
Mis*deem" (?), v. t. To
misjudge. [Obs.] Milton.
Mis`de*mean" (?), v. t. To behave
ill; -- with a reflexive pronoun; as, to misdemean one's
self.
Mis`de*mean"ant (?), n. One guilty
of a misdemeanor. Sydney Smith.
Mis`de*mean"or (?), n.
1. Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault.
Shak.
2. (Law) A crime less than a
felony. Wharton.
&fist; 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.
Mis*dempt" (?), obs. p. p. of
Misdeem. Spenser.
Mis`de*part" (?), v. t. To
distribute wrongly. [Obs.]
He misdeparteth riches temporal.
Chaucer.
Mis`de*rive" (?), v. t.
1. To turn or divert improperly; to
misdirect. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
2. To derive erroneously.
Mis`de*scribe" (?), v. t. To
describe wrongly.
Mis`de*sert", n. Ill desert.
[Obs.] Spenser.
Mis`de*vo"tion (?), n. Mistaken
devotion.
Mis*di"et (?), n. Improper
diet. [Obs.] Spenser.
Mis*di"et, v. t. To diet
improperly.
Mis*dight" (?), a. Arrayed,
prepared, or furnished, unsuitably. [Archaic] Bp.
Hall.
Mis`di*rect" (?), v. t. To give a
wrong direction to; as, to misdirect a passenger, or a letter;
to misdirect one's energies. Shenstone.
Mis`di*rec"tion (?), n.
1. The act of directing wrongly, or the state of
being so directed.
2. (Law) An error of a judge in
charging the jury on a matter of law. Mozley & W.
Mis*dis`po*si"tion (?), n.
Erroneous disposal or application. Bp. Hall.
Mis`dis*tin"guish (?), v. t. To
make wrong distinctions in or concerning. Hooker.
Mis`di*vide" (?), v. t. To divide
wrongly.
Mis`di*vi"sion (?), n. Wrong
division.
Mis*do" (m&ibreve;s*d&oomac;"), v. t.
[imp. Misdid (?); p. p.
Misdone (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Misdoing.] [AS. misdōn. See Do,
v.]
1. To do wrongly.
Afford me place to show what recompense
Towards thee I intend for what I have misdone.
Milton.
2. To do wrong to; to illtreat. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mis*do", v. i. To do wrong; to
commit a fault.
I have misdone, and I endure the
smart.
Dryden.
Mis*do"er, n. A wrongdoer.
Spenser.
Mis*do"ing, n. A wrong done; a
fault or crime; an offense; as, it was my misdoing.
Mis*doubt" (?), v. t. & i. To be
suspicious of; to have suspicion. [Obs.]
I do not misdoubt my wife.
Shak.
Mis*doubt", n. 1.
Suspicion. [Obs.]
2. Irresolution; hesitation. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mis*doubt"ful (?), a Misgiving;
hesitating. [Obs.] "Her misdoubtful mind."
Spenser.
Mis*dread" (?), n. Dread of
evil. [Obs.]
Mise (?), n. [F. mise a putting,
setting, expense, fr. mis, mise, p. p. of mettre
to put, lay, fr. LL. mittere to send.]
1. (Law) The issue in a writ of
right.
2. Expense; cost; disbursement.
[Obs.]
3. A tax or tallage; in Wales, an honorary
gift of the people to a new king or prince of Wales; also, a tribute
paid, in the country palatine of Chester, England, at the change of
the owner of the earldom. [Obs.]
Mis*ease" (?), n. [OE. mesaise,
OF. mesaise.] Want of ease; discomfort; misery.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mis*eased" (?), a. Having
discomfort or misery; troubled. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mis*eas"y (?), a. Not easy;
painful. [Obs.]
Mis`e*di"tion (?), n. An incorrect
or spurious edition. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Mis*ed"u*cate (?; 135), v. t. To
educate in a wrong manner.
Mis`em*ploy" (?), v. t. To employ
amiss; as, to misemploy time, advantages, talents,
etc.
Their frugal father's gains they
misemploy.
Dryden.
Mis`em*ploy"ment (?), n. Wrong or
mistaken employment. Johnson.
Mis*en"ter (?), v. t. To enter or
insert wrongly, as a charge in an account.
Mis`en*treat" (?), v. t. To treat
wrongfully. [Obs.] Grafton.
Mis*en"try (?), n. An erroneous
entry or charge, as of an account.
Mi"ser (mī"z&etilde;r), n. [L.
miser wretched, miserable; cf. Gr. mi^sos hate,
misei^n to hate: cf. It. & Sp. misero wretched,
avaricious.]
1. A wretched person; a person afflicted by
any great misfortune. [Obs.] Spenser.
The woeful words of a miser now
despairing.
Sir P. Sidney.
2. A despicable person; a wretch.
[Obs.] Shak.
3. A covetous, grasping, mean person; esp.,
one having wealth, who lives miserably for the sake of saving and
increasing his hoard.
As some lone miser, visiting his store,
Bends at his treasure, counts, recounts it o'er.
Goldsmith.
4. A kind of large earth auger.
Knight.
Mis"er*a*ble (?), a. [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.
Mis"er*a*ble, n. A miserable
person. [Obs.] Sterne.
Mis"er*a*ble*ness, n. The state or
quality of being miserable.
Mis"er*a*bly, adv. In a miserable;
unhappily; calamitously; wretchedly; meanly.
They were miserably entertained.
Sir P. Sidney.
The fifth was miserably stabbed to
death.
South.
Mis`er*a"tion (?), n.
Commiseration. [Obs.]
||Mis`e*re"re (?), n. [L., have mercy,
fr. misereri to have mercy, fr. miser. See
Miser.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) The psalm usually
appointed for penitential acts, being the 50th psalm in the Latin
version. It commences with the word miserere.
2. A musical composition adapted to the 50th
psalm.
Where only the wind signs
miserere.
Lowell.
3. (Arch.) A small projecting boss or
bracket, on the under side of the hinged seat of a church stall (see
Stall). It was intended, the seat being turned up, to give
some support to a worshiper when standing. Called also
misericordia.
4. (Med.) Same as
Ileus.
Mis"er*i*corde" (?), n. [F.
miséricorde. See Misericordia.]
1. Compassion; pity; mercy. [Obs.]
2. (Anc. Armor.) Same as
Misericordia, 2.
||Mis`e*ri*cor"di*a (?), n. [L., mercy,
compassion; miser wretched + cor, cordis,
heart.]
1. (O. Law) An amercement.
Burrill.
2. (Anc. Armor.) A thin-bladed dagger;
so called, in the Middle Ages, because used to give the death wound
or "mercy" stroke to a fallen adversary.
3. (Eccl.) An indulgence as to food or
dress granted to a member of a religious order.
Shipley.
Mi"ser*ly (mī"z&etilde;r*l&ybreve;),
a. [From Miser.] Like a miser; very
covetous; sordid; niggardly.
Syn. -- Avaricious; niggardly; sordid; parsimonious;
penurious; covetous; stingy; mean. See Avaricious.
Mi"ser*y (?), n.; pl.
Miseries (#). [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.
Mis`es*teem" (?), n. [Cf. F.
mésestime.] Want of esteem; disrespect.
Johnson.
Mis*es"ti*mate (?), v. t. To
estimate erroneously. J. S. Mill.
Mis*ex`pla*na"tion (?), n. An
erroneous explanation.
Mis*ex`pli*ca"tion (?), n. Wrong
explication.
Mis*ex`po*si"tion (?), n. Wrong
exposition.
Mis`ex*pound" (?), v. t. To
expound erroneously.
Mis`ex*pres"sion (?), n. Wrong
expression.
Mis*faith" (?), n. Want of faith;
distrust. "[Anger] born of your misfaith."
Tennyson.
Mis*fall" (?), v. t.
[imp. Misfell; p. p.
Misfallen (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n.
Misfalling.] To befall, as ill luck; to happen to
unluckily. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mis*fare" (?), v. i. [AS.
misfaran.] To fare ill. [Obs.] --
n. Misfortune. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Mis*fash"ion (?), v. t. To form
wrongly.
Mis*fea"sance (?), n. [OF. pref.
mes- wrong (L. minus less) + faisance doing, fr.
faire to do, L. facere. Cf. Malfeasance.]
(Law) A trespass; a wrong done; the improper doing of an
act which a person might lawfully do. Bouvier.
Wharton.
Mis*fea"ture (?), n. Ill
feature. [R.] Keats.
Mis*feel"ing (?), a.
Insensate. [Obs.] Wyclif.
Mis*feign" (?), v. i. To feign
with an evil design. [Obs.] Spenser.
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.
Mis*form" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Misformed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Misforming.] To make in an ill form.
Spenser.
Mis`for*ma"tion (?), n.
Malformation.
Mis*for"tu*nate (?; 135), a.
Producing misfortune. [Obs.]
Mis*for"tune (?), n. Bad fortune
or luck; calamity; an evil accident; disaster; mishap;
mischance.
Consider why the change was wrought,
You 'll find his misfortune, not his fault.
Addison.
Syn. -- Calamity; mishap; mischance; misadventure; ill;
harm; disaster. See Calamity.
Mis*for"tune, v. i. To happen
unluckily or unfortunately; to miscarry; to fail. [Obs.]
Stow.
Mis*for"tuned (?), a.
Unfortunate. [Obs.]
Mis*frame" (?), v. t. To frame
wrongly.
Mis*get" (?), v. t. To get
wrongfully. [Obs.]
Mis*gie" (?), v. t. See
Misgye. [Obs.]
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.
Mis*give", v. i. To give out doubt
and apprehension; to be fearful or irresolute. "My mind
misgives." Shak.
Mis*giv"ing, n. Evil premonition;
doubt; distrust. "Suspicious and misgivings."
South.
Mis*go" (-gō"), v. i. To go
astray. Spenser.
Mis*got"ten (-g&obreve;t"t'n), a.
Unjustly gotten. Spenser.
Mis*gov"ern (?), v. t. To govern
ill; as, to misgovern a country. Knolles.
Mis*gov"ern*ance (?), n.
Misgovernment; misconduct; misbehavior. [Obs.]
Chaucer. Spenser.
Mis*gov"erned (?), a. Ill
governed, as a people; ill directed. "Rude, misgoverned
hands." Shak.
Mis*gov"ern*ment (?), n. Bad
government; want of government. Shak.
Mis*gra"cious (?), a. Not
gracious. [Obs.]
Mis*graff" (?), v. t. To
misgraft. [Obs.] Shak.
Mis*graft" (?), v. t. To graft
wrongly.
Mis*ground" (?), v. t. To found
erroneously. "Misgrounded conceit." Bp.
Hall.
Mis*growth" (?), n. Bad growth; an
unnatural or abnormal growth.
Mis*guess" (?), v. t. & i. To
guess wrongly.
Mis*guid"ance (?), n. Wrong
guidance.
Mis*guide" (?), v. t. To guide
wrongly; to lead astray; as, to misguide the
understanding.
Mis*guide", n. Misguidance;
error. [Obs.] Spenser.
Mis*guid"ing, a. Misleading.
-- Mis*guid"ing*ly, adv.
Mis*gye" (?), v. t. To
misguide. [Obs.]
Mis*han"dle (?), v. t. To handle
ill or wrongly; to maltreat.
Mis*hap" (?), n. Evil accident;
ill luck; misfortune; mischance. Chaucer.
Secure from worldly chances and
mishaps.
Shak.
Mis*hap" (?), v. i. To happen
unluckily; -- used impersonally. [Obs.] "If that me
mishap." Chaucer.
Mis*hap"pen (?), v. i. To happen
ill or unluckily. Spenser.
Mis*hap"py (?), a. Unhappy.
[Obs.]
Mish*cup" (?), n. [See Scup.]
(Zoöl.) The scup. [Local, U. S.]
Mis*hear" (?), v. t. & i. To hear
incorrectly.
Mish"mash` (?), n. [Cf. G. mish-
mash, fr. mischen to mix.] A hotchpotch.
Sir T. Herbert.
Mish"na (?), n. [NHeb.
mishnāh, i. e., repetition, doubling, explanation (of
the divine law), fr. Heb. shānāh to change, to
repeat.] A collection or digest of Jewish traditions and
explanations of Scripture, forming the text of the Talmud.
[Written also Mischna.]
Mish"nic (?), a. Of or pertaining
to the Mishna.
Mis`im*ag`i*na"tion (?), n. Wrong
imagination; delusion. Bp. Hall.
Mis`im*prove" (?), v. t. To use
for a bad purpose; to abuse; to misuse; as, to misimprove
time, talents, advantages, etc. South.
Mis`im*prove"ment (?), n. Ill use or
employment; use for a bad purpose.
Mis"in*cline" (?), v. t. To cause
to have a wrong inclination or tendency; to affect wrongly.
Mis`in*fer" (?), v. t. To infer
incorrectly.
Mis`in*form" (?), v. t. To give
untrue information to; to inform wrongly.
Mis`in*form", v. i. To give untrue
information; (with against) to calumniate. [R.] Bp.
Montagu.
Mis`in*form"ant (?), n. A
misinformer.
Mis*in`for*ma"tion (?), n. Untrue
or incorrect information. Bacon.
Mis`in*form"er (?), n. One who
gives untrue or incorrect information.
Mis`in*struct" (?), v. t. To
instruct amiss.
Mis`in*struc"tion (?), n. Wrong or
improper instruction.
Mis`in*tel"li*gence (?), n.
1. Wrong information; misinformation.
2. Disagreement; misunderstanding.
[Obs.]
Mis`in*tend" (?), v. t. To aim
amiss. [Obs.]
Mis`in*ter"pret (?), v. t. To
interpret erroneously; to understand or to explain in a wrong
sense.
Mis`in*ter"pret*a*ble (?), a.
Capable of being misinterpreted; liable to be
misunderstood.
Mis`in*ter"pre*ta"tion (?), n. The
act of interpreting erroneously; a mistaken interpretation.
Mis`in*ter"pret*er (?), n. One who
interprets erroneously.
Mis*join" (?), v. t. To join
unfitly or improperly.
Mis*join"der (?), n. (Law)
An incorrect union of parties or of causes of action in a
procedure, criminal or civil. Wharton.
Mis*judge" (?), v. t. & i. To
judge erroneously or unjustly; to err in judgment; to
misconstrue.
Mis*judg"ment (?), n. [Written also
misjudgement.] A wrong or unjust judgment.
Mis*keep" (?), v. t. To keep
wrongly. Chaucer.
Mis*ken" (?), v. t. Not to
know. [Obs.]
Mis"kin (?), n. [Prob. for music + -
kin.] (Mus.) A little bagpipe. [Obs.]
Drayton.
Mis*kin"dle (?), v. t. To kindle
amiss; to inflame to a bad purpose; to excite wrongly.
Mis*know" (?), v. t. To have a
mistaken notion of or about. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Mis`lac*ta"tion (?), n. (Med.)
Defective flow or vitiated condition of the milk.
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.
Mis*lay"er (?), n. One who
mislays.
Mi"sle (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Misled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Misling (?).] [Prop. mistle, fr. mist. Cf.
Mistle, Mizzle.] To rain in very fine drops, like
a thick mist; to mizzle.
Mi"sle, n. A fine rain; a thick
mist; mizzle.
Mis*lead" (m&ibreve;s*lēd"), v.
t. [imp. & p. p. Misled (-
l&ebreve;d"); p. pr. & vb. n. Misleading.]
[AS. misl&aemacr;dan. See Mis-, and Lead to
conduct.] To lead into a wrong way or path; to lead astray; to
guide into error; to cause to mistake; to deceive.
Trust not servants who mislead or misinform
you.
Bacon.
To give due light
To the mislead and lonely traveler.
Milton.
Syn. -- To delude; deceive. See Deceive.
Mis*lead"er (?), n. One who leads
into error.
Mis*lead"ing, a. Leading astray;
delusive.
Mis*learn" (?), v. t. To learn
wrongly.
Mis*led" (?), imp. & p. p. of
Mislead.
Mis"len (?), n. See
Maslin.
Mis"le*toe (?), n. See
Mistletoe.
Mis*light" (?), v. t. To deceive
or lead astray with a false light. Herrick.
Mis*like" (-līk"), v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Misliked (līkt");
p. pr. & vb. n. Misliking.] [AS.
mislīcian to displease. See Like,
v.] To dislike; to disapprove of; to have
aversion to; as, to mislike a man.
Who may like or mislike what he
says.
I. Taylor.
Mis*like", n. Dislike;
disapprobation; aversion.
Mis*lik"er (?), n. One who
dislikes.
Mis*lik"ing, n. Dislike;
aversion.
Mis"lin (?), n. & a. See
Maslin.
Mis*live" (?), v. i. To live
amiss.
Mis*lodge" (?), v. t. To lodge
amiss. [Obs.]
Mis*luck" (?), n. Ill luck;
misfortune.
Mis"ly (?), a. Raining in very
small drops.
Mis*make" (m&ibreve;s*māk"), v.
t. To make or form amiss; to spoil in making.
"Limping possibilities of mismade human nature." Mrs.
Browning.
Mis*man"age (?), v. t. & i. To
manage ill or improperly; as, to mismanage public
affairs.
Mis*man"age*ment (?), n. Wrong or
bad management; as, he failed through mismagement.
Mis*man"a*ger (?), n. One who
manages ill.
Mis*mark" (?), v. t. To mark
wrongly.
Mis*match" (?), v. t. To match
unsuitably.
Mis*mate" (?), v. t. To mate
wrongly or unsuitably; as, to mismate gloves or shoes; a
mismated couple.
Mis*meas"ure (?; 135), v. t. To
measure or estimate incorrectly.
Mis*meas"ure*ment, n. Wrong
measurement.
Mis*me"ter (?), v. t. To give the
wrong meter to, as to a line of verse. [R.]
Chaucer.
Mis*name" (?), v. t. To call by
the wrong name; to give a wrong or inappropriate name to.
Mis*no"mer (?), n. [OF. pref. mes-
amiss, wrong (L. minus less) + F. nommer to name,
L. nominare, fr. nomen name. See Name.] The
misnaming of a person in a legal instrument, as in a complaint or
indictment; any misnaming of a person or thing; a wrong or
inapplicable name or title.
Many of the changes, by a great misnomer,
called parliamentary "reforms".
Burke.
The word "synonym" is fact a
misnomer.
Whatel&?;.
Mis*no"mer, v. t. To
misname. [R.]
Mis*num"ber (?), v. t. To number
wrongly.
Mis*nur"ture (?; 135), v. t. To
nurture or train wrongly; as, to misnurture children.
Bp. Hall.
Mis`o*be"di*ence (?), n. Mistaken
obedience; disobedience. [Obs.] Milton.
Mis`ob*serve" (?), v. t. To
observe inaccurately; to mistake in observing.
Locke.
Mis`ob*serv"er (?), n. One who
misobserves; one who fails to observe properly.
Mi*sog"a*mist (?), n. [Gr.
misei^n to hate + &?; marriage.] A hater of
marriage.
Mi*sog"a*my (?), n. [Cf. F.
misogamie.] Hatre&?; of marriage.
Mi*sog"y*nist
(m&ibreve;*s&obreve;j"&ibreve;*n&ibreve;st), n.
[Gr. misogy`nhs, misogy`naios;
misei^n to hate + gynh`: cf. F.
misogyne.] A woman hater. Fuller.
Mi*sog"y*nous (?), a. Hating
women.
Mi*sog"y*ny (?; 277), n. [Gr.
misogyni`a: cf. F. misogynie.] Hatred of
women. Johnson.
Mi*sol"o*gy (m&ibreve;*s&obreve;l"&osl;*j&ybreve;),
n. [Gr. misologi`a; misei^n
to hate + lo`gos discourse.] Hatred of argument or
discussion; hatred of enlightenment. G. H. Lewes.
Mis`o*pin"ion, n. Wrong
opinion. [Obs.]
Mis*or"der (?), v. t. To order
ill; to manage erroneously; to conduct badly. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mis*or"der, n. Irregularity;
disorder. [Obs.] Camden.
Mis*or"der*ly, a. Irregular;
disorderly. [Obs.]
Mis*or`di*na"tion (?), n. Wrong
ordination.
Mis"o*the`ism (?), n. [Gr.
misei^n to hate + qeo`s god.] Hatred of
God. De Quincey.
Mis*paint" (?), v. t. To paint
ill, or wrongly.
Mis*pas"sion (?), n. Wrong passion
or feeling. [Obs.]
Mis*pay" (?), v. t. [Cf. Appay.]
To dissatisfy. [Obs.]
Mis*pell" (?), v. t.,
Mis*pend" (&?;), v. t., etc. See
Misspell, Misspend, etc.
Mis*pense" (?), n. See
Misspense. Bp. Hall.
Mis`per*cep"tion (?), n. Erroneous
perception.
Mis`per*suade" (?), v. t. To
persuade amiss.
Mis`per*sua"sion (?), n. A false
persuasion; wrong notion or opinion. Dr. H. More.
Mis*pick"el (?), n. [G.] (Min.)
Arsenical iron pyrites; arsenopyrite.
Mis*place" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Misplaced (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Misplacing (?).] To put in a wrong place; to
set or place on an improper or unworthy object; as, he
misplaced his confidence.
Mis*place"ment (?), n. The act of
misplacing, or the state of being misplaced.
Mis*plead" (?), v. i. To err in
pleading.
Mis*plead"ing, n. (Law) An
error in pleading.
Mis*point" (?), v. t. To point
improperly; to punctuate wrongly.
Mis*pol"i*cy (?), n. Wrong policy;
impolicy.
Mis*prac"tice (?), n. Wrong
practice.
Mis*praise" (?), v. t. To praise
amiss.
Mis*print" (?), v. t. To print
wrong.
Mis*print", n. A mistake in
printing; a deviation from the copy; as, a book full of
misprints.
Mis*prise" (?), v. t. See
Misprize. [Obs.] Shak.
Mis*prise", v. t. [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.] To mistake. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mis*pri"sion (?), n. [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) A neglect, negligence, or
contempt.
&fist; 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.
Mis*prize" (m&ibreve;s*prīz"), v.
t. [OF. mesprisier to deprise, F.
mépriser; pref. amiss, wrong (L. minus less +
LL. pretium price. See price, Prize,
v.] To slight or undervalue.
O, for those vanished hours, so much
misprized!
Hillhouse.
I do not blame them, madam, nor
misprize.
Mrs. Browning.
Mis`pro*ceed"ing (?), n. Wrong or
irregular proceding.
Mis`pro*fess" (?), v. i. To make a
false profession; to make pretensions to skill which is not
possessed.
Mis`pro*fess", v. t. To make a
false profession of.
Mis`pro*nounce" (?), v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Mispronounced (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. Mispronouncing (?).] To pronounce
incorrectly.
Mis`pro*nun`ci*a"tion (? or ?), n.
Wrong or improper pronunciation.
Mis`pro*por"tion (?), v. t. To
give wrong proportions to; to join without due proportion.
Mis*proud", a. Viciously
proud. [Obs.] Shak.
Mis*punc"tu*ate (?; 135), v. t. To
punctuate wrongly or incorrectly.
Mis`quo*ta"tion (?), n. Erroneous
or inaccurate quotation.
Mis*quote" (?), v. t. & i. To
quote erroneously or incorrectly. Shak.
Mis*raise" (?), v. t. To raise or
excite unreasonable. "Misraised fury." Bp.
Hall.
Mis*rate" (?), v. t. To rate
erroneously.
Mis*read" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Misread (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Misreading (?).] To read amiss; to misunderstand in
reading.
Mis`re*ceive" (?), v. t. To
receive wrongly.
Mis`re*cit"al (?), n. An
inaccurate recital.
Mis`re*cite" (?), v. t. & i. To
recite erroneously.
Mis*reck"on (?), v. t. & i. To
reckon wrongly; to miscalculate. Swift.
Mis*reck"on*ing, n. An erroneous
computation.
Mis*rec`ol*lect" (?), v. t. & i.
To have an erroneous remembrance of; to suppose erroneously that
one recollects. Hitchcock.
Mis*rec`ol*lec"tion (?), n.
Erroneous or inaccurate recollection.
Mis`re*form" (?), v. t. To reform
wrongly or imperfectly.
Mis`re*gard" (?), n. Wrong
understanding; misconstruction. [Obs.] Spenser.
Mis*reg"u*late (?), v. t. To
regulate wrongly or imperfectly; to fail to regulate.
Mis`re*hearse" (?), v. t. To
rehearse or quote incorrectly. Sir T. More.
Mis`re*late" (?), v. t. To relate
inaccurately.
Mis`re*la"tion (?), n. Erroneous
relation or narration. Abp. Bramhall.
Mis`re*li"gion (?), n. False
religion. [R.]
Mis`re*mem"ber (?), v. t. & i. To
mistake in remembering; not to remember correctly. Sir T.
More.
Mis*ren"der (?), v. t. To render
wrongly; to translate or recite wrongly. Boyle.
Mis`re*peat" (?), v. t. To repeat
wrongly; to give a wrong version of. Gov. Winthrop.
Mis`re*port" (?), v. t. & i. To
report erroneously; to give an incorrect account of.
Locke.
Mis`re*port", n. An erroneous
report; a false or incorrect account given. Denham.
South.
Mis*rep`re*sent" (?), v. t. To
represent incorrectly (almost always, unfavorably); to give a false
or erroneous representation of, either maliciously, ignorantly, or
carelessly. Swift.
Mis*rep`re*sent", v. i. To make an
incorrect or untrue representation. Milton.
Mis*rep`re*sen*ta"tion (?), n.
Untrue representation; false or incorrect statement or account;
-- usually unfavorable to the thing represented; as, a
misrepresentation of a person's motives. Sydney
Smith.
&fist; In popular use, this word often conveys the idea of
intentional untruth.
Mis*rep`re*sent"a*tive (?), a.
Tending to convey a wrong impression; misrepresenting.
Mis*rep`re*sent"er (?), n. One who
misrepresents.
Mis`re*pute" (?), v. t. To have in
wrong estimation; to repute or estimate erroneously.
Mis*rule" (?), v. t. & i. To rule
badly; to misgovern.
Mis*rule", n. 1.
The act, or the result, of misruling.
2. Disorder; confusion; tumult from
insubordination.
Enormous riot and misrule
surveyed.
Pope.
Abbot of Misrule, or Lord of
Misrule. See under Abbot, and
Lord.
Mis*rul"y (?), a. Unruly.
[Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Miss (m&ibreve;s), n.; pl.
Misses (-s&ebreve;z). [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.
&fist; There is diversity of usage in the application of this
title to two or more persons of the same name. We may write either
the Miss Browns or the Misses Brown.
2. A young unmarried woman or a girl; as, she
is a miss of sixteen.
Gay vanity, with smiles and kisses,
Was busy 'mongst the maids and misses.
Cawthorn.
3. A kept mistress. See Mistress,
4. [Obs.] Evelyn.
4. (Card Playing) In the game of
three-card loo, an extra hand, dealt on the table, which may be
substituted for the hand dealt to a player.
Miss, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Missed (m&ibreve;st); p. pr. & vb.
n. Missing.] [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 (?), 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, 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.
||Mis"sa (?), n.; pl.
Missæ (#). [LL. See 1st Mass.]
(R.C.Ch.) The service or sacrifice of the Mass.
Mis"sal (?), n. [LL. missale,
liber missalis, from missa mass: cf. F. missel.
See 1st Mass.] The book containing the service of the
Mass for the entire year; a Mass book.
Mis"sal, a. Of or pertaining to
the Mass, or to a missal or Mass book. Bp. Hall.
Mis*say" (?), v. t. 1.
To say wrongly.
2. To speak evil of; to slander.
[Obs.]
Mis*say", v. i. To speak
ill. [Obs.] Spenser.
Mis*seek" (?), v. t. To seek for
wrongly. [Obs.]
Mis*seem" (?), v. i. 1.
To make a false appearance. [Obs.]
2. To misbecome; to be misbecoming.
[Obs.] Spenser.
Mis"sel (?), n. 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.
Mis"sel*dine (?), n. [See
Mistletoe.] [Written also misselden.] The
mistletoe. [Obs.] Baret.
Mis"sel*toe (?), n. See
Mistletoe.
Mis*sem"blance (?), n. False
resemblance or semblance. [Obs.]
Mis*send" (?), v. t. To send amiss
or incorrectly.
Mis*serve" (?), v. t. & i. To
serve unfaithfully.
Mis*set" (m&ibreve;s*s&ebreve;t"), v.
t. To set or place wrongly.
Mis*shape" (?), v. t. To shape
ill; to give an ill or unnatural from to; to deform. "Figures
monstrous and misshaped." Pope.
Mis*shap"en (?), a. Having a bad
or ugly form. "The mountains are misshapen."
Bentley.
-- Mis*shap"en*ly, adv. --
Mis*shap"en*ness, n.
Mis*sheathed" (?), a. Sheathed by
mistake; wrongly sheathed; sheathed in a wrong place.
Shak.
Mis*sif"i*cate (?), v. i. [LL.
missa Mass + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See fy-
.] To perform Mass. [Obs.] Milton.
Mis"sile (?), a. [L. missils,
fr. mittere, missum, to cause to go, to send, to throw;
cf. Lith. mesti to throw: cf. F. missile. Cf.
Admit, Dismiss, Mass the religious service,
Message, Mission.] Capable of being thrown;
adapted for hurling or to be projected from the hand, or from any
instrument or engine, so as to strike an object at a
distance.
We bend the bow, or wing the missile
dart.
Pope.
Mis"sile, n. [L. missile.]
A weapon thrown or projected or intended to be projected, as a
lance, an arrow, or a bullet.
Miss"ing (?), a. [From Miss,
v. i.] Absent from the place where it was
expected to be found; lost; wanting; not present when called or
looked for.
Neither was there aught missing unto
them.
1 Sam. xxv. 7.
For a time caught up to God, as once
Moses was in the mount, and missing long.
Milton.
Miss"ing*ly, adv. With a sense of
loss. [Obs.] Shak.
Mis"sion (?), n. [L. missio, fr.
mittere, missum, to send: cf. F. mission. See
Missile.] 1. The act of sending, or the
state of being sent; a being sent or delegated by authority, with
certain powers for transacting business; comission.
Whose glorious deeds, but in these fields of late,
Made emulous missions 'mongst the gods
themselves.
Shak.
2. That with which a messenger or agent is
charged; an errand; business or duty on which one is sent; a
commission.
How to begin, how to accomplish best
His end of being on earth, and mission high.
Milton.
3. Persons sent; any number of persons
appointed to perform any service; a delegation; an embassy.
In these ships there should be a mission of
three of the fellows or brethren of Solomon's house.
Bacon.
4. An assotiation or organization of
missionaries; a station or residence of missionaries.
5. An organization for worship and work,
dependent on one or more churches.
6. A course of extraordinary sermons and
services at a particular place and time for the special purpose of
quickening the faith and zeal participants, and of converting
unbelievers. Addis & Arnold.
7. Dismission; discharge from service.
[Obs.]
Mission school. (a) A school
connected with a mission and conducted by missionaries.
(b) A school for the religious instruction of
children not having regular church privileges.
Syn. -- Message; errand; commission; deputation.
Mis"sion (?), v. t. To send on a
mission. [Mostly used in the form of the past participle.]
Keats.
Mis"sion*ary (?), n.; pl.
Missionaries (#). [Cf. F. missionnaire. See
Mission, n.] One who is sent on a
mission; especially, one sent to propagate religion.
Swift.
Missionary apostolic, a Roman Catholic
missionary sent by commission from the pope.
Mis"sion*a*ry, a. Of or pertaining
to missions; as, a missionary meeting; a missionary
fund.
Mis"sion*er (?), n. A missionary;
an envoy; one who conducts a mission. See Mission,
n., 6. "Like mighty missioner you
come." Dryden.
Mis"sis (?), n. A mistress; a
wife; -- so used by the illiterate. G. Eliot.
Miss"ish, a. Like a miss; prim;
affected; sentimental.
-- Miss"ish*ness, n.
Mis*sit" (?), v. t. To sit badly
or imperfectly upon; to misbecome. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mis"sive (?), a. [See Missive,
n.] 1. Specially sent;
intended or prepared to be sent; as, a letter missive.
Ayliffe.
2. Missile. "The missive weapons
fly." Dryden.
Letters missive, letters conveying the
permission, comand, or advice of a superior authority, as a
sovereign. They are addressed and sent to some certain person or
persons, and are distinguished from letters patent, which are
addressed to the public.
Mis"sive, n. [F. lettre missive.
See Mission, n.] 1.
That which is sent; a writing containing a message.
2. One who is sent; a messenger. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mis*sound" (?), v. t. To sound
wrongly; to utter or pronounce incorrectly. E,Hall.
Mis*speak" (?), v. i. To err in
speaking.
Mis*speak", v. t. To utter
wrongly.
Mis*speech" (?), n. Wrong
speech. [Obs.]
Mis*spell" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Misspelled (?), or Misspelt (&?;);
p. pr. & vb. n. Misspelling.] To spell
incorrectly.
Mis*spell"ing, n. A wrong
spelling.
Mis*spend" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Misspent (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Misspending.] To spend amiss or for wrong
purposes; to squander; to waste; as, to misspend time or
money. J. Philips.
Mis*spend"er (?), n. One who
misspends.
Mis*spense" (?), n. A spending
improperly; a wasting. [Obs.] Barrow.
Mis*spent" (?), imp. & p. p. of
Misspend.
Mis*state" (?), v. t. To state
wrongly; as, to misstate a question in debate. Bp.
Sanderson.
Mis*state"ment (?), n. An
incorrect statement.
Mis*stayed" (?), a. (Naut.)
Having missed stays; -- said of a ship.
Mis*step", n. A wrong step; an
error of conduct.
Mis*step", v. i. To take a wrong
step; to go astray.
Mis`suc*cess" (?), n.
Failure. [Obs.]
Mis`sug*ges"tion (? or ?), n.
Wrong or evil suggestion. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Mis`sum*ma"tion, n. Wrong
summation.
Mis*swear" (?), v. i. To swear
falsely.
Mis"sy (?), n. (Min.) See
Misy.
Mis"sy, n. An affectionate, or
contemptuous, form of miss; a young girl; a miss. --
a. Like a miss, or girl.
Mist (m&ibreve;st), n. [AS.
mist; akin to D. & Sw. mist, Icel. mistr, G.
mist dung, Goth. maíhstus, AS.
mīgan to make water, Icel. mīga, Lith.
migla mist, Russ. mgla, L. mingere,
meiere, to make water, Gr. &?; to make water, &?; mist, Skr.
mih to make water, n., a mist m&fist;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 cœlestinum), having heart-shaped leaves, and
corymbs of lavender-blue flowers. It is found in the Western and
Southern United States.
Mist, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Misted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misting.] To cloud; to cover with mist; to dim.
Shak.
Mist, v. i. To rain in very fine
drops; as, it mists.
Mis*tak"a*ble (?), a. Liable to be
mistaken; capable of being misconceived. Sir T.
Browne.
Mis*take" (m&ibreve;s*tāk"), v.
t. [imp. & obs. p. p. Mistook (-
t&oocr;k"); p. p. Mistaken (-tāk"'n);
p. pr. & vb. n. Mistaking.] [Pref. mis-
+ take: cf. Icel. mistaka.] 1.
To take or choose wrongly. [Obs. or R.] Shak.
2. To take in a wrong sense; to misunderstand
misapprehend, or misconceive; as, to mistake a remark; to
mistake one's meaning. Locke.
My father's purposes have been
mistook.
Shak.
3. To substitute in thought or perception;
as, to mistake one person for another.
A man may mistake the love of virtue for the
practice of it.
Johnson.
4. To have a wrong idea of in respect of
character, qualities, etc.; to misjudge.
Mistake me not so much,
To think my poverty is treacherous.
Shak.
Mis*take", v. i. To err in
knowledge, perception, opinion, or judgment; to commit an
unintentional error.
Servants mistake, and sometimes occasion
misunderstanding among friends.
Swift.
Mis*take" (m&ibreve;s*tāk"), n.
1. An apprehending wrongly; a misconception; a
misunderstanding; a fault in opinion or judgment; an unintentional
error of conduct.
Infallibility is an absolute security of the
understanding from all possibility of mistake.
Tillotson.
2. (Law) Misconception, error, which
when non-negligent may be ground for rescinding a contract, or for
refusing to perform it.
No mistake, surely; without fail; as, it
will happen at the appointed time, and no mistake.
[Low]
Syn. -- Blunder; error; bull. See Blunder.
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.
Mis*tak"en*ly, adv. By
mistake. Goldsmith.
Mis*tak"en*ness, n.
Erroneousness.
Mis*tak"er (?), n. One who
mistakes.
Well meaning ignorance of some
mistakers.
Bp. Hall.
Mis*tak"ing, n. An error; a
mistake. Shak.
Mis*tak"ing*ly, adv.
Erroneously.
Mis*taught" (m&ibreve;s*t&add;t"), a.
[See Misteach.] Wrongly taught; as, a mistaught
youth. L'Estrange.
Mis*teach" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Mistaught (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Misteaching.] [AS. mist&aemacr;can.]
To teach wrongly; to instruct erroneously.
Mis*tell" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mistold (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mistelling.] To tell erroneously.
Mis*tem"per (?), v. t. To temper
ill; to disorder; as, to mistemper one's head.
Warner.
This inundation of mistempered
humor.
Shak.
Mis"ter (?), n. [See Master, and
cf. Mistress.] A title of courtesy prefixed to the name
of a man or youth. It is usually written in the abbreviated form
Mr.
To call your name, inquire your where,
Or what you think of Mister Some-one's book,
Or Mister Other's marriage or decease.
Mrs.
Browning.
Mis"ter, v. t. To address or
mention by the title Mr.; as, he mistered me in a formal
way. [Colloq.]
Mis"ter, n. [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.
Mis"ter, v. i. To be needful or of
use. [Obs.]
As for my name, it mistereth not to
tell.
Spenser.
Mis*term" (?), v. t. To call by a
wrong name; to miscall.
Mis"ter*y (?), n. See
Mystery, a trade.
Mist"ful (?), a. Clouded with, or
as with, mist.
Mis*think" (?), v. i. [See
Think.] To think wrongly. [Obs.] "Adam
misthought of her." Milton.
Mis*think", v. t. To have
erroneous thoughts or judgment of; to think ill of. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mis*thought" (?), n. Erroneous
thought; mistaken opinion; error. [Obs.] Spenser.
Mis*thrive" (?), v. i. To thrive
poorly; to be not thrifty or prosperous. [Obs.]
Mis*throw" (?), v. t. To throw
wrongly.
{ Mis"tic (?), Mis"ti*co (?), }
n. [Sp. místico.] A kind of
small sailing vessel used in the Mediterranean. It is rigged partly
like a xebec, and partly like a felucca.
Mis*tide" (?), v. i. [AS.
mistīdan. See Tide.] To happen or come to
pass unfortunately; also, to suffer evil fortune. [Obs.]
{ ||Mis`ti`gris" (?), ||Mis`ti`gri" },
n. [F. mistigri.] A variety of the game
of poker in which the joker is used, and called mistigris or
mistigri.
Mist"i*head (?), n.
Mistiness. [Obs.]
Mist"i*ly, adv. With mist; darkly;
obscurely.
Mis*time" (?), v. t. [AS.
mistīmain to turn out ill.] To time wrongly; not to
adapt to the time.
Mist"i*ness (?), n. State of being
misty.
Mis"tion (?), n. [L. mistio,
mixtio. See Mix, and cf. Mixtion.]
Mixture. [Obs.]
Mis*ti"tle (?), v. t. To call by a
wrong title.
Mis"tle (?), v. i. [Eng. mist.
See Misle, and Mizzle.] To fall in very fine
drops, as rain.
Mis"tle*toe (?), n. [AS.
misteltān; mistel mistletoe + tān
twig. AS. mistel is akin of D., G., Dan. & Sw. mistel,
OHG. mistil, Icel. mistilteinn; and AS.
tān to D. teen, OHG. zein, Icel.
teinn, Goth. tains. Cf. Missel.] (Bot.)
A parasitic evergreen plant of Europe (Viscum album),
bearing a glutinous fruit. When found upon the oak, where it is rare,
it was an object of superstitious regard among the Druids. A bird
lime is prepared from its fruit. [Written also misletoe,
misseltoe, and mistleto.] Lindley. Loudon.
&fist; 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.
||Mis"to*nusk (?), n. [From the Indian
name.] (Zoöl.) The American badger.
Mis*took" (?), imp. & obs. p. p.
of Mistake.
Mis`tra*di"tion (?), n. A wrong
tradition. "Monsters of mistradition."
Tennyson.
Mis*train" (?), v. t. To train
amiss.
Mis"tral (?), n. [F., fr.
Provençal.] A violent and cold northwest wind experienced
in the Mediterranean provinces of France, etc.
Mis`trans*late" (?), v. t. To
translate erroneously.
Mis`trans*la"tion (?), n. Wrong
translation.
Mis`trans*port" (?), v. t. To
carry away or mislead wrongfully, as by passion. [Obs.] Bp.
Hall.
Mis*tread"ing (?), n. Misstep;
misbehavior. "To punish my mistreadings."
Shak.
Mis*treat" (?), v. t. To treat
amiss; to abuse.
Mis*treat"ment (?), n. Wrong
treatment.
Mis"tress (?), n. [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.
Mis"tress, v. i. To wait upon a
mistress; to be courting. [Obs.] Donne.
Mis"tress*ship, n. 1.
Female rule or dominion.
2. Ladyship, a style of address; -- with the
personal pronoun. [Obs.] Massinger.
Mis*tri"al (?), n. (Law) A
false or erroneous trial; a trial which has no result.
Mis*trist" (?), v. t. To
mistrust. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mis*trow" (?), v. i. To think
wrongly. [Obs.]
Mis*trust" (?), n. Want of
confidence or trust; suspicion; distrust. Milton.
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.
Mis*trust"er (?), n. One who
mistrusts.
Mis*trust"ful (?), a. Having or
causing mistrust, suspicions, or forebodings.
Their light blown out in some mistrustful
wood.
Shak.
-- Mis*trust"ful*ly, adv. --
Mis*trust"ful*ness, n.
Mis*trust"ing*ly, adv. With
distrust or suspicion.
Mis*trust"less, a. Having no
mistrust or suspicion.
The swain mistrustless of his smutted
face.
Goldsmith.
Mis*tune" (?), v. t. To tune
wrongly.
||Mis*tu"ra (?), n. [L. See
Mixture.] (Med.) (a) A mingled
compound in which different ingredients are contained in a liquid
state; a mixture. See Mixture, n., 4.
(b) Sometimes, a liquid medicine containing very
active substances, and which can only be administered by drops.
Dunglison.
Mis*turn" (?), v. t. To turn
amiss; to pervert.
Mis*tu"tor (?), v. t. To instruct
amiss.
Mist"y (m&ibreve;st"&ybreve;), a.
[Compar. Mistier (-&ibreve;*&etilde;r);
superl. Mistiest.] [AS. mistig. See
Mist. In some senses misty has been confused with
mystic.] 1. Accompanied 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.
Mis*un`der*stand"
(m&ibreve;s*ŭn`d&etilde;r*stănd"), v.
t. [imp. & p. p. Misunderstood (-
st&oocr;d"); p. pr. & vb. n.
Misunderstanding.] To misconceive; to mistake; to
miscomprehend; to take in a wrong sense.
Mis*un`der*stand"er (-&etilde;r), n.
One who misunderstands. Sir T. More.
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.
||Mi`su*ra"to (mē`s&oomac;*rä"t&osl;),
a. [It.] (Mus.) Measured; -- a
direction to perform a passage in strict or measured time.
Mis*us"age (m&ibreve;s*ūz"&asl;j),
n. [Cf. F. mésusage.] Bad
treatment; abuse. Spenser.
Mis*use" (-ūz"), v. t. [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.
Mis*use" (m&ibreve;s*ūs"), n.
1. Wrong use; misapplication; erroneous or
improper use.
Words little suspected for any such
misuse.
Locke.
2. Violence, or its effects. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mis*use"ment (?), n. Misuse.
[Obs.]
Mis*us"er (?), n. 1.
One who misuses. "Wretched misusers of language."
Coleridge.
2. (Law) Unlawful use of a right; use
in excess of, or varying from, one's right.
Bouvier.
Mis*val"ue (?), v. t. To value
wrongly or too little; to undervalue.
But for I am so young, I dread my work
Wot be misvalued both of old and young.
W.
Browne.
Mis*vouch" (?), v. t. To vouch
falsely.
Mis*wan"der (?), v. i. To wander
in a wrong path; to stray; to go astray. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mis*way" (?), n. A wrong
way. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mis*wear" (?), v. t. To wear
ill. [Obs.] Bacon.
Mis*wed" (?), v. t. To wed
improperly.
Mis*ween" (?), v. i. To ween
amiss; to misjudge; to distrust; to be mistaken. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Mis*wend" (?), v. i. To go wrong;
to go astray. [Obs.] "The world is miswent."
Gower.
Mis*word" (?), v. t. To word
wrongly; as, to misword a message, or a sentence.
Mis*word", n. A word wrongly
spoken; a cross word. [Obs.] Sylvester.
Breton.
Mis*wor"ship (?), n. Wrong or
false worship; mistaken practices in religion. Bp.
Hall.
Such hideous jungle of
misworships.
Carlyle.
Mis*wor"ship, v. t. To worship
wrongly. Bp. Hall.
Mis*wor"ship*er (?), n. One who
worships wrongly.
Mis*write" (?), v. t. To write
incorrectly.
Mis*wrought" (?), a. Badly
wrought. Bacon.
Mi"sy (?), n. [Cf. L. misy a
mineral, perh. copperas, Gr. &?;.] (Min.) An impure
yellow sulphate of iron; yellow copperas or copiapite.
Mis*yoke" (?), v. t. To yoke
improperly.
Mis*zeal"ous (?), a. Mistakenly
zealous. [Obs.]
Mite (mīt), n. [AS.
mīte mite (in sense 1); akin to LG. mite, D.
mijt, G. miete, OHG. mīza; cf. Goth.
maitan to cut.] 1. (Zoöl.) A
minute arachnid, of the order Acarina, of which there are many
species; as, the cheese mite, sugar mite, harvest
mite, etc. See Acarina.
2. [D. mijt; prob. the same word.] A
small coin formerly circulated in England, rated at about a third of
a farthing. The name is also applied to a small coin used in
Palestine in the time of Christ.
Two mites, which make a farthing.
Mark xii. 49.
3. A small weight; one twentieth of a
grain.
4. Anything very small; a minute object; a
very little quantity or particle.
For in effect they be not worth a
myte.
Chaucer.
{ Mi"ter, Mi"tre } (?), n.
[F. mitre, fr. L. mitra headband, turban, Gr. &?;.]
1. A covering for the head, worn on solemn
occasions by church dignitaries. It has been made in many forms, the
present form being a lofty cap with two points or peaks.
Fairholt.
2. The surface forming the beveled end or
edge of a piece where a miter joint is made; also, a joint formed or
a junction effected by two beveled ends or edges; a miter
joint.
3. (Numis.) A sort of base money or
coin.
Miter box (Carp. & Print.), an
apparatus for guiding a handsaw at the proper angle in making a miter
joint; esp., a wooden or metal trough with vertical kerfs in its
upright sides, for guides. -- Miter dovetail
(Carp.), a kind of dovetail for a miter joint in which
there is only one joint line visible, and that at the angle. --
Miter gauge (Carp.), a gauge for
determining the angle of a miter. -- Miter
joint, a joint formed by pieces matched and united upon
a line bisecting the angle of junction, as by the beveled ends of two
pieces of molding or brass rule, etc. The term is used especially
when the pieces form a right angle. See Miter, 2. --
Miter shell (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 45°, 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.
{ 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.
{ Mi"ter, Mi"tre }, v. i.
To meet and match together, as two pieces of molding, on a line
bisecting the angle of junction.
Mi"ter*wort` (?), n. (Bot.)
Any plant of the genus Mitella, -- slender, perennial
herbs with a pod slightly resembling a bishop's miter; bishop's
cap.
False miterwort, a white-flowered perennial
herb of the United States (Tiarella cardifolia).
Mith"ic (?), a. See
Mythic.
||Mi"thras (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;.]
The sun god of the Persians.
Mith"ri*date (?), n. (Med.)
An antidote against poison, or a composition in form of an
electuary, supposed to serve either as a remedy or a preservative
against poison; an alexipharmic; -- so called from King
Mithridates, its reputed inventor.
[Love is] a drop of the true elixir; no
mithridate so effectual against the infection of
vice.
Southey.
Mith`ri*dat"ic
(m&ibreve;th`r&ibreve;*dăt"&ibreve;k), a.
Of or pertaining to King Mithridates, or to a
mithridate.
Mit"i*ga*ble (?), a. Admitting of
mitigation; that may be mitigated.
Mit"i*gant (?), a. [L. mitigans,
p. pr. of mitigare. See Mitigate.] Tending to
mitigate; mitigating; lenitive. Johnson.
Mit"i*gate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Mitigated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mitigating.] [L. mitigatus, p. p. of
mitigare to soften, mitigate; mitis mild, soft + the
root of agere to do, drive.] 1. To make
less severe, intense, harsh, rigorous, painful, etc.; to soften; to
meliorate; to alleviate; to diminish; to lessen; as, to
mitigate heat or cold; to mitigate grief.
2. To make mild and accessible; to mollify; -
- applied to persons. [Obs.]
This opinion . . . mitigated kings into
companions.
Burke.
Syn. -- To alleviate; assuage; allay. See
Alleviate.
Mit`i*ga"tion (?), n. [OE.
mitigacioun, F. mitigation, fr. L. mitigatio.]
The act of mitigating, or the state of being mitigated;
abatement or diminution of anything painful, harsh, severe,
afflictive, or calamitous; as, the mitigation of pain, grief,
rigor, severity, punishment, or penalty.
Syn. -- Alleviation; abatement; relief.
Mit"i*ga*tive (?), a. [L.
mitigativus: cf. F. mitigatif.] Tending to
mitigate; alleviating.
Mit"i*ga`tor (?), n. One who, or
that which, mitigates.
Mit"i*ga*to*ry (?), a. Tending to
mitigate or alleviate; mitigative.
Mit"ing (?), n. [From Mite.]
A little one; -- used as a term of endearment. [Obs.]
Skelton.
Mi"tome (?), n. [Gr. &?; a thread.]
(Biol.) The denser part of the protoplasm of a
cell.
||Mi*to"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a
thread.] (Biol.) See Karyokinesis.
||Mi`traille" (?), n. [F. See
Mitrailleur.] Shot or bits of iron used sometimes in
loading cannon.
||Mi`tra`illeur" (?), n. [F.]
(Mil.) One who serves a mitrailleuse.
||Mi`tra`illeuse" (?), n. [F., fr.
mitrailler to fire grapeshot, fr. mitraille old iron,
grapeshot, dim. of OF. mite a mite.] (Mil.) A
breech-loading machine gun consisting of a number of barrels fitted
together, so arranged that the barrels can be fired simultaneously,
or successively, and rapidly.
Mi"tral (?), a. [Cf. F. mitral.
See Miter.] Pertaining to a miter; resembling a miter;
as, the mitral valve between the left auricle and left
ventricle of the heart.
Mi"tre (?), n. & v. See
Miter.
Mit"ri*form (?), a. [Miter +
-form: cf. F. mitriforme.] Having the form of a
miter, or a peaked cap; as, a mitriform calyptra.
Gray.
Mitt (?), n. [Abbrev. fr.
mitten.] A mitten; also, a covering for the wrist and
hand and not for the fingers.
Mit"ten (?), n. [OE. mitaine,
meteyn, F. mitaine, perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Ir.
miotog, Gael. miotag, Ir. & Gael. mutan a muff,
a thick glove. Cf. Mitt.] 1. A covering
for the hand, worn to defend it from cold or injury. It differs from
a glove in not having a separate sheath for each finger.
Chaucer.
2. A cover for the wrist and
forearm.
To give the mitten to, to dismiss as a
lover; to reject the suit of. [Colloq.] -- To handle
without mittens, to treat roughly; to handle without
gloves. [Colloq.]
Mit"tened (?), a. Covered with a
mitten or mittens. "Mittened hands."
Whittier.
Mit"tent (?), a. [L. mittens, p.
pr. of mittere to send.] Sending forth; emitting.
[Obs.] Wiseman.
||Mit"ti*mus (?), n. [L., we send, fr.
mittere to send.] (Law) (a) A
precept or warrant granted by a justice for committing to prison a
party charged with crime; a warrant of commitment to prison.
Burrill. (b) A writ for removing records
from one court to another. Brande & C.
Mit"tler's green` (?). (Chem.) A pigment of a
green color, the chief constituent of which is oxide of
chromium.
Mit"ty (?), n. The stormy
petrel. [Prov. Eng.]
Mi"tu (mī"t&usl;), n. [Braz.
mitu poranga.] (Zoöl.) A South American
curassow of the genus Mitua.
Mit"y (?), a. [From Mite.]
Having, or abounding with, mites.
Mix (m&ibreve;ks), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Mixed (m&ibreve;kst) (less properly
Mixt); p. pr. & vb. n. Mixing.] [AS.
miscan; akin to OHG. misken, G. mischen, Russ.
mieshate, W. mysgu, Gael. measg, L.
miscere, mixtum, Gr. mi`sgein,
migny`nai, Skr. 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 (?), 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.
Mix"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being
mixed.
Mixed (?), a. Formed by mixing;
united; mingled; blended. See Mix, v. t. &
i.
Mixed action (Law), a suit combining
the properties of a real and a personal action. -- Mixed
angle, a mixtilineal angle. -- Mixed
fabric, a textile fabric composed of two or more kinds
of fiber, as a poplin. -- Mixed marriage,
a marriage between persons of different races or religions;
specifically, one between a Roman Catholic and a Protestant. --
Mixed number, a whole number and a fraction
taken together. -- Mixed train, a railway
train containing both passenger and freight cars. --
Mixed voices (Mus.), voices of both
males and females united in the same performance.
Mix"ed*ly (?), adv. In a mixed or
mingled manner.
Mix"en (?), n. [AS. mixen,
myxen, fr. meohx, meox, dung, filth; akin to E.
mist. See Mist.] A compost heap; a dunghill.
Chaucer. Tennyson.
Mix"er (?), n. One who, or that
which, mixes.
Mix*og"a*mous (?), a. [Gr. &?; a mixing
+ &?; marriage.] (Zoöl.) Pairing with several males;
-- said of certain fishes of which several males accompany each
female during spawning.
Mix`o*lyd"i*an mode` (?). [Gr. &?; a mixing + E.
Lydian.] (Mus.) The seventh ecclesiastical mode,
whose scale commences on G.
{ Mix`ti*lin"e*al (?), Mix`ti*lin"e*ar (?), }
a. [L. mixtus mixed (p. p. of miscere
to mix) + E. lineal, linear.] Containing, or
consisting of, lines of different kinds, as straight, curved, and the
like; as, a mixtilinear angle, that is, an angle contained by
a straight line and a curve. [R.]
Mix"tion (?), n. [L. mixtio,
mistio: cf. F. mixtion. See Mistion,
Mix.] 1. Mixture. [Obs.]
2. A kind of cement made of mastic, amber,
etc., used as a mordant for gold leaf.
Mixt"ly (?), adv. With mixture; in
a mixed manner; mixedly. Bacon.
Mix"ture (?), n. [L. mixtura,
fr. miscere, mixtum, to mix: cf. F. mixture. See
Mix.] 1. The act of mixing, or the state
of being mixed; as, made by a mixture of ingredients.
Hooker.
2. That which results from mixing different
ingredients together; a compound; as, to drink a mixture of
molasses and water; -- also, a medley.
There is also a mixture of good and evil wisely
distributed by God, to serve the ends of his providence.
Atterbury.
3. An ingredient entering into a mixed mass;
an additional ingredient.
Cicero doubts whether it were possible for a community
to exist that had not a prevailing mixture of piety in its
constitution.
Addison.
4. (Med.) A kind of liquid medicine
made up of many ingredients; esp., as opposed to solution, a
liquid preparation in which the solid ingredients are not completely
dissolved.
5. (Physics & Chem.) A mass of two or
more ingredients, the particles of which are separable, independent,
and uncompounded with each other, no matter how thoroughly and finely
commingled; -- contrasted with a compound; thus, gunpowder is
a mechanical mixture of carbon, sulphur, and niter.
6. (Mus.) An organ stop, comprising
from two to five ranges of pipes, used only in combination with the
foundation and compound stops; -- called also furniture stop.
It consists of high harmonics, or overtones, of the ground
tone.
Syn. -- Union; admixture; intermixture; medley.
Miz"maze` (?), n. A maze or
labyrinth. [Obs.]
Miz"zen (?), a. [It. mezzana,
fr. mezzano middle, fr. mezzo middle, half: cf. F.
misaine foresail. See Mezzo.] (Naut.)
Hindmost; nearest the stern; as, the mizzen shrouds,
sails, etc.
Miz"zen, n. (Naut.) The
hindmost of the fore and aft sails of a three-masted vessel; also,
the spanker.
Miz"zen*mast (?), n. (Naut.)
The hindmost mast of a three-masted vessel, or of a yawl-rigged
vessel.
Miz"zle (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Mizzled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mizzling (?).] [See Misle, and cf. Mistle.]
1. To rain in very fine drops.
Spenser.
2. To take one's self off; to go.
[Slang]
As long as George the Fourth could reign, he
reigned,
And then he mizzled.
Epigram, quoted by
Wright.
Miz"zle, n. Mist; fine
rain.
Miz"zy (?), n. [Cf. F. moisi
moldy, musty, p. p. of moisir to mold, fr. L. mucere to
be moldy.] A bog or quagmire. [Obs.]
Ainsworth.
{ Mne*mon"ic (n&esl;*m&obreve;n"&ibreve;k),
Mne*mon"ic*al (-&ibreve;*kal), } a.
[Gr. mnhmoniko`s, fr. mnh`mwn mindful,
remembering, mnh`mh memory, mna^sqai to think
on, remember; akin to E. mind.] Assisting in
memory.
Mne`mo*ni"cian (?), n. One who
instructs in the art of improving or using the memory.
Mne*mon"ics (?), n. [Gr. ta~
mnhmonika`: cf. F. mnémonique.] The art of
memory; a system of precepts and rules intended to assist the memory;
artificial memory.
Mne*mos"y*ne (?), n. [L., fr. Gr.
mnhmosy`nh remembrance, memory, and the goddess of memory.
See Mnemonic.] (Class Myth.) The goddess of memory
and the mother of the Muses.
Mne"mo*tech`ny (?), n. [Gr. &?; memory
+ &?; art: cf. F. mnémotechnie.]
Mnemonics.
Mo (?), a., adv., & n. [Written also
moe.] [AS. mā. See More.] More; --
usually, more in number. [Obs.]
An hundred thousand mo.
Chaucer.
Likely to find mo to commend than to imitate
it.
Fuller.
-mo (?). 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.
Mo"a (mō"&adot;), n. [Native
name.] (Zoöl.) 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.
Mo"ab*ite (?), n. One of the
posterity of Moab, the son of Lot. (Gen. xix. 37.) Also used
adjectively.
Mo"ab*i`tess (?), n. A female
Moabite. Ruth i. 22.
Mo"ab*i`tish (?), a.
Moabite. Ruth ii. 6.
Moan (mōn), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Moaned (mōnd); p. pr. & vb.
n. Moaning.] [AS. m&aemacr;nan to moan, also,
to mean; but in the latter sense perh. a different word. Cf.
Mean to intend.] 1. To make a low
prolonged sound of grief or pain, whether articulate or not; to groan
softly and continuously.
Unpitied and unheard, where misery
moans.
Thomson.
Let there bechance him pitiful mischances,
To make him moan.
Shak.
2. To emit a sound like moan; -- said of
things inanimate; as, the wind moans.
Moan, 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, n. [OE. mone. See
Moan, v. i.] 1. A low
prolonged sound, articulate or not, indicative of pain or of grief; a
low groan.
Sullen moans, hollow groans.
Pope.
2. A low mournful or murmuring sound; -- of
things.
Rippling waters made a pleasant
moan.
Byron.
Moan"ful (?), a. Full of moaning;
expressing sorrow. -- Moan"ful*ly,
adv.
Moat (?), n. [OF. mote hill,
dike, bank, F. motte clod, turf: cf. Sp. & Pg. mota
bank or mound of earth, It. motta clod, LL. mota,
motta, a hill on which a fort is built, an eminence, a dike,
Prov. G. mott bog earth heaped up; or perh. F. motte,
and OF. mote, are from a LL. p. p. of L. movere to move
(see Move). The name of moat, properly meaning, bank or
mound, was transferred to the ditch adjoining: cf. F. dike and
ditch.] (Fort.) A deep trench around the rampart
of a castle or other fortified place, sometimes filled with water; a
ditch.
Moat, v. t. To surround with a
moat. Dryden.
Moate (?), v. i. [See Mute to
molt.] To void the excrement, as a bird; to mute.
[Obs.]
Mob (?), n. [See Mobcap.] A
mobcap. Goldsmith.
Mob, v. t. To wrap up in, or cover
with, a cowl. [R.]
Mob, n. [L. mobile vulgus, the
movable common people. See Mobile, n.]
1. The lower classes of a community; the
populace, or the lowest part of it.
A cluster of mob were making themselves merry
with their betters.
Addison.
2. Hence: A throng; a rabble; esp., an
unlawful or riotous assembly; a disorderly crowd.
The mob of gentlemen who wrote with
ease.
Pope.
Had every Athenian citizen been a Socrates, every
Athenian assembly would still have been a mob.
Madison.
Confused by brainless mobs.
Tennyson.
Mob law, law administered by the mob; lynch
law. -- Swell mob, well dressed thieves
and swindlers, regarded collectively. [Slang]
Dickens.
Mob, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mobbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mobbing.] To crowd about, as a mob, and attack or annoy;
as, to mob a house or a person.
Mob"bish (?), a. Like a mob;
tumultuous; lawless; as, a mobbish act. Bp.
Kent.
Mob"cap` (?), n. [D. mop-muts;
OD. mop a woman's coif + D. muts cap.] A plain cap
or headdress for women or girls; especially, one tying under the chin
by a very broad band, generally of the same material as the cap
itself. Thackeray.
Mo"bile (?), a. [L. mobilis, for
movibilis, fr. movere to move: cf. F. mobile.
See Move.] 1. Capable of being moved; not
fixed in place or condition; movable. "Fixed or else
mobile." Skelton.
2. Characterized by an extreme degree of
fluidity; moving or flowing with great freedom; as, benzine and
mercury are mobile liquids; -- opposed to viscous,
viscoidal, or oily.
3. Easily moved in feeling, purpose, or
direction; excitable; changeable; fickle. Testament of
Love.
The quick and mobile curiosity of her
disposition.
Hawthorne.
4. Changing in appearance and expression
under the influence of the mind; as, mobile
features.
5. (Physiol.) Capable of being moved,
aroused, or excited; capable of spontaneous movement.
Mo"bile (mō"b&ibreve;l; L.
m&obreve;b"&ibreve;*lē), n. [L. mobile
vulgus. See Mobile, a., and cf. 3d
Mob.] The mob; the populace. [Obs.] "The unthinking
mobile." South.
Mo*bil"i*ty (m&osl;*b&ibreve;l"&ibreve;*t&ybreve;),
n. [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.
Mob`i*li*za"tion (?), n. [F.
mobilization.] The act of mobilizing.
Mob"i*lize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Mobilized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mobilizing (?).] [F. mobiliser.] To
put in a state of readiness for active service in war, as an army
corps.
Mo"ble (?), v. t. [From Mob to
wrap up.] To wrap the head of in a hood. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mo"bles (?), n. pl. See
Moebles. [Obs.]
Mob*oc"ra*cy (?), n. [Mob rabble
+ -cracy, as in democracy.] A condition in which
the lower classes of a nation control public affairs without respect
to law, precedents, or vested rights.
It is good name that Dr. Stevens has given to our
present situation (for one can not call it a government), a
mobocracy.
Walpole.
Mob"o*crat (?), n. One who favors
a form of government in which the unintelligent populace rules
without restraint. Bayne.
Mob`o*crat"ic (?), a. Of, or
relating to, a mobocracy.
Moc"ca*sin (?), n. [An Indian word.
Algonquin makisin.] [Sometimes written moccason.]
1. A shoe made of deerskin, or other soft
leather, the sole and upper part being one piece. It is the customary
shoe worn by the American Indians.
2. (Zoöl.) 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.
Moc"ca*sined (?), a. Covered with,
or wearing, a moccasin or moccasins. "Moccasined feet."
Harper's Mag.
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 (?), n. [F.] A bale of raw
silk.
Moche (?), a. Much. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Moch"el (?), a. & adv. Much.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
||Mo*chi"la (?), n. [Sp.] A large
leather flap which covers the saddletree. [Western U.S.]
Mock (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mocked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mocking.] [F. moquer, of uncertain origin; cf. OD.
mocken to mumble, G. mucken, OSw. mucka.]
1. To imitate; to mimic; esp., to mimic in
sport, contempt, or derision; to deride by mimicry.
To see the life as lively mocked as ever
Still sleep mocked death.
Shak.
Mocking marriage with a dame of
France.
Shak.
2. To treat with scorn or contempt; to
deride.
Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry
aloud.
1 Kings xviii. 27.
Let not ambition mock their useful
toil.
Gray.
3. To disappoint the hopes of; to deceive; to
tantalize; as, to mock expectation.
Thou hast mocked me, and told me
lies.
Judg. xvi. 13.
He will not . . .
Mock us with his blest sight, then snatch him
hence.
Milton.
Syn. -- To deride; ridicule; taunt; jeer; tantalize;
disappoint. See Deride.
Mock, v. i. To make sport in
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, 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, a. Imitating reality, but
not real; false; counterfeit; assumed; sham.
That superior greatness and mock
majesty.
Spectator.
Mock bishop's weed (Bot.), a genus of
slender umbelliferous herbs (Discopleura) growing in wet
places. -- Mock heroic, burlesquing the
heroic; as, a mock heroic poem. -- Mock
lead. See Blende (a). --
Mock nightingale (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.
Mock"a*ble (?), a. Such as can be
mocked. Shak.
Mock"a*do (?), n. A stuff made in
imitation of velvet; -- probably the same as mock
velvet. [Obs.]
Our rich mockado doublet.
Ford.
Mock"a*dour (?), n. See
Mokadour. [Obs.]
Mock"age (?), n. Mockery.
[Obs.] Fuller.
Mock"bird` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The European sedge warbler (Acrocephalus
phragmitis).
Mock"er (?), n. 1.
One who, or that which, mocks; a scorner; a scoffer; a
derider.
2. A deceiver; an impostor.
3. (Zoöl.) 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.
Mock"er*y (?), n.; pl.
Mockeries (#). [F. moquerie.]
1. The act of mocking, deriding, and exposing to
contempt, by mimicry, by insincere imitation, or by a false show of
earnestness; a counterfeit appearance.
It is, as the air, invulnerable,
And our vain blows malicious mockery.
Shak.
Grace at meals is now generally so performed as to
look more like a mockery upon devotion than any solemn
application of the mind to God.
Law.
And bear about the mockery of woe.
Pope.
2. Insulting or contemptuous action or
speech; contemptuous merriment; derision; ridicule.
The laughingstock of fortune's
mockeries.
Spenser.
3. Subject of laughter, derision, or
sport.
The cruel handling of the city whereof they made a
mockery.
2 Macc. viii. 17.
Mock"ing, a. 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.
Mock"ing*ly, adv. By way of
derision; in a contemptuous or mocking manner.
Mock"ing*stock` (?), n. A butt of
sport; an object of derision. [R.]
Mock"ish, a. Mock; counterfeit;
sham. [Obs.]
Moc"kle (?), a. See
Mickle.
Mo"co (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A South American rodent (Cavia rupestris), allied to the
Guinea pig, but larger; -- called also rock cavy.
Mo"dal (?), a. [Cf. F. modal.
See Mode.] 1. Of or pertaining to a mode
or mood; consisting in mode or form only; relating to form; having
the form without the essence or reality. Glanvill.
2. (Logic & Metaph.) Indicating, or
pertaining to, some mode of conceiving existence, or of expressing
thought.
Mo"dal*ist, n. (Theol.) One
who regards Father, Son, and Spirit as modes of being, and not as
persons, thus denying personal distinction in the Trinity.
Eadie.
Mo*dal"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
modalité.] 1. The quality or state
of being modal.
2. (Logic & Metaph.) A modal relation
or quality; a mode or point of view under which an object presents
itself to the mind. According to Kant, the quality of propositions,
as assertory, problematical, or apodeictic.
Mo"dal*ly (?), adv. In a modal
manner.
A compound proposition, the parts of which are united
modally . . . by the particles "as" and "so."
Gibbs.
Mode (?), n. [L. modus a
measure, due or proper measure, bound, manner, form; akin to E.
mete: cf. F. mode. See Mete, and cf.
Commodious, Mood in grammar, Modus.]
1. Manner of doing or being; method; form;
fashion; custom; way; style; as, the mode of speaking; the
mode of dressing.
The duty of itself being resolved on, the mode
of doing it may easily be found.
Jer. Taylor.
A table richly spread in regal
mode.
Milton.
2. Prevailing popular custom; fashion,
especially in the phrase the mode.
The easy, apathetic graces of a man of the
mode.
Macaulay.
3. Variety; gradation; degree.
Pope.
4. (Metaph.) Any combination of
qualities or relations, considered apart from the substance to which
they belong, and treated as entities; more generally, condition, or
state of being; manner or form of arrangement or manifestation; form,
as opposed to matter.
Modes I call such complex ideas, which, however
compounded, contain not in them the supposition of subsisting by
themselves, but are considered as dependencies on, or affections of,
substances.
Locke.
5. (Logic) The form in which the
proposition connects the predicate and subject, whether by simple,
contingent, or necessary assertion; the form of the syllogism, as
determined by the quantity and quality of the constituent
proposition; mood.
6. (Gram.) Same as
Mood.
7. (Mus.) The scale as affected by the
various positions in it of the minor intervals; as, the Dorian
mode, the Ionic mode, etc., of ancient Greek
music.
&fist; 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.
Mod"el (?), n. [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 is
expected to do.
Mod"el (?), a. Suitable to be
taken as a model or pattern; as, a model house; a model
husband.
Mod"el, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Modeled (?) or Modelled; p. pr. &
vb. n. Modeling or Modelling.] [Cf. F.
modeler, It. modellare.] To plan or form after a
pattern; to form in model; to form a model or pattern for; to shape;
to mold; to fashion; as, to model a house or a government; to
model an edifice according to the plan delineated.
Mod"el, v. i. (Fine Arts)
To make a copy or a pattern; to design or imitate forms; as, to
model in wax.
Mod"el*er (?), n. One who models;
hence, a worker in plastic art. [Written also
modeller.]
Mod"el*ing, n. (Fine Arts)
The act or art of making a model from which a work of art is to
be executed; the formation of a work of art from some plastic
material. Also, in painting, drawing, etc., the expression or
indication of solid form. [Written also modelling.]
Modeling plane, a small plane for planing
rounded objects. -- Modeling wax, beeswax
melted with a little Venice turpentine, or other resinous material,
and tinted with coloring matter, usually red, -- used in
modeling.
Mod"el*ize (?), v. t. To
model. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
||Mod"e*na (?), n. [From Modena,
in Italy.] A certain crimsonlike color. Good.
Mod`e*nese" (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Modena or its inhabitants. -- n. sing. &
pl. A native or inhabitant of Modena; the people of
Modena.
Mo"der (?), n. [OE. See Mother
female parent.] 1. A mother. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
2. The principal piece of an astrolabe, into
which the others are fixed. [Obs.]
Mod"er (?), v. t. To
moderate. [Obs.]
Mod"er*a*ble (?), a. [L.
moderabilis.] Moderate; temperate. [Obs.]
Mod"er*ance (?), n.
Moderation. [Obs.] Caxton.
Mod"er*ate (?), a. [L.
moderatus, p. p. of moderate, moderati, to
moderate, regulate, control, fr. modus measure. See
Mode.] Kept within due bounds; observing reasonable
limits; not excessive, extreme, violent, or rigorous; limited;
restrained; as: (a) Limited in quantity;
sparing; temperate; frugal; as, moderate in eating or
drinking; a moderate table. (b)
Limited in degree of activity, energy, or excitement;
reasonable; calm; slow; as, moderate language; moderate
endeavors. (c) Not extreme in opinion, in
partisanship, and the like; as, a moderate
Calvinist.
A number of moderate members managed . . . to
obtain a majority in a thin house.
Swift.
(d) Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild;
gentle; as, a moderate winter. "Moderate
showers." Walter. (e) Limited as to
degree of progress; as, to travel at moderate speed.
(f) Limited as to the degree in which a quality,
principle, or faculty appears; as, an infusion of moderate
strength; a man of moderate abilities.
(g) Limited in scope or effects; as, a
reformation of a moderate kind. Hooker.
Mod"er*ate, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a party in the Church of Scotland in the 18th century,
and part of the 19th, professing moderation in matters of church
government, in discipline, and in doctrine.
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.
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).
Mod"er*ate*ly (?), adv. In a
moderate manner or degree; to a moderate extent.
Each nymph but moderately fair.
Waller.
Mod"er*ate*ness, n. The quality or
state of being moderate; temperateness; moderation.
Mod`er*a"tion (?), n. [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. The first public examinations
for degrees at the University of Oxford; -- usually contracted to
mods.
Mod"er*a*tism (m&obreve;d"&etilde;r*&asl;*t&ibreve;z'm),
n. Moderation in doctrines or opinion,
especially in politics or religion.
||Mod`e*ra"to (?), a. & adv. [It. See
Moderate.] (Mus.) With a moderate degree of
quickness; moderately.
Allegro moderato, a little slower than
allegro. -- Andante moderato, a little
faster than andante.
Mod"er*a`tor (?), n. [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 mechanical arrangement for regulating
motion in a machine, or producing equality of effect.
Mod"er*a`tor*ship, n. The office
of a moderator.
Mod"er*a`tress (?), n. A female
moderator. Fuller.
Mod"er*a`trix (?), n. [L.] A
female moderator.
Mod"ern (?), a. [F. moderne, L.
modernus; akin to modo just now, orig. abl. of
modus measure; hence, by measure, just now. See Mode.]
1. Of or pertaining to the present time, or time
not long past; late; not ancient or remote in past time; of recent
period; as, modern days, ages, or time; modern authors;
modern fashions; modern taste; modern
practice. Bacon.
2. New and common; trite; commonplace.
[Obs.]
We have our philosophical persons, to make
modern and familiar, things supernatural and
causeless.
Shak.
Modern English. See the Note under
English.
Mod"ern, n. A person of modern
times; -- opposed to ancient. Pope.
Mod"ern*ism (?), n. Modern
practice; a thing of recent date; esp., a modern usage or mode of
expression.
Mod"ern*ist, n. [Cf. F.
moderniste.] One who admires the moderns, or their ways
and fashions.
Mo*der"ni*ty (?), n. Modernness;
something modern. Walpole.
Mod`ern*i*za"tion (?), n. The act
of rendering modern in style; the act or process of causing to
conform to modern of thinking or acting.
Mod"ern*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Modernized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Modernizing (?).] [Cf. F. moderniser.]
To render modern; to adapt to modern person or things; to cause
to conform to recent or present usage or taste.
Percy.
Mod"ern*i`zer (?), n. One who
modernizes.
Mod"ern*ly, adv. In modern
times. Milton.
Mod"ern*ness, n. The quality or
state of being modern; recentness; novelty. M.
Arnold.
Mod"est (?), a. [F. modeste, L.
modestus, fr. modus measure. See Mode.]
1. Restraining within due limits of propriety;
not forward, bold, boastful, or presumptious; rather retiring than
pushing one's self forward; not obstructive; as, a modest
youth; a modest man.
2. Observing the proprieties of the sex; not
unwomanly in act or bearing; free from undue familiarity, indecency,
or lewdness; decent in speech and demeanor; -- said of a
woman.
Mrs. Ford, the honest woman, the modest
wife.
Shak.
The blushing beauties of a modest
maid.
Dryden.
3. Evincing modestly in the actor, author, or
speaker; not showing presumption; not excessive or extreme; moderate;
as, a modest request; modest joy.
Syn. -- Reserved; unobtrusive; diffident; bashful; coy;
shy; decent; becoming; chaste; virtuous.
Mod"est*ly, adv. In a modest
manner.
Mod"es*ty (?), n. [L. modestia:
cf. F. modestie. See Modest.] 1.
The quality or state of being modest; that lowly temper which
accompanies a moderate estimate of one's own worth and importance;
absence of self-assertion, arrogance, and presumption; humility
respecting one's own merit.
2. Natural delicacy or shame regarding
personal charms and the sexual relation; purity of thought and
manners; due regard for propriety in speech or action.
Her blush is guiltiness, not
modesty.
Shak.
Modesty piece, a narrow piece of lace worn
by women over the bosom. [Obs.] Addison.
Syn. -- Bashfulness; humility; diffidence; shyness. See
Bashfulness, and Humility.
Mo*dic"i*ty (?), n. [LL.
modicitas; cf. F. modicité.] Moderateness;
smallness; meanness. [Obs.]
Mod"i*cum (?), n. [L., fr.
modicus moderate, fr. modus. See Mode.] A
little; a small quantity; a measured supply. "Modicums
of wit." Shak.
Her usual modicum of beer and
punch.
Thackeray.
Mod`i*fi`a*bil"i*ty (?), n.
Capability of being modified; state or quality of being
modifiable.
Mod"i*fi`a*ble (?), a. [From
Modify.] Capable of being modified; liable to
modification.
Mo*dif"i*ca*ble (?), a.
Modifiable. [Obs.]
Mod"i*fi*cate (?), v. t. [See
Modify.] To qualify. [Obs.] Bp.
Pearson.
Mod`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
modificatio a measuring: cf. F. modification. See
Modify.] The act of modifying, or the state of being
modified; a modified form or condition; state as modified; a change;
as, the modification of an opinion, or of a machine; the
various modifications of light. Bentley.
Mod"i*fi*ca*tive (?), n. That
which modifies or qualifies, as a word or clause.
Mod"i*fi*ca`to*ry (?), a. Tending
or serving to modify; modifying. Max Müller.
Mod"i*fi`er (?), n. One who, or
that which, modifies. Hume.
Mod"i*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Modified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Modifying (?).] [F. modifier, L. modificare,
modificari; modus limit + -ficare (in comp.) to
make. See Mode, and -fy.] 1. To
change somewhat the form or qualities of; to alter somewhat; as, to
modify a contrivance adapted to some mechanical purpose; to
modify the terms of a contract.
2. To limit or reduce in extent or degree; to
moderate; to qualify; to lower.
Of his grace
He modifies his first severe decree.
Dryden.
Mo*dil"lion (?), n. [F.
modillon, It. modiglione. Cf. Module,
n.] (Arch.) The enriched block or
horizontal bracket generally found under the cornice of the
Corinthian and Composite entablature, and sometimes, less ornamented,
in the Ionic and other orders; -- so called because of its
arrangement at regulated distances.
Mo*di"o*lar (?), a. [L.
modiolus, dim. of modius the Roman corn measure.]
Shaped like a bushel measure.
||Mo*di"o*lus (?), n.; pl.
Modioli (#). [L., a small measure.] (Anat.)
The central column in the osseous cochlea of the ear.
Mod"ish (?), a. According to the
mode, or customary manner; conformed to the fashion; fashionable;
hence, conventional; as, a modish dress; a modish
feast. Dryden. "Modish forms of address."
Barrow.
-- Mod"ish*ly, adv. --
Mod"ish*ness, n.
Mod"ist (?), n. One who follows
the fashion.
||Mo`diste" (?), n. [F. See
Mode, and cf. Modist.] A female maker of, or
dealer in, articles of fashion, especially of the fashionable dress
of ladies; a woman who gives direction to the style or mode of
dress.
||Mo"di*us (?), n.; pl.
Modii (#). [L.] (Rom. Antiq.) A dry
measure, containing about a peck.
Mo"docs (?), n. pl.; sing.
Modoc (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of
warlike Indians formerly inhabiting Northern California. They are
nearly extinct.
Mod"u*lar (?), a. Of or pertaining
to mode, modulation, module, or modius; as, modular
arrangement; modular accent; modular measure.
Mod"u*late (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Modulated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Modulating (?).] [L. modulatus, p. p. of
modulari to measure, to modulate, fr. modulus a small
measure, meter, melody, dim. of modus. See Mode.]
1. To form, as sound, to a certain key, or to a
certain portion.
2. To vary or inflect in a natural,
customary, or musical manner; as, the organs of speech
modulate the voice in reading or speaking.
Could any person so modulate her voice as to
deceive so many?
Broome.
Mod"u*late, v. i. (Mus.) To
pass from one key into another.
Mod`u*la"tion (?), n. [L.
modulatio: cf. F. modulation.] 1.
The act of modulating, or the state of being modulated; as, the
modulation of the voice.
2. Sound modulated; melody. [R.]
Thomson.
3. (Mus.) A change of key, whether
transient, or until the music becomes established in the new key; a
shifting of the tonality of a piece, so that the harmonies all center
upon a new keynote or tonic; the art of transition out of the
original key into one nearly related, and so on, it may be, by
successive changes, into a key quite remote. There are also sudden
and unprepared modulations.
Mod"u*la`tor (?), n. [L.] One who,
or that which, modulates. Denham.
Mod"ule (?), n. [F., fr. L.
modulus a small measure, dim. of modus. See
Mode, and cf. Model, Modulus, Mold a
matrix.] 1. A model or measure.
2. (Arch.) The size of some one part,
as the diameter of semi-diameter of the base of a shaft, taken as a
unit of measure by which the proportions of the other parts of the
composition are regulated. Generally, for columns, the semi-diameter
is taken, and divided into a certain number of parts, called
minutes (see Minute), though often the diameter is
taken, and any dimension is said to be so many modules and
minutes in height, breadth, or projection.
Mod"ule, v. t. [See module,
n., Modulate.] To model; also, to
modulate. [Obs.] Sandys. Drayton.
||Mod"u*lus (?), n.; pl.
Moduli (#). [L., a small measure. See
Module, n.] (Math., Mech., & Physics)
A quantity or coefficient, or constant, which expresses the
measure of some specified force, property, or quality, as of
elasticity, strength, efficiency, etc.; a parameter.
Modulus of a machine, a formula expressing
the work which a given machine can perform under the conditions
involved in its construction; the relation between the work done upon
a machine by the moving power, and that yielded at the working
points, either constantly, if its motion be uniform, or in the
interval of time which it occupies in passing from any given velocity
to the same velocity again, if its motion be variable; -- called also
the efficiency of the machine. Mosley.
Rankine. -- Modulus of a system of
logarithms (Math.), a number by which all the
Napierian logarithms must be multiplied to obtain the logarithms in
another system. -- Modulus of elasticity.
(a) The measure of the elastic force of any
substance, expressed by the ratio of a stress on a given unit of the
substance to the accompanying distortion, or strain.
(b) An expression of the force (usually in terms
of the height in feet or weight in pounds of a column of the same
body) which would be necessary to elongate a prismatic body of a
transverse section equal to a given unit, as a square inch or foot,
to double, or to compress it to half, its original length, were that
degree of elongation or compression possible, or within the limits of
elasticity; -- called also Young's modulus. --
Modulus of rupture, the measure of the force
necessary to break a given substance across, as a beam, expressed by
eighteen times the load which is required to break a bar of one inch
square, supported flatwise at two points one foot apart, and loaded
in the middle between the points of support. Rankine.
||Mo"dus (?), n.; pl.
Modi (#). [L. See Mode.] (Old Law)
1. The arrangement of, or mode of expressing,
the terms of a contract or conveyance.
2. (Law) A qualification involving the
idea of variation or departure from some general rule or form, in the
way of either restriction or enlargement, according to the
circumstances of the case, as in the will of a donor, an agreement
between parties, and the like. Bracton.
3. (Law) A fixed compensation or
equivalent given instead of payment of tithes in kind, expressed in
full by the phrase modus decimandi.
Blackstone.
They, from time immemorial, had paid a modus,
or composition.
Landor.
||Modus operandi (&?;) [L.], manner of
operating.
Mod"y (?), a. [From Mode.]
Fashionable. [R.]
Moe (?), n. A wry face or mouth; a
mow. [Obs.]
Moe, v. i. To make faces; to
mow. [Obs.]
Moe, a., adv., & n. [AS.
mā See More.] More. See Mo.
[Obs.] "Sing no more ditties, sing no moe." Shak.
Moe"bles (?), n. pl. [OE., fr. OF.
moeble, mueble, movable, from L. mobilis.]
Movables; furniture; -- also used in the singular
(moeble). [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mo"el*line (?), n. [F. moelle,
fr. L. medulla marrow.] An unguent for the
hair.
Mo"el*lon (?), n. [F.] Rubble
masonry.
Mœ`so*goth"ic (?), a.
Belonging to the Mœsogoths, a branch of the Goths who
settled in Mœsia.
Mœ`so*goth"ic, n. The
language of the Mœsogoths; -- also called
Gothic.
Moeve (?), v. t. & i. To
move. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Moff (?), n. A thin silk stuff
made in Caucasia.
Mog"gan (?), n. A closely fitting
knit sleeve; also, a legging of knitted material. [Scot.]
Mo*gul" (?), n. [From the Mongolian.]
1. A person of the Mongolian race.
2. (Railroad) A heavy locomotive for
freight traffic, having three pairs of connected driving wheels and a
two-wheeled truck.
Great, or Grand,
Mogul, the sovereign of the empire founded in
Hindostan by the Mongols under Baber in the sixteenth century. Hence,
a very important personage; a lord; -- sometimes only
mogul. Dryden.
Mo"ha (?), n. (Bot.) A kind
of millet (Setaria Italica); German millet.
Mo"hair` (?), n. [F. moire,
perh. from Ar. mukhayyar a kind of coarse camelot or
haircloth; but prob. fr. L. marmoreus of marble, resembling
marble. Cf. Moire, Marble.] The long silky hair
or wool of the Angora goat of Asia Minor; also, a fabric made from
this material, or an imitation of such fabric.
Mo*ham"med*an (?), a. [From
Mohammed, fr. Ar. muhámmad praiseworthy, highly
praised.] Of or pertaining to Mohammed, or the religion and
institutions founded by Mohammed. [Written also
Mahometan, Mahomedan, Muhammadan, etc.]
Mo*ham"med*an, n. A follower of
Mohammed, the founder of Islamism; one who professes Mohammedanism or
Islamism.
{ Mo*ham"med*an*ism, Mo*ham"med*ism } (?),
n. The religion, or doctrines and precepts, of
Mohammed, contained in the Koran; Islamism.
{ Mo*ham"med*an*ize, Mo*ham"med*ize } (?),
v. t. To make conformable to the principles,
or customs and rites, of Mohammedanism. [Written also
Mahometanize.]
Mo"hawk (?), n. 1.
(Ethnol.) One of a tribe of Indians who formed part of
the Five Nations. They formerly inhabited the valley of the Mohawk
River.
2. One of certain ruffians who infested the
streets of London in the time of Addison, and took the name from the
Mohawk Indians. [Slang] Spectator. Macaulay.
Mo*hi"cans (?), n. pl.; sing.
Mohican (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of
Lenni-Lenape Indians who formerly inhabited Western Connecticut and
Eastern New York. [Written also Mohegans.]
||Mo"ho (?), n. [Native name.]
(Zoöl.) A gallinule (Notornis Mantelli)
formerly inhabiting New Zealand, but now supposed to be extinct. It
was incapable of flight. See Notornis.
Mo"hock (?), n. See
Mohawk.
||Mo*ho"li (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Maholi.
Mohr (?), n. (Zoöl.) 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.]
Mo"hur (?), n. [Hind., fr. Per.
muhur, muhr, a gold coin, a seal, seal ring.] A
British Indian gold coin, of the value of fifteen silver rupees, or
$7.21. Malcom.
{ ||Mo*hur"rum (?), ||Mu*har"ram (?) },
n. [Ar. muharram, prop., sacred, forbidden,
n., the first month of the Mohammedan lunar year.] 1.
The first month of the Mohammedan year.
Whitworth.
2. A festival of the Shiah sect of the
Mohammedans held during the first ten days of the month
Mohurrum.
Moi"der (?), v. i. To toil.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Moi"dore (?), n. [Pg. moeda
d'ouro, lit., coin of gold. Cf. Money, and
Aureate.] A gold coin of Portugal, valued at about 27s.
sterling.
Moi"e*ty (moi"&esl;*t&ybreve;), n.;
pl. Moieties (-t&ibreve;z). [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 (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Moiled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Moiling.] [OE. moillen to wet, OF. moillier,
muillier, F. mouller, fr. (assumed) LL.
molliare, fr. L. mollis soft. See Mollify.]
To daub; to make dirty; to soil; to defile.
Thou . . . doest thy mind in dirty pleasures
moil.
Spenser.
Moil, v. i. [From Moil to daub;
prob. from the idea of struggling through the wet.] To soil
one's self with severe labor; to work with painful effort; to labor;
to toil; to drudge.
Moil not too much under ground.
Bacon.
Now he must moil and drudge for one he
loathes.
Dryden.
Moil, n. A spot; a
defilement.
The moil of death upon them.
Mrs. Browning.
Moile (?), n. [F. mule a
slipper.] A kind of high shoe anciently worn. [Written
also moyle.]
||Moi"neau (?), n. [F.] (Fort.)
A small flat bastion, raised in the middle of an overlong
curtain.
||Moi"ra (moi"r&adot;), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. Moi^ra.] (Greek Myth.) The deity who
assigns to every man his lot.
||Moire (?), n. [F. Cf.
Mohair.] 1. Originally, a fine textile
fabric made of the hair of an Asiatic goat; afterwards, any textile
fabric to which a watered appearance is given in the process of
calendering.
2. A watered, clouded, or frosted appearance
produced upon either textile fabrics or metallic surfaces.
Moire antique, a superior kind of thick
moire.
||Moi`ré" mé`tal`lique" (?). [F.] A
crystalline or frosted appearance produced by some acids on tin
plate; also, the tin plate thus treated.
Moist (?), a. [OE. moiste, OF.
moiste, F. moite, fr. L. muccidus, for
mucidus, moldy, musty. Cf. Mucus, Mucid.]
1. Moderately wet; damp; humid; not dry; as, a
moist atmosphere or air. "Moist eyes."
Shak.
2. Fresh, or new. [Obs.] "Shoes full
moist and new." "A draught of moist and corny ale."
Chaucer.
Moist, v. t. To moisten.
[Obs.] Shak.
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.
Mois"ten*er (?), n. One who, or
that which, moistens. Johnson.
Moist"ful (?), a. Full of
moisture. [R.]
Moist"less, a. Without moisture;
dry. [R.]
Moist"ness, n. The quality or
state of being moist.
Mois"ture (?), n. [Cf. OF.
moistour, F. moiteur.] 1. A
moderate degree of wetness. Bacon.
2. That which moistens or makes damp or wet;
exuding fluid; liquid in small quantity.
All my body's moisture
Scarce serves to quench my furnace-burning heat.
Shak.
Mois"ture*less, a. Without
moisture.
Moist"y (?), a. Moist.
[Obs.]
Moi"ther (?), v. t. [Etymol.
uncertain.] To perplex; to confuse. [Prov. Eng.]
Lamb.
Moi"ther, v. i. To toil; to
labor. [Prov. Eng.]
Mok"a*dour (?), n. [Sp. mocador
handkerchief.] A handkerchief. [Obs.]
Moke (?), n. A donkey.
[Cant] Thackeray.
Moke (?), n. A mesh of a net, or
of anything resembling a net. Halliwell.
Mo"ky (?), a. [Cf. Icel.
mökkvi cloud, mist, mökkr a dense cloud, W.
mwg smoke, and E. muggy, muck.] Misty;
dark; murky; muggy. [Obs.]
Mo"la (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Sunfish, 1.
Mo"lar (?), a. [L. moles mass.]
(Mech.) Of or pertaining to a mass of matter; -- said of
the properties or motions of masses, as distinguished from those of
molecules or atoms. Carpenter.
Mo"lar, a. [L. molaris, fr.
mola mill, fr. molere to grind in a mill. See
Mill the machine.] Having power to grind; grinding; as,
the molar teeth; also, of or pertaining to the molar
teeth. Bacon.
Mo"lar, n. (Anat.) Any one
of the teeth back of the incisors and canines. The molars 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.
Mo"la*ry (?), a. Same as 2d
Molar.
Mo*lasse" (?), n. [F. molasse,
prob. fr. mollasse flabby, flimsy, fr. L. mollis soft.]
(Geol.) A soft Tertiary sandstone; -- applied to a rock
occurring in Switzerland. See Chart of
Geology.
Mo*las"ses (?), n. [F.
mélasse, cf. Sp. melaza, Pg.
melaço, fr. L. mellaceus honeylike, honey-sweet,
mel, mellis, honey. See Mellifluous, and cf.
Melasses.] The thick, brown or dark colored, viscid,
uncrystallizable sirup which drains from sugar, in the process of
manufacture; any thick, viscid, sweet sirup made from vegetable juice
or sap, as of the sorghum or maple. See Treacle.
Mold (?), n. [See Mole a spot.]
A spot; a blemish; a mole. [Obs.] Spenser.
{ Mold, Mould} (?), n. [OE.
molde, AS. molde; akin to D. mul, G.
mull, mulm, OHG. molt, molta, Icel.
mold, Dan. muld, Sw. mull, Goth. mulda,
and E. meal flour. See Meal, and cf. Mole an
animal, Mull, v.] [The prevalent spelling
is, perhaps, mould; but as the u has not been inserted
in the other words of this class, as bold, gold,
old, cold, etc., it seems desirable to complete the
analogy by dropping it from this word, thus spelling it as Spenser,
South, and many others did. The omission of the u is now very
common in America.] 1. Crumbling, soft, friable
earth; esp., earth containing the remains or constituents of organic
matter, and suited to the growth of plants; soil.
2. Earthy material; the matter of which
anything is formed; composing substance; material.
The etherial mold,
Incapable of stain.
Milton.
Nature formed me of her softest
mold.
Addison.
{ Mold, Mould } (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Molded or Moulded;
p. pr. & vb. n. Molding or Moulding.]
To cover with mold or soil. [R.]
{ Mold, Mould, } n. [From the
p. p. of OE. moulen to become moldy, to rot, prob. fr. Icel.
mygla to grow musty, mugga mugginess; cf. Sw.
mögla to grow moldy. See Muggy, and cf.
Moldy.] (Bot.) A growth of minute fungi of various
kinds, esp. those of the great groups Hyphomycetes, and
Physomycetes, forming on damp or decaying organic
matter.
&fist; 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, } v. t. To
cause to become moldy; to cause mold to grow upon.
{ Mold, Mould, } v. i. To
become moldy; to be covered or filled, in whole or in part, with a
mold.
{ Mold, Mould, } n. [OE.
molde, OF. mole, F. moule, fr. L.
modulus. See Model.] [For spelling, see 2d Mold,
above.] 1. The matrix, or cavity, in which
anything is shaped, and from which it takes its form; also, the body
or mass containing the cavity; as, a sand mold; a jelly
mold. Milton.
2. That on which, or in accordance with
which, anything is modeled or formed; anything which serves to
regulate the size, form, etc., as the pattern or templet used by a
shipbuilder, carpenter, or mason.
The glass of fashion and the mold of
form.
Shak.
3. Cast; form; shape; character.
Crowned with an architrave of antique
mold.
Pope.
4. (Arch.) A group of moldings; as,
the arch mold of a porch or doorway; the pier mold of a
Gothic pier, meaning the whole profile, section, or combination of
parts.
5. (Anat.) A fontanel.
6. (Paper Making) A frame with a wire
cloth bottom, on which the pump is drained to form a sheet, in making
paper by hand.
{ Mold, Mould, } v. t. [Cf. F.
mouler, OF. moler, moller. See Mold the
matrix.] 1. To form into a particular shape; to
shape; to model; to fashion.
He forgeth and moldeth metals.
Sir M. Hale.
Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay
To mold me man?
Milton.
2. To ornament by molding or carving the
material of; as, a molded window jamb.
3. To knead; as, to mold dough or
bread.
4. (Founding) To form a mold of, as in
sand, in which a casting may be made.
{ Mold"a*ble, Mould"a*ble } (?),
a. Capable of being molded or
formed.
{ 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) A follow
board.
{ Mold"er, Mould"er } (?), n.
One who, or that which, molds or forms into shape; specifically
(Founding), one skilled in the art of making molds for
castings.
{ Mold"er, Mould"er, } v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Moldered (?) or
Mouldered; p. pr. & vb. n. Moldering
or Mouldering.] [From Mold fine soft earth: cf. Prov.
G. multern.] To crumble into small particles; to turn to
dust by natural decay; to lose form, or waste away, by a gradual
separation of the component particles, without the presence of water;
to crumble away.
The moldering of earth in frosts and
sun.
Bacon.
When statues molder, and when arches
fall.
Prior.
If he had sat still, the enemy's army would have
moldered to nothing.
Clarendon.
{ Mold"er, Mould"er, } v. t.
To turn to dust; to cause to crumble; to cause to waste
away.
[Time's] gradual touch
Has moldered into beauty many a tower.
Mason.
{ Mold"er*y, Mould"er*y } (?),
a. Covered or filled with mold; consisting of,
or resembling, mold.
{ Mold"i*ness, Mould"i*ness } (?),
n. [From Moldy.] The state of being
moldy.
{ 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.) 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.
{ Mold"ing, Mould"ing, } p. a.
Used in making a mold or moldings; used in shaping anything
according to a pattern.
Molding, or Moulding, board.
(a) See Follow board, under Follow,
v. t. (b) A board on which
bread or pastry is kneaded and shaped. -- Molding, or
Moulding, machine. (a)
(Woodworking) A planing machine for making moldings.
(b) (Founding) A machine to assist in
making molds for castings. -- Molding, or
Moulding, mill, a mill for shaping
timber. -- Molding, or Moulding,
sand (Founding), a kind of sand
containing clay, used in making molds.
{ Mold"warp, Mould"warp } (?),
n. [OE. moldwerp: AS. molde soil +
weorpan to throw up; cf. OD. molworp, G.
maulwurf, Icel. moldvarpa, Dan. muldvarp. See
Mold soil, Warp, and cf. Mole the animal.]
(Zoöl.) See Mole the animal.
Spenser.
{ Mold"y, Mould"y } (?), a.
[Compar. Moldier (?) or Mouldier;
superl. Moldiest or Mouldiest.] [From
Mold the growth of fungi.] Overgrown with, or containing,
mold; as, moldy cheese or bread.
Mole (?), n. [AS. māl;
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, n. [L. mola.] A mass
of fleshy or other more or less solid matter generated in the
uterus.
Mole, n. [F. môle, L.
moles. Cf. Demolish, Emolument, Molest.]
A mound or massive work formed of masonry or large stones, etc.,
laid in the sea, often extended either in a right line or an arc of a
circle before a port which it serves to defend from the violence of
the waves, thus protecting ships in a harbor; also, sometimes, the
harbor itself. Brande & C.
Mole, n. [OE. molle, either
shortened fr. moldwerp, or from the root of E. mold
soil: cf. D. mol, OD. molworp. See Moldwarp.]
1. (Zoöl.) Any insectivore of the
family Talpidæ. They have minute eyes and ears, soft
fur, and very large and strong fore feet.
&fist; 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.
&fist; 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, 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.
Mole"but (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The sunfish (Orthagoriscus, or Mola).
[Written also molebat.]
Mole"cast` (?), n. A little
elevation of earth made by a mole; a molehill.
Mortimer.
Mo"lech (?), n. [Heb. molek
king.] (Script.) The fire god of the Ammonites, to whom
human sacrifices were offered; Moloch. Lev. xviii.
21.
Mo*lec"u*lar (?), a. [Cf. F.
moléculare. See Molecule.] (Phys. &
Chem.) Pertaining to, connected with, produced by, or
consisting of, molecules; as, molecular forces;
molecular groups of atoms, etc.
Molecular attraction (Phys.),
attraction acting between the molecules of bodies, and at
insensible distances. -- Molecular weight
(Chem.), the weight of a molecule of any gas or vapor as
compared with the hydrogen atom as a standard; the sum of the atomic
weights of the constituents of a molecule; thus, the molecular
weight of water (H2O) is 18.
Mo*lec`u*lar"i*ty (?), n. (Phys. &
Chem.) The state of consisting of molecules; the state or
quality of being molecular.
Mo*lec"u*lar*ly (?), adv. (Phys. &
Chem.) With molecules; in the manner of molecules.
W. R. Grove.
Mol"e*cule (?), n. [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) The smallest part of any
substance which possesses the characteristic properties and qualities
of that substance, and which can exist alone in a free
state.
3. (Chem.) A group of atoms so united
and combined by chemical affinity that they form a complete,
integrated whole, being the smallest portion of any particular
compound that can exist in a free state; as, a molecule of
water consists of two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Cf.
Atom.
Mole"-eyed` (?), a. Having eyes
like those of the mole; having imperfect sight.
Mole"hill` (?), n. A little
hillock of earth thrown up by moles working under ground; hence, a
very small hill, or an insignificant obstacle or
difficulty.
Having leapt over such mountains, lie down before a
molehill.
South.
{ Mo*len`di*na"ceous
(m&osl;*l&ebreve;n`d&ibreve;*nā"shŭs),
Mo*len`di*na"ri*ous
(m&osl;*l&ebreve;n`d&ibreve;*nā"r&ibreve;*ŭs), }
a. [L. molendinarius, fr. molendinum
a mill, fr. molere to grind.] (Bot.) Resembling
the sails of a windmill.
Mole"skin` (mōl"sk&ibreve;n), n.
Any fabric having a thick soft shag, like the fur of a mole;
esp., a kind of strong twilled fustian.
Mo*lest" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Molested; p. pr. & vb. n.
Molesting.] [F. molester, L. molestare, fr.
molestus troublesome, fr. moles a heavy mass, load,
burden. See 3d Mole.] To trouble; to disturb; to render
uneasy; to interfere with; to vex.
They have molested the church with needless
opposition.
Hooker.
Syn. -- To trouble; disturb; incommode; inconvenience;
annoy; vex; tease.
Mo*lest", n. Molestation.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mol`es*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
molestation.] The act of molesting, or the state of being
molested; disturbance; annoyance.
Mo*lest"er (?), n. One who
molests.
Mo*lest"ful (?), a. Troublesome;
vexatious. [R.]
{ Mo*les"tie, Mo*les"ty (?) },
n. [L. molestia.] Molestation.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mole"warp` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Moldwarp.
Mo*lim"i*nous (?), a. [L.
molimen a great exertion; moles a heavy mass.] Of
great bulk or consequence; very important. [Obs.] Dr. H.
More.
Mo"line (?), n. [L. molina mill,
fr. molere to grind. See Mill.] The crossed iron
that supports the upper millstone by resting on the spindle; a
millrind.
Cross moline (Her.), a cross each arm
of which is divided at the end into two rounded branches or
divisions.
Mo"lin*ism (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.)
The doctrines of the Molinists, somewhat resembling the tenets
of the Arminians.
Mo"lin*ist, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of the opinions of Molina, a Spanish Jesuit (in
respect to grace); an opposer of the Jansenists.
||Moll (?), a. [G., fr. L.
mollis soft, tender, elegiac. Cf. Molle.]
(Mus.) Minor; in the minor mode; as, A moll, that
is, A minor.
||Mol"lah (?), n. [Ar.
maulā, commonly mollāin Turkey.] One
of the higher order of Turkish judges; also, a Turkish title of
respect for a religious and learned man. [Written also
moolah.]
Mol"le (?), a. [See Moll.]
(Mus.) Lower by a semitone; flat; as, E molle,
that is, E flat.
Mol"le*bart (?), n. An
agricultural implement used in Flanders, consisting of a kind of
large shovel drawn by a horse and guided by a man. [Written
also mollebært and mouldebært.]
Simmonds.
Mol"le*moke` (?), n. [Sw.
mallemucke the stormy petrel.] (Zoöl.) 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.]
Mol"lient (?), a. [L. molliens,
p. p. of mollire to soften, fr. mollis soft.]
Serving to soften; assuaging; emollient.
Mol"lient*ly, adv.
Assuagingly.
Mol"li*fi`a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being mollified.
Mol`li*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [LL.
mollificatio; cf. F. mollification.] The act of
mollifying, or the state of being mollified; a softening.
Chaucer.
Mol"li*fi`er (?), n. One who, or
that which, mollifies. Bacon.
Mol"li*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mollified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mollifying (?).] [F. mollifier, L. mollificare;
mollis soft + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See
Enmollient, Moil, v. t., and -
fy.] 1. To soften; to make tender; to reduce
the hardness, harshness, or asperity of; to qualify; as, to
mollify the ground.
With sweet science mollified their stubborn
hearts.
Spenser.
2. To assuage, as pain or irritation, to
appease, as excited feeling or passion; to pacify; to calm.
Mol"li*net (?), n. [Cf. Moline.]
A little mill.
Mol`li*pi*lose" (?), a. [L.
mollis soft + pilosus hairy.] (Zoöl.)
Having soft hairs; downy.
||Mol*li"ti*es (?), n. [L., softness.]
(Med.) Unnatural softness of any organ or part.
Dunglison.
Mol"li*tude (?), n. [L.
mollitudo, fr. mollis soft.] Softness; effeminacy;
weakness. [R.]
Mol"lusc (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Same as Mollusk.
||Mol*lus"ca (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Mollusk.] (Zoöl.) One of the grand divisions
of the animal kingdom, including the classes Cephalopoda, Gastropoda,
Pteropoda, Scaphopoda, 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.
&fist; Formerly the Brachiopoda, Bryzoa, and Tunicata were united
with the Lamellibranchiata in an artificial group called Acephala,
which was also included under Mollusca. See Molluscoidea.
Mol*lus"can (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Of or pertaining to mollusks. -- n.
A mollusk; one of the Mollusca.
Mol*lus"coid (?), a. [Mollusca +
-oid.] (Zoöl.) Resembling the true mollusks;
belonging to the Molluscoidea. -- n. One
of the Molluscoidea.
Mol`lus*coid"al (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Molluscoid.
||Mol`lus*coi"de*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Mollusk, and -oid.] (Zoöl.) A division
of Invertebrata which includes the classes Brachiopoda and Bryozoa; -
- called also Anthoid Mollusca.
&fist; 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.
Mol*lus"cous (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Molluscan.
||Mol*lus"cum (?), n. [NL. See
Mollusk.] (Med.) A cutaneous disease characterized
by numerous tumors, of various forms, filled with a thick matter; --
so called from the resemblance of the tumors to some molluscous
animals. Dunglison.
Mol"lusk (?), n. [F. mollusque,
L. mollusca a kind of soft nut with a thin shell, fr.
molluscus soft, mollis soft. See Mollify.]
(Zoöl.) One of the Mollusca. [Written also
mollusc.]
Mol"ly (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Same as Mollemoke.
Mol"ly, n. A pet or colloquial
name for Mary.
Molly cottontail. (Zoöl.) See
Cottontail. -- Molly Maguire
(m&adot;*gwīr"); pl. Molly Maguires (-
gwīrz). (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.
Mol"ly-mawk` (?), n.
(Zoöl.) See Mollemoke.
Mo"loch (?), n. [Heb. molek
king.] 1. (Script.) The fire god of the
Ammonites in Canaan, to whom human sacrifices were offered; Molech.
Also applied figuratively.
2. (Zoöl.) A spiny Australian
lizard (Moloch horridus). The horns on the head and numerous
spines on the body give it a most formidable appearance.
Mo*losse" (?), n. See
Molossus.
Mo*los"ses (?), n. Molasses.
[Obs.]
Mo*los"sine (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A bat of the genus Molossus, as the monk bat.
||Mo*los"sus (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;,
prop., Molossian, belonging to the Molossians, a people in the
eastern part of Epirus.] (Gr. & Lat. Pros.) A foot of
three long syllables. [Written also molosse.]
Molt (?), obs. imp. of
Melt. Chaucer. Spenser.
{ Molt, Moult } (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Molted or Moulted;
p. pr. & vb. n. Molting or Moulting.]
[OE. mouten, L. mutare. See Mew to molt, and cf.
Mute, v. t.] [The prevalent spelling is,
perhaps, moult; but as the u has not been inserted in
the otherwords of this class, as, bolt, colt,
dolt, etc., it is desirable to complete the analogy by the
spelling molt.] To shed or cast the hair, feathers, skin,
horns, or the like, as an animal or a bird. Bacon.
{ Molt, Moult, } v. t. To
cast, as the hair, skin, feathers, or the like; to shed.
{ Molt, Moult, } n. The
act or process of changing the feathers, hair, skin, etc.;
molting.
Molt"a*ble (?), a. Capable of
assuming a molten state; meltable; fusible. [Obs.]
Mol"ten (?), a. [See Melt.]
1. Melted; being in a state of fusion, esp. when
the liquid state is produced by a high degree of heat; as,
molten iron.
2. Made by melting and casting the substance
or metal of which the thing is formed; as, a molten
image.
||Mol"to (?), adv. [It.] (Mus.)
Much; very; as, molto adagio, very slow.
Mo"ly (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.]
1. A fabulous herb of occult power, having a
black root and white blossoms, said by Homer to have been given by
Hermes to Ulysses to counteract the spells of Circe.
Milton.
2. (Bot.) A kind of garlic (Allium
Moly) with large yellow flowers; -- called also golden
garlic.
Mo*lyb"date (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of molybdic acid.
Mol`yb*de"na (?), n. [L.
molybdaena galena, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; lead.] (Min.)
See Molybdenite.
Mo*lyb"de*nite (?), n. [Cf. F.
molybdénite. See Molybdena.] (Min.)
A mineral occurring in soft, lead-gray, foliated masses or
scales, resembling graphite; sulphide of molybdenum.
Mo*lyb"de*nous (?), a. (Chem.)
See Molybdous.
Mol`yb*de"num (?), n. [NL.: cf. F.
molybdène. See Molybdena.] (Chem.) A
rare element of the chromium group, occurring in nature in the
minerals molybdenite and wulfenite, and when reduced obtained as a
hard, silver-white, difficulty fusible metal. Symbol Mo. Atomic
weight 95.9.
Mo*lyb"dic (?), a. [Cf. F.
molybdique. See molybdena.] (Chem.) Of,
pertaining to, or containing, molybdenum; specif., designating those
compounds in which the element has a higher valence, as contrasted
with molybdous compounds; as, molybdic oxide.
Mo*lyb"dite (?), n. (Min.)
Molybdic ocher.
Mo*lyb"dous (?), a. [See
Molybdena.] Of, pertaining to, or containing, molybdenum;
specif., designating those compounds in which molybdenum has a lower
valence as contrasted with molybdic compounds.
Mome (?), n. [Cf. Mumm,
Momus.] A dull, silent person; a blockhead. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Mo"ment (?), n. [F. moment, L.
momentum, for movimentum movement, motion, moment, fr.
movere to move. See Move, and cf. Momentum,
Movement.] 1. A minute portion of time; a
point of time; an instant; as, at that very moment.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an
eye.
1 Cor. xv. 52.
2. Impulsive power; force;
momentum.
The moments or quantities of motion in
bodies.
Berkley.
Touch, with lightest moment of impulse,
His free will.
Milton.
3. Importance, as in influence or effect;
consequence; weight or value; consideration.
Matters of great moment.
Shak.
It is an abstruse speculation, but also of far less
moment and consequence of us than the others.
Bentley.
4. An essential element; a deciding point,
fact, or consideration; an essential or influential
circumstance.
5. (Math.) An infinitesimal change in
a varying quantity; an increment or decrement. [Obs.]
6. (Mech.) Tendency, or measure of
tendency, to produce motion, esp. motion about a fixed point or
axis.
Moment of a couple (Mech.), the
product of either of its forces into the perpendicular distance
between them. -- Moment of a force.
(Mech.) (a) With respect to a point, the
product of the intensity of the force into the perpendicular distance
from the point to the line of direction of the force.
(b) With respect to a line, the product of that
component of the force which is perpendicular to the plane passing
through the line and the point of application of the force, into the
shortest distance between the line and this point.
(c) With respect to a plane that is parallel to the
force, the product of the force into the perpendicular distance
of its point of application from the plane. -- Moment of
inertia, of a rotating body, the sum of the mass of
each particle of matter of the body into the square of its distance
from the axis of rotation; -- called also moment of rotation
and moment of the mass. -- Statical
moment, the product of a force into its leverage; the
same as moment of a force with respect to a point, line,
etc. -- Virtual moment. See under
Virtual.
Syn. -- Instant; twinkling; consequence; weight; force;
value; consideration; signification; avail.
Mo*men"tal (?), a. [Cf. OF.
momental.] [Obs.] 1. Lasting but a
moment; brief.
Not one momental minute doth she
swerve.
Breton.
2. Important; momentous.
3. (Mech.) Of or pertaining to moment
or momentum.
Mo*men"tal*ly, adv. For a
moment. [Obs.]
{ Mo`men*ta"ne*ous (?), Mo"men*ta*ny (?), }
a. [L. momentaneus: cf. F.
momentané.] Momentary. [Obs.] Hooker.
"Momentany as a sound." Shak.
Mo"men*ta*ri*ly (?), adv. Every
moment; from moment to moment. Shenstone.
Mo"men*ta*ri*ness, n. The state or
quality of being momentary; shortness of duration.
Mo"men*ta*ry (?), a. [L.
momentarius. See Moment.] Done in a moment;
continuing only a moment; lasting a very short time; as, a
momentary pang.
This momentary joy breeds months of
pain.
Shak.
Mo"ment*ly (?), adv. 1.
For a moment.
2. In a moment; every moment;
momentarily.
Mo*men"tous (?), a. [Cf. L.
momentosus rapid, momentary.] Of moment or consequence;
very important; weighty; as, a momentous decision;
momentous affairs. -- Mo*men"tous*ly,
adv. -- Mo*men"tous*ness,
n.
Mo*men"tum (?), n.; pl. L.
Momenta (#), F. Momentums (#).
[L. See Moment.] 1. (Mech.) The
quantity of motion in a moving body, being always proportioned to the
quantity of matter multiplied into the velocity; impetus.
2. Essential element, or constituent
element.
I shall state the several momenta of the
distinction in separate propositions.
Sir W.
Hamilton.
Mom"i*er (?), n. [F.
mômier, fr. OF. momer, mommer, to mumm, to
mask one's self.] A name given in contempt to strict Calvinists
in Switzerland, France, and some parts of Germany, in the early part
of the 19th century.
Mom"mer*y (?), n. See
Mummery. Rowe.
Mo"mot (?), n. [Momot and
motmot, the native American name.] (Zoöl.)
See Motmot.
||Mo"mus (?), n. [Gr. &?; blame,
ridicule, Momus.] (Gr. Myth.) The god of mockery and
censure.
Mon- (?). Same as Mono-.
||Mo"na (?), n. [CF. Sp. & Pg.
mona, fem. of mono a monkey, ape.] (Zoöl.)
A small, handsome, long-tailed West American monkey
(Cercopithecus mona). The body is dark olive, with a spot of
white on the haunches.
Mon"a*chal (?), a. [L. monachus
a monk: cf. F. monacal. See Monk.] Of or
pertaining to monks or a monastic life; monastic.
Mon"a*chism (?), n. [Cf. F.
monachisme.] The system and influences of a monastic
life; monasticism.
Mon*ac"id (?), a. [Mon- +
acid.] (Chem.) Having one hydrogen atom
replaceable by a negative or acid atom or radical; capable of
neutralizing a monobasic acid; -- said of bases, and of certain
metals.
Mon"ad (?), n. [L. monas, -
adis, a unit, Gr. &?;, &?;, fr. mo`nos alone.]
1. An ultimate atom, or simple, unextended
point; something ultimate and indivisible.
2. (Philos. of Leibnitz) The
elementary and indestructible units which were conceived of as
endowed with the power to produce all the changes they undergo, and
thus determine all physical and spiritual phenomena.
3. (Zoöl.) One of the smallest
flagellate Infusoria; esp., the species of the genus Monas, and
allied genera.
4. (Biol.) A simple, minute organism;
a primary cell, germ, or plastid.
5. (Chem.) An atom or radical whose
valence is one, or which can combine with, be replaced by, or
exchanged for, one atom of hydrogen.
Monad deme (Biol.), in tectology, a
unit of the first order of individuality.
||Mon`a*da"ri*a
(m&obreve;n`&adot;*dā"r&ibreve;*&adot;), n.
pl. [NL. See Monad.] (Zoöl.) The
Infusoria.
||Mon`a*del"phi*a (?), n. pl. [NL.,
from Gr. mo`nos alone + 'adelfo`s brother.]
(Bot.) A Linnæan class of plants having the stamens
united into a tube, or ring, by the filaments, as in the Mallow
family.
{ Mon`a*del"phi*an (?), Mon`a*del"phous (?), }
a. [Cf. F. monadelphie.] (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the Monadelphia; having the stamens united
in one body by the filaments.
{ Mo*nad"ic (?), Mo*nad"ic*al (?), }
a. Of, pertaining to, or like, a monad, in any
of its senses. See Monad, n. Dr.
H. More.
Mo*nad"i*form (?), a. [Monad +
-form.] (Biol.) Having the form of a monad;
resembling a monad in having one or more filaments of vibratile
protoplasm; as, monadiform young.
Mon`ad*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Monad +
-logy.] (Philos.) The doctrine or theory of
monads.
Mo*nal" (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Any Asiatic pheasant of the genus Lophophorus, as the
Impeyan pheasant.
Mon*am"ide (?), n. [Mon- +
amide.] (Chem.) An amido compound with only one
amido group.
Mon*am"ine (?), n. [Mon- +
amine.] (Chem.) A basic compound containing one
amido group; as, methyl amine is a monamine.
Mo*nan"der (?), n. (Bot.)
One of the Monandria.
||Mo*nan"dri*a (?), n. pl. [NL., from
Gr. mo`nos alone + 'anh`r, 'andro`s,
a man.] (Bot.) A Linnæan class of plants embracing
those having but a single stamen.
Mo*nan"dri*an (?), a.; (Bot.)
Same as Monandrous.
Mo*nan"dric (?), a. Of or
pertaining to monandry; practicing monandry as a system of
marriage.
Mo*nan"drous (?), a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the monandria; having but one
stamen.
Mo*nan"dry (?), n. [See
Monandria.] The possession by a woman of only one husband
at the same time; -- contrasted with polyandry.
Mo*nan"thous (?), a. [Mon- + Gr.
'a`nqos flower.] (Bot.) Having but one flower;
one-flowered. Gray.
Mon"arch (?), n. [F. monarque,
L. monarcha, fr. Gr. &?;, &?;; mo`nos alone + &?;
to be first, rule, govern. See Archi-.] 1.
A sole or supreme ruler; a sovereign; the highest ruler; an
emperor, king, queen, prince, or chief.
He who reigns
Monarch in heaven, . . . upheld by old repute.
Milton.
2. One superior to all others of the same
kind; as, an oak is called the monarch of the
forest.
3. A patron deity or presiding
genius.
Come, thou, monarch of the vine,
Plumpy Bacchus.
Shak.
4. (Zoöl.) A very large red and
black butterfly (Danais Plexippus); -- called also milkweed
butterfly.
Mon"arch, a. Superior to others;
preëminent; supreme; ruling. "Monarch savage."
Pope.
Mo*nar"chal (?), a. Pertaining to
a monarch; suiting a monarch; sovereign; regal; imperial.
Satan, whom now transcendent glory raised
Above his fellows, with monarchal pride.
Milton.
Mon"arch*ess, n. A female
monarch. [Obs.]
Mo*nar"chi*al (?), a.
Monarchic. Burke.
Mo*nar"chi*an (?), n. (Eccl.
Hist.) One of a sect in the early Christian church which
rejected the doctrine of the Trinity; -- called also
patripassian.
{ Mo*nar"chic (?), Mo*nar"chic*al (?), }
a. [F. monarchique, Gr. &?;.] Of or
pertaining to a monarch, or to monarchy. Burke. --
Mo*nar"chic*al*ly, adv.
Mon"arch*ism (?), n. The
principles of, or preference for, monarchy.
Mon"arch*ist, n. [Cf. F.
monarchiste.] An advocate of, or believer in,
monarchy.
Mon"arch*ize (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Monarchized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Monarchizing (?).] To play the sovereign; to
act the monarch. [R.] Shak.
Mon"arch*ize, v. t. To rule; to
govern. [R.]
Mon"arch*i`zer (?), n. One who
monarchizes; also, a monarchist.
Mo*nar"cho (?), n. The nickname of
a crackbrained Italian who fancied himself an emperor. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mon"arch*y (?), n.; pl.
Monarchies (#). [F. monarchie, L.
monarchia, Gr. &?;. See Monarch.] 1.
A state or government in which the supreme power is lodged in
the hands of a monarch.
2. A system of government in which the chief
ruler is a monarch.
In those days he had affected zeal for
monarchy.
Macaulay.
3. The territory ruled over by a monarch; a
kingdom.
What scourage for perjury
Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence.
Shak.
Fifth monarchy, a universal monarchy,
supposed to be the subject of prophecy in Daniel ii.; the four
preceding monarchies being Assyrian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman. See
Fifth Monarchy men, under Fifth.
||Mo"nas (?), n. [NL. See
Monad.] (Zoöl.) A genus of minute flagellate
Infusoria of which there are many species, both free and attached.
See Illust. under Monad.
Mon`as*te"ri*al (?), a. [L.
monasterials, fr. monasterium.] Of or pertaining
to monastery, or to monastic life. --
Mon`as*te"ri*al*ly, adv.
Mon"as*te*ry (?), n.; pl.
Monasteries (#). [L. monasterium, Gr. &?;,
fr. &?; a solitary, a monk, fr. &?; to be alone, live in solitude,
fr. mo`nos alone. Cf. Minister.] A house of
religious retirement, or of secusion from ordinary temporal concerns,
especially for monks; -- more rarely applied to such a house for
females.
Syn. -- Convent; abbey; priory. See Cloister.
Mo*nas"tic (?), n. A
monk.
{ Mo*nas"tic (?), Mo*nas"tic*al (?), }
a. [Gr. &?; monk: cf. F. monastique. See
Monastery.] 1. Of or pertaining to
monasteries, or to their occupants, rules, etc., as, monastic
institutions or rules.
2. Secluded from temporal concerns and
devoted to religion; recluse. "A life monastic."
Denham.
Mo*nas"tic*al*ly, adv. In a
monastic manner.
Mo*nas"ti*cism (?), n. The
monastic life, system, or condition. Milman.
Mo*nas"ti*con (?), n. [NL. See
Monastic.] A book giving an account of
monasteries.
Mon`a*tom"ic (?), adv. [Mon- +
atomic.] (Chem.) (a) Consisting
of, or containing, one atom; as, the molecule of mercury is
monatomic. (b) Having the
equivalence or replacing power of an atom of hydrogen; univalent; as,
the methyl radical is monatomic.
Mo*nax"i*al (?), a. [Mon- +
axial.] (Biol.) Having only one axis; developing
along a single line or plane; as, monaxial
development.
Mon"a*zite (m&obreve;n"&adot;*zīt),
n. [From Gr. mona`zein to be solitary,
in allusion to its isolated crystals.] (Min.) A mineral
occurring usually in small isolated crystals, -- a phosphate of the
cerium metals.
Mon"day (mŭn"d&asl;; 48), n.
[OE. moneday, monenday, AS.
mōnandæg, i.e., day of the moon, day sacred to the
moon; akin to D. maandag, G. montag, OHG.
mānatag, Icel. mānadagr, Dan.
mandag, Sw. måndag. See Moon, and
Day.] The second day of the week; the day following
Sunday.
||Monde (môNd), n. [F. See
Mundane.] The world; a globe as an ensign of
royalty. [R.] A. Drummond.
||Le beau monde [F.], fashionable society.
See Beau monde. -- ||Demi monde.
See Demimonde.
Mone (?), n. The moon.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mone, n. A moan. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
{ Mo*ne"cian (?), Mo*ne"cious (?), }
a. (Bot.) See Monœcian,
and Monœcious.
Mon*em"bry*o*ny (?), n. [See Mono-
, and Embryo.] (Bot.) The condition of an
ovule having but a single embryo. -- Mon*em`bry*on"ic
(#), a.
Mo"ner (?), n. (Zoöl.)
One of the Monera.
||Mo*ne"ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.
mo`nos single.] (Zoöl.) The lowest
division of rhizopods, including those which resemble the
amœbas, but are destitute of a nucleus.
Mo*ne"ral (?), a. Of or pertaining
to the Monera.
Mo*ne"ran (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Of or pertaining to the Monera. -- n.
One of the Monera.
||Mo*ne"ron (?), n.; pl. L.
Monera (#); E. Monerons (#).
[NL.] (Zoöl.) One of the Monera.
||Mo*ner"u*la (?), n. [NL., dim. of
moner. See Monera.] (Biol.) A germ in that
stage of development in which its form is simply that of a non-
nucleated mass of protoplasm. It precedes the one-celled germ. So
called from its likeness to a moner. Haeckel.
Mo*ne"sia (?), n. (Pharm.)
The bark, or a vegetable extract brought in solid cakes from
South America and believed to be derived from the bark, of the tree
Chrysophyllum glycyphlœum. It is used as an alterative
and astringent.
Mo*ne"sin (?), n. The acrid
principle of Monesia, sometimes used as a medicine.
Mo*nest" (?), v. t. [See
Admonish.] To warn; to admonish; to advise. [Obs.]
Wyclif (2 Cor. v. 20).
Mon"e*ta*ry (?), a. [L.
monetarius belonging to a mint. See Money.] Of or
pertaining to money, or consisting of money; pecuniary. "The
monetary relations of Europe." E. Everett.
Monetary unit, the standard of a national
currency, as the dollar in the United States, the pound in England,
the franc in France, the mark in Germany.
Mon"eth (?), n. A month.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mon`e*ti*za"tion (?), n. The act
or process of converting into money, or of adopting as money; as, the
monetization of silver.
Mon"e*tize (?), v. t. To convert
into money; to adopt as current money; as, to monetize
silver.
Mon"ey (?), n.; pl.
Moneys (#). [OE. moneie, OF. moneie,
F. monnaie, fr. L. moneta. See Mint place where
coin is made, Mind, and cf. Moidore, Monetary.]
1. A piece of metal, as gold, silver, copper,
etc., coined, or stamped, and issued by the sovereign authority as a
medium of exchange in financial transactions between citizens and
with government; also, any number of such pieces; coin.
To prevent such abuses, . . . it has been found
necessary . . . to affix a public stamp upon certain quantities of
such particular metals, as were in those countries commonly made use
of to purchase goods. Hence the origin of coined money, and of
those public offices called mints.
A. Smith.
2. Any written or stamped promise,
certificate, or order, as a government note, a bank note, a
certificate of deposit, etc., which is payable in standard coined
money and is lawfully current in lieu of it; in a comprehensive
sense, any currency usually and lawfully employed in buying and
selling.
&fist; 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 procures 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.
Mon"ey (?), v. t. To supply with
money. [Obs.]
Mon"ey*age (?), n. [Cf. F.
monnayage coinage.] 1. A tax paid to the
first two Norman kings of England to prevent them from debashing the
coin. Hume.
2. Mintage; coinage. [Obs.]
Mon"eyed (?), adv. 1.
Supplied with money; having money; wealthy; as, moneyed
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.
Mon"ey*er (?), n. [From Money;
cf. OF. monoier, F. monnoayeur, L. monetarius a
master of the mint. Cf. Monetary.] 1. A
person who deals in money; banker or broker. [Obs. or R.]
2. An authorized coiner of money.
Sir M. Hale.
The Company of Moneyers, the officials who
formerly coined the money of Great Britain, and who claimed certain
prescriptive rights and privileges.
Mon"ey*less, a. Destitute of
money; penniless; impecunious. Swift.
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.
Mon"ey-mak`ing, n. The act or
process of making money; the acquisition and accumulation of
wealth.
Obstinacy in money-making.
Milman.
Mon"ey-mak`ing, a. 1.
Affording profitable returns; lucrative; as, a money-
making business.
2. Successful in gaining money, and devoted
to that aim; as, a money-making man.
Mon"ey*wort` (?), n. (Bot.)
A trailing plant (Lysimachia Nummularia), with rounded
opposite leaves and solitary yellow flowers in their axils.
Mong"corn` (?), n. See
Mangcorn.
Mon"ger (?), n. [AS. mangere,
fr. mangian to trade; akin to Icel. manga to trade,
mangari a trader, OHG. mangari, mengari; cf. L.
mango a dealer in slaves.] 1. A trader; a
dealer; -- now used chiefly in composition; as, fishmonger,
ironmonger, newsmonger.
2. A small merchant vessel. [Obs.]
Blount.
Mon"ger, v. t. To deal in; to make
merchandise of; to traffic in; -- used chiefly of discreditable
traffic.
Mon"gol (?), n. One of the
Mongols. -- a. Of or pertaining to
Mongolia or the Mongols.
Mon*go"li*an (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Mongolia or the Mongols. -- n.
One of the Mongols.
Mon*gol"ic (?), a. See
Mongolian.
Mon"go*loid (?), a. [Mongol +
-oid.] Resembling a Mongol or the Mongols; having race
characteristics, such as color, hair, and features, like those of the
Mongols. Huxley.
{ Mon"gols (?), Mon*go"li*ans (?) }, n.
pl. (Ethnol.) One of the great races of man,
including the greater part of the inhabitants of China, Japan, and
the interior of Asia, with branches in Northern Europe and other
parts of the world. By some American Indians are considered a branch
of the Mongols. In a more restricted sense, the inhabitants of
Mongolia and adjacent countries, including the Burats and the
Kalmuks.
{ Mon"goose, Mon"goos } (?),
n. (Zoöl.) 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.]
Mon"grel (?), n. [Prob. shortened fr.
mongrel, and akin to AS. mengan to mix, and E.
mingle. See Mingle.] The progeny resulting from a
cross between two breeds, as of domestic animals; anything of mixed
breed. Drayton.
Mon"grel, a. 1.
(Zoöl.) Not of a pure breed.
2. Of mixed kinds; as, mongrel
language.
Mon"grel*ize (?), v. t. & i. To
cause to be mongrel; to cross breeds, so as to produce
mongrels.
'Mongst (?), prep. See
Amongst.
Mon"ied (?), a. See
Moneyed.
Mo*nif"i*er (?), n. [NL., fr. L.
monile necklace + ferre to bear.] (Paleon.)
A fossil fish.
Mo*nil"i*form (?), a. [L. monile
necklace + -form: cf. F. moniliforme.] (Biol.)
Joined or constricted, at regular intervals, so as to resemble a
string of beads; as, a moniliform root; a moniliform
antenna. See Illust. of Antenna.
Mon"i*ment (?), n. [L.
monimentum, monumentum. See Monument.]
Something to preserve memory; a reminder; a monument; hence, a
mark; an image; a superscription; a record. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Mon"ish (?), v. t. [OE.
monesten. See Admonish, Monition.] To
admonish; to warn. See Admonish. [Archaic]
Ascham.
Mon"ish*er (?), n. One who
monishes; an admonisher. [Archaic]
Mon"ish*ment (?), n.
Admonition. [Archaic]
Mon"ism (m&obreve;n"&ibreve;z'm or
mō"n&ibreve;z'm), n. [From Gr.
mo`nos single.] 1. (Metaph.)
That doctrine which refers all phenomena to a single ultimate
constituent or agent; -- the opposite of dualism.
&fist; The doctrine has been held in three generic forms: matter
and its phenomena have been explained as a modification of mind,
involving an idealistic monism; or mind has been explained by
and resolved into matter, giving a materialistic monism; or,
thirdly, matter, mind, and their phenomena have been held to be
manifestations or modifications of some one substance, like the
substance of Spinoza, or a supposed unknown something of some
evolutionists, which is capable of an objective and subjective
aspect.
2. (Biol.) See Monogenesis,
1.
Mon"ist, n. A believer in
monism.
Mo*nis"tic (?), a. Of, pertaining
to, or involving, monism.
Mo*ni"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L.
monitio, from monere to warn, bring to mind; akin to E.
mind. See Mind, and cf. Admonish, Money,
Monster.] 1. Instruction or advice given
by way of caution; an admonition; a warning; a caution.
Sage monitions from his friends.
Swift.
2. Information; indication; notice;
advice.
We have no visible monition of . . . other
periods, such as we have of the day by successive light and
darkness.
Holder.
3. (Admiralty Practice) A process in
the nature of a summons to appear and answer.
4. (Eccl. Law) An order monishing a
party complained against to obey under pain of the law.
Shipley.
Mon"i*tive (?), a. Conveying
admonition; admonitory. Barrow.
Mon"i*tor (?), n. [L., fr.
monere. See Monition, and cf. Mentor.]
1. One who admonishes; one who warns of faults,
informs of duty, or gives advice and instruction by way of reproof or
caution.
You need not be a monitor to the
king.
Bacon.
2. Hence, specifically, a pupil selected to
look to the school in the absence of the instructor, to notice the
absence or faults of the scholars, or to instruct a division or
class.
3. (Zoöl.) Any large Old World
lizard of the genus Varanus; esp., the Egyptian species (V.
Niloticus), which is useful because it devours the eggs and young
of the crocodile. It is sometimes five or six feet long.
4. [So called from the name given by Captain
Ericson, its designer, to the first ship of the kind.] An
ironclad war vessel, very low in the water, and having one or more
heavily-armored revolving turrets, carrying heavy guns.
5. (Mach.) A tool holder, as for a
lathe, shaped like a low turret, and capable of being revolved on a
vertical pivot so as to bring successively the several tools in holds
into proper position for cutting.
Monitor top, the raised central portion, or
clearstory, of a car roof, having low windows along its
sides.
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.
Mon`i*to"ri*al*ly, adv. In a
monitorial manner.
Mon"i*tor*ship (?), n. The post or
office of a monitor.
Mon"i*to*ry (?), a. [L.
monitorius.] Giving admonition; instructing by way of
caution; warning.
Losses, miscarriages, and disappointments, are
monitory and instructive.
L'Estrange.
Mon"i*to*ry, n. Admonition;
warning; especially, a monition proceeding from an ecclesiastical
court, but not addressed to any one person.
{ Mon"i*tress (?), Mon"i*trix (?), }
n. A female monitor.
Monk (?), n. [AS. munuc,
munec, munc, L. monachus, Gr. &?;, fr.
mo`nos alone. Cf. Monachism.] 1.
A man who retires from the ordinary temporal concerns of the
world, and devotes himself to religion; one of a religious community
of men inhabiting a monastery, and bound by vows to a life of
chastity, obedience, and poverty. "A monk out of his
cloister." Chaucer.
Monks in some respects agree with regulars, as
in the substantial vows of religion; but in other respects
monks and regulars differ; for that regulars, vows excepted,
are not tied up to so strict a rule of life as monks
are.
Ayliffe.
2. (Print.) A blotch or spot of ink on
a printed page, caused by the ink not being properly distributed. It
is distinguished from a friar, or white spot caused by a
deficiency of ink.
3. A piece of tinder made of agaric, used in
firing the powder hose or train of a mine.
4. (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).
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.
Mon"key (?), n.; pl.
Monkeys (#). [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.
&fist; 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 a mischievous child.
This is the monkey's own giving out; she is
persuaded I will marry her.
Shak.
3. The weight or hammer of a pile driver,
that is, a very heavy mass of iron, which, being raised on high,
falls on the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the
falling weight of a drop hammer used in forging.
4. A small trading vessel of the sixteenth
century.
Monkey boat. (Naut.) (a)
A small boat used in docks. (b) A half-
decked boat used on the River Thames. -- Monkey
block (Naut.), a small single block strapped
with a swivel. R. H. Dana, Jr. -- Monkey
flower (Bot.), a plant of the genus
Mimulus; -- so called from the appearance of its gaping
corolla. Gray. -- Monkey gaff
(Naut.), a light gaff attached to the topmast for the
better display of signals at sea. -- Monkey
jacket, a short closely fitting jacket, worn by
sailors. -- Monkey rail (Naut.), a
second and lighter rail raised about six inches above the quarter
rail of a ship. -- Monkey shine, monkey
trick. [Slang, U.S.] -- Monkey trick, a
mischievous prank. Saintsbury. -- Monkey
wheel. See Gin block, under 5th Gin.
-- Monkey wrench, a wrench or spanner having a
movable jaw.
Mon"key, v. t. & i. To act or
treat as a monkey does; to ape; to act in a grotesque or meddlesome
manner.
To monkey with, to handle in a meddlesome
manner. [Colloq.]
Mon"key-bread` (?), n. (Bot.)
The fruit of the Adansonia digitata; also, the tree. See
Adansonia.
Mon"key-cup` (?), n. (Bot.)
See Nepenthes.
Mon"key-pot` (?), n.
(Zoöl.) 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.
Mon"key's puz"zle (?). (Bot.) A lofty
coniferous Chilian tree (Araucaria imbricata), the branches of
which are so crowded and intertwisted "as to puzzle a monkey to
climb." The edible nuts are over an inch long, and are called
piñon by the Chilians.
Mon"key*tail` (?), n. (Naut.)
A short, round iron bar or lever used in naval gunnery.
Totten.
Monk"fish (?), n. (Zoöl.)
(a) The angel fish (Squatina).
(b) The angler (Lophius).
Monk"flow`er (?), n. (Bot.)
A name of certain curious orchids which bear three kinds of
flowers formerly referred to three genera, but now ascertained to be
sexually different forms of the same genus (Catasetum
tridentatum, etc.).
Monk"hood (?), n. [Monk + -
hood.] 1. The character or condition of a
monk. Atterbury.
2. Monks, regarded collectively.
Longfellow.
Monk"ing, a. Monkish. [R.]
Coleridge.
Monk"ish, a. Like a monk, or
pertaining to monks; monastic; as, monkish manners;
monkish dress; monkish solitude. --
Monk"ish*ness, n.
Monk"ly, a. Like, or suitable to,
a monk. [R.]
Monks"hood` (?), n. (Bot.)
A plant of the genus Aconitum; aconite. See
Aconite.
Monk's" seam` (?). (Naut.) An extra middle
seam made at the junction of two breadths of canvas, ordinarily
joined by only two rows of stitches.
{ Mon"o- (?), Mon- (?) }. [Gr. &?;.] A
prefix signifying one, single, alone; as,
monocarp, monopoly; (Chem.) indicating that a
compound contains one atom, radical, or group of
that to the name of which it is united; as, monoxide,
monosulphide, monatomic, etc.
||Mo"no (?), n. [Sp.]
(Zoöl.) The black howler of Central America
(Mycetes villosus).
Mon`o*ba"sic (?), a. [Mono- +
basic.] (Chem.) Capable of being neutralized by a
univalent base or basic radical; having but one acid hydrogen atom to
be replaced; -- said of acids; as, acetic, nitric, and hydrochloric
acids are monobasic.
Mon`o*car*bon"ic (?), a. [Mono-
+ carbonic.] (Chem.) Containing one carboxyl
group; as, acetic acid is a monocarbonic acid.
Mon`o*car"di*an (?), a. [Mono- +
Gr. &?; heart.] (Zoöl.) Having a single heart, as
fishes and amphibians. -- n. An animal
having a single heart.
Mon"o*carp (?), n. (Bot.) A
monocarpic plant.
Mon`o*car"pel*la*ry (?), a. [Mono-
+ carpellary.] (Bot.) Consisting of a single
carpel, as the fruit of the pea, cherry, and almond.
{ Mon`o*car"pic (?), Mon`o*car"pous (?), }
a. [Mono- + Gr. &?; fruit: cf. F.
monocarpe.] (Bot.) Bearing fruit but once, and
dying after fructification, as beans, maize, mustard, etc.
&fist; Annual and biennual herbs are monocarpic, so also some
plants of longer duration, as the century plant.
Mon`o*ceph"a*lous (?), a. [Mono-
+ Gr. kefalh` head.] (Bot.) Having a solitary
head; -- said of unbranched composite plants.
||Mo*noc"e*ros (?), n. [L., fr. Gr.
&?;; mo`nos alone, single + ke`ras horn.]
1. A one-horned creature; a unicorn; a sea
monster with one horn.
Mighty monoceroses with immeasured
tails.
Spenser.
2. (Astron.) The Unicorn, a
constellation situated to the east Orion.
Mon`o*chla*myd"e*ous (?), a. [Mono-
+ Gr. &?;, &?;, cloak: cf. F. monochlamydé.]
(Bot.) Having a single floral envelope, that is, a calyx
without a corolla, or, possibly, in rare cases, a corolla without a
calyx.
Mon"o*chord (?), n. [L.
monochordon, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; with but one string; &?; only,
single + &?; string: cf. F. monocorde. See Chord, and
cf. Mainchord.] (Mus.) An instrument for
experimenting upon the mathematical relations of musical sounds. It
consists of a single string stretched between two bridges, one or
both of which are movable, and which stand upon a graduated rule for
the purpose of readily changing and measuring the length of the part
of the string between them.
Mon`o*chro*mat"ic (?), a. [Cf. F.
monochromatique. See Monochrome.] Consisting of
one color, or presenting rays of light of one color only.
Monochromatic lamp (Opt.),a lamp
whose flame yields rays of some one homogenous light. It is of great
importance in optical experiments.
Mon"o*chrome (?), n. [Gr. &?; of one
color; mo`nos single + &?; color: cf. F.
monochrome.] A painting or drawing in a single color; a
picture made with a single color.
Mon`o*chro"mic (?), a. Made, or
done, with a single color; as, a monochromic
picture.
Mon"o*chro`my (?), n. The art of
painting or drawing in monochrome.
Mon`o*chron"ic (?), a. [Mono- +
Gr. &?; time.] Existing at the same time;
contemporaneous.
Mon`o*cil"i*a`ted (?), a. [Mono-
+ ciliated.] (Biol.) Having but one
cilium.
Mon"o*cle (?), n. [F. See
Monocular.] An eyeglass for one eye.
Simmonds.
Mon`o*cli"nal (?), a. [See
Monoclinic.] (Geol.) Having one oblique
inclination; -- applied to strata that dip in only one direction from
the axis of elevation.
Mon"o*cline (?), n. (Geol.)
A monoclinal fold.
Mon`o*clin"ic (?), a. [Mono- +
Gr. &?; to incline.] (Crystallog.) Having one oblique
intersection; -- said of that system of crystallization in which the
vertical axis is inclined to one, but at right angles to the other,
lateral axis. See Crystallization.
Mo*noc"li*nous (?), a. [Mono- +
Gr. &?; couch, fr. &?; to lie down: cf. F. monocline.]
(Bot.) Hermaphrodite, or having both stamens and pistils
in every flower.
||Mon`o*con"dy*la (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Mono-, and Condyle.] (Zoöl.) A group
of vertebrates, including the birds and reptiles, or those that have
only one occipital condyle; the Sauropsida.
Mon"o*co*tyl (?), n. (Bot.)
Any monocotyledonous plant.
Mon"o*co*tyle (?), a. [Cf. F.
monocotyle.] (Bot.) Monocotyledonous.
Mon`o*cot`y*le"don (?), n. [Mono-
+ cotyledon: cf. F. monocotylédone.]
(Bot.) A plant with only one cotyledon, or seed
lobe.
&fist; 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.
Mon`o*cot`y*le"don*ous (?), a. [Cf. F.
monocotylédoné.] (Bot.) Having only
one cotyledon, seed lobe, or seminal leaf. Lindley.
Mo*noc"ra*cy (?), n. [Mono- +
-cracy, as in democracy.] Government by a single
person; undivided rule. Sydney Smith.
Mon"o*crat (?), n. [Cf. Gr. &?; ruling
alone.] One who governs alone.
Mon`o*crot"ic (?), a. (Physiol.)
Of, pertaining to, or showing, monocrotism; as, a
monocrotic pulse; a pulse of the monocrotic
type.
Mo*noc"ro*tism (?), n. [Gr.
mo`nos alone + &?; a beating.] (Physiol.) That
condition of the pulse in which the pulse curve or sphygmogram shows
but a single crest, the dicrotic elevation entirely
disappearing.
Mo*noc"u*lar (?), a. [L.
monoculus; Gr. mo`nos single + L. oculus
eye: cf. F. monoculaire.] 1. Having only
one eye; with one eye only; as, monocular vision.
2. Adapted to be used with only one eye at a
time; as, a monocular microscope.
Mon"o*cule (m&obreve;n"&osl;*kūl),
n. [See Monocular.] (Zoöl.)
A small crustacean with one median eye.
Mo*noc"u*lous (?), a.
Monocular. Glanvill.
Mon`o*cys"tic (?), a. [See Mono-
, and Cyst.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to
a division (Monocystidea) of Gregarinida, in which the body
consists of one sac.
Mon`o*dac"tyl*ous (?), a. [Gr.
monoda`ktylos; mo`nos single +
da`ktylos finger: cf. F. monodactyle.]
(Zoöl.) Having but one finger or claw.
{ Mon"o*delph (?), Mon`o*del"phi*an (?), }
n. (Zoöl.) One of the
Monodelphia.
||Mon`o*del"phi*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. mo`nos single + delfy`s the womb.]
(Zoöl.) The group that includes all ordinary or
placental mammals; the Placentalia. See Mammalia.
{ Mon`o*del"phic (?), Mon`o*del"phous (?), }
a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Monodelphia.
{ Mo*nod"ic (?), Mo*nod"ic*al (?), }
a. [Gr. &?;.] 1. Belonging to
a monody.
2. (Mus.) (a) For one
voice; monophonic. (b) Homophonic; --
applied to music in which the melody is confined to one part, instead
of being shared by all the parts as in the style called
polyphonic.
Mon`o*di*met"ric (?), a. [Mono-
+ dimetric.] (Crystallog.) Dimetric.
Mon"o*dist (?), n. A writer of a
monody.
{ Mon"o*dra`ma (?), Mon"o*drame (?), }
n. [Mono- + Gr. &?; drama.] A drama
acted, or intended to be acted, by a single person.
Mon`o*dra*mat"ic (?), a.
Pertaining to a monodrama.
Mon"o*dy (?), n.; pl.
Monodies (#). [L. monodia, Gr. &?;, fr. &?;
singing alone; mo`nos single + &?; song: cf. F.
monodie. See Ode.] A species of poem of a mournful
character, in which a single mourner expresses lamentation; a song
for one voice.
Mon`o*dy*nam"ic (?), a. [Mono- +
dynamic.] Possessing but one capacity or power.
"Monodynamic men." De Quincey.
Mon`o*dy"na*mism (?), n. The
theory that the various forms of activity in nature are
manifestations of the same force. G. H. Lewes.
||Mo*nœ"ci*a (?), n. pl. [NL.,
fr. Gr. mo`nos single + &?; house.] (Bot.) A
Linnæan class of plants, whose stamens and pistils are in
distinct flowers in the same plant.
Mo*nœ"cian (?), a.
1. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the
Monœcia; monœcious. -- n.
One of the Monœcia.
2. (Zoöl.) A monœcious
animal, as certain mollusks.
Mo*nœ"cious (?), a.
(Biol.) Having the sexes united in one individual, as
when male and female flowers grow upon the same individual plant;
hermaphrodite; -- opposed to diœcious.
Mo*nœ"cism (?), n. (Biol.)
The state or condition of being monœcious.
Mon"o*gam (?), n. (Bot.)
One of the Monogamia.
||Mon`o*ga"mi*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Monogamous.] (Bot.) A Linnæan order of
plants, having solitary flowers with united anthers, as in the genus
Lobelia.
{ Mon`o*ga"mi*an (?), Mon`o*gam"ic (?), }
a. [See Monogamous.] 1.
Pertaining to, or involving, monogamy.
2. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the
Monogamia; having a simple flower with united anthers.
Mo*nog"a*mist (?), n. One who
practices or upholds monogamy. Goldsmith.
Mo*nog"a*mous (?), a. [L.
monogamus having but one wife, Gr. &?;; mo`nos
single + &?; marriage.] 1. Upholding, or
practicing, monogamy.
2. (Bot.) Same as
Monogamian.
3. (Zoöl.) Mating with but one of
the opposite sex; -- said of birds and mammals.
Mo*nog"a*my (?), n. [L.
monogamia, Gr. &?;: cf. F. monogamie.]
1. Single marriage; marriage with but one
person, husband or wife, at the same time; -- opposed to
polygamy. Also, one marriage only during life; -- opposed to
deuterogamy.
2. (Zoöl.) State of being paired
with a single mate.
Mon`o*gas"tric (?), a. [Mono- +
Gr. &?; belly.] Having but a single stomach.
Mon`o*gen"e*sis (?), n. [Mono- +
genesis.] 1. Oneness of origin; esp.
(Biol.), development of all beings in the universe from a
single cell; -- opposed to polygenesis. Called also
monism. Dana. Haeckel.
2. (Biol.) That form of reproduction
which requires but one parent, as in reproduction by fission or in
the formation of buds, etc., which drop off and form new individuals;
asexual reproduction. Haeckel.
3. (Biol.) The direct development of
an embryo, without metamorphosis, into an organism similar to the
parent organism; -- opposed to metagenesis. E. van
Beneden.
Mon`o*ge*net"ic (?), a. [See
Monogenesis.] 1. (Geol.) One in
genesis; resulting from one process of formation; -- used of a
mountain range. Dana.
2. (Biol.) Relating to, or involving,
monogenesis; as, the monogenetic school of physiologists, who
admit but one cell as the source of all beings.
Mon`o*gen"ic (?), a. 1.
(Biol.) Of or pertaining to monogenesis.
2. (Zoöl.) Producing only one
kind of germs, or young; developing only in one way.
Mo*nog"e*nism (?), n.
(Anthropol.) The theory or doctrine that the human races
have a common origin, or constitute a single species.
Mo*nog"e*nist (?), n.
(Anthropol.) One who maintains that the human races are
all of one species; -- opposed to polygenist.
Mon`o*ge*nis"tic (?), a.
Monogenic.
Mo*nog"e*nous (?), a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to monogenesis; as, monogenous, or
asexual, reproduction.
Mo*nog"e*ny (?), n. 1.
Monogenesis.
2. (Anthropol.) The doctrine that the
members of the human race have all a common origin.
Mon`o*go*neu"tic (?), a. [Mono-
+ Gr. &?; offspring.] (Zoöl.) Having but one brood
in a season.
Mon"o*gram (?), n. [L.
monogramma; Gr. mo`nos single + gra`mma
letter, fr. gra`fein to write: cf. F. monogramme.
See Graphic.] 1. A character or cipher
composed of two or more letters interwoven or combined so as to
represent a name, or a part of it (usually the initials). Monograms
are often used on seals, ornamental pins, rings, buttons, and by
painters, engravers, etc., to distinguish their works.
Monogram.
&fist; 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.]
Mon"o*gram`mal (?), a. See
Monogrammic.
Mon`o*gram*mat"ic (?), a.
Monogrammic.
Mon`o*gram"mic (?), a. Of,
pertaining to, or resembling, a monogram.
Mon"o*gram`mous (?), a.
Monogrammic.
Mon"o*graph (?), n. [Mono- +
-graph.] A written account or description of a single
thing, or class of things; a special treatise on a particular subject
of limited range.
Mo*nog"ra*pher (?), n. A writer of
a monograph.
{ Mon`o*graph"ic (?), Mon`o*graph"ic*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. monographique.] Of or
pertaining to a monograph, or to a monography; as, a
monographic writing; a monographic picture. --
Mon`o*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.
Mo*nog"ra*phist (?), n. One who
writes a monograph.
Mo*nog"ra*phous (?), a.
Monographic. [Obs.]
Mo*nog"ra*phy (?), n. [Mono- +
-graphy: cf. F. monographie.] 1.
Representation by lines without color; an outline
drawing.
2. A monograph. [Obs.]
Mon"o*gyn (?), n. (Bot.)
One of the Monogynia.
||Mon`o*gyn"i*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. mo`nos single + &?; woman, female.] (Bot.)
A Linnæan order of plants, including those which have only
one style or stigma.
Mon`o*gyn"i*an (?), a. (Bot.)
Pertaining to the Monogynia; monogynous. --
n. One of the Monogynia.
Mo*nog"y*nous (?), a. [Cf. F.
monogyne.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to Monogynia;
having only one style or stigma.
Mo*nog"y*ny (?), n. [See
Monogynia.] 1. Marriage with the one
woman only.
2. (Bot.) The state or condition of
being monogynous.
Mon`o*hem"er*ous (?), a. [Mono-
+ Gr. &?; day.] (Med.) Lasting but one day.
Mo*noi"cous (?), a. (Bot.)
Monœcious.
Mo*nol"a*try (?), n. [Mono- +
Gr. &?; worship.] Worship of a single deity.
Mon"o*lith (?), n. [F.
monolithe, L. monolithus consisting of a single stone,
Gr. &?;; mo`nos single + li`qos stone.] A
single stone, especially one of large size, shaped into a pillar,
statue, or monument.
Mon"o*lith`al (?), a.
Monolithic.
Mon`o*lith"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to a monolith; consisting of a single stone.
Mo*nol"o*gist (?), n. [See
Monologue.] One who soliloquizes; esp., one who
monopolizes conversation in company. De Quincey.
Mon"o*logue (?), n. [F.
monologue, Gr. &?; speaking alone; mo`nos alone,
single, sole + lo`gos speech, discourse,
le`gein to speak. See Legend.] 1.
A speech uttered by a person alone; soliloquy; also, talk or
discourse in company, in the strain of a soliloquy; as, an account in
monologue. Dryden.
2. A dramatic composition for a single
performer.
Mo*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;.] The
habit of soliloquizing, or of monopolizing conversation.
It was not by an insolent usurpation that Coleridge
persisted in monology through his whole life.
De Quincey.
{ ||Mon`o*ma"chi*a (?), Mo*nom"a*chy (?), }
n. [L. monomachia, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; fighting
in single combat; mo`nos single, alone + &?; to fight.]
A duel; single combat. "The duello or monomachia."
Sir W. Scott.
Mo*nom"a*chist (?), n. One who
fights in single combat; a duelist.
Mon"o*mane (?), n. A
monomaniac. [R.]
Mon`o*ma"ni*a (?), n. [Mono- +
mania.] Derangement of the mind in regard of a single
subject only; also, such a concentration of interest upon one
particular subject or train of ideas to show mental
derangement.
Syn. -- Insanity; madness; alienation; aberration;
derangement; mania. See Insanity.
Mon`oma"ni*ac (?), n. A person
affected by monomania.
{ Mon`oma"ni*ac (?), Mon`oma"ni*a*cal (?), }
a. [Cf. F. monomaniaque.] Affected with
monomania, or partial derangement of intellect; caused by, or
resulting from, monomania; as, a monomaniacal
delusion.
Mon"ome (?), n. [F., fr. Gr.
mo`nos single + -nome as in binome. See
Binomial.] (Math.) A monomial.
Mo*nom"er*ous (?), a. [Gr.
mo`nos single; mo`nos alone + &?; part.]
1. (Bot.) Composed of solitary parts, as
a flower with one sepal, one petal, one stamen, and one
pistil.
2. (Zoöl.) Having but one joint;
-- said of the foot of certain insects.
Mon`o*me*tal"lic (?), a.
Consisting of one metal; of or pertaining to
monometallism.
Mon`o*met"al*lism (?), n. [Mono-
+ metal.] The legalized use of one metal only, as gold,
or silver, in the standard currency of a country, or as a standard of
money values. See Bimetallism.
Mon`o*met"al*list (?), n. One who
believes in monometallism as opposed to bimetallism, etc.
Mo*nom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; of one
meter; mo`nos single + &?; measure.] A rhythmic
series, consisting of a single meter.
Mon`o*met"ric (?), a. [Cf. F.
monométrique.] (Crystallog.) Same as
Isometric.
Mo*no"mi*al (?), n. [See Monome,
Binomial.] (Alg.) A single algebraic expression;
that is, an expression unconnected with any other by the sign of
addition, substraction, equality, or inequality.
Mo*no"mi*al, a. (Alg.)
Consisting of but a single term or expression.
{ Mon`o*mor"phic (?), Mon`o*mor"phous (?), }
a. [Mono- + Gr. &?; form.] (Biol.)
Having but a single form; retaining the same form throughout the
various stages of development; of the same or of an essentially
similar type of structure; -- opposed to dimorphic,
trimorphic, and polymorphic.
||Mo*nom"pha*lus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
mo`nos alone + &?; the navel.] A form of double
monster, in which two individuals are united by a common
umbilicus.
{ ||Mo*no"my*a (?), ||Mon`o*my*a"ri*a (?), }
n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. mo`nos single +
&?;, &?;, muscle.] (Zoöl.) An order of
lamellibranchs having but one muscle for closing the shell, as the
oyster.
{ Mon`o*my"a*ri*an (?), Mon`o*my"a*ry (?), }
a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Monomya. -- n. One of the
Monomya.
Mon`o*no"mi*al (?), n. & a.
Monomyal.
{ Mon`o*ou"si*an (?), Mon`o*ou"si*ous (?), }
a. [Mono- + Gr. &?; being, substance,
essence.] (Theil.) Having but one and the same nature or
essence.
Mo*nop"a*thy (?), n. [Gr. &?;;
mo`nos alone + &?;, &?;, to suffer.] Suffering or
sensibility in a single organ or function. --
Mon`o*path"ic, a.
Mon`o*per"son*al (?), a. [Mono-
+ personal.] Having but one person, or form of
existence.
Mon`o*pet"al*ous (?), a. [Mono-
+ petal: cf. F. monopétale.] (Bot.)
Having only one petal, or the corolla in one piece, or composed
of petals cohering so as to form a tube or bowl;
gamopetalous.
&fist; 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.
Mo*noph"a*nous (?), a. [Mono- +
Gr. &?; to show.] Having one and the same appearance; having a
mutual resemblance.
Mon`o*phon"ic (?), a. [Mono- +
Gr. &?; a voice.] (Mus.) Single-voiced; having but one
part; as, a monophonic composition; -- opposed to
polyphonic.
Mon"oph*thong (?), n. [Gr. &?; with one
sound; mo`nos alone + &?; sound, voice.]
1. A single uncompounded vowel sound.
2. A combination of two written vowels
pronounced as one; a digraph.
Mon`oph*thon"gal (?), a.
Consisting of, or pertaining to, a monophthong.
Mon`o*phy*let"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; of
one tribe, fr. mo`nos single + &?; clan.] (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to a single family or stock, or to development
from a single common parent form; -- opposed to polyphyletic;
as, monophyletic origin.
Mo*noph"yl*lous (?), a. [Gr.
mono`fyllos; mo`nos alone + fy`llon
leaf: cf. F. monophylle.] (Bot.) One-leaved;
composed of a single leaf; as, a monophyllous involucre or
calyx.
Mon`o*phy"o*dont (?), a. [Gr.
mo`nos single (mo`nos alone + &?; to produce) +
'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.] (Anat.)
Having but one set of teeth; -- opposed to
diphyodont.
Mo*noph"y*site (?), n. [Gr. &?;;
mo`nos single + &?; nature: cf. F. monophysite.]
(Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect, in the ancient church, who
maintained that the human and divine in Jesus Christ constituted but
one composite nature. Also used adjectively.
Mon`o*phy*sit"ic*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Monophysites, or their doctrines.
Mon"o*plast (?), n. [Mono- +
-plast.] (Biol.) A monoplastic element.
Mon`o*plas"tic (?), a. [Mono- +
-plastic.] (Biol.) That has one form, or retains
its primary form, as, a monoplastic element.
||Mon`ople"gi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
mo`nos single + &?; a stroke.] (Med.)
Paralysis affecting a single limb.
||Mon`op*neu"mo*na (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Mono-, and Pneumonia.] (Zoöl.) A
suborder of Dipnoi, including the Ceratodus. [Written also
monopneumonia.]
Mon"o*pode (?), n. 1.
One of a fabulous tribe or race of Ethiopians having but one leg
and foot. Sir J. Mandeville. Lowell.
2. (Bot.) A monopodium.
Mon`o*po"di*al (?), a. (Bot.)
Having a monopodium or a single and continuous axis, as a
birchen twig or a cornstalk.
||Mon`o*po"di*um (?), n.; pl. L.
Monopodia (#), E. -ums (#). [L.
See Monopody.] (Bot.) A single and continuous
vegetable axis; -- opposed to sympodium.
Mo*nop"o*dy (?), n. [Mono- + Gr.
poy`s, podo`s, foot: cf. &?;, &?;, one-footed.]
(Pros.) A measure of but a single foot.
Mo*nop"o*ler (?), n. A
monopolist. [Obs.]
Mo*nop"o*list (m&osl;*n&obreve;p"&osl;*l&ibreve;st),
n. One who monopolizes; one who has a
monopoly; one who favors monopoly.
Mo*nop`o*lis"tic (-l&ibreve;s"t&ibreve;k),
a. Of or pertaining to a monopolist.
North Am. Rev.
Mo*nop"o*lite (?), n. A
monopolist. Sylvester.
Mo*nop"o*lize (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Monopolized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Monopolizing (?).] [From Monopoly.]
To acquire a monopoly of; to have or get the exclusive privilege
or means of dealing in, or the exclusive possession of; to engross
the whole of; as, to monopolize the coffee trade; to
monopolize land.
Mo*nop"o*li`zer (?), n. One who
monopolizes.
Mo*nop"o*ly (?), n.; pl.
Monopolies (#). [L. monopolium, Gr. &?;,
&?;; mo`nos alone + &?; to sell.] 1.
The exclusive power, or privilege of selling a commodity; the
exclusive power, right, or privilege of dealing in some article, or
of trading in some market; sole command of the traffic in anything,
however obtained; as, the proprietor of a patented article is given a
monopoly of its sale for a limited time; chartered trading
companies have sometimes had a monopoly of trade with remote
regions; a combination of traders may get a monopoly of a
particular product.
Raleigh held a monopoly of cards, Essex a
monopoly of sweet wines.
Macaulay.
2. Exclusive possession; as, a
monopoly of land.
If I had a monopoly out, they would have part
on 't.
Shak.
3. The commodity or other material thing to
which the monopoly relates; as, tobacco is a monopoly in
France. [Colloq.]
Mon`o*pol"y*logue (?), n. [Mono-
+ Gr. poly`s many + lo`gos speech.] An
exhibition in which an actor sustains many characters.
Mon`o*psy"chism (?), n. [Mono- +
Gr. &?; soul.] The doctrine that there is but one immortal soul
or intellect with which all men are endowed.
Mo*nop"ter*al (?), a. [Gr. &?; with a
row of pillars only; mo`nos alone, only + &?; feather,
wing, also, a row of pillars: cf. F. monoptère.]
(Arch.) Round and without a cella; consisting of a single
ring of columns supporting a roof; -- said esp. of a
temple.
||Mo*nop"ter*on (?), n.; pl.
Monoptera (#). [NL. See Monopteral.]
(Arch.) A circular temple consisting of a roof supported
on columns, without a cella.
Mon"op*tote (?), n. [L.
monoptotum, Gr. &?;; mo`nos single + &?; apt to
fall, fallen, fr. &?; to fall; cf. &?; case.] (Gram.)
1. A noun having only one case.
Andrews.
2. A noun having only one ending for the
oblique cases.
Mon`o*py*re"nous (?), a. [Mono-
+ pyrene.] (Bot.) Having but a single stone or
kernel.
Mon`or*gan"ic (?), a. [Mon- +
organic.] (Biol. & Med.) Belonging to, or
affecting, a single organ, or set of organs.
||Mon`o*rhi"na (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. mo`nos single + &?;, &?;, nose.] (Zoöl.)
The Marsipobranchiata.
Mon"o*rhyme (?), n. [Mono- +
rhyme: cf. F. monorime.] A composition in verse,
in which all the lines end with the same rhyme.
Mon`o*sep"al*ous (?), a. [Mono-
+ sepal: cf. F. monosépale.] (Bot.)
Having only one sepal, or the calyx in one piece or composed of
the sepals united into one piece; gamosepalous.
&fist; 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.
Mon"o*sperm (?), n. (Bot.)
A monospermous plant.
{ Mon`o*sper"mal (?), Mon`o*sper"mous (?), }
a. [Mono- + Gr. spe`rma seed: cf.
F. monosperme.] (Bot.) Having only one
seed.
Mon`o*spher"ic*al (?), a. [Mono-
+ spherical.] Consisting of one sphere only.
Mon"o*stich (?), n. [Gr. &?;, from &?;
consisting of one verse; mo`nos single +
sti`chos line, verse.] A composition consisting of
one verse only.
Mo*nos"ti*chous (m&osl;*n&obreve;s"t&ibreve;*kŭs),
a. [See Monostich.] (Bot.)
Arranged in a single row on one side of an axis, as the flowers
in grasses of the tribe Chloridæ.
Mo*nos"tro*phe (m&osl;*n&obreve;s"tr&osl;*f&esl;),
n. [NL., fr. Gr. mono`strofos
monostrophic.] A metrical composition consisting of a single
strophe.
Mon`o*stroph"ic
(m&obreve;n`&osl;*str&obreve;f"&ibreve;k), a. [Gr.
monostrofiko`s; mo`nos single +
strofh` strophe.] (Pros.) Having one strophe
only; not varied in measure; written in unvaried measure.
Milton.
Mon`o*sul"phide (?), n. [Mono- +
sulphide.] (Chem.) A sulphide containing one atom
of sulphur, and analogous to a monoxide; -- contrasted with a
polysulphide; as, galena is a monosulphide.
Mon`o*sul"phu*ret (?), n. [Mono-
+ sulphuret.] (Chem.) See
Monosulphide.
Mon`o*syl*lab"ic (?), a. [Cf. F.
monosyllabique.] Being a monosyllable, or composed of
monosyllables; as, a monosyllabic word; a monosyllabic
language. -- Mon`o*syl*lab"ic*al*ly (#),
adv.
Mon`o*syl"la*bism (?), n. The
state of consisting of monosyllables, or having a monosyllabic form;
frequent occurrence of monosyllables.
Mon"o*syl`la*ble (?), n. [L.
monosyllabus of one syllable, Gr. &?;: cf. F.
monosyllabe. See Mono-, Syllable.] A word
of one syllable.
Mon"o*syl`la*bled (?), a. Formed
into, or consisting of, monosyllables. Cleveland.
{ Mon`o*sym*met"ric (?), Mon`o*sym*met"ric*al
(?), } a. [Mono- + symmetric, -
ical.] (Crystallog.) Same as
Monoclinic.
Mon`o*tes"sa*ron (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
mo`nos single + &?; four.] A single narrative framed
from the statements of the four evangelists; a gospel harmony.
[R.]
||Mon`o*thal"a*ma (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. mo`nos single + qa`lamos a chamber.]
(Zoöl.) A division of Foraminifera including those
that have only one chamber.
Mon`o*thal"a*man (?), n. [See
Monothalamous.] (Zoöl.) A foraminifer having
but one chamber.
Mon`o*thal"a*mous (?), a. [Mono-
+ Gr. qa`lamos chamber: cf. F. monothalame.]
(Zoöl.) One-chambered.
Mon`o*thal"mic (?), a. [See
Monothalamous.] (Bot.) Formed from one pistil; --
said of fruits. R. Brown.
Mon`o*the"cal (?), a. [Mono- +
Br. &?; box.] (Bot.) Having a single
loculament.
Mon"o*the*ism (?), n. [Mono- +
Gr. &?; god: cf. F. monothéisme.] The doctrine or
belief that there is but one God.
Mon"o*the*ist, n. [Cf. F.
monothéiste.] One who believes that there is but
one God.
Mon`o*the*is"tic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to monotheism.
{ Mo*noth"e*lism (?), Mo*noth"e*li*tism (?), }
n. [Cf. F. monothélisme,
monothélitisme.] The doctrine of the
Monothelites.
Mo*noth"e*lite (?), n. [Gr. &?;;
mo`nos alone, only + &?;, &?;, to will, be willing: cf. F.
monothélite.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of an
ancient sect who held that Christ had but one will as he had but one
nature. Cf. Monophysite. Gibbon.
Mon`o*the*lit"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the Monothelites, or their doctrine.
Mo*not"o*cous (?), a. [Mono- +
Gr. &?; birth, offspring.] 1. (Bot.)
Bearing fruit but once; monocarpic.
2. (Zoöl.) Uniparous; laying a
single egg.
Mo*not"o*mous (?), a. [Mono- +
Gr. &?; cutting, fr. &?; to cut.] (Min.) Having a
distinct cleavage in a single direction only.
Mon"o*tone (?), n. [See
Monotonous, Monotony.] 1. (Mus.)
A single unvaried tone or sound.
2. (Rhet.) The utterance of successive
syllables, words, or sentences, on one unvaried key or line of
pitch.
{ Mon`o*ton"ic (?), Mon`o*ton"ic*al (?), }
a. Of, pertaining to, or uttered in, a
monotone; monotonous. "Monotonical declamation."
Chesterfield.
Mo*not"o*nist (?), n. One who
talks in the same strain or on the same subject until weariness is
produced. Richardson.
Mo*not"o*nous (?), a. [Gr. &?;;
mo`nos alone, single + &?; tone. See Tone.]
Uttered in one unvarying tone; continued with dull uniformity;
characterized by monotony; without change or variety;
wearisome. -- Mo*not"o*nous*ly, adv.
-- Mo*not"o*nous*ness, n.
Mo*not"o*ny (?), n. [Gr. &?;: cf. F.
monotonie. See Monotonius.] 1. A
frequent recurrence of the same tone or sound, producing a dull
uniformity; absence of variety, as in speaking or singing.
2. Any irksome sameness, or want of
variety.
At sea, everything that breaks the monotony of
the surrounding expanse attracts attention.
W.
Irving.
||Mon`o*trem"a*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. mo`nos single + &?; hole.] (Zoöl.) 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.
Mon`o*trem"a*tous (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Monotremata.
Mon"o*treme (?), n. [Cf. F.
monotrème.] (Zoöl.) One of the
Monotremata.
Mon`o*tri"glyph (?), n. [Mono- +
triglyph: cf. F. monotriglyphe.] (Arch.) A
kind of intercolumniation in an entablature, in which only one
triglyph and two metopes are introduced.
||Mo*not"ro*pa (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
mo`nos single + &?; turn, from &?; to turn.] (Bot.)
A genus of parasitic or saprophytic plants including the Indian
pipe and pine sap. The name alludes to the dropping end of the
stem.
{ Mon"o*type (?), Mon`o*typ"ic (?), }
a. [Mono- + -type: cf. F.
monotype.] (Biol.) Having but one type; containing
but one representative; as, a monotypic genus, which contains
but one species.
Mo*nov"a*lent (?), a. [Mono- +
L. valens, p. pr. See Valence.] (Chem.)
Having a valence of one; univalent. See
Univalent.
Mo*nox"ide (?), n. [Mon- +
oxide.] (Chem.) An oxide containing one atom of
oxygen in each molecule; as, barium monoxide.
||Mo*nox"y*lon (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
&?;, fr. &?; made from one piece of wood; mo`nos alone +
&?; wood.] A canoe or boat made from one piece of
timber.
Mo*nox"y*lous (?), a. [See
Monoxylon.] Made of one piece of wood.
||Mon`o*zo"a (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr.
mo`nos single + zo^,on an animal.]
(Zoöl.) A division of Radiolaria; -- called also
Monocyttaria. -- Mon`o*zo"ic (#),
a.
Mon*roe" doc"trine. See under
Doctrine.
||Mon`sei`gneur" (?), n.; pl.
Messeigneurs (#). [F., fr. mon my +
seigneur lord, L. senior older. See Senior, and
cf. Monsieur.] My lord; -- a title in France of a person
of high birth or rank; as, Monseigneur the Prince, or
Monseigneur the Archibishop. It was given, specifically, to
the dauphin, before the Revolution of 1789. (Abbrev. Mgr.)
Mon"sel's salt` (?). (Med.) A basic sulphate
of iron; -- so named from Monsel, a Frenchman.
Mon"sel's so*lu"tion (?). [See Monsel's salt.]
(Med.) An aqueous solution of Monsel's salt, having
valuable styptic properties.
||Mon*sieur" (?), n.; pl.
Messieurs (#). [F., fr. mon my +
Sieur, abbrev. of seigneur lord. See
Monseigneur.] 1. The common title of
civility in France in speaking to, or of, a man; Mr. or Sir.
[Represented by the abbreviation M. or Mons. in the singular, and by
MM. or Messrs. in the
plural.]
2. The oldest brother of the king of
France.
3. A Frenchman. [Contemptuous]
Shak.
||Mon`si*gno"re (?), n.; pl.
Monsignors (#). [It., my lord. Cf.
Monseigneur.] My lord; -- an ecclesiastical dignity
bestowed by the pope, entitling the bearer to social and domestic
rank at the papal court. (Abbrev. Mgr.)
Mon*soon" (?), n. [Malay
mūsim, fr. Ar. mausim a time, season: cf. F.
monson, mousson, Sr. monzon, Pg.
monção, It. monsone.] A wind blowing
part of the year from one direction, alternating with a wind from the
opposite direction; -- a term applied particularly to periodical
winds of the Indian Ocean, which blow from the southwest from the
latter part of May to the middle of September, and from the northeast
from about the middle of October to the middle of December.
Mon"ster (?), n. [OE. monstre,
F. monstre, fr. L. monstrum, orig., a divine omen,
indicating misfortune; akin of monstrare to show, point out,
indicate, and monere to warn. See Monition, and cf.
Demonstrate, Muster.] 1. Something
of unnatural size, shape, or quality; a prodigy; an enormity; a
marvel.
A monster or marvel.
Chaucer.
2. Specifically , an animal or plant
departing greatly from the usual type, as by having too many
limbs.
3. Any thing or person of unnatural or
excessive ugliness, deformity, wickedness, or cruelty.
Mon"ster, a. Monstrous in
size. Pope.
Mon"ster, v. t. To make
monstrous. [Obs.] Shak.
Mon"strance (?), n. [LL.
monstrantia, fr. L. monstrare to show: cf. OF.
monstrance. See Monster.] (R. C. Ch.) A
transparent pyx, in which the consecrated host is exposed to
view.
Mon*stra"tion (?), n. [L.
monstratio.] The act of demonstrating; proof.
[Obs.]
A certain monstration.
Grafton.
Mon*stros"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Monstrosities (#). [Cf. F.
monstruosité. See Monstrous.] The state of
being monstrous, or out of the common order of nature; that which is
monstrous; a monster. South.
A monstrosity never changes the name or affects
the immutability of a species.
Adanson (Trans.
).
Mon"strous (?), a. [OE.
monstruous, F. monstrueux, fr. L. monstruosus,
fr. monstrum. See Monster.] 1.
Marvelous; strange. [Obs.]
2. Having the qualities of a monster;
deviating greatly from the natural form or character; abnormal; as, a
monstrous birth. Locke.
He, therefore, that refuses to do good to them whom he
is bound to love . . . is unnatural and monstrous in his
affections.
Jer. Taylor.
3. Extraordinary in a way to excite wonder,
dislike, apprehension, etc.; -- said of size, appearance, color,
sound, etc.; as, a monstrous height; a monstrous ox; a
monstrous story.
4. Extraordinary on account of ugliness,
viciousness, or wickedness; hateful; horrible; dreadful.
So bad a death argues a monstrous
life.
Shak.
5. Abounding in monsters. [R.]
Where thou, perhaps, under the whelming tide
Visitest the bottom of the monstrous world.
Milton.
Mon"strous, adv. Exceedingly;
very; very much. "A monstrous thick oil on the top."
Bacon.
And will be monstrous witty on the
poor.
Dryden.
Mon"strous*ly, adv. In a monstrous
manner; unnaturally; extraordinarily; as, monstrously
wicked. "Who with his wife is monstrously in love."
Dryden.
Mon"strous*ness, n. The state or
quality of being monstrous, unusual, extraordinary.
Shak.
Mon`stru*os"i*ty (?), n.
Monstrosity. [Obs.] Shak.
Mon"stru*ous (?), a.
Monstrous. [Obs.]
||Mont (?), n. [F. See Mount,
n.] Mountain.
Mon"taigne (?), n. A
mountain. [Obs.]
Mon*tan"ic (?), a. [L. montanus,
fr. mons, montis, mountain. See Mount,
n.] Of or pertaining to mountains; consisting
of mountains.
Mon"ta*nist (?), n. (Eccl.
Hist.) A follower of Mintanus, a Phrygian enthusiast of the
second century, who claimed that the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete,
dwelt in him, and employed him as an instrument for purifying and
guiding men in the Christian life. -- Mon`ta*nis"tic
(#), Mon`ta*nis"tic*al (#), a.
Mon"tant (?), n. [F.,prop., mounting,
fr. monter to mount, fr. L. mons, montis,
mountain. See Mount.] 1. (Fencing)
An upward thrust or blow. Shak.
2. (Arch.) An upright piece in any
framework; a mullion or muntin; a stile. [R.] See
Stile.
||Mont" de pi`é`té" (?). [F., fr. It.
monte di pietà mount of piety.] One of certain
public pawnbroking establishments which originated in Italy in the
15th century, the object of which was to lend money at a low rate of
interest to poor people in need; -- called also mount of
piety. The institution has been adopted in other countries, as in
Spain and France. See Lombard-house.
||Mon"te (m&obreve;n"t&asl;), n. [Sp.,
lit., mountain, hence, the stock of cards remaining after laying out
a certain number, fr. L. mons, montis, mountain.]
A favorite gambling game among Spaniards, played with dice or
cards.
Monte`-ac"id (?), n. [F. monter
to raise + acide acid.] (Chem.) An acid elevator,
as a tube through which acid is forced to some height in a sulphuric
acid manufactory.
Mon*teith" (?), n. See
Monteth.
Mon"tem (?), n. [L. ad montem to
the hillock. See Mount, n.] A custom,
formerly practiced by the scholars at Eton school, England, of going
every third year, on Whittuesday, to a hillock near the Bath road,
and exacting money from all passers-by, to support at the university
the senior scholar of the school.
Mon*te"ro (?), n. [Sp. montera a
hunting cap, fr. montero a huntsman, monte a mountain,
forest, L. mons, montis, mountain. See Mount,
n.] An ancient kind of cap worn by horsemen or
huntsmen. Bacon.
{ Mon*teth" (?), Mon*teith" (?) },
n. A vessel in which glasses are washed; -- so
called from the name of the inventor.
New things produce new words, and thus
Monteth
Has by one vessel saved his name from death.
King.
||Mont`gol"fier (?), n. A balloon
which ascends by the buoyancy of air heated by a fire; a fire
balloon; -- so called from two brothers, Stephen and Joseph
Montgolfier, of France, who first constructed and sent up a
fire balloon.
Month (mŭnth), n. [OE.
month, moneth, AS. mōnð,
mōnað; akin to mōna moon, and to D.
maand month, G. monat, OHG. mānōd,
Icel. mānuðr, mānaðr, Goth.
mēnōþs. √272. See Moon.]
One of the twelve portions into which the year is divided; the
twelfth part of a year, corresponding nearly to the length of a
synodic revolution of the moon, -- whence the name. In popular use, a
period of four weeks is often called a month.
&fist; In the common law, a month is a lunar month, or
twenty-eight days, unless otherwise expressed. Blackstone. In
the United States the rule of the common law is generally changed,
and a month is declared to mean a calendar month. Cooley's
Blackstone.
A month mind. (a) A strong
or abnormal desire. [Obs.] Shak. (b)
A celebration made in remembrance of a deceased person a month
after death. Strype. -- Calendar
months, the months as adjusted in the common or
Gregorian calendar; April, June, September, and November, containing
30 days, and the rest 31, except February, which, in common years,
has 28, and in leap years 29. -- Lunar month,
the period of one revolution of the moon, particularly a
synodical revolution; but several kinds are distinguished, as the
synodical month, or period from one new moon to the next, in
mean length 29 d. 12 h. 44 m. 2.87 s.; the nodical month, or
time of revolution from one node to the same again, in length 27 d. 5
h. 5 m. 36 s.; the sidereal, or time of revolution from a star
to the same again, equal to 27 d. 7 h. 43 m. 11.5 s.; the
anomalistic, or time of revolution from perigee to perigee
again, in length 27 d. 13 h. 18 m. 37.4 s.; and the tropical,
or time of passing from any point of the ecliptic to the same again,
equal to 27 d. 7 h. 43 m. 4.7 s. -- Solar
month, the time in which the sun passes through one
sign of the zodiac, in mean length 30 d. 10 h. 29 m. 4.1 s.
Month"ling (?), n. That which is a
month old, or which lives for a month. [R.]
Wordsworth.
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.
Month"ly, n.; pl.
Monthlies (&?;). A publication which appears
regularly once a month.
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.
Mon"ti*cle (?), n. [L.
monticulus, dim. of mons, montis, mountain: cf.
F. monticule. See Mount, n.] A
little mount; a hillock; a small elevation or prominence.
[Written also monticule.]
Mon*tic"u*late (?), a. Furnished
with monticles or little elevations.
Mon"ti*cule (?), n. See
Monticle.
Mon*tic"u*lous (?), a.
Monticulate.
Mon"ti*form (?), a. [L. mons,
montis, mountain + -form.] Resembling a mountain
in form.
Mon*tig"e*nous (?), a. [L.
montigena; mons, montis, mountain + the root of
gignere to beget.] Produced on a mountain.
||Mon`toir" (?), n. [F., fr.
monter to mount. See Montant.] A stone used in
mounting a horse; a horse block.
Mon"ton (?), n. [Sp.] (Mining)
A heap of ore; a mass undergoing the process of
amalgamation.
Mon*tross" (?), n. See
Matross. [Obs.]
Mon"true (?), n. [F., fr. monter
to mount. See Montoir.] That on which anything is
mounted; a setting; hence, a saddle horse. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Mon"u*ment (?), n. [F., fr. L.
monumentum, fr. monere to remind, admonish. See
Monition, and cf. Moniment.] 1.
Something which stands, or remains, to keep in remembrance what
is past; a memorial.
Of ancient British art
A pleasing monument.
Philips.
Our bruised arms hung up for
monuments.
Shak.
2. A building, pillar, stone, or the like,
erected to preserve the remembrance of a person, event, action, etc.;
as, the Washington monument; the Bunker Hill monument.
Also, a tomb, with memorial inscriptions.
On your family's old monument
Hang mournful epitaphs, and do all rites
That appertain unto a burial.
Shak.
3. A stone or other permanent object, serving
to indicate a limit or to mark a boundary.
4. A saying, deed, or example, worthy of
record.
Acts and Monuments of these latter and perilous
days.
Foxe.
Syn. -- Memorial; remembrance; tomb; cenotaph.
Mon`u*men"tal (?), a. [L.
monumentalis: cf. F. monumental.] 1.
Of, pertaining to, or suitable for, a monument; as, a
monumental inscription.
2. Serving as a monument; memorial;
preserving memory. "Of pine, or monumental oak."
Milton.
A work outlasting monumental
brass.
Pope.
Mon`u*men"tal*ly, adv.
1. By way of memorial.
2. By means of monuments.
Mon*u"re*id (?), n. [Mon- +
ureid.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of complex
nitrogenous substances regarded as derived from one molecule of urea;
as, alloxan is a monureid. [Written also
monureide.]
Moo (mō), a., adv., &
n. See Mo. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Moo (m&oomac;), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Mooed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mooing.] [Of imitative origin.] To make the noise of a
cow; to low; -- a child's word.
Moo, n. The lowing of a
cow.
Mood (m&oomac;d), n. [The same word as
mode, perh. influenced by mood temper. See
Mode.] 1. Manner; style; mode; logical
form; musical style; manner of action or being. See Mode which
is the preferable form).
2. (Gram.) Manner of conceiving and
expressing action or being, as positive, possible, hypothetical,
etc., without regard to other accidents, such as time, person,
number, etc.; as, the indicative mood; the infinitive
mood; the subjunctive mood. Same as
Mode.
Mood, n. [OE. mood, mod,
AS. mōdmind, feeling, heart, courage; akin to OS. &
OFries. mōd, D. moed, OHG. muot, G.
muth, mut, courage, Dan. & Sw. mod, Icel.
mōðr wrath, Goth. mōds.] 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 his
mood.
Chaucer.
Fortune is merry,
And in this mood will give us anything.
Shak.
The desperate recklessness of her
mood.
Hawthorne.
Moo"der (?), n. Mother.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Mood"i*ly (m&oomac;d"&ibreve;*l&ybreve;),
adv. In a moody manner.
Mood"i*ness, n. The quality or
state of being moody; specifically, liability to strange or violent
moods.
||Moo"dir (?), n. [Ar.
mudīr.] The governor of a province in Egypt,
etc. [Written also mudir.]
Mood"ish (?), a. Moody.
[Obs.]
Mood"ish*ly, adv. Moodily.
[Obs.]
Mood"y (-&ybreve;), a.
[Compar. Moodier (?);
superl. Moodiest.] [AS. mōdig
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.
{ Moo"lah (?), Mool"lah }, n.
See Mollah.
Mool"ley (?), n. Same as
Mulley.
Moon (m&oomac;n), n. [OE. mone,
AS. mōna; akin to D. maan, OS. & OHG.
māno, G. mond, Icel. māni, Dan.
maane, Sw. måne, Goth. mēna, Lith.
menů, L. mensis month, Gr. mh`nh moon,
mh`n month, Skr. mās moon, month; prob. from
a root meaning to measure (cf. Skr. mā 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.) 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, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mooned (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mooning.] To expose to the rays of the moon.
If they have it to be exceeding white indeed, they
seethe it yet once more, after it hath been thus sunned and
mooned.
Holland.
Moon, v. i. To act if moonstruck;
to wander or gaze about in an abstracted manner.
Elsley was mooning down the river by
himself.
C. Kingsley.
Moon"beam` (?), n. A ray of light
from the moon.
Moon"blind` (?), a. Dim-sighted;
purblind.
Moon"blink` (?), n. A temporary
blindness, or impairment of sight, said to be caused by sleeping in
the moonlight; -- sometimes called nyctalopia.
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"-cul"mi*na`ting (?), a.
Culminating, or coming to the meredian, at or about the same
time with the moon; -- said of a star or stars, esp. of certain stars
selected beforehand, and named in an ephemeris (as the Nautical
Almanac), as suitable to be observed in connection with the moon at
culmination, for determining terrestrial longitude.
Mooned (?), a. Of or resembling
the moon; symbolized by the moon. "Sharpening in mooned
horns." "Mooned Ashtaroth." Milton.
Moon"er (?), n. One who
abstractedly wanders or gazes about, as if moonstruck. [R.]
Dickens.
Moon"er*y (?), n. Conduct of one
who moons. [R.]
Moon"et (?), n. A little
moon. [R.] Bp. Hall.
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` (?), a. Having eyes
affected by the moon; moonblind; dim-eyed; purblind.
Moon"-faced` (?), a. Having a
round, full face.
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.
Moon"flow`er (?), n. (Bot.)
(a) The oxeye daisy; -- called also moon
daisy. (b) A kind of morning glory
(Ipomœa Bona-nox) with large white flowers opening at
night.
Moong (?), n. (Bot.) Same
as Mung.
Moon"glade` (?), n. The bright
reflection of the moon's light on an expanse of water.
[Poetic]
Moo"nie (m&oomac;"n&ibreve;), n.
(Zoöl.) The European goldcrest.
Moon"ish (m&oomac;n"&ibreve;sh), a.
Like the moon; variable.
Being but a moonish youth.
Shak.
Moon"less, a. Being without a moon
or moonlight.
Moon`light` (?), n. The light of
the moon. -- a. Occurring during or by
moonlight; characterized by moonlight.
Moon"ling (?), n. A simpleton; a
lunatic. [Obs.]
Moon"lit` (?), a. Illumined by the
moon. "The moonlit sea." Moore. "Moonlit
dells." Lowell.
Moon"rak`er (?), n. (Naut.)
Same as Moonsail.
Moon"rise` (?), n. The rising of
the moon above the horizon; also, the time of its rising.
Moon"sail` (?), n. (Naut.)
A sail sometimes carried in light winds, above a skysail.
R. H. Dana, Jr.
Moon"seed` (?), n. (Bot.) A
climbing plant of the genus Menispermum; -- so called from the
crescentlike form of the seeds.
Moon"set` (?), n. The descent of
the moon below the horizon; also, the time when the moon
sets.
||Moon"shee (?), n. [Hind.
munishī, fr. Ar. munishī a writer, author,
secretary, tutor.] A Mohammedan professor or teacher of
language. [India]
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.]
Moon"shine`, a. Moonlight.
[R.] Clarendon.
Moon"shin`er (?), n. A person
engaged in illicit distilling; -- so called because the work is
largely done at night. [Cant, U.S.]
Moon"shin`y (?), a.
Moonlight. [Colloq.]
I went to see them in a moonshiny
night.
Addison.
Moon"stone` (-stōn`), n.
(Min.) A nearly pellucid variety of feldspar, showing
pearly or opaline reflections from within. It is used as a gem. The
best specimens come from Ceylon.
Moon"strick`en (?), a. See
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.
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.
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 (m&oomac;r), n. [F. More,
Maure, L. Maurus a Moor, a Mauritanian, an inhabitant
of Mauritania, Gr. May^ros; cf. may^ros black,
dark. Cf. Morris a dance, Morocco.] 1.
One of a mixed race inhabiting Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, and
Tripoli, chiefly along the coast and in towns.
2. (Hist.) Any individual of the
swarthy races of Africa or Asia which have adopted the Mohammedan
religion. "In Spanish history the terms Moors, Saracens,
and Arabs are synonymous." Internat. Cyc.
Moor, n. [OE. mor, AS.
mōr 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 (m&oomac;r), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Moored (m&oomac;rd); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mooring.] [Prob. fr. D. marren to tie,
fasten, or moor a ship. See Mar.] 1.
(Naut.) To fix or secure, as a vessel, in a particular
place by casting anchor, or by fastening with cables or chains; as,
the vessel was moored in the stream; they moored the
boat to the wharf.
2. Fig.: To secure, or fix firmly.
Brougham.
Moor, v. i. To cast anchor; to
become fast.
On oozy ground his galleys moor.
Dryden.
Moor"age (?), n. A place for
mooring.
Moor"ball` (?), n. (Bot.) A
fresh-water alga (Cladophora Ægagropila) which forms a
globular mass.
Moor"band` (?), n. See
Moorpan.
Moor"ess (?), n. A female Moor; a
Moorish woman.
Moor"ing, n. 1.
The act of confining a ship to a particular place, by means of
anchors or fastenings.
2. That which serves to confine a ship to a
place, as anchors, cables, bridles, etc.
3. pl. The place or condition of a
ship thus confined.
And the tossed bark in moorings
swings.
Moore.
Mooring block (Naut.), a heavy block
of cast iron sometimes used as an anchor for mooring
vessels.
Moor"ish, a. [From 2d Moor.]
Having the characteristics of a moor or heath.
"Moorish fens." Thomson.
Moor"ish, a. [See 1st Moor, and
cf. Morris, Moresque.] Of or pertaining to Morocco
or the Moors; in the style of the Moors.
Moorish architecture, the style developed by
the Moors in the later Middle Ages, esp. in Spain, in which the arch
had the form of a horseshoe, and the ornamentation admitted no
representation of animal life. It has many points of resemblance to
the Arabian and Persian styles, but should be distinguished from
them. See Illust. under Moresque.
Moor"land (?), n. [AS.
mōrland.] Land consisting of a moor or
moors.
Moor"pan` (?), n. [Cf. Hard pan,
under Hard.] A clayey layer or pan underlying some moors,
etc.
Moor"stone` (?), n. A species of
English granite, used as a building stone.
||Moo"ruk (?), n. [Native name.]
(Zoöl.) 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 bilobed; the neck and breast are
black; the back, rufous mixed with black; and the naked skin of the
neck, blue.
Moor"y (?), a. Of or pertaining to
moors; marshy; fenny; boggy; moorish. Mortimer.
As when thick mists arise from moory
vales.
Fairfax.
Moor"y, n. A kind of blue cloth
made in India. Balfour (Cyc of India).
Moose (m&oomac;s), n. [A native name;
Knisteneaux mouswah; Algonquin monse.
Mackenzie.] (Zoöl.) 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.
Moose"wood` (?), n. (Bot.)
(a) The striped maple (Acer
Pennsylvanicum). (b)
Leatherwood.
Moot (mōt), v. See 1st
Mot. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Moot (m&oomac;t), n.
(Shipbuilding) A ring for gauging wooden pins.
Moot, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mooted (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mooting.] [OE. moten, motien, AS.
mōtan to meet or assemble for conversation, to discuss,
dispute, fr. mōt, gemōt, a meeting, an
assembly; akin to Icel. mōt, 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 (?), v. i. To argue or plead
in a supposed case.
There is a difference between mooting and
pleading; between fencing and fighting.
B.
Jonson.
Moot, n. [AS. mōt,
gemōt, a meeting; -- usually in comp.] [Written also
mote.] 1. A meeting for discussion and
deliberation; esp., a meeting of the people of a village or district,
in Anglo-Saxon times, for the discussion and settlement of matters of
common interest; -- usually in composition; as, folk-
moot. J. R. Green.
2. [From Moot, v.] A
discussion or debate; especially, a discussion of fictitious causes
by way of practice.
The pleading used in courts and chancery called
moots.
Sir T. Elyot.
Moot case, a case or question to be mooted;
a disputable case; an unsettled question. Dryden. --
Moot court, a mock court, such as is held by
students of law for practicing the conduct of law cases. --
Moot point, a point or question to be debated;
a doubtful question.
Moot, a. Subject, or open, to
argument or discussion; undecided; debatable; mooted.
Moot"a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being mooted.
Moot"er (?), n. A disputer of a
mooted case.
{ Moot"-hall` (?), Moot"-house` (?), }
n. [AS. mōth&?;s.] A hall for
public meetings; a hall of judgment. [Obs.] "The moot-
hall of Herod." Wyclif.
Moot"-hill` (?), n. (O. Eng.
Law) A hill of meeting or council; an elevated place in the
open air where public assemblies or courts were held by the Saxons; -
- called, in Scotland, mute-hill. J. R.
Green.
Moot"man (?), n.; pl.
Mootmen (&?;). (O. Eng. Law) One who
argued moot cases in the inns of court.
Mop (?), n. [See Mope.] A
made-up face; a grimace. "What mops and mowes it makes!"
Beau. & Fl.
Mop, v. i. To make a wry
mouth. [Obs.] Shak.
Mop, n. [CF. W. mop,
mopa, Ir. moipal, Gael. moibeal, moibean;
or OF. mappe a napkin (see Map, Napkin).]
1. An implement for washing floors, or the like,
made of a piece of cloth, or a collection of thrums, or coarse yarn,
fastened to a handle.
2. A fair where servants are hired.
[Prov. Eng.]
3. The young of any animal; also, a young
girl; a moppet. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Mop head. (a) The end of a
mop, to which the thrums or rags are fastened.
(b) A clamp for holding the thrums or rags of a
mop. [U.S.]
Mop, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mopped (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mopping.] To rub or wipe with a mop, or as with a mop;
as, to mop a floor; to mop one's face with a
handkerchief.
Mop"board` (?), n. (Carp.)
A narrow board nailed against the wall of a room next to the
floor; skirting board; baseboard. See Baseboard.
Mope (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Moped (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Moping.] [Cf. D. moppen to pout, Prov. G. muffen
to sulk.] To be dull and spiritless. "Moping
melancholy." Milton.
A sickly part of one true sense
Could not so mope.
Shak.
Mope, v. t. To make spiritless and
stupid. [Obs.]
Mope, n. A dull, spiritless
person. Burton.
Mope"-eyed` (?), a. Shortsighted;
purblind.
Mope"ful (?), a. Mopish.
[R.]
Mop"ish (?), a. Dull; spiritless;
dejected. -- Mop"ish*ly, adv. --
Mop"ish*ness, n.
Mop"lah (?), n. [Malayalam
māpplia.] One of a class of Mohammedans in
Malabar.
Mop"pet (?), n. [From 3d Mop.]
1. A rag baby; a puppet made of cloth; hence,
also, in fondness, a little girl, or a woman.
2. (Zoöl.) A long-haired pet
dog.
{ Mop"sey, Mop"sy } (?), n.
1. A moppet.
2. A slatternly, untidy woman.
Halliwell.
Mop"si*cal (?), a. Shortsighted;
mope-eyed.
Mop"stick` (?), n. The long handle
of a mop.
Mo"pus (mō"pŭs), n. A
mope; a drone. [Obs.] Swift.
||Mo*quette" (?), n. [F.] A kind
of carpet having a short velvety pile.
||Mor"a (?), n. [It.] A game of
guessing the number of fingers extended in a quick movement of the
hand, -- much played by Italians of the lower classes.
Mo"ra (?), n. (Bot.) A
leguminous tree of Guiana and Trinidad (Dimorphandra excelsa);
also, its timber, used in shipbuilding and making
furniture.
||Mo"ra, n. [L.] (Rom. & Civil
Law) Delay; esp., culpable delay; postponement.
Mo*raine" (?), n. [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. &?; to cause to wither, Skr.
mlā to relax.] (Geol.) An accumulation of
earth and stones carried forward and deposited by a glacier.
Lyell.
&fist; If the moraine is at the extremity of the glacier it is a
terminal moraine; if at the side, a lateral moraine; if
parallel to the side on the central portion of the glacier, a
medial moraine. See Illust. of Glacier. In the
last case it is formed by the union of the lateral moraines of the
branches of the glacier. A ground moraine is one beneath the
mass of ice.
Mo*rain"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to a moranie.
Mor"al (?), a. [F., fr. It.
moralis, fr. mos, moris, manner, custom, habit,
way of life, conduct.] 1. Relating to duty or
obligation; pertaining to those intentions and actions of which right
and wrong, virtue and vice, are predicated, or to the rules by which
such intentions and actions ought to be directed; relating to the
practice, manners, or conduct of men as social beings in relation to
each other, as respects right and wrong, so far as they are properly
subject to rules.
Keep at the least within the compass of moral
actions, which have in them vice or virtue.
Hooker.
Mankind is broken loose from moral
bands.
Dryden.
She had wandered without rule or guidance in a
moral wilderness.
Hawthorne.
2. Conformed to accepted rules of right;
acting in conformity with such rules; virtuous; just; as, a
moral man. Used sometimes in distinction from
religious; as, a moral rather than a religious
life.
The wiser and more moral part of
mankind.
Sir M. Hale.
3. Capable of right and wrong action or of
being governed by a sense of right; subject to the law of
duty.
A moral agent is a being capable of those
actions that have a moral quality, and which can properly be
denominated good or evil in a moral sense.
J.
Edwards.
4. Acting upon or through one's moral nature
or sense of right, or suited to act in such a manner; as, a
moral arguments; moral considerations. Sometimes
opposed to material and physical; as, moral
pressure or support.
5. Supported by reason or probability;
practically sufficient; -- opposed to legal or
demonstrable; as, a moral evidence; a moral
certainty.
6. Serving to teach or convey a moral; as, a
moral lesson; moral tales.
Moral agent, a being who is capable of
acting with reference to right and wrong. -- Moral
certainty, a very high degree or probability, although
not demonstrable as a certainty; a probability of so high a degree
that it can be confidently acted upon in the affairs of life; as,
there is a moral certainty of his guilt. -- Moral
insanity, insanity, so called, of the moral system;
badness alleged to be irresponsible. -- Moral
philosophy, the science of duty; the science which
treats of the nature and condition of man as a moral being, of the
duties which result from his moral relations, and the reasons on
which they are founded. -- Moral play, an
allegorical play; a morality. [Obs.] -- Moral
sense, the power of moral judgment and feeling; the
capacity to perceive what is right or wrong in moral conduct, and to
approve or disapprove, independently of education or the knowledge of
any positive rule or law. -- Moral theology,
theology applied to morals; practical theology;
casuistry.
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.
Mor"al, v. i. To moralize.
[Obs.] Shak.
||Mo`rale" (?), n. [F. See
Moral, a.] The moral condition, or the
condition in other respects, so far as it is affected by, or
dependent upon, moral considerations, such as zeal, spirit, hope, and
confidence; mental state, as of a body of men, an army, and the
like.
Mor"al*er (?), n. A
moralizer. [Obs.] Shak.
Mor"al*ism (?), n. A maxim or
saying embodying a moral truth. Farrar.
Mor"al*ist, n. [Cf. F.
moraliste.] 1. One who moralizes; one who
teaches or animadverts upon the duties of life; a writer of essays
intended to correct vice and inculcate moral duties.
Addison.
2. One who practices moral duties; a person
who lives in conformity with moral rules; one of correct deportment
and dealings with his fellow-creatures; -- sometimes used in
contradistinction to one whose life is controlled by religious
motives.
The love (in the moralist of virtue, but in the
Christian) of God himself.
Hammond.
Mo*ral"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Moralities (#). [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.
5. A kind of allegorical play, so termed
because it consisted of discourses in praise of morality between
actors representing such characters as Charity, Faith, Death, Vice,
etc. Such plays were occasionally exhibited as late as the reign of
Henry VIII. Strutt.
6. Intent; meaning; moral. [Obs.]
Taketh the morality thereof, good
men.
Chaucer.
Mor`al*i*za"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
moralisation.] 1. The act of moralizing;
moral reflections or discourse.
2. Explanation in a moral sense. T.
Warton.
Mor"al*ize (m&obreve;r"al*īz), v.
t. [imp. & p. p. Moralized (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Moralizing (?).] [Cf. F.
moraliser.] 1. To apply to a moral
purpose; to explain in a moral sense; to draw a moral from.
This fable is moralized in a common
proverb.
L'Estrange.
Did he not moralize this
spectacle?
Shak.
2. To furnish with moral lessons, teachings,
or examples; to lend a moral to.
While chastening thoughts of sweetest use,
bestowed
By Wisdom, moralize his pensive road.
Wordsworth.
3. To render moral; to correct the morals
of.
It had a large share in moralizing the poor
white people of the country.
D. Ramsay.
4. To give a moral quality to; to affect the
moral quality of, either for better or worse.
Good and bad stars moralize not our
actions.
Sir T. Browne.
Mor"al*ize (?), v. i. To make
moral reflections; to regard acts and events as involving a
moral.
Mor"al*i`zer (?), n. One who
moralizes.
Mor"al*ly, adv. 1.
In a moral or ethical sense; according to the rules of
morality.
By good, good morally so called, "bonum
honestum" ought chiefly to be understood.
South.
2. According to moral rules;
virtuously. "To live morally." Dryden.
3. In moral qualities; in disposition and
character; as, one who physically and morally endures
hardships.
4. In a manner calculated to serve as the
basis of action; according to the usual course of things and human
judgment; according to reason and probability.
It is morally impossible for an hypocrite to
keep himself long upon his guard.
L'Estrange.
Mo*rass" (?), n. [OE. marras,
mareis (perh. through D. moeras), fr. F. marais,
prob. from L. mare sea, in LL., any body of water; but perh.
influenced by some German word. See Mere a lake, and cf.
Marsh.] A tract of soft, wet ground; a marsh; a
fen.
Morass ore. (Min.) See Bog
ore, under Bog.
mo*rass"y (?), a. Marshy;
fenny. [R.] Pennant.
Mo"rate (?), n. (Chem.) A
salt of moric acid.
Mo*ra"tion (?), n. [L. moratio.]
A delaying tarrying; delay. [R.] Sir T.
Browne.
Mo*ra"vi*an (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Moravia, or to the United Brethren. See
Moravian, n.
Mo*ra"vi*an, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a religious sect called the United Brethren (an offshoot
of the Hussites in Bohemia), which formed a separate church of
Moravia, a northern district of Austria, about the middle of the 15th
century. After being nearly extirpated by persecution, the society,
under the name of The Renewed Church of the United Brethren, was
reëstablished in 1722-35 on the estates of Count Zinzendorf in
Saxony. Called also Herrnhuter.
Mo*ra"vi*an*ism (?), n. The
religious system of the Moravians.
Mor"ay (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A muræna.
Mor"bid (?), a. [L. morbidus,
fr. morbus disease; prob. akin to mori to die: cf. F.
morbide, It. morbido. See Mortal.]
1. Not sound and healthful; induced by a
diseased or abnormal condition; diseased; sickly; as, morbid
humors; a morbid constitution; a morbid state of the
juices of a plant. "Her sick and morbid heart."
Hawthorne.
2. Of or pertaining to disease or diseased
parts; as, morbid anatomy.
Syn. -- Diseased; sickly; sick. -- Morbid,
Diseased. Morbid is sometimes used interchangeably with
diseased, but is commonly applied, in a somewhat technical
sense, to cases of a prolonged nature; as, a morbid condition
of the nervous system; a morbid sensibility, etc.
||Mor`bi*dez"za (?), n. [It., softness,
delicacy. See Morbid.] 1. (Fine Arts)
Delicacy or softness in the representation of flesh.
2. (Mus.) A term used as a direction
in execution, signifying, with extreme delicacy.
Ludden.
Mor*bid"i*ty (?), n. 1.
The quality or state of being morbid.
2. Morbid quality; disease; sickness.
C. Kingsley.
3. Amount of disease; sick rate.
Mor"bid*ly (?), adv. In a morbid
manner.
Mor"bid*ness, n. The quality or
state of being morbid; morbidity.
{ Mor*bif"ic (?), Mor*bif"ic*al (?), }
a. [L. morbus disease + -ficare (in
comp.) to make: cf. F. morbifique. See -fy.]
Causing disease; generating a sickly state; as, a
morbific matter.
Mor*bil"lous (?), a. [LL.
morbilli measles, dim. of L. morbus disease: cf. F.
morbilleux.] Pertaining to the measles; partaking of the
nature of measels, or resembling the eruptions of that disease;
measly.
Mor*bose" (?), a. [L. morbosus,
fr. morbus disease.] Proceeding from disease; morbid;
unhealthy.
Morbose tumors and excrescences of
plants.
Ray.
Mor*bos"i*ty (?), n. [L.
morbositas.] A diseased state; unhealthiness. [R.]
Sir T. Browne.
||Mor`ceau" (?), n. [F.] A bit; a
morsel.
Mor*da"cious (?), a. [L. mordax,
-acis, fr. mordere, morsum, to bite. See
Morsel.] Biting; given to biting; hence, figuratively,
sarcastic; severe; scathing. -- Mor*da"cious*ly,
adv.
Mor*dac"i*ty (?), n. [L.
mordacitas: cf. F. mordacité. See
Mordacious.] The quality of being mordacious; biting
severity, or sarcastic quality. Bacon.
Mor"dant (?), a. [F., p. pr. of
mordere to bite; L. mordere. See Morsel.]
1. Biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen;
severe.
2. (Dyeing & Calico Printing) Serving
to fix colors.
Mor"dant, n. [F., originally, biting.]
1. Any corroding substance used in
etching.
2. (Dyeing & Calico Printing) Any
substance, as alum or copperas, which, having a twofold attraction
for organic fibers and coloring matter, serves as a bond of union,
and thus gives fixity to, or bites in, the dyes.
3. (Gilding) Any sticky matter by
which the gold leaf is made to adhere.
Mor"dant (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mordanted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Mordanting.] To subject to the action of, or imbue with,
a mordant; as, to mordant goods for dyeing.
Mor"dant*ly, adv. In the manner of
a mordant.
||Mor*den"te (?), n. [It.]
(Mus.) An embellishment resembling a trill.
Mor"di*can*cy (?), n. A biting
quality; corrosiveness. [R.] Evelyn.
Mor"di*cant (?), a. [L.
mordicans, p. pr. of mordicare to bite, fr.
mordere: cf. F. mordicant.] Biting; acrid; as, the
mordicant quality of a body. [R.] Boyle.
Mor`di*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
mordicatio.] The act of biting or corroding;
corrosion. [R.] Bacon.
Mor"di*ca*tive (?), a. [L.
mordicativus.] Biting; corrosive. [R.]
Holland.
More (mōr), n. [AS.
mōr. See Moor a waste.] A hill. [Prov.
Eng.] Halliwell.
More, n. [AS. more, moru;
akin to G. möhre carrot, OHG. moraha,
morha.] A root. [Obs.] Chaucer.
More, a., compar. [Positive
wanting; superl. Most (mōst).]
[OE. more, mare, and (orig. neut. and adv.) mo,
ma, AS. māra, and (as neut. and adv.)
mā; akin to D. meer, OS. mēr, G.
mehr, OHG. mēro, mēr, Icel.
meiri, meirr, Dan. meere, meer, Sw.
mera, mer, Goth. maiza, a., mais, adv.,
and perh. to L. major greater, compar. of magnus great,
and magis, adv., more. √103. Cf. Most,
uch, Major.] 1. Greater; superior;
increased; as: (a) Greater in quality,
amount, degree, quality, and the like; with the singular.
He gat more money.
Chaucer.
If we procure not to ourselves more
woe.
Milton.
&fist; More, in this sense, was formerly used in connection
with some other qualifying word, -- a, the,
this, their, etc., -- which now requires the
substitution of greater, further, or the like, for
more.
Whilst sisters nine, which dwell on Parnasse
height,
Do make them music for their more delight.
Spenser.
The more part knew not wherefore they were come
together.
Acts xix. 32.
Wrong not that wrong with a more
contempt.
Shak.
(b) Greater in number; exceeding in numbers;
-- with the plural.
The people of the children of Israel are more
and mighter than we.
Ex. i. 9.
2. Additional; other; as, he wept because
there were no more worlds to conquer.
With open arms received one poet
more.
Pope.
More, n. 1. A
greater quantity, amount, or number; that which exceeds or surpasses
in any way what it is compared with.
And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some
more, some less.
Ex. xvi. 17.
2. That which is in addition; something other
and further; an additional or greater amount.
They that would have more and more can
never have enough.
L'Estrange.
O! That pang where more than madness
lies.
Byron.
Any more. (a) Anything or
something additional or further; as, I do not need any
more. (b) Adverbially: Further; beyond a
certain time; as, do not think any more about it. --
No more, not anything more; nothing in
addition. -- The more and less, the high
and low. [Obs.] Shak. "All cried, both less and
more." Chaucer.
More, adv. 1. In a
greater quantity; in or to a greater extent or degree.
(a) With a verb or participle.
Admiring more
The riches of Heaven's pavement.
Milton.
(b) With an adjective or adverb (instead of
the suffix -er) to form the comparative degree; as,
more durable; more active; more
sweetly.
Happy here, and more happy
hereafter.
Bacon.
&fist; Double comparatives were common among writers of the
Elizabeth period, and for some time later; as, more brighter;
more dearer.
The duke of Milan
And his more braver daughter.
Shak.
2. In addition; further; besides;
again.
Yet once more, O ye laurels, and once
more,
Ye myrtles brown, with ivy never sere,
I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude.
Milton.
More and more, with continual increase.
"Amon trespassed more and more." 2 Chron. xxxiii. 23. -
- The more, to a greater degree; by an added
quantity; for a reason already specified. -- The more --
the more, by how much more -- by so much more.
"The more he praised it in himself, the more he seems
to suspect that in very deed it was not in him." Milton. --
To be no more, to have ceased to be; as,
Cassius is no more; Troy is no more.
Those oracles which set the world in flames,
Nor ceased to burn till kingdoms were no more.
Byron.
More, v. t. To make more; to
increase. [Obs.] Gower.
Mo*reen" (?), n. [Cf. Mohair.]
A thick woolen fabric, watered or with embossed figures; -- used
in upholstery, for curtains, etc.
Mor"el (?), n. [See Moril.]
(Bot.) An edible fungus (Morchella esculenta), the
upper part of which is covered with a reticulated and pitted
hymenium. It is used as food, and for flavoring sauces.
[Written also moril.]
Mor"el, n. [See Morelle.]
(Bot.) 1. Nightshade; -- so called from
its blackish purple berries. [Written also morelle.]
2. A kind of cherry. See
Morello.
Great morel, the deadly nightshade. --
Petty morel, the black nightshade. See
Nightshade.
More"land (?), n.
Moorland.
Mo*relle" (?), n. [F., orig. fem. of
moreau black, OF. morel, fr. LL. morellus. Cf.
Morello, Murrey.] (Bot.) Nightshade. See 2d
Morel.
Mo*rel"lo (?), n. [Cf. It.
morello blackish, OF. morel. Cf. Morelle.]
(Bot.) A kind of nearly black cherry with dark red flesh
and juice, -- used chiefly for preserving.
||Mo*ren"do (?), a. & n. [It.]
(Mus.) Dying; a gradual decrescendo at the end of a
strain or cadence.
More"ness (?), n. Greatness.
[Obs.] Wyclif.
More*o"ver (?), adv. [More +
over.] Beyond what has been said; further; besides; in
addition; furthermore; also; likewise.
Moreover, he hath left you all his
walks.
Shak.
Syn. -- Besides, Moreover. Of the two words,
moreover is the stronger and is properly used in solemn
discourse, or when what is added is important to be considered. See
Besides.
More"pork` (?), n. [So named from its
cry.] (Zoöl.) The Australian crested goatsucker
(Ægotheles Novæ-Hollandiæ). Also applied to
other allied birds, as Podargus Cuveiri.
Mo*resk" (?), a. & n.
Moresque. [Obs.]
Mo*resque" (?), a. [F., fr. It.
moresco, or Sp. morisco. See Morris.] Of or
pertaining to, or in the manner or style of, the Moors;
Moorish. -- n. The Moresque style of
architecture or decoration. See Moorish architecture, under
Moorish. [Written also mauresque.]
Mor`ga*nat"ic (?), a. [LL.
matrimonium ad morganaticam, fr. morganatica a morning
gift, a kind of dowry paid on the morning before or after the
marriage, fr. OHG. morgan morning, in morgangeba
morning gift, G. morgengabe. See Morn.] Pertaining
to, in the manner of, or designating, a kind of marriage, called also
left-handed marriage, between a man of superior rank and a
woman of inferior, in which it is stipulated that neither the latter
nor her children shall enjoy the rank or inherit the possessions of
her husband. Brande & C. -- Mor`ga*nat"ic*al*ly
(#), adv.
Mor"gay (?), n. [W. morgi
dogfish, shark; mor sea + ci dog.] (Zoöl.)
The European small-spotted dogfish, or houndfish. See the Note
under Houndfish.
Mor"glay (?), n. [Cf. Claymore.]
A sword. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
Morgue (?), n. [F.] A place where
the bodies of persons found dead are exposed, that they may be
identified, or claimed by their friends; a deadhouse.
||Mo"ri*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
folly.] Idiocy; imbecility; fatuity; foolishness.
Mo"ri*an (?), n. (Ethnol.)
A Moor. [Obs.]
In vain the Turks and Morians armed
be.
Fairfax.
Mor"i*bund (?), a. [L.
moribundus, from moriri to die. See Mortal.]
In a dying state; dying; at the point of death.
The patient was comatose and
moribund.
Copland.
Mor"i*bund (?), n. A dying
person. [R.]
Mo"ric (?), a. Pertaining to, or
derived from, fustic (see Morin); as, moric
acid.
Mor"ice (?), n. See
Morisco.
Mo*rig"er*ate (?), a. [L.
morigeratus, p. p. of morigerari to comply with. See
Morigerous.] Obedient. [Obs.]
Mo*rig`er*a"tion (?), n. [L.
morigeratio.] Obsequiousness; obedience. [Obs.]
Evelyn.
Mo*rig"er*ous (?), a. [L.
morigerus; mos, moris, custom, manner +
gerere to bear, conduct.] Obedient; obsequious.
[Obs.] Brathwait.
Mor"il (?), n. [F. morille; cf.
OHG. morhila, G. morchel, OHG. morha carrot. See
More a root.] (Bot.) An edible fungus. Same as 1st
Morel.
Mo"rin (?), n. (Chem.) A
yellow crystalline substance of acid properties extracted from fustic
(Maclura tinctoria, formerly called Morus tinctoria); -
- called also moric acid.
Mo*rin"da (?), n. (Bot.) A
genus of rubiaceous trees and shrubs, mostly East Indian, many
species of which yield valuable red and yellow dyes. The wood is hard
and beautiful, and used for gunstocks.
Mo*rin"din (?), n. (Chem.)
A yellow dyestuff extracted from the root bark of an East Indian
plant (Morinda citrifolia).
Mor"i*nel` (?), n. [Cf. F.
morinelle.] (Zoöl.) The dotterel.
Mo*rin"ga (?), n. [Malayam
murunggi.] (Bot.) A genus of trees of Southern
India and Northern Africa. One species (Moringa pterygosperma)
is the horse-radish tree, and its seeds, as well as those of M.
aptera, are known in commerce as ben or ben nuts,
and yield the oil called oil of ben.
Mo*rin"gic (?), a. (Chem.)
Designating an organic acid obtained from oil of ben. See
Moringa.
Mo`rin*tan"nic (?), a. [NL.
Morus fustic + E. tannic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a variety of tannic acid
extracted from fustic (Maclura, formerly Morus, tinctoria) as
a yellow crystalline substance; -- called also
maclurin.
Mo"ri*on (?), n. [F. morion, Sp.
morrion; cf. Sp. morra the upper part of the head,
morro anything that is round.] A kind of open helmet,
without visor or beaver, and somewhat resembling a hat.
A battered morion on his brow.
Sir W. Scott.
Mo"ri*on, n. [G.] (Min.) A
dark variety of smoky quartz.
Mo"ri*o*plas`ty (?), n. [Gr. &?; piece
(dim. of &?; a part + -plasty.] (Surg.) The
restoration of lost parts of the body.
Mo*ris"co (m&osl;*r&ibreve;s"k&osl;),
a. [Sp. See Morris the dance.]
Moresque.
Mo*ris"co, n. [Sp. morisco
Moorish.] A thing of Moorish origin; as:
(a) The Moorish language.
(b) A Moorish dance, now called morris
dance. Marston. (c) One who
dances the Moorish dance. Shak. (d)
Moresque decoration or architecture.
Mo"risk (?), n. Same as
Morisco.
Mor"kin (?), n. [Akin to Sw.
murken putrefied, Icel. morkinn putrid.] A beast
that has died of disease or by mischance. [Obs.] Bp.
Hall.
Mor"land (?), n. Moorland.
[Obs.]
Mor"ling (?), n. [Cf. F. mort
dead, L. mortuus, fr. moriri to die.]
Mortling. [Eng.] Ainsworth.
Mor"mal (?), n. [F. mort-mai a
deadly evil. Nares.] A bad sore; a gangrene; a
cancer. [Obs.] [Written also morrimal and
mortmal.] Chaucer.
Mor"mo (?), n. [Gr. mormw` a
hideous she-monster, a bugbear.] A bugbear; false terror.
[Obs.] Jonhson.
||Mor"mon (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
mormw`n monster, bugbear.] (Zoöl.)
(a) A genus of sea birds, having a large, thick
bill; the puffin. (b) The
mandrill.
Mor"mon (?), n. (Eccl.) One
of a sect in the United States, followers of Joseph Smith, who
professed to have found an addition to the Bible, engraved on golden
plates, called the Book of Mormon, first published in 1830.
The Mormons believe in polygamy, and their hierarchy of apostles,
etc., has control of civil and religious matters.
&fist; The Mormons call their religious organization The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its head claims to receive
revelations of God's will, and to have certain supernatural
powers.
Mor"mon, a. Of or pertaining to
the Mormons; as, the Mormon religion; Mormon
practices.
Mor"mon*dom (?), n. The country
inhabited by the Mormons; the Mormon people.
Mor"mon*ism (?), n. The doctrine,
system, and practices of the Mormons.
Mor"mon*ite (?), n. A
Mormon. -- a. Mormon.
"Mormonite religion." F. W. Newman.
Morn (môrn), n. [OE.
morwen, morgen, AS. morgen; akin to D.
morgen, OS. morgan, G. morgen, Icel.
morginn, morgunn, Sw. morgon, Dan.
morgen, Goth. maúrgins. Cf. Morrow,
Morning.] The first part of the day; the morning; -- used
chiefly in poetry.
From morn
To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve.
Milton.
Mor"ne (môr"ne), a.
Of or pertaining to the morn; morning. [Obs.] "White as
morne milk." Chaucer.
||Morne (môrn), n. [F., fr.
morne sad, sorrowful. See Mourn.] A ring fitted
upon the head of a lance to prevent wounding an adversary in
tilting.
||Mor`né" (môr`n&asl;"),
a. [F., fr. morne a morne.] (Her.)
Without teeth, tongue, or claws; -- said of a lion represented
heraldically.
Morn"ing (môrn"&ibreve;ng), n.
[OE. morning, morwening. See Morn.]
1. The first or early part of the day, variously
understood as the earliest hours of light, the time near sunrise; the
time from midnight to noon, from rising to noon, etc.
2. The first or early part; as, the
morning of life.
3. The goddess Aurora. [Poetic]
Shak.
Morn"ing, a. Pertaining to the
first part or early part of the day; being in the early part of the
day; as, morning dew; morning light; morning
service.
She looks as clear
As morning roses newly washed with dew.
Shak.
Morning gown, a gown worn in the morning
before one is dressed for the day. -- Morning
gun, a gun fired at the first stroke of reveille at
military posts. -- Morning sickness
(Med.), nausea and vomiting, usually occurring in the
morning; -- a common sign of pregnancy. -- Morning
star. (a) Any one of the planets
(Venus, Jupiter, Mars, or Saturn) when it precedes the sun in rising,
esp. Venus. Cf. Evening star, Evening.
(b) Satan. See Lucifer.
Since he miscalled the morning star,
Nor man nor fiend hath fallen so far.
Byron.
(c) A weapon consisting of a heavy ball set
with spikes, either attached to a staff or suspended from one by a
chain. --
Morning watch (Naut.),
the watch between four A. M. and eight A.
M..
Morn"ing-glo`ry (?), n. (Bot.)
A climbing plant (Ipomœa purpurea) having handsome,
funnel-shaped flowers, usually red, pink, purple, white, or
variegated, sometimes pale blue. See Dextrorsal.
Morn"ing*tide` (?), n. Morning
time. [Poetic]
Morn"ward (?), adv. Towards the
morn. [Poetic]
And mornward now the starry hands move
on.
Lowell.
Mo"ro (?), n. [Cf. It. mora
mulberry, L. morum.] (Med.) A small abscess or
tumor having a resemblance to a mulberry.
Dunglison.
Mo*roc"can (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Morocco, or its inhabitants.
Mo*roc"co (?), n. [Named from
Morocco, the country. Cf. Morris the dance.] A
fine kind of leather, prepared commonly from goatskin (though an
inferior kind is made of sheepskin), and tanned with sumac and dyed
of various colors; -- said to have been first made by the
Moors.
Mo*rol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr.
mwrologi`a foolish talk, mw^ros foolish +
lo`gos discourse.] Foolish talk; nonsense;
folly. [Obs.]
Mo*rone" (m&osl;*rōn"), n.
Maroon; the color of an unripe black mulberry.
||Mo`ro*sau"rus (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
mw^ros stupid + sau^ros lizard.]
(Paleon.) An extinct genus of large herbivorous
dinosaurs, found in Jurassic strata in America.
Mo*rose" (m&osl;*rōs"), a. [L.
morosus, prop., excessively addicted to any particular way or
habit, fr. mos, moris, manner, habit, way of life: cf.
F. morose.] 1. Of a sour temper; sullen
and austere; ill-humored; severe. "A morose and affected
taciturnity." I. Watts.
2. Lascivious; brooding over evil
thoughts. [Obs.]
Syn. -- Sullen; gruff; severe; austere; gloomy; crabbed;
crusty; churlish; surly; ill-humored.
Mo*rose"ly (?), adv. Sourly; with
sullen austerity.
Mo*rose"ness, n. Sourness of
temper; sulenness.
Learn good humor, never to oppose without just reason;
abate some degrees of pride and moroseness.
I.
Watts.
&fist; Moroseness is not precisely peevishness or
fretfulness, though often accompanied with it. It denotes more
of silence and severity, or ill-humor, than the irritability or
irritation which characterizes peevishness.
||Mo*ro"sis (m&osl;*rō"s&ibreve;s),
n. [NL., fr. Gr. mw`rwsis, fr.
mw^ros silly, foolish.] (Med.) Idiocy;
fatuity; stupidity.
Mo*ros"i*ty (?), n. [L.
morositas: cf. F. morosité.]
Moroseness. [R.] Jer. Taylor.
Mo"ro*soph (?), n. [Gr.
mo^ros foolish + sofo`s wise.] A
philosophical or learned fool. [Obs.]
Mo*ro"sous (?), a. Morose.
[Obs.] Sheldon.
Mo*rox"ite (?), n. [Cf. Gr. &?;, &?;, a
sort of pipe clay.] (Min.) A variety of apatite of a
greenish blue color.
Mo*rox"y*late (?), n. (Chem.)
A morate.
Mor`ox*yl"ic (?), a. [L. morus a
mulberry tree + Gr. &?; wood.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to,
or derived from, the mulberry; moric.
Mor"phe*an (?), a. Of or relating
to Morpheus, to dreams, or to sleep. Keats.
Mor"pheus (môr"fūs or
môr"f&esl;*ŭs), n. [L., fr. Gr.
Morfey`s prop., the fashioner or molder, because of the
shapes he calls up before the sleeper, fr. morfh` form,
shape.] (Class. Myth.) The god of dreams.
Mor"phew (?), n. [F.
morpheé, LL. morphea; cf. It. morfea.]
A scurfy eruption. [Obs.] Drayton.
Mor"phew, v. t. To cover with a
morphew. [Obs.]
Mor"phi*a (?), n. [NL.] (Chem.)
Morphine.
Mor"phine (?), n. [From Morpheus: cf.
F. morphine.] (Chem.) A bitter white crystalline
alkaloid found in opium, possessing strong narcotic properties, and
much used as an anodyne; -- called also morphia, and
morphina.
Mor"phin*ism (?), n. (Med.)
A morbid condition produced by the excessive or prolonged use of
morphine.
||Mor"pho (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, an
epithet of Venus.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous
species of large, handsome, tropical American butterflies, of the
genus Morpho. They are noted for the very brilliant metallic
luster and bright colors (often blue) of the upper surface of the
wings. The lower surface is usually brown or gray, with eyelike
spots.
Mor*phog"e*ny (?), n. [form +
root of &?; to be born.] (Biol.) History of the evolution
of forms; that part of ontogeny that deals with the germ history of
forms; -- distinguished from physiogeny.
Haeckel.
{ Mor`pho*log"ic (?), Mor`pho*log"ic*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. morphologique.] (Biol.)
Of, pertaining to, or according to, the principles of
morphology. -- Mor`pho*log"ic*al*ly,
adv.
Mor*phol"o*gist (?), n. (Biol.)
One who is versed in the science of morphology.
Mor*phol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; form +
-logy: cf. F. morphologie.] (Biol.) That
branch of biology which deals with the structure of animals and
plants, treating of the forms of organs and describing their
varieties, homologies, and metamorphoses. See Tectology, and
Promorphology.
Mor"phon (?), n. [Gr. &?;, p. pr. of
&?; to form.] (Biol.) A morphological individual,
characterized by definiteness of form, in distinction from
bion, a physiological individual. See Tectology.
Haeckel.
&fist; Of morphons there are six orders or categories: 1. Plastids
or elementary organisms. 2. Organs, homoplastic or heteroplastic. 3.
Antimeres (opposite or symmetrical or homotypic parts). 4. Metameres
(successive or homodynamous parts). 5. Personæ (shoots or buds
of plants, individuals in the narrowest sense among the higher
animals). 6. Corms (stocks or colonies). For orders 2, 3, and 4 the
term idorgan has been recently substituted. See
Idorgan.
Mor*phon"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?; form +
&?; a law.] (Biol.) The laws of organic
formation.
Mor"pho*phy`ly (?), n. [Gr. &?; form +
&?; a clan.] (Biol.) The tribal history of forms; that
part of phylogeny which treats of the tribal history of forms, in
distinction from the tribal history of functions.
Haeckel.
||Mor*pho"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
form, fr. &?; form.] (Biol.) The order or mode of
development of an organ or part.
Mor*phot"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; fit for
forming.] (Physiol.) Connected with, or becoming an
integral part of, a living unit or of the morphological framework;
as, morphotic, or tissue, proteids. Foster.
-mor"phous (?). [Gr. &?; form.] A combining form
denoting form, shape; as, isomorphous.
Mor"pi*on (?), n. [F., fr.
mordre to bite + L. pedis louse.] (Zoöl.)
A louse. Hudibras.
Mor"rice (?), n. Same as 1st
Morris.
Mor"rice, a. Dancing the morrice;
dancing.
In shoals and bands, a morrice
train.
Wordsworth.
Mor"ri*cer (?), n. A morris
dancer. [Obs.]
Mor"ri*mal (?), n. & a. See
Mormal.
Mor"ris (?), n. [Sp. morisco
Moorish, fr. Moro a Moor: cf. F. moresque, It.
moresca.] 1. A Moorish dance, usually
performed by a single dancer, who accompanies the dance with
castanets.
2. A dance formerly common in England, often
performed in pagenats, processions, and May games. The dancers,
grotesquely dressed and ornamented, took the parts of Robin Hood,
Maidmarian, and other fictitious characters.
3. An old game played with counters, or men,
which are placed at the angles of a figure drawn on a board or on the
ground; also, the board or ground on which the game is
played.
The nine-men's morris is filled up with
mud.
Shak.
&fist; The figure consists of three concentric squares, with lines
from the angles of the outer one to those of the inner, and from the
middle of each side of the outer square to that of the inner. The
game is played by two persons with nine or twelve pieces each (hence
called nine-men's morris or twelve-men's morris). The
pieces are placed alternately, and each player endeavors to prevent
his opponent from making a straight row of three. Should either
succeed in making a row, he may take up one of his opponent's pieces,
and he who takes off all of his opponent's pieces wins the game.
Mor"ris (?), n. [So called from its
discoverer.] (Zoöl.) A marine fish having a very
slender, flat, transparent body. It is now generally believed to be
the young of the conger eel or some allied fish.
Mor"ris-pike` (?), n. A Moorish
pike. [Obs.]
Mor"rot (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Marrot.
Mor"row (?), n. [OE. morwe,
morwen, AS. morgen. See Morn.]
1. Morning. [Obs.] "White as
morrow's milk." Bp. Hall.
We loved he by the morwe a sop in
wine.
Chaucer.
2. The next following day; the day subsequent
to any day specified or understood. Lev. vii. 16.
Till this stormy night is gone,
And the eternal morrow dawn.
Crashaw.
3. The day following the present; to-
morrow.
Good morrow, good morning; -- a form of
salutation. -- To morrow. See To-
morrow in the Vocabulary.
Morse (?), n. [F. morse, Russ.
morj'; perh. akin to E. mere lake; cf. Russ.
more sea.] (Zoöl.) The walrus. See
Walrus.
Morse, n. [L. morsus a biting, a
clasp, fr. mordere to bite.] A clasp for fastening
garments in front. Fairholt.
Morse" al"pha*bet (?). A telegraphic alphabet in
very general use, inventing by Samuel F.B.Morse, the inventor of
Morse's telegraph. The letters are represented by dots and dashes
impressed or printed on paper, as, .- (A), - . . . (B), -.. (D), .
(E), .. (O), . . . (R), -- (T), etc., or by sounds, flashes of light,
etc., with greater or less intervals between them.
Mor"sel (?), n. [OF. morsel, F.
morceau, LL. morsellus, a dim. fr. L. morsus a
biting, bite, fr. mordere to bite; prob. akin to E.
smart. See Smart, and cf. Morceau,
Mordant, Muse, v., Muzzle,
n.] 1. A little bite or bit of
food. Chaucer.
Every morsel to a satisfied hunger is only a
new labor to a tired digestion.
South.
2. A small quantity; a little piece; a
fragment.
Mor"sing horn` (?). A horn or flask for holding
powder, as for priming. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
Mor`si*ta"tion (?), n. The act of
biting or gnawing. [Obs.]
Mor"sure (?), n. [F., fr. L.
mordere, morsum, to bite.] The act of
biting. Swift.
Mort (?), n. [Cf. Icel. margt,
neut. of margr many.] A great quantity or number.
[Prov. Eng.]
There was a mort of merrymaking.
Dickens.
Mort, n. [Etym. uncert.] A woman;
a female. [Cant]
Male gypsies all, not a mort among
them.
B. Jonson.
Mort, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
(Zoöl.) A salmon in its third year. [Prov.
Eng.]
Mort, n. [F., death, fr. L.
mors, mortis.] 1. Death; esp., the
death of game in the chase.
2. A note or series of notes sounded on a
horn at the death of game.
The sportsman then sounded a treble
mort.
Sir W. Scott.
3. The skin of a sheep or lamb that has died
of disease. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Mort cloth, the pall spread over a coffin;
black cloth indicative or mourning; funeral hangings.
Carlyle. -- Mort stone, a large stone by
the wayside on which the bearers rest a coffin. [Eng.] H.
Taylor.
Mor"tal (?), a. [F. mortel, L.
mortalis, from mors, mortis, death, fr.
moriri 8die; akin to E. murder. See Murder, and
cf. Filemot, Mere a lake, Mortgage.]
1. Subject to death; destined to die; as, man is
mortal.
2. Destructive to life; causing or
occasioning death; terminating life; exposing to or deserving death;
deadly; as, a mortal wound; a mortal sin.
3. Fatally vulnerable; vital.
Last of all, against himself he turns his sword, but
missing the mortal place, with his poniard finishes the
work.
Milton.
4. Of or pertaining to the time of
death.
Safe in the hand of one disposing Power,
Or in the natal or the mortal hour.
Pope.
5. Affecting as if with power to kill;
deathly.
The nymph grew pale, and in a mortal
fright.
Dryden.
6. Human; belonging to man, who is mortal;
as, mortal wit or knowledge; mortal power.
The voice of God
To mortal ear is dreadful.
Milton.
7. Very painful or tedious; wearisome; as, a
sermon lasting two mortal hours. [Colloq.] Sir W.
Scott.
Mortal foe, Mortal enemy,
an inveterate, desperate, or implacable enemy; a foe bent on
one's destruction.
Mor"tal, n. A being subject to
death; a human being; man. "Warn poor mortals left
behind." Tickell.
Mor*tal"i*ty (?), n. [L.
mortalitas: cf. F. mortalité.]
1. The condition or quality of being mortal;
subjection to death or to the necessity of dying.
When I saw her die,
I then did think on your mortality.
Carew.
2. Human life; the life of a mortal
being.
From this instant
There 's nothing serious in mortality.
Shak.
3. Those who are, or that which is, mortal;
the human race; humanity; human nature.
Take these tears, mortality's
relief.
Pope.
4. Death; destruction.
Shak.
5. The whole sum or number of deaths in a
given time or a given community; also, the proportion of deaths to
population, or to a specific number of the population; death rate;
as, a time of great, or low, mortality; the mortality
among the settlers was alarming.
Bill of mortality. See under
Bill. -- Law of mortality, a
mathematical relation between the numbers living at different ages,
so that from a given large number of persons alive at one age, it can
be computed what number are likely to survive a given number of
years. -- Table of mortality, a table
exhibiting the average relative number of persons who survive, or who
have died, at the end of each year of life, out of a given number
supposed to have been born at the same time.
Mor"tal*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Mortalized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mortalizing (?).] To make mortal.
[R.]
Mor"tal*ly, adv. 1.
In a mortal manner; so as to cause death; as, mortally
wounded.
2. In the manner of a mortal or of mortal
beings.
I was mortally brought forth.
Shak.
3. In an extreme degree; to the point of
dying or causing death; desperately; as, mortally
jealous.
Adrian mortally envied poets, painters, and
artificers, in works wherein he had a vein to excel.
Bacon.
Mor"tal*ness, n. Quality of being
mortal; mortality.
Mor"tar (?), n. [OE. morter, AS.
mortēre, L. mortarium: cf. F. mortier
mortar. Cf. sense 2 (below), also 2d Mortar, Martel,
Morter.] 1. A strong vessel, commonly in
form of an inverted bell, in which substances are pounded or rubbed
with a pestle.
2. [F. mortier, fr. L. mortarium
mortar (for trituarating).] (Mil.) A short piece of
ordnance, used for throwing bombs, carcasses, shells, etc., at high
angles of elevation, as 45°, and even higher; -- so named from
its resemblance in shape to the utensil above described.
Mortar bed (Mil.), a framework of
wood and iron, suitably hollowed out to receive the breech and
trunnions of a mortar. -- Mortar boat or
vessel (Naut.), a boat strongly built
and adapted to carrying a mortar or mortars for bombarding; a bomb
ketch. -- Mortar piece, a mortar.
[Obs.] Shak.
Mor"tar, n. [OE. mortier, F.
mortier, L. mortarium mortar, a large basin or trough
in which mortar is made, a mortar (in sense 1, above). See 1st
Mortar.] (Arch.) A building material made by
mixing lime, cement, or plaster of Paris, with sand, water, and
sometimes other materials; -- used in masonry for joining stones,
bricks, etc., also for plastering, and in other ways.
Mortar bed, a shallow box or receptacle in
which mortar is mixed. -- Mortar board.
(a) A small square board with a handle beneath,
for holding mortar; a hawk. (b) A cap with a
broad, projecting, square top; -- worn by students in some
colleges. [Slang]
Mor"tar, v. t. To plaster or make
fast with mortar.
Mor"tar (?), n. [F. mortier. See
Mortar a vessel.] A chamber lamp or light. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mort"gage (môr"g&asl;j; 48), n.
[F. mort-gage; mort dead (L. mortuus) +
gage pledge. See Mortal, and Gage.]
1. (Law) A conveyance of property, upon
condition, as security for the payment of a debt or the preformance
of a duty, and to become void upon payment or performance according
to the stipulated terms; also, the written instrument by which the
conveyance is made.
&fist; It was called a mortgage (or dead pledge)
because, whatever profit it might yield, it did not thereby redeem
itself, but became lost or dead to the mortgager upon breach
of the condition. But in equity a right of redemption is an
inseparable incident of a mortgage until the mortgager is debarred by
his own laches, or by judicial decree. Cowell.
Kent.
2. State of being pledged; as, lands given in
mortgage.
Chattel mortgage. See under
Chattel. -- To foreclose a mortgage.
See under Foreclose. -- Mortgage
deed (Law), a deed given by way of
mortgage.
Mort"gage, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mortgaged (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mortgaging (?).] 1. (Law) To grant
or convey, as property, for the security of a debt, or other
engagement, upon a condition that if the debt or engagement shall be
discharged according to the contract, the conveyance shall be void,
otherwise to become absolute, subject, however, to the right of
redemption.
2. Hence: To pledge, either literally or
figuratively; to make subject to a claim or obligation.
Mortgaging their lives to
covetise.
Spenser.
I myself an mortgaged to thy will.
Shak.
Mort`ga*gee" (?), n. (Law)
The person to whom property is mortgaged, or to whom a mortgage
is made or given.
{ Mort"gage*or, Mort"ga*gor } (?),
n. (Law) One who gives a
mortgage.
&fist; The letter e is required analogically after the
second g in order to soften it; but the spelling
mortgagor is in fact the prevailing form. When the word is
contradistinguished from mortgagee it is accented on the last
syllable (-jôr").
Mort"ga*ger (?), n. (Law)
One who gives a mortgage.
Mor"tif"er*ous (?), a. [L.
mortifier; mors, mortis, death + ferre to
bring: cf. F. mortifère.] Bringing or producing
death; deadly; destructive; as, a mortiferous herb.
Gov. of Tongue.
Mor`ti*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L.
mortificatio a killing. See Mortify.]
1. The act of mortifying, or the condition of
being mortified; especially: (a) (Med.)
The death of one part of an animal body, while the rest
continues to live; loss of vitality in some part of a living animal;
gangrene. Dunglison. (b) (Alchem. &
Old Chem.) Destruction of active qualities;
neutralization. [Obs.] Bacon. (c)
Subjection of the passions and appetites, by penance,
abstinence, or painful severities inflicted on the body.
The mortification of our lusts has something in
it that is troublesome, yet nothing that is
unreasonable.
Tillotson.
(d) Hence: Deprivation or depression of self-
approval; abatement of pride; humiliation; chagrin;
vexation.
We had the mortification to lose sight of
Munich, Augsburg, and Ratisbon.
Addison.
2. That which mortifies; the cause of
humiliation, chagrin, or vexation.
It is one of the vexatious mortifications of a
studious man to have his thoughts discovered by a tedious
visit.
L'Estrange.
3. (Scots Law) A gift to some
charitable or religious institution; -- nearly synonymous with
mortmain.
Syn. -- Chagrin; vexation; shame. See Chagrin.
Mor"ti*fied (?), imp. & p. p. of
Mortify.
Mor"ti*fied*ness (?), n. The state
of being mortified; humiliation; subjection of the passions.
[R.]
Mor"ti*fi`er (?), n. One who, or
that which, mortifies.
Mor"ti*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mortified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mortifying (?).] [OE. mortifien, F. mortifier,
fr. L. mortificare; L. mors, mortis, death +
-ficare (in comp.) to make. See Mortal, and -
fy.] 1. To destroy the organic texture and
vital functions of; to produce gangrene in.
2. To destroy the active powers or essential
qualities of; to change by chemical action. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Quicksilver is mortified with
turpentine.
Bacon.
He mortified pearls in vinegar.
Hakewill.
3. To deaden by religious or other
discipline, as the carnal affections, bodily appetites, or worldly
desires; to bring into subjection; to abase; to humble.
With fasting mortified, worn out with
tears.
Harte.
Mortify thy learned lust.
Prior.
Mortify, therefore, your members which are upon
the earth.
Col. iii. 5.
4. To affect with vexation, chagrin, or
humiliation; to humble; to depress.
The news of the fatal battle of Worcester, which
exceedingly mortified our expectations.
Evelyn.
How often is the ambitious man mortified with
the very praises he receives, if they do not rise so high as he
thinks they ought!
Addison.
Mor"ti*fy, v. i. 1.
To lose vitality and organic structure, as flesh of a living
body; to gangrene.
2. To practice penance from religious
motives; to deaden desires by religious discipline.
This makes him . . . give alms of all that he hath,
watch, fast, and mortify.
Law.
3. To be subdued; to decay, as appetites,
desires, etc.
Mor"ti*fy`ing (?), a.
1. Tending to mortify; affected by, or having
symptoms of, mortification; as, a mortifying wound;
mortifying flesh.
2. Subduing the appetites, desires, etc.; as,
mortifying penances.
3. Tending to humble or abase; humiliating;
as, a mortifying repulse.
Mor"ti*fy`ing*ly, adv. In a
mortifying manner.
Mor"tise (?), n. [F. mortaise;
cf. Sp. mortaja, Ar. murtazz fixed, or W.
mortais, Ir. mortis, moirtis, Gael.
moirteis.] A cavity cut into a piece of timber, or other
material, to receive something (as the end of another piece) made to
fit it, and called a tenon.
Mortise and tenon (Carp.), made with
a mortise and tenon; joined or united by means of a mortise and
tenon; -- used adjectively. -- Mortise joint,
a joint made by a mortise and tenon. -- Mortise
lock. See under Lock. -- Mortise
wheel, a cast-iron wheel, with wooden clogs inserted in
mortises on its face or edge; -- also called mortise gear, and
core gear.
Mor"tise, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mortised (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mortising.] 1. To cut or make a mortise
in.
2. To join or fasten by a tenon and mortise;
as, to mortise a beam into a post, or a joist into a
girder.
Mort"ling (?), n. [See Morling.]
1. An animal, as a sheep, dead of disease or
privation; a morling. [Eng.]
2. Wool plucked from a dead sheep;
morling.
Mort"main` (?), n. [F. mort,
morte, dead + main hand; F. main-morte. See
Mortal, and Manual.] (Law) Possession of
lands or tenements in, or conveyance to, dead hands, or hands that
cannot alienate.
&fist; The term was originally applied to conveyance of land made
to ecclesiastical bodies; afterward to conveyance made to any
corporate body. Burrill.
Mort"mal (?), n. See
Mormal. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Mort"pay` (?), n. [F. mort dead
+ E. pay.] Dead pay; the crime of taking pay for the
service of dead soldiers, or for services not actually rendered by
soldiers. [Obs.] Bacon.
{ Mor"tress (?), Mor"trew (?), }
n. [See Mortar.] A dish of meats and
other ingredients, cooked together; an ollapodrida.
Chaucer. Bacon.
Mor"tu*a*ry (?), n.; pl.
Mortuaries (#). [LL. mortuarium. See
Mortuary, a.] 1. A sort
of ecclesiastical heriot, a customary gift claimed by, and due to,
the minister of a parish on the death of a parishioner. It seems to
have been originally a voluntary bequest or donation, intended to
make amends for any failure in the payment of tithes of which the
deceased had been guilty.
2. A burial place; a place for the
dead.
3. A place for the reception of the dead
before burial; a deadhouse; a morgue.
Mor"tu*a*ry (?), a. [L.
mortuarius, fr. mortuus dead: cf. F. mortuaire.
See Mortal.] Of or pertaining to the dead; as,
mortuary monuments.
Mortuary urn, an urn for holding the ashes
of the dead.
||Mor"u*la (?), n.; pl.
Morulæ (#). [NL., dim. of L. morum a
mulberry.] (Biol.) The sphere or globular mass of cells
(blastomeres), formed by the clevage of the ovum or egg in the
first stages of its development; -- called also mulberry mass,
segmentation sphere, and blastosphere. See
Segmentation.
Mor`u*la"tion (?), n. (Biol.)
The process of cleavage, or segmentation, of the ovum, by which
a morula is formed.
||Mo"rus (?), n. [L., mulberry tree.
See Mulberry.] (Bot.) A genus of trees, some
species of which produce edible fruit; the mulberry. See
Mulberry.
&fist;
Morus alba is the white mulberry, a
native of India or China, the leaves of which are extensively used
for feeding silkworms, for which it furnishes the chief food. --
Morus multicaulis, the many-stemmed or Chinese
mulberry, is only a form of white mulberry, preferred on account of
its more abundant leaves. -- Morus nigra, the black
mulberry, produces a dark-colored fruit, of an agreeable flavor.
Mor"we (?), n. See
Morrow. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mor"wen*ing (?), n. Morning.
[Obs.]
Mo*sa"ic (?), n. [F.
mosaïque; cf. Pr. mozaic, musec, Sp. & Pg.
mosaico, It. mosaico, musaico, LGr. &?;, &?;, L.
musivum; all fr. Gr. &?; belonging to the Muses. See
Muse the goddess.] 1. (Fine Arts)
A surface decoration made by inlaying in patterns small pieces
of variously colored glass, stone, or other material; -- called also
mosaic work.
2. A picture or design made in mosaic; an
article decorated in mosaic.
Mo*sa"ic, a. Of or pertaining to
the style of work called mosaic; formed by uniting pieces of
different colors; variegated; tessellated; also, composed of various
materials or ingredients.
A very beautiful mosaic pavement.
Addison.
Florentine mosaic. See under
Florentine. -- Mosaic gold.
(a) See Ormolu. (b)
Stannic sulphide, SnS2, obtained as a yellow scaly
crystalline powder, and used as a pigment in bronzing and gilding
wood and metal work. It was called by the alchemists aurum
musivum, or aurum mosaicum. Called also bronze
powder. -- Mosaic work. See
Mosaic, n.
Mo*sa"ic, a. [From Moses.]
Of or pertaining to Moses, the leader of the Israelites, or
established through his agency; as, the Mosaic law, rites, or
institutions.
Mo*sa"ic*al (?), a. Mosaic (in
either sense). "A mosaical floor." Sir P.
Sidney.
Mo*sa"ic*al*ly, adv. In the manner
of a mosaic.
Mo"sa*ism (?), n. Attachment to
the system or doctrines of Moses; that which is peculiar to the
Mosaic system or doctrines.
{ Mos"a*saur (?), Mos`a*sau"ri*an (?), }
n. (Paleon.) One of an extinct order of
reptiles, including Mosasaurus and allied genera. See
Mosasauria.
||Mos`a*sau"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Mosasaurus.] (Paleon.) An order of large, extinct,
marine reptiles, found in the Cretaceous rocks, especially in
America. They were serpentlike in form and in having loosely
articulated and dilatable jaws, with large recurved teeth, but they
had paddlelike feet. Some of them were over fifty feet long. They
are, essentially, fossil sea serpents with paddles. Called also
Pythonomarpha, and Mosasauria.
||Mos`a*sau"rus (?), n. [NL., fr. L.
Mosa the River Meuse (on which Meastricht is situated) + Gr.
&?; a lizard.] (Paleon.) A genus of extinct marine
reptiles allied to the lizards, but having the body much elongated,
and the limbs in the form of paddles. The first known species, nearly
fifty feet in length, was discovered in Cretaceous beds near
Maestricht, in the Netherlands. [Written also
Mososaurus.]
Mos"cha*tel` (?), n. [Gr. &?; musk: cf.
F. moscatelline. See Muscadel, Musk.]
(Bot.) A plant of the genus Adoxa (A.
moschatellina), the flowers of which are pale green, and have a
faint musky smell. It is found in woods in all parts of Europe, and
is called also hollow root and musk crowfoot.
Loudon.
Mos"chine (?), a. Of or pertaining
to Moschus, a genus including the musk deer.
Mos"el (?), n. & v. See
Muzzle. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mo*selle" (?), n. A light wine,
usually white, produced in the vicinity of the river
Moselle.
Mo"ses (?), n. A large flatboat,
used in the West Indies for taking freight from shore to
ship.
Mosk (?), n. See
Mosque.
Mos"lem (m&obreve;z"l&ebreve;m), n.;
pl. Moslems (-l&ebreve;mz), or
collectively Moslem. [Ar. muslim a true
believer in the Mohammedan faith, fr. salama to submit to God,
to resign one's self to the divine will. Cf. Islam,
Mussulman.] A Mussulman; an orthodox Mohammedan.
[Written also muslim.] "Heaps of slaughtered Moslem."
Macaulay.
They piled the ground with Moslem
slain.
Halleck.
Mos"lem (m&obreve;z"l&ebreve;m), a.
Of or pertaining to the Mohammedans; Mohammedan; as,
Moslem lands; the Moslem faith.
Mos"lings (?), n. pl. Thin shreds
of leather shaved off in dressing skins. Simmonds.
||Mos`o*sau"rus (?), n. [NL.]
(Paleon.) Same as Mosasaurus.
Mosque (m&obreve;sk), n. [F.
mosquée, Sp. mezquita, Ar. masjid, from
sajada to bend, adore.] A Mohammedan church or place of
religious worship. [Written also mosk.]
Mos*qui"to (m&obreve;s*kē*t&osl;),
n.; pl. Mosquitoes (#).
[Sp. mosquito, fr. moscafly, L. musca. Cf.
Musket.] (Zoöl.) Any one of various species
of gnats of the genus Culex and allied genera. The females
have a proboscis containing, within the sheathlike labium, six fine,
sharp, needlelike organs with which they puncture the skin of man and
animals to suck the blood. These bites, when numerous, cause, in many
persons, considerable irritation and swelling, with some pain. The
larvæ and pupæ, called wigglers, are
aquatic. [Written also musquito.]
Mosquito bar, Mosquito net,
a net or curtain for excluding mosquitoes, -- used for beds and
windows. -- Mosquito fleet, a fleet of
small vessels. -- Mosquito hawk
(Zoöl.), a dragon fly; -- so called because it
captures and feeds upon mosquitoes. -- Mosquito
netting, a loosely-woven gauzelike fabric for making
mosquito bars.
Moss (?), n. [OE. mos; akin to
AS. meós, D. mos, G. moos, OHG.
mos, mios, Icel. mosi, Dan. mos, Sw.
mossa, Russ. mokh', L. muscus. Cf.
Muscoid.] 1. (Bot.) A cryptogamous
plant of a cellular structure, with distinct stem and simple leaves.
The fruit is a small capsule usually opening by an apical lid, and so
discharging the spores. There are many species, collectively termed
Musci, growing on the earth, on rocks, and trunks of trees,
etc., and a few in running water.
&fist; The term moss is also popularly applied to many
other small cryptogamic plants, particularly lichens, species
of which are called tree moss, rock moss, coral
moss, etc. Fir moss and club moss are of the genus
Lycopodium. See Club moss, under Club, and
Lycopodium.
2. A bog; a morass; a place containing peat;
as, the mosses of the Scottish border.
&fist; Moss is used with participles in the composition of
words which need no special explanation; as, moss-capped,
moss-clad, moss-covered, moss-grown, etc.
Black moss. See under Black, and
Tillandsia. -- Bog moss. See
Sphagnum. -- Feather moss, any moss
branched in a feathery manner, esp. several species of the genus
Hypnum. -- Florida moss, Long
moss, or Spanish moss. See
Tillandsia. -- Iceland moss, a
lichen. See Iceland Moss. -- Irish
moss, a seaweed. See Carrageen. --
Moss agate (Min.), a variety of agate,
containing brown, black, or green mosslike or dendritic markings, due
in part to oxide of manganese. Called also Mocha stone. -
- Moss animal (Zoöl.), a
bryozoan. -- Moss berry (Bot.), the
small cranberry (Vaccinium Oxycoccus). -- Moss
campion (Bot.), a kind of mosslike catchfly
(Silene acaulis), with mostly purplish flowers, found on the
highest mountains of Europe and America, and within the Arctic
circle. -- Moss land, land produced
accumulation of aquatic plants, forming peat bogs of more or less
consistency, as the water is grained off or retained in its
pores. -- Moss pink (Bot.), a plant
of the genus Phlox (P. subulata), growing in patches on
dry rocky hills in the Middle United States, and often cultivated for
its handsome flowers. Gray. -- Moss
rose (Bot.), a variety of rose having a mosslike
growth on the stalk and calyx. It is said to be derived from the
Provence rose. -- Moss rush (Bot.),
a rush of the genus Juncus (J. squarrosus). --
Scale moss. See Hepatica.
Moss, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mossed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mossing.] To cover or overgrow with moss.
An oak whose boughs were mossed with
age.
Shak.
Moss"back` (?), n. A veteran
partisan; one who is so conservative in opinion that he may be
likened to a stone or old tree covered with moss. [Political
Slang, U.S.]
{ Moss"bank`er (?), Moss"bunk`er (?), }
n. (Zoöl.) The menhaded.
Moss"-grown` (?), a. Overgrown
with moss.
Moss"i*ness (?), n. The state of
being mossy.
Moss"troop`er (?), n. [Moss +
trooper.] One of a class of marauders or bandits that
formerly infested the border country between England and Scotland; --
so called in allusion to the mossy or boggy character of much
of the border country.
Moss"y (?), a.
[Compar. Mossier (?);
superl. Mossiest.] 1.
Overgrown with moss; abounding with or edged with moss; as,
mossy trees; mossy streams.
Old trees are more mossy far than
young.
Bacon.
2. Resembling moss; as, mossy
green.
Most (mōst), a.,
superl. of More. [OE. most,
mast, mest, AS. m&aemacr;st; akin to D.
meest, OS. mēst, G. meist, Icel.
mestr, Goth. maists; a superl. corresponding to E.
more. √103. See More, a.]
1. Consisting of the greatest number or
quantity; greater in number or quantity than all the rest; nearly
all. "Most men will proclaim every one his own
goodness." Prov. xx. 6.
The cities wherein most of his mighty works
were done.
Matt. xi. 20.
2. Greatest in degree; as, he has the
most need of it. "In the moste pride."
Chaucer.
3. Highest in rank; greatest. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
&fist; Most is used as a noun, the words part,
portion, quantity, etc., being omitted, and has the
following meanings: 1. The greatest value, number, or part;
preponderating portion; highest or chief part. 2. The utmost;
greatest possible amount, degree, or result; especially in the
phrases to make the most of, at the most, at
most.
A quarter of a year or some months at the
most.
Bacon.
A covetous man makes the most of what he
has.
L'Estrange.
For the most part, in reference to the
larger part of a thing, or to the majority of the persons, instances,
or things referred to; as, human beings, for the most part,
are superstitious; the view, for the most part, was
pleasing. -- Most an end, generally. See
An end, under End, n. [Obs.]
"She sleeps most an end." Massinger.
Most, adv. [AS. m&aemacr;st. See
Most, a.] In the greatest or highest
degree.
Those nearest to this king, and most his
favorites, were courtiers and prelates.
Milton.
&fist; Placed before an adjective or adverb, most is used
to form the superlative degree, being equivalent to the termination
-est; as, most vile, most wicked; most
illustrious; most rapidly. Formerly, and until after the
Elizabethan period of our literature, the use of the double
superlative was common. See More, adv.
The most unkindest cut of all.
Shak.
The most straitest sect of our
religion.
Acts xxvi. 5.
Mos`ta*hi"ba (?), n. See
Mustaiba.
Mos"te (?), obs. imp. of
Mote. Chaucer.
{ Mos"tic, Mos"tick } (?), n.
[See Maul-stick.] A painter's maul-stick.
Most"ly (?), adv. For the greatest
part; for the most part; chiefly; in the main.
||Mos"tra (?), n. [It.] (Mus.)
See Direct, n.
Most"what` (?), adv. For the most
part. [Obs.] "All the rest do mostwhat far amiss."
Spenser.
Mot (mōt), v. [Sing.
pres. ind. Mot, Mote, Moot
(mōt), pl. Mot, Mote,
Moote, pres. subj. Mote;
imp. Moste.] [See Must,
v.] [Obs.] May; must; might.
He moot as well say one word as
another
Chaucer.
The wordes mote be cousin to the
deed.
Chaucer.
Men moot [i.e., one only] give silver to the
poore freres.
Chaucer.
So mote it be, so be it; amen; -- a phrase
in some rituals, as that of the Freemasons.
Mot (m&obreve;t; m&osl;, def. 2), n.
[F. See Motto.] 1. A word; hence, a
motto; a device. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Tarquin's eye may read the mot
afar.
Shak.
2. A pithy or witty saying; a
witticism. [A Gallicism]
Here and there turns up a . . . savage
mot.
N. Brit. Rev.
3. A note or brief strain on a bugle.
Sir W. Scott.
Mot"a*cil (?), n. [Cf. F.
motacille.] (Zoöl.) Any singing bird of the
genus Motacilla; a wagtail.
Mo*ta"tion (?), n. [L. motare,
motatum, to keep moving.] The act of moving;
motion. [Obs.]
Mote (?), v. See 1st
Mot. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mote, n. [See Moot, a meeting.]
[Obs., except in a few combinations or phrases.] 1.
A meeting of persons for discussion; as, a wardmote in
the city of London.
2. A body of persons who meet for discussion,
esp. about the management of affairs; as, a
folkmote.
3. A place of meeting for
discussion.
Mote bell, the bell rung to summon to a
mote. [Obs.]
Mote, n. The flourish sounded on a
horn by a huntsman. See Mot, n., 3, and
Mort. Chaucer.
Mote, n. [OE. mot, AS.
mot.] A small particle, as of floating dust; anything
proverbially small; a speck.
The little motes in the sun do ever stir,
though there be no wind.
Bacon.
We are motes in the midst of
generations.
Landor.
Mot"ed (?), a. Filled with motes,
or fine floating dust; as, the air. "Moted sunbeams."
Tennyson.
Mo*tet" (?), n. [F., a dim. of
mot word; cf. It. mottetto, dim. of motto word,
device. See Mot, Motto.] (Mus.) A
composition adapted to sacred words in the elaborate polyphonic
church style; an anthem.
Moth (m&obreve;th), n. A
mote. [Obs.] Shak.
Moth, n.; pl.
Moths (m&obreve;thz). [OE. mothe, AS.
moððe; akin to D. mot, G. motte, Icel.
motti, and prob. to E. mad an earthworm. Cf.
Mad, n., Mawk.] 1.
(Zoöl.) Any nocturnal lepidopterous insect, or any
not included among the butterflies; as, the luna moth; Io
moth; hawk moth.
2. (Zoöl.) Any lepidopterous
insect that feeds upon garments, grain, etc.; as, the clothes
moth; grain moth; bee moth. See these terms
under Clothes, Grain, etc.
3. (Zoöl.) Any one of various
other insects that destroy woolen and fur goods, etc., esp. the
larvæ of several species of beetles of the genera
Dermestes and Anthrenus. Carpet moths are often the
larvæ of Anthrenus. See Carpet beetle, under
Carpet, Dermestes, Anthrenus.
4. Anything which gradually and silently
eats, consumes, or wastes any other thing.
Moth blight (Zoöl.), any plant
louse of the genus Aleurodes, and related genera. They are
injurious to various plants. -- Moth gnat
(Zoöl.), a dipterous insect of the genus
Bychoda, having fringed wings. -- Moth
hunter (Zoöl.), the goatsucker. --
Moth miller (Zoöl.), a clothes
moth. See Miller, 3, (a). -- Moth
mullein (Bot.), a common herb of the genus
Verbascum (V. Blattaria), having large wheel-shaped
yellow or whitish flowers.
Moth"-eat` (?), v. t. To eat or
prey upon, as a moth eats a garment. [Rarely used except in the
form moth-eaten, p. p. or a.]
Ruin and neglect have so moth-eaten
her.
Sir T. Herbert.
Moth"en (?), a. Full of
moths. [Obs.] Fulke.
Moth"er (?), n. [OE. moder, AS.
mōdor; akin to D. moeder, OS. mōdar,
G. mutter, OHG. muotar, Icel. mōðir,
Dan. & Sw. moder, OSlav. mati, Russ. mate, Ir. &
Gael. mathair, L. mater, Gr. mh`thr, Skr.
māt&rsdot;; cf. Skr. mā to measure.
√268. Cf. Material, Matrix, Metropolis,
Father.] 1. A female parent; especially,
one of the human race; a woman who has borne a child.
2. That which has produced or nurtured
anything; source of birth or origin; generatrix.
Alas! poor country! . . . it can not
Be called our mother, but our grave.
Shak.
I behold . . . the solitary majesty of Crete,
mother of a religion, it is said, that lived two thousand
years.
Landor.
3. An old woman or matron.
[Familiar]
4. The female superior or head of a religious
house, as an abbess, etc.
5. Hysterical passion; hysteria. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mother Carey's chicken (Zoöl.),
any one of several species of small petrels, as the stormy petrel
(Procellaria pelagica), and Leach's petrel (Oceanodroma
leucorhoa), both of the Atlantic, and O. furcata of the
North Pacific. -- Mother Carey's goose
(Zoöl.), the giant fulmar of the Pacific. See
Fulmar. -- Mother's mark (Med.),
a congenital mark upon the body; a nævus.
Moth"er, a. Received by birth or
from ancestors; native, natural; as, mother language; also
acting the part, or having the place of a mother; producing others;
originating.
It is the mother falsehood from which all
idolatry is derived.
T. Arnold.
Mother cell (Biol.), a cell which, by
endogenous divisions, gives rise to other cells (daughter cells); a
parent cell. -- Mother church, the
original church; a church from which other churches have sprung; as,
the mother church of a diocese. -- Mother
country, the country of one's parents or ancestors; the
country from which the people of a colony derive their origin. -
- Mother liquor (Chem.), the impure or
complex residual solution which remains after the salts readily or
regularly crystallizing have been removed. -- Mother
queen, the mother of a reigning sovereign; a queen
mother. -- Mother tongue. (a)
A language from which another language has had its origin.
(b) The language of one's native land; native
tongue. -- Mother water. See Mother
liquor (above). -- Mother wit, natural
or native wit or intelligence.
Moth"er, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mothered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mothering.] To adopt as a son or daughter; to perform the
duties of a mother to.
The queen, to have put lady Elizabeth besides the
crown, would have mothered another body's child.
Howell.
Moth"er, n. [Akin to D. modder
mud, G. moder mold, mud, Dan. mudder mud, and to E.
mud. See Mud.] A film or membrane which is
developed on the surface of fermented alcoholic liquids, such as
vinegar, wine, etc., and acts as a means of conveying the oxygen of
the air to the alcohol and other combustible principles of the
liquid, thus leading to their oxidation.
&fist; The film is composed of a mass of rapidly developing
microörganisms of the genus Mycoderma, and in the
mother of vinegar the microörganisms (Mycoderma
aceti) composing the film are the active agents in the Conversion
of the alcohol into vinegar. When thickened by growth, the film may
settle to the bottom of the fluid. See Acetous fermentation,
under Fermentation.
Moth"er, v. i. To become like, or
full of, mother, or thick matter, as vinegar.
Moth"ered (?), a. Thick, like
mother; viscid.
They oint their naked limbs with mothered
oil.
Dryden.
Moth"er*hood (?), n. The state of
being a mother; the character or office of a mother.
Moth"er*ing, n. A rural custom in
England, of visiting one's parents on Midlent Sunday, -- supposed to
have been originally visiting the mother church to make offerings at
the high altar.
Moth"er-in-law` (?), n. The mother
of one's husband or wife.
Moth"er*land` (?), n. The country
of one's ancestors; -- same as fatherland.
Moth"er*less, a. [AS.
mōdorleás.] Destitute of a mother; having
lost a mother; as, motherless children.
Moth"er*li*ness (?), n. The state
or quality of being motherly.
Moth"er*ly, a. [AS.
mōdorlic.] Of or pertaining to a mother; like, or
suitable for, a mother; tender; maternal; as, motherly
authority, love, or care. Hooker.
Syn. -- Maternal; paternal. -- Motherly,
Maternal. Motherly, being Anglo-Saxon, is the most
familiar word of the two when both have the same meaning. Besides
this, maternal is confined to the feelings of a mother toward
her own children, whereas motherly has a secondary
sense, denoting a care like that of a mother for her
offspring. There is, perhaps, a growing tendency thus to separate the
two, confining motherly to the latter signification. "They
termed her the great mother, for her motherly care in
cherishing her brethren whilst young." Sir W. Raleigh.
Moth"er*ly, adv. In a manner of a
mother.
Moth"er-na`ked (?), a. Naked as
when born.
Moth"er-of-pearl` (?), n.
(Zoöl.) The hard pearly internal layer of several
kinds of shells, esp. of pearl oysters, river mussels, and the
abalone shells; nacre. See Pearl.
Moth"er-of-thyme` (?), n. (Bot.)
An aromatic plant (Thymus Serphyllum); -- called also
wild thyme.
Moth"er*wort` (?), n. (Bot.)
(a) A labiate herb (Leonurus Cardiaca),
of a bitter taste, used popularly in medicine; lion's tail.
(b) The mugwort. See Mugwort.
Moth"er*y (mŭ&thlig;"&etilde;r*&ybreve;),
a. Consisting of, containing, or resembling,
mother (in vinegar).
Moth"y (?), a. Infested with
moths; moth-eaten. "An old mothy saddle."
Shak.
Mo"tif (?), n. [F.]
Motive.
Mo*tif"ic (?), a. [L. motus
motion (fr. movere to move) + facere to make.]
Producing motion. [R.]
Mo"tile (?), a. [See Motive.]
1. (Biol.) Having powers of self-motion,
though unconscious; as, the motile spores of certain
seaweeds.
2. Producing motion; as, motile
powers.
Mo*til"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
motilité.] (Physiol.) Capability of motion;
contractility.
Mo"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L.
motio, fr. movere, motum, to move. See
Move.] 1. The act, process, or state of
changing place or position; movement; the passing of a body from one
place or position to another, whether voluntary or involuntary; --
opposed to rest.
Speaking or mute, all comeliness and grace
attends thee, and each word, each motion, forms.
Milton.
2. Power of, or capacity for,
motion.
Devoid of sense and motion.
Milton.
3. Direction of movement; course; tendency;
as, the motion of the planets is from west to east.
In our proper motion we ascend.
Milton.
4. Change in the relative position of the
parts of anything; action of a machine with respect to the relative
movement of its parts.
This is the great wheel to which the clock owes its
motion.
Dr. H. More.
5. Movement of the mind, desires, or
passions; mental act, or impulse to any action; internal
activity.
Let a good man obey every good motion rising in
his heart, knowing that every such motion proceeds from
God.
South.
6. A proposal or suggestion looking to action
or progress; esp., a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly;
as, a motion to adjourn.
Yes, I agree, and thank you for your
motion.
Shak.
7. (Law) An application made to a
court or judge orally in open court. Its object is to obtain an order
or rule directing some act to be done in favor of the
applicant. Mozley & W.
8. (Mus.) Change of pitch in
successive sounds, whether in the same part or in groups of
parts.
The independent motions of different parts
sounding together constitute counterpoint.
Grove.
&fist; Conjunct motion is that by single degrees of the
scale. Contrary motion is that when parts move in opposite
directions. Disjunct motion is motion by skips. Oblique
motion is that when one part is stationary while another moves.
Similar or direct motion is that when parts move in the
same direction.
9. A puppet show or puppet. [Obs.]
What motion's this? the model of
Nineveh?
Beau. & Fl.
&fist; Motion, in mechanics, may be simple or compound.
Simple motions are: (a) straight
translation, which, if of indefinite duration, must be
reciprocating. (b) Simple rotation, which may be either
continuous or reciprocating, and when reciprocating is called
oscillating. (c) Helical, which, if of
indefinite duration, must be reciprocating. Compound
motion consists of combinations of any of the simple
motions.
Center of motion, Harmonic
motion, etc. See under Center, Harmonic,
etc. -- Motion block (Steam Engine),
a crosshead. -- Perpetual motion
(Mech.), an incessant motion conceived to be attainable by
a machine supplying its own motive forces independently of any action
from without.
Syn. -- See Movement.
Mo"tion, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Motioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Motioning.] 1. To make a significant
movement or gesture, as with the hand; as, to motion to one to
take a seat.
2. To make proposal; to offer plans.
[Obs.] Shak.
Mo"tion, v. t. 1.
To direct or invite by a motion, as of the hand or head; as, to
motion one to a seat.
2. To propose; to move. [Obs.]
I want friends to motion such a
matter.
Burton.
Mo"tion*er (?), n. One who makes a
motion; a mover. Udall.
Mo"tion*ist, n. A mover.
[Obs.]
Mo"tion*less, a. Without motion;
being at rest.
Mo"tive (?), n. [F. motif, LL.
motivum, from motivus moving, fr. L. movere,
motum, to move. See Move.] 1. That
which moves; a mover. [Obs.] Shak.
2. That which incites to action; anything
prompting or exciting to choise, or moving the will; cause; reason;
inducement; object.
By motive, I mean the whole of that which
moves, excites, or invites the mind to volition, whether that
be one thing singly, or many things conjunctively.
J.
Edwards.
3. (Mus.) The theme or subject; a
leading phrase or passage which is reproduced and varied through the
course of a comor a movement; a short figure, or melodic germ, out of
which a whole movement is develpoed. See also Leading motive,
under Leading. [Written also motivo.]
4. (Fine Arts) That which produces
conception, invention, or creation in the mind of the artist in
undertaking his subject; the guiding or controlling idea manifested
in a work of art, or any part of one.
Syn. -- Incentive; incitement; inducement; reason; spur;
stimulus; cause. -- Motive, Inducement, Reason.
Motive is the word originally used in speaking of that which
determines the choice. We call it an inducement when it is
attractive in its nature. We call it a reason when it is more
immediately addressed to the intellect in the form of argument.
Mo"tive, a. Causing motion; having
power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument;
motive power. "Motive faculty." Bp.
Wilkins.
Motive power (Mach.), a natural
agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used to impart
motion to machinery; a motor; a mover.
Mo"tive (?), v. t. To prompt or
incite by a motive or motives; to move.
Mo"tive*less, a. Destitute of a
motive; not incited by a motive. -- Mo"tive*less*ness,
n. G. Eliot.
Mo*tiv"i*ty (?), n. [See Motive,
n.] 1. The power of moving or
producing motion.
2. The quality of being influenced by
motives. [R.]
||Mo*ti"vo (?), n. [It. See
Motive, n.] See Motive,
n., 3, 4.
Mot"ley (?), a. [OE. mottelee,
motle; cf. OF. mattelé clotted, curdled, OF,
ciel mattonné a mottled sky, mate, maton,
curdled milk, Prov. G. matte curd. Cf. Mottle.]
1. Variegated in color; consisting of different
colors; dappled; party-colored; as, a motley coat.
2. Wearing motley or party-colored clothing.
See Motley, n., 1. "A motley
fool." Shak.
3. Composed of different or various parts;
heterogeneously made or mixed up; discordantly composite; as,
motley style. Byron.
Mot"ley, n. 1. A
combination of distinct colors; esp., the party-colored cloth, or
clothing, worn by the professional fool. Chaucer.
"Motley 's the only wear." Shak.
2. Hence, a jester, a fool. [Obs.]
Shak.
Man of motley, a fool. [Obs.] Beau.
& Fl.
Mot"ley-mind`ed (?), a. Having a
mind of a jester; foolish. Shak.
Mot"mot (?), n. [Cf. Momot.]
(Zoöl.) Any one of several species of long-tailed,
passerine birds of the genus Momotus, having a strong serrated
beak. In most of the species the two long middle tail feathers are
racket-shaped at the tip, when mature. The bird itself is said by
some writers to trim them into this shape. They feed on insects,
reptiles, and fruit, and are found from Mexico to Brazil. The name is
derived from its note. [Written also momot.]
||Mo"to (?), n. [It.] (Mus.)
Movement; manner of movement; particularly, movement with
increased rapidity; -- used especially in the phrase con moto,
directing to a somewhat quicker movement; as, andante con
moto, a little more rapidly than andante, etc.
Mo"ton (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
(Anc. Armor) A small plate covering the armpit in armor
of the 14th century and later.
Mo"tor (?), n. [L., fr. movere,
motum, to move.] 1. One who, or that
which, imparts motion; a source of mechanical power.
2. (Mach.) A prime mover; a machine by
means of which a source of power, as steam, moving water,
electricity, etc., is made available for doing mechanical
work.
{ Mo"tor (?), Mo"to*ry (?), Mo*to"ri*al
(?), } a. [L. motorius that has motion. See
Motor, n.] Causing or setting up
motion; pertaining to organs of motion; -- applied especially in
physiology to those nerves or nerve fibers which only convey
impressions from a nerve center to muscles, thereby causing
motion.
Mo"tor*man (?), n. A man who
controls a motor.
Mo`tor*path"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to motorpathy.
Mo*tor"pa*thy (?), n. [L. motor
a mover + Gr. &?;, &?;, to suffer.] (Med.)
Kinesiatrics.
Motte (?), n. [Cf. F. motte a
clod, clump, or hillock.] A clump of trees in a prairie.
[Local, U.S.]
Mot"tle (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mottled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mottling (?).] [From Mottled.] To mark with spots
of different color, or shades of color, as if stained; to spot; to
maculate.
Mot"tle, n. A mottled
appearance.
Mot"tled (?), a. [From Motley.]
Marked with spots of different colors; variegated; spotted; as,
mottled wood. "The mottled meadows."
Drayton.
Mot"to (?), n.; pl.
Mottoes (#). [It. motto a word, a saying, L.
muttum a mutter, a grunt, cf. muttire, mutire,
to mutter, mumble; prob. of imitative origin. Cf. Mot a
word.] 1. (Her.) A sentence, phrase, or
word, forming part of an heraldic achievment.
2. A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to
an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its
subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding
principle; a maxim.
It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his
piety and good works, . . . "Serve God, and be
cheerful."
Addison.
Mot"toed (?), a. Bearing or having
a motto; as, a mottoed coat or device.
Mot"ty (?), a. Full of, or
consisting of, motes. [Written also mottie.] [Scot.]
The motty dust reek raised by the
workmen.
H. Miller.
||Mou`choir" (m&oomac;`shwär"), n.
[F.] A handkerchief.
Mou*ez"zin (?), n. [F.] See
Muezzin.
Mouf"lon (?), n. [F. mouflon.]
(Zoöl.) A wild sheep (Ovis musimon),
inhabiting the mountains of Sardinia, Corsica, etc. Its horns are
very large, with a triangular base and rounded angles. It is supposed
by some to be the original of the domestic sheep. Called also
musimon or musmon. [Written also
moufflon.]
Mought (?), obs. imp. of May.
Might.
||Mouil*la"tion (?), n. [See
Mouillé.] (Phon.) The act of uttering the
sound of a mouillé letter.
||Mouil`lé" (?), a. [F., lit.,
wet.] (Phon.) Applied to certain consonants having a
"liquid" or softened sound; e.g., in French, l or
ll and gn (like the lli in million and
ni in minion); in Italian, gl and gn; in
Spanish, ll and ñ; in Portuguese, lh and
nh.
{ Mould (mōld), Mould"er (?),
Mould"y (?), etc. } See Mold, Molder,
Moldy, etc.
Moule (mōl), v. i. [OE.
moulen. See Mold.] To contract mold; to grow
moldy; to mold. [Obs.]
Let us not moulen thus in
idleness.
Chaucer.
{ Mou*line" (?), Mou"li*net (?), }
n. [F. moulinet, orig., a little mill, dim.
of moulin mill. See Mill.] 1. The
drum upon which the rope is wound in a capstan, crane, or the
like.
2. A machine formerly used for bending a
crossbow by winding it up.
3. In sword and saber exercises, a circular
swing of the weapon.
Moult (mōlt), v. & n. See
Molt.
Moult"en (-'n), a. Having
molted. [Obs.] "A moulten raven." Shak.
Moun (moun), v.,
pl. of Mow, may. [Obs.]
Wyclif.
Mounch (mounch), v. t. To
munch. [Obs.]
Mound (mound), n. [F. monde the
world, L. mundus. See Mundane.] A ball or globe
forming part of the regalia of an emperor or other sovereign. It is
encircled with bands, enriched with precious stones, and surmounted
with a cross; -- called also globe.
Mound, n. [OE. mound,
mund, protection, AS. mund protection, hand; akin to
OHG. munt, Icel. mund hand, and prob. to L.
manus. See Manual.] An artificial hill or
elevation of earth; a raised bank; an embarkment thrown up for
defense; a bulwark; a rampart; also, a natural elevation appearing as
if thrown up artificially; a regular and isolated hill, hillock, or
knoll.
To thrid the thickets or to leap the
mounds.
Dryden.
Mound bird. (Zoöl.) Same as
Mound maker (below). -- Mound builders
(Ethnol.), the tribe, or tribes, of North American
aborigines who built, in former times, extensive mounds of earth,
esp. in the valleys of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Formerly they
were supposed to have preceded the Indians, but later investigations
go to show that they were, in general, identical with the tribes that
occupied the country when discovered by Europeans. --
Mound maker (Zoöl.), any one of the
megapodes. -- Shell mound, a mound of
refuse shells, collected by aborigines who subsisted largely on
shellfish. See Midden, and Kitchen middens.
Mound, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mounded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Mounding.] To fortify or inclose with a mound.
Mount (mount), n. [OE. munt,
mont, mount, AS. munt, fr. L. mons,
montis; cf. L. minae protections, E. eminent,
menace: cf. F. mont. Cf. Mount,
v., Mountain, Mont, Monte,
Montem.] 1. A mass of earth, or earth and
rock, rising considerably above the common surface of the surrounding
land; a mountain; a high hill; -- used always instead of
mountain, when put before a proper name; as, Mount
Washington; otherwise, chiefly in poetry.
2. A bulwark for offense or defense; a
mound. [Obs.]
Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against
Jerusalem.
Jer. vi. 6.
3. [See Mont de piété.]
A bank; a fund.
Mount of piety. See Mont de
piété.
Mount, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Mounted (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mounting.] [OE. mounten, monten, F.
monter, fr. L. mons, montis, mountain. See
Mount, n. (above).] 1.
To rise on high; to go up; to be upraised or uplifted; to tower
aloft; to ascend; -- often with up.
Though Babylon should mount up to
heaven.
Jer. li. 53.
The fire of trees and houses mounts on
high.
Cowley.
2. To get up on anything, as a platform or
scaffold; especially, to seat one's self on a horse for
riding.
3. To attain in value; to amount.
Bring then these blessings to a strict account,
Make fair deductions, see to what they mount.
Pope.
Mount, v. t. 1. To
get upon; to ascend; to climb.
Shall we mount again the rural
throne?
Dryden.
2. To place one's self on, as a horse or
other animal, or anything that one sits upon; to bestride.
3. To cause to mount; to put on horseback; to
furnish with animals for riding; to furnish with horses. "To
mount the Trojan troop." Dryden.
4. Hence: To put upon anything that sustains
and fits for use, as a gun on a carriage, a map or picture on cloth
or paper; to prepare for being worn or otherwise used, as a diamond
by setting, or a sword blade by adding the hilt, scabbard,
etc.
5. To raise aloft; to lift on high.
What power is it which mounts my love so
high?
Shak.
&fist; A fort or ship is said to mount cannon, when it has
them arranged for use in or about it.
To mount guard (Mil.), to go on
guard; to march on guard; to do duty as a guard. -- To
mount a play, to prepare and arrange the scenery,
furniture, etc., used in the play.
Mount, n. [From Mount,
v.] That upon which a person or thing is
mounted, as: (a) A horse.
She had so good a seat and hand, she might be trusted
with any mount.
G. Eliot.
(b) The cardboard or cloth on which a
drawing, photograph, or the like is mounted; a mounting.
Mount"a*ble (?), a. Such as can be
mounted.
Moun"tain (?), n. [OE.
mountaine, montaine, F. montagne, LL.
montanea, montania, fr. L. mons, montis,
a mountain; cf. montanus belonging to a mountain. See 1st
Mount.] 1. A large mass of earth and
rock, rising above the common level of the earth or adjacent land;
earth and rock forming an isolated peak or a ridge; an eminence
higher than a hill; a mount.
2. pl. A range, chain, or group of
such elevations; as, the White Mountains.
3. A mountainlike mass; something of great
bulk.
I should have been a mountain of
mummy.
Shak.
The Mountain (La montagne) (French
Hist.), a popular name given in 1793 to a party of extreme
Jacobins in the National Convention, who occupied the highest rows of
seats.
Moun"tain (moun"t&ibreve;n), a.
1. Of or pertaining to a mountain or mountains;
growing or living on a mountain; found on or peculiar to mountains;
among mountains; as, a mountain torrent; mountain
pines; mountain goats; mountain air; mountain
howitzer.
2. Like a mountain; mountainous; vast; very
great.
The high, the mountain majesty of
worth.
Byron.
Mountain antelope (Zoöl.), the
goral. -- Mountain ash (Bot.), an
ornamental tree, the Pyrus (Sorbus) Americana, producing
beautiful bunches of red berries. Its leaves are pinnate, and its
flowers white, growing in fragrant clusters. The European species is
the P. aucuparia, or rowan tree. -- Mountain
barometer, a portable barometer, adapted for safe
transportation, used in measuring the heights of mountains. --
Mountain beaver (Zoöl.), the
sewellel. -- Mountain blue (Min.),
blue carbonate of copper; azurite. -- Mountain
cat (Zoöl.), the catamount. See
Catamount. -- Mountain chain, a
series of contiguous mountain ranges, generally in parallel or
consecutive lines or curves. -- Mountain cock
(Zoöl.), capercailzie. See Capercailzie.
-- Mountain cork (Min.), a variety of
asbestus, resembling cork in its texture. -- Mountain
crystal. See under Crystal. --
Mountain damson (Bot.), a large tree of
the genus Simaruba (S. amarga) growing in the West
Indies, which affords a bitter tonic and astringent, sometimes used
in medicine. -- Mountain dew, Scotch
whisky, so called because often illicitly distilled among the
mountains. [Humorous] -- Mountain ebony
(Bot.), a small leguminous tree (Bauhinia
variegata) of the East and West Indies; -- so called because of
its dark wood. The bark is used medicinally and in tanning. --
Mountain flax (Min.), a variety of
asbestus, having very fine fibers; amianthus. See
Amianthus. -- Mountain fringe
(Bot.), climbing fumitory. See under Fumitory.
-- Mountain goat. (Zoöl.) See
Mazama. -- Mountain green.
(Min.) (a) Green malachite, or carbonate
of copper. (b) See Green earth, under
Green, a. -- Mountain
holly (Bot.), a branching shrub (Nemopanthes
Canadensis), having smooth oblong leaves and red berries. It is
found in the Northern United States. -- Mountain
laurel (Bot.), an American shrub (Kalmia
latifolia) with glossy evergreen leaves and showy clusters of
rose-colored or white flowers. The foliage is poisonous. Called also
American laurel, ivy bush, and calico bush. See
Kalmia. -- Mountain leather
(Min.), a variety of asbestus, resembling leather in its
texture. -- Mountain licorice (Bot.),
a plant of the genus Trifolium (T. Alpinum). -
- Mountain limestone (Geol.), a series
of marine limestone strata below the coal measures, and above the old
red standstone of Great Britain. See Chart of
Geology. -- Mountain linnet
(Zoöl.), the twite. -- Mountain
magpie. (Zoöl.) (a) The
yaffle, or green woodpecker. (b) The
European gray shrike. -- Mountain mahogany
(Bot.) See under Mahogany. -- Mountain
meal (Min.), a light powdery variety of calcite,
occurring as an efflorescence. -- Mountain
milk (Min.), a soft spongy variety of carbonate
of lime. -- Mountain mint. (Bot.)
See Mint. -- Mountain ousel
(Zoöl.), the ring ousel; -- called also mountain
thrush and mountain colley. See Ousel. --
Mountain pride, or Mountain green
(Bot.), a tree of Jamaica (Spathelia simplex),
which has an unbranched palmlike stem, and a terminal cluster of
large, pinnate leaves. -- Mountain quail
(Zoöl.), the plumed partridge (Oreortyx
pictus) of California. It has two long, slender, plumelike
feathers on the head. The throat and sides are chestnut; the belly is
brown with transverse bars of black and white; the neck and breast
are dark gray. -- Mountain range, a series
of mountains closely related in position and direction. --
Mountain rice. (Bot.) (a)
An upland variety of rice, grown without irrigation, in some
parts of Asia, Europe, and the United States.
(b) An American genus of grasses
(Oryzopsis). -- Mountain rose
(Bot.), a species of rose with solitary flowers, growing
in the mountains of Europe (Rosa alpina). --
Mountain soap (Min.), a soft earthy
mineral, of a brownish color, used in crayon painting; saxonite.
-- Mountain sorrel (Bot.), a low
perennial plant (Oxyria digyna with rounded kidney-form
leaves, and small greenish flowers, found in the White Mountains of
New Hampshire, and in high northern latitudes. Gray. --
Mountain sparrow (Zoöl.), the
European tree sparrow. -- Mountain spinach.
(Bot.) See Orach. -- Mountain
tobacco (Bot.), a composite plant (Arnica
montana) of Europe; called also leopard's bane. --
Mountain witch (Zoöl.), a ground
pigeon of Jamaica, of the genus Geotrygon.
Moun`tain*eer" (moun`t&ibreve;n*ēr"),
n. [OF. montanier, LL. montanarius.
See Mountain.] 1. An inhabitant of a
mountain; one who lives among mountains.
2. A rude, fierce person. [Obs.]
No savage fierce, bandit, or
mountaineer.
Milton.
Moun`tain*eer", v. i. To live or
act as a mountaineer; to climb mountains.
You can't go mountaineering in a flat
country.
H. James.
Moun"tain*er (?), n. A
mountaineer. [Obs.]
Moun"tain*et (?), n. A small
mountain. [R.]
Moun"tain*ous (?), a. [F.
montagneux, L. montaniosus.] 1.
Full of, or containing, mountains; as, the mountainous
country of the Swiss.
2. Inhabiting mountains. [Obs.]
Bacon.
3. Large as, or resembling, a mountain; huge;
of great bulk; as, a mountainous heap.
Prior.
Moun"tain*ous*ness, n. The state
or quality of being mountainous.
Mount"ance (?), n. [OF.
montance.] Amount; sum; quantity; extent. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mount"ant (?), a. [F. montant,
p. pr. of monter. See Mount, and cf. Montant.]
Raised; high. [Obs.]
Mount"e*bank (?), n. [It.
montimbanco, montambanco; montare to mount +
in in, upon + banco bench. See Mount, and 4th
Bank.] 1. One who mounts a bench or stage
in the market or other public place, boasts of his skill in curing
diseases, and vends medicines which he pretends are infallible
remedies; a quack doctor.
Such is the weakness and easy credulity of men, that a
mountebank . . . is preferred before an able
physician.
Whitlock.
2. Any boastful or false pretender; a
charlatan; a quack.
Nothing so impossible in nature but mountebanks
will undertake.
Arbuthnot.
Mount"e*bank, v. t. To cheat by
boasting and false pretenses; to gull. [R.] Shak.
Mount"e*bank, v. i. To play the
mountebank.
Mount"e*bank`er*y (?), n. The
practices of a mountebank; quackery; boastful and vain
pretenses.
Mount"e*bank`ish, a. Like a
mountebank or his quackery. Howell.
Mount"e*bank*ism (?), n. The
practices of a mountebank; mountebankery.
Mount"ed, a. 1.
Seated or serving on horseback or similarly; as, mounted
police; mounted infantry.
2. Placed on a suitable support, or fixed in
a setting; as, a mounted gun; a mounted map; a
mounted gem.
Mount"e*naunce (?), n.
Mountance. [Obs.]
Mount"er (?), n. 1.
One who mounts.
2. An animal mounted; a monture.
[Obs.]
Mount"ing, n. 1.
The act of one that mounts.
2. That by which anything is prepared for
use, or set off to advantage; equipment; embellishment; setting; as,
the mounting of a sword or diamond.
Mount"ing*ly, adv. In an ascending
manner.
Mount"let (?), n. A small or low
mountain. [R.]
Mount"y (?), n. [F.
montée, fr. monter. See Mount,
v.] The rise of a hawk after prey.
Sir P. Sidney.
Mourn (mōrn), v. i. [imp.
& p. p. Mourned (mōrnd); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mourning.] [AS. murnan; akin to OS.
mornian, OHG. mornen, Goth. maúrnan.]
1. To express or to feel grief or sorrow; to
grieve; to be sorrowful; to lament; to be in a state of grief or
sadness.
Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep
for her.
Gen. xxiii. 2.
2. To wear the customary garb of a
mourner.
We mourn in black; why mourn we not in
blood?
Shak.
Grieve for an hour, perhaps, then mourn a
year.
Pope.
Mourn, v. t. 1. To
grieve for; to lament; to deplore; to bemoan; to bewail.
As if he mourned his rival's ill
success.
Addison.
And looking over the hills, I mourn
The darling who shall not return.
Emerson.
2. To utter in a mournful manner or
voice.
The lovelorn nightingale
Nightly to thee her sad song mourneth well.
Milton.
Syn. -- See Deplore.
Mourne (mōrn), n. [See 2d
Morne.] The armed or feruled end of a staff; in a
sheephook, the end of the staff to which the hook is attached.
Sir P. Sidney.
Mourn"er (mōrn"&etilde;r), n.
1. One who mourns or is grieved at any
misfortune, as the death of a friend.
His mourners were two hosts, his friends and
foes.
Byron.
2. One who attends a funeral as a hired
mourner.
Mourners were provided to attend the
funeral.
L'Estrange.
Mourn"ful (?), a. Full of sorrow;
expressing, or intended to express, sorrow; mourning; grieving; sad;
also, causing sorrow; saddening; grievous; as, a mournful
person; mournful looks, tones, loss. --
Mourn"ful*ly, adv. --
Mourn"ful*ness, n.
Syn. -- Sorrowful; lugubrious; sad; doleful; heavy;
afflictive; grievous; calamitous.
Mourn"ing, n. [AS. murnung.]
1. The act of sorrowing or expressing grief;
lamentation; sorrow.
2. Garb, drapery, or emblems indicative of
grief, esp. clothing or a badge of somber black.
The houses to their tops with black were spread,
And ev'n the pavements were with mourning hid.
Dryden.
Deep mourning. See under
Deep.
Mourn"ing, a. 1.
Grieving; sorrowing; lamenting.
2. Employed to express sorrow or grief; worn
or used as appropriate to the condition of one bereaved or sorrowing;
as, mourning garments; a mourning ring; a
mourning pin, and the like.
Mourning bride (Bot.), a garden
flower (Scabiosa atropurpurea) with dark purple or crimson
flowers in flattened heads. -- Mourning dove
(Zoöl.), a wild dove (Zenaidura macroura)
found throughout the United States; -- so named from its plaintive
note. Called also Carolina dove. See Illust. under
Dove. -- Mourning warbler
(Zoöl.), an American ground warbler (Geothlypis
Philadelphia). The male has the head, neck, and chest, deep ash-
gray, mixed with black on the throat and chest; other lower parts are
pure yellow.
Mourn"ing*ly, adv. In a mourning
manner.
Mour"ni*val (?), n. See
Murnival.
Mouse (mous), n.; pl.
Mice (mīs). [OE. mous, mus, AS.
mūs, pl. m&ymacr;s; akin to D. muis, G.
maus, OHG. & Icel. mūs, Dan. muus, Sw.
mus, Russ. muishe, L. mus, Gr. my^s,
Skr. mūsh mouse, mush to steal. √277. Cf.
Muscle, Musk.] 1. (Zoöl.)
Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the
genus Mus and various related genera of the family
Muridæ. The common house mouse (Mus musculus) is
found in nearly all countries. The American white-footed, or deer,
mouse (Hesperomys leucopus) sometimes lives in houses. See
Dormouse, Meadow mouse, under Meadow, and
Harvest mouse, under Harvest.
2. (Naut.) (a) A knob
made on a rope with spun yarn or parceling to prevent a running eye
from slipping. (b) Same as 2d
Mousing, 2.
3. A familiar term of endearment.
Shak.
4. A dark-colored swelling caused by a
blow. [Slang]
5. A match used in firing guns or
blasting.
Field mouse, Flying mouse,
etc. See under Field, Flying, etc. --
Mouse bird (Zoöl.), a coly. --
Mouse deer (Zoöl.), a chevrotain,
as the kanchil. -- Mouse galago
(Zoöl.), a very small West American galago (Galago
murinus). In color and size it resembles a mouse. It has a bushy
tail like that of a squirrel. -- Mouse hawk.
(Zoöl.) (a) A hawk that devours
mice. (b) The hawk owl; -- called also
mouse owl. -- Mouse lemur
(Zoöl.), any one of several species of very small
lemurs of the genus Chirogaleus, found in Madagascar. --
Mouse piece (Cookery), the piece of beef
cut from the part next below the round or from the lower part of the
latter; -- called also mouse buttock.
Mouse (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Moused (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mousing (?).] 1. To watch for and catch
mice.
2. To watch for or pursue anything in a sly
manner; to pry about, on the lookout for something.
Mouse, v. t. 1. To
tear, as a cat devours a mouse. [Obs.] "[Death] mousing
the flesh of men." Shak.
2. (Naut.) To furnish with a mouse; to
secure by means of a mousing. See Mouse, n.,
2.
Mouse"-ear` (?), n. (Bot.)
(a) The forget-me-not (Myosotis
palustris) and other species of the same genus.
(b) A European species of hawkweed (Hieracium
Pilosella).
Mouse-ear chickweed, a name of two common
species of chickweed (Cerastium vulgarium, and C.
viscosum). -- Mouse-ear cress, a low
cruciferous herb (Sisymbrium Thaliana). All these are low
herbs with soft, oval, or obovate leaves, whence the name.
Mouse"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Frogfish.
Mouse"hole` (?), n. A hole made by
a mouse, for passage or abode, as in a wall; hence, a very small hole
like that gnawed by a mouse.
Mouse"kin (?), n. A little
mouse. Thackeray.
Mous"er (?), n. 1.
A cat that catches mice.
2. One who pries about on the lookout for
something.
Mouse"tail` (?), n. (Bot.)
A genus of ranunculaceous plants (Myosurus), in which the
prolonged receptacle is covered with imbricating achenes, and so
resembles the tail of a mouse.
Mous"ie (?), n. Diminutive for
Mouse. Burns.
Mous"ing (?), a. Impertinently
inquisitive; prying; meddlesome. "Mousing saints."
L'Estrange.
Mous"ing, n. 1.
The act of hunting mice.
2. (Naut.) A turn or lashing of spun
yarn or small stuff, or a metallic clasp or fastening, uniting the
point and shank of a hook to prevent its unhooking or straighening
out.
3. A ratchet movement in a loom.
Mousing hook, a hook with an attachment
which prevents its unhooking.
Mou"sle (?), v. t. To sport with
roughly; to rumple. [Written also mouzle.] [Obs.]
Wycherley.
||Mousse`line" (?), n. [F.]
Muslin.
||Mousseline de laine (&?;). [F., muslin of
wool.] Muslin delaine. See under Muslin. --
Mousseline glass, a kind of thin blown
glassware, such as wineglasses, etc.
Mous`tache" (?), n. [F.]
Mustache.
Mous"y (mouz"&ybreve;), a.
Infested with mice; smelling of mice.
Mou"tan (?), n. (Bot.) The
Chinese tree peony (Pæonia Mountan), a shrub with large
flowers of various colors.
Mouth (mouth), n.; pl.
Mouths (mou&thlig;z). [OE. mouth,
muþ, AS. mūð; akin to D. mond,
OS. mūð, G. mund, Icel. muðr,
munnr, Sw. mun, Dan. mund, Goth.
munþs, and possibly L. mentum chin; or cf. D.
muil mouth, muzzle, G. maul, OHG. mūla,
Icel. mūli, and Skr. mukha mouth.]
1. The opening through which an animal receives
food; the aperture between the jaws or between the lips; also, the
cavity, containing the tongue and teeth, between the lips and the
pharynx; the buccal cavity.
2. Hence: An opening affording entrance or
exit; orifice; aperture; as: (a) The
opening of a vessel by which it is filled or emptied, charged or
discharged; as, the mouth of a jar or pitcher; the
mouth of the lacteal vessels, etc. (b)
The opening or entrance of any cavity, as a cave, pit, well, or
den. (c) The opening of a piece of
ordnance, through which it is discharged. (d)
The opening through which the waters of a river or any stream
are discharged. (e) The entrance into a
harbor.
3. (Saddlery) The crosspiece of a
bridle bit, which enters the mouth of an animal.
4. A principal speaker; one who utters the
common opinion; a mouthpiece.
Every coffeehouse has some particular statesman
belonging to it, who is the mouth of the street where he
lives.
Addison.
5. Cry; voice. [Obs.]
Dryden.
6. Speech; language; testimony.
That in the mouth of two or three witnesses
every word may be established.
Matt. xviii.
16.
7. A wry face; a grimace; a mow.
Counterfeit sad looks,
Make mouths upon me when I turn my back.
Shak.
Down in the mouth, chapfallen; of dejected
countenance; depressed; discouraged. [Obs. or Colloq.] --
Mouth friend, one who professes friendship
insincerely. Shak. -- Mouth glass,
a small mirror for inspecting the mouth or teeth. --
Mouth honor, honor given in words, but not
felt. Shak. -- Mouth organ.
(Mus.) (a) Pan's pipes. See
Pandean. (b) An harmonicon. --
Mouth pipe, an organ pipe with a lip or plate
to cut the escaping air and make a sound. -- To stop the
mouth, to silence or be silent; to put to shame; to
confound.
The mouth of them that speak lies shall be
stopped.
Ps. lxiii. 11.
Whose mouths must be
stopped.
Titus i. 11.
Mouth (mou&thlig;), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Mouthed (mou&thlig;d); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mouthing.] 1. To take into
the mouth; to seize or grind with the mouth or teeth; to chew; to
devour. Dryden.
2. To utter with a voice affectedly big or
swelling; to speak in a strained or unnaturally sonorous
manner. "Mouthing big phrases." Hare.
Mouthing out his hollow oes and
aes.
Tennyson.
3. To form or cleanse with the mouth; to
lick, as a bear her cub. Sir T. Browne.
4. To make mouths at. [R.] R.
Blair.
Mouth, v. i. 1. To
speak with a full, round, or loud, affected voice; to vociferate; to
rant.
I'll bellow out for Rome, and for my country,
And mouth at Cæsar, till I shake the
senate.
Addison.
2. To put mouth to mouth; to kiss. [R.]
Shak.
3. To make grimaces, esp. in ridicule or
contempt.
Well I know, when I am gone,
How she mouths behind my back.
Tennyson.
Mouthed (?), a. 1.
Furnished with a mouth.
2. Having a mouth of a particular kind; using
the mouth, speech, or voice in a particular way; -- used only in
composition; as, wide-mouthed; hard-mouthed; foul-
mouthed; mealy-mouthed.
Mouth"er (?), n. One who mouths;
an affected speaker.
Mouth"-foot`ed (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Having the basal joints of the legs
converted into jaws.
Mouth"ful (?), n.; pl.
Mouthfuls (&?;). 1. As much as
is usually put into the mouth at one time.
2. Hence, a small quantity.
Mouth"less, a. [AS.
mūðleás.] Destitute of a
mouth.
Mouth"-made` (?), a. Spoken
without sincerity; not heartfelt. "Mouth-made vows."
Shak.
Mouth"piece` (?), n. 1.
The part of a musical or other instrument to which the mouth is
applied in using it; as, the mouthpiece of a bugle, or of a
tobacco pipe.
2. An appendage to an inlet or outlet opening
of a pipe or vessel, to direct or facilitate the inflow or outflow of
a fluid.
3. One who delivers the opinion of others or
of another; a spokesman; as, the mouthpiece of his
party.
Egmont was imprudent enough to make himself the
mouthpiece of their remonstrance.
Motley.
Mov`a*bil"i*ty (?), n.
Movableness.
Mov"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. OF.
movable. See Move.] 1. Capable of
being moved, lifted, carried, drawn, turned, or conveyed, or in any
way made to change place or posture; susceptible of motion; not fixed
or stationary; as, a movable steam engine.
2. Changing from one time to another; as,
movable feasts, i. e., church festivals, the date of
which varies from year to year.
Movable letter (Heb. Gram.), a letter
that is pronounced, as opposed to one that is quiescent.
Mov"a*ble, n.; pl.
Movables (&?;). 1. An article
of wares or goods; a commodity; a piece of property not fixed, or not
a part of real estate; generally, in the plural, goods; wares;
furniture.
Furnished with the most rich and princely
movables.
Evelyn.
2. (Rom. Law) Property not attached to
the soil.
&fist; The word is not convertible with personal property,
since rents and similar incidents of the soil which are personal
property by our law are immovables by the Roman law.
Wharton.
Mov"a*ble*ness, n. The quality or
state of being movable; mobility; susceptibility of motion.
Mov"a*bly, adv. In a movable
manner or condition.
Move (m&oomac;v), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Moved (m&oomac;vd); p. pr. & vb.
n. Moving.] [OE. moven, OF. moveir, F.
mouvoir, L. movere; cf. Gr. 'amei`bein to
change, exchange, go in or out, quit, Skr. mīv, p. p.
mūta, to move, push. Cf. Emotion, Mew to
molt, Mob, Mutable, Mutiny.] 1.
To cause to change place or posture in any manner; to set in
motion; to carry, convey, draw, or push from one place to another; to
impel; to stir; as, the wind moves a vessel; the horse
moves a carriage.
2. (Chess, Checkers, etc.) To transfer
(a piece or man) from one space or position to another, according to
the rules of the game; as, to move a king.
3. To excite to action by the presentation of
motives; to rouse by representation, persuasion, or appeal; to
influence.
Minds desirous of revenge were not moved with
gold.
Knolles.
No female arts his mind could
move.
Dryden.
4. To arouse the feelings or passions of;
especially, to excite to tenderness or compassion; to touch
pathetically; to excite, as an emotion. Shak.
When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with
compassion on them.
Matt. ix. 36.
[The use of images] in orations and poetry is to
move pity or terror.
Felton.
5. To propose; to recommend; specifically, to
propose formally for consideration and determination, in a
deliberative assembly; to submit, as a resolution to be adopted; as,
to move to adjourn.
Let me but move one question to your
daughter.
Shak.
They are to be blamed alike who move and who
decline war upon particular respects.
Hayward.
6. To apply to, as for aid. [Obs.]
Shak.
Syn. -- To stir; agitate; trouble; affect; persuade;
influence; actuate; impel; rouse; prompt; instigate; incite; induce;
incline; propose; offer.
Move, v. i. 1. To
change place or posture; to stir; to go, in any manner, from one
place or position to another; as, a ship moves
rapidly.
The foundations also of the hills moved and
were shaken, because he was wroth.
Ps. xviii.
7.
On the green bank I sat and listened long, . . .
Nor till her lay was ended could I move.
Dryden.
2. To act; to take action; to stir; to begin
to act; as, to move in a matter.
3. To change residence; to remove, as from
one house, town, or state, to another.
4. (Chess, Checkers, etc.) To change
the place of a piece in accordance with the rules of the
game.
Move (?), n. 1.
The act of moving; a movement.
2. (Chess, Checkers, etc.) The act of
moving one of the pieces, from one position to another, in the
progress of the game.
3. An act for the attainment of an object; a
step in the execution of a plan or purpose.
To make a move. (a) To take
some action. (b) To move a piece, as in a
game. -- To be on the move, to bustle or
stir about. [Colloq.]
Move`less, a. Motionless;
fixed. "Moveless as a tower." Pope.
Move"ment (?), n. [F. mouvement.
See Move, and cf. Moment.] 1. The
act of moving; change of place or posture; transference, by any
means, from one situation to another; natural or appropriate motion;
progress; advancement; as, the movement of an army in marching
or maneuvering; the movement of a wheel or a machine; the
party of movement.
2. Motion of the mind or feelings;
emotion.
3. Manner or style of moving; as, a slow, or
quick, or sudden, movement.
4. (Mus.) (a) The
rhythmical progression, pace, and tempo of a piece. "Any change
of time is a change of movement." Busby.
(b) One of the several strains or pieces, each
complete in itself, with its own time and rhythm, which make up a
larger work; as, the several movements of a suite or a
symphony.
5. (Mech.) A system of mechanism for
transmitting motion of a definite character, or for transforming
motion; as, the wheelwork of a watch.
Febrile movement (Med.), an elevation
of the body temperature; a fever. -- Movement
cure. (Med.) See Kinesiatrics. --
Movement of the bowels, an evacuation or stool;
a passage or discharge.
Syn. -- Motion. -- Movement, Motion.
Motion expresses a general idea of not being at rest;
movement is oftener used to express a definite, regulated
motion, esp. a progress.
Mo"vent (?), a. [L. movens, p.
pr. of movere. See Move.] Moving. [R.]
Grew.
Mo"vent, n. That which moves
anything. [R.]
Mov"er (?), n. 1.
A person or thing that moves, stirs, or changes place.
2. A person or thing that imparts motion, or
causes change of place; a motor.
3. One who, or that which, excites,
instigates, or causes movement, change, etc.; as, movers of
sedition.
These most poisonous compounds,
Which are the movers of a languishing death.
Shak.
4. A proposer; one who offers a proposition,
or recommends anything for consideration or adoption; as, the
mover of a resolution in a legislative body.
Mov"ing, a. 1.
Changing place or posture; causing motion or action; as, a
moving car, or power.
2. Exciting movement of the mind; adapted to
move the sympathies, passions, or affections; touching; pathetic; as,
a moving appeal.
I sang an old moving story.
Coleridge.
Moving force (Mech.), a force that
accelerates, retards, or deflects the motion of a body. --
Moving plant (Bot.), a leguminous plant
(Desmodium gyrans); -- so called because its leaflets have a
distinct automatic motion.
Mov"ing, n. The act of changing
place or posture; esp., the act of changing one's dwelling place or
place of business.
Moving day, a day when one moves; esp., a
day when a large number of tenants change their dwelling
place.
Mov"ing*ly, adv. In a moving
manner. Addison.
Mov"ing*ness, n. The power of
moving.
Mow (?), n. [Written also moe
and mowe.] [F. moue pouting, a wry face; cf. OD.
mouwe the protruded lip.] A wry face. "Make
mows at him." Shak.
Mow, v. i. To make
mouths.
Nodding, becking, and mowing.
Tyndale.
Mow, n. (Zoöl.) Same
as Mew, a gull.
Mow, v. [pres. sing.
Mow, pl. Mowe, Mowen,
Moun.] [AS. magan. See May,
v.] May; can. "Thou mow now
escapen." [Obs.] Chaucer.
Our walles mowe not make hem
resistence.
Chaucer.
Mow (mō), v. t.
[imp. Mowed (mōd); p.
p. Mowed or Mown (mōn); p. pr.
& vb. n. Mowing.] [OE. mowen, mawen,
AS. māwan; akin to D. maaijen, G.
mähen, OHG. mājan, Dan. meie, L.
metere to reap, mow, Gr. 'ama^n. Cf. Math,
Mead a meadow, Meadow.] 1. To cut
down, as grass, with a scythe or machine.
2. To cut the grass from; as, to mow a
meadow.
3. To cut down; to cause to fall in rows or
masses, as in mowing grass; -- with down; as, a discharge of
grapeshot mows down whole ranks of men.
Mow, v. i. To cut grass, etc.,
with a scythe, or with a machine; to cut grass for hay.
Mow (?), n. [OE. mowe, AS.
m&?;ga.] 1. A heap or mass of hay or of
sheaves of grain stowed in a barn.
2. The place in a barn where hay or grain in
the sheaf is stowed.
Mow (?), v. t. To lay, as hay or
sheaves of grain, in a heap or mass in a barn; to pile and stow
away.
Mow"burn` (?), v. i. To heat and
ferment in the mow, as hay when housed too green.
Mowe (?), v. See 4th
Mow. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mowe, n. & v. See 1st & 2d
Mow. [Obs.]
Mow"er (?), n. One who, or that
which, mows; a mowing machine; as, a lawn mower.
Mow"ing, n. 1. The
act of one who, or the operation of that which, mows.
2. Land from which grass is cut; meadow
land.
Mowing machine, an agricultural machine
armed with knives or blades for cutting standing grass, etc. It is
drawn by a horse or horses, or propelled by steam.
Mown (?), p. p. & a. Cut down by
mowing, as grass; deprived of grass by mowing; as, a mown
field.
Mow"yer (?), n. A mower.
[Obs.]
Mox"a (?), n. [A corruption of Japan.
mogusa (pronounced mongsa), an escharotic made from the
plant yomigi: cf. F. moxa.] 1.
(Med.) A soft woolly mass prepared from the young leaves
of Artemisia Chinensis, and used as a cautery by burning it on
the skin; hence, any substance used in a like manner, as cotton
impregnated with niter, amadou.
2. (Bot.) A plant from which this
substance is obtained, esp. Artemisia Chinensis, and A.
moxa.
Mox"ie (?), n. [fr. Moxie, a trade name
for a beverage.] 1. energy; pep.
2. courage, determination.
3. Know-how, expertise.
MW10.
||Moy"a (?), n. Mud poured out
from volcanoes during eruptions; -- so called in South
America.
Moyle (?), n. & v. See
Moil, and Moile.
{ Moz"a*rab (?), Moz`a*rab"ic (?) }. Same
as Muzarab, Muzarabic.
{ Mo*zet"ta (?), Moz*zet"ta (?), }
n. [It. mozzetta: cf. F. mosette.
Cf. Amice a hood or cape.] (Eccl.) A cape, with a
small hood; -- worn by the pope and other dignitaries of the Roman
Catholic Church.
Mr.. (&?;). The customary abbreviation of
Mister in writing and printing. See Master,
4.
Mrs. (&?;). The customary abbreviation of
Mistress when used as a title of courtesy, in writing and
printing.
Mu*cam"ide (?), n. [Mucic +
amide.] (Chem.) The acid amide of mucic acid,
obtained as a white crystalline substance.
Mu"cate (?), n. (Chem.) A
salt of mucic acid.
Muce (?), n. See Muse, and
Muset.
Mu*ce"din (?), n. [From Mucus.]
(Bot. Chem.) A yellowish white, amorphous, nitrogenous
substance found in wheat, rye, etc., and resembling gluten; --
formerly called also mucin.
Much (mŭch), a. [Compar.
& superl. wanting, but supplied by More (mōr),
and Most (mōst), from another root.] [OE. moche,
muche, miche, prob. the same as mochel,
muchel, michel, mikel, fr. AS. micel,
mycel; cf. Gr. me`gas, fem. mega`lh,
great, and Icel. mjök, adv., much. √103. See
Mickle.] 1. Great in quantity; long in
duration; as, much rain has fallen; much
time.
Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field,
and shalt gather but little in.
Deut. xxviii.
38.
2. Many in number. [Archaic]
Edom came out against him with much
people.
Num. xx. 20.
3. High in rank or position. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Much, n. 1. A
great quantity; a great deal; also, an indefinite quantity; as, you
have as much as I.
He that gathered much had nothing
over.
Ex. xvi. 18.
&fist; Muchin this sense can be regarded as an adjective
qualifying a word unexpressed, and may, therefore, be modified by
as, so, too, very.
2. A thing uncommon, wonderful, or
noticeable; something considerable.
And [he] thought not much to clothe his
enemies.
Milton.
To make much of, to treat as something of
especial value or worth.
Much, adv. [Cf. Icel. mjök.
See Much, a.] To a great degree or
extent; greatly; abundantly; far; nearly. "Much
suffering heroes." Pope.
Thou art much mightier than we.
Gen. xxvi. 16.
Excellent speech becometh not a fool, much less
do lying lips a prince.
Prov. xvii. 7.
Henceforth I fly not death, nor would prolong
Life much.
Milton.
All left the world much as they found
it.
Sir W. Temple.
Much"el (?), a. [√103. See
Mickle.] Much. [Obs.]
Much"ness, n. Greatness;
extent. [Obs. or Colloq.]
The quantity and muchness of time which it
filcheth.
W. Whately.
Much of a muchness, much the same.
[Colloq.] "Men's men; gentle or simple, they're much of a
muchness." G. Eliot.
Much"what` (?), adv. Nearly;
almost; much. [Obs.] "Muchwhat after the same manner."
Glanvill.
Mu"cic (?), a. [L. mucus mucus:
cf. F. mucique.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived
from, gums and micilaginous substances; specif., denoting an acid
obtained by the oxidation of gums, dulcite, etc., as a white
crystalline substance isomeric with saccharic acid.
Mu"cid (?), a. [L. mucidus, fr.
L. mucus mucus. See Mucus, and cf. Moist.]
Musty; moldy; slimy; mucous. -- Mu"cid*ness,
n.
Mu*cif"ic (?), a. [Mucus + L.
-ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.]
1. (Med.) Inducing or stimulating the
secretion of mucus; blennogenous.
2. (Physiol.) Secreting
mucus.
Mu"ci*form (?), a. [Mucus + -
form.] (Physiol.) Resembling mucus; having the
character or appearance of mucus.
Mu"ci*gen (?), n. [Mucin + -
gen.] (Physiol.) A substance which is formed in
mucous epithelial cells, and gives rise to mucin.
Mu*cig"e*nous (?), a. (Physiol.)
Connected with the formation of mucin; resembling
mucin.
The mucigenous basis is manufactured at the
expense of the ordinary protoplasm of the cell.
Foster.
Mu"ci*lage (?), n. [F., from L.
mucilago a musty juice, fr. mucus mucus, slime. See
Mucus.] 1. (Bot. Chem.) A gummy or
gelatinous substance produced in certain plants by the action of
water on the cell wall, as in the seeds of quinces, of flax,
etc.
2. An aqueous solution of gum, or of
substances allied to it; as, medicinal mucilage;
mucilage for fastening envelopes.
Mu`ci*lag"i*nous (?), a. [Cf. F.
mucilagineux. See Mucilage.] 1.
Partaking of the nature of, or resembling, mucilage; moist,
soft, and viscid; slimy; ropy; as, a mucilaginous
liquid.
2. Of, pertaining to, or secreting, mucilage;
as, the mucilaginous glands.
3. Soluble in water, but not in alcohol;
yielding mucilage; as, mucilaginous gums or plants. --
Mu`ci*lag"i*nous*ness, n.
Mu"cin (mū"s&ibreve;n), n. [From
Mucus.] 1. (Bot. Chem.) See
Mucedin. [Obs.]
2. (Physiol. Chem.) An albuminoid
substance which is contained in mucus, and gives to the latter
secretion its peculiar ropy character. It is found in all the
secretions from mucous glands, and also between the fibers of
connective tissue, as in tendons. See Illust. of
Demilune.
Mu*cin"o*gen (m&usl;*s&ibreve;n"&osl;*j&ebreve;n),
n. [Mucin + -gen.] (Physiol.)
Same as Mucigen.
Mu*cip"a*rous (m&usl;*s&ibreve;"p&adot;*rŭs),
a. [Mucus + L. parere to produce.]
(Physiol.) Secreting, or producing, mucus or
mucin.
Mu"ci*vore (mū"s&ibreve;*vōr),
n. [L. mucus slime, mucus + vorare to
devour.] (Zoöl.) An insect which feeds on mucus, or
the sap of plants, as certain Diptera, of the tribe
Mucivora.
Muck (mŭk), abbreviation of
Amuck.
To run a muck. See Amuck.
Muck, n. [Icel. myki; akin to D.
mög. Cf. Midden.] 1. Dung in
a moist state; manure. Bacon.
2. Vegetable mold mixed with earth, as found
in low, damp places and swamps.
3. Anything filthy or vile.
Spenser.
4. Money; -- in contempt.
The fatal muck we quarreled for.
Beau. & Fl.
Muck bar, bar iron which has been through
the rolls only once. -- Muck iron, crude
puddled iron ready for the squeezer or rollers.
Knight.
Muck, a. Like muck; mucky; also,
used in collecting or distributing muck; as, a muck
fork.
Muck, v. t. To manure with
muck.
Muck"en*der (?), n. [Sp.
mocador. Cf. Mokadour.] A handkerchief.
[Obs.] [Written also muckinder, muckiter,
mockadour.]
Muck"er (?), n. A term of reproach
for a low or vulgar labor person. [Slang]
Muck"er, v. t. To scrape together,
as money, by mean labor or shifts. [Obs.] Udall.
Muck"er*er (?), n. A miser; a
niggard. [Obs.]
Muck"i*ness (?), n. The quality of
being mucky.
Muc"kle (?), a. [See Mickle.]
Much. [Obs.]
Muck"mid`den (?), n. A
dunghill. [Scot.]
Muck"sy (?), a. Somewhat mucky;
soft, sticky, and dirty; muxy. [Prov. Eng.] R. D.
Blackmore.
Muck"worm` (?), n. 1.
(Zoöl.) A larva or grub that lives in muck or
manure; -- applied to the larvæ of the tumbledung and allied
beetles.
2. One who scrapes together money by mean
labor and devices; a miser. "Misers are muckworms."
Pope.
Muck"y (?), a. 1.
Filthy with muck; miry; as, a mucky road.
"Mucky filth." Spenser.
2. Vile, in a moral sense; sordid.
[Obs.] Spenser.
Mucky money and false felicity.
Latimer.
Mu"co*cele (?), n. [Mucus + Gr.
kh`lh tumor.] (Med.) An enlargement or
protrusion of the mucous membrane of the lachrymal passages, or
dropsy of the lachrymal sac, dependent upon catarrhal inflammation of
the latter. Dunglison.
Mu"coid (?), a. [Mucus + -
oid.] Resembling mucus. Dunglison.
Mucoid degeneration, a form of degeneration
in which the tissues are transformed into a semisolid substance
resembling mucus. Quain.
Mu"co*nate (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of muconic acid.
Mu*con"ic (?), a. [Mucic +
itaconic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or
designating, an organic acid, obtained indirectly from mucic acid,
and somewhat resembling itaconic acid.
Mu`co*pu"ru*lent (?), a. [Mucus
+ purulent.] (Med.) Having the character or
appearance of both mucus and pus. Dunglison.
||Mu"cor (?), n. [L., fr. mucere
to be moldy or musty.] (Bot.) A genus of minute fungi.
The plants consist of slender threads with terminal globular
sporangia; mold.
Mu*cos"i*ty (?), n. The quality or
state of being mucous or slimy; mucousness.
Mu"cous (?), a. [L. mucosus, fr.
mucus mucus.] 1. Of, pertaining to, or
resembling, mucus; slimy, ropy, or stringy, and lubricous; as, a
mucous substance.
2. Secreting a slimy or mucigenous substance;
as, the mucous membrane.
Mucous membrane. (Anat.) See under
Membrane. -- Mucous patches
(Med.), elevated patches found in the mucous membranes of
the mouth and anus, usually due to syphilis. -- Mucous
tissue (Anat.), a form of connective tissue in
an early stage of development, found in the umbilical cord and in the
embryo, and also in certain tumors called myxomata.
Mu"cous*ness, n. The quality or
state of being mucous; sliminess.
||Mu"cro (?), n. [L.] (Bot. &
Zoöl.) A minute abrupt point, as of a leaf; any small,
sharp point or process, terminating a larger part or organ.
{ Mu"cro*nate (?), Mu"cro*na`ted (?), }
a. [L. mucronatus, fr. mucro a sharp
point: cf. F. mucroné.] Ending abruptly in a sharp
point; abruptly tipped with a short and sharp point; as, a
mucronate leaf. -- Mu"cro*nate*ly,
adv.
Mu*cron"u*late (?), a. Having, or
tipped with, a small point or points.
Mu"cu*lent (?), a. [L.
muculentus, fr. mucus.] Slimy; moist, and
moderately viscous.
Mu"cus (mū"kŭs), n. [L.
mucus, muccus; cf. mucere to be moldy or musty,
Gr. my`xa mucus, and Skr. muc to release. Cf.
Match for striking fire, Moist, Mucilage.]
1. (Physiol.) A viscid fluid secreted by
mucous membranes, which it serves to moisten and protect. It covers
the lining membranes of all the cavities which open externally, such
as those of the mouth, nose, lungs, intestinal canal, urinary
passages, etc.
2. (Physiol.) Any other animal fluid
of a viscid quality, as the synovial fluid, which lubricates the
cavities of the joints; -- improperly so used.
3. (Bot.) A gelatinous or slimy
substance found in certain algæ and other plants.
Mu"cus*in (?), n. (Physiol.
Chem.) Mucin. [R.]
Mud (?), n. [Akin to LG. mudde,
D. modder, G. moder mold, OSw. modd mud, Sw.
modder mother, Dan. mudder mud. Cf. Mother a
scum on liquors.] Earth and water mixed so as to be soft and
adhesive.
Mud bass (Zoöl.), a fresh-water
fish (Acantharchum pomotis) of the Eastern United States. It
produces a deep grunting note. -- Mud bath,
an immersion of the body, or some part of it, in mud charged with
medicinal agents, as a remedy for disease. -- Mud
boat, a large flatboat used in dredging. --
Mud cat. See Catfish. --
Mud crab (Zoöl.), any one of
several American marine crabs of the genus Panopeus. --
Mud dab (Zoöl.), the winter
flounder. See Flounder, and Dab. -- Mud
dauber (Zoöl.), a mud wasp. --
Mud devil (Zoöl.), the
fellbender. -- Mud drum (Steam
Boilers), a drum beneath a boiler, into which sediment and
mud in the water can settle for removal. -- Mud
eel (Zoöl.), a long, slender, aquatic
amphibian (Siren lacertina), found in the Southern United
States. It has persistent external gills and only the anterior pair
of legs. See Siren. -- Mud frog
(Zoöl.), a European frog (Pelobates
fuscus). -- Mud hen. (Zoöl.)
(a) The American coot (Fulica
Americana). (b) The clapper rail. -
- Mud lark, a person who cleans sewers, or
delves in mud. [Slang] -- Mud minnow
(Zoöl.), any small American fresh-water fish of the
genus Umbra, as U. limi. The genus is allied to the
pickerels. -- Mud plug, a plug for
stopping the mudhole of a boiler. -- Mud puppy
(Zoöl.), the menobranchus. -- Mud
scow, a heavy scow, used in dredging; a mud boat.
[U.S.] -- Mud turtle, Mud
tortoise (Zoöl.), any one of numerous
species of fresh-water tortoises of the United States. --
Mud wasp (Zoöl.), any one of
numerous species of hymenopterous insects belonging to
Pepæus, and allied genera, which construct groups of mud
cells, attached, side by side, to stones or to the woodwork of
buildings, etc. The female places an egg in each cell, together with
spiders or other insects, paralyzed by a sting, to serve as food for
the larva. Called also mud dauber.
Mud, v. t. 1. To
bury in mud. [R.] Shak.
2. To make muddy or turbid.
Shak.
||Mu"dar (?), n. [Hind.
madār.] (Bot.) Either one of two
asclepiadaceous shrubs (Calotropis gigantea, and C.
procera), which furnish a strong and valuable fiber. The acrid
milky juice is used medicinally.
Mu"da*rin (?), n. (Chem.) A
brown, amorphous, bitter substance having a strong emetic action,
extracted from the root of the mudar.
Mud"di*ly (?), adv. In a muddy
manner; turbidly; without mixture; cloudily; obscurely;
confusedly.
Mud"di*ness, n. 1.
The condition or quality of being muddy; turbidness; foulness
caused by mud, dirt, or sediment; as, the muddiness of a
stream.
2. Obscurity or confusion, as in treatment of
a subject; intellectual dullness.
Mud"dle (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Muddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Muddling (?).] [From Mud.] 1. To
make turbid, or muddy, as water. [Obs.]
He did ill to muddle the water.
L'Estrange.
2. To cloud or stupefy; to render stupid with
liquor; to intoxicate partially.
Epicurus seems to have had brains so muddled
and confounded, that he scarce ever kept in the right
way.
Bentley.
Often drunk, always muddled.
Arbuthnot.
3. To waste or misuse, as one does who is
stupid or intoxicated. [R.]
They muddle it [money] away without method or
object, and without having anything to show for it.
Hazlitt.
4. To mix confusedly; to confuse; to make a
mess of; as, to muddle matters; also, to perplex; to
mystify. F. W. Newman.
Mud"dle, v. i. 1.
To dabble in mud. [Obs.] Swift.
2. To think and act in a confused, aimless
way.
Mud"dle, n. A state of being
turbid or confused; hence, intellectual cloudiness or
dullness.
We both grub on in a muddle.
Dickens.
Mud"dle*head` (?), n. A stupid
person. [Colloq.] C. Reade. -- Mud"dle-head`ed,
a. [Colloq.] Dickens.
Mud"dler (?), n. One who, or that
which, muddles.
Mud"dy (?), a.
[Compar. Muddier (?);
superl. Muddiest.] 1.
Abounding in mud; besmeared or dashed with mud; as, a
muddy road or path; muddy boots.
2. Turbid with mud; as, muddy
water.
3. Consisting of mud or earth; gross;
impure.
This muddy vesture of decay.
Shak.
4. Confused, as if turbid with mud; cloudy in
mind; dull; stupid; also, immethodical; incoherent; vague.
Cold hearts and muddy
understandings.
Burke.
Dost think I am so muddy, so
unsettled.
Shak.
5. Not clear or bright.
Swift.
Mud"dy, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Muddied (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Muddying (?).] 1. To soil with mud; to
dirty; to render turbid.
2. Fig.: To cloud; to make dull or
heavy. Grew.
Mud"dy-head`ed (?), a. Dull;
stupid.
Mud"dy-met`tled (?), a. Dull-
spirited. Shak.
Mud"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
(a) The European loach.
(b) The bowfin. (c)
The South American lipedosiren, and the allied African species
(Protopterus annectens). See Lipedosiren.
(d) The mud minnow.
Mud"hole` (?), n. 1.
A hole, or hollow place, containing mud, as in a road.
2. (Steam Boilers) A hole near the
bottom, through which the sediment is withdrawn.
Mu"dir (?), n. Same as
Moodir.
Mud"sill` (?), n. The lowest sill
of a structure, usually embedded in the soil; the lowest timber of a
house; also, that sill or timber of a bridge which is laid at the
bottom of the water. See Sill.
Mud"suck`er (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A woodcock.
Mud"wall` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The European bee-eater. See Bee-eater. [Written
also modwall.]
Mud"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A
small herbaceous plant growing on muddy shores (Limosella
aquatica).
Mue (mū), v. i. To mew; to
molt. [Obs.] Quarles.
Mu*ez"zin (m&usl;*&ebreve;z"z&ibreve;n),
n. [Ar.] A Mohammedan crier of the hour of
prayer. [Written also mouezzin, mueddin, and
muwazzin.]
Muff (mŭf), n. [Cf. LG.
muff, D. mof, G., Dan., & Sw. muff, F.
moufle mitten, LL. muffula, MHG. mouwe sleeve,
D. mouw, and E. muffle, v.] 1. A
soft cover of cylindrical form, usually of fur, worn by women to
shield the hands from cold.
2. (Mech.) A short hollow cylinder
surrounding an object, as a pipe.
3. (Glass Manuf.) A blown cylinder of
glass which is afterward flattened out to make a sheet.
4. [Perhaps a different word; cf. Prov. E.
maffle to slammer.] A stupid fellow; a poor-spirited
person. [Colloq.] "A muff of a curate."
Thackeray.
5. [See 4.] (Baseball) A failure to
hold a ball when once in the hands.
6. (Zoöl.) The whitethroat.
[Prov. Eng.]
Muff, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Muffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Muffing.] To handle awkwardly; to fumble; to fail to
hold, as a ball, in catching it.
Muf`fe*tee" (?), n. A small muff
worn over the wrist. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Muf"fin (?), n. [From Muff.]
A light, spongy, cylindrical cake, used for breakfast and
tea.
Muf`fin*eer" (?), n. A dish for
keeping muffins hot.
Muff"ish (?), a. [See Muff, 4 &
5.] Stupid; awkward. [Colloq.]
Muf"fle (mŭf"f'l), n. The
bare end of the nose between the nostrils; -- used esp. of
ruminants.
Muf"fle, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Muffled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Muffling (?).] [Cf. F. moufle a mitten, LL.
muffula, OD. moffel a muff. See Muff.]
1. To wrap up in something that conceals or
protects; to wrap, as the face and neck, in thick and disguising
folds; hence, to conceal or cover the face of; to envelop; to
inclose; -- often with up. South.
The face lies muffled up within the
garment.
Addison.
He muffled with a cloud his mournful
eyes.
Dryden.
Muffled up in darkness and
superstition.
Arbuthnot.
2. To prevent seeing, or hearing, or
speaking, by wraps bound about the head; to blindfold; to
deafen.
3. To wrap with something that dulls or
deadens the sound of; as, to muffle the strings of a drum, or
that part of an oar which rests in the rowlock.
Muf"fle, v. i. [Cf. F. maffle,
mumble, D. moffelen.] To speak indistinctly, or
without clear articulation.
Muf"fle, n. [F. moufle, prop., a
mitten, from the resemblance in shape. See Muffle, v.
t., Muff.] 1. Anything with
which another thing, as an oar or drum, is muffled; also, a boxing
glove; a muff.
2. (Metal.) An earthenware compartment
or oven, often shaped like a half cylinder, used in furnaces to
protect objects heated from the direct action of the fire, as in
scorification of ores, cupellation of ore buttons, etc.
3. (Ceramics) A small oven for baking
and fixing the colors of painted or printed pottery, without exposing
the pottery to the flames of the furnace or kiln.
4. A pulley block containing several
sheaves. Knight.
Muf"fler (?), n. 1.
Anything used in muffling; esp., a scarf for protecting the head
and neck in cold weather; a tippet.
Fortune is painted blind, with a muffler above
her eyes.
Shak.
2. (Mus.) A cushion for terminating or
softening a note made by a stringed instrument with a
keyboard.
3. A kind of mitten or boxing glove, esp.
when stuffed.
4. One who muffles.
Muf"lon (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Mouflon.
Muf"ti (?), n.; pl.
Muftis (#). [Ar. mufti.] An official
expounder of Mohammedan law.
Muf"ti, n. Citizen's dress when
worn by a naval or military officer; -- a term derived from the
British service in India. [Colloq. Eng.]
Mug (?), n. [Cf. Ir. mugam a
mug, mucog a cup.] 1. A kind of earthen
or metal drinking cup, with a handle, -- usually cylindrical and
without a lip.
2. The face or mouth. [Slang]
Thackeray.
Mug"gard (?), a. [Cf. G. mucker
a sulky person, muckish sullen, peevish, mucken to
mutter, grumble.] Sullen; displeased. [Obs.]
Mug"get (?), n. The small entrails
of a calf or a hog.
Mug"gi*ness (?), n. The condition
or quality of being muggy.
Mug"gish (?), a. See
Muggy.
Mug`gle*to"ni*an (?), n. (Eccl.
Hist.) One of an extinct sect, named after Ludovic
Muggleton, an English journeyman tailor, who (about 1657)
claimed to be inspired. Eadie.
Mug"gy (mŭg"g&ybreve;), a.
[Compar. Muggier (-g&ibreve;*&etilde;r);
superl. Muggiest.] [Cf. Icel. mugga
mist, mugginess. Cf. 4th Mold.] 1.
Moist; damp; moldy; as, muggy straw.
2. Warm, damp, and close; as, muggy
air, weather.
Mug"house` (mŭg"hous`), n.
An alehouse; a pothouse. Tickel.
Mu"gi*en*cy (?), n. A
bellowing. [Obs.]
Mu"gi*ent (?), a. [L. mugiens,
p. pr. of mugire to bellow.] Lowing; bellowing.
[Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
||Mu"gil (?), n. [L., a sort of fish.]
(Zoöl.) A genus of fishes including the gray
mullets. See Mullet.
Mu"gi*loid (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Like or pertaining to the genus Mugil, or family
Mugilidæ.
Mug"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) A
slender European weed (Galium Cruciata); -- called also
crossweed.
Mug"wort` (?), n. [AS. mucgwyrt.
Cf. Midge.] (Bot.) A somewhat aromatic composite
weed (Artemisia vulgaris), at one time used medicinally; --
called also motherwort.
Mug"wump` (?), n. [Cf. Algonquin
mugquomp a chief.] A bolter from the Republican party in
the national election of 1884; an Independent. [Political Cant,
U.S.]
{ Mug"wump`er*y (?), Mug"wump*ism (?), }
n. The acts and views of the mugwumps.
[Political Cant, U.S.]
{ Mu*ham"mad*an (?), Mu*ham"med*an (?), }
a. & n. Mohammedan.
Mu*ham"mad*an*ism (?), n.
Mohammedanism.
||Mu*la"da (?), n. A moor.
[Scot.] Lockhart.
||Mu*la"da (?), n. [Sp. Amer., fr. Sp.
mulo, mula, a mule.] A drove of mules.
[Southwest. U.S.]
Mu*lat"to (?), n.; pl.
Mulattoes (#). [Sp. & Pg. mulato, masc.,
mulata, fem., of a mixed breed, fr. mulo mule, L.
mulus. See Mule.] The offspring of a negress by a
white man, or of a white woman by a negro, -- usually of a brownish
yellow complexion.
Mu*lat"tress, n. A female
mulatto. G. W. Gable.
Mul"ber*ry (?), n.; pl.
Mulberries (#). [OE. moolbery,
murberie, AS. murberie, where the first part is fr. L.
morum mulberry; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;. Cf. Murrey,
Sycamore.] 1. (Bot.) The berry or
fruit of any tree of the genus Morus; also, the tree itself.
See Morus.
2. A dark pure color, like the hue of a black
mulberry.
Mulberry mass. (Biol.) See
Morula. -- Paper mulberry, a tree
(Broussonetia papyrifera), related to the true mulberry, used
in Polynesia for making tapa cloth by macerating and pounding the
inner bark, and in China and Japan for the manufacture of paper. It
is seen as a shade tree in America.
Mul"ber*ry-faced` (-fāst`), a.
Having a face of a mulberry color, or blotched as if with
mulberry stains.
Mulch (?), n. [Cf. mull dirt,
also Prov. G. mulsch, molsch, rotten, soft, mellow, as
fruit.] Half-rotten straw, or any like substance strewn on the
ground, as over the roots of plants, to protect from heat, drought,
etc., and to preserve moisture.
Mulch, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mulched (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mulching.] To cover or dress with mulch.
Mulct (?), n. [L. mulcta,
multa.] 1. A fine or penalty, esp. a
pecuniary punishment or penalty.
2. A blemish or defect. [Obs.]
Syn. -- Amercement; forfeit; forfeiture; penalty.
Mulct, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mulcted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Mulcting.] [L. mulctare, multare.]
1. To punish for an offense or misdemeanor by
imposing a fine or forfeiture, esp. a pecuniary fine; to
fine.
2. Hence, to deprive of; to withhold by way
of punishment or discipline. [Obs.]
{ Mulc"ta*ry (?), Mulc"tu*a*ry (?), }
a. Imposing a pecuniary penalty; consisting
of, or paid as, a fine.
Fines, or some known mulctuary
punishments.
Sir W. Temple.
Mule (mūl), n. [F., a she-mule,
L. mula, fem. of mulus; cf. Gr. my`klos,
mychlo`s. Cf. AS. mūl, fr. L. mulus.
Cf. Mulatto.] 1. (Zoöl.) A
hybrid animal; specifically, one generated between an ass and a mare,
sometimes a horse and a she-ass. See Hinny.
&fist; Mules are much used as draught animals. They are hardy, and
proverbial for stubbornness.
2. (Bot.) A plant or vegetable
produced by impregnating the pistil of one species with the pollen or
fecundating dust of another; -- called also hybrid.
3. A very stubborn person.
4. A machine, used in factories, for spinning
cotton, wool, etc., into yarn or thread and winding it into cops; --
called also jenny and mule-jenny.
Mule armadillo (Zoöl.), a long-
eared armadillo (Tatusia hybrida), native of Buenos Aires; --
called also mulita. See Illust. under
Armadillo. -- Mule deer
(Zoöl.), a large deer (Cervus, or Cariacus,
macrotis) of the Western United States. The name refers to its
long ears. -- Mule pulley (Mach.),
an idle pulley for guiding a belt which transmits motion between
shafts that are not parallel. -- Mule twist,
cotton yarn in cops, as spun on a mule; -- in distinction from
yarn spun on a throstle frame.
Mule"-jen`ny (?), n. See
Mule, 4.
Mu`le*teer" (?), n. [F.
muletier, fr. mulet a mule, dim. fr. L. mulus.]
One who drives mules.
Mule"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A
fern of the genus Hemionitis.
Mu"ley (?), n. (Sawmills) A
stiff, long saw, guided at the ends but not stretched in a
gate.
Muley axle (Railroad), a car axle
without collars at the outer ends of the journals.
Forney.
Mul"ey (?), n. See
Mulley.
Mu`li*eb"ri*ty
(mū`l&ibreve;*&ebreve;b"r&ibreve;*t&ybreve;),
n. [L. muliebritas, fr. muliebris
belonging to a woman, fr. mulier a woman.] 1.
The state of being a woman or of possessing full womanly powers;
womanhood; -- correlate of virility.
2. Hence: Effeminancy; softness.
||Mu"li*er (?), n. [L., a woman.]
1. A woman.
2. (Law) (a) Lawful
issue born in wedlock, in distinction from an elder brother born of
the same parents before their marriage; a lawful son.
(b) (Civ. Law) A woman; a wife; a
mother. Blount. Cowell.
Mu"li*er*ly, adv. In the manner or
condition of a mulier; in wedlock; legitimately. [Obs.]
Mu"li*er*ose` (?), a. [L.
mulierosus.] Fond of woman. [R.] Charles
Reade.
Mu`li*er*os"i*ty (?), n. [L.
mulierositas.] A fondness for women. [R.] Dr.
H. More.
Mu"li*er*ty (?), n. (Law)
Condition of being a mulier; position of one born in lawful
wedlock.
Mul"ish (mūl"&ibreve;sh), a.
Like a mule; sullen; stubborn. -- Mul"ish*ly,
adv. -- Mul"ish*ness,
n.
Mull (mŭl), n. [Perh. contr. fr.
mossul. See Muslin.] A thin, soft kind of
muslin.
Mull, n. [Icel. mūli a
snout, muzzle, projecting crag; or cf. Ir. & Gael. meall a
heap of earth, a mound, a hill or eminence, W. moel. Cf.
Mouth.] 1. A promontory; as, the
Mull of Cantyre. [Scot.]
2. A snuffbox made of the small end of a
horn.
Mull, n. [Prob. akin to mold.
√108. See Mold.] Dirt; rubbish. [Obs.]
Gower.
Mull, v. t. [OE. mullen. See 2d
Muller.] To powder; to pulverize. [Prov. Eng.]
Mull, v. i. To work (over)
mentally; to cogitate; to ruminate; -- usually with over; as,
to mull over a thought or a problem. [Colloq. U.S.]
Mull, n. An inferior kind of
madder prepared from the smaller roots or the peelings and refuse of
the larger.
Mull, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mulled (mŭld); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mulling.] [From mulled, for mold,
taken as a p. p.; OE. mold-ale funeral ale or banquet. See
Mold soil.] 1. To heat, sweeten, and
enrich with spices; as, to mull wine.
New cider, mulled with ginger
warm.
Gay.
2. To dispirit or deaden; to dull or
blunt. Shak.
||Mul"la (?), n. Same as
Mollah.
Mul`la*ga*taw"ny (?), n. [Tamil
milagu-tannīr pepper water.] An East Indian curry
soup.
Mul"lah (?), n. See
Mollah.
Mul"lar (?), n. A die, cut in
intaglio, for stamping an ornament in relief, as upon
metal.
Mul"lein (?), n. [OE. moleyn,
AS. molegn.] (Bot.) Any plant of the genus
Verbascum. They are tall herbs having coarse leaves, and
large flowers in dense spikes. The common species, with densely
woolly leaves, is Verbascum Thapsus.
Moth mullein. See under Moth. --
Mullein foxglove, an American herb (Seymeria
macrophylla) with coarse leaves and yellow tubular flowers with a
spreading border. -- Petty mullein, the
cowslip. Dr. Prior.
Mul"len (?), n. (Bot.) See
Mullein.
Mull"er (?), n. 1.
One who, or that which, mulls.
2. A vessel in which wine, etc., is mulled
over a fire.
Mull"er, n. [OE. mullen to
pulverize, bruise; cf. Icel. mylja; prob. akin to E.
mold soil. See Mold soil, and cf. Mull dirt.]
A stone or thick lump of glass, or kind of pestle, flat at the
bottom, used for grinding pigments or drugs, etc., upon a slab of
similar material.
Mül*le"ri*an (?), a.
(Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or discovered by, Johannes
Müller.
Müllerian ducts (Anat.), a pair
of embryonic ducts which give rise to the genital passages in the
female, but disappear in the male. -- Müllerian
fibers (Anat.), the sustentacular or connective-
tissue fibers which form the framework of the retina.
Mul"let (?), n. [OE. molet,
mulet, F. mulet, fr. L. mullus.]
1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous
fishes of the genus Mugil; -- called also gray mullets. They
are found on the coasts of both continents, and are highly esteemed
as food. Among the most valuable species are Mugil capito of
Europe, and M. cephalus which occurs both on the European and
American coasts.
2. (Zoöl.) Any species of the
genus Mullus, or family Mullidæ; called also
red mullet, and surmullet, esp. the plain surmullet
(Mullus barbatus), and the striped surmullet (M.
surmulletus) of Southern Europe. The former is the mullet of the
Romans. It is noted for the brilliancy of its colors. See
Surmullet.
French mullet. See Ladyfish
(a).
Mul"let, n. [F. molette.]
(Her.) A star, usually five pointed and pierced; -- when
used as a difference it indicates the third son.
Mul"let, n. [Cf. F. molet a sort
of pinchers.] Small pinchers for curling the hair. [Obs.]
B. Jonson.
{ Mul"ley (?), Mool"ley }, n.
[CF. Gael. maolag a hornless cow, maol bald, hornless,
blunt.] 1. A mulley or polled animal. [U.
S.]
2. A cow. [Prov. Eng.; U.S., a child's
word.]
Leave milking and dry up old mulley, thy
cow.
Tusser.
{ Mul"ley (?), Mool"ley }, a.
Destitute of horns, although belonging to a species of animals
most of which have horns; hornless; polled; as, mulley cattle;
a mulley (or moolley) cow. [U. S.] [Written also
muley.]
Mul`li*ga*taw"ny (?), n. See
Mullagatawny.
Mul"li*grubs (?), n. [Cf. Prov. E.
mull to squeeze, pull about, mulling numb or dull.]
1. A griping of the intestines; colic.
[Slang]
Whose dog lies sick of the
mulligrubs?
Beau. & Fl.
2. Hence, sullenness; the sulks.
[Slang]
Mul"lin*gong (?), n.
(Zoöl.) See Duck mole, under
Duck. [Written also mollingong.]
Mul"lion (?), n. [A corruption of
munnion, F. moignon stump of an amputated limb, stump,
OF. moing mutilated; cf. Armor. moñ,
mouñ, mank, monk, and also L.
mancus maimed.] (Arch.) (a) A
slender bar or pier which forms the division between the lights of
windows, screens, etc. (b) An upright
member of a framing. See Stile.
Mul"lion, v. t. To furnish with
mullions; to divide by mullions.
Mul"lock (?), n. [From Mull
dirt: cf. Scot. mulloch, mulock, crumb. √108.]
Rubbish; refuse; dirt. [Obs.]
All this mullok [was] in a sieve
ythrowe.
Chaucer.
Mul"loid (mŭl"loid), a. [NL.
Mullus, generic name (fr. L. mullus surmullet) + -
oid.] (Zoöl.) Like or pertaining to the genus
Mullus, which includes the surmullet, or red mullet.
Mul"mul (?), n. A fine, soft
muslin; mull.
Mulse (mŭls), n. [L.
mulsum (sc. vinum), fr. mulsus mixed with honey,
honey-sweet, p. p. of mulcere to sweeten, soften.] Wine
boiled and mingled with honey.
Mult-. See Multi-.
Mul*tan"gu*lar (?), a. [L.
multangulus; multus much, many + angulus angle:
cf. F. multangulaire.] Having many angles. --
Mul*tan"gu*lar*ly, adv. --
Mul*tan"gu*lar*ness, n.
Mul*tan"i*mous (?), a. [Mult- +
L. animus mind.] Many-minded; many-sided.
The multanimous nature of the
poet.
J. R. Lowell.
Mul`tar*tic"u*late (?), a. [Mult-
+ articulate.] Having many articulations or
joints.
Mul*te"i*ty (?), n. [L. multus
much, many.] Multiplicity. [R.] Coleridge.
{ Mul"ti- (?), Mult- (?) }. [L. multus
much.] A prefix signifying much or many;
several; more than one; as, multiaxial,
multocular.
Mul`ti*ax"i*al (?), a. [Multi- +
axial.] (Biol.) Having more than one axis;
developing in more than a single line or plain; -- opposed to
monoaxial.
Mul`ti*cap"su*lar (?), a. [Multi-
+ capsular: cf. F. multicapsulaire.] (Bot.)
Having many, or several, capsules.
Mul`ti*car"i*nate (?), a. [Multi-
+ carinate.] (Zoöl.) Many-
keeled.
Mul`ti*ca"vous (?), a. [L.
multicavus; multus much, many + cavum,
cavus, a cavity, hole, fr. cavus hollow.] Having
many cavities.
Mul`ti*cel"lu*lar (?), a.
Consisting of, or having, many cells or more than one
cell.
Mul`ti*cen"tral (?), a. [Multi-
+ central.] Having many, or several, centers; as, a
multicentral cell.
Multicentral development (Biol.),
growth, or development, from several centers. According as the
insubordination to a single center is more or less pronounced, the
resultant organism will be more or less irregular in form and may
even become discontinuous.
Mul`ti*cip"i*tal (?), a. [Multi-
+ L. caput head.] (Bot.) Having many heads or many
stems from one crown or root. Gray.
Mul"ti*col`or (?), a. [See Multi-
, and Color.] Having many, or several,
colors.
Mul`ti*cos"tate (?), a. [Multi-
+ costate.] Having numerous ribs, or costæ, as the
leaf of a plant, or as certain shells and corals.
Mul`ti*cus"pid (?), a. [See Multi-
, and Cuspid.] Multicuspidate; -- said of
teeth.
Mul`ti*cus"pi*date (?), a. [Multi-
+ cuspidate.] Having many cusps or points.
Mul`ti*den"tate (?), a. [Multi-
+ dentate.] Having many teeth, or toothlike
processes.
Mul`ti*dig"i*tate (?), a. [Multi-
+ digitate.] Having many fingers, or fingerlike
processes.
Mul"ti*faced` (?), a. [Multi- +
face.] Having many faces.
Mul`ti*fa"ri*ous (?), a. [L.
multifarius; multus much, many. Cf. Bifarious.]
1. Having multiplicity; having great diversity
or variety; of various kinds; diversified; made up of many differing
parts; manifold.
There is a multifarious artifice in the
structure of the meanest animal.
Dr. H. More.
2. (Bot.) Having parts, as leaves,
arranged in many vertical rows.
Mul`ti*fa"ri*ous*ly, adv. With
great multiplicity and diversity; with variety of modes and
relations.
Mul`ti*fa"ri*ous*ness, n.
1. Multiplied diversity.
2. (Law) The fault of improperly
uniting in one bill distinct and independent matters, and thereby
confounding them. Burrill.
Mul*tif"er*ous (?), a. [L.
multifer; multus much, many + ferre to bear.]
Bearing or producing much or many. [R.]
Mul"ti*fid (?), a. [L.
multifidus; multus much, many + findere to
split: cf. F. multifide.] (Bot.) Having many
segments; cleft into several parts by linear sinuses; as, a
multifid leaf or corolla.
Mul`ti*flo"rous (?), a. [L.
multiflorus; multus much, many + flos,
floris, flower: cf. F. multiflore.] (Bot.)
Having many flowers.
Mul"ti*flue (mŭl"t&ibreve;*flū),
a. [Multi- + flue.] Having many
flues; as, a multiflue boiler. See Boiler.
Mul"ti*foil (?), n. [Multi- +
foil.] (Arch.) An ornamental foliation consisting
of more than five divisions or foils. [R.] See Foil.
Mul"ti*foil, a. Having more than
five divisions or foils.
Mul"ti*fold (?), a. [Multi- +
fold.] Many times doubled; manifold; numerous.
Mul"ti*form (?), a. [L.
multiformis; multus much, many + forma shape:
cf. F. multiforme.] Having many forms, shapes, or
appearances.
A plastic and multiform unit.
Hare.
Mul`ti*form"i*ty (?), n. [L.
multiformitas.] The quality of being multiform; diversity
of forms; variety of appearances in the same thing.
Purchas.
Mul`ti*form"ous (?), a.
Multiform. [Obs.]
Mul`ti*gen"er*ous (?), a. [L.
multigenerus; multus + genus, generis,
kind.] Having many kinds.
Mul`ti*gran"u*late (?), a. [Multi-
+ granulate.] Having, or consisting of, many
grains.
Mul*tij"u*gate (?), a. Having many
pairs of leaflets.
Mul*tij"u*gous (?), a. [L.
multijugus; multus + jugum yoke.]
1. Consisting of many parts.
2. (Bot.) Same as
Multijugate.
Mul`ti*lat"er*al (?), a. [Multi-
+ lateral.] Having many sides; many-sided.
Mul`ti*lin"e*al (?), a. [Multi-
+ lineal.] Having many lines. Steevens.
Mul`ti*lo"bar (?), a. [Multi- +
lobar.] Consisting of, or having, many lobes.
Mul`ti*loc"u*lar (?), a. [Multi-
+ locular: cf. F. multiloculaire.] Having many or
several cells or compartments; as, a multilocular shell or
capsule.
Mul*til"o*quence (?), n. Quality
of being multiloquent; use of many words; talkativeness.
{ Mul*til"o*quent (?), Mul*til"o*quous (?), }
a. [L. multiloquus; multus much, many
+ loqui to speak.] Speaking much; very talkative;
loquacious.
Mul*til"o*quy (?), n. [L.
multiloquium.] Excess of words or talk. [R.]
Mul`ti*no"date (?), a. [Multi- +
nodate.] Having many knots or nodes.
Mul`ti*no"dous (?), a. [L.
multinodus.] Same as Multinodate.
Mul`ti*no"mi*al (?), n. & a. [Multi-
+ -nomial, as in binomial. See Binomial.]
(Alg.) Same as Polynomial.
{ Mul`ti*nom"i*nal (?), Mul`ti*nom"i*nous (?), }
a. [L. multinominis; multus many +
nomen nominis name.] Having many names or
terms.
Mul`ti*nu"cle*ar (?), a. [Multi-
+ nuclear.] (Biol.) Containing many nuclei; as,
multinuclear cells.
{ Mul`ti*nu"cle*ate (?), Mul`ti*nu"cle*a`ted
(?), } a. (Biol.)
Multinuclear.
Mul*tip"a*rous (?), a. [Multi- +
L. parere to produce: cf. F. multipare.] Producing
many, or more than one, at a birth.
Mul*tip"ar*tite (?), a. [L.
multipartitus multus much, many partitus divided, p.
p.: cf. F. multipartite. See Partite.] Divided
into many parts; having several parts.
Mul"ti*ped (?), n. [L. multipes,
multipeda; multus much, many + pes,
pedis, foot: cf. F. multipède.]
(Zoöl.) An insect having many feet, as a
myriapod.
Mul"ti*ped, a. Having many
feet.
Mul"ti*ple (?), a. [Cf. F.
multiple, and E. quadruple, and multiply.]
Containing more than once, or more than one; consisting of more
than one; manifold; repeated many times; having several, or many,
parts.
Law of multiple proportion (Chem.),
the generalization that when the same elements unite in more than
one proportion, forming two or more different compounds, the higher
proportions of the elements in such compounds are simple multiples of
the lowest proportion, or the proportions are connected by some
simple common factor; thus, iron and oxygen unite in the proportions
FeO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, in
which compounds, considering the oxygen, 3 and 4 are simple
multiplies of 1. Called also the Law of Dalton, from its
discoverer. -- Multiple algebra, a branch
of advanced mathematics that treats of operations upon units
compounded of two or more unlike units. -- Multiple
conjugation (Biol.), a coalescence of many cells
(as where an indefinite number of amœboid cells flow together
into a single mass) from which conjugation proper and even
fertilization may have been evolved. -- Multiple
fruits. (Bot.) See Collective fruit,
under Collective. -- Multiple star
(Astron.), several stars in close proximity, which appear
to form a single system.
Mul"ti*ple, n. (Math.) A
quantity containing another quantity a number of times without a
remainder.
&fist; A
common multiple of two or more numbers
contains each of them a number of times exactly; thus, 24 is a
common multiple of 3 and 4. The least common
multiple is the least number that will do this; thus, 12 is
the least common multiple of 3 and 4.
Mul"ti*plex (?), a. [L.
multiplex, -plicis. See Multiply.]
Manifold; multiple.
Mul"ti*pli`a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F.
multipliable.] Capable of being multiplied. --
Mul"ti*pli`a*ble*ness, n.
Mul"ti*pli*ca*ble (?), a. [L.
multiplicabilis.] Capable of being multiplied;
multipliable.
Mul"ti*pli*cand` (?), n. [L.
multiplicandus to be multiplied: cf. F. multiplicande.]
(Math.) The number which is to be multiplied by another
number called the multiplier. See Note under
Multiplication.
Mul"ti*pli*cate (?), a. [L.
multiplicatus, p. p. of multiplicare. See
Multiply.] Consisting of many, or of more than one;
multiple; multifold.
Multiplicate flower (Bot.), a flower
that is double, or has an unusual number of petals in consequence of
the abnormal multiplication of the parts of the floral
whorls.
Mul`ti*pli*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
multiplicatio: cf. F. multiplication. See
Multiply.] 1. The act or process of
multiplying, or of increasing in number; the state of being
multiplied; as, the multiplication of the human species by
natural generation.
The increase and multiplication of the
world.
Thackeray.
2. (Math.) The process of repeating,
or adding to itself, any given number or quantity a certain number of
times; commonly, the process of ascertaining by a briefer computation
the result of such repeated additions; also, the rule by which the
operation is performed; -- the reverse of division.
&fist; The word multiplication is sometimes used in
mathematics, particularly in multiple algebra, to denote any
distributive operation expressed by one symbol upon any quantity or
any thing expressed by another symbol. Corresponding extensions of
meaning are given to the words multiply, multiplier,
multiplicand, and product. Thus, since φ(x +
y) = φx + φy (see under
Distributive), where φ(x + y), φx, and
φy indicate the results of any distributive operation
represented by the symbol φ upon x + y, x, and
y, severally, then because of many very useful analogies
φ(x + y) is called the product of φ and x +
y, and the operation indicated by φ is called
multiplication. Cf. Facient, n.,
2.
3. (Bot.) An increase above the normal
number of parts, especially of petals; augmentation.
4. The art of increasing gold or silver by
magic, -- attributed formerly to the alchemists. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Multiplication table, a table giving the
product of a set of numbers multiplied in some regular way; commonly,
a table giving the products of the first ten or twelve numbers
multiplied successively by 1, 2, 3, etc., up to 10 or 12.
Mul"ti*pli*ca*tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
multiplicatif.] Tending to multiply; having the power to
multiply, or incease numbers.
Mul"ti*pli*ca*tive*ly, adv. So as
to multiply.
Mul"ti*pli*ca`tor (?), n. [L.: cf. F.
multiplicateur. Cf. Multiplier.] The number by
which another number is multiplied; a multiplier.
Mul`ti*pli"cious (?), a. [See
Multiplex.] Manifold. [Obs.]
Mul`ti*plic"ity (?), n. [Cf. F.
multiplicité.] The quality of being multiple,
manifold, or various; a state of being many; a multitude; as, a
multiplicity of thoughts or objects. "A
multiplicity of goods." South.
Mul"ti*pli`er (?), n. [Cf. F.
multiplier. Cf. Multiplicator.] 1.
One who, or that which, multiplies or increases
number.
2. (Math.) The number by which another
number is multiplied. See the Note under
Multiplication.
3. (Physics) An instrument for
multiplying or increasing by repetition or accumulation the intensity
of a force or action, as heat or electricity. It is particularly used
to render such a force or action appreciable or measurable when
feeble. See Thermomultiplier.
Mul"ti*ply (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Multiplied (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Multiplying (?).] [F. multiplier, L.
multiplicare, fr. multiplex manifold. See
Multitude, Complex.] 1. To
increase in number; to make more numerous; to add quantity
to.
Impunity will multiply motives to
disobedience.
Ames.
2. (Math.) To add (any given number or
quantity) to itself a certain number of times; to find the product of
by multiplication; thus 7 multiplied by 8 produces the number
56; to multiply two numbers. See the Note under
Multiplication.
3. To increase (the amount of gold or silver)
by the arts of alchemy. [Obs.]
Multiplying gear (Mach.), gear for
increasing speed. -- Multiplying lens.
(Opt.) See under Lens.
Mul"ti*ply, v. i. 1.
To become greater in number; to become numerous.
When men began to multiply on the face of the
earth, and daughters were born unto them.
Gen. vi.
1.
2. To increase in extent and influence; to
spread.
The word of God grew and
multiplied.
Acts xii. 24.
3. To increase amount of gold or silver by
the arts of alchemy. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mul`ti*po"lar (?), a. [Multi- +
polar.] (Biol.) Having many poles; -- applied
especially to those ganglionic nerve cells which have several
radiating processes.
Mul*tip"o*tent (?), a. [L.
multipotens; multus much + potens powerful. See
Potent.] Having manifold power, or power to do many
things. "Jove multipotent." Shak.
Mul`ti*pres"ence (?), n. The state
or power of being multipresent.
The multipresence of Christ's
body.
Bp. Hall.
Mul`ti*pres"ent (?), a. [Multi-
+ present, a.] Being, or having the power to be, present
in two or more places at once.
Mul`ti*ra"di*ate (?), a. [Multi-
+ radiate.] Having many rays.
Mul`ti*ram"i*fied (?), a. [Multi-
+ p. p. of ramify.] Divided into many
branches.
Mul`ti*ra*mose" (?), a. [Multi-
+ ramose.] Having many branches.
Mul*tis"cious (?), a. [L.
multiscius; multus much + scius knowing, fr.
scire to know.] Having much or varied knowledge.
[Obs.]
Mul"ti*sect (?), a. [Multi- + L.
sectus, p. p. of secare to cut.] (Zoöl.)
Divided into many similar segments; -- said of an insect or
myriapod.
Mul`ti*sep"tate (?), a. [Multi-
+ septate.] (Bot.) Divided into many chambers by
partitions, as the pith of the pokeweed.
Mul`ti*se"ri*al (?), a. [Multi-
+ serial.] (Bot.) Arranged in many rows, or
series, as the scales of a pine cone, or the leaves of the
houseleek.
Mul`ti*sil"i*quous (?), a. [Multi-
+ siliquious.] (Bot.) Having many pods or
seed vessels.
Mul*tis"o*nous (?), a. [L.
multisonus; multus much, many + sonus sound.]
Having many sounds, or sounding much.
Mul`ti*spi"ral (?), a. [Multi- +
spiral.] (Zoöl.) Having numerous spiral coils
round a center or nucleus; -- said of the opercula of certain
shells.
Mul`ti*stri"ate (?), a. [Multi-
+ striate.] Having many streaks.
Mul`ti*sul"cate (?), a. [Multi-
+ sulcate.] Having many furrows.
Mul"ti*syl`la*ble (?), n. [Multi-
+ syllable.] A word of many syllables; a
polysyllable. [R.] -- Mul`ti*syl*lab"ic (#),
a.
Mul`ti*tit"u*lar (?), a. [Multi-
+ titular.] Having many titles.
Mul`ti*tu"bu*lar (?), a. [Multi-
+ tubular.] Having many tubes; as, a multitubular
boiler.
Mul"ti*tude (?), n. [F.
multitude, L. multitudo, multitudinis, fr.
multus much, many; of unknown origin.] 1.
A great number of persons collected together; a numerous
collection of persons; a crowd; an assembly.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved
with compassion on them.
Matt. ix. 36.
2. A great number of persons or things,
regarded collectively; as, the book will be read by a
multitude of people; the multitude of stars; a
multitude of cares.
It is a fault in a multitude of preachers, that
they utterly neglect method in their harangues.
I.
Watts.
A multitude of flowers
As countless as the stars on high.
Longfellow.
3. The state of being many;
numerousness.
They came as grasshoppers for
multitude.
Judg. vi. 5.
The multitude, the populace; the mass of
men.
Syn. -- Throng; crowd; assembly; assemblage; commonalty;
swarm; populace; vulgar. See Throng.
Mul`ti*tu"di*na*ry (?), a.
Multitudinous.
Mul`ti*tu"di*nous (?), a.
1. Consisting of a multitude; manifold in number
or condition; as, multitudinous waves. "The
multitudinous seas." Shak.
A renewed jingling of multitudinous
chains.
G. Kennan.
2. Of or pertaining to a multitude.
"The multitudinous tongue." Shak.
-- Mul`ti*tu"di*nous*ly, adv. --
Mul`ti*tu"di*nous*ness, n.
{ Mul*tiv"a*gant (?), Mul*tiv"a*gous (?), }
a. [L. multivagus; multus much +
vagus wandering; cf. vagans, p. pr. of vagari.
See Vagary.] Wandering much. [Obs.]
Mul*tiv"a*lence (?), n. (Chem.)
Quality, state, or degree, of a multivalent element, atom, or
radical.
Mul*tiv"a*lent (?), a. [Multi- +
L. valens, p. pr. See Valence.] (Chem.)
(a) Having a valence greater than one, as
silicon. (b) Having more than one degree
of valence, as sulphur.
Mul"ti*valve (?), n. [Cf. F.
multivalve.] (Zoöl.) Any mollusk which has a
shell composed of more than two pieces.
{ Mul"ti*valve (?), Mul`ti*val"vu*lar (?), }
a. [Multi- + valve, valvular:
cf. F. multivalve.] 1. Having many
valves.
2. (Zoöl.) Many-valved; having
more than two valves; -- said of certain shells, as the
chitons.
Mul*tiv"er*sant (?), a. [Multi-
+ L. versans, p. pr. See Versant.] Turning into
many shapes; assuming many forms; protean.
Mul*tiv"i*ous (?), a. & adv. [L.
multivius; multus many + via way.] Having
many ways or roads; by many ways. [Obs.]
Mul*tiv"o*cal (?), a. [Multi- +
vocal.] Signifying many different things; of manifold
meaning; equivocal. "An ambiguous multivocal word."
Coleridge.
-- n. A multivocal word. [R.]
Fitzed. Hall.
Mul*toc"u*lar (?), a. [Multi- +
L. oculus eye.] Having many eyes, or more than
two.
Mul"tum (?), n. An extract of
quassia licorice, fraudulently used by brewers in order to economize
malt and hops. Craig.
Hard multum, a preparation made from
Cocculus Indicus, etc., used to impart an intoxicating quality
to beer.
Mul*tun"gu*late (?), a. [Multi-
+ ungulate.] Having many hoofs.
Mul"ture (?), n. [OF. multure,
moulture, F. mouture, fr. L. molitura a
grinding, molere to grind. See Mill the machine.]
1. (Scots Law) The toll for grinding
grain. Erskine.
2. A grist or grinding; the grain
ground.
Mum (?), a. [Of imitative origin. Cf.
Mumble.] Silent; not speaking.
Thackeray.
The citizens are mum, and speak not a
word.
Shak.
Mum, interj. Be silent!
Hush!
Mum, then, and no more.
Shak.
Mum, n. Silence. [R.]
Hudibras.
Mum, n. [G. mummere, fr.
Christian Mumme, who first brewed it in 1492.] A sort of
strong beer, originally made in Brunswick, Germany.
Addison.
The clamorous crowd is hushed with mugs of
mum.
Pope.
Mum"ble (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mumbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mumbling (?).] [OE. momelen; cf. D. mompelen,
mommelen, G. mummelen, Sw. mumla, Dan.
mumle. Cf. Mum, a., Mumm,
Mump, v.] 1. To speak
with the lips partly closed, so as to render the sounds inarticulate
and imperfect; to utter words in a grumbling indistinct manner,
indicating discontent or displeasure; to mutter.
Peace, you mumbling fool.
Shak.
A wrinkled hag, with age grown double,
Picking dry sticks, and mumbling to herself.
Otway.
2. To chew something gently with closed
lips.
Mum"ble (mŭm"b'l), v. t.
1. To utter with a low, inarticulate
voice. Bp. Hall.
2. To chew or bite gently, as one without
teeth.
Gums unarmed, to mumble meat in
vain.
Dryden.
3. To suppress, or utter
imperfectly.
Mum"ble*news` (?), n. A
talebearer. [Obs.]
Mum"bler (?), n. One who
mumbles.
Mum"bling (?), a. Low; indistinct;
inarticulate. -- Mum"bling*ly,
adv.
Mum"bo Jum`bo (?). An object of superstitious homage
and fear. Carlyle.
The miserable Mumbo Jumbo they
paraded.
Dickens.
Mum"-chance` (?), n. 1.
A game of hazard played with cards in silence. [Obs. or
Prov. Eng.] Decker.
2. A silent, stupid person. [Prov.
Eng.] Halliwell.
Mum"-chance`, a. Silent and
idle. [Colloq.]
Boys can't sit mum-chance always.
J. H. Ewing.
Mumm (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Mummed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mumming.] [D. mimmen to mask, mom a mask; akin
to G. mumme disguise; prob. of imitative origin, and akin to
E. mum, mumble, in allusion to the indistinctness of
speech occasioned by talking from behind a mask. Cf. Mumble,
Mummery.] To sport or make diversion in a mask or
disguise; to mask.
With mumming and with masking all
around.
Spenser.
Mumm"er (?), n. [Cf. OF.
mommeur. See Mumm, and cf. Momier.] One who
mumms, or makes diversion in disguise; a masker; a buffon.
Jugglers and dancers, antics,
mummers.
Milton.
Mum"mer*y (?), n.; pl.
Mummeries (#). [F. momerie, of Dutch or
German origin. See Mumm.] 1. Masking;
frolic in disguise; buffoonery.
The mummery of foreign strollers.
Fenton.
2. Farcical show; hypocritical disguise and
parade or ceremonies. Bacon.
Mum"mi*chog (?), n. [Amer. Indian
name.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of small
American cyprinodont fishes of the genus Fundulus, and of
allied genera; the killifishes; -- called also minnow.
[Written also mummychog, mummachog.]
Mum`mi*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [See
Mummify.] The act of making a mummy.
Mum"mi*fied (?), a. Converted into
a mummy or a mummylike substance; having the appearance of a mummy;
withered.
Mum"mi*form (?), a. [Mummy +
-form.] Having some resemblance to a mummy; -- in
zoölogy, said of the pupæ of certain insects.
Mum"mi*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mummified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mummifying (?).] [Mummy + -fy: cf. F.
momifier.] To embalm and dry as a mummy; to make into, or
like, a mummy. Hall (1646).
Mum"my (mŭm"m&ybreve;), n.;
pl. Mummies (#). [F. momie; cf. Sp. &
Pg. momia, It. mummia; all fr. Per.
mūmiyā, fr. mūm wax.]
1. A dead body embalmed and dried after the
manner of the ancient Egyptians; also, a body preserved, by any
means, in a dry state, from the process of putrefaction.
Bacon.
2. Dried flesh of a mummy. [Obs.]
Sir. J. Hill.
3. A gummy liquor that exudes from embalmed
flesh when heated; -- formerly supposed to have magical and medicinal
properties. [Obs.] Shak. Sir T. Herbert.
4. A brown color obtained from bitumen. See
Mummy brown (below).
5. (Gardening) A sort of wax used in
grafting, etc.
6. One whose affections and energies are
withered.
Mummy brown, a brown color, nearly
intermediate in tint between burnt umber and raw umber. A pigment of
this color is prepared from bitumen, etc., obtained from Egyptian
tombs. -- Mummy wheat (Bot.), wheat
found in the ancient mummy cases of Egypt. No botanist now believes
that genuine mummy wheat has been made to germinate in modern
times. -- To beat to a mummy, to beat to a
senseless mass; to beat soundly.
Mum"my, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mummied (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mummying.] To embalm; to mummify.
Mum"my*chog (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Mummichog.
Mump (?), v. i. [Akin to mumble;
cf. D. mompen to cheat; perh. orig., to whine like a beggar,
D. mompelen to mumble. See Mumble, Mum, and cf.
Mumps.] 1. To move the lips with the
mouth closed; to mumble, as in sulkiness.
He mumps, and lovers, and hangs the
lip.
Taylor, 1630.
2. To talk imperfectly, brokenly, or feebly;
to chatter unintelligibly.
3. To cheat; to deceive; to play the
beggar.
And then when mumping with a sore leg, . . .
canting and whining.
Burke.
4. To be sullen or sulky. [Prov.
Eng.]
Mump, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mumped (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mumping.] 1. To utter imperfectly,
brokenly, or feebly.
Old men who mump their passion.
Goldsmith.
2. To work over with the mouth; to mumble;
as, to mump food.
3. To deprive of (something) by cheating; to
impose upon.
Mump"er (?), n. A beggar; a
begging impostor.
Deceived by the tales of a Lincoln's Inn
mumper.
Macaulay.
Mump"ish, a. Sullen, sulky.
-- Mump"ish*ly, adv. --
Mump"ish*ness, n.
Mumps (?), n. [Prov. E. mump to
be sulky. Cf. Mump, Mumble, and Mum.]
1. pl. Sullenness; silent displeasure;
the sulks. Skinner.
2. [Prob. so called from the patient's
appearance.] (Med.) A specific infectious febrile
disorder characterized by a nonsuppurative inflammation of the
parotid glands; epidemic or infectious parotitis.
Mun (?), n. [See Mouth.]
The mouth. [Obs.]
One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns,
Butter them and sugar them and put them in your
muns.
Old Rhyme. Halliwell.
Munch (?), v. t. & i. [imp. &
p. p. Munched (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Munching.] [Prob. akin to mumble: cf. also F.
manger to eat (cf. Mange), and mâcher to
cher (cf. Masticate). See Mumble.] To chew with a
grinding, crunching sound, as a beast chews provender; to chew
deliberately or in large mouthfuls. [Formerly written also
maunch and mounch.]
I could munch your good dry oats.
Shak.
Mun*chau"sen*ism (?), n. [So called in
allusion to Baron Munchausen's extravagant tales of travel.]
An extravagant fiction embodying an account of some marvelous
exploit or adventure.
Munch"er (?), n. One who
munches.
Mund (?), n. See
Mun.
Mun"dane (?), a. [L. mundanus,
fr. mundus the world, an implement, toilet adornments, or
dress; cf. mundus, a., clean, neat, Skr.
ma&nsdot;&dsdot; to adorn, dress, ma&nsdot;&dsdot;a
adornment. Cf. Monde, Mound in heraldry.] Of or
pertaining to the world; worldly; earthly; terrestrial; as, the
mundane sphere. -- Mun"dane*ly,
adv.
The defilement of mundane
passions.
I. Taylor.
Mun*dan"i*ty (?), n.
Worldliness. [Obs.]
Mun*da"tion (?), n. [L.
mundatio, fr. mundare to make clean.] The act of
cleansing. [Obs.]
Mun"da*to*ry (?), a. [L.
mundatorius.] Cleansing; having power to cleanse.
[Obs.]
Mun"dic (?), n. Iron pyrites, or
arsenical pyrites; -- so called by the Cornish miners.
Mun*dif"i*cant (?), a. [L.
mundificans, p. pr. of mundificare to make clean, fr.
mundus clean + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -
fy.] Serving to cleanse and heal. --
n. A mundificant ointment or
plaster.
Mun`di*fi*ca"tion (?), n. The act
or operation of cleansing.
Mun*dif"i*ca*tive (?), a.
Cleansing. -- n. A detergent
medicine or preparation.
Mun"di*fy (?), v. t. [Cf. F.
mondifier, L. mundificare. See Mundificant.]
To cleanse. [Obs.]
Mun"dil (?), n. A turban
ornamented with an imitation of gold or silver embroidery.
Mun*div"a*gant (?), a. [L.
mundus the world + vagans wandering, p. pr. of
vagari. See Vagary.] Wandering over the
world. [R.]
Mun*dun"gus (?), n. [Cf. Sp.
mondongo paunch, tripe, black pudding.] A stinking
tobacco.
Mu"ner*a*ry (?), a. [L.
munerarius, from munus a gift.] Having the nature
of a gift. [Obs.]
Mu"ner*ate (?), v. t. [L.
muneratus, p. p. of munerare to give, bestow, fr.
munus a gift.] To remunerate.
Mu`ner*a"tion (?), n. [L.
muneratio.] Remuneration. [Obs.]
Mung (mŭng), n. [Hind.
mūng.] (Bot.) Green gram, a kind of pulse
(Phaseolus Mungo), grown for food in British India.
Balfour (Cyc. of India).
Mun"ga (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Bonnet monkey, under Bonnet.
Mung"corn` (?), n. Same as
Mangcorn.
Mun"go (?), n. A fibrous material
obtained by deviling rags or the remnants of woolen goods.
&fist; Mungo properly signifies the disintegrated rags of
woolen cloth, as distinguished from those of worsted, which form
shoddy. The distinction is very commonly disregarded. Beck
(Draper's Dict. ).
{ Mun"goose, Mun"goos } (?),
n. (Zoöl.) See
Mongoose.
Mun"grel (?), n. & a. See
Mongrel.
Mu*nic"i*pal (?), a. [L.
municipalis, fr. municipium a town, particularly in
Italy, which possessed the right of Roman citizenship, but was
governed by its own laws, a free town, fr. municeps an
inhabitant of a free town, a free citizen; munia official
duties, functions + capere to take: cf. F. municipal.
Cf. Immunity, and Capacoius.] 1.
Of or pertaining to a city or a corporation having the right of
administering local government; as, municipal rights;
municipal officers.
2. Of or pertaining to a state, kingdom, or
nation.
Municipal law is properly defined to be a rule
of civil conduct prescribed by the supreme power in a
state.
Blackstone.
Mu*nic"i*pal*ism (?), n. Municipal
condition.
Mu*nic`i*pal"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Municipalities (#). [Cf. F.
municipalité.] A municipal district; a borough,
city, or incorporated town or village.
Mu*nic"i*pal*ly (?), adv. In a
municipal relation or condition.
Mu*nif"ic (?), a. [See
Munificent.] Munificent; liberal. [Obs. or R.]
Mu*nif"i*cate (?), v. t. [L.
munificatus, p. p. of munificare to present with a
thing, fr. munificus. See Munificent.] To
enrich. [Obs.]
Mu*nif"i*cence (?), n. [Cf. L.
munire to fortify.] Means of defense;
fortification. [Obs.] Spenser.
Mu*nif"i*cence, n. [L.
munificentia: cf. F. munificence.] The quality or
state of being munificent; a giving or bestowing with extraordinary
liberality; generous bounty; lavish generosity.
The virtues of liberality and
munificence.
Addison.
Syn. -- Benevolence; beneficence; liberality; generosity;
bounty; bounteousness. See Benevolence.
Mu*nif"i*cent (?), a. [L.
munificus; munus service, gift + -ficare (in
comp.) to make. Cf. Immunity, -fy.] Very liberal
in giving or bestowing; lavish; as, a munificent
benefactor. -- Mu*nif"i*cent*ly,
adv.
Syn. -- Bounteous; bountiful; liberal; generous.
Mu"ni*fy (?), v. t. & i. [See
Munificate.] To prepare for defense; to fortify.
[Obs.]
Mu"ni*ment (?), n. [L.
munimentum, fr. munire to fortify. See
Munition.] 1. The act of supporting or
defending. [Obs.]
2. That which supports or defends;
stronghold; place or means of defense; munition; assistance.
"Other muniments and petty helps." Shak.
3. (Law) A record; the evidences or
writings whereby a man is enabled to defend the title to his estate;
title deeds and papers. Blount.
Muniment house or room,
that room in a cathedral, castle, or other public building, which
is used for keeping the records, charters, seals, deeds, and the
like. Gwilt.
Mu*nite" (?), v. t. [L. munitus,
p. p. of munire to wall, fortify.] To fortify; to
strengthen. [Obs.]
Mu*ni"tion (?), n. [F., munition of
war, L. munitio a fortifying, fortification, fr. munire
to fortify, defend with a wall; cf. moenia walls, murus
(for moirus) a wall, and Skr. mi to fix, make firm.
Cf. Ammunition.] 1. Fortification;
stronghold. [Obs.]
His place of defense shall be the munitions of
rocks.
Is. xxxiii. 16.
2. Whatever materials are used in war for
defense or for annoying an enemy; ammunition; also, stores and
provisions; military stores of all kinds.
The bodies of men, munition, and money, may
justly be called the sinews of war.
Sir W.
Raleigh.
Mu"ni*ty (?), n. [See Immunity.]
Freedom; security; immunity. [Obs.] W.
Montagu.
Mun*jeet" (?), n. [Hind.
majī&tsdot;h a drug used for dyeing red.] See
Indian madder, under Madder.
Mun"jis*tin (?), n. (Chem.)
An orange-red coloring substance resembling alizarin, found in
the root of an East Indian species of madder (Rubia
munjista).
Mun"nion (?), n. See
Mullion.
{ Mun"tin (?), Mun"ting (?), }
n. [CF. Montant.] (Arch.) Same
as Mullion; -- especially used in joiner's work.
Munt"jac (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Any one of several species of small Asiatic deer of the genus
Cervulus, esp. C. muntjac, which occurs both in India
and on the East Indian Islands. [Written also
muntjak.]
Muntz" met`al (?). See under Metal.
||Mu*ræ"na (?), n. [L., fr. Gr.
&?;.] (Zoöl.) A genus of large eels of the family
Murænidæ. They differ from the common eel in
lacking pectoral fins and in having the dorsal and anal fins
continuous. The murry (Muræna Helenæ) of Southern
Europe was the muræna of the Romans. It is highly valued as a
food fish.
{ Mu*ræ"noid, Mu*re"noid } (?),
a. [NL. Muræna, the generic name +
-oid.] (Zoöl.) Like or pertaining to the
genus Muræna, or family Murænidæ.
Mu"rage (?), n. [F., fr. murer
to wall, fr. mur wall, L. murus. See Mure a
wall.] A tax or toll paid for building or repairing the walls of
a fortified town.
Mu"ral (?), a. [F., fr. L.
muralis, fr. murus wall. See Mure a wall.]
1. Of or pertaining to a wall; being on, or in,
a wall; growing on, or against, a wall; as, a mural
quadrant. "Mural breach." Milton. "Mural
fruit." Evelyn.
2. Resembling a wall; perpendicular or steep;
as, a mural precipice.
Mural circle (Astron.), a graduated
circle, in the plane of the meridian, attached permanently to a
perpendicular wall; -- used for measuring arcs of the meridian. See
Circle, n., 3. -- Mural
crown (Rom. Antiq.), a golden crown, or circle
of gold indented so as to resemble a battlement, bestowed on him who
first mounted the wall of a besieged place, and there lodged a
standard.
Mur"der (mûr"d&etilde;r), n. [OE.
morder, morther, AS. morðor, fr.
morð murder; akin to D. moord, OS. morð,
G., Dan., & Sw. mord, Icel. morð, Goth.
maúrþr, OSlav. mrēti to die, Lith.
mirti, W. marw dead, L. mors, mortis,
death, mori, moriri, to die, Gr. broto`s
(for mroto`s) mortal, 'a`mbrotos immortal, Skr.
m&rsdot; to die, m&rsdot;ta death. √105. Cf.
Amaranth, Ambrosia, Mortal.] The offense of
killing a human being with malice prepense or aforethought, express
or implied; intentional and unlawful homicide. "Mordre
will out." Chaucer.
The killing of their children had, in the account of
God, the guilt of murder, as the offering them to idols had
the guilt of idolatry.
Locke.
Slaughter grows murder when it goes too
far.
Dryden.
&fist; Murder in the second degree, in most jurisdictions,
is a malicious homicide committed without a specific intention to
take life. Wharton.
Mur"der, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Murdered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Murdering.] [OE. mortheren, murtheren, AS.
myrðrian; akin to OHG. murdiren, Goth.
maúrþrjan. See Murder,
n.] 1. To kill with
premediated malice; to kill (a human being) willfully, deliberately,
and unlawfully. See Murder, n.
2. To destroy; to put an end to.
[Canst thou] murder thy breath in middle of a
word?
Shak.
3. To mutilate, spoil, or deform, as if with
malice or cruelty; to mangle; as, to murder the king's
English.
Syn. -- To kill; assassinate; slay. See Kill.
Mur"der*er (mûr"d&etilde;r*&etilde;r),
n. 1. One guilty of murder; a
person who, in possession of his reason, unlawfully kills a human
being with premeditated malice.
2. A small cannon, formerly used for clearing
a ship's decks of boarders; -- called also murdering
piece. [Obs.]
Mur"der*ess, n. A woman who
commits murder.
Mur"der*ment (?), n. Murder.
[Obs.] Farfax.
Mur"der*ous (?), a. Of or
pertaining to murder; characterized by, or causing, murder or
bloodshed; having the purpose or quality of murder; bloody;
sanguinary; as, the murderous king; murderous rapine;
murderous intent; a murderous assault.
"Murderous coward." Shak. -- Mur"der*ous*ly,
adv.
Syn. -- Bloody; sanguinary; bloodguilty; bloodthirsty;
fell; savage; cruel.
Mur"dress (?), n. A battlement in
ancient fortifications with interstices for firing through.
Mure (?), n. [L. murus; or F.
mur, fr. L. murus. Cf. Munition.] A
wall. [Obs.] Shak.
Mure, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mured (?).] [F. murer, L. murare.
See Mure, n.] To inclose in walls; to
wall; to immure; to shut up. Spenser.
The five kings are mured in a
cave.
John. x. (Heading).
Mu"ren*ger (?), n. One who had
charge of the wall of a town, or its repairs.
||Mu"rex (?), n.; pl.
Murices (#). [L., the purple fish.]
(Zoöl.) A genus of marine gastropods, having rough,
and frequently spinose, shells, which are often highly colored
inside; the rock shells. They abound in tropical seas.
Mu*rex"an (?), n. [From
Murexide.] (Chem.) A complex nitrogenous substance
obtained from murexide, alloxantin, and other ureids, as a white, or
yellowish, crystalline which turns red on exposure to the air; --
called also uramil, dialuramide, and formerly
purpuric acid.
Mu*rex"ide (?), n. [L. murex the
purple fish, purple.] (Chem.) A crystalline nitrogenous
substance having a splendid dichroism, being green by reflected light
and garnet-red by transmitted light. It was formerly used in dyeing
calico, and was obtained in a large quantities from guano. Formerly
called also ammonium purpurate.
Mu*rex"o*ïn (?), n. (Chem.)
A complex nitrogenous compound obtained as a scarlet crystalline
substance, and regarded as related to murexide.
Mu"ri*ate (?), n. [See
Muriatic.] (Chem.) A salt of muriatic hydrochloric
acid; a chloride; as, muriate of ammonia.
&fist; This term, as also the word muriatic, was formerly
applied to the chlorides before their true composition was
understood, and while they were erroneously supposed to be compounds
of an acid with an oxide. Muriate and muriatic are
still occasionally used as commercial terms, but are obsolete in
scientific language.
Mu"ri*a`ted (?), a. 1.
Put in brine. Evelyn.
2. (Chem.) Combined or impregnated
with muriatic or hydrochloric acid.
3. (Photog.) Prepared with chloride of
silver through the agency of common salt.
Mu`ri*at"ic (?), a. [L.
muriaticus pickled, from muria brine: cf. F.
muriatique.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or
obtained from, sea salt, or from chlorine, one of the constituents of
sea salt; hydrochloric.
Muriatic acid, hydrochloric acid, HCl; --
formerly called also marine acid, and spirit of salt.
See hydrochloric, and the Note under Muriate.
Mu`ri*a*tif"er*ous (?), a.
[Muriatic + -ferous.] (Old Chem.) Producing
muriatic substances or salt. [Obs.]
{ Mu"ri*cate (?), Mu"ri*ca`ted (?), }
a. [L. muricatus, fr. murex a pointed
rock or stone.] Formed with sharp points; full of sharp points
or of pickles; covered, or roughened, as a surface, with sharp points
or excrescences.
Mu"ri*coid (?), a. [Murex + -
oid.] (Zoöl.) Like, or pertaining to, the genus
Murex, or family Muricidæ.
Mu*ric"u*late (?), a. Minutely
muricate.
Mu"ride (?), n. [L. muria
brine.] (Old Chem.) Bromine; -- formerly so called from
its being obtained from sea water.
Mu"ri*form (?), a. [L. murus a
wall + -form.] (Bot.) Resembling courses of bricks
or stones in squareness and regular arrangement; as, a
muriform variety of cellular tissue.
Mu"rine (?), a. [L. murinus,
from mus, muris, mouse: cf. F. murin.]
(Zoöl.) Pertaining to a family of rodents
(Muridæ), of which the mouse is the type.
Mu"rine, n. (Zoöl.)
One of a tribe of rodents, of which the mouse is the
type.
Mu"rin*ger (?), n. See
Murenger. Jacob.
Murk (?), a. [See Murky.]
Dark; murky.
He can not see through the mantle
murk.
J. R. Drake.
Murk, n. Darkness; mirk.
[Archaic] Shak.
Murk, n. The refuse of fruit,
after the juice has been expressed; marc.
Murk"i*ly (?), adv. Darkly;
gloomily.
Murk"i*ness, n. The state of being
murky.
Murk"y (?), a.
[Compar. Murkier (?);
superl. Murkiest.] [OE. mirke,
merke, AS. myrce, mirce; akin to Icel.
myrkr, Dan. & Sw. mörk.] Dark; obscure;
gloomy. "The murkiest den." Shak.
A murky deep lowering o'er our
heads.
Addison.
Mur"lins (?), n. (Bot.) A
seaweed. See Baddrelocks.
Mur"mur (?), n. [F. murmure: cf.
L. murmur. CF. Murmur, v. i.]
1. A low, confused, and indistinct sound, like
that of running water.
2. A complaint half suppressed, or uttered in
a low, muttering voice. Chaucer.
Some discontents there are, some idle
murmurs.
Dryden.
Mur"mur, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Murmured (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Murmuring.] [F. murmurer, L. murmurare,
murmurari, fr. murmur murmur; cf. Gr.&?; to roar and
boil, said of water, Skr. marmara a rustling sound; prob. of
imitative origin.] 1. To make a low continued
noise, like the hum of bees, a stream of water, distant waves, or the
wind in a forest.
They murmured as doth a swarm of
bees.
Chaucer.
2. To utter complaints in a low, half-
articulated voice; to feel or express dissatisfaction or discontent;
to grumble; -- often with at or against. "His
disciples murmured at it." John vi. 61.
And all the children of Israel murmured against
Moses and against Aaron.
Num. xiv. 2.
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also
murmured.
1 Cor. x. 10.
Mur"mur, v. t. To utter or give
forth in low or indistinct words or sounds; as, to murmur
tales. Shak.
The people murmured such things concerning
him.
John vii. 32.
Mur`mur*a"tion (?), n. [L.
murmuratio.] The act of murmuring; a murmur. [Obs.]
Skelton.
Mur"mur*er (?), n. One who
murmurs.
Mur"mur*ing, a. & n. Uttering
murmurs; making low sounds; complaining. --
Mur"mur*ing*ly, adv.
Mur"mur*ous (?), a. [Cf. L.
murmuriosus, OF. murmuros.] Attended with murmurs;
exciting murmurs or complaint; murmuring. [Archaic or
Poetic]
The lime, a summer home of murmurous
wings.
Tennyson.
Mur"ni*val (?), n. [Perh. fr. F.
mornifle a game at cards.] In the game of gleek, four
cards of the same value, as four aces or four kings; hence, four of
anything. [Obs.] [Written also mournival.]
Mur"phy (?), n. A potato.
[Humorous] Thackeray.
Murr (?), n. [Prob. abbrev. from
murrain.] A catarrh. [Obs.] Gascoigne.
Mur"rain (?), n. [OE. moreine,
OF. morine, fr. OF. morir, murir, 8die, L.
mori, moriri.] (Far.) An infectious and
fatal disease among cattle. Bacon.
A murrain on you, may you be afflicted with
a pestilent disease. Shak.
Mur"rain, a. Having, or afflicted
with, murrain.
Mur"ray*in (?), n. (Chem.)
A glucoside found in the flowers of a plant (Murraya
exotica) of South Asia, and extracted as a white amorphous
slightly bitter substance.
Murre (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Any one of several species of sea birds of the genus
Uria, or Catarractes; a guillemot.
&fist; The murres are allied to the auks, and are abundant on the
northern coasts of Europe and America. They often breed in large
communities on the projecting ledges of precipituous cliffs, laying
one or two large eggs on the bare rocks.
Murre"let (?), n. [Murre + -
let.] (Zoöl.) One of several species of sea
birds of the genera Synthliboramphus and Brachyramphus,
inhabiting the North Pacific. They are closely related to the
murres.
Mur"rey (?), n. [OF.
morée a dark red color, mor blackish brown, fr.
L. morum mulberry, blackberry, or fr. Maurus a Moor.
Cf. Mulberry, Moor, Morelle.] A dark red
color. -- a. Of a dark red color.
Bacon.
Mur"rhine (?), a. [L. murrhinus,
fr. murrha: cf. F. murrhin.] Made of the stone or
material called by the Romans murrha; -- applied to certain
costly vases of great beauty and delicacy used by the luxurious in
Rome as wine cups; as, murrhine vases, cups,
vessels.
Murrhine glass, glassware made in imitation
of murrhine vases and cups.
Mur"ri*on (?), a. [See Murrain.]
Infected with or killed by murrain. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mur"ri*on, n. A morion. See
Morion.
Mur"ry (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Muræna.
Murth (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
Plenty; abundance. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Mur"ther (?), n. & v. Murder,
n. & v. [Obs. or Prov.]
"The treason of the murthering." Chaucer.
Mur"ther*er (?), n. A
murderer. [Obs. or Prov.]
Mur"za (?), n. One of the
hereditary nobility among the Tatars, esp. one of the second
class.
&fist; This word must not be confounded with the Persian
Mirza, though perhaps of the same origin.
||Mus (?), n.; pl.
Mures (#). [L., a mouse.] (Zoöl.)
A genus of small rodents, including the common mouse and
rat.
||Mu"sa (?), n.; pl.
Musæ (#). [NL., fr. Ar. mauz,
mauza, banana.] (Bot.) A genus of perennial,
herbaceous, endogenous plants of great size, including the banana
(Musa sapientum), the plantain (M. paradisiaca of
Linnæus, but probably not a distinct species), the Abyssinian
(M. Ensete), the Philippine Island (M. textilis, which
yields Manila hemp), and about eighteen other species. See
Illust. of Banana and Plantain.
Mu*sa"ceous (?), a. Of, pertaining
to, or resembling, plants of the genus Musa.
Mus"al (?), a. Of or pertaining to
the Muses, or to Poetry. [R.]
Mu*sang" (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A small animal of Java (Paradoxirus fasciatus), allied to
the civets. It swallows, but does not digest, large quantities of
ripe coffee berries, thus serving to disseminate the coffee plant;
hence it is called also coffee rat.
Mu"sar (?), n. An itinerant player
on the musette, an instrument formerly common in Europe.
Mu"sard (?), n. [F., fr. muser
to loiter, trifle. See Muse, v. i.] A
dreamer; an absent-minded person. [Obs.] Rom. of R.
||Mus"ca (?), n.; pl.
Muscæ (#). [L., a fly.] 1.
(Zoöl.) A genus of dipterous insects, including the
common house fly, and numerous allied species.
&fist; Formerly, a large part of the Diptera were included under
the genus Musca.
2. (Astron.) A small constellation
situated between the Southern Cross and the Pole.
||Muscæ volitantes (&?;). [L., flying
flies.] (Med.) Specks or filaments apparently seen moving
or gliding about in the field of vision. Their appearance is often a
symptom of disease of the eye, or of disorder of the nervous
system.
Mus"ca*del` (?), n. [It.
moscadello, moscatello, LL. muscatellum or
muscadellum (sc. vinum), fr. muscatellus
nutmeglike, dim. of muscatus smelling like musk,
muscatum and muscata (sc. nux) nutmeg: cf. F.
muscadelle, fr. Italian. See Musk and cf.
Moschatel, Muscardin, Muscat, Nutmeg.]
See Muscatel, n.
Quaffed off the muscadel.
Shak.
Mus"ca*dine (?), n. [See
Muscadel.] 1. (Bot.) A name given
to several very different kinds of grapes, but in America used
chiefly for the scuppernong, or southern fox grape, which is said to
be the parent stock of the Catawba. See Grapevine.
2. (Bot.) A fragrant and delicious
pear.
3. (Zoöl.) See
Muscardin.
Northern muscadine (Bot.), a
derivative of the northern fox grape, and scarcely an improvement
upon it. -- Royal muscadine (Bot.),
a European grape of great value. Its berries are large, round,
and of a pale amber color. Called also golden
chasselas.
||Mus*ca"les (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L.
muscus moss.] (Bot.) An old name for mosses in the
widest sense, including the true mosses and also hepaticæ and
sphagna.
Mus"cal*longe (?), n.
(Zoöl.) See Muskellunge.
Mus"car*din (?), n. [F., fr.
muscadin a musk-scented lozenge, fr. muscade nutmeg,
fr. L. muscus musk. See Muscadel.] (Zoöl.)
The common European dormouse; -- so named from its odor.
[Written also muscadine.]
Mus`car*dine" (?), n. [F.] A
disease which is very destructive to silkworms, and which sometimes
extends to other insects. It is attended by the development of a
fungus (provisionally called Botrytis bassiana). Also, the
fungus itself.
Mus*car"i*form (?), a. [L.
muscarium fly brush + -form.] Having the form of a
brush.
Mus*ca"rin (?), n. (Physiol.
Chem.) A solid crystalline substance,
C5H13NO2, found in the toadstool
(Agaricus muscarius), and in putrid fish. It is a typical
ptomaine, and a violent poison.
Mus"cat (?), n. [F. See
Muscadel.] (Bot.) A name given to several
varieties of Old World grapes, differing in color, size, etc., but
all having a somewhat musky flavor. The muscat of Alexandria is a
large oval grape of a pale amber color. [Written also
muskat.]
Mus"ca*tel` (?), a. Of, pertaining
to, or designating, or derived from, a muscat grapes or similar
grapes; as, muscatel grapes; muscatel wine,
etc.
Mus"ca*tel`, n. 1.
A common name for several varieties of rich sweet wine, made in
Italy, Spain, and France.
2. pl. Finest raisins, dried on the
vine; "sun raisins."
[Variously written moscatel, muscadel, etc.]
||Musch"el*kalk` (?), n. [G., from
muschel shell + kalk limestone.] (Geol.) A
kind of shell limestone, whose strata form the middle one of the
three divisions of the Triassic formation in Germany. See
Chart, under Geology.
||Mus"ci (?), n. pl. [L. muscus
moss.] (Bot.) An order or subclass of cryptogamous
plants; the mosses. See Moss, and
Cryptogamia.
Mus*cic"a*pine (?), a. [L. musca
a fly + capere to catch.] (Zoöl.) Of or
pertaining to the Muscicapidæ, a family of birds that
includes the true flycatchers.
Mus"cid (?), n. Any fly of the
genus Musca, or family Muscidæ.
Mus"ci*form (?), a. [Musca +
-form.] (Zoöl.) Having the form or structure
of flies of the genus Musca, or family
Muscidæ.
Mus"ci*form, a. [Muscus + -
form.] (Bot.) Having the appearance or form of a
moss.
Mus"cle (?), n. [F., fr. L.
musculus a muscle, a little mouse, dim. of mus a mouse.
See Mouse, and cf. sense 3 (below).] 1.
(Anat.) (a) An organ which, by its
contraction, produces motion. See Illust. of Muscles of
the Human Body, in Appendix. (b) The contractile
tissue of which muscles are largely made up.
&fist; Muscles are of two kinds, striated and
nonstriated. The striated muscles, which, in most of the
higher animals, constitute the principal part of the flesh, exclusive
of the fat, are mostly under the control of the will, or
voluntary, and are made up of great numbers of elongated
fibres bound together into bundles and inclosed in a sheath of
connective tissue, the perimysium. Each fiber is inclosed in a
delicate membrane (the sarcolemma), is made up of alternate
segments of lighter and darker material which give it a transversely
striated appearance, and contains, scattered through its substance,
protoplasmic nuclei, the so-called muscle corpuscles.
The nonstriated muscles are involuntary. They constitute
a large part of the walls of the alimentary canal, blood vessels,
uterus, and bladder, and are found also in the iris, skin, etc. They
are made up of greatly elongated cells, usually grouped in bundles or
sheets.
2. Muscular strength or development; as, to
show one's muscle by lifting a heavy weight.
[Colloq.]
3. [AS. muscle, L. musculus a
muscle, mussel. See above.] (Zoöl.) See
Mussel.
Muscle curve (Physiol.), contraction
curve of a muscle; a myogram; the curve inscribed, upon a prepared
surface, by means of a myograph when acted upon by a contracting
muscle. The character of the curve represents the extent of the
contraction.
Mus"cled (?), a. Furnished with
muscles; having muscles; as, things well muscled.
Mus"cling (?), n. (Fine Arts)
Exhibition or representation of the muscles. [R.]
A good piece, the painters say, must have good
muscling, as well as coloring and drapery.
Shaftesbury.
Mus*co"gees (?), n. pl. See
Muskogees.
Mus"coid (?), a. [Muscus + -
oid: cf. F. muscoide.] (Bot.) Mosslike;
resembling moss.
Mus"coid, n. (Bot.) A term
formerly applied to any mosslike flowerless plant, with a distinct
stem, and often with leaves, but without any vascular
system.
Mus*col"o*gy (?), n. [Muscus +
-logy.] Bryology.
Mus*cos"i*ty (?), n. [L.
muscosus mossy, fr. muscus moss.] Mossiness.
Jonhson.
Mus`co*va"do (?), a. [Corrupted fr. Sp.
mascabado; cf. Pg. mascavado, F. moscouade, n.,
formerly also mascovade, It. mascavato.]
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, unrefined or raw sugar,
obtained from the juice of the sugar cane by evaporating and draining
off the molasses. Muscovado sugar contains impurities which render it
dark colored and moist.
Mus`co*va"do, n. Unrefined or raw
sugar.
Mus"co*vite (?), n. [See Muscovy
glass.] 1. A native or inhabitant of Muscovy
or ancient Russia; hence, a Russian.
2. (Min.) Common potash mica. See
Mica.
Mus"co*vy duck` (?). [A corruption of musk duck.]
(Zoöl.) A duck (Cairina moschata), larger
than the common duck, often raised in poultry yards. Called also
musk duck. It is native of tropical America, from Mexico to
Southern Brazil.
Mus"co*vy glass` (?). [From Muscovy, the old name
of Russia: cf. F. verre de Moscovie.] Mica; muscovite.
See Mica.
Mus"cu*lar (?), a. [Cf. F.
musculaire. See Muscle.] 1. Of or
pertaining to a muscle, or to a system of muscles; consisting of, or
constituting, a muscle or muscles; as, muscular
fiber.
Great muscular strength, accompanied by much
awkwardness.
Macaulay.
2. Performed by, or dependent on, a muscle or
the muscles. "The muscular motion."
Arbuthnot.
3. Well furnished with muscles; having well-
developed muscles; brawny; hence, strong; powerful; vigorous; as, a
muscular body or arm.
Muscular Christian, one who believes in a
part of religious duty to maintain a healthful and vigorous physical
state. T. Hughes. -- Muscular
Christianity. (a) The practice and
opinion of those Christians who believe that it is a part of
religious duty to maintain a vigorous condition of the body, and who
therefore approve of athletic sports and exercises as conductive to
good health, good morals, and right feelings in religious
matters. T. Hughes. (b) An active,
robust, and cheerful Christian life, as opposed to a meditative and
gloomy one. C. Kingsley. -- Muscular
excitability (Physiol.), that property in virtue
of which a muscle shortens, when it is stimulated; irritability.
-- Muscular sense (Physiol.), muscular
sensibility; the sense by which we obtain knowledge of the condition
of our muscles and to what extent they are contracted, also of the
position of the various parts of our bodies and the resistance
offering by external objects.
Mus`cu*lar"i*ty (?), n. The state
or quality of being muscular. Grew.
Mus"cu*lar*ize (?), v. t. To make
muscular. Lowell.
Mus"cu*lar*ly, adv. In a muscular
manner.
Mus`cu*la"tion (?), n. (Anat.)
The muscular system of an animal, or of any of its
parts.
Mus"cu*la*ture (?), n. [Cf. F.
musculature.] (Anat.) Musculation.
Mus"cule (?), n. [L. musculus:
cf. F. muscule.] (Mil.) A long movable shed used
by besiegers in ancient times in attacking the walls of a fortified
town.
Mus"cu*lin (?), n. [L. musculus
a muscle.] (Physiol. Chem.) See
Syntonin.
Mus`cu*lo*cu*ta"ne*ous (?), a. [L.
musculus + E. cutaneous.] (Anat.)
Pertaining both to muscles and skin; as, the
musculocutaneous nerve.
Mus`cu*lo*phren"ic (?), a. [L.
musculus muscle + E. phrenic.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to the muscles and the diaphragm; as, the
musculophrenic artery.
Mus`cu*los"i*ty (?), n. The
quality or state of being musculous; muscularity. [Obs.]
Mus`cu*lo*spi"ral (?), a. [L.
musculus muscle + E. spiral.] (Anat.) Of or
pertaining to the muscles, and taking a spiral course; -- applied
esp. to a large nerve of the arm.
Mus"cu*lous (?), a. [L.
musculosus: cf. F. musculeux.] Muscular.
[Obs.] Jonhson.
Muse (?), n. [From F. musse. See
Muset.] A gap or hole in a hedge, hence, wall, or the
like, through which a wild animal is accustomed to pass; a
muset.
Find a hare without a muse.
Old
Prov.
Muse, n. [F. Muse, L.
Musa, Gr. &?;. Cf. Mosaic, n.,
Music.] 1. (Class. Myth.) One of
the nine goddesses who presided over song and the different kinds of
poetry, and also the arts and sciences; -- often used in the
plural.
Granville commands; your aid, O Muses, bring:
What Muse for Granville can refuse to sing?
Pope.
&fist; The names of the Muses were Calliope, Clio,
Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polymnia or
Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and
Urania.
2. A particular power and practice of
poetry. Shak.
3. A poet; a bard. [R.]
Milton.
Muse, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Mused (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Musing.] [F. muser to loiter or trifle, orig., to stand
with open mouth, fr. LL. musus, morsus, muzzle, snout,
fr. L. morsus a biting, bite, fr. mordere to bite. See
Morsel, and cf. Amuse, Muzzle,
n.] 1. To think closely; to
study in silence; to meditate. "Thereon mused he."
Chaucer.
He mused upon some dangerous plot.
Sir P. Sidney.
2. To be absent in mind; to be so occupied in
study or contemplation as not to observe passing scenes or things
present; to be in a brown study. Daniel.
3. To wonder. [Obs.] Spenser.
B. Jonson.
Syn. -- To consider; meditate; ruminate. See
Ponder.
Muse, v. t. 1. To
think on; to meditate on.
Come, then, expressive Silence, muse his
praise.
Thomson.
2. To wonder at. [Obs.]
Shak.
Muse, n. 1.
Contemplation which abstracts the mind from passing scenes;
absorbing thought; hence, absence of mind; a brown study.
Milton.
2. Wonder, or admiration. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Muse"ful (?), a. Meditative;
thoughtfully silent. "Museful mopings." Dryden. -
- Muse"ful*ly, adv.
Muse"less, a. Unregardful of the
Muses; disregarding the power of poetry; unpoetical.
Milton.
Mus"er (?), n. One who
muses.
Mu"set (?), n. [OF. mussette,
dim. of musse, muce, a hiding place, fr. F.
musser, OF. mucier, muchier, to conceal, hide.
Cf. Micher.] A small hole or gap through which a wild
animal passes; a muse. Shak.
Mu*sette" (?), n. [F., dim. of OF.
muse.] 1. A small bagpipe formerly in
use, having a soft and sweet tone.
2. An air adapted to this instrument; also, a
kind of rustic dance.
Mu*se"um (?), n. [L., a temple of the
Muses, hence, a place of study, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a Muse.] A
repository or a collection of natural, scientific, or literary
curiosities, or of works of art.
Museum beetle, Museum pest.
(Zoöl.) See Anthrenus.
Mush (?), n. [Cf. Gael. mus,
muss, pap, porridge, any thick preparation of fruit, OHG.
muos; akin to AS. & OS. mōs food, and prob, to E.
meat. See Meat.] Meal (esp. Indian meal) boiled in
water; hasty pudding; supawn. [U.S.]
Mush, v. t. [Cf. F. moucheter to
cut with small cuts.] To notch, cut, or indent, as cloth, with a
stamp.
Mush"room (?), n. [OE.
muscheron, OF. mouscheron, F. mousseron; perhaps
fr. mousse moss, of German origin. See Moss.]
1. (Bot.) (a) An edible
fungus (Agaricus campestris), having a white stalk which bears
a convex or oven flattish expanded portion called the pileus.
This is whitish and silky or somewhat scaly above, and bears on the
under side radiating gills which are at first flesh-colored, but
gradually become brown. The plant grows in rich pastures and is
proverbial for rapidity of growth and shortness of duration. It has a
pleasant smell, and is largely used as food. It is also cultivated
from spawn. (b) Any large fungus,
especially one of the genus Agaricus; a toadstool. Several
species are edible; but many are very poisonous.
2. One who rises suddenly from a low
condition in life; an upstart. Bacon.
Mush"room, a. 1.
Of or pertaining to mushrooms; as, mushroom
catchup.
2. Resembling mushrooms in rapidity of growth
and shortness of duration; short-lived; ephemerial; as,
mushroom cities.
Mushroom anchor, an anchor shaped like a
mushroom, capable of grasping the ground in whatever way it
falls. -- Mushroom coral (Zoöl.),
any coral of the genus Fungia. See Fungia. --
Mushroom spawn (Bot.), the mycelium, or
primary filamentous growth, of the mushroom; also, cakes of earth and
manure containing this growth, which are used for propagation of the
mushroom.
Mush"room-head`ed (?), a. (Bot.)
Having a cylindrical body with a convex head of larger diameter;
having a head like that of a mushroom.
Mush"y (?), a. Soft like mush;
figuratively, good-naturedly weak and effusive; weakly
sentimental.
She 's not mushy, but her heart is
tender.
G. Eliot.
Mu"sic (?), n. [F. musique, fr.
L. musica, Gr. &?; (sc. &?;), any art over which the Muses
presided, especially music, lyric poetry set and sung to music, fr.
&?; belonging to Muses or fine arts, fr. &?; Muse.]
1. The science and the art of tones, or musical
sounds, i. e., sounds of higher or lower pitch, begotten of
uniform and synchronous vibrations, as of a string at various degrees
of tension; the science of harmonical tones which treats of the
principles of harmony, or the properties, dependences, and relations
of tones to each other; the art of combining tones in a manner to
please the ear.
&fist; Not all sounds are tones. Sounds may be
unmusical and yet please the ear. Music deals with
tones, and with no other sounds. See Tone.
2. (a) Melody; a rhythmical
and otherwise agreeable succession of tones.
(b) Harmony; an accordant combination of
simultaneous tones.
3. The written and printed notation of a
musical composition; the score.
4. Love of music; capacity of enjoying
music.
The man that hath no music in himself
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.
Shak.
5. (Zoöl.) A more or less musical
sound made by many of the lower animals. See
Stridulation.
Magic music, a game in which a person is
guided in finding a hidden article, or in doing a specific art
required, by music which is made more loud or rapid as he approaches
success, and slower as he recedes. Tennyson. --
Music box. See Musical box, under
Musical. -- Music hall, a place for
public musical entertainments. -- Music loft,
a gallery for musicians, as in a dancing room or a church. -
- Music of the spheres, the harmony supposed to
be produced by the accordant movement of the celestial spheres.
-- Music paper, paper ruled with the musical
staff, for the use of composers and copyists. -- Music
pen, a pen for ruling at one time the five lines of the
musical staff. -- Music shell
(Zoöl.), a handsomely colored marine gastropod shell
(Voluta musica) found in the East Indies; -- so called because
the color markings often resemble printed music. Sometimes applied to
other shells similarly marked. -- To face the
music, to meet any disagreeable necessity without
flinching. [Colloq. or Slang]
Mu"sic*al (?), a. [Cf. F.
musical.] Of or pertaining to music; having the qualities
of music; or the power of producing music; devoted to music;
melodious; harmonious; as, musical proportion; a
musical voice; musical instruments; a musical
sentence; musical persons.
Musical, or Music,
box, a box or case containing apparatus moved
by clockwork so as to play certain tunes automatically. --
Musical fish (Zoöl.), any fish
which utters sounds under water, as the drumfish, grunt, gizzard
shad, etc. -- Musical glasses, glass
goblets or bowls so tuned and arranged that when struck, or rubbed,
they produce musical notes. Cf. Harmonica, 1.
Mu"sic*al, n. 1.
Music. [Obs.]
To fetch home May with their
musical.
Spenser.
2. A social entertainment of which music is
the leading feature; a musical party. [Colloq.]
||Mu`si`cale" (?), n. [F. Cf.
Soirée musicale.] A social musical party.
[Colloq.]
Mu"sic*al*ly (?), adv. In a
musical manner.
Mu"sic*al*ness, n. The quality of
being musical.
Mu*si"cian (?), n. [F.
musicien.] One skilled in the art or science of music;
esp., a skilled singer, or performer on a musical
instrument.
Mu`si*co*ma"ni*a (?), n. [Music
+ mania: cf. F. musicomanie.] (Med.) A kind
of monomania in which the passion for music becomes so strong as to
derange the intellectual faculties. Dunglison.
Mus"i*mon (?), n. [See Musmon.]
(Zoöl.) See Mouflon.
Mus"ing*ly (?), adv. In a musing
manner.
Mu"sit (?), n. See
Muset.
Musk (?), n. [F. musc, L.
muscus, Per. musk, fr. Skr. mushka testicle,
orig., a little mouse. See Mouse, and cd. Abelmosk,
Muscadel, Muscovy duck, Nutmeg.]
1. A substance of a reddish brown color, and
when fresh of the consistence of honey, obtained from a bag being
behind the navel of the male musk deer. It has a slightly bitter
taste, but is specially remarkable for its powerful and enduring
odor. It is used in medicine as a stimulant antispasmodic. The term
is also applied to secretions of various other animals, having a
similar odor.
2. (Zoöl.) The musk deer. See
Musk deer (below).
3. The perfume emitted by musk, or any
perfume somewhat similar.
4. (Bot.) (a) The musk
plant (Mimulus moschatus). (b) A
plant of the genus Erodium (E. moschatum); -- called
also musky heron's-bill. (c) A
plant of the genus Muscari; grape hyacinth.
Musk beaver (Zoöl.), muskrat
(1). -- Musk beetle (Zoöl.), a
European longicorn beetle (Aromia moschata), having an
agreeable odor resembling that of attar of roses. --
Musk cat. See Bondar. --
Musk cattle (Zoöl.), musk oxen. See
Musk ox (below). -- Musk deer
(Zoöl.), a small hornless deer (Moschus
moschiferus), which inhabits the elevated parts of Central Asia.
The upper canine teeth of the male are developed into sharp tusks,
curved downward. The male has scent bags on the belly, from which the
musk of commerce is derived. The deer is yellow or red-brown above,
whitish below. The pygmy musk deer are chevrotains, as the kanchil
and napu. -- Musk duck. (Zoöl.)
(a) The Muscovy duck. (b)
An Australian duck (Biziura lobata). -- Musk
lorikeet (Zoöl.), the Pacific lorikeet
(Glossopsitta australis) of Australia. -- Musk
mallow (Bot.), a name of two malvaceous
plants: (a) A species of mallow (Malva
moschata), the foliage of which has a faint musky smell.
(b) An Asiatic shrub. See Abelmosk. -
- Musk orchis (Bot.), a European plant
of the Orchis family (Herminium Minorchis); -- so called from
its peculiar scent. -- Musk ox
(Zoöl.), an Arctic hollow-horned ruminant (Ovibos
moschatus), now existing only in America, but found fossil in
Europe and Asia. It is covered with a thick coat of fine yellowish
wool, and with long dark hair, which is abundant and shaggy on the
neck and shoulders. The full-grown male weighs over four hundred
pounds. -- Musk parakeet. (Zoöl.)
Same as Musk lorikeet (above). -- Musk
pear (Bot.), a fragrant kind of pear much
resembling the Seckel pear. -- Musk plant
(Bot.), the Mimulus moschatus, a plant found in
Western North America, often cultivated, and having a strong musky
odor. -- Musk root (Bot.), the name
of several roots with a strong odor, as that of the nard
(Nardostachys Jatamansi) and of a species of
Angelica. -- Musk rose (Bot.),
a species of rose (Rosa moschata), having peculiarly
fragrant white blossoms. -- Musk seed
(Bot.), the seed of a plant of the Mallow family
(Hibiscus moschatus), used in perfumery and in flavoring. See
Abelmosk. -- Musk sheep
(Zoöl.), the musk ox. -- Musk
shrew (Zoöl.), a shrew (Sorex
murinus), found in India. It has a powerful odor of musk. Called
also sondeli, and mondjourou. -- Musk
thistle (Bot.), a species of thistle (Carduus
nutans), having fine large flowers, and leaves smelling strongly
of musk. -- Musk tortoise, Musk
turtle (Zoöl.), a small American fresh-
water tortoise (Armochelys, or Ozotheca, odorata), which has a
distinct odor of musk; -- called also stinkpot.
Musk (mŭsk), v. t. To
perfume with musk.
Mus"ka*del` (mŭs"k&adot;*d&ebreve;l`),
n. See Muscadel.
Mus"kat (mŭs"kăt), n.
See Muscat.
Mus"kel*lunge (?), n. [From the Amer.
Indian name.] (Zoöl.) A large American pike (Esox
nobilior) found in the Great Lakes, and other Northern lakes, and
in the St. Lawrence River. It is valued as a food fish.
[Written also maskallonge, maskinonge,
muskallonge, muskellonge, and muskelunjeh.]
Mus"ket (?), n. [F. mousquet,
It. moschetto, formerly, a kind of hawk; cf. OF.
mousket, moschet, a kind of hawk falcon, F.
mouchet, prop., a little fly (the hawk prob. being named from
its size), fr. L. musca a fly. Cf. Mosquito.]
[Sometimes written also musquet.] 1.
(Zoöl.) The male of the sparrow hawk.
2. A species of firearm formerly carried by
the infantry of an army. It was originally fired by means of a match,
or matchlock, for which several mechanical appliances (including the
flintlock, and finally the percussion lock) were successively
substituted. This arm has been generally superseded by the
rifle.
Mus`ket*eer" (?), n. [F.
mousquetaire; cf. It. moschettiere.] A soldier
armed with a musket.
Mus*ke"to (?), n. See
Mosquito.
Mus`ket*oon" (?), n. [F.
mousqueton; cf. It. moschettone.] 1.
A short musket.
2. One who is armed with such a
musket.
Mus"ket*ry (?), n. [F.
mousqueterie; cf. It. moschetteria.] 1.
Muskets, collectively.
2. The fire of muskets.
Motley.
Musk"i*ness (?), n. The quality or
state of being musky; the scent of musk.
Musk"mel`on (?), n. [Musk +
melon.] (Bot.) The fruit of a cucurbitaceous plant
(Cucumis Melo), having a peculiar aromatic flavor, and
cultivated in many varieties, the principal sorts being the
cantaloupe (Cucumis Melo cantalupensis), of oval form
and yellowish flesh, and the smaller nutmeg melon with greenish
flesh. See Illust. of Melon.
Mus*ko"gees (?), n. pl.; sing.
Muskogee (&?;). (Ethnol.) A
powerful tribe of North American Indians that formerly occupied the
region of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. They constituted a large
part of the Creek confederacy. [Written also
Muscogees.]
Musk"rat` (?), n. 1.
(Zoöl.) A North American aquatic fur-bearing rodent
(Fiber zibethicus). It resembles a rat in color and having a
long scaly tail, but the tail is compressed, the hind feet are
webbed, and the ears are concealed in the fur. It has scent glands
which secrete a substance having a strong odor of musk. Called also
musquash, musk beaver, and ondatra.
2. (Zoöl.) The musk
shrew.
3. (Zoöl.) The desman.
Musk"wood` (?), n. [So called from its
fragrance.] (Bot.) (a) The wood of a West
Indian tree of the Mahogany family (Moschoxylum
Swartzii). (b) The wood of an
Australian tree (Eurybia argophylla).
Musk"y (?), a. Having an odor of
musk, or somewhat the like. Milton.
Mus"lim (?), n. See
Moslem.
Mus"lin (?), n. [F. mousseline;
cf. It. mussolino, mussolo, Sp. muselina; all
from Mussoul a city of Mesopotamia, Ar. Mausil, Syr.
Mauzol, Muzol, Mosul, where it was first
manufactured. Cf. Mull a kind of cloth.] A thin cotton,
white, dyed, or printed. The name is also applied to coarser and
heavier cotton goods; as, shirting and sheeting
muslins.
Muslin cambric. See Cambric. --
Muslin delaine, a light woolen fabric for
women's dresses. See Delaine. [Written also mousseline
de laine.]
Mus`lin*et" (?), n. [F.
mousselinette.] A sort of coarse or light cotton
cloth.
Mus"mon (?), n. [L. musmo,
musimo, a Sardinian animal; cf. Gr. moy`smwn.]
(Zoöl.) See Mouflon.
Mu`so*ma"ni*a (?), n. See
Musicomania.
Mus"quash (?), n. [American Indian
name.] (Zoöl.) See Muskrat.
Musquash root (Bot.), an
umbelliferous plant (Cicuta maculata), having a poisonous
root. See Water hemlock.
||Mus"quaw (?), n. [American Indian
name.] (Zoöl.) The American black bear. See
Bear.
Mus"quet (?), n. See
Musket.
Mus*qui"to (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Mosquito.
{ Mus"role, Mus"rol } (?), n.
[F. muserolle, fr. muserau a muzzle, OF. musel.
See Muzzle.] The nose band of a horse's bridle.
Muss (?), n. [Cf. OF. mousche a
fly, also, the play called muss, fr. L. musca a fly.]
A scramble, as when small objects are thrown down, to be taken
by those who can seize them; a confused struggle.
Shak.
Muss, n. A state of confusion or
disorder; -- prob. variant of mess, but influenced by
muss, a scramble. [Colloq. U.S.]
Muss, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mussed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mussing.] To disarrange, as clothing; to rumple.
[Colloq. U.S.]
Muss, n. [Cf. OE. mus a mouse.
See Mouse.] A term of endearment. [Obs.] See
Mouse. B. Jonson.
Mus"sel (?), n. [See Muscle, 3.]
1. (Zoöl.) Any one of many species
of marine bivalve shells of the genus Mytilus, and related
genera, of the family Mytidæ. The common mussel
(Mytilus edulis; see Illust. under Byssus), and
the larger, or horse, mussel (Modiola modiolus), inhabiting
the shores both of Europe and America, are edible. The former is
extensively used as food in Europe.
2. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous
species of Unio, and related fresh-water genera; -- called
also river mussel. See Naiad, and
Unio.
Mussel digger (Zoöl.), the
grayback whale. See Gray whale, under Gray.
Mus`si*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
mussitatio suppression of the voice, fr. mussitare to
be silent, to murmur.] A speaking in a low tone; mumbling.
[Obs.]
Mus"site (?), n. (Min.) A
variety of pyroxene, from the Mussa Alp in Piedmont;
diopside.
Mus"sul*man, n.; pl.
Mussulmans (#). [Ar. muslimīn, pl. of
muslim: cf. F. & Sp. musulman. See Moslem.]
A Mohammedan; a Moslem.
Mus`sul*man"ic (?), a. Of,
pertaining to, or like, the Mussulmans, or their customs:
Mohammedan.
Mus"sul*man*ish (?), a.
Mohammedan.
Mus"sul*man*ism (?), n.
Mohammedanism.
Mus"sul*man*ly, adv. In the manner
of Moslems.
Muss"y (?), a. [From 2d Muss.]
Disarranged; rumpled. [Colloq. U.S.]
Must (mŭst), v. i. or auxiliary.
[OE. moste, a pret. generally meaning, could, was free to,
pres. mot, moot, AS. mōste, pret.
mōt, pres.; akin to D. moetan to be obliged, OS.
mōtan to be free, to be obliged, OHG. muozan, G.
müssen to be obliged, Sw. måste must, Goth.
gamōtan to have place, have room, to able; of unknown
origin.] 1. To be obliged; to be necessitated; -
- expressing either physical or moral necessity; as, a man
must eat for nourishment; we must submit to the
laws.
2. To be morally required; to be necessary or
essential to a certain quality, character, end, or result; as, he
must reconsider the matter; he must have been
insane.
Likewise must the deacons be
grave.
1 Tim. iii. 8.
Morover, he [a bishop] must have a good report
of them which are without.
1 Tim. iii. 7.
&fist; The principal verb, if easily supplied by the mind, was
formerly often omitted when must was used; as, I must
away. "I must to Coventry." Shak.
Must, n. [AS. must, fr. L.
mustum (sc. vinum), from mustus young, new,
fresh. Cf. Mustard.] 1. The expressed
juice of the grape, or other fruit, before fermentation. "These
men ben full of must." Wyclif (Acts ii. 13. ).
No fermenting must fills . . . the deep
vats.
Longfellow.
2. [Cf. Musty.] Mustiness.
Must, v. t. & i. To make musty; to
become musty.
Mus"tac (?), n. [F. moustac.]
(Zoöl.) A small tufted monkey.
Mus*tache" (mŭs*t&adot;sh"; 277),
n.; pl. Mustaches (&?;).
[Written also moustache.] [F. moustache, It.
mostaccio visage, mostacchio mustache, fr. Gr.
my`stax upper lip and the beard upon it; cf.
ma`stax mouth: cf. Sp. mostacho.]
1. That part of the beard which grows on the
upper lip; hair left growing above the mouth.
2. (Zoöl.) A West African monkey
(Cercopithecus cephus). It has yellow whiskers, and a
triangular blue mark on the nose.
3. (Zoöl.) Any conspicuous stripe
of color on the side of the head, beneath the eye of a
bird.
Mus*ta"cho (?), n.; pl.
Mustachios (&?;). A mustache.
Longfellow.
Mus*ta"choed (?), a. Having
mustachios.
Mus`ta*i"ba (?), n. A close-
grained, heavy wood of a brownish color, brought from Brazil, and
used in turning, for making the handles of tools, and the like.
[Written also mostahiba.] MaElrath.
Mus"tang (?), n. [Sp.
musteño belonging to the graziers, strayed, wild.]
(Zoöl.) The half-wild horse of the plains in Mexico,
California, etc. It is small, hardy, and easily sustained.
Mustard grape (Bot.), a species of
grape (Vitis candicans), native in Arkansas and Texas. The
berries are small, light-colored, with an acid skin and a sweet
pulp.
Mus"tard (?), n. [OF. moustarde,
F. moutarde, fr. L. mustum must, -- mustard was
prepared for use by being mixed with must. See Must,
n.] 1. (Bot.) The name
of several cruciferous plants of the genus Brassica (formerly
Sinapis), as white mustard (B. alba), black mustard
(B. Nigra), wild mustard or charlock (B.
Sinapistrum).
&fist; There are also many herbs of the same family which are
called mustard, and have more or less of the flavor of the
true mustard; as, bowyer's mustard (Lepidium ruderale); hedge
mustard (Sisymbrium officinale); Mithridate mustard
(Thlaspi arvense); tower mustard (Arabis perfoliata);
treacle mustard (Erysimum cheiranthoides).
2. A powder or a paste made from the seeds of
black or white mustard, used as a condiment and a rubefacient. Taken
internally it is stimulant and diuretic, and in large doses is
emetic.
Mustard oil (Chem.), a substance
obtained from mustard, as a transparent, volatile and intensely
pungent oil. The name is also extended to a number of analogous
compounds produced either naturally or artificially.
Mus*tee" (?), n. See
Mestee.
Mus"te*line (?), a. [L.
mustelinus, fr. mustela weasel.] (Zoöl.)
Like or pertaining to the family Mustelidæ, or the
weasels and martens.
Mus"ter (?), n. [OE. moustre,
OF. mostre, moustre, F. montre, LL.
monstra. See Muster, v. t.]
1. Something shown for imitation; a
pattern. [Obs.]
2. A show; a display. [Obs.] Piers
Plowman.
3. An assembling or review of troops, as for
parade, verification of numbers, inspection, exercise, or
introduction into service.
The hurried muster of the soldiers of
liberty.
Hawthorne.
See how in warlike muster they appear,
In rhombs, and wedges, and half-moons, and wings.
Milton.
4. The sum total of an army when assembled
for review and inspection; the whole number of effective men in an
army.
And the muster was thirty thousands of
men.
Wyclif.
Ye publish the musters of your own bands, and
proclaim them to amount of thousands.
Hooker.
5. Any assemblage or display; a
gathering.
Of the temporal grandees of the realm, mentof their
wives and daughters, the muster was great and
splendid.
Macaulay.
Muster book, a book in which military forces
are registered. -- Muster file, a muster
roll. -- Muster master (Mil.), one
who takes an account of troops, and of their equipment; a mustering
officer; an inspector. [Eng.] -- Muster roll
(Mil.), a list or register of all the men in a company,
troop, or regiment, present or accounted for on the day of
muster. -- To pass muster, to pass through
a muster or inspection without censure.
Such excuses will not pass muster with
God.
South.
Mus"ter, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mustered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mustering.] [OE. mustren, prop., to show, OF.
mostrer, mustrer, moustrer, monstrer, F.
montrer, fr. L. monstrare to show. See Monster.]
1. To collect and display; to assemble, as
troops for parade, inspection, exercise, or the like.
Spenser.
2. Hence: To summon together; to enroll in
service; to get together. "Mustering all its force."
Cowper.
All the gay feathers he could
muster.
L'Estrange.
To muster troops into service (Mil.),
to inspect and enter troops on the muster roll of the army.
-- To muster troops out of service (Mil.),
to register them for final payment and discharge. --
To muster up, to gather up; to succeed in
obtaining; to obtain with some effort or difficulty.
One of those who can muster up sufficient
sprightliness to engage in a game of forfeits.
Hazlitt.
Mus"ter, v. i. To be gathered
together for parade, inspection, exercise, or the like; to come
together as parts of a force or body; as, his supporters
mustered in force. "The mustering squadron."
Byron.
Mus"ti*ly (?), a. In a musty
state.
Mus"ti*ness, n. The quality or
state of being musty.
Mus"ty (?), a.
[Compar. Mustier (?);
superl. Mustiest.] [From L. mustum
must; or perh. fr. E. moist. Cf. Must,
n., Moist.] 1. Having
the rank, pungent, offensive odor and taste which substances of
organic origin acquire during warm, moist weather; foul or sour and
fetid; moldy; as, musty corn; musty books.
Harvey.
2. Spoiled by age; rank; stale.
The proverb is somewhat musty.
Shak.
3. Dull; heavy; spiritless. "That he
may not grow musty and unfit for conversation."
Addison.
Mu`ta*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L.
mutabilitas: cf. F. mutabilité.] The
quality of being mutable, or subject to change or alteration, either
in form, state, or essential character; susceptibility of change;
changeableness; inconstancy; variation.
Plato confessed that the heavens and the frame of the
world are corporeal, and therefore subject to
mutability.
Stillingfleet.
Mu"ta*ble (?), a. [L. mutabilis,
fr. mutare to change. See Move.] 1.
Capable of alteration; subject to change; changeable in form,
qualities, or nature.
Things of the most accidental and mutable
nature.
South.
2. Changeable; inconstant; unsettled;
unstable; fickle. "Most mutable wishes."
Byron.
Syn. -- Changeable; alterable; unstable; unsteady;
unsettled; wavering; inconstant; variable; fickle.
Mu"ta*ble*ness, n. The quality of
being mutable.
Mu"ta*bly, adv.
Changeably.
Mu"ta*cism (?), n. See
Mytacism.
Mu"tage (?), n. [F.] A process for
checking the fermentation of the must of grapes.
||Mu*tan"dum (m&usl;*tăn"dŭm),
n.; pl. Mutanda (#). [L.,
fr. mutare to change.] A thing which is to be changed;
something which must be altered; -- used chiefly in the
plural.
Mu*ta"tion (m&usl;*tā"shŭn),
n. [L. mutatio, fr. mutare to change:
cf. F. mutation. See Mutable.] Change; alteration,
either in form or qualities.
The vicissitude or mutations in the superior
globe are no fit matter for this present argument.
Bacon.
Mutch (much), n. [Cf. D. mutse a
cap, G. mütze. Cf. Amice a cape.] The close
linen or muslin cap of an old woman. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Mutch"kin (?), n. A liquid measure
equal to four gills, or an imperial pint. [Scot.]
Mute (mūt), v. t. [L.
mutare to change. See Molt.] To cast off; to
molt.
Have I muted all my feathers?
Beau. & Fl.
Mute, v. t. & i. [F. mutir,
émeutir, OF. esmeltir, fr. OD. smelten,
prop., to melt. See Smelt.] To eject the contents of the
bowels; -- said of birds. B. Jonson.
Mute, n. The dung of birds.
Hudibras.
Mute, a. [L. mutus; cf. Gr. &?;
to shut, Skr. m&?;ta bound, m&?;ka dumb: cf. OE.
muet, fr. F. muet, a dim. of OF. mu, L.
mutus.] 1. Not speaking; uttering no
sound; silent.
All the heavenly choir stood mute,
And silence was in heaven.
Milton.
&fist; In law a prisoner is said to stand mute, when, upon
being arranged, he makes no answer, or does not plead directly, or
will not put himself on trial.
2. Incapable of speaking; dumb.
Dryden.
3. Not uttered; unpronounced; silent; also,
produced by complete closure of the mouth organs which interrupt the
passage of breath; -- said of certain letters. See 5th Mute,
2.
4. Not giving a ringing sound when struck; --
said of a metal.
Mute swan (Zoöl.), a European
wild white swan (Cygnus gibbus), which produces no loud
notes.
Syn. -- Silent; dumb; speechless. -- Mute,
Silent, Dumb. One is silent who does not
speak; one is dumb who can not, for want of the proper
organs; as, a dumb beast, etc.; and hence, figuratively, we
speak of a person as struck dumb with astonishment, etc. One
is mute who is held back from speaking by some special
cause; as, he was mute through fear; mute astonishment,
etc. Such is the case with most of those who never speak from
childhood; they are not ordinarily dumb, but mute
because they are deaf, and therefore never learn to talk; and hence
their more appropriate name is deaf-mutes.
They spake not a word;
But, like dumb statues, or breathing stones,
Gazed each on other.
Shak.
All sat mute,
Pondering the danger with deep thoughts.
Milton.
Mute, n. 1. One
who does not speak, whether from physical inability, unwillingness,
or other cause. Specifically: (a) One who,
from deafness, either congenital or from early life, is unable to use
articulate language; a deaf-mute. (b) A
person employed by undertakers at a funeral.
(c) A person whose part in a play does not
require him to speak. (d) Among the Turks,
an officer or attendant who is selected for his place because he can
not speak.
2. (Phon.) A letter which represents
no sound; a silent letter; also, a close articulation; an element of
speech formed by a position of the mouth organs which stops the
passage of the breath; as, p, b, d, k,
t.
3. (Mus.) A little utensil made of
brass, ivory, or other material, so formed that it can be fixed in an
erect position on the bridge of a violin, or similar instrument, in
order to deaden or soften the tone.
Mute"-hill` (?), n. See Moot-
hill. [Scot.]
Mute"ly, adv. Without uttering
words or sounds; in a mute manner; silently.
Mute"ness, n. The quality or state
of being mute; speechlessness.
{ Mu"tic (?), Mu"ti*cous (?), }
a. [L. muticus, for mutilus. See
Mutilate.] (Bot. & Zoöl.) Without a point or
pointed process; blunt.
Mu"ti*late (?), a. [L.
mutilatus, p. p. of mutilare to mutilate, fr.
mutilus maimed; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;. Cf. Mutton.]
1. Deprived of, or having lost, an important
part; mutilated. Sir T. Browne.
2. (Zoöl.) Having finlike
appendages or flukes instead of legs, as a cetacean.
Mu"ti*late, n. (Zoöl.)
A cetacean, or a sirenian.
Mu"ti*late (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Mutilated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mutilating (?).] 1. To cut
off or remove a limb or essential part of; to maim; to cripple; to
hack; as, to mutilate the body, a statue, etc.
2. To destroy or remove a material part of,
so as to render imperfect; as, to mutilate the orations of
Cicero.
Among the mutilated poets of antiquity, there
is none whose fragments are so beautiful as those of
Sappho.
Addison.
Mutilated gear, Mutilated
wheel (Mach.), a gear wheel from a portion of
whose periphery the cogs are omitted. It is used for giving
intermittent movements.
Mu`ti*la"tion (?), n. [L.
mutilatio: cf. F. mutilation.] The act of
mutilating, or the state of being mutilated; deprivation of a limb or
of an essential part.
Mu"ti*la"tor (?), n. [Cf. F.
mutilateur.] One who mutilates.
Mu"ti*lous (?), a. [L. mutilus.
See Mutilate.] Mutilated; defective; imperfect.
[Obs.]
Mu"tine (?), n. [F. mutin.]
A mutineer. [Obs.]
Mu"tine, v. i. [F. mutiner.]
To mutiny. [Obs.]
Mu"ti*neer` (?), n. [See
Mutiny.] One guilty of mutiny.
Mut"ing (?), n. Dung of
birds.
Mu"ti*nous (?), a. [See Mutiny.]
Disposed to mutiny; in a state of mutiny; characterized by
mutiny; seditious; insubordinate.
The city was becoming mutinous.
Macaulay.
-- Mu"ti*nous*ly, adv. --
Mu"ti*nous*ness, n.
Mu"ti*ny (?), n.; pl.
Mutinies (#). [From mutine to mutiny, fr. F.
se mutiner, fr. F. mutin stubborn, mutinous, fr. OF.
meute riot, LL. movita, fr. movitus, for L.
motus, p. p. of movere to move. See Move.]
1. Insurrection against constituted authority,
particularly military or naval authority; concerted revolt against
the rules of discipline or the lawful commands of a superior officer;
hence, generally, forcible resistance to rightful authority;
insubordination.
In every mutiny against the discipline of the
college, he was the ringleader.
Macaulay.
2. Violent commotion; tumult; strife.
[Obs.]
To raise a mutiny betwixt
yourselves.
Shak.
Mutiny act (Law), an English statute
reënacted annually to punish mutiny and desertion.
Wharton.
Syn. -- See Insurrection.
Mu"ti*ny, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Mutinied (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mutinying (?).] 1. To rise against, or
refuse to obey, lawful authority in military or naval service; to
excite, or to be guilty of, mutiny or mutinous conduct; to revolt
against one's superior officer, or any rightful authority.
2. To fall into strife; to quarrel.
[Obs.] Shak.
Mut"ism (?), n. The condition,
state, or habit of being mute, or without speech. Max
Müller.
Mut"ter (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Muttered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Muttering.] [Prob. of imitative origin; cf. L. muttire,
mutire.] 1. To utter words indistinctly
or with a low voice and lips partly closed; esp., to utter indistinct
complaints or angry expressions; to grumble; to growl.
Wizards that peep, and that
mutter.
Is. viii. 19.
Meantime your filthy foreigner will stare,
And mutter to himself.
Dryden.
2. To sound with a low, rumbling
noise.
Thick lightnings flash, the muttering thunder
rolls.
Pope.
Mut"ter, v. t. To utter with
imperfect articulations, or with a low voice; as, to mutter
threats. Shak.
Mut"ter, n. Repressed or obscure
utterance.
Mut"ter*er (?), n. One who
mutters.
Mut"ter*ing*ly, adv. With a low
voice and indistinct articulation; in a muttering manner.
Mut"ton (?), n. [OE. motoun, OF.
moton, molton, a sheep, wether, F. mouton, LL.
multo, by transposition of l fr. L. mutilus
mutilated. See Mutilate.] 1. A
sheep. [Obs.] Chapman.
Not so much ground as will feed a
mutton.
Sir H. Sidney.
Muttons, beeves, and porkers are good old words
for the living quadrupeds.
Hallam.
2. The flesh of a sheep.
The fat of roasted mutton or beef.
Swift.
3. A loose woman; a prostitute.
[Obs.]
Mutton bird (Zoöl.), the
Australian short-tailed petrel (Nectris brevicaudus). --
Mutton chop, a rib of mutton for broiling, with
the end of the bone at the smaller part chopped off. --
Mutton fish (Zoöl.), the American
eelpout. See Eelpout. -- Mutton fist,
a big brawny fist or hand. [Colloq.] Dryden. --
Mutton monger, a pimp. [Low & Obs.]
Chapman. -- To return to one's muttons. [A
translation of a phrase from a farce by De Brueys, revenons
à nos moutons let us return to our sheep.] To return
to one's topic, subject of discussion, etc. [Humorous]
I willingly return to my muttons.
H. R. Haweis.
Mut"ton*y (?), a. Like mutton;
having a flavor of mutton.
Mu"tu*al (?), a. [F. mutuel, L.
mutuus, orig., exchanged, borrowed, lent; akin to
mutare to change. See Mutable.] 1.
Reciprocally acting or related; reciprocally receiving and
giving; reciprocally given and received; reciprocal; interchanged;
as, a mutual love, advantage, assistance, aversion,
etc.
Conspiracy and mutual promise.
Sir T. More.
Happy in our mutual help,
And mutual love.
Milton.
A certain shyness on such subjects, which was
mutual between the sisters.
G. Eliot.
2. Possessed, experienced, or done by two or
more persons or things at the same time; common; joint; as,
mutual happiness; a mutual effort.
Burke.
A vast accession of misery and woe from the
mutual weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of
teeth.
Bentley.
&fist; This use of mutual as synonymous with
common is inconsistent with the idea of interchange, or
reciprocal relation, which properly belongs to it; but the word has
been so used by many writers of high authority. The present tendency
is toward a careful discrimination.
Mutual, as Johnson will tell us, means
something reciprocal, a giving and taking. How could people have
mutual ancestors?
P. Harrison.
Mutual insurance, agreement among a number
of persons to insure each other against loss, as by fire, death, or
accident. -- Mutual insurance company, one
which does a business of insurance on the mutual principle, the
policy holders sharing losses and profits pro rata.
Syn. -- Reciprocal; interchanged; common.
Mu"tu*al*ism (?), n. (Ethics)
The doctrine of mutual dependence as the condition of individual
and social welfare. F. Harrison. H. Spencer.
Mallock.
Mu`tu*al"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
mutualité.] 1. The quality of
correlation; reciprocation; interchange; interaction;
interdependence.
2. (Law) Reciprocity of
consideration. Wharton.
Mu"tu*al*ly (?), adv. In a mutual
manner.
Mu"tu*a*ry (?), n. [L. mutuarius
mutual.See Mutuation.] (Law) One who borrows
personal chattels which are to be consumed by him, and which he is to
return or repay in kind. Bouvier.
Mu`tu*a"tion (?), n. [L.
mutuatio, fr. mutuare, mutuari, to borrow, fr.
mutuus. See Mutual.] The act of borrowing or
exchanging. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Mu"tule (?), n. [F., fr. L.
mutulus.] (Arch.) A projecting block worked under
the corona of the Doric corice, in the same situation as the
modillion of the Corinthian and Composite orders. See Illust.
of Gutta. Oxf. Gloss.
Mux (?), n. [Cf. Mixen.]
Dirt; filth; muck. [Prov. Eng.] ose.
Mux, v. t. To mix in an untidy and
offensive way; to make a mess of. [Prov. Eng.; Colloq.
U.S.]
Mux"y (?), a. Soft; sticky, and
dirty. [Prov. Eng.] See Mucky.
Muz"a*rab (?), n. [Sp. mozarabe,
fr. Ar. mosta'rib, a name applied to strange tribes living
among the Arabs.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of a denomination of
Christians formerly living under the government of the Moors in
Spain, and having a liturgy and ritual of their own. [Written
also Mozarab, Mostarab.] Brande & C.
Muz`a*rab"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Muzarabs; as, the Muzarabic liturgy.
[Written also Mozarabic.]
Muz"zi*ness (?), n. The state or
quality of being muzzy.
Muz"zle (?), n. [OE. mosel, OF.
musel, F. museau muzzle or snout, LL. musellus,
fr. musus, morsus. See Muse, v.
i., and cf. Morsel.] 1. The
projecting mouth and nose of a quadruped, as of a horse; a
snout.
2. The mouth of a thing; the end for entrance
or discharge; as, the muzzle of a gun.
3. A fastening or covering (as a band or
cage) for the mouth of an animal, to prevent eating or vicious
biting.
With golden muzzles all their mouths were
bound
Dryden.
Muzzle sight. (Gun.) See
Dispart, n., 2.
Muz"zle, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Muzzled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Muzzling (?).] [F. museler.] 1. To
bind the mouth of; to fasten the mouth of, so as to prevent biting or
eating; hence, figuratively, to bind; to sheathe; to restrain from
speech or action. "My dagger muzzled." Shak.
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth
out the corn.
Deut. xxv. 4.
2. To fondle with the closed mouth.
[Obs.] L'Estrange.
Muz"zle, v. i. To bring the mouth
or muzzle near.
The bear muzzles and smells to
him.
L'Estrange.
Muz"zle-load`er (?), n. A firearm
which receives its charge through the muzzle, as distinguished from
one which is loaded at the breech.
Muz"zle-load`ing, a. Receiving its
charge through the muzzle; as, a muzzle-loading
rifle.
Muz"zy (?), a. [Cf. F. muse.]
Absent-minded; dazed; muddled; stupid.
The whole company stared at me with a whimsical,
muzzy look, like men whose senses were a little obfuscated by
beer rather than wine.
W. Irving.
My (?), a. & poss. pron. [OE.
mi, fr. min. See Mine, and cf., for loss of
n, A, a., An,
a.] Of or belonging to me; -- used always
attributively; as, my body; my book; -- mine is
used in the predicate; as, the book is mine. See
Mine.
||My"a (?), n. [L. mya a kind of
mussel.] (Zoöl.) A genus of bivalve mollusks,
including the common long, or soft-shelled, clam.
||My*al"gi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
muscle + &?; pain.] (Med.) Pain in the muscles; muscular
rheumatism or neuralgia.
My*all" wood` (?). (Bot.) A durable,
fragrant, and dark-colored Australian wood, used by the natives for
spears. It is obtained from the small tree Acacia
homolophylla.
||My*a"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL.]
(Zoöl.) A division of bivalve mollusks of which the
common clam (Mya) is the type.
||My*ce"li*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
my`khs a mushroom.] (Bot.) The white threads
or filamentous growth from which a mushroom or fungus is developed;
the so-called mushroom spawn. -- My*ce"li*al (#),
a.
Myc"e*loid (?), a. [Mycelium +
-oid.] (Bot.) Resembling mycelium.
||My*ce"tes (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
mykhth`s a bellower, fr. myka^sqai to bellow.]
(Zoöl.) A genus of South American monkeys, including
the howlers. See Howler, 2, and Illust.
Myc"e*toid (?), [Gr. my`khs, -htos,
a fungus + -oid.] (Bot.) Resembling a
fungus.
||My`co*der"ma (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
my`khs a fungus + de`rma skin.]
1. (Biol.) One of the forms in which
bacteria group themselves; a more or less thick layer of motionless
but living bacteria, formed by the bacteria uniting on the surface of
the fluid in which they are developed. This production differs from
the zoöglœa stage of bacteria by not having the
intermediary mucous substance.
2. A genus of microörganisms of which
the acetic ferment (Mycoderma aceti), which converts alcoholic
fluids into vinegar, is a representative. Cf.
Mother.
{ My`co*log"ic (?), My`co*log"ic*al (?), }
a. Of or relating to mycology, or the
fungi.
My*col"o*gist (?), n. One who is
versed in, or who studies, mycology.
My*col"o*gy (?), n. [Gr.
my`khs fungus + -logy.] That branch of
botanical science which relates to the mushrooms and other
fungi.
My`co*mel"ic (?), a. [Gr. (spurious)
my^kos mucus (L. mucus) + me`li honey.]
(Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a complex
nitrogenous acid of the alloxan group, obtained as a honey-yellow
powder. Its solutions have a gelatinous consistency.
My`co*pro"te*in (?), n. [Gr. (spurious)
my^kos mucus (L. mucus) + E. protein.]
(Biol.) The protoplasmic matter of which bacteria are
composed.
My"cose (-kōs), n. [Gr.
my`khs a mushroom.] (Chem.) A variety of
sugar, isomeric with sucrose and obtained from certain lichens and
fungi. Called also trehalose. [Written also
mykose.]
||Myc"o*thrix (mīk"&osl;*thr&ibreve;ks),
n. [NL., fr. Gr. (spurious) my`khs mucus
(L. mucus) + qri`x, tricho`s, hair.]
(Biol.) The chain of micrococci formed by the division of
the micrococci in multiplication.
My*da"le*ine (?), n. [Gr.
myda^n to be clammy (from decay).] (Physiol. Chem.)
A toxic alkaloid (ptomaine) obtained from putrid flesh and from
herring brines. As a poison it is said to execute profuse
diarrhœa, vomiting, and intestinal inflammation.
Brieger.
Myd`a*tox"in (?), n. [Gr.
myda^n to be clammy (from decay) + toxic +
in.] (Physiol. Chem.) A poisonous amido acid,
C6H13NO2, separated by Brieger from
decaying horseflesh. In physiological action, it is similar to
curare.
||Myd"a*us (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
myda^n to be clammy or damp.] (Zoöl.) The
teledu.
||My*dri"a*sis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr.
&?;.] (Physiol. & Med.) A long-continued or excessive
dilatation of the pupil of the eye.
Myd`ri*at"ic (?), a. Causing
dilatation of the pupil. -- n. A
mydriatic medicine or agent, as belladonna.
||My`e*len*ceph"a*la (?), n. pl. [NL.
See Myelencephalon.] (Zoöl.) Same as
Vertebrata.
My`e*len`ce*phal"ic (?), a.
(Anat.) Of or pertaining to the myelencephalon; cerebro-
spinal.
||My`e*len*ceph"a*lon (?), n. [NL.,
from Gr. myelo`s marrow + E. encephalon.]
(Anat.) (a) The brain and spinal cord;
the cerebro-spinal axis; the neuron. Sometimes abbreviated to
myelencephal. (b) The
metencephalon. Huxley.
My`e*len*ceph"a*lous (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Myelencephala.
My"e*lin (?), n. [Gr. marrow.]
(Physiol. Chem.) (a) A soft white
substance constituting the medullary sheaths of nerve fibers, and
composed mainly of cholesterin, lecithin, cerebrin, albumin, and some
fat. (b) One of a group of phosphorized
principles occurring in nerve tissue, both in the brain and nerve
fibers.
||My`e*li"tis (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
myelo`s marrow + -itis.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the spinal marrow or its membranes.
My"e*lo*cœle` (?), n. [Gr.
myelo`s marrow + koi^los hollow.]
(Anat.) The central canal of the spinal cord.
My`e*lo*gen"ic (?), a. [Gr.
myelo`s marrow + the root of &?; to be born.]
(Physiol.) Derived from, or pertaining to, the bone
marrow.
My"e*loid (?), a. [Gr.
myelo`s marrow + -oid.] Resembling marrow in
appearance or consistency; as, a myeloid tumor.
My`e*loid"in (?), n. [Myelin +
-oid + -in.] (Physiol. Chem.) A substance,
present in the protoplasm of the retinal epithelium cells, and
resembling, if not identical with, the substance (myelin)
forming the medullary sheaths of nerve fibers.
||My"e*lon (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
myelo`s marrow.] (Anat.) The spinal cord.
(Sometimes abbrev. to myel.)
My"e*lo`nal (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the myelon; as, the myelonal, or
spinal, nerves.
||My`e*lo*neu"ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. myelo`s + ney^ron a nerve.]
(Zoöl.) The Vertebrata.
||My*el"o*plax (?), n.; pl. E.
Myeloplaxes (#), L. Myeloplaces
(#). [NL., fr. Gr. myelo`s marrow + &?; anything flat and
broad.] (Anat.) One of the huge multinucleated cells
found in the marrow of bone and occasionally in other parts; a giant
cell. See Osteoclast.
||Myg"a*le (?), n. [L., a field mouse,
Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) A genus of very large hairy
spiders having four lungs and only four spinnerets. They do not spin
webs, but usually construct tubes in the earth, which are often
furnished with a trapdoor. The South American bird spider (Mygale
avicularia), and the crab spider, or matoutou (M.
cancerides) are among the largest species. Some of the species
are erroneously called tarantulas, as the Texas tarantula
(M. Hentzii).
Myl"o*don (?), n. [Gr. &?; a mill +
'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.] (Paleon.)
An extinct genus of large slothlike American edentates, allied
to Megatherium.
My`lo*hy"oid (?), a. [Gr. &?; the molar
teeth + E. hyoid.] (Anat.) Pertaining to, or in
the region of, the lower jaw and the hyoid apparatus; as, the
mylohyoid nerve.
My"na (?), n. [See Mino bird.]
(Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of Asiatic
starlings of the genera Acridotheres, Sturnopastor,
Sturnia, Gracula, and allied genera. In habits they
resemble the European starlings, and like them are often caged and
taught to talk. See Hill myna, under Hill, and Mino
bird. [Spelt also mynah.]
Myn"chen (?), n. [AS. mynecen,
fr. munec monk. See Monk.] A nun. [Obs.]
Myn"cher*y (?), n. A nunnery; -- a
term still applied to the ruins of certain nunneries in
England.
Myn*heer" (?), n. [D. mijnheer.]
The Dutch equivalent of Mr. or Sir; hence, a
Dutchman.
My"o- (?). A combining form of Gr. &?;, &?;, a
muscle; as, myograph, myochrome.
||My`o*car*di"tis (?), n. [NL. see
Myocardium.] (Med.) Inflammation of the
myocardium.
||My`o*car"di*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?;, &?;, muscle + &?; heart.] (Anat.) The main substance
of the muscular wall of the heart inclosed between the epicardium and
endocardium.
My"o*chrome (?), n. [Myo- + Gr.
&?; color.] (Physiol.) A colored albuminous substance in
the serum from red-colored muscles. It is identical with
hemoglobin.
||My`o*com"ma (?), n.; pl. L.
Myocommata (#), E. Myocommas (#).
[NL. See Myo-, and Comma.] (Anat.) A
myotome.
My`o*dy*nam"ics (?), n. [Myo- +
dynamics.] (Physiol.) The department of physiology
which deals with the principles of muscular contraction; the exercise
of muscular force or contraction.
My`o*dy*na`mi*om"e*ter (?), n. A
myodynamometer.
My`o*dy`na*mom"e*ter (?), n. [Myo-
+ E. dynamometer.] (Physiol.) An instrument
for measuring the muscular strength of man or of other animals; a
dynamometer. Dunglison.
My`o*ep`i*the"li*al (?), a. [Myo-
+ epithelial.] 1. (Biol.)
Derived from epithelial cells and destined to become a part of
the muscular system; -- applied to structural elements in certain
embryonic forms.
2. (Zoöl.) Having the
characteristics of both muscle and epithelium; as, the
myoepithelial cells of the hydra.
My*og"a*lid (?), n. [Myo- + Gr.
&?; a weasel.] (Zoöl.) One of the
Myogalodæ, a family of Insectivora, including the
desman, and allied species.
My"o*gram (?), n. [Myo- + -
gram.] (Physiol.) See Muscle curve, under
Muscle.
My"o*graph (?), n. [Myo- + -
graph.] (Physiol.) An instrument for determining and
recording the different phases, as the intensity, velocity, etc., of
a muscular contraction.
{ My`o*graph"ic (?), My`o*graph"ic*al (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to myography.
My*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Cf. F.
myographie.] The description of muscles, including the
study of muscular contraction by the aid of registering apparatus, as
by some form of myograph; myology.
My`o*hæm"a*tin (?), n. [Myo-
+ hæmatin.] (Physiol.) A red-colored
respiratory pigment found associated with hemoglobin in the muscle
tissue of a large number of animals, both vertebrate and
invertebrate.
My"oid (?), a. [Myo- + -
oid.] Composed of, or resembling, muscular fiber.
||My`o*lem"ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?;, &?;, a muscle + &?; skin.] (Anat.)
Sarcolemma.
My"o*lin (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;,
muscle.] (Physiol.) The essential material of muscle
fibers.
{ My`o*log"ic (?), My`o*log"ic*al (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to myology.
My*ol"o*gist (?), n. One skilled
in myology.
My*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Myo- + -
logy: cf. F. myologie.] That part of anatomy which
treats of muscles.
||My*o"ma (?), n. [NL. See Myo-,
and -oma.] (Med.) A tumor consisting of muscular
tissue.
My"o*man`cy (?), n. [Gr.
my^s mouse + -mancy.] Divination by the
movements of mice.
My"o*morph (?), n. One of the
Myomorpha.
||My`o*mor"pha (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. my^s, myo`s, a mouse + &?; form.]
(Zoöl.) An extensive group of rodents which includes
the rats, mice, jerboas, and many allied forms.
||My`o*pa*thi"a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?;, &?;, a muscle + &?;, &?;, to suffer.] (Med.) Any
affection of the muscles or muscular system.
My`o*path"ic (?), a. (Med.)
Of or pertaining to myopathia.
My*op"a*thy (?), n. Same as
Myopathia.
My"ope (?), n. [F., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;;
&?; to close, shut the eyes + &?;, &?;, the eye.] A person
having myopy; a myops.
My"o*phan (?), n. [Myo- + Gr.
&?; to show.] (Zoöl.) A contractile striated layer
found in the bodies and stems of certain Infusoria.
My*o"pi*a (?), n. [NL. See
Myope.] (Med.) Nearsightedness; shortsightedness;
a condition of the eye in which the rays from distant object are
brought to a focus before they reach the retina, and hence form an
indistinct image; while the rays from very near objects are normally
converged so as to produce a distinct image. It is corrected by the
use of a concave lens.
My*op"ic (?), a. Pertaining to, or
affected with, or characterized by, myopia; nearsighted.
Myopic astigmatism, a condition in which the
eye is affected with myopia in one meridian only.
||My"ops (mī"&obreve;ps), n.
[NL.] See Myope.
||My*op"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
fly + &?; sight.] (Med.) The appearance of muscæ
volitantes. See Muscæ volitantes, under
Musca.
My"o*py (?), n. [F. myopie.]
(Med.) Myopia.
My"o*sin (?), n. [Gr. &?;, a muscle.]
(Physiol. Chem.) An albuminous body present in dead
muscle, being formed in the process of coagulation which takes place
in rigor mortis; the clot formed in the coagulation of muscle
plasma. See Muscle plasma, under Plasma.
&fist; Myosin belongs to the group of globulins. It is insoluble
in water, but soluble in dilute solution of salt, and is especially
characterized by being completely precipitated by saturation of its
solutions with salt.
||My*o"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; to
close the eyes or lips.] (Med.) Long-continued
contraction of the pupil of the eye.
My`o*sit"ic (?), a. (Med.)
Myotic.
||My`o*si"tis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?;, &?;, muscle + -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of
the muscles.
||My`o*so"tis (?), n. [NL.; Gr. &?;,
lit., mouse ear.] (Bot.) A genus of plants. See Mouse-
ear.
My*ot"ic (?), a. [See Myosis.]
(Med.) Producing myosis, or contraction of the pupil of
the eye, as opium, calabar bean, etc. -- n.
A myotic agent.
My"o*tome (?), n. [See Myotomy.]
(Anat.) (a) A muscular segment; one of
the zones into which the muscles of the trunk, especially in fishes,
are divided; a myocomma. (b) One of the
embryonic muscular segments arising from the protovertebræ;
also, one of the protovertebræ themselves.
(c) The muscular system of one metamere of an
articulate.
My`o*tom"ic (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to a myotome or myotomes.
My*ot"o*my (?), n. [Myo- + Gr.
&?; to cut: cf. F. myotomie.] The dissection, or that
part of anatomy which treats of the dissection, of muscles.
||Myr"ci*a (?), n. [NL.] (Bot.)
A large genus of tropical American trees and shrubs, nearly
related to the true myrtles (Myrtus), from which they differ
in having very few seeds in each berry.
Myr"i*a- (?). [Gr. &?; a myriad. See Myriad.]
A prefix, esp. in the metric system, indicating ten
thousand, ten thousand times; as,
myriameter.
Myr`i*a*can"thous (?), a. [Gr. &?;
numberless + 'a`kanqa a spine.] (Zoöl.)
Having numerous spines, as certain fishes.
Myr"i*ad (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, fr. &?;
numberless, pl. &?; ten thousand: cf. F. myriade.]
1. The number of ten thousand; ten thousand
persons or things.
2. An immense number; a very great many; an
indefinitely large number.
Myr"i*ad, a. Consisting of a very
great, but indefinite, number; as, myriad stars.
{ Myr"i*a*gram, Myr"i*a*gramme } (?),
n. [F. myriagramme. See Myria-, and
3d Gram.] A metric weight, consisting of ten thousand
grams or ten kilograms. It is equal to 22.046 lbs.
avoirdupois.
{ Myr"i*a*li`ter, Myr"i*a*li`tre } (?),
n. [F. myrialitre. See Myria-, and
Liter.] A metric measure of capacity, containing ten
thousand liters. It is equal to 2641.7 wine gallons.
{ Myr"i*a*me`ter, Myr"i*a*me`tre } (?),
n. [F. myriamètre. See Myria-,
and Meter.] A metric measure of length, containing ten
thousand meters. It is equal to 6.2137 miles.
Myr"i*a*pod (?), n. [Cf. F.
myriapode.] (Zoöl.) One of the
Myriapoda.
||Myr`i*ap"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; numberless + -poda.] (Zoöl.) A class,
or subclass, of arthropods, related to the hexapod insects, from
which they differ in having the body made up of numerous similar
segments, nearly all of which bear true jointed legs. They have one
pair of antennæ, three pairs of mouth organs, and numerous
tracheæ, similar to those of true insects. The larvæ,
when first hatched, often have but three pairs of legs. See
Centiped, Galleyworm, Milliped.
&fist; The existing Myriapoda are divided into three orders:
Chilopoda, Chilognatha or Diplopoda, and
Pauropoda (see these words in the Vocabulary). Large fossil
species (very different from any living forms) are found in the
Carboniferous formation.
Myr"i*arch (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;; &?;
ten thousand + &?; chief.] A captain or commander of ten
thousand men.
Myr"i*are (?), n. [F. See Myria-
, and 2d Are.] A measure of surface in the metric
system containing ten thousand ares, or one million square meters. It
is equal to about 247.1 acres.
||My*ri"ca (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;
tamarisk.] (Bot.) A widely dispersed genus of shrubs and
trees, usually with aromatic foliage. It includes the bayberry or wax
myrtle, the sweet gale, and the North American sweet fern, so
called.
Myr"i*cin (?), n. [Cf. F.
myricine. Prob. so called from a fancied resemblance to the
wax of the bayberry (Myrica).] (Chem.) A silky,
crystalline, waxy substance, forming the less soluble part of
beeswax, and regarded as a palmitate of a higher alcohol of the
paraffin series; -- called also myricyl alcohol.
Myr"i*cyl (?), n. [Myricin +
-yl.] (Chem.) A hypothetical radical regarded as
the essential residue of myricin; -- called also
melissyl.
Myr`i*o*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or
relating to a myriologue.
Myr`i*ol"o*gist (?), n. One who
composes or sings a myriologue.
Myr"i*o*logue (?), n. [F.
myriologue, myriologie, NGr. &?;, &?;, fr. Gr.
Moi^ra the goddess of fate or death + lo`gos
speech, discourse.] An extemporaneous funeral song, composed and
sung by a woman on the death of a friend. [Modern Greece]
Myr`i*oph"yl*lous (?), a. [Gr. &?;
numberless + fy`llon leaf.] (Bot.) Having an
indefinitely great or countless number of leaves.
||Myr`i*op"o*da (?), n. pl. See
Myriapoda.
Myr`i*o*ra"ma (?), n. [Gr. &?;
numberless + &?; a sight, fr. &?; to see.] A picture made up of
several smaller pictures, drawn upon separate pieces in such a manner
as to admit of combination in many different ways, thus producing a
great variety of scenes or landscapes.
Myr"i*o*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?;
numberless + -scope.] A form of kaleidoscope.
My*ris"tate (m&ibreve;*r&ibreve;s"t&asl;t),
n. (Chem.) A salt of myristic
acid.
My*ris"tic (m&ibreve;*r&ibreve;s"t&ibreve;k),
a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived
from, the nutmeg (Myristica). Specifically, designating an
acid found in nutmeg oil and otoba fat, and extracted as a white
crystalline waxy substance.
My*ris"tin (?), n. (Chem.)
The myristate of glycerin, -- found as a vegetable fat in nutmeg
butter, etc.
My*ris"tone (?), n. [Myristic +
-one.] (Chem.) The ketone of myristic acid,
obtained as a white crystalline substance.
Myr"mi*cine (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Of or pertaining to Myrmica, a genus of ants including
the small house ant (M. molesta), and many others.
Myr"mi*don (?), n. [L.
Myrmidones, Gr. &?;, pl.] 1. One of a
fierce tribe or troop who accompanied Achilles, their king, to the
Trojan war.
2. A soldier or a subordinate civil officer
who executes cruel orders of a superior without protest or pity; --
sometimes applied to bailiffs, constables, etc.
Thackeray.
With unabated ardor the vindictive man of law and his
myrmidons pressed forward.
W. H.
Ainsworth.
Myr`mi*do"ni*an (?), a. Consisting
of, or like, myrmidons. Pope.
Myr`mo*the"rine (?), a. [Gr. &?; an ant
+ &?; to hunt.] (Zoöl.) Feeding upon ants; -- said
of certain birds.
{ My*rob"a*lan (?), My*rob"o*lan (?), }
n. [L. myrobalanum the fruit of a palm tree
from which a balsam was made, Gr. &?;; &?; any sweet juice distilling
from plants, any prepared unguent or sweet oil + &?; an acorn or any
similar fruit: cf. F. myrobolan.] A dried astringent
fruit much resembling a prune. It contains tannin, and was formerly
used in medicine, but is now chiefly used in tanning and dyeing.
Myrobolans are produced by various species of Terminalia of
the East Indies, and of Spondias of South America.
My*ron"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; a sweet-
smelling unguent.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or obtained
from, mustard; -- used specifically to designate a glucoside called
myronic acid, found in mustard seed.
My*rop"o*list (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?;
unguent + &?; to sell.] One who sells unguents or
perfumery. [Obs.] Jonhson.
Myr"o*sin (?), n. (Chem.) A
ferment, resembling diastase, found in mustard seeds.
||My*rox"y*lon (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; a sweet juice distilling from a plant + &?; wood.] (Bot.)
A genus of leguminous trees of tropical America, the different
species of which yield balsamic products, among which are balsam of
Peru, and balsam of Tolu. The species were formerly referred to
Myrospermum.
Myrrh (?), n. [OE. mirre, OF.
mirre, F. myrrhe, L. myrrha, murra, Gr.
&?;; cf. Ar. murr bitter, also myrrh, Heb. mar bitter.]
A gum resin, usually of a yellowish brown or amber color, of an
aromatic odor, and a bitter, slightly pungent taste. It is valued for
its odor and for its medicinal properties. It exudes from the bark of
a shrub of Abyssinia and Arabia, the Balsamodendron Myrrha.
The myrrh of the Bible is supposed to have been partly the gum above
named, and partly the exudation of species of Cistus, or
rockrose.
False myrrh. See the Note under
Bdellium.
Myr"rhic (?), a. Of, pertaining
to, or obtained from, myrrh.
Myr"rhine (?), a.
Murrhine.
Myr*ta"ceous (?), a. [L.
myrtaceus.] (Bot.) Of, pertaining to, or
resembling, a large and important natural order of trees and shrubs
(Myrtaceæ), of which the myrtle is the type. It includes
the genera Eucalyptus, Pimenta, Lechythis, and
about seventy more.
Myr"ti*form (?), a. [L. myrtus
myrtle + -form: cf. F. myrtiforme.] Resembling
myrtle or myrtle berries; having the form of a myrtle leaf.
Myr"tle (m&etilde;r"t'l), n. [F.
myrtil bilberry, prop., a little myrtle, from myrte
myrtle, L. myrtus, murtus, Gr. my`rtos; cf.
Per. mūrd.] (Bot.) A species of the genus
Myrtus, especially Myrtus communis. The common myrtle
has a shrubby, upright stem, eight or ten feet high. Its branches
form a close, full head, thickly covered with ovate or lanceolate
evergreen leaves. It has solitary axillary white or rosy flowers,
followed by black several-seeded berries. The ancients considered it
sacred to Venus. The flowers, leaves, and berries are used variously
in perfumery and as a condiment, and the beautifully mottled wood is
used in turning.
&fist; The name is also popularly but wrongly applied in America
to two creeping plants, the blue-flowered periwinkle and the yellow-
flowered moneywort. In the West Indies several myrtaceous shrubs are
called myrtle.
Bog myrtle, the sweet gale. --
Crape myrtle. See under Crape. --
Myrtle warbler (Zoöl.), a North
American wood warbler (Dendroica coronata); -- called also
myrtle bird, yellow-rumped warbler, and yellow-
crowned warbler. -- Myrtle wax.
(Bot.) See Bayberry tallow, under
Bayberry. -- Sand myrtle, a low,
branching evergreen shrub (Leiophyllum buxifolium), growing in
New Jersey and southward. -- Wax myrtle
(Myrica cerifera). See Bayberry.
My*self" (?), pron.; pl.
Ourselves (&?;). I or me in person; -- used
for emphasis, my own self or person; as I myself will do it; I
have done it myself; -- used also instead of me, as the
object of the first person of a reflexive verb, without emphasis; as,
I will defend myself.
My*selv"en (?), pron.
Myself. [Obs.]
||My"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a
closing of the lips or eyes.] (Zoöl.) A genus of
small schizopod shrimps found both in fresh and salt water; the
opossum shrimps. One species inhabits the Great Lakes of North
America, and is largely eaten by the whitefish. The marine species
form part of the food of right whales.
Mys"ta*cal (?), a. [Gr.
my`stax mustache.] (Zoöl.) Of or
pertaining to the upper lip, or mustache.
{ Mys`ta*gog"ic (?), Mys`ta*gog"ic*al (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to interpretation of
mysteries or to mystagogue; of the nature of mystagogy.
Mys"ta*gogue (?), n. [L.
mystagogus, Gr. &?;; &?; one initiated in mysteries + &?;
leading, n., a leader, fr. &?; to lead: cf. F. mystagogue. See
1st Mystery.] 1. One who interprets
mysteries, especially of a religious kind.
2. One who keeps and shows church
relics.
Mys"ta*go`gy (?), n. The
doctrines, principles, or practice of a mystagogue; interpretation of
mysteries.
Mys*te"ri*al (?), a.
Mysterious. [Obs.]
Mys*te"ri*arch (?), n. [L.
mysteriarches, Gr. &?;; &?; mystery + &?; chief.] One
presiding over mysteries. [Obs.]
Mys*te"ri*ous (?), a. [F.
mystèrieux. See 1st Mystery.] Of or
pertaining to mystery; containing a mystery; difficult or impossible
to understand; obscure; not revealed or explained; enigmatical;
incomprehensible.
God at last
To Satan, first in sin, his doom applied,
Thought in mysterious terms.
Milton.
Syn. -- Obscure; secret; occult; dark; mystic; cabalistic;
enigmatical; unintelligible; incomprehensible.
Mys*te"ri*ous*ly, adv. In a
mysterious manner.
Mys*te"ri*ous*ness, n.
1. The state or quality of being
mysterious.
2. Something mysterious; a mystery.
[R.] Jer. Taylor.
Mys"ter*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Mysterized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Mysterizing (?).] To make mysterious; to
make a mystery of.
Mys"ter*y (m&ibreve;s"t&etilde;r*&ybreve;),
n.; pl. Mysteries (-
&ibreve;z). [L. mysterium, Gr. mysth`rion, fr.
my`sths one initiated in mysteries; cf. myei^n
to initiate into the mysteries, fr. my`ein to shut the
eyes. Cf. Mute, a.] 1.
A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something kept
cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder;
something which has not been or can not be explained; hence,
specifically, that which is beyond human comprehension.
We speak the wisdom of God in a
mystery.
1 Cor. ii. 7.
If God should please to reveal unto us this great
mystery of the Trinity, or some other mysteries in our
holy religion, we should not be able to understand them, unless he
would bestow on us some new faculties of the mind.
Swift.
2. A kind of secret religious celebration, to
which none were admitted except those who had been initiated by
certain preparatory ceremonies; -- usually plural; as, the Eleusinian
mysteries.
3. pl. The consecrated elements in the
eucharist.
4. Anything artfully made difficult; an
enigma.
Mys"ter*y, n.; pl.
Mysteries. [OE. mistere, OF. mestier,
F. métier, L. ministerium. See Ministry.]
1. A trade; a handicraft; hence, any business
with which one is usually occupied.
Fie upon him, he will discredit our
mystery.
Shak.
And that which is the noblest mystery
Brings to reproach and common infamy.
Spenser.
2. A dramatic representation of a Scriptural
subject, often some event in the life of Christ; a dramatic
composition of this character; as, the Chester Mysteries,
consisting of dramas acted by various craft associations in that city
in the early part of the 14th century.
"Mystery plays," so called because acted by
craftsmen.
Skeat.
{ Mys"tic (?), Mys"tic*al (?), }
a. [L. mysticus, Gr. &?; belonging to secret
rites, from &?; one initiated: cf. F. mystique. See 1st
Mystery, Misty.] 1. Remote from or
beyond human comprehension; baffling human understanding; unknowable;
obscure; mysterious.
Heaven's numerous hierarchy span
The mystic gulf from God to man.
Emerson.
God hath revealed a way mystical and
supernatural.
Hooker.
2. Importing or implying mysticism; involving
some secret meaning; allegorical; emblematical; as, a mystic
dance; mystic Babylon.
Thus, then, did the spirit of unity and meekness
inspire every joint and sinew of the mystical
body.
Milton.
-- Mys"tic*al*ly, adv. --
Mys"tic*al*ness, n.
Mys"tic (?), n. One given to
mysticism; one who holds mystical views, interpretations, etc.;
especially, in ecclesiastical history, one who professed mysticism.
See Mysticism.
Mys"ti*cete (?), n. [Gr.
my`stax the upper lip, also, the mustache +
kh^tos a whale.] (Zoöl.) Any right whale,
or whalebone whale. See Cetacea.
Mys"ti*cism (?), n. [Cf. F.
mysticisme.] 1. Obscurity of
doctrine.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) The doctrine of the
Mystics, who professed a pure, sublime, and wholly disinterested
devotion, and maintained that they had direct intercourse with the
divine Spirit, and aquired a knowledge of God and of spiritual things
unattainable by the natural intellect, and such as can not be
analyzed or explained.
3. (Philos.) The doctrine that the
ultimate elements or principles of knowledge or belief are gained by
an act or process akin to feeling or faith.
Mys`ti*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
mystification.] The act of mystifying, or the state of
being mystied; also, something designed to, or that does,
mystify.
The reply of Pope seems very much as though he had
been playing off a mystification on his Grace.
De Quincey.
Mys"ti*fi*ca`tor (?), n. One who
mystifies.
Mys"ti*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mystified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mystifying (?).] [F. mystifier, fr. Gr. &?; + L. -
ficare (in comp.) to make. See 1st Mystery, and -
fy.] 1. To involve in mystery; to make
obscure or difficult to understand; as, to mystify a passage
of Scripture.
2. To perplex the mind of; to puzzle; to
impose upon the credulity of ; as, to mystify an
opponent.
He took undue advantage of his credulity and
mystified him exceedingly.
Ld.
Campbell.
My"ta*cism (?), n. [Gr. &?;. Cf.
Metacism.] Too frequent use of the letter m, or of
the sound represented by it.
Myth (?), n. [Written also
mythe.] [Gr. my^qos myth, fable, tale, talk,
speech: cf. F. mythe.] 1. A story of
great but unknown age which originally embodied a belief regarding
some fact or phenomenon of experience, and in which often the forces
of nature and of the soul are personified; an ancient legend of a
god, a hero, the origin of a race, etc.; a wonder story of
prehistoric origin; a popular fable which is, or has been, received
as historical.
2. A person or thing existing only in
imagination, or whose actual existence is not verifiable.
As for Mrs. Primmins's bones, they had been
myths these twenty years.
Ld. Lytton.
Myth history, history made of, or mixed
with, myths.
Mythe (?), n. See
Myth. Grote.
{ Myth"ic (?), Myth"ic*al (?), }
a. [L. mythicus, Gr. &?;. See Myth.]
Of or relating to myths; described in a myth; of the nature of a
myth; fabulous; imaginary; fanciful. -- Myth"ic*al*ly,
adv.
The mythic turf where danced the
nymphs.
Mrs. Browning.
Hengist and Horsa, Vortigern and Rowena, Arthur and
Mordred, are mythical persons, whose very existence may be
questioned.
Macaulay.
My*thog"ra*pher (?), n. [Gr.
myqogra`fos; my^qos + gra`fein to
write.] A composer of fables.
My*thol"o*ger (?), n. A
mythologist.
Myth`o*lo"gi*an (?), n. A
mythologist.
{ Myth`o*log"ic (?), Myth`o*log"ic*al (?), }
a. [L. mythologicus: cf. F.
mytholigique.] Of or pertaining to mythology or to myths;
mythical; fabulous. -- Myth`o*log"ic*al*ly,
adv.
My*thol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F.
mythologiste.] One versed in, or who writes on, mythology
or myths.
My*thol"o*gize (?), v. i. [Cf. F.
mythologiser.] 1. To relate, classify,
and explain, or attempt to explain, myths; to write upon
myths.
2. To construct and propagate
myths.
My*thol"o*gi`zer (?), n. One who,
or that which, mythologizes.
Imagination has always been, and still is, in a
narrower sense, the great mythologizer.
Lowell.
Myth"o*logue (?), n. [See
Mythology.] A fabulous narrative; a myth. [R.]
May we not . . . consider his history of the fall as
an excellent mythologue, to account for the origin of human
evil?
Geddes.
My*thol"o*gy (?), n.; pl.
Mythologies (#). [F. mythologie, L.
mythologia, Gr. myqologi`a; my^qos,
fable, myth + lo`gos speech, discourse.]
1. The science which treats of myths; a treatise
on myths.
2. A body of myths; esp., the collective
myths which describe the gods of a heathen people; as, the
mythology of the Greeks.
Myth"o*plasm (?), n. [Gr.
my^qos myth + pla`ssein to form.] A
narration of mere fable.
Myth`o*pœ"ic (?), a. [Gr.
myqopoio`s making myths; my^qos myth +
poiei^n to make.] Making or producing myths; giving
rise to mythical narratives.
The mythopœic fertility of the
Greeks.
Grote.
Myth`o*po*et"ic (?), a. [Gr.
my^qos myth + &?; able to make, producing, fr.
poiei^n to make.] Making or producing myths or
mythical tales.
Myt"i*loid (?), a. [Mytilus +
-oid.] (Zoöl.) Like, or pertaining to, the
genus Mytilus, or family Mytilidæ.
Myt`i*lo*tox"ine (?), n.
[Mytilus + toxic.] (Physiol. Chem.) A
poisonous base (leucomaine) found in the common mussel. It either
causes paralysis of the muscles, or gives rise to convulsions,
including death by an accumulation of carbonic acid in the
blood.
||Myt"i*lus (?), n. [L., a sea mussel,
Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) A genus of marine bivalve shells,
including the common mussel. See Illust. under
Byssus.
||Myx"a (?), n. [L., a lamp nozzle, Gr.
&?;.] (Zoöl.) The distal end of the mandibles of a
bird.
Myx"ine (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A genus of marsipobranchs, including the hagfish. See
Hag, 4.
Myx"i*noid (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Like, or pertaining to, the genus Myxine. --
n. A hagfish.
||Myx`o*cys*to"de*a (?), n. pl. [NL.,
fr. Gr. &?; mucus + &?; a bladder.] (Zoöl.) A
division of Infusoria including the Noctiluca. See
Noctiluca.
||Myx*o"ma (?), n.; pl.
Myxomata (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; mucus + -
oma.] (Med.) A tumor made up of a gelatinous tissue
resembling that found in the umbilical cord.
Myx"o*pod (?), n. [Gr. &?; mucus, slime
+ -pod.] (Zoöl.) A rhizopod or moneran. Also
used adjectively; as, a myxopod state.
||My*zon"tes (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; to suck.] (Zoöl.) The
Marsipobranchiata.
||My`zo*stom"a*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. my`zein to suck + sto`ma, -atos,
mouth.] (Zoöl.) An order of curious parasitic worms
found on crinoids. The body is short and disklike, with four pairs of
suckers and five pairs of hook-bearing parapodia on the under
side.
N.
N (&ebreve;n), the fourteenth letter of English
alphabet, is a vocal consonent, and, in allusion to its mode of
formation, is called the dentinasal or linguanasal
consonent. Its commoner sound is that heard in ran,
done; but when immediately followed in the same word by the
sound of g hard or k (as in single, sink,
conquer), it usually represents the same sound as the digraph
ng in sing, bring, etc. This is a simple but
related sound, and is called the gutturo-nasal consonent. See
Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 243-246.
The letter N came into English through the Latin and Greek from
the Phœnician, which probably derived it from the Egyptian as
the ultimate origin. It is etymologically most closely related to M.
See M.
N, n. (Print.) A measure of
space equal to half an M (or em); an en.
Na (nä), a. & adv. No, not.
See No. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Nab (năb), n. [Cf. Knap,
Knop, Knob.] 1. The summit of an
eminence. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
2. (Firearms) The cock of a
gunlock. Knight.
3. (Locksmithing) The keeper, or box
into which the lock is shot. Knight.
Nab, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nabbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nabbing.] [Dan nappe, or Sw. nappa.] To
catch or seize suddenly or unexpectedly. [Colloq.]
Smollett.
Na"bit (nā"b&ibreve;t), n.
Pulverized sugar candy. Crabb.
||Nabk (năbk), n. [Ar.
nabiqa, nibqa.] (Bot.) The edible berries
of the Zizyphys Lotus, a tree of Northern Africa, and
Southwestern Europe. [Written also nubk.] See
Lotus (b), and Sadr.
Na"bob (nā"b&obreve;b), n. [Hind.
nawāb, from Ar. nawāb, pl. of
nāïb a vicegerent, governor. Cf Nawab.]
1. A deputy or viceroy in India; a governor of a
province of the ancient Mogul empire.
2. One who returns to Europe from the East
with immense riches: hence, any man of great wealth. " A
bilious old nabob." Macaulay.
Nac"a*rat (?), n. [F. nacarat,
fr. Sp. or Pg. nacarado, fr. nácar mother-of-
pearl. See Nacre.] 1. A pale red color,
with a cast of orange. Ure.
2. Fine linen or crape dyed of this
color. Ure.
Nack"er (?), n. See
Nacre. Johnson.
Na"cre (?), n. [F., cf. Sp.
nácara, nácar, It. nacchera,
naccaro, LL. nacara, nacrum; of Oriental origin,
cf. Ar. nakīr hollowed.] (Zoöl.) A
pearly substance which lines the interior of many shells, and is most
perfect in the mother-of-pearl. [Written also nacker and
naker.] See Pearl, and Mother-of-
pearl.
Na"cre*ous (?), a. [See Nacre.]
(Zoöl.) Consisting of, or resembling, nacre;
pearly.
{ Nad (?), Nad"de (?) }. [Contr. fr. ne
hadde.] Had not. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Nad"der (?), n. [AS.
nædre. See Adder.] An adder. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Na"dir (?), n. [F., Sp., & It.
nadir; all fr. Ar. nasīru's samt nadir, prop.,
the point opposite the zenith (as samt), in which
nasīr means alike, corresponding to. Cf.
Azimuth, Zenith.] 1. That point of
the heavens, or lower hemisphere, directly opposite the zenith; the
inferior pole of the horizon; the point of the celestial sphere
directly under the place where we stand.
2. The lowest point; the time of greatest
depression.
The seventh century is the nadir of the human
mind in Europe.
Hallam.
Nadir of the sun (Astron.), the axis
of the conical shadow projected by the earth. Crabb.
||Næ"ni*a (?), n. See
Nenia.
Næve (?), n. [L. naevus.]
A nævus. [Obs.] Dryden.
Næ"void (?), a.
[Nævus + -oid.] Resembling a nævus or
nævi; as, nævoid elephantiasis.
Dunglison.
Næ"vose` (?), a. Spotted;
freckled.
||Næ"vus (nē"vŭs),
n.; pl. Nævi (-
vī). [L.] (Med.) A spot or mark on the skin of
children when born; a birthmark; -- usually applied to vascular
tumors, i. e., those consisting mainly of blood vessels, as dilated
arteries, veins, or capillaries.
Nag (năg), n. [OE. nagge,
D. negge; akin to E. neigh.] 1. A
small horse; a pony; hence, any horse.
2. A paramour; -- in contempt. [Obs.]
Shak.
Nag, v. t. & i. [imp. & p.
p. Nagged (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nagging (?).] [Cf. Sw. nagga to nibble, peck, Dan.
nage to gnaw, Icel. naga, gnaga, G.
nagen, & E. gnaw.] To tease in a petty way; to
scold habitually; to annoy; to fret pertinaciously. [Colloq.]
"She never nagged." J. Ingelow.
Nag"ging (?), a. Fault-finding;
teasing; persistently annoying; as, a nagging toothache.
[Colloq.]
Nag"gy (?), a. Irritable;
touchy. [Colloq.]
||Na"gor (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A West African gazelle (Gazella redunca).
Nag"yag*ite (?), n. [So called from
Nagyag, in Transylvania.] (Min.) A mineral of
blackish lead-gray color and metallic luster, generally of a foliated
massive structure; foliated tellurium. It is a telluride of lead and
gold.
Na"iad (?), n. [L. naias, -
adis, naïs, -idis, a water nymph, Gr &?;, &?;,
fr. &?; to flow: cf. F. naïade. Cf. Naid.]
1. (Myth.) A water nymph; one of the
lower female divinities, fabled to preside over some body of fresh
water, as a lake, river, brook, or fountain.
2. (Zoöl.) Any species of a tribe
(Naiades) of freshwater bivalves, including Unio,
Anodonta, and numerous allied genera; a river
mussel.
3. (Zoöl) One of a group of
butterflies. See Nymph.
4. (Bot.) Any plant of the order
Naiadaceæ, such as eelgrass, pondweed, etc.
Na"iant (?), a. (Her.) See
Natant. Crabb.
Na"id (?), n. [See Naiad.]
(Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small, fresh-
water, chætopod annelids of the tribe Naidina. They
belong to the Oligochæta.
Na"ïf` (&?;; formerly &?;),
a. [F. naïf. See Naïve.]
1. Having a true natural luster without being
cut; -- applied by jewelers to a precious stone.
2. Naïve; as, a naïf
remark. London Spectator.
||Na"ik (?), n. [Hind.
nāyak.] A chief; a leader; a Sepoy corporal.
Balfour (Cyc. of India).
Nail (?), n. [AS. nægel,
akin to D. nagel, OS &?; OHG. nagal, G. nagel,
Icel. nagl, nail (in sense 1), nagli nail (in sense 3),
Sw. nagel nail (in senses 1 and 3), Dan. nagle, Goth.
ganagljan to nail, Lith. nagas nail (in sense 1), Russ.
nogote, L. unguis, Gr. &?;, Skr. nakha. &?;]
1. (Anat.) the horny scale of plate of
epidermis at the end of the fingers and toes of man and many
apes.
His nayles like a briddes claws
were.
Chaucer.
&fist; The nails are strictly homologous with hoofs and claws.
When compressed, curved, and pointed, they are called talons
or claws, and the animal bearing them is said to be
unguiculate; when they incase the extremities of the digits
they are called hoofs, and the animal is ungulate.
2. (Zoöl.) (a)
The basal thickened portion of the anterior wings of certain
hemiptera. (b) The terminal horny plate on
the beak of ducks, and other allied birds.
3. A slender, pointed piece of metal, usually
with a head, used for fastening pieces of wood or other material
together, by being driven into or through them.
&fist; The different sorts of nails are named either from the use
to which they are applied, from their shape, from their size, or from
some other characteristic, as shingle, floor, ship-carpenters', and
horseshoe nails, roseheads, diamonds, fourpenny, tenpenny (see
Penny, a.), chiselpointed, cut, wrought, or
wire nails, etc.
4. A measure of length, being two inches and
a quarter, or the sixteenth of a yard.
Nail ball (Ordnance), a round
projectile with an iron bolt protruding to prevent it from turning in
the gun. -- Nail plate, iron in plates
from which cut nails are made. -- On the nail,
in hand; on the spot; immediately; without delay or time of
credit; as, to pay money on the nail. "You shall have ten
thousand pounds on the nail." Beaconsfield. --
To hit the nail on the head, to hit most
effectively; to do or say a thing in the right way.
Nail, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nailed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nailing.] [AS. næglian. See Nail,
n.] 1. To fasten with a nail
or nails; to close up or secure by means of nails; as, to nail
boards to the beams.
He is now dead, and nailed in his
chest.
Chaucer.
2. To stud or boss with nails, or as with
nails.
The rivets of your arms were nailed with
gold.
Dryden.
3. To fasten, as with a nail; to bind or
hold, as to a bargain or to acquiescence in an argument or assertion;
hence, to catch; to trap.
When they came to talk of places in town, you saw at
once how I nailed them.
Goldsmith.
4. To spike, as a cannon. [Obs.]
Crabb.
To nail a lie or an assertion,
etc., to detect and expose it, so as to put a stop to its
currency; -- an expression probably derived from the former practice
of shopkeepers, who were accustomed to nail bad or counterfeit pieces
of money to the counter.
Nail"brush`, n. A brush for
cleaning the nails.
Nail"er (?), n. 1.
One whose occupation is to make nails; a nail maker.
2. One who fastens with, or drives,
nails.
Nail"er*ess, n. A women who makes
nailes.
Nail"er*y (?), n.; pl. Naileries
(&?;). A manufactory where nails are made.
Nail"-head`ed (?), a. Having a
head like that of a nail; formed so as to resemble the head of a
nail.
Nail-headed characters, arrowheaded or
cuneiform characters. See under Arrowheaded. --
Nail-headed molding (Arch.), an ornament
consisting of a series of low four-sided pyramids resembling the
heads of large nails; -- called also nail-head molding, or
nail-head. It is the same as the simplest form of dogtooth.
See Dogtooth.
Nail"less, a. Without nails;
having no nails.
Nain`sook" (?), n. [Nainsukh, a
valley in Kaghan.] A thick sort of jaconet muslin, plain or
striped, formerly made in India.
||Na"is (?), n. [L., a naiad.]
(Zoöl.) See Naiad.
||Nais`sant" (?), a. [F., p. pr. of
naître to be born, L. nasci.] (Her.)
Same as Jessant.
Na"ïve` (?), a. [F.
naïf, fem. naïve, fr. L. nativus
innate, natural, native. See Native, and cf.
Naïf.] Having native or unaffected simplicity;
ingenuous; artless; frank; as, naïve manners; a
naïve person; naïve and unsophisticated
remarks.
Na"ïve`ly (?), adv. In a
naïve manner.
||Na`ïve`té" (?), n. [F.
See Naïve, and cf. Nativity.] Native
simplicity; unaffected plainness or ingenuousness;
artlessness.
A story which pleases me by its
naïveté -- that is, by its unconscious
ingenuousness.
De Quincey.
Na"ïve`ty (?), n.
Naïveté. Carlyle.
Nake (?), v. t. To make
naked. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Come, be ready, nake your swords.
Old Play.
Na"ked (?), a. [AS. nacod; akin
to D. naakt, G. nackt, OHG. nacchot,
nahhot, Icel. nökviðr, nakinn, Sw.
naken, Dan. nögen, Goth. naqaþs,
Lith. nůgas, Russ. nagii, L. nudus, Skr.
nagna. √266. Cf. Nude.]
1. Having no clothes on; uncovered; nude;
bare; as, a naked body; a naked limb; a naked
sword.
2. Having no means of defense or protection;
open; unarmed; defenseless.
Thy power is full naked.
Chaucer.
Behold my bosom naked to your
swords.
Addison.
3. Unprovided with needful or desirable
accessories, means of sustenance, etc.; destitute; unaided;
bare.
Patriots who had exposed themselves for the public,
and whom they say now left naked.
Milton.
4. Without addition, exaggeration, or
excuses; not concealed or disguised; open to view; manifest;
plain.
The truth appears so naked on my side,
That any purblind eye may find it out.
Shak.
All things are naked and opened unto the eyes
of him with whom we to do.
Heb. iv. 13.
5. Mere; simple; plain.
The very naked name of love.
Shak.
6. (Bot.) Without pubescence; as, a
naked leaf or stem; bare, or not covered by the customary
parts, as a flower without a perianth, a stem without leaves, seeds
without a pericarp, buds without bud scales.
7. (Mus.) Not having the full
complement of tones; -- said of a chord of only two tones, which
requires a third tone to be sounded with them to make the combination
pleasing to the ear; as, a naked fourth or fifth.
Naked bed, a bed the occupant of which is
naked, no night linen being worn in ancient times. Shak.
-- Naked eye, the eye alone, unaided by
glasses, or by telescope, microscope, or the like. --
Naked-eyed medusa. (Zoöl.) See
Hydromedusa. -- Naked flooring
(Carp.), the timberwork which supports a floor.
Gwilt. -- Naked mollusk (Zoöl.),
a nudibranch. -- Naked wood (Bot.),
a large rhamnaceous tree (Colibrina reclinata) of Southern
Florida and the West Indies, having a hard and heavy heartwood, which
takes a fine polish. C. S. Sargent.
Syn. -- Nude; bare; denuded; uncovered; unclothed; exposed;
unarmed; plain; defenseless.
Na"ked*ly, adv. In a naked manner;
without covering or disguise; manifestly; simply; barely.
Na"ked*ness, n. 1.
The condition of being naked.
2. (Script.) The privy parts; the
genitals.
Ham . . . saw the nakedness of his
father.
Gen. ix. 22.
Na"ker (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Same as Nacre.
Na"ker, n. [OE. nakere, F.
nakaire, LL. nacara, Per. naqāret.] A
kind of kettledrum. [Obs.] Chaucer.
||Na"koo (?), n. [From the native
name.] (Zoöl.) The gavial. [Written also
nako.]
Nale (?), n. [A corrupt form arising
from the older "at þen ale" at the nale.] Ale;
also, an alehouse. [Obs.]
Great feasts at the nale.
Chaucer.
Nall (?), n. [Either fr. Icel.
nāl (see Needle); or fr. awl, like
newt fr. ewt.] An awl. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Tusser.
Nam (?). [Contr. fr. ne am.] Am not.
[Obs.]
Nam, obs. imp. of
Nim. Chaucer.
Nam"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being
named.
Na*ma"tion (?), n. [LL. namare
to take; cf. AS. niman to take.] (O. Eng. & Scots Law)
A distraining or levying of a distress; an impounding.
Burrill.
Nam"ay*cush (?), n. [Indian name.]
(Zool.) A large North American lake trout (Salvelinus
namaycush). It is usually spotted with red, and sometimes weighs
over forty pounds. Called also Mackinaw trout, lake
trout, lake salmon, salmon trout, togue, and
tuladi.
Nam"by-pam`by (?), n. [From Ambrose
Phillips, in ridicule of the extreme simplicity of some of his
verses.] Talk or writing which is weakly sentimental or
affectedly pretty. Macaulay.
Nam"by-pam`by, a. Affectedly
pretty; weakly sentimental; finical; insipid.
Thackeray.
Namby-pamby madrigals of love.
W. Gifford.
Name (?), n. [AS. nama; akin to
D. naam, OS. & OHG. namo, G. name, Icel.
nafn, for namn, Dan. navn, Sw. namn,
Goth. namō, L. nomen (perh. influenced by
noscere, gnoscere, to learn to know), Gr.
'o`mona, Scr. nāman. √267. Cf.
Anonymous, Ignominy, Misnomer, Nominal,
Noun.] 1. The title by which any person
or thing is known or designated; a distinctive specific appellation,
whether of an individual or a class.
Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was
the name thereof.
Gen. ii. 19.
What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
Shak.
2. A descriptive or qualifying appellation
given to a person or thing, on account of a character or
acts.
His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of
Peace.
Is. ix. 6.
3. Reputed character; reputation, good or
bad; estimation; fame; especially, illustrious character or fame;
honorable estimation; distinction.
What men of name resort to him?
Shak.
Far above . . . every name that is named, not
only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
Eph. i. 21.
I will get me a name and honor in the
kingdom.
1 Macc. iii. 14.
He hath brought up an evil name upon a
virgin.
Deut. xxii. 19.
The king's army . . . had left no good name
behind.
Clarendon.
4. Those of a certain name; a race; a
family.
The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his
name, came every day to pay their feigned
civilities.
Motley.
5. A person, an individual.
[Poetic]
They list with women each degenerate
name.
Dryden.
Christian name. (a) The name
a person receives at baptism, as distinguished from surname;
baptismal name. (b) A given name, whether
received at baptism or not. -- Given name.
See under Given. -- In name, in
profession, or by title only; not in reality; as, a friend in
name. -- In the name of.
(a) In behalf of; by the authority of. " I
charge you in the duke's name to obey me." Shak.
(b) In the represented or assumed character
of. "I'll to him again in name of Brook." Shak. --
Name plate, a plate as of metal, glass, etc.,
having a name upon it, as a sign; a doorplate. -- Pen
name, a name assumed by an author; a pseudonym or nom
de plume. Bayard Taylor. -- Proper name
(Gram.), a name applied to a particular person, place, or
thing. -- To call names, to apply
opprobrious epithets to; to call by reproachful appellations. --
To take a name in vain, to use a name lightly
or profanely; to use a name in making flippant or dishonest
oaths. Ex. xx. 7.
Syn. -- Appellation; title; designation; cognomen;
denomination; epithet. -- Name, Appellation,
Title, Denomination. Name is generic, denoting
that combination of sounds or letters by which a person or thing is
known and distinguished. Appellation, although sometimes put
for name simply, denotes, more properly, a descriptive
term, used by way of marking some individual peculiarity or
characteristic; as, Charles the Bold, Philip the
Stammerer. A title is a term employed to point out
one's rank, office, etc.; as, the Duke of Bedford, Paul the
Apostle, etc. Denomination is to particular bodies what
appellation is to individuals; thus, the church of Christ is
divided into different denominations, as Congregationalists,
Episcopalians, Presbyterians, etc.
Name (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Named (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Naming.] [AS. namian. See Name,
n.] 1. To give a distinctive
name or appellation to; to entitle; to denominate; to style; to
call.
She named the child Ichabod.
1
Sam. iv. 21.
Thus was the building left
Ridiculous, and the work Confusion named.
Milton.
2. To mention by name; to utter or publish
the name of; to refer to by distinctive title; to mention.
None named thee but to praise.
Halleck.
Old Yew, which graspest at the stones
That name the underlying dead.
Tennyson.
3. To designate by name or specifically for
any purpose; to nominate; to specify; to appoint; as, to name
a day for the wedding.
Whom late you have named for
consul.
Shak.
4. (House of Commons) To designate (a
member) by name, as the Speaker does by way of reprimand.
Syn. -- To denominate; style; term; call; mention; specify;
designate; nominate.
Name"less, a. 1.
Without a name; not having been given a name; as, a
nameless star. Waller.
2. Undistinguished; not noted or
famous.
A nameless dwelling and an unknown
name.
Harte.
3. Not known or mentioned by name; anonymous;
as, a nameless writer."Nameless pens."
Atterbury.
4. Unnamable; indescribable;
inexpressible.
But what it is, that is not yet known; what
I can not name; &?;t is nameless woe,I wot.
Shak.
I have a nameless horror of the
man.
Hawthorne.
Name"less*ly, adv. In a nameless
manner.
Name"ly, adv. 1.
By name; by particular mention; specifically; especially;
expressly. [Obs.] Chaucer.
The solitariness of man . . . God hath namely
and principally ordered to prevent by marriage.
Milton.
2. That is to say; to wit; videlicet; --
introducing a particular or specific designation.
For the excellency of the soul, namely, its
power of divining dreams; that several such divinations have been
made, none &?;an question.
Addison.
Nam"er (?), n. One who names, or
calls by name.
Name"sake` (?), n. [For name's
sake; i. e., one named for the sake of another's name.]
One that has the same name as another; especially, one called
after, or named out of regard to, another.
Na*mo" (?), adv. No more.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Nan (?), interj. [For anan.]
Anan. [Prov. Eng.]
Nan"dine (?), n. [Native name.]
(Zoöl.) An African carnivore (Nandinia
binotata), allied to the civets. It is spotted with
black.
{ Nan"dou (?), Nan"du (?), }
n. [Braz. nhandu or yandu.]
(Zoöl.) Any one of three species of South American
ostriches of the genera Rhea and Pterocnemia. See
Rhea. [Written also nandow.]
Nan*keen" (?), n. [So called from its
being originally manufactured at Nankin, in China.] [Written
also nankin.] 1. A species of cloth, of a
firm texture, originally brought from China, made of a species of
cotton (Gossypium religiosum) that is naturally of a brownish
yellow color quite indestructible and permanent.
2. An imitation of this cloth by artificial
coloring.
3. pl. Trousers made of nankeen.
Ld. Lytton.
Nankeen bird (Zoöl.), the
Australian night heron (Nycticorax Caledonicus); -- called
also quaker.
Nan"ny (?), n. A diminutive of
Ann or Anne, the proper name.
Nanny goat, a female goat.
[Colloq.]
Nan"ny*ber`ry (?), n. (Bot.)
See Sheepberry.
Nan"pie (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The magpie.
||Na"os (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?;&?;&?;&?; a temple, the cella.] (Arch.) A term used by
modern archæologists instead of cella. See
Cella.
Nap (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Napped (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Napping (?).] [OE. nappen, AS. hnæppian to
take a nap, to slumber; cf. AS. hnipian to bend one's self,
Icel. hnipna, hnīpa, to droop.]
1. To have a short sleep; to be drowsy; to
doze. Chaucer.
2. To be in a careless, secure state.
Wyclif.
I took thee napping, unprepared.
Hudibras.
Nap, n. A short sleep; a doze; a
siesta. Cowper.
Nap, n. [OE. noppe, AS.
hnoppa; akin to D. nop, Dan. noppe, LG.
nobbe.] 1. Woolly or villous surface of
felt, cloth, plants, etc.; an external covering of down, of short
fine hairs or fibers forming part of the substance of anything, and
lying smoothly in one direction; the pile; -- as, the nap of
cotton flannel or of broadcloth.
2. pl. The loops which are cut to make
the pile, in velvet. Knight.
Nap, v. t. To raise, or put, a nap
on.
Nape (?), n. [Perh. akin to knap
a knop.] The back part of the neck. Spenser.
Nape"-crest` (?), n.
(Zoöl.) An African bird of the genus
Schizorhis, related to the plantain eaters.
Na"per*y (?), n.; pl.
Naperies (#). [OF. naperie, fr. nape
a tablecloth, F. nappe, LL. napa, fr. L. mappa.
See Map, and cf. Apron, Napkin.] Table
linen; also, linen clothing, or linen in general. [Obs.]
Gayton.
Na"pha wa`ter (?). [Sp. nafa, from Ar.
napha odor.] A perfume distilled from orange
flowers.
Na"phew (?), n. (Bot.) See
Navew.
Naph"tha (?), n. [L. naphtha,
Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;&?;, fr.Ar. nafth, nifth.]
1. (Chem.) The complex mixture of
volatile, liquid, inflammable hydrocarbons, occurring naturally, and
usually called crude petroleum, mineral oil, or rock
oil. Specifically: That portion of the distillate obtained in the
refinement of petroleum which is intermediate between the lighter
gasoline and the heavier benzine, and has a specific gravity of about
0.7, -- used as a solvent for varnishes, as a carburetant,
illuminant, etc.
2. (Chem.) One of several volatile
inflammable liquids obtained by the distillation of certain
carbonaceous materials and resembling the naphtha from petroleum; as,
Boghead naphtha, from Boghead coal (obtained at
Boghead, Scotland); crude naphtha, or light oil,
from coal tar; wood naphtha, from wood, etc.
&fist; This term was applied by the earlier chemical writers to a
number of volatile, strong smelling, inflammable liquids, chiefly
belonging to the ethers, as the sulphate, nitrate, or acetate of
ethyl. Watts.
Naphtha vitrioli [NL., naphtha of vitriol]
(Old Chem.), common ethyl ether; -- formerly called
sulphuric ether. See Ether.
Naph"tha*late (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of naphthalic acid; a phthalate. [Obs.]
Naph"tha*lene (?), n. (Chem.)
A white crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon,
C10H8, analogous to benzene, and obtained by
the distillation of certain bituminous materials, such as the heavy
oil of coal tar. It is the type and basis of a large number of
derivatives among organic compounds. Formerly called also
naphthaline.
Naphthalene red (Chem.), a dyestuff
obtained from certain diazo derivatives of naphthylamine, and called
also magdala red. -- Naphthalene yellow
(Chem.), a yellow dyestuff obtained from certain nitro
derivatives of naphthol.
Naph`tha*len"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to , or derived from, naphthalene; -- used
specifically to designate a yellow crystalline substance, called
naphthalenic acid and also hydroxy quinone, and
obtained from certain derivatives of naphthol.
Naph*tha"lic (?), a. (Chem.)
(a) Pertaining to, derived from, or related to,
naphthalene; -- used specifically to denote any one of a series of
acids derived from naphthalene, and called naphthalene
acids. (b) Formerly, designating an
acid probably identical with phthalic acid.
Naph*thal"i*dine (?), n.
[Naphthalene + toluidine.] (Chem.) Same as
Naphthylamine.
{ Naph"tha*lin (?), Naph"tha*line (?), }
n. [F. naphthaline.] (Chem.) See
Naphthalene.
Naph"tha*lize (?), v. t. (Chem.)
To mingle, saturate, or impregnate, with naphtha.
Naph*thaz"a*rin (?), n.
[Naphthalene + alizarin.] (Chem.) A
dyestuff, resembling alizarin, obtained from naphthoquinone as a red
crystalline substance with a bright green, metallic luster; -- called
also naphthalizarin.
Naph"thene (?), n. (Chem.)
A peculiar hydrocarbon occuring as an ingredient of Caucasian
petroleum.
Naph"thide (?), n. (Chem.)
A compound of naphthalene or its radical with a metallic
element; as, mercuric naphthide.
Naph*tho"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or related to, naphthalene; -- used
specifically to designate any one of a series of carboxyl
derivatives, called naphthoic acids.
Naph"thol (?), n. [Naphthalene +
-ol.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of hydroxyl
derivatives of naphthalene, analogous to phenol. In general they are
crystalline substances with a phenol (carbolic) odor.
Naphthol blue, Naphthol
orange, Naphthol yellow (Chem.),
brilliant dyestuffs produced from certain complex nitrogenous
derivatives of naphthol or naphthoquinone.
Naph`tho*qui"none (?), n.
[Naphthalene + quinone.] (Chem.) A yellow
crystalline substance, C10H6O2,
analogous to quinone, obtained by oxidizing naphthalene with chromic
acid.
Naph"thyl (?), n. [Naphthalene +
-yl.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon radical regarded as
the essential residue of naphthalene.
Naph`thyl*am"ine (?), n. (Chem.)
One of two basic amido derivatives of naphthalene,
C10H7.NH2, forming crystalline
solids.
{ Na*pie"ri*an, Na*pe"ri*an , } (?),
a. Of, pertaining to, or discovered by,
Napier, or Naper.
Naperian logarithms. See under
Logarithms.
{ Na"pi*er's bones` (?), Na"pi*er's rods` (?) }.
A set of rods, made of bone or other material, each divided into
nine spaces, and containing the numbers of a column of the
multiplication table; -- a contrivance of Baron Napier, the inventor
of logarithms, for facilitating the operations of multiplication and
division.
Na"pi*form (?), a. [L. napus
turnip + -form: cf. F. napiforme. Cf. Navew.]
(Bot.) Turnip-shaped; large and round in the upper part,
and very slender below.
Nap"kin (?), n. [Dim. of OF.
nape a tablecloth, cloth, F. nappe, L. mappa.
See Napery.] 1. A little towel, or small
cloth, esp. one for wiping the fingers and mouth at table.
2. A handkerchief. [Obs.]
Shak.
Napkin pattern. See Linen scroll,
under Linen. -- Napkin ring, a ring of metal, ivory, or
other material, used to inclose a table napkin.
Nap"less, a. Without nap;
threadbare. Shak.
Na"ples yel"low (?). See under
Yellow.
Na*po"le*on (?), n. [From the Emperor
Napoleon 1.] A French gold coin of twenty francs, or
about $3.86.
Na*po`le*on"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Napoleon I., or his family; resembling, or having the
qualities of, Napoleon I. Lowell.
Na*po"le*on*ist (?), n. A
supporter of the dynasty of the Napoleons.
Nappe (?), n. [F. nappe cloth,
sheet. See Napery.] (Geom.) Sheet; surface; all
that portion of a surface that is continuous in such a way that it is
possible to pass from any one point of the portion to any other point
of the portion without leaving the surface. Thus, some hyperboloids
have one nappe, and some have two.
Nap"pi*ness (?), n. [From 2d
Nappy.] The quality of having a nap; abundance of nap, as
on cloth.
Nap"ping (?), n. 1.
The act or process of raising a nap, as on cloth.
2. (Hat Making) A sheet of partially
felted fur before it is united to the hat body.
Knight.
Nap"py (?), a. [From 1st Nap.]
1. Inclined to sleep; sleepy; as, to feel
nappy.
2. Tending to cause sleepiness; serving to
make sleepy; strong; heady; as, nappy ale. [Obs.]
Wyatt.
Nap"py, a. [From 3d Nap.]
Having a nap or pile; downy; shaggy. Holland.
Nap"py, n.; pl.
Nappies (#). [OE. nap, AS. hnæp
cup, bowl. See Hanaper.] A round earthen dish, with a
flat bottom and sloping sides. [Written also
nappie.]
Nap"-tak`ing (?), n. A taking by
surprise; an unexpected onset or attack. Carew.
||Na*pu" (?), n. [Native name.]
(Zoöl.) A very small chevrotain (Tragulus
Javanicus), native of Java. It is about the size of a hare, and
is noted for its agility in leaping. Called also Java musk
deer, pygmy musk deer, and deerlet.
||Na"pus (?), n. [L.] (Bot.)
A kind of turnip. See Navew.
Nar"ce*ine (?), n. [L. narce
numbness, torpor, Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;&?;: cf. F.
narcéïne.] (Chem.) An alkaloid found
in small quantities in opium, and extracted as a white crystalline
substance of a bitter astringent taste. It is a narcotic. Called also
narceia.
Nar*cis"sine (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Narcissus.
Nar*cis"sus (?), n.; pl.
Narcissuses (#). [L. narcissus, and
(personified) Narcissus, Gr. na`rkissos,
Na`rkissos, fr. na`rkh torpor, in allusion to
the narcotic properties of the flower. Cf. Narcotic.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of endogenous
bulbous plants with handsome flowers, having a cup-shaped crown
within the six-lobed perianth, and comprising the daffodils and
jonquils of several kinds.
2. (Classical Myth.) A beautiful youth
fabled to have been enamored of his own image as seen in a fountain,
and to have been changed into the flower called Narcissus.
||Nar*co"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
na`rkwsis. See Narcotic.] (Med.)
Privation of sense or consciousness, due to a
narcotic.
Nar*cot"ic (?), a. [F.
narcotique, Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;, fr.
&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?; to benumb, na`rkh numbness, torpor.]
(Med.) Having the properties of a narcotic; operating as
a narcotic.
-- Nar*cot"ic*ness, n.
Nar*cot"ic (?), n. (Med.) A
drug which, in medicinal doses, generally allays morbid
susceptibility, relieves pain, and produces sleep; but which, in
poisonous doses, produces stupor, coma, or convulsions, and, when
given in sufficient quantity, causes death. The best examples are
opium (with morphine), belladonna (with atropine), and
conium.
Nercotykes and opye (opium) of
Thebes.
Chaucer.
Nar*cot"ic*al (?), a.
Narcotic.
-- Nar*cot"ic*al*ly, adv.
Nar"co*tine (?), n. [Cf. F.
narcotine. Cf. Cotarnine.] (Chem.) An
alkaloid found in opium, and extracted as a white crystalline
substance, tasteless and less poisonous than morphine; -- called also
narcotia.
Nar`co*tin"ic (?), a. Pertaining
to narcotine.
Nar"co*tism (?), n. [Cf. F.
narcotisme.] Narcosis; the state of being
narcotized. G. Eliot.
Nar"co*tize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Narcotized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Narcotizing (?).] To imbue with, or subject
to the influence of, a narcotic; to put into a state of
narcosis.
Nard (?), n. [AS., fr. L.
nardus, Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;; cf. Heb. nêrd,
Per. nard, Scr. nalada.] 1.
(Bot.) An East Indian plant (Nardostachys
Jatamansi) of the Valerian family, used from remote ages in
Oriental perfumery.
2. An ointment prepared partly from this
plant. See Spikenard.
3. (Bot.) A kind of grass (Nardus
stricta) of little value, found in Europe and Asia.
Nard"ine (?), a. [L. nardinus,
Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;.] Of or pertaining to nard; having
the qualities of nard.
||Nar*doo" (?), n. (Bot.)
An Australian name for Marsilea Drummondii, a four-leaved
cryptogamous plant, sometimes used for food.
Nare (?), n. [L. naris.] A
nostril. [R.] B. Jonson.
||Na"res (?), n. pl. [L., pl. of
naris nostril.] (Anat.) The nostrils or nasal
openings, -- the anterior nares being the external or proper
nostrils, and the posterior nares, the openings of the nasal
cavities into the mouth or pharynx.
{ Nar"gile (?), Nar"gi*leh (?), }
n. [Per. nārghīl, prop., a
cocoanut; prob. so called because first made of a cocoanut.] An
apparatus for smoking tobacco. It has a long flexible tube, and the
smoke is drawn through water.
||Nar"i*ca (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The brown coati. See Coati.
Nar"i*form (?), a. [L. naris
nostril + -form. See Nose.] Formed like the
nose.
Nar"ine (?), a. Of or belonging to
the nostrils.
Nar"ra*ble (?), a. [L.
narrabilis, fr. narrare to narrate.] Capable of
being narrated or told. [Obs.]
Nar`ra*gan"setts (?), n. pl.; sing.
Narragansett (&?;). (Ethnol.) A
tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited the shores of Narragansett
Bay.
Nar*rate" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Narrated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Narrating.] [L. narratus, p. p. of narrare to
narrate, prob. for gnarigare, fr. gnarus knowing. See
Ignore, Know.] To tell, rehearse, or recite, as a
story; to relate the particulars of; to go through with in detail, as
an incident or transaction; to give an account of.
Syn. -- To relate; recount; detail; describe.
Nar*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
narratio: cf. F. narration.] 1.
The act of telling or relating the particulars of an event;
rehearsal; recital.
2. That which is related; the relation in
words or writing of the particulars of any transaction or event, or
of any series of transactions or events; story; history.
3. (Rhet.) That part of a discourse
which recites the time, manner, or consequences of an action, or
simply states the facts connected with the subject.
Syn. -- Account; recital; rehearsal; relation; description;
explanation; detail; narrative; story; tale; history. See
Account.
Nar"ra*tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
narratif.] 1. Of or pertaining to
narration; relating to the particulars of an event or
transaction.
2. Apt or inclined to relate stories, or to
tell particulars of events; story-telling; garrulous.
But wise through time, and narrative with
age.
Pope.
Nar"ra*tive, n. That which is
narrated; the recital of a story; a continuous account of the
particulars of an event or transaction; a story.
Cyntio was much taken with my
narrative.
Tatler.
Syn. -- Account; recital; rehearsal; relation; narration;
story; tale. See Account.
Nar"ra*tive*ly, adv. In the style
of narration.
Nar*ra"tor (?), n. [L.] One who
narrates; one who relates a series of events or
transactions.
Nar"ra*to*ry (?), a. Giving an
account of events; narrative; as, narratory letters.
Howell.
Narre (?), a. Nearer. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Nar"row (?), a.
[Compar. Narrower (?);
superl. Narrowest.] [OE. narwe,
naru, AS. nearu; akin to OS. naru, naro.]
1. Of little breadth; not wide or broad; having
little distance from side to side; as, a narrow board; a
narrow street; a narrow hem.
Hath passed in safety through the narrow
seas.
Shak.
2. Of little extent; very limited;
circumscribed.
The Jews were but a small nation, and confined to a
narrow compass in the world.
Bp.
Wilkins.
3. Having but a little margin; having barely
sufficient space, time, or number, etc.; close; near; -- with special
reference to some peril or misfortune; as, a narrow shot; a
narrow escape; a narrow majority.
Dryden.
4. Limited as to means; straitened; pinching;
as, narrow circumstances.
5. Contracted; of limited scope; illiberal;
bigoted; as, a narrow mind; narrow views. "A
narrow understanding." Macaulay.
6. Parsimonious; niggardly; covetous;
selfish.
A very narrow and stinted charity.
Smalridge.
7. Scrutinizing in detail; close; accurate;
exact.
But first with narrow search I must walk
round
This garden, and no corner leave unspied.
Milton.
8. (Phon.) Formed (as a vowel) by a
close position of some part of the tongue in relation to the palate;
or (according to Bell) by a tense condition of the pharynx; --
distinguished from wide; as ē (ēve) and &oomac;
(f&oomac;d), etc., from &ibreve; (&ibreve;ll) and &oocr; (f&oocr;t),
etc. See Guide to Pronunciation, § 13.
&fist; Narrow is not unfrequently prefixed to words,
especially to participles and adjectives, forming compounds of
obvious signification; as, narrow-bordered, narrow-
brimmed, narrow-breasted, narrow-edged, narrow-
faced, narrow-headed, narrow-leaved, narrow-
pointed, narrow-souled, narrow-sphered, etc.
Narrow gauge. (Railroad) See Note
under Gauge, n., 6.
Nar"row (?), n.; pl.
Narrows (&?;). A narrow passage; esp., a
contracted part of a stream, lake, or sea; a strait connecting two
bodies of water; -- usually in the plural; as, The Narrows of
New York harbor.
Near the island lay on one side the jaws of a
dangerous
narrow.
Gladstone.
Nar"row, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Narrowed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Narrowing.] [AS. nearwian.] 1. To
lessen the breadth of; to contract; to draw into a smaller compass;
to reduce the width or extent of. Sir W. Temple.
2. To contract the reach or sphere of; to
make less liberal or more selfish; to limit; to confine; to restrict;
as, to narrow one's views or knowledge; to narrow a
question in discussion.
Our knowledge is much more narrowed if we
confine ourselves to our own solitary reasonings.
I.
Watts.
3. (Knitting) To contract the size of,
as a stocking, by taking two stitches into one.
Nar"row, v. i. 1.
To become less broad; to contract; to become narrower; as, the
sea narrows into a strait.
2. (Man.) Not to step out enough to
the one hand or the other; as, a horse narrows.
Farrier's Dict.
3. (Knitting) To contract the size of
a stocking or other knit article, by taking two stitches into
one.
Nar"row*er (?), n. One who, or
that which, narrows or contracts. Hannah More.
Nar"row*ing, n. 1.
The act of contracting, or of making or becoming less in breadth
or extent.
2. The part of a stocking which is
narrowed.
Nar"row*ly, adv. [AS.
nearulice.] 1. With little breadth; in a
narrow manner.
2. Without much extent;
contractedly.
3. With minute scrutiny; closely; as, to look
or watch narrowly; to search narrowly.
4. With a little margin or space; by a small
distance; hence, closely; hardly; barely; only just; -- often with
reference to an avoided danger or misfortune; as, he narrowly
escaped.
5. Sparingly; parsimoniously.
Nar"row-mind`ed (?), a. Of narrow
mental scope; illiberal; mean. -- Nar"row-
mind`ed*ness, n.
Nar"row*ness, n. [AS. nearunes.]
The condition or quality of being narrow.
Nart (?). [For ne art.] Art not. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
||Nar"thex (?), n. [L., giant fennel,
Gr. &?;.] 1. (Bot.) A tall umbelliferous
plant (Ferula communis). See Giant fennel, under
Fennel.
2. (Arch.) The portico in front of
ancient churches; sometimes, the atrium or outer court surrounded by
ambulatories; -- used, generally, for any vestibule, lobby, or outer
porch, leading to the nave of a church.
Nar"wal (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Narwhal.
Nar"we (?), a. Narrow.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Nar"whal (?), n. [Sw. or Dan.
narvhal; akin to Icel. nāhvalr, and E.
whale. the first syllable is perh. from Icel. nār
corpse, dead body, in allusion to the whitish color its skin. See
Whale.] [Written also narwhale.] (Zoöl.)
An arctic cetacean (Monodon monocerous), about twenty
feet long. The male usually has one long, twisted, pointed canine
tooth, or tusk projecting forward from the upper jaw like a horn,
whence it is called also sea unicorn, unicorn fish, and
unicorn whale. Sometimes two horns are developed, side by
side.
Nas (näz). [For ne was.] Was not.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Nas. [Contr. fr. ne has.] Has not.
[Obs.] Spenser.
Na"sal (nā"zal), a. [F.,
from L. nasus the nose. See Nose.] 1.
(Anat.) Of or pertaining to the nose.
2. (Phon.) Having a quality imparted
by means of the nose; and specifically, made by lowering the soft
palate, in some cases with closure of the oral passage, the voice
thus issuing (wholly or partially) through the nose, as in the
consonants m, n, ng (see Guide to
Pronunciation, §§ 20, 208); characterized by resonance
in the nasal passage; as, a nasal vowel; a nasal
utterance.
Nasal bones (Anat.), two bones of the
skull, in front of the frontals. -- Nasal
index (Anat.), in the skull, the ratio of the
transverse the base of the aperture to the nasion, which latter
distance is taken as the standard, equal to 100.
Na"sal, n. 1. An
elementary sound which is uttered through the nose, or through both
the nose and the mouth simultaneously.
2. (Med.) A medicine that operates
through the nose; an errhine. [Archaic]
3. (Anc. Armor) Part of a helmet
projecting to protect the nose; a nose guard.
4. (Anat.) One of the nasal
bones.
5. (Zoöl.) A plate, or scale, on
the nose of a fish, etc.
Na*sal"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
nasalité.] The quality or state of being
nasal.
Na`sal*i*za"tion (?), n. The act
of nasalizing, or the state of being nasalized.
Na"sal*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Nasalized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Nasalizing (?).] To render nasal, as sound;
to insert a nasal or sound in.
Na"sal*ize, v. t. To utter words
or letters with a nasal sound; to speak through the nose.
Na"sal*ly, adv. In a nasal manner;
by the nose.
Nas"cal (?), n. [F. nascale.]
(Med.) A kind of pessary of medicated wool or cotton,
formerly used.
Nas"cen*cy (?), n. [L.
nascentia. See Nascent.] State of being nascent;
birth; beginning; origin.
Nas"cent (?), a. [L. nascens,
-entis, p. pr. nasci to be born. See Nation, and
cf. Naissant.] 1. Commencing, or in
process of development; beginning to exist or to grow; coming into
being; as, a nascent germ.
Nascent passions and anxieties.
Berkley.
2. (Chem.) Evolving; being evolved or
produced.
Nascent state (Chem.), the supposed
instantaneous or momentary state of an uncombined atom or radical
just separated from one compound acid, and not yet united with
another, -- a hypothetical condition implying peculiarly active
chemical properties; as, hydrogen in the nascent state is a
strong reducer.
Nase"ber`ry (?), n. [Sp. nispero
medlar and naseberry tree, fr. L. mespilus. See
Medlar.] (Bot.) A tropical fruit. See
Sapodilla. [Written also nisberry.]
Nash (?), a. [Etymol. uncertain.]
Firm; stiff; hard; also, chilly. [Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.
Nas`i*cor"nous (?), a. [L. nasus
nose + cornu horn: cf. F. nasicorne.]
(Zoöl.) Bearing a horn, or horns, on the nose, as
the rhinoceros.
Nas"i*form (?), a. [L. nasus
nose + -form. See Nose, and cf. Nariform.]
Having the shape of a nose.
||Na*si*on (?), n. [NL., fr. L.
nasus nose.] (Anat.) The middle point of the
nasofrontal suture.
Na"so- (&?;). [L. nasus nose.] (Anat.)
A combining form denoting pertaining to, or connected
with, the nose; as, nasofrontal.
Na"so*buc"cal (?), a. [Naso +
buccal.] (Anat.) Connected with both the nose and
the mouth; as, the nasobuccal groove in the skate.
Na`so*fron"tal (?), a. [Naso- +
frontal.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the nose and
the front of the head; as, the embryonic nasofrontal process
which forms the anterior boundary of the mouth.
Na`so*lach"ry*mal (?), a. [Naso-
+ lachrymal.] (Anat.) Connected with the lachrymal
apparatus and the nose; as, the nasolachrymal, or lachrymal
duct.
{ Na`so*pal"a*tal (?), Na`so*pal"a*tine (?) },
a. [Naso- + palatal.] (Anat.)
Connected with both the nose and the palate; as, the
nasopalatine or incisor, canal connecting the mouth and the
nasal chamber in some animals; the nasopalatine
nerve.
Na`so*phar`yn*ge"al (? or &?;), a.
[Naso- + pharyngeal.] (Anat.) Of or
pertaining to both throat and nose; as, a nasopharyngeal
polypus.
Na`so*sep"tal (?), a. [Naso- +
septal.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the
internasal septum.
Na`so*tur"bi*nal (?), a. [Naso-
+ turbinal.] (Anat.) Connected with, or near, both
the turbinal and the nasal bones; as, the nasalturbinal bone,
made up of the uppermost lammelæ of the ethmoturbinal, and
sometimes united with the nasal. -- n.
The nasoturbinal bone.
Nas"sa (?), n.; pl. E.
Nassas (#), L. NassÆ (#).
[From L. nassa a kind of basket, in allusion to the
reticulation of some species.] (Zoöl.) Any species
of marine gastropods, of the genera Nassa, Tritia, and
other allied genera of the family Nassidæ; a dog whelk.
See Illust. under Gastropoda.
-- nas"soid (#), a.
Nas"ti*ly (?), adv. In a nasty
manner.
Nas"ti*ness, n. The quality or
state of being nasty; extreme filthness; dirtiness; also, indecency;
obscenity.
The nastiness of Plautus and
Aristophanes.
Dryden.
Nas*tur"tion (?), n. [See
Nasturtium.] (Bot.) Same as
Nasturtium.
Nas*tur"tium (?), n. [L.
nasturtium, for nasitortium, fr. nasus nose +
torquere, tortum, to twist, torture, in allusion to the
causing one to make a wry face by its pungent taste. See Nose
of the face, and Torture.] 1. (Bot.)
A genus of cruciferous plants, having white or yellowish
flowers, including several species of cress. They are found chiefly
in wet or damp grounds, and have a pungent biting taste.
2. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus
Tropæolum, geraniaceous herbs, having mostly climbing
stems, peltate leaves, and spurred flowers, and including the common
Indian cress (Tropæolum majus), the canary-bird flower
(T. peregrinum), and about thirty more species, all natives of
South America. The whole plant has a warm pungent flavor, and the
fleshy fruits are used as a substitute for capers, while the leaves
and flowers are sometimes used in salads.
Nas"ty (?), a.
[Compar. Nastier (&?;);
superl. Nastiest.] [For older nasky;
cf. dial. Sw. naskug, nasket.] 1.
Offensively filthy; very dirty, foul, or defiled; disgusting;
nauseous.
2. Hence, loosely: Offensive; disagreeable;
unpropitious; wet; drizzling; as, a nasty rain, day,
sky.
3. Characterized by obscenity; indecent;
indelicate; gross; filthy.
Syn. -- Nasty, Filthy, Foul,
Dirty. Anything nasty is usually wet or damp as well as
filthy or dirty, and disgusts by its stickiness or odor; but
filthy and foul imply that a thing is filled or covered
with offensive matter, while dirty describes it as defiled or
sullied with dirt of any kind; as, filthy clothing,
foul vapors, etc.
Na"sute (?), a. [L. nasutus, fr.
nasus the nose.] 1. Having a nice sense
of smell. [Obs.] Evelyn.
2. Critically nice; captious. [Obs.]
auden.
Na"sut*ness, n. Quickness of
scent; hence, nice discernment; acuteness. [Obs.] Dr. H.
More.
Nat (?), adv. Not. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Nat [For ne at.] Not at; nor at. [Obs.]
haucer.
Na"tal (?), a. [L. natalis, fr.
natus, p. p. of nasci to be born: cf. F. natal.
See Nation, and cf. Noel.] 1. Of
or pertaining to one's birth; accompying or dating from one's birth;
native.
Princes' children took names from their natal
places.
Camden.
Propitious star, whose sacred power
Presided o'er the monarch's natal hour.
Prior.
2. (Actrol.) Presiding over nativity;
as, natal Jove.
Syn. -- Native, natural. See Native.
{ Na`ta*li"tial (?), Na`ta*li"tious (?) },
a. [L. natalitius, from natalis. See
Natal.] Of or pertaining to one's birth or birthday, or
one's nativity. [Obs.] "Natalitial poplar."
Evelyn. "Natalitious fire." W. Cartwright.
Na*tal"o*in (?), n. [From Natal
aloes.] (Chem.) A bitter crystalline substance
constituting the essential principle of Natal aloes. Cf.
Aloon.
Na*tal" plum` (?). (Bot.) The drupaceous
fruit of two South African shrubs of the genus Arduina (A.
bispinosa and A. grandiflora).
Na"tals (?), n. pl. One's birth,
or the circumstances attending it. [Obs.] Fitz-
Geffry.
Na"tant (?), a. [L. natans, -
antis, from swim, v. intens. fr. nare to swim: cf. F.
natant.] 1. (Bot.) Floating in
water, as the leaves of water lilies, or submersed, as those of many
aquatic plants.
2. (Her.) Placed horizontally across
the field, as if swimming toward the dexter side; said of all sorts
of fishes except the flying fish.
Na"tant*ly (?), adv. In a floating
manner; swimmingly.
Na*ta"tion (?), n. [L. natatio,
fr. natare to swim: cf. F. natation. See
Natant.] The act of floating on the water;
swimming. Sir T. Browne.
||Na`ta*to"res (?), n. pl. [L.
natator a swimmer.] (Zoöl.) The swimming
birds.
&fist; They were formerly united into one order, which is now
considered an artificial group.
Na`ta*to"rial (?), a. Inclined or
adapted to swim; swimming; as, natatorial birds.
Na`ta*to"ri*ous (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Adapted for swimming; -- said of the legs of
certain insects.
||Na`ta*to"rium (?), n. [L.] A
swimming bath.
Na"ta*to*ry (?), a. [L.
natatorius.] Adapted for swimming or floating; as,
natatory organs.
Natch (?), n. [OF. nache fesse,
LL. natica, from L. natis the rump, buttocks. Cf.
Aitchbone.] The rump of beef; esp., the lower and back
part of the rump.
Natch bone, the edgebone, or aitchbone, in
beef.
Natch"ez (?), n. pl. (Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians who formerly lived near the site of the city
of Natchez, Mississippi. In 1729 they were subdued by the French; the
survivors joined the Creek Confederacy.
Natch"nee (?), n. (Bot.) An
annual grass (Eleusine coracona), cultivated in India as a
food plant.
||Na"tes (?), n. pl. [L., the
buttocks.] 1. (Anat.) (a)
The buttocks. (b) The two anterior of
the four lobes on the dorsal side of the midbrain of most mammals;
the anterior optic lobes.
2. (Zoöl.) The umbones of a
bivalve shell.
Nath (?). [Contr. fr. ne hath,] hath
not. [Obs.]
Nath"less (?), adv. [OE.
natheles, na the les, not the less, AS. nā
never. See Na, The, conj., and cf.
Nevertheless.] Nevertheless. [Archaic] Chaucer.
Milton. E. Arnold.
Nath"more` (?), adv. [OE. na the
more.] Not the more; never the more. [Obs.]
penser.
Nat"i*ca (?), n.; pl.
Naticas (&?;), L. NaticÆ (-
sē). (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of
marine gastropods belonging to Natica, Lunatia,
Neverita, and other allied genera (family
Naticidæ.) They burrow beneath the sand, or mud, and
drill other shells.
Nat"i*coid (?), a. [Natica +
-oid.] (Zoöl.) Like or belonging to Natica,
or the family Naticidæ.
Na"tion (?), n. [F. nation, L.
natio nation, race, orig., a being born, fr. natus, p.
p. of nasci, to be born, for gnatus, gnasci,
from the same root as E. kin. √44. See Kin
kindred, and cf. Cognate, Natal, Native.]
1. (Ethnol.) A part, or division, of the
people of the earth, distinguished from the rest by common descent,
language, or institutions; a race; a stock.
All nations, and kindreds, and people, and
tongues.
Rev. vii. 9.
2. The body of inhabitants of a country,
united under an independent government of their own.
A nation is the unity of a people.
Coleridge.
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a
nation.
F. S. Key.
3. Family; lineage. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
4. (a) One of the divisions
of university students in a classification according to nativity,
formerly common in Europe. (b) (Scotch
Universities) One of the four divisions (named from the
parts of Scotland) in which students were classified according to
their nativity.
5. A great number; a great deal; -- by way of
emphasis; as, a nation of herbs. Sterne.
Five nations. See under Five. --
Law of nations. See International law,
under International, and Law.
Syn. -- people; race. See People.
Na"tion*al (?; 277), a. [Cf. F.
national.] 1. Of or pertaining to a
nation; common to a whole people or race; public; general; as, a
national government, language, dress, custom, calamity,
etc.
2. Attached to one's own country or
nation.
National anthem, a popular song or hymn
which has become by general acceptance the recognized musical
expression of the patriotic sentiment of a nation; as, "God save the
King" is called the national anthem of England. --
National bank, the official common name of a
class of banking corporations established under the laws of the
United States. -- National flag. See under
Flag. -- National guard, a body of
militia, or a local military organization, as in Paris during the
French Revolution, or as certain bodies of militia in other European
countries and in the United States. -- National
salute, a salute consisting of as many guns as there
are States in the Union. [U.S.]
Na"tion*al*ism (?), n.
1. The state of being national; national
attachment; nationality.
2. An idiom, trait, or character peculiar to
any nation.
3. National independence; the principles of
the Nationalists.
Na"tion*al*ist, n. One who
advocates national unity and independence; one of a party favoring
Irish independence.
Na`tion*al"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Nationalities (#). [Cf. F.
nationalité.] 1. The quality of
being national, or strongly attached to one's own nation;
patriotism.
2. The sum of the qualities which distinguish
a nation; national character.
3. A race or people, as determined by common
language and character, and not by political bias or divisions; a
nation.
the fulfillment of his mission is to be looked for in
the condition of nationalities and the character of
peoples.
H. W. Beecher.
4. Existence as a distinct or individual
nation; national unity and integrity.
5. The state or quality of belonging to or
being connected with a nation or government by nativity, character,
ownership, allegiance, etc.
Na`tion*al*i*za"tion (?), n. The
act of nationalizing, or the state of being nationalized.
Na"tion*al*ize (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Nationalized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Nationalizing (?).] [Cf. F. nationaliser.]
To make national; to make a nation of; to endow with the
character and habits of a nation, or the peculiar sentiments and
attachment of citizens of a nation.
Na"tion*al*ly, adv. In a national
manner or way; as a nation. "The jews . . . being
nationally espoused to God by covenant." South.
Na"tion*al*ness, n. The quality or
state of being national; nationality. Johnson.
Na"tive (?), a. [F. natif, L.
nativus, fr. nasci, p. p. natus. See
Nation, and cf. Naïve, Nelf a serf.]
1. Arising by birth; having an origin;
born. [Obs.]
Anaximander's opinion is, that the gods are
native, rising and vanishing again in long periods of
times.
Cudworth.
2. Of or pertaining to one's birth; natal;
belonging to the place or the circumstances in which one is born; --
opposed to foreign; as, native land, language, color,
etc.
3. Born in the region in which one lives; as,
a native inhabitant, race; grown or originating in the region
where used or sold; not foreign or imported; as, native
oysters, or strawberries.
4. Original; constituting the original
substance of anything; as, native dust.
Milton.
5. Conferred by birth; derived from origin;
born with one; inherent; inborn; not acquired; as, native
genius, cheerfulness, simplicity, rights, etc.
Courage is native to you.
Jowett (Thucyd. ).
6. Naturally related; cognate; connected
(with). [R.]
the head is not more native to the heart, . . .
Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.
Shak.
7. (Min.) (a) Found in
nature uncombined with other elements; as, native
silver. (b) Found in nature; not
artificial; as native sodium chloride.
Native American party. See under
American, a. -- Native
bear (Zoöl.), the koala. --
Native bread (Bot.), a large underground
fungus, of Australia (Mylitta australis), somewhat resembling
a truffle, but much larger. -- Native devil.
(Zoöl.) Same as Tasmanian devil, under
Devil. -- Native hen
(Zoöl.), an Australian rail (Tribonyx
Mortierii). -- Native pheasant.
(Zoöl.) See Leipoa. -- Native
rabbit (Zoöl.), an Australian marsupial
(Perameles lagotis) resembling a rabbit in size and form.
-- Native sloth (Zoöl.), the
koala. -- Native thrush (Zoöl.),
an Australian singing bird (Pachycephala olivacea); --
called also thickhead. -- Native turkey
(Zoöl.), the Australian bustard (Choriotis
australis); -- called also bebilya.
Syn. -- Natural; natal; original; congential. --
Native, Natural, Natal. natural refers to
the nature of a thing, or that which springs therefrom;
native, to one's birth or origin; as, a native country,
language, etc.; natal, to the circumstances of one's birth;
as, a natal day, or star. Native talent is that which
is inborn; natural talent is that which springs from the
structure of the mind. Native eloquence is the result of
strong innate emotion; natural eloquence is opposed to that
which is studied or artificial.
Na"tive (?), n. 1.
One who, or that which, is born in a place or country referred
to; a denizen by birth; an animal, a fruit, or vegetable, produced in
a certain region; as, a native of France.
2. (Stock Breeding) Any of the live
stock found in a region, as distinguished from such as belong to pure
and distinct imported breeds. [U.S.]
Na"tive*ly, adv. By natural or
original condition; naturally; originally.
Na"tive*ness, n. The quality or
state of being native.
Na"tiv*ism (?), n. 1.
The disposition to favor the native inhabitants of a country, in
preference to immigrants from foreign countries.
2. (Philos.) The doctrine of innate
ideas, or that the mind possesses forms of thought independent of
sensation.
Na"tiv*ist (?), n. An advocate of
nativism.
Na`tiv*is"tic (?), a. Relating to
nativism.
Na*tiv"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Nativies (#). [F. nativité, L.
nativitas. See Native, and cf.
NaïvetÉ.] 1. The coming into
life or into the world; birth; also, the circumstances attending
birth, as time, place, manner, etc. Chaucer.
I have served him from the hour of my
nativity.
Shak.
Thou hast left . . . the land of thy
nativity.
Ruth ii. 11.
These in their dark nativity the deep
Shall yield us, pregnant with infernal flame.
Milton.
2. (Fine Arts) A picture representing
or symbolizing the early infancy of Christ. The simplest form is the
babe in a rude cradle, and the heads of an ox and an ass to express
the stable in which he was born.
3. (Astrol.) A representation of the
positions of the heavenly bodies as the moment of one's birth,
supposed to indicate his future destinies; a horoscope.
The Nativity, the birth or birthday of
Christ; Christmas day. -- To cast, or
calculate, one's nativity
(Astrol.), to find out and represent the position of the
heavenly bodies at the time of one's birth.
Nat"ka (?), a. (Zoöl.)
A species of shrike.
Na"tri*um (?), n. [NL. See
Natron.] (Chem.) The technical name for
sodium.
Na"tro*lite (?; 277), n. [Natron
+ -lite: cf. F. natrolithe.] (Min.) A
zeolite occuring in groups of glassy acicular crystals, and in masses
which often have a radiated structure. It is a hydrous silicate of
alumina and soda.
Na"tron (?), n. [F., fr. Sp.
natron, Ar. natrūn, nitrūn. Cf.
Niter, Anatron.] (Min.) Native sodium
carbonate. [Written also anatron.]
Nat"ter (?), v. i. [Cf. Icel.
knetta to grumble.] To find fault; to be peevish.
[Prov. Eng. or Scot.]
Nat"ter*jack` (?), n.
(Zoöl.) A European toad (Bufo calamita),
having a yellow line along its back.
Nat"ty (?), a. [Cf. Neat clean.]
Neat; tidy; spruce. [Colloq.]
-- Nat"ti*ly, adv. --
Nat"ti*ness, n.
Nat"u*ral (?; 135), a. [OE.
naturel, F. naturel, fr. L. naturalis, fr.
natura. See Nature.] 1. Fixed or
determined by nature; pertaining to the constitution of a thing;
belonging to native character; according to nature; essential;
characteristic; not artificial, foreign, assumed, put on, or
acquired; as, the natural growth of animals or plants; the
natural motion of a gravitating body; natural strength
or disposition; the natural heat of the body; natural
color.
With strong natural sense, and rare force of
will.
Macaulay.
2. Conformed to the order, laws, or actual
facts, of nature; consonant to the methods of nature; according to
the stated course of things, or in accordance with the laws which
govern events, feelings, etc.; not exceptional or violent;
legitimate; normal; regular; as, the natural consequence of
crime; a natural death.
What can be more natural than the circumstances
in the behavior of those women who had lost their husbands on this
fatal day?
Addison.
3. Having to do with existing system to
things; dealing with, or derived from, the creation, or the world of
matter and mind, as known by man; within the scope of human reason or
experience; not supernatural; as, a natural law;
natural science; history, theology.
I call that natural religion which men might
know . . . by the mere principles of reason, improved by
consideration and experience, without the help of
revelation.
Bp. Wilkins.
4. Conformed to truth or reality; as:
(a) Springing from true sentiment; not
artificial or exaggerated; -- said of action, delivery, etc.; as, a
natural gesture, tone, etc. (b)
Resembling the object imitated; true to nature; according to the
life; -- said of anything copied or imitated; as, a portrait is
natural.
5. Having the character or sentiments
properly belonging to one's position; not unnatural in
feelings.
To leave his wife, to leave his babes, . . .
He wants the natural touch.
Shak.
6. Connected by the ties of
consanguinity. "Natural friends." J. H.
Newman.
7. Begotten without the sanction of law; born
out of wedlock; illegitimate; bastard; as, a natural
child.
8. Of or pertaining to the lower or animal
nature, as contrasted with the higher or moral powers, or that which
is spiritual; being in a state of nature; unregenerate.
The natural man receiveth not the things of the
Spirit of God.
1 Cor. ii. 14.
9. (Math.) Belonging to, to be taken
in, or referred to, some system, in which the base is 1; -- said or
certain functions or numbers; as, natural numbers, those
commencing at 1; natural sines, cosines, etc., those taken in
arcs whose radii are 1.
10. (Mus.) (a)
Produced by natural organs, as those of the human throat, in
distinction from instrumental music. (b)
Of or pertaining to a key which has neither a flat nor a sharp
for its signature, as the key of C major. (c)
Applied to an air or modulation of harmony which moves by easy
and smooth transitions, digressing but little from the original
key. Moore (Encyc. of Music).
Natural day, the space of twenty-four
hours. Chaucer.
--
Natural fats, Natural gas,
etc. See under Fat, Gas. etc. --
Natural Harmony (Mus.), the harmony of
the triad or common chord. -- Natural history,
in its broadest sense, a history or description of nature as a
whole, incuding the sciences of botany, zoölogy,
geology, mineralogy, paleontology,
chemistry, and physics. In recent usage the term is
often restricted to the sciences of botany and zoölogy
collectively, and sometimes to the science of zoology alone. --
Natural law, that instinctive sense of justice
and of right and wrong, which is native in mankind, as distinguished
from specifically revealed divine law, and formulated human law.
-- Natural modulation (Mus.), transition
from one key to its relative keys. -- Natural
order. (Nat. Hist.) See under order.
-- Natural person. (Law) See under
person, n. -- Natural
philosophy, originally, the study of nature in general;
in modern usage, that branch of physical science, commonly called
physics, which treats of the phenomena and laws of matter and
considers those effects only which are unaccompanied by any change of
a chemical nature; -- contrasted with mental and moral
philosophy. -- Natural scale
(Mus.), a scale which is written without flats or
sharps. Model would be a preferable term, as less likely
to mislead, the so-called artificial scales (scales
represented by the use of flats and sharps) being equally natural
with the so-called natural scale -- Natural
science, natural history, in its broadest sense; --
used especially in contradistinction to mental or moral
science. -- Natural selection
(Biol.), a supposed operation of natural laws analogous,
in its operation and results, to designed selection in breeding
plants and animals, and resulting in the survival of the
fittest. The theory of natural selection supposes that this has
been brought about mainly by gradual changes of environment which
have led to corresponding changes of structure, and that those forms
which have become so modified as to be best adapted to the changed
environment have tended to survive and leave similarly adapted
descendants, while those less perfectly adapted have tended to die
out though lack of fitness for the environment, thus resulting in the
survival of the fittest. See Darwinism. --
Natural system (Bot. & Zoöl.), a
classification based upon real affinities, as shown in the structure
of all parts of the organisms, and by their embryology.
It should be borne in mind that the natural
system of botany is natural only in the constitution of its
genera, tribes, orders, etc., and in its grand
divisions.
Gray.
--
Natural theology, or Natural
religion, that part of theological science which treats
of those evidences of the existence and attributes of the Supreme
Being which are exhibited in nature; -- distinguished from
revealed religion. See Quotation under Natural,
a., 3. -- Natural vowel, the
vowel sound heard in urn, furl, sir, her,
etc.; -- so called as being uttered in the easiest open position of
the mouth organs. See Neutral vowel, under Neutral and
Guide to Pronunciation, § 17.
Syn. -- See Native.
Nat"u*ral (?; 135), n.
1. A native; an aboriginal. [Obs.] Sir
W. Raleigh.
2. pl. Natural gifts, impulses,
etc. [Obs.] Fuller.
3. One born without the usual powers of
reason or understanding; an idiot. "The minds of
naturals." Locke.
4. (Mus.) A character [♮] used
to contradict, or to remove the effect of, a sharp or flat which has
preceded it, and to restore the unaltered note.
Nat"u*ral*ism (?), n. [Cf. F.
naturalisme.] 1. A state of nature;
conformity to nature.
2. (Metaph.) The doctrine of those who
deny a supernatural agency in the miracles and revelations recorded
in the Bible, and in spiritual influences; also, any system of
philosophy which refers the phenomena of nature to a blind force or
forces acting necessarily or according to fixed laws, excluding
origination or direction by one intelligent will.
Nat"u*ral*ist, n. [Cf. F.
naturaliste.] 1. One versed in natural
science; a student of natural history, esp. of the natural history of
animals.
2. One who holds or maintains the doctrine of
naturalism in religion. H. Bushnell.
Nat`u*ral*is"tic (?), a.
1. Belonging to the doctrines of
naturalism.
2. Closely resembling nature;
realistic. "Naturalistic bit of pantomime." W. D.
Howells.
Nat`u*ral"i*ty (?), n. [L.
naturalitas: cf. F. naturalité.] Nature;
naturalness. [R.]
Nat`u*ral*i*za"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
naturalisation.] The act or process of naturalizing, esp.
of investing an alien with the rights and privileges of a native or
citizen; also, the state of being naturalized.
Nat"u*ral*ize (?; 135), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Naturalized (#); p.
pr. & vb. n. Naturalizing (#).] [Cf. F.
naturaliser. See Natural.] 1. To
make natural; as, custom naturalizes labor or study.
2. To confer the rights and privileges of a
native subject or citizen on; to make as if native; to adopt, as a
foreigner into a nation or state, and place in the condition of a
native subject.
3. To receive or adopt as native, natural, or
vernacular; to make one's own; as, to naturalize foreign
words.
4. To adapt; to accustom; to habituate; to
acclimate; to cause to grow as under natural conditions.
Its wearer suggested that pears and peaches might yet
be naturalized in the New England climate.
Hawthorne.
Nat"u*ral*ize, v. i. 1.
To become as if native.
2. To explain phenomena by natural agencies
or laws, to the exclusion of the supernatural.
Infected by this naturalizing
tendency.
H. Bushnell.
Nat"u*ral*ly, adv. In a natural
manner or way; according to the usual course of things;
spontaneously.
Nat"u*ral*ness, n. The state or
quality of being natural; conformity to nature.
Na"ture (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L.
natura, fr. natus born, produced, p. p. of nasci
to be born. See Nation.] 1. The existing
system of things; the world of matter, or of matter and mind; the
creation; the universe.
But looks through nature up to nature's
God.
Pope.
Nature has caprices which art can not
imitate.
Macaulay.
2. The personified sum and order of causes
and effects; the powers which produce existing phenomena, whether in
the total or in detail; the agencies which carry on the processes of
creation or of being; -- often conceived of as a single and separate
entity, embodying the total of all finite agencies and forces as
disconnected from a creating or ordering intelligence.
I oft admire
How Nature, wise and frugal, could commit
Such disproportions.
Milton.
3. The established or regular course of
things; usual order of events; connection of cause and
effect.
4. Conformity to that which is natural, as
distinguished from that which is artificial, or forced, or remote
from actual experience.
One touch of nature makes the whole world
kin.
Shak.
5. The sum of qualities and attributes which
make a person or thing what it is, as distinct from others; native
character; inherent or essential qualities or attributes; peculiar
constitution or quality of being.
Thou, therefore, whom thou only canst redeem,
Their nature also to thy nature join,
And be thyself man among men on earth.
Milton.
6. Hence: Kind, sort; character;
quality.
A dispute of this nature caused
mischief.
Dryden.
7. Physical constitution or existence; the
vital powers; the natural life. "My days of nature."
Shak.
Oppressed nature sleeps.
Shak.
8. Natural affection or reverence.
Have we not seen
The murdering son ascend his parent's bed,
Through violated nature foce his way?
Pope.
9. Constitution or quality of mind or
character.
A born devil, on whose nature
Nurture can never stick.
Shak.
That reverence which is due to a superior
nature.
Addison.
Good nature, Ill nature.
see under Good and Ill. -- In a state
of nature. (a) Naked as when born;
nude. (b) In a condition of sin;
unregenerate. (c) Untamed; uncvilized.
-- Nature printng, a process of printing from
metallic or other plates which have received an impression, as by
heavy pressure, of an object such as a leaf, lace, or the like.
-- Nature worship, the worship of the
personified powers of nature. -- To pay the debt of
nature, to die.
Na"ture, v. t. To endow with
natural qualities. [Obs.]
He [God] which natureth every
kind.
Gower.
Na"tured (?; 135), a. Having
(such) a nature, temper, or disposition; disposed; -- used in
composition; as, good-natured, ill-natured,
etc.
Na"ture*less (?), a. Not in
accordance with nature; unnatural. [Obs.] Milton.
Na"tur*ism (?), n. (Med.)
The belief or doctrine that attributes everything to nature as a
sanative agent.
Na"tur*ist, n. One who believes
in, or conforms to, the theory of naturism. Boyle.
Na*tu"ri*ty (?), n. The quality or
state of being produced by nature. [Obs.] Sir T.
Browne.
Na"tur*ize (?), v. t. To endow
with a nature or qualities; to refer to nature. [Obs.] B.
Jonson.
Nau"frage (?; 48), n. [F., fr. L.
naufragium; navis + frangere.] Shipwreck;
ruin. [Obs.] acon.
Nau"fra*gous (?), a. [L.
naufragus. See Naufrage.] causing shipwreck.
[Obs.] r. Taylor.
Naught (?), n. [OE. naught,
nought, naht, nawiht, AS. n&?;wiht,
n&?;uht, n&?;ht; ne not + &?; ever + wiht
thing, whit; hence, not ever a whit. See No,
adv. Whit, and cf. Aught,
Not.] 1. Nothing. [Written also
nought.]
Doth Job fear God for naught?
Job i. 9.
2. The arithmetical character 0; a cipher.
See Cipher.
To set at naught, to treat as of no account;
to disregard; to despise; to defy; to treat with ignominy. "Ye
have set at naught all my counsel." Prov. i. 25.
Naught, adv. In no degree; not at
all. Chaucer.
To wealth or sovereign power he naught
applied.
Fairfax.
Naught, a. 1. Of
no value or account; worthless; bad; useless.
It is naught, it is naught, saith the
buyer.
Prov. xx. 14.
Go, get you to your house; begone, away!
All will be naught else.
Shak.
Things naught and things
indifferent.
Hooker.
2. Hence, vile; base; naughty.
[Obs.]
No man can be stark naught at
once.
Fuller.
Naugh"ti*ly (?), adv. In a naughty
manner; wickedly; perversely. Shak.
Naugh"ti*ness, n. The quality or
state of being naughty; perverseness; badness; wickedness.
I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine
heart.
1 Sam. xvii. 28.
Naught"ly (?), adv. Naughtily;
wrongly. [Obs.]
because my parents naughtly brought me
up.
Mir. for Mag.
Naugh"ty (?), a.
[Compar. Naughtier (?);
superl. Naughtiest.] 1.
Having little or nothing. [Obs.]
[Men] that needy be and naughty, help them with
thy goods.
Piers Plowman.
2. Worthless; bad; good for nothing.
[Obs.]
The other basket had very naughty
figs.
Jer. xxiv. 2.
3. hence, corrupt; wicked.
[Archaic]
So shines a good deed in a naughty
world.
Shak.
4. Mischievous; perverse; froward; guilty of
disobedient or improper conduct; as, a naughty
child.
&fist; This word is now seldom used except in the latter sense, as
applied to children, or in sportive censure.
Nau"ma*chy (?), n. [L.
naumachia, Gr. &?;; &?; ship + &?; fight, battle, &?; to
fight.] 1. A naval battle; esp., a mock sea
fight.
2. (Rom. Antiq.) A show or spectacle
representing a sea fight; also, a place for such
exhibitions.
||Nau"pli*us (?), n.; pl.
Nauplii (#). [L., a kind of shellfish, fr. Gr. &?;
ship + &?; to sail.] (Zoöl.) A crustacean larva
having three pairs of locomotive organs (corresponding to the
antennules, antennæ, and mandibles), a median eye, and little
or no segmentation of the body.
Nau`ro*pom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; ship
+ &?; inclination + -meter.] (Naut.) An instrument
for measuring the amount which a ship heels at sea.
Naus"co*py (?), n. [Gr. &?; ship + -
scopy: cf. F. nauscopie.] (Naut.) The power or
act of discovering ships or land at considerable distances.
Nau"se*a (? or &?;), n. [L., fr. Gr.
&?;, fr. &?; ship. See Nave of a church, and cf.
Noise.] Seasickness; hence, any similar sickness of the
stomach accompanied with a propensity to vomit; qualm; squeamishness
of the stomach; loathing.
Nau"se*ant (?), n. [L. nauseans,
p. pr. Of nauseare.] (Med.) A substance which
produces nausea.
Nau"se*ate (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Nauseated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Nauseating.] [L. nauseare,
nauseatum, fr. nausea. See Nausea.] To
become squeamish; to feel nausea; to turn away with
disgust.
Nau"se*ate, v. t. 1.
To affect with nausea; to sicken; to cause to feel loathing or
disgust.
2. To sicken at; to reject with disgust; to
loathe.
The patient nauseates and loathes wholesome
foods.
Blackmore.
Nau`se*a"tion (?), n. The act of
nauseating, or the state of being nauseated.
Nau"se*a*tive (? or &?;), a.
Causing nausea; nauseous.
Nau"seous (?; 277), a. [L.
nauseosus.] Causing, or fitted to cause, nausea;
sickening; loathsome; disgusting; exciting abhorrence; as, a
nauseous drug or medicine. -- Nau"seous*ly,
adv. -- Nau"seous*ness,
n.
The nauseousness of such company disgusts a
reasonable man.
Dryden.
||Nautch (?), n. [Hind.
nāch, fr. Skr. n&rsdot;tya dance.] An
entertainment consisting chiefly of dancing by professional dancing
(or Nautch) girls. [India]
Nau"tic (?), a. [See Nautical.]
Nautical.
Nau"tic*al (?), a. [L. nauticus,
Gr. naytiko`s, fr. nay`ths a seaman, sailor,
fr. nay^s ship: cf. F. nautique. See Nave of
a church.] Of or pertaining to seamen, to the art of navigation,
or to ships; as, nautical skill.
Syn. -- Naval; marine; maritime. See Naval.
Nautical almanac. See under
Almanac. -- Nautical distance, the
length in nautical miles of the rhumb line joining any two places on
the earth's surface. -- nautical mile. See
under Mile.
Nau"tic*al*ly, adv. In a nautical
manner; with reference to nautical affairs.
Nau"ti*form (?), a. [Gr.
nay^s ship + -form.] Shaped like the hull of a
ship.
Nau"ti*lite (?), n. (paleon.)
A fossil nautilus.
Nau"ti*loid (?), a. [Nautilus +
-oid: cf. F. nautiloïde.] (Zoöl.)
Like or pertaining to the nautilus; shaped like a nautilus
shell. -- n. A mollusk, or shell, of the
genus Nautilus or family Nautilidæ.
Nau"ti*lus (?), n.; pl. E.
Nautiluses (#), L. Nautili (#).
[L., fr. Gr. nayti`los a seaman, sailor, a kind of
shellfish which was supposed to be furnished with a membrane which
served as a sail; fr. nay^s ship. See Nave of a
church.] 1. (Zoöl.) The only
existing genus of tetrabranchiate cephalopods. About four species are
found living in the tropical Pacific, but many other species are
found fossil. The shell is spiral, symmetrical, and chambered, or
divided into several cavities by simple curved partitions, which are
traversed and connected together by a continuous and nearly central
tube or siphuncle. See Tetrabranchiata.
&fist; The head of the animal bears numerous simple tapered arms,
or tentacles, arranged in groups, but not furnished with suckers. The
siphon, unlike, that of ordinary cephalopods, is not a closed tube,
and is not used as a locomotive organ, but merely serves to conduct
water to and from the gill cavity, which contains two pairs of gills.
The animal occupies only the outer chamber of the shell; the others
are filled with gas. It creeps over the bottom of the sea, not coming
to the surface to swim or sail, as was formerly imagined.
2. The argonaut; -- also called paper
nautilus. See Argonauta, and Paper nautilus, under
Paper.
3. A variety of diving bell, the lateral as
well as vertical motions of which are controlled, by the
occupants.
Na"va*joes (?), n. pl.; sing.
Navajo (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of
Indians inhabiting New Mexico and Arizona, allied to the Apaches.
They are now largely engaged in agriculture.
Na"val (?), a. [L. navalis, fr.
navis ship: cf. F. naval. See Nave of a church.]
Having to do with shipping; of or pertaining to ships or a navy;
consisting of ships; as, naval forces, successes, stores,
etc.
Naval brigade, a body of seamen or marines
organized for military service on land. -- Naval
officer. (a) An officer in the
navy. (b) A high officer in some United
States customhouses. -- Naval tactics, the
science of managing or maneuvering vessels sailing in squadrons or
fleets.
Syn. -- Nautical; marine; maritime. -- Naval,
Nautical. Naval is applied to vessels, or a navy, or
the things which pertain to them or in which they participate;
nautical, to seamen and the art of navigation. Hence we speak
of a naval, as opposed to a military, engagement;
naval equipments or stores, a naval triumph, a
naval officer, etc., and of nautical pursuits or
instruction, nautical calculations, a nautical almanac,
etc.
Na"vals (?), n. pl. Naval
affairs. [Obs.]
Na"varch (?), n. [L. navarchus,
Gr. nay`archo`s; nay^s ship +
'archo`s chief.] (Gr. Antiq.) The commander of
a fleet. Mitford.
Na"varch*y (?), n. [Gr.
nayarchi`a.] Nautical skill or experience.
[Obs.] Sir W. Petty.
Na`var*rese" (? or &?;), a. Of or
pertaining to Navarre. -- n. sing. & pl.
A native or inhabitant of Navarre; the people of
Navarre.
Nave (nāv), n. [AS. nafu;
akin to D. naaf, G. nabe, OHG. naba, Icel.
nöf, Dan. nav, Sw. naf, Skr. nābhi
nave and navel: cf. L. umbo boss of a shield. √260. Cf.
Navel.] 1. The block in the center of a
wheel, from which the spokes radiate, and through which the axle
passes; -- called also hub or hob.
2. The navel. [Obs.] hak.
Nave, n. [F. nef, fr. L.
navis ship, to which the church was often likened; akin to Gr.
nay`archo`s, Skr. nāus, and perh. to AS. naca
boat, G. nachen, Icel. nökkvi; cf. L. nare
to swim, float. Cf. Nausea, Nautical, Naval.]
(Arch.) The middle or body of a church, extending from
the transepts to the principal entrances, or, if there are no
transepts, from the choir to the principal entrance, but not
including the aisles.
Na"vel (nā"v'l), n. [AS.
nafela, fr. nafu nave; akin to D. navel, G.
nabel, OHG. nabolo, Icel. nafli, Dan.
navle, Sw. nafle, L. umbilicus, Gr.
'omfalo`s, Skr. nābhīla. √260.
See Nave hub, and cf. Omphalic, Nombril,
Umbilical.] 1. (Anat.) A mark or
depression in the middle of the abdomen; the umbilicus. See
Umbilicus.
2. The central part or point of anything; the
middle.
Within the navel of this hideous wood,
Immured in cypress shades, a sorcerer dwells.
Milton.
3. (Gun.) An eye on the under side of
a carronade for securing it to a carriage.
Navel gall, a bruise on the top of the chine
of the back of a horse, behind the saddle. Johnson. --
Navel point. (Her.) Same as
Nombril.
Na"vel-string` (?), n. The
umbilical cord.
Na"vel*wort` (?), n. (Bot.)
A European perennial succulent herb (Cotyledon
umbilicus), having round, peltate leaves with a central
depression; -- also called pennywort, and
kidneywort.
Na"vew (?), n. [OE. navel,
naveau, a dim. fr. L. napus navew. Cf.
Napiform.] (Bot.) A kind of small turnip, a
variety of Brassica campestris. See Brassica.
[Writen also naphew.]
Na*vic"u*lar (?), a. [L.
navicularius, fr. navicula, dim. of navis ship:
cf. F. naviculaire.] 1. Of, pertaining
to, or resembling, a boat or ship.
2. Shaped like a boat; cymbiform; scaphoid;
as, the navicular glumes of most grasses; the navicular
bone.
Navicular bone. (Anat.)
(a) One of the middle bones of the tarsus,
corresponding to the centrale; -- called also scaphoid.
(b) A proximal bone on the radial side of the
carpus; the scaphoid. -- Navicular disease
(Far.), a disease affecting the navicular bone, or the
adjacent parts, in a horse's foot.
Na*vic"u*lar, n. (Anat.)
The navicular bone.
Nav`i*ga*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
navigabilité.] The quality or condition of being
navigable; navigableness.
Nav"i*ga*ble (?), a. [L.
navigabilis: cf. F. navigable. See Navigate.]
Capable of being navigated; deep enough and wide enough to
afford passage to vessels; as, a navigable river.
&fist; By the common law, a river is considered as navigable only
so far as the tide ebbs and flows in it. This is also the doctrine in
several of the United States. In other States, the doctrine of the
civil law prevails, which is, that a navigable river is a river
capable of being navigated, in the common sense of the term.
Kent. Burrill.
-- Nav"i*ga*ble*ness, n. --
Nav"i*ga*bly, adv.
Nav"i*gate (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Navigated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Navigating.] [L. navigatus, p. p. of
navigare, v.t. & i.; navis ship + agere to move,
direct. See Nave, and Agent.] To journey by water;
to go in a vessel or ship; to perform the duties of a navigator; to
use the waters as a highway or channel for commerce or communication;
to sail.
The Phenicians navigated to the extremities of
the Western Ocean.
Arbuthnot.
Nav"i*gate, v. t. 1.
To pass over in ships; to sail over or on; as, to
navigate the Atlantic.
2. To steer, direct, or manage in sailing; to
conduct (ships) upon the water by the art or skill of seamen; as, to
navigate a ship.
Nav`i*ga"tion (?), n. [L.
navigatio: cf. F. navigation.] 1.
The act of navigating; the act of passing on water in ships or
other vessels; the state of being navigable.
2. (a) the science or art of
conducting ships or vessels from one place to another, including,
more especially, the method of determining a ship's position, course,
distance passed over, etc., on the surface of the globe, by the
principles of geometry and astronomy. (b)
The management of sails, rudder, etc.; the mechanics of
traveling by water; seamanship.
3. Ships in general. [Poetic]
Shak.
Aërial navigation, the act or art of
sailing or floating in the air, as by means of ballons;
aëronautic. -- Inland navigation,
Internal navigation, navigation on rivers,
inland lakes, etc.
Nav"i*ga`tor (?), n. One who
navigates or sails; esp., one who direct the course of a ship, or one
who is skillful in the art of navigation; also, a book which teaches
the art of navigation; as, Bowditch's Navigator.
Na*vig"er*ous (?), a. [L.
naviger; navis ship + gerere to bear.]
Bearing ships; capable of floating vessels. [R.]
Blount.
Nav"vy (?), n.; pl.
Navies (#). [Abbreviated fr. navigator.]
Originally, a laborer on canals for internal navigation; hence,
a laborer on other public works, as in building railroads,
embankments, etc. [Eng.]
Na"vy (?); n.; pl.
Navies (#). [ OF. navie, fr. L. navis
ship. See Nave of a church.] 1. A fleet
of ships; an assemblage of merchantmen, or so many as sail in
company. "The navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from
Ophir." 1 kings x. 11.
2. The whole of the war vessels belonging to
a nation or ruler, considered collectively; as, the navy of
Italy.
3. The officers and men attached to the war
vessels of a nation; as, he belongs to the navy.
Navy bean. see Bean. --
Navy yard, a place set apart as a shore station
for the use of the navy. It often contains all the mechanical and
other appliences for building and equipping war vessels and training
their crews.
||Na*wab" (?), n. [See Nabob.]
A deputy ruler or viceroy in India; also, a title given by
courtesy to other persons of high rank in the East.
Nawl (?), n. [See Nall.] An
awl. [Obs.] usser.
Nay (?), adv. [Icel. nei; akin
to E. no. See No, adv.]
1. No; -- a negative answer to a question asked,
or a request made, now superseded by no. See
Yes.
And eke when I say "ye," ne say not
"nay."
Chaucer.
I tell you nay; but except ye repent, ye shall
all likewisr perish.
Luke xiii. 3.
And now do they thrust us out privily? nay,
verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
Acts xvi. 37.
He that will not when he may,
When he would he shall have nay.
Old
Prov.
&fist; Before the time of Henry VIII. nay was used to
answer simple questions, and no was used when the form of the
question involved a negative expression; nay was the simple
form, no the emphatic. Skeat.
2. Not this merely, but also; not only so,
but; -- used to mark the addition or substitution of a more explicit
or more emphatic phrase.
&fist; Nay in this sense may be interchanged with
yea. "Were he my brother, nay, my kingdom's heir."
Shak.
Nay, n.; pl.
Nays (&?;). 1. Denial;
refusal.
2. a negative vote; one who votes in the
negative.
It is no nay, there is no denying it.
[Obs.] haucer.
Nay, v. t. & i. To refuse.
[Obs.] Holinshed.
||Na*yaur" (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A specied of wild sheep (Ovis Hodgsonii), native of
Nepaul and Thibet. It has a dorsal mane and a white ruff beneath the
neck.
Nayt (?), v. t. [Icel. neita.]
To refuse; to deny. [Obs.] "He shall not nayt ne
deny his sin." Chaucer.
Nay"ward (?), n. The negative
side. [R.]
Howe'er you lean to the nayward.
Shak.
Nay"word` (?), n. A byword; a
proverb; also, a watchword. [Obs.] hak.
Naz`a*rene" (?), n. [L.
Nazarenus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; Nazareth.] 1.
A native or inhabitant of Nazareth; -- a term of contempt
applied to Christ and the early Christians.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect of
Judaizing Christians in the first and second centuries, who observed
the laws of Moses, and held to certain heresies.
Naz"a*rite (?), n. A Jew bound by
a vow to lave the hair uncut, to abstain from wine and strong drink,
and to practice extraordinary purity of life and devotion, the
obligation being for life, or for a certain time. The word is also
used adjectively.
Naz"a*rite*ship, n. The state of a
Nazarite.
Naz`a*rit"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to a Nazarite, or to Nazarites.
Naz"a*ri*tism (?; 277), n. The vow
and practice of a Nazarite.
Naze (?), n. [See Ness.] A
promontory or headland.
Naz"i*rite (?), n. A
Nazarite.
Ne (?), adv. [AS. ne. See
No.] Not; never. [Obs.]
He never yet no villany ne said.
Chaucer.
&fist; Ne was formerly used as the universal adverb of
negation, and survives in certain compounds, as never (=
ne ever) and none (= ne one). Other
combinations, now obsolete, will be found in the Vocabulary, as
nad, nam, nil. See Negative, 2.
Ne, conj. [See Ne,
adv.] Nor. [Obs.] Shak.
No niggard ne no fool.
Chaucer.
Ne . . . ne, neither . . . nor. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Neaf (?), n. See 2d
Neif. Shak.
Neal (?), v. t. To anneal.
[R.] Chaucer.
Neal, v. i. To be tempered by
heat. [R.] Bacon.
Neap (?), n. [Cf. Neb,
Nape.] The tongue or pole of a cart or other vehicle
drawn by two animals. [U.S.]
Neap (?), a. [As.
nēpflōd neap flood; cf. hnipian to bend,
incline.] Low.
Neap tides, the lowest tides of the lunar
month, which occur in the second and fourth quarters of the moon; --
opposed to spring tides.
Neap, n. A neap tide.
High springs and dead neaps.
Harkwill.
Neaped (?), a. (Naut.) Left
aground on the height of a spring tide, so that it will not float
till the next spring tide; -- called also beneaped.
Ne`a*pol"i*tan (?), a. [L.
Neapolitanus, fr. Neapolis Naples, Gr. &?;, lit., New
town.] Of of pertaining to Naples in Italy. --
n. A native or citizen of Naples.
Near (nēr), adv. [AS.
neár, compar. of neáh nigh. See
Nigh.] 1. At a little distance, in place,
time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.
My wife! my traitress! let her not come near
me.
Milton.
2. Nearly; almost; well-nigh.
"Near twenty years ago." Shak. "Near a fortnight
ago." Addison.
Near about the yearly value of the
land.
Locke.
3. Closely; intimately.
Shak.
Far and near, at a distance and close by;
throughout a whole region. -- To come near to,
to want but little of; to approximate to. "Such a sum he
found would go near to ruin him." Addison.
--
Near the wind (Naut.), close to
the wind; closehauled.
Near (?), a. [Compar.
Nearer (?); superl. Nearest.] [See
Near, adv.] 1. Not far
distant in time, place, or degree; not remote; close at hand;
adjacent; neighboring; nigh. "As one near death."
Shak.
He served great Hector, and was ever near,
Not with his trumpet only, but his spear.
Dryden.
2. Closely connected or related.
She is thy father's near
kinswoman.
Lev. xviii. 12.
3. Close to one's interests, affection, etc.;
touching, or affecting intimately; intimate; dear; as, a near
friend.
4. Close to anything followed or imitated;
not free, loose, or rambling; as, a version near to the
original.
5. So as barely to avoid or pass injury or
loss; close; narrow; as, a near escape.
6. Next to the driver, when he is on foot; in
the Unted States, on the left of an animal or a team; as, the
near ox; the near leg. See Off side, under
Off, a.
7. Immediate; direct; close; short.
"The nearest way." Milton.
8. Close-fisted; parsimonious. [Obs. or
Low, Eng.]
&fist; Near may properly be followed by to before
the thing approached'; but more frequently to is omitted, and
the adjective or the adverb is regarded as a preposition. The same is
also true of the word nigh.
Syn. -- Nigh; close; adjacent; proximate; contiguous;
present; ready; intimate; dear.
Near, prep. Adjacent to; close by;
not far from; nigh; as, the ship sailed near the land. See the
Note under near, a.
Near, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Neared (?); p. pr. & vb. n
Nearing.] [See Near, adv.] To
approach; to come nearer; as, the ship neared the
land.
Near, v. i. To draw near; to
approach.
A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist!
And still it neared, and neared.
Coleridge.
Ne*arc"tic (?), a. [Neo +
arctic.] Of or pertaining to a region of the earth's
surface including all of temperate and arctic North America and
Greenland. In the geographical distribution of animals, this region
is marked off as the habitat certain species.
Near"hand` (?), a. & adv. Near;
near at hand; closely. [Obs. or Scot.] Bacon.
Near"-legged` (?), a. Having the
feet so near together that they interfere in traveling.
Shak.
Near"ly, adv. In a near manner;
not remotely; closely; intimately; almost.
Near"ness, n. The state or quality
of being near; -- used in the various senses of the
adjective.
Near"sight`ed (?), a. Seeing
distinctly at short distances only; shortsighted. --
Near"sight`ed*ness, n. See
Myopic, and Myopia.
Neat (?), n. sing. & pl. [AS.
neát; akin to OHG. n&?;z, Icel. naut, Sw.
nöt, Dan. nöd, and to AS.
neótan to make use of, G. geniessen, Goth.
niutan to have a share in, have joy of, Lith. nauda
use, profit.] (Zoöl.) Cattle of the genus
Bos, as distinguished from horses, sheep, and goats; an animal
of the genus Bos; as, a neat's tongue; a neat's
foot. Chaucer.
Wherein the herds[men] were keeping of their
neat.
Spenser.
The steer, the heifer, and the calf
Are all called neat.
Shak.
A neat and a sheep of his own.
Tusser.
Neat's-foot, an oil obtained by boiling the
feet of neat cattle. It is used to render leather soft and
pliable.
Neat, a. [See neat,
n.] Of or pertaining to the genus Bos,
or to cattle of that genus; as, neat cattle.
Neat, a. [Compar.
Neater (?); superl. Neatest.] [OE.
nett, F. nett, fr. L. nitidus, fr. nitere
to shine. Cf. Nitid, Net, a.,
Natty.] 1. Free from that which soils,
defiles, or disorders; clean; cleanly; tidy.
If you were to see her, you would wonder what poor
body it was that was so surprisingly neat and
clean.
Law.
2. Free from what is unbecoming,
inappropriate, or tawdry; simple and becoming; pleasing with
simplicity; tasteful; chaste; as, a neat style; a neat
dress.
3. Free from admixture or adulteration; good
of its kind; as, neat brandy. "Our old wine
neat." Chapman.
4. Excellent in character, skill, or
performance, etc.; nice; finished; adroit; as, a neat design;
a neat thief.
5. With all deductions or allowances made;
net. [In this sense usually written net. See Net,
a., 3.]
neat line (Civil Engin.), a line to
which work is to be built or formed. -- Neat
work, work built or formed to neat lines.
Syn. -- Nice; pure; cleanly; tidy; trim; spruce.
'Neath (? or &?;), prep. & adv. An
abbreviation of Beneath. [Poetic]
Neat"herd` (?), n. A person who
has the care of neat cattle; a cowherd. Dryden.
Neat"house` (?), n. A building for
the shelter of neat cattle. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Massinger.
Neat"i*fy (?), v. t. [Neat, a. +
-fy.] To make neat. [Obs.] olland.
Neat"ly, adv. In a neat manner;
tidily; tastefully.
neat"ness, n. The state or quality
of being neat.
Neat"ress (?), n. [From neat
cattle.] A woman who takes care of cattle. [R.]
Warner.
Neb (?), n. [AS. nebb head,
face; akin to D. neb, Icel. nef, beak of a bird, nose,
Dan. næb beak, bill, Sw. näbb,
näf, and prob. also to D. sneb, snavel,
bill, beak, G. schnabel, Dan. & Sw. snabel, and E.
snap. Cf. Nib, Snap, Snaffle.] The
nose; the snout; the mouth; the beak of a bird; a nib, as of a
pen. [Also written nib.] Shak.
||Ne*ba"li*a (?), n. [NL., of uncertain
origin.] (Zoöl.) A genus of small marine Crustacea,
considered the type of a distinct order (Nebaloidea, or
Phyllocarida.)
Neb"-neb` (?), n. Same as
Bablh.
Neb"u*la (?), n.; pl.
Nebulæ (#). [L., mist, cloud; akin to Gr.
&?;, &?;, cloud, mist, G. nebel mist, OHG. nebul, D.
nevel, Skr. nabhas cloud, mist. Cf. Nebule.]
1. (Astron.) A faint, cloudlike, self-
luminous mass of matter situated beyond the solar system among the
stars. True nebulæ are gaseous; but very distant star clusters
often appear like them in the telescope.
2. (Med.) (a) A white
spot or a slight opacity of the cornea. (b)
A cloudy appearance in the urine. [Obs.]
Neb"u*lar (?), a. Of or pertaining
to nebulæ; of the nature of, or resembling, a nebula.
Nebular hypothesis, an hypothesis to explain
the process of formation of the stars and planets, presented in
various forms by Kant, Herschel, Laplace, and others. As formed by
Laplace, it supposed the matter of the solar system to have existed
originally in the form of a vast, diffused, revolving nebula, which,
gradually cooling and contracting, threw off, in obedience to
mechanical and physical laws, succesive rings of matter, from which
subsequently, by the same laws, were produced the several planets,
satellites, and other bodies of the system. The phrase may indicate
any hypothesis according to which the stars or the bodies of the
solar system have been evolved from a widely diffused nebulous form
of matter.
Neb"u*la`ted (?), a. Clouded with
indistinct color markings, as an animal.
Neb`u*la"tion (?), n. The
condition of being nebulated; also, a clouded, or ill-defined, color
mark.
Neb"ule (?), n. [Cf. F.
nébule. See nebula.] A little cloud; a
cloud. [Obs.]
O light without nebule.
Old
Ballad.
{ ||Né`bu`lé" (?), Neb"u*ly (?) },
a. [F. nébulé.] (Her.)
Composed of successive short curves supposed to resemble a
cloud; -- said of a heraldic line by which an ordinary or subordinary
may be bounded.
Neb`u*li*za"tion (?), n. (Med.)
The act or process of nebulizing; atomization.
Neb"u*lize (?), v. t. [See
Nebula.] To reduce (as a liquid) to a fine spray or
vapor; to atomize.
Neb"u*li`zer (?), n. An
atomizer.
Neb"u*lose` (?), a. Nebulous;
cloudy. Derham.
Neb`u*los"i*ty (?), n. [L. nebulositas:
cf. F. nébulosité] 1. The
state or quality of being nebulous; cloudiness; haziness; mistiness;
nebulousness.
The nebulosity . . . of the mother
idiom.
I. Disraeli.
2. (Astron.) (a) The
stuff of which a nebula is formed. (b) A
nebula.
Neb"u*lous (?), a. [L.
nebulosus: cf. F. nébuleux. See Nebula.]
1. Cloudy; hazy; misty.
2. (Astron.) Of, pertaining to, or
having the appearance of, a nebula; nebular; cloudlike.
-- Neb"u*lous*ly, adv. --
Neb"u*lous*ness, n.
Neb"u*ly, n. (Her. & Arch.)
A line or a decoration composed of successive short curves or
waves supposed to resemble a cloud. See
Nébulé
Nec`es*sa"ri*an (?), n. [Cf. F.
nécessarien. See Necessary.] An advocate of
the doctrine of philosophical necessity; a necessitarian.
Nec`es*sa"ri*an, a. Of or
pertaining to necessarianism.
Nec`es*sa"ri*an*ism (?), n. The
doctrine of philosophical necessity; necessitarianism.
Hixley.
Nec"es*sa*ri*ly (?), adv. In a
necessary manner; by necessity; unavoidably; indispensably.
Nec"es*sa*ri*ness, n. The quality
of being necessary.
Nec"es*sa*ry (?), a. [L.
necessarius, from necesse unavoidable, necessary; of
uncertain origin: cf. F. nécessaire.]
1. Such as must be; impossible to be otherwise;
not to be avoided; inevitable.
Death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
Shak.
2. Impossible to be otherwise, or to be
dispensed with, without preventing the attainment of a desired
result; indispensable; requisite; essential. "'T is
necessary he should die." Shak.
A certain kind of temper is necessary to the
pleasure and quiet of our minds.
Tillotson.
3. Acting from necessity or compulsion;
involuntary; -- opposed to free; as, whether man is a
necessary or a free agent is a question much
discussed.
Nec"es*sa*ry, n.; pl.
Necessaries (&?;). 1. A thing
that is necessary or indispensable to some purpose; something that
one can not do without; a requisite; an essential; -- used chiefly in
the plural; as, the necessaries of life.
2. A privy; a water-closet.
3. pl. (Law) Such things, in
respect to infants, lunatics, and married women, as are requisite for
support suitable to station.
Ne*ces`si*ta"ri*an (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the doctrine of philosophical necessity in regard to
the origin and existence of things, especially as applied to the
actings or choices of the will; -- opposed to
libertarian.
Ne*ces`si*ta"ri*an, n. One who
holds to the doctrine of necessitarianism.
Ne*ces`si*ta"ri*an*ism (?), n. The
doctrine of philosophical necessity; the doctrine that results follow
by invariable sequence from causes, and esp. that the will is not
free, but that human actions and choices result inevitably from
motives; determinism. M. Arnold.
Ne*ces"si*tate (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Necessitated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Necessitating (?).] [Cf. L. necessitatus,
p. p. of necessitare, and F. nécessiter. See
Necessity.] 1. To make necessary or
indispensable; to render unavoidable.
Sickness [might] necessitate his removal from
the court.
South.
This fact necessitates a second
line.
J. Peile.
2. To reduce to the necessity of; to force;
to compel.
The Marquis of Newcastle, being pressed on both sides,
was necessitated to draw all his army into York.
Clarendon.
Ne*ces`si*tat"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
nécessitation.] The act of making necessary, or
the state of being made necessary; compulsion. [R.] bp.
Bramhall.
Ne*ces"si*tied (?), a. In a state
of want; necessitous. [Obs.] Shak.
Ne*ces"si*tous (?), a. [Cf. F.
nécessiteux.] 1. Very needy or
indigent; pressed with poverty.
Necessitous heirs and penurious
parents.
Arbuthnot.
2. Narrow; destitute; pinching; pinched; as,
necessitous circumstances.
-- Ne*ces"si*tous*ly, adv. --
Ne*ces"si*tous*ness, n.
Ne*ces"si*tude (?), n. [L.
necessitudo, fr. necesse. See Necessray.]
1. Necessitousness; want. Sir M.
Hale.
2. Necessary connection or
relation.
Between kings and their people, parents and their
children, there is so great a necessitude, propriety, and
intercourse of nature.
Jer. Taylor.
Ne*ces"si*ty (?), n.; pl.
Necessities (#). [OE. necessite, F.
nécessité, L. necessitas, fr.
necesse. See Necessary.] 1. The
quality or state of being necessary, unavoidable, or absolutely
requisite; inevitableness; indispensableness.
2. The condition of being needy or
necessitous; pressing need; indigence; want.
Urge the necessity and state of
times.
Shak.
The extreme poverty and necessity his majesty
was in.
Clarendon.
3. That which is necessary; a necessary; a
requisite; something indispensable; -- often in the plural.
These should be hours for necessities,
Not for delights.
Shak.
What was once to me
Mere matter of the fancy, now has grown
The vast necessity of heart and life.
Tennyson.
4. That which makes an act or an event
unavoidable; irresistible force; overruling power; compulsion,
physical or moral; fate; fatality.
So spake the fiend, and with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deeds.
Milton.
5. (Metaph.) The negation of freedom
in voluntary action; the subjection of all phenomena, whether
material or spiritual, to inevitable causation;
necessitarianism.
Of necessity, by necessary consequence; by
compulsion, or irresistible power; perforce.
Syn. -- See Need.
Neck (?), n. [OE. necke, AS.
hnecca; akin to D. nek the nape of the neck, G.
nacken, OHG. nacch, hnacch, Icel. hnakki,
Sw. nacke, Dan. nakke.] 1. The
part of an animal which connects the head and the trunk, and which,
in man and many other animals, is more slender than the
trunk.
2. Any part of an inanimate object
corresponding to or resembling the neck of an animal; as:
(a) The long slender part of a vessel, as a
retort, or of a fruit, as a gourd. (b) A
long narrow tract of land projecting from the main body, or a narrow
tract connecting two larger tracts. (c)
(Mus.) That part of a violin, guitar, or similar
instrument, which extends from the head to the body, and on which is
the finger board or fret board.
3. (Mech.) A reduction in size near
the end of an object, formed by a groove around it; as, a neck
forming the journal of a shaft.
4. (Bot.) the point where the base of
the stem of a plant arises from the root.
Neck and crop, completely; wholly;
altogether; roughly and at once. [Colloq.] -- Neck and
neck (Racing), so nearly equal that one cannot
be said to be before the other; very close; even; side by side.
-- Neck of a capital. (Arch.) See
Gorgerin. -- Neck of a cascabel
(Gun.), the part joining the knob to the base of the
breech. -- Neck of a gun, the small part
of the piece between the chase and the swell of the muzzle. --
Neck of a tooth (Anat.), the
constriction between the root and the crown. -- Neck or
nothing (Fig.), at all risks. -- Neck
verse. (a) The verse formerly read to
entitle a party to the benefit of clergy, said to be the first verse
of the fifty-first Psalm, "Miserere mei," etc. Sir W.
Scott. (b) Hence, a verse or saying, the
utterance of which decides one's fate; a shibboleth.
These words, "bread and cheese," were their neck
verse or shibboleth to distinguish them; all pronouncing "broad
and cause," being presently put to death.
Fuller.
--
Neck yoke. (a) A bar by
which the end of the tongue of a wagon or carriage is suspended from
the collars of the harnesses. (b) A device
with projecting arms for carrying things (as buckets of water or sap)
suspended from one's shoulders. -- On the neck
of, immediately after; following closely.
"Commiting one sin on the neck of another." W. Perkins.
-- Stiff neck, obstinacy in evil or wrong;
inflexible obstinacy; contumacy. "I know thy rebellion, and thy
stiff neck." Deut. xxxi. 27. -- To break the
neck of, to destroy the main force of. "What they
presume to borrow from her sage and virtuous rules . . . breaks
the neck of their own cause." Milton. -- To harden
the neck, to grow obstinate; to be more and more
perverse and rebellious. Neh. ix. 17. -- To tread
on the neck of, to oppress; to tyrannize over.
Neck, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Necked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Necking.] (Mech.) To reduce the diameter of (an
object) near its end, by making a groove around it; -- used with
down; as, to neck down a shaft.
Neck"ar nut` (?). (Bot.) See Nicker
nut.
Neck"band` (?), n. A band which
goes around the neck; often, the part at the top of a
garment.
Neck"cloth` (?; 115), n. A piece
of any fabric worn around the neck.
Necked (?), a. 1.
Having (such) a neck; -- chiefly used in composition; as, stiff-
necked.
2. (Naut.) Cracked; -- said of a
treenail.
Neck"er*chief (?), n. [For neck
kerchief.] A kerchief for the neck; -- called also neck
handkerchief.
Neck"ing, n. Same as
Neckmold.
Neck"lace (?; 48), n.
1. A string of beads, etc., or any continuous
band or chain, worn around the neck as an ornament.
2. (Naut.) A rope or chain fitted
around the masthead to hold hanging blocks for jibs and
stays.
neck"laced (?), a. Wearing a
necklace; marked as with a necklace.
The hooded and the necklaced
snake.
Sir W. Jones.
neck"land (?), n. A neck of
land. [Obs.]
neck"let (?), n. A necklace.
E. Anold.
{ Neck"mold`, Neck"mould` } (?),
n. (Arch.) A small convex molding
surrounding a column at the junction of the shaft and capital.
Weale.
Neck"plate` (?), n. See
Gorget, 1 and 2.
Neck"tie` (?), n. A scarf, band,
or kerchief of silk, etc., passing around the neck or collar and tied
in front; a bow of silk, etc., fastened in front of the
neck.
Neck"wear` (?), n. A collective
term for cravats, collars, etc. [Colloq. or trade name]
Neck"weed` (?), n. (Bot.)
(a) An American annual weed (veronica
peregrina), with small white flowers and a roundish pod.
(b) The hemp; -- so called as furnishing ropes
for hanging criminals. Dr. prior.
||Nec`ro*bi*o"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; dead + &?; way of life, fr. &?; life.] (Biol. & Med.)
The death of a part by molecular disintegration and without loss
of continuity, as in the processes of degeneration and atrophy.
Virchow.
Nec`ro*bi*ot"ic (?), a. (Biol. &
Med.) Of or pertaining to necrobiosis; as, a
necrobiotic metamorphosis.
Ne*crol"a*try (?), n. [Gr. &?; a dead
person + &?; to worship.] The worship of the dead; manes
worship. H. Spenser.
Nec"ro*lite (?), n. [Gr. &?; a corpse +
-lite.] (Min.) Same as Necronite.
{ Nec`ro*log"ic (?), Nec`ro*log"ic*al (?) },
a. [Cf. F. nécrologique.] Of or
pertaining to necrology; of the nature of necrology; relating to, or
giving, an account of the dead, or of deaths.
Ne*crol"o*gist (?), n. One who
gives an account of deaths.
Ne*crol"o*gy (?), n.; pl.
Necrologies (#). [Gr. &?; a dead person + -
logy: cf. F. nécrologie. See Necromancy.]
An account of deaths, or of the dead; a register of deaths; a
collection of obituary notices.
Nec"ro*man`cer (?), n. One who
practices necromancy; a sorcerer; a wizard.
Nec"ro*man`cy (?), n. [OE.
nigromaunce, nigromancie, OF. nigromance, F.
nécromance, nécromancie, from L.
necromantia, Gr. &?;; &?; a dead body (akin to L.
necare to kill, Skr. na(&?;) to perish, vanish)
+ &?; divination, fr. &?; diviner, seer, akin to E. mania. See
Mania, and cf. Internecine, Noxious. The old
spelling is due to confusion with L. niger black. Hence the
name black art.] The art of revealing future events by
means of a pretended communication with the dead; the black art;
hence, magic in general; conjuration; enchantment. See Black
art.
This palace standeth in the air,
By necromancy placèd there.
Drayton.
Nec`ro*man"tic (?), n.
Conjuration. [R.]
With all the necromantics of their
art.
Young.
{ Nec`ro*man"tic (?), Nec`ro*man"tic*al (?) },
a. Of or pertaining to necromancy; performed
by necromancy. -- Nec`ro*man"tic*al*ly,
adv.
Nec"ro*nite (?), n. [Gr. &?; a dead
body.] (Min.) Fetid feldspar, a mineral which, when
struck, exhales a fetid odor.
Ne*croph"a*gan (?), a. [See
Necrophagous.] (Zoöl.) Eating carrion.
-- n. (Zoöl.) Any species of a
tribe (Necrophaga) of beetles which, in the larval state, feed
on carrion; a burying beetle.
Ne*croph"a*gous (?), a. [Gr. &?; eating
corpses; &?; a dead body + &?; to eat: cf. F.
nécrophage.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining
to the Necrophaga; eating carrion. See
Necrophagan.
Nec`ro*pho"bi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; a dead body + &?; to fear.] An exaggerated fear of death or
horror of dead bodies.
Nec"ro*phore (?), n. [Gr. &?; a dead
body + &?; to bear.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous
species of beetles of the genus Necrophorus and allied genera;
-- called also burying beetle, carrion beetle,
sexton beetle.
Ne*crop"o*lis (?), n.; pl.
Necropolises (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; a dead
body, adj., dead + &?; city.] A city of the dead; a name given
by the ancients to their cemeteries, and sometimes applied to modern
burial places; a graveyard.
Nec"rop*sy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a dead body
+ &?; sight: cf. F. nécropsie.] (Med.) A
post-mortem examination or inspection; an autopsy. See
Autopsy.
{ Nec`ro*scop"ic (?), Nec`ro*scop"ic*al (?) },
a. [Gr. &?; a dead body + -scope.] Or
or relating to post-mortem examinations.
Ne*crose" (?), v. t. & i. (Med.)
To affect with necrosis; to undergo necrosis.
Quain.
Ne*crosed" (?), a. (Med.)
Affected by necrosis; dead; as, a necrosed bone.
Dunglison.
||Ne*cro"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;,
fr. &?; to make dead, to mortify, &?; a dead body.]
1. (med.) Mortification or gangrene of
bone, or the death of a bone or portion of a bone in mass, as opposed
to its death by molecular disintegration. See
Caries.
2. (Bot.) A disease of trees, in which
the branches gradually dry up from the bark to the center.
Ne*crot"ic (?), a. (Med.)
Affected with necrosis; as, necrotic tissue;
characterized by, or producing, necrosis; as, a necrotic
process.
Nec"tar (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.]
1. (Myth. & Poetic) The drink of the gods
(as ambrosia was their food); hence, any delicious or inspiring
beverage.
2. (Bot.) A sweetish secretion of
blossoms from which bees make honey.
Nec*ta"re*al (?), a. 1.
Nectareous.
2. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a
nectary.
Nec*ta"re*an (?), a. [L.
nectareus: cf. F. nectaréen.] Resembling
nectar; very sweet and pleasant. "nectarean juice."
Talfourd.
Nec"tared (?), a. Imbued with
nectar; mingled with nectar; abounding with nectar.
Milton.
Nec*ta"re"ous (?), a. Of,
pertaining to, containing, or resembling nectar; delicious;
nectarean. Pope.
-- Nec*ta"re*ous*ly, adv. --
Nec*ta"re*ous*ness, n.
Nec*ta"ri*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the nectary of a plant.
Nec"ta*ried (?), a. Having a
nectary.
Nec`tar*if"er*ous (?), a. [L.
nectar nectar + -ferous: cf. F.
nectarifère.] (Bot.) Secreting nectar; --
said of blossoms or their parts.
Nec"tar*ine (?), a.
Nectareous. [R.] Milton.
Nec"tar*ine, n. [Cf. F.
nectarine. See Nectar.] (Bot.) A smooth-
skinned variety of peach.
Spanish nectarine, the plumlike fruit of the
West Indian tree Chrysobalanus Icaco; -- also called cocoa
plum. it is made into a sweet conserve which a largely exported
from Cuba.
Nec"tar*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Nectarized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Nectarizing (?).] To mingle or infuse with
nectar; to sweeten. [Obs.] Cockeram.
Nec"tar*ous (?), a.
Nectareous. Milton.
Nec"ta*ry (?), n.; pl.
Nectaries (#). [From Nectar: cf. F.
nectaire.] (Bot.) That part of a blossom which
secretes nectar, usually the base of the corolla or petals; also, the
spur of such flowers as the larkspur and columbine, whether
nectariferous or not. See the Illustration of
Nasturtium.
||Nec`to*ca"lyx (?), n.; pl.
Nectocalyces (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; swimming + &?;
a calyx.] (Zoöl.) (a) The swimming
bell or umbrella of a jellyfish of medusa. (b)
One of the zooids of certain Siphonophora, having somewhat the
form, and the essential structure, of the bell of a jellyfish, and
acting as a swimming organ.
{ Nec"to*sac, Nec"to*sack } (?),
n. [Gr. &?; swimming + E. sac, sack.]
(Zoöl.) The cavity of a nectocalyx.
Nec"to*stem (?), n. [Gr. &?; swimming +
E. stem.] (Zoöl.) That portion of the axis
which bears the nectocalyces in the Siphonophora.
Ned"der (?), n. [See Adder.]
(Zoöl.) An adder. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Chaucer.
Ned"dy (?), n.; pl.
Neddies (&?;). (Zoöl.) A pet name
for a donkey.
||Nee (?), p. p., fem. [F., fr. L.
nata, fem. of natus, p. p. of nasci to be born.
See Nation.] Born; -- a term sometimes used in
introducing the name of the family to which a married woman belongs
by birth; as, Madame de Staël, née
Necker.
Need (?), n. [OE. need,
neod, nede, AS. neád, n&ymacr;d;
akin to D. nood, G. not, noth, Icel.
nauðr, Sw. & Dan. nöd, Goth. naups.]
1. A state that requires supply or relief;
pressing occasion for something; necessity; urgent want.
And the city had no need of the
sun.
Rev. xxi. 23.
I have no need to beg.
Shak.
Be governed by your needs, not by your
fancy.
Jer. Taylor.
2. Want of the means of subsistence; poverty;
indigence; destitution. Chaucer.
Famine is in thy cheeks;
Need and oppression starveth in thine eyes.
Shak.
3. That which is needful; anything necessary
to be done; (pl.) necessary things; business. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
4. Situation of need; peril; danger.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Syn. -- Exigency; emergency; strait; extremity; necessity;
distress; destitution; poverty; indigence; want; penury. --
Need, Necessity. Necessity is stronger than
need; it places us under positive compulsion. We are
frequently under the necessity of going without that of which
we stand very greatly in need. It is also with the
corresponding adjectives; necessitous circumstances imply the
direct pressure of suffering; needy circumstances, the want of
aid or relief.
Need (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Needed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Needing.] [See Need, n. Cf. AS.
n&?;dan to force, Goth. nau&?;jan.] To be in want
of; to have cause or occasion for; to lack; to require, as supply or
relief.
Other creatures all day long
Rove idle, unemployed, and less need rest.
Milton.
&fist; With another verb, need is used like an auxiliary,
generally in a negative sentence expressing requirement or
obligation, and in this use it undergoes no change of termination in
the third person singular of the present tense. "And the lender
need not fear he shall be injured." Anacharsis (Trans.
).
Need, v. i. To be wanted; to be
necessary. Chaucer.
When we have done it, we have done all that is in our
power, and all that needs.
Locke.
Need, adv. Of necessity. See
Needs. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Need"er (?), n. One who needs
anything. Shak.
Need"ful (?), a. 1.
Full of need; in need or want; needy; distressing.
[Archaic] Chaucer.
The needful time of trouble.
Bk. of Com. Prayer.
2. Necessary for supply or relief;
requisite.
All things needful for defense
abound.
Dryden.
-- Need"ful*ly, adv. --
Need"ful*ness, n.
Need"i*ly (?), adv. [From
Needy.] In a needy condition or manner;
necessarily. Chaucer.
Need"i*ness, n. The state or
quality of being needy; want; poverty; indigence.
Nee"dle (?), n. [OE. nedle, AS.
n&?;dl; akin to D. neald, OS. nādla, G.
nadel, OHG. nādal, nādala, Icel.
nāl, Sw. nål, Dan. naal, and also to
G. nähen to sew, OHG. nājan, L. nere
to spin, Gr. &?;, and perh. to E. snare: cf. Gael. & Ir.
snathad needle, Gael. snath thread, G. schnur
string, cord.] 1. A small instrument of steel,
sharply pointed at one end, with an eye to receive a thread, -- used
in sewing. Chaucer.
&fist; In some needles(as for sewing machines) the eye is at the
pointed end, but in ordinary needles it is at the blunt end.
2. See Magnetic needle, under
Magnetic.
3. A slender rod or wire used in knitting; a
knitting needle; also, a hooked instrument which carries the thread
or twine, and by means of which knots or loops are formed in the
process of netting, knitting, or crocheting.
4. (Bot.) One of the needle-shaped
secondary leaves of pine trees. See Pinus.
5. Any slender, pointed object, like a
needle, as a pointed crystal, a sharp pinnacle of rock, an obelisk,
etc.
Dipping needle. See under
Dipping. -- Needle bar, the
reciprocating bar to which the needle of a sewing machine is
attached. -- Needle beam (Arch.),
to shoring, the horizontal cross timber which goes through the
wall or a pier, and upon which the weight of the wall rests, when a
building is shored up to allow of alterations in the lower part.
-- Needle furze (Bot.), a prickly
leguminous plant of Western Europe; the petty whin (Genista
Anglica). -- Needle gun, a firearm
loaded at the breech with a cartridge carrying its own fulminate,
which is exploded by driving a slender needle, or pin, into it.
-- Needle loom (Weaving), a loom in
which the weft thread is carried through the shed by a long eye-
pointed needle instead of by a shuttle. -- Needle
ore (Min.), acicular bismuth; a sulphide of
bismuth, lead, and copper occuring in acicular crystals; -- called
also aikinite. -- Needle shell
(Zoöl.), a sea urchin. -- Needle
spar (Min.), aragonite. -- Needle
telegraph, a telegraph in which the signals are given
by the deflections of a magnetic needle to the right or to the left
of a certain position. -- Sea needle
(Zoöl.), the garfish.
Nee"dle, v. t. To form in the
shape of a needle; as, to needle crystals.
Nee"dle, v. i. To form needles; to
crystallize in the form of needles.
Nee"dle*book` (?), n. A book-
shaped needlecase, having leaves of cloth into which the needles are
stuck.
Nee"dle*case` (?), n. A case to
keep needles.
Nee"dle*fish` (?), n.
(Zoöl.) (a) The European great
pipefish (Siphostoma, or Syngnathus, acus); -- called also
earl, and tanglefish. (b)
The garfish.
nee"dle*ful (?), n.; pl.
needlefuls (&?;). As much thread as is used in
a needle at one time.
Nee"dle-pointed` (?), a. Pointed
as needles.
Nee"dler (?), n. One who makes or
uses needles; also, a dealer in needles. Piers
Plowman.
Nee"dless (?), a. 1.
Having no need. [Obs.]
Weeping into the needless stream.
Shak.
2. Not wanted; unnecessary; not requisite;
as, needless labor; needless expenses.
3. Without sufficient cause; groundless;
causeless. "Needless jealousy." Shak.
-- Need"less*ly, adv. --
Need"less*ness, n.
Nee"dle*stone` (?), n. (Min.)
Natrolite; -- called also needle zeolite.
Nee"dle*wom`an (?), n.; pl.
Needlewomen (&?;). A woman who does
needlework; a seamstress.
Nee"dle*work` (?), n.
1. Work executed with a needle; sewed work;
sewing; embroidery; also, the business of a seamstress.
2. The combination of timber and plaster
making the outside framework of some houses.
Nee"dly (?), a. Like a needle or
needles; as, a needly horn; a needly beard.
R. D. Blackmore.
Need"ly (?), adv. [AS.
n&ymacr;dlice. See Need.] Necessarily; of
necessity. [Obs.] hak.
Need"ment (?), n. Something needed
or wanted. pl. Outfit; necessary luggage.
[Archaic] Spenser.
Carrying each his needments.
Wordsworth.
Needs (?), adv. [Orig. gen. of
need, used as an adverb. Cf. -wards.] Of
necessity; necessarily; indispensably; -- often with must, and
equivalent to of need.
A man must needs love mauger his
head.
Chaucer.
And he must needs go through
Samaria.
John iv. 4.
He would needs know the cause of his
reulse.
Sir J. Davies.
Needs"cost` (?), adv. Of
necessity. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Needs"ly, adv. Of necessity.
[Obs.] Drayton.
Need"y (?), a.
[Compar. Needier (?);
superl. Neediest.] 1.
Distressed by want of the means of living; very poor; indigent;
necessitous.
Thou shalt open thy hand wide unto thy brother, to thy
poor, and to thy needy in thy land.
Deut. xv.
11.
Spare the blushes of needly merit.
Dr. T. Dwight.
2. Necessary; requisite. [Obs.]
Corn to make your needy bread.
Shak.
{ Neeld (?), Neele (?) }, n.
[See Needle.] A needle. [Obs.] Shak.
Neel"ghau (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Nylghau.
Neem" tree` (?). [Hind. nīm.] (Bot.)
An Asiatic name for Melia Azadirachta, and M.
Azedarach. See Margosa.
Neer (?), adv. & a. Nearer.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Ne'er (? or ?), adv. a contraction
of Never.
Neese (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Neesed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Neesing.] [OE. nesen; akin to D. niezen, G.
niesen, Icel. hnjōsa.] To sneeze.
[Obs.] [Written also neeze.]
Nees"ing (?), n. Sneezing.
[Obs.] "By his neesings a light doth shine." Job xli.
18.
||Ne` ex"e*at (?). [L. ne exeat regno let him not
go out of the kingdom.] (Law) A writ to restrain a person
from leaving the country, or the jurisdiction of the court. The writ
was originally applicable to purposes of state, but is now an
ordinary process of courts of equity, resorted to for the purpose of
obtaining bail, or security to abide a decree.
Kent.
Nef (?; F. &?;), n. [F. See
Nave.] The nave of a church. Addison.
{ Ne"fand (?), Ne*fan"dous (?) },
a. [L. nefandus not to be spoken; ne
not + fari to speak.] Unfit to speak of; unmentionable;
impious; execrable. [Obs.] "Nefand adominations."
Sheldon. "Nefandous high treason." Cotton
Mather.
Ne*fa"ri*ous (?), a. [L.
nefarius, fr. nefas crime, wrong; ne not +
fas divine law; akin to fari to speak. See No,
adv., and Fate.] Wicked in the extreme;
abominable; iniquitous; atrociously villainous; execrable; detestably
vile.
Syn. -- Iniquitous; detestable; horrible; heinious;
atrocious; infamous; impious. See Iniquitous.
-- Ne*fa"ri*ous*ly, adv. --
Ne*fa"ri*ous*ness, n.
||Ne"fasch (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Any fish of the genus Distichodus. Several large species
inhabit the Nile.
Ne"fast (?), a. [L. nefastus.]
Wicked. [R.]
Ne*ga"tion (?), n. [L. negatio,
fr. negare to say no, to deny; ne not + the root of
aio I say; cf. Gr. &?;, Skr. ah to say; cf. F.
négation. See No, adv., and
cf. Adage, Deny, Renegade.] 1.
The act of denying; assertion of the nonreality or
untruthfulness of anything; declaration that something is not, or has
not been, or will not be; denial; -- the opposite of
affirmation.
Our assertions and negations should be yea and
nay.
Rogers.
2. (Logic) Description or definition
by denial, exclusion, or exception; statement of what a thing is not,
or has not, from which may be inferred what it is or has.
Neg"a*tive (?), a. [F.
négatif, L. negativus, fr. negare to
deny. See Negation.] 1. Denying;
implying, containing, or asserting denial, negation or refusal;
returning the answer no to an inquiry or request; refusing
assent; as, a negative answer; a negative opinion; --
opposed to affirmative.
If thou wilt confess,
Or else be impudently negative.
Shak.
Denying me any power of a negative
voice.
Eikon Basilike.
Something between an affirmative bow and a
negative shake.
Dickens.
2. Not positive; without affirmative
statement or demonstration; indirect; consisting in the absence of
something; privative; as, a negative argument; a
negative morality; negative criticism.
There in another way of denying Christ, . . . which is
negative, when we do not acknowledge and confess
him.
South.
3. (Logic) Asserting absence of
connection between a subject and a predicate; as, a negative
proposition.
4. (Photog.) Of or pertaining to a
picture upon glass or other material, in which the lights and shades
of the original, and the relations of right and left, are
reversed.
5. (Chem.) Metalloidal; nonmetallic; -
- contracted with positive or basic; as, the nitro
group is negative.
&fist; This word, derived from electro-negative, is now
commonly used in a more general sense, when acidiferous is the
intended signification.
Negative crystal. (a) A
cavity in a mineral mass, having the form of a crystal.
(b) A crystal which has the power of negative
double refraction. See refraction. -- negative
electricity (Elec.), the kind of electricity
which is developed upon resin or ebonite when rubbed, or which
appears at that pole of a voltaic battery which is connected with the
plate most attacked by the exciting liquid; -- formerly called
resinous electricity. Opposed to positive electricity.
Formerly, according to Franklin's theory of a single electric fluid,
negative electricity was supposed to be electricity in a degree below
saturation, or the natural amount for a given body. see
Electricity. -- Negative eyepiece.
(Opt.) see under Eyepiece. -- Negative
quantity (Alg.), a quantity preceded by the
negative sign, or which stands in the relation indicated by this sign
to some other quantity. See Negative sign (below). --
Negative rotation, right-handed rotation. See
Right-handed, 3. -- Negative sign,
the sign -, or minus (opposed in signification to +, or
plus), indicating that the quantity to which it is prefixed is
to be subtracted from the preceding quantity, or is to be reckoned
from zero or cipher in the opposite direction to that of quanties
having the sign plus either expressed or understood; thus, in
a - b, b is to be substracted from a, or
regarded as opposite to it in value; and -10° on a thermometer
means 10° below the zero of the scale.
Neg"a*tive, n. [Cf. F.
négative.] 1. A proposition by
which something is denied or forbidden; a conception or term formed
by prefixing the negative particle to one which is positive; an
opposite or contradictory term or conception.
This is a known rule in divinity, that there is no
command that runs in negatives but couches under it a positive
duty.
South.
2. A word used in denial or refusal; as,
not, no.
&fist; In Old England two or more negatives were often joined
together for the sake of emphasis, whereas now such expressions are
considered ungrammatical, being chiefly heard in iliterate speech. A
double negative is now sometimes used as nearly or quite equivalent
to an affirmative.
No wine ne drank she, neither white nor
red.
Chaucer.
These eyes that never did nor never shall
So much as frown on you.
Shak.
3. The refusal or withholding of assents;
veto.
If a kind without his kingdom be, in a civil sense,
nothing, then . . . his negative is as good as
nothing.
Milton.
4. That side of a question which denies or
refuses, or which is taken by an opposing or denying party; the
relation or position of denial or opposition; as, the question was
decided in the negative.
5. (Photog.) A picture upon glass or
other material, in which the light portions of the original are
represented in some opaque material (usually reduced silver), and the
dark portions by the uncovered and transparent or semitransparent
ground of the picture.
&fist; A negative is chiefly used for producing photographs
by means of the sun's light passing through it and acting upon
sensitized paper, thus producing on the paper a positive picture.
6. (Elect.) The negative plate of a
voltaic or electrolytic cell.
Negative pregnant (Law), a negation
which implies an affirmation.
Neg"a*tive (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Negatived (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Negativing.] 1. To prove
unreal or untrue; to disprove.
The omission or infrequency of such recitals does not
negative the existence of miracles.
Paley.
2. To reject by vote; to refuse to enact or
sanction; as, the Senate negatived the bill.
3. To neutralize the force of; to
counteract.
Neg"a*tive*ly, adv. 1.
In a negative manner; with or by denial. "He answered
negatively." Boyle.
2. In the form of speech implying the absence
of something; -- opposed to positively.
I shall show what this image of God in man is,
negatively, by showing wherein it does not consist, and
positively, by showing wherein it does consist.
South.
Negatively charged or
electrified (Elec.), having a charge of the kind
of electricity called negative.
{ Neg"a*tive*ness, Neg`a*tiv"i*ty } (?),
n. The quality or state of being
negative.
Neg"a*to*ry (?), a. [L.
negatorius: cf. F. négatorie.] Expressing
denial; belonging to negation; negative. Carlyle.
||Neg"i*noth (?), n. pl. [Heb.
n&ebreve;gīnōth.] (Script.) Stringed
instruments. Dr. W. Smith.
To the chief musician on Neginoth.
Ps. iv. 9heading).
Neg*lect" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Neglected; p. pr. & vb. n.
Neglecting.] [L. neglectus, p. p. of neglegere
(negligere) to disregard, neglect, the literal sense prob.
neing, not to pick up; nec not, nor (fr. ne not + -
que, a particle akin to Goth. -h, -uh, and prob. to
E. who; cf. Goth. nih nor) + L. legere to pick
up, gather. See No, adv., Legend,
Who.] 1. Not to attend to with due care
or attention; to forbear one's duty in regard to; to suffer to pass
unimproved, unheeded, undone, etc.; to omit; to disregard; to slight;
as, to neglect duty or business; to neglect to pay
debts.
I hope
My absence doth neglect no great designs.
Shak.
This, my long suffering and my day of grace,
Those who neglect and scorn shall never taste.
Milton.
2. To omit to notice; to forbear to treat
with attention or respect; to slight; as, to neglect
strangers.
Syn. -- To slight; overlook; disregard; disesteem; contemn.
See Slight.
Neg*lect", n. [L. neglectus. See
Neglect, v.] 1.
Omission of proper attention; avoidance or disregard of duty,
from heedlessness, indifference, or willfulness; failure to do, use,
or heed anything; culpable disregard; as, neglect of business,
of health, of economy.
To tell thee sadly, shepherd, without blame,
Or our neglect, we lost her as we came.
Milton.
2. Omission if attention or civilities;
slight; as, neglect of strangers.
3. Habitual carelessness;
negligence.
Age breeds neglect in all.
Denham.
4. The state of being disregarded, slighted,
or neglected.
Rescue my poor remains from vile
neglect.
Prior.
Syn. -- Negligence; inattention; disregard; disesteem;
remissness; indifference. See Negligence.
Neg*lect"ed*ness, n. The state of
being neglected.
Neg*lect"er (?), n. One who
neglects. South.
Neg*lect"ful (?), a. Full of
neglect; heedless; careless; negligent; inattentive;
indifferent. Pope.
A cold and neglectful countenance.
Locke.
Though the Romans had no great genius for trade, yet
they were not entirely neglectful of it.
Arbuthnot.
-- Neg*lect"ful*ly, adv. --
Neg*lect"ful*ness, n.
Neg*lect"ing*ly, adv. Carelessly;
heedlessly. Shak.
Neg*lec"tion (?), n. [L.
neglectio.] The state of being negligent;
negligence. [Obs.] Shak.
Neg*lect"ive (?), a.
Neglectful. [R.] "Neglective of their own
children." Fuller.
Neg`li*gee" (?), n. [F.
négligé, fr. négliger to neglect,
L. negligere. See Neglect.] An easy, unceremonious
attire; undress; also, a kind of easy robe or dressing gown worn by
women.
Neg"li*gence (?), n. [F.
négligence, L. negligentia.] The quality or
state of being negligent; lack of due diligence or care; omission of
duty; habitual neglect; heedlessness.
2. An act or instance of negligence or
carelessness.
remarking his beauties, . . . I must also point out
his negligences and defects.
Blair.
3. (Law) The omission of the care
usual under the circumstances, being convertible with the Roman
culpa. A specialist is bound to higher skill and diligence in
his specialty than one who is not a specialist, and liability for
negligence varies acordingly.
Contributory negligence. See under
Contributory.
Syn. -- Neglect; inattention; heedlessness; disregard;
slight. -- Negligence, Neglect. These two words are
freely interchanged in our older writers; but a distinction has
gradually sprung up between them. As now generally used,
negligence is the habit, and neglect the act, of
leaving things undone or unattended to. We are negligent as a
general trait of character; we are guilty of neglect in
particular cases, or in reference to individuals who had a right to
our attentions.
Neg"li*gent (?), a. [F.
négligent, L. negligens,p. pr. of
negligere. See Neglect.] Apt to neglect;
customarily neglectful; characterized by negligence; careless;
heedless; culpably careless; showing lack of attention; as, disposed
in negligent order. "Be thou negligent of fame."
Swift.
He that thinks he can afford to be negligent is
not far from being poor.
Rambler.
Syn. -- Careles; heedless; neglectful; regardless;
thoughtless; indifferent; inattentive; remiss.
Neg"li*gent*ly (?), adv. In a
negligent manner.
Neg"li*gi*ble (?), a. [Cf. F.
négligible, négligeable.] That may
neglected, disregarded, or left out of consideration.
Within very negligible limits of
error.
Sir J. Herschel.
Ne*goce" (?), n. [F.
négoce. See Negotiate.] Business;
occupation. [Obs.] Bentley.
Ne*go`ti*a*bil"i*ty (? or ?), n. [Cf.
F. négociabilité.] The quality of being
negotiable or transferable by indorsement.
Ne*go"ti*a*ble (? or ?), a. [Cf. F.
négotiable. See Negotiate.] Capable of
being negotiated; transferable by assignment or indorsement to
another person; as, a negotiable note or bill of
exchange.
Negotiable paper, any commercial paper
transferable by sale or delivery and indorsement, as bills of
exchange, drafts, checks, and promissory notes.
Ne*go"ti*ant (?), n. [L.
negotians, prop. p. pr. of negotiari: cf. F.
négociant.] A negotiator. [R.] Sir W.
Raleigh.
Ne*go"ti*ate (?), v. i. [L.
negotiatus, p. p. of negotiari, fr. negotium
business; nec not + otium leisure. Cf.
Neglect.] 1. To transact business; to
carry on trade. [Obs.] Hammond.
2. To treat with another respecting purchase
and sale or some business affair; to bargain or trade; as, to
negotiate with a man for the purchase of goods or a
farm.
3. To hold intercourse respecting a treaty,
league, or convention; to treat with, respecting peace or commerce;
to conduct communications or conferences.
He that negotiates between God and man
Is God's ambassador.
Cowper.
4. To intrigue; to scheme. [Obs.]
Bacon.
Ne*go"ti*ate, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Negotiated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Negotiating (?).] 1. To carry on
negotiations concerning; to procure or arrange for by negotiation;
as, to negotiate peace, or an exchange.
Constantinople had negotiated in the isles of
the Archipelago . . . the most indispensable supplies.
Gibbon.
2. To transfer for a valuable consideration
under rules of commercial law; to sell; to pass.
The notes were not negotiated to them in the
usual course of business or trade.
Kent.
Ne*go`ti*a"tion (?), n. [L.
negotiatio: cf. F. négociation.]
1. The act or process of negotiating; a treating
with another respecting sale or purchase. etc.
2. Hence, mercantile business; trading.
[Obs.]
Who had lost, with these prizes, forty thousand
pounds, after twenty years' negotiation in the East
Indies.
Evelyn.
3. The transaction of business between
nations; the mutual intercourse of governments by diplomatic agents,
in making treaties, composing difference, etc.; as, the
negotiations at Ghent.
An important negotiation with foreign
powers.
Macaulay.
Ne*go"ti*a`tor (?), n. [L.: cf. F.
négociateur.] One who negotiates; a person who
treats with others, either as principal or agent, in respect to
purchase and sale, or public compacts.
Ne*go"ti*a*to*ry (? or ?), a. Of
or pertaining to negotiation.
Ne*go`ti*a"trix (?), n. [L.] A
woman who negotiates. Miss Edgeworth.
Ne*go`ti*os"i*ty (?), n. [L.
negotiositas.] The state of being busy; multitude of
business. [Obs.]
Ne*go"tious (?), a. [L.
negotiosus.] Very busy; attentive to business;
active. [R.] D. Rogers.
Ne*go"tious*ness, n. The state of
being busily occupied; activity. [R.] D. Rogers.
Ne"gress (?), n.; pl.
Negresses (&?;). [Cf. F. négrese,
fem. of négre a negro. See Negro.] A black
woman; a female negro.
||Ne*gri"ta (?), n. [Sp., blackish,
fem. of negrito, dim. of negro black.]
(Zoöl.) A blackish fish (Hypoplectrus
nigricans), of the Sea-bass family. It is a native of the West
Indies and Florida.
Ne*grit"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to negroes; composed of negroes. Keary.
Ne*gri"tos (?), n. pl.; sing
Negrito (&?;). [Sp., dim. of negro
black.] (Ethnol.) A degraded Papuan race, inhabiting
Luzon and some of the other east Indian Islands. They resemble
negroes, but are smaller in size. They are mostly nomads.
Ne"gro (?), n.; pl.
Negroes (&?;). [Sp. or Pg. negro, fr.
negro black, L. niger; perh. akin to E. night.]
A black man; especially, one of a race of black or very dark
persons who inhabit the greater part of tropical Africa, and are
distinguished by crisped or curly hair, flat noses, and thick
protruding lips; also, any black person of unmixed African blood,
wherever found.
Ne"gro, a. Of or pertaining to
negroes; black.
Negro bug (Zoöl.), a minute
black bug common on the raspberry and blackberry. It produced a very
disagreeable flavor. -- negro corn, the
Indian millet or durra; -- so called in the West Indies. see
Durra. McElrath.
--
Negro fly (Zoöl.), a black
dipterous fly (Psila rosæ) which, in the larval state,
is injurious to carrots; -- called also carrot fly. --
Negro head (Com.), Cavendish
tobacco. [Cant] McElrath.
--
Negro monkey (Zoöl.), the
moor monkey.
Ne"groid (?), a. [Negro + -
oid.] 1. Characteristic of the
negro.
2. Resembling the negro or negroes; of or
pertaining to those who resemble the negro.
Ne"gro*loid (?), a. See
Negroid.
Ne"gus (?), n. A beverage made of
wine, water, sugar, nutmeg, and lemon juice; -- so called, it is
said, from its first maker, Colonel Negus.
||Ne"hi*loth (?), n. pl. [Heb.]
(Script.) A term supposed to mean, perforated wind
instruments of music, as pipes or flutes. Ps. v.
(heading).
Ne*hush"tan (?), n. [Heb.] A thing
of brass; -- the name under which the Israelites worshiped the brazen
serpent made by Moses. 2 Kings xviii. 4.
{ Neif, Neife } (nēf),
n. [OF. neïf, naïf, a born
serf, fr. L. nativus born, imparted by birth. See
Native.] A woman born in the state of villeinage; a
female serf. Blackstone.
{ Neif, Neaf (nēf), } n.
[Icel. hnefi; akin to Dan. næve, Sw.
näfve.] The fist. [Obs.] "I kiss thy
neif." "Give me your neaf." Shak.
Neigh (nā), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Neighed (nād); p. pr. & vb.
n. Neighing.] [OE. neien, AS.
hn&aemacr;gan, prob. of imitative origin; cf. MHG.
nēgen, Icel. hneggja, gneggja, Sw.
gnägga. Cf. Nag a horse.] 1.
To utter the cry of the horse; to whinny.
2. To scoff or sneer; to jeer.
[Obs.]
Neighed at his nakedness.
Beau.
& Fl.
Neigh, n. The cry of a horse; a
whinny.
Neigh"bor (nā"b&etilde;r), n.
[OE. neighebour, AS. neáhgebūr;
neáh nigh + gebūr a dweller, farmer; akin
to D. nabuur, G. nachbar, OHG.
nāhgibūr. See Nigh, and Boor.]
[Spelt also neighbour.] 1. A person who
lives near another; one whose abode is not far off.
Chaucer.
Masters, my good friends, mine honest
neighbors.
Shak.
2. One who is near in sympathy or
confidence.
Buckingham
No more shall be the neighbor to my counsel.
Shak.
3. One entitled to, or exhibiting, neighborly
kindness; hence, one of the human race; a fellow being.
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was
neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?
Luke x. 36.
The gospel allows no such term as "stranger;" makes
every man my neighbor.
South.
Neigh"bor, a. Near to another;
adjoining; adjacent; next; neighboring. "The neighbor
cities." Jer. l. 40. "The neighbor room."
Shak.
neigh"bor, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Neighbored (?); p. pr. & vb. n
Neighboring.] 1. To adjoin; to border on;
tobe near to.
Leisurely ascending hills that neighbor the
shore.
Sandys.
2. To associate intimately with. [Obs.]
Shak.
Neigh"bor, v. i. To dwell in the
vicinity; to be a neighbor, or in the neighborhood; to be near.
[Obs.]
A copse that neighbors by.
Shak.
Neigh"bor*hood (?), n. [Written also
neighbourhood.] 1. The quality or
condition of being a neighbor; the state of being or dwelling near;
proximity.
Then the prison and the palace were in awful
neighborhood.
Ld. Lytton.
2. A place near; vicinity; adjoining
district; a region the inhabitants of which may be counted as
neighbors; as, he lives in my neighborhood.
3. The inhabitants who live in the vicinity
of each other; as, the fire alarmed all the
neiborhood.
4. The disposition becoming a neighbor;
neighborly kindness or good will. [Obs.] Jer.
Taylor.
Syn. -- Vicinity; vicinage; proximity. --
Neighborhood, Vicinity. Neighborhood is Anglo-
Saxon, and vicinity is Latin. Vicinity does not
commonly denote so close a connection as neighborhood. A
neighborhood is a more immediate vicinity. The houses
immediately adjoining a square are in the neighborhood of that
square; those which are somewhat further removed are also in the
vicinity of the square.
Neigh"bor*ing, a. Living or being
near; adjacent; as, the neighboring nations or
countries.
Neigh"bor*li*ness (?), n. The
quality or state of being neighborly.
Neigh"bor*ly, a. [Also written
neighbourly.] Appropriate to the relation of neighbors;
having frequent or familiar intercourse; kind; civil; social;
friendly. -- adv. In a neighborly
manner.
Judge if this be neighborly
dealing.
Arbuthnot.
Neigh"bor*ship, n. The state of
being neighbors. [R.] J. Bailie.
||Neis"hout (?), n. [From D.
niezen to sneeze + hout wood.] (Bot.) The
mahogany-like wood of the South African tree Pteroxylon utile,
the sawdust of which causes violent sneezing (whence the name). Also
called sneezewood.
Nei"ther (? or ?; 277), a. [OE.
neiter, nother, nouther, AS.
nāwðer, nāhwæðer;
nā never, not + hwæðer whether. The
word has followed the form of either. See No, and
Whether, and cf. Neuter, Nor.] Not either;
not the one or the other.
Which of them shall I take?
Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoyed,
If both remain alive.
Shak.
He neither loves,
Nor either cares for him.
Shak.
Nei"ther, conj. not either;
generally used to introduce the first of two or more coördinate
clauses of which those that follow begin with nor.
Fight neither with small nor great, save only
with the king.
1 Kings xxii. 31.
Hadst thou been firm and fixed in thy dissent,
Neither had I transgressed, nor thou with me.
Milton.
When she put it on, she made me vow
That I should neither sell, nor give, nor lose
it.
Shak.
&fist; Neither was formerly often used where we now use
nor. "For neither circumcision, neither uncircumcision
is anything at all." Tyndale. "Ye shall not eat of it,
neither shall ye touch it." Gen. iii. 3. Neither
is sometimes used colloquially at the end of a clause to enforce a
foregoing negative (nor, not, no). "He is very
tall, but not too tall neither." Addison. " ‘I
care not for his thrust' ‘No, nor I neither.'"
Shak.
Not so neither, by no means. [Obs.]
Shak.
||Ne*lum"bo (?), n. [Ceylonese word.]
(Bot.) A genus of great water lilies. The North American
species is Nelumbo lutea, the Asiatic is the sacred lotus,
N. speciosa. [Written also Nelumbium.]
Nem"a*line (?), a. [L. nema
thread, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to spin.] (Min.) Having the form
of threads; fibrous.
Nem"a*lite (?), n. [Gr. &?; thread +
-lite: cf. F. némalite.] (Min.) A
fibrous variety of brucite.
||Nem`a*tel"mi*a (?), n. pl. [NL.]
(Zoöl.) Same as Nemathelminthes.
||Nem`a*the"ci*um (? or &?;), n.;
pl. Nemathecia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a
thread + &?; a box.] (Bot.) A peculiar kind of
fructification on certain red algæ, consisting of an external
mass of filaments at length separating into tetraspores.
{ ||Nem`a*thel*min"thes (?),
||Nem`a*tel*min"thes (?) }, n. pl. [NL.
See Nemato-, and Helminthes.] (Zoöl.)
An ordr of helminths, including the Nematoidea and Gordiacea;
the roundworms. [Written also Nematelminthea.]
Nem"a*to- (?). A combining form from Gr.
nh^ma, nh`matos, a thread.
Nem"a*to*blast (?), n. [Nemato-
+ -blast.] (Biol.) A spermatocyte or
spermoblast.
||Nem`a*to*ca"lyx (?), n.; pl.
Nematocalyces (#), E. -calyxes
(#). [NL. See Nemato-, and Calyx.] (Zoöl.)
One of a peculiar kind of cups, or calicles, found upon hydroids
of the family Plumularidæ. They contain nematocysts. See
Plumularia.
||Nem`a*toc"e*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?;, &?;, a thread + ke`ras horn.] (Zoöl.)
A suborder of dipterous insects, having long antennæ, as
the mosquito, gnat, and crane fly; -- called also
Nemocera.
Nem"a*to*cyst (?), n. [Nemato- +
cyst.] (Zoöl.) A lasso cell, or thread cell.
See Lasso cell, under Lasso.
Nem"a*tode (?), a. & n.
(Zoöl.) Same as Nematoid.
Nem"a*to*gene (?), n. [Nemato- +
root of Gr. &?; to be born.] (Zoöl.) One of the
dimorphic forms of the species of Dicyemata, which produced vermiform
embryos; -- opposed to rhombogene.
Nem`a*tog"nath (?), n.
(Zoöl.) One of the Nematognathi.
||Nem`a*tog"na*thi (?), n. pl. [NL. See
nemato-, and Gnathic.] (Zoöl.) An
order of fishes having barbels on the jaws. It includes the
catfishes, or siluroids. See Siluroid.
Nem"a*toid (?), a. [Nemato- +
-oid.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Nematoidea. -- n. One of the Nematoidea.
See Illustration in Appendix.
||Nem`a*toi"de*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?;, &?;, thread + -oid.] (Zoöl.) An
order of worms, having a long, round, and generally smooth body; the
roundworms. They are mostly parasites. Called also Nematodea,
and Nematoda.
&fist; The trichina, stomach worm, and pinworm of man belong to
this group. See also Vinegar eel, under Vinegar, and
Gapeworm.
Nem`a*toid"e*an (?), a. & n.
(Zoöl.) Nematoid.
||Nem`a*toph"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?;, &?;, a thread + &?; to bear.] (Zoöl.) Same
as Cœlenterata.
Ne"me*an (nē"m&esl;*an; 277),
a. [L. Nemeus, fr. Nemea, Gr.
Neme`h.] Of or pertaining to Nemea, in Argolis, where
the ancient Greeks celebrated games, and Hercules killed a
lion.
Ne*mer"te*an (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Nemertina. --
n. One of the Nemertina.
||Ne*mer"tes (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
nhmerth`s unerring.] (Zoöl.) A genus of
Nemertina.
Ne*mer"ti*an (?), a. & n.
(Zoöl.) Nemertean.
Ne*mer"tid (?), a. & n.
(Zoöl.) Nemertean.
||Ne*mer"ti*da (?), n. pl. [NL.]
(Zoöl.) Nemertina.
||Nem`er*ti"na (n&ebreve;m`&etilde;r*tī"n&adot;),
n. pl. [NL. See Nemrtes.]
(Zoöl.) An order of helminths usually having a long,
slender, smooth, often bright-colored body, covered with minute
vibrating cilia; -- called also Nemertea, Nemertida,
and Rhynchocœla.
&fist; The mouth is beneath the head, and the straight intestine
at the posterior end. They have a very singular long tubular
proboscis, which can be everted from a pore in the front of the head.
Their nervous system and blood vessels are well developed. Some of
the species become over one hundred feet long. They are mostly marine
and seldom parasitic; a few inhabit fresh water. The two principal
divisions are Anopla and Enopla.
Nem"e*sis (n&ebreve;m"&esl;*s&ibreve;s),
n. [L., fr. Gr. Ne`mesis, orig.,
distribution, fr. ne`mein to distribute. See
Nomad.] (Class. Myth.) The goddess of retribution
or vengeance; hence, retributive justice personified; divine
vengeance.
This is that ancient doctrine of nemesis who
keeps watch in the universe, and lets no offense go
unchastised.
Emerson.
Ne*moph"i*list (?), n. [See
Nemophily.] One who is fond of forest or forest scenery;
a haunter of the woods. [R.]
Ne*moph"i*ly (?), n. [Gr.
ne`mos wooded pasture, glade + filei^n to
love.] Fondness for forest scenery; love of the woods.
[R.]
Nem"o*ral (?), a. [L. nemoralis,
fr. nemus, nemoris, a wood or grove: cf. F.
némoral.] Of or pertaining to a wood or
grove. [R.]
Nem"o*rous (?), a. [L.
nemorosus.] Woody. [R.]
Paradise itself was but a kind of nemorous
temple.
Evelyn.
Nemp"ne (?), v. t. [AS. nemnan
to name or call. See Name, v.] To name
or call. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Nempt (?), p. p. of Nempne.
Called; named. [Obs.]
Nems (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The ichneumon.
||Ne"ni*a (?), n. [L. nenia,
naenia.] A funeral song; an elegy.
Nen"u*phar (?), n. [F.
nénufar: cf. Sp. nenúfar, It.
nenufár; all fr. Per. nīl&?;far.]
(Bot.) The great white water lily of Europe; the
Nymphæa alba.
Ne"o- (&?;). [Gr. &?; youthful, new. See New.]
A prefix meaning new, recent, late; and in
chemistry designating specifically that variety of metameric
hydrocarbons which, when the name was applied, had been
recently classified, and in which at least one carbon atom in
connected directly with four other carbon atoms; -- contrasted with
normal and iso-; as, neopentane; the
neoparaffins. Also used adjectively.
||Ne`o*car"i*da (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; new + &?;, &?;, a kind of crustacean.] (Zoöl.)
The modern, or true, Crustacea, as distinguished from the
Merostomata.
Ne"o*cene (?), a. [Neo- + Gr.
&?; new.] (Geol.) More recent than the Eocene, that is,
including both the Miocene and Pliocene divisions of the
Tertiary.
Ne`o-Chris*tian"i*ty (? or ?), n.
[Neo- + Christianity.] Rationalism.
Ne`o*co"mi*an (?), n. [From
Neocomium, the Latin name of Neuchatel, in Switzerland, where
these rocks occur.] (Geol.) A term applied to the lowest
deposits of the Cretaceous or chalk formation of Europe, being the
lower greensand.
Ne`o*co"mi*an, a. (Geol.)
Of or pertaining to the lower greensand.
Ne`o*cos"mic (?), a. [Neo- +
cosmic.] Of or pertaining to the universe in its present
state; specifically, pertaining to the races of men known to
history.
Ne*oc"ra*cy (?), n. [Neo-+ -
cracy, as in aristocracy.] Government by new or
inexperienced hands; upstart rule; raw or untried
officials.
Ne*od"a*mode (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; new
+ &?;, dh`mos, the people + &?; shape.] In ancient
Sparta, one of those Helots who were freed by the state in reward for
military service. Milford.
Ne`o*dym"i*um (?), n. [NL. Dee Neo-
, and Didymium.] (Chem.) An elementary
substance which forms one of the constituents of didymium. Symbol Nd.
Atomic weight 140.8.
Ne`o*gæ"an (?), a. [Neo- +
Gr. &?; earth.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the New
World, or Western Hemisphere.
Ne*og"a*mist (?), n. [Gr. &?; newly
married.] A person recently married.
Ne"o*gen (?), n. [Neo- + -
gen.] (Chem.) An alloy resembling silver, and
consisting chiefly of copper, zinc, and nickel, with small
proportions of tin, aluminium, and bismuth. Ure.
Ne*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Neo- +
-graphy.] A new method or system of writing.
Ne`o-Lat"in (?), a. [Neo- +
Latin.] Applied to the Romance languages, as being mostly
of Latin origin.
Ne`o*lith"ic (?), a. [Neo- +
-lith + -ic.] (Archæol. & Geol.) Of
or pertaining to, or designating, an era characterized by late
remains in stone.
The Neolithic era includes the latter half of
the "Stone age;" the human relics which belong to it are associated
with the remains of animals not yet extinct. The kitchen middens of
Denmark, the lake dwellings of Switzerland, and the stockaded
islands, or "crannogs," of the British Isles, belong to this
era.
Lubbock.
Ne`o*lo*gi*an (?), a. Neologic;
neological.
Ne`o*lo"gi*an, n. A
neologist.
Ne`o*lo"gi*an*ism (?), n.
Neologism.
{ Ne`o*log"ic (?), Ne`o*log"ic*al (?) },
a. [Cf. F. néologique.] Of or
pertaining to neology; employing new words; of the nature of, or
containing, new words or new doctrines.
A genteel neological dictionary.
Chesterfield.
Ne`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv. In a
neological manner.
Ne*ol"o*gism (?), n. [Cf. F.
néologisme.] 1. The introduction
of new words, or the use of old words in a new sense. Mrs.
Browning.
2. A new word, phrase, or
expression.
3. A new doctrine; specifically,
rationalism.
Ne*ol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F.
néologiste.] 1. One who introduces
new words or new senses of old words into a language.
2. An innovator in any doctrine or system of
belief, especially in theology; one who introduces or holds doctrines
subversive of supernatural or revealed religion; a rationalist, so-
called.
{ Ne*ol`o*gis"tic (?), Ne*ol`o*gis"tic*al (?) },
a. Of or pertaining to neology;
neological.
Ne*ol`o*gi*za"tion (?), n. The act
or process of neologizing.
Ne*ol"o*gize (?), v. i.
1. To introduce or use new words or terms or new
uses of old words.
2. To introduce innovations in doctrine, esp.
in theological doctrine.
Ne*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Neo- + -
logy: cf. F. néologie.] 1. The
introduction of a new word, or of words or significations, into a
language; as, the present nomenclature of chemistry is a remarkable
instance of neology.
2. A new doctrine; esp. (Theol.), a
doctrine at variance with the received interpretation of revealed
truth; a new method of theological interpretation;
rationalism.
||Ne`o*me"ni*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?;; &?; new + mh`n month.] The time of the new moon;
the beginning of the month in the lunar calendar.
||Ne`o*me*noi"de*a (?), n. pl. [NL.,
fr. Neomenia, a representative genus (See Neomenia) +
-oid.] (Zoöl.) A division of vermiform
gastropod mollusks, without a shell, belonging to the
Isopleura.
Ne"o*morph (?), n. [Neo- + Gr.
&?; form.] (Biol.) A structure, part, or organ developed
independently, that is, not derived from a similar structure, part,
or organ, in a preexisting form.
Ne"o*nism (?), n.
Neologism.
Ne`o*no"mi*an (?), n. [Neo- +
Gr. &?; law.] One who advocates adheres to new laws; esp. one
who holds or believes that the gospel is a new law.
Ne`o*no"mi*an, a. Of or pertaining
to the Neonomians, or in accordance with their doctrines.
Ne`o*no"mi*an*ism (?), n. The
doctrines or belief of the neonomians.
Ne"o*phyte (?), n. [L.
neophytis, Gr. &?;, prop., newly planted; &?; new + &?; grown,
&?; that which has grown, a plant, fr. &?; to grow: cf. F.
néophyte. See New, and Be.]
1. A new convert or proselyte; -- a name given
by the early Christians, and still given by the Roman Catholics, to
such as have recently embraced the Christian faith, and been admitted
to baptism, esp. to converts from heathenism or Judaism.
2. A novice; a tyro; a beginner in
anything.
||Ne`o*pla"si*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; new + &?; to form, mold.] (Physiol. & Med.) Growth or
development of new material; neoplasty.
Ne"o*plasm (?), n. [See
Neoplasia.] (Physiol. & Med.) A new formation or
tissue, the product of morbid action.
Ne`o*plas"tic (?), a. (Physiol. &
Med.) Of or pertaining to neoplasty, or neoplasia.
Ne"o*plas`ty (?), n. [See
Neoplasia.] (Physiol. & Med.) Restoration of a
part by granulation, adhesive inflammation, or autoplasty.
Ne`o*pla"ton"ic (?), a. Of,
pertaining to, or resembling, Neoplatonism or the
Neoplatonists.
Ne`o*pla`to*ni"cian (?), n. A
Neoplatonist.
Ne`o*pla"to*nism (?), n. [Neo- +
Platonism.] A pantheistic eclectic school of philosophy,
of which Plotinus was the chief (A. D. 205-270), and which
sought to reconcile the Platonic and Aristotelian systems with
Oriental theosophy. It tended to mysticism and theurgy, and was the
last product of Greek philosophy.
Ne`o*pla"to*nist (?), n. One who
held to Neoplatonism; a member of the Neoplatonic school.
Ne`o*ra"ma (? or ?), n. [Gr. &?; temple
+ &?; a view.] A panorama of the interior of a building, seen
from within.
Ne*os"sine (?), n. [Gr.
neossia` a bird's nest.] The substance constituting
the edible bird's nest.
Ne`os*sol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a young
bird + -logy.] (Zoöl.) The study of young
birds.
{ Ne`o*ter"ic (?), Ne`o*ter"ic*al (?) },
a. [L. neotericus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?;, compar.
of &?; young, new.] Recent in origin; modern; new. "Our
neoteric verbs." Fitzed. Hall.
Some being ancient, others
neoterical.
Bacon.
Ne`o*ter"ic, n. One of modern
times; a modern.
Neo`ter"ic*al*ly (?), adv.
Recently; newly.
Ne*ot"er*ism (?), n. [Gr. &?;
innovation] An innovation or novelty; a neoteric word or
phrase.
Ne*ot"er*ist, n. One ho introduces
new word&?; or phrases. Fitzed Hall.
Ne*ot"er*ize (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Neoterized; p. pr. & vb. n.
Neoterized.] [Gr. &?; to innovate.] To innovate; to coin
or introduce new words.
Freely as we of the nineteenth century
neoterize.
fized. Hall.
Ne`o*trop"ic*al (?), a. [Neo- +
tropical.] (Geog. & Zoöl.) Belonging to, or
designating, a region of the earth's surface which comprises most of
South America, the Antilles, and tropical North America.
Ne`o*zo"ic (?), a. [Neo- + Gr.
&?; life.] (Geol.) More recent than the Paleozoic, --
that is, including the Mesozoic and Cenozoic.
Nep (?), n. [Abbrev. fr.
Nepeta.] (Bot.) Catnip.
||Ne"pa (?), n. [L. nepa
scorpion.] (Zoöl.) A genus of aquatic hemipterous
insects. The species feed upon other insects and are noted for their
voracity; -- called also scorpion bug and water
scorpion.
Nep`au*lese" (? or ?), a. Of or
pertaining to Nepaul, a kingdom in Northern Hindostan. --
n. sing. & pl. A native or natives of
Nepaul.
Ne*pen"the (?), n. [Fr. Gr. &?;
removing all sorrow; hence, an epithet of an Egyptian drug which
lulled sorrow for the day; &?; not + &?; sorrow, grief.] A drug
used by the ancients to give relief from pain and sorrow; -- by some
supposed to have been opium or hasheesh. Hence, anything soothing and
comforting.
Lulled with the sweet nepenthe of a
court.
Pope.
Quaff, O quaff this kind nepenthe.
Poe.
Ne*pen"thes (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;.
See Nepenthe.] 1. Same as
Nepenthe. Milton.
2. (Bot.) A genus of climbing plants
found in India, Malaya, etc., which have the leaves prolonged into a
kind of stout tendril terminating in a pitcherlike appendage, whence
the plants are often called pitcher plants and monkey-
cups. There are about thirty species, of which the best known is
Nepenthes distillatoria. See Pitcher plant.
||Nep"e*ta (?), n. [L.] (Bot.)
A genus of labiate plants, including the catnip and ground
ivy.
Neph"a*lism (?), n. [Gr. &?; soberness,
fr. &?; sober, &?; to drink no wine: cf. F.
néphalisme.] Total abstinence from spirituous
liquor.
Neph"a*list (?), n. [Cf. F.
néphaliste.] One who advocates or practices
nephalism.
{ Neph"e*line (?), Neph"e*lite (?) },
n. [gr. &?; cloud: cf. F.
néphéline. Cf. Nebula.] (Min.)
A mineral occuring at Vesuvius, in glassy hexagonal crystals;
also elsewhere, in grayish or greenish masses having a greasy luster,
as the variety elæolite. It is a silicate of aluminia, soda,
and potash.
Neph`e*lo*dom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; a
cloud + &?; way + -meter.] (Meteorol.) An
instrument for reckoning the distances or velocities of
clouds.
Neph`e*lom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; a
cloud + -meter.] An instrument for measuring or
registering the amount of cloudiness.
Neph"ew (n&ebreve;f"&usl;; in England
n&ebreve;v"&usl;; 277), n. [OE. neveu,
nevou, nevu, fr. F. neveu, OF. also,
nevou, L. nepos; akin to AS. nefa, D.
neef, G. neffe, OHG. nevo, Icel. nefi a
kinsman, Gr. ne`podes, pl., brood, young, Skr.
nepāt grandson, descendant. √262. Cf.
Niece, Nepotism.] 1. A grandson or
grandchild, or remoter lineal descendant. [Obs.]
But if any widow have children or nephews [Rev.
Ver. grandchildren].
1 Tim. v. 4.
If naturalists say true that nephews are often
liker to their grandfathers than to their fathers.
Jer. Taylor.
2. A cousin. [Obs.] Shak.
3. The son of a brother or a sister, or of a
brother-in-law or sister-in-law. Chaucer.
||Neph"i*lim (?), n. pl. [Heb.
n&ebreve;phīlīm.] Giants. Gen. vi.
4. Num. xiii. 33.
Neph"o*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; a cloud +
-scope.] (Meteorol.) An instrument for observing
the clouds and their velocity.
{ ||Ne*phral"gi*a (?), Ne*phral"gy (?) },
n. [NL. nephralgia, fr. Gr. &?; a kidney +
&?; pain: cf. F. néphralgie.] (Med.)
Neuralgia of the kidneys; a disease characterized by pain in the
region of the kidneys without any structural lesion of the
latter. Quain.
Ne*phrid"i*al (?), a. (Zoöl. &
Anat.) Of or pertaining to a nephridium.
||Ne*phrid"i*um (?), n.; pl.
Nephridia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; of the
kidneys.] (Zoöl. & Anat.) A segmental tubule;
one of the tubules of the primitive urinogenital organs; a segmental
organ. See Illust. under Loeven's larva.
Neph"rite (?; 277), n. [Cf. F.
néphrite. See Nephritis.] (Min.) A
hard compact mineral, of a dark green color, formerly worn as a
remedy for diseases of the kidneys, whence its name; kidney stone; a
kind of jade. See Jade.
{ Ne*phrit"ic (?), Ne*phrit"ic*al (?) },
a. [L. nephriticus, Gr. &?;: cf. F.
néphrétique. See Nephritis.]
1. Of or pertaining to the kidneys or urinary
organs; renal; as, a nephritic disease.
2. (Med.) (a) Affected
with a disease of the kidneys; as, a nephritic patient.
(b) Relieving disorders of the kidneys;
affecting the kidneys; as, a nephritic medicine.
Nephritic stone (Min.), nephrite;
jade. See Nephrite.
Ne*phrit"ic, n. (Med.) A
medicine adapted to relieve or cure disease of the kidneys.
Ne*phri"tis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;
(sc. &?;), fr. &?; a kidney.] (Med.) An inflammation of
the kidneys.
neph`ro*lith"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; a
kidney + -lith + ic.] (Med.) Of or pertaining to
gravel, or renal calculi. Dunglison.
Ne*phrol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a kidney
+ -logy.] A treatise on, or the science which treats of,
the kidneys, and their structure and functions.
Neph"ro*stome (?), n. [Gr. &?; a kidney
+ mouth.] (Zoöl. & Anat.) The funnel-shaped opening
of a nephridium into the body cavity.
Ne*phrot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?; a kidney
+ &?; to cut: cf. F. néphrotomie.] (Surg.)
Extraction of stone from the kidney by cutting.
Nep"o*tal (?), a. Of or relating
to a nephew.
Ne*pot"ic (?), a. [See
nepotism.] Of or pertaining to nepotism.
The nepotic ambition of the ruling
pontiff.
Milman.
Nep"o*tism (?; 277), n. [L.
nepus, nepotus, nephew: cf. F. népotisme.
See Nephew.] Undue attachment to relations; favoritism
shown to members of one's family; bestowal of patronage in
consideration of relationship, rather than of merit or of legal
claim.
From nepotism Alexander V. was safe; for he was
without kindred or relatives. But there was another perhaps more
fatal nepotism, which turned the tide of popularity against
him -- the nepotism of his order.
Milman.
Nep"o*tist (?), n. One who
practices nepotism.
Nep"tune (?), n. [L. Neptunus.]
1. (Rom. Myth.) The son of Saturn and
Ops, the god of the waters, especially of the sea. He is represented
as bearing a trident for a scepter.
2. (Astron.) The remotest known planet
of our system, discovered -- as a result of the computations of
Leverrier, of Paris -- by Galle, of Berlin, September 23, 1846. Its
mean distance from the sun is about 2,775,000,000 miles, and its
period of revolution is about 164,78 years.
Neptune powder, an explosive containing
nitroglycerin, -- used in blasting. -- Neptune's
cup (Zoöl.), a very large, cup-shaped,
marine sponge (Thalassema Neptuni).
Nep*tu"ni*an (?), a. [L.
Neptunius belonging to Neptune: cf. F. neptunien.]
1. Of or pertaining to the ocean or
sea.
2. (Geol.) Formed by water or aqueous
solution; as, Neptunian rocks.
Neptunian races (Ethnol.), the Malay
and Polynesian races. -- Neptunian theory
(Geol.), the theory of Werner, which referred the
formation of all rocks and strata to the agency of water; -- opposed
to the Plutonic theory.
{ Nep*tu"ni*an (?), Nep"tu*nist (?) },
n. [Cf. F. neptinien, neptuniste.]
(Geol.) One who adopts the Neptunian theory.
Nep*tu`ni*cen"tric (?), a.
[Neptune + centric.] (Astron.) As seen from
Neptune, or having Neptune as a center; as, Neptunicentric
longitude or force.
Nep*tu"ni*um (?), n. [NL.] A new
metallic element, of doubtful genuineness and uncertain
identification, said to exist in certain minerals, as
columbite. Hermann.
Ner (?), adv. & a. Nearer.
[Obs.] See Nerre.
Nere (?). [Contr. fr. ne were.] Were
not. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Ne"re*id (?), n.; pl. E.
Nereids (#), L. Nereides (#). [L.
Nereis, -idis, Gr. Nhrei:`s
Nhrhi:`s, i:`dos, a daughter of Nereus, a nymph
of the sea, fr. Nhrey`s Nereus, an ancient sea god; akin
to nhro`s wet, Skr. nāra water, cf. Gr.
na`ein to flow.] 1. (Class. Myth.)
A sea nymph, one of the daughters of Nereus, who were attendants
upon Neptune, and were represented as riding on sea horses, sometimes
with the human form entire, and sometimes with the tail of a
fish.
2. (Zoöl.) Any species of Nereis.
The word is sometimes used for similar annelids of other
families.
Ne`re*id"i*an (?), n.
(Zoöl.) Any annelid resembling Nereis, or of the
family Lycoridæ or allied families.
||Ne"re*is (? or ?), n.; pl.
Nereides (#). [L.] 1. (Class.
Myth.) A Nereid. See Nereid.
2. (Zoöl.) A genus, including
numerous species, of marine chætopod annelids, having a well-
formed head, with two pairs of eyes, antennæ, four pairs of
tentacles, and a protrusile pharynx, armed with a pair of hooked
jaws.
Ne"re*ites (?), n. pl. (Paleon.)
Fossil tracks of annelids.
||Ne`re*o*cys"tis (?), n. [NL. See
Nereid, and Cyst.] (Bot.) A genus of
gigantic seaweeds.
&fist; Nereocystis Lutkeana, of the North Pacific, has a
stem many fathoms long, terminating in a great vesicle, which is
crowned with a tuft of long leaves. The stem is used by the Alaskans
for fishing lines.
Nerf"ling (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The id.
||Ne*ri"ta (?), n. [L., a sort of sea
mussel, Gr. &?;, &?;.] (Zoöl.) A genus of marine
gastropods, mostly natives of warm climates.
Ner"ite (? or ?; 277), n.
(Zoöl.) Any mollusk of the genus Nerita.
||Ner`i*ti"na (?), n.
(Zoöl.) A genus including numerous species of shells
resembling Nerita in form. They mostly inhabit brackish water, and
are often delicately tinted.
Ne"ro (?), n. A Roman emperor
notorious for debauchery and barbarous cruelty; hence, any profligate
and cruel ruler or merciless tyrant. -- Ne*ro"ni*an
(#), a.
Ner"o*li (?), n. [F.
néroli, said to be from the name of an Italian
princess.] (Chem.) An essential oil obtained by
distillation from the flowers of the orange. It has a strong odor,
and is used in perfumery, etc.
Neroli camphor (Chem.), a white
crystalline waxy substance, tasteless and odorless, obtained from
beroli oil; -- called also auradin.
Ner"re (?), adv. & a. [See
Near.] Nearer. [Obs.] [Written also neer,
ner.] Chaucer.
Never the neer, never the nearer; no
nearer. [Obs.]
Nerv"ate (?), a. (Bot.)
Nerved.
Ner*va"tion (?), n. The
arrangement of nerves and veins, especially those of leaves;
neuration.
The outlines of the fronds of ferns, and their
nervation, are frail characters if employed alone for the
determination of existing genera.
J. D.
Hooker.
Nerve (?), n. [OE. nerfe, F.
nerf, L. nervus, akin to Gr. &?; sinew, nerve; cf. &?;
string, bowstring; perh. akin to E. needle. Cf.
Neuralgia.] 1. (Anat.) One of the
whitish and elastic bundles of fibers, with the accompanying tissues,
which transmit nervous impulses between nerve centers and various
parts of the animal body.
&fist; An ordinary nerve is made up of several bundles of nerve
fibers, each bundle inclosed in a special sheath (the
perineurium) and all bound together in a connective tissue
sheath and framework (the epineurium) containing blood vessels
and lymphatics.
2. A sinew or a tendon.
Pope.
3. Physical force or steadiness; muscular
power and control; constitutional vigor.
he led me on to mightiest deeds,
Above the nerve of mortal arm.
Milton.
4. Steadiness and firmness of mind; self-
command in personal danger, or under suffering; unshaken courage and
endurance; coolness; pluck; resolution.
5. Audacity; assurance. [Slang]
6. (Bot.) One of the principal
fibrovascular bundles or ribs of a leaf, especially when these extend
straight from the base or the midrib of the leaf.
7. (Zoöl.) One of the nervures,
or veins, in the wings of insects.
Nerve cell (Anat.), one of the
nucleated cells with which nerve fibers are connected; a ganglion
cell. -- Nerve fiber (Anat.), one
of the fibers of which nerves are made up. These fibers are either
medullated or nonmedullated. in both kinds the
essential part is the translucent threadlike axis cylinder
which is continuous the whole length of the fiber. --
Nerve stretching (Med.), the operation
of stretching a nerve in order to remedy diseases such as tetanus,
which are supposed to be influenced by the condition of the nerve or
its connections.
Nerve (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nerved (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nerving.] To give strength or vigor to; to supply with
force; as, fear nerved his arm.
Nerved (?), a. 1.
Having nerves of a special character; as, weak-
nerved.
2. (Bot.) Having nerves, or simple and
parallel ribs or veins. Gray.
Nerve"less (?), a. 1.
Destitute of nerves.
2. Destitute of strength or of courage;
wanting vigor; weak; powerless.
A kingless people for a nerveless
state.
Byron.
Awaking, all nerveless, from an ugly
dream.
Hawthorne.
Nerve"less*ness, n. The state of
being nerveless.
Nerve"-shak`en (?), a. Affected by
a tremor, or by a nervous disease; weakened; overcome by some violent
influence or sensation; shocked.
Ner`vi*mo"tion (?), n. [Nerve +
motion.] (Physiol.) The movement caused in the
sensory organs by external agents and transmitted to the muscles by
the nerves. Dunglison.
Ner`vi*mo"tor (?), n. [Nerve +
motor.] (Physiol.) Any agent capable of causing
nervimotion. Dunglison.
Nerv"ine (?; 277) a. [L.
nervinus made of sinews: cf.F. nervin. See
Nerve.] (Med.) Having the quality of acting upon
or affecting the nerves; quieting nervous excitement. --
n. A nervine agent.
Ner`vo*mus"cu*lar (?), a. [Nerve
+ muscular.] (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to both
nerves and muscles; of the nature of nerves and muscles; as,
nervomuscular energy.
Ner*vose" (?), a. [See Nervous.]
(Bot.) Same as Nerved.
Ner*vos"i*ty (?), n. [L.
nervositas strength.] Nervousness. [R.]
Nerv"ous (?), a. [L. nervosus
sinewy, vigorous: cf. F. nerveux. See Nerve.]
1. possessing nerve; sinewy; strong;
vigorous. "Nervous arms." Pope.
2. Possessing or manifesting vigor of mind;
characterized by strength in sentiment or style; forcible; spirited;
as, a nervous writer.
3. Of or pertaining to the nerves; seated in
the nerves; as, nervous excitement; a nervous
fever.
4. Having the nerves weak, diseased, or
easily excited; subject to, or suffering from, undue excitement of
the nerves; easily agitated or annoyed.
Poor, weak, nervous creatures.
Cheyne.
5. Sensitive; excitable; timid.
Our aristocratic class does not firmly protest against
the unfair treatment of Irish Catholics, because it is nervous
about the land.
M. Arnold.
Nervous fever (Med.), a low form of
fever characterized by great disturbance of the nervous system, as
evinced by delirium, or stupor, disordered sensibility, etc. --
Nervous system (Anat.), the specialized
coördinating apparatus which endows animals with sensation and
volition. In vertebrates it is often divided into three systems: the
central, brain and spinal cord; the peripheral, cranial
and spinal nerves; and the sympathetic. See Brain,
Nerve, Spinal cord, under Spinal, and
Sympathetic system, under Sympathetic, and
Illust. in Appendix. -- Nervous
temperament, a condition of body characterized by a
general predominance of mental manifestations.
Mayne.
Nerv"ous*ly, adv. In a nervous
manner.
Nerv"ous*ness, n. State or quality
of being nervous.
Nerv"ure (?), n. [F. See Nerve.]
1. (Bot.) One of the nerves of
leaves.
2. (Zoöl.) One of the chitinous
supports, or veins, in the wings of incests.
Nerv"y (?), a.
[Compar. Nervier (?); superl. -
iest.] Strong; sinewy. "His nervy
knees." Keats.
Nes"cience (?), n. [L.
nescientia, fr. nesciens, p. pr. of nescire not
to know; ne not + scire to know.] Want of
knowledge; ignorance; agnosticism.
God fetched it about for me, in that absence and
nescience of mine.
Bp. Hall.
Nese (?), n. Nose. [Obs.]
Piers plowman.
Nesh (?), a. [AS. hnesc,
hnæsc, akin to Goth. hnasqus.] Soft; tender;
delicate. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Ness (?), n. [AS. næs,
ns; akin to Icel. nes, Sw. näs, Dan.
næs, and E. nose. √ 261. See Nose.]
A promontory; a cape; a headland. Hakluyt.
&fist; Ness is frequently used as a suffix in the names of
places and promontories; as, Sheerness.
-ness (&?;). [AS. -ness, -nyss, -
nys; akin to OS. -nissi, nussi, D. -nis,
OHG. -nissa, -nassī, -nussī, G. -
nis, -niss, Goth. -inasus.] A suffix used to
form abstract nouns expressive of quality or state; as,
goodness, greatness.
Ness"ler*ize (?), v. t. [From
Nessler, the chemist.] (Chem.) To treat or test,
as a liquid, with a solution of mercuric iodide in potassium iodide
and potassium hydroxide, which is called Nessler's solution or
Nessler's test, and is used to detect the presence of
ammonia.
Nest (?), n. [AS. nest; akin to
D. & G. nest, Sw. näste, L. nidus, for
nisdus, Skr. nī&?;a resting place, nest; cf.
Lith. lizdas, Arm. neiz, Gael. & Ir. nead. Prob.
from the particle ni down, Skr. ni + the root of E.
sit, and thus orig., a place to sit down in. √ 264. See
Nether, and Sit, and cf. Eyas,
Nidification, Nye.] 1. The bed or
receptacle prepared by a fowl for holding her eggs and for hatching
and rearing her young.
The birds of the air have nests.
Matt.
viii. 20.
2. Hence: the place in which the eggs of
other animals, as insects, turtles, etc., are laid and hatched; a
snug place in which young animals are reared.
Bentley.
3. A snug, comfortable, or cozy residence or
situation; a retreat, or place of habitual resort; hence, those who
occupy a nest, frequent a haunt, or are associated in the same
pursuit; as, a nest of traitors; a nest of
bugs.
A little cottage, like some poor man's
nest.
Spenser.
4. (Geol.) An aggregated mass of any
ore or mineral, in an isolated state, within a rock.
5. A collection of boxes, cases, or the like,
of graduated size, each put within the one next larger.
6. (Mech.) A compact group of pulleys,
gears, springs, etc., working together or collectively.
Nest egg, an egg left in the nest to prevent
the hen from forsaking it, and to induce her to lay more in the same
place; hence, figuratively, something laid up as the beginning of a
fund or collection. Hudibras.
Nest (?), v. i. To build and
occupy a nest.
The king of birds nested within his
leaves.
Howell.
Nest, v. t. To put into a nest; to
form a nest for.
From him who nested himself into the chief
power.
South.
Nest"ful (?), n.; pl.
Nestfuls (&?;). As much or many as will fill a
nest.
Nes"tle (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Nestled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nestling (?).] [AS. nestlian.] 1.
To make and occupy a nest; to nest. [Obs.]
The kingfisher . . . nestles in hollow
banks.
L'Estrange.
2. To lie close and snug, as a bird in her
nest; to cuddle up; to settle, as in a nest; to harbor; to take
shelter.
Their purpose was to fortify in some strong place of
the wild country, and there nestle till succors
came.
Bacon.
3. To move about in one's place, like a bird
when shaping the interior of her nest or a young bird getting close
to the parent; as, a child nestles.
Nes"tle, v. t. To house, as in a
nest.
2. To cherish, as a bird her young.
Nes"tling (?). n. 1.
A young bird which has not abandoned the nest. Piers
Plowman.
2. A nest; a receptacle. [Obs.]
Bacon.
Nes"tling, a. Newly hatched; being
yet in the nest.
Nes"tor (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A genus of parrots with gray heads. of New Zeland and papua,
allied to the cockatoos. See Kaka.
Nes*to"ri*an (?), n. (Eccl.
Hist.) An adherent of Nestorius, patriarch of
Constantinople in the fifth century, who has condemned as a heretic
for maintaining that the divine and the human natures were not merged
into one nature in Christ (who was God in man), and, hence, that it
was improper to call Mary the mother of God though she might
be called the mother of Christ; also, one of the sect
established by the followers of Nestorius in Persia, India, and other
Oriental countries, and still in existence. Opposed to
Eutychian.
Nes*to"ri*an, a. 1.
Of or relating to the Nestorians.
2. Relating to, or resembling, Nestor,
the aged warrior and counselor mentioned by Homer; hence, wise;
experienced; aged; as, Nestorian caution.
Nes*to"ri*an*ism (?), n. The
doctrines of the Nestorian Christians, or of Nestorius.
Net (n&ebreve;t), n. [AS. net;
akin to D. net, OS. net, netti, OHG.
nezzi, G. netz, Icel. & Dan. net, Sw.
nät, Goth. nati; of uncertain origin.]
1. A fabric of twine, thread, or the like,
wrought or woven into meshes, and used for catching fish, birds,
butterflies, etc.
2. Anything designed or fitted to entrap or
catch; a snare; any device for catching and holding.
A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a
net for his feet.
Prov. xxix. 5.
In the church's net there are fishes good or
bad.
Jer. Taylor.
3. Anything wrought or woven in meshes; as, a
net for the hair; a mosquito net; a tennis
net.
4. (Geom.) A figure made up of a large
number of straight lines or curves, which are connected at certain
points and related to each other by some specified law.
Net, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Netted (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Netting.] 1. To make into a net; to make
in the style of network; as, to net silk.
2. To take in a net; to capture by stratagem
or wile.
And now I am here, netted and in the
toils.
Sir W. Scott.
3. To inclose or cover with a net; as, to
net a tree.
Net, v. i. To form network or
netting; to knit.
Net, a. [F. See Neat clean.]
1. Without spot; pure; shining. [Obs.]
Her breast all naked as net ivory.
Spenser.
2. Free from extraneous substances; pure;
unadulterated; neat; as, net wine, etc. [R.]
3. Not including superfluous, incidental, or
foreign matter, as boxes, coverings, wraps, etc.; free from charges,
deductions, etc; as, net profit; net income; net
weight, etc. [Less properly written nett.]
Net tonnage (Naut.), the tonnage of a
vessel after a deduction from the gross tonnage has been made, to
allow space for crew, machinery, etc.
Net, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Netted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Netting.] To produce or gain as clear profit; as, he
netted a thousand dollars by the operation.
Net"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
An astrophyton.
Neth"er (n&ebreve;&thlig;"&etilde;r),
a. [OE. nethere, neithere, AS.
niðera, fr. the adv. niðer downward; akin to
neoðan below, beneath, D. neder down, G.
nieder, Sw. nedre below, nether, a. & adv., and also to
Skr. ni down. √201. Cf. Beneath.] Situated
down or below; lying beneath, or in the lower part; having a lower
position; belonging to the region below; lower; under; -- opposed to
upper.
'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding
fires.
Milton.
This darksome nether world her light
Doth dim with horror and deformity.
Spenser.
All my nether shape thus grew
transformed.
Milton.
Neth"er*more` (n&ebreve;&thlig;"&etilde;r*mōr`),
a. Lower, nether. [Obs.]
Holland.
Neth"er*most` (-mōst`), a. [AS.
niðemest. See Nether, and cf. Aftermost.]
Lowest; as, the nethermost abyss.
Milton.
||Neth"i*nim (?), n. pl. [Heb., pl. of
nāthīn given, granted, a slave of the temple, fr.
nāthan to give.] (jewish Antiq.) Servants of
the priests and Levites in the menial services about the tabernacle
and temple.
Net"i*fy (?), v. t. [Net, a. +
-fy.] To render neat; to clean; to put in order.
[R.] Chapman.
Net"ting (?), n. [From Net,
n.] 1. The act or process of
making nets or network, or of forming meshes, as for fancywork,
fishing nets, etc.
2. A piece of network; any fabric, made of
cords, threads, wires, or the like, crossing one another with open
spaces between.
3. (Naut.) A network of ropes used for
various purposes, as for holding the hammocks when not in use, also
for stowing sails, and for hoisting from the gunwale to the rigging
to hinder an enemy from boarding. Totten.
Netting needle, a kind of slender shuttle
used in netting. See Needle, n., 3.
Net"ting, n. Urine. [Prov.
Eng.] Halliwell.
Net"tle (?), n. [AS. netele;
akin to D. netel, G. nessel, OHG. nezzïla,
nazza, Dan. nelde, nälde, Sw.
nässla; cf, Lith. notere.] (Bot.) A
plant of the genus Urtica, covered with minute sharp hairs
containing a poison that produces a stinging sensation. Urtica
gracitis is common in the Northern, and U.
chamædryoides in the Southern, United States. the common
European species, U. urens and U. dioica, are also
found in the Eastern united States. U. pilulifera is the Roman
nettle of England.
&fist; The term nettle has been given to many plants related to,
or to some way resembling, the true nettle; as:
Australian
nettle, a stinging tree or shrub of the genus
Laportea (as L. gigas and L. moroides); -- also
called nettle tree. -- Bee nettle,
Hemp nettle, a species of
Galeopsis. See under Hemp. -- Blind
nettle, Dead nettle, a harmless
species of Lamium. -- False nettle
(Bæhmeria cylindrica), a plant common in the United
States, and related to the true nettles. -- Hedge
nettle, a species of Stachys. See under
Hedge. -- Horse nettle (Solanum
Carolinense). See under Horse. -- nettle
tree. (a) Same as
Hackberry. (b) See Australian
nettle (above). -- Spurge nettle, a
stinging American herb of the Spurge family (Jatropha
urens). -- Wood nettle, a plant
(Laportea Canadensis) which stings severely, and is related to
the true nettles.
Nettle cloth, a kind of thick cotton stuff,
japanned, and used as a substitute for leather for various
purposes. -- Nettle rash (Med.), an
eruptive disease resembling the effects of whipping with
nettles. -- Sea nettle (Zoöl.),
a medusa.
Net"tle, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nettled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nettling (?).] To fret or sting; to irritate or vex; to
cause to experience sensations of displeasure or uneasiness not
amounting to violent anger.
The princes were so nettled at the scandal of
this affront, that every man took it to himself.
L'Estrange.
Net"tle*bird` (?), n.
(Zoöl.) the European whitethroat. [Prov.
Eng.]
Net"tler (?), n. One who
nettles. [R.] Milton.
Net"tles (?), n. pl. [See
Knittle.] (Naut.) (a) The halves
of yarns in the unlaid end of a rope twisted for pointing or
grafting. (b) Small lines used to sling
hammocks under the deck beams. (c) Reef
points.
Net"tling (?), n. (Rope Making)
(a) A process (resembling splicing) by which two
ropes are joined end to end so as to form one rope.
(b) The process of tying together the ends of
yarns in pairs, to prevent tangling.
Net"tling, p. pr. & a. Stinging;
irritating.
Nettling cell (Zoöl.), a lasso
cell. See under Lasso.
Net"ty (?), a. Like a net, or
network; netted. [R.]
Net"-veined` (?), a. Having veins,
or nerves, reticulated or netted; as, a net-veined wing or
leaf.
Net"work` (?), n. 1.
A fabric of threads, cords, or wires crossing each other at
certain intervals, and knotted or secured at the crossings, thus
leaving spaces or meshes between them.
2. Any system of lines or channels
interlacing or crossing like the fabric of a net; as, a
network of veins; a network of railroads.
Neu"rad (?), adv. [Gr. &?; nerve + L.
ad to.] (Anat.) Toward the neural side; -- opposed
to hæmad.
Neu"ral (?), a. [Gr. &?; nerve.]
(Anat. & Zoöl.) relating to the nerves or nervous
system; taining to, situated in the region of, or on the side with,
the neural, or cerebro-spinal, axis; -- opposed to hemal. As
applied to vertebrates, neural is the same as dorsal;
as applied to invertebrates it is usually the same as ventral.
Cf. Hemal.
Neural arch (Anat.), the
cartilaginous or bony arch on the dorsal side of the centrum of the
vertebra in a segment of the spinal skeleton, usually inclosing a
segment of the spinal cord.
Neu*ral"gi*a (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?;
nerve + &?; pain. See nerve.] (Med.) A disease,
the chief symptom of which is a very acute pain, exacerbating or
intermitting, which follows the course of a nervous branch, extends
to its ramifications, and seems therefore to be seated in the nerve.
It seems to be independent of any structural lesion.
Dunglison.
Neu*ral"gic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to, or having the character of, neuralgia; as, a
neuralgic headache.
Neu*ral"gy (?), n.
Neuralgia.
Neu*rap`o*phys"i*al (?), a.
(Anat.) Of or pertaining to a neurapophysis.
||Neu`ra*poph"y*sis (?), n.; pl.
Neurapophyses (#). [NL. See Neuro-, and
Apophysis.] (Anat.) (a) One of the
two lateral processes or elements which form the neural arch.
(b) The dorsal process of the neural arch;
neural spine; spinous process.
||Neu*ras`the*ni"a (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; nerve + &?; weakness.] (Med.) A condition of
nervous debility supposed to be dependent upon impairment in the
functions of the spinal cord.
Neu*ra"tion (?), n. (Biol.)
The arrangement or distribution of nerves, as in the leaves of a
plant or the wings of an insect; nervation.
Neu*rax"is (?), n. [Neuro- +
axis.] (Anat.) See Axis cylinder, under
Axis.
Neu`ren*ter"ic (?), a. [Neuro- +
enteric.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to both the
neuron and the enteron; as, the neurenteric canal, which, in
embroys of many vertebrates, connects the medullary tube and the
primitive intestine. See Illust. of Ectoderm.
Neu"ri*din (?), n. [From
Neurine.] (Physiol. Chem.) a nontoxic base,
C5H14N2, found in the putrescent
matters of flesh, fish, decaying cheese, etc.
||Neu`ri*lem"ma (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
&?; nerve + &?; peel, skin.] (Anat.) (a)
The delicate outer sheath of a nerve fiber; the primitive
sheath. (b) The perineurium.
Neu*ril"i*ty (?), n. [Gr. &?; nerve.]
(Physiol.) The special properties and functions of the
nerves; that capacity for transmitting a stimulus which belongs to
nerves. G. H. Lewes.
Neu"rine (? or ?), n. [Gr. &?; a
nerve.] (Physiol. Chem.) A poisonous organic base (a
ptomaine) formed in the decomposition of protagon with boiling baryta
water, and in the putrefaction of proteid matter. It was for a long
time considered identical with choline, a crystalline body originally
obtained from bile. Chemically, however, choline is oxyethyl-
trimethyl-ammonium hydroxide, while neurine is vinyl-trimethyl-
ammonium hydroxide. [Written also neurin.]
Neu"rism (?), n. [Gr. &?; nerve.]
(Biol.) Nerve force. See Vital force, under
Vital.
||Neu*ri"tis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
nerve + -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of a
nerve.
Neu"ro- (&?;). [Gr. ney^ron nerve.]
(Anat.) A combining denoting a nerve, of or
pertaining to a nerve or the nervous system.
Neu`ro-cen"tral (?), a. [Neuro-
+ central.] (Anat.) Between the neural arch and
the centrum of a vertebra; as, the neurocentral suture.
Huxley.
Neu"ro*chord (?), n.,
Neu`ro*chor"dal (&?;), a.
(Zoöl.) See Neurocord.
Neu*roc"i*ty (?), n. (Physiol.)
Nerve force.
Neu"ro*cœle (?), n. [Neuro-
+ Gr. koi^los a hollow.] (Anat.) The
central canal and ventricles of the spinal cord and brain; the
myelencephalic cavity.
Neu"ro*cord (?), n. [Neuro- +
cord.] (Zoöl.) A cordlike organ composed of
elastic fibers situated above the ventral nervous cord of annelids,
like the earthworm. -- Neu`ro*cor"dal (#),
a.
Neu`ro-ep`i*der"mal (?), a. [Neuro-
+ epidermal.] (Anat.) Pertaining to, or
giving rise to, the central nervous system and epidermis; as, the
neuroepidermal, or epiblastic, layer of the
blastoderm.
||Neu*rog"li*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
ney^ron ligament + &?; glue.] (Anat.) The
delicate connective tissue framework which supports the nervous
matter and blood vessels of the brain and spinal cord.
Neu*rog"ra*phy (?), n. [Neuro- +
-graphy.] (Anat.) A description of the
nerves. Dunglison.
Neu`ro*ker"a*tin (?), n. [Neuro-
+ keratin.] (Physiol. Chem.) A substance,
resembling keratin, present in nerve tissue, as in the sheath of the
axis cylinder of medullated nerve fibers. Like keratin it resists the
action of most chemical agents, and by decomposition with sulphuric
acid yields leucin and tyrosin.
Neu`ro*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to neurology.
Neu*rol"o*gist (?), n. One who is
versed in neurology; also, one skilled in the treatment of nervous
diseases.
Neu*rol"o*gy (?), n. [Neuro- +
-logy.] The branch of science which treats of the nervous
system.
||Neu*ro"ma (?), n. [NL. See Neuro-
, and -oma.] (Med.) A tumor developed on, or
connected with, a nerve, esp. one consisting of new-formed nerve
fibers.
Neu"ro*mere (?), n. [Neuro- +
-mere.] (Anat.) A metameric segment of the
cerebro-spinal nervous system.
Neu`ro*mus"cu*lar (?), a. [Neuro-
+ muscular.] (Physiol.)
Nervomuscular.
||Neu"ron (?), n.; pl.
Neura (#). [NL., from Gr. ney^ron
nerve.] (Anat.) The brain and spinal cord; the cerebro-
spinal axis; myelencephalon. B. G. Wilder.
Neu`ro*path"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to neuropathy; of the nature of, or suffering from,
nervous disease.
Neu*rop"a*thy (?), n. [Neuro- +
Gr. &?;, &?;, to suffer.] (Med.) An affection of the
nervous system or of a nerve.
Neu"ro*pod (?), n. [Neuro- +
-pod.] (Zoöl.) A neuropodous animal.
G. Rolleston.
||Neu`ro*po"di*um (?), n. [NL., from
Gr. &?; a nerve + &?;, dim. of &?;, &?;, the foot.]
(Zoöl.) The ventral lobe or branch of a
parapodium.
Neu*rop"o*dous (?), a. [Neuro- +
-pod + -ous.] (Zoöl.) Having the limbs
on, or directed toward, the neural side, as in most invertebrates; --
opposed to hæmapodous. G. Rolleston.
Neu"ro*pore (?), n. [Neuro- +
pore.] (Anat.) An opening at either end of the
embryonic neural canal.
Neu*rop"ter (n&usl;*r&obreve;p"t&etilde;r),
n. (Zoöl.) One of the
Neuroptera.
||Neu*rop"te*ra (-t&esl;*r&adot;), n.
pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ney^ron nerve +
ptero`n a wing, fr. pte`sqai to fly.]
(Zoöl.) An order of hexapod insects having two pairs
of large, membranous, net-veined wings. The mouth organs are adapted
for chewing. They feed upon other insects, and undergo a complete
metamorphosis. The ant-lion, hellgamite, and lacewing fly are
examples. Formerly, the name was given to a much more extensive
group, including the true Neuroptera and the
Pseudoneuroptera.
Neu*rop"ter*al (n&usl;*r&obreve;p"t&etilde;r*al),
a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Neuroptera.
Neu*rop"ter*an (-an), n.
(Zoöl.) A neuropter.
||Neu*rop"te*ris (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; a nerve + &?; a kind of fern.] (Paleon.) An extensive
genus of fossil ferns, of which species have been found from the
Devonian to the Triassic formation.
Neu*rop"ter*ous (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Neuropteral.
Neu`ro*sen*sif"er*ous (?), a.
[neuro- + sensiferous.] (Zoöl.)
Pertaining to, or forming, both nerves and sense
organs.
||Neu*ro"sis (?), n.; pl.
Neuroses (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; nerve.] (Med.) A
functional nervous affection or disease, that is, a disease of the
nerves without any appreciable change of nerve structure.
Neu`ro*skel"e*tal (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the neuroskeleton. [R.] Owen.
Neu`ro*skel"e*ton (?), n. [Neuro-
+ skeleton.] (Anat.) The deep-seated parts of
the vertebrate skeleton which are in relation with the nervous axis
and locomotion. Owen.
Neu"ro*spast (?), n. [L.
neurospaston, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; drawn by strings.] A
puppet. [R.] Dr. H. More.
Neu*rot"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; nerve.]
1. Of or pertaining to the nerves; seated in the
nerves; nervous; as, a neurotic disease.
2. Useful in disorders of, or affecting, the
nerves.
Neu*rot"ic, n. 1.
A disease seated in the nerves.
2. (Med.) Any toxic agent whose action
is mainly directed to the great nerve centers.
&fist; Neurotic as a class include all those poisons whose
mains action is upon the brain and spinal cord. They may be divided
three orders: (a) Cerebral neurotics, or those which
affect the brain only. (b) Spinal neurotics, or
tetanics, those which affect the spinal cord. (c)
Cerebro-spinal neurotics, or those which affect both brain and
spinal cord.
Neu"ro*tome (?), n. [See
Neurotomy.] 1. An instrument for cutting
or dissecting nerves.
2. (Anat.) A neuromere.
Neu`ro*tom"ic*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to neurotomy.
Neu*rot"o*mist (?), n. One who
skilled in or practices neurotomy.
Neu*rot"o*my (?), n. [Neuro- +
Gr. &?; to cut.] 1. The dissection, or anatomy,
of the nervous system.
2. (Med.) The division of a nerve, for
the relief of neuralgia, or for other purposes.
Dunglison.
||Neu"ru*la (?), n. [NL., dim. of Gr.
&?; a nerve.] (Zoöl.) An embryo or certain
invertebrates in the stage when the primitive band is first
developed.
Neu"ter (?), a. [L., fr. ne not
+ uter whether; akin to E. whether. See No, and
Whether, and cf. Neither.] 1.
Neither the one thing nor the other; on neither side; impartial;
neutral. [Archaic]
In all our undertakings God will be either our friend
or our enemy; for Providence never stands neuter.
South.
2. (Gram.) (a) Having
a form belonging more especially to words which are not appellations
of males or females; expressing or designating that which is of
neither sex; as, a neuter noun; a neuter termination;
the neuter gender. (b)
Intransitive; as, a neuter verb.
3. (Biol.) Having no generative
organs, or imperfectly developed ones; sexless. See Neuter,
n., 3.
Neu"ter, n. 1. A
person who takes no part in a contest; one who is either indifferent
to a cause or forbears to interfere; a neutral.
The world's no neuter; it will wound or
save.
Young.
2. (Gram.) (a) A noun
of the neuter gender; any one of those words which have the
terminations usually found in neuter words. (b)
An intransitive verb.
3. (Biol.) An organism, either
vegetable or animal, which at its maturity has no generative organs,
or but imperfectly developed ones, as a plant without stamens or
pistils, as the garden Hydrangea; esp., one of the imperfectly
developed females of certain social insects, as of the ant and the
common honeybee, which perform the labors of the community, and are
called workers.
Neu"tral (?), a. [L. neutralis,
fr. neuter. See Neuter.] 1. Not
engaged on either side; not taking part with or assisting either of
two or more contending parties; neuter; indifferent.
The heart can not possibly remain neutral, but
constantly takes part one way or the other.
Shaftesbury.
2. Neither good nor bad; of medium quality;
middling; not decided or pronounced.
Some things good, and some things ill, do seem,
And neutral some, in her fantastic eye.
Sir J.
Davies.
3. (Biol.) Neuter. See Neuter,
a., 3.
4. (Chem.) Having neither acid nor
basic properties; unable to turn red litmus blue or blue litmus red;
-- said of certain salts or other compounds. Contrasted with
acid, and alkaline.
Neutral axis, Neutral surface
(Mech.), that line or plane, in a beam under transverse
pressure, at which the fibers are neither stretched nor compressed,
or where the longitudinal stress is zero. See Axis. --
Neutral equilibrium (Mech.), the kind of
equilibrium of a body so placed that when moved slighty it neither
tends to return to its former position not depart more widely from
it, as a perfect sphere or cylinder on a horizontal plane. --
Neutral salt (Chem.), a salt formed by
the complete replacement of the hydrogen in an acid or base; in the
former case by a positive or basic, in the latter by a negative or
acid, element or radical. -- Neutral tint,
a bluish gray pigment, used in water colors, made by mixing
indigo or other blue some warm color. the shades vary greatly. -
- Neutral vowel, the vowel element having an
obscure and indefinite quality, such as is commonly taken by the
vowel in many unaccented syllables. It is regarded by some as
identical with the ŭ in up, and is called also the
natural vowel, as unformed by art and effort. See Guide to
Pronunciation, § 17.
Neu"tral (?), n. A person or a
nation that takes no part in a contest between others; one who is
neutral.
The neutral, as far as commerce extends,
becomes a party in the war.
R. G. Harper.
Neu"tral*ist, n. A neutral; one
who professes or practices neutrality. Milman.
Neu*tral"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
neutralité.] 1. The state or
quality of being neutral; the condition of being unengaged in
contests between others; state of taking no part on either side;
indifference.
Men who possess a state of neutrality in times
of public danger, desert the interest of their fellow
subjects.
Addison.
2. Indifference in quality; a state neither
very good nor bad. [Obs.] Donne.
3. (Chem.) The quality or state of
being neutral. See Neutral, a., 4.
4. (International Law) The condition
of a nation or government which refrains from taking part, directly
or indirectly, in a war between other powers.
5. Those who are neutral; a combination of
neutral powers or states.
Armed neutrality, the condition of a neutral
power, in time of war, which holds itself ready to resist by force
any aggression of either belligerent.
Neu`tral*i*za"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
neutralisation.] 1. The act or process of
neutralizing, or the state of being neutralized.
2. (Chem.) The act or process by which
an acid and a base are combined in such proportions that the
resulting compound is neutral. See Neutral,
a., 4.
Neu"tral*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Neutralized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Neutralizing (?).] [Cf. F. neutraliser.]
1. To render neutral; to reduce to a state of
neutrality.
So here I am neutralized again.
Sir W. Scott.
2. (Chem.) To render inert or
imperceptible the peculiar affinities of, as a chemical substance; to
destroy the effect of; as, to neutralize an acid with a
base.
3. To destroy the peculiar properties or
opposite dispositions of; to reduce to a state of indifference or
inefficiency; to counteract; as, to neutralize parties in
government; to neutralize efforts, opposition, etc.
Counter citations that neutralize each
other.
E. Everett.
Neu"tral*i`zer (?), n. One who, or
that which, neutralizes; that which destroys, disguises, or renders
inert the peculiar properties of a body.
Neu"tral*ly, adv. In a neutral
manner; without taking part with either side;
indifferently.
||Neu`vaines" (?), n. pl. [F.
neuvaine, fr. LL. novena, fr. L. novem. See
Noon.] (R.C.Ch.) Prayers offered up for nine
successive days.
Ne*va"dite (?), n. (Min.) A
granitoid variety of rhyolite, common in Nevada.
||Né`vé" (?), n. [F., fr.
&?; nix, nivis, snow.] (Geol.) The upper
part of a glacier, above the limit of perpetual snow. See
Glacier.
Nev"en (?), v. t. [Icel. nefna.
√ 267.] To name; to mention; to utter. [Obs.]
As oft I heard my lord them neven.
Chaucer.
Nev"er (?), adv. [AS. n&?;fre;
ne not, no + &?;fre ever.] 1. Not
ever; not at any time; at no time, whether past, present, or
future. Shak.
Death still draws nearer, never seeming
near.
Pope.
2. In no degree; not in the least;
not.
Whosoever has a friend to guide him, may carry his
eyes in another man's head, and yet see never the
worse.
South.
And he answered him to never a
word.
Matt. xxvii. 14.
&fist; Never is much used in composition with present
participles to form adjectives, as in never-ceasing,
never-dying, never-ending, never-fading,
never-failing, etc., retaining its usual signification.
Never a deal, not a bit. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
--
Never so, as never before; more than at
any other time, or in any other circumstances; especially;
particularly; -- now often expressed or replaced by ever
so.
Ask me never so much dower and
gift.
Gen. xxxiv. 12.
A fear of battery, . . . though never so well
grounded, is no duress.
Blackstone.
Nev"er*more` (?), adv. Never
again; at no time hereafter. Testament of Love.
Tyndale.
Where springtime of the Hesperides
Begins, but endeth nevermore.
Longfellow.
Nev`er*the*lat"er (?), adv. or conj.
Nevertheless. [Obs.]
Nev`er*the*less" (?), adv. or conj.
[Never + the (see The by that) + less.]
Not the less; notwithstanding; in spite of that; yet.
No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous,
but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the
peaceable fruit of righteousness.
Heb. xii.
11.
Syn. -- However; at least; yet; still. See
However.
Nev"ew (?), n. Nephew.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
New (?), a. [Compar.
Newer (?); superl. Newest.] [OE. OE.
newe, AS. niwe, neowe; akin to D. nieuw,
OS. niwi, OHG. niuwi, G. neu, Icel.
n&?;r, Dan. & Sw. ny, Goth. niujis, Lith.
naujas, Russ. novuii, Ir. nua, nuadh,
Gael. nuadh, W. newydd, Armor. nevez, L.
novus, Gr. &?;, Skr. nava, and prob. to E. now.
√263. See Now, and cf. Announce, Innovate,
Neophyte, Novel.] 1. Having
existed, or having been made, but a short time; having originated or
occured lately; having recently come into existence, or into one's
possession; not early or long in being; of late origin; recent;
fresh; modern; -- opposed to old, as, a new coat; a
new house; a new book; a new fashion.
"Your new wife." Chaucer.
2. Not before seen or known, although
existing before; lately manifested; recently discovered; as, a
new metal; a new planet; new scenes.
3. Newly beginning or recurring; starting
anew; now commencing; different from has been; as, a new year;
a new course or direction.
4. As if lately begun or made; having the
state or quality of original freshness; also, changed for the better;
renovated; unworn; untried; unspent; as, rest and travel made him a
new man.
Steadfasty purposing to lead a new
life.
Bk. of Com. Prayer.
Men after long emaciating diets, fat, and almost
new.
Bacon.
5. Not of ancient extraction, or of a family
of ancient descent; not previously known or famous.
Addison.
6. Not habituated; not familiar;
unaccustomed.
New to the plow, unpracticed in the
trace.
Pope.
7. Fresh from anything; newly come.
New from her sickness to that northern
air.
Dryden.
New birth. See under Birth. --
New Church, or New Jerusalem
Church, the church holding the doctrines taught by
Emanuel Swedenborg. See Swedenborgian. -- New
heart (Theol.), a heart or character changed by
the power of God, so as to be governed by new and holy motives.
-- New land, land ckeared and cultivated for
the first time. -- New light.
(Zoöl.) See Crappie. -- New
moon. (a) The moon in its first
quarter, or when it first appears after being invisible.
(b) The day when the new moon is first seen; the
first day of the lunar month, which was a holy day among the
Jews. 2 Kings iv. 23. -- New Red
Sandstone (Geol.), an old name for the formation
immediately above the coal measures or strata, now divided into the
Permian and Trias. See Sandstone. -- New
style. See Style. -- New
testament. See under Testament. --
New world, the land of the Western Hemisphere;
-- so called because not known to the inhabitants of the Eastern
Hemisphere until recent times.
Syn. -- Novel; recent; fresh; modern. See Novel.
New (?), adv. Newly;
recently. Chaucer.
&fist; New is much used in composition, adverbially, in the
sense of newly, recently, to quality other words, as in
new-born, new-formed, new-found, new-
mown.
Of new, anew. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
New, v. t. & i. To make new; to
renew. [Obs.]
New"born` (?), a. Recently
born. Shak.
New"come` (?), a. Recently
come.
New"com`er (?), n. One who has
lately come.
New"el (?), n. [From New. Cf.
Novel.] A novelty; a new thing. [Obs.]
Spenser.
New"el (?), n. [OF. nual, F.
noyau sone, of fruit, noyau d'escaler newel, fr. L.
nucalis like a nut, fr. nux, nucis, nut. Cf
Nowel the inner wall of a mold, Nucleus..]
(Arch.) The upright post about which the steps of a
circular staircase wind; hence, in stairs having straight flights,
the principal post at the foot of a staircase, or the secondary ones
at the landings. See Hollow newel, under
Hollow.
New"fan`gle (?), a. [New +
fangle.] Eager for novelties; desirous of changing.
[Obs.]
So newfangel be they of their
meat.
Chaucer.
New"fan`gle, v. t. To change by
introducing novelties. [Obs.]
New"fan`gled (?), a. 1.
Newmade; formed with the affectation of novelty. "A
newfangled nomenclature." Sir W. Hamilton.
2. Disposed to change; inclined to novelties;
given to new theories or fashions. "Newfangled
teachers." 1 Tim. vi. (heading). "Newfangled men."
Latimer.
New"fan`gled*ness, n. Affectation
of, or fondness for, novelty; vain or affected fashion or
form.
New"fan`gle*ness (?), n. [OE.
newefanglenes. See Fangle.] Newfangledness.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Proud newfangleness in their
apparel.
Robynson (More's Utopia).
New"fan`glist (?), n. One who is
eager for novelties or desirous of change. [Obs.]
Tooker.
New"fan`gly (?), adv. In a
newfangled manner; with eagerness for novelty. [Obs.] Sir
T. More.
New`fash"ioned (?), a. Made in a
new form, or lately come into fashion.
New"found*land` (?, often &?;), n.
1. An island on the coast of British North
America, famed for the fishing grounds in its vicinity.
2. A Newfoundland dog.
Tennyson.
Newfoundland dog (Zoöl.), a
breed of large dogs, with shaggy hair, which originated in
Newfoundland, noted for intelligence, docility, and swimming
powers.
New"ing (?), n. [From New,
v. t.] Yeast; barm. [Prov. Eng.]
New"ish, a. Somewhat new; nearly
new. Bacon.
New"ly, adv. 1.
Lately; recently.
He rubbed it o'er with newly gathered
mint.
Dryden.
2. Anew; afresh; freshly.
And the refined mind doth newly fashion
Into a fairer form.
Spenser.
New"mar`ket (?), n. [From
Newmarket, England.] A long, closely fitting
cloak.
New`-mod"el (?), v. t. To
remodel.
New"ness (?), n. The quality or
state of being new; as, the newness of a system; the
newness of a scene; newness of life.
News (n&uamc;z), n [From New; cf. F.
nounelles. News is plural in form, but is commonly used
with a singular verb.] 1. A report of recent
occurrences; information of something that has lately taken place, or
of something before unknown; fresh tidings; recent
intelligence.
Evil news rides post, while good news
baits.
Milton.
2. Something strange or newly
happened.
It is no news for the weak and poor to be a
prey to the strong and rich.
L'Estrange.
3. A bearer of news; a courier; a
newspaper. [Obs.]
There cometh a news thither with his
horse.
Pepys.
News"-book` (?), n. A
newspaper. [Obs.]
News"boy` (?), n. A boy who
distributes or sells newspapers.
News"-let`ter (?), n. A circular
letter, written or printed for the purpose of disseminating news.
This was the name given to the earliest English newspapers.
News"man (?), n.; pl.
Newsmen (&?;). 1. One who
brings news. [Obs.] Spenser.
2. A man who distributes or sells
newspapers.
News"mon`ger (?), n. One who deals
in news; one who is active in hearing and telling news.
News"pa`per (?), n. A sheet of
paper printed and distributed, at stated intervals, for conveying
intelligence of passing events, advocating opinions, etc.; a public
print that circulates news, advertisements, proceedings of
legislative bodies, public announcements, etc.
News"room` (?), n. A room where
news is collected and disseminated, or periodicals sold; a reading
room supplied with newspapers, magazines, etc.
News"-vnd`er (?), n. A seller of
newspapers.
News"-writ`er (?), n. One who
gathered news for, and wrote, news-letters.
Macaulay.
News"y (?), a. Full of news;
abounding in information as to current events. [Colloq.]
Newt (?), n. [OE. ewt,
evete, AS. efete, with n prefixed, an ewt
being understood as a newt. Cf. Eft.]
(Zoöl.) Any one of several species of small aquatic
salamanders. The common British species are the crested newt
(Triton cristatus) and the smooth newt (Lophinus
punctatus). In America, Diemictylus viridescens is one of
the most abundant species.
New*to"ni*an (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Sir Isaac Newton, or his discoveries.
Newtonian philosophy, the philosophy of Sir
Isaac Newton; -- applied to the doctrine of the universe as expounded
in Newton's "Principia," to the modern or experimental philosophy (as
opposed to the theories of Descartes and others), and, most
frequently, to the mathematical theory of universal gravitation.
-- Newtonian telescope (Astron.), a
reflecting telescope, in which rays from the large speculum are
received by a plane mirror placed diagonally in the axis, and near
the open end of the tube, and thrown at right angles toward one side
of the tube, where the image is formed and viewed through the
eyeplace. -- Newtonian theory of light.
See Note under Light.
New*to"ni*an, n. A follower of
Newton.
New"-year` (?), a. Of or
pertaining to, or suitable for, the commencement of the year; as,
New-year gifts or odes.
New" Year's` Day" (?). the first day of a calendar
year; the first day of January. Often colloquially abbreviated to
New year's or new year.
New` Zea"land (?). A group of islands in the South
Pacific Ocean.
New Zealand flax. (a)
(Bot.) A tall, liliaceous herb (Phormium tenax),
having very long, sword-shaped, distichous leaves which furnish a
fine, strong fiber very valuable for cordage and the like.
(b) The fiber itself. -- New Zealand
tea (Bot.), a myrtaceous shrub (Leptospermum
scoparium) of New Zealand and Australia, the leaves of which are
used as a substitute for tea.
Nex"i*ble (?), a. [L. nexibilis,
from nectere, nexum, to bind.] That may be knit
together. [R.]
Next (n&ebreve;kst), a.,
superl. of Nigh. [AS. nēhst,
niéhst, n&ymacr;hst, superl. of
neáh nigh. See Nigh.] 1.
Nearest in place; having no similar object intervening.
Chaucer.
Her princely guest
Was next her side; in order sat the rest.
Dryden.
Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next
way.
Bunyan.
2. Nearest in time; as, the next day
or hour.
3. Adjoining in a series; immediately
preceding or following in order.
None could tell whose turn should be the
next.
Gay.
4. Nearest in degree, quality, rank, right,
or relation; as, the next heir was an infant.
The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next
kinsmen.
Ruth ii. 20.
&fist; Next is usually followed by to before an
object, but to is sometimes omitted. In such cases next
in considered by many grammarians as a preposition.
Next friend (Law), one who represents
an infant, a married woman, or any person who can not appear sui
juris, in a suit at law.
Next, adv. In the time, place, or
order nearest or immediately succeeding; as, this man follows
next.
||Nex"us (?), n. [L.] Connection;
tie.
Man is doubtless one by some subtile nexus . .
. extending from the new-born infant to the superannuated
dotard.
De Quincey.
||Nez" Per`cés" (?), pl.; sing.
Nez PercÉ (&?;). [F., pierced noses.]
(Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians, mostly inhabiting
Idaho.
||Ngi"na (?), n. [Native name.]
The gorilla.
Ni*ag"a*ra pe"ri*od (?). (Geol.) A
subdivision or the American Upper Silurian system, embracing the
Medina, Clinton, and Niagara epoch. The rocks of the Niagara epoch,
mostly limestones, are extensively distributed, and at Niagara Falls
consist of about eighty feet of shale supporting a greater thickness
of limestone, which is gradually undermined by the removal of the
shale. See Chart of Geology.
Ni"as (?), n. [F. niais. See
Eyas.] A young hawk; an eyas; hence, an unsophisticated
person. [Obs.]
Nib (n&ibreve;b), n. [A variabt of
neb.] 1. A small and pointed thing or
part; a point; a prong. "The little nib or fructifying
principle." Sir T. Browne.
2. (Zoöl.) The bill or beak of a
bird; the neb.
3. The points of a pen; also, the pointed
part of a pen; a short pen adapted for insertion in a
holder.
4. One of the handles which project from a
scythe snath; also, [Prov. Eng.], the shaft of a wagon.
Nib, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nebbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nibbing.] To furnish with a nib; to point; to mend the
point of; as, to nib a pen.
Nibbed (?), a. Having a nib or
point.
Nib"ble (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nibbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nibbling (?).] [Cf. Nip.] To bite by little at a
time; to seize gently with the mouth; to eat slowly or in small
bits.
Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling
sheep.
Shak.
Nib"ble, v. t. To bite upon
something gently or cautiously; to eat a little of a thing, as by
taking small bits cautiously; as, fishes nibble at the
bait.
Instead of returning a full answer to my book, he
manifestly falls a-nibbling at one single
passage.
Tillotson.
Nib"ble, n. A small or cautious
bite.
Nib"bler (?), n. One who, or that
which, nibbles.
Nib"bling*ly (?), adv. In a
nibbling manner; cautiously.
Nib"lick (?), n. A kind of golf
stick used to lift the ball out of holes, ruts, etc.
||Ni*ca"gua (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The laughing falcon. See under laughing.
Nic`a*ra"gua wood` (?). Brazil wood.
Nic"co*lite (?), n. [from NL.
niccolum nickel.] (Min.) A mineral of a copper-red
color and metallic luster; an arsenide of nickel; -- called also
coppernickel, kupfernickel.
Nice (?), a. [Compar.
Nicer (?); superl. Nicest.] [OE.,
foolish, fr. OF. nice ignorant, fool, fr. L. nescius
ignorant; ne not + scius knowing, scire to know.
perhaps influenced by E. nesh delicate, soft. See No,
and Science.] 1. Foolish; silly; simple;
ignorant; also, weak; effeminate. [Obs.] Gower.
But say that we ben wise and nothing
nice.
Chaucer.
2. Of trifling moment; unimportant;
trivial. [Obs.]
The letter was not nice, but full of charge
Of dear import.
Shak.
3. Overscrupulous or exacting; hard to please
or satisfy; fastidious in small matters.
Curious not knowing, not exact but
nice.
Pope.
And to taste
Think not I shall be nice.
Milton.
4. Delicate; refined; dainty; pure.
Dear love, continue nice and
chaste.
Donne.
A nice and subtile happiness.
Milton.
5. Apprehending slight differences or
delicate distinctions; distinguishing accurately or minutely;
carefully discriminating; as, a nice taste or judgment.
"Our author happy in a judge so nice." Pope.
"Nice verbal criticism." Coleridge.
6. Done or made with careful labor; suited to
excite admiration on account of exactness; evidencing great skill;
exact; fine; finished; as, nice proportions, nice
workmanship, a nice application; exactly or fastidiously
discriminated; requiring close discrimination; as, a nice
point of law, a nice distinction in philosophy.
The difference is too nice
Where ends the virtue, or begins the vice.
Pope.
7. Pleasing; agreeable; gratifying;
delightful; good; as, a nice party; a nice excursion; a
nice person; a nice day; a nice sauce,
etc. [Loosely & Colloquially]
To make nice of, to be scrupulous
about. [Obs.] Shak.
Syn. -- Dainty; delicate; exquisite; fine; accurate; exact;
correct; precise; particular; scrupulous; punctilious; fastidious;
squeamish; finical; effeminate; silly.
Nice"ly adv. In a nice
manner.
Ni"cene (?), a. [L. Nicaenus,
fr. Nicaea Nice, Gr. &?;.] Of or pertaining to Nice, a
town of Asia Minor, or to the ecumenical council held there a.
d. 325.
Nicene Creed (&?;), a summary of Christian
faith, composed and adopted by the Council of Nice, against Arianism,
a. d. 325, altered and confirmed by the Council of
Constantinople, a. d. 381, and by subsequent
councils.
Nice"ness (?), n. Quality or state
of being nice.
Ni"cer*y (?), n. Nicety.
[Colloq.] Chapman.
Ni"ce*ty (?), n.; pl.
Niceties (#). [OE. niceté
foolishness.] 1. The quality or state of being
nice (in any of the senses of that word.).
The miller smiled of her nicety.
Chaucer.
2. Delicacy or exactness of perception;
minuteness of observation or of discrimination; precision.
3. A delicate expression, act, mode of
treatment, distinction, or the like; a minute distinction.
The fineness and niceties of
words.
Locke.
To a nicety, with great exactness or
accuracy.
Niche (?), n. [F., fr. It.
nicchia, prop., a shell-like recess in a wall, fr.
nicchio a shellfish, mussel, fr. L. mytilus.] A
cavity, hollow, or recess, generally within the thickness of a wall,
for a statue, bust, or other erect ornament. hence, any similar
position, literal or figurative.
Images defended from the injuries of the weather by
niches of stone wherein they are placed.
Evelun.
Niched. (&?;), a. Placed in a
niche. "Those niched shapes of noble mold."
Tennyson.
Nick (&?;), n. [AS. nicor a
marine monster; akin to D. nikker a water spite, Icel.
nykr, ONG. nihhus a crocodile, G. nix a water
sprite; cf. Gr. &?; to wash, Skr. nij. Cf. Nix.]
(Northern Myth.) An evil spirit of the waters.
Old Nick, the evil one; the devil.
[Colloq.]
Nick, n. [Akin to Nock.]
1. A notch cut into something; as:
(a) A score for keeping an account; a
reckoning. [Obs.] (b) (Print.) A
notch cut crosswise in the shank of a type, to assist a compositor in
placing it properly in the stick, and in distribution. W.
Savage.
(c) A broken or indented place in any edge or
surface; nicks in china.
2. A particular point or place considered as
marked by a nick; the exact point or critical moment.
To cut it off in the very nick.
Howell.
This nick of time is the critical occasion for
the gainger of a point.
L'Estrange.
Nick, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nicked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nicking.] 1. To make a nick or nicks in;
to notch; to keep count of or upon by nicks; as, to nick a
stick, tally, etc.
2. To mar; to deface; to make ragged, as by
cutting nicks or notches in.
And thence proceed to nicking
sashes.
Prior.
The itch of his affection should not then
Have nicked his captainship.
Shak.
3. To suit or fit into, as by a
correspondence of nicks; to tally with.
Words nicking and resembling one another are
applicable to different significations.
Camden.
4. To hit at, or in, the nick; to touch
rightly; to strike at the precise point or time.
The just season of doing things must be nicked,
and all accidents improved.
L'Estrange.
5. To make a cross cut or cuts on the under
side of (the tail of a horse, in order to make him carry it
higher).
Nick, v. t. To nickname; to
style. [Obs.]
For Warbeck, as you nick him, came to
me.
Ford.
{ Nick"ar nut` (?), Nick"ar tree` (?) }.
(Bot.) Same as Nicker nut, Nicker
tree.
Nick"el (?), n. [G., fr. Sw.
nickel, abbrev. from Sw. kopparnickel copper-nickel, a
name given in derision, as it was thought to be a base ore of copper.
The origin of the second part of the word is uncertain. Cf.
Kupfer-nickel, Copper-nickel.] 1.
(Chem.) A bright silver-white metallic element. It is of
the iron group, and is hard, malleable, and ductile. It occurs
combined with sulphur in millerite, with arsenic in the mineral
niccolite, and with arsenic and sulphur in nickel glance. Symbol Ni.
Atomic weight 58.6.
&fist; On account of its permanence in air and inertness to
oxidation, it is used in the smaller coins, for plating iron, brass,
etc., for chemical apparatus, and in certain alloys, as german
silver. It is magnetic, and is very frequently accompanied by cobalt,
both being found in meteoric iron.
2. A small coin made of or containing nickel;
esp., a five-cent piece. [Colloq. U.S.]
Nickel silver, an alloy of nickel, copper,
and zinc; -- usually called german silver; called also
argentan.
Nick*el"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or containing, nickel; specifically, designating
compounds in which, as contrasted with the nickelous
compounds, the metal has a higher valence; as nickelic
oxide.
Nick`el*if"er*ous (?), a.
[Nickel + -ferous.] Containing nickel; as,
nickelferous iron.
Nick"el*ine (? or ?), n.
1. (Chem.) An alloy of nickel, a variety
of German silver.
2. (Min.) Niccolite.
Nick"el*ous (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, those compounds of nickel in
which, as contrasted with the nickelic compounds, the metal
has a lower valence; as, nickelous oxide.
Frankland.
Nick"er (?), n. [From Nick,
v. t.] 1. One of the night
brawlers of London formerly noted for breaking windows with half-
pence. [Cant] Arbuthnot.
2. The cutting lip which projects downward at
the edge of a boring bit and cuts a circular groove in the wood to
limit the size of the hole that is bored.
Nick"er nut` (?). A rounded seed, rather smaller
than a nutmeg, having a hard smooth shell, and a yellowish or bluish
color. The seeds grow in the prickly pods of tropical, woody climbers
of the genus Cæsalpinia. C. Bonduc has yellowish
seeds; C. Bonducella, bluish gray. [Spelt also neckar
nut, nickar nut.]
Nick"er tree` (?). (Bot.) The plant producing
nicker nuts. [Written also neckar tree and nickar
tree.]
Nick"ing, n. [From Nick,
v. t.] (Coal Mining) (a)
The cutting made by the hewer at the side of the face.
(b) pl. Small coal produced in making the
nicking.
Nic"kle (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The European woodpecker, or yaffle; -- called also nicker
pecker.
Nick"nack` (?), n. See
Knickknack.
Nick"nack`er*y (?), n. See
Knickknackery.
Nick"name` (?), n. [OE. ekename
surname, hence, a nickname, an ekename being understood as
a nekename, influenced also by E. nick, v. See
Eke, and Name.] A name given in contempt,
derision, or sportive familiarity; a familiar or an opprobrious
appellation.
Nick"name`, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nicknamed (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nicknaming.] To give a nickname to; to call by a
nickname.
You nickname virtue; vice you should have
spoke.
Shak.
I altogether disclaim what has been nicknamed
the doctrine of finality.
Macaulay.
Ni`co*la"i*tan (?), n. [So called from
Nicolas of Antioch, mentioned in Acts vi. 5.] (Eccl.
Hist.) One of certain corrupt persons in the early church at
Ephesus, who are censured in rev. ii. 6, 15.
Ni*co"tian (?), n. [F.
nicotiane; -- so called from Nicot, who introduced it
into France, a. d. 1560.] Tobacco. [R.] B.
Jonson.
Ni*co"tian, a. Pertaining to, or
derived from, tobacco. [R.] Bp. Hall.
||Ni*co`ti*a"na (?), n. [NL. See
Nicotian.] (Bot.) A genus of American and Asiatic
solanaceous herbs, with viscid foliage and funnel-shaped blossoms.
Several species yield tobacco. See Tobacco.
Ni*co"ti*a*nine (? or ?), n. [F.
nicotianine. See Nicotian.] (Chem.) A white
waxy substance having a hot, bitter taste, extracted from tobacco
leaves and called also tobacco camphor.
Ni*cot"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Nicotinic.
Ni*cot"i*dine (? or ?), n.
[Nicotine + pyridine.] (Chem.) A complex,
oily, nitrogenous base, isomeric with nicotine, and obtained by the
reduction of certain derivatives of the pyridine group.
Nic"o*tine (? or ?), n. [F.
nicotine. See Nicotian.] (Chem.) An
alkaloid which is the active principle of tobacco. It is a colorless,
transparent, oily liquid, having an acrid odor, and an acrid burning
taste. It is intensely poisonous. Ure.
Nic`o*tin"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, nicotine; nicotic; -- used
specifically to designate an acid related to pyridine, obtained by
the oxidation of nicotine, and called nicotinic
acid.
Nic"tate (?), v. i. [L. nictare,
nictatum, from nicere to beckon.] To wink; to
nictitate.
Nic*ta"tion (?), n. [L. nictatio
&?; cf. F. nictation.] the act of winking;
nictitation.
Nic"ti*tate (?), v. i. [See
Nictate.] To wink; to nictate.
Nictitating membrane (Anat.), a thin
membrane, found in many animals at the inner angle, or beneath the
lower lid, of the eye, and capable of being drawn across the eyeball;
the third eyelid; the haw.
Nic`ti*ta"tion (?), n. The act of
winking.
Nid`a*men"tal (?), a. [L.
nidamentum materials for a nest, fr. nidus nest. See
Nest.] (Zoöl.) Of, pertaining to, or baring,
eggs or egg capsules; as, the nidament capsules of certain
gastropods; nidamental glands. See Illust. of
Dibranchiata.
Ni"da*ry (?), n. [L. nidus a
nest.] A collection of nests. [R.] velyn.
Nide (?), n. [L. nidus a nest:
cf. F. nid.] A nestful; a brood; as, a nide of
pheasants. [Obs.]
Ni"der*ing (?), a. [See Niding.]
Infamous; dastardly. [Obs.] Sir W. Scott.
Nidg"er*y (?), n. [See Nidget.]
A trifle; a piece of foolery. [Obs.] Skinner.
Nidg"et (?), n. [Written also
nigget, nigeot.] [Cf. F. nigaud a booby, fool,
OF. niger to play the fool.] A fool; an idiot, a
coward. [Obs.] Camden.
Nid"i*fi*cate (?), v. i. [imp.
& p. p. Nidificated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Nidificating.] [L. nidificare,
nidificatum; nidus nest + -ficare (in comp.) to
make. See -fy, and cf. nest.] To make a
nest.
Where are the fishes which nidificated in
trees?
Lowell.
Nid`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
nidification.] The act or process of building a
nest.
Ni"ding (nī"d&ibreve;ng), n.
[Written also nithing.] [AS. nīðing, fr.
nīð wickness, malice, hatred.] A coward; a
dastard; -- a term of utmost opprobrium. [Obs.]
He is worthy to be called a
niding.
Howell.
Ni"dor (?), n. [L.] Scent or savor
of meat or food, cooked or cooking. [Obs.] Jer.
Taylor.
Ni"dor*ose` (?), a.
Nidorous. [R.] Arbuthnot.
Ni"dor*ous (?), a. [L. nidorosus
steaming, reeking: cf. F. nidoreux. See Nidor.]
Resembling the smell or taste of roast meat, or of corrupt
animal matter. [R.]
Nid"u*lant (?), a. [L. nidulans,
p. pr.: cf. F. Nidulant.] 1. Nestling, as
a bird in its nest.
2. (Bot.) Lying loose in pulp or
cotton within a berry or pericarp, as in a nest.
Nid"u*late (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Nidulated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Nidulating.] [L. nidulari, fr.
nidulus, dim. of nidus a nest.] To make a nest, as
a bird. [R.] Cockeram.
Nid`u*la"tion (?), n. The time of
remaining in the nest. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
Nid"u*lite (?), n. [L. nidulus a
little nest.] (Paleon.) A Silurian fossil, formerly
supposed to consist of eggs.
||Ni"dus (?), n.; pl.
nidi (#). [L. See Nidi, Nest.] A
nest: a repository for the eggs of birds, insects, etc.; a breeding
place; esp., the place or substance where parasites or the germs of a
disease effect lodgment or are developed.
Niece (?), n. [OE. nece, F.
nièce, LL. neptia, for L. neptis a
granddaughter, niece, akin to nepos. See Nephew.]
1. A relative, in general; especially, a
descendant, whether male or female; a granddaughter or a
grandson. [Obs.] B. Jonson. Wyclif. Shak.
2. A daughter of one's brother or sister, or
of one's brother-in-law or sister-in-law.
Nief (?), n. See Neif, the
fist.
Ni*el"list (?), n. One who
practices the style of ornamentation called niello.
Ni*el"lo (?), n. [It. niello,
LL. nigellum a black of blackish enamel, fr. L.
nigellus, dim. of niger black. See Negro, and
cf. Anneal.] 1. A metallic alloy of a
deep black color.
2. The art, process, or method of decorating
metal with incised designs filled with the black alloy.
3. A piece of metal, or any other object, so
decorated.
4. An impression on paper taken from an
ancient incised decoration or metal plate.
Ni"fle (n&ibreve;f"'l), n. [OF.] A
trifle. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Nig"gard (?), n. [Icel.
hnöggr niggardly, stingy + -ard; cf. Sw.
njugg, AS. hneáw.] A person meanly close
and covetous; one who spends grudgingly; a stingy, parsimonious
fellow; a miser. Chaucer.
A penurious niggard of his wealth.
Milton.
Be niggards of advice on no
pretense.
Pope.
Nig"gard, a. Like a niggard;
meanly covetous or parsimonious; niggardly; miserly;
stingy.
Nig"gard, v. t. & i. To act the
niggard toward; to be niggardly. [R.] Shak.
Nig"gard*ise (?), n.
Niggardliness. [Obs.] Spenser.
Nig"gard*ish, a. Somewhat
niggard.
Nig"gard*li*ness (?), n. The
quality or state of being niggard; meanness in giving or spending;
parsimony; stinginess.
Niggardliness is not good
husbandry.
Addison.
Nig"gard*ly, a. Meanly covetous or
avaricious in dealing with others; stingy; niggard.
Where the owner of the house will be bountiful, it is
not for the steward to be niggardly.
Bp.
Hall.
Syn. -- Avaricious; covetous; parsimonious; sparing;
miserly; penurious; sordid; stingy. See Avaricious.
Nig"gard*ly, adv. In a niggard
manner.
Nig"gard*ness, n.
Niggardliness. Sir P. Sidney.
Nig"gard*ous (?), a.
Niggardly. [Obs.]
Covetous gathering and niggardous
keeping.
Sir T. More.
Nig"gard*ship, n.
Niggardliness. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.
Nig"gard*y (?), n.
Niggardliness. [Obs.] Chaucer.
nigged (?), n. [Prov. E. nig to
clip money.] (Masonry) Hammer-dressed; -- said of
building stone.
Nig"ger (?), n. A negro; -- in
vulgar derision or depreciation.
Nig"gish (?), a. [See Niggard.]
Niggardly. [Obs.]
Nig"gle (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Niggled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Niggling (?).] [Dim. of Prov. E. nig to clip money; cf.
also Prov. E. nig a small piece.] To trifle with; to
deceive; to mock. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
Nig"gle, v. t. 1.
To trifle or play.
Take heed, daughter,
You niggle not with your conscience and religion.
Massinger.
2. To act or walk mincingly. [Prov.
Eng.]
3. To fret and snarl about trifles.
[Prov. Eng.]
Nig"gler (?), n. One who
niggles.
Nigh (?), a. [Compar.
Nigher (?); superl. Nighest, or
Next (&?;).] [OE. nigh, neigh, neih, AS.
neáh, n&?;h; akin to D. na, adv., OS.
nāh, a., OHG. nāh, G. nah, a.,
nach to, after, Icel. nā (in comp.) nigh, Goth.
n&?;hw, n&?;hwa, adv., nigh. Cf. Near,
Neighbor, Next.] 1. Not distant or
remote in place or time; near.
The loud tumult shows the battle
nigh.
Prior.
2. Not remote in degree, kindred,
circumstances, etc.; closely allied; intimate. "Nigh
kinsmen." Knolles.
Ye . . . are made nigh by the blood of
Christ.
Eph. ii. 13.
Syn. -- Near; close; adjacent; contiguous; present;
neighboring.
Nigh, adv. [AS. neáh,
n&?;h. See Nigh, a.]
1. In a situation near in place or time, or in
the course of events; near.
He was sick, nigh unto death.
Phil. ii. 27.
He drew not nigh unheard; the angel bright,
Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turned.
Milton.
2. Almost; nearly; as, he was nigh
dead.
Nigh, v. t. & i. To draw nigh
(to); to approach; to come near. [Obs.] Wyclif (Matt. iii.
2).
Nigh, prep. Near to; not remote or
distant from. "was not this nigh shore?"
Shak.
Nigh"ly, adv. In a near relation
in place, time, degree, etc.; within a little; almost.
[Obs.]
A cube and a sphere . . . nighly of the same
bigness.
Locke.
Nigh"ness, n. The quality or state
of being nigh. [R.] "Nighness of blood."
Holished.
Night (?), n. [OE. night,
niht, AS. neaht, niht; akin to D. nacht,
OS. & OHG. naht, G. nacht, Icel. n&?;tt, Sw.
natt, Dan. nat, Goth. nachts, Lith. naktis,
Russ. noche, W. nos, Ir. nochd, L. nox,
noctis, Gr. &?;, &?;, Skr. nakta, nakti. √
265. Cf. Equinox, Nocturnal.] 1.
That part of the natural day when the sun is beneath the
horizon, or the time from sunset to sunrise; esp., the time between
dusk and dawn, when there is no light of the sun, but only moonlight,
starlight, or artificial light.
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he
called Night.
Gen. i. 5.
2. Hence: (a) Darkness;
obscurity; concealment.
Nature and nature's laws lay hid in
night.
Pope.
(b) Intellectual and moral darkness;
ignorance. (c) A state of affliction;
adversity; as, a dreary night of sorrow.
(d) The period after the close of life;
death.
She closed her eyes in everlasting
night.
Dryden.
(e) A lifeless or unenlivened period, as when
nature seems to sleep. "Sad winter's night".
Spenser.
&fist; Night is sometimes used, esp. with participles, in
the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, night-
blooming, night-born, night-warbling, etc.
Night by night, Night after
night, nightly; many nights.
So help me God, as I have watched the night,
Ay, night by night, in studying good for England.
Shak.
--
Night bird. (Zoöl.)
(a) The moor hen (Gallinula
chloropus). (b) The Manx shearwater
(Puffinus Anglorum). -- Night
blindness. (Med.) See Hemeralopia. -
- Night cart, a cart used to remove the
contents of privies by night. -- Night churr,
(Zoöl.), the nightjar. -- Night
crow, a bird that cries in the night. --
Night dog, a dog that hunts in the night, --
used by poachers. -- Night fire.
(a) Fire burning in the night.
(b) Ignis fatuus; Will-o'-the-wisp; Jask-with-a-
lantern. -- Night flyer (Zoöl.),
any creature that flies in the night, as some birds and
insects. -- night glass, a spyglass
constructed to concentrate a large amount of light, so as see objects
distinctly at night. Totten. -- Night
green, iodine green. -- Night
hag, a witch supposed to wander in the night. --
Night hawk (Zoöl.), an American
bird (Chordeiles Virginianus), allied to the goatsucker. It
hunts the insects on which it feeds toward evening, on the wing, and
often, diving down perpendicularly, produces a loud whirring sound,
like that of a spinning wheel. Also sometimes applied to the
European goatsuckers. It is called also bull bat. --
Night heron (Zoöl.), any one of
several species of herons of the genus Nycticorax, found in
various parts of the world. The best known species is Nycticorax
griseus, or N. nycticorax, of Europe, and the American
variety (var. nævius). The yellow-crowned night heron
(Nycticorax violaceus) inhabits the Southern States.
Called also qua-bird, and squawk. -- Night
house, a public house, or inn, which is open at
night. -- Night key, a key for unfastening
a night latch. -- Night latch, a kind of
latch for a door, which is operated from the outside by a key. -
- Night monkey (Zoöl.), an owl
monkey. -- night moth (Zoöl.),
any one of the noctuids. -- Night parrot
(Zoöl.), the kakapo. -- Night
piece, a painting representing some night scene, as a
moonlight effect, or the like. -- Night rail,
a loose robe, or garment, worn either as a nightgown, or over the
dress at night, or in sickness. [Obs.] -- Night
raven (Zoöl.), a bird of ill omen that
cries in the night; esp., the bittern. -- Night
rule. (a) A tumult, or frolic, in the
night; -- as if a corruption, of night revel. [Obs.]
(b) Such conduct as generally rules, or prevails,
at night.
What night rule now about this haunted
grove?
Shak.
--
Night sight. (Med.) See
Nyctolopia. -- Night snap, a night
thief. [Cant] Beau. & Fl.
--
Night soil, human excrement; -- so called
because in cities it is collected by night and carried away for
manure. -- Night spell, a charm against
accidents at night. -- Night swallow
(Zoöl.), the nightjar. -- Night
walk, a walk in the evening or night. --
Night walker. (a) One who walks
in his sleep; a somnambulist; a noctambulist.
(b) One who roves about in the night for evil
purposes; specifically, a prostitute who walks the streets. --
Night walking. (a) Walking in
one's sleep; somnambulism; noctambulism. (b)
Walking the streets at night with evil designs. --
Night warbler (Zoöl.), the sedge
warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis); -- called also night
singer. [prov. Eng.] -- Night watch.
(a) A period in the night, as distinguished by
the change of watch. (b) A watch, or guard,
to aford protection in the night. -- Night
watcher, one who watches in the night; especially, one who
watches with evil designs. -- Night witch. Same
as Night hag, above.
Night"-bloom`ing (?), a. Blooming
in the night.
Night-blooming cereus. (Bot.) See
Note under Cereus.
Night"cap` (?), n. 1.
A cap worn in bed to protect the head, or in undress.
2. A potion of spirit drank at bedtime.
[Cant] Wright.
Night"dress` (?), n. A
nightgown.
Night"ed, a. 1.
Darkness; clouded. [R.] Shak.
2. Overtaken by night; belated.
Beau. & Fl.
Night"er*tale (?), n. [Cf. Icel.
nāttarpel.] period of night; nighttime.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Night"-eyed` (?), a. Capable of
seeing at night; sharp-eyed. "Your night-eyed Tiberius."
B. Jonson.
Night"fall` (?), n. The close of
the day. Swift.
Night"-far`ing (?), a. Going or
traveling in the night. Gay.
Night"gown` (?), n. A loose gown
used for undress; also, a gown used for a sleeping garment.
Night"in*gale (?), n. [OE.
nihtegale,nightingale, AS. nihtegale;
niht night + galan to sing, akin to E. yell; cf.
D. nachtegaal, OS. nahtigala, OHG. nahtigala, G.
nachtigall, Sw. näktergal, Dan. nattergal.
See Night, and Yell.] 1.
(Zoöl.) A small, plain, brown and gray European song
bird (Luscinia luscinia). It sings at night, and is celebrated
for the sweetness of its song.
2. (Zoöl.) A larger species
(Lucinia philomela), of Eastern Europe, having similar habits;
the thrush nightingale. The name is also applied to other allied
species.
Mock nightingale. (Zoöl.) See
Blackcap, n., 1
(a).
Night"ish, a. Of or pertaining to
night.
Night"jar` (?), n. A goatsucker,
esp. the European species. See Illust. of
Goatsucker.
Night"less, a. Having no
night.
Night"long` (?; 115), a. Lasting
all night.
Night"ly, a. Of or pertaining to
the night, or to every night; happening or done by night, or every
night; as, nightly shades; he kept nightly
vigils.
Night"ly, adv. At night; every
night.
Night"man (?), n.; pl.
Nightmen (&?;). One whose business is emptying
privies by night.
Night"mare` (?), n. [Night +
mare incubus. See Mare incubus.] 1.
A fiend or incubus formerly supposed to cause trouble in
sleep.
2. A condition in sleep usually caused by
improper eating or by digestive or nervous troubles, and
characterized by a sense of extreme uneasiness or discomfort (as of
weight on the chest or stomach, impossibility of motion or speech,
etc.), or by frightful or oppressive dreams, from which one wakes
after extreme anxiety, in a troubled state of mind; incubus.
Dunglison.
3. Hence, any overwhelming, oppressive, or
stupefying influence.
Night"shade` (?), n. [AS.
nichtscadu.] (Bot.) A common name of many species
of the genus Solanum, given esp. to the Solanum nigrum,
or black nightshade, a low, branching weed with small white flowers
and black berries reputed to be poisonous.
Deadly nightshade. Same as Belladonna
(a). -- Enchanter's
nightshade. See under Enchanter. --
Stinking nightshade. See Henbane. -
- Three-leaved nightshade. See
Trillium.
Night"shirt` (?), n. A kind of
nightgown for men.
Night"time` (?), n. The time from
dusk to dawn; -- opposed to daytime.
Night"ward (?), a. Approaching
toward night.
Ni*gran"i*line (? or ?), n. [L.
niger black + E. aniline.] (Chem.) The
complex, nitrogenous, organic base and dyestuff called also
aniline black.
Ni*gres"cent (?), a. [L.
nigrescens, p. pr. of nigrescere to grow black, fr.
niger black. See Negro.] Growing black; changing
to a black color; approaching to blackness.
Johnson.
Nig`ri*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
nigrificare to blacken; niger black + -ficare
(in comp.) to make. See -fy.] The act or process of
making black. [R.] Johnson.
Ni"grine (?), n. [L. niger
black: cf. F. nigrine.] (Min.) A ferruginous
variety of rutile.
Nig"ri*tude (?), n. [L.
nigritudo, fr. niger black.] Blackness; the state
of being black. Lamb.
Nig"ro*man`cie (?), n.
Necromancy. [Obs.]
Nig"ro*man`cien (?), n. A
necromancer. [Obs.]
These false enchanters or
nigromanciens.
Chaucer.
Ni"gro*sine (? or ?), n. [From L.
niger black.] (Chem.) A dark blue dyestuff, of the
induline group; -- called also azodiphenyl blue.
||Ni"gua (?), n. [Sp.]
(Zoöl.) The chigoe.
||Ni"hil (?), n. [L.]
Nothing.
||Nihil album [L., white nothing]
(Chem.), oxide of zinc. See under Zinc. --
||Nihil debet [L., he owes nothing] (Law),
the general issue in certain actions of debt. --
||Nihil dicit [L., he says nothing] (Law),
a declinature by the defendant to plead or answer.
Tomlins.
Ni"hil*ism (?), n. [L. nihil
nothing: cf. F. nihilisme. See Annihilate.]
1. Nothingness; nihility.
2. The doctrine that nothing can be known;
scepticism as to all knowledge and all reality.
3. (Politics) The theories and
practices of the Nihilists.
Ni"hil*ist, n. [Cf. F.
nihiliste. See Nihilism.] 1. One
who advocates the doctrine of nihilism; one who believes or teaches
that nothing can be known, or asserted to exist.
2. (Politics) A member of a secret
association (esp. in Russia), which is devoted to the destruction of
the present political, religious, and social institutions.
Ni`hil*is"tic (?), a. Of,
pertaining to, or characterized by, nihilism.
Ni*hil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
nihilité. See Nihilism.] Nothingness; a
state of being nothing.
Nil (?). [See Nill, v. t.]
Will not. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Nil, n. & a. [L., a contr. of
nihil.] Nothing; of no account; worthless; -- a term
often used for canceling, in accounts or bookkeeping. A. J.
Ellis.
Nile (?), n. [L. Nilus, Gr.
&?;.] The great river of Egypt.
Nile bird. (Zoöl.)
(a) The wryneck. [Prov. Eng.]
(b) The crocodile bird. -- Nile
goose (Zoöl.), the Egyptian goose. See Note
under Goose, 2.
Nil"gau (?), n. (Zoöl.)
see Nylghau.
Nill (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nilled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nilling.] [AS. nilan, nyllan; ne not +
willan to will. See No, and Will.] Not to
will; to refuse; to reject. [Obs.]
Certes, said he, I nill thine offered
grace.
Spenser.
Nill, v. i. To be unwilling; to
refuse to act.
The actions of the will are "velle" and "nolle," to
will and nill.
Burton.
Will he, nill he, whether he wills it or
not.
Nill, n. [Cf. Ir. & Gael. neul
star, light. Cf. Nebula.] 1. Shining
sparks thrown off from melted brass.
2. Scales of hot iron from the forge.
Knight.
Ni*lom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; the
Nile + &?; measure: cf. F. nilomètre.] An
instrument for measuring the rise of water in the Nile during its
periodical flood.
Ni"lo*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; the
Nile + &?; to observe.] A Nilometer.
Ni*lot"ic (?), a. [L. Niloticus,
fr. Nilus th Nile, Gr. &?;: cf. F. nilotique.] Of
or pertaining to the river Nile; as, the Nilotic
crocodile.
Nilt (?). [Contr. fr. ne wilt.] Wilt
not. [Obs.]
Nim (?), v. t. [imp.
Nam (?) or Nimmed (&?;); p. p.
Nomen (?) or Nome (&?;).] [AS. niman. √ 7.
Cf. Nimble.] To take; to steal; to filch.
[Obs.]
This canon it in his hand nam.
Chaucer.
Nim*bif"er*ous (?), a. [L.
nimbifer; nimbus a cloud + ferre to bear.]
Serving to bring clouds or stormy weather.
Nim"ble (?), a.
[Compar. Nimbler (?);
superl. Nimblest (?).] [OE. nimel,
prob. orig., quick at seizing, fr. nimen to take, AS.
niman; akin to D. nemen, G. nehmen, OHG.
neman, Icel. nema, Goth. nima, and prob. to Gr. &?; to
distribute. √ 7. Cf. Nomand, Numb.] Light
and quick in motion; moving with ease and celerity; lively;
swift.
Through the mid seas the nimble pinnace
sails.
Pope.
&fist; Nimble is sometimes used in the formation of self-
explaining compounds; as, nimble-footed, nimble-
pinioned, nimble-winged, etc.
Nimble Will (Bot.), a slender,
branching, American grass (Muhlenbergia diffusa), of some
repute for grazing purposes in the Mississippi valley.
Syn. -- Agile; quick; active; brisk; lively; prompt.
Nim"ble*ness, n. The quality of
being nimble; lightness and quickness in motion; agility;
swiftness.
Nim"bless (?), n.
Nimbleness. [Obs.] Spenser.
Nim"bly, adv. In a nimble manner;
with agility; with light, quick motion.
Nim*bose" (?), a. [L. nimbosus, fr.
nimbus cloud.] Cloudy; stormy; tempestuous.
Nim"bus (?), n.; pl. L.
Nimbi (#), E. Nimbuses (#). [L.,
a rain storm, a rain cloud, the cloudshaped which enveloped the gods
when they appeared on earth.] 1. (Fine Arts)
A circle, or disk, or any indication of radiant light around the
heads of divinities, saints, and sovereigns, upon medals, pictures,
etc.; a halo. See Aureola, and Glory,
n., 5.
&fist; "The nimbus is of pagan origin." "As an atribute of
power, the nimbus is often seen attached to the heads
of evil spirits." Fairholl.
2. (Meteor.) A rain cloud; one of the
four principal varieties of clouds. See Cloud.
Ni*mi"e*ty (?), n. [L. nimietas,
fr. nimius, a., nimis, adv., too much.] State of
being in excess. [R.]
There is a nimiety, a too-muchess, in all
Germans.
Coleridge.
Nim"i*ous (?), a. [L. nimius.]
Excessive; extravagant; inordinate. [Obs.]
Nim"mer (?), n. [From Nim.]
A thief. [Obs.]
Nin (?). [Fr. ne in.] Not in. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Nin"com*poop (?), n. [A corruption of
non compos.] A fool; a silly or stupid person.
[Law]
An old ninnyhammer, a dotard, a nincompoop, is
the best language she can afford me.
Addison.
Nine (?), a. [OE. nine,
nihen, AS. nigon, nigan; akin to D. & LG.
negen, OS. & OFries. nigun, OHG. niun, G.
neun, Icel. nīu, sw. nio, Dan. ni,
Goth. niun, Ir. & Gael. naoi, W. naw, L.
novem, Gr. &?;, Skr. navan; of unknown origin.
√307. Cf. Novembeer.] Eight and one more; one less
than ten; as, nine miles.
Nine men's morris. See Morris. -
- Nine points circle (Geom.), a circle
so related to any given triangle as to pass through the three points
in which the perpendiculars from the angles of the triangle upon the
opposite sides (or the sides produced) meet the sides. It also passes
through the three middle points of the sides of the triangle and
through the three middle points of those parts of the perpendiculars
that are between their common point of meeting and the angles of the
triangle. The circle is hence called the nine points or six points
circle.
Nine, n. 1. The
number greater than eight by a unit; nine units or objects.
2. A symbol representing nine units, as 9 or
ix.
The Nine, the nine Muses.
Nine"-bark` (?), n. (Bot.)
A white-flowered rosaceous shrub (Neillia, or Spiræa,
opulifolia), common in the Northern United States. The bark
separates into many thin layers, whence the name.
Nine"-eyes` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The lamprey.
Nine"fold` (?), a. Nine times
repeated.
Nine"holes` (?), n. pl. A game in
which nine holes are made in the ground, into which a ball is
bowled.
Nine"-kill`er (?), n. [So called
because it is believed to kill and impale on thorns nine birds, etc.,
in succession.] (Zoöl.) The northern butcher
bird.
Nine"pence (?), n.; pl.
Ninepences (&?;). 1. An old
English silver coin, worth nine pence.
2. A New England name for the Spanish real, a
coin formerly current in the United States, as valued at twelve and a
half cents.
Nine"pins (?), n. pl. A game
played with nine pins, or pieces of wood, set on end, at which a
wooden ball is bowled to knock them down; bowling.
&fist; In the United States, ten pins are used for this
game, which is therefore often called tenpins.
Nine"score` (?), a. Nine times
twenty, or one hundred and eighty. -- n.
The product of nine times twenty; ninescore units or
objects.
Nine"teen` (?), a. [AS.
nigont&?;ne, nigont&?;ne. See Nine, and
Ten.] Nine and ten; eighteen and one more; one less than
twenty; as, nineteen months.
Nine"teen`, n. 1.
The number greater than eighteen by a unit; the sum of ten and
nine; nineteen units or objects.
2. A symbol for nineteen units, as 19 or
xix.
Nine"teenth` (?), a. [Cf. AS.
nigonteó&?;a.] 1. Following the
eighteenth and preceding the twentieth; coming after eighteen
others.
2. Constituting or being one of nineteen
equal parts into which anything is divided.
Nine"teenth`, n. 1.
The quotient of a unit divided by nineteen; one of nineteen
equal parts of anything.
2. The next in order after the
eighteenth.
3. (Mus.) An interval of two octaves
and a fifth.
Nine"ti*eth (?), a. 1.
Next in order after the eighty-ninth.
2. Constituting or being one of ninety equal
parts.
Nine"ti*eth, n. 1.
The quotient of a unit divided by ninety; one of ninety equal
parts of anything.
2. The next in order after the eighty-
ninth.
Nine"ty (?), a. [See Nine, and
cf. Forty.] Nine times ten; eighty-nine and one more; as,
ninety men.
Nine"ty, n.; pl.
Nineties (&?;). 1. The sum of
nine times ten; the number greater by a unit than eighty-nine; ninety
units or objects.
2. A symbol representing ninety units, as 90
or xc.
Nin"ny (?), n.; pl.
Ninnies (#). [Cf. It. ninno, ninna, a
baby, Sp. niño, niña, child, infant, It.
ninna, ninna nanna, lullably, prob. fr. ni,
na, as used in singing a child to sleep.] A fool; a
simpleton. Shak.
Nin"ny*ham`mer (?), n. A
simpleton; a silly person. [Colloq.] Addison.
Ninth (?), a. [From Nine; cf.
AS. nigoða.] 1. Following the eight
and preceding the tenth; coming after eight others.
2. Constituting or being one of nine equal
parts into which anything is divided.
Ninth, n. 1. The
quotient of one divided by nine; one of nine equal parts of a thing;
the next after the eighth.
2. (Mus.) (a) An
interval containing an octave and a second. (b)
A chord of the dominant seventh with the ninth added.
Ninth"ly, adv. In the ninth
place.
Nin"ut (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The magpie. [Prov. Eng.]
Ni"o*bate (?), n. [See Niobium.]
(Chem.) Same as Columbate.
Ni"o*be (?), n. [L. Nioba,
Niobe, Gr. &?;.] (Class, Myth.) The daughter of
Tantalus, and wife of Amphion, king of Thebes. Her pride in her
children provoked Apollo and Diana, who slew them all. Niobe herself
was changed by the gods into stone.
Ni*ob"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Same as Columbic.
Ni"o*bite (?), n. (Min.)
Same as Columbite.
Ni*o"bi*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L. & E.
Niobe.] (Chem.) A later name of columbium. See
Columbium.
Ni*o"po (?), n. A kind of snuff
prepared by the natives of Venezuela from the roasted seeds of a
leguminous tree (Piptadenia peregrina), thence called niopo
tree.
Nip (?), n. [LG. & D. nippen to
sip; akin to Dan. nippe, G. nippen.] A sip or
small draught; esp., a draught of intoxicating liquor; a
dram.
Nip, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nipped (?), less properly Nipt; p.
pr. & vb. n. Nipping (?).] [OE. nipen; cf. D.
niipen to pinch, also knippen to nip, clip, pinch,
snap, knijpen to pinch, LG. knipen, G. kneipen,
kneifen, to pinch, cut off, nip, Lith. knebti.]
1. To catch and inclose or compress tightly
between two surfaces, or points which are brought together or closed;
to pinch; to close in upon.
May this hard earth cleave to the Nadir hell,
Down, down, and close again, and nip me flat,
If I be such a traitress.
Tennyson.
2. To remove by pinching, biting, or cutting
with two meeting edges of anything; to clip.
The small shoots . . . must be nipped
off.
Mortimer.
3. Hence: To blast, as by frost; to check the
growth or vigor of; to destroy.
4. To vex or pain, as by nipping; hence, to
taunt.
And sharp remorse his heart did prick and
nip.
Spenser.
To nip in the bud, to cut off at the
verycommencement of growth; to kill in the incipient stage.
Nip, n. 1. A
seizing or closing in upon; a pinching; as, in the northern seas, the
nip of masses of ice.
2. A pinch with the nails or teeth.
3. A small cut, or a cutting off the
end.
4. A blast; a killing of the ends of plants
by frost.
5. A biting sarcasm; a taunt.
Latimer.
6. (Naut.) A short turn in a
rope.
Nip and tuck, a phrase signifying equality
in a contest. [Low, U.S.]
Nip"per (?), n. 1.
One who, or that which, nips.
2. A fore tooth of a horse. The nippers are
four in number.
3. A satirist. [Obs.]
Ascham.
4. A pickpocket; a young or petty
thief. [Old Cant]
5. (Zoöl.) (a)
The cunner. (b) A European crab
(Polybius Henslowii).
Nip"per*kin, n. [See 1st Nip.]
A small cup. [Obs.]
Nip"pers (?), n. pl. [From 2d
Nip.] 1. Small pinchers for holding,
breaking, or cutting.
2. (Mach.) A device with fingers or
jaws for seizing an object and holding or conveying it; as, in a
printing press, a clasp for catching a sheet and conveying it to the
form.
3. (Naut.) A number of rope-yarns
wound together, used to secure a cable to the messenger.
Nip"ping (?), a. Biting; pinching;
painful; destructive; as, a nipping frost; a nipping
wind.
Nip"ping*ly, adv. In a nipping
manner.
Nip"pi*tate (?), a. [Cf. 1st
Nip.] Peculiary strong and good; -- said of ale or
liquor. [Old Cant]
'T will make a cup of wine taste
nippitate.
Chapman.
Nip`pi*ta"to (?), n. Strong
liquor. [Old Cant] Beau. & Fl.
Nip"ple (?), n. [Formerly neble,
a dim. of neb. See Neb, Nib.] 1.
(Anat.) The protuberance through which milk is drawn from
the breast or mamma; the mammilla; a teat; a pap.
2. The orifice at which any animal liquid, as
the oil from an oil bag, is discharged. [R.]
Derham.
3. Any small projection or article in which
there is an orifice for discharging a fluid, or for other purposes;
as, the nipple of a nursing bottle; the nipple of a
percussion lock, or that part on which the cap is put and through
which the fire passes to the charge.
4. (Mech.) A pipe fitting, consisting
of a short piece of pipe, usually provided with a screw thread at
each end, for connecting two other fittings.
Solder nipple, a short pipe, usually of
brass, one end of which is tapered and adapted for attachment to the
end of a lead pipe by soldering.
Nip"ple*wort` (?), n. (Bot.)
A yellow-flowered composite herb (Lampsana communis),
formerly used as an external application to the nipples of women; --
called also dock-cress.
||Nir*va"na (?), n. [Skr.
nirvā&nsdot;a.] In the Buddhist system of religion,
the final emancipation of the soul from transmigration, and
consequently a beatific enfrachisement from the evils of worldly
existence, as by annihilation or absorption into the divine. See
Buddhism.
Nis (?). [From ne is.] Is not. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
||Ni"san (?), n. [Heb.
nīsān.] The first month of the Jewish
ecclesiastical year, formerly answering nearly to the month of April,
now to March, of the Christian calendar. See Abib.
Ni"sey (?), n.; pl.
Nyseys. A simpleton. [Obs.]
||Ni"si (?), conj. [L.] Unless; if
not.
&fist; In legal proceedings, this word is used to indicate that
any order, etc., shall take effect at a given time, unless
before that time the order, etc., in modified, or something else is
done to prevent its taking effect. Continuance nisi is a
conditional continuance of the case till the next term of the court,
unless otherwise disposed of in the mean time.
Nisi prius (Law), unless before; -- a
phrase applied to terms of court, held generally by a single judge,
with a jury, for the trial of civil causes. The term originated in a
legal fiction. An issue of fact being made up, it is, according to
the English practice, appointed by the entry on the record, or
written proceedings, to be tried by a jury from the county of which
the proceedings are dated, at Westminster, unless before the
day appointed (nisi prius) the judges shall have come to the
county in question (which they always do) and there try the cause.
See In banc, under Banc.
Nis"te (?). [Contr. from ne wiste.] Wist not;
knew not. [Obs.] Chaucer.
||Ni"sus (?), n. [L., fr. niti,
p. p. nisus, to strive.] A striving; an effort; a
conatus.
A nisus or energizing towards a presented
object.
Hickok.
Nit (?), n. [AS. hnitu; akin to
D. neet, G. niss, OHG. niz; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;,
Icel. gnit, Sw. gnet, Dan. gnid, Russ. & Pol.
gnida, Bohem. hnida, W. nedd.] (Zoöl.)
The egg of a louse or other small insect.
Nit grass (Bot.), a pretty annual
European grass (Gastridium lendigerum), with small spikelets
somewhat resembling a nit. It is also found in California and
Chili.
Ni"ten*cy (?), n. [L. nitens, p.
pr. of nitere to shine.] Brightness; luster.
[R.]
Ni"ten*cy, n. [From L. nitens,
p. pr. of niti to strive.] Endeavor; effort;
tendency. [R.] Boyle.
{ Ni"ter, Ni"tre } (?), n.
[F. nitre, L. nitrum native soda, natron, Gr. &?;; cf.
Ar. nitūn, natrūn natron. Cf.
Natron.] 1. (Chem.) A white
crystalline semitransparent salt; potassium nitrate; saltpeter. See
Saltpeter.
2. (Chem.) Native sodium carbonate;
natron. [Obs.]
For though thou wash thee with niter, and take
thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me.
Jer. ii. 22.
Cubic niter, a deliquescent salt, sodium
nitrate, found as a native incrustation, like niter, in Peru and
Chili, whence it is known also as Chili saltpeter. --
Niter bush (Bot.), a genus
(Nitraria) of thorny shrubs bearing edible berries, and
growing in the saline plains of Asia and Northern Africa.
Nith"ing (?), n. [Obs.] See
Niding.
Nit"id (?), a. [L. nitidus, fr.
nitere. See 3d Neat.] 1. Bright;
lustrous; shining. [R.] Boyle.
2. Gay; spruce; fine; -- said of
persons. [R.] T. Reeve.
Ni`tra*nil"ic (?), a. [Nitro- +
chloranil + -ic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining
to, or designating, a complex organic acid produced as a white
crystalline substance by the action of nitrous acid on
hydroquinone.
Ni*tran"i*line (? or ?), n. [Nitro-
+ aniline.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of
nitro derivatives of aniline. In general they are yellow crystalline
substances.
Ni"trate (?), n. [Cf. F.
nitrate.] (Chem.) A salt of nitric acid.
Nitrate of silver, a white crystalline salt
(AgNO3), used in photography and as a cauterizing agent; -
- called also lunar caustic.
Ni"tra*ted (?), a. 1.
(Chem.) Combined, or impregnated, with nitric acid, or
some of its compounds.
2. (Photog.) Prepared with nitrate of
silver.
Ni"tra*tine (?), n. (Min.)
A mineral occurring in transparent crystals, usually of a white,
sometimes of a reddish gray, or lemon-yellow, color; native sodium
nitrate. It is used in making nitric acid and for manure. Called also
soda niter.
Ni"tre (?), n. (Chem.) See
Niter.
Ni"tri*a*ry (?), n. [See Niter.]
An artificial bed of animal matter for the manufacture of niter
by nitrification. See Nitrification, 2.
Ni"tric (?), a. [Cf. F.
nitrique. See Niter.] (Chem.) Of,
pertaining to, or containing, nitrogen; specifically, designating any
one of those compounds in which, as contrasted with nitrous
compounds, the element has a higher valence; as, nitric oxide;
nitric acid.
Nitric acid, a colorless or yellowish liquid
obtained by distilling a nitrate with sulphuric acid. It is
powerfully corrosive, being a strong acid, and in decomposition a
strong oxidizer. -- Nitric anhydride, a
white crystalline oxide of nitrogen (N2O5),
called nitric pentoxide, and regarded as the anhydride of
nitric acid. -- Nitric oxide, a colorless
poisous gas (NO) obtained by treating nitric acid with copper. On
contact with the air or with oxygen, it becomes reddish brown from
the formation of nitric dioxide or peroxide.
Ni"tride (? or ?), n.
[fromNitrogen.] (Chem.) A binary compound of
nitrogen with a more metallic element or radical; as, boric
nitride.
Ni*trif"er*ous (?), a. [Niter +
-ferous.] Bearing niter; yielding, or containing,
niter.
Ni`tri*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
nitrification. see Nitrify.] 1.
(Chem.) (a) The act, process, or result
of combining with nitrogen or some of its compounds.
(b) The act or process of oxidizing nitrogen or
its compounds so as to form nitrous or nitric acid.
2. A process of oxidation, in which
nitrogenous vegetable and animal matter in the presence of air,
moisture, and some basic substances, as lime or alkali carbonate, is
converted into nitrates.
&fist; The process is going on at all times in porous soils and in
water contaminated with nitrogenous matter, and is supposed to be due
to the presence of an organized ferment or ferments, called
nitrification ferments. In former times the process was
extensively made use of in the production of saltpeter.
Ni"tri*fi`er (?), n. (Chem.)
An agent employed in nitrification.
Ni"tri*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nitrified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nitrifying (?).] [Niter + -fy: cf. F.
nitrifer. See Niter.] (Chem.) To combine or
impregnate with nitrogen; to convert, by oxidation, into nitrous or
nitric acid; to subject to, or produce by, nitrification.
Ni"trile (? or ?), n. [See Nitro-
.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of cyanogen compounds;
particularly, one of those cyanides of alcohol radicals which, by
boiling with acids or alkalies, produce a carboxyl acid, with the
elimination of the nitrogen as ammonia.
&fist; The nitriles are named with reference to the acids produced
by their decomposition, thus, hydrocyanic acid is formic
nitrile, and methyl cyanide is acetic nitrile.
Ni"trite (?), n. [Cf. F.
nitrite. See Niter.] (Chem.) A salt of
nitrous acid.
Amyl nitrite, a yellow oily volatile liquid,
used in medicine as a depressant and a vaso-dilator. Its inhalation
produces an instantaneous flushing of the face.
Ni"tro- (&?;). 1. A combining form
or an adjective denoting the presence of niter.
2. (Chem.) A combining form (used also
adjectively) designating certain compounds of nitrogen or
of its acids, as nitrohydrochloric,
nitrocalcite; also, designating the group or radical
NO2, or its compounds, as
nitrobenzene.
Nitro group, the radical NO2; --
called also nitroxyl.
Ni`tro*ben"zene (? or ?), n. [Nitro-
+ benzene.] (Chem.) A yellow aromatic liquid
(C6H5.NO2), produced by the action
of nitric acid on benzene, and called from its odor imitation oil
of bitter almonds, or essence of mirbane. It is used in
perfumery, and is manufactured in large quantities in the preparation
of aniline. Fornerly called also nitrobenzol.
{ Ni`tro*ben"zol, Ni`tro*ben"zole, (&?; or &?;)
}, n. See Nitrobenzene.
Ni`tro*cal"cite (?), n. [Nitro-
+ calcite.] (Min.) Nitrate of calcium, a substance
having a grayish white color, occuring in efflorescences on old
walls, and in limestone caves, especially where there exists decaying
animal matter.
Ni`tro*car"bol (?), n. [Nitro- +
carbon + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.) See
Nitromethane.
Ni`tro*cel"lu*lose` (?), n. [Nitro-
+ cellulose.] (Chem.) See Gun cotton,
under Gun.
Ni`tro-chlo"ro*form (?), n. [Nitro-
+ chloroform.] (Chem.) Same as
Chlorpicrin.
Ni"tro*form (?), n. [Nitro- +
formyl.] (Chem.) A nitro derivative of methane,
analogous to chloroform, obtained as a colorless oily or crystalline
substance, CH.(NO2)3, quite explosive, and
having well-defined acid properties.
Ni`tro*gel"a*tin (?), n. [Nitro-
+ gelatin.] An explosive consisting of gun cotton and
camphor dissolved in nitroglycerin. [Written also
nitrogelatine.]
Ni`tro*gen (?), n. [L. nitrum
natron + -gen: cf. F. nitrogène. See
Niter.] (Chem.) A colorless nonmetallic element,
tasteless and odorless, comprising four fifths of the atmosphere by
volume. It is chemically very inert in the free state, and as such is
incapable of supporting life (hence the name azote still used
by French chemists); but it forms many important compounds, as
ammonia, nitric acid, the cyanides, etc, and is a constituent of all
organized living tissues, animal or vegetable. Symbol N. Atomic
weight 14. It was formerly regarded as a permanent noncondensible
gas, but was liquefied in 1877 by Cailletet of Paris, and Pictet of
Geneva.
Ni"tro*gen*ize (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Nitrogenized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Nitrogenizing.] (Chem.) To combine,
or impregnate, with nitrogen or its compounds.
Ni*trog"e*nous (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, nitrogen; as, a
nitrogenous principle; nitrogenous compounds.
Nitrogenous foods. See 2d Note under
Food, n., 1.
Ni`tro*glyc"er*in (?), n. [Nitro-
+ glycerinn.] (Chem.) A liquid appearing like
a heavy oil, colorless or yellowish, and consisting of a mixture of
several glycerin salts of nitric acid, and hence more properly called
glycerin nitrate. It is made by the action of nitric acid on
glycerin in the presence of sulphuric acid. It is extremely unstable
and terribly explosive. A very dilute solution is used in medicine as
a neurotic under the name of glonion. [Written also
nitroglycerine.]
&fist; A great number of explosive compounds have been produced by
mixing nitroglycerin with different substances; as, dynamite,
or giant powder, nitroglycerin mixed with siliceous earth;
lithofracteur, nitroglycerin with gunpowder, or with sawdust
and nitrate of sodium or barium; Colonia powder, gunpowder
with nitroglycerin; dualin, nitroglycerin with sawdust, or
with sawdust and nitrate of potassium and some other substances;
lignose, wood fiber and nitroglycerin.
Ni`tro*hy`dro*chlo"ric (?), a.
[Nitro- + hydrochloric.] (Chem.) Of,
pertaining to, or containing, nitric and hydrochloric
acids.
Nitrohydrochloric acid, a mixture of nitric
and hydrochloric acids, usually in the proportion of one part of the
former to three of the latter, and remarkable for its solvent action
on gold and platinum; -- called also nitromuriatic acid, and
aqua regia.
Ni"trol (?), n. (Chem.) Any
one of a series of hydrocarbons containing the nitro and the nitroso
or isonitroso group united to the same carbon atom.
Ni*tro"le*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L.
nitrum natron + oleum oil.] (Chem.)
Nitroglycerin.
Ni*trol"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, derived from, or designating, a nitrol; as, a
nitrolic acid.
Ni`tro*mag"ne*site (?), n. [Nitro-
+ magnesite.] (Chem.) Nitrate of magnesium, a
saline efflorescence closely resembling nitrate of calcium.
Ni*trom"e*ter (?), n. [Nitro- +
-meter: cf. F. nitromètre.] (Chem.)
An apparatus for determining the amount of nitrogen or some of
its compounds in any substance subjected to analysis; an
azotometer.
Ni`tro*meth"ane (?), n. [Nitro-
+ methane.] (Chem.) A nitro derivative of methane
obtained as a mobile liquid; -- called also
nitrocarbol.
Ni`tro*mu`ri*at"ic (?), a. [Cf. F.
nitromuriatique. See Nitro-, and Muriatic.]
(Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or composed of, nitric acid
and muriatic acid; nitrohydrochloric. See
Nitrohydrochloric.
Ni`tro*ph"nol (?), n. [Nitro- +
phenol.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of nitro
derivatives of phenol. They are yellow oily or crystalline substances
and have well-defined acid properties, as picric acid.
Ni`tro*prus"sic (? or &?;), a.
[Nitro- + prussic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to,
derived from, or designating, a complex acid called
nitroprussic acid, obtained indirectly by the action of nitric
acid on potassium ferrocyanide (yellow prussiate), as a red
crystalline unstable substance. It forms salts called
nitroprussides, which give a rich purple color with alkaline
sulphides.
Ni`tro*prus"side (?), n. See
Nitroprussic.
Ni`tro*qui"nol (?), n. [Nitro- +
quine + -ol.] (Chem.) A hypothetical nitro
derivative of quinol or hydroquinone, not known in the free state,
but forming a well defined series of derivatives.
Ni`tro*sac"cha*rin (?), n. [Nitro-
+ saccharin.] (Chem.) An explosive nitro
derivative of certain sugars, analogous to nitroglycerin, gun cotton,
etc.
Ni`tro*sal`i*cyl"ic (?), a. [Nitro-
+ salicylic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or
designating, a nitro derivative of salicylic acid, called also
anilic acid.
Ni*trose" (?), a. (Chem.)
See Nitrous.
Ni*tro"so- (&?; or &?;). (Chem.) A prefix
(also used adjectively) designating the group or radical NO, called
the nitroso group, or its compounds.
Ni*tro"syl (?), n. [Nitroso- +
-yl.] (Chem.) the radical NO, called also the
nitroso group. The term is sometimes loosely used to
designate certain nitro compounds; as, nitrosyl sulphuric
acid. Used also adjectively.
Ni`tro*syl"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or containing, nitrosyl; as,
nitrosylic acid.
Ni"trous (?), a. [L. nitrosus
full of natron: cf. F. nitreux. See Niter.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or containing, niter; of
the quality of niter, or resembling it.
2. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or
designating, any one of those compounds in which nitrogen has a
relatively lower valence as contrasted with nitric
compounds.
Nitrous acid (Chem.), a hypothetical
acid of nitrogen HNO2, not known in the free state, but
forming a well known series of salts, viz., the nitrites.
-- Nitrous oxide. See Laughing
gas.
Ni*trox"yl (?), n. [Nitro- +
oxygen + -yl.] (Chem.) The group
NO2, usually called the nitro group.
||Ni"trum (?), n. [L., natron. See
Niter.] (Old Chem.) Niter.
||Nitrum flammans [L., flaming niter] (Old
Chem.), ammonium nitrate; -- probably so called because it
deflagerates when suddenly heated.
Ni"try (?), a. (Chem.)
Nitrous. [Obs.]
Ni"tryl (?), n. [Nitro- + -
yl.] (Chem.) A name sometimes given to the nitro
group or radical.
Nit"ter (?), n. [From Nit.]
(Zoöl.) The horse louse; an insect that deposits
nits on horses.
Nit"ti*ly (?), adv. Lousily.
[Obs.] Hayward.
Nit"tings (?), n. pl. [Prob. from
Nit.] (Mining) The refuse of good ore.
Raymond.
Nit"ty (?), a. Full of nits.
B. Jonson.
Nit"ty, a. [L. nitidus. See
Nitid.] Shining; elegant; spruce. [Obs.] "O sweet,
nitty youth." Marston.
Ni"val (?), a. [L. nivalis, fr.
nix, nivis, snow.] Abounding with snow;
snowy. [Obs.] Johnson.
Niv"e*ous (?), a. [L. niveus,
fr. nix, nivis, snow.] Snowy; resembling snow;
partaking of the qualities of snow. Sir T. Browne.
||Ni`vose" (?), n. [F., fr. L.
nix. nivis, snow.] The fourth month of the French
republican calendar [1792-1806]. It commenced December 21, and ended
January 19. See VendÉmiaire.
Nix (?), n.; fem.
Nixe (&?;). [G. Cf. 1st Nick.] (Teut. Myth.)
One of a class of water spirits, commonly described as of a
mischievous disposition.
The treacherous nixes who entice men to a
watery death.
Tylor.
Nix"ie (?), n. See
Nix.
||Ni*zam" (?), n. [Hind. & Ar.
nizām order, a ruler, fr. Ar. nazama arrange,
govern.] The title of the native sovereigns of Hyderabad, in
India, since 1719.
No (?), a. [OE. no, non,
the same word as E. none; cf. E. a, an. See
None.] Not any; not one; none.
Let there be no strife . . . between me and
thee.
Gen. xiii. 8.
That goodness is no name, and happiness
no dream.
Byron.
&fist; In Old England before a vowel the form non or
noon was used. "No man." "Noon apothercary."
Chaucer.
No, adv. [OE. no, na, AS.
nā; ne not + ā ever. AS. ne
is akin to OHG. ni, Goth. ni, Russ. ne, Ir.,
Gael. & W. ni, L. ne, Gr. nh (in comp.),
Skr. na, and also to E. prefix un-. √ 193. See
Aye, and cf. Nay, Not, Nice,
Nefarious.] Nay; not; not at all; not in any respect or
degree; -- a word expressing negation, denial, or refusal. Before or
after another negative, no is emphatic.
We do no otherwise than we are
willed.
Shak.
I am perplx'd and doubtful whether or no
I dare accept this your congratulation.
Coleridge.
There is none righteous, no, not
one.
Rom. iii. 10.
No! Nay, Heaven forbid.
Coleridge.
No (?), n.; pl.
Noes (&?;). 1. A refusal by
use of the wordd no; a denial.
2. A negative vote; one who votes in the
negative; as, to call for the ayes and noes; the noes
have it.
No*a"chi*an (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the patriarch Noah, or to his time.
No"ah (?), n. [Heb. Nōakh
rest.] A patriarch of Biblical history, in the time of the
Deluge.
Noah's ark. (a)
(Zoöl.) A marine bivalve shell (Arca
Noæ), which somewhat resembles an ark, or ship, in
form. (b) A child's toy, consisting of an
ark-shaped box containing many different wooden animals.
Nob (?), n. [Cf. Knob.] The
head. [Low]
Nob, n. [Abbrev. fr. noble.]
A person in a superior position in life; a nobleman.
[Slang]
Nob"bi*ly (?), adv. In a nobby
manner. [Slang]
Nob"bler (?), n. A dram of
spirits. [Australia]
Nob"by (?), a. [From 2d Nob.]
Stylish; modish; elegant; showy; aristocratic;
fashionable. [Slang]
No*bil"ia*ry (?), a. [F.
nobiliare. See Noble.] Of or pertaining to the
nobility. Fitzed. Hall.
No*bil"ia*ry, n. A history of
noble families.
No*bil"i*fy (?), v. t. [L.
nobilis noble + -fy.] To make noble; to
nobiliate. [Obs.]
No*bil"i*tate (?), v. t. [L.
nobilitatus, p. p. of nobilitare.] To make noble;
to ennoble; to exalt. [Obs.]
No*bil`i*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. OF.
nobilitation.] The act of making noble. [Obs.]
Dr. H. More.
No*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L.
nobilitas: cf. OF. nobilité. See Noble.]
1. The quality or state of being noble;
superiority of mind or of character; commanding excellence;
eminence.
Though she hated Amphialus, yet the nobility of
her courage prevailed over it.
Sir P. Sidney.
They thought it great their sovereign to control,
And named their pride nobility of soul.
Dryden.
2. The state of being of high rank or noble
birth; patrician dignity; antiquity of family; distinction by rank,
station, or title, whether inherited or conferred.
I fell on the same argument of preferring virtue to
nobility of blood and titles, in the story of
Sigismunda.
Dryden.
3. Those who are noble; the collective body
of nobles or titled persons in a state; the aristocratic and
patrician class; the peerage; as, the English
nobility.
No"ble (?), a.
[Compar. Nobler (?);
superl. Noblest (?).] [F. noble, fr.
L. nobilis that can be or is known, well known, famous,
highborn, noble, fr. noscere to know. See know.]
1. Possessing eminence, elevation, dignity,
etc.; above whatever is low, mean, degrading, or dishonorable;
magnanimous; as, a noble nature or action; a noble
heart.
Statues, with winding ivy crowned, belong
To nobler poets for a nobler song.
Dryden.
2. Grand; stately; magnificent; splendid; as,
a noble edifice.
3. Of exalted rank; of or pertaining to the
nobility; distinguished from the masses by birth, station, or title;
highborn; as, noble blood; a noble personage.
&fist; Noble is used in the formation of self-explaining
compounds; as, noble-born, noble-hearted, noble-
minded.
Noble metals (Chem.), silver, gold,
and platinum; -- so called from their freedom from oxidation and
permanence in air. Copper, mercury, aluminium, palladium, rhodium,
iridium, and osmium are sometimes included.
Syn. -- Honorable; worthy; dignified; elevated; exalted;
superior; sublime; great; eminent; illustrious; renowned; stately;
splendid; magnificent; grand; magnanimous; generous; liberal;
free.
No"ble, n. 1. A
person of rank above a commoner; a nobleman; a peer.
2. An English money of account, and,
formerly, a gold coin, of the value of 6 s. 8 d. sterling, or about
$1.61.
3. (Zoöl.) A European fish; the
lyrie.
No"ble, v. t. To make noble; to
ennoble. [Obs.]
Thou nobledest so far forth our
nature.
Chaucer.
No"ble*man (?), n.; pl.
Noblemen (&?;). One of the nobility; a noble;
a peer; one who enjoys rank above a commoner, either by virtue of
birth, by office, or by patent.
No"ble-mind`ed (?), a. Having a
noble mind; honorable; magnanimous. -- No"ble-
mind`ed*ness, n.
No"ble*ness, n. The quality or
state of being noble; greatness; dignity; magnanimity; elevation of
mind, character, or station; nobility; grandeur;
stateliness.
His purposes are full honesty, nobleness, and
integrity.
Jer. Taylor.
{ No*bless", No*blesse" } (?; 277),
n. [F. noblesse. See Noble.]
1. Dignity; greatness; noble birth or
condition. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser. B. Jonson.
2. The nobility; persons of noble rank
collectively, including males and females. Dryden.
No"ble*wom`an (?), n.; pl.
Noblewomen (&?;). A female of noble rank; a
peeress.
No"bley (?), n. [OF. nobleie.]
1. The body of nobles; the nobility.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
2. Noble birth; nobility; dignity.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
No"bly (?), adv. 1.
Of noble extraction; as, nobly born or
descended.
2. In a noble manner; with greatness of soul;
heroically; with magnanimity; as, a deed nobly done.
3. Splendidly; magnificently.
Syn. -- Illustriously; honorably; magnanimously;
heroically; worthly; eminently; grandly.
No"bod*y (?), n.; pl.
Nobodies (#). [No, a. + body.]
1. No person; no one; not anybody.
2. Hence: A person of no influence or
importance; an insignificant or contemptible person.
[Colloq.]
No"cake (?), n. [Corrupted fr. Indian
nookhik meal. Palfrey.] Indian corn parched, and
beaten to powder, -- used for food by the Northern American
Indians.
No"cent (?), a. [L. nocens, p.
pr. of nocere to hurt. See Nuisance, Noxious.]
1. Doing hurt, or having a tendency to hurt;
hurtful; mischievous; noxious; as, nocent qualities.
I. Watts.
2. Guilty; -- the opposite of
innocent. [Obs.] Foxe.
No"cent, n. A criminal.
[Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
No"cent*ly, adv. Hurtfully;
injuriously. [R.]
No"cive (?), a. [L. nocivus, fr.
nocere to hurt.] Hurtful; injurious. [R.]
Hooker.
Nock (?), n. [See Notch.]
1. A notch.
He took his arrow by the nock.
Chapman.
2. (Naut.) The upper fore corner of a
boom sail or of a trysail.
Nock, v. t. To notch; to fit to
the string, as an arrow; to string, as a bow.
Chapman.
Noc*tam`bu*la"tion (?), n. [L.
nox, noctis, night + ambulare to walk: cf. F.
noctambulation.] Somnambulism; walking in sleep.
Quain.
Noc*tam"bu*lism (?), n.
Somnambulism.
Noc*tam"bu*list (?), n. A
somnambulist.
Noc*tam"bu*lo (?), n. A
noctambulist. [Obs.]
Noc*tid"i*al (?), a. [L. nox,
noctos, night + dies day.] Comprising a night and
a day; a noctidial day. [R.] Holder.
Noc*tif"er*ous (?), a. [L.
noctifer; nox, noctis + ferre to bring.]
Bringing night. [Obs.] Johnson.
Noc*til"i*o*nid (?), n. [Etymol.
uncertain.] (Zoöl.) A South American bat of the
genus Noctilio, having cheek pouches and large incisor
teeth.
||Noc`ti*lu"ca (?), n.; pl.
NoctilucÆ (#). [L. noctiluca something
that shines by night, fr. nox, noctis, night +
lucere to shine, lux light.] 1. (Old
Chem.) That which shines at night; -- a fanciful name for
phosphorus.
2. (Zoöl.) A genus of marine
flagellate Infusoria, remarkable for their unusually large size and
complex structure, as well as for their phosphorescence. The
brilliant diffuse phosphorescence of the sea is often due to myriads
of Noctilucæ.
Noc*ti*lu"cin (?), n.
(Zoöl.) A fatlike substance in certain marine
animals, to which they owe their phosphorescent properties.
Noc`ti*lu"cine (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to Noctiluca.
Noc`ti*lu"cous (?), a. Shining in
the night.
Noc*tiv"a*gant (?), a. [L. nox,
noctis, night + vagans, p. pr. of vagari to
wander about.] (Zoöl.) Going about in the night;
night-wandering.
Noc*tiv`a*ga"tion (?), n. A roving
or going about in the night. Gayton.
Noc*tiv"a*gous (?), a. [L.
noctivagus; nox, noctis + vagus wandering.]
Noctivagant.
Noc"to*graph (?), n. [L. nox,
noctis, night + -graph.] 1. A kind
of writing frame for the blind.
2. An instrument or register which records
the presence of watchmen on their beats. Knight.
Noc"tu*a*ry (?; 135), n. [L.
noctu by night.] A record of what passes in the night; a
nightly journal; -- distinguished from diary. [R.]
Addison.
Noc"tu*id (?), n. [From L. nox,
noctis, night.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous
moths of the family Noctuidæ, or
Noctuælitæ, as the cutworm moths, and armyworm
moths; -- so called because they fly at night. --
a. Of or pertaining to the noctuids, or family
Noctuidæ.
Noc"tule (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L.
noctua a night owl, fr. nox, noctis, night.]
(Zoöl.) A large European bat (Vespertilio, or
Noctulina, altivolans).
Noc"turn (?), n. [F. nocturne,
fr. L. nocturnus. See Nocturnal, and cf.
Nocturne.] 1. An office of devotion, or
act of religious service, by night.
2. One of the portions into which the Psalter
was divided, each consisting of nine psalms, designed to be used at a
night service. Hook.
Noc*tur"nal (?), a. [L.
nocturnalis, nocturnus, fr. nox, noctis,
night. See Night, and cf. Nocturn.] 1.
Of, pertaining to, done or occuring in, the night; as,
nocturnal darkness, cries, expedition, etc.; -- opposed to
diurnal. Dryden.
2. Having a habit of seeking food or moving
about at night; as, nocturnal birds and insects.
Noc*tur"nal, n. An instrument
formerly used for taking the altitude of the stars, etc., at
sea. I. Watts.
Noc*tur"nal*ly, adv. By night;
nightly.
Noc*turne" (?), n. [F. See
Nocturn.] (Mus.) A night piece, or serenade. The
name is now used for a certain graceful and expressive form of
instrumental composition, as the nocturne for orchestra in
Mendelsohn's "Midsummer-Night's Dream" music.
Noc"u*ment (?), n. [LL.
nocumentum, fr. L. nocere to hurt.] Harm; injury;
detriment. [Obs.]
Noc"u*ous (?), a. [L. nocuus,
fr. nocere to hurt.] Hurtful; noxious. [R.] --
Noc"u*ous*ly, adv. [R.]
Nod (?), v. i. [OE. nodden; cf.
OHG. kn&?;t&?;n, genuot&?;n, to shake, and E.
nudge.] 1. To bend or incline the upper
part, with a quick motion; as, nodding plumes.
2. To incline the head with a quick motion;
to make a slight bow; to make a motion of assent, of salutation, or
of drowsiness, with the head; as, to nod at one.
3. To be drowsy or dull; to be
careless.
Nor is it Homer nods, but we that
dream.
Pope.
Nod, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nodded (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nodding.] 1. To incline or bend, as the
head or top; to make a motion of assent, of salutation, or of
drowsiness with; as, to nod the head.
2. To signify by a nod; as, to nod
approbation.
3. To cause to bend. [Poetic]
By every wind that nods the mountain
pine.
Keats.
Nod (?), n. 1. A
dropping or bending forward of the upper part or top of
anything.
Like a drunken sailor on a mast,
Ready with every nod to tumble down.
Shak.
2. A quick or slight downward or forward
motion of the head, in assent, in familiar salutation, in drowsiness,
or in giving a signal, or a command.
A look or a nod only ought to correct them [the
children] when they do amiss.
Locke.
Nations obey my word and wait my
nod.
Prior.
The land of Nod, sleep.
Nod"al (?), a. Of the nature of,
or relating to, a node; as, a nodal point.
Nodal line, Nodal point,
in a vibrating plate or cord, that line or point which remains at
rest while the other parts of the body are in a state of
vibration.
No"da*ted (?), a. [L. nodatus,
p. p. of nodare to make knotty, fr. nodus knot. See
Node.] Knotted.
Nodated hyperbola (Geom.), a certain
curve of the third order having two branches which cross each other,
forming a node.
No*da"tion (?), n. [L. nodatio
knottiness.] Act of making a knot, or state of being
knotted. [R.]
Nod"der (?), n. One who nods; a
drowsy person.
Nod"ding (?), a. Curved so that
the apex hangs down; having the top bent downward.
Nod"dle (?), n. [OE. nodil,
nodle; perh. fr. nod, because the head is the nodding
part of the body, or perh. akin to E. knot; cf. Prov. E.
nod the nape of the neck.] 1. The head; -
- used jocosely or contemptuously.
Come, master, I have a project in my
noddle.
L'Estrange.
2. The back part of the head or neck.
[Obs.]
For occasion . . . turneth a bald noddle, after
she hath presented her locks in front, and no hold
taken.
Bacon.
Nod"dy (?), n.; pl.
Noddies (#). [Prob. fr. nod to incline the
head, either as in assent, or from drowsiness.] 1.
A simpleton; a fool. L'Estrange.
2. (Zoöl.) (a)
Any tern of the genus Anous, as A. stolidus.
(b) The arctic fulmar (Fulmarus
glacialis). Sometimes also applied to other sea birds.
3. An old game at cards.
Halliwell.
4. A small two-wheeled one-horse
vehicle.
5. An inverted pendulum consisting of a short
vertical flat spring which supports a rod having a bob at the top; --
used for detecting and measuring slight horizontal vibrations of a
body to which it is attached.
Node (?), n. [L. nodus; perh.
akin to E. knot. Cf. Noose, Nowed.]
1. A knot, a knob; a protuberance; a
swelling.
2. Specifically: (a)
(Astron.) One of the two points where the orbit of a
planet, or comet, intersects the ecliptic, or the orbit of a
satellite intersects the plane of the orbit of its primary.
(b) (Bot.) The joint of a stem, or the
part where a leaf or several leaves are inserted.
(c) (Dialing) A hole in the gnomon of a
dial, through which passes the ray of light which marks the hour of
the day, the parallels of the sun's declination, his place in the
ecliptic, etc. (d) (Geom.) The
point at which a curve crosses itself, being a double point of the
curve. See Crunode, and Acnode.
(e) (Mech.) The point at which the lines
of a funicular machine meet from different angular directions; --
called also knot. W. R. Johnson.
(f) (poet.) The knot, intrigue, or plot
of a piece. (g) (Med.) A hard
concretion or incrustation which forms upon bones attacked with
rheumatism, gout, or syphilis; sometimes also, a swelling in the
neighborhood of a joint. Dunglison. (h)
(Mus) One of the fixed points of a sonorous string, when
it vibrates by aliquot parts, and produces the harmonic tones; nodal
line or point. (i) (Zoöl.) A
swelling.
Ascending node (Astron.), the node at
which the body is passing northerly, marked with the symbol
&astascending;, called the Dragon's head. Called also
northern node. -- Descending node,
the node at which the body is moving southwardly, marked thus
&astdescending;, called Dragon's tail. -- Line of
nodes, a straight line joining the two nodes of an
orbit.
Nod"ic*al (?), a. Of or pertaining
to the nodes; from a node to the same node again; as, the
nodical revolutions of the moon.
Nodical month. See Lunar month, under
Month.
No`do*sa"rine (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Resembling in form or structure a
foraminiferous shell of the genus Nodosaria. --
n. (Zoöl.) A foraminifer of the
genus Nodosaria or of an allied genus.
No*dose" (?), a. [L. nodosus,
fr. nodus knot.] 1. Knotty; having
numerous or conspicuous nodes.
2. (Zoöl.) Having nodes or
prominences; having the alternate joints enlarged, as the
antennæ of certain insects.
No*dos"i*ty (&?;), n. [L.
nodositas.] 1. The quality of being
knotty or nodose; resemblance to a node or swelling;
knottiness. Holland.
2. A knot; a node.
{ No*do"sous (?), No"dous (?) },
a. Nodose; knotty; knotted. [Obs.]
Nod"u*lar (?; 135), a. [Cf. F.
nodulaire.] Of, pertaining to, or in the form of, a
nodule or knot.
Nod"ule (?), n. [L. nodulus,
dim. of nodus knot: cf. F. nodule.] A rounded mass
or irregular shape; a little knot or lump.
Nod"uled (?), a. Having little
knots or lumps.
{ Nod"u*lose` (?), Nod"u*lous (?), }
a. (Biol.) Having small nodes or knots;
diminutively nodose.
No"el (?), n. [F. noël, L.
natalis birthday, fr. natalis natal. See Natal.]
Same as Nowel.
No*e`ma*tach"o*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?;
the understanding + &?; swiftness + -graph.] An
instrument for determining and registering the duration of more or
less complex operations of the mind. Dunglison.
{ No`e*mat"ic (?), No`e*mat"ic*al (?), }
a. [Gr. &?; the understanding. See Noetic.]
Of or pertaining to the understanding. [Obs.]
Cudworth.
No*e"mics (?), n. [Gr. &?; the
understanding. See Noetic.] The science of the
understanding; intellectual science.
No*e"tian (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of the followers of Noetus, who lived in the third
century. He denied the distinct personality of the Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost.
{ No*et"ic (?), No*et"ic*al (?), }
a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to perceive, &?; mind,
intellect.] Of or pertaining to the intellect;
intellectual.
I would employ the word noetic to express all
those cognitions which originate in the mind itself.
Sir W. Hamilton.
Nof (?). [Contr. fr. ne of.] Not of; nor
of. [Obs.]
Nog (?), n. [Abbrev. fr.
noggin.]
1. A noggin.
2. A kind of strong ale.
Halliwell.
Nog, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
1. A wooden block, of the size of a brick,
built into a wall, as a hold for the nails of woodwork.
2. One of the square logs of wood used in a
pile to support the roof of a mine.
3. (Shipbuilding) A treenail to fasten
the shores.
Nog, v. t. [From 2d Nog.]
1. To fill in, as between scantling, with
brickwork.
2. (Shipbuilding) To fasten, as
shores, with treenails.
Nog"gen (?), a. [Prop., made of hemp,
fr. Prov. E. nogs hemp.] Made of hemp; hence, hard;
rough; harsh. [Obs.] Johnson.
Nog"gin (?), n. [Ir. noigin, or
Gael. noigean. Cf. lst Nog.] 1. A
small mug or cup.
2. A measure equivalent to a gill.
[Prov. Eng.]
Nog"ging (?), n. [From Nog,
v. t.] Rough brick masonry used to fill in the
interstices of a wooden frame, in building.
Noght (?), adv. Not. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Noi"ance (?), n. [Abbrev. fr. OE.
anoiance.] [Written also noyance.]
Annoyance. [Obs.] Tusser.
Noie (?), v. t. To annoy. See
Noy. [Obs.]
Noi"er (?), n. An annoyer.
[Obs.] Tusser.
Noils (?), n. pl. [Etymol. uncertain.]
Waste and knots of wool removed by the comb; combings.
Noint (?), v. t. To anoint.
[Obs.] Sir T. North.
Noi"ous (?), a. Annoying;
troublesome. [Obs.]
Noise (?), n. [F. noise noisy
strife, quarrel, brawl, fr. L. nausea seasickness, sickness,
disgust. See Nausea.]
1. Sound of any kind.
The heavens turn about in a most rapid motion without
noise
to us perceived.
Bacon.
&fist; Noise is either a sound of too short a duration to
be determined, like the report of a cannon; or else it is a confused
mixture of many discordant sounds, like the rolling of thunder or the
noise of the waves. Nevertheless, the difference between sound
and noise is by no means precise. Ganot.
2. Especially, loud, confused, or senseless
sound; clamor; din.
3. Loud or continuous talk; general talk or
discussion; rumor; report. "The noise goes."
Shak.
What noise have we had about transplantation of
diseases and transfusion of blood!
T. Baker.
Soerates lived in Athens during the great plague which
has made so much noise in all ages.
Spectator.
4. Music, in general; a concert; also, a
company of musicians; a band. [Obs.] Milton.
The king has his noise of gypsies.
B. Jonson.
Syn. -- Cry; outcry; clamor; din; clatter; uproar.
Noise, v. i. To sound; to make a
noise. Milton.
Noise, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Noised (?); p pr. & vb. n.
Noising.] 1. To spread by rumor or
report.
All these sayings were noised
abroad.
Luke i. 65.
2. To disturb with noise. [Obs.]
Dryden.
Noise"ful (?), a. Loud;
clamorous. [Obs.] Dryden.
Noise"less, a. Making, or causing,
no noise or bustle; without noise; silent; as, the noiseless
foot of time.
So noiseless would I live.
Dryden.
-- Noise"less*ly, adv. --
Noise"less*ness, n.
Noi*sette" (?), n. (Bot.) A
hybrid rose produced in 1817, by a French gardener, Noisette,
of Charleston, South Carolina, from the China rose and the musk rose.
It has given rise to many fine varieties, as the Lamarque, the
Marechal (or Marshal) Niel, and the Cloth of gold. Most
roses of this class have clustered flowers and are of vigorous
growth. P. Henderson.
Nois"i*ly (?), adv. In a noisy
manner.
Nois"i*ness, n. The state or
quality of being noisy.
Noi"some (?), a. [For noysome,
fr. noy for annoy. See Annoy.]
1. Noxious to health; hurtful; mischievous;
unwholesome; insalubrious; destructive; as, noisome
effluvia. "Noisome pestilence." Ps. xci. 3.
2. Offensive to the smell or other senses;
disgusting; fetid. "Foul breath is noisome."
Shak.
-- Noi"some*ly, adv. --
Noi"some*ness, n.
Syn. -- Noxious; unwholesome; insalubrious; mischievous;
destructive. -- Noisome, Noxious. These words have to
a great extent been interchanged; but there is a tendency to make a
distinction between them, applying noxious to things that
inflict evil directly; as, a noxious plant, noxious
practices, etc., and noisome to things that operate with a
remoter influence; as, noisome vapors, a noisome
pestilence, etc. Noisome has the additional sense of
disqusting. A garden may be free from noxious weeds or
animals; but, if recently covered with manure, it may be filled with
a noisome smell.
Nois"y (?), a.
[Compar. Noisier (?);
superl. Noisiest.] [From Noise.]
1. Making a noise, esp. a loud sound; clamorous;
vociferous; turbulent; boisterous; as, the noisy
crowd.
2. Full of noise. "The noisy
town." Dryden.
Nol"de (?). [Contr. fr. ne wolde.] Would
not. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Nole (?), n. [See Noll.]
The head. [Obs.] Shak.
||No"li-me-tan"ge*re (?), n. [L., touch
me not.]
1. (Bot.) (a) Any
plant of a genus of herbs (Impatiens) having capsules which,
if touched when ripe, discharge their seeds. -- See
Impatiens. (b) The squirting
cucumber. See under Cucumber.
2. (Med.) A name formerly applied to
several varieties of ulcerous cutaneous diseases, but now restricted
to Lupus exedens, an ulcerative affection of the
nose.
No*li"tion (?), n. [L. nolle not
to will, to be unwilling; ne + velle to will, to be willing.]
Adverse action of will; unwillingness; -- opposed to
volition.
A nolition and a direct enmity against the
lust.
Jer. Taylor.
Noll (?), n. [OE. nol, AS.
hnoll top; akin to OHG. hnol top, head.] The head;
the noddle. [Obs.]
Nol*le"i*ty (?), n. [L. nolle to
be unwilling.] The state of being unwilling; nolition.
[R.]
||Nol"le pros"e*qui (?). [L., to be unwilling to
prosecute.] (Law) Will not prosecute; -- an entry on the
record, denoting that a plaintiff discontinues his suit, or the
attorney for the public a prosecution; either wholly, or as to some
count, or as to some of several defendants.
||No"lo con*ten"de*re (?). [L., I do not wish to
contend.] (Law) A plea, by the defendant, in a criminal
prosecution, which, without admitting guilt, subjects him to all the
consequences of a plea of guilty.
Nol. pros. An abbrev. of Nolle
prosequi.
Nol`-pros" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. -prossed (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. -prossing.] To discontinue by entering a
nolle prosequi; to decline to prosecute.
Nolt (?), n. sing. & pl. Neat
cattle. [Prov. Eng.]
||Nom (?), n. [F. See Noun.]
Name.
||Nom de guerre (&?;), literally, war name;
hence, a fictitious name, or one assumed for a time. --
||Nom de plume (&?;), literally, pen name;
hence, a name assumed by an author as his or her signature.
||No"ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;,
lit., a feeding. See Name.] (Med.) See
Canker, n., 1.
Nom"ad (?), n. [L. nomas, -
adis, Gr. &?;, &?;, pasturing, roaming without fixed home, fr.
&?; a pasture, allotted abode, fr. &?; to distribute, allot, drive to
pasture; prob. akin to AS. niman to take, and E.
nimble: cf. F. nomade. Cf. Astronomy,
Economy, Nimble, Nemesis, Numb,
Number.] One of a race or tribe that has no fixed
location, but wanders from place to place in search of pasture or
game.
Nom"ad, a. Roving;
nomadic.
Nom"ade (?), n. [F.] See
Nomad, n.
No*ma"di*an (?), n. A nomad.
[R.]
No*mad"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;. See
Nomad.] Of or pertaining to nomads, or their way of life;
wandering; moving from place to place for subsistence; as, a
nomadic tribe. -- No*mad"ic*al*ly (#),
adv.
Nom"ad*ism (?), n. The state of
being a nomad.
Nom"ad*ize (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Nomadized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Nomadizing (?).] To lead the life of a
nomad; to wander with flocks and herds for the sake of finding
pasturage.
The Vogules nomadize chiefly about the Rivers
Irtish, Obi, Kama, and Volga.
W. Tooke.
No"man*cy (?), n. [Cf. F.
nomancie, nomance, abbrev. fr. onomancie. See
Onomancy.] The art or practice of divining the destiny of
persons by the letters which form their names.
No"-man's` land` (?). 1. (Naut.)
A space amidships used to keep blocks, ropes, etc.; a space on a
ship belonging to no one in particular to care for.
2. Fig.: An unclaimed space or
time.
That no-man's land of twilight.
W. Black.
Nom"arch (?), n. [Gr. &?; a district +
-arch.] The chief magistrate of a nome or
nomarchy.
Nom"arch*y (?), n.; pl.
Nomarchies (&?;). A province or territorial
division of a kingdom, under the rule of a nomarch, as in modern
Greece; a nome.
Nom"bles (?), n. pl. [F.
nombles, fr. L. lumbulus, dim. of lumbus a loin.
Cf. Numbles, Umbles, Humbles.] The entrails
of a deer; the umbles. [Written also numbles.]
Johnson.
Nom"bril (?), n. [F. nombril,
for OF. lombril, i. e., ombril, with the article, a
dim. fr. L. umbilicus the navel. See Navel.]
(Her.) A point halfway between the fess point and the
middle base point of an escutcheon; -- called also navel
point. See Escutcheon.
Nome (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to deal
out, distribute.]
1. A province or political division, as of
modern Greece or ancient Egypt; a nomarchy.
2. Any melody determined by inviolable
rules. [Obs.]
Nome, n. [Cf. Binomial.]
(Alg.) [Obs.] See Term.
{ Nome, No"men (?) }, obs. p.
p. of Nim. Chaucer.
No"men*cla`tor (?), n. [L., fr.
nomen name + calare to call. See Name, and
Calendar.] 1. One who calls persons or
things by their names.
&fist; In Rome, candidates for office were attended each by a
nomenclator, who informed the candidate of the names of the
persons whom they met and whose votes it was desirable to
solicit.
2. One who gives names to things, or who
settles and adjusts the nomenclature of any art or science; also, a
list or vocabulary of technical names.
No"men*cla`tress (?), n. A female
nomenclator.
No`men*cla"tur*al (?), a.
Pertaining or according to a nomenclature.
No"men*cla`ture (?), n. [L.
nomenclatura: cf. F. nomenclature. See
Nomenclator.] 1. A name. [Obs.]
Bacon.
2. A vocabulary, dictionary, or
glossary. [R.]
3. The technical names used in any particular
branch of science or art, or by any school or individual; as, the
nomenclature of botany or of chemistry; the
nomenclature of Lavoisier and his associates.
No"mi*al (?), n. [Cf. Binomial.]
(Alg.) A name or term.
Nom"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a law,
custom.] Customary; ordinary; -- applied to the usual English
spelling, in distinction from strictly phonetic methods. H
Sweet. -- n. Nomic spelling. A.
J. Ellis.
Nom"i*nal (?), a. [L. nominalis,
fr. nomen, nominis, name. See Name.]
1. Of or pertaining to a name or names; having
to do with the literal meaning of a word; verbal; as, a
nominal definition. Bp. Pearson.
2. Existing in name only; not real; as, a
nominal difference. "Nominal attendance on
lectures." Macaulay.
Nom"i*nal, n. 1. A
nominalist. [Obs.] Camden.
2. (Gram.) A verb formed from a
noun.
3. A name; an appellation.
A is the nominal of the sixth note in the
natural diatonic scale.
Moore (Encyc. of Music.
)
Nom"i*nal*ism (?), n. The
principles or philosophy of the Nominalists.
Nom"i*nal*ist, n. (Metaph.)
One of a sect of philosophers in the Middle Ages, who adopted
the opinion of Roscelin, that general conceptions, or universals,
exist in name only. Reid.
Nom`i*nal*is"tic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the Nominalists.
Nom"i*nal*ize (?), v. t. To
convert into a noun. [Obs.]
Nom"i*nal*ly, adv. In a nominal
manner; by name; in name only; not in reality.
Burke.
Nom"i*nate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Nominated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Nominating (?).] [L. nominatus, p. p. of
nominare to nominate, fr. nomen name. See
Name.]
1. To mention by name; to name.
[Obs.]
To nominate them all, it is
impossible.
Shak.
2. To call; to entitle; to denominate.
[Obs.] Spenser.
3. To set down in express terms; to
state. [Obs.]
Is it so noiminated in the bond?
Shak.
4. To name, or designate by name, for an
office or place; to appoint; esp., to name as a candidate for an
election, choice, or appointment; to propose by name, or offer the
name of, as a candidate for an office or place.
Nom"i*nate*ly (?), adv. By name;
particularly; namely. [Obs.] Spelman.
Nom`i*na"tion (?), n. [L.
nominatio: cf. F. nomination.]
1. The act of naming or nominating;
designation of a person as a candidate for office; the power of
nominating; the state of being nominated.
The nomination of persons to places being . . .
a flower of his crown, he would reserve to himself.
Clarendon.
2. The denomination, or name. [Obs.]
Bp. Pearson.
Nom`i*na*ti"val (?), a. (Gram.)
Of or pertaining to the nominative case.
Nom"i*na*tive (?), a. [L.
nominativus belonging to a name, nominative.] (Gram.)
Giving a name; naming; designating; -- said of that case or form
of a noun which stands as the subject of a finite verb. --
n. The nominative case.
Nom"i*na*tive*ly, adv. In the
manner of a nominative; as a nominative.
Nom"i*na`tor (?), n. [L.] One who
nominates.
Nom`i*nee" (?), n. [See
Nominate, and -ee.] A person named, or designated,
by another, to any office, duty, or position; one nominated, or
proposed, by others for office or for election to office.
Nom"i*nor` (?), n. [See
Nominate, and -or.] A nominator. [Obs.]
Bentham.
No*moc"ra*cy (?), n. [Gr. &?; law +
-cracy, as in democracy.] Government in accordance
with a system of law. Milman.
No*mog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; law
+ &?; to write.] A treatise on laws; an exposition of the form
proper for laws.
No*mol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; law + -
logy.]
1. The science of law; legislation.
2. The science of the laws of the mind;
rational psychology. Sir W. Hamilton.
Nom`o*pel"mous (?), a. [Gr. &?; law,
custom + &?; sole of the foot.] (Zoöl.) Having a
separate and simple tendon to flex the first toe, or hallux, as do
passerine birds.
Nom"o*thete (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; + &?;
to assign: cf. F. nomothète.] A lawgiver.
[R.]
{ Nom`o*thet"ic (?), Nom`o*thet"ic*al (?), }
a. [Gr. &?;.] Legislative; enacting laws; as,
a nomothetical power. [R.] Bp. Barlow.
Non (?), a. No; not. See
No, a. Chaucer.
Non- (?). [L. non, OL. noenu,
noenum, fr. neoenum, lit., not one. See None.]
A prefix used in the sense of not; un-; in-
; as in nonattention, or non-attention,
nonconformity, nonmetallic, nonsuit.
&fist; The prefix non- may be joined to the leading word by
means of a hyphen, or, in most cases, the hyphen may be dispensed
with. The list of words having the prefix non- could easily be
lengthened.
Non`a*bil"i*ty (?), n.
1. Want of ability.
2. (Law) An exception taken against a
plaintiff in a cause, when he is unable legally to commence a
suit.
Non`ac*cept"ance (?), n. A neglect
or refusal to accept.
Non*ac"id (?), a. (Chem.)
Destitute of acid properties; hence, basic; metallic; positive;
-- said of certain atoms and radicals.
Non`ac*quaint"ance (?), n. Want of
acquaintance; the state of being unacquainted.
Non*ac`qui*es"cence (?), n.
Refusal of acquiescence; failure to yield or comply.
Non`ad*mis"sion (?), n. Failure to
be admitted.
Non`a*dult" (?), a. Not adult;
immature.
Non*a`ër*o*bi*ot"ic (?), a.
(Biol.) Capable of living without atmospheric oxygen;
anaërobiotic.
Non"age (?), n. [LL. nonagium,
from L. nonus ninth, novem nine.] (Eccl.)
The ninth part of movable goods, formerly payable to the clergy
on the death of persons in their parishes. Mozley &
W.
Non"age, n. [Pref. non- +
age.] Time of life before a person becomes of age; legal
immaturity; minority.
The human mind . . . was still in its
nonage.
Coleridge.
Non"aged (?), a. Having the
quality of nonage; being a minor; immature. W.
Browne.
Non`a*ge*na"ri*an (?), n. [L.
nonagenarius containing, or consisting of, ninety, fr.
nonageni ninety each; akin to novem nine.] A
person ninety years old.
Non`a*ges"i*mal (?), a. [L.
nonagesimus the ninetieth. See Nonagenarian.]
(Astron.) Of or pertaining to the ninetieth degree or to
a nonagesimal.
Non`a*ges"i*mal, n. (Astron.)
The middle or highest point of the part of the ecliptic which is
at any given moment above the horizon. It is the ninetieth degree of
the ecliptic, reckoned from the points in which it is intersected by
the horizon.
Non"a*gon (?), n. [L. nonus
ninth + Gr. &?; angle.] (Math.) A figure or polygon
having nine sides and nine angles.
Non*a"gri*an (?), n. [Etymol.
uncertain.] (Zoöl.) Any moth of the genus
Nonagria and allied genera, as the spindleworm and stalk
borer.
Non*al`ien*a"tion (?), n. Failure
to alienate; also, the state of not being alienated.
Non"ane (?), n. [L. nonus
ninth.] (Chem.) One of a group of metameric hydrocarbons
C9H20 of the paraffin series; -- so called
because of the nine carbon atoms in the molecule. Normal
nonane is a colorless volatile liquid, an ingredient of ordinary
kerosene.
Non`ap*pear"ance (?), n. Default
of appearance, as in court, to prosecute or defend; failure to
appear.
Non`ap*point"ment (?), n. Neglect
of making appointment; failure to receive an appointment.
Non`ar*riv"al (?), n. Failure to
arrive.
||Non` as*sump"sit (?). [L., he did not undertake.]
(Law) The general plea or denial in an action of
assumpsit.
Non`at*tend"ance (?), n. A failure
to attend; omission of attendance; nonappearance.
Non`at*ten"tion (?), n.
Inattention.
Non`bi*tu"mi*nous (?), a.
Containing no bitumen; not bituminous.
Nonce (n&obreve;ns), n. [For the
nonce, OE. for the nones, a corruption of for then
ones, where n. in then is a relic of
AS. m in ðam, dat. of the article and demonstrative
pronoun, E. the. See For, Once, and The.]
The one or single occasion; the present call or purpose; --
chiefly used in the phrase for the nonce.
The miller was a stout carl for the
nones.
Chaucer.
And that he calls for drink, I 'll have prepared
him
A chalice for the nonce.
Shak.
Nonce word, "a word apparently employed only
for the nonce". Murray (New English Dict.).
||Non`cha`lance" (?), n. [F. See
Nonchalant.] Indifference; carelessness;
coolness.
||Non`cha`lant" (?), a. [F., fr.
non not (L. non) + chaloir to concern one's self
for, fr. L. calere to be warm, to be inflamed with desire, to
be troubled. See Non-, and Caldron.] Indifferent;
careless; cool.
Non"cha*lant`ly (?), adv. In a
nonchalant, indifferent, or careless manner; coolly.
Non"claim` (?), n. A failure to
make claim within the time limited by law; omission of
claim.
Non`co*he"sion (?), n. Want of
cohesion.
Non`co*in"ci*dence, n. Lack of
coincidence.
Non`co*in"ci*dent (?), a. Not
coincident.
Non*com"bat*ant (?), n. (Mil.)
Any person connected with an army, or within the lines of an
army, who does not make it his business to fight, as any one of the
medical officers and their assistants, chaplains, and others; also,
any of the citizens of a place occupied by an army; also, any one
holding a similar position with respect to the navy.
Non`com*mis"sioned (?), a. Not
having a commission.
Noncommissioned officer (Mil.), a
subordinate officer not appointed by a commission from the chief
executive or supreme authority of the State; but by the Secretary of
War or by the commanding officer of the regiment.
Non`com*mit"tal (?), n. A state of
not being committed or pledged; forbearance or refusal to commit
one's self. Also used adjectively.
Non`com*mun"ion (?), n. Neglect or
failure of communion.
Non`com*ple"tion (?), n. Lack of
completion; failure to complete.
Non`com*pli"ance (?), n. Neglect
of compliance; failure to comply.
Non`com*ply"ing (?), a. Neglecting
or refusing to comply.
{ ||Non com"pos (?). ||Non com"pos men"tis (?).
} [L.] Not of sound mind; not having the regular use of reason;
hence, also, as a noun, an idiot; a lunatic; one devoid of reason,
either by nature or from accident.
Non"con. (&?;), n. See
Noncontent.
Non`con*clud"ing (?), a. Not
concluding.
Non`con*cur" (?), v. i. To dissent
or refuse to concur.
Non`con*cur"rence (?), n. Refusal
to concur.
Non`con*den"si*ble (?), a. Not
condensible; incapable of being liquefied; -- said of
gases.
Non`con*dens"ing, a. (Steam
Engine) Not condensing; discharging the steam from the
cylinder at a pressure nearly equal to or above that of the
atmosphere and not into a condenser.
Non`con*duct"ing (?), a. Not
conducting; not transmitting a fluid or force; thus, in electricity,
wax is a nonconducting substance.
Non`con*duc"tion (?), n. The
quality of not being able to conduct or transmit; failure to
conduct.
Non`con*duct"or (?), n.
(Physics) A substance which does not conduct, that is,
convey or transmit, heat, electricity, sound, vibration, or the like,
or which transmits them with difficulty; an insulator; as, wool is a
nonconductor of heat; glass and dry wood are
nonconductors of electricity.
Non`con*form"ing (?), a. Not
conforming; declining conformity; especially, not conforming to the
established church of a country.
Non`con*form"ist, n. One who does
not conform to an established church; especially, one who does not
conform to the established church of England; a dissenter.
Non*con*form"i*ty (?), n. Neglect
or failure of conformity; especially, in England, the neglect or
refusal to unite with the established church in its rites and modes
of worship.
||Non`con"stat (?), n. [Law L.] It
does not appear; it is not plain or clear; it does not
follow.
Non`con*ta"gious (?), a. Not
contagious; not catching; not communicable by contact. --
Non`con*ta"gious*ness, n.
Non`con*tent" (?), n. (British House
of Lords) One who gives a negative vote; -- sometimes
abridged into noncon. or non con.
{ Non`con*trib"u*ting (?), Non`con*trib"u*to*ry
(?) }, a. Not contributing.
Non"da (?), n. (Bot.) The
edible plumlike fruit of the Australian tree, Parinarium
Nonda.
Non*dec"ane (?), n. [L. nonus
ninth + decem ten.] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon of the
paraffin series, a white waxy substance,
C19H40; -- so called from the number of carbon
atoms in the molecule.
Non`de*cid"u*ate (?), a. (Anat.)
Characterized by the absence of a decidua;
indeciduate.
Non`de*liv"er*y (?), n. A neglect
or failure of delivery; omission of delivery.
Non*dep`o*si"tion (?), n. A
failure to deposit or throw down.
Non"de*script (?), a. [Pref. non-
+ L. descriptus described.] Not hitherto described;
novel; hence, odd; abnormal; unclassifiable.
Non"de*script, n. A thing not yet
described; that of which no account or explanation has been given;
something abnormal, or hardly classifiable.
Non`de*vel"op*ment (?), n. Failure
or lack of development.
Non`dis*cov"er*y (?), n. Want or
failure of discovery.
Non"do (?), n. (Bot.) A
coarse umbelliferous plant (Ligusticum actæifolium) with
a large aromatic root. It is found chiefly in the Alleghany region.
Also called Angelico.
None (?), a. & pron. [OE. none,
non, nan, no, na, AS. nān,
fr. ne not + ān one. &?;. See No,
a. & adv., One, and cf.
Non-, Null, a.]
1. No one; not one; not anything; --
frequently used also partitively, or as a plural, not any.
There is none that doeth good; no, not
one.
Ps. xiv. 3.
Six days ye shall gather it, but on the seventh day,
which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none.
Ex. xvi. 26.
Terms of peace yet none
Vouchsafed or sought.
Milton.
None of their productions are
extant.
Blair.
2. No; not any; -- used adjectively before a
vowel, in old style; as, thou shalt have none assurance of thy
life.
None of, not at all; not; nothing of; --
used emphatically. "They knew that I was none of the
register that entered their admissions in the universities."
Fuller. -- None-so-pretty (Bot.),
the Saxifraga umbrosa. See London pride
(a), under London.
None, n. [F.] Same as
Nones, 2.
Non`ef*fect"ive (?), a.
1. Not effective.
2. (Mil.) Not fit or available for
duty.
||Non-e"go (?), n. [L., not I.]
(Metaph.) The union of being and relation as
distinguished from, and contrasted with, the ego. See
Ego.
Non`e*las"tic (?), a. Not having
elasticity.
Non`e*lect" (?), n. sing. & pl.
(Theol.) A person or persons not elected, or chosen, to
salvation.
Non`e*lec"tion (?), n. Failure of
election.
{ Non`e*lec"tric (?), Non`e*lec"tric*al (?) },
a. Not electric; conducting
electricity.
Non`e*lec"tric, n. (Physics)
A substance that is not an electric; that which transmits
electricity, as a metal.
{ Non`em*phat"ic (?), Non`em*phat"ic*al (?) },
a. Having no emphasis; unemphatic.
Non*en"ti*ty (?), n.; pl.
Nonentities (&?;).
1. Nonexistence; the negation of
being.
2. A thing not existing.
South.
3. A person or thing of little or no
account. [Colloq.]
Non`-E*pis"co*pal (?), a. Not
Episcopal; not pertaining to the Episcopal church or
system.
Nones (?), n. pl. [L. nonae, so
called because it was the ninth day before the ides, fr. nonus
ninth, from novem nine. See Nine, Nones, 2,
Noon .]
1. (Roman Cal.) The fifth day of the
months January, February, April, June, August, September, November,
and December, and the seventh day of March, May, July, and October.
The nones were nine days before the ides, reckoning
inclusively, according to the Roman method.
2. [F. none, fr. L. See Noon.]
The canonical office, being a part of the Breviary, recited at
noon (formerly at the ninth hour, 3 P. M.) in the Roman
Catholic Church.
3. The hour of dinner; the noonday
meal. [Obs.]
At my supper and sometimes at
nones.
P. Plowman.
Non`es*sen"tial (?), a. Not
essential.
Non`es*sen"tial, n. A thing not
essential.
||Non` est` fac"tum (?). [Law L. it is not (his) deed.]
(Law) The plea of the general issue in an action of debt
on bond.
||Non` est` in*ven"tus (?). [L., he is not found.]
(Law) The return of a sheriff on a writ, when the
defendant is not found in his county. Bouvier.
None"such` (?), n. A person or
thing of a sort that there is no other such; something extraordinary;
a thing that has not its equal. It is given as a name to various
objects, as to a choice variety of apple, a species of medic
(Medicago lupulina), a variety of pottery clay, etc.
{ No*net" (?), ||No*net"to (?) },
n. [From L. nonus ninth, like E.
duet, fr. L. duo.] (Mus.) A composition for
nine instruments, rarely for nine voices.
Non"ett (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The titmouse. [Obs.]
Non*ex`e*cu"tion (?), n. Neglect
or failure of execution; nonperformance.
Non`ex*ist"ence (?), n.
1. Absence of existence; the negation of being;
nonentity. A. Baxter.
2. A thing that has no existence.
Sir T. Browne.
Non`ex*ist"ent (?), a. Not having
existence.
Non*ex`por*ta"tion (?), n. A
failure of exportation; a not exporting of commodities.
Non`ex*ten"sile (?), a. Not
extensile; incapable of being stretched.
Non-fea"sance (?), n. [Pref. non-
+ OF. faisance a doing, fr. faire to do.]
(Law) An omission or neglect to do something, esp. that
which ought to have been done. Cf. Malfeasance.
Non`ful*fill"ment, n. Neglect or
failure to fulfill.
No*nil"lion (?), n. [L. nonus
ninth + -illion, as in E. million.] According to
the French and American notation, a thousand octillions, or a unit
with thirty ciphers annexed; according to the English notation, a
million octillions, or a unit with fifty-four ciphers annexed. See
the Note under Numeration.
Non*im`por*ta"tion (?), n. Want or
failure of importation; a not importing of commodities.
Non`im*port"ing (?), a. Not
importing; not bringing from foreign countries.
Non`in*flec"tion*al (?), a. Not
admitting of, or characterized by, inflection.
Non`in*hab"it*ant (?), n. One who
is not an inhabitant; a stranger; a foreigner; a
nonresident.
Non*in`ter*ven"tion (?), n. The
state or habit of not intervening or interfering; as, the
nonintervention of one state in the affairs of
another.
No"ni*us (?), n. [Latinized form of
Nunez, the name of a Portuguese mathematician.] A
vernier.
Non*join"der (?), n. (Law)
The omission of some person who ought to have been made a
plaintiff or defendant in a suit, or of some cause of action which
ought to be joined.
Non*ju"rant (?), a.
Nonjuring.
Non*ju"ring (?), a. [F. jurer to
swear, or L. jurare, jurari, to swear, fr. L.
jus, juris, right, law, justice. See Jury.]
Not swearing allegiance; -- applied to the party in Great
Britain that would not swear allegiance to William and Mary, or their
successors.
Non*ju"ror (?), n. (Eng. Hist.)
One of those adherents of James II. who refused to take the oath
of allegiance to William and Mary, or to their successors, after the
revolution of 1688; a Jacobite.
Non*ju"ror*ism (?), n. (Eng.
Hist.) The doctrines, or action, of the Nonjurors.
Non*lim`i*ta"tion (?), n. Want of
limitation; failure to limit.
||Non` li"quet (?). [L.] It is not clear; -- a
verdict given by a jury when a matter is to be deferred to another
day of trial.
Non`ma*lig"nant (?), a. Not
malignant, as a disease.
Non*man`u*fac"tur*ing (?), a. Not
carrying on manufactures.
Non*med"ul*la`ted (?), a. Not
medullated; (Anat.) without a medulla or marrow, or without a
medullary sheath; as, a nonmedullated nerve fiber.
Non*mem"ber, n. One who is not a
member.
Non*mem"ber*ship, n. State of not
being a member.
Non"met`al (?), n. (Chem.)
Any one of the set of elements which, as contrasted with the
metals, possess, produce, or receive, acid rather than basic
properties; a metalloid; as, oxygen, sulphur, and chlorine are
nonmetals.
Non`me*tal"lic (?), a.
1. Not metallic.
2. (Chem.) Resembling, or possessing
the properties of, a nonmetal or metalloid; as, sulphur is a
nonmetallic element.
Non*nat"u*ral, a. Not natural;
unnatural.
Nonne (?), n. A nun. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Non`ne*ces"si*ty (?), n. Absence
of necessity; the quality or state of being unnecessary.
Non`ni*trog"nous (?), a. Devoid of
nitrogen; as, a nonnitrogenous principle; a
nonnitrogenous food. See the Note under Food,
n., 1.
Non*nu"cle*a`ted (?), a. Without a
nucleus.
Non"ny (?), n. A silly fellow; a
ninny.
Non`o*be"di*ence (?), n. Neglect
of obedience; failure to obey.
Non`ob*serv"ance (?), n. Neglect
or failure to observe or fulfill.
||Non` ob*stan"te (?). [L.] 1.
Notwithstanding; in opposition to, or in spite of, what has been
stated, or is to be stated or admitted.
2. (Law) A clause in old English
statutes and letters patent, importing a license from the crown to do
a thing notwithstanding any statute to the contrary. This dispensing
power was abolished by the Bill of Rights.
In this very reign [Henry III.] the practice of
dispensing with statutes by a non obstante was
introduced.
Hallam.
||Non obstante veredicto [LL.] (Law),
a judgment sometimes entered by order of the court, for the
plaintiff, notwithstanding a verdict for the defendant.
Stephen.
No*no"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, nonane; as,
nonoic acid, which is also called pelargonic acid. Cf.
Pelargonic.
Non"one (?), n. [Nonane + -
one, suffix denoting the third degree of unsaturation.]
(Chem.) Any one of several metameric unsaturated
hydrocarbons (C9H14) of the valylene
series.
Non`ox*yg"e*nous (?), a. (Chem.)
Without oxygen; characterized by the absence of oxygen; as, a
nonoxygenous alkaloid.
Non`pa*reil" (?), n. [See
Nonpareil, a. ]
1. Something of unequaled excellence; a
peerless thing or person; a nonesuch; -- often used as a
name.
2. [F. nonpareille.] (Print.) A
size of type next smaller than minion and next larger than
agate (or ruby).
&fist; This line is printed in the type called
nonpareil.
3. (Zoöl.) (a) A
beautifully colored finch (Passerina ciris), native of the
Southern United States. The male has the head and neck deep blue,
rump and under parts bright red, back and wings golden green, and the
tail bluish purple. Called also painted finch.
(b) Any other similar bird of the same
genus.
Non`pa*reil", a. [F., from non
not + pareil equal, fr. LL. pariculus, dim. of L.
par equal. See Non, and Pair, Peer.]
Having no equal; peerless.
Non*pay"ment, n. Neglect or
failure to pay.
Non`per*form"ance, n. Neglect or
failure to perform.
Non*pho`to*bi*ot"ic (?), a.
(Biol.) Capable of living without light; as,
nonphotobiotic plant cells, or cells which habitually live in
darkness.
Non`plane" (?), a. (Math.)
Not lying in one plane; -- said of certain curves.
Non"plus (?), n. [L. non not +
plus more, further. See Plural.] A state or
condition which baffles reason or confounds judgment; insuperable
difficulty; inability to proceed or decide; puzzle;
quandary.
Both of them are a perfect nonplus and baffle
to all human understanding.
South.
Non"plus` (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nonplused (?) or Nonplussed; p.
pr. & vb. n. Nonplusing or Nonplussing.]
To puzzle; to confound; to perplex; to cause to stop by
embarrassment.
He has been nonplused by Mr. Dry's desiring him
to tell what it was that he endeavored to prove.
Spectator.
Non*prep`a*ra"tion (?), n. Neglect
or failure to prepare; want of preparation.
Non*pres`en*ta"tion (?), n.
Neglect or failure to present; state of not being
presented.
Non`pro*duc"tion, n. A failure to
produce or exhibit.
Non`pro*fes"sion*al (?), a. Not
belonging to a profession; not done by, or proceeding from,
professional men; contrary to professional usage.
Non`pro*fi"cien*cy (?), n. Want of
proficiency; failure to make progress.
Non`pro*fi"cient (?), n. One who
has failed to become proficient.
Non" pros.` (&?;). An abbreviation of Non
prosequitur.
Non`-pros" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Nonprossed (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Non-prossing (?).] To decline or fail to
prosecute; to allow to be dropped (said of a suit); to enter judgment
against (a plaintiff who fails to prosecute); as, the plaintiff was
non-prossed.
||Non" pro*seq"ui*tur (?). [L. he does not prosecute.]
(Law) A judgment entered against the plaintiff in a suit
where he does not appear to prosecute. See Nolle
prosequi.
Non`re*cur"rent (?), a. Not
recurring.
Non`re*cur"ring (?), a.
Nonrecurrent.
Non`re*gard"ance (?), n. Want of
due regard; disregard; slight. [Obs.] Shak.
Non`re"gent (?), n. (Eng.
Universities) A master of arts whose regency has ceased. See
Regent.
Non`ren*di"tion (?), n. Neglect of
rendition; the not rendering what is due.
The nonrendition of a service which is
due.
S. E. Dwight.
Non`re*sem"blance (?), n. Want of
resemblance; unlikeness; dissimilarity.
Non*res"i*dence (?), n. The state
or condition of being nonresident, Swift.
Non*res"i*dent (?), a. Not
residing in a particular place, on one's own estate, or in one's
proper place; as, a nonresident clergyman or proprietor of
lands.
Non*res"i*dent, n. A nonresident
person; one who does not reside in the State or
jurisdiction.
Non`re*sist"ance (?), n. The
principles or practice of a nonresistant; passive obedience;
submission to authority, power, oppression, or violence without
opposition.
Non`re*sist"ant (?), a. Making no
resistance.
Non`re*sist"ant, n. One who
maintains that no resistance should be made to constituted authority,
even when unjustly or oppressively exercised; one who advocates or
practices absolute submission; also, one who holds that violence
should never be resisted by force.
Non`re*sist"ing, a. Not making
resistance.
Non*ru"mi*nant (?), a. Not
ruminating; as, a nonruminant animal.
Non`sane" (?), a. Unsound; not
perfect; as, a person of nonsane memory.
Blackstone.
Non"sense (?), n. [Pref. non- +
sense: cf. F. nonsens.]
1. That which is not sense, or has no sense;
words, or language, which have no meaning, or which convey no
intelligible ideas; absurdity.
2. Trifles; things of no
importance.
Nonsense verses, lines made by taking any
words which occur, but especially certain words which it is desired
to recollect, and arranging them without reference to anything but
the measure, so that the rhythm of the lines may aid in recalling the
remembrance of the words.
Syn. -- Folly; silliness; absurdity; trash; balderdash.
Non*sen"si*cal (?), a. Without
sense; unmeaning; absurd; foolish; irrational; preposterous. --
Non*sen"si*cal*ly, adv. --
Non*sen"si*cal*ness, n.
Non*sen"si*tive (?), a. Not
sensitive; wanting sense or perception; not easily
affected.
||Non seq"ui*tur (?). [L., it does not follow.]
(Logic) An inference which does not follow from the
premises.
Non*sex"u*al (?), a. Having no
distinction of sex; sexless; neuter.
Non*slave"hold`ing (?), a. Not
possessing or holding slaves; as, a nonslaveholding
State.
Non`so*lu"tion (?), n. Failure of
solution or explanation.
Non*sol"ven*cy (?), n. Inability
to pay debts; insolvency.
Non*sol"vent (?), a. Not solvent;
insolvent.
Non*sol"vent, n. An
insolvent.
Non*so"nant (?), a. Not
sonant. -- n. A nonsonant or nonvocal
consonant.
Non*spar"ing (?), a. Sparing
none.
Non*stri"a*ted (?), a. (Nat.
Hist.) Without striations; unstriped; as, nonstriated
muscle fibers.
Non`sub*mis"sion (?), n. Want of
submission; failure or refusal to submit.
Non`sub*mis"sive (?), a. Not
submissive.
Non"such (?), n. See
Nonesuch.
Non"suit` (?), n. (Law) A
neglect or failure by the plaintiff to follow up his suit; a stopping
of the suit; a renunciation or withdrawal of the cause by the
plaintiff, either because he is satisfied that he can not support it,
or upon the judge's expressing his opinion. A compulsory nonsuit is a
nonsuit ordered by the court on the ground that the plaintiff on his
own showing has not made out his case.
Non"suit`, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nonsuited; p. pr. & vb. n.
Nonsuiting.] (Law) To determine, adjudge, or
record (a plaintiff) as having dropped his suit, upon his withdrawal
or failure to follow it up. "When two are joined in a writ, and
one is nonsuited." Z. Swift.
Non"suit`, a. Nonsuited.
D. A. Tyng.
Non*sure"ty (?), n. Insecurity.
[Obs.]
Non*ten"ure (?), n. (Law) A
plea of a defendant that he did not hold the land, as
affirmed.
Non"term` (?), n. (Law) A
vacation between two terms of a court.
Non*tox"ic (?), a. Not
toxic.
Non"tro*nite (?), n. [So called because
found in the arrondissement of Notron, France.] (Min.)
A greenish yellow or green mineral, consisting chiefly of the
hydrous silicate of iron.
Non*u"ni*form`ist (?), n. One who
believes that past changes in the structure of the earth have
proceeded from cataclysms or causes more violent than are now
operating; -- called also nonuniformitarian.
Non*un"ion*ist (?), n. One who
does not belong, or refuses to belong, to a trades union.
Non*us"ance (?), n. Neglect of
using; failure to use. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
Non*us"er (?), 1. A not using;
failure to use.
An office may be forfeited by misuser or
nonuser.
Blackstone.
2. (Law) Neglect or omission to use an
easement or franchise or to assert a right. Kent.
Non*vas"cu*lar (?), a. (Anat.)
Destitute of vessels; extravascular.
Non`ver*nac"u*lar (?), a. Not
vernacular.
A nonvernacular expression.
Sir
W. Hamilton.
Non*vo"cal (?), a. Not vocal;
destitute of tone. -- n. A nonvocal
consonant.
Non"yl (?), n. [Nonane + -
yl.] (Chem.) The hydrocarbon radical,
C9H19, derived from nonane and forming many
compounds. Used also adjectively; as, nonyl alcohol.
Non"y*lene (?), n. [Nonane +
ethylene.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of
metameric, unsaturated hydrocarbons C9H18 of
the ethylene series.
Non`y*len"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, related to, or designating, nonylene or its
compounds; as, nonylenic acid.
No*nyl"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, nonyl or its compounds; as,
nonylic acid.
Noo"dle (?), n. [Cf. Noddle,
Noddy.] A simpleton; a blockhead; a stupid person; a
ninny. [Low]
The chuckling grin of noodles.
Sydney Smith.
Noo"dle, n. [G. nudel
vermicelli.] A thin strip of dough, made with eggs, rolled up,
cut into small pieces, and used in soup.
Nook (?), n. [OE. nok; cf. Gael.
& Ir. niuc.] A narrow place formed by an angle in bodies
or between bodies; a corner; a recess; a secluded retreat.
How couldst thou find this dark, sequestered
nook?
Milton.
Nook"-shot`ten (?), a. Full of
nooks, angles, or corners. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
That nook-shotten isle of Albion.
Shak.
No`ö*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to noölogy.
No*öl"o*gist (?), n. One
versed in noölogy.
No*öl"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;,
the mind + -logy.] The science of intellectual
phenomena.
Noon (?), a. No. See the Note
under No. [Obs.]
Noon (?), n. [AS. n&?;n, orig.,
the ninth hour, fr. L. nona (sc. hora) the ninth hour, then
applied to the church services (called nones) at that hour,
the time of which was afterwards changed to noon. See Nine,
and cf. Nones, Nunchion.] 1. The
middle of the day; midday; the time when the sun is in the meridian;
twelve o'clock in the daytime.
2. Hence, the highest point;
culmination.
In the very noon of that brilliant life which
was destined to be so soon, and so fatally,
overshadowed.
Motley.
High noon, the exact meridian; midday.
-- Noon of night, midnight. [Poetic]
Dryden.
Noon (?), a. Belonging to midday;
occurring at midday; meridional. Young.
Noon, v. i. To take rest and
refreshment at noon.
Noon"day` (?), n. Midday; twelve
o'clock in the day; noon.
Noon"day` (?), a. Of or pertaining
to midday; meridional; as, the noonday heat.
"Noonday walks." Addison.
Noon"-flow`er (?), n. (Bot.)
The goat's beard, whose flowers close at midday.
Noon"ing, n. A rest at noon; a
repast at noon.
Noon"shun (?), n. [Obs.] See
Nunchion. Nares.
Noon"stead (?), n. The position of
the sun at noon. [Obs.] Drayton.
Noon"tide` (?), n. [From noon +
tide time; cf. AS. n&?;ntīd the ninth hour.]
The time of noon; midday.
Noose (?), n. [Prob. fr. OF.
nous, nom. sing. or acc. pl. of nou knot, F.
n&?;ud, L. nodus. Cf. Node.] A running
knot, or loop, which binds the closer the more it is drawn.
Noose (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Noosed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Noosing.] To tie in a noose; to catch in a noose; to
entrap; to insnare.
Noot (?). See lst Not. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
No"pal (?), n. [Mexican
nopalli.] (Bot.) A cactaceous plant (Nopalea
cochinellifera), originally Mexican, on which the cochineal
insect feeds, and from which it is collected. The name is sometimes
given to other species of Cactaceæ.
No"pal*ry (?), n.; pl.
Nopalries (&?;). A plantation of the nopal for
raising the cochineal insect.
Nope (?), n. (Zoöl.) A
bullfinch. [Prov. Eng.]
Nor (?), conj. [OE. nor, contr.
from nother. See Neither.] A negative connective
or particle, introducing the second member or clause of a negative
proposition, following neither, or not, in the first
member or clause (as or in affirmative propositions follows
either). Nor is also used sometimes in the first member
for neither, and sometimes the neither is omitted and
implied by the use of nor.
Provide neither gold nor silver, nor
brass, in your purses, nor scrip for your
journey.
Matt. x. 9, 10.
Where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt.
Matt. vi. 20.
I love him not, nor fear him.
Shak.
Where neither party is nor true, nor
kind.
Shak.
Simois nor Xanthus shall be wanting
there.
Dryden.
Nor"bert*ine (?), n. See
Premonstrant.
No"ri*a (?), n. [Sp., from Ar.
nā'&?;ra.] A large water wheel, turned by the
action of a stream against its floats, and carrying at its
circumference buckets, by which water is raised and discharged into a
trough; used in Arabia, China, and elsewhere for irrigating land; a
Persian wheel.
No"ri*an (?), a. [From norite.]
(Geol.) Pertaining to the upper portion of the Laurentian
rocks. T. S. Hunt.
Nor"ice (?), n. Nurse.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
No"rie (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
(Zoöl.) The cormorant. [Prov. Eng.]
Nor"i*mon (?), n.; pl.
Norimons (&?;). A Japanese covered litter,
carried by men. B. Taylor.
No"rite (?), n. [F., fr.
Norvège Norway .] (Min.) A granular
crystalline rock consisting essentially of a triclinic feldspar (as
labradorite) and hypersthene.
No"ri*um (?), n. [NL.] (Chem.)
A supposed metal alleged to have been discovered in
zircon.
Norm (?), n. [L. norma a rule.
See Normal, a.]
1. A rule or authoritative standard; a model;
a type.
2. (Biol.) A typical, structural unit;
a type. Agassiz.
Nor"ma (?), n. [L.] 1.
A norm; a principle or rule; a model; a standard. J.
S. Mill.
2. A mason's or a carpenter's square or
rule.
3. A templet or gauge.
Nor"mal (?), a. [L. normalis,
fr. norma rule, pattern, carpenter's square; prob. akin to
noscere to know; cf. Gr. &?; well known, &?; gnomon, also,
carpenter's square: cf. F. normal. See Known, and cf.
Abnormal, Enormous.]
1. According to an established norm, rule, or
principle; conformed to a type, standard, or regular form; performing
the proper functions; not abnormal; regular; natural;
analogical.
Deviations from the normal type.
Hallam.
2. (Geom.) According to a square or
rule; perpendicular; forming a right angle. Specifically: Of or
pertaining to a normal.
3. (Chem.) Standard; original; exact;
typical. Specifically: (a) (Quantitative
Analysis) Denoting a solution of such strength that every
cubic centimeter contains the same number of milligrams of the
element in question as the number of its molecular weight.
(b) (Chem.) Denoting certain hypothetical
compounds, as acids from which the real acids are obtained by
dehydration; thus, normal sulphuric acid and normal
nitric acid are respectively S(OH)6, and
N(OH)5. (c) (Organ. Chem.)
Denoting that series of hydrocarbons in which no carbon atom is
united with more than two other carbon atoms; as, normal
pentane, hexane, etc. Cf. Iso-.
Normal equations (Method of Least
Squares), a set of equations of the first degree equal in
number to the number of unknown quantities, and derived from the
observations by a specified process. The solution of the normal
equations gives the most probable values of the unknown
quantities. -- Normal group (Geol.),
a group of rocks taken as a standard. Lyell. --
Normal place (of a planet or comet)
(Astron.), the apparent place in the heavens of a planet
or comet at a specified time, the place having been determined by a
considerable number of observations, extending perhaps over many
days, and so combined that the accidental errors of observation have
largely balanced each other. -- Normal school,
a school whose methods of instruction are to serve as a model for
imitation; an institution for the training of teachers.
Syn. -- Normal, Regular, Ordinary.
Regular and ordinary are popular terms of well-known
signification; normal has now a more specific sense, arising
out of its use in science. A thing is normal, or in its
normal state, when strictly conformed to those principles of
its constitution which mark its species or to the standard of a
healthy and natural condition. It is abnormal when it departs
from those principles.
Nor"mal (?), n. [Cf. F. normale,
ligne normale. See Normal, a.]
1. (Geom.) Any perpendicular.
2. (Geom.) A straight line or plane
drawn from any point of a curve or surface so as to be perpendicular
to the curve or surface at that point.
&fist; The term normal is also used to denote the distance
along the normal line from the curve to the axis of abscissas or to
the center of curvature.
Nor"mal*cy (?), n. The quality,
state, or fact of being normal; as, the point of
normalcy. [R.]
Nor`mal*i*za"tion (?), n.
Reduction to a standard or normal state.
Nor"mal*ly, adv. In a normal
manner. Darwin.
Nor"man (?), n. [F. normand.]
(Naut.) A wooden bar, or iron pin. W. C.
Russell.
Nor"man, a. [F. normand, of
Scand. origin. See Northman, and cf. Norse.] Of or
pertaining to Normandy or to the Normans; as, the Norman
language; the Norman conquest.
Norman style (Arch.), a style of
architecture which arose in the tenth century, characterized by great
massiveness, simplicity, and strength, with the use of the
semicircular arch, heavy round columns, and a great variety of
ornaments, among which the zigzag and spiral or cable-formed
ornaments were prominent.
Nor"man, n. A native or inhabitant
of Normandy; originally, one of the Northmen or Scandinavians who
conquered Normandy in the 10th century; afterwards, one of the mixed
(Norman-French) race which conquered England, under William the
Conqueror.
Nor"man*ism (?), n. A Norman
idiom; a custom or expression peculiar to the Normans. M.
Arnold.
{ Norn (?), Nor"na (?) }, n.
[Icel. norn, pl. nornir.]
1. (Scandinavian Myth.) One of the
three Fates, Past, Present, and Future. Their names were Urd,
Verdandi, and Skuld.
2. A tutelary deity; a genius.
No*ro`pi*an"ic (?), a. [Etymology
uncertain.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, an
acid of the aromatic series obtained from opianic acid.
Nor"roy (?), n. [Lit., north king, fr.
F. nord north + roi king.] (Her.) The most
northern of the English Kings-at-arms. See King-at-arms, under
King.
Norse (?), a. [Dan. Norsk, fr.
nord north. See North.] Of or pertaining to
ancient Scandinavia, or to the language spoken by its
inhabitants.
Norse, n. The Norse
language.
Norse"man (?), n.; pl.
Norsemen (&?;). One of the ancient
Scandinavians; a Northman.
Nor"tel*ry (?), n. [Cf.
Nurture.] Nurture; education; culture; bringing up.
[Obs.]
Nortelry . . . learned at the
nunnery.
Chaucer.
North (?), n. [AS. norð;
akin to D. noord, G., Sw., & Dan. nord, Icel.
norðr. Cf. Norman, Norse.]
1. That one of the four cardinal points of
the compass, at any place, which lies in the direction of the true
meridian, and to the left hand of a person facing the east; the
direction opposite to the south.
2. Any country or region situated farther to
the north than another; the northern section of a country.
3. Specifically: That part of the United
States lying north of Mason and Dixon's line. See under
Line.
North, a. Lying toward the north;
situated at the north, or in a northern direction from the point of
observation or reckoning; proceeding toward the north, or coming from
the north.
North following. See Following,
a., 2. -- North pole,
that point in the heavens, or on the earth, ninety degrees from
the equator toward the north. -- North
preceding. See Following, a.,
2. -- North star, the star toward which
the north pole of the earth very nearly points, and which accordingly
seems fixed and immovable in the sky. The star α (alpha) of the
Little Bear, is our present north star, being distant from the pole
about 1° 25′, and from year to year approaching slowly
nearer to it. It is called also Cynosura, polestar, and
by astronomers, Polaris.
North, v. i. To turn or move
toward the north; to veer from the east or west toward the
north.
North, adv. Northward.
North`east" (?), n. The point
between the north and east, at an equal distance from each; the
northeast part or region.
North`east", a. Of or pertaining
to the northeast; proceeding toward the northeast, or coming from
that point; as, a northeast course; a northeast
wind.
Northeast passage, a passage or
communication by sea between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans along
the north coast of Asia.
North`east", adv. Toward the
northeast.
North`east"er (?), n. A storm,
strong wind, or gale, coming from the northeast.
North`east"er*ly, a. Pertaining to
the northeast; toward the northeast, or coming from the
northeast.
North`east"er*ly, adv. Toward the
northeast.
North`east"ern (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the northeast; northeasterly.
{ North`east"ward (?), North`east"ward*ly (?) },
adv. Toward the northeast.
North"er (?), n. A wind from the
north; esp., a strong and cold north wind in Texas and the vicinity
of the Gulf of Mexico.
North"er*li*ness (?), n. The
quality or state of being northerly; direction toward the
north.
North"er*ly, a. Of or pertaining
to the north; toward the north, or from the north;
northern.
North"er*ly, adv. Toward the
north.
North"ern (?), a. [AS.
norðerne.]
1. Of or pertaining to the north; being in
the north, or nearer to that point than to the east or
west.
2. In a direction toward the north; as, to
steer a northern course; coming from the north; as, a
northern wind.
Northern diver. (Zoöl.) See
Loon. -- Northern lights. See
Aurora borealis, under Aurora. -- Northern
spy (Bot.), an excellent American apple, of a
yellowish color, marked with red.
North"ern*er (?), n. 1.
One born or living in the north.
2. A native or inhabitant of the Northern
States; -- contradistinguished from Southerner. [U.
S.]
North"ern*ly, adv.
Northerly. [Obs.] Hakewill.
North"ern*most` (?), a. [Cf.
Northmost.] Farthest north.
North"ing, n. 1.
(Surv. & Navigation) Distance northward from any point of
departure or of reckoning, measured on a meridian; -- opposed to
southing.
2. (Astron.) The distance of any
heavenly body from the equator northward; north
declination.
North"man (nôrth"man), n.;
pl. Northmen (-men). [AS.
norðman. See North, and Man, and cf.
Norman.] One of the inhabitants of the north of Europe;
esp., one of the ancient Scandinavians; a Norseman.
North"most` (-mōst), a. [AS.
norðmest. Cf. Aftermost.] Lying farthest
north; northernmost.
Northmost part of the coast of
Mozambique.
De Foe.
North"ness, n. A tendency in the
end of a magnetic needle to point to the north.
Faraday.
North*um"bri*an (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Northumberland in England. --
n. A native or inhabitant of
Northumberland.
North"ward (?), a. [AS.
norðweard.] Toward the north; nearer to the north
than to the east or west point.
{ North"ward (?), North"wards (?) },
adv. Toward the north, or toward a point
nearer to the north than to the east or west point.
North"ward*ly, a. Having a
northern direction.
North"ward*ly, adv. In a northern
direction.
North`west" (?), n. [AS.
norðwest.] The point in the horizon between the north
and west, and equally distant from each; the northwest part or
region.
North`west", a. 1.
Pertaining to, or in the direction of, the point between the
north and west; being in the northwest; toward the northwest, or
coming from the northwest; as, the northwest coast.
2. Coming from the northwest; as, a
northwest wind.
Northwest passage, a passage or
communication by sea between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans along
the north coast of America, long sought for by navigators.
North`west", adv. Toward the
northwest.
North`west"er (?), n. A storm or
gale from the northwest; a strong northwest wind.
North`west"er*ly, a. Toward the
northwest, or from the northwest.
North`west"ern (?), a. Of,
pertaining to, or being in, the northwest; in a direction toward the
northwest; coming from the northwest; northwesterly; as, a
northwestern course.
{ North`west"ward (?), North`west"ward*ly (?), }
adv. Toward the northwest.
Nor*we"gi*an (?), a. [Cf. Icel.
Noregr, Norvegr, Norway. See North, and
Way.] Of or pertaining to Norway, its inhabitants, or its
language.
Nor*we"gi*an, n. 1.
A native of Norway.
2. That branch of the Scandinavian language
spoken in Norway.
Nor*we"gi*um (?), n. [NL. See
Norwegian.] (Chem.) A rare metallic element, of
doubtful identification, said to occur in the copper-nickel of
Norway.
Nor*we"yan (?), a.
Norwegian. [Obs.] Shak.
Nose (?), n. [AS. nosu; akin to
D. neus, G. nase, OHG. nasa, Icel.
nös, Sw. näsa, Dan. näse, Lith.
nosis, Russ. nos', L. nasus, nares, Skr.
nāsā, nās. &?; Cf. Nasal,
Nasturtium, Naze, Nostril, Nozzle.]
1. (Anat.) The prominent part of the
face or anterior extremity of the head containing the nostrils and
olfactory cavities; the olfactory organ. See Nostril, and
Olfactory organ under Olfactory.
2. The power of smelling; hence,
scent.
We are not offended with a dog for a better
nose than his master.
Collier.
3. A projecting end or beak at the front of
an object; a snout; a nozzle; a spout; as, the nose of a
bellows; the nose of a teakettle.
Nose bit (Carp.), a bit similar to a
gouge bit, but having a cutting edge on one side of its boring
end. -- Nose hammer (Mach.), a
frontal hammer. -- Nose hole (Glass
Making), a small opening in a furnace, before which a globe
of crown glass is held and kept soft at the beginning of the
flattening process. -- Nose key
(Carp.), a fox wedge. -- Nose leaf
(Zoöl.), a thin, broad, membranous fold of skin on
the nose of many species of bats. It varies greatly in size and
form. -- Nose of wax, fig., a person who
is pliant and easily influenced. "A nose of wax to be
turned every way." Massinger -- Nose piece,
the nozzle of a pipe, hose, bellows, etc.; the end piece of a
microscope body, to which an objective is attached. --
To hold, put, or bring
one's nose to the grindstone. See under
Grindstone. -- To lead by the nose,
to lead at pleasure, or to cause to follow submissively; to lead
blindly, as a person leads a beast. Shak. -- To
put one's nose out of joint, to humiliate one's pride,
esp. by supplanting one in the affections of another. [Slang] --
To thrust one's nose into, to meddle
officiously in. -- To wipe one's nose of,
to deprive of; to rob. [Slang]
Nose, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nosed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nosing.] 1. To smell; to scent; hence, to
track, or trace out.
2. To touch with the nose; to push the nose
into or against; hence, to interfere with; to treat
insolently.
Lambs . . . nosing the mother's
udder.
Tennyson.
A sort of national convention, dubious in its nature .
. . nosed Parliament in the very seat of its
authority.
Burke.
3. To utter in a nasal manner; to pronounce
with a nasal twang; as, to nose a prayer. [R.]
Cowley.
Nose (nōz), v. i.
1. To smell; to sniff; to scent.
Audubon.
2. To pry officiously into what does not
concern one.
Nose"bag` (?), n. A bag in which
feed for a horse, ox, or the like, may be fastened under the nose by
a string passing over the head.
Nose"band` (?), n. That part of
the headstall of a bridle which passes over a horse's nose.
Nose"bleed` (?), n. 1.
A bleeding at the nose.
2. (Bot.) The yarrow. See
Yarrow.
Nosed (?), a. Having a nose, or
such a nose; -- chieflay used in composition; as, pug-
nosed.
Nose"gay` (?), n. [Nose +
gay in the sense of a gay or showy thing.] A bunch of
odorous and showy flowers; a bouquet; a posy. Pope.
Nos"el (?), v. t. [See Noursle.]
To nurse; to lead or teach; to foster; to nuzzle.
[Obs.]
If any man use the Scripture . . . to nosel
thee in anything save in Christ, he is a false prophet.
Tyndale.
Nose"less (?), a. Destitute of a
nose.
Nose"smart` (?), n. (Bot.)
A kind of cress, a pungent cruciferous plant, including several
species of the genus Nasturtium.
{ Nose"thirl (?), Nose"thril (?) },
n. Nostril. [Obs.] [Written also
nosethurl, nosthrill.] Chaucer.
Nos"ing (?), n. (Arch.)
That part of the treadboard of a stair which projects over the
riser; hence, any like projection, as the projecting edge of a
molding.
No"sle (?), n. [See Nozzle,
Nose.] Nozzle. [Obs.]
Nos`o*co"mi*al (?), a. [L.
nosocomium a hospital, Gr. &?;; &?; disease + &?; to attend
to.] Of or pertaining to a hospital; as, nosocomial
atmosphere. Dunglison.
No*sog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?; disease
+ -graphy: cf. F. nosographie.] A description or
classification of diseases.
Nos`o*log"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F.
nosologique.] Of or pertaining to nosology.
No*sol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F.
nosologiste.] One versed in nosology.
No*sol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; disease +
-logy: cf. F. nosologie.] 1. A
systematic arrangement, or classification, of diseases.
2. That branch of medical science which
treats of diseases, or of the classification of diseases.
Nos`o*po*et"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?; disease
+ &?; productive, fr. &?; to make.] Producing diseases.
[R.] Arbuthnot.
Nost (?). [Contr. from ne wost.] Wottest not;
knowest not. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Nos*tal"gi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
a return home + &?; pain.] (Med.) Homesickness; esp., a
severe and sometimes fatal form of melancholia, due to
homesickness.
Nos*tal"gic (?), a. [Cf. F.
nostalgique.] Of or pertaining to nostalgia; affected
with nostalgia.
Nos*tal"gy (?), n. Same as
Nostalgia.
Nos"toc (?), n. [F.] (Bot.)
A genus of algæ. The plants are composed of moniliform
cells imbedded in a gelatinous substance.
&fist; Nostoc commune is found on the ground, and is
ordinarily not seen; but after a rain it swells up into a conspicuous
jellylike mass, whish was formerly supposed to have fallen from the
sky, whence the popular names, fallen star and star
jelly. Also called witches' butter.
Nos"tril (?), n. [OE. nosethril,
nosethirl, AS. nospyrl; nos for nosu nose
+ pyrel opening, hole, from pyrel pierced, for
pyrhel, fr. purh through. &?; See Nose, and
Through, and cf. Thrill.]
1. (Anat.) One of the external
openings of the nose, which give passage to the air breathed and to
secretions from the nose and eyes; one of the anterior
nares.
&fist; In sperm whales, porpoises, and allied animals, there is
only one nostril, which is situated on the top of the head and called
a spiracle.
2. Perception; insight; acuteness.
[Obs.]
Methinks a man
Of your sagacity and clear nostril should
Have made another choice.
B. Jonson.
Nos"trum (-trŭm), n.; pl.
Nostrums (-trŭmz). [Neut. sing. of L.
noster ours, fr. nos we. See Us.]
1. A medicine, the ingredients of which are
kept secret for the purpose of restricting the profits of sale to the
inventor or proprietor; a quack medicine.
2. Any scheme or device proposed by a
quack.
The incentives of agitators, the arts of impostors and
the nostrums of quacks.
Brougham.
Not (?). [Contr. from ne wot. See 2d Note.]
Wot not; know not; knows not. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Not, a. Shorn; shaven.
[Obs.] See Nott.
Not, adv. [OE. not, noht,
nought, naught, the same word as E. naught. See
Naught.] A word used to express negation, prohibition,
denial, or refusal.
Not one word spake he more than was
need.
Chaucer.
Thou shalt not steal.
Ex. xx.
15.
Thine eyes are upon me, and I am
not.
Job vii. 8.
The question is, may I do it, or may I not do
it?
Bp. Sanderson.
Not . . . but, or Not but,
only. [Obs. or Colloq.] Chaucer.
||No`ta*bil"i*a (?), n. pl. [Neut. pl.
of L. notabilis notable.] Things worthy of
notice.
Not`a*bil"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Notabilities (#). [Cf. F. notabilité
.] 1. Quality of being notable.
2. A notable, or remarkable, person or thing;
a person of note. "Parisian notabilities"
Carlyle.
3. A notable saying. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Not"a*ble (?), a. [F. notable,
L. notabilis, fr. notare to mark, nota mark,
note. See 5th Note.]
1. Capable of being noted; noticeable; plan;
evident.
2. Worthy of notice; remarkable; memorable;
noted or distinguished; as, a notable event, person.
&fist; Notable in the sense of careful,
thrifty, characterized by thrift and capacity (as, a
notable housekeeper) is pronounced by many good
orthoëpists, n&obreve;t"&adot;*b'l, the derivatives
notableness, and notably, being also similarly
pronounced with short o in the first syllable.
3. Well-known; notorious. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Not"a*ble (?), n. 1.
A person, or thing, of distinction.
2. (French Hist.) One of a number of
persons, before the revolution of 1789, chiefly of the higher orders,
appointed by the king to constitute a representative body.
Not"a*ble*ness, n. The quality of
being notable.
Not"a*bly, adv. In a notable
manner.
||No*tæ"um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; pertaining to the notum or back.] (Zoöl.) The
back or upper surface, as of a bird.
No"tal (?), a. [Gr. &?; the back.]
Of or pertaining to the back; dorsal.
||No*tan"dum (?), n.; pl.
Notanda (#). [L., fr. notare to observe.]
A thing to be noted or observed; a notable fact; -- chiefly used
in the plural.
No*ta"ri*al (?), a. [Cf. F.
notarial.] Of or pertaining to a notary; done or taken by
a notary; as, a notarial seal; notarial evidence or
attestation.
No*ta"ri*al*ly, adv. In a notarial
manner.
No"ta*ry (?), n.; pl.
Notaries (#). [F. notaire, L.
notarius notary (in sense 1), fr. nota mark. See 5th
Note.]
1. One who records in shorthand what is said
or done; as, the notary of an ecclesiastical body.
2. (Eng. & Am. Law) A public officer
who attests or certifies deeds and other writings, or copies of them,
usually under his official seal, to make them authentic, especially
in foreign countries. His duties chiefly relate to instruments used
in commercial transactions, such as protests of negotiable paper,
ship's papers in cases of loss, damage, etc. He is generally called a
notary public.
No"tate (?), a. [L. notatus
marked, p. p. of notare to mark. See 5th Note.]
(Bot.) Marked with spots or lines, which are often
colored. Henslow.
No*ta"tion (?), n. [L. notatio a
marking, observing, etymology, fr. notare to mark, nota
a mark: cf. F. notation. See 5th Note.]
1. The act or practice of recording anything by
marks, figures, or characters.
2. Any particular system of characters,
symbols, or abbreviated expressions used in art or science, to
express briefly technical facts, quantities, etc. Esp., the system of
figures, letters, and signs used in arithmetic and algebra to express
number, quantity, or operations.
3. Literal or etymological
signification. [Obs.]
"Conscience" is a Latin word, and, according to the
very notation of it, imports a double or joint
knowledge.
South.
Notch (?), n. [Akin to nock; cf.
OD. nock, OSw. nocka. Cf. Nick a notch.]
1. A hollow cut in anything; a nick; an
indentation.
And on the stick ten equal notches
makes.
Swift.
2. A narrow passage between two elevation; a
deep, close pass; a defile; as, the notch of a
mountain.
Notch, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Notched (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Notching.] 1. To cut or make notches in ;
to indent; also, to score by notches; as, to notch a
stick.
2. To fit the notch of (an arrow) to the
string.
God is all sufferance; here he doth show
No arrow notched, only a stringless bow.
Herrick.
Notch"board` (?), n. (Carp.)
The board which receives the ends of the steps in a
staircase.
Notch"ing, n. 1.
The act of making notches; the act of cutting into small
hollows.
2. The small hollow, or hollows, cut; a notch
or notches.
3. (Carp.) A method of joining
timbers, scantling, etc., by notching them, as at the ends, and
overlapping or interlocking the notched portions.
4. (Engin.) A method of excavating, as
in a bank, by a series of cuttings side by side. See also
Gulleting.
Notch"weed` (?), n. (Bot.)
A foul-smelling weed, the stinking goosefoot (Chenopodium
Vulvaria).
Note (?), v. t. [AS.
hnītan to strike against, imp. hnāt.]
To butt; to push with the horns. [Prov. Eng.]
Note (?). [AS. nāt; ne not +
wāt wot. See Not, and Wot.] Know not;
knows not. [Obs.]
Note, n. Nut. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Note, n. [AS. notu use, profit.]
Need; needful business. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Note, n. [F. note, L.
nota; akin to noscere, notum, to know. See
Know.] 1. A mark or token by which a
thing may be known; a visible sign; a character; a distinctive mark
or feature; a characteristic quality.
Whosoever appertain to the visible body of the church,
they have also the notes of external profession.
Hooker.
She [the Anglican church] has the note of
possession, the note of freedom from party titles,the
note of life -- a tough life and a vigorous.
J. H. Newman.
What a note of youth, of imagination, of
impulsive eagerness, there was through it all !
Mrs.
Humphry Ward.
2. A mark, or sign, made to call attention,
to point out something to notice, or the like; a sign, or token,
proving or giving evidence.
3. A brief remark; a marginal comment or
explanation; hence, an annotation on a text or author; a comment; a
critical, explanatory, or illustrative observation.
The best writers have been perplexed with
notes, and obscured with illustrations.
Felton.
4. A brief writing intended to assist the
memory; a memorandum; a minute.
5. pl. Hence, a writing intended to be
used in speaking; memoranda to assist a speaker, being either a
synopsis, or the full text of what is to be said; as, to preach from
notes; also, a reporter's memoranda; the original report of a
speech or of proceedings.
6. A short informal letter; a
billet.
7. A diplomatic missive or written
communication.
8. A written or printed paper acknowledging a
debt, and promising payment; as, a promissory note; a
note of hand; a negotiable note.
9. A list of items or of charges; an
account. [Obs.]
Here is now the smith's note for
shoeing.
Shak.
10. (Mus.) (a) A
character, variously formed, to indicate the length of a tone, and
variously placed upon the staff to indicate its pitch. Hence:
(b) A musical sound; a tone; an utterance; a
tune. (c) A key of the piano or
organ.
The wakeful bird . . . tunes her nocturnal
note.
Milton.
That note of revolt against the eighteenth
century, which we detect in Goethe, was struck by
Winckelmann.
W. Pater.
11. Observation; notice; heed.
Give orders to my servants that they take
No note at all of our being absent hence.
Shak.
12. Notification; information;
intelligence. [Obs.]
The king . . . shall have note of
this.
Shak.
13. State of being under observation.
[Obs.]
Small matters . . . continually in use and in
note.
Bacon.
14. Reputation; distinction; as, a poet of
note.
There was scarce a family of note which had not
poured out its blood on the field or the scaffold.
Prescott.
15. Stigma; brand; reproach. [Obs.]
Shak.
Note of hand, a promissory note.
Note (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Noted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Noting.] [F. noter, L. notare, fr. nota.
See Note, n.]
1. To notice with care; to observe; to
remark; to heed; to attend to. Pope.
No more of that; I have noted it
well.
Shak.
2. To record in writing; to make a memorandum
of.
Every unguarded word . . . was noted
down.
Maccaulay.
3. To charge, as with crime (with of
or for before the thing charged); to brand. [Obs.]
They were both noted of
incontinency.
Dryden.
4. To denote; to designate.
Johnson.
5. To annotate. [R.] W. H.
Dixon.
6. To set down in musical
characters.
To note a bill or draft,
to record on the back of it a refusal of acceptance, as the
ground of a protest, which is done officially by a notary.
Note"book` (?), n. 1.
A book in which notes or memorandums are written.
2. A book in which notes of hand are
registered.
Not"ed (?), a. Well known by
reputation or report; eminent; celebrated; as, a noted author,
or traveler. -- Not"ed*ly, adv. --
Not"ed*ness, n.
Note"ful (?), a. Useful.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Note"less, a. Not attracting
notice; not conspicuous.
Noteless as the race from which he
sprung.
Sir W. Scott.
Note"less*ness, n. A state of
being noteless.
Note"let (?), n. A little or short
note; a billet.
Note" pa`per (?). Writing paper, not exceeding in
size, when folded once, five by eight inches.
Not"er (?), n. 1.
One who takes notice.
2. An annotator. [Obs.]
Note"wor`thy (?), a. Worthy of
observation or notice; remarkable.
Noth"er (?), conj. Neither;
nor. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Noth"ing (?), n. [From no, a. +
thing.]
1. Not anything; no thing (in the widest
sense of the word thing); -- opposed to anything and
something.
Yet had his aspect nothing of
severe.
Dryden.
2. Nonexistence; nonentity; absence of being;
nihility; nothingness. Shak.
3. A thing of no account, value, or note;
something irrelevant and impertinent; something of comparative
unimportance; utter insignificance; a trifle.
Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of
nought.
Is. xli. 24.
'T is nothing, says the fool; but, says the
friend,
This nothing, sir, will bring you to your end.
Dryden.
4. (Arith.) A cipher;
naught.
Nothing but, only; no more than.
Chaucer. -- To make nothing of.
(a) To make no difficulty of; to consider as
trifling or important. "We are industrious to preserve our
bodies from slavery, but we make nothing of suffering our
souls to be slaves to our lusts." Ray. (b)
Not to understand; as, I could make nothing of what he
said.
Noth"ing, adv. In no degree; not
at all; in no wise.
Adam, with such counsel nothing
swayed.
Milton.
The influence of reason in producing our passions is
nothing near so extensive as is commonly
believed.
Burke.
Nothing off (Naut.), an order to the
steersman to keep the vessel close to the wind.
Noth`ing*a"ri*an (?), n. One of no
certain belief; one belonging to no particular sect.
Noth"ing*ism (?), n. Nihility;
nothingness. [R.]
Noth"ing*ness, n. 1.
Nihility; nonexistence.
2. The state of being of no value; a thing of
no value.
No"tice (?), n. [F., fr. L.
notitia a being known, knowledge, fr. noscere,
notum, to know. See Know.]
1. The act of noting, remarking, or
observing; observation by the senses or intellect; cognizance;
note.
How ready is envy to mingle with the notices we
take of other persons !
I. Watts.
2. Intelligence, by whatever means
communicated; knowledge given or received; means of knowledge;
express notification; announcement; warning.
I . . . have given him notice that the Duke of
Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be here.
Shak.
3. An announcement, often accompanied by
comments or remarks; as, book notices; theatrical
notices.
4. A writing communicating information or
warning.
5. Attention; respectful treatment;
civility.
To take notice of, to perceive especially;
to observe or treat with particular attention.
Syn. -- Attention; regard; remark; note; heed;
consideration; respect; civility; intelligence; advice; news.
No"tice, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Noticed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Noticing (?).] 1. To observe; to see to
mark; to take note of; to heed; to pay attention to.
2. To show that one has observed; to take
public note of; remark upon; to make comments on; to refer to; as, to
notice a book.
This plant deserves to be noticed in this
place.
Tooke.
Another circumstance was noticed in connection
with the suggestion last discussed.
Sir W.
Hamilton.
3. To treat with attention and civility; as,
to notice strangers.
Syn. -- To remark; observe; perceive; see; mark; note;
mind; regard; heed; mention. See Remark.
No"tice*a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being observed; worthy of notice; likely to attract observation;
conspicuous.
A noticeable man, with large gray
eyes.
Wordsworth.
No"tice*a*bly, adv. In a
noticeable manner.
No"ti*cer (?), n. One who
notices.
No`ti*da"ni*an (?), n. [Gr. &?; back +
&?; comely.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of
sharks of the family Notidanidæ, or
Hexanchidæ. Called also cow sharks. See
Shark.
No`ti*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
notification. See Notify.] 1. The
act of notifying, or giving notice; the act of making known;
especially, the act of giving official notice or information to the
public or to individuals, corporations, companies, or societies, by
words, by writing, or by other means.
2. Notice given in words or writing, or by
signs.
3. The writing which communicates
information; an advertisement, or citation, etc.
No"ti*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Notified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Notifying (?).] [F. notifier, L. notificare;
notus known (p. p. of noscere to known) + -
ficare (in comp.) to make. See Know, and -fy.]
1. To make known; to declare; to publish; as,
to notify a fact to a person.
No law can bind till it be notified or
promulged.
Sowth.
2. To give notice to; to inform by notice; to
apprise; as, the constable has notified the citizens to meet
at the city hall; the bell notifies us of the time of
meeting.
The President of the United States has notified
the House of Representatives that he has approved and signed the
act.
Journal of the Senate, U. S.
&fist; This application of notify has been condemned; but
it is in constant good use in the United States, and in perfect
accordance with the use of certify.
No"tion (?), [L. notio, fr. noscere to
know: cf. F. notion. See Know.] 1.
Mental apprehension of whatever may be known or imagined; an
idea; a conception; more properly, a general or universal conception,
as distinguishable or definable by marks or
notæ.
What hath been generally agreed on, I content myself
to assume under the notion of principles.
Sir
I. Newton.
Few agree in their notions about these
words.
Cheyne.
That notion of hunger, cold, sound, color,
thought, wish, or fear which is in the mind, is called the "idea" of
hunger, cold, etc.
I. Watts.
Notion, again, signifies either the act of
apprehending, signalizing, that is, the remarking or taking note of,
the various notes, marks, or characters of an object which its
qualities afford, or the result of that act.
Sir W.
Hamilton.
2. A sentiment; an opinion.
The extravagant notion they entertain of
themselves.
Addison.
A perverse will easily collects together a system of
notions to justify itself in its obliquity.
J.
H. Newman.
3. Sense; mind. [Obs.]
Shak.
4. An invention; an ingenious device; a
knickknack; as, Yankee notions. [Colloq.]
5. Inclination; intention; disposition; as, I
have a notion to do it. [Colloq.]
No"tion*al (?), a. 1.
Consisting of, or conveying, notions or ideas; expressing
abstract conceptions.
2. Existing in idea only; visionary;
whimsical.
Discourses of speculative and notional
things.
Evelyn.
3. Given to foolish or visionary
expectations; whimsical; fanciful; as, a notional
man.
No`tion*al"i*ty (?), n. A notional
or groundless opinion. [R.] Glanvill.
No"tion*al*ly (?), adv. In mental
apprehension; in conception; not in reality.
Two faculties . . . notionally or really
distinct.
Norris.
No"tion*ate (?), a.
Notional. [R.]
No"tion*ist, n. One whose opinions
are ungrounded notions. [R.] Bp. Hopkins.
No"tist (?), n. An
annotator. [Obs.]
||No`to*bran`chi*a*ta (?), n. pl. [NL.
See Notum, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.)
(a) A division of nudibranchiate mollusks having
gills upon the back. (b) The
Dorsibranchiata.
No`to*bran"chi*ate (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Notobranchiata.
No"to*chord (?), n. [Gr. &?; the back +
E. chord.] (Anat.) An elastic cartilagelike rod
which is developed beneath the medullary groove in the vertebrate
embryo, and constitutes the primitive axial skeleton around which the
centra of the vertebræ and the posterior part of the base of
the skull are developed; the chorda dorsalis. See
Illust. of Ectoderm.
No`to*chor"dal (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the notochord; having a notochord.
No`to*don"tian (?), n. [Gr. &?; the
back + 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.]
(Zoöl.) Any one of several species of bombycid moths
belonging to Notodonta, Nerice, and allied genera. The
caterpillar of these moths has a hump, or spine, on its
back.
||No`to*po"di*um (?), n.; pl. L.
Notopodia (#), E.
Notopodiums (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; the back + &?;,
&?;, the foot.] (Zoöl.) The dorsal lobe or branch of
a parapodium. See Parapodium.
No`to*rhi"zal (?), a. [Gr. &?; the back
+ &?; a root.] (Bot.) Having the radicle of the embryo
lying against the back of one of the cotyledons; incumbent.
No`to*ri"e*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
notoriété. See Notorious.] The
quality or condition of being notorious; the state of being generally
or publicly known; -- commonly used in an unfavorable sense; as, the
notoriety of a crime.
They were not subjects in their own nature so exposed
to public notoriety.
Addison.
No*to"ri*ous (?), a. [L.
notorius pointing out, making known, fr. noscere,
notum, to known: cf. F. notoire. See Know.]
Generally known and talked of by the public; universally
believed to be true; manifest to the world; evident; -- usually in an
unfavorable sense; as, a notorious thief; a notorious
crime or vice.
Your goodness,
Since you provoke me, shall be most notorious.
Shak.
Syn. -- Distinguished; remarkable; conspicuous; celebrated;
noted; famous; renowned.
-- No*to"ri*ous*ly, adv. --
No*to"ri*ous*ness, n.
||No*tor"nis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
the south, or southwest + &?; bird.] (Zoöl.) A genus
of birds allied to the gallinules, but having rudimentary wings and
incapable of flight. Notornis Mantelli was first known as a
fossil bird of New Zealand, but subsequently a few individuals were
found living on the southern island. It is supposed to be now nearly
or quite extinct.
||No`to*the"ri*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; the south + &?; a wild animal.] (Zoöl.) An
extinct genus of gigantic herbivorous marsupials, found in the
Pliocene formation of Australia.
||No`to*tre"ma (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; back + &?; a hole.] (Zoöl.) The pouched, or
marsupial, frog of South America.
{ Not"-pat`ed (?), Nott"-pat`ed },
a. Same as Nott-headed. [Obs.]
Shak.
Not"self` (?), n. (Metaph.)
The negative of self. "A cognizance of
notself." Sir. W. Hamilton.
Nott (?), a. [AS. hnot shorn.]
Shorn. [Obs.]
Nott, v. t. To shear. [Obs.]
Stow.
Nott"-head`ed (?), a. Having the
hair cut close. [Obs.] Chapman.
||Not*tur"no (?), n. [It.]
(Mus.) Same as Nocturne.
||No"tum (?), n.; pl.
Nota (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.)
The back.
||No"tus (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.]
The south wind.
Not"wheat` (?), n. [Nott +
wheat.] Wheat not bearded. Carew.
Not`with*stand"ing (?), prep.
Without prevention, or obstruction from or by; in spite
of.
We gentil women bee
Loth to displease any wight,
Notwithstanding our great right.
Chaucer's
Dream.
Those on whom Christ bestowed miraculous cures were so
transported that their gratitude made them, notwithstanding
his prohibition, proclaim the wonders he had done.
Dr. H. More.
&fist; Notwithstanding was, by Johnson and Webster, viewed
as a participle absolute, an English equivalent of the Latin non
obstante. Its several meanings, either as preposition, adverb, or
conjunction, are capable of being explained in this view. Later
grammarians, while admitting that the word was originally a
participle, and can be treated as such, prefer to class it as a
preposition or disjunctive conjunction.
Syn. -- In spite of; despite. -- Notwithstanding,
In spite of, Despite. These words and phrases are often
interchanged, but there is a difference between them, chiefly in
strength. Notwithstanding is the weaker term, and simply
points to some obstacle that may exist; as, I shall go,
notwithstanding the rain. In spite or despite of
has reference primarily to active opposition to be encountered from
others; as, "I'll be, in man's despite, a monarch; " "I'll
keep mine own, despite of all the world." Shak. Hence,
these words, when applied to things, suppose greater
opposition than notwithstanding. We should say. "He was thrust
rudely out of doors in spite of his entreaties," rather than
"notwithstanding". On the other hand, it would be more civil
to say, "Notwithstanding all you have said, I must still
differ with you."
Not`with*stand"ing, adv. or conj.
[Originally the participle of withstand, with not
prefixed.] Nevertheless; however; although; as, I shall go,
notwithstanding it rains.
I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will
give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding, in thy days I will
not do it.
1 Kings xi. 11, 12.
They which honor the law as an image of the wisdom of
God himself, are, notwithstanding, to know that the same had
an end in Christ.
Hooker.
You did wisely and honestly too,
notwithstanding
She is the greatest beauty in the parish.
Fielding.
Notwithstanding that, notwithstanding;
although.
These days were ages to him, notwithstanding
that he was basking in the smiles of the pretty
Mary.
W. Irving.
Nouch (?), n. [See Ouch.]
An ouch; a jewel. [Obs.] Chaucer.
||Nou`gat" (?), n. [F.] A cake,
sweetmeat, or confectión made with almonds or other
nuts.
Nought (?), n. & adv. See
Naught. Chaucer.
Nould (?). [Contr. fr. ne would.] Would
not. [Obs.] "By those who nould repent."
Fairfax.
Noule (?), n. [See Noll.]
The top of the head; the head or noll. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Nou"me*nal (?), a. (Metaph.)
Of or pertaining to the noumenon; real; -- opposed to
phenomenal. G. H. Lewes.
||Nou"me*non (?), n. [NL. fr. Gr. &?;
the thing perceived, p. pr. pass. of &?; to perceive, &?; the mind.]
(Metaph.) The of itself unknown and unknowable rational
object, or thing in itself, which is distinguished from the
phenomenon through which it is apprehended by the senses, and
by which it is interpreted and understood; -- so used in the
philosophy of Kant and his followers.
Noun (?), n. [OF. noun,
nun, num, non, nom, F. nom, fr. L.
nomen name. See Name.] (Gram.) A word used
as the designation or appellation of a creature or thing, existing in
fact or in thought; a substantive.
&fist; By some grammarians the term noun is so used as to
include adjectives, as being descriptive; but in general it is
limited to substantives.
Noun"al (?), a. Of or pertaining
to a noun.
Verbs which in whole or in part have shed their old
nounal coat.
Earle.
Noun"ize (?), v. t. To change (an
adjective, verb, etc.) into a noun. Earle.
Nour"ice (?), n. A nurse.
[Obs.] Spenser.
Nour"ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nourished (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nourishing.] [OE. norisen, norischen, OF.
nurir, nurrir, norir, F. norrir, fr. L.
nutrire. Cf. Nurse, Nutriment, and see -
ish.]
1. To feed and cause to grow; to supply with
matter which increases bulk or supplies waste, and promotes health;
to furnish with nutriment.
He planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish
it.
Is. xliv. 14.
2. To support; to maintain.
Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty
band.
Shak.
3. To supply the means of support and
increase to; to encourage; to foster; as, to nourish
rebellion; to nourish the virtues. "Nourish their
contentions." Hooker.
4. To cherish; to comfort.
Ye have nourished your hearts.
James v. 5.
5. To educate; to instruct; to bring up; to
nurture; to promote the growth of in attainments.
Chaucer.
Nourished up in the words of
faith.
1 Tim. iv. 6.
Syn. -- To cherish; feed; supply. See Nurture.
Nour"ish, v. i. 1.
To promote growth; to furnish nutriment.
Grains and roots nourish more than their
leaves.
Bacon.
2. To gain nourishment. [R.]
Bacon.
Nour"ish, n. A nurse. [Obs.]
Hoolland.
Nour"ish*a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F.
nourrissable.]
1. Capable of being nourished; as, the
nourishable parts of the body. Grew.
2. Capable of giving nourishment.
[Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Nour"ish*er (?), n. One who, or
that which, nourishes. Milton.
Nour"ish*ing, a. Promoting growth;
nutritious,
Nour"ish*ing*ly, adv. Nutritively;
cherishingly.
Nour"ish*ment (?), n. [Cf. OF.
norrissement.]
1. The act of nourishing, or the state of
being nourished; nutrition.
2. That which serves to nourish; nutriment;
food.
Learn to seek the nourishment of their
souls.
Hooker.
Nour"i*ture (?), n. Nurture.
[Obs.] Spenser.
Nour"sle (?), v. t. [Freq., fr. OE.
nourse. See Nurse.] To nurse; to rear; to bring
up. [Obs.] [Written also nosel, nousel,
nousle, nowsle, nusle, nuzzle, etc.]
She noursled him till years he
raught.
Spenser.
||Nous (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; mind.]
Intellect; understanding; talent; -- used humorously.
{ Nous"el, Nou"sle } (?), v.
t. [See Noose.] To insnare; to entrap.
[Obs.] Johnson.
{ Nou"the, Now"the (?) }, adv.
[Now + the.] Just now; at present.
[Obs.]
But thereof needeth not to speak as
nouthe.
Chaucer.
No*vac"u*lite (?), n. [L.
novacula a sharp knife, razor: cf. F. novaculite.]
(Min.) A variety of siliceous slate, of which hones are
made; razor stone; Turkey stone; hone stone; whet slate.
No*va"tian (?), n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of the sect of Novatius, or Novatianus, who
held that the lapsed might not be received again into communion with
the church, and that second marriages are unlawful.
No*va"tian*ism (?), n. The
doctrines or principles of the Novatians. Milner.
No*va"tion (?), n. [L. novatio;
novus new: cf. F. novation.] 1.
Innovation. [Obs.]
I shall easily grant that novations in religion
are a main cause of distempers in commonwealths.
Laud.
2. (Law) A substitution of a new debt
for an old one; also, the remodeling of an old obligation.
No*va"tor (?), n. An
innovator. [Obs.]
Nov"el (?), a. [OF. novel,
nuvel, F. nouvel, nouveau, L. novellus,
dim. of novus new. See New.] Of recent origin or
introduction; not ancient; new; hence, out of the ordinary course;
unusual; strange; surprising.
&fist; In civil law, the novel or new constitutions are
those which are supplemental to the code, and posterior in time to
the other books. These contained new decrees of successive
emperors.
Novel assignment (Law), a new
assignment or specification of a suit.
Syn. -- New; recent; modern; fresh; strange; uncommon;
rare; unusual. -- Novel, New . Everything at its first
occurrence is new; that is novel which is so much out
of the ordinary course as to strike us with surprise. That is a
new sight which is beheld for the first time; that is a
novel sight which either was never seen before or is seen but
seldom. We have daily new inventions, but a novel one
supposes some very peculiar means of attaining its end. Novel
theories are regarded with distrust, as likely to prove more
ingenious than sound.
Nov"el, n. [F. nouvelle. See
Novel, a.]
1. That which is new or unusual; a
novelty.
2. pl. News; fresh tidings.
[Obs.]
Some came of curiosity to hear some
novels.
Latimer.
3. A fictitious tale or narrative, professing
to be conformed to real life; esp., one intended to exhibit the
operation of the passions, and particularly of love.
Dryden.
4. [L. novellae (sc.
constitutiones): cf. F. novelles.] (Law) A
new or supplemental constitution. See the Note under Novel,
a.
Nov`el*ette" (?), n. [Dim. of
novel, n. See Novel.] A short novel.
Nov"el*ism (?), n.
Innovation. [Obs.]
Nov"el*ist, n. 1.
An innovator; an asserter of novelty. [Obs.]
Cudworth.
2. [Cf. F. nouvelliste, It.
novellista.] A writer of news. [Obs.] Tatler
(178).
3. [Cf. F. nouvelliste.] A writer of a
novel or novels.
Nov"el*ize (?), v. i. To
innovate. [Obs.]
Nov"el*ize, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Novelized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Novelizing (?).] 1. To innovate.
[Obs.]
2. To put into the form of novels; to
represent by fiction. "To novelize history." Sir J.
Herschel.
Nov"el*ry (?), n. [OF.
novelerie.] Novelty; new things. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Nov"el*ty (?), n.; pl.
Novelties (#). [OF. novelté, F.
nouveauté, L. novellitas.]
1. The quality or state of being novel;
newness; freshness; recentness of origin or introduction.
Novelty is the great parent of
pleasure.
South.
2. Something novel; a new or strange
thing.
No*vem"ber (?), n. [L. November,
or Novembris (sc. mensis), the ninth month of the old
Roman year, which began with March, fr. novem nine: cf. F.
Novembre. See Nine.] The eleventh month of the
year, containing thirty days.
Nov"e*na*ry (?), a. [L.
novenarius, from novem nine.] Of or pertaining to
the number nine.
Nov"e*na*ry, n. The number of nine
units; nine, collectively.
No"vene (?), a. [L. novenus nine
each, in LL., ninth, fr. L. novem nine.] Relating to, or
dependent on, the number nine; novenary. [R.]
The triple and novene division ran
throughout.
Milman.
No*ven"ni*al (?), a. [L.
novennis of nine years; novem nine + annus
year.] Done or recurring every ninth year.
No*ver"cal (?), a. [L. novennis
of nine years; novem nine + annus year.] Done or
recurring every ninth year.
No*ver"cal (?), a. [L.
novercalis, from noverca a stepmother.] Of or
pertaining to a stepmother; suitable to, or in the manner of, a
stepmother. Derham.
Nov"ice (?), n. [F., from L.
novicius, novitius, new, from novus new. See
New, and cf. Novitious.]
1. One who is new in any business,
profession, or calling; one unacquainted or unskilled; one yet in the
rudiments; a beginner; a tyro.
I am young; a novice in the trade.
Dryden.
2. One newly received into the church, or one
newly converted to the Christian faith. 1 Tim. iii.
6.
3. (Eccl.) One who enters a religious
house, whether of monks or nuns, as a probationist.
Shipley.
No poore cloisterer, nor no novys.
Chaucer.
Nov"ice, a. Like a novice;
becoming a novice. [Obs.]
Nov"ice*ship (?), n. The state of
being a novice; novitiate.
No`vi*lu"nar (?), a. [L. novus
new + luna the moon.] Of or pertaining to the new
moon. [R.]
No*vi"ti*ate (?), n. [LL.
novitiatus: cf. F. noviciat.]
1. The state of being a novice; time of
initiation or instruction in rudiments.
2. Hence: Time of probation in a religious
house before taking the vows.
3. One who is going through a novitiate, or
period of probation; a novice. Addison.
4. The place where novices live or are
trained. [R.]
No*vi"tious (?), a. [L.
novitius, novicius.] Newly invented; recent;
new. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.
Nov"i*ty (?), n. [L. novitas,
fr. novus new.] Newness; novelty. [Obs.] Sir T.
Browne.
No"vum (?), n. A game at dice,
properly called novem quinque (L., nine five), the two
principal throws being nine and five. [Obs.] Shak.
Now (?), adv. [OE. nou,
nu, AS. nū, nu; akin to D., OS., & OHG.
nu, G. nu, nun, Icel., nū, Dan.,
Sw., & Goth. nu, L. nunc, Gr. &?;, &?;, Skr. nu,
nū. √193. Cf. New.]
1. At the present time; at this moment; at
the time of speaking; instantly; as, I will write
now.
I have a patient now living, at an advanced
age, who discharged blood from his lungs thirty years
ago.
Arbuthnot.
2. Very lately; not long ago.
They that but now, for honor and for plate,
Made the sea blush with blood, resign their hate.
Waller.
3. At a time contemporaneous with something
spoken of or contemplated; at a particular time referred
to.
The ship was now in the midst of the
sea.
Matt. xiv. 24.
4. In present circumstances; things being as
they are; -- hence, used as a connective particle, to introduce an
inference or an explanation.
How shall any man distinguish now betwixt a
parasite and a man of honor ?
L'Estrange.
Why should he live, now nature bankrupt is
?
Shak.
Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but
Barabbas. Now, Barabbas was a robber.
John
xviii. 40.
The other great and undoing mischief which befalls men
is, by their being misrepresented. Now, by calling evil good,
a man is misrepresented to others in the way of slander.
South.
Now and again, now and then;
occasionally. -- Now and now, again and
again; repeatedly. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- Now and
then, at one time and another; indefinitely;
occasionally; not often; at intervals. "A mead here, there a
heath, and now and then a wood." Drayton. --
Now now, at this very instant; precisely
now. [Obs.] "Why, even now now, at holding up of this
finger, and before the turning down of this." J. Webster
(1607). -- Now . . . now, alternately; at
one time . . . at another time. "Now high, now
low, now master up, now miss." Pope.
Now, a. Existing at the present
time; present. [R.] "Our now happiness."
Glanvill.
Now, n. The present time or
moment; the present.
Nothing is there to come, and nothing past;
But an eternal now does ever last.
Cowley.
Now"a*days` (?), adv. [For now
on (OE. an) days. See A-, 1.] In these
days; at the present time.
What men of spirit, nowadays,
Come to give sober judgment of new plays ?
Garrick.
{ No"way` (?), No"ways` (?), }
adv. [No, a. + way. Cf. -
wards.] In no manner or degree; not at all;
nowise.
But Ireland will noways allow that name unto
it.
Fuller.
Nowch (?), n. See
Nouch. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Nowd (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The European gray gurnard (Trigla gurnardus).
[Written also knoud.]
Now"ed (?), a. [F. noué,
p. p. of nouer to knot, fr. L. nodare. See
Nodated.] (Her.) Knotted; tied in a knot, as a
serpent.
Now"el (?), n. [See Noel.]
[Written also noël.]
1. Christmas; also, a shout of joy at
Christmas for the birth of the Savior. [Obs.]
2. (Mus.) A kind of hymn, or canticle,
of mediæval origin, sung in honor of the Nativity of our Lord;
a Christmas carol. Grove.
Now"el, n. [F. noyau, prop., a
kernel. See Noyau, Newel a post.] (Founding)
(a) The core, or the inner part, of a mold for
casting a large hollow object. (b) The
bottom part of a mold or of a flask, in distinction from the cope;
the drag.
Nowes (?), n. pl. [From OF.
nous. See Noose, Node.] The marriage
knot. [Obs.] Crashaw.
No"where` (?), adv. [AS.
nāhw&aemacr;r. See No, and Where.]
Not anywhere; not in any place or state; as, the book is
nowhere to be found.
No"whith`er (?), adv. [No +
whither.] Not anywhither; in no direction; nowhere.
[Archaic] "Thy servant went nowhither." 2 Kings v.
25.
No"wise` (?), adv. [For in no
wise. See Wise, n.] Not in any
manner or degree; in no way; noways.
Others whose case is nowise
different.
Earle.
Nowt (?), n. pl. (Zoöl.)
Neat cattle.
Now"the (?). See Nouthe. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Nox"ious (?), a. [L. noxius, fr.
noxa harm; akin to nocere to harm, hurt. Cf.
Nuisance, Necromancy.]
1. Hurtful; harmful; baneful; pernicious;
injurious; destructive; unwholesome; insalubrious; as, noxious
air, food, or climate; pernicious; corrupting to morals; as,
noxious practices or examples.
Too frequent an appearance in places of public resort
is noxious to spiritual promotions.
Swift.
2. Guilty; criminal. [R.]
Those who are noxious in the eye of the
law.
Abp. Bramhall.
Syn. -- Noisome; hurtful; harmful; injurious; destructive;
pernicious; mischievous; corrupting; baneful; unwholesome;
insalubrious. See Noisome.
-- Nox"ious*ly, adv. --
Nox"ious*ness, n.
Noy (?), v. t. [See Annoy.]
To annoy; to vex. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Piers
Plowman.
All that noyed his heavy spright.
Spenser.
Noy, n. That which annoys.
[Obs.] Piers Plowman.
Noy"ance (?), n. Annoyance.
[Obs.] Spenser.
||Noy`au" (?), n. [F., prop., the stone
or nut of a fruit, fr. L. nucalis like a nut. See Newel
a post.] A cordial of brandy, etc., flavored with the kernel of
the bitter almond, or of the peach stone, etc.
Noy"er (?), n. An annoyer.
[Obs.] Tusser.
Noy"ful (?), a. Full of
annoyance. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Noyls (?), n. pl. See
Noils.
Noy"ous (?), a. Annoying;
disagreeable. [Obs.]
Watch the noyous night, and wait for &?; yous
day.
Spenser.
No"zle (?), n. Nozzle.
[Obs.]
Noz"zle (?), n. [A dim. of nose.
√261] [Written also nosle.] 1. The
nose; the snout; hence, the projecting vent of anything; as, the
nozzle of a bellows.
2. Specifically: (a) A short
tube, usually tapering, forming the vent of a hose or pipe.
(b) A short outlet, or inlet, pipe projecting
from the end or side of a hollow vessel, as a steam-engine cylinder
or a steam boiler.
||Nu`ance" (?), n. [F.] A shade of
difference; a delicate gradation.
Nub (?), v. t. [Cf. Knob.]
To push; to nudge; also, to beckon. [Prov. Eng.]
Nub, n. A jag, or snag; a knob; a
protuberance; also, the point or gist, as of a story.
[Colloq.]
Nub"bin (?), n. A small or
imperfect ear of maize. [Colloq. U. S.]
Nub"ble (?), v. t. [Cf. LG.
nubben to knock, cuff.] To beat or bruise with the
fist. [Obs.] Ainsworth.
||Nu*bec"u*la (?), n.; pl.
Nubeculæ (-lē). [L., dim. of
nubes cloud.] 1. (Astron.)
(a) A nebula. (b)
pl. Specifically, the Magellanic clouds.
2. (Med.) (a) A slight
spot on the cornea. (b) A cloudy object or
appearance in urine. Dunglison.
Nu"bi*a (?), n. [From L. nubes
cloud.] A light fabric of wool, worn on the head by women; a
cloud.
Nu"bi*an (?), a. Of or pertaining
to Nubia in Eastern Africa. -- n. A
native of Nubia.
Nu*bif"er*ous (?), a. [L.
nubifer; nubes cloud + ferre to bear: cf. F.
nubifère.] Bringing, or producing,
clouds.
Nu*big"e*nous (?), a. [L. nubes
cloud + -genous.] Born of, or produced from,
clouds. [R.]
Nu"bi*late (?), v. t. [L.
nubilatus, p. p. of nubilare to cloud, fr. nubes
cloud.] To cloud. [Obs.]
Nu"bile (?), a. [L. nubilis, fr.
nubere to marry: cf. F. nubile. See Nuptial.]
Of an age suitable for marriage; marriageable.
Prior.
Nu*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
nubilité .] The state of being marriageable.
[R.]
{ Nu"bi*lose` (?), Nu"bi*lous (?), }
a. [L. nubilosus, nubilus, fr.
nubes cloud.] Cloudy. [R.]
Nu"ca*ment (?), n. [L. nucamenta
fir cones, fr. nux, nucis, a nut.] (Bot.) A
catkin or ament; the flower cluster of the hazel, pine, willow, and
the like.
Nu`ca*men*ta"ceous (?), a. [See
Nucament.] (Bot.) Like a nut either in structure
or in being indehiscent; bearing one-seeded nutlike fruits.
[Written also nucumentaceous.]
||Nu*cel"lus (?), n.; pl.
Nucelli (#). [NL., dim. of nux,
nucis, a nut.] (Bot.) See Nucleus, 3
(a).
||Nu"cha (?), n.; pl.
Nuch&?; (#). [LL.] (Zoöl.) The
back or upper part of the neck; the nape.
Nu"chal (?), a. [Cf. F. nucal.]
(Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the back,
or nape, of the neck; -- applied especially to the anterior median
plate in the carapace of turtles.
Nu*cif"er*ous (?), a. [L. nux,
nucis, nut + -ferous.] Bearing, or producing,
nuts.
Nu"ci*form (?), a. [L. nux,
nucis, nut + -form.] (Bot.) Shaped like a
nut; nut-shaped.
Nu"cin (?), n. [L. nux,
nucis, a nut.] (Chem.) See
Juglone.
{ Nu"cle*al (?), Nu"cle*ar (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to a nucleus; as, the
nuclear spindle (see Illust. of Karyokinesis) or
the nuclear fibrils of a cell; the nuclear part of a
comet, etc.
Nu"cle*ate (?), a. [L. nucleatus
having a kernel.] Having a nucleus; nucleated.
Nu"cle*ate (?), v. t. [Cf. L.
nucleare to become kernelly.] To gather, as about a
nucleus or center.
Nu"cle*a`ted (?), a. Having a
nucleus; nucleate; as, nucleated cells.
Nu*cle"i*form (?), a. [L.
nucleus kernel + -form.] Formed like a nucleus or
kernel.
Nu"cle*in (?), n. (Physiol.
Chem.) A constituent of the nuclei of all cells. It is a
colorless amorphous substance, readily soluble in alkaline fluids and
especially characterized by its comparatively large content of
phosphorus. It also contains nitrogen and sulphur.
Nu"cle*o*branch (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Belonging to the Nucleobranchiata. --
n. One of the Nucleobranchiata.
||Nu`cle*o*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl.
[NL. See Nucleus, and Branchia] (Zoöl.)
See Heteropoda.
||Nu`cle*o*id`i*o*plas"ma (?), n. [NL.
See Nucleus, and Idioplasma.] (Biol.)
Hyaline plasma contained in the nucleus of vegetable
cells.
Nu*cle"o*lar (?), a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to the nucleolus of a cell.
Nu"cle*o*la`ted (?), a. Having a
nucleole, or second inner nucleus.
Nu"cle*ole (?), n. [See
Nucleolus.] The nucleus within a nucleus;
nucleolus.
Nu*cle"o*lus (?), n.; pl.
Nucleoli (#). [L., a little nut, dim. of
nucleus.]
1. A little nucleus.
2. (Biol.) A small rounded body
contained in the nucleus of a cell or a protozoan.
&fist; It was termed by Agassiz the entoblast. In the
protozoa, where it may be situated on one side of the nucleus, it is
sometimes called the endoplastule, and is supposed to be
concerned in the male part of the reproductive process. See
Nucleus.
Nu"cle*o*plasm (?), n. [Nucleus
+ -plasm.] (Biol.) The matter composing the
nucleus of a cell; the protoplasm of the nucleus;
karyoplasma.
Nu`cle*o*plas"mic (?), a.
(Biol.) Of or pertaining to nucleoplasm; -- esp. applied
to a body formed in the developing ovum from the plasma of the
nucleus of the germinal vesicle.
Nu"cle*us (?), n.; pl. E.
Nucleuses (#), L. Nuclei (#).
[L., a kernel, dim. fr. nux, nucis, nut. Cf.
Newel post.]
1. A kernel; hence, a central mass or point
about which matter is gathered, or to which accretion is made; the
central or material portion; -- used both literally and
figuratively.
It must contain within itself a nucleus of
truth.
I. Taylor.
2. (Astron.) The body or the head of a
comet.
3. (Bot.) (a) An
incipient ovule of soft cellular tissue. (b)
A whole seed, as contained within the seed coats.
4. (Biol.) A body, usually spheroidal,
in a cell or a protozoan, distinguished from the surrounding
protoplasm by a difference in refrangibility and in behavior towards
chemical reagents. It is more or less protoplasmic, and consists of a
clear fluid (achromatin) through which extends a network of fibers
(chromatin) in which may be suspended a second rounded body, the
nucleolus (see Nucleoplasm). See Cell division, under
Division.
&fist; The nucleus is sometimes termed the endoplast or
endoblast, and in the protozoa is supposed to be concerned in
the female part of the reproductive process. See
Karyokinesis.
5. (Zoöl.) (a)
The tip, or earliest part, of a univalve or bivalve shell.
(b) The central part around which additional
growths are added, as of an operculum. (c)
A visceral mass, containing the stomach and other organs, in
Tunicata and some mollusks.
||Nu"cu*la (?), n. [L., little nut,
dim. of nux, nucis, a nut.] (Zoöl.) A
genus of small marine bivalve shells, having a pearly
interior.
Nu"cule (nū"k&usl;l), n. [L.
nucula a small nut.] (Bot.) Same as
Nutlet.
Nu`cu*men*ta"ceous (?), a.
(Bot.) See Nucamentaceous.
Nu*da"tion (?), n. [L. nudatio,
fr. nudare to make naked, fr. nudus naked. See
Nude.] The act of stripping, or making bare or
naked.
Nud"dle (?), v. i. To walk quickly
with the head bent forward; -- often with along. [Prov.
Eng.]
Nude (?), a. [L. nudus. See
Naked.]
1. Bare; naked; unclothed; undraped; as, a
nude statue.
2. (Law) Naked; without consideration;
void; as, a nude contract. See Nudum pactum.
Blackstone.
The nude, the undraped human figure in
art.
-- Nude"ly, adv.- Nude"ness,
n.
Nudge (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nudge&?; (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nudging.] [Cf. Prov. G. knütschen to squeeze,
pinch, E. Knock.] To touch gently, as with the elbow, in
order to call attention or convey intimation.
Nudge (?), n. A gentle push, or
jog, as with the elbow.
Nu`di*brach"i*ate (?), a. [L.
nudus naked + brachium an arm.] (Zoöl.)
Having tentacles without vibratile cilia.
Carpenter.
Nu"di*branch (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Nudibranchiata. -- n. One of the
Nudibranchiata.
||Nu`di*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL.
See Nude, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.) A
division of opisthobranchiate mollusks, having no shell except while
very young. The gills are naked and situated upon the back or sides.
See Ceratobranchia.
Nu`di*bran"chi*ate (?), a. & n.
(Zoöl.) Same as Nudibranch.
Nu"di*caul (?), a. [L. nudus
naked + caulis stem.] (Bot.) Having the stems
leafless.
Nu`di*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
nudus naked + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -
fy.] The act of making nude.
Nu"di*ty (?), n.; pl.
Nudities (#). [Cf. F. nudité .]
1. The quality or state of being nude;
nakedness.
2. That which is nude or naked; naked part;
undraped or unclothed portion; esp. (Fine Arts), the human
figure represented unclothed; any representation of nakedness; --
chiefly used in the plural and in a bad sense.
There are no such licenses permitted in poetry any
more than in painting, to design and color obscene
nudities.
Dryden.
||Nu"dum pac"tum (?). [L., a nude pact.] (Law)
A bare, naked contract, without any consideration.
Tomlins.
Nu*gac"i*ty (?), n. [L.
nugacitas, fr. nugax, -acis, trifling.]
Futility; trifling talk or behavior; drollery. [R.]
Dr. H. More.
||Nu"gæ (?), n. pl. [L.]
Trifles; jests.
Nu*ga"tion (?), n. [Cf. OF.
nugation.] The act or practice of trifling. [R.]
Bacon.
Nu"ga*to*ry (?), a. [L.
nugatorius, fr. nugari to trifle, nugae jests,
trifles.]
1. Trifling; vain; futile;
insignificant.
2. Of no force; inoperative;
ineffectual.
If all are pardoned, and pardoned as a mere act of
clemency, the very substance of government is made
nugatory.
I. Taylor.
Nug"get (?), n. [Earlier niggot,
prob. for nigot, an ingot. See Ingot.] A
lump; a mass, esp. a native lump of a precious metal; as, a
nugget of gold.
Nu"gi*fy (?), v. t. [L. nuggae
trifles + -fy.] To render trifling or futile; to make
silly. [R.] Coleridge.
Nui"sance (?), n. [OE. noisance,
OF. noisance, nuisance, fr. L. nocentia guilt,
fr. nocere to hurt, harm; akin to necare to kill. Cf
Necromancy, Nocent, Noxious, Pernicious.]
That which annoys or gives trouble and vexation; that which is
offensive or noxious.
&fist; Nuisances are public when they annoy citizens
in general; private, when they affect individuals only.
Nui"san*cer (?), n. (Law)
One who makes or causes a nuisance.
Nul (?), a. [F. See Null,
a.] (Law) No; not any; as, nul
disseizin; nul tort.
Null (?), a. [L. nullus not any,
none; ne not + ullus any, a dim. of unus one;
cf. F. nul. See No, and One, and cf.
None.] Of no legal or binding force or validity; of no
efficacy; invalid; void; nugatory; useless.
Faultily faultless, icily regular, splendidly
null,
Dead perfection; no more.
Tennyson.
Null, n. 1.
Something that has no force or meaning.
2. That which has no value; a cipher;
zero. Bacon.
Null method (Physics.), a zero
method. See under Zero.
Null, v. t. [From null, a., or
perh. abbrev. from annul.] To annul. [Obs.]
Milton.
Null, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] One
of the beads in nulled work.
Nulled (?), a. Turned so as to
resemble nulls.
Nulled work (Cabinetwork), ornamental
turned work resembling nulls or beads strung on a rod.
Nul`li*bi"e*ty (?), n. [L.
nullibi nowhere.] The state or condition of being
nowhere. [Obs.]
Nul`li*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
nullificatio contempt. See Nullify.] The act of
nullifying; a rendering void and of no effect, or of no legal
effect.
Right of nullification (U. S. Hist.), the
right claimed in behalf of a State to nullify or make void, by its
sovereign act or decree, an enactment of the general government which
it deems unconstitutional.
Nul`li*fid"i*an (?), a. [L.
nullus none + fide&?; faith.] Of no faith; also,
not trusting to faith for salvation; -- opposed to
solifidian. Feltham.
Nul`li*fid"i*an, n. An
unbeliever. B. Jonson.
Nul"li*fi`er (?), n. One who
nullifies or makes void; one who maintains the right to nullify a
contract by one of the parties.
Nul"li*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nullified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nullifying (?).] [L. nullificare; nullus none +
-ficare (in comp.) to make. See Null,
a., and -fy.] To make void; to render
invalid; to deprive of legal force or efficacy.
Such correspondence would at once nullify the
conditions of the probationary system.
I.
Taylor.
Syn. -- To abrogate; revoke; annul; repeal; invalidate;
cancel. See Abolish.
Nul"li*pore (?), n. [L. nullus
none + porus pope.] (Bot.) A name for certain
crustaceous marine algæ which secrete carbonate of lime on
their surface, and were formerly thought to be of animal nature. They
are now considered corallines of the genera Melobesia and
Lithothamnion.
Nul"li*ty (?), n.; pl.
Nullities. [LL. nullitias, fr. L.
nullus none: cf. F. nullité . See
Null.]
1. The quality or state of being null;
nothingness; want of efficacy or force.
2. (Law) Nonexistence; as, a decree of
nullity of marriage is a decree that no legal marriage
exists.
3. That which is null.
Was it not absurd to say that the convention was
supreme in the state, and yet a nullity ?
Macaulay.
Numb (?), a. [OE. nume,
nome, prop., seized, taken, p. p. of nimen to take, AS.
niman, p. p. numen. √7. See Nimble,
Nomad, and cf. Benumb.]
1. Enfeebled in, or destitute of, the power
of sensation and motion; rendered torpid; benumbed; insensible; as,
the fingers or limbs are numb with cold. "A stony image,
cold and numb." Shak.
2. Producing numbness; benumbing; as, the
numb, cold night. [Obs.] Shak.
Numb, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Numbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Numbing (?).] To make numb; to deprive of the power of
sensation or motion; to render senseless or inert; to deaden; to
benumb; to stupefy.
For lazy winter numbs the laboring
hand.
Dryden.
Like dull narcotics, numbing pain.
Tennyson.
Numb"ed*ness (?), n.
Numbness. [Obs.] Wiseman.
Num"ber (?), n. [OE. nombre, F.
nombre, L. numerus; akin to Gr. &?; that which is dealt
out, fr. &?; to deal out, distribute. See Numb, Nomad,
and cf. Numerate, Numero, Numerous.]
1. That which admits of being counted or
reckoned; a unit, or an aggregate of units; a numerable aggregate or
collection of individuals; an assemblage made up of distinct things
expressible by figures.
2. A collection of many individuals; a
numerous assemblage; a multitude; many.
Ladies are always of great use to the party they
espouse, and never fail to win over numbers.
Addison.
3. A numeral; a word or character denoting a
number; as, to put a number on a door.
4. Numerousness; multitude.
Number itself importeth not much in armies
where the people are of weak courage.
Bacon.
5. The state or quality of being numerable or
countable.
Of whom came nations, tribes, people, and kindreds out
of number.
2 Esdras iii. 7.
6. Quantity, regarded as made up of an
aggregate of separate things.
7. That which is regulated by count; poetic
measure, as divisions of time or number of syllables; hence, poetry,
verse; -- chiefly used in the plural.
I lisped in numbers, for the numbers
came.
Pope.
8. (Gram.) The distinction of objects,
as one, or more than one (in some languages, as one, or two, or more
than two), expressed (usually) by a difference in the form of a word;
thus, the singular number and the plural number are the
names of the forms of a word indicating the objects denoted or
referred to by the word as one, or as more than one.
9. (Math.) The measure of the relation
between quantities or things of the same kind; that abstract species
of quantity which is capable of being expressed by figures; numerical
value.
Abstract number, Abundant
number, Cardinal number, etc. See
under Abstract, Abundant, etc. -- In
numbers, in numbered parts; as, a book published in
numbers.
Num"ber, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Numbered (?); p. pr & vb. n.
Numbering.] [OE. nombren, noumbren, F.
nombrer, fr. L. numerare, numeratum. See
Number, n.]
1. To count; to reckon; to ascertain the
units of; to enumerate.
If a man can number the dust of the earth, then
shall thy seed also be numbered.
Gen. xiii.
16.
2. To reckon as one of a collection or
multitude.
He was numbered with the
transgressors.
Is. liii. 12.
3. To give or apply a number or numbers to;
to assign the place of in a series by order of number; to designate
the place of by a number or numeral; as, to number the houses
in a street, or the apartments in a building.
4. To amount; to equal in number; to contain;
to consist of; as, the army numbers fifty thousand.
Thy tears can not number the dead.
Campbell.
Numbering machine, a machine for printing
consecutive numbers, as on railway tickets, bank bills, etc.
Syn. -- To count; enumerate; calculate; tell.
Num"ber*er (?), n. One who
numbers.
Num"ber*ful (?), a.
Numerous. [Obs.]
Num"ber*less, a. Innumerable;
countless.
Num"ber*ous (?), a.
Numerous. [Obs.] Drant.
Num"bers (?), n.
pl. of Number. The fourth book of the
Pentateuch, containing the census of the Hebrews.
Numb"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The torpedo, which numbs by the electric shocks which it
gives.
Num"bless (?), n. pl. See
Nombles.
Numb"ness (?), n. The condition of
being numb; that state of a living body in which it loses, wholly or
in part, the power of feeling or motion.
Nu"mer*a*ble (?), a. [L.
numerabilis. See Number, v. t.]
Capable of being numbered or counted.
Nu"mer*al (?), a. [L. numeralis,
fr. numerus number: cf. F. numéral. See
Number, n.]
1. Of or pertaining to number; consisting of
number or numerals.
A long train of numeral
progressions.
Locke.
2. Expressing number; representing number;
as, numeral letters or characters, as X or 10 for
ten.
Nu"mer*al, n. 1. A
figure or character used to express a number; as, the Arabic
numerals, 1, 2, 3, etc.; the Roman numerals, I, V, X,
L, etc.
2. A word expressing a number.
Nu"mer*al*ly, adv. According to
number; in number; numerically.
Nu"mer*a*ry (?), a. [LL.
numerarius: cf. F. numéraire.] Belonging to
a certain number; counting as one of a collection or body.
A supernumerary canon, when he obtains a prebend,
becomes a numerary canon.
Ayliffe.
Nu"mer*ate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Numerated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Numerating (?).] [L. numeratus, p. p. of
numerare to count. See Number, v.]
(Arith.) To divide off and read according to the rules of
numeration; as, to numerate a row of figures.
Nu`mer*a"tion (?), n. [L.
numeratio a counting out: cf. F. numération.]
1. The act or art of numbering.
Numeration is but still the adding of one unit
more, and giving to the whole a new name or sign.
Locke.
2. The act or art of reading numbers when
expressed by means of numerals. The term is almost exclusively
applied to the art of reading numbers written in the scale of tens,
by the Arabic method. Davies & Peck.
&fist; For convenience in reading, numbers are usually separated
by commas into periods of three figures each, as 1,155,465. According
to what is called the "English" system, the billion is a million of
millions, a trillion a million of billions, and each higher
denomination is a million times the one preceding. According to the
system of the French and other Continental nations and also that of
the United States, the billion is a thousand millions, and each
higher denomination is a thousand times the preceding.
Nu"mer*a*tive (?), a. Of or
pertaining to numeration; as, a numerative system.
Eng. Cyc.
Nu"mer*a"tor (?), n. [L.
numerator: cf. F. numérateur.]
1. One who numbers.
2. (Math.) The term in a fraction
which indicates the number of fractional units that are
taken.
&fist; In a vulgar fraction the numerator is written above a line;
thus, in the fraction &frac59; (five ninths) 5 is the numerator; in a
decimal fraction it is the number which follows the decimal point.
See Fraction.
{ Nu*mer"ic (?), Nu*mer"ic*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. numérique. See
Number, n.]
1. Belonging to number; denoting number;
consisting in numbers; expressed by numbers, and not letters; as,
numerical characters; a numerical equation; a
numerical statement.
&fist; Numerical, as opposed to algebraical, is used
to denote a value irrespective of its sign; thus, -5 is numerically
greater than -3, though algebraically less.
2. The same in number; hence, identically the
same; identical; as, the same numerical body. [Obs.]
South.
Would to God that all my fellow brethren, which with
me bemoan the loss of their books, . . . might rejoice for the
recovery thereof, though not the same numerical
volumes.
Fuller.
Numerical equation (Alg.), an
equation which has all the quantities except the unknown expressed in
numbers; -- distinguished from literal equation. --
Numerical value of an equation or expression,
that deduced by substituting numbers for the letters, and
reducing.
Nu*mer"ic, n. (Math.) Any
number, proper or improper fraction, or incommensurable ratio. The
term also includes any imaginary expression like m + n√-
1, where m and n are real
numerics.
Nu*mer"ic*al*ly, adv. In a
numerical manner; in numbers; with respect to number, or sameness in
number; as, a thing is numerically the same, or
numerically different.
Nu"mer*ist (?), n. One who deals
in numbers. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Nu"me*ro (?), n. [It., or F.
numéro ; both fr. L. numerus number.]
Number; -- often abbrev. No.
Nu`mer*os"i*ty (?), n. [L.
numerositas.]
1. The state of being numerous;
numerousness. [Obs.]
2. Rhythm; harmony; flow. [Obs.]
The numerosity of the sentence pleased the
ear.
S. Parr.
Nu"mer*ous (?), a. [L.
numerosus. See Number.]
1. Consisting of a great number of units or
individual objects; being many; as, a numerous army.
Such and so numerous was their
chivalry.
Milton.
2. Consisting of poetic numbers; rhythmical;
measured and counted; melodious; musical. [Obs.]
Such prompt eloquence
Flowed from their lips, in prose or numerous
verse.
Milton.
-- Nu"mer*ous*ly, adv. --
Nu"mer*ous*ness, n.
Nu*mid"i*an (?), a. Of or
pertaining to ancient Numidia in Northern Africa.
Numidian crane. (Zoöl.) See
Demoiselle, 2.
{ Nu`mis*mat"ic (?), Nu`mis*mat"ic*al (?), }
a. [L. numisma, nomisma, a piece of
money, coin, fr. Gr. &?; anything sanctioned by usage, the current
coin, fr. &?; to introduce a custom, or usage, fr. &?; a custom, or
usage, fr. &?; to distribute, assign: cf. F. numismatique. See
Nomad.] Of or pertaining to coins; relating to the
science of coins or medals.
Nu`mis*mat"ics (?), n. [Cf. F.
numismatique.] The science of coins and medals.
Nu*mis"ma*tist (?), n. One skilled
in numismatics; a numismatologist.
Nu*mis`ma*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [L.
numisma, -atis (Gr. &?;) + -graphy.] A
treatise on, or description of, coins and medals.
Nu*mis`ma*tol"o*gist (?), n. One
versed in numismatology.
Nu*mis`ma*tol"o*gy (?), n. [L.
numisma, -atis + -logy.] The science which treats
of coins and medals, in their relation to history;
numismatics.
Num"ma*ry (?), a. [L. nummarius,
from nummus a coin.] Of or relating to coins or
money.
{ Num"mu*lar (?), Num"mu*la*ry (?), }
a. [L. nummularius, fr. nummulus,
dim. of nummus a coin: cf. F. nummulaire.]
1. Of or pertaining to coin or money;
pecuniary; as, the nummulary talent.
2. (Pathol.) Having the appearance or
form of a coin. "Nummular sputa." Sir T.
Watson.
Num`mu*la"tion (?), n.
(Physiol.) The arrangement of the red blood corpuscles in
rouleaux, like piles of coins, as when a drop of human blood is
examined under the microscope.
Num"mu*lite (?), n. [L. nummus a
coin + -lite: cf. F. nummulite.] (Paleon.)
A fossil of the genus Nummulites and allied genera.
||Num`mu*li"tes (?), n. [NL. See
Nummulite.] (Paleon.) A genus of extinct Tertiary
Foraminifera, having a thin, flat, round shell, containing a large
number of small chambers arranged spirally.
Num`mu*lit"ic (?), a. Of, like,
composed of, containing, nummulites; as, nummulitic
beds.
Numps (?), n. [Cf. Numb.] A
dolt; a blockhead. [Obs.] Bp. Parker.
Num"skull` (?), n. [Numb +
skull.] A dunce; a dolt; a stupid fellow.
[Colloq.]
They have talked like numskulls.
Arbuthnot.
Num"skulled` (?), a. Stupid;
doltish. [Colloq.]
Nun (?), n. [OE. nunne, AS.
nunne, fr. L. nonna nun, nonnus monk; cf. Gr.
&?;, &?;; of unknown origin. Cf. Nunnery.]
1. A woman devoted to a religious life, who
lives in a convent, under the three vows of poverty, chastity, and
obedience.
They holy time is quiet as a nun
Breathless with adoration.
Wordsworth.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) A
white variety of domestic pigeons having a veil of feathers covering
the head. (b) The smew.
(c) The European blue titmouse.
Gray nuns (R. C. Ch.), the members of
a religious order established in Montreal in 1745, whence branches
were introduced into the United States in 1853; -- so called from the
color or their robe, and known in religion as Sisters of Charity
of Montreal. -- Nun buoy. See under
Buoy.
Nun"chion (?), n. [OE.
nonechenche, for noneschenche, prop., a noon drink;
none noon + schenchen, schenken, skinken,
to pour, AS. scencan. See Noon, and Skink,
v. i.] A portion of food taken at or after
noon, usually between full meals; a luncheon. [Written also
noonshun.] Hudibras.
Nun"ci*ate (?), n. One who
announces; a messenger; a nuncio. [Obs.] Hoole.
Nun"ci*a*ture (?), n. [L.
nunciare, nuntiare, to announce, report, fr.
nuncius, nuntius, messenger: cf. F. nonciature,
It. nunziatura. See Nuncio.] The office of a
nuncio. Clarendon.
Nun"ci*o (?), n.; pl.
Nuncios (#). [It. nunzio, nuncio, fr.
L. nuncius, nuntius, messenger; perh. akin to
novus new, E. new, and thus, one who brings news. Cf.
Announce.]
1. A messenger. [Obs.]
Shak.
2. The permanent official representative of
the pope at a foreign court or seat of government. Distinguished
from a legate a latere, whose mission is temporary in its
nature, or for some special purpose. Nuncios are of higher rank than
internuncios.
||Nun"ci*us (?), n.; pl.
Nuncii (#). [L.] (Roman & Old Eng. Law)
(a) A messenger. (b)
The information communicated.
Nun"cu*pate (?), v. t. [L.
nuncupatus, p. p. of nuncupare to nuncupate, prob. fr.
nomen name + capere to take.] 1.
To declare publicly or solemnly; to proclaim formally.
[Obs.]
In whose presence did St. Peter nuncupate it
?
Barrow.
2. To dedicate by declaration; to inscribe;
as, to nuncupate a book. [Obs.] Evelyn.
Nun`cu*pa"tion (?), n. [L.
nuncupatio.] The act of nuncupating. [Obs.]
Nun*cu"pa*tive (?), a. [L.
nuncupativus nominal: cf. F. nuncupatif.]
1. Publicly or solemnly declaratory.
[Obs.]
2. Nominal; existing only in name.
[Obs.]
3. Oral; not written.
Nuncupative will or testament,
a will or testament made by word of mouth only, before witnesses,
as by a soldier or seaman, and depending on oral testimony for
proof. Blackstone.
Nun*cu"pa*to*ry (?), a.
Nuncupative; oral.
Nun"di*nal (?), n. A nundinal
letter.
{ Nun"di*nal (?), Nun"di*na*ry (?), }
a. [L. nundinalis, nundinarius, fr.
nundinae the market day, the weekly market, prop., the ninth
day, fr. nundinus belonging to nine days; novem nine +
dies day: cf. F. nundinal.] Of or pertaining to a
fair, or to a market day.
Nundinal letter, among the Romans, one of
the first eight letters of the alphabet, which were repeated
successively from the first to the last day of the year. One of these
always expressed the market day, which returned every nine days
(every eight days by our reckoning).
Nun"di*nate (?), v. i. [L.
nundinatus, p. p. of nundinary to attend fairs, to
traffic. See Nundinal, a.] To buy and
sell at fairs or markets. [Obs.]
Nun`di*na"tion (?), n. [L.
nundinatio.] Traffic at fairs; marketing; buying and
selling. [Obs.]
Common nundination of pardons.
Abp. Bramhall.
Nun*na"tion (?), n. [From nun,
the Arabic name of the letter n: cf. NL. nunnatio, F.
nunnation.] (Arabic Gram.) The pronunciation of
n at the end of words.
Nun"ner*y (?), n.; pl.
Nunneries (#). [OE. nonnerie, OF.
nonerie, F. nonnerie, fr. nonne nun, L.
nonna. See Nun.] A house in which nuns reside; a
cloister or convent in which women reside for life, under religious
vows. See Cloister, and Convent.
Nun"nish (?), a. Of, pertaining
to, or resembling a nun; characteristic of a nun. --
Nun"nish*ness, n.
Nup (?), n. Same as
Nupson. [Obs.]
||Nu"phar (?), n. [Per.
n&?;far.] (Bot.) A genus of plants found in the
fresh-water ponds or lakes of Europe, Asia, and North America; the
yellow water lily. Cf. Nymphaea.
Nup"son (?), n. [Of doubtful origin.]
A simpleton; a fool. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Nup"tial (?), a. [L. nuptialis,
fr. nuptiae marriage, wedding, fr. nubere,
nuptum, prop., to cover, to veil, hence, to marry, as the head
of the bride was covered with a veil; cf. Gr. &?; bride, nymph: cf.
F. nuptial.] Of or pertaining to marriage; done or used
at a wedding; as, nuptial rites and ceremonies.
Then, all in heat,
They light the nuptial torch.
Milton.
Nup"tial, n.; pl.
Nuptials (&?;). Marriage; wedding; nuptial
ceremony; -- now only in the plural.
Celebration of that nuptial, which
We two have sworn shall come.
Shak.
Preparations . . . for the approaching
nuptials.
Prescott.
Nur (?), n. [Cf. Knur.] A
hard knot in wood; also, a hard knob of wood used by boys in playing
hockey.
I think I'm as hard as a nur, and as tough as
whitleather.
W. Howitt.
Nurl (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nurled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nurling.] [Cf. Knurl.] To cut with reeding or
fluting on the edge of, as coins, the heads of screws, etc.; to
knurl.
Nurse (?), n. [OE. nourse,
nurice, norice, OF. nurrice, norrice,
nourrice, F. nourrice, fr. L. nutricia nurse,
prop., fem. of nutricius that nourishes; akin to
nutrix, -icis, nurse, fr. nutrire to nourish.
See Nourish, and cf. Nutritious.] 1.
One who nourishes; a person who supplies food, tends, or brings
up; as: (a) A woman who has the care of young
children; especially, one who suckles an infant not her own.
(b) A person, especially a woman, who has the care of
the sick or infirm.
2. One who, or that which, brings up, rears,
causes to grow, trains, fosters, or the like.
The nurse of manly sentiment and heroic
enterprise.
Burke.
3. (Naut.) A lieutenant or first
officer, who is the real commander when the captain is unfit for his
place.
4. (Zoöl.) (a) A
peculiar larva of certain trematodes which produces cercariæ by
asexual reproduction. See Cercaria, and Redia.
(b) Either one of the nurse sharks.
Nurse shark. (Zoöl.)
(a) A large arctic shark (Somniosus
microcephalus), having small teeth and feeble jaws; -- called
also sleeper shark, and ground shark.
(b) A large shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum),
native of the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico, having the dorsal fins
situated behind the ventral fins. -- To put to
nurse, or To put out to nurse, to
send away to be nursed; to place in the care of a nurse. --
Wet nurse, Dry nurse. See
Wet nurse, and Dry nurse, in the Vocabulary.
Nurse, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nursed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nursing.] 1. To nourish; to cherish; to
foster; as: (a) To nourish at the breast;
to suckle; to feed and tend, as an infant. (b)
To take care of or tend, as a sick person or an invalid; to
attend upon.
Sons wont to nurse their parents in old
age.
Milton.
Him in Egerian groves Aricia bore,
And nursed his youth along the marshy shore.
Dryden.
2. To bring up; to raise, by care, from a
weak or invalid condition; to foster; to cherish; -- applied to
plants, animals, and to any object that needs, or thrives by,
attention. "To nurse the saplings tall."
Milton.
By what hands [has vice] been nursed into so
uncontrolled a dominion?
Locke.
3. To manage with care and economy, with a
view to increase; as, to nurse our national
resources.
4. To caress; to fondle, as a nurse
does. A. Trollope.
To nurse billiard balls, to strike them
gently and so as to keep them in good position during a series of
caroms.
Nurse"hound` (?), n.
(Zoöl.) See Houndfish.
Nurse"maid` (?), n. A girl
employed to attend children.
Nurse"pond`, n. A pond where fish
are fed. Walton.
Nurs"er (?), n. One who nurses; a
nurse; one who cherishes or encourages growth.
Nurs"er*y (?), n.; pl.
Nurseries (#). [Cf. F. nourricerie.]
1. The act of nursing. [Obs.] "Her kind
nursery." Shak.
2. The place where nursing is carried
on; as: (a) The place, or apartment, in a
house, appropriated to the care of children.
(b) A place where young trees, shrubs, vines,
etc., are propagated for the purpose of transplanting; a plantation
of young trees. (c) The place where
anything is fostered and growth promoted. "Fair Padua,
nursery of arts." Shak.
Christian families are the nurseries of the
church on earth, as she is the nursery of the church in
heaven.
J. M. Mason.
(d) That which forms and educates; as,
commerce is the nursery of seamen.
3. That which is nursed. [R.]
Milton.
Nurs"er*y*man (?), n.; pl.
Nurserymen (&?;). One who cultivates or keeps
a nursery, or place for rearing trees, etc.
Nurs"ing, a. Supplying or taking
nourishment from, or as from, the breast; as, a nursing
mother; a nursing infant.
Nurs"ling (?), n. [Nurse + -
ling.] One who, or that which, is nursed; an infant; a
fondling.
I was his nursling once, and choice
delight.
Milton.
Nurs"tle (?), v. t. To nurse. See
Noursle. [Obs.]
Nur"ture (?), n. [OE. norture,
noriture, OF. norriture, norreture, F.
nourriture, fr. L. nutritura a nursing, suckling. See
Nourish.] 1. The act of nourishing or
nursing; thender care; education; training.
A man neither by nature nor by nurture
wise.
Milton.
2. That which nourishes; food; diet.
Spenser.
Nur"ture (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nurtured (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nurturing.] 1. To feed; to
nourish.
2. To educate; to bring or train
up.
He was nurtured where he had been
born.
Sir H. Wotton.
Syn. -- To nourish; nurse; cherish; bring up; educate;
tend. -- To Nurture, Nourish, Cherish.
Nourish denotes to supply with food, or cause to grow; as, to
nourish a plant, to nourish rebellion. To
nurture is to train up with a fostering care, like that of a
mother; as, to nurture into strength; to nurture in
sound principles. To cherish is to hold and treat as dear; as,
to cherish hopes or affections.
Nus"tle (?), v. t. [Cf. Nuzzle.]
To fondle; to cherish. [Obs.]
Nut (?), n. [OE. nute,
note, AS. hnutu; akin to D. noot, G.
nuss, OHG. nuz, Icel. hnot, Sw. nöt,
Dan. nöd.]
1. (Bot.) The fruit of certain trees
and shrubs (as of the almond, walnut, hickory, beech, filbert, etc.),
consisting of a hard and indehiscent shell inclosing a
kernel.
2. A perforated block (usually a small piece
of metal), provided with an internal or female screw thread, used on
a bolt, or screw, for tightening or holding something, or for
transmitting motion. See Illust. of lst Bolt.
3. The tumbler of a gunlock.
Knight.
4. (Naut.) A projection on each side
of the shank of an anchor, to secure the stock in place.
Check nut, Jam nut,
Lock nut, a nut which is screwed up tightly
against another nut on the same bolt or screw, in order to prevent
accidental unscrewing of the first nut. -- Nut
buoy. See under Buoy. -- Nut
coal, screened coal of a size smaller than stove coal
and larger than pea coal; -- called also chestnut coal. -
- Nut crab (Zoöl.), any leucosoid
crab of the genus Ebalia as, Ebalia tuberosa of
Europe. -- Nut grass (Bot.), a
plant of the Sedge family (Cyperus rotundus, var.
Hydra), which has slender rootstocks bearing small, nutlike
tubers, by which the plant multiplies exceedingly, especially in
cotton fields. -- Nut lock, a device, as a
metal plate bent up at the corners, to prevent a nut from becoming
unscrewed, as by jarring. -- Nut pine.
(Bot.) See under Pine. -- Nut
rush (Bot.), a genus of cyperaceous plants
(Scleria) having a hard bony achene. Several species are
found in the United States and many more in tropical regions. --
Nut tree, a tree that bears nuts. --
Nut weevil (Zoöl.), any species of
weevils of the genus Balaninus and other allied genera, which
in the larval state live in nuts.
Nut, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Nutted (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Nutting.] To gather nuts.
Nu"tant (?), a. [L. nutans, p.
pr. of nutare to nod, v. intens. fr. nuere (in comp.)
to nod; cf. Gr. &?;.] Nodding; having the top bent
downward.
Nu*ta"tion (?), n. [L. nutatio a
nodding, fr. nutare to nod: cf. F. nutation.]
1. The act of nodding.
So from the midmost the nutation spreads,
Round and more round, o'er all the sea of heads.
Pope.
2. (Astron.) A very small libratory
motion of the earth's axis, by which its inclination to the plane of
the ecliptic is constantly varying by a small amount.
3. (Bot.) (a) The
motion of a flower in following the apparent movement of the sun,
from the east in the morning to the west in the evening.
(b) Circumnutation.
Nut"break`er (?), n.
(Zoöl.) (a) The European
nuthatch. (b) The nutcracker.
Nut"-brown` (?), a. Brown as a nut
long kept and dried. "The spicy nutbrown ale."
Milton.
Nut"crack`er (?), n. 1.
An instrument for cracking nuts.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) A
European bird (Nucifraga caryocatactes), allied to the magpie
and crow. Its color is dark brown, spotted with white. It feeds on
nuts, seeds, and insects. (b) The
American, or Clarke's, nutcracker (Picicorvus Columbianus) of
Western North America.
Nut"gall` (?), n. A more or less
round gall resembling a nut, esp. one of those produced on the oak
and used in the arts. See Gall, Gallnut.
Nut"hatch` (?), n. [OE. nuthake.
See 2d Hack.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several
species of birds of the genus Sitta, as the European species
(Sitta Europæa). The white-breasted nuthatch (S.
Carolinensis), the red-breasted nuthatch (S. Canadensis),
the pygmy nuthatch (S. pygmæa), and others, are
American.
Nut"hook` (?), n. 1.
A hook at the end of a pole to pull down boughs for gathering
the nuts.
2. A thief who steals by means of a hook;
also, a bailiff who hooks or seizes malefactors.
Shak.
Nut"job`ber (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The nuthatch. [Prov. Eng.]
Nut"let (?), n. (Bot.) A
small nut; also, the stone of a drupe.
Nut"meg (?), n. [OE. notemuge;
note nut + OF. muge musk, of the same origin as E.
musk; cf. OF. noix muguette nutmeg, F. noix
muscade. See Nut, and Musk.] (Bot.) The
kernel of the fruit of the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans), a
native of the Molucca Islands, but cultivated elsewhere in the
tropics.
&fist; This fruit is a nearly spherical drupe, of the size of a
pear, of a yellowish color without and almost white within. This
opens into two nearly equal longitudinal valves, inclosing the nut
surrounded by its aril, which is mace The nutmeg is an
aromatic, very grateful to the taste and smell, and much used in
cookery. Other species of Myristica yield nutmegs of inferior
quality.
American, Calabash, or
Jamaica, nutmeg, the fruit of
a tropical shrub (Monodora Myristica). It is about the size of
an orange, and contains many aromatic seeds imbedded in pulp. --
Brazilian nutmeg, the fruit of a lauraceous
tree, Cryptocarya moschata. -- California
nutmeg, tree of the Yew family (Torreya
Californica), growing in the Western United States, and having a
seed which resembles a nutmeg in appearance, but is strongly
impregnated with turpentine. -- Clove nutmeg,
the Ravensara aromatica, a laura ceous tree of Madagascar.
The foliage is used as a spice, but the seed is acrid and
caustic. -- Jamaica nutmeg. See American
nutmeg (above). -- Nutmeg bird
(Zoöl.), an Indian finch (Munia
punctularia). -- Nutmeg butter, a
solid oil extracted from the nutmeg by expression. --
Nutmeg flower (Bot.), a ranunculaceous
herb (Nigella sativa) with small black aromatic seeds, which
are used medicinally and for excluding moths from furs and
clothing. -- Nutmeg liver (Med.), a
name applied to the liver, when, as the result of heart or lung
disease, it undergoes congestion and pigmentation about the central
veins of its lobules, giving it an appearance resembling that of a
nutmeg. -- Nutmeg melon (Bot.), a
small variety of muskmelon of a rich flavor. -- Nutmeg
pigeon (Zoöl.), any one of several species
of pigeons of the genus Myristicivora, native of the East
Indies and Australia. The color is usually white, or cream-white,
with black on the wings and tail. -- Nutmeg
wood (Bot.), the wood of the Palmyra palm.
-- Peruvian nutmeg, the aromatic seed of a
South American tree (Laurelia sempervirens). --
Plume nutmeg (Bot.), a spicy tree of
Australia (Atherosperma moschata).
Nut"megged (?), a. Seasoned with
nutmeg.
Nut"peck`er (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The nuthatch.
Nu"tri*a (?), n. [Sp. nutria an
otter, fr. L. lutra, lytra.] The fur of the coypu.
See Coypu.
Nu`tri*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
nutricatio, fr. nutricare, nutricari, to suckle,
nourish, fr. nutrix a nurse.] The act or manner of
feeding. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Nu"tri*ent (?), a. [L. nutriens,
p. pr. of nutrire. See Nourish.] Nutritious;
nourishing; promoting growth. -- n. Any
substance which has nutritious qualities, i. e., which
nourishes or promotes growth.
Nu"tri*ment (?), n. [L.
nutrimentum, fr. nutrire to nourish. See
Nourish.]
1. That which nourishes; anything which
promotes growth and repairs the natural waste of animal or vegetable
life; food; aliment.
The stomach returns what it has received, in strength
and nutriment diffused into all parts of the
body.
South.
2. That which promotes development or
growth.
Is not virtue in mankind
The nutriment that feeds the mind ?
Swift.
Nu`tri*men"tal (?), a.
Nutritious.
Nu*tri"tial (?), a. Pertaining to,
or connected with, nutrition; nutritious. [Obs.]
Chapman.
Nu*tri"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
nutrition. See Nutritious.]
1. (Physiol.) In the broadest sense, a
process or series of processes by which the living organism as a
whole (or its component parts or organs) is maintained in its normal
condition of life and growth.
&fist; In this wide sense it comprehends digestion,
absorption, circulation, assimilation, etc., in
fact all of the steps by which the nutritive matter of the food is
fitted for incorporation with the different tissues, and the changes
which it undergoes after its assimilation, prior to its excretion.
See Metabolism.
2. (Physiol.) In a more limited sense,
the process by which the living tissues take up, from the blood,
matters necessary either for their repair or for the performance of
their healthy functions.
3. That which nourishes; nutriment.
Fixed like a plant, on his peculiar spot,
To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot.
Pope.
Nu*tri"tion*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to nutrition; as, nutritional changes.
Nu*tri"tious (?), a. [L.
nutricius, nutritius, from nutrix, -icis,
a nurse, nutrire to nourish. See Nurse,
Nourish.] Nourishing; promoting growth, or preventing
decay; alimental. -- Nu*tri"tious*ly,
adv. -- Nu*tri"tious*ness,
n.
Nu"tri*tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
nutritif.] Of or pertaining to nutrition; as, the
nutritive functions; having the quality of nourishing;
nutritious; nutrimental; alimental; as, nutritive food or
berries.
Nutritive plasma. (Biol.) See
Idioplasma. -- Nutritive polyp
(Zoöl.), any one of the zooids of a compound hydroid,
or coral, which has a mouth and digestive cavity.
-- Nu"tri*tive*ly, adv. --
Nu"tri*tive*ness, n.
Nu"tri*ture (?), n. [L.
nutritura, fr. nutrir&?; to nourish.] Nutrition;
nourishment. [Obs.] Harvey.
Nut"shell` (?), n. 1.
The shell or hard external covering in which the kernel of a nut
is inclosed.
2. Hence, a thing of little compass, or of
little value.
3. (Zoöl.) A shell of the genus
Nucula.
To be, or lie, in a
nutshell, to be within a small compass; to admit of
very brief or simple determination or statement. "The remedy
lay in a nutshell." Macaulay.
Nut"ter (?), n. A gatherer of
nuts.
Nut"ting (?), n. The act of
gathering nuts.
Nut"ty (?), a. 1.
Abounding in nuts.
2. Having a flavor like that of nuts; as,
nutty wine.
Nux` vom"i*ca (?). [NL., fr. L. nux &?; nut +
vomere to vomit.] The seed of Strychnos Nuxvomica,
a tree which abounds on the Malabar and Coromandel coasts of the East
Indies. From this seed the deadly poisons known as strychnine
and brucine are obtained. The seeds are sometimes called
Quaker buttons.
Nuz"zle (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Nuzzied (?);p. pr. & vb. n.
Nuzzling (?).] [See Noursle.]
1. To noursle or nurse; to foster; to bring
up. [Obs.]
The people had been nuzzled in
idolatry.
Milton.
2. [Perh. a corruption of nestle. Cf.
Nustle.] To nestle; to house, as in a nest.
Nuz"zle (?), v. i. [Dim. fr.
nose. See Nozzle.]
1. To work with the nose, like a swine in the
mud.
And nuzzling in his flank, the loving swine
Sheathed, unaware, the tusk in his soft groin.
Shak.
He charged through an army of lawyers, sometimes . . .
nuzzling like an eel in the mud.
Arbuthnot.
2. To go with head poised like a swine, with
nose down.
Sir Roger shook his ears, and nuzzled
along.
Arbuthnot.
3. [Cf. Nuzzle, v. t.,
2.] To hide the head, as a child in the mother's bosom; to
nestle.
4. To loiter; to idle. [Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.
Ny (?). [Contr. fr. ne I.] Not I; nor
I. [Obs.]
{ Ny, Nye (?) }, a. & adv.
Nigh. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Ny"as (?), n. See
Nias.
||Nyc`ta*lo"pi*a (?), n. [L.
nyctalopia, fr. nyctalops a nyctalops, Gr. &?;. Gr. &?;
meant, a person affected either with day blindness or with night
blindness, and in the former case was derived fr. &?;, &?;, night +
&?;, &?;, the eye; in the latter, fr. &?; + &?; blind + &?;.]
(Med.) (a) A disease of the eye, in
consequence of which the patient can see well in a faint light or at
twilight, but is unable to see during the day or in a strong light;
day blindness. (b) See
Moonblink.
&fist; Some writers (as Quain) use the word in the opposite sense,
night blindness. See Hemeralopia.
Nyc"ta*lops (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;.]
One afflicted with nyctalopia.
Nyc"ta*lo`py (?), n. Same as
Nyctalopia.
Nyc*the"me*ron (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?;,
&?;, night + &?; day.] The natural day and night, or space of
twenty-four hours.
Nyc"ti*bune (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A South American bird of the genus Nyctibius, allied to
the goatsuckers.
Nyc`ti*trop"ic (?), a. [From Gr. &?;,
&?;, night + &?; turning.] (Bot.) Turning or bending at
night into special positions.
&fist; Nyctitropic movements of plants usually consist in a
folding or drooping of the leaves, the advantage being in lessening
the radiation of heat.
Nyc"to*phile (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;,
night + &?; to love.] (Zoöl.) Any Australian bat of
the genus Nyctophilus, having a very simple nasal
appendage.
Nye (?), n. [Prob. fr. F. nid
nest, brood, L. nidus nest. See Nest, and cf.
Eye brood, Nide.] A brood or flock of
pheasants.
||Ny*en"tek (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A carnivorous mammal (Helictis moscatus, or H.
orientalis), native of Eastern Asia and the Indies. It has a
dorsal white stripe, and another one across the shoulders. It has a
strong musky odor.
{ Nyl"ghau, Nyl"gau } (?), n.
[Hind. & Per. nīlgāw, prop., a blue cow; Per.
nīl blue + gāw cow. See Lilac, and
Cow the animal.] (Zoöl.) A large Asiatic
antelope (Boselaphus, or Portax, tragocamelus), found in
Northern India. It has short horns, a black mane, and a bunch of long
hair on the throat. The general color is grayish brown.
[Written also neelghau, nilgau, and
nylghaie.]
Nymph (?), n. [L. nympha nymph,
bride, young woman, Gr. &?;: cf. F. nymphe. Cf.
Nuptial.]
1. (Class. Myth.) A goddess of the
mountains, forests, meadows, or waters.
Where were ye, nymphs, when the remorseless
deep
Closed o'er the head of your loved Lycidas ?
Milton.
2. Hence: A lovely young girl; a maiden; a
damsel.
Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remembered.
Shak.
3. (Zoöl.) The pupa of an insect;
a chrysalis.
4. (Zoöl.) Any one of a subfamily
(Najades) of butterflies including the purples, the
fritillaries, the peacock butterfly, etc.; -- called also
naiad.
||Nym"pha (?), n.; pl.
Nymphæ (#). [L. See Nymph a goddess.]
1. (Zoöl.) Same as Nymph,
3.
2. pl. (Anat.) Two folds of
mucous membrane, within the labia, at the opening of the
vulva.
||Nym*phæ"a (?), n. [L., the
water lily, Gr. &?;.] (Bot.) A genus of aquatic plants
having showy flowers (white, blue, pink, or yellow, often fragrant),
including the white water lily and the Egyptia lotus.
&fist; Recent critics have endeavored to show that this genus
should be called Castalia, and the name Nymphæa
transferred to what is now known as Nuphar.
Nymph"al (?), a. Of or pertaining
to a nymph or nymphs; nymphean.
||Nym*pha"les (?), n. pl. [NL.]
(Zoöl.) An extensive family of butterflies including
the nymphs, the satyrs, the monarchs, the heliconias, and others; --
called also brush-footed butterflies.
Nym*phe"an (?), a. [Gr. &?;. See
Nymph.] Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to, nymphs;
inhabited by nymphs; as, a nymphean cave.
Nymph"et (?), n. A little or young
nymph. [Poetic] "The nymphets sporting there."
Drayton.
{ Nymph"ic (?), Nymph"ic*al (?), }
a. [Gr. &?; bridal.] Of or pertaining to
nymphs.
Nym*phip"a*rous (?), a. [Nymph +
L. parere to produce.] (Zoöl.) Producing
pupas or nymphs.
Nymph"ish (?), a. Relating to
nymphs; ladylike. "Nymphish war." Drayton.
{ Nymph"like` (?), Nymph"ly (?), }
a. Resembling, or characteristic of, a
nymph.
Nym"pho*lep`sy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a nymph
+ &?; to seize.] A species of demoniac enthusiasm or possession
coming upon one who had accidentally looked upon a nymph;
ecstasy. [R.] De Quincey.
The nympholepsy of some fond
despair.
Byron.
Nym`pho*lep"tic (?), a. Under the
influence of nympholepsy; ecstatic; frenzied. [Poetic]
Nym`pho*ma"ni*a (?), n. [Gr. &?; a
bride + &?; madness.] (Med.) Morbid and uncontrollable
sexual desire in women, constituting a true disease.
Nym"pho*ma`ny (?), n. [Cf. F.
nymphomanie.] (Med.) Same as
Nymphomania.
Nym*phot"o*my (?), n. [Nympha +
Gr. &?; to cut.] (Med.) Excision of the
nymphæ.
Nys (?). Is not. See Nis. Chaucer.
Spenser.
||Nys*tag"mus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
drowsiness, fr. &?; to nod in sleep, to slumber.] (Med.)
A rapid involuntary oscillation of the eyeballs.
Ny*u"la (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A species of ichneumon (Herpestes nyula). Its fur is
beautifully variegated by closely set zigzag markings.
O.
O (ō). 1. O, the fifteenth
letter of the English alphabet, derives its form, value, and name
from the Greek O, through the Latin. The letter came into the Greek
from the Phœnician, which possibly derived it ultimately from
the Egyptian. Etymologically, the letter o is most closely
related to a, e, and u; as in E. bone,
AS. bān; E. stone, AS. stān; E.
broke, AS. brecan to break; E. bore, AS.
beran to bear; E. dove, AS. dūfe; E.
toft, tuft; tone, tune; number, F.
nombre.
The letter o has several vowel sounds, the principal of
which are its long sound, as in bone, its short sound, as in
nod, and the sounds heard in the words orb, son,
do (feod), and wolf (book). In connection
with the other vowels it forms several digraphs and diphthongs. See
Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 107-129.
2. Among the ancients, O was a mark of triple
time, from the notion that the ternary, or number 3, is the most
perfect of numbers, and properly expressed by a circle, the most
perfect figure.
O was also anciently used to represent 11: with a dash over it
(Ō), 11,000.
O (ō), n.; pl.
O's or Oes (ōz).
1. The letter O, or its sound. "Mouthing
out his hollow oes and aes." Tennyson.
2. Something shaped like the letter O; a
circle or oval. "This wooden O [Globe Theater]".
Shak.
3. A cipher; zero. [R.]
Thou art an O without a figure.
Shak.
O'. [Ir. o a descendant.] A prefix to Irish
family names, which signifies grandson or descendant
of, and is a character of dignity; as, O'Neil,
O'Carrol.
O' (ō; unaccented &osl;), prep.
A shortened form of of or on. "At the
turning o' the tide." Shak.
O (ō), a. [See One.]
One. [Obs.] Chaucer. "Alle thre but o God."
Piers Plowman.
O (?), interj. An exclamation used
in calling or directly addressing a person or personified object;
also, as an emotional or impassioned exclamation expressing pain,
grief, surprise, desire, fear, etc.
For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in
heaven.
Ps. cxix. 89.
O how love I thy law ! it is my meditation all
the day.
Ps. cxix. 97.
&fist; O is frequently followed by an ellipsis and
that, an in expressing a wish: "O [I wish] that Ishmael
might live before thee !" Gen. xvii. 18; or in expressions of
surprise, indignation, or regret: "O [it is sad] that such
eyes should e'er meet other object !" Sheridan Knowles.
&fist; A distinction between the use of O and oh is
insisted upon by some, namely, that O should be used only in
direct address to a person or personified object, and should never be
followed by the exclamation point, while Oh (or oh)
should be used in exclamations where no direct appeal or address to
an object is made, and may be followed by the exclamation point or
not, according to the nature or construction of the sentence. Some
insist that oh should be used only as an interjection
expressing strong feeling. The form O, however, is, it seems,
the one most commonly employed for both uses by modern writers and
correctors for the press. "O, I am slain !" Shak.
"O what a fair and ministering angel !" "O sweet angel
!" Longfellow.
O for a kindling touch from that pure flame
!
Wordsworth.
But she is in her grave, -- and oh
The difference to me !
Wordsworth.
Oh for a lodge in some vast wilderness
!
Cowper.
We should distinguish between the sign of the vocative
and the emotional interjection, writing O for the former, and
oh for the latter.
Earle.
O dear, ∧ O dear me!
[corrupted fr. F. O Dieu! or It. O Dio! O God! O Dio
mio! O my God! Wyman.], exclamations expressive of
various emotions, but usually promoted by surprise, consternation,
grief, pain, etc.
Oad (ōd), n. See
Woad. [Obs.] Coles.
Oaf (ōf), n. [See Auf.]
Originally, an elf's child; a changeling left by fairies or
goblins; hence, a deformed or foolish child; a simpleton; an
idiot.
Oaf"ish, a. Like an oaf;
simple. -- Oaf"ish*ness, n.
Oak (ōk), n. [OE. oke,
ok, ak, AS. āc; akin to D. eik, G.
eiche, OHG. eih, Icel. eik, Sw. ek, Dan.
eeg.]
1. (Bot.) Any tree or shrub of the
genus Quercus. The oaks have alternate leaves, often variously
lobed, and staminate flowers in catkins. The fruit is a smooth nut,
called an acorn, which is more or less inclosed in a scaly
involucre called the cup or cupule. There are now
recognized about three hundred species, of which nearly fifty occur
in the United States, the rest in Europe, Asia, and the other parts
of North America, a very few barely reaching the northern parts of
South America and Africa. Many of the oaks form forest trees of grand
proportions and live many centuries. The wood is usually hard and
tough, and provided with conspicuous medullary rays, forming the
silver grain.
2. The strong wood or timber of the
oak.
&fist; Among the true oaks in America are:
Barren
oak, or Black-jack, Q.
nigra. -- Basket oak, Q. Michauxii. --
Black oak, Q. tinctoria; -- called also
yellow or quercitron oak. -- Bur oak
(see under Bur.), Q. macrocarpa; -- called also
over-cup or mossy-cup oak. -- Chestnut
oak, Q. Prinus and Q. densiflora. --
Chinquapin oak (see under Chinquapin), Q.
prinoides. -- Coast live oak, Q.
agrifolia, of California; -- also called enceno. --
Live oak (see under Live), Q. virens,
the best of all for shipbuilding; also, Q. Chrysolepis, of
California. -- Pin oak. Same as Swamp oak. -
- Post oak, Q. obtusifolia. -- Red
oak, Q. rubra. -- Scarlet oak,
Q. coccinea. -- Scrub oak, Q.
ilicifolia, Q. undulata, etc. -- Shingle
oak, Q. imbricaria. -- Spanish
oak, Q. falcata. -- Swamp Spanish
oak, or Pin oak, Q.
palustris. -- Swamp white oak, Q.
bicolor. -- Water oak, Q. aguatica. --
Water white oak, Q. lyrata. --
Willow oak, Q. Phellos.
Among the true oaks in Europe are:
Bitter
oak, or Turkey oak, Q. Cerris (see
Cerris). -- Cork oak, Q. Suber. --
English white oak, Q. Robur. --
Evergreen oak, Holly oak, or
Holm oak, Q. Ilex. -- Kermes
oak, Q. coccifera. -- Nutgall oak,
Q. infectoria.
&fist; Among plants called oak, but not of the genus
Quercus, are:
African oak, a valuable
timber tree (Oldfieldia Africana). -- Australian,
or She, oak, any tree of the genus
Casuarina (see Casuarina). -- Indian
oak, the teak tree (see Teak). --
Jerusalem oak. See under Jerusalem.
-- New Zealand oak, a sapindaceous tree
(Alectryon excelsum). -- Poison oak,
the poison ivy. See under Poison. -- Silky,
or Silk-bark, oak, an Australian tree
(Grevillea robusta).
Green oak, oak wood colored green by the
growth of the mycelium of certain fungi. -- Oak
apple, a large, smooth, round gall produced on the
leaves of the American red oak by a gallfly (Cynips
confluens). It is green and pulpy when young. -- Oak
beauty (Zoöl.), a British geometrid moth
(Biston prodromaria) whose larva feeds on the oak. --
Oak gall, a gall found on the oak. See 2d
Gall. -- Oak leather (Bot.),
the mycelium of a fungus which forms leatherlike patches in the
fissures of oak wood. -- Oak pruner.
(Zoöl.) See Pruner, the insect. --
Oak spangle, a kind of gall produced on the oak
by the insect Diplolepis lenticularis. -- Oak
wart, a wartlike gall on the twigs of an oak. --
The Oaks, one of the three great annual English
horse races (the Derby and St. Leger being the others). It was
instituted in 1779 by the Earl of Derby, and so called from his
estate. -- To sport one's oak, to be "not
at home to visitors," signified by closing the outer (oaken) door of
one's rooms. [Cant, Eng. Univ.]
Oak"en (?), a. [AS. ācen.]
Made or consisting of oaks or of the wood of oaks. "In
oaken bower." Milton.
Oaken timber, wherewith to build
ships.
Bacon.
Oak"er (?), n. See
Ocher. [Obs.] Spenser.
Oak"ling (?), n. A young
oak. Evelyn.
Oak"um (?), n. [AS.
ācumba; pref. &?; (cf.G. er-, Goth. us-,
orig. meaning, out) + cemban to comb, camb comb. See
Comb.] 1. The material obtained by
untwisting and picking into loose fiber old hemp ropes; -- used for
calking the seams of ships, stopping leaks, etc.
2. The coarse portion separated from flax or
hemp in nackling. Knight.
White oakum, that made from untarred
rope.
Oak"y (?), n. Resembling oak;
strong. Bp. Hall.
Oar (?), n [AS. ār; akin
to Icel. ār, Dan. aare, Sw. åra;
perh. akin to E. row, v. Cf. Rowlock.]
1. An implement for impelling a boat, being a
slender piece of timber, usually ash or spruce, with a grip or handle
at one end and a broad blade at the other. The part which rests in
the rowlock is called the loom.
&fist; An oar is a kind of long paddle, which swings about a kind
of fulcrum, called a rowlock, fixed to the side of the
boat.
2. An oarsman; a rower; as, he is a good
oar.
3. (Zoöl.) An oarlike swimming
organ of various invertebrates.
Oar cock (Zoöl), the
water rail. [Prov. Eng.] -- Spoon oar, an
oar having the blade so curved as to afford a better hold upon the
water in rowing. -- To boat the oars, to
cease rowing, and lay the oars in the boat. -- To
feather the oars. See under Feather.,
v. t. -- To lie on the oars,
to cease pulling, raising the oars out of water, but not boating
them; to cease from work of any kind; to be idle; to rest. --
To muffle the oars, to put something round that
part which rests in the rowlock, to prevent noise in rowing. --
To put in one's oar, to give aid or advice; --
commonly used of a person who obtrudes aid or counsel not
invited. -- To ship the oars, to place
them in the rowlocks. -- To toss the oars,
To peak the oars, to lift them from the rowlocks and hold them
perpendicularly, the handle resting on the bottom of the boat. -
- To trail oars, to allow them to trail in the
water alongside of the boat. -- To unship the
oars, to take them out of the rowlocks.
Oar, v. t. & i. [imp. & p.
p. Oared (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Oaring.] To row. "Oared himself."
Shak.
Oared with laboring arms.
Pope.
Oared (?), a. 1.
Furnished with oars; -- chiefly used in composition; as, a four-
oared boat.
2. (Zoöl.) (a)
Having feet adapted for swimming. (b)
Totipalmate; -- said of the feet of certain birds. See
Illust. of Aves.
Oared shrew (Zoöl.), an aquatic
European shrew (Crossopus ciliatus); -- called also black
water shrew.
Oar"fish` (ōr"f&ibreve;sh`), n.
(Zoöl.) The ribbon fish.
Oar"foot` (-f&oomcr;t`), n.
(Zoöl.) Any crustacean of the genus
Remipes.
Oar"-foot`ed a. Having feet
adapted for swimming.
Oar"less, a. Without oars.
Sylvester.
Oar"lock` (ōr"l&obreve;k`), n.
(Naut.), The notch, fork, or other device on the gunwale
of a boat, in which the oar rests in rowing. See
Rowlock.
Oars"man (ōrz"man), n.;
pl. Oarsmen (-men). One who
uses, or is skilled in the use of, an oar; a rower.
At the prow of the boat, rose one of the
oarsmen.
Longfellow.
Oars"weed` (ōr"wēd`), n.
(Bot.) Any large seaweed of the genus Laminaria;
tangle; kelp. See Kelp.
Oar"y (ōr"&ybreve;), a.
Having the form or the use of an oar; as, the swan's oary
feet. Milton. Addison.
O"as*is (ō"&adot;*s&ibreve;s or
&osl;*ā"s&ibreve;s; 277), n.; pl.
Oases (-sēz). [L., fr. Gr.
'o`asis; cf. Copt. ouahe.] A fertile or green
spot in a waste or desert, esp. in a sandy desert.
My one oasis in the dust and drouth
Of city life.
Tennyson.
Oast (ōst), n. [OE. ost,
AS. āst; cf. Gr. a'i^qos burning heat.]
A kiln to dry hops or malt; a cockle. Mortimer.
Oat (ōt), n.; pl.
Oats (ōts). [OE. ote, ate, AS.
āta, akin to Fries. oat. Of uncertain origin.]
1. (Bot.) A well-known cereal grass
(Avena sativa), and its edible grain; -- commonly used in the
plural and in a collective sense.
2. A musical pipe made of oat straw.
[Obs.] Milton.
Animated oats or Animal
oats (Bot.), A grass (Avena sterilis)
much like oats, but with a long spirally twisted awn which coils and
uncoils with changes of moisture, and thus gives the grains an
apparently automatic motion. -- Oat fowl
(Zoöl.), the snow bunting; -- so called from its
feeding on oats. [Prov. Eng.] -- Oat grass
(Bot.), the name of several grasses more or less
resembling oats, as Danthonia spicata, D. sericea, and
Arrhenatherum avenaceum, all common in parts of the United
States. -- To feel one's oats, to be
conceited ro self-important. [Slang] -- To sow one's
wild oats, to indulge in youthful dissipation.
Thackeray. -- Wild oats (Bot.), a
grass (Avena fatua) much resembling oats, and by some persons
supposed to be the original of cultivated oats.
Oat"cake (?), n. A cake made of
oatmeal.
Oat"en (?), a. 1.
Consisting of an oat straw or stem; as, an oaten
pipe. Milton.
2. Made of oatmeal; as, oaten
cakes.
Oath (ōth), n.; pl.
Oaths (ō&thlig;z). [OE. othe,
oth, ath, AS. āð; akin to D.
eed, OS. ēð, G. eid, Icel.
eiðr, Sw. ed, Dan. eed, Goth.
aiþs; cf. OIr. oeth.] 1. A
solemn affirmation or declaration, made with a reverent appeal to God
for the truth of what is affirmed. "I have an oath in
heaven" Shak.
An oath of secrecy for the concealing of those
[inventions] which we think fit to keep secret.
Bacon.
2. A solemn affirmation, connected with a
sacred object, or one regarded as sacred, as the temple, the altar,
the blood of Abel, the Bible, the Koran, etc.
3. (Law) An appeal (in verification of
a statement made) to a superior sanction, in such a form as exposes
the party making the appeal to an indictment for perjury if the
statement be false.
4. A careless and blasphemous use of the name
of the divine Being, or anything divine or sacred, by way of appeal
or as a profane exclamation or ejaculation; an expression of profane
swearing. "A terrible oath" Shak.
Oath"a*ble (?), a. Capable of
having an oath administered to. [Obs.] Shak.
Oath"break`ing (?), n. The
violation of an oath; perjury. Shak
Oat"meal` (?), n. 1.
Meal made of oats. Gay.
2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus
Panicum; panic grass.
Ob- (?). [L. ob, prep. Cf. Epi-.] A
prefix signifying to, toward, before,
against, reversely, etc.; also, as a simple intensive;
as in oblige, to bind to; obstacle, something standing before;
object, lit., to throw against; obovate, reversely, ovate. Ob-
is commonly assimilated before c, f, g, and
p, to oc-, of-, og-, and op-
.
Ob"com*pressed" (?). a. [Pref. ob-
+ compressed.] Compressed or flattened antero-
posteriorly, or in a way opposite to the usual one.
{ Ob*con"ic (?), Ob*con"ic*al (?), }
a. [Pref. ob- + conic,
conical.] Conical, but having the apex downward;
inversely conical.
Ob*cor"date (?), a. [Pref. ob- +
cordate.] Heart-shaped, with the attachment at the
pointed end; inversely cordate: as, an obcordate petal or
leaf.
Ob*dip`lo*stem"o*nous (?), a. [Pref.
ob- + diplostemonous.] (Bot.) Having twice
as many stamens as petals, those of the outer set being opposite the
petals; -- said of flowers. Gray.
Ob*dip"lo*stem"o*ny (?), n.
(Bot.) The condition of being obdiplostemonous.
Ob"dor*mi"tion (?), n. [L.
obdormire to fall asleep.] Sleep. [Obs.] Bp.
Hall.
Ob*duce" (?), v. t. [L.
obducere, obductum; ob (see Ob-) + ducere
to lead.] To draw over, as a covering. [Obs.] Sir M.
Hale.
Ob*duct" (&?;), v. t. [See
Obduce.] To draw over; to cover. [Obs.] Sir T.
Browne.
Ob*duc"tion (?), n. [L.
obductio.] The act of drawing or laying over, as a
covering. [Obs.]
Ob"du*ra*cy (?), n. The duality or
state of being obdurate; invincible hardness of heart;
obstinacy. "Obduracy and persistency." Shak.
The absolute completion of sin in final
obduracy.
South.
Ob"du*rate (?), a. [L.
obduratus, p. p. of obdurare to harden; ob (see
Ob-)+ durare to harden, durus hard. See Dure.]
1. Hardened in feelings, esp. against moral or
mollifying influences; unyielding; hard-hearted; stubbornly
wicked.
The very custom of evil makes the heart
obdurate against whatsoever instructions to the
contrary.
Hooker.
Art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel, Nay,
more than flint, for stone at rain relenteth?
Shak.
2. Hard; harsh; rugged; rough;
intractable. "Obdurate consonants." Swift.
&fist; Sometimes accented on the second syllable, especially by
the older poets.
There is no flesh in man's obdurate
heart.
Cowper.
Syn. -- Hard; firm; unbending; inflexible; unyielding;
stubborn; obstinate; impenitent; callous; unfeeling; insensible;
unsusceptible. -- Obdurate, Callous, Hardened.
Callous denotes a deadening of the sensibilities; as. a
callous conscience. Hardened implies a general and
settled disregard for the claims of interest, duty, and sympathy; as,
hardened in vice. Obdurate implies an active resistance
of the heart and will aganst the pleadings of compassion and
humanity.
-- Ob"du*rate*ly (#), adv. --
Ob"du*rate*ness, n.
Ob"du*rate (?), v. t. To
harden. [Obs.]
Ob"du*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
obduratio.] A hardening of the heart; hardness of
heart. [Obs.]
Ob*dure" (&obreve;b*dūr"), v. t.
To harden. [Obs.] Milton.
{ Ob*dure" (&obreve;b*dūr"), Ob*dured"
(&obreve;b*dūrd"), } a. Obdurate;
hard. [Obs.]
This saw his hapless foes, but stood
obdured.
Milton.
{ Ob*dure"ness, n.,
Ob*dur"ed*ness (?), n.}
Hardness. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Ob"e (ō"b&esl;), n. See
Obi.
O*be"ah (?). n. Same as
Obi. -- a. Of or pertaining to
obi; as, the obeah man. B. Edwards.
O*be"di*ble (?), a.
Obedient. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
O*be"di*ence (?), n. [F.
obédience, L. obedientia, oboedientia.
See Obedient, and cf. Obeisance.]
1. The act of obeying, or the state of being
obedient; compliance with that which is required by authority;
subjection to rightful restraint or control.
Government must compel the obedience of
individuals.
Ames.
2. Words or actions denoting submission to
authority; dutifulness. Shak.
3. (Eccl.) (a) A
following; a body of adherents; as, the Roman Catholic
obedience, or the whole body of persons who submit to the
authority of the pope. (b) A cell (or
offshoot of a larger monastery) governed by a prior.
(c) One of the three monastic vows.
Shipley. (d) The written precept of a
superior in a religious order or congregation to a subject.
Canonical obedience. See under
Canonical. -- Passive obedience.
See under Passive.
O*be`di*en"ci*a*ry (?), n. One
yielding obedience. [Obs.] Foxe.
O*be"di*ent (?), a. [OF.
obedient, L. obediens, oboediens, -entis.
p. pr. of obedire, oboedire, to obey. See Obey.]
Subject in will or act to authority; willing to obey; submissive
to restraint, control, or command.
And floating straight, obedient to the
stream.
Shak.
The chief his orders gives; the obedient
band,
With due observance, wait the chief's command.
Pope.
Syn. -- Dutiful; respectful; compliant; submissive.
O*be`di*en"tial (?), a. [Cf. F.
obédientiel.] According to the rule of
obedience. [R.]
An obediental subjection to the Lord of
Nature.
Sir M. Hale.
O*be"di*ent*ly (?), adv. In an
obedient manner; with obedience.
O*bei"sance (?), n. [F.
obéissance obedience, fr. obéissant. See
Obey, and cf. Obedience, Abaisance.]
1. Obedience. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. A manifestation of obedience; an
expression of difference or respect; homage; a bow; a
courtesy.
Bathsheba bowed and did obeisance unto the
king.
1 Kings i. 16.
O*bei"san*cy (?), n. See
Obeisance. [Obs.]
O*bei"sant (?), a. [F.
obéissant, p. pr. of obéir to obey.]
Ready to obey; reverent; differential; also, servilely
submissive.
||O*be"li*on (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?;
a spit.] (Anat.) The region of the skull between the two
parietal foramina where the closure of the sagittal suture usually
begins.
Ob`e*lis"cal (?), a. Formed like
an obelisk.
Ob"e*lisk (?), n. [L. obeliscus,
Gr. &?;, dim. of &?; a spit, a pointed pillar: cf. F.
obélisque.] 1. An upright, four-
sided pillar, gradually tapering as it rises, and terminating in a
pyramid called pyramidion. It is ordinarily monolithic.
Egyptian obelisks are commonly covered with hieroglyphic writing from
top to bottom.
2. (Print.) A mark of reference; --
called also dagger [†]. See Dagger,
n., 2.
Ob"e*lisk, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Obelisked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obelisking.] To mark or designate with an
obelisk.
Ob"e*lize (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Obelized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obelizing (?).] [Gr. &?;, fr. 'obelo`s. See
Obelus.] To designate with an obelus; to mark as doubtful
or spirituous. [R.]
||Ob"e*lus (?), n.; pl.
Obeli (#). [L., fr. Gr. 'obelo`s, prop.,
a spit.] (Print.) A mark [thus —, or ÷]; --
so called as resembling a needle. In old MSS. or editions of the
classics, it marks suspected passages or readings.
Ob*eq"ui*tate (?), v. i. [L.
obequitatus, p. p. of obequitare to ride about.]
To ride about. [Obs.] -- Ob*eq`ui*ta"tion (#),
n. [Obs.] Cockerman.
Ob"er*on (&obreve;b"&etilde;r*&obreve;n),
n. [F., fr. OF. Auberon; prob. of Frankish
origin.] (Mediæval Mythol.) The king of the
fairies, and husband of Titania or Queen Mab. Shak.
Ob`er*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
oberrate to wander about.] A wandering about.
[Obs.] Jonhson.
O*bese" (?). a. [L. obesus eaten
away, lean; also, that has eaten itself fat, fat, stout, p. p. of
obedere to devour; ob (see Ob-) + edere
to eat. See Eat.] Excessively corpulent; fat;
fleshy.
O*bese"ness, n. Quality of being
obese; obesity.
O*bes"i*ty (?), n.[L. obesitas:
cf.F. obésité.] The state or quality of
being obese; incumbrance of flesh.
O*bey" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Obeyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obeying.] [OE. obeyen, F. obéir, fr. L.
obedire, oboedire; ob (see Ob-) + audire
to hear. See Audible, and cf. Obeisance.]
1. To give ear to; to execute the commands of;
to yield submission to; to comply with the orders of.
Children, obey your parents in the
Lord.
Eph. vi. 1.
Was she the God, that her thou didst
obey?
Milton.
2. To submit to the authority of; to be ruled
by.
My will obeyed his will.
Chaucer.
Afric and India shall his power
obey.
Dryden.
3. To yield to the impulse, power, or
operation of; as, a ship obeys her helm.
O*bey", v. i. To give
obedience.
Will he obey when one commands?
Tennyson.
&fist; By some old writers obey was used, as in the French
idiom, with the preposition to.
His servants ye are, to whom ye
obey.
Rom. vi. 16.
He commanded the trumpets to sound: to which
the two brave knights obeying, they performed their
courses.
Sir. P. Sidney.
O*bey"er (?), n. One who yields
obedience. Holland.
O*bey"ing*ly, adv. Obediently;
submissively.
{ Ob*firm" (?), Ob*firm"ate (?), } v.
t. [L. obfirmatus, p. p. of obfirmare to make
steadfast. See Ob-, and Firm, v. t.]
To make firm; to harden in resolution. [Obs.] Bp.
Hall. Sheldon.
Ob"fir*ma"tion (?), n. [LL.
obfirmatio.] Hardness of heart; obduracy. [Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.
Ob*fus"cate (?), a. [L.
obfuscatus, p. p. of obfuscare to darken; ob
(see Ob-) + fuscare, fuscatum, to darken, from
fuscus dark.] Obfuscated; darkened; obscured.
[Obs.] [Written also offuscate.] Sir. T. Elyot.
Ob*fus"cate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Obfuscated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Obfuscating.] To darken; to obscure; to
becloud; hence, to confuse; to bewilder.
His head, like a smokejack, the funnel unswept, and
the ideas whirling round and round about in it, all obfuscated
and darkened over with fuliginous matter.
Sterne.
Clouds of passion which might obfuscate the
intellects of meaner females.
Sir. W. Scott.
Ob`fus*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
obfuscatio.] The act of darkening or bewildering; the
state of being darkened. "Obfuscation of the cornea."
E. Darwin.
O"bi (?), n. [Prob. of African origin.]
1. A species of sorcery, probably of African
origin, practiced among the negroes of the West Indies.
[Written also obe and obeah.] De Quincey.
B. Edwards.
2. A charm or fetich. [West Indies]
B. Edwards.
Ob*im"bri*cate (?), a. [Pref. ob-
+ imbricate.] (Bot.) Imbricated, with the
overlapping ends directed downward.
O"bit (?), n. [OF. obit, L.
obitus, fr. obire to go against, to go to meet, (sc.
mortem) to die; ob (see Ob-) + ire to go. See
Issue.] 1. Death; decease; the date of
one's death. Wood.
2. A funeral solemnity or office;
obsequies.
3. A service for the soul of a deceased
person on the anniversary of the day of his death.
The emoluments and advantages from oblations,
obits, and other sources, increased in value.
Milman.
Post obit [L. post obitum]. See
Post-obit.
||Ob"i*ter (?), adv. [L., on the way;
ob (see Ob-) + iter a going, a walk, way.]
In passing; incidentally; by the way.
||Obiter dictum (Law), an incidental
and collateral opinion uttered by a judge. See Dictum,
n., 2 (a).
O*bit"u*al (?), a. [L. obitus
death. See Obit.] Of or pertaining to obits, or days when
obits are celebrated; as, obitual days.
Smart.
O*bit"u*a*ri*ly (?), adv. In the
manner of an obituary.
O*bit"u*a*ry (?), a. [See Obit.]
Of or pertaining to the death of a person or persons; as, an
obituary notice; obituary poetry.
O*bit"u*a*ry, n.; pl.
Obituaries (#). [Cf. F. obituaire. See
Obit.] 1. That which pertains to, or is
called forth by, the obit or death of a person; esp., an account of a
deceased person; a notice of the death of a person, accompanied by a
biographical sketch.
2. (R.C.Ch.) A list of the dead, or a
register of anniversary days when service is performed for the
dead.
Ob*ject" (&obreve;b*j&ebreve;kt"), v.
t. [imp. & p. p. Objected;
p. pr. & vb. n. Objecting.] [L.
objectus, p. p. of objicere, obicere, to throw
or put before, to oppose; ob (see Ob-) + jacere
to throw: cf. objecter. See Jet a shooting forth.]
1. To set before or against; to bring into
opposition; to oppose. [Obs.]
Of less account some knight thereto object,
Whose loss so great and harmful can not prove.
Fairfax.
Some strong impediment or other objecting
itself.
Hooker.
Pallas to their eyes
The mist objected, and condensed the skies.
Pope.
2. To offer in opposition as a criminal
charge or by way of accusation or reproach; to adduce as an objection
or adverse reason.
He gave to him to object his heinous
crime.
Spencer.
Others object the poverty of the
nation.
Addison.
The book . . . giveth liberty to object any
crime against such as are to be ordered.
Whitgift.
Ob*ject", v. i. To make opposition
in words or argument; -- usually followed by to.
Sir. T. More.
Ob"ject (&obreve;b"j&ebreve;kt), n. [L.
objectus. See Object, v. t.]
1. That which is put, or which may be
regarded as put, in the way of some of the senses; something visible
or tangible; as, he observed an object in the distance; all
the objects in sight; he touched a strange object in
the dark.
2. That which is set, or which may be
regarded as set, before the mind so as to be apprehended or known;
that of which the mind by any of its activities takes cognizance,
whether a thing external in space or a conception formed by the mind
itself; as, an object of knowledge, wonder, fear, thought,
study, etc.
Object is a term for that about which the
knowing subject is conversant; what the schoolmen have styled the
"materia circa quam."
Sir. W. Hamilton.
The object of their bitterest
hatred.
Macaulay.
3. That by which the mind, or any of its
activities, is directed; that on which the purpose are fixed as the
end of action or effort; that which is sought for; end; aim; motive;
final cause.
Object, beside its proper signification, came
to be abusively applied to denote motive, end, final cause . . . .
This innovation was probably borrowed from the French.
Sir. W. Hamilton.
Let our object be, our country, our whole
country, and nothing but our country.
D.
Webster.
4. Sight; show; appearance; aspect.
[Obs.] Shak.
He, advancing close
Up to the lake, past all the rest, arose
In glorious object.
Chapman.
5. (Gram.) A word, phrase, or clause
toward which an action is directed, or is considered to be directed;
as, the object of a transitive verb.
Object glass, the lens, or system of lenses,
placed at the end of a telescope, microscope, etc., which is toward
the object. Its office is to form an image of the object, which is
then viewed by the eyepiece. Called also objective. See
Illust. of Microscope. -- Object
lesson, a lesson in which object teaching is made use
of. -- Object staff. (Leveling)
Same as Leveling staff. -- Object
teaching, a method of instruction, in which
illustrative objects are employed, each new word or idea being
accompanied by a representation of that which it signifies; -- used
especially in the kindergarten, for young children.
Ob*ject" (?), a. [L. objectus,
p. p.] Opposed; presented in opposition; also,
exposed. [Obs.]
Ob*ject"a*ble (?), a. Such as can
be presented in opposition; that may be put forward as an
objection. [R.]
Ob*jec"ti*fy (?), v. t. [Object
+ -fy.] To cause to become an object; to cause to assume
the character of an object; to render objective. J. D.
Morell.
Ob*jec"tion (?), n. [L.
objectio: cf. F. objection.] 1.
The act of objecting; as, to prevent agreement, or action, by
objection. Johnson.
2. That which is, or may be, presented in
opposition; an adverse reason or argument; a reason for objecting;
obstacle; impediment; as, I have no objection to going;
unreasonable objections. "Objections against
every truth." Tyndale.
3. Cause of trouble; sorrow. [Obs. or
R.]
He remembers the objection that lies in his
bosom, and he sighs deeply.
Jer. Taylor.
Syn. -- Exception; difficulty; doubt; scruple.
Ob*jec"tion*a*ble (?), a. Liable
to objection; likely to be objected to or disapproved of; offensive;
as, objectionable words. -- Ob*jec"tion*a*bly,
adv.
Ob"ject*ist (?), n. One who
adheres to, or is skilled in, the objective philosophy. Ed.
Rev.
Ob*jec"ti*vate (?), v. t. To
objectify.
Ob*jec`ti*va"tion (?), n.
Converting into an object.
Ob*jec"tive (?), a. [Cf.F.
objectif.] 1. Of or pertaining to an
object.
2. (Metaph.) Of or pertaining to an
object; contained in, or having the nature or position of, an object;
outward; external; extrinsic; -- an epithet applied to whatever ir
exterior to the mind, or which is simply an object of thought
or feeling, and opposed to subjective.
In the Middle Ages, subject meant
substance, and has this sense in Descartes and Spinoza:
sometimes, also, in Reid. Subjective is used by William of
Occam to denote that which exists independent of mind;
objective, what is formed by the mind. This shows what is
meant by realitas objectiva in Descartes. Kant and Fichte have
inverted the meanings. Subject, with them, is the mind which
knows; object, that which is known; subjective, the
varying conditions of the knowing mind; objective, that which
is in the constant nature of the thing known.
Trendelenburg.
Objective means that which belongs to, or
proceeds from, the object known, and not from the subject knowing,
and thus denotes what is real, in opposition to that which is ideal -
- what exists in nature, in contrast to what exists merely in the
thought of the individual.
Sir. W. Hamilton.
Objective has come to mean that which has
independent exostence or authority, apart from our experience or
thought. Thus, moral law is said to have objective authority,
that is, authority belonging to itself, and not drawn from anything
in our nature.
Calderwood (Fleming's
Vocabulary).
3. (Gram.) Pertaining to, or
designating, the case which follows a transitive verb or a
preposition, being that case in which the direct object of the
verb is placed. See Accusative, n.
&fist; The objective case is frequently used without a governing
word, esp. in designations of time or space, where a preposition, as
at, in, on, etc., may be supplied.
My troublous dream [on] this night make me
sad.
Shak.
To write of victories [in or for]
next year.
Hudibras.
Objective line (Perspective), a line
drawn on the geometrical plane which is represented or sought to be
represented. -- Objective plane
(Perspective), any plane in the horizontal plane that is
represented. -- Objective point, the point
or result to which the operations of an army are directed. By
extension, the point or purpose to which anything, as a journey or an
argument, is directed.
Syn. -- Objective, Subjective.
Objective is applied to things exterior to the mind, and
objects of its attention; subjective, to the operations
of the mind itself. Hence, an objective motive is some outward
thing awakening desire; a subjective motive is some internal
feeling or propensity. Objective views are those governed by
outward things; subjective views are produced or modified by
internal feeling. Sir Walter Scott's poetry is chiefly
objective; that of Wordsworth is eminently
subjective.
In the philosophy of mind, subjective denotes
what is to be referred to the thinking subject, the ego;
objective what belongs to the object of thought, the non-
ego.
Sir. W. Hamilton
Ob*jec"tive, n. 1.
(Gram.) The objective case.
2. An object glass. See under Object,
n.
3. Same as Objective point, under
Objective, a.
Ob*jec"tive*ly, adv. In the manner
or state of an object; as, a determinate idea objectively in
the mind.
Ob*jec"tive*ness, n.
Objectivity.
Is there such a motion or objectiveness of
external bodies, which produceth light?
Sir M.
Hale
Ob`jec*tiv"i*ty (?), n. [Cf.F.
objectivité.] The state, quality, or relation of
being objective; character of the object or of the
objective.
The calm, the cheerfulness, the disinterested
objectivity have disappeared [in the life of the
Greeks].
M. Arnold.
Ob"ject*ize (?), v. t. To make an
object of; to regard as an object; to place in the position of an
object.
In the latter, as objectized by the former,
arise the emotions and affections.
Coleridge.
Ob"ject*less, a. Having no object;
purposeless.
Ob*ject"or (?), n. [L., an accuser.]
One who objects; one who offers objections to a proposition or
measure.
Ob*jib"ways (?), n. pl. See
Chippeways.
Ob*jic"i*ent (?), n. [L.
objiciens, p. pr. of objicere to object.] One who
makes objection; an objector. [R.] Cardinal
Wiseman.
Ob`ju*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
objurare to bind by oath; ob (see Ob-) +
jurare to swear, fr. jus right.] A binding by
oath. [R.] Abp. Bramhall.
Ob*jur"gate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Objurgated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Objurgating.] [L. objurgatus, p. p. of
objurgare to chide; ob (see Ob-) +
jurgare to quarrel, scold, fr. jus right, court. See
Jury.] To chide; to reprove.
Ob`jur*ga"tion (?), n. [L.
objurgatio: cf.F. objurgation.] The act of
objurgating; reproof.
While the good lady was bestowing this
objurgation on Mr. Ben Allen.
Dickens.
With a strong objurgation of the elbow in his
ribs.
Landor.
Ob*jur"ga*to*ry (?), a. [L.
objurgatorius.] Designed to objurgate or chide;
containing or expressing reproof; culpatory.
Bancroft.
The objurgatory question of the
Pharisees.
Paley.
Ob*lan"ce*o*late (?), a. [Pref. ob-
+ lanceolate.] Lanceolate in the reversed order,
that is, narrowing toward the point of attachment more than toward
the apex.
Ob*late" (?), a. [L. oblatus,
used as p. p. of offerre to bring forward, offer, dedicate;
ob (see Ob-) + latus borne, for tlatus.
See Tolerate.]
1. (Geom.) Flattened or depressed at
the poles; as, the earth is an oblate spheroid.
2. Offered up; devoted; consecrated;
dedicated; -- used chiefly or only in the titles of Roman Catholic
orders. See Oblate, n.
Oblate ellipsoid or spheroid
(Geom.), a solid generated by the revolution of an ellipse
about its minor axis; an oblatum. See Ellipsoid of revolution,
under Ellipsoid.
Ob*late", n. [From Oblate,
a.] (R. C. Ch.) (a) One
of an association of priests or religious women who have offered
themselves to the service of the church. There are three such
associations of priests, and one of women, called oblates.
(b) One of the Oblati.
Ob*late"ness, n. The quality or
state of being oblate.
||Ob*la"ti (?), n. pl. [LL., fr. L.
oblatus. See Oblate.] (R.C.Ch.)
(a) Children dedicated in their early years to
the monastic state. (b) A class of
persons, especially in the Middle Ages, who offered themselves and
their property to a monastery. Addis & Arnold.
Ob*la"tion (?), n. [L. oblatio:
cf. F. oblation. See Oblate.] 1.
The act of offering, or of making an offering.
Locke.
2. Anything offered or presented in worship
or sacred service; an offering; a sacrifice.
A peculiar . . . oblation given to
God.
Jer. Taylor.
A pin was the usual oblation.
Sir. W. Scott.
3. A gift or contribution made to a church,
as for the expenses of the eucharist, or for the support of the
clergy and the poor.
Ob*la"tion*er (?), n. One who
makes an offering as an act worship or reverence. Dr. H.
More.
Ob*la"trate (?), v. i. [L.
oblatratus, p. p. of oblatrare to bark against.]
To bark or snarl, as a dog. [Obs.]
Ob`la*tra"tion (?), n. The act of
oblatrating; a barking or snarling. Bp. Hall.
||Ob*la"tum (?), n.; pl.
Oblata (#). [NL. See Oblate.] (Geom.)
An oblate spheroid; a figure described by the revolution of an
ellipse about its minor axis. Cf. Oblongum.
Ob*lec"tate (?), v. t. [L.
oblectatus, p. p. of oblectare.] To delight; to
please greatly. [Obs.]
Ob"lec*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
oblectatio.] The act of pleasing highly; the state of
being greatly pleased; delight. [R.] Feltham.
Ob"li*ga*ble (?), a.
Acknowledging, or complying with, obligation; trustworthy.
[R.]
The main difference between people seems to be, that
one man can come under obligations on which you can rely, -- is
obligable; and another is not.
Emerson.
Ob"li*gate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Obligated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Obligating.] [L. obligatus, p. p. of
obligare. See Oblige.] 1. To
bring or place under obligation, moral or legal; to hold by a
constraining motive. "Obligated by a sense of duty."
Proudfit.
That's your true plan -- to obligate
The present ministers of state.
Churchill.
2. To bind or firmly hold to an act; to
compel; to constrain; to bind to any act of duty or courtesy by a
formal pledge.
That they may not incline or be obligated to
any vile or lowly occupations.
Landor.
Ob"li*ga"tion (?), n. [F.
obligation. L. obligatio. See Oblige.]
1. The act of obligating.
2. That which obligates or constrains; the
binding power of a promise, contract, oath, or vow, or of law; that
which constitutes legal or moral duty.
A tender conscience is a stronger obligation
than a proson.
Fuller.
3. Any act by which a person becomes bound to
do something to or for anouther, or to forbear something; external
duties imposed by law, promise, or contract, by the relations of
society, or by courtesy, kindness, etc.
Every man has obligations which belong to his
station. Duties extend beyond obligation, and direct the
affections, desires, and intentions, as well as the
actions.
Whewell.
4. The state of being obligated or bound; the
state of being indebted for an act of favor or kindness; as, to place
others under obligations to one.
5. (Law) A bond with a condition
annexed, and a penalty for nonfulfillment. In a larger sense, it is
an acknowledgment of a duty to pay a certain sum or do a certain
things.
Days of obligation. See under
Day.
||Ob"li*ga"to (?), a. [It.] See
Obbligato.
Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ly (?), adv. In an
obligatory manner; by reason of obligation. Foxe.
Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ness, n. The
quality or state of being obligatory.
Ob"li*ga*to*ry (?), a. [L.
obligatorius: cf.F. obligatoire.] Binding in law
or conscience; imposing duty or obligation; requiring performance or
forbearance of some act; -- often followed by on or
upon; as, obedience is obligatory on a
soldier.
As long as the law is obligatory, so long our
obedience is due.
Jer. Taylor.
O*blige" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Obliged (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obliging (?).] [OF. obligier, F. obliger, L.
obligare; ob (see Ob-) + ligare to bind.
See Ligament, and cf. Obligate.] 1.
To attach, as by a bond. [Obs.]
He had obliged all the senators and magistrates
firmly to himself.
Bacon.
2. To constrain by physical, moral, or legal
force; to put under obligation to do or forbear something.
The obliging power of the law is neither
founded in, nor to be measured by, the rewards and punishments
annexed to it.
South.
Religion obliges men to the practice of those
virtues which conduce to the preservation of our health.
Tillotson.
3. To bind by some favor rendered; to place
under a debt; hence, to do a favor to; to please; to gratify; to
accommodate.
Thus man, by his own strength, to heaven would
soar,
And would not be obliged to God for more.
Dryden.
The gates before it are brass, and the whole much
obliged to Pope Urban VIII.
Evelyn.
I shall be more obliged to you than I can
express.
Mrs. E. Montagu.
Ob"li*gee" (?), n. [F.
obligé, p. p. of obliger. See Oblige.]
The person to whom another is bound, or the person to whom a
bond is given. Blackstone.
O*blige"ment (?), n.
Obligation. [R.]
I will not resist, therefore, whatever it is, either
of divine or human obligement, that you lay upon
me.
Milton.
O*bli"ger (?), n. One who, or that
which, obliges. Sir H. Wotton.
O*bli"ging, a. Putting under
obligation; disposed to oblige or do favors; hence, helpful; civil;
kind.
Mons.Strozzi has many curiosities, and is very
obliging to a stranger who desires the sight of
them.
Addison.
Syn. -- Civil; complaisant; courteous; kind, --
Obliging, Kind, Complaisant. One is kind
who desires to see others happy; one is complaisant who
endeavors to make them so in social intercourse by attentions
calculated to please; one who is obliging performs some actual
service, or has the disposition to do so.
-- O*bli"ging*ly. adv. --
O*bli"ging*ness, n.
Ob`li*gor" (?), n. The person who
binds himself, or gives his bond to another.
Blackstone.
Ob`li*qua"tion (?), n. [L.
obliquatio, fr. obliquare to turn obliquely. See
Oblique.] 1. The act of becoming oblique;
a turning to one side; obliquity; as, the obliquation of the
eyes. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
2. Deviation from moral rectitude.
[R.]
Ob*lique" (?), a. [F., fr. L.
obliquus; ob (see Ob-) + liquis oblique;
cf. licinus bent upward, Gr &?; slanting.] [Written also
oblike.]
1. Not erect or perpendicular; neither
parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting;
inclined.
It has a direction oblique to that of the
former motion.
Cheyne.
2. Not straightforward; indirect; obscure;
hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister.
The love we bear our friends . . .
Hath in it certain oblique ends.
Drayton.
This mode of oblique research, when a more
direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our
power.
De Quincey.
Then would be closed the restless, oblique
eye.
That looks for evil, like a treacherous spy.
Wordworth.
3. Not direct in descent; not following the
line of father and son; collateral.
His natural affection in a direct line was strong, in
an oblique but weak.
Baker.
Oblique angle, Oblique
ascension, etc. See under
Angle,Ascension, etc. -- Oblique
arch (Arch.), an arch whose jambs are not at
right angles with the face, and whose intrados is in consequence
askew. -- Oblique bridge, a skew bridge.
See under Bridge, n. -- Oblique
case (Gram.), any case except the nominative.
See Case, n. -- Oblique
circle (Projection), a circle whose plane is
oblique to the axis of the primitive plane. -- Oblique
fire (Mil.), a fire the direction of which is
not perpendicular to the line fired at. -- Oblique
flank (Fort.), that part of the curtain whence
the fire of the opposite bastion may be discovered.
Wilhelm. -- Oblique leaf. (Bot.)
(a) A leaf twisted or inclined from the normal
position. (b) A leaf having one half
different from the other. -- Oblique line
(Geom.), a line that, meeting or tending to meet another,
makes oblique angles with it. -- Oblique
motion (Mus.), a kind of motion or progression
in which one part ascends or descends, while the other prolongs or
repeats the same tone, as in the accompanying example. --
Oblique muscle (Anat.), a muscle acting
in a direction oblique to the mesial plane of the body, or to the
associated muscles; -- applied especially to two muscles of the
eyeball. -- Oblique narration. See
Oblique speech. -- Oblique planes
(Dialing), planes which decline from the zenith, or
incline toward the horizon. -- Oblique sailing
(Naut.), the movement of a ship when she sails upon some
rhumb between the four cardinal points, making an oblique angle with
the meridian. -- Oblique speech
(Rhet.), speech which is quoted indirectly, or in a
different person from that employed by the original speaker. --
Oblique sphere (Astron. & Geog.), the
celestial or terrestrial sphere when its axis is oblique to the
horizon of the place; or as it appears to an observer at any point on
the earth except the poles and the equator. -- Oblique
step (Mil.), a step in marching, by which the
soldier, while advancing, gradually takes ground to the right or left
at an angle of about 25°. It is not now practiced.
Wilhelm. -- Oblique system of
coördinates (Anal. Geom.), a system in
which the coördinate axes are oblique to each other.
Ob*lique", n. (Geom.) An
oblique line.
Ob*lique", v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Obliqued (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obliquing.] 1. To deviate from a
perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction.
Projecting his person towards it in a line which
obliqued from the bottom of his spine.
Sir. W.
Scott.
2. (Mil.) To march in a direction
oblique to the line of the column or platoon; -- formerly
accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half-
facing either to the right or left.
Ob*lique"-an`gled (?), a. Having
oblique angles; as, an oblique-angled triangle.
Ob*lique"ly, adv. In an oblique
manner; not directly; indirectly. "Truth obliquely
leveled." Bp. Fell.
Declining from the noon of day,
The sun obliquely shoots his burning ray.
Pope
His discourse tends obliquely to the detracting
from others.
Addison.
Ob*lique"ness, n. Quality or state
of being oblique.
Ob*liq"ui*ty, n.; pl.
Obliquities (#). [L. obliquitas: cf. F.
obliquité.] 1. The condition of
being oblique; deviation from a right line; deviation from
parallelism or perpendicularity; the amount of such deviation;
divergence; as, the obliquity of the ecliptic to the
equator.
2. Deviation from ordinary rules;
irregularity; deviation from moral rectitude.
To disobey [God] . . . imports a moral
obliquity.
South.
Ob"lite (?), a. [L. oblitus, p.
p. pf oblinere to besmear.] Indistinct; slurred
over. [Obs.] "Obscure and oblite mention."
Fuller.
Ob*lit"er*ate (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Obliterated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Obliterating.] [L. obliteratus, p. p. of
obliterare to obliterate; ob (see Ob-) +
litera, littera, letter. See Letter.]
1. To erase or blot out; to efface; to render
undecipherable, as a writing.
2. To wear out; to remove or destroy utterly
by any means; to render imperceptible; as. to obliterate
ideas; to obliterate the monuments of antiquity.
The harsh and bitter feelings of this or that
experience are slowly obliterated.
W.
Black.
Ob*lit"er*ate (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Scarcely distinct; -- applied to the
markings of insects.
Ob*lit`er*a"tion (?), n. [L.
obliteratio: cf.F. oblitération.] The act
of obliterating, or the state of being obliterated; extinction.
Sir. M. Hale.
Ob*lit"er*a*tive (?), a. Tending
or serving to obliterate.
Ob*liv"i*on (?), n. [L. oblivio,
akin to oblivisci to forget: cf. OF. oblivion.]
1. The act of forgetting, or the state of being
forgotten; cessation of remembrance; forgetfulness.
Second childishness and mere
oblivion.
Shak.
Among our crimes oblivion may be
set.
Dryden
The origin of our city will be buried in eternal
oblivion.
W. Irving.
2. Official ignoring of offenses; amnesty,
or general pardon; as, an act of oblivion. Sir J.
Davies.
Syn. -- See Forgetfulness.
Ob*liv"i*ous (?), a. [L.
obliviosus: cf.F. oblivieux.]
1. Promoting oblivion; causing
forgetfulness. "The oblivious pool." Milton.
She lay in deep, oblivious
slumber.
Longfellow.
2. Evincing oblivion; forgetful.
Through are both weak in body and
oblivious.
Latimer.
-- Obliv"i*ous*ly, adv. --
Ob*liv"i*ous*ness, n. Foxe.
Ob*loc"u*tor (?), n. [L.
oblocutor, obloquutor, fr. obloqui,
oblocutus, to speak against; ob (see Ob-) +
loqui to speak. See Loquacious.] A disputer; a
gainsayer. [Obs.] Bale.
Ob"long (?), a. [L. oblongus;
ob (see Ob-) + longus long: cf. F.
oblong.] Having greater length than breadth, esp. when
rectangular.
Ob"long, n. A rectangular figure
longer than it is broad; hence, any figure longer than it is
broad.
The best figure of a garden I esteem an oblong
upon a descent.
Sir W. Temple.
||Ob`lon*ga"ta (?), n. [NL.]
(Anat.) The medulla oblongata. B. G.
Wilder.
Ob"lon*ga"tal (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the medulla oblongata; medullar.
Ob"long*ish (?), a. Somewhat
oblong.
Ob"long*ly, adv. In an oblong
form.
Ob"long*ness, n. State or quality
of being oblong.
Ob"long-o"vate (?), a. Between
oblong and ovate, but inclined to the latter.
||Ob*lon"gum (?), n.; pl.
Oblonga (#). [NL. See Oblong.]
(Geom.) A prolate spheroid; a figure described by the
revolution of an ellipse about its greater axis. Cf. Oblatum,
and see Ellipsoid of revolution, under
Ellipsoid.
Ob*lo"qui*ous (?), a. Containing
obloquy; reproachful [R.] Naunton.
Ob"lo*quy (&obreve;b"l&osl;*kw&ybreve;),
n. [L. obloquium, fr. obloqui. See
Oblocutor.] 1. Censorious speech;
defamatory language; language that casts contempt on men or their
actions; blame; reprehension.
Shall names that made your city the glory of the earth
be mentioned with obloquy and detraction?
Addison.
2. Cause of reproach; disgrace. [Obs.]
Shak.
Syn. -- Reproach; odium; censure; contumely; gainsaying;
reviling; calumny; slander; detraction.
Ob`luc*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
oblictutio, fr. obluctari to struggle against.] A
struggle against; resistance; opposition. [Obs.]
Fotherby.
Ob`mu*tes"cence
(&obreve;b`m&usl;*t&ebreve;s"sens), n. [L.
obmutescens, p. pr of obmutescere to become dumb;
ob (see Ob-) + mutescere to grow dumb, fr.
mutus dumb.] 1. A becoming dumb; loss of
speech. Sir T. Browne.
2. A keeping silent or mute.
Paley.
Ob*nox"ious (&obreve;b*n&obreve;k"shŭs),
a. [L. obnoxius; ob (see Ob-)
+ noxius hurtful. See Noxious.] 1.
Subject; liable; exposed; answerable; amenable; -- with
to.
The writings of lawyers, which are tied
obnoxious to their particular laws.
Bacon.
Esteeming it more honorable to live on the public than
to be obnoxious to any private purse.
Milton.
Obnoxious, first or last,
To basest things
Milton.
2. Liable to censure; exposed to punishment;
reprehensible; blameworthy. "The contrived and interested
schemes of . . . obnoxious authors." Bp. Fell.
All are obnoxious, and this faulty land,
Like fainting Hester, does before you stand
Watching your scepter.
Waller.
3. Offensive; odious; hateful; as, an
obnoxious statesman; a minister obnoxious to the
Whigs. Burke.
-- Ob*nox"ious*ly, adv. --
Ob*nox"ious*ness, n. South.
Ob*nu"bi*late (?), v. t. [L.
obnubilatus, p. p. of obnubilare to obscure. See Ob-
, and Nubilate.] To cloud; to obscure. [Obs.]
Burton. -- Ob*nu"bi*la"tion (#), n.
[Obs.] Beddoes.
O"boe (?), n. [It., fr. F.
hautbois. See Hautboy.] (Mus.) One of the
higher wind instruments in the modern orchestra, yet of great
antiquity, having a penetrating pastoral quality of tone, somewhat
like the clarinet in form, but more slender, and sounded by means of
a double reed; a hautboy.
||Oboe d'amore [It., lit., oboe of love],
and ||Oboe di caccia [It., lit., oboe of the
chase], are names of obsolete modifications of the oboe, often
found in the scores of Bach and Handel.
O"bo*ist (?), n. A performer on
the oboe.
Ob"o*la*ry (?), a. [See Obolus.]
Possessing only small coins; impoverished. [R.]
Lamb.
Ob"ole (?), n. [Cf.F. obole. See
Obolus.] (Old Pharm.) A weight of twelve grains;
or, according to some, of ten grains, or half a scruple.
[Written also obol.]
Ob"o*lize (?), v. t. See
Obelize.
Ob"o*lo (?), n. [Cf. Obolus.]
A copper coin, used in the Ionian Islands, about one cent in
value.
||Ob"o*lus (?), n.;pl.
Oboli (#). [L., fr Gr. (&?;)] (Gr.Antiq.)
(a) A small silver coin of Athens, the sixth
part of a drachma, about three cents in value.
(b) An ancient weight, the sixth part of a
drachm.
Ob`o*me"goid (?), a. [Pref. ob-
+ omegoid.] (Zoöl.) Obversely
omegoid.
Ob*o"val (?), a. [Pref. ob- +
oval.] Obovate.
Ob*o"vate (?). a. [Pref. ob- +
ovate.] (Bot.) Inversely ovate; ovate with the
narrow end downward; as, an obovate leaf.
Ob*rep"tion (?), n. [L.
obreptio, fr. obrepere, obreptum, to creep up
to; ob (see Ob-) + repere to creep.]
1. The act of creeping upon with secrecy or by
surprise. [Obs.] Cudworth.
2. (Scots Law) The obtaining gifts of
escheat by fraud or surprise. Bell.
Ob`rep*ti"tious (?), a. [L.
obreptitus. See Obreption.] Done or obtained by
surprise; with secrecy, or by concealment of the truth. [R.]
Cotgrave.
Ob"ro*gate (?), v. t. [L.
obrogatus, p. p. of obrogare to obrogate.] To
annul indirectly by enacting a new and contrary law, instead of by
expressly abrogating or repealing the old one. [Obs.]
Bailey.
||Ob"rok (?), n. [Russ. obrok'.]
(a) A rent. (b) A
poll tax paid by peasants absent from their lord's estate.
[Russia] Brande & C.
Ob*scene" (?), a. [L. obscenus,
obscaenus, obscoenus, ill looking, filthy, obscene: cf.
F. obscéne.]
1. Offensive to chastity or modesty;
expressing or presenting to the mind or view something which
delicacy, purity, and decency forbid to be exposed; impure; as,
obscene language; obscene pictures.
Words that were once chaste, by frequent use grew
obscene and uncleanly.
I. Watts.
2. Foul; fifthy; disgusting.
A girdle foul with grease b&?;&?;ds his obscene
attire.
Dryden.
3. Inauspicious; ill-omened. [R.] [A
Latinism]
At the cheerful light,
The groaning ghosts and birds obscene take
flight.
Dryden.
Syn. -- Impure; immodest; indecent; unchaste; lewd.
-- Ob*scene"ly, adv. --
Ob*scene"ness, n.
Ob*scen"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Obscenities (#). [L. obscentias: cf.F.
obscénité.] That quality in words or things
which presents what is offensive to chasity or purity of mind;
obscene or impure lanquage or acts; moral impurity; lewdness;
obsceneness; as, the obscenity of a speech, or a
picture.
Mr.Cowley asserts plainly, that obscenity has
no place in wit.
Dryden.
No pardon vile obscenity should
find.
Pope.
Ob*scur"ant (?), n. [L.
obscurans, p. pr. of obscurare to obscure.] One
who obscures; one who prevents enlightenment or hinders the progress
of knowledge and wisdom. Coleridge.
Ob*scur"ant*ism (?), n. The system
or the principles of the obscurants. C. Kingsley.
Ob*scur"ant*ist, n. Same as
Obscurant. Ed. Rev.
Ob`scu*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
obscurativ: cf.F. obscuration. See Obscure,
v. t. ] The act or operation of obscuring; the
state of being obscured; as, the obscuration of the moon in an
eclipse. Sir J. Herschel.
Ob*scure" (?), a.
[Compar. Obscurer (?);
superl. Obscurest.] [L. obscurus,
orig., covered; ob- (see Ob-) + a root probably
meaning, to cover; cf. L. scutum shield, Skr. sku to
cover: cf.F. obscur. Cf. Sky.]
1. Covered over, shaded, or darkened;
destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim.
His lamp shall be put out in obscure
darkness.
Prov. xx. 20.
2. Of or pertaining to darkness or night;
inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired;
remote from observation; unnoticed.
The obscure bird
Clamored the livelong night.
Shak.
The obscure corners of the earth.
Sir J. Davies.
3. Not noticeable; humble; mean. "O
base and obscure vulgar." Shak. "An obscure
person." Atterbury.
4. Not easily understood; not clear or
legible; abstruse or blind; as, an obscure passage or
inscription.
5. Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded;
imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects.
Obscure rays (Opt.), those rays which
are not luminous or visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the
limits of the visible portion.
Syn. -- Dark; dim; darksome; dusky; shadowy; misty;
abstruse; intricate; difficult; mysterious; retired; unnoticed;
unknown; humble; mean; indistinct.
Ob*scure", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Obscured (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obscuring.] [L. obscurare, fr. obscurus: cf. OF.
obscurer. See Obscure, a.] To
render obscure; to darken; to make dim; to keep in the dark; to hide;
to make less visible, intelligible, legible, glorious, beautiful, or
illustrious.
They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne's oak,
with obscured lights.
Shak.
Why, 't is an office of discovery, love,
And I should be obscured.
Shak.
There is scarce any duty which has been so
obscured by the writings of learned men as this.
Wake.
And seest not sin obscures thy godlike
frame?
Dryden.
Ob*scure" (?), v. i. To conceal
one's self; to hide; to keep dark. [Obs.]
How! There's bad news.
I must obscure, and hear it.
Beau. &
Fl.
Ob*scure", n. Obscurity.
[Obs.] Milton.
Ob*scure"ly, adv. In an obscure
manner. Milton.
Ob*scure"ment (?), n. The act of
obscuring, or the state of being obscured; obscuration.
Pomfret.
Ob*scure"ness, n. Obscurity.
Bp. Hall.
Ob*scur"er (?), n. One who, or
that which, obscures.
Ob*scu"ri*ty (?), n. [L.
obscuritas: cf. F. obscurité.] The quality
or state of being obscure; darkness; privacy; inconspicuousness;
unintelligibleness; uncertainty.
Yuo are not for obscurity
designed.
Dryden.
They were now brought forth from obscurity, to
be contemplated by artists with admiration and despair.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Darkness; dimness; gloom. See
Darkness.
Ob"se*crate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Obsecrated (?); p. pr. & vb,
n. Obsecrating.] [L. obsecratus, p. p. of
obsecrare, prop., to ask on religious grounds; ob (see
Ob-) + sacrare to declare as sacred, from sacer
sacred.] To beseech; to supplicate; to implore. [R.].
Cockerman.
Ob"se*cra"tion (?), n. [L.
obsecratio: cf. F. obsecration.] 1.
The act of obsecrating or imploring; as, the obsecrations
of the Litany, being those clauses beginning with "By." Bp.
Stillingfeet. Shipley.
2. (Rhet.) A figure of speech in which
the orator implores the assistance of God or man.
Ob"se*cra*to*ry (?), a.
Expressing, or used in, entreaty; supplicatory. [R.]
Bp. Hall.
Ob"se*quent (?), a. [L.
obsequens, p. pr. of obsequi; ob (see Ob-
) + sequi. See Sequence.] Obedient;
submissive; obsequious. [Obs.] Fotherby.
Ob*se"qui*ence (?), n.
Obsequiousness. [R.]
Ob"se*quies (?), n. pl. See
Obsequy.
Ob*se"qui*ous (?), a. [L.
obsequiosus, fr. obsequium compliance, fr.
obsequi, fr. obsequi: cf. F.
obséquieux, See Obsequent, and cf.
Obsequy.] 1. Promptly obedient, or
submissive, to the will of another; compliant; yielding to the
desires of another; devoted. [Obs.]
His servants weeping,
Obsequious to his orders, bear him hither.
Addison.
2. Servilely or meanly attentive; compliant
to excess; cringing; fawning; as, obsequious flatterer,
parasite.
There lies ever in "obsequious" at the present
the sense of an observance which is overdone, of an unmanly readiness
to fall in with the will of another.
Trench.
3. [See Obsequy.] Of or pertaining to
obsequies; funereal. [R.] "To do obsequious sorrow."
Shak.
Syn. -- Compliant; obedient; servile. See
Yielding.
Ob*se"qui*ous*ly, adv.
1. In an obsequious manner; compliantly;
fawningly. Dryden.
2. In a manner appropriate to
obsequies. [Obs.]
Whilst I a while obsequiously lament
The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster.
Shak.
Ob*se"qui*ous*ness, n. The quality
or state of being obsequious. South.
Ob"se*quy (?), n.; pl.
Obsequies (#). [L. obsequiae, pl., funeral
rites, fr. obsequi: cf.F. obsèques. See
Obsequent, and cf. Obsequious.] 1.
The last duty or service to a person, rendered after his death;
hence, a rite or ceremony pertaining to burial; -- now used only in
the plural. Spencer.
I will . . . fetch him hence, and solemnly attend,
With silent obsequy and funeral train.
Milton
I will myself
Be the chief mourner at his obsequies.
Dryden.
The funeral obsequies were decently and
privately performed by his family
J. P.
Mahaffy.
2. Obsequiousness. [Obs.] B.
Jonson.
Ob*serv"a*ble (?), a. [L.
observabilis: cf.F. observable.] Worthy or capable
of being observed; discernible; noticeable; remarkable.
Sir. T. Browne.
The difference is sufficiently
observable.
Southey.
-- Ob*serv"a*ble*ness, n. --
Ob*serv"a*bly, adv.
Ob*serv"ance (?), n. [F.
observance, L. observantia. See Observant.]
1. The act or practice of observing or noticing
with attention; a heeding or keeping with care; performance; --
usually with a sense of strictness and fidelity; as, the
observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict
observance of duties.
It is a custom
More honored in the breach than the observance.
Shak.
2. An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship
or respect; especially, a customary act or service of attention; a
form; a practice; a rite; a custom.
At dances
These young folk kept their observances.
Chaucer.
Use all the observance of
civility.
Shak.
Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as
consisting in a few easy observances.
Rogers.
O I that wasted time to tend upon her,
To compass her with sweet observances!
Tennyson.
3. Servile attention; sycophancy.
[Obs.]
Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get,
Served with observance.
Chapman.
This is not atheism,
But court observance.
Beau. & Fl.
Syn. -- Observance, Observation. These words
are discriminated by the two distinct senses of observe. To
observe means (1) to keep strictly; as, to observe a
fast day, and hence, observance denotes the keeping or heeding
with strictness; (2) to consider attentively, or to remark; and
hence, observation denotes either the act of observing,
or some remark made as the result thereof. We do not say the
observation of Sunday, though the word was formerly so used.
The Pharisees were curious in external observances; the
astronomers are curious in celestial observations.
Love rigid honesty,
And strict observance of impartial laws.
Roscommon.
Ob*serv"an*cy (?), n.
Observance. [Obs.]
||Ob*ser`van"dum (?), n.; pl.
Observanda (#). [L.] A thing to be
observed. Swift.
Ob*serv"ant (?), a. [L.
observans, -anits, p. pr. of observare: cf. F.
observant. See Observe.]
1. Taking notice; viewing or noticing
attentively; watchful; attentive; as, an observant spectator;
observant habits.
Wandering from clime to clime observant
stray'd.
Pope.
2. Submissively attentive; obediently
watchful; regardful; mindful; obedient (to); -- with of, as,
to be observant of rules.
We are told how observant Alexander was of his
master Aristotle.
Sir K. Digby.
Ob*serv"ant, n. 1.
One who observes forms and rules. [Obs.]
Hooker.
2. A sycophantic servant. [Obs.]
Silly ducking observants,
That stretch their duties nicely.
Shak.
3. (R.C.Ch.) An
Observantine.
Ob`ser*van"tine (?), n. [Fr.
observantin.] (R.C.Ch.) One of a branch of the
Order of Franciscans, who profess to adhere more strictly than the
Conventuals to the intention of the founder, especially as to
poverty; -- called also Observants.
Ob*serv"ant*ly, adv. In an
observant manner.
Ob`ser*va"tion (?), n. [L.
observatio: cf.F. observation.] 1.
The act or the faculty of observing or taking notice; the act of
seeing, or of fixing the mind upon, anything.
My observation, which very seldom
lies.
Shak.
2. The result of an act, or of acts, of
observing; view; reflection; conclusion; judgment.
In matters of human prudence, we shall find the
greatest advantage in making wise observations on our
conduct.
I. Watts.
3. Hence: An expression of an opinion or
judgment upon what one has observed; a remark. "That's a
foolish observation." Shak.
To observations which ourselves we make
We grow more partial for the observer's sake.
Pope.
4. Performance of what is prescribed;
adherence in practice; observance. [Obs.]
We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the
observation of it in such circumstances.
Jer.
Taylor.
5. (Science) (a) The
act of recognizing and noting some fact or occurrence in nature, as
an aurora, a corona, or the structure of an animal.
(b) Specifically, the act of measuring, with
suitable instruments, some magnitude, as the time of an occultation,
with a clock; the right ascension of a star, with a transit
instrument and clock; the sun's altitude, or the distance of the moon
from a star, with a sextant; the temperature, with a thermometer,
etc. (c) The information so
acquired.
&fist; When a phenomenon is scrutinized as it occurs in nature,
the act is termed an observation. When the conditions under
which the phenomenon occurs are artificial, or arranged beforehand by
the observer, the process is called an experiment.
Experiment includes observation.
To take an observation (Naut.), to
ascertain the altitude of a heavenly body, with a view to fixing a
vessel's position at sea.
Syn. -- Observance; notice; attention; remark; comment;
note. See Observance.
Ob`ser*va"tion*al (?), a. Of a
pertaining to observation; consisting of, or containing,
observations. Chalmers.
Ob*serv"a*tive (?), a. Observing;
watchful.
Ob"ser*va`tor (?), n. [L.]
1. One who observes or takes notice.
[Obs.] Sir M. Hale.
2. One who makes a remark. [Obs.]
Dryden.
Ob*serv"a*to*ry (?), n.; pl.
Observatories (#). [Cf. F. observatoire.]
1. A place or building for making observations
on the heavenly bodies.
The new observatory in Greenwich
Park.
Evelyn.
2. A building fitted with instruments for
making systematic observations of any particular class or series of
natural phenomena.
3. A place, as an elevated chamber, from
which a view may be observed or commanded.
4. (Mil.) A lookout on a flank of a
battery whence an officer can note the range and effect of the
fire. Farrow.
Ob*serve" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Observed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Observing.] [L. observare, observatum; ob
(see Ob-) + servare to save, preserve, keep, heed,
observe: cf.F. observer. See Serve.] 1.
To take notice of by appropriate conduct; to conform one's
action or practice to; to keep; to heed; to obey; to comply with; as,
to observe rules or commands; to observe
civility.
Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened
bread.
Ex. xii. 17.
He wolde no such cursedness
observe.
Chaucer.
Must I budge? Must I observe you?
Shak.
With solemn purpose to observe
Immutably his sovereign will.
Milton.
2. To be on the watch respecting; to pay
attention to; to notice with care; to see; to perceive; to discover;
as, to observe an eclipse; to observe the color or
fashion of a dress; to observe the movements of an
army.
3. To express as what has been noticed; to
utter as a remark; to say in a casual or incidental way; to
remark.
Ob*serve", v. i. 1.
To take notice; to give attention to what one sees or hears; to
attend.
2. To make a remark; to comment; -- generally
with on or upon.
I have barely quoted . . . without observing
upon it.
Pope.
Syn. -- To remark. See Remark.
Ob*serv"er (?), n. 1.
One who observes, or pays attention to, anything; especially,
one engaged in, or trained to habits of, close and exact observation;
as, an astronomical observer.
The observed of all observers.
Shak.
Careful observers may foretell the hour,
By sure prognostic, when to dread a shower.
Swift.
2. One who keeps any law, custom, regulation,
rite, etc.; one who conforms to anything in practice. "Diligent
observers of old customs." Spenser.
These . . . hearkend unto observers of
times.
Deut. xviii. 14.
3. One who fulfills or performs; as, an
observer of his promises.
4. A sycophantic follower. [Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.
Ob*serv"er*ship (?), n. The office
or work of an observer.
Ob*serv"ing, a. Giving particular
attention; habitually attentive to what passes; as, an
observing person; an observing mind. --
Ob*serv"ing*ly, adv.
Ob*sess" (?), v. t. [L.
obsessus, p. p. of obsidere to besiege; ob (see
Ob-) + sedere to sit.] To besiege; to beset.
Sir T. Elyot.
Ob*ses"sion (?), n. [L.
obsessio: cf.F. obsession.] 1. The
act of besieging. Johnson.
2. The state of being besieged; -- used
specifically of a person beset by a spirit from without.
Tylor.
Whether by obsession or possession, I will not
determine.
Burton.
Ob*sid"i*an (?), n. [L. Obsidianus
lapis, so named, according to Pliny, after one Obsidius,
who discovered it in Ethiopia: cf.F. obsidiane,
obsidienne. The later editions of Pliny read Obsianus
lapis, and Obsius, instead of Obsidianus lapis, and
Obsidius.] (Min.) A kind of glass produced by
volcanoes. It is usually of a black color, and opaque, except in thin
splinters.
&fist; In a thin section it often exhibits a fluidal structure,
marked by the arrangement of microlites in the lines of the flow of
the molten mass.
Ob*sid"i*o*nal (?), a. [L.
obsidionalis, from obsidio a siege, obsidere to
besiege: cf.F. obsidional. See Obsess.] Of or
pertaining to a siege.
Obsidional crown (Rom.Antiq.), a
crown bestowed upon a general who raised the siege of a beleaguered
place, or upon one who held out against a siege.
Ob*sig`il*la"tion (?), n. [L. ob
(see Ob-) + sigillum a seal.] A sealing up.
[Obs.] Maunder.
Ob*sign" (?), v. t. [See
Obsignate.] To seal; to confirm, as by a seal or
stamp. [Obs.] Bradford.
Ob*sig"nate (?), v. t. [L.
obsignated, p. p. of obsignare to seal. See Ob-,
and Sign.] To seal; to ratify. [Obs.]
Barrow.
Ob`sig*na"tion (?), n. [L.
obsignatio.] The act of sealing or ratifying; the state
of being sealed or confirmed; confirmation, as by the Holy
Spirit.
The spirit of manifestation will but upbraid you in
the shame and horror of a sad eternity, if you have not the spirit of
obsignation.
Jer. Taylor.
Ob*sig"na*to*ry (?), a. Ratifying;
confirming by sealing. [Obs.] Samuel Ward (1643)
Ob`so*lesce" (?), v. i. [L.
obsolescere. See Obsolescent.] To become
obsolescent. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.
Ob`so*les"cence (?), n. [See
Obsolescent.] The state of becoming obsolete.
Ob`so*les"cent (?), a. [L.
obsolescens, -entis, p. pr. of obsolescere, to
wear out gradually, to fall into disuse; ob (see Ob-) +
solere to use, be wont.] Going out of use;
becoming obsolete; passing into desuetude.
Ob"so*lete (?), a. [L.
obsoletus, p. p. of obsolescere. See
Obsolescent.] 1. No longer in use; gone
into disuse; disused; neglected; as, an obsolete word; an
obsolete statute; -- applied chiefly to words, writings, or
observances.
2. (Biol.) Not very distinct; obscure;
rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive.
Syn. -- Ancient; antiquated; old-fashioned; antique; old;
disused; neglected. See Ancient.
Ob"so*lete, v. i. To become
obsolete; to go out of use. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.
Ob"so*lete*ly, adv. In an obsolete
manner.
Ob"so*lete*ness, n. 1.
The state of being obsolete, or no longer used; a state of
desuetude.
2. (Biol.) Indistinctness; want of
development.
Ob"so*let*ism (?), n. A disused
word or phrase; an archaism. Fitzed. Hall.
Ob"sta*cle (?), n. [F., fr. L.
obstaculum, fr. obstare to withstand, oppose; ob
(see Ob-) + stare to stand. See Stand. and cf.
Oust, v.] That which stands in the way,
or opposes; anything that hinders progress; a hindrance; an
obstruction, physical or moral.
If all obstacles were cut away.
And that my path were even to the crown.
Shak.
Syn. -- Impediment; obstuction; hindrance; difficulty. See
Impediment, and Obstruction.
Ob"stan*cy (?), n. [L.
obstantia, fr. obstans, p. pr. of obstare. See
Obstacle.] Opposition; impediment; obstruction.
[Obs.] B. Jonson.
{ Ob*stet"ric (?), Ob*stet"ric*al (?), }
a. [L. obstetricius, fr. obstetrix,
-icis, a midwife, fr. obstare to stand before: cf.F.
obstétrique. See Obstacle.] Of or
pertaining to midwifery, or the delivery of women in childbed; as,
the obstetric art.
Obstetrical toad (Zoöl.), a
European toad of the genus Alytes, especially A.
obstetricans. The eggs are laid in a string which the male winds
around his legs, and carries about until the young are
hatched.
Ob*stet"ri*cate (?), v. i. [L.
obstetricatus, p. p. of obstetricare, fr.
obstetrix.] To perform the office of midwife.
[Obs.] "Nature does obstetricate." Evelyn.
Ob*stet"ri*cate, v. t. To assist
as a midwife. [Obs.] E. Waterhouse.
Ob*stet"ri*ca"tion (?), n. The act
of assisting as a midwife; delivery. [Obs.] Bp.
Hall.
Ob`ste*tri"cian (?), n. One
skilled in obstetrics; an accoucheur.
Ob`ste*tri"cious (?), a. [See
Obstetric.] Serving to assist childbirth; obstetric;
hence, facilitating any bringing forth or deliverance.
[Obs.]
Yet is all human teaching but maieutical, or
obstetricious.
Cudworth.
Ob*stet"rics (?), n. [Cf. F.
obstétrique. See Obstetric.] The science of
midwifery; the art of assisting women in parturition, or in the
trouble incident to childbirth.
Ob*stet"ri*cy (?), n.
Obstetrics. [R.] Dunglison.
Ob"sti*na*cy (?), n. [See
Obstinate.] 1. A fixedness in will,
opinion, or resolution that can not be shaken at all, or only with
great difficulty; firm and usually unreasonable adherence to an
opinion, purpose, or system; unyielding disposition; stubborness;
pertinacity; persistency; contumacy.
You do not well in obstinacy
To cavil in the course of this contract.
Shak.
To shelter their ignorance, or obstinacy, under
the obscurity of their terms.
Locke.
2. The quality or state of being difficult to
remedy, relieve, or subdue; as, the obstinacy of a disease or
evil.
Syn. -- Pertinacity; firmness; resoluteness; inflexibility;
persistency; stubbornness; perverseness; contumacy. --
Obstinacy, Pertinacity. Pertinacity denotes
great firmness in holding to a thing, aim, etc. Obstinacy is
great firmness in holding out against persuasion, attack, etc. The
former consists in adherence, the latter in resistance. An opinion is
advocated with pertinacity or defended with obstinacy.
Pertinacity is often used in a good sense; obstinacy
generally in a bad one. "In this reply was included a very gross
mistake, and if with pertinacity maintained, a capital error."
Sir T. Browne. "Every degree of obstinacy in youth is
one step to rebellion." South.
Ob"sti*nate (?), a. [L.
obstinatus, p. p. of obstinare to set about a thing
with firmness, to persist in; ob (see Ob-) + a word
from the root of stare to stand. See Stand, and cf.
Destine.] 1. Pertinaciously adhering to
an opinion, purpose, or course; persistent; not yielding to reason,
arguments, or other means; stubborn; pertinacious; -- usually
implying unreasonableness.
I have known great cures done by obstinate
resolution of drinking no wine.
Sir W.
Temple.
No ass so meek, no ass so
obstinate.
Pope.
Of sense and outward things.
Wordsworth.
2. Not yielding; not easily subdued or
removed; as, obstinate fever; obstinate
obstructions.
Syn. -- Stubborn; inflexible; immovable; firm;
pertinacious; persistent; headstrong; opinionated; unyielding;
refractory; contumacious. See Stubborn.
-- Ob"sti*nate*ly, adv. --
Ob"sti*nate*ness, n.
Ob`sti*na"tion (?), n. [L.
obstinatio.] Obstinacy; stubbornness. [Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.
Ob`sti*pa"tion (?), n. [L.
obstipatio a close pressure; ob (see Ob-) +
stipare to press.] 1. The act of stopping
up, as a passage. [Obs.] Bailey.
2. (Med.) Extreme constipation.
[Obs.] Hooper.
Ob*strep"er*ous (?), a. [L.
obstreperus, from obstrepere to make a noise at;
ob (see Ob-) + strepere to make a noise.]
Attended by, or making, a loud and tumultuous noise; clamorous;
noisy; vociferous. "The obstreperous city."
Wordsworth. "Obstreperous approbation."
Addison.
Beating the air with their obstreperous
beaks.
B. Jonson.
-- Ob*strep"er*ous*ly, adv. --
Ob*strep"er*ous*ness, n.
Ob*stric"tion (?), n. [L.
obstringere, obstrictum, to bind to or about.] The
state of being constrained, bound, or obliged; that which constrains
or obliges; obligation; bond. [R.] Milton.
Ob*stringe" (?), v. t. [See
Obstriction.] To constrain; to put under
obligation. [R.] Bp. Gardiner.
Ob*struct" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Obstructed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Obstructing.] [L. obstructus, p. p. of obstruere
to build up before or against, to obstruct; ob (see Ob-
) + struere to pile up. See Structure.]
1. To block up; to stop up or close, as a way
or passage; to place an obstacle in, or fill with obstacles or
impediments that prevent or hinder passing; as, to obstruct a
street; to obstruct the channels of the body.
'T is the obstructed paths of sound shall
clear.
Pope.
2. To be, or come, in the way of; to hinder
from passing; to stop; to impede; to retard; as, the bar in the
harbor obstructs the passage of ships; clouds obstruct
the light of the sun; unwise rules obstruct legislation.
"Th' impatience of obstructed love." Johnson.
Syn. -- To bar; barricade; stop; arrest; check; interrupt;
clog; choke; impede; retard; embarrass; oppose.
Ob*struct"er (?), n. One who
obstructs or hinders.
Ob*struc"tion (?), n. [L.
obstructio.]
1. The act of obstructing, or state of being
obstructed.
2. That which obstructs or impedes; an
obstacle; an impediment; a hindrance.
A popular assembly free from
obstruction.
Swift.
3. The condition of having the natural powers
obstructed in their usual course; the arrest of the vital functions;
death. [Poetic]
To die, and go we know not where,
To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot.
Shak.
Syn. -- Obstacle; bar; barrier; impediment; clog;
check; hindrance. -- Obstruction, Obstacle. The
difference between these words is that indicated by their etymology;
an obstacle is something standing in the way; an
obstruction is something put in the way. Obstacle
implies more fixedness and is the stronger word. We remove
obstructions; we surmount obstacles.
Disparity in age seems a greater obstacle to an
intimate friendship than inequality of fortune.
Collier.
The king expected to meet with all the
obstructions and difficulties his enraged enemies could lay in
his way.
Clarendon.
Ob*struc"tion*ism (?), n. The act
or the policy of obstructing progress. Lond. Lit.
World.
Ob*struc"tion*ist, n. One who
hinders progress; one who obstructs business, as in a legislative
body. -- a. Of or pertaining to
obstructionists. [Recent]
Ob*struct"ive (?), a. [Cf.F.
obstrictif.] Tending to obstruct; presenting obstacles;
hindering; causing impediment. -- Ob*struct"ive*ly,
adv.
Ob*struct"ive, n. An obstructive
person or thing.
Ob"stru*ent (?), a. [L.
obstruens, p. pr. of obstruere. See Obstruct.]
Causing obstruction; blocking up; hindering; as, an
obstruent medicine. Johnson.
Ob"stru*ent, n. Anything that
obstructs or closes a passage; esp., that which obstructs natural
passages in the body; as, a medicine which acts as an
obstruent.
Ob*stu`pe*fac"tion (?), n. [L.
obstuperfacere to stupefy.] See
Stupefaction. [Obs.] Howell.
Ob*stu`pe*fac"tive (?), a.
Stupefactive. [Obs.]
Ob*stu"pe*fy (?), v. t. [Cf.L.
obstupefacere. See Ob-, and Stupefy.] See
Stupefy. [Obs.]
Ob*tain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Obtained (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obtaining.] [F. obtenir, L. obtinere; ob
(see Ob-) + tenere to hold. See Tenable.]
1. To hold; to keep; to possess.
[Obs.]
His mother, then, is mortal, but his Sire
He who obtains the monarchy of heaven.
Milton.
2. To get hold of by effort; to gain
possession of; to procure; to acquire, in any way.
Some pray for riches; riches they
obtain.
Dryden.
By guileful fair words peace may be
obtained.
Shak.
It may be that I may obtain children by
her.
Gen. xvi. 2.
Syn. -- To attain; gain; procure; acquire; win; earn. See
Attain. -- To Obtain, Get, Gain,
Earn, Acquire. The idea of getting is common to
all these terms. We may, indeed, with only a slight change of sense,
substitute get for either of them; as, to get or to
gain a prize; to get or to obtain an employment;
to get or to earn a living; to get or to
acquire a language. To gain is to get by striving; and
as this is often a part of our good fortune, the word gain is
peculiarly applicable to whatever comes to us fortuitously. Thus, we
gain a victory, we gain a cause, we gain an
advantage, etc. To earn is to deserve by labor or service; as,
to earn good wages; to earn a triumph. Unfortunately,
one does not always get or obtain what he has
earned. To obtain implies desire for possession, and
some effort directed to the attainment of that which is not
immediately within our reach. Whatever we thus seek and
get, we obtain, whether by our own exertions or those
of others; whether by good or bad means; whether permanently, or only
for a time. Thus, a man obtains an employment; he
obtains an answer to a letter, etc. To acquire is more
limited and specific. We acquire what comes to us gradually in
the regular exercise of our abilities, while we obtain what
comes in any way, provided we desire it. Thus, we acquire
knowledge, property, honor, reputation, etc. What we acquire
becomes, to a great extent, permanently our own; as, to
acquire a language; to acquire habits of industry,
etc.
Ob*tain", v. i. 1.
To become held; to gain or have a firm footing; to be recognized
or established; to subsist; to become prevalent or general; to
prevail; as, the custom obtains of going to the seashore in
summer.
Sobriety hath by use obtained to signify
temperance in drinking.
Jer. Taylor.
The Theodosian code, several hundred years after
Justinian's time, did obtain in the western parts of
Europe.
Baker.
2. To prevail; to succeed. [R.]
Evelyn.
So run that ye may obtain.
1
Cor. ix. 24.
There is due from the judge to the advocate, some
commendation, where causes are fair pleaded; especially towards the
side which obtaineth not.
Bacon.
Ob*tain"a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being obtained.
Ob*tain"er (?), n. One who
obtains.
Ob*tain"ment (?), n. The act or
process of obtaining; attainment. Milton.
Ob*tect"ed (?), a. [L. obtectus,
p. p. of obtegere to cover over.] 1.
Covered; protected. [Obs.]
2. (Zoöl.) Covered with a hard
chitinous case, as the pupa of certain files.
Ob*tem"per (?), v. t. & i. [See
Obtemperate.] (Scots Law) To obey (a judgment or
decree).
Ob*tem"per*ate (?), v. t. [L.
obtemperare, obtemperatum to obey.] To obey.
[Obs.] Johnson.
Ob*tend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Obtended; p. pr. & vb. n.
Obtending.] [L. obtendere, obtentum, to stretch
or place before or against; ob (see Ob-) +
tendere to stretch.] 1. To oppose; to
hold out in opposition. [Obs.] Dryden.
2. To offer as the reason of anything; to
pretend. [Obs.] Dryden
Ob*ten`e*bra"tion (?), n. [L.
obtenebrate to make dark.] The act of darkening; the
state of being darkened; darkness. [Obs.]
In every megrim or vertigo, there is an
obtenebration joined with a semblance of turning
round.
Bacon.
Ob*ten"sion (?), n. [L.
obtentio. See Obtend.] The act of obtending.
[Obs.] Johnson.
Ob*test" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Obtested; p. pr. & vb. n.
Obtesting.] [L. obtestari; ob (see Ob-) +
testari to witness, fr. testis a witness.]
1. To call to witness; to invoke as a
witness. [R.] Dryden.
2. To beseech; to supplicate; to beg
for. [R.]
Ob*test", v. i. To protest.
[R.] E. Waterhouse.
Ob`tes*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
obtestatio.] The act of obtesting; supplication;
protestation. [R.]
Antonio asserted this with great
obtestation.
Evelyn.
Ob`trec*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
obtrectatio, from obtrectare to detract from through
envy. See Detract.] Slander; detraction; calumny.
[Obs.] Barrow.
Ob*trude" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Obtruded, p. pr. & vb. n.
Obtruding.] [L. obtrudere, obtrusum; ob
(see Ob-) + trudere to thrust. See Threat.]
1. To thrust impertinently; to present without
warrant or solicitation; as, to obtrude one's self upon a
company.
The objects of our senses obtrude their
particular ideas upon our minds, whether we will or no.
Lock.
2. To offer with unreasonable importunity; to
urge unduly or against the will. Milton.
Ob*trude", v. i. To thrust one's
self upon a company or upon attention; to intrude.
Syn. -- To Obtrude, Intrude. To
intrude is to thrust one's self into a place, society, etc.,
without right, or uninvited; to obtrude is to force one's
self, remarks, opinions, etc., into society or upon persons with whom
one has no such intimacy as to justify such boldness.
Ob*trud"er (?), n. One who
obtrudes. Boyle.
Ob*trun"cate (?), v. t. [L.
obtruncatus, p. p. of obtruncare.] To deprive of a
limb; to lop. [R.]
Ob`trun*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
obtruncatio.] The act of lopping or cutting off.
[R.] Cockeram.
Ob*tru"sion (?), n. [L.
obtrusio. See Obtrude.] 1. The act
of obtruding; a thrusting upon others by force or unsolicited; as,
the obtrusion of crude opinions on the world.
2. That which is obtruded.
Milton.
Ob*tru"sion*ist, n. One who
practices or excuses obtrusion. [R.] Gent. Mag.
Ob*tru"sive (?), a. Disposed to
obtrude; inclined to intrude or thrust one's self or one's opinions
upon others, or to enter uninvited; forward; pushing;
intrusive. -- Ob*tru"sive*ly, adv. -
- Ob*tru"sive*ness, n.
Not obvious, not obtrusive, but
retired.
Milton.
Ob*tund" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Obtunded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Obtunding.] [L. obtundere, obtusum; ob
(see Ob-) + tundere to strike or beat. See
Stutter.] To reduce the edge, pungency, or violent action
of; to dull; to blunt; to deaden; to quell; as, to obtund the
acrimony of the gall. [Archaic] Harvey.
They . . . have filled all our law books with the
obtunding story of their suits and trials.
Milton.
Ob*tund"ent (?), n. [L.
obtundens, p. pr. of obtundere.] (Med.) A
substance which sheathes a part, or blunts irritation, usually some
bland, oily, or mucilaginous matter; -- nearly the same as
demulcent. Forsyth.
Ob*tund"er (?), n. (Med.)
That which obtunds or blunts; especially, that which blunts
sensibility.
Ob`tu*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
obturare to stop up: cf.F. obturation.] The act of
stopping up, or closing, an opening. "Deaf by an outward
obturation." Bp. Hall.
Ob"tu*ra`tor (?), n. [NL., fr. L.
obturare to stop up: cf.F. obturateur.]
1. That which closes or stops an
opening.
2. (Surg.) An apparatus designed to
close an unnatural opening, as a fissure of the palate.
Ob"tu*ra`tor, a. (Anat.)
Serving as an obturator; closing an opening; pertaining to, or
in the region of, the obturator foramen; as, the obturator
nerve.
Obturator foramen (Anat.), an opening
situated between the public and ischial parts of the innominate bone
and closed by the obturator membrane; the thyroid
foramen.
Ob*tus"an`gu*lar (?), a. See
Obstuseangular.
Ob*tuse" (?). a.
[Compar. Obtuser (&?;);
superl. Obtusest.] [L. obtusus, p. p.
of obtundere to blunt: cf. F. obtus. See
Obtund.] 1. Not pointed or acute; blunt;
-- applied esp. to angles greater than a right angle, or containing
more than ninety degrees.
2. Not having acute sensibility or
perceptions; dull; stupid; as, obtuse senses.
Milton.
3. Dull; deadened; as, obtuse
sound. Johnson.
{ Ob*tuse"-an`gled (?), ob*tuse"-an`gu*lar (?),
} a. Having an obtuse angle; as, an obtuse-
angled triangle.
Ob*tuse"ly, adv. In an obtuse
manner.
Ob*tuse"ness, n. State or quality
of being obtuse.
Ob*tu"sion (&?;), n. [L.
obtusio, from obtundere to blunt. See Obtund.]
1. The act or process of making obtuse or
blunt.
2. The state of being dulled or blunted; as,
the obtusion of the senses. Harvey.
Ob*tu"si*ty (?), n.
Obtuseness. Lond. Quart. Rev.
Ob*um"brant (?), a. [L.
obumbrans, p. pr.] (Zoöl.) Overhanging; as,
obumbrant feathers.
Ob*um"brate (?), v. t. [L.
obumbratus, p. p. of obumbrare to overshadow, cloud;
ob + umbrare to shade.] To shade; to darken; to
cloud. [R.] Howell.
Ob`um*bra"tion (?), n. [L.
obumbratio.] Act of darkening or obscuring. [R.]
Sir T. More.
Ob*un"cous (?), a. [L. obuncus;
ob (see Ob-) + uncus hooked.] Hooked or
crooked in an extreme degree. Maunder.
Ob*ven"tion (?), n. [L.
obvention, fr. obvenire to come before or in the way
of, to befall; ob (see Ob-) + venire to come:
cf.F. obvention.] The act of happening incidentally; that
which happens casually; an incidental advantage; an occasional
offering. [Obs.] "Tithes and other obventions."
Spenser.
Legacies bequeathed by the deaths of princes and great
persons, and other casualities and obventions.
Fuller.
Ob*vers"ant (?), a. [L.
obversans, p. pr. of obversari to hover before;
ob (see Ob-) + versare to move about.]
Conversant; familiar. [Obs.] Bacon.
Ob*verse" (?), a. [L. obversus,
p. p. of obvertere. See Obvert.] Having the base,
or end next the attachment, narrower than the top, as a
leaf.
Ob"verse (?), n. [Cf.F. obverse,
obvers. See Obverse, a.]
1. The face of a coin which has the principal
image or inscription upon it; -- the other side being the
reverse.
2. Anything necessarily involved in, or
answering to, another; the more apparent or conspicuous of two
possible sides, or of two corresponding things.
The fact that it [a belief] invariably exists being
the obverse of the fact that there is no alternative
belief.
H. Spencer.
Ob*verse"ly (?), adv. In an
obverse manner.
Ob*ver"sion (?), n. [L. obversio
a turning towards.] 1. The act of turning toward
or downward.
2. (Logic) The act of immediate
inference, by which we deny the opposite of anything which has been
affirmed; as, all men are mortal; then, by obversion, no men
are immortal. This is also described as "immediate inference by
privative conception." Bain.
Ob*vert" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Obverted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Obverting.] [L. obvertere; ob (see Ob-) +
vertere to turn. See Verse.] To turn
toward.
If its base be obverted towards
us.
I. Watts.
Ob"vi*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Obviated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obviating.] [L. obviare; ob (see Ob-) +
viare to go, fr. via way. See Voyage.]
1. To meet in the way. [Obs.]
Not to stir a step to obviate any of a
different religion.
Fuller.
2. To anticipate; to prevent by interception;
to remove from the way or path; to make unnecessary; as, to
obviate the necessity of going.
To lay down everything in its full light, so as to
obviate all exceptions.
Woodward.
Ob`vi*a"tion (?), n. The act of
obviating, or the state of being obviated.
Ob"vi*ous (?), a. [L. obvius;
ob (see Ob-) + via way. See Voyage.]
1. Opposing; fronting. [Obs.]
To the evil turn
My obvious breast.
Milton.
2. Exposed; subject; open; liable.
[Obs.] "Obvious to dispute." Milton.
3. Easily discovered, seen, or understood;
readily perceived by the eye or the intellect; plain; evident;
apparent; as, an obvious meaning; an obvious
remark.
Apart and easy to be known they lie,
Amidst the heap, and obvious to the eye.
Pope.
Syn. -- Plain; clear; evident. See Manifest.
-- Ob"vi*ous*ly, adv. -- Ob"vi*ous-
ness, n.
{ Ob"vo*lute (?), Ob`vo*lu"ted (?), }
a. [L. obvolutus, p. p. of obvolvere
to wrap round; ob (see Ob-) + volvere to roll.]
Overlapping; contorted; convolute; -- applied primarily, in
botany, to two opposite leaves, each of which has one edge
overlapping the nearest edge of the other, and secondarily to a
circle of several leaves or petals which thus overlap.
O"by (?), n. See
Obi.
||O"ca (?), n. [Sp.] (Bot.)
A Peruvian name for certain species of Oxalis (O.
crenata, and O. tuberosa) which bear edible
tubers.
Oc"ca*my (?), n. [A corruption of
alchemy.] An alloy imitating gold or silver.
[Written also ochimy, ochymy, etc.]
Oc*ca"sion (&obreve;k*kā"zhŭn),
n. [F. occasion, L. occasio, fr.
occidere, occasum, to fall down; ob (see Ob-
) + cadere to fall. See Chance, and cf.
Occident.] 1. A falling out, happening,
or coming to pass; hence, that which falls out or happens;
occurrence; incident.
The unlooked-for incidents of family history, and its
hidden excitements, and its arduous occasions.
I. Taylor.
2. A favorable opportunity; a convenient or
timely chance; convenience.
Sin, taking occasion by the commandment,
deceived me.
Rom. vii. 11.
I'll take the occasion which he gives to
bring
Him to his death.
Waller.
3. An occurrence or condition of affairs
which brings with it some unlooked-for event; that which incidentally
brings to pass an event, without being its efficient cause or
sufficient reason; accidental or incidental cause.
Her beauty was the occasion of the
war.
Dryden.
4. Need; exigency; requirement; necessity;
as, I have no occasion for firearms.
After we have served ourselves and our own
occasions.
Jer. Taylor.
When my occasions took me into
France.
Burke.
5. A reason or excuse; a motive; a
persuasion.
Whose manner was, all passengers to stay,
And entertain with her occasions sly.
Spenser.
On occasion, in case of need; in necessity;
as convenience requires; occasionally. "That we might have
intelligence from him on occasion," De Foe.
Syn. -- Need; incident; use. See Opportunity.
Oc*ca"sion (&obreve;k*kā"zhŭn), v.
t. [imp. & p. p. Occasioned (-
zhŭnd); p. pr. & vb. n. Occasioning.]
[Cf.F. occasionner.] To give occasion to; to cause; to
produce; to induce; as, to occasion anxiety.
South.
If we inquire what it is that occasions men to
make several combinations of simple ideas into distinct
modes.
Locke.
Oc*ca"sion*a*ble (?), a. Capable
of being occasioned or caused. Barrow.
Oc*ca"sion*al (?), a. [Cf.F.
occasionnel.] 1. Of or pertaining to an
occasion or to occasions; occuring at times, but not constant,
regular, or systematic; made or happening as opportunity requires or
admits; casual; incidental; as, occasional remarks, or
efforts.
The . . . occasional writing of the present
times.
Bagehot.
2. Produced by accident; as, the
occasional origin of a thing. [Obs.] Sir T.
Browne.
Occasional cause (Metaph.), some
circumstance preceding an effect which, without being the real cause,
becomes the occasion of the action of the efficient cause; thus, the
act of touching gunpowder with fire is the occasional, but not
the efficient, cause of an explosion.
Oc*ca"sion*al*ism (?), n.
(Metaph.) The system of occasional causes; -- a name
given to certain theories of the Cartesian school of philosophers, as
to the intervention of the First Cause, by which they account for the
apparent reciprocal action of the soul and the body.
Oc*ca`sion*al"i*ty (?), n. Quality
or state of being occasional; occasional occurrence. [R.]
Oc*ca"sion*al*ly (?), adv. In an
occasional manner; on occasion; at times, as convenience requires or
opportunity offers; not regularly. Stewart.
The one, Wolsey, directly his subject by birth; the
other, his subject occasionally by his
preferment.
Fuller.
Oc*ca"sion*ate (?), v. t. To
occasion. [Obs.]
The lowest may occasionate much
ill.
Dr. H. More.
Oc*ca"sion*er (?), n. One who, or
that which, occasions, causes, or produces. Bp.
Sanderson.
Oc*ca"sive (?), a. [L.
occasivus, fr. occasus a going down, setting of the
heavenly bodies, fr. occidere to fall or down. See
Occasion.] Of or pertaining to the setting sun; falling;
descending; western.
Oc*ce*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
occaecatio, fr. occaecare to make blind; ob +
caecare to blind, fr. caecus blind.] The act of
making blind, or the state of being blind. [R.] "This inward
occecation." Bp. Hall.
Oc"ci*dent (?), n. [F., fr. L.
occidens, occidentis, fr. occidents, p. pr. of
occidere to fall or go down. See Occasion.] The
part of the horizon where the sun last appears in the evening; that
part of the earth towards the sunset; the west; -- opposed to
orient. Specifically, in former times, Europe as opposed to
Asia; now, also, the Western hemisphere. Chaucer.
I may wander from east to
occident.
Shak.
Oc`ci*den"tal (?), a. [L.
occidentalis; cf. F. occidental.] 1.
Of, pertaining to, or situated in, the occident, or west;
western; -- opposed to oriental; as, occidental
climates, or customs; an occidental planet.
2. Possessing inferior hardness, brilliancy,
or beauty; -- used of inferior precious stones and gems, because
those found in the Orient are generally superior.
Oc`ci*den"tals (?), n. pl.
(Eccl.) Western Christians of the Latin rite. See
Orientals. Shipley.
Oc*cid"u*ous (?), a. [L.
occiduus, fr. occidere to go down.] Western;
occidental. [R.] Blount.
Oc*cip"i*tal (?), a. [Cf. F.
occipital.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the
occiput, or back part of the head, or to the occipital
bone.
Occipital bone (Anat.), the bone
which forms the posterior segment of the skull and surrounds the
great foramen by which the spinal cord leaves the cranium. In the
higher vertebrates it is usually composed of four bones, which become
consolidated in the adult. -- Occipital point
(Anat.), the point of the occiput in the mesial plane
farthest from the ophryon.
Oc*cip"i*tal, n. (Anat.)
The occipital bone.
Oc*cip"i*to- (&?;). [See Occiput.] A
combining form denoting relation to, or situation near,
the occiput; as, occipito-axial; occipito-
mastoid.
Oc*cip`i*to*ax"i*al (?), a.
(Anat.) Of or pertaining to the occipital bone and second
vertebra, or axis.
Oc"ci*put (?), n.; pl. L.
Occipita (#), E. Occiputs. [L.,
fr. ob (see Ob-) + caput head. See
Chief.] 1. (Anat.) The back, or
posterior, part of the head or skull; the region of the occipital
bone.
2. (Zoöl.) A plate which forms
the back part of the head of insects.
Oc*ci"sion (?), n. [L. occisio,
fr. occidere, occisium, to cut down, to kill; ob
(see Ob-) + caedere to cut.] A killing; the act of
killing. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.
Oc*clude" (?), v. t. [L.
occludere, occlusum; ob (see Ob-) +
claudere to shut.] 1. To shut up; to
close. Sir T. Browne.
2. (Chem.) To take in and retain; to
absorb; -- said especially with respect to gases; as iron, platinum,
and palladium occlude large volumes of hydrogen.
Oc*clud"ent (?), a. [L.
occludens, p. pr. of occludere.] Serving to close;
shutting up. -- n. That which closes or
shuts up. Sterne.
Oc*cluse" (?), a. [L. occlusus, p. p.
See Occlude.] Shut; closed. [Obs.]
Holder.
Oc*clu"sion (?), n. [See
Occlude.] 1. The act of occluding, or the
state of being occluded.
Constriction and occlusion of the
orifice.
Howell.
2. (Med.) The transient approximation
of the edges of a natural opening; imperforation.
Dunglison.
Occlusion of gases (Chem. & Physics),
the phenomenon of absorbing gases, as exhibited by platinum,
palladium, iron, or charcoal; thus, palladium absorbs, or
occludes, nearly a thousand times its own volume of hydrogen,
and in this case a chemical compound seems to be formed.
Oc*crus"tate (?), v. t. [See Ob-
, and Crustated.] To incrust; to harden. [Obs.]
Dr. H. More.
Oc*cult" (?), a. [L. occultus,
p. p. of occulere to cover up, hide; ob (see Ob-
) + a root prob.akin to E. hell: cf. F. occulte.]
Hidden from the eye or the understanding; inviable; secret;
concealed; unknown.
It is of an occult kind, and is so insensible
in its advances as to escape observation.
I.
Taylor.
Occult line (Geom.), a line drawn as
a part of the construction of a figure or problem, but not to appear
in the finished plan. -- Occult qualities,
those qualities whose effects only were observed, but the nature
and relations of whose productive agencies were undetermined; -- so
called by the schoolmen. -- Occult sciences,
those sciences of the Middle Ages which related to the supposed
action or influence of occult qualities, or supernatural powers, as
alchemy, magic, necromancy, and astrology.
Oc*cult", v. t. To eclipse; to
hide from sight.
Oc`cul*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
occultatio a hiding, fr. occultare, v. intens. of
occulere: cf.F. occultation. See Occult.]
1. (Astron.) The hiding of a heavenly
body from sight by the intervention of some other of the heavenly
bodies; -- applied especially to eclipses of stars and planets by the
moon, and to the eclipses of satellites of planets by their
primaries.
2. Fig.: The state of being occult.
The reappearance of such an author after those long
periods of occultation.
Jeffrey.
Circle of perpetual occultation. See under
Circle.
Oc*cult"ed, a. 1.
Hidden; secret. [Obs.] Shak.
2. (Astron.) Concealed by the
intervention of some other heavenly body, as a star by the
moon.
Oc*cult"ing (?), n. Same as
Occultation.
Oc*cult"ism (?), n. A certain
Oriental system of theosophy. A. P. Sinnett.
Oc*cult"ist, n. An adherent of
occultism.
Oc*cult"ly, adv. In an occult
manner.
Oc*cult"ness, n. State or quality
of being occult.
Oc"cu*pan*cy (?), n. [See
Occupant.] The act of taking or holding possession;
possession; occupation.
Title by occupancy (Law), a right of
property acquired by taking the first possession of a thing, or
possession of a thing which belonged to nobody, and appropriating
it. Blackstone. Kent.
Oc"cu*pant (?), n. [L. occupans,
p. pr. of occupare: cf. F. occupant. See
Occupy.] 1. One who occupies, or takes
possession; one who has the actual use or possession, or is in
possession, of a thing.
&fist; This word, in law, sometimes signifies one who takes the
first possession of a thing that has no owner.
2. A prostitute. [Obs.]
Marston.
Oc"cu*pate (?), v. t. [L.
occupatus, p. p. of occupare. See Occupy.]
To occupy. [Obs.] Bacon.
Oc`cu*pa"tion (?), n. [L.
occupatio: cf.F. occupation.] 1.
The act or process of occupying or taking possession; actual
possession and control; the state of being occupied; a holding or
keeping; tenure; use; as, the occupation of lands by a
tenant.
2. That which occupies or engages the time
and attention; the principal business of one's life; vocation;
employment; calling; trade.
Absence of occupation is not rest.
Cowper.
Occupation bridge (Engin.), a bridge
connecting the parts of an estate separated by a railroad, a canal,
or an ordinary road.
Syn. -- Occupancy; possession; tenure; use; employment;
avocation; engagement; vocation; calling; office; trade;
profession.
Oc"cu*pi`er (?), n. 1.
One who occupies, or has possession.
2. One who follows an employment; hence, a
tradesman. [Obs.] "Merchants and occupiers."
Holland.
The occupiers of thy merchandise.
Ezek. xxvii. 27.
Oc"cu*py (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Occupied (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Occupying (?).] [OE. occupien, F. occuper, fr.L.
occupare; ob (see Ob-) + a word akin to
capere to take. See Capacious.] 1.
To take or hold possession of; to hold or keep for use; to
possess.
Woe occupieth the fine [/end] of our
gladness.
Chaucer.
The better apartments were already
occupied.
W. Irving.
2. To hold, or fill, the dimensions of; to
take up the room or space of; to cover or fill; as, the camp
occupies five acres of ground. Sir J.
Herschel.
3. To possess or use the time or capacity of;
to engage the service of; to employ; to busy.
An archbishop may have cause to occupy more
chaplains than six.
Eng. Statute (Hen. VIII.
)
They occupied themselves about the
Sabbath.
2 Macc. viii. 27.
4. To do business in; to busy one's self
with. [Obs.]
All the ships of the sea, with their mariners, were in
thee to occupy the merchandise.
Ezek. xxvii.
9.
Not able to occupy their old
crafts.
Robynson (More's Utopia).
5. To use; to expend; to make use of.
[Obs.]
All the gold that was occupied for the
work.
Ex. xxxviii. 24.
They occupy not money themselves.
Robynson (More's Utopia).
6. To have sexual intercourse with.
[Obs.] Nares.
Oc"cu*py, v. i. 1.
To hold possession; to be an occupant. "Occupy till
I come." Luke xix. 13.
2. To follow business; to traffic.
Oc*cur" (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Occurred(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Occurring (?).] [L. occurrere, occursum;
ob (see Ob-) + currere to run. See
Course.] 1. To meet; to clash.
[Obs.]
The resistance of the bodies they occur
with.
Bentley.
2. To go in order to meet; to make
reply. [Obs.]
I must occur to one specious
objection.
Bentley.
3. To meet one's eye; to be found or met
with; to present itself; to offer; to appear; to happen; to take
place; as, I will write if opportunity occurs.
In Scripture, though the word heir occur, yet
there is no such thing as "heir" in our author's sense.
Locke.
4. To meet or come to the mind; to suggest
itself; to be presented to the imagination or memory.
There doth not occur to me any use of this
experiment for profit.
Bacon.
Oc*cur"rence (?), n. [Cf. F.
occurrence. See Occur.] 1. A
coming or happening; as, the occurence of a railway
collision.
Voyages detain the mind by the perpetual
occurrence and expectation of something new.
I. Watts.
2. Any incident or event; esp., one which
happens without being designed or expected; as, an unusual
occurrence, or the ordinary occurrences of
life.
All the occurrence of my fortune.
Shak.
Syn. -- See Event.
Oc*cur"rent (?), a. [L.
occurrens, -entis, p. pr. of occurrere: cf.F.
occurrent. See Occur.] Occurring or happening;
hence, incidental; accidental.
Oc*cur"rent (?), n. 1.
One who meets; hence, an adversary. [Obs.]
Holland.
2. Anything that happens; an
occurrence. [Obs.]
These we must meet with in obvious occurrents
of the world.
Sir T. Browne.
Oc*curse" (?), n. [L. occursus.]
Same as Occursion. [Obs.] Bentley.
Oc*cur"sion (?), n. [L.
occursio. See Occur.] A meeting; a clash; a
collision. [Obs.] Boyle.
O"cean (ō"shan), n. [F.
océan, L. oceanus, Gr. 'wkeano`s
ocean, in Homer, the great river supposed to encompass the earth.]
1. The whole body of salt water which covers
more than three fifths of the surface of the globe; -- called also
the sea, or great sea.
Like the odor of brine from the ocean
Comes the thought of other years.
Longfellow.
2. One of the large bodies of water into
which the great ocean is regarded as divided, as the Atlantic,
Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Antarctic oceans.
3. An immense expanse; any vast space or
quantity without apparent limits; as, the boundless ocean of
eternity; an ocean of affairs. Locke.
O"cean (ō"shan), a.
Of or pertaining to the main or great sea; as, the ocean
waves; an ocean stream. Milton.
O`ce*an"ic (?), a. [Cf.F.
océanique. See Ocean.] 1.
Of or pertaining to the ocean; found or formed in or about, or
produced by, the ocean; frequenting the ocean, especially mid-
ocean.
Petrels are the most aërial and oceanic of
birds.
Darwin.
2. Of or pertaining to Oceania or its
inhabitants.
O`cean*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Ocean
+ -graphy.] A description of the ocean.
O`cean*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Ocean +
-logy.] That branch of science which relates to the
ocean.
||O*ce"a*nus (?), n. [L., from Gr.
&?;.] (Gr.Myth.) The god of the great outer sea, or the
river which was believed to flow around the whole earth.
O*cel"la*ry (?), a. Of or
pertaining to ocelli.
O*cel"late (?), a. Same as
Ocellated.
O*cel"la*ted (?), a. [L.
ocellatus, fr. ocellus a little eye, dim. of
oculus an eye.] 1. Resembling an
eye.
2. Marked with eyelike spots of color; as,
the ocellated blenny.
Ocellated turkey (Zoöl.), the
wild turkey of Central America (Meleagris ocellata).
||O*cel"lus (?), n.; pl.
Ocelli (#). [L., dim. of oculus an eye.]
(Zoöl.) (a) A little eye; a minute
simple eye found in many invertebrates. (b)
An eyelike spot of color, as those on the tail of the
peacock.
O"ce*loid (?), a. [Ocelot + -
oid.] (Zoöl.) Resembling the ocelot.
O"ce*lot (?), n. [Mexican
ocelotl.] (Zoöl.) An American feline
carnivore (Felis pardalis). It ranges from the Southwestern
United States to Patagonia. It is covered with blackish ocellated
spots and blotches, which are variously arranged. The ground color
varies from reddish gray to tawny yellow.
{ O"cher, O"chre } (?), n.
[F. ocre, L. ochra, fr. Gr. &?;, from (&?;) pale, pale
yellow.] (Min.) (a) A impure earthy ore
of iron or a ferruginous clay, usually red (hematite) or yellow
(limonite), -- used as a pigment in making paints, etc. The name is
also applied to clays of other colors. (b)
A metallic oxide occurring in earthy form; as, tungstic
ocher or tungstite.
{ O"cher*ous, O"chre*ous } (?),
a. [Cf. F. ocreux.] Of or pertaining to
ocher; containing or resembling ocher; as, ocherous matter;
ocherous soil.
O"cher*y (?), a. Ocherous.
[Written also ochrey, ochry.]
Och`i*my (?), n. [Obs.] See
Occamy.
||Och*le"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
disturbance, fr. &?; crowd, mob.] (Med.) A general morbid
condition induced by the crowding together of many persons, esp. sick
persons, under one roof. G. Gregory.
Och*loc"ra*cy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; the
populace, multitude + &?; to be strong, to rule, &?; strength: cf.F.
ochlocratie.] A form of government by the multitude; a
mobocracy. Hare.
{ Och`lo*crat`ic (?), Och`lo*crat`ic*al (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to ochlocracy; having the
form or character of an ochlocracy; mobocratic.
-- Och`lo*crat"ic*al*ly, adv.
O*chra"ceous (?), a.
Ocherous.
O"chre (?), n. (Min.) See
Ocher.
||O"chre*a (?), n.; pl.
Ochreæe (#). [L.] 1.
(Antiq.) A greave or legging.
2. (Bot.) A kind of sheath formed by
two stipules united round a stem.
{ O"chre*ate (?), O"chre*a`ted (?), }
a. 1. Wearing or furnished
with an ochrea or legging; wearing boots; booted.
A scholar undertook . . . to address himself
ochreated unto the vice chancellor.
Fuller.
2. (Bot.) Provided with ochrea, or
sheathformed stipules, as the rhubarb, yellow dock, and
knotgrass.
O"chre*ous (?), a. See
Ocherous.
O"chrey (?), a. See
Ochery.
Och`ro*leu"cous (?), a. [Gr. &?; ocher
+ &?; white.] Yellowish white; having a faint tint of dingy
yellow. Gray.
O"chry (?), a. See
Ochery.
Och"y*my (?), n. [Obs.] See
Occamy.
-ock (?). [AS. -uc.] A suffix used to form
diminutives; as, bullock, hillock.
O"cra (?), n. (Bot.) See
Okra.
||O"cre*a (?), n. [L.] See
Ochrea.
{ O"cre*ate (?), O"cre*a"ted (?), }
a. [See Ochrea.] Same as
Ochreate, Ochreated.
Oc"ta- (?). A prefix meaning eight. See
Octo-.
Oc"ta*chord (?), n. [Gr. &?; with eight
strings; &?; (for &?; eight) + &?; string, chord: cf.F.
octacorde.] (Mus.) An instrument of eight strings;
a system of eight tones. [Also written octochord.]
Oc"tad (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, the
number eight.] (Chem.) An atom or radical which has a
valence of eight, or is octavalent.
Oc`ta*e"dral (?), a. See
Octahedral.
||Oc`ta*em"e*ron (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?;, neut. of &?; of the eighth day.] (Eccl.) A fast of
eight days before a great festival. Shipley.
Oc"ta*gon (?), n. [Gr. &?; eight-
cornered; &?; (for &?; eight) + &?; an angle: cf.F. cctogone.]
1. (Geom.) A plane figure of eight sides
and eight angles.
2. Any structure (as a fortification) or
place with eight sides or angles.
Regular octagon, one in which the sides are
all equal, and the angles also are all equal.
Oc*tag"o*nal (?), a. Having eight
sides and eight angles.
Oc*tag"y*nous (?), a. [Octa- +
Gr. &?; wife.] (Bot.) Having eight pistils or styles;
octogynous.
Oc`ta*he"dral (?), a. [See
Octahedron.] Having eight faces or sides; of, pertaining
to, or formed in, octahedrons; as, octahedral
cleavage.
Octahedral borax (Chem.), borax
obtained from a saturated solution in octahedral crystals, which
contain five molecules of water of crystallization; distinguished
from common or prismatic borax. -- Octahedral
iron ore (Min.), magnetite.
Oc`ta*he"drite (?), n. (Min.)
Titanium dioxide occurring in acute octahedral
crystals.
Oc`ta*he"dron (?), n. [Gr.&?;, fr. &?;
eight-side; &?; (for &?; eight) + &?; seat, base, from &?; to sit.]
(Geom.) A solid bounded by eight faces. The regular
octahedron is contained by eight equal equilateral
triangles.
Oc*tam"er*ous (?), a. [Octa- +
Gr. &?; part.] (Biol.) Having the parts in eights; as, an
octamerous flower; octamerous mesenteries in
polyps.
Oc*tam"e*ter (?), n. [Cf.L.
octameter in eight feet. See Octa-, and meter.]
(Pros.) A verse containing eight feet; as, --
Deep\'b6 in|to\'b6 the | dark\'b6ness | peer\'b6ing, |
long\'b6 I | stood\'b6 there | wond'\'b6ring, |
fear\'b6ing.
Poe.
Oc*tan"der (?), n. One of the
Octandria.
||Oc*tan"dri*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; (for &?; eight) + &?;, &?;, male, man.] (Bot.) A
Linnæan class of plants, in which the flowers have eight
stamens not united to one another or to the pistil.
{ Oc*tan"dri*an (?), Oc*tan"drous (?), }
a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the
Octandria; having eight distinct stamens.
Oc"tane (?), n. [See Octa-] .
(Chem.) Any one of a group of metametric hydrocarcons
(C8H18) of the methane series. The most
important is a colorless, volatile, inflammable liquid, found in
petroleum, and a constituent of benzene or ligroin.
Oc*tan"gu*lar (?), a. [L.
octangulus eight-cornered; octo eight + angulus
angle.] Having eight angles; eight-angled. --
Oc*tan"gu*lar*ness, n.
Oc"tant (?), n. [L. octans, -
antis. fr. octo eight. See Octave.]
1. (Geom.) The eighth part of a circle;
an arc of 45 degrees.
2. (Astron. & Astrol.) The position or
aspect of a heavenly body, as the moon or a planet, when half way
between conjunction, or opposition, and quadrature, or distant from
another body 45 degrees.
3. An instrument for measuring angles
(generally called a quadrant), having an arc which measures up
to 9O°, but being itself the eighth part of a circle. Cf.
Sextant.
4. (Math. & Crystallog.) One of the
eight parts into which a space is divided by three coördinate
planes.
||Oc"ta*pla (?), n.; etymol.
pl., but syntactically sing.
[NL., fr.Gr. &?; (for &?; eight) + -pla, as in E.
hexapla; cf.Gr. &?; eightfold.] A portion of the Old
Testament prepared by Origen in the 3d century, containing the Hebrew
text and seven Greek versions of it, arranged in eight parallel
columns.
Oc`ta*roon" (?), n. See
Octoroon.
Oc"ta*style (?), a. See
Octostyle.
Oc"ta*teuch (?), n. [L.
octateuchus, Gr. &?;.] A collection of eight books;
especially, the first eight books of the Old Testament.
[R.]
Oc*tav"a*lent (?), a. [Octa- +
L. valens, p. pr. See Valence.] (Chem.)
Having a valence of eight; capable of being combined with,
exchanged for, or compared with, eight atoms of hydrogen; -- said of
certain atoms or radicals.
Oc"tave (?), n. [F., fr. L.
octava an eighth, fr. octavus eighth, fr. octo
eight. See Eight, and cf. Octavo, Utas.]
1. The eighth day after a church festival, the
festival day being included; also, the week following a church
festival. "The octaves of Easter." Jer.
Taylor.
2. (Mus.) (a) The
eighth tone in the scale; the interval between one and eight of the
scale, or any interval of equal length; an interval of five tones and
two semitones. (b) The whole diatonic
scale itself.
&fist; The ratio of a musical tone to its octave above is
1:2 as regards the number of vibrations producing the tones.
3. (Poet.) The first two stanzas of a
sonnet, consisting of four verses each; a stanza of eight
lines.
With mournful melody it continued this
octave.
Sir P. Sidney.
Double octave. (Mus.) See under
Double. -- Octave flute (Mus.),
a small flute, the tones of which range an octave higher than
those of the German or ordinary flute; -- called also piccolo.
See Piccolo.
4. A small cask of wine, the eighth part of a
pipe.
Oc"tave (?), a. Consisting of
eight; eight. Dryden.
Oc*ta"vo (?), n.;pl.
Octavos (#). [L. in octavo; in in +
octavo, abl. of octavus. See Octave.] A
book composed of sheets each of which is folded into eight leaves;
hence, indicating more or less definitely a size of book so made; --
usually written 8vo or 8°.
Oc*ta"vo, a. Having eight leaves
to a sheet; as, an octavo form, book, leaf, size,
etc.
Oc"tene (?), n. [See Octo-.]
(Chem.) Same as Octylene.
Oc*ten"ni*al (?), a. [L.
octennium a period of eight years; octo eight +
annus year.] Happening every eighth year; also, lasting a
period of eight years. Johnson. --
Oc*ten"ni*al*ly, adv.
Oc*tet" (?), n. [From L. octo
eight, like E. duet, fr.L. duo. See Octave.]
(Mus.) A composition for eight parts, usually for eight
solo instruments or voices.
Oc"tic (?), a. [Octo- + -
ic.] (Math.) Of the eighth degree or order. --
n. (Alg.) A quantic of the eighth
degree.
Oc"tile (?), n. [Cf. F. octil,
a. See Octant.] Same as Octant, 2. [R.]
Oc*til"lion (?), n. [L. octo
eight + -illion, as in E. million: cf. F.
octillion.] According to the French method of numeration
(which method is followed also in the United States) the number
expressed by a unit with twenty-seven ciphers annexed. According to
the English method, the number expressed by a unit with forty-eight
ciphers annexed. See Numeration.
{ Oc"to- (?), Oc"ta- (?) }. [L. octo
eight, Gr. &?;, with a combining form &?;. Cf. Eight.] A
combining form meaning eight; as in octodecimal,
octodecimal, octolocular.
Oc"to*ate (?), n. (Chem.) A
salt of an octoic acid; a caprylate.
Oc*to"ber (?), n. [L., the eighth month
of the primitive Roman year, which began in March, fr. octo
eight: cf.F. Octobre. See Octave.] 1.
The tenth month of the year, containing thirty-one
days.
2. Ale or cider made in that month.
The country gentlemen had a posset or drink they
called October.
Emerson.
||Oc*toc"e*ra (?), n. pl. [NL.]
Octocerata.
||Oc`to*cer"a*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr.&?; eight + &?;, a horn.] (Zoöl.) A suborder of
Cephalopoda including Octopus, Argonauta, and allied genera, having
eight arms around the head; -- called also Octopoda.
Oc"to*chord (?), n. (Mus.)
See Octachord.
Oc`todec"i*mo (?), a. [L.
octodecim eighteen. See Octavo, Decimal, and
-mo.] Having eighteen leaves to a sheet; as, an
octodecimo form, book, leaf, size, etc.
Oc`to*dec"i*mo, n.; pl.
Octodecimos (&?;). A book composed of sheets
each of which is folded into eighteen leaves; hence; indicating more
or less definitely a size of book, whose sheets are so folded; --
usually written 18mo or 18°, and called
eighteenmo.
Oc`to*den"tate (?), a. [Octo- +
dentate.] Having eight teeth.
Oc"to*dont (?), a. [Octo- + Gr.
&?;, &?;.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Octodontidæ, a family of rodents which includes the
coypu, and many other South American species.
Oc`to*ed"ric*al (?), a. See
Octahedral. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Oc"to*fid (?), a. [Octo- + root
of L. findere to split: cf.F. octofide.] (Bot.)
Cleft or separated into eight segments, as a calyx.
Oc*tog"a*my (?), n. [Octo- + Gr.
&?; marriage.] A marrying eight times. [R.]
Chaucer.
Oc`to*ge*na"ri*an (?), n. A person
eighty years, or more, of age.
Oc*tog"e*na*ry (?), a. [L.
octogenarrus, from octogeni eighty each,
octoginta eighty, fr. octo eight. See Eight,
Eighty.] Of eighty years of age. "Being then
octogenary." Aubrey.
Oc"to*gild (?), n. [Octo- + AS.
gild payment.] (Anglo-Saxon Law) A pecuniary
compensation for an injury, of eight times the value of the
thing.
Oc*tog"o*nal (?), a. See
Octagonal. [Obs.]
||Oc`to*gyn"i*a (?), n. pl. [NL., from
Gr. &?; eight + &?; a woman, female.] (Bot.) A Linnaean
order of plants having eight pistils.
{ Oc`to*gyn"i*an (?), Oc*tog"y*nous (?), }
a. (Bot.) Having eight pistils;
octagynous.
Oc*to"ic (?), a. [See Octo-.]
(Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or resembling,
octane; -- used specifically, to designate any one of a group of
acids, the most important of which is called caprylic
acid.
Oc`to*loc"u*lar (?), a. [Octo- +
locular.] (Bot.) Having eight cells for
seeds.
Oc`to*naph"thene (?), n. [Octo-
+ naphthene.] (Chem.) A colorless liquid
hydrocarbon of the octylene series, occurring in Caucasian
petroleum.
Oc`to*na*ry (?), a. [L.
octonarius, fr. octoni eight each, fr. octo
eight.] Of or pertaining to the number eight. Dr. H.
More.
Oc`to*noc"u*lar (?), a. [L.
octoni eight each + E. ocular.] Having eight
eyes. Derham.
Oc`to*pede (?), n. [Octo- + L.
pes, pedis, foot.] (Zoöl.) An animal
having eight feet, as a spider.
Oc`to*pet"al*ous (?), a. [Octo-
+ petal.] (Bot.) Having eight petals or flower
leaves.
Oc"to*pod (?), n. [Gr. &?; eight-
footed; &?; eight + poy`s, podo`s, foot: cf.F.
octopode.] (Zoöl.) One of the
Octocerata.
||Oc*top"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL.]
(Zoöl.) (a) Same as
Octocerata. (b) Same as
Arachnida.
||Oc`to*po"di*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; eight + &?; a little foot.] (Zoöl.) Same as
Octocerata.
Oc"to*pus (?), n. [NL. See
Octopod.] (Zoöl.) A genus of eight-armed
cephalopods, including numerous species, some of them of large size.
See Devilfish,
Oc`to*ra"*di*a`ted (?), a. [Octo-
+ radiated.] Having eight rays.
Oc`to*roon" (?), n. [L. octo
eight + -roon, as in quadroon.] The offspring of a
quadroon and a white person; a mestee.
Oc`to*sper"mous (?), a. [Octo- +
Cr. &?; seed.] (Bot.) Containing eight seeds.
Oc*tos"ti*chous (?), a. [Octo- +
Gr. &?; a row.] (Bot.) In eight vertical ranks, as leaves
on a stem.
Oc"to*style (?), a. [Octo- + Gr.
&?; a pillar: cf.F. octostyle.] (Arch.) Having
eight columns in the front; -- said of a temple or portico. The
Parthenon is octostyle, but most large Greek temples are
hexastele. See Hexastyle. -- n.
An octostyle portico or temple.
{ Oc`to*syl*lab"ic (?), Oc`to*syl*lab"ic*al (?),
} a. [L. octosyllabus. See Octo-, and
Syllable.] Consisting of or containing eight
syllables.
Oc"to*syl`la*ble (?), a.
Octosyllabic.
Oc"to*syl`la*ble, n. A word of
eight syllables.
Oc"to*yl (&?;), n. [Octoic +
-yl.] (Chem.) A hypothetical radical
(C8H15O), regarded as the essential residue of
octoic acid.
||Oc`troi" (?), n. [F.]
1. A privilege granted by the sovereign
authority, as the exclusive right of trade granted to a guild or
society; a concession.
2. A tax levied in money or kind at the gate
of a French city on articles brought within the walls.
[Written also octroy.]
Oc"tu*or (?), n. [From L. octo
eight + -uor, as in L. quatuor.] (Mus.) See
Octet. [R.]
Oc"tu*ple (?), a. [L. octuplus;
cf. Gr. &?;: cf.F. octuple.] Eightfold.
Oc"tyl (?), n. [Octane + -
yl.] (Chem.) A hypothetical hydrocarbon radical
regarded as an essential residue of octane, and as entering into its
derivatives; as, octyl alcohol.
Oc"tyl*ene (?), n. [Octane +
ethylene.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of
metameric hydrocarbons (C8H16) of the ethylene
series. In general they are combustible, colorless liquids.
Oc*tyl"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, octyl; as,
octylic ether.
Oc"u*lar (?), a. [L. ocularis,
ocularius, fr. oculus the eye: cf.F. oculaire.
See Eye, and cf. Antler, Inveigle.]
1. Depending on, or perceived by, the eye;
received by actual sight; personally seeing or having seen; as,
ocular proof. Shak.
Thomas was an ocular witness of Christ's
death.
South.
2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the
eye; optic.
Oc"u*lar, n. (Opt.) The
eyepiece of an optical instrument, as of a telescope or
microscope.
Oc"u*lar*ly, adv. By the eye, or
by actual sight.
Oc"u*la*ry (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the eye; ocular; optic; as, oculary
medicines. Holland.
{ Oc"u*late (?), Oc"u*la`ted (?), }
a. [L. oculatus, fr. oculus eye.]
1. Furnished with eyes.
2. Having spots or holes resembling eyes;
ocellated.
Oc`u*li*form (?), a. [L. oculus
the eye + form: cf.F. oculiforme.] In the form of
an eye; resembling an eye; as, an oculiform pebble.
||Oc`u*li"na (?), n. [NL., fr. L.
oculus the eye.] (Zoöl.) A genus of tropical
corals, usually branched, and having a very volid texture.
||Oc`u*li*na"*ce*a (?), n. pl. [NL.,
fr. NL. oculina the name of a typical genus.]
(Zoöl.) A suborder of corals including many reef-
building species, having round, starlike calicles.
Oc"u*list (?), n. [L. oculus the
eye: cf. F. oculiste.] One skilled in treating diseases
of the eye.
Oc"u*lo- (?). A combining form from L. oculus
the eye.
Oc`u*lo*mo"tor (?), a. [Oculo- +
motor.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the movement
of the eye; -- applied especially to the common motor nerves (or
third pair of cranial nerves) which supply many of the muscles of the
orbit. -- n. The oculomotor
nerve.
Oc`u*lo*na"sal (?), a. [Oculo- +
nasal.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the region of
the eye and the nose; as, the oculonasal, or nasal, nerve, one
of the branches of the ophthalmic.
||Oc"u*lus (?), n.; pl.
Oculi (#). [L., an eye.] 1. An
eye; (Bot.) a leaf bud.
2. (Arch.) A round window, usually a
small one.
O`cy*po"di*an, n. [Gr.
'wky`s swift + poy`s, podo`s, foot.]
(Zoöl.) One of a tribe of crabs which live in holes
in the sand along the seashore, and run very rapidly, -- whence the
name.
Od (?), n. [G., fr. Gr. &?; passage.]
(Physics) An alleged force or natural power, supposed, by
Reichenbach and others, to produce the phenomena of mesmerism, and to
be developed by various agencies, as by magnets, heat, light,
chemical or vital action, etc.; -- called also odyle or the
odylic force. [Archaic]
That od force of German Reichenbach
Which still, from female finger tips, burnt blue.
Mrs. Browning.
||O`da`lisque" (?), n. [F., fr. Turk.
odaliq chambermaid, fr. oda chamber, room.] A
female slave or concubine in the harem of the Turkish sultan.
[Written also odahlic, odalisk, and odalik.]
Not of those that men desire, sleek
Odalisques, or oracles of mode.
Tennyson.
Odd (?), a. [Compar.
Odder (?); superl. Oddest.] [OE.
odde, fr.Icel. oddi a tongue of land, a triangle, an
odd number (from the third or odd angle, or point, of a triangle),
orig., a point, tip; akin to Icel. oddr point, point of a
weapon, Sw. udda odd, udd point, Dan. od,
AS. ord, OHG. ort, G. ort place (cf. E.
point, for change of meaning).] 1. Not
paired with another, or remaining over after a pairing; without a
mate; unmatched; single; as, an odd shoe; an odd
glove.
2. Not divisible by 2 without a remainder;
not capable of being evenly paired, one unit with another; as, 1, 3,
7, 9, 11, etc., are odd numbers.
I hope good luck lies in odd
numbers.
Shak.
3. Left over after a definite round number
has been taken or mentioned; indefinitely, but not greatly, exceeding
a specified number; extra.
Sixteen hundred and odd years after the earth
was made, it
was destroyed in a deluge.
T. Burnet.
There are yet missing of your company
Some few odd lads that you remember not.
Shak.
4. Remaining over; unconnected; detached;
fragmentary; hence, occasional; inconsiderable; as, odd jobs;
odd minutes; odd trifles.
5. Different from what is usual or common;
unusual; singular; peculiar; unique; strange. "An odd
action." Shak. "An odd expression."
Thackeray.
The odd man, to perform all things perfectly,
is, in my poor opinion, Joannes Sturmius.
Ascham.
Patients have sometimes coveted odd
things.
Arbuthnot.
Locke's Essay would be a very odd book for a
man to make himself master of, who would get a reputation by critical
writings.
Spectator.
Syn. -- Quaint; unmatched; singular; unusual;
extraordinary; strange; queer; eccentric, whimsical; fantastical;
droll; comical. See Quaint.
Odd" Fel`low (?). A member of a secret order, or
fraternity, styled the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, established
for mutual aid and social enjoyment.
Odd"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Oddities (&?;). 1. The quality
or state of being odd; singularity; queerness; peculiarity; as,
oddity of dress, manners, and the like.
That infinitude of oddities in
him.
Sterne.
2. That which is odd; as, a collection of
oddities.
Odd"ly, adv. 1. In
an odd manner; unevently. [R.]
2. In a peculiar manner; strangely; queerly;
curiously. "A figure a little more oddly turned."
Locke.
A great black substance, . . . very oddly
shaped.
Swift.
3. (Math.) In a manner measured by an
odd number.
Odd"ness, n. 1.
The state of being odd, or not even.
Take but one from three, and you not only destroy the
oddness, but also the essence of that number.
Fotherby.
2. Singularity; strangeness; eccentricity;
irregularity; uncouthness; as, the oddness of dress or shape;
the oddness of an event. Young.
Odds (&obreve;dz), n. sing. & pl. [See
Odd, a.] 1. Difference
in favor of one and against another; excess of one of two things or
numbers over the other; inequality; advantage; superiority; hence,
excess of chances; probability. "Preëminent by so much
odds." Milton. "The fearful odds of that unequal
fray." Trench.
The odds
Is that we scarce are men and you are gods.
Shak.
There appeared, at least, four to one odds
against them.
Swift.
All the odds between them has been the
different scope . . . given to their understandings to range
in.
Locke.
Judging is balancing an account and determining on
which side the odds lie.
Locke.
2. Quarrel; dispute; debate; strife; --
chiefly in the phrase at odds.
Set them into confounding odds.
Shak.
I can not speak
Any beginning to this peevish odds.
Shak.
At odds, in dispute; at variance.
"These squires at odds did fall." Spenser. "He flashes
into one gross crime or other, that sets us all at odds."
Shak. -- It is odds, it is
probable. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. -- Odds and
ends, that which is left; remnants; fragments; refuse;
scraps; miscellaneous articles. "My brain is filled . . . with
all kinds of odds and ends." W. Irving.
Ode (?), n. [F., fr. L. ode,
oda, Gr. &?; a song, especially a lyric song, contr. fr. &?;,
fr. &?; to sing; cf.Skr. vad to speak, sing. Cf.
Comedy, Melody, Monody.] A short poetical
composition proper to be set to music or sung; a lyric poem; esp.,
now, a poem characterized by sustained noble sentiment and
appropriate dignity of style.
Hangs odes upon hawthorns and elegies on
brambles.
Shak.
O! run; prevent them with thy humble ode,
And lay it lowly at his blessed feet.
Milton.
Ode factor, one who makes, or who traffics
in, odes; -- used contemptuously.
Ode"let (?), n. A little or short
ode.
O*de"on (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, fr.
&?;: cf.F. odéon. See Ode.] A kind of
theater in ancient Greece, smaller than the dramatic theater and
roofed over, in which poets and musicians submitted their works to
the approval of the public, and contended for prizes; -- hence, in
modern usage, the name of a hall for musical or dramatic
performances.
||O*de"um (?), n. [L.] See
Odeon.
O"di*ble (?), a. [L. odibilis.
See Odium.] Fitted to excite hatred; hateful.
[Obs.] Bale.
Od"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to
od. See Od. [Archaic] -- Od"ic*al*ly (#),
adv.
O"din (?), n. [Icel. &?;; prob.akin to
E. wood, a. See Wednesday.] (Northern Myth.)
The supreme deity of the Scandinavians; -- the same as
Woden, of the German tribes.
There in the Temple, carved in wood,
The image of great Odin stood.
Longfellow.
O*din"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining
to Odin.
O"di*ous (?), a. [L. odiosus,
from odium hatred: cf. F. odieux. See Odium.]
1. Hateful; deserving or receiving hatred; as,
an odious name, system, vice. "All wickedness will be
most odious." Sprat.
He rendered himself odious to the
Parliament.
Clarendon.
2. Causing or provoking hatred, repugnance,
or disgust; offensive; disagreeable; repulsive; as, an odious
sight; an odious smell. Milton.
The odious side of that polity.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Hateful; detestable; abominable; disgusting;
loathsome; invidious; repulsive; forbidding; unpopular.
-- O"di*ous`ly. adv. --
O"di*ous*ness, n.
Od"ist (?), n. A writer of an ode
or odes.
O"di*um (?), n. [L., fr. odi I
hate. Gr. Annoy, Noisome.] 1.
Hatred; dislike; as, his conduct brought him into odium,
or, brought odium upon him.
2. The quality that provokes hatred;
offensiveness.
She threw the odium of the fact on
me.
Dryden.
||Odium theologicum (&?;) [L.], the enmity
peculiar to contending theologians.
Syn. -- Hatred; abhorrence; detestation; antipathy. --
Odium, Hatred. We exercise hatred; we endure
odium. The former has an active sense, the latter a passive
one. We speak of having a hatred for a man, but not of having
an odium toward him. A tyrant incurs odium. The
odium of an offense may sometimes fall unjustly upon one who
is innocent.
I wish I had a cause to seek him there,
To oppose his hatred fully.
Shak.
You have . . . dexterously thrown some of the
odium of your polity upon that middle class which you
despise.
Beaconsfield.
Od"ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Odized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Odizing.] To charge with od. See Od.
[Archaic]
Od"myl (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, stench +
-yl.] (Chem.) A volatile liquid obtained by
boiling sulphur with linseed oil. It has an unpleasant garlic
odor.
O*dom"e*ter (&osl;*d&obreve;m"&esl;*t&etilde;r),
n. [Gr. 'odo`metron,
'odo`metros, an instrument for measuring distance;
'odo`s way + me`tron measure: cf. F.
odométre, hodométre.] An instrument
attached to the wheel of a vehicle, to measure the distance
traversed; also, a wheel used by surveyors, which registers the miles
and rods traversed.
O`do*met"ric*al (?), a. [Cf. F.
odométrique, hodométrique.] Of or
pertaining to the odometer, or to measurements made with
it.
O*dom"e*trous (?), a. Serving to
measure distance on a road. [R.] Sydney Smith.
O*dom"e*try (?), n. Measurement of
distances by the odometer.
||O*don"a*ta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.
'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.]
(Zoöl.) The division of insects that includes the
dragon flies.
||O`don*tal"gi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?;; 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth + &?; pain.]
(Med.) Toothache.
O`don*tal"gic (?), a. [Cf. F.
odontalgique.] Of or pertaining to odontalgia. --
n. A remedy for the toothache.
O`don*tal"gy (?), n. (Med.)
Same as Odontalgia.
||O`don*ti"a*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.] Cutting of
the teeth; dentition.
O*don"to- (?). A combining form from Gr.
'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.
O*don"to*blast (?), n. [Odonto-
+ -blast.]
1. (Anat.) One of the more or less
columnar cells on the outer surface of the pulp of a tooth; an
odontoplast. They are supposed to be connected with the formation of
dentine.
2. (Zoöl.) One of the cells which
secrete the chitinous teeth of Mollusca.
||O*don`to*ce"te (?), n. pl. [NL., from
Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth + &?; a whale.]
(Zoöl.) A subdivision of Cetacea, including the
sperm whale, dolphins, etc.; the toothed whales.
O`don*tog"e*ny (?), n. [Odonto-
+ root of Gr. &?; to be born: cf: F. odontogénie.]
(Physiol.) Generetion, or mode of development, of the
teeth.
O*don"to*graph (?), n. [Odonto-
+ -graph.] An instrument for marking or laying off the
outlines of teeth of gear wheels.
O*don`to*graph"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to odontography.
O`don*tog"ra*phy (?), n. A
description of the teeth.
O*don"toid (?), a. [Gr. &?;;
'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth + &?; form: cf.F.
odontoïde.] (Anat.) (a)
Having the form of a tooth; toothlike. (b)
Of or pertaining to the odontoid bone or to the odontoid
process.
Odontoid bone (Anat.), a separate
bone, in many reptiles, corresponding to the odontoid process. -
- Odontoid process, or Odontoid
peg (Anat.), the anterior process of the centrum
of the second vertebra, or axis, in birds and mammals. See
Axis.
||O`don*tol"cae (?), n. pl. [NL., from
Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth + &?; a
furrow.] (Paleon.) An extinct order of ostrichlike
aquatic birds having teeth, which are set in a groove in the jaw. It
includes Hesperornis, and allied genera. See
Hesperornis. [Written also Odontholcae, and
Odontoholcae.]
O*don"to*lite (?), n. [Odonto- +
-lite.] (Min.) A fossil tooth colored a bright
blue by phosphate of iron. It is used as an imitation of turquoise,
and hence called bone turquoise.
O`don*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Odonto-
+ -logy: cf.F. odontologie.] The science which
treats of the teeth, their structure and development.
||O`don*toph"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Odontophore.] (Zoöl.) Same as
Cephalophora.
O*don"to*phore (?), n. [Odonto-
+ Gr. &?; to bear.] (Zoöl.) A special structure
found in the mouth of most mollusks, except bivalves. It consists of
several muscles and a cartilage which supports a chitinous radula, or
lingual ribbon, armed with teeth. Also applied to the radula alone.
See Radula.
O`don*toph"o*rous (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Having an odontophore.
O*don"to*plast (?), n. [Odonto-
+ Gr. &?; to form, mold.] (Anat.) An
odontoblast.
||O`don*top"te*ryx (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth +
pte`ryx a wing.] (Paleon.) An extinct Eocene
bird having the jaws strongly serrated, or dentated, but destitute of
true teeth. It was found near London.
||O*don`tor*ni*"thes (?), n. pl. [NL.,
fr.Gr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth + &?;, &?;,
a bird.] (Paleon.) A group of Mesozoic birds having the
jaws armed with teeth, as in most other vertebrates. They have been
divided into three orders: Odontolcæ, Odontotormæ, and
Saururæ.
O*don"to*stom"a*tous (?), a.
[Odonto- + Gr. &?;, &?;, the mouth.] (Zoöl.)
Having toothlike mandibles; -- applied to certain
insects.
||O*don`to*tor"mae (?), n. pl. [NL.,
fr. 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth + &?; a
socket.] (Paleon.) An order of extinct toothed birds
having the teeth in sockets, as in the genus Ichthyornis. See
Ichthyornis.
O"dor (?), n. [OE. odor,
odour, OF. odor, odour, F. odeur, fr. L.
odor; akin to olere to smell, Gr. &?;, Lith. &?; Cf.
Olfactory, Osmium, Ozone, Redolent.]
[Written also odour.] Any smell, whether fragrant or
offensive; scent; perfume.
Meseemed I smelt a garden of sweet flowers,
That dainty odors from them threw around.
Spenser.
To be in bad odor, to be out of favor, or in
bad repute.
O"dor*a*ment (?), n. [L.
odoramentum. See Odorate.] A perfume; a strong
scent. [Obs.] Burton.
O"dor*ant (?), a. [L. odorans,
-antis, p. pr.] Yielding odors; fragrant.
Holland.
O"dor*ate (?), a. [L. odoratus,
p. p. of odorare to perfume, fr. odor odor.]
Odorous. [Obos.] Bacon.
O"dor*a`ting (?), a. Diffusing
odor or scent; fragrant.
O`dor*if"er*ous (?), a. [L.
odorifer; odor odor + ferre to bear. See
Odoe, and 1st Bear.] Bearing or yielding an odor;
perfumed; usually, sweet of scent; fragrant; as, odoriferous
spices, particles, fumes, breezes. Milton.
-- O`dor*if"er*ous*ly, adv. --
O`dor*if"er*ous*ness, n.
O"dor*ine (?), n. (Chem.) A
pungent oily substance obtained by redistilling bone oil.
[Obs.]
O"dor*less, a. Free from
odor.
O"dor*ous (?), a. [Written also
odourous.] [L. odorus, fr. odor odor: cf. OF.
odoros, odoreux.] Having or emitting an odor or
scent, esp. a sweet odor; fragrant; sweet-smelling.
"Odorous bloom." Keble.
Such fragrant flowers do give most odorous
smell.
Spenser.
-- O"dor*ous*ly, adv. --
O"dor*ous*ness, n.
Ods (?), interj. A corruption of
God's; -- formerly used in oaths and ejaculatory
phrases. "Ods bodikin." "Ods pity."
Shak.
{ Od"yl, Od"yle } (?), n.
[Gr. &?;, passage + &?; matter or material.] (Physics)
See Od. [Archaic].
O*dyl"ic (?), a. (Physics)
Of or pertaining to odyle; odic; as, odylic force.
[Archaic]
Od"ys*sey (?), n. [L. Odyssea,
Gr. &?;, fr. &?; Ulysses: cf.F. Odyssée.] An epic
poem attributed to Homer, which describes the return of Ulysses to
Ithaca after the siege of Troy.
Œ (ē), a diphthong, employed in the
Latin language, and thence in the English language, as the
representative of the Greek diphthong oi. In many words in
common use, e alone stands instead of œ. Classicists
prefer to write the diphthong oe separate in Latin
words.
Œ"coid (?), n. [Gr. &?; a house +
-oid.] (Anat.) The colorless porous framework, or
stroma, of red blood corpuscles from which the zooid, or hemoglobin
and other substances of the corpuscles, may be dissolved
out.
Œ*col"o*gy (?), n. [Gr.&?; house
+ -logy.] (Biol.) The various relations of animals
and plants to one another and to the outer world.
Œ`co*nom"ic*al (?), a. See
Economical.
Œ`co*nom"ics (?), n. See
Economics.
Œ*con"o*my (?), n. See
Economy.
Œc`u*men"ic*al (?), a. See
Ecumenical.
||Œ*de"ma (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
&?; a swelling, tumor, fr. &?; to swell.] (Med.) A
swelling from effusion of watery fluid in the cellular tissue beneath
the skin or mucous membrance; dropsy of the subcutaneous cellular
tissue. [Written also edema.]
Œ*dem"a*tous (?), a.
(Med.) Pertaining to, or of the nature of, edema;
affected with edema.
{ Œ*il"iad (?), ||Œil"lade` (?), }
n. [F. œillade, fr. œel
eye. See Eyelent.] A glance of the eye; an amorous
look. [Obs.]
She gave strange œillades and most
speaking looks.
Shak.
Œ"let (?), n. [See
Eyelet.] An eye, bud, or shoot, as of a plant; an
oilet. [Obs.] Holland.
Œ*nan"thate (?), n.
(Chem.) A salt of the supposed œnanthic
acid.
Œ*nan"thic (?), a. [Gr. &?; the
first shoot of the vine, the vine blossom, the vine; &?; the vine +
&?; bloom, &?; flower.] (Chem.) Having, or imparting, the
odor characteristic of the bouquet of wine; specifically used,
formerly, to designate an acid whose ethereal salts were supposed to
occasion the peculiar bouquet, or aroma, of old wine. Cf.
Œnanthylic.
Œnanthic acid, an acid obtained from
œnanthic ether by the action of alkalies. --
Œnanthic ether, an ethereal substance
(not to be confused with the bouquet, or aroma, of wine) found in
wine lees, and consisting of a complex mixture of the ethereal salts
of several of the higher acids of the acetic acid series. It has an
ethereal odor, and it used in flavoring artificial wines and liquors.
Called also oil of wine. See Essential oil, under
Essential.
Œ*nan"thol (?), n.
[œnanthylic + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.)
An oily substance obtained by the distillation of castor oil,
recognized as the aldehyde of œnanthylic acid, and hence called
also œnanthaldehyde.
Œ*nan"thone (?), n.
[œnanthic + -one] (Chem.) The ketone
of œnanthic acid.
Œ*nan"thyl (?), n.
[œnnthic + -yl.] (Chem.) A
hydrocarbon radical formerly supposed to exist in œnanthic
acid, now known to be identical with heptyl.
Œ*nan"thyl*ate (?), n.
(Chem.) A salt of œnanthylic acid; as, potassium
œnanthylate.
Œ`nan*thyl"ic (?), a.
(Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or containing,
œnanthyl; specifically, designating an acid formerly supposed
to be identical with the acid in œnanthic ether, but now known
to be identical with heptoic acid.
Œ`nan*thyl"i*dene (?), n.
(Chem.) A colorless liquid hydrocarbon, having a garlic
odor; heptine.
Œ*nan"thyl*ous (?), a.
(Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid
formerly supposed to be the acid of œnanthylic ether, but now
known to be a mixture of higher acids, especially capric
acid. [Obs.]
Œ`no*cy"an (?), n. [Gr. &?; wine
+ &?; a dark-blue substance.] (Chem.) The coloring matter
of red wines.
Œ*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; wine
+ -logy.] Knowledge of wine, scientific or
practical.
||Œn`o*ma"ni*a (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; wine + &?; mania.] (Med.) (a)
Delirium tremens. Rayer. (b)
Dipsomania.
Œn"o*mel (?), n. [Gr. &?; wine +
&?; honey.] Wine mixed with honey; mead, [R.]
Œ*nom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; wine
+ -meter.] See Alcoholometer.
Œ*noph"i*list (?), n. [Gr. &?;
wine + &?; to love.] A lover of wine. [R.]
Thackeray.
Œ`no*thi*on"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;
wine + thionic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to an acid now
called sulphovinic, or ethyl sulphuric, acid.
O'er (?), prep. & adv. A contr. of
Over. [Poetic]
Œ*soph"a*gus, n.,
Œ`so*phag"e*al, a., etc. Same
as Esophagus, Esophageal, etc.
Œs"tri*an (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the gadflies. --
n. A gadfly.
Œs"tru*al (?), a. [See
Œstrus.] (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to
sexual desire; -- mostly applied to brute animals; as, the
œstrual period; œstrual
influence.
Œs`tru*a"tion (?), n.
(Physiol.) The state of being under œstrual
influence, or of having sexual desire.
||Œs"trus (?), n. [L., a gadfly;
also, frenzy, fr.Gr. &?; gadfly; hence, sting, fury, insane desire,
frenzy.] 1. (Zoöl.) A genus of
gadflies. The species which deposits its larvæ in the nasal
cavities of sheep is œstrus ovis.
2. A vehement desire; esp. (Physiol.),
the periodical sexual impulse of animals; heat; rut.
Of (?), prep. [AS. of of, from,
off; akin to D. & OS. af, G. ab off, OHG. aba
from, away, Icel., Dan., Sw., & Goth. af, L. ab, Gr.
&?;, Skr. apa. Cf. Off, A- (2), Ab-,
After, Epi-.] In a general sense, from, or out
from; proceeding from; belonging to; relating to; concerning; -- used
in a variety of applications; as:
1. Denoting that from which anything
proceeds; indicating origin, source, descent, and the like; as, he is
of a race of kings; he is of noble blood.
That holy thing which shall be born of thee
shall be called the Son of God.
Luke i. 35.
I have received of the Lord that which also I
delivered unto you.
1 Cor. xi. 23.
2. Denoting possession or ownership, or the
relation of subject to attribute; as, the apartment of the
consul: the power of the king; a man of courage; the
gate of heaven. "Poor of spirit."
Macaulay.
3. Denoting the material of which anything is
composed, or that which it contains; as, a throne of gold; a
sword of steel; a wreath of mist; a cup of
water.
4. Denoting part of an aggregate or whole;
belonging to a number or quantity mentioned; out of; from amongst;
as, of this little he had some to spare; some of the
mines were unproductive; most of the company.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not
consumed.
Lam. iii. 22.
It is a duty to communicate of those blessings
we have received.
Franklin.
5. Denoting that by which a person or thing
is actuated or impelled; also, the source of a purpose or action; as,
they went of their own will; no body can move of
itself; he did it of necessity.
For it was of the Lord to harden their
hearts.
Josh. xi. 20.
6. Denoting reference to a thing; about;
concerning; relating to; as, to boast of one's
achievements.
Knew you of this fair work?
Shak.
7. Denoting nearness or distance, either in
space or time; from; as, within a league of the town; within
an hour of the appointed time.
8. Denoting identity or equivalence; -- used
with a name or appellation, and equivalent to the relation of
apposition; as, the continent of America; the city of
Rome; the Island of Cuba.
9. Denoting the agent, or person by whom, or
thing by which, anything is, or is done; by.
And told to her of [by] some.
Chaucer.
He taught in their synagogues, being glorified
of all.
Luke iv. 15.
[Jesus] being forty days tempted of the
devil.
Luke iv. 1, 2.
&fist; The use of the word in this sense, as applied to persons,
is nearly obsolete.
10. Denoting relation to place or time;
belonging to, or connected with; as, men of Athens; the people
of the Middle Ages; in the days of Herod.
11. Denoting passage from one state to
another; from. [Obs.] "O miserable of happy."
Milton.
12. During; in the course of.
Not be seen to wink of all the
day.
Shak.
My custom always of the afternoon.
Shak.
&fist; Of may be used in a subjective or an objective
sense. "The love of God" may mean, our love for God, or God's
love for us.
&fist; From is the primary sense of this preposition; a
sense retained in off, the same word differently written for
distinction. But this radical sense disappears in most of its
application; as, a man of genius; a man of rare
endowments; a fossil of a red color, or of an hexagonal
figure; he lost all hope of relief; an affair of the
cabinet; he is a man of decayed fortune; what is the price
of corn? In these and similar phrases, of denotes
property or possession, or a relation of some sort involving
connection. These applications, however all proceeded from the same
primary sense. That which proceeds from, or is produced by, a person
or thing, either has had, or still has, a close connection with the
same; and hence the word was applied to cases of mere connection, not
involving at all the idea of separation.
Of consequence, of importance, value, or
influence. -- Of late, recently; in time
not long past. -- Of old, formerly; in
time long past. -- Of one's self, by one's
self; without help or prompting; spontaneously.
Why, knows not Montague, that of itself
England is safe, if true within itself?
Shak.
Off (?), adv. [OE. of, orig. the
same word as R. of, prep., AS. of, adv. & prep.
√194. See Of.] In a general sense, denoting from or
away from; as:
1. Denoting distance or separation; as, the
house is a mile off.
2. Denoting the action of removing or
separating; separation; as, to take off the hat or cloak; to
cut off, to pare off, to clip off, to peel
off, to tear off, to march off, to fly
off, and the like.
3. Denoting a leaving, abandonment,
departure, abatement, interruption, or remission; as, the fever goes
off; the pain goes off; the game is off; all
bets are off.
4. Denoting a different direction; not on or
towards: away; as, to look off.
5. Denoting opposition or negation.
[Obs.]
The questions no way touch upon puritanism, either
off or on.
Bp. Sanderson.
From off, off from; off. "A live coal .
. . taken with the tongs from off the altar." Is. vi.
6. -- Off and on. (a) Not
constantly; not regularly; now and then; occasionally.
(b) (Naut.) On different tacks, now
toward, and now away from, the land. -- To be
off. (a) To depart; to escape; as, he
was off without a moment's warning. (b)
To be abandoned, as an agreement or purpose; as, the bet
was declared to be off. [Colloq.] -- To come
off, To cut off, To fall
off, To go off, etc. See under
Come, Cut, Fall, Go, etc. --
To get off. (a) To utter; to
discharge; as, to get off a joke. (b)
To go away; to escape; as, to get off easily from a
trial. [Colloq.] -- To take off, to mimic
or personate. -- To tell off (Mil.),
to divide and practice a regiment or company in the several
formations, preparatory to marching to the general parade for field
exercises. Farrow. -- To be well off,
to be in good condition. -- To be ill off,
To be badly off, to be in poor
condition.
Off (?), interj. Away; begone; --
a command to depart.
Off, prep. Not on; away from; as,
to be off one's legs or off the bed; two miles
off the shore. Addison.
Off hand. See Offhand. --
Off side (Football), out of
play; -- said when a player has got in front of the ball in a
scrimmage, or when the ball has been last touched by one of his own
side behind him. -- To be off color, to be
of a wrong color. -- To be off one's food,
to have no appetite. (Colloq.)
Off, a. 1. On the
farther side; most distant; on the side of an animal or a team
farthest from the driver when he is on foot; in the United States,
the right side; as, the off horse or ox in a team, in
distinction from the nigh or near horse or ox; the
off leg.
2. Designating a time when one is not
strictly attentive to business or affairs, or is absent from his
post, and, hence, a time when affairs are not urgent; as, he took an
off day for fishing: an off year in politics. "In
the off season." Thackeray.
Off side. (a) The right hand
side in driving; the farther side. See Gee.
(b) (Cricket) See Off,
n.
Off, n. (Cricket) The side
of the field that is on the right of the wicket keeper.
Of"fal (?), n. [Off +
fall.] 1. The rejected or waste parts of
a butchered animal.
2. A dead body; carrion.
Shak.
3. That which is thrown away as worthless or
unfit for use; refuse; rubbish.
The off als of other profession.
South.
Off"cut` (?), n. 1.
That which is cut off.
2. (Bookbinding) A portion ofthe
printed sheet, in certain sizes of books, that is cut off before
folding.
Of*fence" (?), n. See
Offense.
Of*fend (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Offended; p. pr. & vb. n.
Offending.] [OF. offendre, L. offendere,
offensum; ob (see Ob-) + fendere (in
comp.) to thrust, dash. See Defend.] 1.
To strike against; to attack; to assail. [Obs.] Sir P.
Sidney.
2. To displease; to make angry; to
affront.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a
strong city.
Prov. xviii. 19.
3. To be offensive to; to harm; to pain; to
annoy; as, strong light offends the eye; to offend the
conscience.
4. To transgress; to violate; to sin
against. [Obs.]
Marry, sir, he hath offended the
law.
Shak.
5. (Script.) To oppose or obstruct in
duty; to cause to stumble; to cause to sin or to fall.
[Obs.]
Who hath you misboden or offended.
Chaucer.
If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out . .
. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off.
Matt. v. 29, 3O.
Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing
shall offend them.
Ps. cxix. 165.
Of*fend", v. i. 1.
To transgress the moral or divine law; to commit a crime; to
stumble; to sin.
Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet
offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
James ii. 10.
If it be a sin to cevet honor,
I am the most offending soul alive.
Shak.
2. To cause dislike, anger, or vexation; to
displease.
I shall offend, either to detain or give
it.
Shak.
To offend against, to do an injury or wrong
to; to commit an offense against. "We have offended
against the Lord already." 2 Chron. xxviii. 13.
Of*fend"ant (?), n. An
offender. [R.] Holland.
Of*fend"er (?), n. One who
offends; one who violates any law, divine or human; a
wrongdoer.
I and my son Solomon shall be counted
offenders.
1 Kings i. 21.
Of*fend"ress (?), n. A woman who
offends. Shak.
{ Of*fense", Of*fence" } (?),
n. [F., fr. L. offensa. See Offend.]
1. The act of offending in any sense; esp., a
crime or a sin, an affront or an injury.
Who was delivered for our offenses, and was
raised again for our justification.
Rom. iv.
25.
I have given my opinion against the authority of two
great men, but I hope without offense to their
memories.
Dryden.
2. The state of being offended or displeased;
anger; displeasure.
He was content to give them just cause of
offense, when they had power to make just
revenge.
Sir P. Sidney.
3. A cause or occasion of stumbling or of
sin. [Obs.]
Woe to that man by whom the offense
cometh!
Matt. xviii. 7.
&fist; This word, like expense, is often spelled with a
c. It ought, however, to undergo the same change with
expense, the reasons being the same, namely, that s
must be used in offensive as in expensive, and is found
in the Latin offensio, and the French offense.
To take offense, to feel, or assume to be,
injured or affronted; to become angry or hostile. --
Weapons of offense, those which are used in
attack, in distinction from those of defense, which are used
to repel.
Syn. -- Displeasure; umbrage; resentment; misdeed;
misdemeanor; trespass; transgression; delinquency; fault; sin; crime;
affront; indignity; outrage; insult.
Of*fense"ful (?), a. Causing
offense; displeasing; wrong; as, an offenseful act.
[R.]
Of*fense"less, a. Unoffending;
inoffensive.
Of*fen"si*ble (?), a. That may
give offense. [Obs.]
Of*fen"sion (?), n. [OF., fr. L.
offensio an offense.] Assault; attack. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Of*fen"sive (?), a. [Cf.F.
offensif. See Offend.]
1. Giving offense; causing displeasure or
resentment; displeasing; annoying; as, offensive
words.
2. Giving pain or unpleasant sensations;
disagreeable; revolting; noxious; as, an offensive smell;
offensive sounds. "Offensive to the stomach."
Bacon.
3. Making the first attack; assailant;
aggressive; hence, used in attacking; -- opposed to defensive;
as, an offensive war; offensive weapons.
League offensive and defensive, a leaque
that requires all the parties to it to make war together against any
foe, and to defend one another if attacked.
Syn. -- Displeasing; disagreeable; distasteful; obnoxious;
abhorrent; disgusting; impertinent; rude; saucy; reproachful;
opprobrious; insulting; insolent; abusive; scurrilous; assailant;
attacking; invading.
-- Of*fen"sive*ly, adv. --
Of*fen"sive*ness, n.
Of*fen"sive (?), n. The state or
posture of one who offends or makes attack; aggressive attitude; the
act of the attacking party; -- opposed to defensive.
To act on the offensive, to be the attacking
party.
Of"fer (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Offered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Offering.] [OE. offren, AS. offrian to
sacrifice, fr. L. offerre; ob (see OB-) +
ferre to bear, bring. The English word was influenced by F.
offrir to offer, of the same origin. See 1st Bear.]
1. To present, as an act of worship; to
immolate; to sacrifice; to present in prayer or devotion; -- often
with up.
Thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin
offering for atonement.
Ex. xxix. 36.
A holy priesthood to offer up spiritual
sacrifices.
1 Pet. ii. 5.
2. To bring to or before; to hold out to; to
present for acceptance or rejection; as, to offer a present,
or a bribe; to offer one's self in marriage.
I offer thee three things.
2
Sam. xxiv. 12.
3. To present in words; to proffer; to make a
proposal of; to suggest; as, to offer an opinion. With the
infinitive as an objective: To make an offer; to declare one's
willingness; as, he offered to help me.
4. To attempt; to undertake.
All that offer to defend him.
Shak.
5. To bid, as a price, reward, or wages; as,
to offer a guinea for a ring; to offer a salary or
reward.
6. To put in opposition to; to manifest in an
offensive way; to threaten; as, to offer violence, attack,
etc.
Syn. -- To propose; propound; move; proffer; tender;
sacrifice; immolate.
Of"fer, v. i. 1.
To present itself; to be at hand.
The occasion offers, and the youth
complies.
Dryden.
2. To make an attempt; to make an essay or a
trial; -- used with at. "Without offering at any
other remedy." Swift.
He would be offering at the shepherd's
voice.
L'Estrange.
I will not offer at that I can not
master.
Bacon.
Of"fer (?), n. [Cf. F. offre,
fr. offrir to offer, fr. L. offerre. See Offer,
v. t.] 1. The act of offering,
bringing forward, proposing, or bidding; a proffer; a first
advance. "This offer comes from mercy."
Shak.
2. That which is offered or brought forward;
a proposal to be accepted or rejected; a sum offered; a
bid.
When offers are disdained, and love
denied.
Pope.
3. Attempt; endeavor; essay; as, he made an
offer to catch the ball. "Some offer and
attempt." South.
Of"fer*a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being offered; suitable or worthy to be offered.
Of"fer*er (?), n. One who offers;
esp., one who offers something to God in worship.
Hooker.
Of"fer*ing, n. 1.
The act of an offerer; a proffering.
2. That which is offered, esp. in divine
service; that which is presented as an expiation or atonement for
sin, or as a free gift; a sacrifice; an oblation; as, sin
offering.
They are polluted offerings more abhorred
Than spotted livers in the sacrifice.
Shak.
3. A sum of money offered, as in church
service; as, a missionary offering. Specif.: (Ch. of
Eng.) Personal tithes payable according to custom, either at
certain seasons as Christmas or Easter, or on certain occasions as
marriages or christenings.
[None] to the offering before her should
go.
Chaucer.
Burnt offering, Drink
offering, etc. See under Burnt. etc.
Of"fer*to*ry (?), n.; pl.
Offertories . [L. offertorium the place to
which offerings were brought, in LL. offertory: cf.F.
offertoire.] 1. The act of offering, or
the thing offered. [Obs. or R.] Bacon. Bp. Fell.
2. (R.C.Ch.) (a) An
anthem chanted, or a voluntary played on the organ, during the
offering and first part of the Mass. (b)
That part of the Mass which the priest reads before uncovering
the chalice to offer up the elements for consecration.
(c) The oblation of the elements.
3. (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.)
(a) The Scripture sentences said or sung during
the collection of the offerings. (b) The
offerings themselves.
Of"fer*ture (?), n. [LL.
offertura an offering.] Offer; proposal; overture.
[Obs.]
More offertures and advantages to his
crown.
Milton.
Off"hand` (?), a. Instant; ready;
extemporaneous; as, an offhand speech; offhand
excuses. -- adv. In an offhand manner;
as, he replied offhand.
Of"fice (?), n. [F., fr. L.
officium, for opificium; ops ability, wealth,
holp + facere to do or make. See Opulent, Fact.]
1. That which a person does, either voluntarily
or by appointment, for, or with reference to, others; customary duty,
or a duty that arises from the relations of man to man; as, kind
offices, pious offices.
I would I could do a good office between
you.
Shak.
2. A special duty, trust, charge, or
position, conferred by authority and for a public purpose; a position
of trust or authority; as, an executive or judical office; a
municipal office.
3. A charge or trust, of a sacred nature,
conferred by God himself; as, the office of a priest under the
old dispensation, and that of the apostles in the new.
Inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I
magnify mine office.
Rom. xi. 13.
4. That which is performed, intended, or
assigned to be done, by a particular thing, or that which anything is
fitted to perform; a function; -- answering to duty in
intelligent beings.
They [the eyes] resign their office and their
light.
Shak.
Hesperus, whose office is to bring
Twilight upon the earth.
Milton.
In this experiment the several intervals of the teeth
of the comb do the office of so many prisms.
Sir I. Newton.
5. The place where a particular kind of
business or service for others is transacted; a house or apartment in
which public officers and others transact business; as, the
register's office; a lawyer's office.
6. The company or corporation, or persons
collectively, whose place of business is in an office; as, I have
notified the office.
7. pl. The apartments or outhouses in
which the domestics discharge the duties attached to the service of a
house, as kitchens, pantries, stables, etc. [Eng.]
As for the offices, let them stand at
distance.
Bacon.
8. (Eccl.) Any service other than that
of ordination and the Mass; any prescribed religious
service.
This morning was read in the church, after the
office was done, the declaration setting forth the late
conspiracy against the king's person.
Evelyn.
Holy office. Same as Inquisition,
n., 3. -- Houses of office.
Same as def. 7 above. Chaucer. -- Little
office (R.C.Ch.), an office recited in honor of
the Virgin Mary. -- Office bearer, an
officer; one who has a specific office or duty to perform. --
Office copy (Law), an authenticated or
certified copy of a record, from the proper office. See Certified
copies, under Copy. Abbott. -- Office-
found (Law), the finding of an inquest of
office. See under Inquest. -- Office
holder. See Officeholder in the
Vocabulary
Of`fice (?), v. t. To perform, as
the duties of an office; to discharge. [Obs.] Shak.
Of"fice*hold"er (?), n. An
officer, particularly one in the civil service; a placeman.
Of"fi*cer (?), n. [F. officier.
See Office, and cf. Official, n.]
1. One who holds an office; a person lawfully
invested with an office, whether civil, military, or ecclesiastical;
as, a church officer; a police officer; a staff
officer. "I am an officer of state."
Shak.
2. (U. S. Mil.) Specifically, a
commissioned officer, in distinction from a warrant
officer.
Field officer, General
officer, etc. See under Field, General.
etc. -- Officer of the day (Mil.),
the officer who, on a given day, has charge for that day of the
quard, prisoners, and police of the post or camp. --
Officer of the deck, or Officer of the
watch (Naut.), the officer temporarily in charge
on the deck of a vessel, esp. a war vessel.
Of"fi*cer, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Officered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Officering.] 1. To furnish with officers;
to appoint officers over. Marshall.
2. To command as an officer; as, veterans
from old regiments officered the recruits.
Of*fi"cial (?), a. [L.
officialis: cf. F. officiel. See Office, and cf.
Official, n.] 1. Of or
pertaining to an office or public trust; as, official duties,
or routine.
That, in the official marks invested, you
Anon do meet the senate.
Shak.
2. Derived from the proper office or officer,
or from the proper authority; made or communicated by virtue of
authority; as, an official statement or report.
3. (Pharm.) Approved by authority;
sanctioned by the pharmacopœia; appointed to be used in
medicine; as, an official drug or preparation. Cf.
Officinal.
4. Discharging an office or function.
[Obs.]
The stomach and other parts official unto
nutrition.
Sir T. Browne.
Of*fi"cial, n. [L. officialis a
magistrate's servant or attendant: cf.F. official. See
Official, a., and cf. Officer.]
1. One who holds an office; esp., a subordinate
executive officer or attendant.
2. An ecclesiastical judge appointed by a
bishop, chapter, archdeacon, etc., with charge of the spiritual
jurisdiction. Blackstone.
Of*fi"cial*ism (?), n. The state
of being official; a system of official government; also, adherence
to office routine; red-tapism.
Officialism may often drift into
blunders.
Smiles.
Of*fi`ci*al"i*ty
(&obreve;f*f&ibreve;sh`&ibreve;*ăl"&ibreve;*t&ybreve;),
n. See Officialty.
Of*fi"cial*ly (?), adv. By the
proper officer; by virtue of the proper authority; in pursuance of
the special powers vested in an officer or office; as, accounts or
reports officially verified or rendered; letters
officially communicated; persons officially
notified.
Of*fi"cial*ty (?), n. [Cf.F.
officialité.] The charge, office, court, or
jurisdiction of an official. Ayliffe.
Of*fi"ciant (?), n. [L.
officians, p. pr. See Officiate.] (Eccl.)
The officer who officiates or performs an office, as the burial
office. Shipley.
Of*fi"ci*a*ry (?), a. Of or
pertaining to an office or an officer; official. [R.]
Heylin.
Of*fi"ci*ate (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Officiated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Officiating.] [LL. officiare. See
Office.] To act as an officer in performing a duty; to
transact the business of an office or public trust; to conduct a
public service. Bp. Stillingfleet.
Of*fi"ci*ate, v. t. To discharge,
perform, or supply, as an official duty or function. [Obs.]
Merely to officiate light
Round this opacous earth.
Milton.
Of*fi"ci*a`tor (?), n. One who
officiates. Tylor.
Of*fic"i*nal (?), a. [F., fr. L.
officina a workshop, contr.fr. opificina, fr.
opifex a workman; opus work + facere to make or
do.] 1. Used in a shop, or belonging to
it. [Obs. or R.] Johnson.
2. (Pharm.) Kept in stock by
apothecaries; -- said of such drugs and medicines as may be obtained
without special preparation or compounding; not magistral.
&fist; This term is often interchanged with official, but
in strict use officinal drugs are not necessarily
official. See Official, a., 3.
Of*fi"cious (?), a. [L.
officiosus: cf.F. officieux. See Office.]
1. Pertaining to, or being in accordance with,
duty. [R.]
If there were any lie in the case, it could be no more
than as officious and venial one.
Note on Gen.
xxvii. (Douay version).
2. Disposed to serve; kind; obliging.
[Archaic]
Yet not to earth are those bright luminaries
Officious.
Milton.
They were tolerably well bred, very officious,
humane, and hospitable.
Burke.
3. Importunately interposing services;
intermeddling in affairs in which one has no concern;
meddlesome.
You are too officious
In her behalf that scorns your services.
Shak.
Syn. -- Impertinent; meddling. See Impertinent.
-- Of*fi"cious*ly, adv. --
Of*fi"cious*ness, n.
Off"ing (?), n. [From Off.]
That part of the sea at a good distance from the shore, or where
there is deep water and no need of a pilot; also, distance from the
shore; as, the ship had ten miles offing; we saw a ship in the
offing.
Off"ish, a. Shy or distant in
manner. [Colloq. U.S.]
Off"let, n. [Off + let.]
A pipe to let off water.
Off"scour`ing (?), n. [Off +
scour.] That which is scoured off; hence, refuse;
rejected matter; that which is vile or despised. Lam. iii.
45.
Off"scum` (?), n. [Off +
scum.] Removed scum; refuse; dross.
Off"set` (?), n. [Off +
set. Cf. Set-off.] In general, that which is set
off, from, before, or against, something; as: --
1. (Bot.) A short prostrate shoot,
which takes root and produces a tuft of leaves, etc. See
Illust. of Houseleek.
2. A sum, account, or value set off against
another sum or account, as an equivalent; hence, anything which is
given in exchange or retaliation; a set-off.
3. A spur from a range of hills or
mountains.
4. (Arch.) A horizontal ledge on the
face of a wall, formed by a diminution of its thickness, or by the
weathering or upper surface of a part built out from it; -- called
also set-off.
5. (Surv.) A short distance measured
at right angles from a line actually run to some point in an
irregular boundary, or to some object.
6. (Mech.) An abrupt bend in an
object, as a rod, by which one part is turned aside out of line, but
nearly parallel, with the rest; the part thus bent aside.
7. (Print.) A more or less distinct
transfer of a printed page or picture to the opposite page, when the
pages are pressed together before the ink is dry or when it is
poor.
Offset staff (Surv.), a rod, usually
ten links long, used in measuring offsets.
Off*set" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Offset; p. pr. & vb. n.
Offsetting.] 1. To set off; to place over
against; to balance; as, to offset one account or charge
against another.
2. To form an offset in, as in a wall, rod,
pipe, etc.
Off"set, v. i. (Printing)
To make an offset.
Off"shoot` (?), n. [Off +
shoot.] That which shoots off or separates from a main
stem, channel, family, race, etc.; as, the offshoots of a
tree.
Off"shore" (?), a. From the shore;
as, an offshore wind; an offshore signal.
Off"skip` (?), n. [Off + -
skip, as in landskip.] (Paint.) That part of a
landscape which recedes from the spectator into distance. [R.]
Fairholt.
Off"spring` (?), n.sing. & pl.
[Off + spring.]
1. The act of production; generation.
[Obs.]
2. That which is produced; a child or
children; a descendant or descendants, however remote from the
stock.
To the gods alone
Our future offspring and our wives are known.
Dryden.
3. Origin; lineage; family. [Obs.]
Fairfax.
{ Of*fus"cate (?), Of`fus*ca`tion (?) }.
See Obfuscate, Obfuscation. [Obs.]
Oft (&obreve;ft; 115), adv. [AS.
oft; akin to OS. & G. oft, OHG. ofto, Sw.
ofta, Dan. ofte, Icel. opt, Goth. ufta;
of uncertain origin. Cf. Often.] Often; frequently; not
rarely; many times. [Poetic] Chaucer.
Oft she rejects, but never once
offends.
Pope.
Oft, a. Frequent; often;
repeated. [Poetic]
Of`ten (?), adv.
[Compar. Oftener (?);
superl. Oftenest.] [Formerly also
ofte, fr. oft. See Oft.,
adv.] Frequently; many times; not
seldom.
Of"ten, a. Frequent; common;
repeated. [R.] "Thine often infirmities." 1 Tim. v.
23.
And weary thee with often
welcomes.
Beau. & Fl.
Of"ten*ness, n. Frequency.
Hooker.
Of"ten*sith (?), adv. [Often +
sith time.] Frequently; often. [Obs.]
For whom I sighed have so
oftensith.
Gascoigne.
Of"ten*tide" (?), adv. [Often +
tide time.] Frequently; often. [Obs.] Robert of
Brunne.
Of"ten*times` (?), adv. [Often +
time. Cf. -wards.] Frequently; often; many
times. Wordsworth.
Oft"er (?), adv.
Compar. of Oft. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Oft"times` (?), adv. [Oft +
time. Cf. -wards.] Frequently; often.
Milton.
Og"am (?), n. Same as
Ogham.
Og"do*ad (?), n. [Gr.
&?;, &?;, from &?; eight.] A thing made up of
eight parts. Milman.
Og`do*as`tich (?), n. [Gr. &?; the
eighth + &?; a verse.] A poem of eight lines. [Obs.]
Selden
O*gee" (?), n. [F. ogive,
augive, LL. augiva, of uncertain origin; cf.LL.
ogis a support, prop. L. augere to increase,
strengthen, Sp. auge highest point of power or fortune,
apogee, Ar. auj, an astronomical term.]
1. (Arch.) A molding, the section of
which is the form of the letter S, with the convex part above; cyma
reversa. See Illust. under Cyma.
2. Hence, any similar figure used for any
purpose.
Ogee arch (Arch.), a pointed arch,
each of the sides of which has the curve of an ogee, that is, has a
reversed curve near the apex.
O*gee"chee lime` (?). [So named from the Ogeechee
River in Georgia.] (Bot.) (a) The acid,
olive-shaped, drupaceous fruit of a species of tupelo (Nyssa
capitata) which grows in swamps in Georgia and Florida.
(b) The tree which bears this fruit.
Og`ga*ni"tion (?), n. [L.
oggannire to snarl at; ob (see Ob-) +
gannire to yelp.] Snarling; grumbling. [R.] Bp.
Montagu.
Og"ham (?), n. [Ir.] A particular
kind of writing practiced by the ancient Irish, and found in
inscriptions on stones, metals, etc. [Written also
ogam.]
O"give (?), n. [F. ogive, OF.
augive a pointed arch, LL. augiva a double arch of two
at right angles.] (Arch.) The arch or rib which crosses a
Gothic vault diagonally.
O"gle (ōg'l), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Ogled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Ogling (?).] [From a Dutch word corresponding to G.
äugeln to ogle, fr. auge eye; cf. D.
ooglonken to ogle, OD. oogen to cast sheep's eyes upon,
ooge eye. See Eye.] To view or look at with side
glances, as in fondness, or with a design to attract
notice.
And ogling all their audience, ere they
speak.
Dryden.
O"gle, n. An amorous side glance
or look. Byron.
O"gler (?), n. One who
ogles. Addison.
O"gli*o (?), n. See
Olio.
O"gre (ō"g&etilde;r), n. [F., fr.
Sp. ogro, fr. L. Orcus the god of the infernal regions;
also, the lower world, hell.] An imaginary monster, or hideous
giant of fairy tales, who lived on human beings; hence, any frightful
giant; a cruel monster.
His schoolroom must have resembled an ogre's
den.
Maccaulay.
O"gre*ish, a. Resembling an ogre;
having the character or appearance of an ogre; suitable for an
ogre. "An ogreish kind of jocularity."
Dickens.
O"gress (?), n. [F. ogresse. See
Ogre.] A female ogre. Tennyson.
{ O"gre*ism (?), O"grism (?) },
n. The character or manners of an
ogre.
O*gyg"i*an (&osl;*j&ibreve;j"&ibreve;*an),
a. [L. Ogygius, Gr. 'Ogy`gios.]
Of or pertaining to Ogyges, a mythical king of ancient Attica,
or to a great deluge in Attica in his days; hence, primeval; of
obscure antiquity.
Oh (ō), interj. [See O,
interj.] An exclamation expressing various
emotions, according to the tone and manner, especially surprise,
pain, sorrow, anxiety, or a wish. See the Note under
O.
Ohm (ōm), n. [So called from the
German electrician, G. S. Ohm.] (Elec.) The
standard unit in the measure of electrical resistance, being the
resistance of a circuit in which a potential difference of one volt
produces a current of one ampére. As defined by the
International Electrical Congress in 1893, and by United States
Statute, it is a resistance substantially equal to 109
units of resistance of the C. G. S. system of electro-magnetic units,
and is represented by the resistance offered to an unvarying electric
current by a column of mercury at the temperature of melting ice
14.4521 grams in mass, of a constant cross-sectional area, and of the
length of 106.3 centimeters. As thus defined it is called the
international ohm.
Ohm's law (Elec.), the statement of
the fact that the strength or intensity of an electrical current is
directly proportional to the electro-motive force, and inversely
proportional to the resistance of the circuit.
O*ho" (?), interj. An exclamation
of surprise, etc.
-oid (-oid). [Gr. &?;, fr. e'i^dos form, akin
to &?; to see, and E. wit: cf.F. -oïde, L. -
oïdes.] A suffix or combining form meaning like,
resembling, in the form of; as in anthropoid,
asteroid, spheroid.
||O*ïd"i*um (?), n. [NL., dim. fr.
Gr. w,'o`n egg.] (Bot.) A genus of minute
fungi which form a floccose mass of filaments on decaying fruit, etc.
Many forms once referred to this genus are now believed to be
temporary conditions of fungi of other genera, among them the vine
mildew (Oïdium Tuckeri), which has caused much injury to
grapes.
Oil (oil), n. [OE. oile, OF.
oile, F. huile, fr. L. oleum; akin to Gr. &?;.
Cf. Olive.] Any one of a great variety of unctuous
combustible substances, not miscible with water; as, olive
oil, whale oil, rock oil, etc. They are of
animal, vegetable, or mineral origin and of varied composition, and
they are variously used for food, for solvents, for anointing,
lubrication, illumination, etc. By extension, any substance of an
oily consistency; as, oil of vitriol.
&fist; The mineral oils are varieties of petroleum. See
Petroleum. The vegetable oils are of two classes, essential
oils (see under Essential), and natural oils which
in general resemble the animal oils and fats. Most of the natural
oils and the animal oils and fats consist of ethereal salts of
glycerin, with a large number of organic acids, principally stearic,
oleic, and palmitic, forming respectively stearin, olein, and
palmitin. Stearin and palmitin prevail in the solid oils and fats,
and olein in the liquid oils. Mutton tallow, beef tallow, and lard
are rich in stearin, human fat and palm oil in palmitin, and sperm
and cod-liver oils in olein. In making soaps, the acids leave the
glycerin and unite with the soda or potash.
Animal oil, Bone oil,
Dipple's oil, etc. (Old Chem.), a
complex oil obtained by the distillation of animal substances, as
bones. See Bone oil, under Bone. -- Drying
oils, Essential oils. (Chem.)
See under Drying, and Essential. --
Ethereal oil of wine, Heavy oil of
wine. (Chem.) See under Ethereal. --
Fixed oil. (Chem.) See under
Fixed. -- Oil bag (Zoöl.),
a bag, cyst, or gland in animals, containing oil. --
Oil beetle (Zoöl.), any beetle of
the genus Meloe and allied genera. When disturbed they emit
from the joints of the legs a yellowish oily liquor. Some species
possess vesicating properties, and are used instead of
cantharides. -- Oil box, or Oil
cellar (Mach.), a fixed box or reservoir, for
lubricating a bearing; esp., the box for oil beneath the journal of a
railway-car axle. -- Oil cake. See under
Cake. -- Oil cock, a stopcock
connected with an oil cup. See Oil cup. -- Oil
color. (a) A paint made by grinding a
coloring substance in oil. (b) Such paints,
taken in a general sense. -- Oil cup, a
cup, or small receptacle, connected with a bearing as a lubricator,
and usually provided with a wick, wire, or adjustable valve for
regulating the delivery of oil. -- Oil engine,
a gas engine worked with the explosive vapor of petroleum. -
- Oil gas, inflammable gas procured from oil,
and used for lighting streets, houses, etc. -- Oil
gland. (a) (Zoöl.) A gland
which secretes oil; especially in birds, the large gland at the base
of the tail. (b) (Bot.) A gland, in
some plants, producing oil. -- Oil green,
a pale yellowish green, like oil. -- Oil of
brick, empyreumatic oil obtained by subjecting a brick
soaked in oil to distillation at a high temperature, -- used by
lapidaries as a vehicle for the emery by which stones and gems are
sawn or cut. Brande & C. -- Oil of
talc, a nostrum made of calcined talc, and famous in
the 17th century as a cosmetic. [Obs.] B. Jonson. --
Oil of vitriol (Chem.), strong sulphuric
acid; -- so called from its oily consistency and from its forming the
vitriols or sulphates. -- Oil of wine,
Œnanthic ether. See under Œnanthic. --
Oil painting. (a) The art of
painting in oil colors. (b) Any kind of
painting of which the pigments are originally ground in oil. --
Oil palm (Bot.), a palm tree whose fruit
furnishes oil, esp. Elæis Guineensis. See
Elæis. -- Oil sardine
(Zoöl.), an East Indian herring (Clupea
scombrina), valued for its oil. -- Oil
shark (Zoöl.) (a) The liver
shark. (b) The tope. -- Oil
still, a still for hydrocarbons, esp. for
petroleum. -- Oil test, a test for
determining the temperature at which petroleum oils give off vapor
which is liable to explode. -- Oil tree.
(Bot.) (a) A plant of the genus
Ricinus (R. communis), from the seeds of which castor
oil is obtained. (b) An Indian tree, the
mahwa. See Mahwa. (c) The oil
palm. -- To burn the midnight oil, to
study or work late at night. -- Volatle oils.
See Essential oils, under Essential.
Oil (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Oiled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Oiling.] To smear or rub over with oil; to lubricate with
oil; to anoint with oil.
Oil"bird` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Guacharo.
Oil"cloth" (?), n. Cloth treated
with oil or paint, and used for marking garments, covering floors,
etc.
Oiled (?), a. Covered or treated
with oil; dressed with, or soaked in, oil.
Oiled silk, silk rendered waterproof by
saturation with boiled oil.
Oil"er (?), n. 1.
One who deals in oils.
2. One who, or that which, oils.
Oil"er*y (?), n. [Cf.F.
huilerie.] The business, the place of business, or the
goods, of a maker of, or dealer in, oils.
Oil"i*ness (?), n. The quality of
being oily. Bacon.
Oil"let (?), n. [See Eyelet.]
(Arch.) (a) A small opening or loophole,
sometimes circular, used in mediæval fortifications.
(b) A small circular opening, and ring of
moldings surrounding it, used in window tracery in Gothic
architecture. [Written also oylet.]
Oil"man (?), n.; pl.
Oilmen (&?;). One who deals in oils; formerly,
one who dealt in oils and pickles.
Oil"nut` (?), n. (Bot.) The
buffalo nut. See Buffalo nut, under Buffalo.
&fist; The name is also applied to various nuts and seeds yielding
oil, as the butternut, cocoanut, oil-palm nut.
Oil"seed` (?), n. (Bot.)
(a) Seed from which oil is expressed, as the
castor bean; also, the plant yielding such seed. See Castor
bean. (b) A cruciferous herb
(Camelina sativa). (c) The
sesame.
Oil"skin` (?), n. Cloth made
waterproof by oil.
Oil"stone` (?), n. A variety of
hone slate, or whetstone, used for whetting tools when lubricated
with oil.
Oil"y (?), a.
[Compar. Oilier (?);
superl. Oiliest.] 1.
Consisting of oil; containing oil; having the nature or
qualities of oil; unctuous; oleaginous; as, oily matter or
substance. Bacon.
2. Covered with oil; greasy; hence,
resembling oil; as, an oily appearance.
3. Smoothly subservient; supple; compliant;
plausible; insinuating. "This oily rascal."
Shak.
His oily compliance in all
alterations.
Fuller.
Oily grain (Bot.), the sesame. -
- Oily palm, the oil palm.
Oi"ne*ment (?), n. Ointment.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
||Oi`no*ma"ni*a (?), n. See
œnomania.
Oint (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Ointed; p. pr & vb. n.
Ointing.] [F. oint, p. p. of oindre, L.
ungere. See Anoint, Ointment.] To
anoint. [Obs.] Dryden.
Oint"ment (?), n. [OE. oinement,
OF. oignement, fr.F. oindre to anoint, L.
ungere, unguere; akin to Skr. a&?;j, and to G.
anke (in Switzerland) butter. The first t in the E.
word is due to the influence of anoint. Cf. Anoint,
Unguent.] That which serves to anoint; any soft unctuous
substance used for smearing or anointing; an unguent.
O*jib"ways (?), n. pl.; sing.
Ojibway. (Ethnol.) Same as
Chippeways.
||O"jo (?), n. [Sp., prop., an eye.]
A spring, surrounded by rushes or rank grass; an oasis.
[Southwestern U.S.] Bartlett.
Oke (?), n. [Turk. okkah, fr.
Ar. ūkīyah, wakīyah, prob. fr. Gr.
&?;, &?;, an ounce, fr. L. uncia. Cf. Ounce a
weight.]
1. A Turkish and Egyptian weight, equal to
about 2¾ pounds.
2. An Hungarian and Wallachian measure, equal
to about 2½ pints.
O"ken*ite (?), n. [Prob. from Lorenz
Oken, a German naturalist.] (Min.) A massive and
fibrous mineral of a whitish color, chiefly hydrous silicate of
lime.
O"ker (?), n. (Min.) See
Ocher.
O"kra (?), n. (Bot.) An
annual plant (Abelmoschus, or Hibiscus, esculentus), whose
green pods, abounding in nutritious mucilage, are much used for
soups, stews, or pickles; gumbo. [Written also ocra and
ochra.]
-ol (?). [From alcohol.] (Chem.) A
suffix denoting that the substance in the name of which it appears
belongs to the series of alcohols or hydroxyl
derivatives, as carbinol, glycerol, etc.
||O"lay (?), n. pl. [Tamil
ōlai.] Palm leaves, prepared for being written upon
with a style pointed with steel. [Written also ola.]
Balfour (Cyc. of India).
Old (?), n. Open country.
[Obs.] See World. Shak.
Old, a. [Compar.
Older (?); superl. Oldest.] [OE.
old, ald, AS. ald, eald; akin to D.
oud, OS. ald, OFries. ald, old, G.
alt, Goth. alpeis, and also to Goth. alan to
grow up, Icel. ala to bear, produce, bring up, L. alere
to nourish. Cf. Adult, Alderman, Aliment,
Auld, Elder.]
1. Not young; advanced far in years or life;
having lived till toward the end of the ordinary term of living; as,
an old man; an old age; an old horse; an
old tree.
Let not old age disgrace my high
desire.
Sir P. Sidney.
The melancholy news that we grow
old.
Young.
2. Not new or fresh; not recently made or
produced; having existed for a long time; as, old wine; an
old friendship. "An old acquaintance."
Camden.
3. Formerly existing; ancient; not modern;
preceding; original; as, an old law; an old custom; an
old promise. "The old schools of Greece."
Milton. "The character of the old Ligurians."
Addison.
4. Continued in life; advanced in the course
of existence; having (a certain) length of existence; -- designating
the age of a person or thing; as, an infant a few hours old; a
cathedral centuries old.
And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art
thou?
Cen. xlvii. 8.
&fist; In this use old regularly follows the noun that
designates the age; as, she was eight years old.
5. Long practiced; hence, skilled;
experienced; cunning; as, an old offender; old in
vice.
Vane, young in years, but in sage counsel
old.
Milton.
6. Long cultivated; as, an old farm;
old land, as opposed to new land, that is, to land
lately cleared.
7. Worn out; weakened or exhausted by use;
past usefulness; as, old shoes; old clothes.
8. More than enough; abundant.
[Obs.]
If a man were porter of hell gate, he should have
old turning the key.
Shak.
9. Aged; antiquated; hence, wanting in the
mental vigor or other qualities belonging to youth; -- used
disparagingly as a term of reproach.
10. Old-fashioned; wonted; customary; as of
old; as, the good old times; hence, colloquially, gay;
jolly.
11. Used colloquially as a term of cordiality
and familiarity. "Go thy ways, old lad."
Shak.
Old age, advanced years; the latter period
of life. -- Old bachelor. See
Bachelor, 1. -- Old Catholics. See
under Catholic. -- Old English. See
under English. n., 2. -- Old
Nick, Old Scratch, the devil. --
Old lady (Zoöl.), a large European
noctuid moth (Mormo maura). -- Old
maid. (a) A woman, somewhat advanced in
years, who has never been married; a spinster.
(b) (Bot.) A West Indian name for the
pink-flowered periwinkle (Vinca rosea).
(c) A simple game of cards, played by matching
them. The person with whom the odd card is left is the old
maid. -- Old man's beard. (Bot.)
(a) The traveler's joy (Clematis Vitalba).
So named from the abundant long feathery awns of its fruit.
(b) The Tillandsia usneoides. See
Tillandsia. -- Old man's head
(Bot.), a columnar cactus (Pilocereus senilis),
native of Mexico, covered towards the top with long white hairs.
-- Old red sandstone (Geol.), a series
of red sandstone rocks situated below the rocks of the Carboniferous
age and comprising various strata of siliceous sandstones and
conglomerates. See Sandstone, and the Chart of
Geology. -- Old school, a school or
party belonging to a former time, or preserving the character,
manner, or opinions of a former time; as, a gentleman of the old
school; -- used also adjectively; as, Old-School
Presbyterians. -- Old sledge, an old and
well-known game of cards, called also all fours, and high,
low, Jack, and the game. -- Old squaw
(Zoöl.), a duck (Clangula hyemalis) inhabiting
the northern parts of both hemispheres. The adult male is varied with
black and white and is remarkable for the length of its tail. Called
also longtailed duck, south southerly, callow,
hareld, and old wife. -- Old
style. (Chron.) See the Note under
Style. -- Old Testament. See under
Testament. -- Old wife. [In the senses
b and cwritten also oldwife.]
(a) A prating old woman; a gossip.
Refuse profane and old wives'
fables.
1 Tim. iv. 7.
(b) (Zoöl.) The local name of
various fishes, as the European black sea bream (Cantharus
lineatus), the American alewife, etc. (c)
(Zoöl.) A duck; the old squaw. --
Old
World, the Eastern Hemisphere.
Syn. -- Aged; ancient; pristine; primitive; antique;
antiquated; old-fashioned; obsolete. See Ancient.
Old"en (?), a. Old; ancient; as,
the olden time. "A minstrel of the olden stamp."
J. C. Shairp.
Old"en, v. i. To grow old; to
age. [R.]
She had oldened in that time.
Thackeray.
Old`-fash"ioned (?), a. Formed
according to old or obsolete fashion or pattern; adhering to old
customs or ideas; as, an old-fashioned dress, girl.
"Old-fashioned men of wit." Addison.
This old-fashioned, quaint abode.
Longfellow.
Old`-gen"tle*man*ly (?), a.
Pertaining to an old gentleman, or like one.
Byron.
Old"ish, a. Somewhat
old.
Old` lang syne" (?). See Auld lang
syne.
Old`-maid"ish (?), a. Like an old
maid; prim; precise; particular.
Old`-maid"ism (?), n. The
condition or characteristics of an old maid. G.
Eliot.
Old"ness, n. The state or quality
of being old; old age.
Old"ster (?), n. [Cf.
Youngster.] An old person. [Jocular] H.
Kingsley.
Old`-wom`an*ish (?), a. Like an
old woman; anile. -- Old`-wom"an*ish*ness,
n.
||O"le*a (?), n. [L. olive. See
Olive.] (Bot.) A genus of trees including the
olive.
&fist; The Chinese Olea fragrans, noted for its fragrance,
and the American devilwood (Olea Americana) are now usually
referred to another genus (Osmanthus).
O`le*a"ceous (?), a. [L.
oléaceus of the olive tree.] (Bot.) Of,
pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order of plants
(Oleaceæ), mostly trees and shrubs, of which the olive
is the type. It includes also the ash, the lilac, the true jasmine,
and fringe tree.
O`le*ag`i*nous (?), a. [L.
oleaginus, oleagineus, belonging to the olive, fr.
olea olive: cf. F. oléagineux. See Olive,
Oil.] Having the nature or qualities of oil; oily;
unctuous.
O`le*ag`i*nous*ness, n.
Oiliness. Boyle.
||O`le*a"men (?), n. [L.] (Med.)
A soft ointment prepared from oil. Dunglison.
O`le*an"der (?), n. [F.
oléandre (cf. It. oleandro, LL.
lorandrum), prob. corrupted, under the influence of
laurus laurel, fr. L. rhododendron, Gr. &?;; &?; rose +
&?; tree.] (Bot.) A beautiful evergreen shrub of the
Dogbane family, having clusters of fragrant red or white flowers. It
is native of the East Indies, but the red variety has become common
in the south of Europe. Called also rosebay, rose
laurel, and South-sea rose.
&fist; Every part of the plant is dangerously poisonous, and death
has occured from using its wood for skewers in cooking meat.
O`le*an"drine (?), n. (Chem.)
One of several alkaloids found in the leaves of the
oleander.
O`le*as"ter (?), n. [L., fr.
olea olive tree. See Olive, Oil.] (Bot.)
(a) The wild olive tree (Olea Europea,
var. sylvestris). (b) Any species
of the genus Elæagus. See Eleagnus. The small
silvery berries of the common species (Elæagnus
hortensis) are called Trebizond dates, and are made into
cakes by the Arabs.
O"le*ate (?), n. [Cf.F.
oléate.] (Chem.) A salt of oleic acid. Some
oleates, as the oleate of mercury, are used in medicine by way of
inunction.
O*lec"ra*nal (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the olecranon.
O*lec"ra*non (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;;
&?; elbow + krani`on the head.] (Anat.) The
large process at the proximal end of the ulna which projects behind
the articulation with the humerus and forms the bony prominence of
the elbow.
O*le"fi*ant (?), a. [F.
oléfiant, fr.L. oleum oil + -ficare (in
comp.). Cf. -Fy.] (Chem.) Forming or producing an
oil; specifically, designating a colorless gaseous hydrocarbon called
ethylene. [Archaic]
O"le*fine (?), n. [From
Olefiant.] (Chem.) Olefiant gas, or ethylene;
hence, by extension, any one of the series of unsaturated
hydrocarbons of which ethylene is a type. See
Ethylene.
O"le*ic (?), a. [L. oleum oil:
cf. F. oléique.] (Physiol.Chem.) Pertaining
to, derived from, or contained in, oil; as, oleic acid, an
acid of the acrylic acid series found combined with glyceryl in the
form of olein in certain animal and vegetable fats and oils, such as
sperm oil, olive oil, etc. At low temperatures the acid is
crystalline, but melts to an oily liquid above 14&?; C.
O`le*if`er*ous (?), a. [L. oleum
oil + -ferous: cf.F. oléifére.]
Producing oil; as, oleiferous seeds.
O"le*in (?), n. [L. oleum oil:
cf. F. oléine.] (Physiol. Chem.) A fat,
liquid at ordinary temperatures, but solidifying at temperatures
below 0° C., found abundantly in both the animal and vegetable
kingdoms (see Palmitin). It dissolves solid fats, especially
at 30-40° C. Chemically, olein is a glyceride of oleic acid; and,
as three molecules of the acid are united to one molecule of glyceryl
to form the fat, it is technically known as triolein. It is
also called elain.
O"lent (?), a. [L. olens, p. pr.
of olere to smell.] Scented. [R.] R.
Browning.
O`le*o*graph (?), n. [L. oleum
oil + -graph.]
1. (Chem.) The form or figure assumed
by a drop of oil when placed upon water or some other liquid with
which it does not mix.
2. (Painting) A picture produced in
oils by a process analogous to that of lithographic
printing.
O`le*o*mar"ga*rine (?), n. [L.
oleum oil + E. margarine, margarin.] [Written
also oleomargarin.] 1. A liquid oil made
from animal fats (esp. beef fat) by separating the greater portion of
the solid fat or stearin, by crystallization. It is mainly a mixture
of olein and palmitin with some little stearin.
2. An artificial butter made by churning this
oil with more or less milk.
&fist; Oleomargarine was wrongly so named, as it contains no
margarin proper, but olein, palmitin, and stearin, a mixture
of palmitin and stearin having formerly been called margarin
by mistake.
O`le*om`e*ter (?), n. [L. oleum
oil + -meter.] (Chem.) An instrument for
ascertaining the weight and purity of oil; an elaiometer.
O"le*one (?), n. [L. oleum + -
one, 1.] (Chem.) An oily liquid, obtained by
distillation of calcium oleate, and probably consisting of the ketone
of oleic acid.
O`le*op"tene (?), n. [L. oleum
oil + Cr. &?; fleeting.] (Chem.) See
Eleoptene. [R.]
O`le*o*res"in (?), n. [L. oleum
oil + E. resin.]
1. (Chem.) A natural mixture of a
terebinthinate oil and a resin.
2. (Med.) A liquid or semiliquid
preparation extracted (as from capsicum, cubebs, or ginger) by means
of ether, and consisting of fixed or volatile oil holding resin in
solution.
-- O`le*o*res"in*ous (#), a.
{ O"le*ose` (?), O"le*ous (?), }
a. [L. oleosus, fr. oleum oil.]
Oily. [R.] Ray. Floyer.
O`le*os"i*ty (?), n. The state or
quality of being oily or fat; fatness. [R.] B.
Jonson.
Ol`er*a"ceous (?), a. [L.
oleraceus, from olus, oleris, garden or pot
herbs, vegetables.] Pertaining to pot herbs; of the nature or
having the qualities of herbs for cookery; esculent. Sir T.
Browne.
Olf (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
(Zoöl.) The European bullfinch.
[Prov.Eng.]
Ol*fac"tion (?), n. [See
Olfactory.] (Physiol.) The sense by which the
impressions made on the olfactory organs by the odorous particles in
the atmosphere are perceived.
Ol*fac"tive (?), a. See
Olfactory, a.
Ol*fac"tor (?), n. A smelling
organ; a nose. [R.]
Ol*fac"to*ry (?), a. [L.
olfactus, p. p. of olfacere to smell; olere to
have a smell + facere to make. See Odor, and
Fact.] (Physiol.) Of, pertaining to, or connected
with, the sense of smell; as, the olfactory nerves; the
olfactory cells.
Olfactory organ (Anat.), an organ for
smelling. In vertebrates the olfactory organs are more or less
complicated sacs, situated in the front part of the head and lined
with epithelium innervated by the olfactory (or first cranial)
nerves, and sensitive to odoriferous particles conveyed to it
in the air or in water.
Ol*fac"to*ry (?), n.; pl.
Olfactories (&?;). An olfactory organ; also,
the sense of smell; -- usually in the plural.
Ol"i*ban (?), n. (Chem.)
See Olibanum.
O*lib"a*num (?), n. [LL., fr. Ar.
al-luban frankincense; cf.Gr. &?;, &?;, of Semitic origin.]
The fragrant gum resin of various species of Boswellia;
Oriental frankincense.
Ol"i*bene (?), n. (Chem.) A
colorless mobile liquid of a pleasant aromatic odor obtained by the
distillation of olibanum, or frankincense, and regarded as a terpene;
-- called also conimene.
{ Ol"id (?), Ol"i*dous (?), }
a. [L. olidus, fr. olere to smell.]
Having a strong, disagreeable smell; fetid. [Obs.]
Boyle. Sir T. Browne.
Ol"i*fant (?), n. [OF.]
1. An elephant. [Obs.]
2. An ancient horn, made of ivory.
Ol`i*gan"drous (?), a. [Oligo- +
Gr. &?;, &?;, man, male.] (Bot.) Having few
stamens.
Ol`i*gan"thous (?), a. [Oligo- +
Gr. &?; flower.] (Bot.) Having few flowers.
Ol`i*garch (?), n. A member of an
oligarchy; one of the rulers in an oligarchical government.
Ol`i*gar"chal (?), a.
Oligarchic. Glover.
{ Ol`i*gar"chic (?), Ol`i*gar"chic*al, }
a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. oligarchique. See
Oligarchy.] Of or pertaining to oligarchy, or government
by a few. "Oligarchical exiles." Jowett (Thucyd.
).
Ol"i*gar`chist (?), n. An advocate
or supporter of oligarchy.
Ol"i*gar"chy (?), n.; pl.
Oligarchies (#). [Gr. &?;; &?; few, little + &?; to
rule, govern: cf.F. oligarchie.] A form of government in
which the supreme power is placed in the hands of a few persons;
also, those who form the ruling few.
All oligarchies, wherein a few men domineer, do
what they list.
Burton.
Ol"i*gist (?), n. [See Oligist,
a.] (Min.) Hematite or specular iron
ore; -- prob. so called in allusion to its feeble magnetism,
as compared with magnetite.
{ Ol"i*gist (?), Ol`i*gis"tic (?), }
a. [Gr. &?;, superl. of &?; few, little: cf. F.
oligiste.] (Min.) Of or pertaining to
hematite.
Ol"i*go- (?). A combining form from Gr. &?;,
few, little, small.
Ol"i*go*cene (?), a. [Oligo- +
Gr. &?; new, recent.] (Geol.) Of, pertaining to, or
designating, certain strata which occupy an intermediate position
between the Eocene and Miocene periods. -- n.
The Oligocene period. See the Chart of
Geology.
||Ol`i*go*chæ"ta (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. &?; little, pl., few + &?; hair.] (Zoöl.)
An order of Annelida which includes the earthworms and related
species.
Ol"i*go*chete (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Oligochæta.
Ol"i*go*clase (?), n. [Oligo- +
Gr. &?; fracture, fr. &?; to break.] (Min.) A triclinic
soda-lime feldspar. See Feldspar.
Ol`i*gom"er*ous (?), a. [Oligo-
+ Gr. &?; part.] (Bot.) Having few members in each set of
organs; as, an oligomerous flower.
Ol`i*go"my*old (?), a. [Oligo- +
Gr. &?;, &?;, a muscle + -oid.] (Anat.) Having few
or imperfect syringeal muscles; -- said of some passerine birds
(Oligomyodi).
Ol`i*go*pet"al*ous (?), a. [Oligo-
+ petal.] (Bot.) Having few petals.
Ol`i*go*sep"al*ous (?), a. [Oligo-
+ sepal.] (Bot.) Having few sepals.
Ol`i*go*sid"er*ite (?), n. [Oligo-
+ siderite.] (Min.) A meteorite characterized
by the presence of but a small amount of metallic iron.
Ol`i*go*sper"mous (?), a. [Oligo-
+ Gr. &?; a seed.] (Bot.) Having few
seeds.
Ol`i*got"o*kous (?), a. [Oligo-
+ Gr. &?; offspring.] (Zoöl.) Producing few
young.
O"li*o (?), n. [Sp. olla a round
earthen pot, a dish of boiled or stewed meat, fr. L. olla a
pot, dish. Cf. Olla, Olla-podrida.] 1.
A dish of stewed meat of different kinds. [Obs.]
Besides a good olio, the dishes were
trifling.
Evelyn.
2. A mixture; a medley.
Dryden.
3. (Mus.) A collection of
miscellaneous pieces.
Ol"i*to*ry (?), a. [L. olitorius
belonging to a kitchen gardener, or to vegetables, fr. olitor
a kitchen gardener, fr. olus, oleris, vegetables.]
Of or pertaining to, or produced in, a kitchen garden; used for
kitchen purposes; as, olitory seeds.
At convenient distance towards the olitory
garden.
Evelyn.
||O*li"va (?), n. [L. an olive.]
(Zoöl.) A genus of polished marine gastropod shells,
chiefly tropical, and often beautifully colored.
Ol`i*va"ceous (?), a. [L. oliva
olive.] Resembling the olive; of the color of the olive; olive-
green.
Ol"i*va*ry (?), a. [L. olivarius
belonging to olives, fr. oliva an olive: cf. F.
olivaire.] (Anat.) Like an olive.
Olivary body (Anat.), an oval
prominence on each side of the medulla oblongata; -- called also
olive.
Ol`i*vas"ter (?), a. [L. oliva
olive: cf.F. olivâtre.] Of the color of the olive;
tawny. Sir T. Herbert.
Ol"ive (?), n. [F., fr. L.
oliva, akin to Gr. &?;. See Oil.] 1.
(Bot.) (a) A tree (Olea
Europæa) with small oblong or elliptical leaves, axillary
clusters of flowers, and oval, one-seeded drupes. The tree has been
cultivated for its fruit for thousands of years, and its branches are
the emblems of peace. The wood is yellowish brown and beautifully
variegated. (b) The fruit of the olive. It
has been much improved by cultivation, and is used for making
pickles. Olive oil is pressed from its flesh.
2. (Zoöl.) (a)
Any shell of the genus Oliva and allied genera; -- so called
from the form. See Oliva. (b) The
oyster catcher. [Prov.Eng.]
3. (a) The color of the
olive, a peculiar dark brownish, yellowish, or tawny green.
(b) One of the tertiary colors, composed of
violet and green mixed in equal strength and proportion.
4. (Anat.) An olivary body. See under
Olivary.
5. (Cookery) A small slice of meat
seasoned, rolled up, and cooked; as, olives of beef or
veal.
&fist; Olive is sometimes used adjectively and in the
formation of self-explaining compounds; as, olive brown,
olive green, olive-colored, olive-skinned,
olive crown, olive garden, olive tree,
olive yard, etc.
Bohemian olive (Bot.), a species of
Elæagnus (E. angustifolia), the flowers of which
are sometimes used in Southern Europe as a remedy for fevers. --
Olive branch. (a) A branch of
the olive tree, considered an emblem of peace.
(b) Fig.: A child. -- Olive
brown, brown with a tinge of green. --
Olive green, a dark brownish green, like the
color of the olive. -- Olive oil, an oil
expressed from the ripe fruit of the olive, and much used as a salad
oil, also in medicine and the arts. -- Olive
ore (Min.), olivenite. -- Wild
olive (Bot.), a name given to the oleaster or
wild stock of the olive; also variously to several trees more or less
resembling the olive.
Ol"ive, a. Approaching the color
of the olive; of a peculiar dark brownish, yellowish, or tawny
green.
Ol"ived (?), a. Decorated or
furnished with olive trees. [R.] T. Warton.
O*liv"en*ite (?), n. (Min.)
An olive-green mineral, a hydrous arseniate of copper; olive
ore.
Ol"i*ver (?), n. 1.
[OF. oliviere.] An olive grove. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
2. [F. olivier.] An olive tree.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Ol"i*ver, n. A small tilt hammer,
worked by the foot.
Ol`i*ve"ri*an (?), n. (Eng.
Hist.) An adherent of Oliver Cromwell.
Macaulay.
Ol`ive*wood" (?), n. (Bot.)
(a) The wood of the olive.
(b) An Australian name given to the hard white
wood of certain trees of the genus Elæodendron, and also
to the trees themselves.
Ol`i*vil (?), n. [Cf. F.
olivile.] (Chem.) A white crystalline substance,
obtained from an exudation from the olive, and having a bitter-sweet
taste and acid proporties. [Written also olivile.]
Gregory.
Ol"i*vin (?), n. (Chem.) A
complex bitter gum, found on the leaves of the olive tree; -- called
also olivite.
Ol"i*vine (?), n. [Cf. F.
olivine.] (Min.) A common name of the yellowish
green mineral chrysolite, esp. the variety found in eruptive
rocks.
Ol"i*vite (?), n. (Chem.)
See Olivin.
Ol"la (?), n. [See Olio.]
1. A pot or jar having a wide mouth; a cinerary
urn, especially one of baked clay.
2. A dish of stewed meat; an olio; an olla-
podrida.
||Ol`la-po*dri"da (?), n. [Sp., lit., a
rotten pot. See Olio.] 1. A favorite
Spanish dish, consisting of a mixture of several kinds of meat
chopped fine, and stewed with vegetables.
2. Any incongruous mixture or miscellaneous
collection; an olio. B. Jonson.
Ol"o*gy (?), n. [See -logy.]
A colloquial or humorous name for any science or branch of
knowledge.
He had a smattering of mechanics, of physiology,
geology, mineralogy, and all other ologies
whatsoever.
De Quincey.
||Ol"pe (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;.]
Originally, a leather flask or vessel for oils or liquids;
afterward, an earthenware vase or pitcher without a spout.
||O*lu"sa*trum (?), n. [L.
holusatrum, olusatrum; olus garden herb +
ater black.] (Bot.) An umbelliferous plant, the
common Alexanders of Western Europe (Smyrnium
Olusatrum).
O*lym"pi*ad (&osl;*l&ibreve;m"p&ibreve;*ăd),
n. [L. olympias, -adis, Gr.
'olympia`s, -a`dos, fr. 'O`lympos
Olympus, a mountain in Macedonia: cf. F. olympiade.] (Greek
Antiq.) A period of four years, by which the ancient Greeks
reckoned time, being the interval from one celebration of the Olympic
games to another, beginning with the victory of Corœbus in the
foot race, which took place in the year 776 b.c.; as, the era of the
olympiads.
{ O*lym"pi*an (-an), O*lym"pic (-
p&ibreve;k), } a. [L. Olympius,
Olympicus, Gr. 'Oly`mpios, 'Olympiko`s,
fr. 'O`lympos: cf. F. olympique. See
Olympiad.] Of or pertaining to Olympus, a mountain of
Thessaly, fabled as the seat of the gods, or to Olympia, a small
plain in Elis.
Olympic games, or Olympics
(Greek Antiq.), the greatest of the national festivals of
the ancient Greeks, consisting of athletic games and races, dedicated
to Olympian Zeus, celebrated once in four years at Olympia, and
continuing five days.
O*lym`pi*on"ic (?), n. [Gr. &?; a
conqueror in the Olympic games.] An ode in honor of a victor in
the Olympic games. [R.] Johnson.
-o"ma (?). [Gr. &?;, &?;.] A suffix used in medical
terms to denote a morbid condition of some part, usually some
kind of tumor; as in fibroma, glaucoma.
||Om"a*gra (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
shoulder + &?; seizure.] (Med.) Gout in the
shoulder.
O"ma*has" (?), n. pl.; sing.
Omaha (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of
Indians who inhabited the south side of the Missouri River. They are
now partly civilized and occupy a reservation in Nebraska.
O*man"der wood` (?). [Etymol. uncertain.] (Bot.)
The wood of Diospyros ebenaster, a kind of ebony found in
Ceylon.
||O*ma"sum (?), n. [L.] (Anat.)
The third division of the stomach of ruminants. See
Manyplies, and Illust. under Ruminant.
{ Om"ber, Om"bre} (?), n. [F.
hombre, fr. Sp. hombre, lit., a man, fr. L.
homo. See Human.] A game at cards, borrowed from
the Spaniards, and usually played by three persons.
Pope.
When ombre calls, his hand and heart are
free,
And, joined to two, he fails not to make three.
Young.
Om"bre, n. [F., of uncertain origin.]
(Zoöl.) A large Mediterranean food fish (Umbrina
cirrhosa): -- called also umbra, and
umbrine.
Om*brom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; rain +
-meter: cf. F. ombrométre.] (Meteorol.)
An instrument for measuring the rain that falls; a rain
gauge.
O*me"ga (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;,
i.e., the great or long o. Cf. Mickle.] 1.
The last letter of the Greek alphabet. See
Alpha.
2. The last; the end; hence, death.
"Omega! thou art Lord," they said.
Tennyson.
Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the
ending; hence, the chief, the whole. Rev. i. 8.
The alpha and omega of science.
Sir J. Herschel.
O*me"goid (?), a. [Omega + -
oid.] Having the form of the Greek capital letter Omega
(Ω).
Om"e*let (?), n. [F. omelette,
OF. amelette, alumete, alumelle, perh. fr. L.
lamella. Cf. Lamella.] Eggs beaten up with a
little flour, etc., and cooked in a frying pan; as, a plain
omelet.
O"men (?), n. [L. omen, the
original form being osmen, according to Varro.] An
occurrence supposed to portend, or show the character of, some future
event; any indication or action regarded as a foreshowing; a
foreboding; a presage; an augury.
Bid go with evil omen, and the brand
Of infamy upon my name.
Milton.
O"men, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Omened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Omening.] To divine or to foreshow by signs or portents;
to have omens or premonitions regarding; to predict; to augur; as, to
omen ill of an enterprise.
The yet unknown verdict, of which, however, all
omened the tragical contents.
Sir W.
Scott.
O"mened (?), a. Attended by, or
containing, an omen or omens; as, happy-omened day.
O*men"tal (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to an omentum or the omenta.
O*men"tum (?), n.; pl.
Omenta (#). [L.] (Anat.) A free fold of
the peritoneum, or one serving to connect viscera, support blood
vessels, etc.; an epiploön.
&fist; The great, or gastrocolic, omentum
forms, in most mammals, a great sac, which is attached to the stomach
and transverse colon, is loaded with fat, and covers more or less of
the intestines; the caul. The lesser, or gastrohepatic,
omentum connects the stomach and liver and contains the
hepatic vessels. The gastrosplenic omentum, or
ligament, connects the stomach and spleen.
O"mer (?), n. [Cf. Homer.]
A Hebrew measure, the tenth of an ephah. See Ephah.
Ex. xvi. 36.
Om`i*let"ic*al (?), a.
Homiletical. [Obs.]
Om"i*nate (?), v. t. & i. [L.
ominatus, p. p. of ominari to presage, fr.
omen.] To presage; to foreshow; to foretoken.
[Obs.] Dr. H. More.
Om`i*na"tion (?), n. [L.
ominatio.] The act of ominating; presaging. [Obs.]
Fuller.
Om"i*nous (?), a. [L. ominosus,
fr. omen. See Omen.] Of or pertaining to an omen
or to omens; being or exhibiting an omen; significant; portentous; --
formerly used both in a favorable and unfavorable sense; now chiefly
in the latter; foreboding or foreshowing evil; inauspicious; as, an
ominous dread.
He had a good ominous name to have made a
peace.
Bacon.
In the heathen worship of God, a sacrifice without a
heart was accounted ominous.
South.
-- Om"i*nous*ly, adv. --
Om"i*nous*ness, n.
O*mis"si*ble (?), a. Capable of
being omitted; that may be omitted.
O*mis"sion (?), n. [L. omissio:
cf. F. omission. See Omit.] 1. The
act of omitting; neglect or failure to do something required by
propriety or duty.
The most natural division of all offenses is into
those of omission and those of commission.
Addison.
2. That which is omitted or is left
undone.
O*mis"sive (?), a. [See Omit.]
Leaving out; omitting. Bp. Hall. --
O*mis"sive*ly, adv.
O*mit" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Omitted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Omitting.] [L. omittere, omissum; ob (see
Ob- + mittere to cause to go, let go, send. See
Mission.] 1. To let go; to leave
unmentioned; not to insert or name; to drop.
These personal comparisons I omit.
Bacon.
2. To pass by; to forbear or fail to perform
or to make use of; to leave undone; to neglect.
Her father omitted nothing in her education
that might make her the most accomplished woman of her
age.
Addison.
O*mit"tance (?), n. The act of
omitting, or the state of being omitted; forbearance; neglect.
Shak.
O*mit"ter (?), n. One who
omits. Fuller.
Om`ma*te"al (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Of or pertaining to an ommateum.
||Om`ma*te"um (?), n.; pl.
Ommatea (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, the eye.]
(Zoöl.) A compound eye, as of insects and
crustaceans.
||Om`ma*tid"i*um (?), n.; pl.
Ommatidia (#). [NL., dim. of Gr. &?;, &?;, the
eye.] (Zoöl.) One of the single eyes forming the
compound eyes of crustaceans, insects, and other
invertebrates.
Om"ni- (?). [L. omnis all.] A combining form
denoting all, every, everywhere; as in
omnipotent, all-powerful; omnipresent.
Om"ni*bus (?), n. [L., for all, dat.
pl. from omnis all. Cf. Bus.] 1.
A long four-wheeled carriage, having seats for many people;
especially, one with seats running lengthwise, used in conveying
passengers short distances.
2. (Glass Making) A sheet-iron cover
for articles in a leer or annealing arch, to protect them from
drafts.
Omnibus bill, a legislative bill which provides
for a number of miscellaneous enactments or appropriations.
[Parliamentary Cant, U.S.] -- Omnibus box, a
large box in a theater, on a level with the stage and having
communication with it. [Eng.] Thackeray.
Om`ni*cor*po"re*al (?), a. [Omni-
+ corporeal.] Comprehending or including all bodies;
embracing all substance. [R.] Cudworth.
Om*ni"e*ty (?), n. That which is
all-pervading or all-comprehensive; hence, the Deity. [R.]
Omniety formed nullity into an
essence.
Sir T. Browne.
Om`ni*fa"ri*ous (?), a. [L.
omnifarius; omnis all + -farius. Cf.
Bifarious.] Of all varieties, forms, or kinds.
"Omnifarious learning." Coleridge.
Om*nif"er*ous (?), a. [L.
omnifer; omnis all + ferre to bear.] All-
bearing; producing all kinds.
Om*nif"ic (?), a. [Omni- + L.
-ficare (in comp.) to make.] All-creating. "The
omnific word." Milton.
Om"ni*form (?), a. [L.
omniformis; omnis all + forma form: cf. F.
omniforme.] Having every form or shape.
Berkeley.
Om`ni*for"mi*ty (?), n. The
condition or quality of having every form. Dr. H.
More.
Om"ni*fy (?), v. t. [Omni- +
-fy.] To render universal; to enlarge. [R.]
Omnify the disputed point into a transcendent,
and you may defy the opponent to lay hold of it.
Coleridge.
Om*nig"e*nous (?), a. [L.
omniqenus; omnis all + genus kind.]
Consisting of all kinds. [R.]
Om"ni*graph (?), n. [Omni- +
-graph.] A pantograph. [R.]
Om`ni*pa"ri*ent (?), a. [L.
omniparens all-producing; omnis all + parere to
bring forth.] Producing or bringing forth all things; all-
producing. [R.]
Om`ni*par"i*ty (?), n. [Omni- +
-parity.] Equality in every part; general
equality.
Om*nip"a*rous (?), a. [See
Omniparient.] Producing all things;
omniparient.
Om`ni*pa"tient (?), a. [Omni- +
patient.] Capable of enduring all things. [R.]
Carlyle.
{ Om`ni*per*cip"i*ence (?),
Om`ni*per*cip"i*en*cy (?), } n.
Perception of everything.
Om`ni*per*cip"i*ent (?), a. [Omni-
+ percipient.] Perceiving everything. Dr.
H. More.
{ Om*nip"o*tence (?), Om*nip"o*ten*cy (?), }
n. [L. omnipotentia: cf.F.
omnipotence.] 1. The state of being
omnipotent; almighty power; hence, one who is omnipotent; the
Deity.
Will Omnipotence neglect to save
The suffering virtue of the wise and brave?
Pope.
2. Unlimited power of a particular kind; as,
love's omnipotence. Denham.
Om*nip"o*tent (?), a. [F., fr.L.
omnipotens, -entis; omnis all + potens
powerful, potent. See Potent.] 1. Able in
every respect and for every work; unlimited in ability; all-powerful;
almighty; as, the Being that can create worlds must be
omnipotent.
God's will and pleasure and his omnipotent
power.
Sir T. More.
2. Having unlimited power of a particular
kind; as, omnipotent love. Shak.
The Omnipotent, The Almighty; God.
Milton.
Om*nip"o*tent*ly, adv. In an
omnipotent manner.
Om`ni*pres"ence (?), n. [Cf. F.
omniprésence.] Presence in every place at the same
time; unbounded or universal presence; ubiquity.
His omnipresence fills
Land, sea, and air, and every kind that lives.
Milton.
Om`ni*pres"en*cy (?), n.
Omnipresence. [Obs.]
Om`ni*pres"ent (?), a. [Omni- +
present: cf.F. omniprésent.] Present in all
places at the same time; ubiquitous; as, the omnipresent
Jehovah. Prior.
Om`ni*pre*sen"tial (?), a.
Implying universal presence. [R.] South.
Om`ni*prev"a*lent (?), a. [Omni-
+ prevalent.] Prevalent everywhere or in all
things. Fuller.
Om*nis"cience (?), n. [Cf. F.
omniscience.] The quality or state of being omniscient; -
- an attribute peculiar to God. Dryden.
Om*nis"cien*cy (?), n.
Omniscience.
Om*nis"cient (?), a. [Omni- + L.
sciens, -entis, p. pr. of scire to know: cf. F.
omniscient. See Science.] Having universal
knowledge; knowing all things; infinitely knowing or wise; as, the
omniscient God. -- Om*nis"cient*ly,
adv.
For what can scape the eye
Of God all-seeing, or deceive his heart
Omniscient?
Milton.
Om*nis"cious (?), a. [L.
omniscius. See Omniscient.] All-knowing.
[Obs.] Hakewill.
Om`ni*spec"tive (?), a. [Omni- +
L. spectus, p. p. of specere, spicere, to view.]
Beholding everything; capable of seeing all things; all-
seeing. [R.] "Omnispective Power!" Boyse.
Om"ni*um (?), n. [L., of all, gen. pl.
of omnis all.] (Eng.Stock Exchange) The aggregate
value of the different stocks in which a loan to government is now
usually funded. M'Culloch.
Om`ni*um-gath"er*um (?), n. [A
macaronic compound of L. omnium, gen.pl. of omnis all,
and E. gather.] A miscellaneous collection of things or
persons; a confused mixture; a medley. [Colloq. & Humorous]
Selden.
Om*niv"a*gant (?), a. [Omni + L.
vagans, p. pr. of vagari to wander.] Wandering
anywhere and everywhere. [R.]
||Om*niv"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Omnivorous.] (Zoöl.) A group of ungulate
mammals including the hog and the hippopotamus. The term is also
sometimes applied to the bears, and to certain passerine
birds.
Om*niv"o*rous (?), a. [L.
omnivorus; omnis all + vorate to eat greedily.
See Voracious.] All-devouring; eating everything
indiscriminately; as, omnivorous vanity; esp.
(Zoöl.), eating both animal and vegetable food. --
Om*niv"o*rous*ness, n.
O"mo- (?). [Gr. &?; the shoulder.] A combining form
used in anatomy to indicate connection with, or relation
to, the shoulder or the scapula.
O`mo*hy"oid (?), a. [Omo- +
hyoid.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the shoulder
and the hyoid bone; as, the omohyoid muscle.
O"mo*phag"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;; &?; raw
+ &?; to eat.] Eating raw flesh; using uncooked meat as food;
as, omophagic feasts, rites.
Om"o*plate (?), n. [F., from Gr. &?;.
See Omo-, and Plate.] (Anat.) The shoulder
blade, or scapula.
O*mos"te*gite (?), n. [Omo- +
Gr. &?; a roof.] (Zoöl.) The part of the carapace of
a crustacean situated behind the cervical groove.
O`mo*ster"nal (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the omosternum.
O`mo*ster"num (?), n. [Omo- +
sternum.] (Anat.) (a) The anterior
element of the sternum which projects forward from between the
clavicles in many batrachians and is usually tipped with
cartilage. (b) In many mammals, an
interarticular cartilage, or bone, between the sternum and the
clavicle.
Om"pha*cine (?), a. [Gr. &?;, from &?;
an unripe grape or olive: cf.F. omphacin.] Of, pertaining
to, or expressed from, unripe fruit; as, omphacine
oil.
Om*phal"ic, a. [Gr. &?; having a boss,
bossy, fr. &?; the navel. See Navel.] (Anat.) Of
or pertaining to the umbilicus, or navel.
Om"pha*lo- (?). [Gr. &?; the navel.] A combining
form indicating connection with, or relation to, the
umbilicus, or navel.
Om"pha*lo*cele` (?), n. [Gr. &?; the
navel + &?; a tumor: cf.F. omphalocéle.] (Med.)
A hernia at the navel.
Om"pha*lode (?), n. [Omphalo- +
Gr. &?; form.] (Bot.) The central part of the hilum of a
seed, through which the nutrient vessels pass into the rhaphe or the
chalaza; -- called also omphalodium.
Om"pha*lo*man"cy (?), n. [Omphalo-
+ -mancy.] Divination by means of a child's navel,
to learn how many children the mother may have.
Crabb.
Om`pha*lo*mes`a*ra"ic (?), a.
[Omphalo- + mesaraic.] (Anat.)
Omphalomesenteric.
Om`pha*lo*mes`en*ter"ic (?), a.
[Omphalo- + mesenteric.] (Anat.) Of or
pertaining to the umbilicus and mesentery; omphalomesaraic; as, the
omphalomesenteric arteries and veins of a fetus.
Om`pha*lop"sy*chite (?), n.
[Omphalo- + Gr. &?; breath, spirit, soul: cf. F.
omphalopsyque.] (Eccl.Hist.) A name of the
Hesychasts, from their habit of gazing upon the navel.
{ Om`pha*lop"ter (?), Om`pha*lop"tic (?), }
n. [Gr. &?; the navel + &?; one who looks, &?;
belonging to sight: cf.F. omphaloptre.] An optical glass
that is convex on both sides. [Obs.] Hutton.
||Om"pha*los (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;.]
(Anat.) The navel.
Om`pha*lot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?;
the navel + &?; to cut: cf. F. omphalotomie.] (Surg.)
The operation of dividing the navel-string.
O"my (?), a. Mellow, as
land. [Prov.Eng.] Ray.
On (?), prep. [OE. on,
an, o, a, AS. on, an; akin to D.
aan, OS. & G. an, OHG. ana, Icel.
ā, Sw. å, Goth. ana, Russ. na, L.
an-, in anhelare to pant, Gr. 'ana`, Zend
ana. √195. Cf. A-, 1, Ana-,
Anon.] The general signification of on is
situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support
beneath; as: --
1. At, or in contact with, the surface or
upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in
contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table,
which stands on the floor of a house on an
island.
I stood on the bridge at midnight.
Longfellow.
2. To or against the surface of; -- used to
indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of
another; as, rain falls on the earth.
Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be
broken.
Matt. xxi. 44.
3. Denoting performance or action by contact
with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means
of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence,
figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression
on the mind.
4. At or near; adjacent to; -- indicating
situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on
the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.
5. In addition to; besides; -- indicating
multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps;
mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on
thought. Shak.
6. Indicating dependence or reliance; with
confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to
rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything;
as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a
horse.
7. At or in the time of; during; as,
on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At
(synonym).
8. At the time of, conveying some notion of
cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear
in full dress or uniform. Hence, in consequence of, or following; as,
on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were
disbanded.
9. Toward; for; -- indicating the object of
some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.
10. At the peril of, or for the safety
of. "Hence, on thy life." Dryden.
11. By virtue of; with the pledge of; --
denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged;
as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his
honor.
12. To the account of; -- denoting
imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon;
as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him.
His blood be on us and on our
children.
Matt. xxvii. 25.
13. In reference or relation to; as,
on our part expect punctuality; a satire on
society.
14. Of. [Obs.] "Be not jealous
on me." Shak.
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?
Shak.
&fist; Instances of this usage are common in our older writers,
and are sometimes now heard in illiterate speech.
15. Occupied with; in the performance of; as,
only three officers are on duty; on a
journey.
16. In the service of; connected with; of the
number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a
committee.
&fist; On and upon are in general interchangeable.
In some applications upon is more euphonious, and is therefore
to be preferred; but in most cases on is preferable.
On a bowline. (Naut.) Same as
Closehauled. -- On a wind, or
On the wind (Naut.), sailing
closehauled. -- On a sudden. See under
Sudden. -- On board, On
draught, On fire, etc. See under
Board, Draught, Fire, etc. -- On
it, On't, of it. [Obs. or
Colloq.] Shak. -- On shore, on land; to
the shore. -- On the road, On the
way, On the wing, etc. See under
Road, Way, etc. -- On to,
upon; on; to; -- sometimes written as one word, onto, and
usually called a colloquialism; but it may be regarded in analogy
with into.
They have added the -en plural form on to an
elder plural.
Earle.
We see the strength of the new movement in the new
class of ecclesiastics whom it forced on to the
stage.
J. R. Green.
On, adv. [See On,
prep.] 1. Forward, in
progression; onward; -- usually with a verb of motion; as, move
on; go on. "Time glides on."
Macaulay.
The path is smooth that leadeth on to
danger.
Shak.
2. Forward, in succession; as, from father to
son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.
3. In continuance; without interruption or
ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing
on.
4. Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He
is neither on nor off," that is, he is not steady, he is
irresolute.
5. Attached to the body, as clothing or
ornament, or for use. "I have boots on." B.
Gonson.
He put on righteousness as a
breastplate.
Is. lix. 17.
6. In progress; proceeding; as, a game is
on.
&fist; On is sometimes used as an exclamation, or a command
to move or proceed, some verb being understood; as, on,
comrades; that is, go on, move on.
On and on, continuously; for a long time
together. "Toiling on and on and on."
Longfellow.
||On"a*ger (?), n.; pl. L.
Onagri (#), E. Onagers (#). [L.
onager, onagrus, Gr. &?;.] 1.
(Rom.Antiq.) A military engine acting like a sling, which
threw stones from a bag or wooden bucket, and was operated by
machinery. Fairholt.
2. (Zoöl.) A wild ass, especially
the koulan.
O*nag"ga (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The dauw.
{ On`a*gra"ceous
(&obreve;n`&adot;*grā"shŭs), On`a*gra*ri"e*ous
(-gr&asl;*rī"&esl;*ŭs), } a. [From NL.
Onagra an old scientific name of the evening primrose
(Œnothera), fr. Gr. 'ona`gra a kind of plant;
of uncertain origin.] (Bot.) Pertaining to, or
resembling, a natural order of plants (Onagraceæ or
Onagrarieæ), which includes the fuchsia, the willow-herb
(Epilobium), and the evening primrose
(Œnothera).
O"nan*ism (?), n. [Onan (Gen.
xxxviii. 9): cf. F. onanisme.] Self-pollution;
masturbation.
||O*nap"po (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A nocturnal South American monkey (Callithrix discolor),
noted for its agility; -- called also ventriloquist
monkey.
Once (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The ounce.
Once (?), adv. [OE. ones,
anes, an adverbial form fr. one, on, an,
one. See One-, -Wards.] 1. By
limitation to the number one; for one time; not twice nor any number
of times more than one.
Ye shall . . . go round about the city
once.
Josh. vi. 3.
Trees that bear mast are fruitful but once in
two years.
Bacon.
2. At some one period of time; -- used
indefinitely.
My soul had once some foolish fondness for
thee.
Addison.
That court which we shall once
govern.
Bp. Hall.
3. At any one time; -- often nearly
equivalent to ever, if ever, or whenever; as,
once kindled, it may not be quenched.
Wilt thou not be made clean? When shall it once
be?
Jer. xiii. 27.
To be once in doubt
Is once to be resolved.
Shak.
&fist; Once is used as a noun when preceded by this
or that; as, this once, that once. It is also
sometimes used elliptically, like an adjective, for once-
existing. "The once province of Britain." J. N.
Pomeroy.
At once. (a) At the same
point of time; immediately; without delay. "Stand not upon the
order of your going, but go at once." Shak. "I . . .
withdrew at once and altogether." Jeffrey.
(b) At one and the same time; simultaneously; in
one body; as, they all moved at once. -- Once and
again, once and once more; repeatedly. "A dove
sent forth once and again, to spy." Milton.
||On*cid"i*um (?), n. [NL.]
(Bot.) A genus of tropical orchidaceous plants, the
flower of one species of which (O. Papilio) resembles a
butterfly.
On"co*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?; bulk +
-graph.] (Physiol.) An instrument for registering
the changes observable with an oncometer.
On*com"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; bulk +
-meter.] (Physiol.) An instrument for measuring
the variations in size of the internal organs of the body, as the
kidney, spleen, etc.
On*cot"o*my (&obreve;&nsm;"k&obreve;t*&osl;*m&ybreve;),
n. [Gr. 'o`gkos bulk, mass +
te`mnein to cut: cf. F. oncotomie.] (Surg.)
The opening of an abscess, or the removal of a tumor, with a
cutting instrument. [Written also onkotomy.]
Dunglison.
Onde (?), n. [AS. anda malice,
anger; akin to Icel. andi, önd, breath.]
Hatred; fury; envy. [Obs.]
||On` dit" (?). [F.] They say, or it is said.
-- n. A flying report; rumor; as, it is a mere
on dit.
-one (?). [From Gr. -w`nh, signifying, female
descendant.] (Chem.) A suffix indicating that the
substance, in the name of which it appears, is a ketone; as,
acetone.
-one.(Chem.) A termination indicating that
the hydrocarbon to the name of which it is affixed belongs to the
fourth series of hydrocarbons, or the third series of
unsaturated hydrocarbonsl as, nonone.
One (?), a. [OE. one, on,
an, AS. än; akin to D. een, OS.
ën, OFries. ën, än, G.
ein, Dan. een, Sw. en, Icel. einn, Goth.
ains, W. un, Ir. & Gael. aon, L. unus,
earlier oinos, oenos, Gr. &?; the ace on dice; cf. Skr.
ëka. The same word as the indefinite article a,
an. √ 299. Cf. 2d A, 1st An, Alone,
Anon, Any, None, Nonce, Only,
Onion, Unit.] 1. Being a single
unit, or entire being or thing, and no more; not multifold; single;
individual.
The dream of Pharaoh is one.
Gen. xli. 25.
O that we now had here
But one ten thousand of those men in England.
Shak.
2. Denoting a person or thing conceived or
spoken of indefinitely; a certain. "I am the sister of one
Claudio" [Shak.], that is, of a certain man named
Claudio.
3. Pointing out a contrast, or denoting a
particular thing or person different from some other specified; --
used as a correlative adjective, with or without
the.
From the one side of heaven unto the
other.
Deut. iv. 32.
4. Closely bound together; undivided; united;
constituting a whole.
The church is therefore one, though the members
may be many.
Bp. Pearson
5. Single in kind; the same; a
common.
One plague was on you all, and on your
lords.
1 Sam. vi. 4.
6. Single; inmarried. [Obs.]
Men may counsel a woman to be one.
Chaucer.
&fist; One is often used in forming compound words, the
meaning of which is obvious; as, one-armed, one-celled,
one-eyed, one-handed, one-hearted, one-
horned, one-idead, one-leaved, one-masted,
one-ribbed, one-story, one-syllable, one-
stringed, one-winged, etc.
All one, of the same or equal nature, or
consequence; as, he says that it is all one what course you
take. Shak. -- One day.
(a) On a certain day, not definitely specified,
referring to time past.
One day when Phoebe fair,
With all her band, was following the chase.
Spenser.
(b) Referring to future time: At some
uncertain day or period; some day.
Well, I will marry one day.
Shak.
One, n. 1. A
single unit; as, one is the base of all numbers.
2. A symbol representing a unit, as 1, or
i.
3. A single person or thing. "The
shining ones." Bunyan. "Hence, with your little
ones." Shak.
He will hate the one, and love the
other.
Matt. vi. 24.
That we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the
other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
Mark x.
37.
After one, after one fashion; alike.
[Obs.] Chaucer. -- At one, in agreement
or concord. See At one, in the Vocab. -- Ever in
one, continually; perpetually; always. [Obs.]
Chaucer. -- In one, in union; in a
single whole. -- One and one, One by
one, singly; one at a time; one after another.
"Raising one by one the suppliant crew." Dryden.
One (?), indef. pron. Any person,
indefinitely; a person or body; as, what one would have well
done, one should do one's self.
It was well worth one's while.
Hawthorne.
Against this sort of condemnation one must
steel one's self as one best can.
G.
Eliot.
One is often used with some, any, no,
each, every, such, a, many a,
another, the other, etc. It is sometimes joined with
another, to denote a reciprocal relation.
When any one heareth the word.
Matt. xiii. 19.
She knew every one who was any one in
the land of Bohemia.
Compton Reade.
The Peloponnesians and the Athenians fought against
one another.
Jowett (Thucyd. ).
The gentry received one another.
Thackeray.
One, v. t. To cause to become one;
to gather into a single whole; to unite; to assimilite.
[Obs.]
The rich folk that embraced and oned all their
heart to treasure of the world.
Chaucer.
One"ber`ry (?), n. (Bot.)
The herb Paris. See Herb Paris, under
Herb.
One"-hand` (?), a. Employing one
hand; as, the one-hand alphabet. See
Dactylology.
One"-horse` (?), a. 1.
Drawn by one horse; having but a single horse; as, a one-
horse carriage.
2. Second-rate; inferior; small.
[Slang, U.S.]
O*nei"das (?), n. pl.; sing.
Oneida (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of
Indians formerly inhabiting the region near Oneida Lake in the State
of New York, and forming part of the Five Nations. Remnants of the
tribe now live in New York, Canada, and Wisconsin.
O*nei`ro*crit`ic (?), n. [Cf.F.
oneirocritique. See Oneirocritic, a.]
An interpreter of dreams. Bp. Warburton.
Addison.
{ O*nei`ro*crit`ic (?), O*nei`ro*crit`ic*al (?),
} a. [Gr. &?;; &?; a dream + &?; critical, fr. &?;
to discern.] Of or pertaining to the interpretation of
dreams. Addison.
{ O*nei`ro*crit`i*cism (?), O*nei`ro*crit`ics
(?), } n. The art of interpreting
dreams.
O*nei"ro*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a
dream + -mancy.] Divination by means of dreams.
De Quincey.
O`nei*ros"co*pist, n. One who
interprets dreams.
O`nei*ros"co*py (?), n. [Gr. &?; a
dream + -scopy.] The interpretation of dreams.
One"li*ness (?), n. The state of
being one or single. [Obs.] Cudworth.
One"ly (?), a. See
Only. [Obs.] Spenser.
One"ment (?), n. The state of
being at one or reconciled. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
One"ness, n. The state of being
one; singleness in number; individuality; unity.
Our God is one, or rather very
oneness.
Hooker.
On"er*a*ry (?), a. [L.
onerarius, fr. onus, oneris, load, burden: cf.F.
onéraire.] Fitted for, or carrying, a
burden. Johnson.
On"er*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Onerated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Onerating.] [L. oneratus, p. p. pf onerare.]
To load; to burden. [Obs.] Becon.
On`er*a"tion (?), n. The act of
loading. [Obs.]
On"er*ous (?), a. [L. onerosus,
fr. onus, oneris, a load, burden: cf.F.
onéreux.] Burdensome; oppressive. "Too
onerous a solicitude." I. Taylor.
Onerous cause (Scots Law), a good and
legal consideration; -- opposed to gratuitous.
On"er*ous*ly, adv. In an onerous
manner.
Ones (?), adv. Once. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
One`self" (?), pron. A reflexive
form of the indefinite pronoun one. Commonly writen as two
words, one's self.
One's self (or more properly oneself), is quite
a modern form. In Elizabethan English we find a man's self=one's
self.
Morris.
One`-sid"ed (?), a. 1.
Having one side only, or one side prominent; hence, limited to
one side; partial; unjust; unfair; as, a one-sided view or
statement. "Unguarded and one-sided language." T.
Arnold.
2. (Bot.) Growing on one side of a
stem; as, one-sided flowers.
-- One`-sid"ed-ly, adv. -- One`-
sid"ed*ness, n.
On*ethe" (?), adv. Scarcely. See
Unnethe. [Obs.] Chaucer.
On"go`ing (?), n. The act of going
forward; progress; (pl.) affairs; business; current
events.
The common ongoings of this our commonplace
world, and everyday life.
Prof. Wilson.
On"guent (?), n. [F.] An
unguent.
On"-hang`er (?), n. A hanger-
on.
On"ion (?), n. [F. ognon, fr. L.
unio oneness, unity, a single large pearl, an onion. See
One, Union.] (Bot.) A liliaceous plant of
the genus Allium (A. cepa), having a strong-flavored
bulb and long hollow leaves; also, its bulbous root, much used as an
article of food. The name is often extended to other species of the
genus.
Onion fish (Zoöl.), the
grenadier. -- Onion fly (Zoöl.)
a dipterous insect whose larva feeds upon the onion; especially,
Anthomyia ceparum and Ortalis flexa. --
Welsh onion. (Bot.) See
Cibol. -- Wild onion (Bot.),
a name given to several species of the genus
Allium.
O*ni`ro*crit`ic (?), a. See
Oneirocritic.
On"li*ness (?), n. The state of
being alone. [Obs.]
On*loft" (?), adv. Aloft; above
ground. [Obs.]
She kept her father's life onloft.
Chaucer.
On"-look`er (?), n. A looker-
on.
On"-look`ing, a. Looking on or
forward.
On"ly (?), a. [OE. only,
anly, onlich, AS. ānlic, i.e., onelike.
See One, and Like, a.]
1. One alone; single; as, the only man
present; his only occupation.
2. Alone in its class; by itself; not
associated with others of the same class or kind; as, an only
child.
3. Hence, figuratively: Alone, by reason of
superiority; preëminent; chief. "Motley's the only
wear." Shak.
On"ly (?), adv. [See Only,
a.] 1. In one manner or
degree; for one purpose alone; simply; merely; barely.
And to be loved himself, needs only to be
known.
Dryden.
2. So and no otherwise; no other than;
exclusively; solely; wholly. "She being only wicked."
Beau. & Fl.
Every imagination . . . of his heart was only
evil.
Gen. vi. 5.
3. Singly; without more; as, only-
begotten.
4. Above all others; particularly.
[Obs.]
His most only elected mistress.
Marston.
On"ly, conj. Save or except
(that); -- an adversative used elliptically with or without
that, and properly introducing a single fact or
consideration.
He might have seemed some secretary or clerk . . .
only that his low, flat, unadorned cap . . . indicated that he
belonged to the city.
Sir W. Scott.
On`o*ce"rin (?), n. [NL. Ononis,
the generic name of the plant + L. cera wax.] (Chem.)
A white crystalline waxy substance extracted from the root of
the leguminous plant Ononis spinosa.
O*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; an ass +
-logy.] Foolish discourse. [R.]
On"o*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. &?; name +
-mancy. Cf. Nomancy.] Divination by the letters
of a name; nomancy. [R.] Camden.
{ On`o*man"tic (?), On`o*man"tic*al (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to onomancy.
[R.]
On`o*mas"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, from &?;
to name, &?; name.] (Law) Applied to a signature when the
body of the instrument is in another's handwriting.
Burrill.
On`o*mas"ti*con (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; (sc.&?;), fr. &?;. See Onomastic.] A collection of
names and terms; a dictionary; specif., a collection of Greek names,
with explanatory notes, made by Julius Pollux about
A.D.180.
On"o*ma*tech`ny (?), n. [Gr. &?; + &?;
art.] Prognostication by the letters of a name.
On`o*ma*tol"o*gist (?), n. One
versed in the history of names. Southey.
On`o*ma*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;
+ -logy.] The science of names or of their
classification.
O*nom"a*tope (?), n. [See
Onomatopœia.] An imitative word; an onomatopoetic
word.
On`o*mat`o*pœ"ia (?), n. [L., fr.
Gr. &?;; &?;, &?;, a name + &?; to make.] (Philol.) The
formation of words in imitation of sounds; a figure of speech in
which the sound of a word is imitative of the sound of the thing
which the word represents; as, the buzz of bees; the
hiss of a goose; the crackle of fire.
&fist; It has been maintained by some philologist that all primary
words, especially names, were formed by imitation of natural
sounds.
On`o*mat`o*pœ"ic (?), a.
Onomatopoetic. Whitney.
On`o*mat`o*po*et"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to onomatopœia; characterized by onomatopœia;
imitative; as, an onomatopoetic writer or word.
Earle.
On`o*mat"o*py (?), n.
Onomatopœia.
O*nom"o*man`cy (?), n. See
Onomancy.
On`on*da"gas (?), n. pl.; sing.
Onondaga (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe
of Indians formerly inhabiting what is now a part of the State of New
York. They were the central or head tribe of the Five
Nations.
On"rush` (?), n. A rushing
onward.
On"set` (?), n. [On +
set.] 1. A rushing or setting upon; an
attack; an assault; a storming; especially, the assault of an
army. Milton.
The onset and retire
Of both your armies.
Shak.
Who on that day the word of onset
gave.
Wordsworth.
2. A setting about; a beginning. [Obs.]
Shak.
There is surely no greater wisdom than well to time
the beginnings and onsets of things.
Bacon.
3. Anything set on, or added, as an ornament
or as a useful appendage. [Obs.] Johnson.
On"set`, v. t. 1.
To assault; to set upon. [Obs.]
2. To set about; to begin. [Obs.]
Carew.
On"slaught` (?), n. [OE. on on +
slaught, slaht, slaughter. See Slaughter.]
1. An attack; an onset; esp., a furious or
murderous attack or assault.
By storm and onslaught to proceed.
Hudibras.
2. A bloody fray or battle. [Scot.]
Jamieson.
On"stead (?), n. [Possibly a corruption
of homestead.] A single farmhouse; a steading.
[Prov.Eng. & Scot.] Grose. Jamieson.
On"to (?), prep. [On +
to. Cf. Into.] On the top of; upon; on. See On
to, under On, prep.
{ On`to*gen"e*sis (?), On*tog"e*ny (?), }
n. [See Ontology, and Genesis.]
(Biol.) The history of the individual development of an
organism; the history of the evolution of the germ; the development
of an individual organism, -- in distinction from phylogeny,
or evolution of the tribe. Called also henogenesis,
henogeny.
On`to*ge*net"ic (?), a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to ontogenesis; as, ontogenetic
phenomena. -- On`to*ge*net"ic*al*ly (#),
adv.
On`to*gen"ic (?), a. (Biol.)
Ontogenetic.
On`to*log"ic (?), a.
Ontological.
On`to*log"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F.
ontologique.] Of or pertaining to ontology.
On`*to*log"ic*al*ly, adv. In an
ontological manner.
On*tol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf.F.
ontologiste.] One who is versed in or treats of
ontology. Edin. Rev.
On*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; the things
which exist (pl.neut. of &?;, &?;, being, p. pr. of &?; to be) + -
logy: cf.F. ontologie.] That department of the
science of metaphysics which investigates and explains the nature and
essential properties and relations of all beings, as such, or the
principles and causes of being.
||O"nus (?), n. [L.] A burden; an
obligation.
||Onus probandi (&?;) [L.], obligation to
furnish evidence to prove a thing; the burden of proof.
On"ward (?), a. 1.
Moving in a forward direction; tending toward a contemplated or
desirable end; forward; as, an onward course, progress,
etc.
2. Advanced in a forward direction or toward
an end.
Within a while, Philoxenus came to see how
onward the fruits were of his friend's labor.
Sir P. Sidney.
On"ward, adv. Toward a point
before or in front; forward; progressively; as, to move
onward.
Not one looks backward, onward still he
goes.
Pope.
On"ward*ness, n. Progress;
advancement.
On"wards (?), adv. [See -wards.]
Onward.
On"y (?), a. Any. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
On"y*cha (?), n. [NL., from L.
onyx, -ychis, onyx, also, a kind of mussel, Gr. &?;,
&?;. See Onyx.]
1. An ingredient of the Mosaic incense,
probably the operculum of some kind of strombus. Ex. xxx.
34.
2. The precious stone called
onyx. [R.]
||O*nych"i*a (?), n. [NL. See
Onyx.] (Med.) (a) A whitlow.
(b) An affection of a finger or toe, attended
with ulceration at the base of the nail, and terminating in the
destruction of the nail.
On"y*cho*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;,
a finger nail + -mancy: cf. F. onychomancie.]
Divination by the nails.
||On`y*choph"o*ra (?), n. pl. [NL.,
from Gr. &?;, &?;, a claw + &?;.] (Zoöl.)
Malacopoda.
O"nyx (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; a claw,
finger nail, a veined gem. See Nail, and cf. Onycha.]
(Min.) Chalcedony in parallel layers of different shades
of color. It is used for making cameos, the figure being cut in one
layer with the next as a ground.
Onyx marble, a banded variety of marble or
calcium carbonate resembling onyx. It is obtained from
Mexico.
Oo, a. One. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
||O"ö (?), n. [Hawaiian.]
(Zoöl.) A beautiful bird (Moho nobilis) of
the Hawaiian Islands. It yields the brilliant yellow feathers
formerly used in making the royal robes. Called also yellow-tufted
honeysucker.
||O*œ"ci*um (?), n.; pl.
Oœcia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. w,'o`n an
egg + &?; a house.] (Zoöl.) One of the special
zooids, or cells, of Bryozoa, destined to receive and develop ova; an
ovicell. See Bryozoa.
O`ö*gen"e*sis (?), n. [Gr.
w,'o`n an egg + E. genesis.] (Physiol.)
The development, or mode of origin, of the ova.
||O`ö*go"ni*um (?), n.; pl.
L. Oögonia (#), E.
Oögoniums (#). [NL., fr. Gr. w,'o`n
an egg + &?; offspring.] (Bot.) A special cell in certain
cryptogamous plants containing oöspheres, as in the rockweeds
(Fucus), and the orders Vaucherieæ and
Peronosporeæ.
O*oi"dal (?), a. [Gr. &?;;
w,'o`n an egg + &?; form.] (Biol.) Shaped like
an egg.
Ook (?), n. Oak. [Obs.] "A
branched ook." Chaucer.
O"ö*lite (?), n. [Gr.
w,'o`n an egg + -lite: cf.F. oölithe.
So named from its resemblance to the roe of fish.] (Geol.)
A variety of limestone, consisting of small round grains,
resembling the roe of a fish. It sometimes constitutes extensive
beds, as in the European Jurassic. See the Chart of
Geology.
O`ö*lit"ic (?), a. [Cf.F.
oölithique.] Of or pertaining to oölite;
composed of, or resembling, oölite.
O`ö*log"ic*al (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to oölogy.
O*öl"o*gist (?), n. One
versed in oölogy.
O*öl"o*gy (?), n. [Gr.
w,'o`n an egg + -logy.] The science of eggs in
relation to their coloring, size, shape, and number.
Oo"long (?), n. [Chinese, green
dragon.] A fragrant variety of black tea having somewhat the
flavor of green tea. [Written also oulong.]
{ Oo"mi*ac, Oo"mi*ak} (?), n.
A long, broad boat used by the Eskimos.
Oon (?), a. One. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Oones (?), adv. Once. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Oop (?), v. t. [Etymol. uncertain.]
To bind with a thread or cord; to join; to unite. [Scot.]
Jamieson.
{ Oo"pack, Oo"pak} (?), n. [So
named from a district in China.] A kind of black tea.
O"ö*phore (?), n. [Gr. &?; egg-
bearing; w,'o`n an egg + &?; to bear.] (Bot.)
An alternately produced form of certain cryptogamous plants, as
ferns, mosses, and the like, which bears antheridia and archegonia,
and so has sexual fructification, as contrasted with the
sporophore, which is nonsexual, but produces spores in
countless number. In ferns the oöphore is a minute prothallus;
in mosses it is the leafy plant.
O`ö*pho*rec"to*my (?), n. [Gr.
w,'o`n egg + &?; to bear + &?; a cutting out.]
(Surg.) Ovariotomy.
O`ö*phor"ic (?), a. (Bot.)
Having the nature of, or belonging to, an
oöphore.
||O`ö*pho*rid"i*um (?), n.;
pl. L. Oöphorida (#), E.
Oöphoridiums (#). [NL., dim. fr. Gr. &?;. See
Oöphore.] (Bot.) The macrosporangium or case
for the larger kind of spores in heterosporous flowerless
plants.
||O`ö*pho*ri"tis (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. w,'o`n egg + fe`rein to bear + -
itis.] (Med.) Ovaritis.
O"ö*phyte (?), n. [Gr.
w,'o`n an egg + fyto`n a plant.] (Bot.)
Any plant of a proposed class or grand division (collectively
termed oöphytes or Oöphyta), which have their
sexual reproduction accomplished by motile antherozoids acting on
oöspheres, either while included in their oögonia or after
exclusion.
&fist; This class was at first called Oösporeæ,
and is made to include all algæ and fungi which have this kind
of reproduction, however they may differ in all other respects, the
contrasted classes of Thallophytes being Protophytes,
Zygophytes, and Carpophytes. The whole system has its
earnest advocates, but is rejected by many botanists. See
Carpophyte.
O`ö*phyt"ic (?), a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to an oöphyte.
O*ö"ri*al (?), n.
(Zoöl.) A wild, bearded sheep inhabiting the Ladakh
mountains. It is reddish brown, with a dark beard from the chin to
the chest.
O"ö*sperm (omac/"&osl;*sp&etilde;rm),
n. [Gr. &?; an egg + E. sperm.]
(Biol.) The ovum, after fusion with the spermatozoön
in impregnation. Balfour.
O"ö*sphere (-sfēr), n. [Gr.
&?; an egg + E. sphere.]
1. (Bot.) An unfertilized, rounded
mass of protoplasm, produced in an oögonium.
&fist; After being fertilized by the access of antherozoids it
becomes covered with a cell wall and develops into an oöspore,
which may grow into a new plant like the parent.
2. (Bot.) An analogous mass of
protoplasm in the ovule of a flowering plant; an embryonic
vesicle. Goodale.
||O`ö*spo*ran"gi*um (?), n.;
pl. L. Oösporangia (#), E.
Oösporangiums (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; an egg +
&?; vessel.] (Bot.) An oögonium; also, a case
containing oval or rounded spores of some other kind than
oöspores.
O"ö*spore (?), n. [Gr. &?; an egg
+ &?; a seed.] (Bot.) (a) A special kind
of spore resulting from the fertilization of an oösphere by
antherozoids. (b) A fertilized
oösphere in the ovule of a flowering plant.
O`ö*spor"ic (?), a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to an oöspore.
O*ös"te*gite (?), n. [Gr. &?; +
&?; a roof.] (Zoöl.) One of the plates which in some
Crustacea inclose a cavity wherein the eggs are hatched.
||O`ö*the"ca (?), n.; pl.
Oöthecæ (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; an egg +
&?; a case.] (Zoöl.) An egg case, especially those
of many kinds of mollusks, and of some insects, as the cockroach.
Cf. Oœcium.
{ O*öt"*ooid (?), O*öt"o*coid (?), }
n. [Gr. &?; laying eggs (&?; egg + &?; a bearing,
&?; to bear) + -oid.] (Zoöl.) A half
oviparous, or an oviparous, mammal; a marsupial or
monotreme.
O"ö*type (?), n. [Gr. &?; + -
type.] (Zoöl.) The part of the oviduct of
certain trematode worms in which the ova are completed and furnished
with a shell.
Ooze (?), n. [OE. wose, AS.
wase dirt, mire, mud, akin to w&?;s juice, ooze, Icel.
vās wetness, OHG. waso turf, sod, G.
wasen.] 1. Soft mud or slime; earth so
wet as to flow gently, or easily yield to pressure. "My son i'
the ooze is bedded." Shak.
2. Soft flow; spring.
Prior.
3. The liquor of a tan vat.
Ooze, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Oozed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Oozing.] [Prov. Eng. weeze, wooz. See
Ooze, n.] 1. To flow
gently; to percolate, as a liquid through the pores of a substance or
through small openings.
The latent rill, scare oozing through the
grass.
Thomson.
2. Fig.: To leak (out) or escape slowly; as,
the secret oozed out; his courage oozed out.
Ooze, v. t. To cause to
ooze. Alex. Smith.
||O`ö*zo"a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; an egg + zo^,on an animal.] (Zoöl.)
Same as Acrita.
Ooz"y (?), a. Miry; containing
soft mud; resembling ooze; as, the oozy bed of a river.
Pope.
O*pa"cate (?), v. t. [L.
opacatus, p. p. of opacare.] To darken; to
cloud. [Obs.] Boyle.
O*pac"i*ty (?), n. [L. opacitas:
cf.F. opacité.] 1. The state of being
opaque; the quality of a body which renders it impervious to the rays
of light; want of transparency; opaqueness.
2. Obscurity; want of clearness.
Bp. Hall.
O*pa"cous (?), a. [L. opacus.
See Opaque.] Opaque. [R.] Milton. --
O*pa"cous*ness, n. [R.]
O*pac"u*lar (?), a. Opaque.
[Obs.] Sterne.
O"pah (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A large oceanic fish (Lampris quttatus), inhabiting the
Atlantic Ocean. It is remarkable for its brilliant colors, which are
red, green, and blue, with tints of purple and gold, covered with
round silvery spots. Called also king of the
herrings.
O*pake" (?), a. See
Opaque.
O"pal (?), n. [L. opalus: cf.
Gr. &?;, Skr. upala a rock, stone, precious stone: cf. F.
opale.] (Min.) A mineral consisting, like quartz,
of silica, but inferior to quartz in hardness and specific
gravity.
&fist; The precious opal presents a peculiar play of colors
of delicate tints, and is highly esteemed as a gem. One kind, with a
varied play of color in a reddish ground, is called the harlequin
opal. The fire opal has colors like the red and yellow of
flame. Common opal has a milky appearance. Menilite is
a brown impure variety, occurring in concretions at Menilmontant,
near Paris. Other varieties are cacholong, girasol,
hyalite, and geyserite.
O`pal*esce" (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Opalesced (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Opalescing (?).] To give forth a play of
colors, like the opal.
O`pal*es"cence (?), n. (Min.)
A reflection of a milky or pearly light from the interior of a
mineral, as in the moonstone; the state or quality of being
opalescent.
O`pal*es"cent (?), a. Reflecting a
milky or pearly light from the interior; having an opaline play of
colors.
O"pal*ine (?), a. [Cf. F.
opalin.] Of, pertaining to, or like, opal in appearance;
having changeable colors like those of the opal.
O"pal*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Opalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Opalizing.] [Cf. F. opaliser.] To convert into
opal, or a substance like opal. Lyell.
O*pal"o*type (?), n. [Opal +
-type.] (Photog.) A picture taken on "milky"
glass.
O*paque" (?), a. [F., fr. L.
opacus. Cf. Opacous.]
1. Impervious to the rays of light; not
transparent; as, an opaque substance.
2. Obscure; not clear; unintelligible.
[Colloq.]
O*paque", n. That which is opaque;
opacity. Young.
O*paque"ness, n. The state or
quality of being impervious to light; opacity. Dr. H.
More.
Ope (?), a. Open. [Poetic]
Spenser.
On Sunday heaven's gate stands
ope.
Herbert.
Ope, v. t. & i. To open.
[Poetic]
Wilt thou not ope thy heart to know
What rainbows teach and sunsets show?
Emerson.
O*pei"do*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;,
voice + &?; form + -scope.] (Physics) An
instrument, consisting of a tube having one end open and the other
end covered with a thin flexible membrance to the center of which is
attached a small mirror. It is used for exhibiting upon a screen, by
means of rays reflected from the mirror, the vibratory motions caused
by sounds produced at the open end of the tube, as by speaking or
singing into it. A. E. Dolbear.
Ope"let (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A bright-colored European actinian (Anemonia, or Anthea,
sulcata); -- so called because it does not retract its
tentacles.
O"pen (?), a. [AS. open; akin to
D. open, OS. opan, G. offan, Icel. opinn,
Sw. öppen, Dan. aaben, and perh. to E. up.
Cf. Up, and Ope.] 1. Free of
access; not shut up; not closed; affording unobstructed ingress or
egress; not impeding or preventing passage; not locked up or covered
over; -- applied to passageways; as, an open door, window,
road, etc.; also, to inclosed structures or objects; as, open
houses, boxes, baskets, bottles, etc.; also, to means of
communication or approach by water or land; as, an open harbor
or roadstead.
Through the gate,
Wide open and unquarded, Satan passed.
Milton
Also, figuratively, used of the ways of communication of the mind,
as by the senses; ready to hear, see, etc.; as, to keep one's eyes
and ears open.
His ears are open unto their cry.
Ps. xxxiv. 15.
2. Free to be used, enjoyed, visited, or the
like; not private; public; unrestricted in use; as, an open
library, museum, court, or other assembly; liable to the approach,
trespass, or attack of any one; unprotected; exposed.
If Demetrius . . . have a matter against any man, the
law is open and there are deputies.
Acts xix.
33.
The service that I truly did his life,
Hath left me open to all injuries.
Shak.
3. Free or cleared of obstruction to progress
or to view; accessible; as, an open tract; the open
sea.
4. Not drawn together, closed, or contracted;
extended; expanded; as, an open hand; open arms; an
open flower; an open prospect.
Each, with open arms, embraced her chosen
knight.
Dryden.
5. Hence: (a) Without reserve
or false pretense; sincere; characterized by sincerity; unfeigned;
frank; also, generous; liberal; bounteous; -- applied to personal
appearance, or character, and to the expression of thought and
feeling, etc.
With aspect open, shall erect his
head.
Pope.
The Moor is of a free and open
nature.
Shak.
The French are always open, familiar, and
talkative.
Addison.
(b) Not concealed or secret; not hidden or
disguised; exposed to view or to knowledge; revealed; apparent; as,
open schemes or plans; open shame or guilt.
His thefts are too open.
Shak.
That I may find him, and with secret gaze
Or open admiration him behold.
Milton.
6. Not of a quality to prevent communication,
as by closing water ways, blocking roads, etc.; hence, not frosty or
inclement; mild; -- used of the weather or the climate; as, an
open season; an open winter. Bacon.
7. Not settled or adjusted; not decided or
determined; not closed or withdrawn from consideration; as, an
open account; an open question; to keep an offer or
opportunity open.
8. Free; disengaged; unappropriated; as, to
keep a day open for any purpose; to be open for an
engagement.
9. (Phon.) (a) Uttered
with a relatively wide opening of the articulating organs; -- said of
vowels; as, the än fär is open as compared
with the ā in sāy. (b)
Uttered, as a consonant, with the oral passage simply narrowed
without closure, as in uttering s.
10. (Mus.) (a) Not
closed or stopped with the finger; -- said of the string of an
instrument, as of a violin, when it is allowed to vibrate throughout
its whole length. (b) Produced by an open
string; as, an open tone.
The open air, the air out of doors. --
Open chain. (Chem.) See Closed
chain, under Chain. -- Open circuit
(Elec.), a conducting circuit which is incomplete, or
interrupted at some point; -- opposed to an uninterrupted, or
closed circuit. -- Open communion,
communion in the Lord's supper not restricted to persons who have
been baptized by immersion. Cf. Close communion, under
Close, a. -- Open
diapason (Mus.), a certain stop in an organ, in
which the pipes or tubes are formed like the mouthpiece of a
flageolet at the end where the wind enters, and are open at the other
end. -- Open flank (Fort.), the
part of the flank covered by the orillon. -- Open-front
furnace (Metal.), a blast furnace having a
forehearth. -- Open harmony (Mus.),
harmony the tones of which are widely dispersed, or separated by
wide intervals. -- Open hawse (Naut.),
a hawse in which the cables are parallel or slightly divergent.
Cf. Foul hawse, under Hawse. -- Open
hearth (Metal.), the shallow hearth of a
reverberatory furnace. -- Open-hearth furnace,
a reverberatory furnace; esp., a kind of reverberatory furnace in
which the fuel is gas, used in manufacturing steel. --
Open-hearth process (Steel Manuf.), a
process by which melted cast iron is converted into steel by the
addition of wrought iron, or iron ore and manganese, and by exposure
to heat in an open-hearth furnace; -- also called the Siemens-
Martin process, from the inventors. -- Open-hearth
steel, steel made by an open-hearth process; -- also
called Siemens-Martin steel. -- Open
newel. (Arch.) See Hollow newel, under
Hollow. -- Open pipe (Mus.),
a pipe open at the top. It has a pitch about an octave higher
than a closed pipe of the same length. -- Open-
timber roof (Arch.), a roof of which the
constructional parts, together with the under side of the covering,
or its lining, are treated ornamentally, and left to form the ceiling
of an apartment below, as in a church, a public hall, and the
like. -- Open vowel or
consonant. See Open,
a., 9.
&fist; Open is used in many compounds, most of which are
self-explaining; as, open-breasted, open-minded.
Syn. -- Unclosed; uncovered; unprotected; exposed; plain;
apparent; obvious; evident; public; unreserved; frank; sincere;
undissembling; artless. See Candid, and Ingenuous.
O"pen (?), n. Open or unobstructed
space; clear land, without trees or obstructions; open ocean; open
water. "To sail into the open." Jowett (Thucyd.
).
Then we got into the open.
W.
Black.
In open, in full view; without concealment;
openly. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
O"pen v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Opened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Opening.] [AS. openian. See Open,a.]
1. To make or set open; to render free of
access; to unclose; to unbar; to unlock; to remove any fastening or
covering from; as, to open a door; to open a box; to
open a room; to open a letter.
And all the windows of my heart
I open to the day.
Whittier.
2. To spread; to expand; as, to open
the hand.
3. To disclose; to reveal; to interpret; to
explain.
The king opened himself to some of his council,
that he was sorry for the earl's death.
Bacon.
Unto thee have I opened my cause.
Jer. xx. 12.
While he opened to us the
Scriptures.
Luke xxiv. 32.
4. To make known; to discover; also, to
render available or accessible for settlements, trade, etc.
The English did adventure far for to open the
North parts of America.
Abp. Abbot.
5. To enter upon; to begin; as, to
open a discussion; to open fire upon an enemy; to
open trade, or correspondence; to open a case in court,
or a meeting.
6. To loosen or make less compact; as, to
open matted cotton by separating the fibers.
To open one's mouth, to
speak. -- To open up, to lay
open; to discover; to disclose.
Poetry that had opened up so many delightful
views into the character and condition of our "bold peasantry, their
country's pride."
Prof. Wilson.
O"pen, v. i. 1. To
unclose; to form a hole, breach, or gap; to be unclosed; to be
parted.
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and
covered the company of Abiram.
Ps. cvi. 17.
2. To expand; to spread out; to be disclosed;
as, the harbor opened to our view.
3. To begin; to commence; as, the stock
opened at par; the battery opened upon the
enemy.
4. (Sporting) To bark on scent or view
of the game.
O"pen-air` (?), a. Taking place in
the open air; outdoor; as, an open-air game or
meeting.
O"pen*bill` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A bird of the genus Anastomus, allied to the stork; -- so
called because the two parts of the bill touch only at the base and
tip. One species inhabits India, another Africa. Called also open-
beak. See Illust. (m), under
Beak.
O"pen*er (?), n. One who, or that
which, opens. "True opener of my eyes."
Milton.
O"pen-eyed` (?), a. With eyes
widely open; watchful; vigilant. Shak.
O"pen-hand`ed (?), a. Generous;
liberal; munificent. -- O"pen-hand`ed*ness,
n. J. S. Mill.
O"pen-head`ed (?), a.
Bareheaded. [Obs.]
O"pen-heart`ed (?), a. Candid;
frank; generous. Dryden. -- O"pen-heart`ed*ly,
adv. -- O"pen-heart`ed*ness,
n. Walton.
O"pen*ing, n. 1.
The act or process of opening; a beginning; commencement; first
appearance; as, the opening of a speech.
The opening of your glory was like that of
light.
Dryden.
2. A place which is open; a breach; an
aperture; a gap; cleft, or hole.
We saw him at the opening of his
tent.
Shak.
3. Hence: A vacant place; an opportunity; as,
an opening for business. [Colloq.] Dickens.
4. A thinly wooded space, without
undergrowth, in the midst of a forest; as, oak openings.
[U.S.] Cooper.
O"pen*ly, adv. [AS. openlice.]
1. In an open manner; publicly; not in private;
without secrecy.
How grossly and openly do many of us contradict
the precepts of the gospel by our ungodliness!
Tillotson.
2. Without reserve or disguise; plainly;
evidently.
My love . . . shall show itself more
openly.
Shak.
O"pen-mouthed` (?), a. Having the
mouth open; gaping; hence, greedy; clamorous.
L'Estrange.
O"pen*ness, n. The quality or
state of being open.
O"pen*work` (?), n. 1.
Anything so constructed or manufactured (in needlework,
carpentry, metal work, etc.) as to show openings through its
substance; work that is perforated or pierced.
2. (Mining) A quarry; an open
cut. Raymond.
Op"er*a (?), n. [It., fr. opera
work, composition, opposed to an improvisation, fr. L. opera
pains work, fr. opus, operis, work, labor: cf. F.
opéra. See Operate.] 1. A
drama, either tragic or comic, of which music forms an essential
part; a drama wholly or mostly sung, consisting of recitative,
arials, choruses, duets, trios, etc., with orchestral accompaniment,
preludes, and interludes, together with appropriate costumes,
scenery, and action; a lyric drama.
2. The score of a musical drama, either
written or in print; a play set to music.
3. The house where operas are
exhibited.
||Opéra bouffe [F. opéra
opera + bouffe comic, It. buffo], ||Opera
buffa [It.], light, farcical, burlesque opera. --
Opera box, a partially inclosed portion of the
auditorium of an opera house for the use of a small private
party. -- ||Opéra comique [F.],
comic or humorous opera. -- Opera flannel,
a light flannel, highly finished. Knight. --
Opera girl (Bot.), an East Indian plant
(Mantisia saltatoria) of the Ginger family, sometimes seen in
hothouses. It has curious flowers which have some resemblance to a
ballet dancer, whence the popular name. Called also dancing
girls. -- Opera glass, a short
telescope with concave eye lenses of low power, usually made double,
that is, with a tube and set of glasses for each eye; a lorgnette; --
so called because adapted for use at the opera, theater, etc. --
Opera hat, a gentleman's folding hat. --
Opera house, specifically, a theater devoted to
the performance of operas. -- ||Opera seria
[It.], serious or tragic opera; grand opera.
Op"er*a*ble (?), a.
Practicable. [Obs.]
Op`er*am"e*ter (?), n. [L. opus,
operis, pl. opera work + -meter.] An
instrument or machine for measuring work done, especially for
ascertaining the number of rotations made by a machine or wheel in
manufacturing cloth; a counter. Ure.
{ Op"er*ance (?), Op"er*an*cy (?), }
n. The act of operating or working;
operation. [R.]
Op"er*and (?), n. [From neuter of L.
operandus, gerundive of operari. See Operate.]
(Math.) The symbol, quantity, or thing upon which a
mathematical operation is performed; -- called also
faciend.
Op"er*ant (?), a. [L. operans,
p. pr. of operari. See Operate.] Operative.
[R.] Shak. -- n. An operative person or
thing. [R.] Coleridge.
Op"er*ate (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Operated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Operating.] [L. operatus, p. p. of operari to
work, fr. opus, operis, work, labor; akin to Skr.
apas, and also to G. üben to exercise, OHG.
uoben, Icel. &?;fa. Cf. Inure, Maneuver,
Ure.] 1. To perform a work or labor; to
exert power or strengh, physical or mechanical; to act.
2. To produce an appropriate physical effect;
to issue in the result designed by nature; especially (Med.),
to take appropriate effect on the human system.
3. To act or produce effect on the mind; to
exert moral power or influence.
The virtues of private persons operate but on a
few.
Atterbury.
A plain, convincing reason operates on the mind
both of a learned and ignorant hearer as long as they
live.
Swift.
4. (Surg.) To perform some manual act
upon a human body in a methodical manner, and usually with
instruments, with a view to restore soundness or health, as in
amputation, lithotomy, etc.
5. To deal in stocks or any commodity with a
view to speculative profits. [Brokers' Cant]
Op"er*ate, v. t. 1.
To produce, as an effect; to cause.
The same cause would operate a diminution of
the value of stock.
A. Hamilton.
2. To put into, or to continue in, operation
or activity; to work; as, to operate a machine.
{ Op`er**at"ic (?), Op`er*at"ic*al (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to the opera or to operas;
characteristic of, or resembling, the opera.
Op`er*a"tion (?), n. [L.
operatio: cf. F. opération.] 1.
The act or process of operating; agency; the exertion of power,
physical, mechanical, or moral.
The pain and sickness caused by manna are the effects
of its operation on the stomach.
Locke.
Speculative painting, without the assistance of manual
operation, can never attain to perfection.
Dryden.
2. The method of working; mode of
action.
3. That which is operated or accomplished; an
effect brought about in accordance with a definite plan; as, military
or naval operations.
4. Effect produced; influence.
[Obs.]
The bards . . . had great operation on the
vulgar.
Fuller.
5. (Math.) Something to be done; some
transformation to be made upon quantities, the transformation being
indicated either by rules or symbols.
6. (Surg.) Any methodical action of
the hand, or of the hand with instruments, on the human body, to
produce a curative or remedial effect, as in amputation,
etc.
Calculus of operations. See under
Calculus.
Op"er*a*tive (?), a. [Cf.L.
operativus, F. opératif.] 1.
Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or
moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative
motive.
It holds in all operative
principles.
South.
2. Producing the appropriate or designed
effect; efficacious; as, an operative dose, rule, or
penalty.
3. (Surg.) Based upon, or consisting
of, an operation or operations; as, operative
surgery.
Op"er*a*tive, n. A skilled worker;
an artisan; esp., one who operates a machine in a mill or
manufactory.
Op"er*a*tive*ly, adv. In an
operative manner.
Op"er*a`tor (?), n. [L.]
1. One who, or that which, operates or produces
an effect.
2. (Surg.) One who performs some act
upon the human body by means of the hand, or with
instruments.
3. A dealer in stocks or any commodity for
speculative purposes; a speculator. [Brokers' Cant]
4. (Math.) The symbol that expresses
the operation to be performed; -- called also
facient.
Op"er*a*to*ry (?), n. A
laboratory. [Obs.]
O"per*cle (?), n. [Cf.F.
opercule. See Operculum.] 1.
(Anat.) Any one of the bony plates which support the gill
covers of fishes; an opercular bone.
2. (Zoöl.) An
operculum.
O*per"cu*la (?), n. pl. See
Operculum.
O*per"cu*lar (?), a. Of,
pertaining to, or like, an operculum.
O*per"cu*lar, n. (Anat.)
The principal opercular bone or operculum of fishes.
{ O*per"cu*late (?), O*per"cu*la`ted (?), }
a. [L. operculatus, p. p. of
operculare to furnish with a lid, fr. operculum lid.]
1. (Bot.) Closed by a lid or cover, as
the capsules of the mosses.
2. (Zoöl.) Having an operculum,
or an apparatus for protecting the gills; -- said of shells and of
fishes.
O*per`cu*lif"er*ous (?), a.
[Operculum + -ferous.] (Zoöl.) Bearing
an operculum.
O*per"cu*li*form (?), a. [L.
operculum a cover + -form: cf. F.
operculiforme.] Having the form of a lid or
cover.
O*per`cu*lig`e*nous (?), a.
[Operculum + -genous.] (Zoöl.)
Producing an operculum; -- said of the foot, or part of the
foot, of certain mollusks.
O*per"cu*lum (?), n.; pl. L.
Opercula (#), E. Operculums (#).
[L., a cover or lid, fr. operire to cover.] 1.
(Bot.) (a) The lid of a pitcherform
leaf. (b) The lid of the urnlike capsule
of mosses.
2. (Anat.) (a) Any
lidlike or operculiform process or part; as, the opercula of a
dental follicle. (b) The fold of
integument, usually supported by bony plates, which protects the
gills of most fishes and some amphibians; the gill cover; the gill
lid. (c) The principal opercular bone in
the upper and posterior part of the gill cover.
3. (Zoöl.) (a)
The lid closing the aperture of various species of shells, as
the common whelk. See Illust. of Gastropoda.
(b) Any lid-shaped structure closing the
aperture of a tube or shell.
Op`er*et"ta (?), n. [It., dim. of
opera.] (Mus.) A short, light, musical
drama.
Op"er*ose` (?). a. [L. operosus,
fr. opera pains, labor, opus, operis, work,
labor.] Wrought with labor; requiring labor; hence, tedious;
wearisome. "Operose proceeding." Burke. "A very
operose calculation." De Quincey. --
Op"er*ose`ly, adv. --
Op"er*ose`ness, n.
Op`er*os"i*ty (?), n. [L.
operositas.] Laboriousness. [R.] Bp.
Hall.
Op"er*ous (?), a. Operose.
[Obs.] Holder. -- Op"er*ous*ly,
adv. [Obs.]
Op`er*ta"ne*ous (?), a. [L.
opertaneus; operire to hide.] Concealed;
private. [R.]
Ope"tide` (?), n. [Ope +
tide.] Open time; -- applied to different things:
(a) The early spring, or the time when flowers
begin opening. [Archaic] Nares. (b)
The time between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday wherein marriages
were formerly solemnized publicly in churches. [Eng.]
(c) The time after harvest when the common
fields are open to all kinds of stock. [Prov.Eng.]
Halliwell. [Written also opentide.]
O*phel"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, a substance (called
ophelic acid) extracted from a plant (Ophelia) of the
Gentian family as a bitter yellowish sirup, used in India as a
febrifuge and tonic.
Oph"i*cleide (?), n. [F.
ophicléide, fr. Gr. 'o`fis a serpent + &?;,
gen. &?;, a key. So named because it was in effect the serpent, an
old musical instrument, with keys added.] (Mus.) A large
brass wind instrument, formerly used in the orchestra and in military
bands, having a loud tone, deep pitch, and a compass of three
octaves; -- now generally supplanted by bass and contrabass
tubas. Moore (Encyc. of Music).
||O*phid"i*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?;, dim. of 'o`fis a snake.] (Zoöl.) The
order of reptiles which includes the serpents.
&fist; The most important divisions are: the Solenoglypha,
having erectile perforated fangs, as the rattlesnake; the
Proteroglypha, or elapine serpents, having permanently erect
fang, as the cobra; the Asinea, or colubrine serpents, which
are destitute of fangs; and the Opoterodonta, or
Epanodonta, blindworms, in which the mouth is not
dilatable.
O*phid"i*an (?), n. [Cf. F.
ophidien.] (Zoöl.) One of the Ophidia; a
snake or serpent.
O*phid"i*an, a. [Cf. F.
ophidien.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Ophidia; belonging to serpents.
O*phid"i*oid (?), a. [Ophidion +
-oid.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Ophidiidæ, a family of fishes which includes many
slender species. -- n. One of the
Ophidiidæ.
||O*phid"i*on (?), n.; pl.
Ophidia (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?; little snake, fr.
'o`fis a serpent.] (Zoöl.) The typical
genus of ophidioid fishes. [Written also Ophidium.] See
Illust. under Ophidioid.
O*phid"i*ous (?), a.
Ophidian.
O`phi*ol"a*try (?), n. [Gr.
'o`fis serpent + &?; worship.] The worship of
serpents.
{ O`phi*o*log"ic (?), O`phi*o*log"ic*al (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to ophiology.
O`phi*ol"o*gist (?), n. One versed
in the natural history of serpents.
O`phi*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr.
'o`fis a serpent + -logy: cf.F. ophioloqie.]
That part of natural history which treats of the ophidians, or
serpents.
O"phi*o*man`cy (?), n. [Gr.
'o`fis a serpent + -mancy: cf. F.
ophiomantie.] Divination by serpents, as by their manner
of eating, or by their coils.
||O`phi*o*mor"pha (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Ophiomorphous.] (Zoöl.) An order of tailless
amphibians having a slender, wormlike body with regular annulations,
and usually with minute scales imbedded in the skin. The limbs are
rudimentary or wanting. It includes the cæcilians. Called also
Gymnophiona and Ophidobatrachia.
O`phi*o*mor"phite (?), n. [Gr.
'o`fis a serpent + &?; form.] (Paleon.) An
ammonite.
O`phi*o*mor"phous (?), a. [Gr.
'o`fis a serpent + -morphous.] Having the form
of a serpent.
O`phi*oph"a*gous (?), a. [Gr.
'o`fis a serpent + fagei^n to eat: cf. F.
ophiophage.] (Zoöl.) Feeding on serpents; --
said of certain birds and reptiles.
||O`phi*oph"a*gus, n. [NL. See
Ophiophagous.] (Zoöl.) A genus of venomous
East Indian snakes, which feed on other snakes. Ophiophagus
elaps is said to be the largest and most deadly of poisonous
snakes.
O"phite (?), a. [Gr.
'ofi`ths, fr. 'o`fis a serpent.] Of or
pertaining to a serpent. [Obs.]
O"phite, n. [L. ophites, Gr.
'ofi`ths (sc. &?;), a kind of marble spotted like a
serpent: cf. F. ophite.] (Min.) A greenish spotted
porphyry, being a diabase whose pyroxene has been altered to uralite;
-- first found in the Pyreness. So called from the colored spots
which give it a mottled appearance. -- O*phi"ic (#),
a.
O"phite, n. [L. Ophitae, pl. See
Ophite, a.] (Eccl.Hist.) A
mamber of a Gnostic serpent-worshiping sect of the second
century.
||O`phi*u"chus (?), n. [L., fr. Gr.
&?;, lit., holding a serpent; 'o`fis a serpent + &?; to
hold.] (Astron.) A constellation in the Northern
Hemisphere, delineated as a man holding a serpent in his hands; --
called also Serpentarius.
||O`phi*u"ra (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?;
snake + &?; a tail.] (Zoöl.) A genus of ophiurioid
starfishes.
O`phi*u"ran (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Of or pertaining to the Ophiurioidea. --
n. One of the Ophiurioidea.
O`phi*u"rid (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Same as Ophiurioid.
||O`phi*u"ri*da (?), n. pl. [NL.]
(Zoöl.) Same as Ophiurioidea.
O`phi*u"ri*oid (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Ophiurioidea.
-- n. One of the Ophiurioidea. [Written
also ophiuroid.]
{ ||O`phi*u`ri*oi"de*a (?), ||O`phi*u*roi"de*a
(?), } n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; serpent + &?; tail
+ &?; form.] (Zoöl.) A class of star-shaped
echinoderms having a disklike body, with slender, articulated arms,
which are not grooved beneath and are often very fragile; -- called
also Ophiuroida and Ophiuridea. See Illust.
under Brittle star.
||Oph"ry*on (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;,
&?;, the brow.] (Anat.) The supraorbital point.
Oph*thal"mi*a (&obreve;f*thăl"m&ibreve;*&adot;),
n. [F. ophthalmie, L. ophthalmia, fr.
Gr. 'ofqalmi`a, fr. 'ofqalmo`s the eye, akin to
E. optic. See Optic.] (Med.) An
inflammation of the membranes or coats of the eye or of the
eyeball.
Oph*thal"mic (&obreve;f*thăl"m&ibreve;k; 277),
a. [Gr. 'ofqalmiko`s: cf. F.
ophthalmique. See Ophthalmia.] (Anat.) Of,
pertaining to, or in the region of, the eye; ocular; as the
ophthalmic, or orbitonasal, nerve, a division of the
trigeminal, which gives branches to the lachrymal gland, eyelids,
nose, and forehead.
Ophthalmic region (Zoöl.), the
space around the eyes.
Oph*thal"mite (?), n. [Gr.
'ofqalmo`s the eye.] (Zoöl.) An eyestalk;
the organ which bears the compound eyes of decapod
Crustacea.
Oph*thal`mo*log"ic*al (?), a. Of
or pertaining to ophthalmology.
Oph`thal*mol"o*gist (?), n. One
skilled in ophthalmology; an oculist.
Oph`thal*mol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr.
'ofqalmo`s the eye + -logy: cf. F.
ophthalmologie.] The science which treats of the
structure, functions, and diseases of the eye.
Oph`thal*mom"e*ter, n. [Gr.
'ofqalmo`s eye + -meter.] (Physiol.) An
instrument devised by Helmholtz for measuring the size of a reflected
image on the convex surface of the cornea and lens of the eye, by
which their curvature can be ascertained.
Oph*thal"mo*scope (?), n. [From Gr.
'ofqalmo`s the eye + -scope.] (Physiol.)
An instrument for viewing the interior of the eye, particularly
the retina. Light is thrown into the eye by a mirror (usually
concave) and the interior is then examined with or without the aid of
a lens. -- Oph*thal`mo*scop"ic (#),
a.
Oph`thal*mos"co*py (?), n. [Cf. F.
ophthalmoscopie.] 1. A branch of
physiognomy which deduces the knowledge of a person's temper and
character from the appearance of the eyes.
2. Examination of the eye with the
ophthalmoscope.
Oph*thal"my (?), n. Same as
Ophthalmia.
O`pi*an"ic (?), a. [From Opium.]
(Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, an organic
acid obtained by the oxidation of narcotine.
O"pi*a*nine (?), n. (Chem.)
An alkaloid found in small quantity in opium. It is identical
with narcotine.
O"pi*a*nyl, n. [Opianic + -
yl.] (Chem.) Same as Meconin.
O"pi*ate (?), n. [From Opium:
cf.F. opiat.]
1. Originally, a medicine of a thicker
consistence than sirup, prepared with opium. Parr.
2. Any medicine that contains opium, and has
the quality of inducing sleep or repose; a narcotic.
3. Anything which induces rest or inaction;
that which quiets uneasiness.
They chose atheism as an opiate.
Bentley.
O"pi*ate, a. [See Opium.]
Inducing sleep; somniferous; narcotic; hence, anodyne; causing
rest, dullness, or inaction; as, the opiate rod of
Hermes. Milton.
O"pi*ate (?), v. t. To subject to
the influence of an opiate; to put to sleep. [R.]
Fenton.
O"pi*a`ted (?), a. 1.
Mixed with opiates.
2. Under the influence of opiates.
O"pie (?), n. Opium. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
O*pif"er*ous (?), a. [L. opifer;
ops, opis, help + ferre to bear.] Bringing
help. [R.]
Op"i*fice (?), n. [L. opificium,
fr. opifex workman. See Office.]
Workmanship. [Obs.] Bailey.
O*pif"i*cer (?), n. An artificer;
a workman. [Obs.] "The almighty opificer."
Bentley.
O*pin"a*ble (?), a. [L.
opinabilis.] Capable of being opined or thought.
Holland.
Op`i*na"tion (?), n. [L.
opinatio. See Opine,] The act of thinking; a
supposition. [Obs.]
O*pin"a*tive (?), a. Obstinate in
holding opinions; opinionated. [Obs.] --
O*pin"a*tive*ly, adv. [Obs.] Burton.
Sir T. More.
Op"i*na`tor (?), n. [L.] One fond
of his own opinious; one who holds an opinion. [Obs.]
Glanvill.
O*pine" (?), v. t. & i. [imp. &
p. p. Opined (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Opining.] [L. opinari, p. p. opinatus; akin to
opinus (in comp.) thinking, and perh. to E. apt: cf. F.
opiner.] To have an opinion; to judge; to think; to
suppose. South.
O*pin"er (?), n. One who
opines. Jer. Taylor.
{ O`pin*ias"ter (?), O`pin*ia"tre (?), }
a. [OF. opiniastre, F.
opiniâtre. See Opinion.] Opinionated.
[Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.
O`pin*ias"trous (?), a. See
Opiniaster. [Obs.].
O*pin"iate (?), v. t. To hold or
maintain persistently. [Obs.] Barrow.
O*pin"ia*ted (?), a.
Opinionated. [Obs.]
O*pin"ia*tive (?), a.
Opinionative. Glanvill. --
O*pin"ia*tive*ly, adv. --
O*pin"ia*tive*ness, n.
{ O`pin*ia"tor, O`pin*ia"tre } (?),
n. One who is opinionated. [Obs.]
South. Barrow.
O`pin*ia"tre, a. See
Opiniaster. [Obs.] Locke.
O`pin*iat"re*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
opiniâtreté.] Obstinacy in opinious.
[Written also opiniatry.] [Obs.]
O*pin"i*cus (&?;), n. (Her.)
An imaginary animal borne as a charge, having wings, an eagle's
head, and a short tail; -- sometimes represented without
wings.
O*pin"ing (?), n. Opinion.
[Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
O*pin"ion (?), n. [F., from L.
opinio. See Opine.] 1. That which
is opined; a notion or conviction founded on probable evidence;
belief stronger than impression, less strong than positive knowledge;
settled judgment in regard to any point of knowledge or
action.
Opinion is when the assent of the understanding
is so far gained by evidence of probability, that it rather inclines
to one persussion than to another, yet not without a mixture of
incertainty or doubting.
Sir M. Hale.
I can not put off my opinion so
easily.
Shak.
2. The judgment or sentiment which the mind
forms of persons or things; estimation.
I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of
people.
Shak.
Friendship . . . gives a man a peculiar right and
claim to the good opinion of his friend.
South.
However, I have no opinion of those
things.
Bacon.
3. Favorable estimation; hence,
consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
[Obs.]
Thou hast redeemed thy lost
opinion.
Shak.
This gained Agricola much opinion, who . . .
had made such early progress into laborious . . .
enterprises.
Milton.
4. Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or
impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness. [Obs.]
Shak.
5. (Law.) The formal decision, or
expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a counselor, or other
party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or
point submitted.
To be of opinion, to think; to judge. -
- To hold opinion with, to agree with.
[Obs.] Shak.
Syn. -- Sentiment; notion; persuasion; idea; view;
estimation. See Sentiment.
O*pin"ion, v. t. To opine.
[Obs.]
O*pin"ion*a*ble (?), a. Being, or
capable of being, a matter of opinion; that can be thought; not
positively settled; as, an opinionable doctrine. C.
J. Ellicott.
O*pin"ion*ate (?), a.
Opinionated.
O*pin"ion*a`ted (?), a. Stiff in
opinion; firmly or unduly adhering to one's own opinion or to
preconceived notions; obstinate in opinion. Sir W.
Scott.
O*pin"ion*ate*ly (?), adv.
Conceitedly. Feltham.
O*pin"ion*a*tist (?), n. An
opinionist. [Obs.]
O*pin"ion*a*tive, a. 1.
Unduly attached to one's own opinions; opinionated.
Milton.
2. Of the nature of an opinion;
conjectured. [Obs.] "Things both opinionative and
practical." Bunyan. -- O*pin"ion*a*tive*ly,
adv. -- O*pin"ion*a*tive*ness,
n.
O*pin"ion*a`tor (?), n. An
opinionated person; one given to conjecture. [Obs.]
South.
O*pin"ioned (?), a. Opinionated;
conceited.
His opinioned zeal which he thought
judicious.
Milton.
O*pin"ion*ist (?), n. [Cf. F.
opinioniste.] One fond of his own notions, or unduly
attached to his own opinions. Glanvill.
O*pip"a*rous (?), a. [L.
opiparus, fr. ops, opis, riches + parare
to provide.] Sumptuous. [Obs.] --
O*pip"a*rous*ly, adv. [Obs.] E.
Waterhouse.
Op`i*som"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?;
backwards + -meter.] An instrument with a revolving wheel
for measuring a curved line, as on a map.
||O*pis"thi*on (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; hinder.] (Anat.) The middle of the posterior, or
dorsal, margin of the great foramen of the skull.
{ ||O*pis`tho*bran"chi*a (?),
O*pis`tho*bran`chi*a"ta (?), } n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. &?; behind + &?; gills.] (Zoöl.) A
division of gastropod Mollusca, in which the breathing organs are
usually situated behind the heart. It includes the tectibranchs and
nudibranchs.
O*pis`tho*bran"chi*ate (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Opisthobranchiata. -- n. One of the
Opisthobranchiata.
{ O*pis`tho*cœ"li*an (?),
O*pis`tho*cœ"lous (?), } a. [Gr. &?;
behind + koi^los hollow,] (Anat.) Concave
behind; -- applied especially to vertebræ in which the anterior
end of the centrum is convex and the posterior concave.
O*pis"tho*dome (?), n. [L.
opisthodomus, Gr. &?;; &?; behind + do`mos house:
cf. F. opisthodome.] (Arch.) A back chamber;
especially, that part of the naos, or cella, farthest from the main
entrance, sometimes having an entrance of its own, and often used as
a treasury.
||O*pis`tho*glyph"a (?), n. pl. [NL.,
from Gr. &?; behind + &?; to carve.] (Zoöl.) A
division of serpents which have some of the posterior maxillary teeth
grooved for fangs.
Op`is*thog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?;
behind + -graphy.] A writing upon the back of anything,
as upon the back of a leaf or sheet already written upon on one
side. [R.] Scudamore.
||Op`is*tho"mi (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; behind + &?; the shoulder.] (Zoöl.) An order
of eellike fishes having the scapular arch attached to the
vertebræ, but not connected with the skull.
O*pis`tho*pul"mo*nate (?), a.[Gr. &?;
behind + E. pulmonate.] (Zoöl.) Having the
pulmonary sac situated posteriorly; -- said of certain air-breathing
Mollusca.
Op`is*thot"ic (?), n. [Gr. &?; behind +
&?;, &?;, ear.] (Anat.) The inferior and posterior of the
three elements forming the periotic bone.
||Op`is*thot"o*nos (?), n. [NL., from
Gr. &?; backwards + &?; a stretching.] (Med.) A tetanic
spasm in which the body is bent backwards and stiffened.
O*pit`u*la"tion (?), n. [L.
opitulatio, fr. opitulari to bring help.] The act
of helping or aiding; help. [Obs.] Bailey.
O"pi*um (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?; poppy
juice, dim. of &?; vegetable juice.] (Chem.) The
inspissated juice of the Papaver somniferum, or white
poppy.
&fist; Opium is obtained from incisions made in the capsules of
the plant, and the best flows from the first incision. It is imported
into Europe and America chiefly from the Levant, and large quantities
are sent to China from India, Persia, and other countries. It is of a
brownish yellow color, has a faint smell, and bitter and acrid taste.
It is a stimulant narcotic poison, which may produce hallicinations,
profound sleep, or death. It is much used in medicine to soothe pain
and inflammation, and is smoked as an intoxicant with baneful
effects.
Opium joint, a low resort of opium
smokers. [Slang]
O"ple tree` (?). [L. opulus a kind of maple tree.]
The witch-hazel. [Obs.] Ainsworth.
{ Op`o*bal"sam (?), ||Op`o*bal"sa*mum (?), }
n. [L. opobalsamum, Gr. &?;; &?; vegetable
juice + &?; balsam.] (Med.) The old name of the aromatic
resinous juice of the Balsamodendron opobalsamum, now commonly
called balm of Gilead. See under Balm.
Op`o*del"doc (?), n. [So called by
Paracelsus. The first syllable may be fr. Gr. &?; vegetable
juice.]
1. A kind of plaster, said to have been
invented by Mindererus, -- used for external injuries.
[Obs.]
2. A saponaceous, camphorated liniment; a
solution of soap in alcohol, with the addition of camphor and
essential oils; soap liniment.
O*pop"a*nax (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;;
&?; vegetable juice + &?;, &?;. a kind of plant: cf. F.
opopanax.] The inspissated juice of an umbelliferous
plant (the Opoponax Chironum), brought from Turkey and the
East Indies in loose granules, or sometimes in larger masses, of a
reddish yellow color, with specks of white. It has a strong smell and
acrid taste, and was formerly used in medicine as an emmenagogue and
antispasmodic. Dunglison.
O*pos"sum (?), n. [Of N. American
Indian origin.] (Zoöl.) Any American marsupial of
the genera Didelphys and Chironectes. The common
species of the United States is Didelphys
Virginiana.
&fist; Several related species are found in South America. The
water opossum of Brazil (Chironectes variegatus), which has
the hind feet, webbed, is provided with a marsupial pouch and with
cheek pouches. It is called also yapock.
Opossum mouse. (Zoöl.) See
Flying mouse, under Flying. -- Opossum
shrimp (Zoöl.), any schizopod crustacean of
the genus Mysis and allied genera. See
Schizopoda.
Op"pi*dan (?), a. [L. oppidanus,
fr. oppidum town.] Of or pertaining to a town.
Howell.
Op"pi*dan, n. 1.
An inhabitant of a town.
2. A student of Eton College, England, who is
not a King's scholar, and who boards in a private family.
Op*pig"ner*ate (?), v. i. [L.
oppigneratus, p. p. of oppignerare to pawn. See Ob-
, and Pignerate.] To pledge; to pawn. [Obs.]
Bacon.
Op"pi*late (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Oppilated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Oppilating (?).] [L. oppilatus, p. p. of
oppilare to stop up; ob (see Ob-) +
pilare to ram down, to thrust.] To crowd together; to
fill with obstructions; to block up. [Obs.]
Cockeram.
Op`pi*la"tion (?), n. [L.
oppilatio: cf. F. opilation.] The act of filling
or crowding together; a stopping by redundant matter; obstruction,
particularly in the lower intestines. Jer. Taylor.
Op`pi*la*tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
opilatif. See Oppilate.] Obstructive. [Obs.]
Sherwood.
{ Op*plete" (?), Op*plet"ed (?), }
a. [L. oppletus, p. p. of opplere to
fill up; ob (see Ob-) + plere to fill.]
Filled; crowded. [Obs.] Johnson.
Op*ple"tion (?), n. The act of
filling up, or the state of being filled up; fullness.
[Obs.]
Op*pone" (?), v. t. [L.
opponere. See Opponent.] To oppose. [Obs.]
B. Jonson.
Op*po"nen*cy (?), n. The act of
opening an academical disputation; the proposition of objections to a
tenet, as an exercise for a degree. [Eng.] Todd.
Op*po"nent (?), a. [L. opponens,
-entis, p. pr. of opponere to set or place against, to
oppose; ob (see Ob-) + ponere to place. See
Position.] Situated in front; opposite; hence, opposing;
adverse; antagonistic. Pope.
Op*po"nent, n. 1.
One who opposes; an adversary; an antagonist; a foe.
Macaulay.
2. One who opposes in a disputation,
argument, or other verbal controversy; specifically, one who attacks
some theirs or proposition, in distinction from the
respondent, or defendant, who maintains it.
How becomingly does Philopolis exercise his office,
and seasonably commit the opponent with the respondent, like a
long-practiced moderator!
Dr. H. More.
Syn. -- Antagonist; opposer; foe. See Adversary.
Op`por*tune" (?), a. [F.
opporiun, L. opportunus, lit., at or before the port;
ob (see Ob-) + a derivative of portus port,
harbor. See Port harbor.] Convenient; ready; hence,
seasonable; timely. Milton.
This is most opportune to our
need.
Shak.
-- Op`por*tune"ly, adv. --
Op`por*tune"ness, n.
Op`por*tune", v. t. To suit.
[Obs.] Dr. Clerke(1637).
Op`por*tun"ism (?), n. [Cf. F.
opportunisme.] The art or practice of taking advantage of
opportunities or circumstances, or of seeking immediate advantage
with little regard for ultimate consequences. [Recent]
Op`por*tun"ist, n. [Cf. F.
opportuniste.] One who advocates or practices
opportunism. [Recent]
Op`por*tu"ni*ty (?), n.; pl.
Opportunities (#). [F. opportunité,
L. opportunitas. See Opportune.] 1.
Fit or convenient time; a time or place favorable for executing
a purpose; a suitable combination of conditions; suitable occasion;
chance.
A wise man will make more opportunities than he
finds.
Bacon.
2. Convenience of situation; fitness.
[Obs.]
Hull, a town of great strength and opportunity,
both to sea and land affairs.
Milton.
3. Importunity; earnestness. [Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.
Syn. -- Occasion; convenience; occurrence. --
Opportunity, Occasion. An occasion is that which
falls in our way, or presents itself in the course of events; an
opportunity is a convenience or fitness of time, place, etc.,
for the doing of a thing. Hence, occasions often make
opportunities. The occasion of sickness may give
opportunity for reflection.
Op*pos`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The
condition or quality of being opposable.
In no savage have I ever seen the slightest approach
to opposability of the great toe, which is the essential
distinguishing feature of apes.
A. R.
Wallace.
Op*pos"a*ble (?), a. 1.
Capable of being opposed or resisted.
2. Capable of being placed opposite something
else; as, the thumb is opposable to the forefinger.
Op*pos"al (?), n.
Opposition. [R.] Sir T. Herbert.
Op*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Opposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Opposing.] [F. opposer. See Ob-, Pose,
and cf.2d Appose, Puzzle, n. Cf.L.
opponere, oppositum.] 1. To place
in front of, or over against; to set opposite; to exhibit.
Her grace sat down . . .
In a rich chair of state; opposing freely
The beauty of her person to the people.
Shak.
2. To put in opposition, with a view to
counterbalance or countervail; to set against; to offer
antagonistically.
I may . . . oppose my single opinion to
his.
Locke.
3. To resist or antagonize by physical means,
or by arguments, etc.; to contend against; to confront; to resist; to
withstand; as, to oppose the king in battle; to oppose
a bill in Congress.
4. To compete with; to strive against; as, to
oppose a rival for a prize.
I am . . . too weak
To oppose your cunning.
Shak.
Syn. -- To combat; withstand; contradict; deny; gainsay;
oppugn; contravene; check; obstruct.
Op*pose" (?), v. i. 1.
To be set opposite. Shak.
2. To act adversely or in opposition; -- with
against or to; as, a servant opposed against the
act. [Obs.] Shak.
3. To make objection or opposition in
controversy.
Op*pose"less, a. Not to be
effectually opposed; irresistible. [Obs.] "Your great
opposeless wills." Shak.
Op*pos"er (?), n. One who opposes;
an opponent; an antagonist; an adversary.
Op"po*site (?), a. [F., fr. L.
oppositus, p. p. of opponere. See Opponent.]
1. Placed over against; standing or situated
over against or in front; facing; -- often with to; as, a
house opposite to the Exchange.
2. Applied to the other of two things which
are entirely different; other; as, the opposite sex; the
opposite extreme.
3. Extremely different; inconsistent;
contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
Novels, by which the reader is misled into another
sort of pieasure opposite to that which is designed in an epic
poem.
Dryden.
Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost
opposite, significations.
Locke.
4. (Bot.) (a) Set over
against each other, but separated by the whole diameter of the stem,
as two leaves at the same node. (b) Placed
directly in front of another part or organ, as a stamen which stands
before a petal.
Op"po*site, n. 1.
One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist. [Obs.]
The opposites of this day's
strife.
Shak.
2. That which is opposed or contrary; as,
sweetness and its opposite.
The virtuous man meets with more opposites and
opponents than any other.
Landor.
Op"po*site*ly, adv. In a situation
to face each other; in an opposite manner or direction;
adversely.
Winds from all quarters oppositely
blow.
May.
Op"po*site*ness, n. The quality or
state of being opposite.
Op*pos`i*ti*fo"li*ous (?), a. [See
Opposite, Folious.] (Bot.) Placed at the
same node with a leaf, but separated from it by the whole diameter of
the stem; as, an oppositifolious peduncle.
Op`po*si"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L.
oppositio. See Opposite.] 1. The
act of opposing; an attempt to check, restrain, or defeat;
resistance.
The counterpoise of so great an
opposition.
Shak.
Virtue which breaks through all
opposition.
Milton.
2. The state of being placed over against;
situation so as to front something else. Milton.
3. Repugnance; contrariety of sentiment,
interest, or purpose; antipathy. Shak.
4. That which opposes; an obstacle;
specifically, the aggregate of persons or things opposing; hence, in
politics and parliamentary practice, the party opposed to the party
in power.
5. (Astron.) The situation of a
heavenly body with respect to another when in the part of the heavens
directly opposite to it; especially, the position of a planet or
satellite when its longitude differs from that of the sun 180°; -
- signified by the symbol &?;; as, &?; &Jupiter; &Sun;, opposition of
Jupiter to the sun.
6. (Logic) The relation between two
propositions when, having the same subject and predicate, they differ
in quantity, or in quality, or in both; or between two propositions
which have the same matter but a different form.
Op`po*si"tion*ist, n. One who
belongs to the opposition party. Praed.
Op*pos`i*ti*pet"al*ous (?), a. [See
Opposite, and Petal.] (Bot.) Placed in
front of a petal.
Op*pos`i*ti*sep"al*ous (?), a. [See
Opposite, and Sepal.] (Bot.) Placed in
front of a sepal.
Op*pos`i*tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
oppositif. See Opposite.] Capable of being put in
opposition. Bp. Hall.
Op*press" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Oppressed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Oppressing.] [F. oppresser, LL. oppressare, fr.
L. oppressus, p. p. of opprimere; ob (see Ob-
) + premere to press. See Press.]
1. To impose excessive burdens upon; to
overload; hence, to treat with unjust rigor or with cruelty.
Wyclif.
For thee, oppressèd king, am I cast
down.
Shak.
Behold the kings of the earth; how they
oppress
Thy chosen !
Milton.
2. To ravish; to violate. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
3. To put down; to crush out; to
suppress. [Obs.]
The mutiny he there hastes to
oppress.
Shak.
4. To produce a sensation of weight in (some
part of the body); as, my lungs are oppressed by the damp air;
excess of food oppresses the stomach.
Op*pres"sion (?), n. [F., fr. L.
oppressio.]
1. The act of oppressing, or state of being
oppressed.
2. That which oppresses; a hardship or
injustice; cruelty; severity; tyranny. "The multitude of
oppressions." Job xxxv. 9.
3. A sense of heaviness or obstruction in the
body or mind; depression; dullness; lassitude; as, an
oppression of spirits; an oppression of the
lungs.
There gentlee Sleep
First found me, and with soft oppression seized
My drowsed sense.
Milton.
4. Ravishment; rape. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Op*press"ive (?), a. [Cf. F.
oppressif.]
1. Unreasonably burdensome; unjustly severe,
rigorous, or harsh; as, oppressive taxes; oppressive
exactions of service; an oppressive game law.
Macaulay.
2. Using oppression; tyrannical; as,
oppressive authority or commands.
3. Heavy; overpowering; hard to be borne; as,
oppressive grief or woe.
To ease the soul of one oppressive
weight.
Pope.
-- Op*press"ive*ly, adv. --
Op*press"ive*ness, n.
Op*press"or (?), n. [L.] One who
oppresses; one who imposes unjust burdens on others; one who harasses
others with unjust laws or unreasonable severity.
The orphan pines while the oppressor
feeds.
Shak.
To relieve the oppressed and to punish the
oppressor.
Swift.
Op*pres"sure (?), n.
Oppression. [Obs.]
Op*pro"bri*ous (?), a. [L.
opprobriosus, fr. opprobrium. See Opprobrium.]
1. Expressive of opprobrium; attaching disgrace;
reproachful; scurrilous; as, opprobrious language.
They . . . vindicate themselves in terms no less
opprobrious than those by which they are
attacked.
Addison.
2. Infamous; despised; rendered hateful; as,
an opprobrious name.
This dark, opprobrious den of
shame.
Milton.
-- Op*pro"bri*ous*ly, adv. --
Op*pro"bri*ous*ness, n.
Op*pro"bri*um (?), n. [L., fr.
ob (see Ob-) + probrum reproach, disgrace.]
Disgrace; infamy; reproach mingled with contempt; abusive
language.
Being both dramatic author and dramatic performer, he
found himself heir to a twofold opprobrium.
De
Quincey.
Op*pro"bry (?), n.
Opprobrium. [Obs.] Johnson.
Op*pugn" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Oppugned (?); p pr. & vb. n.
Oppugning.] [OF. oppugner, L. oppugnare;
ob (see Ob-) + pugnare to fight. See
Impugn.] To fight against; to attack; to be in conflict
with; to oppose; to resist.
They said the manner of their impeachment they could
not but conceive did oppugn the rights of
Parliament.
Clarendon.
Op*pug"nan*cy (?), n. [See
Oppugnant.] The act of oppugning; opposition;
resistance. Shak.
Op*pug"nant (?), a. [L.
oppugnans, p. pr. of oppugnare. See Oppugn.]
Tending to awaken hostility; hostile; opposing; warring.
"Oppugnant forces." I. Taylor. -- n.
An opponent. [R.] Coleridge.
Op`pug*na"tion (?), n. [L.
oppugnatio: cf. OF. oppugnation.]
Opposition. [R.] Bp. Hall.
Op*pugn"er (?), n. One who opposes
or attacks; that which opposes. Selden.
Op*sim"a*thy (?), n. [Gr. &?;.]
Education late in life. [R.] Hales.
Op`si*om"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; sight +
-meter: cf. F. opsiomètre.] An instrument
for measuring the limits of distincts vision in different
individuals, and thus determiming the proper focal length of a lens
for correcting imperfect sight. Brande & C.
Op`so*na"tion (?), n. [L.
opsonatio.] A catering; a buying of provisions.
[Obs.] Bailey.
Op"ta*ble (?), a. [L.
optabilis.] That may be chosen; desirable. [Obs.]
Cockeram.
Op"tate (?), v. i. [L. optatus,
p. p. of optare.] To choose; to wish for; to
desire. [Obs.] Cotgrave.
Op*ta"tion (?), n. [L. optatio.
See Option.] The act of optating; a wish. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
Op"ta*tive (?), a. [L.
optativus: cf. F. optatif.] Expressing desire or
wish. Fuller.
Optative mood (Gram.), that mood or
form of a verb, as in Greek, Sanskrit, etc., in which a wish or
desire is expressed.
Op"ta*tive, n. [Cf. F.
optatif.]
1. Something to be desired. [R.]
Bacon.
2. (Gram.) The optative mood; also, a
verb in the optative mood.
Op"ta*tive*ly, adv. In an optative
manner; with the expression of desire. [R.]
God blesseth man imperatively, and man blesseth God
optatively.
Bp. Hall.
Op"tic (?), n. [From Optic,
a.] 1. The organ of sight; an
eye.
The difference is as great between
The optics seeing, as the object seen.
Pope.
2. An eyeglass. [Obs.]
Herbert.
{ Op"tic (?), Op"tic*al (?), }
a. [F. optique, Gr. &?;; akin to &?; sight,
&?; I have seen, &?; I shall see, and to &?; the two eyes, &?; face,
L. oculus eye. See Ocular, Eye, and cf.
Canopy, Ophthalmia.] 1. Of or
pertaining to vision or sight.
The moon, whose orb
Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views.
Milton.
2. Of or pertaining to the eye; ocular; as,
the optic nerves (the first pair of cranial nerves) which are
distributed to the retina. See Illust. of Brain, and
Eye.
3. Relating to the science of optics; as,
optical works.
Optic angle (Opt.), the angle
included between the optic axes of the two eyes when directed to the
same point; -- sometimes called binocular parallax. --
Optic axis. (Opt.) (a) A
line drawn through the center of the eye perpendicular to its
anterior and posterior surfaces. In a normal eye it is in the
direction of the optic axis that objects are most distinctly
seen. (b) The line in a doubly refracting
crystal, in the direction of which no double refraction occurs. A
uniaxial crystal has one such line, a biaxial crystal has two. -
- Optical circle (Opt.), a graduated
circle used for the measurement of angles in optical
experiments. -- Optical square, a
surveyor's instrument with reflectors for laying off right
angles.
Op"tic*al*ly, adv. By optics or
sight; with reference to optics.
Optically active, Optically
inactive (Chem. Physics), terms used of certain
metameric substances which, while identical with each other in other
respects, differ in this, viz., that they do or do not produce right-
handed or left-handed circular polarization of light. --
Optically positive, Optically
negative. See under Refraction.
Op*ti"cian (?), n. [Cf. F.
opticien. See Optic, a.]
1. One skilled in optics. [R.] A.
Smith.
2. One who deals in optical glasses and
instruments.
Op"tics (?), n. [Cf. F.
optique, L. optice, Gr. &?; (sc. &?;). See
Optic.] That branch of physical science which treats of
the nature and properties of light, the laws of its modification by
opaque and transparent bodies, and the phenomena of vision.
Op"ti*graph (?), n. [Optic +
-graph: cf. F. opticographe. See Optic,
a. ] A telescope with a diagonal eyepiece,
suspended vertically in gimbals by the object end beneath a fixed
diagonal plane mirror. It is used for delineating landscapes, by
means of a pencil at the eye end which leaves the delineation on
paper.
Op"ti*ma*cy (?), n. [Cf. F.
optimatie. See Optimate.]
1. Government by the nobility. [R.]
Howell.
2. Collectively, the nobility. [R.]
Op"ti*mate (?), a. [L. optimas,
-atis, adj., optimates, n. pl., the adherents of the
best men, the aristocrats, fr. optimus the best.] Of or
pertaining to the nobility or aristocracy. [R.] --
n. A nobleman or aristocrat; a chief man in a
state or city. [R.] Chapman.
||Op`ti*ma"tes (?), n. pl. [L. See
Optimate.] The nobility or aristocracy of ancient Rome,
as opposed to the populares.
Op"ti*me (?), n. [L., adv. fr.
optimus the best.] One of those who stand in the second
rank of honors, immediately after the wranglers, in the University of
Cambridge, England. They are divided into senior and junior
optimes.
Op"ti*mism (?), n. [L. optimus
the best; akin to optio choice: cf. F. optimisme. See
Option.]
1. (Metaph.) The opinion or doctrine
that everything in nature, being the work of God, is ordered for the
best, or that the ordering of things in the universe is such as to
produce the highest good.
2. A disposition to take the most hopeful
view; -- opposed to pessimism.
Op"ti*mist (?), n. [Cf. F.
optimiste.]
1. (Metaph.) One who holds the opinion
that all events are ordered for the best.
2. One who looks on the bright side of
things, or takes hopeful views; -- opposed to
pessimist.
Op`ti*mis"tic (?), a.
1. (Metaph.) Of or pertaining to
optimism; tending, or conforming, to the opinion that all events are
ordered for the best.
2. Hopeful; sanguine; as, an
optimistic view.
Op*tim"i*ty (?), n. [L.
optimitas, fr. optimus the best.] The state of
being best. [R.] Bailey.
Op"tion (?), n. [L. optio; akin
to optare to choose, wish, optimus best, and perh. to
E. apt: cf. F. option.]
1. The power of choosing; the right of choice
or election; an alternative.
There is an option left to the United States of
America, whether they will be respectable and prosperous, or
contemptible and miserable, as a nation.
Washington.
2. The exercise of the power of choice;
choice.
Transplantation must proceed from the option of
the people, else it sounds like an exile.
Bacon.
3. A wishing; a wish. [Obs.] Bp.
Hall.
4. (Ch. of Eng.) A right formerly
belonging to an archbishop to select any one dignity or benefice in
the gift of a suffragan bishop consecrated or confirmed by him, for
bestowal by himself when next vacant; -- annulled by Parliament in
1845.
5. (Stock Exchange) A stipulated
privilege, given to a party in a time contract, of demanding its
fulfillment on any day within a specified limit.
Buyer's option, an option allowed to one who
contracts to buy stocks at a certain future date and at a certain
price, to demand the delivery of the stock (giving one day's notice)
at any previous time at the market price. -- Seller's
option, an option allowed to one who contracts to
deliver stock art a certain price on a certain future date, to
deliver it (giving one day's notice) at any previous time at the
market price. Such options are privileges for which a consideration
is paid. -- Local option. See under
Local.
Syn. -- Choice; preference; selection. -- Option,
Choice. Choice is an act of choosing; option
often means liberty to choose, and implies freedom from constraint in
the act of choosing.
Op"tion*al (?), a. Involving an
option; depending on the exercise of an option; left to one's
discretion or choice; not compulsory; as, optional studies; it
is optional with you to go or stay. --
n. See Elective,
n.
If to the former the movement was not optional,
it was the same that the latter chose when it was
optional.
Palfrey.
Original writs are either optional or
peremptory.
Blackstone.
Op"tion*al*ly, adv. In an optional
manner.
{ Op"to*cœle (?), ||Op`to*cœ"li*a
(?), } n. [NL. optocoelia, fr. Gr. &?; optic
+ koi^los a hollow.] (Anat.) The cavity of one
of the optic lobes of the brain in many animals. B. G.
Wilder.
Op"to*gram (?), n. [Optic + -
gram: cf. F. optogramme.] (Physiol.) An image
of external objects fixed on the retina by the photochemical action
of light on the visual purple. See Optography.
Op*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [Optic +
-graphy.] (Physiol.) The production of an optogram
on the retina by the photochemical action of light on the visual
purple; the fixation of an image in the eye. The object so
photographed shows white on a purple or red background. See Visual
purple, under Visual.
Op*tom"e*ter (?), n. [Optic +
-meter.] (Physiol.) An instrument for measuring
the distance of distinct vision, mainly for the selection of
eveglasses.
Op"u*lence (?), n. [L.
opulentia: cf. F. opulence. See Opulent.]
Wealth; riches; affluence. Swift
Op"u*len*cy (?), n. See
Opulence. Shak.
Op"u*lent (?), a. [L. opulens,
opulentus, fr. ops, opis, power, wealth, riches,
perh. akin to E. apt: cf. F. opulent. Cf.
Copious, Couple, Office.] Having a large
estate or property; wealthy; rich; affluent; as, an opulent
city; an opulent citizen. -- Op"u*lent*ly,
adv.
I will piece
Her opulent throne with kingdoms.
Shak.
||O*pun"ti*a (?), n. [NL.]
(Bot.) A genus of cactaceous plants; the prickly pear, or
Indian fig.
||O"pus (?), n.; pl.
Opera (#). [L. See Opera.] A work;
specif. (Mus.), a musical composition.
&fist; Each composition, or set of pieces, as the composer may
choose, is called an opus, and they are numbered in the order
of their issue. (Often abbrev. to op.)
Opus incertum. [L.] (Arch.) See under
Incertum.
{ O*pus"cle (?), O*pus"cule (?), }
n. [L. opusculum, dim. of opus work:
cf. F. opuscule.] A small or petty work.
||O*pus"cu*lum (?), n.; pl.
Opuscula (#). [L.] An opuscule.
Smart.
O"pye (?), n. Opium. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
O*quas"sa (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A small, handsome trout (Salvelinus oquassa), found in
some of the lakes in Maine; -- called also blueback
trout.
-or. [L. -or: cf. OF. -or, -ur, -
our, F. -eur.]
1. A noun suffix denoting an act; a
state or quality; as in error, fervor,
pallor, candor, etc.
2. A noun suffix denoting an agent or
doer; as in auditor, one who hears; donor, one
who gives; obligor, elevator. It is correlative to -
ee. In general -or is appended to words of Latin, and -
er to those of English, origin. See -er.
Or (?), conj. [OE. or,
outher, other, auther, either, or, AS.
āw&?;er, contr. from āhwæ&?;er;
ā aye + hwæ&?;er whether. See Aye,
and Whether, and cf. Either.] A particle that
marks an alternative; as, you may read or may write, -- that
is, you may do one of the things at your pleasure, but not both. It
corresponds to either. You may ride either to London
or to Windsor. It often connects a series of words or
propositions, presenting a choice of either; as, he may study law,
or medicine, or divinity, or he may enter into
trade.
If man's convenience, health,
Or safety interfere, his rights and claims
Are paramount.
Cowper.
&fist; Or may be used to join as alternatives terms
expressing unlike things or ideas (as, is the orange sour or
sweet?), or different terms expressing the same thing or idea; as,
this is a sphere, or globe.
&fist; Or sometimes begins a sentence. In this case it
expresses an alternative or subjoins a clause differing from the
foregoing. "Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall
ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone?" Matt. vii. 9 (Rev.
Ver. ).
Or for either is archaic or poetic.
Maugre thine heed, thou must for indigence
Or steal, or beg, or borrow thy
dispence.
Chaucer.
Or, prep. & adv. [AS. &?;r ere,
before. √204. See Ere, prep. & adv.]
Ere; before; sooner than. [Obs.]
But natheless, while I have time and space,
Or that I forther in this tale pace.
Chaucer.
Or ever, Or ere. See under
Ever, and Ere.
Or, n. [F., fr. L. aurum gold.
Cf. Aureate.] (Her.) Yellow or gold color, --
represented in drawing or engraving by small dots.
O"ra (?), n. [AS. See 2d Ore.]
A money of account among the Anglo-Saxons, valued, in the
Domesday Book, at twenty pence sterling.
||O`ra*bas"su (?), n.
(Zoöl.) A South American monkey of the genus
Callithrix, esp. C. Moloch.
{ Or"ach, Or"ache} (?), n. [F.
arroche, corrupted fr. L. atriplex, Gr. &?;. Cf.
Arrach.] (Bot.) A genus (Atriplex) of herbs
or low shrubs of the Goosefoot family, most of them with a mealy
surface.
Garden orache, a plant (Atriplex
hortensis), often used as a pot herb; -- also called mountain
spinach.
Or"a*cle (?), n. [F., fr. L.
oraculum, fr. orare to speak, utter, pray, fr.
os, oris, mouth. See Oral.]
1. The answer of a god, or some person
reputed to be a god, to an inquiry respecting some affair or future
event, as the success of an enterprise or battle.
Whatso'er she saith, for oracles must
stand.
Drayton.
2. Hence: The deity who was supposed to give
the answer; also, the place where it was given.
The oracles are dumb;
No voice or hideous hum
Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving.
Milton.
3. The communications, revelations, or
messages delivered by God to the prophets; also, the entire sacred
Scriptures -- usually in the plural.
The first principles of the oracles of
God.
Heb. v. 12.
4. (Jewish Antiq.) The sanctuary, or
Most Holy place in the temple; also, the temple itself. 1
Kings vi. 19.
Siloa's brook, that flow'd
Fast by the oracle of God.
Milton.
5. One who communicates a divine command; an
angel; a prophet.
God hath now sent his living oracle
Into the world to teach his final will.
Milton.
6. Any person reputed uncommonly wise; one
whose decisions are regarded as of great authority; as, a literary
oracle. "Oracles of mode." Tennyson.
The country rectors . . . thought him an oracle
on points of learning.
Macaulay.
7. A wise sentence or decision of great
authority.
Or"a*cle, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Oracled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Oracling (?).] To utter oracles. [Obs.]
O*rac"u*lar (?), a. [L.
oracularius. See Oracle.]
1. Of or pertaining to an oracle; uttering
oracles; forecasting the future; as, an oracular
tongue.
2. Resembling an oracle in some way, as in
solemnity, wisdom, authority, obscurity, ambiguity,
dogmatism.
They have something venerable and oracular in
that unadorned gravity and shortness in the expression.
Pope.
-- O*rac"u*lar*ly, adv. --
O*rac"u*lar*ness, n.
O*rac"u*lous (?), a. Oracular; of
the nature of an oracle. [R.] "Equivocations, or
oraculous speeches." Bacon. "The oraculous
seer." Pope. -- O*rac"u*lous*ly,
adv. -- O*rac"u*lous*ness,
n.
O*ra"gious (?), a. [F. orageux.]
Stormy. [R.]
Or"ai*son (?), n. See
Orison. [Obs.] Shak.
O"ral (?), a. [L. os,
oris, the mouth, akin to Skr. ās. Cf.
Adore, Orison, Usher.] 1.
Uttered by the mouth, or in words; spoken, not written; verbal;
as, oral traditions; oral testimony; oral
law.
2. Of or pertaining to the mouth; surrounding
or lining the mouth; as, oral cilia or cirri.
O"ral*ly, adv. 1.
In an oral manner. Tillotson.
2. By, with, or in, the mouth; as, to receive
the sacrament orally. [Obs.] Usher.
O*rang" (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Orang-outang.
Or"ange (?), n. [F.; cf. It.
arancia, arancio, LL. arangia, Sp.
naranjia, Pg. laranja; all fr. Ar. nāranj,
Per. nāranj, nārang; cf. Skr.
nāranga orange tree. The o- in F. orange
is due to confusion with or gold, L. aurum, because the
orange resembles gold in color.]
1. The fruit of a tree of the genus
Citrus (C. Aurantium). It is usually round, and
consists of pulpy carpels, commonly ten in number, inclosed in a
leathery rind, which is easily separable, and is reddish yellow when
ripe.
&fist; There are numerous varieties of oranges; as, the bitter
orange, which is supposed to be the original stock; the navel
orange, which has the rudiment of a second orange imbedded in the
top of the fruit; the blood orange, with a reddish juice; and
the horned orange, in which the carpels are partly
separated.
2. (Bot.) The tree that bears oranges;
the orange tree.
3. The color of an orange; reddish
yellow.
Mandarin orange. See Mandarin. -
- Mock orange (Bot.), any species of
shrubs of the genus Philadelphus, which have whitish and often
fragrant blossoms. -- Native orange, or
Orange thorn (Bot.), an Australian shrub
(Citriobatus parviflorus); also, its edible yellow
berries. -- Orange bird (Zoöl.),
a tanager of Jamaica (Tanagra zena); -- so called from its
bright orange breast. -- Orange cowry
(Zoöl.), a large, handsome cowry (Cypræa
aurantia), highly valued by collectors of shells on account of
its rarity. -- Orange grass (Bot.),
an inconspicuous annual American plant (Hypericum
Sarothra), having minute, deep yellow flowers. --
Orange oil (Chem.), an oily, terpenelike
substance obtained from orange rind, and distinct from neroli oil,
which is obtained from the flowers. -- Orange
pekoe, a kind of black tea. -- Orange
pippin, an orange-colored apple with acid flavor.
-- Quito orange, the orangelike fruit of a
shrubby species of nightshade (Solanum Quitoense), native in
Quito. -- Orange scale (Zoöl.)
any species of scale insects which infests orange trees;
especially, the purple scale (Mytilaspis citricola), the long
scale (M. Gloveri), and the red scale (Aspidiotus
Aurantii).
Or"ange, a. Of or pertaining to an
orange; of the color of an orange; reddish yellow; as, an orange
ribbon.
Or`ange*ade" (?), n. [F., fr.
orange.] A drink made of orange juice and water,
corresponding to lemonade; orange sherbet.
Or`an*geat" (?), n. [F., fr.
orange.] Candied orange peel; also, orangeade.
Or"ange*ism (?), n. Attachment to
the principles of the society of Orangemen; the tenets or practices
of the Orangemen.
Or"ange*man (?), n.; pl.
-men (&?;). One of a secret society, organized
in the north of Ireland in 1795, the professed objects of which are
the defense of the regning sovereign of Great Britain, the support of
the Protestant religion, the maintenance of the laws of the kingdom,
etc.; -- so called in honor of William, Prince of Orange, who became
William III. of England.
Or"ange*root` (?), n. (Bot.)
An American ranunculaceous plant (Hidrastis Canadensis),
having a yellow tuberous root; -- also called yellowroot,
golden seal, etc.
Or"an*ger*y (?), n. [F.
orangerie, fr. orange. See Orange.] A place
for raising oranges; a plantation of orange trees.
Or"ange*taw`ny (?), a. & n. Deep
orange-yellow; dark yellow. Shak.
Or"an*gite (?), (Min.) An orange-yellow
variety of the mineral thorite, found in Norway.
O*rang"-ou*tang` (?), n. [Malayan
&?;rang &?;tan, i. e., man of the woods; &?;rang man +
&?;tan a forest, wood, wild, savage.] (Zoöl.)
An arboreal anthropoid ape (Simia satyrus), which
inhabits Borneo and Sumatra. Often called simply orang.
[Written also orang-outan, orang-utan, ourang-
utang, and oran-utan.]
&fist; It is over four feet high, when full grown, and has very
long arms, which reach nearly or quite to the ground when the body is
erect. Its color is reddish brown. In structure, it closely resembles
man in many respects.
O*ra"ri*an (?), a. [L. orarius,
fr. ora coast.] Of or pertaining to a coast.
O*ra"tion (?), n.[L. oratio, fr.
orare to speak, utter, pray. See Oral, Orison.]
An elaborate discourse, delivered in public, treating an
important subject in a formal and dignified manner; especially, a
discourse having reference to some special occasion, as a funeral, an
anniversary, a celebration, or the like; -- distinguished from an
argument in court, a popular harangue, a sermon, a lecture, etc.; as,
Webster's oration at Bunker Hill.
The lord archbishop . . . made a long
oration.
Bacon.
Syn. -- Address; speech. See Harangue.
O*ra"tion, v. i. To deliver an
oration. Donne.
Or"a*tor (?), n. [L., fr. orare
to speak, utter. See Oration.] 1. A
public speaker; one who delivers an oration; especially, one
distinguished for his skill and power as a public speaker; one who is
eloquent.
I am no orator, as Brutus is.
Shak.
Some orator renowned
In Athens or free Rome.
Milton.
2. (Law) (a) In equity
proceedings, one who prays for relief; a petitioner.
(b) A plaintiff, or complainant, in a bill in
chancery. Burrill.
3. (Eng. Universities) An officer who
is the voice of the university upon all public occasions, who writes,
reads, and records all letters of a public nature, presents, with an
appropriate address, those persons on whom honorary degrees are to be
conferred, and performs other like duties; -- called also public
orator.
Or`a*to"ri*al (?), a.
Oratorical. [R.] Swift. --
Or`a*to"ri*al*ly, adv.
Or`a*to"ri*an (?), a.
Oratorical. [Obs.] R. North.
Or`a*to"ri*an, n. [Cf. F.
oratorien.] (R. C. Ch.) See Fathers of the
Oratory, under Oratory.
Or`a*tor"ic*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to an orator or to oratory; characterized by oratory;
rhetorical; becoming to an orator; as, an oratorical triumph;
an oratorical essay. -- Or`a*tor"ic*al*ly,
adv.
Or`a*to"ri*o (?), n. [It., fr. L.
oratorius belonging to praying. See Orator, and cf.
Oratory.]
1. (Mus.) A more or less dramatic text
or poem, founded on some Scripture nerrative, or great divine event,
elaborately set to music, in recitative, arias, grand choruses, etc.,
to be sung with an orchestral accompaniment, but without action,
scenery, or costume, although the oratorio grew out of the Mysteries
and the Miracle and Passion plays, which were acted.
&fist; There are instances of secular and mythological subjects
treated in the form of the oratorios, and called oratorios by their
composers; as Haydn's "Seasons," Handel's "Semele," etc.
2. Performance or rendering of such a
composition.
Or`a*to"ri*ous (?), a. [LL.
oratorius.] Oratorical. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
-- Or`a*to"ri*ous*ly, adv. [Obs.]
Or"a*tor*ize (?), v. i. To play
the orator. [Jocose or derisive] Dickens.
Or"a*to*ry (?), n.; pl.
Oratories (#). [OE. oratorie, fr. L.
oratorium, fr. oratorius of praying, of an orator: cf.
F. oratoire. See Orator, Oral, and cf.
Oratorio.] A place of orisons, or prayer; especially, a
chapel or small room set apart for private devotions.
An oratory [temple] . . . in worship of
Dian.
Chaucer.
Do not omit thy prayers for want of a good
oratory, or place to pray in.
Jer.
Taylor.
Fathers of the Oratory (R. C. Ch.), a
society of priests founded by St. Philip Neri, living in community,
and not bound by a special vow. The members are called also
oratorians.
Or"a*to*ry, n. [L. oratoria (sc.
ars) the oratorical art.] The art of an orator; the art
of public speaking in an eloquent or effective manner; the exercise
of rhetorical skill in oral discourse; eloquence. "The
oratory of Greece and Rome." Milton.
When a world of men
Could not prevail with all their oratory.
Shak.
Or"a*tress (?), n. A woman who
makes public addresses. Warner.
Or"a*trix (?), n. [L.] A woman
plaintiff, or complainant, in equity pleading.
Burrill.
Orb (?), n. [OF. orb blind, fr.
L. orbus destitute.] (Arch.) A blank window or
panel. [Obs.] Oxf. Gloss.
Orb, n. [F. orbe, fr. L.
orbis circle, orb. Cf. Orbit.]
1. A spherical body; a globe; especially, one
of the celestial spheres; a sun, planet, or star.
In the small orb of one particular
tear.
Shak.
Whether the prime orb,
Incredible how swift, had thither rolled.
Milton.
2. One of the azure transparent spheres
conceived by the ancients to be inclosed one within another, and to
carry the heavenly bodies in their revolutions.
3. A circle; esp., a circle, or nearly
circular orbit, described by the revolution of a heavenly body; an
orbit.
The schoolmen were like astronomers, which did feign
eccentrics, and epicycles, and such engines of
orbs.
Bacon.
You seem to me as Dian in her orb.
Shak.
In orbs
Of circuit inexpressible they stood,
Orb within orb.
Milton.
4. A period of time marked off by the
revolution of a heavenly body. [R.] Milton.
5. The eye, as luminous and spherical.
[Poetic]
A drop serene hath quenched their
orbs.
Milton.
6. A revolving circular body; a wheel.
[Poetic]
The orbs
Of his fierce chariot rolled.
Milton.
7. A sphere of action. [R.]
Wordsworth.
But in our orbs we'll live so round and
safe.
Shak
8. Same as Mound, a ball or globe. See
lst Mound.
9. (Mil.) A body of soldiers drawn up
in a circle, as for defense, esp. infantry to repel
cavalry.
Syn. -- Globe; ball; sphere. See Globe.
Orb (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Orbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Orbing.] 1. To form into an orb or
circle. [Poetic] Milton. Lowell.
2. To encircle; to surround; to
inclose. [Poetic]
The wheels were orbed with gold.
Addison.
Orb, v. i. To become round like an
orb. [Poetic]
And orb into the perfect star.
Tennyson.
Or"bate (?), a. [L. orbatus, p.
p. of orbare to bereave, fr. orbus bereaved of parents
or children. See Orphan.] Bereaved; fatherless;
childless. [Obs.]
Or*ba"tion (?), n. [L. orbatio.]
The state of being orbate, or deprived of parents or children;
privation, in general; bereavement. [Obs.] Bp.
Hall.
Orbed (?), a. Having the form of
an orb; round.
The orbèd eyelids are let
down.
Trench.
{ Or"bic (?), Or"bic*al (?), }
a. [L. orbicus, or orbitus, fr.
orbis orb.] Spherical; orbicular; orblike;
circular. [R.] Bacon.
Or"bi*cle (?), n. [L. orbiculus,
dim. of orbis orb.] A small orb, or sphere. [Obs.]
G. Fletcher.
||Or*bic"u*la (?), n. [NL. See
Orbicle.] (Zoöl.) Same as
Discina.
Or*bic"u*lar (?), a. [L.
orbicularis, fr. orbiculus, dim. of orbis orb:
cf. F. orbiculaire.] Resembling or having the form of an
orb; spherical; circular; orbiculate. --
Or*bic"u*lar*ly, adv. --
Or*bic"u*lar*ness, n.
Orbicular as the disk of a planet.
De Quincey.
Or*bic"u*late (?), n. That which
is orbiculate; especially, a solid the vertical section of which is
oval, and the horizontal section circular.
{ Or*bic"u*late (?), Or*bic"u*la`ted (?), }
a. [L. orbiculatus. See Orbicular.]
Made, or being, in the form of an orb; having a circular, or
nearly circular, or a spheroidal, outline.
Orbiculate leaf (Bot.), a leaf whose
outline is nearly circular.
Or*bic`u*la"tion (?), n. The state
or quality of being orbiculate; orbicularness. Dr. H.
More.
Or"bit (?), n. [L. orbita a
track or rut made by a wheel, course, circuit, fr. orbis a
circle: cf. F. orbite. See 2d Orb.] 1.
(Astron.) The path described by a heavenly body in its
periodical revolution around another body; as, the orbit of
Jupiter, of the earth, of the moon.
2. An orb or ball. [Rare &
Improper]
Roll the lucid orbit of an eye.
Young.
3. (Anat.) The cavity or socket of the
skull in which the eye and its appendages are situated.
4. (Zoöl.) The skin which
surrounds the eye of a bird.
Or"bit*al (?), a. Of or pertaining
to an orbit. "Orbital revolution." J. D.
Forbes.
Orbital index (Anat.), in the skull,
the ratio of the vertical height to the transverse width of the
orbit, which is taken as the standard, equal to 100.
Or"bit*ar (?), a. [Cf. F.
orbitaire.] Orbital. [R.] Dunglison.
Or"bit*a*ry (?), a. Situated
around the orbit; as, the orbitary feathers of a
bird.
||Or`bi*te"læ (?), n. pl. [NL.,
fr. L. orbis an orb + tela a web.] (Zoöl.)
A division of spiders, including those that make geometrical
webs, as the garden spider, or Epeira.
||Or`bi*to*li"tes (?), n. [NL. See
Orbit, and -lite.] (Zoöl.) A genus of
living Foraminifera, forming broad, thin, circular disks, containing
numerous small chambers.
Or`bi*to*na"sal (?), a. [Orbit +
nasal.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the orbit and
the nose; as, the orbitonasal, or ophthalmic, nerve.
Or`bi*to*sphe"noid (?), a.
[Orbit + sphenoid.] (Anat.) Of or
pertaining to the sphenoid bone and the orbit, or to the
orbitosphenoid bone. -- n. The
orbitosphenoid bone, which is situated in the orbit on either side of
the presphenoid. It generally forms a part of the sphenoid in the
adult.
Or`bi*to*sphe*noid"al (?), a.
(Anat.) Of or pertaining to the orbitosphenoid bone;
orbitosphenoid.
Or*bit"u*a*ry (?), a.
Orbital. [R.]
{ Or"bi*tude (?), Or"bi*ty (?), }
n. [L. orbitudo, orbitas, fr.
orbus: cf. F. orbité. See Orbate.]
Orbation. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
||Or`bu*li"na (?), n. [NL., dim. of L.
orbis orb.] (Zoöl.) A genus of minute living
Foraminifera having a globular shell.
Orb"y (?), a. [From 2d Orb.]
Orblike; having the course of an orb; revolving. [Obs.]
"Orby hours." Chapman.
Orc (?), n. [L. orca: cf. F.
orque.] (Zoöl.) The grampus. [Written
also ork and orch.] Milton.
Or*ca"di*an (?), a. [L. Orcades
the Orkney Islands.] Of or pertaining to the Orkney
Islands.
Or"ce*in (?), n. (Chem.) A
reddish brown amorphous dyestuff, &?;, obtained from orcin, and
forming the essential coloring matter of cudbear and archil. It is
closely related to litmus.
Or"chal (?), n. See
Archil.
Or"cha*net (?), n. [F.
orcanète.] (Bot.) Same as Alkanet,
2. Ainsworth.
Or"chard (?), n. [AS. ortgeard,
wyrtgeard, lit., wortyard, i. e., a yard for herbs;
wyrt herb + geard yard. See Wort, Yard
inclosure.] 1. A garden. [Obs.]
2. An inclosure containing fruit trees; also,
the fruit trees, collectively; -- used especially of apples, peaches,
pears, cherries, plums, or the like, less frequently of nutbearing
trees and of sugar maple trees.
Orchard grass (Bot.), a tall coarse
grass (Dactylis glomerata), introduced into the United States
from Europe. It grows usually in shady places, and is of value for
forage and hay. -- Orchard house
(Hort.), a glazed structure in which fruit trees are
reared in pots. -- Orchard oriole
(Zool.), a bright-colored American oriole (Icterus
spurius), which frequents orchards. It is smaller and darker thah
the Baltimore oriole.
Or"chard*ing (?), n. 1.
The cultivation of orchards.
2. Orchards, in general.
Or"chard*ist, n. One who
cultivates an orchard.
Or"chel (?), n. Archil.
Or`che*sog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?;
dance + -graphy.] A treatise upon dancing. [R.]
Or"ches*ter (?), n. See
Orchestra.
Or*ches"tian (?), n. [From Gr. &?; a
dancer. See Orchestra.] (Zoöl.) Any species
of amphipod crustacean of the genus Orchestia, or family
Orchestidæ. See Beach flea, under
Beach.
Or"ches*tra (?), n. [L.
orchestra, Gr. &?;, orig., the place for the chorus of
dancers, from &?; to dance: cf. F. orchestre.]
1. The space in a theater between the stage and
the audience; -- originally appropriated by the Greeks to the chorus
and its evolutions, afterward by the Romans to persons of
distinction, and by the moderns to a band of instrumental
musicians.
2. The place in any public hall appropriated
to a band of instrumental musicians.
3. (Mus.) (a) Loosely:
A band of instrumental musicians performing in a theater, concert
hall, or other place of public amusement. (b)
Strictly: A band suitable for the performance of symphonies,
overtures, etc., as well as for the accompaniment of operas,
oratorios, cantatas, masses, and the like, or of vocal and
instrumental solos. (c) A band composed,
for the largest part, of players of the various viol instruments,
many of each kind, together with a proper complement of wind
instruments of wood and brass; -- as distinguished from a military or
street band of players on wind instruments, and from an assemblage of
solo players for the rendering of concerted pieces, such as septets,
octets, and the like.
4. (Mus.) The instruments employed by
a full band, collectively; as, an orchestra of forty stringed
instruments, with proper complement of wind instruments.
Or"ches*tral (?), a. Of or
pertaining to an orchestra; suitable for, or performed in or by, an
orchestra.
Or`ches*tra"tion (?), n. (Mus.)
The arrangement of music for an orchestra; orchestral treatment
of a composition; -- called also instrumentation.
Or"ches*tre (?), n. [F.] See
Orchestra.
Or*ches"tric (?), a.
Orchestral.
Or*ches"tri*on (?), n. A large
music box imitating a variety of orchestral instruments.
Or"chid (?), n. [See Orchis.]
(Bot.) Any plant of the order Orchidaceæ.
See Orchidaceous.
Or`chi*da"ceous (?), a. (Bot.)
Pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order
(Orchidaceæ) of endogenous plants of which the genus
Orchis is the type. They are mostly perennial herbs having the
stamens and pistils united in a single column, and normally three
petals and three sepals, all adherent to the ovary. The flowers are
curiously shaped, often resembling insects, the odd or lower petal
(called the lip) being unlike the others, and sometimes of a
strange and unexpected appearance. About one hundred species occur in
the United States, but several thousand in the tropics.
&fist; Over three hundred genera are recognized.
Or*chid"e*an (?), a. (Bot.)
Orchidaceous.
Or*chid"e*ous (?), a. (Bot.)
Same as Orchidaceous.
Or`chid*ol"o*gist (?), n. One
versed in orchidology.
Or`chid*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; the
orchis + -logy.] The branch of botany which treats of
orchids.
Or"chil (?), n. See
Archil.
Or*chil"la weed` (?). (Bot.) The lichen from
which archil is obtained. See Archil.
Or"chis (?), n.; pl.
Orchises (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?; a testicle, the
orchis; -- so called from its tubers.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of endogenous plants
growing in the North Temperate zone, and consisting of about eighty
species. They are perennial herbs growing from a tuber (beside which
is usually found the last year's tuber also), and are valued for
their showy flowers. See Orchidaceous.
2. (Bot.) Any plant of the same family
with the orchis; an orchid.
&fist; The common names, such as bee orchis, fly
orchis, butterfly orchis, etc., allude to the peculiar
form of the flower.
||Or*chi"tis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
a testicle + -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the
testicles.
Or*chot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?; a
testicle + &?; to cut.] (Surg.) The operation of cutting
out or removing a testicle by the knife; castration.
Or"cin (?), n. [Etymology uncertain:
cf. F. orcine.] (Chem.) A colorless crystalline
substance,
C6H3.CH3.(OH)2, which is
obtained from certain lichens (Roccella, Lecanora,
etc.), also from extract of aloes, and artificially from certain
derivatives of toluene. It changes readily into orcein.
Ord (?), n. [AS. ord point.]
An edge or point; also, a beginning. [ Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Chaucer.
Ord and end, the beginning and end. Cf.
Odds and ends, under Odds. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Chaucer. Halliwell.
Or*dain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Ordained (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Ordaining.] [OE. ordeinen, OF. ordener, F.
ordonner, fr. L. ordinare, from ordo,
ordinis, order. See Order, and cf. Ordinance.]
1. To set in order; to arrange according to
rule; to regulate; to set; to establish. "Battle well
ordained." Spenser.
The stake that shall be ordained on either
side.
Chaucer.
2. To regulate, or establish, by appointment,
decree, or law; to constitute; to decree; to appoint; to
institute.
Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth
month.
1 Kings xii. 32.
And doth the power that man adores ordain
Their doom ?
Byron.
3. To set apart for an office; to
appoint.
Being ordained his special
governor.
Shak.
4. (Eccl.) To invest with ministerial
or sacerdotal functions; to introduce into the office of the
Christian ministry, by the laying on of hands, or other forms; to set
apart by the ceremony of ordination.
Meletius was ordained by Arian
bishops.
Bp. Stillingfleet.
Or*dain"a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being ordained; worthy to be ordained or appointed. Bp.
Hall.
Or*dain"er (?), n. One who
ordains.
Or*dain"ment (?), n.
Ordination. [R.] Burke.
Or"dal (?), n. Ordeal.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Or*da"li*an (?), a. [LL.
ordalium.] Of or pertaining to trial by ordeal.
[Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Or"de*al (ôr"d&esl;*al),
n. [AS. ordāl, ord&aemacr;l, a
judgment; akin to D. oordeel, G. urteil,
urtheil; orig., what is dealt out, the prefix or- being
akin to ā- compounded with verbs, G. er-, ur-
, Goth. us-, orig. meaning, out. See Deal,
v. & n., and cf. Arise,
Ort.] 1. An ancient form of test to
determine guilt or innocence, by appealing to a supernatural
decision, -- once common in Europe, and still practiced in the East
and by savage tribes.
&fist; In England ordeal by fire and ordeal by water
were used, the former confined to persons of rank, the latter to the
common people. The ordeal by fire was performed, either by handling
red-hot iron, or by walking barefoot and blindfold over red-hot
plowshares, laid at unequal distances. If the person escaped unhurt,
he was adjudged innocent; otherwise he was condemned as guilty. The
ordeal by water was performed, either by plunging the bare arm to the
elbow in boiling water, an escape from injury being taken as proof of
innocence, or by casting the accused person, bound hand and foot,
into a river or pond, when if he floated it was an evidence of guilt,
but if he sunk he was acquitted. It is probable that the proverbial
phrase, to go through fire and water, denoting severe trial or
danger, is derived from the ordeal. See Wager of battle, under
Wager.
2. Any severe trial, or test; a painful
experience.
Ordeal bean. (Bot.) See Calabar
bean, under Calabar. -- Ordeal root
(Bot.) the root of a species of Strychnos growing
in West Africa, used, like the ordeal bean, in trials for
witchcraft. -- Ordeal tree (Bot.),
a poisonous tree of Madagascar (Tanghinia, or Cerbera,
venenata). Persons suspected of crime are forced to eat the seeds
of the plumlike fruit, and criminals are put to death by being
pricked with a lance dipped in the juice of the seeds.
Or"de*al, a. Of or pertaining to
trial by ordeal.
Or"der (?), n. [OE. ordre, F.
ordre, fr. L. ordo, ordinis. Cf. Ordain,
Ordinal.]
1. Regular arrangement; any methodical or
established succession or harmonious relation; method; system;
as: (a) Of material things, like the books in a
library. (b) Of intellectual notions or
ideas, like the topics of a discource. (c)
Of periods of time or occurrences, and the like.
The side chambers were . . . thirty in
order.
Ezek. xli. 6.
Bright-harnessed angels sit in order
serviceable.
Milton.
Good order is the foundation of all good
things.
Burke.
2. Right arrangement; a normal, correct, or
fit condition; as, the house is in order; the machinery is out
of order. Locke.
3. The customary mode of procedure;
established system, as in the conduct of debates or the transaction
of business; usage; custom; fashion. Dantiel.
And, pregnant with his grander thought,
Brought the old order into doubt.
Emerson.
4. Conformity with law or decorum; freedom
from disturbance; general tranquillity; public quiet; as, to preserve
order in a community or an assembly.
5. That which prescribes a method of
procedure; a rule or regulation made by competent authority; as, the
rules and orders of the senate.
The church hath authority to establish that for an
order at one time which at another time it may
abolish.
Hooker.
6. A command; a mandate; a precept; a
direction.
Upon this new fright, an order was made by both
houses for disarming all the papists in England.
Clarendon.
7. Hence: A commission to purchase, sell, or
supply goods; a direction, in writing, to pay money, to furnish
supplies, to admit to a building, a place of entertainment, or the
like; as, orders for blankets are large.
In those days were pit orders -- beshrew the
uncomfortable manager who abolished them.
Lamb.
8. A number of things or persons arranged in
a fixed or suitable place, or relative position; a rank; a row; a
grade; especially, a rank or class in society; a group or division of
men in the same social or other position; also, a distinct character,
kind, or sort; as, the higher or lower orders of society;
talent of a high order.
They are in equal order to their several
ends.
Jer. Taylor.
Various orders various ensigns
bear.
Granville.
Which, to his order of mind, must have seemed
little short of crime.
Hawthorne.
9. A body of persons having some common
honorary distinction or rule of obligation; esp., a body of religious
persons or aggregate of convents living under a common rule; as, the
Order of the Bath; the Franciscan order.
Find a barefoot brother out,
One of our order, to associate me.
Shak.
The venerable order of the Knights
Templars.
Sir W. Scott.
10. An ecclesiastical grade or rank, as of
deacon, priest, or bishop; the office of the Christian ministry; --
often used in the plural; as, to take orders, or to take
holy orders, that is, to enter some grade of the
ministry.
11. (Arch.) The disposition of a
column and its component parts, and of the entablature resting upon
it, in classical architecture; hence (as the column and entablature
are the characteristic features of classical architecture) a style or
manner of architectural designing.
&fist; The Greeks used three different orders, easy to
distinguish, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The
Romans added the Tuscan, and changed the Doric so that it is
hardly recognizable, and also used a modified Corinthian called
Composite. The Renaissance writers on architecture recognized
five orders as orthodox or classical, -- Doric (the
Roman sort), Ionic, Tuscan, Corinthian, and
Composite. See Illust. of Capital.
12. (Nat. Hist.) An assemblage of
genera having certain important characters in common; as, the
Carnivora and Insectivora are orders of Mammalia.
&fist; The Linnæan artificial orders of plants rested
mainly on identity in the numer of pistils, or agreement in some one
character. Natural orders are groups of genera agreeing in the
fundamental plan of their flowers and fruit. A natural order is
usually (in botany) equivalent to a family, and may include several
tribes.
13. (Rhet.) The placing of words and
members in a sentence in such a manner as to contribute to force and
beauty or clearness of expression.
14. (Math.) Rank; degree; thus, the
order of a curve or surface is the same as the degree of its
equation.
Artificial order or system.
See Artificial classification, under Artificial,
and Note to def. 12 above. -- Close order
(Mil.), the arrangement of the ranks with a distance of
about half a pace between them; with a distance of about three yards
the ranks are in open order. -- The four
Orders, The Orders four, the four
orders of mendicant friars. See Friar. Chaucer. --
General orders (Mil.), orders issued
which concern the whole command, or the troops generally, in
distinction from special orders. -- Holy
orders. (a) (Eccl.) The
different grades of the Christian ministry; ordination to the
ministry. See def. 10 above. (b) (R. C.
Ch.) A sacrament for the purpose of conferring a special
grace on those ordained. -- In order to,
for the purpose of; to the end; as means to.
The best knowledge is that which is of greatest use
in order to our eternal happiness.
Tillotson.
--
Minor orders (R. C. Ch.), orders
beneath the diaconate in sacramental dignity, as acolyte, exorcist,
reader, doorkeeper. -- Money order. See under
Money. -- Natural order. (Bot.)
See def. 12, Note. -- Order book.
(a) A merchant's book in which orders are
entered. (b) (Mil.) A book kept at
headquarters, in which all orders are recorded for the information of
officers and men. (c) A book in the House of
Commons in which proposed orders must be entered. [Eng.] --
Order in Council, a royal order issued with and
by the advice of the Privy Council. [Great Britain] --
Order of battle (Mil.), the particular
disposition given to the troops of an army on the field of
battle. -- Order of the day, in
legislative bodies, the special business appointed for a specified
day. -- Order of a differential equation
(Math.), the greatest index of differentiation in the
equation. -- Sailing orders (Naut.),
the final instructions given to the commander of a ship of war
before a cruise. -- Sealed orders, orders
sealed, and not to be opened until a certain time, or arrival at a
certain place, as after a ship is at sea. -- Standing
order. (a) A continuing regulation for
the conduct of parliamentary business. (b)
(Mil.) An order not subject to change by an officer
temporarily in command. -- To give order,
to give command or directions. Shak. -- To
take order for, to take charge of; to make arrangements
concerning.
Whiles I take order for mine own
affairs.
Shak.
Syn. -- Arrangement; management. See Direction.
Or"der (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Ordered (?); p pr. & vb. n.
Ordering.] [From Order, n.]
1. To put in order; to reduce to a methodical
arrangement; to arrange in a series, or with reference to an end.
Hence, to regulate; to dispose; to direct; to rule.
To him that ordereth his conversation
aright.
Ps. 1. 23.
Warriors old with ordered spear and
shield.
Milton.
2. To give an order to; to command; as, to
order troops to advance.
3. To give an order for; to secure by an
order; as, to order a carriage; to order
groceries.
4. (Eccl.) To admit to holy orders; to
ordain; to receive into the ranks of the ministry.
These ordered folk be especially titled to
God.
Chaucer.
Persons presented to be ordered
deacons.
Bk. of Com. Prayer.
Order arms (Mil.), the command at
which a rifle is brought to a position with its but resting on the
ground; also, the position taken at such a command.
Or"der, v. i. To give orders; to
issue commands.
Or"der*a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being ordered; tractable. [R.]
Being very orderable in all his
sickness.
Fuller.
Or"der*er (?), n. 1.
One who puts in order, arranges, methodizes, or
regulates.
2. One who gives orders.
Or"der*ing, n. Disposition;
distribution; management. South.
Or"der*less, a. Being without
order or regularity; disorderly; out of rule.
Or"der*li*ness (?), n. The state
or quality of being orderly.
Or"der*ly, a. 1.
Conformed to order; in order; regular; as, an orderly
course or plan. Milton.
2. Observant of order, authority, or rule;
hence, obedient; quiet; peaceable; not unruly; as, orderly
children; an orderly community.
3. Performed in good or established order;
well-regulated. "An orderly . . . march."
Clarendon.
4. Being on duty; keeping order; conveying
orders. "Aids-de-camp and orderly men." Sir W.
Scott.
Orderly book (Mil.), a book for every
company, in which the general and regimental orders are
recorded. -- Orderly officer, the officer
of the day, or that officer of a corps or regiment whose turn it is
to supervise for the day the arrangements for food, cleanliness,
etc. Farrow. -- Orderly room.
(a) The court of the commanding officer, where
charges against the men of the regiment are tried.
(b) The office of the commanding officer, usually
in the barracks, whence orders emanate. Farrow. --
Orderly sergeant, the first sergeant of a
company.
Or"der*ly (?), adv. According to
due order; regularly; methodically; duly.
You are blunt; go to it orderly.
Shak.
Or"der*ly, n.; pl.
Orderlies (&?;). 1. (Mil.)
A noncommissioned officer or soldier who attends a superior
officer to carry his orders, or to render other service.
Orderlies were appointed to watch the
palace.
Macaulay.
2. A street sweeper. [Eng.]
Mayhew.
Or`di*na*bil"i*ty (?), n.
Capability of being ordained or appointed. [Obs.] Bp.
Bull.
Or"di*na*ble (?), a. [See
Ordinate, Ordain.] Capable of being ordained or
appointed. [Obs.]
Or"di*nal (?), a. [L. ordinalis,
fr. ordo, ordinis, order. See Order.]
1. Indicating order or succession; as, the
ordinal numbers, first, second, third, etc.
2. Of or pertaining to an order.
Or"di*nal, n. 1. A
word or number denoting order or succession.
2. (Ch. of Eng.) The book of forms for
making, ordaining, and consecrating bishops, priests, and
deacons.
3. (R. C. Ch.) A book containing the
rubrics of the Mass. [Written also ordinale.]
Or"di*nal*ism (?), n. The state or
quality of being ordinal. [R.] Latham.
Or"di*nance (?), n. [OE.
ordenance, OF. ordenance, F. ordonnance. See
Ordain, and cf. Ordnance, Ordonnance.]
1. Orderly arrangement; preparation;
provision. [Obs.] Spenser.
They had made their ordinance
Of victual, and of other purveyance.
Chaucer.
2. A rule established by authority; a
permanent rule of action; a statute, law, regulation, rescript, or
accepted usage; an edict or decree; esp., a local law enacted by a
municipal government; as, a municipal ordinance.
Thou wilt die by God's just
ordinance.
Shak.
By custom and the ordinance of
times.
Shak.
Walking in all the commandments and ordinances
of the Lord blameless.
Luke i. 6.
&fist; Acts of Parliament are sometimes called ordinances;
also, certain colonial laws and certain acts of Congress under
Confederation; as, the ordinance of 1787 for the government of
the territory of the United States northwest of the Ohio River; the
colonial ordinance of 1641, or 1647. This word is often used
in Scripture in the sense of a law or statute of sovereign power.
Ex. xv. 25. Num. x. 8. Ezra iii. 10. Its most
frequent application now in the United States is to laws and
regulations of municipal corporations. Wharton (Law
Dict.).
3. (Eccl.) An established rite or
ceremony.
4. Rank; order; station. [Obs.]
Shak.
5. [See Ordnance.] Ordnance;
cannon. [Obs.] Shak.
Or"di*nand` (?), n. [L.
ordinandus, gerundive of ordinare. See Ordain.]
One about to be ordained.
Or"di*nant (?), a. [L. ordinans,
p. pr. of ordinare. See Ordain.] Ordaining;
decreeing. [Obs.] Shak.
Or"di*nant, n. One who
ordains. F. G. Lee.
Or"di*na*ri*ly (?), adv. According
to established rules or settled method; as a rule; commonly; usually;
in most cases; as, a winter more than ordinarily
severe.
Those who ordinarily pride themselves not a
little upon their penetration.
I. Taylor.
Or"di*na*ry (?), a. [L.
ordinarius, fr. ordo, ordinis, order: cf. F.
ordinaire. See Order.] 1.
According to established order; methodical; settled;
regular. "The ordinary forms of law."
Addison.
2. Common; customary; usual.
Shak.
Method is not less reguisite in ordinary
conversation that in writing.
Addison.
3. Of common rank, quality, or ability; not
distinguished by superior excellence or beauty; hence, not
distinguished in any way; commonplace; inferior; of little merit; as,
men of ordinary judgment; an ordinary book.
An ordinary lad would have acquired little or
no useful knowledge in such a way.
Macaulay.
Ordinary seaman (Naut.), one not
expert or fully skilled, and hence ranking below an able
seaman.
Syn. -- Normal; common; usual; customary. See
Normal. -- Ordinary, Common. A thing is
common in which many persons share or partake; as, a
common practice. A thing is ordinary when it is apt to
come round in the regular common order or succession of events.
Or"di*na*ry, n.; pl.
Ordinaries (-r&ibreve;z). 1.
(Law) (a) (Roman Law) An officer
who has original jurisdiction in his own right, and not by
deputation. (b) (Eng. Law) One who
has immediate jurisdiction in matters ecclesiastical; an
ecclesiastical judge; also, a deputy of the bishop, or a clergyman
appointed to perform divine service for condemned criminals and
assist in preparing them for death. (c) (Am.
Law) A judicial officer, having generally the powers of a
judge of probate or a surrogate.
2. The mass; the common run. [Obs.]
I see no more in you than in the ordinary
Of nature's salework.
Shak.
3. That which is so common, or continued, as
to be considered a settled establishment or institution.
[R.]
Spain had no other wars save those which were grown
into an ordinary.
Bacon.
4. Anything which is in ordinary or common
use.
Water buckets, wagons, cart wheels, plow socks, and
other ordinaries.
Sir W. Scott.
5. A dining room or eating house where a meal
is prepared for all comers, at a fixed price for the meal, in
distinction from one where each dish is separately charged; a table
d'hôte; hence, also, the meal furnished at such a dining
room. Shak.
All the odd words they have picked up in a
coffeehouse, or a gaming ordinary, are produced as flowers of
style.
Swift.
He exacted a tribute for licenses to hawkers and
peddlers and to ordinaries.
Bancroft.
6. (Her.) A charge or bearing of
simple form, one of nine or ten which are in constant use. The
bend, chevron, chief, cross,
fesse, pale, and saltire are uniformly admitted
as ordinaries. Some authorities include bar, bend
sinister, pile, and others. See
Subordinary.
In ordinary. (a) In actual
and constant service; statedly attending and serving; as, a physician
or chaplain in ordinary. An ambassador in ordinary is
one constantly resident at a foreign court. (b)
(Naut.) Out of commission and laid up; -- said of a naval
vessel. -- Ordinary of the Mass (R. C.
Ch.), the part of the Mass which is the same every day; --
called also the canon of the Mass.
Or"di*na*ry*ship (?), n. The state
of being an ordinary. [R.] Fuller.
Or"di*nate (?), a. [L.
ordinatus, p. p. of ordinare. See Ordain.]
Well-ordered; orderly; regular; methodical. "A life
blissful and ordinate." Chaucer.
Ordinate figure (Math.), a figure
whose sides and angles are equal; a regular figure.
Or"di*nate, n. (Geom.) The
distance of any point in a curve or a straight line, measured on a
line called the axis of ordinates or on a line parallel to it,
from another line called the axis of abscissas, on which the
corresponding abscissa of the point is measured.
&fist; The ordinate and abscissa, taken together, are called
coördinates, and define the position of the point with
reference to the two axes named, the intersection of which is called
the origin of coördinates. See Coordinate.
Or"di*nate (?), v. t. To appoint,
to regulate; to harmonize. Bp. Hall.
Or"di*nate*ly (?), adv. In an
ordinate manner; orderly. Chaucer. Skelton.
Or`di*na"tion (?), n. [L.
ordinatio: cf. F. ordination.] 1.
The act of ordaining, appointing, or setting apart; the state of
being ordained, appointed, etc.
The holy and wise ordination of
God.
Jer. Taylor.
Virtue and vice have a natural ordination to
the happiness and misery of life respectively.
Norris.
2. (Eccl.) The act of setting apart to
an office in the Christian ministry; the conferring of holy
orders.
3. Disposition; arrangement; order.
[R.]
Angle of ordination (Geom.), the
angle between the axes of coördinates.
Or"di*na*tive (?), a. [L.
ordinativus.] Tending to ordain; directing; giving
order. [R.] Gauden.
Or"di*na`tor (?), n. [L.] One who
ordains or establishes; a director. [R.] T. Adams.
Ord"nance (?), n. [From OE.
ordenance, referring orig. to the bore or size of the cannon.
See Ordinance.] Heavy weapons of warfare; cannon, or
great guns, mortars, and howitzers; artillery; sometimes, a general
term for all weapons and appliances used in war.
All the battlements their ordnance
fire.
Shak.
Then you may hear afar off the awful roar of his
[Rufus Choate's] rifled ordnance.
E.
Ererett.
Ordnance survey, the official survey of
Great Britain and Ireland, conducted by the ordnance
department.
Or"don*nance (?), n. [F. See
Ordinance.] (Fine Arts) The disposition of the
parts of any composition with regard to one another and the
whole.
Their dramatic ordonnance of the
parts.
Coleridge.
Or"don*nant (?), a. [F., p. pr. of
ordonner. See Ordinant.] Of or pertaining to
ordonnance. Dryden.
Or*do"vi*an (?), a. & n. (Geol.)
Ordovician.
Or`do*vi"cian (?), a. [From L.
Ordovices, a Celtic people in Wales.] (Geol.) Of
or pertaining to a division of the Silurian formation, corresponding
in general to the Lower Silurian of most authors, exclusive of the
Cambrian. -- n. The Ordovician
formation.
Or"dure (?), n. [F. ordure, OF.
ord filthy, foul, fr. L. horridus horrid. See
Horrid.]
1. Dung; excrement; fæces.
Shak.
2. Defect; imperfection; fault. [Obs.]
Holland.
Or"dur*ous (?), a. Of or
pertaining to ordure; filthy. Drayton.
Ore (ōr), n. [AS.
ār.] Honor; grace; favor; mercy; clemency; happy
augry. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Ore, n. [AS. āra; cf.
ār brass, bronze, akin to OHG. ēr, G.
ehern brazen, Icel. eir brass, Goth. ais, L.
aes, Skr. ayas iron. √210. Cf. Ora,
Era.]
1. The native form of a metal, whether free
and uncombined, as gold, copper, etc., or combined, as iron, lead,
etc. Usually the ores contain the metals combined with oxygen,
sulphur, arsenic, etc. (called mineralizers).
2. (Mining) A native metal or its
compound with the rock in which it occurs, after it has been picked
over to throw out what is worthless.
3. Metal; as, the liquid ore.
[R.] Milton.
Ore hearth, a low furnace in which rich lead
ore is reduced; -- also called Scotch hearth.
Raymond.
O"re*ad (?), n. [L. Oreas, -
adis, Gr. 'Oreia`s, -a`dos, fr.
'o`ros mountain: cf. F. oréade.] (Class.
Myth.) One of the nymphs of mountains and
grottoes.
Like a wood nymph light,
Oread or Dryad.
Milton.
||O*re"a*des (?), n. pl. [NL.]
(Zoöl.) A group of butterflies which includes the
satyrs. See Satyr, 2.
O*rec"tic (?), a. [Gr.
'orektiko`s, fr. 'o`rexis, yearning after, from
'ore`gein to reach after.] (Philos.) Of or
pertaining to the desires; hence, impelling to gratification;
appetitive.
Or"e*gon grape` (&obreve;r"&esl;*g&obreve;n grāp`).
(Bot.) An evergreen species of barberry (Berberis
Aquifolium), of Oregon and California; also, its roundish, blue-
black berries.
O"re*ide (?), n. See
Oroide.
O"re*o*don (?), n. [Gr.
'o`ros, -eos, mountain + 'odoy`s,
'odo`ntos, tooth.] (Paleon) A genus of extinct
herbivorous mammals, abundant in the Tertiary formation of the Rocky
Mountains. It is more or less related to the camel, hog, and
deer.
O"re*o*dont (?), a. (Paleon.)
Resembling, or allied to, the genus Oreodon.
O`re*o*graph"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to oreography.
O`re*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr.
'o`ros, -eos, mountain + -graphy.]
The science of mountains; orography.
O`re*os"e*lin (?), n. (Chem.)
A white crystalline substance which is obtained indirectly from
the root of an umbelliferous plant (Imperatoria Oreoselinum),
and yields resorcin on decomposition.
||O`re*o*so"ma (?), n. pl. [NL., from
Gr. 'o`ros, -eos, mountain + &?; body.]
(Zoöl.) A genus of small oceanic fishes, remarkable
for the large conical tubercles which cover the under
surface.
Ore"weed` (?), n. Same as
Oarweed.
Ore"wood` (?), n. Same as
Oarweed.
{ Orf (?), Or"fe (?), } n.
(Zoöl.) A bright-colored domesticated variety of the
id. See Id.
Orf"gild` (?), n. [AS. orf,
yrfe, cattle, property + gild, gield, money,
fine.] (O. Eng. Law) Restitution for cattle; a penalty
for taking away cattle. Cowell.
Or"fray (?), n. [F. orfraie.
Cf. Osprey, Ossifrage.] (Zoöl.) The
osprey. [Obs.] Holland.
Or"frays (?), n. [OF. orfrais,
F. orfroi; F. or gold + fraise, frise,
fringe, ruff. See Fraise, and cf. Auriphrygiate.]
See Orphrey. [Obs.] Rom. of R.
Or"gal (?), n. (Chem.) See
Argol. [Obs.]
Or"gan (?), n. [L. organum, Gr.
&?;; akin to &?; work, and E. work: cf. F. organe. See
Work, and cf. Orgue, Orgy.]
1. An instrument or medium by which some
important action is performed, or an important end accomplished; as,
legislatures, courts, armies, taxgatherers, etc., are organs
of government.
2. (Biol.) A natural part or structure
in an animal or a plant, capable of performing some special action
(termed its function), which is essential to the life or well-
being of the whole; as, the heart, lungs, etc., are organs of
animals; the root, stem, foliage, etc., are organs of
plants.
&fist; In animals the organs are generally made up of several
tissues, one of which usually predominates, and determines the
principal function of the organ. Groups of organs constitute a
system. See System.
3. A component part performing an essential
office in the working of any complex machine; as, the cylinder,
valves, crank, etc., are organs of the steam engine.
4. A medium of communication between one
person or body and another; as, the secretary of state is the
organ of communication between the government and a foreign
power; a newspaper is the organ of its editor, or of a party,
sect, etc.
5. [Cf. AS. organ, fr. L. organum.]
(Mus.) A wind instrument containing numerous pipes of
various dimensions and kinds, which are filled with wind from a
bellows, and played upon by means of keys similar to those of a
piano, and sometimes by foot keys or pedals; -- formerly used in the
plural, each pipe being considired an organ.
The deep, majestic, solemn organs
blow.
Pope.
&fist; Chaucer used the form orgon as a plural.
The merry orgon . . . that in the church goon
[go].
Barrel organ, Choir organ,
Great organ, etc. See under Barrel,
Choir, etc. -- Cabinet organ
(Mus.), an organ of small size, as for a chapel or for
domestic use; a reed organ. -- Organ bird
(Zoöl.), a Tasmanian crow shrike (Gymnorhina
organicum). It utters discordant notes like those of a hand organ
out of tune. -- Organ fish
(Zoöl.), the drumfish. -- Organ
gun. (Mil.) Same as Orgue
(b). -- Organ harmonium
(Mus.), an harmonium of large capacity and power. --
Organ of Gorti (Anat.), a complicated
structure in the cochlea of the ear, including the auditory hair
cells, the rods or fibers of Corti, the membrane of Corti, etc. See
Note under Ear. -- Organ pipe. See
Pipe, n., 1. -- Organ-pipe
coral. (Zoöl.) See Tubipora. --
Organ point (Mus.), a passage in which
the tonic or dominant is sustained continuously by one part, while
the other parts move.
Or"gan, v. t. To supply with an
organ or organs; to fit with organs; to organize. [Obs.]
Thou art elemented and organed for other
apprehensions.
Bp. Mannyngham.
{ Or"gan*die, Or"gan*dy } (?),
n. [F. organdi.] A kind of transparent
light muslin.
Or*gan"ic (?), a. [L. organicus,
Gr. &?;: cf. F. organique.] 1. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to an organ or its functions, or to objects
composed of organs; consisting of organs, or containing them; as, the
organic structure of animals and plants; exhibiting characters
peculiar to living organisms; as, organic bodies,
organic life, organic remains. Cf.
Inorganic.
2. Produced by the organs; as, organic
pleasure. [R.]
3. Instrumental; acting as instruments of
nature or of art to a certain destined function or end.
[R.]
Those organic arts which enable men to
discourse and write perspicuously.
Milton.
4. Forming a whole composed of organs. Hence:
Of or pertaining to a system of organs; inherent in, or resulting
from, a certain organization; as, an organic government; his
love of truth was not inculcated, but organic.
5. Pertaining to, or denoting, any one of the
large series of substances which, in nature or origin, are connected
with vital processes, and include many substances of artificial
production which may or may not occur in animals or plants; --
contrasted with inorganic.
&fist; The principles of organic and inorganic chemistry are
identical; but the enormous number and the completeness of related
series of organic compounds, together with their remarkable facility
of exchange and substitution, offer an illustration of chemical
reaction and homology not to be paralleled in inorganic
chemistry.
Organic analysis (Chem.), the
analysis of organic compounds, concerned chiefly with the
determination of carbon as carbon dioxide, hydrogen as water, oxygen
as the difference between the sum of the others and 100 per cent, and
nitrogen as free nitrogen, ammonia, or nitric oxide; -- formerly
called ultimate analysis, in distinction from proximate
analysis. -- Organic chemistry. See
under Chemistry. -- Organic compounds.
(Chem.) See Carbon compounds, under
Carbon. -- Organic description of a
curve (Geom.), the description of a curve on a
plane by means of instruments. Brande & C. --
Organic disease (Med.), a disease
attended with morbid changes in the structure of the organs of the
body or in the composition of its fluids; -- opposed to functional
disease. -- Organic electricity. See
under Electricity. -- Organic
law or laws, a law or system of laws, or
declaration of principles fundamental to the existence and
organization of a political or other association; a
constitution. -- Organic stricture
(Med.), a contraction of one of the natural passages of
the body produced by structural changes in its walls, as
distinguished from a spasmodic stricture, which is due to
muscular contraction.
Or*gan"ic*al (?), a.
Organic.
The organical structure of human bodies,
whereby they live and move.
Bentley.
Or*gan"ic*al*ly, adv. In an
organic manner; by means of organs or with reference to organic
functions; hence, fundamentally. Gladstone.
Or*gan"ic*al*ness, n. The quality
or state of being organic.
Or*gan"i*cism (?), n. (Med.)
The doctrine of the localization of disease, or which refers it
always to a material lesion of an organ. Dunglison.
Or`gan*if"ic (?), a. [Organ + L.
-ficare (in comp.) to make. See fy.] Making an
organic or organized structure; producing an organism; acting
through, or resulting from, organs. Prof. Park.
Or"gan*ism (?), n. [Cf. F.
organisme.]
1. Organic structure; organization.
"The advantageous organism of the eye." Grew.
2. (Biol.) An organized being; a
living body, either vegetable or animal, compozed of different organs
or parts with functions which are separate, but mutually dependent,
and essential to the life of the individual.
&fist; Some of the lower forms of life are so simple in structure
as to be without organs, but are still called organisms, since
they have different parts analogous in functions to the organs of
higher plants and animals.
Or"gan*ist, n. [Cf. F.
organiste.] 1. (Mus.) One who
plays on the organ.
2. (R. C. Ch.) One of the priests who
organized or sung in parts. [Obs.]
||Or`ga*nis"ta (?), n. [Sp., an
organis.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several South American
wrens, noted for the sweetness of their song.
Or*gan"i*ty (?), n.
Organism. [R.]
Or`gan*i`za*bil"i*ty (?), n.
Quality of being organizable; capability of being
organized.
Or"gan*i`za*ble (?), a. Capable of
being organized; esp. (Biol.), capable of being formed into
living tissue; as, organizable matter.
Or`gan*i*za"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
organisation.]
1. The act of organizing; the act of
arranging in a systematic way for use or action; as, the
organization of an army, or of a deliberative body. "The
first organization of the general government."
Pickering.
2. The state of being organized; also, the
relations included in such a state or condition.
What is organization but the connection of
parts in and for a whole, so that each part is, at once, end and
means?
Coleridge.
3. That which is organized; an organized
existence; an organism; specif. (Biol.), an
arrangement of parts for the performance of the functions necessary
to life.
The cell may be regarded as the most simple, the most
common, and the earliest form of organization.
McKendrick.
Or"gan*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Organized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Organizing (?).] [Cf. F. organiser, Gr.
&?;. See Organ.] 1. (Biol.) To
furnish with organs; to give an organic structure to; to endow with
capacity for the functions of life; as, an organized being;
organized matter; -- in this sense used chiefly in the past
participle.
These nobler faculties of the mind, matter
organized could never produce.
Ray.
2. To arrange or constitute in parts, each
having a special function, act, office, or relation; to systematize;
to get into working order; -- applied to products of the human
intellect, or to human institutions and undertakings, as a science, a
government, an army, a war, etc.
This original and supreme will organizes the
government.
Cranch.
3. (Mus.) To sing in parts; as, to
organize an anthem. [R.] Busby.
Or"gan*i`zer (?), n. One who
organizes.
Or"gan*ling (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A large kind of sea fish; the orgeis.
Or"ga*no- (?). [See Organ.] A combining form
denoting relation to, or connection with, an
organ or organs.
Or*gan"o*gen (?), n. [Organo- +
-gen.] (Chem.) A name given to any one of the four
elements, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, which are
especially characteristic ingredients of organic compounds; also, by
extension, to other elements sometimes found in the same connection;
as sulphur, phosphorus, etc.
Or`ga*no*gen"e*sis (?), n. [Organo-
+ genesis.]
1. (Biol.) The origin and development
of organs in animals and plants.
2. (Biol.) The germ history of the
organs and systems of organs, -- a branch of morphogeny.
Haeckel.
Or`ga*no*gen"ic (?), a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to organogenesis.
Or`ga*nog"e*ny (?), n. (Biol.)
Organogenesis.
{ Or`ga*no*graph"ic (?), Or`ga*no*graph"ic*al
(?), } a. [Cf. F. organographique.] Of
or pertaining to organography.
Or`ga*nog"ra*phist (?), n. One
versed in organography.
Or`ga*nog"ra*phy (?), n. [Organo-
+ -graphy: cf. F. organographie.] A
description of the organs of animals or plants.
Or`ga*no*lep"tic (?), a. [F.
organoleptique, fr. Gr. &?; an organ + &?; to lay hold of.]
(Physiol.) Making an impression upon an organ; plastic; -
- said of the effect or impression produced by any substance on the
organs of touch, taste, or smell, and also on the organism as a
whole.
Or`ga*no*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or
relating to organology.
Or`ga*nol"o*gy (?), n. [Organ +
-logy: cf. F. organologie.] 1. The
science of organs or of anything considered as an organic
structure.
The science of style, as an organ of thought, of style
in relation to the ideas and feelings, might be called the
organology of style.
De Quincey.
2. That branch of biology which treats, in
particular, of the organs of animals and plants. See
Morphology.
Or`ga*no*me*tal"lic (?), a.
(Chem.) Metalorganic.
{ ||Or"ga*non (?), ||Or"ga*num (?), }
n. [NL. organon, L. organum. See
Organ.] An organ or instrument; hence, a method by which
philosophical or scientific investigation may be conducted; -- a term
adopted from the Aristotelian writers by Lord Bacon, as the title
("Novum Organon") of part of his treatise on philosophical
method. Sir. W. Hamilton.
Or`ga*non"y*my (?), n. [Organo-
+ Gr.&?;, for &?;, a name.] (Biol.) The designation or
nomenclature of organs. B. G. Wilder.
Or`ga*noph"y*ly (?), n. [Organo-
+ Gr. &?; clan.] (Biol.) The tribal history of organs, --
a branch of morphophyly. Haeckel.
Or`ga*no*plas"tic (?), a. [Organo-
+ -plastic.] (Biol.) Having the property of
producing the tissues or organs of animals and plants; as, the
organoplastic cells.
Or`ga*nos"co*py (?), n. [Organo-
+ -scopy.] Phrenology. Fleming.
Or`ga*no*troph"ic (?), a. [Organo-
+ Gr. &?; to nourish.] (Biol.) Relating to the
creation, organization, and nutrition of living organs or
parts.
Or"gan*ule (?), n. [Dim. of
organ.] (Anat.) One of the essential cells or
elements of an organ. See Sense organule, under
Sense. Huxley.
Or"ga*ny (?), n. [AS. Organe,
from the Latin. See Origan.] (Bot.) See
Origan.
Or"gan*zine (?), n. [F.
organsin; cf. Sp. organsino, It. organzino.]
A kind of double thrown silk of very fine texture, that is, silk
twisted like a rope with different strands, so as to increase its
strength.
Or"gasm (?), n. [F. orgasme; cf.
Gr. &?; a kneading, softening, prob. confused with &?; to swell,
espicially with lust; to feel an ardent desire.] (Physiol.)
Eager or immoderate excitement or action; the state of
turgescence of any organ; erethism; esp., the height of venereal
excitement in sexual intercourse.
Or"geat (?), n. [F., fr. orge
barley, L. hordeum.] A sirup in which, formerly, a
decoction of barley entered, but which is now prepared with an
emulsion of almonds, -- used to flavor beverages or
edibles.
Or"ge*is (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Organling.
Or`gi*as"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?;. See
Orgy.] Pertaining to, or of the nature of, orgies.
Elton.
Or"gies (?), n. pl.; sing.
Orgy (&?;). [The singular is rarely used.] [F.
orgie, orgies, L. orgia, pl., Gr. &?;; akin to
&?; work. See Organ, and Work.]
1. A sacrifice accompanied by certain
ceremonies in honor of some pagan deity; especially, the ceremonies
observed by the Greeks and Romans in the worship of Dionysus, or
Bacchus, which were characterized by wild and dissolute
revelry.
As when, with crowned cups, unto the Elian god,
Those priests high orgies held.
Drayton.
2. Drunken revelry; a carouse. B.
Jonson. Tennyson.
Or"gil*lous (?), a. [OF.
orguillous, F. orgueilleux, fr. OF. orgoil
pride, F. orgueil.] Proud; haughty. [Obs.]
Shak.
Orgue (?), n. [F., fr. L.
organum organ, Gr. &?;. See Organ.] (Mil.)
(a) Any one of a number of long, thick pieces of
timber, pointed and shod with iron, and suspended, each by a separate
rope, over a gateway, to be let down in case of attack.
(b) A piece of ordnance, consisting of a number
of musket barrels arranged so that a match or train may connect with
all their touchholes, and a discharge be secured almost or quite
simultaneously.
Or"gu*lous (?), a. See
Orgillous. [Obs.]
Or"gy (?), n.; pl.
Orgies (&?;). A frantic revel; drunken
revelry. See Orgies
||Or*gy"i*a (&?;), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;
the length of the outstretched arms. So named because, when at rest,
it stretches forward its fore legs like arms.] (Zoöl.).
A genus of bombycid moths whose caterpillars (esp. those of
Orgyia leucostigma) are often very injurious to fruit trees
and shade trees. The female is wingless. Called also vaporer
moth.
Or"i*calche (?), n. [Obs.] See
Orichalch.
Costly oricalche from strange
Phœnice.
Spenser.
Or`i*chal"ce*ous (?), a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, orichalch; having a color or
luster like that of brass. Maunder.
Or"i*chalch (?), n. [L.
orichalcum, Gr. &?;; 'o`ros, mountain +
chalko`s brass: cf. F. orichalque.] A metallic
substance, resembling gold in color, but inferior in value; a mixed
metal of the ancients, resembling brass; -- called also
aurichalcum, orichalcum, etc.
O"ri*el (?), n. [OF. oriol
gallery, corridor, LL. oriolum portico, hall, prob. fr. L.
aureolus gilded, applied to an apartment decorated with
gilding. See Oriole.] [Formerly written also oriol,
oryal, oryall.]
1. A gallery for minstrels. [Obs.]
W. Hamper.
2. A small apartment next a hall, where
certain persons were accustomed to dine; a sort of recess.
[Obs.] Cowell.
3. (Arch.) A bay window. See Bay
window.
The beams that thro' the oriel shine
Make prisms in every carven glass.
Tennyson.
&fist; There is no generally admitted difference between a bay
window and an oriel. In the United States the latter name is often
applied to bay windows which are small, and either polygonal or
round; also, to such as are corbeled out from the wall instead of
resting on the ground.
O"ri*en*cy (?), n. [See Orient.]
Brightness or strength of color. [R.] E.
Waterhouse.
O"ri*ent (?), a. [F., fr. L.
oriens, -entis, p. pr. of oriri to rise. See
Origin.] 1. Rising, as the sun.
Moon, that now meet'st the orient
sun.
Milton.
2. Eastern; oriental. "The
orient part." Hakluyt.
3. Bright; lustrous; superior; pure; perfect;
pellucid; -- used of gems and also figuratively, because the most
perfect jewels are found in the East. "Pearls round and
orient." Jer. Taylor. "Orient gems."
Wordsworth. "Orient liquor in a crystal glass."
Milton.
O"ri*ent, n. 1.
The part of the horizon where the sun first appears in the
morning; the east.
[Morn] came furrowing all the orient into
gold.
Tennyson.
2. The countries of Asia or the East.
Chaucer.
Best built city throughout the
Orient.
Sir T. Herbert.
3. A pearl of great luster. [R.]
Carlyle.
O"ri*ent (?), v. t. [F.
orienter. Cf. Orientate.]
1. To define the position of, in relation to
the orient or east; hence, to ascertain the bearings of.
2. Fig.: To correct or set right by recurring
to first principles; to arrange in order; to orientate.
O`ri*en"tal (?), a. [L.
orientalis: cf. F. oriental.] Of or pertaining to
the orient or east; eastern; concerned with the East or Orientalism;
-- opposed to occidental; as, Oriental
countries.
The sun's ascendant and oriental
radiations.
Sir T. Browne.
O`ri*en"tal, n. 1.
A native or inhabitant of the Orient or some Eastern part of the
world; an Asiatic.
2. pl. (Eccl.) Eastern
Christians of the Greek rite.
O`ri*en"tal*ism (?), n. [Cf. F.
orientalisme.]
1. Any system, doctrine, custom, expression,
etc., peculiar to Oriental people.
2. Knowledge or use of Oriental languages,
history, literature, etc. London Quart. Rev.
O`ri*en"tal*ist, n. [Cf. F.
orientaliste.]
1. An inhabitant of the Eastern parts of the
world; an Oriental.
2. One versed in Eastern languages,
literature, etc.; as, the Paris Congress of
Orientalists. Sir J. Shore.
O`ri*en*tal"i*ty (?), n. The
quality or state of being oriental or eastern. Sir T.
Browne.
O`ri*en"tal*ize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Orientalized (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. Orientalizing (?).] to render
Oriental; to cause to conform to Oriental manners or
conditions.
O"ri*en*tate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Orientated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Orientating.] [From Orient.]
1. To place or turn toward the east; to cause
to assume an easterly direction, or to veer eastward.
2. To arrange in order; to dispose or place
(a body) so as to show its relation to other bodies, or the relation
of its parts among themselves.
A crystal is orientated when placed in its
proper position so as to exhibit its symmetry.
E. S.
Dana.
O"ri*en*tate, v. i. To move or
turn toward the east; to veer from the north or south toward the
east.
O`ri*en*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
orientation.]
1. The act or process of orientating;
determination of the points of the compass, or the east point, in
taking bearings.
2. The tendency of a revolving body, when
suspended in a certain way, to bring the axis of rotation into
parallelism with the earth's axis.
3. An aspect or fronting to the east;
especially (Arch.), the placing of a church so that the
chancel, containing the altar toward which the congregation fronts in
worship, will be on the east end.
4. Fig.: A return to first principles; an
orderly arrangement.
The task of orientation undertaken in this
chapter.
L. F. Ward.
O"ri*ent*ness (?), n. The quality
or state of being orient or bright; splendor. [Obs.]
Fuller.
Or"i*fice (?), n. [F., from L.
orificium; os, oris, a mouth + facere to
make. See Oral, and Fact.] A mouth or aperture, as
of a tube, pipe, etc.; an opening; as, the orifice of an
artery or vein; the orifice of a wound.
Shak.
Etna was bored through the top with a monstrous
orifice.
Addison.
{ Or"i*flamb, Or"i*flamme } (?),
n. [F. oriflamme, OF. oriflambe, LL.
auriflamma; L. aurum gold + flamma flame; cf. L.
flammula a little banner. So called because it was a flag of
red silk, split into many points, and borne on a gilded lance.]
1. The ancient royal standard of
France.
2. A standard or ensign, in battle. "A
handkerchief like an oriflamb." Longfellow.
And be your oriflamme to-day the helmet of
Navarre.
Macaulay.
{ Or"i*gan (?), ||O*rig"a*num (?), }
n. [L. origanum, Gr. &?;, &?;, prob. fr.
'o`ros, mountain + &?; brightness, beauty. Cf.
Organy.] (Bot.) A genus of aromatic labiate
plants, including the sweet marjoram (O. Marjorana) and the
wild marjoram (O. vulgare). Spenser.
Or"i*gen*ism (?), n. (Eccl.
Hist.) The opinions of Origen of Alexandria, who
lived in the 3d century, one of the most learned of the Greek
Fathers. Prominent in his teaching was the doctrine that all created
beings, including Satan, will ultimately be saved.
Or"i*gen*ist, n. A follower of
Origen of Alexandria.
Or"i*gin (?), n. [F. origine, L.
origo, -iginis, fr. oriri to rise, become
visible; akin to Gr. 'orny`nai to stir up, rouse, Skr.
&rsdot;, and perh. to E. run.]
1. The first existence or beginning of
anything; the birth.
This mixed system of opinion and sentiment had its
origin in the ancient chivalry.
Burke.
2. That from which anything primarily
proceeds; the fountain; the spring; the cause; the
occasion.
3. (Anat.) The point of attachment or
end of a muscle which is fixed during contraction; -- in
contradistinction to insertion.
Origin of coördinate axes (Math.),
the point where the axes intersect. See Note under
Ordinate.
Syn. -- Commencement; rise; source; spring; fountain;
derivation; cause; root; foundation. -- Origin,
Source. Origin denotes the rise or commencement of a
thing; source presents itself under the image of a fountain
flowing forth in a continuous stream of influences. The origin
of moral evil has been much disputed, but no one can doubt that it is
the source of most of the calamities of our race.
I think he would have set out just as he did, with the
origin of ideas -- the proper starting point of a grammarian,
who is to treat of their signs.
Tooke.
Famous Greece,
That source of art and cultivated thought
Which they to Rome, and Romans hither, brought.
Waller.
O*rig"i*na*ble (?), a. Capable of
being originated.
O*rig"i*nal (?), a. [F.
original, L. originalis.]
1. Pertaining to the origin or beginning;
preceding all others; first in order; primitive; primary; pristine;
as, the original state of man; the original laws of a
country; the original inventor of a process.
His form had yet not lost
All her original brightness.
Milton.
2. Not copied, imitated, or translated; new;
fresh; genuine; as, an original thought; an original
process; the original text of Scripture.
3. Having the power to suggest new thoughts
or combinations of thought; inventive; as, an original
genius.
4. Before unused or unknown; new; as, a book
full of original matter.
Original sin (Theol.), the first sin
of Adam, as related to its consequences to his descendants of the
human race; -- called also total depravity. See
Calvinism.
O*rig"i*nal, n. [Cf. F.
original.]
1. Origin; commencement; source.
It hath it original from much
grief.
Shak.
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.
Addison.
2. That which precedes all others of its
class; archetype; first copy; hence, an original work of art,
manuscript, text, and the like, as distinguished from a copy,
translation, etc.
The Scriptures may be now read in their own
original.
Milton.
3. An original thinker or writer; an
originator. [R.]
Men who are bad at copying, yet are good
originals.
C. G. Leland.
4. A person of marked eccentricity.
[Colloq.]
5. (Zoöl. & Bot.) The natural or
wild species from which a domesticated or cultivated variety has been
derived; as, the wolf is thought by some to be the original of
the dog, the blackthorn the original of the plum.
O*rig"i*nal*ist, n. One who is
original. [R.]
O*rig`i*nal"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
originalité.] The quality or state of being
original. Macaulay.
O*rig"i*nal*ly (?), adv.
1. In the original time, or in an original
manner; primarily; from the beginning or origin; not by derivation,
or imitation.
God is originally holy in himself.
Bp. Pearson.
2. At first; at the origin; at the time of
formation or costruction; as, a book originally written by
another hand. "Originally a half length [portrait]."
Walpole.
O*rig"i*nal*ness (?), n. The
quality of being original; originality. [R.]
Johnson.
O*rig"i*nant (?), a. Originating;
original. [R.]
An absolutely originant act of self
will.
Prof. Shedd.
O*rig"i*na*ry (?), a. [L.
originarius: cf. F. originaire.] 1.
Causing existence; productive. [R.]
The production of animals, in the originary
way, requires a certain degree of warmth.
Cheyne.
2. Primitive; primary; original.
[R.]
The grand originary right of all
rights.
Hickok.
O*rig"i*nate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Originated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Originating.] [From Origin.] To give
an origin or beginning to; to cause to be; to bring into existence;
to produce as new.
A decomposition of the whole civill and political
mass, for the purpose of originating a new civil
order.
Burke.
O*rig"i*nate, v. i. To take first
existence; to have origin or beginning; to begin to exist or act; as,
the scheme originated with the governor and council.
O*rig`i*na"tion (?), n. [L.
originatio.]
1. The act or process of bringing or coming
into existence; first production. "The origination of
the universe." Keill.
What comes from spirit is a spontaneous
origination.
Hickok.
2. Mode of production, or bringing into
being.
This eruca is propagated by animal parents, to wit,
butterflies, after the common origination of all
caterpillars.
Ray.
O*rig"i*na*tive (?), a. Having
power, or tending, to originate, or bring into existence;
originating. H. Bushnell. --
O*rig"i*na*tive*ly, adv.
O*rig"i*na`tor (?), n. One who
originates.
O*ril"lon (?), n. [F., lit., a little
ear, from oreille an ear, fr. L. oricula,
auricula, dim. of auris an ear. See Ear.]
(Fort.) A semicircular projection made at the shoulder of
a bastion for the purpose of covering the retired flank, -- found in
old fortresses.
O"ri*ol (?), n. See
Oriel.
O"ri*ole (?), n. [OF. oriol,
oriouz, orieus, F. loriot (for l'oriol),
fr. L. aureolus golden, dim. of aureus golden, fr.
aurum gold. Cf. Aureole, Oriel, Loriot.]
(Zoöl.) (a) Any one of various
species of Old World singing birds of the family
Oriolidæ. They are usually conspicuously colored with
yellow and black. The European or golden oriole (Oriolus
galbula, or O. oriolus) has a very musical flutelike note.
(b) In America, any one of several
species of the genus Icterus, belonging to the family
Icteridæ. See Baltimore oriole, and Orchard
oriole, under Orchard.
Crested oriole. (Zoöl.) See
Cassican.
O*ri"on (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;,
orig., a celebrated hunter in the oldest Greek mythology, after whom
this constellation was named.] (Astron.) A large and
bright constellation on the equator, between the stars Aldebaran and
Sirius. It contains a remarkable nebula visible to the naked
eye.
The flaming glories of Orion's
belt.
E. Everett.
O*ris"ka*ny (?), a. [From
Oriskany, in New York.] (Geol.) Designating, or
pertaining to, certain beds, chiefly limestone, characteristic of the
latest period of the Silurian age.
Oriskany period, a subdivision of the
American Paleozoic system intermediate or translational in character
between the Silurian and Devonian ages. See Chart of
Geology.
O*ris`mo*log"ic*al (?), a. (Nat.
Hist.) Of or pertaining to orismology.
O`ris*mol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a
marking out by boundaries, the definition of a word + -logy.
See Horizon.] That departament of natural history which
treats of technical terms.
Or"i*son (?), n. [OF. orison,
oreson, oreison, F. oraison, fr. L.
oratio speech, prayer. See Oration.] A prayer; a
supplication. [Poetic] Chaucer. Shak.
Lowly they bowed, adoring, and began
Their orisons, each morning duly paid.
Milton.
Or"i*sont (?), n. Horizon.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Ork (?), n. (Zoöl.)
See Orc.
Ork"ney*an (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the Orkney islands. "Orkneyan skerries."
Longfellow.
Orle (?), n. [F. orle an orle, a
fillet, fr. LL. orla border, dim. of L. ora border,
margin.]
1. (Her.) A bearing, in the form of a
fillet, round the shield, within, but at some distance from, the
border.
2. (Her.) The wreath, or chaplet,
surmounting or encircling the helmet of a knight and bearing the
crest.
In orle, round the escutcheon, leaving the
middle of the field vacant, or occupied by something else; -- said of
bearings arranged on the shield in the form of an orle.
Or"le*ans (?), n. [So called from the
city of Orléans, in France.] 1. A
cloth made of worsted and cotton, -- used for wearing
apparel.
2. A variety of the plum. See under
Plum. [Eng.]
||Or"lo (?), n. [Sp.] (Mus.)
A wind instrument of music in use among the Spaniards.
Or"lop (?), n. [D. overloop the
upper deck, lit., a running over or overflowing, fr.
overloopen to run over. See Over, and Leap, and
cf. Overloop.] (Naut.) The lowest deck of a
vessel, esp. of a ship of war, consisting of a platform laid over the
beams in the hold, on which the cables are coiled.
Or"mer (?), n. (Zoöl.)
An abalone.
Or`mo*lu" (?), n. [F. or moulu;
or gold (L. aurum) + moulu, p. p. of
moudre to grind, to mill, L. molere. See
Aureate, and Mill.] A variety of brass made to
resemble gold by the use of less zinc and more copper in its
composition than ordinary brass contains. Its golden color is often
heightened by means of lacquer of some sort, or by use of acids.
Called also mosaic gold.
Ormolu varnish, a varnish applied to metals,
as brass, to give the appearance of gold.
||Or"muzd (?), n. [Zend
Ahuramazda.] The good principle, or being, of the ancient
Persian religion. See Ahriman.
Orn (?), v. t. To ornament; to
adorn. [Obs.] Joye.
Or"na*ment (?), n. [OE.
ornement, F. ornement, fr. L. ornamentum, fr.
ornare to adorn.] That which embellishes or adorns; that
which adds grace or beauty; embellishment; decoration;
adornment.
The ornament of a meek and quiet
spirit.
1 Pet. iii. 4.
Like that long-buried body of the king
Found lying with his urns and ornaments.
Tennyson.
Or"na*ment (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Ornamented; p. pr. & vb. n.
Ornamenting.] To adorn; to deck; to embellish; to
beautify; as, to ornament a room, or a city.
Syn. -- See Adorn.
Or`na*men"tal (?), a. [Cf. F.
ornemental.] Serving to ornament; characterized by
ornament; beautifying; embellishing.
Some think it most ornamental to wear their
bracelets on their wrists; others, about their ankles.
Sir T. Browne.
Or`na*men"tal*ly, adv. By way of
ornament.
Or`na*men*ta"tion (?), n.
1. The act or art of ornamenting, or the state
of being ornamented.
2. That which ornaments; ornament.
C. Kingsley.
Or"na*ment*er (?), n. One who
ornaments; a decorator.
Or*nate" (?), a. [L. ornatus, p.
p. of ornare to adorn.] 1. Adorned;
decorated; beautiful. "So bedecked, ornate, and gay."
Milton.
2. Finely finished, as a style of
composition.
A graceful and ornate rhetoric.
Milton.
Or*nate", v. t. To adorn; to
honor. [R.]
They may ornate and sanctify the name of
God.
Latimer.
Or*nate"ly, adv. In an ornate
manner. Sir T. More.
Or*nate"ness, n. The quality of
being ornate.
Or"na*ture (?), n. [L.
ornatura.] Decoration; ornamentation. [R.]
Holinshed.
Or*nith"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a
bird.] Of or pertaining to birds; as, ornithic
fossils. Owen.
Or`nith*ich"nite (?), n. [Ornitho-
+ Gr. &?; track.] (Paleon.) The footmark of a bird
occurring in strata of stone. Hitchcock.
Or`nith*ich*nol"o*gy (?), n.
[Ornitho- + ichnology.] (Paleon.) The
branch of science which treats of ornithichnites.
Hitchcock.
Ornitho-. [Cf. Ern.] A combining form fr. Gr.
&?;, &?;, a bird.
||Or*ni`tho*del"phi*a (?), n. pl. [NL.,
fr. Gr. &?; + &?; the womb.] Same as Monotremata. -
- Or`ni*tho*del"phid (#), a.
Or`ni*thoid*ich"nite (?), n.
[Ornitho- + -oid + Gr. &?; footstep, track.]
(Paleon.) A fossil track resembling that of a bird.
Hitchcock.
Or*nith"o*lite (?), n. [Ornitho-
+ -lite.] (Paleon.) (a) The fossil
remains of a bird. (b) A stone of various
colors bearing the figures of birds.
{ Or`ni*tho*log"ic (?), Or`ni*tho*log"ic*al (?),
} a. [Cf. F. ornithologique.] Of or
pertaining to ornithology.
Or`ni*thol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F.
ornithologiste.] One skilled in ornithology; a student of
ornithology; one who describes birds.
Or`ni*thol"o*gy (?), n. [Ornitho-
+ -logy: cf. F. ornithologie.] 1.
That branch of zoölogy which treats of the natural history
of birds and their classification.
2. A treatise or book on this
science.
Or*nith"o*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?;,
&?;, a bird + &?; divination: cf. F. ornithomancie.]
Divination by means of birds, their flight, etc.
Ornithomancy grew into an elaborate
science.
De Quincey.
||Or*ni"thon (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;,
fr. &?;, &?;, a bird.] An aviary; a poultry house.
Weale.
||Or*ni`tho*pap"pi (?), n. pl. [NL.,
from Gr. &?; a bird + &?; an ancestor.] (Zoöl.) An
extinct order of birds. It includes only the
Archæopteryx.
||Or`ni*thop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Ornitho-, and -poda.] (Paleon.) An order of
herbivorous dinosaurs with birdlike characteristics in the skeleton,
esp. in the pelvis and hind legs, which in some genera had only three
functional toes, and supported the body in walking as in Iguanodon.
See Illust. in Appendix.
||Or`ni*tho*rhyn"chus (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?;, &?;, a bird + &?; snout, beak.] (Zoöl.) See
Duck mole, under Duck.
||Or*ni`tho*sau"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL.
See Ornitho-, and Sauria.] (Paleon.) An
order of extinct flying reptiles; -- called also
Pterosauria.
||Or*ni`tho*scel"i*da (?), n. pl. [NL.,
fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, a bird + &?; a leg.] (Zoöl.) A
group of extinct Reptilia, intermediate in structure (especially with
regard to the pelvis) between reptiles and birds. --
Or`ni*tho*scel"i*dan (#), a.
Or`ni*thos"co*py (?), n. [Ornitho-
+ -scopy: cf. Gr. &?; divination from birds.]
Observation of birds and their habits. [R.] De
Quincey.
Or`ni*tho*tom"ic*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to ornithotomy.
Or`ni*thot"o*mist (?), n. One who
is skilled in ornithotomy.
Or`ni*thot"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;,
a bird + &?; to cut.] The anatomy or dissection of
birds.
{ Or`o*graph"ic (?), Or`o*graph"ic*al (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to orography.
O*rog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr.
'o`ros, a mountain + -graphy.] That branch of
science which treats of mountains and mountain systems; orology; as,
the orography of Western Europe.
||Or`o*hip"pus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
'o`ros, mountain (referring to the Rocky Mountain region)
+ "i`ppos horse.] (Paleon.) A genus of
American Eocene mammals allied to the horse, but having four toes in
front and three behind.
O"roide (?), n. [F. or gold (L.
aurum) + Gr. &?; form.] An alloy, chiefly of copper and
zinc or tin, resembling gold in color and brilliancy. [Written
also oreide.]
Or`o*log"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F.
orologique.] Of or pertaining to orology.
O*rol"o*gist (?), n. One versed in
orology.
O*rol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; mountain +
-logy: cf. F. orologie.] The science or
description of mountains.
O"ro*tund` (?), a. [L. os,
oris, the mouth + rotundus round, smooth.]
Characterized by fullness, clearness, strength, and smoothness;
ringing and musical; -- said of the voice or manner of
utterance. -- n. The orotund voice or
utterance Rush.
O`ro*tun"di*ty (?), n. The orotund
mode of intonation.
Or"pha*line (?), n. See
Orpheline. [Obs.]
Or"phan (?), n. [L. orphanus,
Gr. &?;, akin to L. orbus. Cf. Orb a blank window.]
A child bereaved of both father and mother; sometimes, also, a
child who has but one parent living.
Orphans' court (Law), a court in some
of the States of the Union, having jurisdiction over the estates and
persons of orphans or other wards. Bouvier.
Or"phan, a. Bereaved of parents,
or (sometimes) of one parent.
Or"phan, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Orphaned (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Orphaning.] To cause to become an orphan; to deprive of
parents. Young.
Or"phan*age (?), n. 1.
The state of being an orphan; orphanhood; orphans,
collectively.
2. An institution or asylum for the care of
orphans.
Or"phan*cy (?), n.
Orphanhood. Sir P. Sidney.
Or"phan*et (?), n. A little
orphan. Drayton.
Or"phan*hood (?), n. The state or
condition of being an orphan; orphanage.
Or"phan*ism (?), n.
Orphanhood. [R.]
Or`phan*ot"ro*phism (?), n. The
care and support of orphans. [R.] Cotton Mather
(1711).
Or`phan*ot"ro*phy (?), n. [L.
orphanotrophium, Gr. &?;; &?; an orphan + &?; to feed, bring
up.]
1. A hospital for orphans. [R.] A.
Chalmers.
2. The act of supporting orphans.
[R.]
Or*pha"ri*on (?), n. (Mus.)
An old instrument of the lute or cittern kind. [Spelt also
orpheoreon.]
Or*phe"an (?), a. [L.
Orph&?;us, Gr. &?;.] Of or pertaining to Orpheus,
the mythic poet and musician; as, Orphean strains.
Cowper.
Or"phe*line (?), n. [F.
orphelin. See Orphan.] An orphan. [Obs.]
Udcll.
Or"phe*us (?), n. [L. Orpheus,
Gr. &?;.] (Gr. Myth.) The famous mythic Thracian poet,
son of the Muse Calliope, and husband of Eurydice. He is reputed to
have had power to entrance beasts and inanimate objects by the music
of his lyre.
Or"phic (?), a. [L. Orphicus,
Gr. &?;.] Pertaining to Orpheus; Orphean; as, Orphic
hymns.
Or"phrey (?), n. [See Orfrays.]
A band of rich embroidery, wholly or in part of gold, affixed to
vestments, especially those of ecclesiastics.
Pugin.
Or"pi*ment (?), n. [F., fr. L.
auripigmentum; aurum gold + pigmentum pigment.
Cf. Aureate, Pigment, Orpin, Orpine.]
(Chem.) Arsenic sesquisulphide, produced artificially as
an amorphous lemonyellow powder, and occurring naturally as a yellow
crystalline mineral; -- formerly called auripigment. It is
used in king's yellow, in white Indian fire, and in certain technical
processes, as indigo printing.
Our orpiment and sublimed
mercurie.
Chaucer.
Red orpiment, realgar; the red sulphide of
arsenic. -- Yellow orpiment, king's
yellow.
Or"pin, n. [F., orpiment, also, the
plant orpine. See Orpiment.] 1. A yellow
pigment of various degrees of intensity, approaching also to
red.
2. (Bot.) The orpine.
Or"pine (?), n. [F. orpin the
genus of plants which includes orpine; -- so called from the yellow
blossoms of a common species (Sedum acre). See
Orpiment.] (Bot.) A low plant with fleshy leaves
(Sedum telephium), having clusters of purple flowers. It is
found on dry, sandy places, and on old walls, in England, and has
become naturalized in America. Called also stonecrop, and
live-forever. [Written also orpin.]
Or"rach (?), n. See
Orach.
Or"re*ry (?), n.; pl.
Orreries (#). [So named in honor of the Earl of
Orrery.] An apparatus which illustrates, by the
revolution of balls moved by wheelwork, the relative size, periodic
motions, positions, orbits, etc., of bodies in the solar
system.
Or"ris (?), n. [Prob. corrupted from
It. ireos iris. See Iris.] (Bot.) A plant
of the genus Iris (I. Florentina); a kind of flower-de-
luce. Its rootstock has an odor resembling that of violets.
Orris pea (Med.), an issue pea made
from orris root. -- Orris root, the
fragrant rootstock of the orris.
Or"ris (?), n. 1.
[Contr. from orfrays, or from arras.] A sort of
gold or silver lace. Johnson.
2. A peculiar pattern in which gold lace or
silver lace is worked; especially, one in which the edges are
ornamented with conical figures placed at equal distances, with spots
between them.
{ Orse"dew (?), Or"se*due (?), }
n. Leaf metal of bronze; Dutch metal. See
under Dutch.
||Or`seille" (?), n. [F.] See
Archil.
Or*sel"lic (?), a. [From F.
orseille archil. See Archil.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid found in certain lichens,
and called also lecanoric acid. [Formerly written also
orseillic.]
Or`sel*lin"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid obtained by a
partial decomposition of orsellic acid as a white crystalline
substance, and related to protocatechuic acid.
Ort (?), n.; pl.
Orts (#). [Akin to LG. ort, ortels,
remnants of food, refuse, OFries. ort, OD. oorete,
ooraete; prob. from the same prefix as in E. ordeal + a
word akin to eat.] A morsel left at a meal; a fragment;
refuse; -- commonly used in the plural. Milton.
Let him have time a beggar's orts to
crave.
Shak.
Or`ta*lid"i*an (?), n.
(Zoöl.) Any one of numerous small two-winged flies
of the family Ortalidæ. The larvæ of many of these
flies live in fruit; those of others produce galls on various
plants.
Or"thid (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A brachiopod shell of the genus Orthis, and allied genera, of
the family Orthidæ.
||Or"this (ôr"th&ibreve;s), n.
[NL., fr. Gr. 'orqo`s straight.] (Zoöl.)
An extinct genus of Brachiopoda, abundant in the Paleozoic
rocks.
Or"thite (?), n. [Gr. &?; straight.]
(Min.) A variety of allanite occurring in slender
prismatic crystals.
Or"tho- (?). [Gr. &?; straight; akin to Skr.
&?;rdhva upright, vrdh to grow, to cause to grow.]
1. A combining form signifying
straight, right, upright, correct,
regular; as, orthodromy, orthodiagonal,
orthodox, orthographic.
2. (Chem.) A combining form (also used
adjectively), designating: (a) (Inorganic
Chem.) The one of several acids of the same element (as the
phosphoric acids), which actually occurs with the greatest number
of hydroxyl groups; as, orthophosphoric acid. Cf.
Normal. (b) (Organic Chem.)
Connection with, or affinity to, one variety of
isomerism, characteristic of the benzene compounds; -- contrasted
with meta- or para-; as, the ortho position;
hence, designating any substance showing such isomerism; as, an
ortho compound.
&fist; In the graphic representation of the benzene nucleus (see
Benzene nucleus, under Benzene), provisionally adopted,
any substance exhibiting double substitution in adjacent and
contiguous carbon atoms, as 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 4 & 5, etc., is designated
by ortho-; as, orthoxylene; any substance exhibiting
substitution of two carbon atoms with one intervening, as 1 & 3, 2 &
4, 3 & 5, 4 & 6, etc., by meta-; as, resorcin or
metaxylene; any substance exhibiting substitution in opposite
parts, as 1 & 4, 2 & 5, 3 & 6, by para-; as, hydroquinone or
paraxylene.
Or`tho*car*bon"ic (?), a. [Ortho-
+ carbonic.] (Chem.) Designating a complex
ether, C.(OC2H5)4, which is obtained
as a liquid of a pleasant ethereal odor by means of chlorpicrin, and
is believed to be a derivative of the hypothetical normal carbonic
acid, C.(OH)4.
Or`tho*cen"ter (?), n. [Ortho- +
center.] (Geom.) That point in which the three
perpendiculars let fall from the angles of a triangle upon the
opposite sides, or the sides produced, mutually intersect.
||Or*thoc"e*ras (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
'orqo`s straight + &?; a horn.] (Paleon.) An
extinct genus of Paleozoic Cephalopoda, having a long, straight,
conical shell. The interior is divided into numerous chambers by
transverse septa.
Or`tho*cer"a*tite (?), n. [Ortho-
+ Gr. &?;, &?;, a horn.] (Zoöl.) An orthoceras;
also, any fossil shell allied to Orthoceras.
Or"tho*clase (?), n. [Ortho- +
Gr. &?; to break.] (Min.) Common or potash feldspar
crystallizing in the monoclinic system and having two cleavages at
right angles to each other. See Feldspar.
Or`tho*clas"tic (?), a.
(Crystallog.) Breaking in directions at right angles to
each other; -- said of the monoclinic feldspars.
Or`tho*di*ag"o*nal (?), n. [Ortho-
+ diagonal.] (Crystallog.) The diagonal or
lateral axis in a monoclinic crystal which is at right angles with
the vertical axis.
Or"tho*dome (?), n. [Ortho- +
dome.] (Crystallog.) See the Note under
Dome, 4.
Or"tho*dox (?), a. [L.
orthodoxus, Gr. 'orqo`doxos; 'orqo`s
right, true + do`xa opinion, dokei^n to think,
seem; cf. F. orthodoxe. See Ortho-, Dogma.]
1. Sound in opinion or doctrine, especially in
religious doctrine; hence, holding the Christian faith; believing the
doctrines taught in the Scriptures; -- opposed to heretical
and heterodox; as, an orthodox Christian.
2. According or congruous with the doctrines
of Scripture, the creed of a church, the decree of a council, or the
like; as, an orthodox opinion, book, etc.
3. Approved; conventional.
He saluted me on both cheeks in the orthodox
manner.
H. R. Haweis.
&fist; The term orthodox differs in its use among the
various Christian communions. The Greek Church styles itself the
"Holy Orthodox Apostolic Church," regarding all other bodies
of Christians as more or less heterodox. The Roman Catholic Church
regards the Protestant churches as heterodox in many points. In the
United States the term orthodox is frequently used with
reference to divergent views on the doctrine of the Trinity. Thus it
has been common to speak of the Trinitarian Congregational churches
in distinction from the Unitarian, as Orthodox. The name is
also applied to the conservative, in distinction from the "liberal",
or Hicksite, body in the Society of Friends. Schaff-Herzog
Encyc.
Or"tho*dox`al (?), a. Pertaining
to, or evincing, orthodoxy; orthodox. [R.] Milton.
Or`tho*dox*al"i*ty (?), n.
Orthodoxness. [R.]
Or"tho*dox`al*ly (?), adv.
Orthodoxly. [R.] Milton
Or`tho*dox*as"tic*al (?), a.
Orthodox. [Obs.]
Or`tho*dox"ic*al (?), a.
Pertaining to, or evincing, orthodoxy; orthodox.
Or"tho*dox`ly (?), adv. In an
orthodox manner; with soundness of faith. Sir W.
Hamilton.
Or"tho*dox`ness, n. The quality or
state of being orthodox; orthodoxy. Waterland.
Or"tho*dox`y (?), n. [Gr. &?;: cf. F.
orthodoxie. See Orthodox.] 1.
Soundness of faith; a belief in the doctrines taught in the
Scriptures, or in some established standard of faith; -- opposed to
heterodoxy or to heresy.
Basil himself bears full and clear testimony to
Gregory's orthodoxy.
Waterland.
2. Consonance to genuine Scriptural
doctrines; -- said of moral doctrines and beliefs; as, the
orthodoxy of a creed.
3. By extension, said of any correct doctrine
or belief.
Or`tho*drom"ic (?), a. [Ortho- +
Gr. &?; to run.] Of or pertaining to orthodromy.
Or`tho*drom"ics (?), n. The art of
sailing in a direct course, or on the arc of a great circle, which is
the shortest distance between any two points on the surface of the
globe; great-circle sailing; orthodromy.
Or"tho*drom`y (?), n. [Cf. F.
orthodromie.] The act or art of sailing on a great
circle.
{ Or`tho*ëp"ic (?), Or`tho*ëp"ic*al
(?), } a. Of or pertaining to orthoëpy,
or correct pronunciation. -- Or`tho*ëp"ic*al*ly,
adv.
Or"tho*ë*pist (?), n. One who
is skilled in orthoëpy.
Or"tho*ë*py (?), n. [Gr. &?;;
'orqo`s right + &?; a word: cf. F.
orthoépie. See Ortho-, and Epic.]
The art of uttering words correctly; a correct pronunciation of
words; also, mode of pronunciation.
Or*thog"a*my (?), n. [Ortho- +
Gr. &?; marriage.] (Bot.) Direct fertilization in plants,
as when the pollen fertilizing the ovules comes from the stamens of
the same blossom; -- opposed to heterogamy.
Or`thog*nath"ic (?), a.
Orthognathous.
Or*thog"na*thism (?), n. (Anat.)
The quality or state of being orthognathous.
Huxley.
Or*thog"na*thous (?), a. [Ortho-
+ Gr. &?; the jaw.] (Anat.) Having the front of the head,
or the skull, nearly perpendicular, not retreating backwards above
the jaws; -- opposed to prognathous. See Gnathic index,
under Gnathic.
Or"tho*gon (?), n. [Ortho- + Gr.
&?; angle: cf. F. orthogone, a.] (Geom.) A
rectangular figure.
Or*thog"o*nal (?), a. [Cf. F.
orthogonal.] Right-angled; rectangular; as, an
orthogonal intersection of one curve with another.
Orthogonal projection. See under
Orthographic.
Or*thog"o*nal*ly, adv.
Perpendicularly; at right angles; as, a curve cuts a set of
curves orthogonally.
Or*thog"ra*pher (?), n. One versed
in orthography; one who spells words correctly.
{ Or`tho*graph"ic (?), Or`tho*graph"ic*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. orthographique, L.
orthographus, Gr. &?;.]
1. Of or pertaining to orthography, or right
spelling; also, correct in spelling; as, orthographical rules;
the letter was orthographic.
2. (Geom.) Of or pertaining to right
lines or angles.
Orthographic or Orthogonal,
projection, that projection which is made by
drawing lines, from every point to be projected, perpendicular to the
plane of projection. Such a projection of the sphere represents its
circles as seen in perspective by an eye supposed to be placed at an
infinite distance, the plane of projection passing through the center
of the sphere perpendicularly to the line of sight.
Or`tho*graph"ic*al*ly, adv. In an
orthographical manner: (a) according to
the rules of proper spelling; (b)
according to orthographic projection.
Or*thog"ra*phist (?), n. One who
spells words correctly; an orthographer.
Or*thog"ra*phize (?), v. t. To
spell correctly or according to usage; to correct in regard to
spelling.
In the coalesced into ith, which modern
reaction has orthographized to i' th'.
Earle.
Or*thog"ra*phy (?), n. [OE.
ortographie, OF. orthographie, L. orthographia,
Gr. &?;, fr. &?; writing correctly; 'orqo`s right +
gra`fein to write. See Ortho-, and
Graphic.]
1. The art or practice of writing words with
the proper letters, according to standard usage; conventionally
correct spelling; also, mode of spelling; as, his orthography
is vicious.
When spelling no longer follows the pronunciation, but
is hardened into orthography.
Earle.
2. The part of grammar which treats of the
letters, and of the art of spelling words correctly.
3. A drawing in correct projection,
especially an elevation or a vertical section.
Or*thol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;;
'orqo`s right + &?; speech, description: cf. F.
orthologie.] The right description of things. [R.]
Fotherby.
Or`tho*met"ric (?), a. [See
Orthometry.] (Crystallog.) Having the axes at
right angles to one another; -- said of crystals or crystalline
forms.
Or*thom"e*try (?), n. [Ortho- +
-metry.] The art or practice of constructing verses
correctly; the laws of correct versification.
Or`tho*mor"phic (?), a. [Ortho-
+ morphic.] (Geom.) Having the right
form.
Orthomorphic projection, a projection in
which the angles in the figure to be projected are equal to the
corresponding angles in the projected figure.
{ Or`tho*ped"ic (?), Or`tho*ped"ic*al (?), }
a. (Med.) Pertaining to, or employed
in, orthopedy; relating to the prevention or cure of deformities of
children, or, in general, of the human body at any age; as,
orthopedic surgery; an orthopedic hospital.
Or*thop"e*dist (?), n. (Med.)
One who prevents, cures, or remedies deformities, esp. in
children.
Or*thop"e*dy (?), n. [Ortho- +
Gr. &?;, &?;, a child.] (Med.) The art or practice of
curing the deformities of children, or, by extension, any deformities
of the human body.
Or*thoph"o*ny (?), n. [Ortho- +
Gr. &?; voice.] The art of correct articulation; voice
training.
Or`tho*pin"a*coid (?), n. [Ortho-
+ pinacoid.] (Crystallog.) A name given to
the two planes in the monoclinic system which are parallel to the
vertical and orthodiagonal axes.
{ ||Or`thop*nœ"a (?), Or*thop"ny (?), }
n. [L. orthopnoea, Gr. &?;;
'orqo`sstraight, right + pnei^n to breathe: cf.
F. orthopnée.] (Med.) Specifically, a
morbid condition in which respiration can be performed only in an
erect posture; by extension, any difficulty of breathing.
||Or*thop"o*da (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Ortho-, and -poda.] (Zoöl.) An extinct
order of reptiles which stood erect on the hind legs, and resembled
birds in the structure of the feet, pelvis, and other
parts.
Or"tho*prax`y (?), n. [Gr.
'orqo`s straight + &?; a doing.] (Med.) The
treatment of deformities in the human body by mechanical
appliances.
||Or*thop"te*ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. 'orqo`s straight + &?; feather, wing.]
(Zoöl.) An order of mandibulate insects including
grasshoppers, locusts, cockroaches, etc. See Illust. under
Insect.
&fist; The anterior wings are usually thickened and protect the
posterior wings, which are larger and fold longitudinally like a fan.
The Orthoptera undergo no metamorphosis.
Or*thop"ter*an (?), n.
(Zoöl.) One of the Orthoptera.
Or*thop"ter*ous (?), a.
(Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the
Orthoptera.
Or`tho*rhom"bic (?), a. [Ortho-
+ rhombic.] (Crystallog.) Noting the system of
crystallization which has three unequal axes at right angles to each
other; trimetric. See Crystallization.
Or"tho*scope (?), n. [Ortho- +
-scope.] (Physyol.) An instrument designed to show
the condition of the superficial portions of the eye.
Or`tho*scop"ic (?), a. (Opt.)
Giving an image in correct or normal proportions; giving a flat
field of view; as, an orthoscopic eyepiece.
Or`tho*si*lic"ic (?), a. [Ortho-
+ silicic.] (Chem.) Designating the form of
silicic acid having the normal or highest number of hydroxyl
groups.
Or`tho*sper"mous (?), a. [Ortho-
+ Gr. &?; seed.] (Bot.) Having the seeds straight, as in
the fruits of some umbelliferous plants; -- opposed to
cœlospermous. Darwin.
Or"tho*stade (?), n. [Gr. &?;;
'orqo`s straight + &?; to place.] (Anc. Costume)
A chiton, or loose, ungirded tunic, falling in straight
folds.
Or*thos"ti*chy (?), n.; pl.
Orthostichies (#). [Ortho- + Gr. &?; row.]
(Bot.) A longitudinal rank, or row, of leaves along a
stem.
Or`tho*tom"ic (?), a. [Ortho- +
Gr. &?; to cleave.] (Geom.) Cutting at right
angles.
Orthotomic circle (Geom.), that
circle which cuts three given circles at right angles.
Or*thot"o*mous (?), a.
(Crystallog.) Having two cleavages at right angles with
one another.
Or*thot"o*my (?), n. (Geom.)
The property of cutting at right angles.
Or"tho*tone (?), a. [Ortho- +
Gr. &?; tone, accent.] (Gr. Gram.) Retaining the accent;
not enclitic; -- said of certain indefinite pronouns and adverbs when
used interrogatively, which, when not so used, are ordinarilly
enclitic.
{ Or*thot"ro*pal (?), Or*thot"ro*pous (?), }
a. [Ortho- + Gr. &?; to turn: cf. F.
orthotrope.] (Bot.) Having the axis of an ovule or
seed straight from the hilum and chalaza to the orifice or the
micropyle; atropous.
&fist; This word has also been used (but improperly) to describe
any embryo whose radicle points towards, or is next to, the
hilum.
Or`tho*trop"ic (?), a. [See
Orthotropal.] (Bot.) Having the longer axis
vertical; -- said of erect stems. Encyc. Brit.
Or`tho*xy"lene (?), n. [Ortho- +
xylene.] (Chem.) That variety of xylene in which
the two methyl groups are in the ortho position; a colorless,
liquid, combustible hydrocarbon resembling benzene.
Or"tive (?), a. [L. ortivus, fr.
oriri, ortus, to rise: cf. F. ortive.] Of
or relating to the time or act of rising; eastern; as, the
ortive amplitude of a planet.
Or"to*lan (?), n. [F., fr. It.
ortolano ortolan, gardener, fr. L. hortulanus gardener,
fr. hortulus, dim. of hortus garden. So called because
it frequents the hedges of gardens. See Yard an inclosure, and
cf. Hortulan.] (Zoöl.) (a) A
European singing bird (Emberiza hortulana), about the size of
the lark, with black wings. It is esteemed delicious food when
fattened. Called also bunting. (b)
In England, the wheatear (Saxicola œnanthe).
(c) In America, the sora, or Carolina rail
(Porzana Carolina). See Sora.
Or"ty*gan (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, a
quail.] (Zoöl.) One of several species of East
Indian birds of the genera Ortygis and Hemipodius.
They resemble quails, but lack the hind toe. See
Turnix.
Or"val (?), n. [F. orvale.]
(Bot.) A kind of sage (Salvia Horminum).
||Or`vet" (?), n. [F.]
(Zoöl.) The blindworm.
Or`vi*e"tan (?), n. [F.
orviétan: cf. It. orvietano. So called because
invented at Orvieto, in Italy.] A kind of antidote for
poisons; a counter poison formerly in vogue. [Obs.]
-o*ry (?). [L. -orius: cf. F. -oire.]
1. An adjective suffix meaning of or
pertaining to, serving for; as in auditory,
pertaining to or serving for hearing; prohibitory,
amendatory, etc.
2. [L. -orium: cf. F. -oire.] A
noun suffix denoting that which pertains to, or serves
for; as in ambulatory, that which serves for walking;
consistory, factory, etc.
{ O"ry*al (?), O"ry*all (?) },
n. See Oriel.
Or"yc*tere (?), n. [Gr. &?; digger: cf.
F. oryctère.] (Zoöl.) The aard-
vark.
O*ryc"ter*ope (?), n. [Gr. &?; digger +
&?; foot.] (Zoöl.) Same as
Oryctere.
Or`yc*tog"no*sy (?), n. [Gr. &?; dug
(&?; to dig) + &?; knowledge.] Mineralogy. [Obs.] --
Or`yc*tog*nos"tic (#), a. --
Or`yc*tog*nos"tic*al (#), a. [Obs.] --
Or`yc*tog*nos"tic*al*ly (#), adv.
[Obs.]
Or`yc*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. &?; dug +
-graphy.] Description of fossils. [Obs.]
Or`yc*to*log"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F.
oryctologique.] Of or pertaining to oryctology.
[Obs.]
Or`yc*tol"o*gist (?), n. One
versed in oryctology. [Obs.]
Or`yc*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; dug +
-logy: cf. F. oryctologie.] 1. An
old name for paleontology.
2. An old name for mineralogy and
geology.
O"ryx (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; a kind
of gazelle or antelope.] (Zoöl.) A genus of African
antelopes which includes the gemsbok, the leucoryx, the bisa antelope
(O. beisa), and the beatrix antelope (O. beatrix) of
Arabia.
||O*ry"za (?), n. [L., rice, Gr. &?;
See Rice.] (Bot.) A genus of grasses including the
rice plant; rice.
||Os (?), n.; pl.
Ossa (#). [L.] A bone.
||Os, n.; pl.
Ora (#). [L.] A mouth; an opening; an
entrance.
Os (?), n.; pl.
Osar (#). [Sw. ås ridge, chain of
hills, pl. åsar.] (Geol.) One of the ridges
of sand or gravel found in Sweden, etc., supposed by some to be of
marine origin, but probably formed by subglacial waters. The osar are
similar to the kames of Scotland and the eschars of Ireland. See
Eschar.
O"sage or"ange (?). (Bot.) An ornamental tree
of the genus Maclura (M. aurantiaca), closely allied to
the mulberry (Morus); also, its fruit. The tree was first
found in the country of the Osage Indians, and bears a hard and
inedible fruit of an orangelike appearance. See Bois
d'arc.
O*sa"ges (?), n. pl.; sing.
Osage (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of
southern Sioux Indians, now living in the Indian Territory.
O*san"ne (?), n. Hosanna.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
O"sar (?), n. pl. (Geol.)
See 3d Os.
Os"can (?), a. Of or pertaining to
the Osci, a primitive people of Campania, a province of ancient
Italy. -- n. The language of the
Osci.
Os"cil*lan*cy (?), n. The state of
oscillating; a seesaw kind of motion. [R.]
||Os`cil*la"ri*a (?), n. [NL., fr. L.
oscillare to swing.] (Bot.) A genus of dark green,
or purplish black, filamentous, fresh-water algæ, the threads
of which have an automatic swaying or crawling motion. Called also
Oscillatoria.
Os"cil*late (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Oscillated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Oscillating (?).] [L. oscillare to swing,
fr. oscillum a swing, a little mask or puppet made to be hung
from trees and swing in the wind, prob. orig., a little mouth, a dim.
from os mouth. See Oral, and cf. Osculate.]
1. To move backward and forward; to vibrate
like a pendulum; to swing; to sway.
2. To vary or fluctuate between fixed limits;
to act or move in a fickle or fluctuating manner; to change
repeatedly, back and forth.
The amount of superior families oscillates
rather than changes, that is, it fluctuates within fixed
limits.
Dc Quincey.
Os"cil*la`ting (?), a. That
oscillates; vibrating; swinging.
Oscillating engine, a steam engine whose
cylinder oscillates on trunnions instead of being permanently fixed
in a perpendicular or other direction. Weale.
Os`cil*la"tion (?), n. [L.
oscillatio a swinging.]
1. The act of oscillating; a swinging or
moving backward and forward, like a pendulum; vibration.
2. Fluctuation; variation; change back and
forth.
His mind oscillated, undoubtedly; but the extreme
points of the oscillation were not very remote.
Macaulay.
Axis of oscillation, Center of
oscillation. See under Axis, and
Center.
Os"cil*la*tive (?), a. Tending to
oscillate; vibratory. [R.] I. Taylor.
||Os`cil*la*to"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL.
See Oscillatory.] (Bot.) Same as
Oscillaria.
Os"cil*la*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. F.
oscillatoire. See Oscillate.] Moving, or
characterized by motion, backward and forward like a pendulum;
swinging; oscillating; vibratory; as, oscillatory
motion.
Os"cine (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Relating to the Oscines.
||Os"ci*nes (?), n. pl. [L.
oscen, -inis.] (Zoöl.) Singing birds;
a group of the Passeres, having numerous syringeal muscles,
conferring musical ability.
Os*cin"i*an (?), n. (Zoöl.)
One of the Oscines, or singing birds.
Os*cin"i*an, n. (Zoöl.)
Any one of numerous species of dipterous files of the family
Oscinidæ.
&fist; Some, whose larvæ live in the stalks, are very
destructive to barley, wheat, and rye; others, as the barley fly
(Oscinis frit), destroy the heads of grain.
Os"ci*nine (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Of or pertaining to the Oscines.
Os"ci*tan*cy (?), n. [See
Oscitant.]
1. The act of gaping or yawning.
2. Drowsiness; dullness; sluggishness.
Hallam.
It might proceed from the oscitancy of
transcribers.
Addison.
Os"ci*tant (?), a. [L. oscitans,
-antis, p. pr. of oscitare: cf. F. oscitant.]
1. Yawning; gaping.
2. Sleepy; drowsy; dull; sluggish;
careless.
He must not be oscitant, but intent on his
charge.
Barrow.
Os"ci*tant*ly, adv. In an oscitant
manner.
Os"ci*tate (?), v. i. [L.
oscitare; os the mouth + citare, v. intens. fr.
ciere to move.] To gape; to yawn.
Os`ci*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
oscitatio: cf. F. oscitation.] The act of yawning
or gaping. Addison.
Os"cu*lant (?), a. [L. osculans,
-antis, p. pr. of osculari to kiss. See
Osculate.]
1. Kissing; hence, meeting;
clinging.
2. (Zoöl.) Adhering closely;
embracing; -- applied to certain creeping animals, as
caterpillars.
3. (Biol.) Intermediate in character,
or on the border, between two genera, groups, families, etc., of
animals or plants, and partaking somewhat of the characters of each,
thus forming a connecting link; interosculant; as, the genera by
which two families approximate are called osculant
genera.
Os"cu*late (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Osculated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Osculating.] [L. osculatus, p. p. of
osculari to kiss, fr. osculum a little mouth, a kiss,
dim. of os mouth. See Oral, and cf.
Oscillate.]
1. To kiss.
2. (Geom.) To touch closely, so as to
have a common curvature at the point of contact. See
Osculation, 2.
Os"cu*late, v. i. 1.
To kiss one another; to kiss.
2. (Geom.) To touch closely. See
Osculation, 2.
3. (Biol.) To have characters in
common with two genera or families, so as to form a connecting link
between them; to interosculate. See Osculant.
Os`cu*la"tion (?), n. [L.
osculatio a kissing: cf. F. osculation.]
1. The act of kissing; a kiss.
2. (Geom.) The contact of one curve
with another, when the number of consecutive points of the latter
through which the former passes suffices for the complete
determination of the former curve. Brande & C.
Os"cu*la*to*ry (?), a.
1. Of or pertaining to kissing; kissing.
"The osculatory ceremony." Thackeray.
2. (Geom.) Pertaining to, or having
the properties of, an osculatrix; capable of osculation; as, a circle
may be osculatory with a curve, at a given point.
Osculatory circle. (Geom.) See
Osculating circle of a curve, under Circle. --
Osculatory plane (to a curve of double curvature),
a plane which passes through three successive points of the
curve. -- Osculatory sphere (to a line of
double curvature), a sphere passing through four consecutive points
of the curve.
Os"cu*la*to*ry, n. [LL.
osculatorium. See Osculate.] (R. C. Ch.)
Same as Pax, 2.
Os`cu*la"trix (?), n.; pl.
Osculatrixes (#). [NL.] (Geom.) A curve
whose contact with a given curve, at a given point, is of a higher
order (or involves the equality of a greater number of successive
differential coefficients of the ordinates of the curves taken at
that point) than that of any other curve of the same kind.
Os"cule (?), n. [Cf. F. oscule.
See Osculum.] (Zoöl.) One of the excurrent
apertures of sponges.
||Os"cu*lum (?), n.; pl.
Oscula (#). [L., a little mouth.]
(Zoöl.) Same as Oscule.
-ose (?). [L. -osus: cf. F. -ose. Cf. -
ous.]
1. A suffix denoting full of,
containing, having the qualities of, like; as in
verbose, full of words; pilose, hairy; globose,
like a globe.
2. (Chem.) A suffix indicating that
the substance to the name of which it is affixed is a member of
the carbohydrate group; as in cellulose, sucrose,
dextrose, etc.
O"sier (?), n. [F. osier: cf.
Prov. F. oisis, Armor. ozil, aozil, Gr.
&?;, &?;, &?;, L. vitex, and E. withy.] (Bot.)
(a) A kind of willow (Salix viminalis)
growing in wet places in Europe and Asia, and introduced into North
America. It is considered the best of the willows for basket work.
The name is sometimes given to any kind of willow.
(b) One of the long, pliable twigs of this
plant, or of other similar plants.
The rank of osiers by the murmuring
stream.
Shak.
Osier bed, or Osier holt,
a place where willows are grown for basket making. [Eng.] --
Red osier. (a) A kind of willow
with reddish twigs (Salix rubra). (b)
An American shrub (Cornus stolonifera) which has slender
red branches; -- also called osier cornel.
O"sier, a. Made of osiers;
composed of, or containing, osiers. "This osier cage of
ours." Shak.
O"siered (?), a. Covered or
adorned with osiers; as, osiered banks. [Poetic]
Collins.
O"sier*y (?), n. An osier
bed.
O*si"ris (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;; of
Egyptian origin.] (Myth.) One of the principal divinities
of Egypt, the brother and husband of Isis. He was figured as a mummy
wearing the royal cap of Upper Egypt, and was symbolized by the
sacred bull, called Apis. Cf. Serapis. --
O*sir"i*an (#), a.
Os"man*li (?), n.; pl.
Osmanlis (#). [So called from Osman. See
Ottoman.] A Turkish official; one of the dominant tribe
of Turks; loosely, any Turk.
Os"mate (?), n. (Chem.) A
salt of osmic acid. [Formerly written also osmiate.]
||Os`ma*te"ri*um (?), n.; pl.
Osmateria (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; smell.]
(Zoöl.) One of a pair of scent organs which the
larvæ of certain butterflies emit from the first body segment,
either above or below.
Os"ma*zome (?), n. [Gr. &?; smell, odor
+ &?; broth: cf. F. osmazôme.] (Old Chem.) A
substance formerly supposed to give to soup and broth their
characteristic odor, and probably consisting of one or several of the
class of nitrogenous substances which are called
extractives.
Os`mi*am"ate (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of osmiamic acid.
Os`mi*am"ic (?), a. [Osmium +
amido.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating,
a nitrogenous acid of osmium,
H2N2Os2O5, forming a
well-known series of yellow salts.
Os"mic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, osmium;
specifically, designating those compounds in which it has a valence
higher than in other lower compounds; as, osmic
oxide.
Osmic acid. (Chem.) (a)
Osmic tetroxide. [Obs.] (b) Osmic acid
proper, an acid analogous to sulphuric acid, not known in the free
state, but forming a well-known and stable series of salts (osmates),
which were formerly improperly called osmites. --
Osmic tetroxide (Chem.), a white
volatile crystalline substance, OsO4, the most stable and
characteristic of the compounds of osmium. It has a burning taste,
and gives off a vapor, which is a powerful irritant poison, violently
attacking the eyes, and emitting a strong chlorinelike odor. Formerly
improperly called osmic acid.
||Os`mi*dro"sis (?), n. [NL., from Gr.
&?; smell + &?; to sweat.] (Med.) The secretion of fetid
sweat.
Os"mi*ous (?), a. (Chem.)
Denoting those compounds of osmium in which the element has a
valence relatively lower than in the osmic compounds; as,
osmious chloride. [Written also osmous.]
Osmious acid (Chem.), an acid derived
from osmium, analogous to sulphurous acid, and forming unstable
salts. It is a brown amorphous substance.
Os"mite (?), n. (Chem.) A
salt of osmious acid.
Os"mi*um (?), n. [Gr. &?; a smell,
odor, akin to &?; to smell. So named in allusion to the strong
chlorinelike odor of osmic tetroxide. See Odor.]
(Chem.) A rare metallic element of the platinum group,
found native as an alloy in platinum ore, and in iridosmine. It is a
hard, infusible, bluish or grayish white metal, and the heaviest
substance known. Its tetroxide is used in histological experiments to
stain tissues. Symbol Os. Atomic weight 191.1. Specific
gravity 22.477.
Os*mom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; impulse +
-meter.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring the
amount of osmotic action in different liquids.
Os*mom"e*try (?), n. (Physics)
The study of osmose by means of the osmometer.
Os"mose (?), n. [Gr. &?;, equiv. to &?;
impulse, fr. &?; to push.] (Chemical Physics)
(a) The tendency in fluids to mix, or become
equably diffused, when in contact. It was first observed between
fluids of differing densities, and as taking place through a membrane
or an intervening porous structure. The more rapid flow from the
thinner to the thicker fluid was then called endosmose, and
the opposite, slower current, exosmose. Both are, however,
results of the same force. Osmose may be regarded as a form of
molecular attraction, allied to that of adhesion.
(b) The action produced by this
tendency.
Electric osmose, or Electric
endosmose (Elec.), the transportation of a
liquid through a porous septum by the action of an electric
current.
Os*mo"sis (?), n. [NL.]
Osmose.
Os*mot"ic (?), a. Pertaining to,
or having the property of, osmose; as, osmotic
force.
Os"mund (?), n. (Bot.) A
fern of the genus Osmunda, or flowering fern. The most
remarkable species is the osmund royal, or royal fern
(Osmunda regalis), which grows in wet or boggy places, and has
large bipinnate fronds, often with a panicle of capsules at the top.
The rootstock contains much starch, and has been used in stiffening
linen.
Os"na*burg (?), n. A species of
coarse linen, originally made in Osnaburg, Germany.
O"so-ber`ry (?), n. (Bot.)
The small, blueblack, drupelike fruit of the Nuttallia
cerasiformis, a shrub of Oregon and California, belonging to the
Cherry tribe of Rosaceæ.
||Os*phra"di*um (?), n.; pl.
Osphradia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. &?; strong scent, fr.
&?; to smell.] (Zoöl.) The olfactory organ of some
Mollusca. It is connected with the organ of respiration.
{ Os"prey, Os"pray } (?), n.
[Through OF. fr. L. ossifraga (orig., the bone breaker); prob.
influenced by oripelargus (mountain stork, a kind of eagle,
Gr. &?;); cf. OF. orpres, and F. orfraie. See
Ossifrage.] (Zoöl.) The fishhawk.
Oss (?), v. i. [See Osse,
n.] To prophesy; to presage. [R. & Obs.]
R. Edgeworth.
Osse (?), n. [Gr. &?;.] A
prophetic or ominous utterance. [R. & Obs.]
Holland.
Os"se*an (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A fish having a bony skeleton; a teleost.
Os"se*in (?), n. [L. os bone.]
(Physiol. Chem.) The organic basis of bone tissue; the
residue after removal of the mineral matters from bone by dilute
acid; in embryonic tissue, the substance in which the mineral salts
are deposited to form bone; -- called also ostein. Chemically
it is the same as collagen.
Os"se*let (?), n. [F.]
1. A little bone.
2. (Zoöl.) The internal bone, or
shell, of a cuttlefish.
Os"se*ous (?), a. [L. osseus,
from os, ossis bone; akin to Gr. &?;, Skr.
asthi. Cf. Oyster.] Composed of bone; resembling
bone; capable of forming bone; bony; ossific.
Os"se*ter (?), n. [Russ, osetr'
sturgeon.] (Zoöl.) A species of sturgeon.
Os`si*an"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to, or characteristic of, Ossian, a legendary Erse
or Celtic bard.
The compositions might be fairly classed as
Ossianic.
G. Eliot.
Os"si*cle (?), n. [L. ossiculum,
dim. of os, ossis, a bone.] 1. A
little bone; as, the auditory ossicles in the tympanum of the
ear.
2. (Zoöl.) One of numerous small
calcareous structures forming the skeleton of certain echinoderms, as
the starfishes.
Os*sic"u*la`ted (?), a. Having
small bones.
||Os*sic"u*lum (?), n.; pl.
Ossicula (#). [L., a little bone.]
(Zoöl.) Same as Ossicle.
Os*sif"er*ous (?), a. [L. os,
ossis, a bone + -ferous: cf. F.
ossifère.] Containing or yielding bone.
Os*sif"ic (?), a. [L. os,
ossis, bone + facere to make: cf. F. ossifique.
See Fact.] Capable of producing bone; having the power to
change cartilage or other tissue into bone.
Os`si*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
ossification. See Ossify.] 1.
(Physiol.) The formation of bone; the process, in the
growth of an animal, by which inorganic material (mainly lime salts)
is deposited in cartilage or membrane, forming bony tissue;
ostosis.
&fist; Besides the natural ossification of growing tissue,
there is the so-called accidental ossification which sometimes
follows certain abnormal conditions, as in the ossification of an
artery.
2. The state of being changed into a bony
substance; also, a mass or point of ossified tissue.
Os"si*fied (?), a. Changed to bone
or something resembling bone; hardened by deposits of mineral matter
of any kind; -- said of tissues.
Os"si*frage (?), n. [L.
ossifraga, ossifragus, osprey, fr. ossifragus
bone breaking; os, ossis, a bone + frangere,
fractum, to break. See Osseous, Break, and cf.
Osprey, Ossifragous.] (Zoöl.)
(a) The lammergeir. (b)
The young of the sea eagle or bald eagle. [Obs.]
Os*sif"ra*gous (?), a. [L.
ossifragus. See Ossifrage.] Serving to break
bones; bone-breaking.
Os"si*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Ossified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Ossifying (?).] [L. os, ossis, bone + -
fy: cf. F. ossifier. See Osseous.]
1. (Physiol.) To form into bone; to
change from a soft animal substance into bone, as by the deposition
of lime salts.
2. Fig.: To harden; as, to ossify the
heart. Ruskin.
Os"si*fy, v. i. (Physiol.)
To become bone; to change from a soft tissue to a hard bony
tissue.
Os"si*fy`ing (?), a. (Physiol.)
Changing into bone; becoming bone; as, the ossifying
process.
Os*siv"o*rous (?), a. [L. os,
ossis, bone + vorare to devour: cf. F.
ossivore.] Feeding on bones; eating bones; as,
ossivorous quadrupeds. Derham.
Os"spring*er (?), n. The
osprey. [R.]
||Os`su*a"ri*um (?), n. [L.] A
charnel house; an ossuary. Walpole.
Os"su*a*ry (?), n.; pl.
-ries (#). [L. ossuarium, fr.
ossuarius of or bones, fr. os, ossis, bone: cf.
F. ossuaire.] A place where the bones of the dead are
deposited; a charnel house. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Ost (?), n. See
Oast.
Os"te*al (?), a. [Gr. &?; a bone.]
Osseous.
Os"te*in (?), n. [Gr. &?; bone.]
Ossein.
||Os`te*i"tis (?), n. [NL. See
Osteo-, and -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of
bone.
Os"tel*er (?), n. Same as
Hosteler. Wyclif.
Os*tend" (?), v. t. [L.
ostendere to show.] To exhibit; to manifest.
[Obs.]
Mercy to mean offenders we'll
ostend.
J. Webster.
Os*ten`si*bil"i*ty (?), n. The
quality or state of being ostensible.
Os*ten"si*ble (?), a. [From L.
ostensus, p. p. of ostendere to show, prop., to stretch
out before; fr. prefix obs- (old form of ob-) +
tendere to stretch. See Tend.]
1. Capable of being shown; proper or intended
to be shown. [R.] Walpole.
2. Shown; exhibited; declared; avowed;
professed; apparent; -- often used as opposed to real or
actual; as, an ostensible reason, motive, or aim.
D. Ramsay.
Os*ten"si*bly (?), adv. In an
ostensible manner; avowedly; professedly; apparently.
Walsh.
Ostensibly, we were intended to prevent
filibustering into Texas, but really as a menace to
Mexico.
U. S. Grant.
Os*ten"sion (?), n. [L. ostensio
a showing: cf. F. ostension. See Ostend.]
(Eccl.) The showing of the sacrament on the altar in
order that it may receive the adoration of the
communicants.
Os*ten"sive (?), a. Showing;
exhibiting.
Ostensive demonstration (Math.), a
direct or positive demonstration, as opposed to the apagogical
or indirect method.
Os*ten"sive*ly, adv. In an
ostensive manner.
{ ||Os`ten*so"ri*um (?), Os*ten"so*ry (?), }
n.; pl. L. -soria (#), E.
-sories (#). [NL. ostensorium: cf. F.
ostensoir. See Ostensible.] (R. C. Ch.)
Same as Monstrance.
Os"tent (?), n. [L. ostentus,
ostentum, fr. ostendere (p. p. ostensus and
ostentus) to show. See Ostensible.]
1. Appearance; air; mien.
Shak.
2. Manifestation; token; portent.
Dryden.
We asked of God that some ostent might
clear
Our cloudy business, who gave us sign.
Chapman.
Os"ten*tate (?), v. t. [L.
ostentatus, p. p. of ostentare, v. intens. fr.
ostendere. See Ostent.] To make an ambitious
display of; to show or exhibit boastingly. [R.] Jer.
Taylor.
Os`ten*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
ostentatio: cf. F. ostentation.] 1.
The act of ostentating or of making an ambitious display;
unnecessary show; pretentious parade; -- usually in a detractive
sense. "Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm."
Milton.
He knew that good and bountiful minds were sometimes
inclined to ostentation.
Atterbury.
2. A show or spectacle. [Obs.]
Shak.
Syn. -- Parade; pageantry; show; pomp; pompousness;
vaunting; boasting. See Parade.
Os`ten*ta"tious (?), a. Fond of,
or evincing, ostentation; unduly conspicuous; pretentious;
boastful.
Far from being ostentatious of the good you
do.
Dryden.
The ostentatious professions of many
years.
Macaulay.
-- Os`ten*ta"tious*ly, adv. --
Os`ten*ta"tious*ness, n.
Os"ten*ta`tor (?), n. [L.] One
fond of display; a boaster. Sherwood.
Os*ten"tive (?), a.
Ostentatious. [Obs.]
Os*ten"tous (?), a.
Ostentatious. [Obs.] Feltham.
Os"te*o-. A combining form of Gr. &?; a
bone.
Os"te*o*blast (?), n. [Osteo- +
-blast.] (Anat.) One of the protoplasmic cells
which occur in the osteogenetic layer of the periosteum, and from or
around which the matrix of the bone is developed; an
osteoplast.
||Os`te*o*cla"sis (?), n. [NL. See
Osteoclast.] (Surg.) The operation of breaking a
bone in order to correct deformity.
Os"te*o*clast (?), n. [Osteo- +
Gr. &?; to break.]
1. (Physiol.) A myeloplax.
&fist; The osteoclasts occur usually in pits or cavities which
they appear to have excavated, and are supposed to be concerned in
the absorption of the bone matrix.
2. An instrument for performing
osteoclasis.
Os`te*o*col"la (?), n. [Osteo- +
Gr. &?; glue.]
1. A kind of glue obtained from bones.
Ure.
2. A cellular calc tufa, which in some places
forms incrustations on the stems of plants, -- formerly supposed to
have the quality of uniting fractured bones.
||Os`te*o*com"ma (?), n.; pl. L.
Osteocommata (#), E. Osteocommas
(#). [NL. See Osteo-, and Comma.] (Anat.) A
metamere of the vertebrate skeleton; an osteomere; a vertebra.
Owen.
Os"te*o*cope (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; a
bone + &?; a striking, pain: cf. F. ostéocope.]
(Med.) Pain in the bones; a violent fixed pain in any
part of a bone. -- Os`te*o*cop"ic (#),
a.
Os`te*o*cra"ni*um (?), n. [Osteo-
+ cranium.] (Anat.) The bony cranium, as
distinguished from the cartilaginous cranium.
Os`te*o*den"tine (?), n. [Osteo-
+ denite.] (Anat.) A hard substance, somewhat like
bone, which is sometimes deposited within the pulp cavity of
teeth.
Os"te*o*gen (?), n. [Osteo- +
-gen.] (Physiol.) The soft tissue, or substance,
which, in developing bone, ultimately undergoes
ossification.
{ Os`te*o*gen"e*sis (?), Os`te*og"e*ny (?), }
n. [Osteo- + genesis, or the root of
Gr. &?; to be born: cf. F. ostéogénie.]
(Physiol.) The formation or growth of bone.
Os`te*o*ge*net"ic (?), a.
(Physiol.) Connected with osteogenesis, or the formation
of bone; producing bone; as, osteogenetic tissue; the
osteogenetic layer of the periosteum.
Os`te*o*gen"ic (?), a.
(Physiol.) Osteogenetic.
Os`te*og"ra*pher (?), n. An
osteologist.
Os`te*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Osteo-
+ -graphy.] The description of bones;
osteology.
Os"te*oid (?), a. [Osteo- + -
oid: cf. Gr. &?;.] (Anat.) Resembling bone;
bonelike.
Os"te*o*lite (?), n. [Osteo- +
-lite.] (Min.) A massive impure apatite, or
calcium phosphate.
Os`te*ol"o*ger (?), n. One versed
in osteology; an osteologist.
{ Os`te*o*log"ic (?), Os`te*o*log"ic*al (?), }
a. [Cf. F. ostéologique.] Of or
pertaining to osteology. -- Os`te*o*log"ic*al*ly,
adv.
Os`te*ol"o*gist (?), n. One who is
skilled in osteology; an osteologer.
Os`te*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Osteo- +
-logy: cf. F. ostéologie.] The science
which treats of the bones of the vertebrate skeleton.
||Os`te*o"ma (?), n.; pl.
Osteomata (#). [NL. See Osteo-, and -
oma.] (Med.) A tumor composed mainly of bone; a tumor
of a bone.
||Os`te*o*ma*la"ci*a (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; bone + &?; softness.] (Med.) A disease of the
bones, in which they lose their earthy material, and become soft,
flexible, and distorted. Also called malacia.
Os"te*o*man`ty (?), n. [Osteo-
Gr. &?; divination.] Divination by means of bones.
[R.]
Os"te*o*mere (?), n. [Osteo- +
-mere.] (Anat.) An osteocomma.
Owen.
Os"te*o*phone (?), n. [Gr. &?; bone +
&?; voice.] An instrument for transmission of auditory
vibrations through the bones of the head, so as to be appreciated as
sounds by persons deaf from causes other than those affecting the
nervous apparatus of hearing.
Os"te*o*plast (?), n. [Osteo- +
Gr. &?; to form.] (Anat.) An osteoblast.
Os`te*o*plas"tic (?), a. [Osteo-
+ -plastic.]
1. (Physiol.) Producing bone; as,
osteoplastic cells.
2. (Med.) Of or pertaining to the
replacement of bone; as, an osteoplastic operation.
Os"te*o*plas`ty (?), n. [Osteo-
+ -plasty.] (Med.) An operation or process by
which the total or partial loss of a bone is remedied.
Dunglison.
Os`te*op`ter*yg"i*ous (?), a.
[Osteo- Gr. &?; a fin.] (Zoöl.) Having bones
in the fins, as certain fishes.
||Os`te*o*sar*co"ma (?), n.; pl.
Osteosarcomata (#). [NL. See Osteo-, and
sarcoma.] (Med.) A tumor having the structure of a
sacroma in which there is a deposit of bone; sarcoma connected with
bone.
Os"te*o*tome (?), n. [Osteo- +
Gr. &?;.] (Surg.) Strong nippers or a chisel for dividing
bone.
Os`te*ot"o*mist (?), n. One
skilled in osteotomy.
Os`te*ot"o*my (?), n.
1. The dissection or anatomy of bones;
osteology.
2. (Surg.) The operation of dividing a
bone or of cutting a piece out of it, -- done to remedy deformity,
etc.
||Os`te*o*zo"a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; a bone + zo^,on an animal.] (Zoöl.)
Same as Vertebrata.
Os"ti*a*ry (?), n.; pl.
-ries (#). [L. ostium door, entrance. See
Usher.] 1. The mouth of a river; an
estuary. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
2. One who keeps the door, especially the
door of a church; a porter. N. Bacon.
Os"tic (?), a. [From North American
Indian oshtegwon a head.] Pertaining to, or applied to,
the language of the Tuscaroras, Iroquois, Wyandots, Winnebagoes, and
a part of the Sioux Indians. Schoolcraft.
Os"ti*ole (?), n. [L. ostiolum a
little door, dim. of ostium a door: cf. F. ostiole.]
(Bot.) (a) The exterior opening of a
stomate. See Stomate. (b) Any small
orifice.
||Os*ti"tis (?), n. [NL.] (Med.)
See Osteitis.
||Os"ti*um (?), n.; pl.
Ostia (#). [L.] (Anat.) An opening; a
passage.
Ost"ler (?), n. See
Hostler.
Ost"ler*ess, n. A female
ostler. [R.] Tennyson.
Ost"ler*y (?), n. See
Hostelry. [Obs.]
Ost"men (?), n. pl.; sing.
Ostman. [See East, and Man.]
East men; Danish settlers in Ireland, formerly so called.
Lyttelton.
||Os*to"sis (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?;
a bone.] (Physiol.) Bone formation; ossification. See
Ectostosis, and Endostosis.
||Os*tra"ce*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; shell of a testacean.] (Zoöl.) A division of
bivalve mollusks including the oysters and allied shells.
Os*tra"cean (?), n. [L. ostrea
an oyster. See Oyster.] (Zoöl.) Any one of a
family of bivalves, of which the oyster is the type.
||Os*tra"ci*on (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?; small shell.] (Zoöl.) A genus of plectognath
fishes having the body covered with solid, immovable, bony plates. It
includes the trunkfishes.
Os*tra"ci*ont (?), n.
(Zoöl.) A fish of the genus Ostracion and allied
genera.
Os"tra*cism (?), n. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?;
to ostracize. See Ostracize.] 1. (Gr.
Antiq.) Banishment by popular vote, -- a means adopted at
Athens to rid the city of a person whose talent and influence gave
umbrage.
2. Banishment; exclusion; as, social
ostracism.
Public envy is as an ostracism, that eclipseth
men when they grow too great.
Bacon.
Sentenced to a perpetual ostracism from the . .
. confidence, and honors, and emoluments of his country.
A. Hamilton.
Os"tra*cite (?), n. (Paleon.)
A fossil oyster.
Os"tra*cize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Ostracized (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Ostracizing (?).] [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; a tile, a
tablet used in voting, a shell; cf. &?; oyster, &?; bone. Cf.
Osseous, Oyster.] 1. (Gr.
Antiq.) To exile by ostracism; to banish by a popular vote,
as at Athens. Grote.
2. To banish from society; to put under the
ban; to cast out from social, political, or private favor; as, he was
ostracized by his former friends. Marvell.
||Os*trac"o*da (?), n. pl.
(Zoöl.) Ostracoidea.
||Os`tra*coder"mi (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; shell of a testacean + &?; skin.] (Zoöl.) A
suborder of fishes of which Ostracion is the type.
Os"tra*coid (?), a. (Zoöl.)
Of or pertaining to the Ostracoidea. --
n. One of the Ostracoidea.
||Os`tra*coi"de*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr. &?; shell of a testacean + -oid.] (Zoöl.)
An order of Entomostraca possessing hard bivalve shells. They
are of small size, and swim freely about. [Written also
Ostracoda.]
||Os"tre*a (?), n. [L., an oyster.]
(Zoöl.) A genus of bivalve Mollusca which includes
the true oysters.
Os`tre*a"ceous (?), a. [L.
ostrea an oyster. See Oyster.] (Zoöl.)
Of or pertaining to an oyster, or to a shell; shelly.
The crustaceous or ostreaceous
body.
Cudworth.
Os"tre*a*cul`ture (?), n. The
artificial cultivation of oysters.
Os`tre*oph"a*gist (?), n. [Gr.&?; an
oyster + &?; to eat.] One who feeds on oysters.
Os"trich (?), n. [OE. ostriche,
ostrice, OF. ostruche, ostruce, F.
autruche, L. avis struthio; avis bird +
struthio ostrich, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; bird, sparrow. Cf.
Aviary, Struthious.] [Formerly written also
estrich.] (Zoöl.) A large bird of the genus
Struthio, of which Struthio camelus of Africa is the
best known species. It has long and very strong legs, adapted for
rapid running; only two toes; a long neck, nearly bare of feathers;
and short wings incapable of flight. The adult male is about eight
feet high.
&fist; The South African ostrich (Struthio australis) and
the Asiatic ostrich are considered distinct species by some authors.
Ostriches are now domesticated in South Africa in large numbers for
the sake of their plumes. The body of the male is covered with
elegant black plumose feathers, while the wings and tail furnish the
most valuable white plumes.
Ostrich farm, a farm on which ostriches are
bred for the sake of their feathers, oil, eggs, etc. --
Ostrich farming, the occupation of breeding
ostriches for the sake of their feathers, etc. --
Ostrich fern (Bot.) a kind of fern
(Onoclea Struthiopteris), the tall fronds of which grow in a
circle from the rootstock. It is found in alluvial soil in Europe and
North America.
Os*trif"er*ous (?), a. [L.
ostrifer; ostrea oyster + ferre.] Producing
oysters; containing oysters.
Os"tro*goth (?), n. [L.
Ostrogothi, pl. See East, and Goth.] One of
the Eastern Goths. See Goth.
Os`tro*goth"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the Ostrogoths.
Os*we"go tea" (?). (Bot.) An American
aromatic herb (Monarda didyma), with showy, bright red,
labiate flowers.
Ot`a*cous"tic (?), a. [Oto- +
acoustic: cf. F. otacoustique.] Assisting
the sense of hearing; as, an otacoustic instrument.
{ Ot`a*cous"tic (?), Ot`a*cous"ti*con (?), }
n. An instrument to facilitate hearing, as an
ear trumpet.
O`ta*hei"te ap"ple (?). [So named from Otaheite,
or Tahiti, one of the Society Islands.] (Bot.)
(a) The fruit of a Polynesian anacardiaceous
tree (Spondias dulcis), also called vi-apple. It is
rather larger than an apple, and the rind has a flavor of turpentine,
but the flesh is said to taste like pineapples.
(b) A West Indian name for a myrtaceous tree
(Jambosa Malaccensis) which bears crimson berries.
||O*tal"gi*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;;
o'y^s, 'wto`s, the ear + &?; pain: cf. F.
otalgie.] (Med.) Pain in the ear;
earache.
O*tal"gic (?), a. (Med.) Of
or pertaining to otalgia. -- n. A remedy
for otalgia.
O*tal"gy (?), n. Pain in the ear;
otalgia.
O"ta*ry (?), n.; pl.
Otaries (#). [Gr. &?; large-eared, fr. &?;, &?;,
ear: cf. F. otarie.] (Zoöl.) Any eared
seal.
O"the*o*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?; to push
+ -scope.] (Physics) An instrument for exhibiting
the repulsive action produced by light or heat in an exhausted
vessel; a modification of the radoimeter. W.
Crookes.
Oth"er (ŭ&thlig;"&etilde;r),
conj. [See Or.] Either; -- used with
other or or for its correlative (as either . . .
or are now used). [Obs.]
Other of chalk, other of
glass.
Chaucer.
Oth"er, pron. & a. [AS.
ōðer; akin to OS. āðar,
ōðar, D. & G. ander, OHG. andar, Icel.
annarr, Sw. annan, Dan. anden, Goth.
anþar, Skr. antara: cf. L. alter; all
orig. comparatives: cf. Skr. anya other. √180. Cf.
Alter.] [Formerly other was used both as singular and
plural.]
1. Different from that which, or the one who,
has been specified; not the same; not identical; additional; second
of two.
Each of them made other for to
win.
Chaucer.
Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to
him the other also.
Matt. v. 39.
2. Not this, but the contrary; opposite; as,
the other side of a river.
3. Alternate; second; -- used esp. in
connection with every; as, every other day, that is,
each alternate day, every second day.
4. Left, as opposed to right.
[Obs.]
A distaff in her other hand she
had.
Spenser.
&fist; Other is a correlative adjective, or adjective
pronoun, often in contrast with one, some, that,
this, etc.
The one shall be taken, and the other
left.
Matt. xxiv. 41.
And some fell among thorns . . . but
other fell into good ground.
Matt. xiii. 7,
8.
It is also used, by ellipsis, with a noun, expressed or
understood.
To write this, or to design the
other.
Dryden.
It is written with the indefinite article as one word,
another; is used with each, indicating a reciprocal
action or relation; and is employed absolutely, or eliptically for
other thing, or other person, in which case it may have
a plural.
The fool and the brutish person perish, and leave
their wealth to others.
Ps. xlix. 10.
If he is trimming, others are
true.
Thackeray.
Other is sometimes followed by but,
beside, or besides; but oftener by than.
No other but such a one as he.
Coleridge.
Other lords beside thee have had
dominion over us.
Is. xxvi. 13.
For other foundation can no man lay than
that is laid.
1 Cor. iii. 11.
The whole seven years of . . . ignominy had been
little other than a preparation for this very
hour.
Hawthorne.
Other some, some others. [Obs. or Prov.
Eng.] -- The other day, at a certain time past,
not distant, but indefinite; not long ago; recently; rarely, the
third day past.
Bind my hair up: as't was yesterday?
No, nor t' other day.
B. Jonson.
Oth"er (?), adv. Otherwise.
"It shall none other be." Chaucer. "If you think
other." Shak.
Oth"er*gates` (?), adv. [Other +
gate way. See wards.] In another manner.
[Obs.]
He would have tickled you
othergates.
Shak.
{ Oth"er*guise` (?), Oth"er*guess` (?) },
a. & adv. [A corruption of othergates.]
Of another kind or sort; in another way.
"Otherguess arguments." Berkeley.
Oth"er*ness, n. The quality or
state of being other or different; alterity; oppositeness.
Oth"er*ways` (?), adv. See
Otherwise. Tyndale.
Oth"er*where` (?), adv. In or to
some other place, or places; elsewhere. Milton.
Tennyson.
{ Oth"er*while` (?), Oth"er*whiles` (?), }
adv. At another time, or other times;
sometimes; &?;ccasionally. [Archaic]
Weighing otherwhiles ten pounds and
more.
Holland.
Oth"er*wise` (?), adv. [Other +
wise manner.]
1. In a different manner; in another way, or
in other ways; differently; contrarily. Chaucer.
Thy father was a worthy prince,
And merited, alas! a better fate;
But Heaven thought otherwise.
Addison.
2. In other respects.
It is said, truly, that the best men otherwise
are not always the best in regard of society.
Hooker.
3. In different circumstances; under other
conditions; as, I am engaged, otherwise I would
accept.
&fist; Otherwise, like so and thus, may be
used as a substitute for the opposite of a previous adjective, noun,
etc.
Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet
as a fool receive me.
2 Cor. xi. 16.
Her eyebrows . . . rather full than
otherwise.
Fielding.
Oth"man (?), n. & a. See
Ottoman.
O"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr.
o'y^s, 'wto`s, the ear: cf. F. otique.]
Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the ear; auricular;
auditory.
O"ti*ose` (?), a. [L. otiosus,
fr. otium ease.] Being at leisure or ease; unemployed;
indolent; idle. "Otiose assent." Paley.
The true keeping of the Sabbath was not that
otiose and un&?;rofitable cessation from even good deeds which
they would enforce.
Alford.
O`ti*os"ity (?), n. [L.
otiositas.] Leisure; indolence; idleness; ease.
[R.] Thackeray.
||O"tis (?), n. [L., a kind of bustard,
Gr. &?;.] (Zoöl.) A genus of birds including the
bustards.
||O*ti"tis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
o'y^s, 'wto`s, the ear + -itis.]
(Med.) Inflammation of the ear.
O"to- (?). [Gr. o'y^s, 'wto`s, the
ear.] A combining form denoting relation to, or
situation near or in, the ear.
O*to"ba fat` (?). (Chem.) A colorless buttery
substance obtained from the fruit of Myristica otoba, a
species of nutmeg tree.
O*toc"o*nite (?), n. [Oto- + Gr.
&?; dust.] (Anat.) (a) A mass of
otoliths. (b) An otolith.
O"to*crane (?), n. [Oto- + Gr.
&?; skull.] (Anat.) The cavity in the skull in which the
parts of the internal ear are lodged.
O`to*cra"ni*al (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the otocrane.
O"to*cyst (?), n. [Oto- +
cyst.] (Zoöl. & Anat.) An auditory cyst or
vesicle; one of the simple auditory organs of many invertebrates,
containing a fluid and otoliths; also, the embryonic vesicle from
which the parts of the internal ear of vertebrates are
developed.
O*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [Oto- +
-graphy.] A description of the ear.
{ O"to*lith (?), O"to*lite (?), }
n. [Oto- + -lith, -lite.]
(Anat.) One of the small bones or particles of calcareous
or other hard substance in the internal ear of vertebrates, and in
the auditory organs of many invertebrates; an ear stone.
Collectively, the otoliths are called ear sand and
otoconite.
{ O`to*lith"ic (?), O`to*lit"ic (?), }
a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to
otoliths.
O`to*log"ic*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining tootology.
O*tol"o*gist (?), n. One skilled
in otology; an aurist.
O*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Oto- + -
logy.] The branch of science which treats of the ear and its
diseases.
O*top"a*thy (?), n. [Oto- + Gr.
&?; to suffer.] (Med.) A diseased condition of the
ear.
||O`tor*rhœ"a (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. o'y^s, 'wto`s, the ear + &?; to flow.]
(Med.) A flow or running from the ear, esp. a purulent
discharge.
O"to*scope (?), n. [Oto- + -
scope.] An instrument for examining the condition of the
ear.
O`to*scope"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the otoscope or to otoscopy.
O*tos"co*py (?), n. (Med.)
The examination of the ear; the art of using the
otoscope.
O*tos"te*al (?), n. [Oto- + Gr.
&?; a bone.] (Anat.) An auditory ossicle. R.
Owen.
||O`to*zo"um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?;,
a fabled giant + zo^,on an animal.] (Paleon.)
An extinct genus of huge vertebrates, probably dinosaurs, known
only from four-toed tracks in Triassic sandstones.
Ot"tar (?), n. See
Attar.
Ot"ta*was (?), n. pl.; sing.
Ottawa (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of
Indians who, when first known, lived on the Ottawa River. Most of
them subsequently migrated to the southwestern shore of Lake
Superior.
Ot"ter (?), n. [OE. oter, AS.
otor; akin to D. & G. otter, Icel. otr, Dan.
odder, Sw. utter, Lith. udra, Russ,
vuidra, Gr. "y`dra water serpent, hydra, Skr.
udra otter, and also to E. water. √137, 215. See
Water, and cf. Hydra.]
1. (Zoöl.) Any carnivorous animal
of the genus Lutra, and related genera. Several species are
described. They have large, flattish heads, short ears, and webbed
toes. They are aquatic, and feed on fish. Their fur is soft and
valuable. The common otter of Europe is Lutra vulgaris; the
American otter is L. Canadensis; other species inhabit South
America and Asia.
2. (Zoöl.) The larva of the ghost
moth. It is very injurious to hop vines.
Otter hound, Otter dog
(Zoöl.), a small breed of hounds, used in England for
hunting otters. -- Otter sheep. See
Ancon sheep, under Ancon. -- Otter
shell (Zoöl.), very large bivalve mollusk
(Schizothærus Nuttallii) found on the northwest coast of
America. It is excellent food, and is extensively used by the
Indians. -- Sea otter. (Zoöl.)
See in the Vocabulary.
Ot"ter, n. A corruption of
Annotto.
Ot"to (?), n. See
Attar.
Ot"to*man (?), a. [F. ottoman:
cf. It. ottomano, ottomanno; -- from Othoman,
Othman, or Osman, the name of a sultan who assumed the
government of Turkey about the year 1300. Cf. Osmanli,
Ottoman a stuffed seat.] Of or pertaining to the Turks;
as, the Ottoman power or empire.
Ot"to*man, n.; pl.
Ottomans (&?;). 1. A
Turk.
2. [F. ottomane, from ottoman
Turkish.] A stuffed seat without a back, originally used in
Turkey.
Ot"to*mite (?), n. An
Ottoman. [R.] Shak.
Ot"trel*ite (?), n. [From
Ottrez, on the borders of Luxembourg.] (Min.) A
micaceous mineral occurring in small scales. It is characteristic of
certain crystalline schists.
||Oua*ka"ri (?), n. [From the native
name.] (Zoöl.) Any South American monkey of the
genus Brachyurus, especially B. ouakari.
||Ouan`der*oo" (?), n.
(Zoöl.) The wanderoo.
Oua`rine" (?), n. [F.]
(Zoöl.) A Brazilian monkey of the genus
Mycetes.
||Ou`bli`ette" (?), n. [F., fr.
oublier to forget, fr. (assumed) LL. oblitare, L.
oblivisci, p. p. oblitus.] A dungeon with an
opening only at the top, found in some old castles and other
strongholds, into which persons condemned to perpetual imprisonment,
or to perish secretly, were thrust, or lured to fall.
Sudden in the sun
An oubliette winks. Where is he? Gone.
Mrs.
Browning.
Ouch (ouch), n. [OE. ouch,
nouche (a nouch being taken for an ouch: cf.
Adder), fr. OF. nusche, nosche, nousche,
buckle, clasp, LL. nusca, fr. OHG. nusca,
nuscha.] A socket or bezel holding a precious stone;
hence, a jewel or ornament worn on the person.
A precious stone in a rich ouche.
Sir T. Elyot.
Your brooches, pearls, and ouches.
Shak.
Ough"ne (ō"ne), a.
Own. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Ought (&add;t), n. & adv. See
Aught.
Ought, imp., p. p., or auxiliary.
[Orig. the preterit of the verb to owe. OE. oughte,
aughte, ahte, AS. āhte. √110. See
Owe.] 1. Was or were under obligation to
pay; owed. [Obs.]
This due obedience which they ought to the
king.
Tyndale.
The love and duty I long have ought
you.
Spelman.
[He] said . . . you ought him a thousand
pound.
Shak.
2. Owned; possessed. [Obs.]
The knight the which that castle
ought.
Spenser.
3. To be bound in duty or by moral
obligation.
We then that are strong ought to bear the
infirmities of the weak.
Rom. xv. 1.
4. To be necessary, fit, becoming, or
expedient; to behoove; -- in this sense formerly sometimes used
impersonally or without a subject expressed. "Well ought
us work." Chaucer.
To speak of this as it ought, would ask a
volume.
Milton.
Ought not Christ to have suffered these
things?
Luke xxiv. 26.
&fist; Ought is now chiefly employed as an auxiliary verb,
expressing fitness, expediency, propriety, moral obligation, or the
like, in the action or state indicated by the principal verb.
Syn. -- Ought, Should. Both words imply
obligation, but ought is the stronger. Should may imply
merely an obligation of propriety, expendiency, etc.; ought
denotes an obligation of duty.
Ought"ness (?), n. The state of
being as a thing ought to be; rightness. [R.] N. W.
Taylor.
Ough"where` (?), adv. [AS.
āhwær.] Anywhere; somewhere. See
Owher. [Obs.]
Ouis"ti*ti (?), n. [F.]
(Zoöl.) See Wistit.
Oul (?), n. An awl. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Oul, n. An owl. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Ou"la*chan (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Same as Eulachon.
Ounce (?), n. [F. once, fr. L.
uncia a twelfth, the twelfth part of a pound or of a foot: cf.
Gr. &?; bulk, mass, atom. Cf. 2d Inch, Oke.]
1. A weight, the sixteenth part of a pound
avoirdupois, and containing 437&?; grains.
2. (Troy Weight) The twelfth part of a
troy pound.
&fist; The troy ounce contains twenty pennyweights, each of
twenty-four grains, or, in all, 480 grains, and is the twelfth part
of the troy pound. The troy ounce is also a weight in apothecaries'
weight. [Troy ounce is sometimes written as one word,
troyounce.]
3. Fig.: A small portion; a bit.
[Obs.]
By ounces hung his locks that he
had.
Chaucer.
Fluid ounce. See under Fluid,
n.
Ounce, n. [F. once; cf. It.
lonza, Sp. onza; prob. for lonce, taken as
l'once, fr. L. lynx, Gr. &?;, or an (assumed) fem. adj.
lyncea, from lynx. Cf. Lynx.]
(Zoöl.) A feline quadruped (Felis irbis, or
uncia) resembling the leopard in size, and somewhat in color, but
it has longer and thicker fur, which forms a short mane on the back.
The ounce is pale yellowish gray, with irregular dark spots on
the neck and limbs, and dark rings on the body. It inhabits the lofty
mountain ranges of Asia. Called also once.
{ Ound"ed (?), Oun"dy (?), }
a. [F. ondé, -ée, fr.
onde, L. unda, a wave.] Wavy; waving&?;
curly. [Obs.] "Owndie hair." Chaucer.
Ound"ing (?), vb. n. Waving.
[Obs.]
Ounding, paling, winding, or bending . . . of
cloth.
Chaucer.
Ouphe (?), n. [See Auf.] A
fairy; a goblin; an elf. [Obs.] "Like urchins, ouphes,
and fairies." Shak.
Ouph"en (?), a. Elfish.
[Obs.]
Our (?), possessive pron. [AS.
&?;re our, of us; akin to &?;s us, to us, and to G.
unser our, of us, Goth. unsara. √186 See
Us.] Of or pertaining to us; belonging to us; as,
our country; our rights; our troops; our
endeavors. See I.
The Lord is our defense.
Ps.
lxxxix. 18.
&fist; When the noun is not expressed, ours is used in the
same way as hers for her, yours for your,
etc.; as, whose house is that? It is ours.
Our wills are ours, we known not
how.
Tennyson.
-our (?). [OF. -our.] See -
or.
Ou*rang" (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The orang-outang.
Ou*rang"-ou*tang` (?), n.
(Zoöl.) See Orang-outang.
Ou`ra*nog"ra*phist (?), n. See
Uranographist.
Ou`ra*nog"ra*phy (?), n. See
Uranography.
||Ou"re*bi (?), n. (Zoöl.)
A small, graceful, and swift African antelope, allied to the
klipspringer.
Ou*ret"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;, from &?;
urine. Cf. Uretic.] (Chem.) Uric.
Ou*rol"o*gy (?), n. See
Urology.
Ou*ros"co*py (?), n. [Gr. &?; urine +
-scopy.] Ourology.
Ours (?), possessive pron. See
Note under Our.
Our*selves" (?), pron. ;
sing. Ourself (&?;). An emphasized form of the pronoun
of the first person plural; -- used as a subject, usually with
we; also, alone in the predicate, in the nominative or the
objective case.
We ourselves might distinctly number in words a
great deal further then we usually do.
Locke.
Safe in ourselves, while on ourselves we
stand.
Dryden.
&fist; The form ourself is usec only in the regal or formal
style after we or us, denoting a single person.
Unless we would denude ourself of all
force.
Clarendon.
-ous (?). [OF. -ous, us, -os, F.
-eux, fr. L. -osus, and -us. Cf. -ose.]
1. An adjective suffix meaning full of,
abounding in, having, possessing the qualities
of, like; as in gracious, abounding in grace;
arduous, full of ardor; bulbous, having bulbs,
bulblike; riotous, poisonous, piteous,
joyous, etc.
2. (Chem.) A suffix denoting that the
element indicated by the name bearing it, has a valence lower
than that denoted by the termination -ic; as, nitrous,
sulphurous, etc., as contrasted with nitric,
sulphuric, etc.
Ouse (?), n. & v. See
Ooze. [Obs.]
Ou"sel (?), n. [OE. osel, AS.
&?;sle; akin to G. amsel, OHG. amsala, and perh.
to L. merula blackbird. Cf. Merle, Amsel.]
(Zoöl.) One of several species of European thrushes,
especially the blackbird (Merula merula, or Turdus
merula), and the mountain or ring ousel (Turdus
torquatus). [Written also ouzel.]
Rock ousel (Zoöl.), the ring
ousel. -- Water ousel (Zoöl.),
the European dipper (Cinclus aquaticus), and the American
dipper (C. Mexicanus).
Oust (?), n. See
Oast.
Oust, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Ousted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Ousting.] [OF. oster, F. ôter, prob. fr.
L. obstare to oppose, hence, to forbid, take away. See
Obstacle, and cf. Ouster.] 1. To
take away; to remove.
Multiplication of actions upon the case were rare,
formerly, and thereby wager of law ousted.
Sir
M. Hale.
2. To eject; to turn out.
Blackstone.
From mine own earldom foully ousted
me.
Tennyson.
Oust"er (?), n. [Prob. fr. the OF.
infin. oster, used substantively. See Oust.] A
putting out of possession; dispossession; ejection;
disseizin.
Ouster of the freehold is effected by
abatement, intrusion, disseizin, discontinuance, or
deforcement.
Blackstone.
Ouster le main. [Ouster + F. la
main the hand, L. manus.] (Law) A delivery of
lands out of the hands of a guardian, or out of the king's hands, or
a judgement given for that purpose. Blackstone.
Out (?), adv. [OE. out,
ut, oute, ute, AS. ūt, and
ūte, ūtan, fr. ūt; akin to D.
uit, OS. ūt, G. aus, OHG. ūz,
Icel. ūt, Sw. ut, Dan. ud, Goth.
ut, Skr. ud. √198. Cf. About, But,
prep., Carouse, Utter,
a.] In its original and strict sense,
out means from the interior of something; beyond the limits or
boundary of somethings; in a position or relation which is exterior
to something; -- opposed to in or into. The something
may be expressed after of, from, etc. (see Out
of, below); or, if not expressed, it is implied; as, he is
out; or, he is out of the house, office, business,
etc.; he came out; or, he came out from the ship,
meeting, sect, party, etc. Out is used in a variety of
applications, as: --
1. Away; abroad; off; from home, or from a
certain, or a usual, place; not in; not in a particular, or a usual,
place; as, the proprietor is out, his team was taken
out. "My shoulder blade is out."
Shak.
He hath been out (of the country) nine
years.
Shak.
2. Beyond the limits of concealment,
confinement, privacy, constraint, etc., actual of figurative; hence,
not in concealment, constraint, etc., in, or into, a state of
freedom, openness, disclosure, publicity, etc.; as, the sun shines
out; he laughed out, to be out at the elbows;
the secret has leaked out, or is out; the disease broke
out on his face; the book is out.
Leaves are out and perfect in a
month.
Bacon.
She has not been out [in general society] very
long.
H. James.
3. Beyond the limit of existence,
continuance, or supply; to the end; completely; hence, in, or into, a
condition of extinction, exhaustion, completion; as, the fuel, or the
fire, has burned out. "Hear me out."
Dryden.
Deceitiful men shall not live out half their
days.
Ps. iv. 23.
When the butt is out, we will drink
water.
Shak.
4. Beyond possession, control, or occupation;
hence, in, or into, a state of want, loss, or deprivation; -- used of
office, business, property, knowledge, etc.; as, the Democrats went
out and the Whigs came in; he put his money out at
interest. "Land that is out at rack rent." Locke.
"He was out fifty pounds." Bp. Fell.
I have forgot my part, and I am
out.
Shak.
5. Beyond the bounds of what is true,
reasonable, correct, proper, common, etc.; in error or mistake; in a
wrong or incorrect position or opinion; in a state of disagreement,
opposition, etc.; in an inharmonious relation. "Lancelot and I
are out." Shak.
Wicked men are strangely out in the calculating
of their own interest.
South.
Very seldom out, in these his
guesses.
Addison.
6. Not in the position to score in playing a
game; not in the state or turn of the play for counting or gaining
scores.
&fist; Out is largely used in composition as a prefix, with
the same significations that it has as a separate word; as
outbound, outbreak, outbuilding, outcome,
outdo, outdoor, outfield. See also the first
Note under Over, adv.
Day in, day out, from the beginning to the
limit of each of several days; day by day; every day. --
Out and out. (a)
adv. Completely; wholly; openly.
(b) adj. Without any
reservation or disguise; absolute; as, an out and out
villain. [As an adj. written also out-and-out.] --
Out at, Out in, Out
on, etc., elliptical phrases, that to which out
refers as a source, origin, etc., being omitted; as, out (of
the house and) at the barn; out (of the house, road,
fields, etc., and) in the woods.
Three fishers went sailing out into the
west,
Out into the west, as the sun went down.
C.
Kingsley.
In these lines after out may be understood, "of the
harbor," "from the shore," "of sight," or some similar phrase. The
complete construction is seen in the saying: "Out of the
frying pan into the fire." --
Out from,
a construction similar to out of (below). See Of
and From.
Out of, a phrase which may be considered
either as composed of an adverb and a preposition, each having its
appropriate office in the sentence, or as a compound preposition.
Considered as a preposition, it denotes, with verbs of movement or
action, from the interior of; beyond the limit:
from; hence, origin, source, motive,
departure, separation, loss, etc.; -- opposed to
in or into; also with verbs of being, the state of
being derived, removed, or separated from. Examples may be found in
the phrases below, and also under Vocabulary words; as, out of
breath; out of countenance.
Out of cess, beyond measure,
excessively. Shak. -- Out of character,
unbecoming; improper. -- Out of conceit
with, not pleased with. See under Conceit.
-- Out of date, not timely; unfashionable;
antiquated. -- Out of door, Out of
doors, beyond the doors; from the house; in, or into,
the open air; hence, figuratively, shut out; dismissed. See under
Door, also, Out-of-door, Outdoor,
Outdoors, in the Vocabulary. "He 's quality, and the
question's out of door," Dryden. -- Out of
favor, disliked; under displeasure. -- Out
of frame, not in correct order or condition; irregular;
disarranged. Latimer. -- Out of hand,
immediately; without delay or preparation. "Ananias . . .
fell down and died out of hand." Latimer. --
Out of harm's way, beyond the danger limit; in
a safe place. -- Out of joint, not in
proper connection or adjustment; unhinged; disordered. "The time
is out of joint." Shak. -- Out of
mind, not in mind; forgotten; also, beyond the limit of
memory; as, time out of mind. -- Out of one's
head, beyond commanding one's mental powers; in a
wandering state mentally; delirious. [Colloq.] -- Out of
one's time, beyond one's period of minority or
apprenticeship. -- Out of order, not in
proper order; disarranged; in confusion. -- Out of
place, not in the usual or proper place; hence, not
proper or becoming. -- Out of pocket, in a
condition of having expended or lost more money than one has
received. -- Out of print, not in market,
the edition printed being exhausted; -- said of books, pamphlets,
etc. -- Out of the question, beyond the
limits or range of consideration; impossible to be favorably
considered. -- Out of reach, beyond one's
reach; inaccessible. -- Out of season, not
in a proper season or time; untimely; inopportune. --
Out of sorts, wanting certain things;
unsatisfied; unwell; unhappy; cross. See under Sort,
n. -- Out of temper, not
in good temper; irritated; angry. -- Out of
time, not in proper time; too soon, or too late. -
- Out of time, not in harmony; discordant;
hence, not in an agreeing temper; fretful. -- Out of
twist, winding, or
wind, not in warped condition; perfectly plain
and smooth; -- said of surfaces. -- Out of
use, not in use; unfashionable; obsolete. --
Out of the way. (a) On one
side; hard to reach or find; secluded. (b)
Improper; unusual; wrong. -- Out of the
woods, not in a place, or state, of obscurity or doubt;
free from difficulty or perils; safe. [Colloq.] -- Out
to out, from one extreme limit to another, including
the whole length, breadth, or thickness; -- applied to
measurements. -- Out West, in or towards, the
West; specifically, in some Western State or Territory. [U. S.] --
To come out, To cut out,
To fall out, etc. See under Come,
Cut, Fall, etc. -- To put out of the
way, to kill; to destroy. -- Week in, week
out. See Day in, day out (above).
Out (?), n. 1. One
who, or that which, is out; especially, one who is out of office; --
generally in the plural.
2. A place or space outside of something; a
nook or corner; an angle projecting outward; an open space; --
chiefly used in the phrase ins and outs; as, the ins and
outs of a question. See under In.
3. (Print.) A word or words omitted by
the compositor in setting up copy; an omission.
To make an out (Print.), to omit
something, in setting or correcting type, which was in the
copy.
Out, v. t. 1. To
cause to be out; to eject; to expel.
A king outed from his country.
Selden.
The French have been outed of their
holds.
Heylin.
2. To come out with; to make known.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
3. To give out; to dispose of; to sell.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Out, v. i. To come or go out; to
get out or away; to become public. "Truth will out."
Shak.
Out, interj. Expressing
impatience, anger, a desire to be rid of; -- with the force of
command; go out; begone; away; off.
Out, idle words, servants to shallow fools
!
Shak.
Out upon or on! equivalent
to "shame upon!" "away with!" as, out upon you!
Out*act" (?), v. t. To do or
beyond; to exceed in acting. [R.]
He has made me heir to treasures
Would make me outact a real window's whining.
Otway.
Ou"ta*gam`ies (?), n. pl.; sing.
Outagamie (&?;). (Ethnol.) See lst
Fox, 7.
Out*ar"gue (?), v. t. To surpass
or conquer in argument.
Out*bab"ble (?), v. t. To utter
foolishly or excessively; to surpass in babbling. [R.]
Milton.
Out*bal"ance (?), v. t. To
outweight; to exceed in weight or effect.
Let dull Ajax bear away my right
When all his days outbalance this one night.
Dryden.
Out*bar" (?), v. t. To bar
out. [R.] Spenser.
Out*beg" (?), v. t. To surpass in
begging. [R.]
Out*bid" (?), v. t.
[imp. Outbid or Outbade (&?;);
p. p. Outbid or Outbidden (&?;);
p. pr. & vb. n. Outbidding.] To exceed
or surpass in bidding.
Prevent the greedy, and outbid the
bold.
Pope.
Out*bid"der (?), n. One who
outbids. Johnson.
Out*bleat" (?), v. t. To surpass
in bleating.
Out"blown` (?), a. Inflated with
wind. Dryden.
Out*blush" (?), v. t. To exceed in
blushing; to surpass in rosy color. T. Shipman.
Out"board` (?), a. & adv.
(Naut.) Beyond or outside of the lines of a vessel's
bulwarks or hull; in a direction from the hull or from the keel; --
opposed to inboard; as, outboard rigging; swing the
davits outboard.
Out"born` (?), a. Foreign; not
native. [R.]
Out"bound` (?), a. Outward
bound. Dryden.
Out"bounds` (?), n. pl. The
farthest or exterior bounds; extreme limits; boundaries.
Spenser.
Out*bow" (?), v. t. To excel in
bowing. Young.
Out"bowed` (?), a. Convex; curved
outward. "The convex or outbowed side of a vessel."
Bp. Hall.
Out*brag" (?), v. t. To surpass in
bragging; hence, to make appear inferior.
Whose bare outbragg'd the web it seemed to
wear.
Shak.
Out*brave" (?), v. t.
1. To excel in bravery o&?; in insolence; to
defy with superior courage or audacity
2. To excel in magnificence or
comeliness.
The basest weed outbraves his
dignity.
Shak.
Out*bray" (?), v. t. 1.
To exceed in braying.
2. To emit with great noise. [Obs.]
Fairfax.
Out*bra"zen (?), v. t. To bear
down with a brazen face; to surpass in impudence. T.
Brown.
Out"break` (?), n. A bursting
forth; eruption; insurrection. "Mobs and outbreaks."
J. H. Newman.
The flash and outbreak of a fiery
mind.
Shak.
Out"break`ing, n. 1.
The act of breaking out.
2. That which bursts forth.
Out*breast" (?), v. t. To surpass
in singing. See Breast, n., 6.
[Obs.]
Out*breathe" (?), v. t.
1. To breathe forth. "Outbreathed
life." Spenser.
2. To cause to be out of breath; to
exhaust. Shak.
Out*breathe", v. i. To issue, as
breath; to be breathed out; to exhale. Beau. & Fl.
Out*bribe" (?), v. t. To surpass
in bribing.
Out*bring" (?), v. t. To bring or
bear out.
Out*bud" (?), v. i. To
sprout. [Poetic] Spenser.
Out*build" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Outbuilt (?) or Outbuilded; p.
pr. & vb. n. Outbuilding.] To exceed in
building, or in durability of building.
Out"build`ing (?), n. A building
separate from, and subordinate to, the main house; an
outhouse.
Out*burn", v. t. & i.
1. To exceed in burning.
2. To burn entirely; to be consumed.
Shak.
Out"burst` (?), n. A bursting
forth.
Out*cant" (?), v. t. To surpass in
canting. Pope.
Out"cast` (?), a. [Cf. Sw.
utkasta to cast out.] Cast out; degraded.
"Outcast, rejected." Longfellow.
Out"cast`, n. 1.
One who is cast out or expelled; an exile; one driven from home,
society, or country; hence, often, a degraded person; a
vagabond.
The Lord . . . gathereth together the outcasts
of Israel.
Ps. cxlvii. 2.
2. A quarrel; a contention. [Scot.]
Jamieson.
Out"cast`ing, n. That which is
cast out. [Obs.]
Out*cept" (?), prep. Except.
[Obs.] B. Jonson.
Out*cheat" (?), v. t. To exceed in
cheating.
Out*climb" (?), v. t. To climb
bevond; to surpass in climbing. Davenant.
Out"come (?), n. That which comes
out of, or follows from, something else; issue; result; consequence;
upshot. "The logical outcome." H. Spenser.
All true literature, all genuine poetry, is the direct
outcome, the condensed essence, of actual life and
thougth.
J. C. Shairp.
Out*com"pass (?), v. t. To exceed
the compass or limits of. Bacon.
Out"court` (?), n. An outer or
exterior court.
The skirts and outcourts of
heaven.
South.
Out*craft"y (?), v. t. To exceed
in cunning. [R.] Shak.
Out"cri`er (?), n. One who cries
out or proclaims; a herald or crier.
Out"crop` (?), n. (Geol.)
(a) The coming out of a stratum to the surface
of the ground. Lyell. (b) That part
of inclined strata which appears at the surface; basset.
Out*crop" (?), v. i. (Geol.)
To come out to the surface of the ground; -- said of
strata.
Out"cry` (?), n. 1.
A vehement or loud cry; a cry of distress, alarm, opposition, or
detestation; clamor.
2. Sale at public auction.
Massinger. Thackeray.
Out*dare" (?), v. t. To surpass in
daring; to overcome by courage; to brave. Shak. R.
Browning.
Out*dat"ed (?), a. Being out of
date; antiquated. [Obs.] Hammond.
Out*daz"zle (?), v. t. To surpass
in dazzing.
Out*do" (?), v. t.
[imp. Outdid (?); p. p.
Outdone (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Outdoing.] To go beyond in performance; to excel; to
surpass.
An imposture outdoes the original.
L' Estrange.
I grieve to be outdone by Gay.
Swift.
Out"door` (?), a. [For out of
door.] Being, or done, in the open air; being or done
outside of certain buildings, as poorhouses, hospitals, etc.; as,
outdoor exercise; outdoor relief; outdoor
patients.
Out"doors` (?), adv. Abread; out
of the house; out of doors.
Out*draw" (?), v. t. To draw out;
to extract. [R.] "He must the teeth outdraw."
Gower.
Out*dream" (?), v. t. To pass, or
escape, while dreaming. "To oultdream dangers."
Beau. & Fl.
Out*drink" (?), v. t. To exceed in
drinking.
Out*dure" (?), v. t. To
outlast. [Obs.]
Out*dwell" (?), v. t. To dwell or
stay beyond. [Poetic] "He outdwells his hour."
Shak.
Out"dwell`er (?), n. One who holds
land in a parish, but lives elsewhere. [Eng.]
Out"er (out"&etilde;r), a.
[Compar. of Out.] [AS. ūtor,
compar. of ūt, adv., out. See Out, Utter,
a.] Being on the outside; external; farthest
or farther from the interior, from a given station, or from any space
or position regarded as a center or starting place; -- opposed to
inner; as, the outer wall; the outer court or
gate; the outer stump in cricket; the outer
world.
Outer bar, in England, the body of junior
(or utter) barristers; -- so called because in court they occupy a
place beyond the space reserved for Queen's counsel.
Out"er, n. (a) The
part of a target which is beyond the circles surrounding the bull's-
eye. (b) A shot which strikes the outer of
a target.
Out"er, n. [From Out,
v.] One who puts out, ousts, or expels; also,
an ouster; dispossession. [R.]
Out"er*ly, adv. 1.
Utterly; entirely. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. Toward the outside. [R.]
Grew.
Out"er*most` (?), a. [See
Uttermost, Utmost, and cf. Outmost.] Being
on the extreme external part; farthest outward; as, the
outermost row. Boyle.
Out*face" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Outfaced (?); p pr. & vb. n.
Outfacing (?).] To face or look (one) out of countenance;
to resist or bear down by bold looks or effrontery; to brave.
Shak.
Having outfaced all the world.
South.
Out"fall` (?), n. 1.
The mouth of a river; the lower end of a water course; the open
end of a drain, culvert, etc., where the discharge occurs.
2. A quarrel; a falling out. [Prov.
Eng.]
Out*fang"thef (?), n. [AS. &?;t-
fangen-&?;eóf. See Out, Fang, v.
t., and Thief.] (Anglo-Saxon & O. Eng. Law)
(a) A thief from without or abroad, taken within
a lord's fee or liberty. (b) The privilege
of trying such a thief. Burrill.
Out*fawn" (?), v. t. To exceed in
fawning.
Out*feast" (?), v. t. To exceed in
feasting.
Out*feat" (?), v. t. To surpass in
feats.
Out"field` (?), n. 1.
Arable land which has been or is being exhausted. See
Infield, 1. [Scot.]
2. A field beyond, or separated from, the
inclosed land about the homestead; an uninclosed or unexplored tract.
Also used figuratively.
The great outfield of thought or
fact.
Trench.
3. (Baseball) The part of the field
beyond the diamond, or infield. It is occupied by the
fielders.
4. (Cricket) The part of the field
farthest from the batsman.
Out"fit (?), n. A fitting out, or
equipment, as of a ship for a voyage, or of a person for an
expedition in an unoccupied region or residence in a foreign land;
things required for equipment; the expense of, or allowance made for,
equipment, as by the government of the United States to a diplomatic
agent going abroad.
Out"fit`ter (?), n. One who
furnishes outfits for a voyage, a journey, or a business.
Out*flank" (?), v. t. (Mil.)
To go beyond, or be superior to, on the flank; to pass around or
turn the flank or flanks of.
Out*flat"ter (?), v. t. To exceed
in flattering.
Out"fling`, n. A gibe; a
contemptuous remark.
Out"flow` (?), n. A flowing out;
efflux.
Out*flow" (?), v. i. To flow
out. Campbell.
Out*fly" (?), v. t.
[imp. Outflew (?); p. p.
Outflown (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Outflying.] To
surpass in flying; to fly beyond or faster than.
Shak.
Winged with fear outflies the
wind.
Waller.
Out*fool", v. t. To exceed in
folly. [R.] Young.
Out"form (?), n. External
appearance. [Obs.]
Out*frown" (?), v. t. To frown
down; to overbear by frowning. Shak.
Out"gate` (?), n. An outlet.
[Obs.] Spenser.
Out*gaze" (?), v. t. To gaze
beyond; to exceed in sharpness or persistence of seeing or of
looking; hence, to stare out of countenance.
Out*gen"er*al (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Outgeneraled (?) or Outgeneralled;
p. pr. & vb. n. Outgeneraling or
Outgeneralling.] To exceed in generalship; to gain
advantage over by superior military skill or executive ability; to
outmaneuver. Chesterfield.
Out*give" (?), v. t. To surpass in
giving. Dryden.
Out*go" (?), v. t.
[imp. Outwent (?); p. p.
Outgone (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Outgoing.]
1. To go beyond; to exceed in swiftness; to
surpass; to outdo.
2. To circumvent; to overreach. [Obs.]
Denham.
Out"go` (?), n.; pl.
Outgoes (&?;). That which goes out, or is paid
out; outlay; expenditure; -- the opposite of income.
Lowell.
Out"go`er (?), n. One who goes out
or departs.
Out"go`ing, n. 1.
The act or the state of going out.
The outgoings of the morning and
evening.
Ps. lxv. 8.
2. That which goes out; outgo;
outlay.
3. The extreme limit; the place of
ending. [Obs.]
The outgoings of the border were at the north
bay of the salt sea, at the south end of Jordan.
Josh. xviii. 19.
Out"go`ing, a. Going out;
departing; as, the outgoing administration; an outgoing
steamer.
Out"ground` (?), n. Ground
situated at a distance from the house; outlying land.
Out*grow" (?), v. t.
[imp. Outgrew (?); p. p.
Outgrown (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Outgrowing.]
1. To surpass in growing; to grow more
than. Shak.
2. To grow out of or away from; to grow too
large, or too aged, for; as, to outgrow clothing; to
outgrow usefulness; to outgrow an infirmity.
Out"growth` (?), n. That which
grows out of, or proceeds from, anything; an excrescence; an
offshoot; hence, a result or consequence.
Out"guard` (?), n. (Mil.) A
guard or small body of troops at a distance from the main body of an
army, to watch for the approach of an enemy; hence, anything for
defense placed at a distance from the thing to be defended.
Out"gush` (?), n. A pouring out;
an outburst.
A passionate outgush of emotion.
Thackeray.
Out*gush" (?), v. i. To gush out;
to flow forth.
Out"haul` (?), n. (Naut.) A
rope used for hauling out a sail upon a spar; -- opposite of
inhaul.
Out*hees" (?), n. [Cf. LL.
uthesium, hutesium, huesium, OF. hueis,
and E. hue, in hue and cry.] Outcry; alarm.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Outh"er (?), conj. Other.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Out-Her"od (?), v. t. To surpass
(Herod) in violence or wickedness; to exceed in any vicious or
offensive particular. "It out-Herods Herod."
Shak.
Out-Heroding the preposterous fashions of the
times.
Sir W. Scott.
Out*hire" (?), v. t. To hire
out. [Obs.] Spenser.
Out"house` (?), n. A small house
or building at a little distance from the main house; an
outbuilding.
Out"ing, n. 1. The
act of going out; an airing; an excursion; as, a summer
outing.
2. A feast given by an apprentice when he is
out of his time. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Out*jest" (?), v. t. To surpass in
jesting; to drive out, or away, by jesting. [R.]
Shak.
Out"jet` (?), n. That which jets
out or projects from anything. [R.] H. Miller.
Out*jug"gle (?), v. t. To surpass
in juggling.
Out"keep`er (?), n. (Surv.)
An attachment to a surveyor's compass for keeping tally in
chaining.
Out*knave" (?), v. t. To surpass
in knavery.
Out*la"bor (?), v. t. To surpass
in laboring.
Out"land (?), a. [Out +
land. See Outlandish.] Foreign; outlandish.
[Obs.] Strutt.
Out"land*er (?), n. A
foreigner. Wood.
Out*land"ish (?), a. [AS.
&?;tlendisc foreign. See Out, Land, and -
ish.] 1. Foreign; not native.
Him did outlandish women cause to
sin.
Neh. xiii. 26.
Its barley water and its outlandish
wines.
G. W. Cable.
2. Hence: Not according with usage; strange;
rude; barbarous; uncouth; clownish; as, an outlandish dress,
behavior, or speech.
Something outlandish, unearthy, or at variance
with ordinary fashion.
Hawthorne.
--Out*land"ish*ly, adv. --
Out*land"ish*ness, n.
Out*last" (?), v. t. To exceed in
duration; to survive; to endure longer than.
Milton.
Out*laugh" (?), v. t.
1. To surpass or outdo in laughing.
Dryden.
2. To laugh (one) out of a purpose,
principle, etc.; to discourage or discomfit by laughing; to laugh
down. [R.]
His apprehensions of being outlaughed will
force him to continue in a restless obscurity.
Franklin.
Out"law` (?), n. [AS. &?;tlaga,
&?;tlah. See Out, and Law.] A person
excluded from the benefit of the law, or deprived of its
protection. Blackstone.
Out"law`, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Outlawed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Outlawing.] [AS. &?;tlagian.]
1. To deprive of the benefit and protection
of law; to declare to be an outlaw; to proscribe.
Blackstone.
2. To remove from legal jurisdiction or
enforcement; as, to outlaw a debt or claim; to deprive of
legal force. "Laws outlawed by necessity."
Fuller.
Out"law`ry (?), n.; pl.
Outlawries (&?;).
1. The act of outlawing; the putting a man
out of the protection of law, or the process by which a man (as an
absconding criminal) is deprived of that protection.
2. The state of being an outlaw.
Out*lay" (?), v. t. To lay out; to
spread out; to display. [R.] Drayton.
Out"lay` (?), n. 1.
A laying out or expending.
2. That which is expended;
expenditure.
3. An outlying haunt. [Obs.] Beau.
& Fl.
Out*leap" (?), v. t. To surpass in
leaping.
Out"leap` (?), n. A sally.
[R.] Locke.
Out*learn" (?), v. t.
1. To excel or surpass in learing.
2. To learn out [i. e., completely,
utterly]; to exhaust knowledge of.
Naught, according to his mind,
He could outlearn.
Spenser.
Men and gods have not outlearned it
[love].
Emerson.
Out"let` (?), n. The place or
opening by which anything is let out; a passage out; an exit; a
vent.
Receiving all, and having no
outlet.
Fuller.
Out*let" (?), v. t. To let out; to
emit. [R.] Daniel.
Out*lie" (?), v. t. To exceed in
lying. Bp. Hall.
Out"li`er (?), n. 1.
One who does not live where his office, or business, or estate,
is. Bentley.
2. That which lies, or is, away from the main
body.
3. (Geol.) A part of a rock or stratum
lying without, or beyond, the main body, from which it has been
separated by denudation.
Out"limb` (?), n. An extreme
member or part of a thing; a limb. [Obs.] Fuller.
Out"line` (?), n. 1.
(a) The line which marks the outer limits of an
object or figure; the exterior line or edge; contour.
(b) In art: A line drawn by pencil, pen, graver,
or the like, by which the boundary of a figure is indicated.
(c) A sketch composed of such lines; the
delineation of a figure without shading.
Painters, by their outlines, colors, lights,
and shadows, represent the same in their pictures.
Dryden.
2. Fig.: A sketch of any scheme; a
preliminary or general indication of a plan, system, course of
thought, etc.; as, the outline of a speech.
But that larger grief . . .
Is given in outline and no more.
Tennyson.
Syn. -- Sketch; draught; delineation. See
Sketch.
Out"line`, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Outlined (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Outlining.] 1. To draw the outline
of.
2. Fig.: To sketch out or indicate as by an
outline; as, to outline an argument or a campaign.
Out*lin"e*ar (?), a. Of or
pertaining to an outline; being in, or forming, an outline.
Trench.
Out*live" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Outlived (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Outliving.] To live beyond, or longer than; to
survive.
They live too long who happiness
outlive.
Dryden.
Out*liv"er (?), n. One who
outlives. [R.]
Out*look" (?), v. t. 1.
To face down; to outstare.
To outlook conquest, and to win
renown.
Shak.
2. To inspect throughly; to select.
[Obs.] Cotton.
Out"look`, n. 1.
The act of looking out; watch.
2. One who looks out; also, the place from
which one looks out; a watchower. Lyon Playfair.
3. The view obtained by one looking out;
scope of vision; prospect; sight; appearance.
Applause
Which owes to man's short outlook all its charms.
Young.
Out"loose` (?), n. A loosing from;
an escape; an outlet; an evasion. [Obs.]
That "whereas" gives me an
outloose.
Selden.
Out"lope (?), n. An
excursion. [Obs.] Florio.
{ Out*lus"ter, Out*lus"tre } (?), v.
t. To excel in brightness or luster.
Shak.
Out"ly`ing (?), a. Lying or being
at a distance from the central part, or the main body; being on, or
beyond, the frontier; exterior; remote; detached.
{ Out`ma*neu"ver, Out`ma*nœu"vre } (?),
v. t. To surpass, or get an advantage of, in
maneuvering; to outgeneral.
Out*man"tle (?), v. t. To excel in
mantling; hence, to excel in splendor, as of dress. [R.]
And with poetic trappings grace thy prose,
Till it outmantle all the pride of verse.
Cowper.
Out*march" (?), v. t. To surpass
in marching; to march faster than, or so as to leave
behind.
Out*meas"ure (?), v. t. To exceed
in measure or extent; to measure more than. Sir T.
Browne.
Out"most` (?), a. [OE. outemest,
utmest, AS. &?;temest, a superl. fr. &?;te out.
See Out, Utmost, and cf. Outermost.]
Farthest from the middle or interior; farthest outward;
outermost.
Out*mount" (?), v. t. To mount
above. [R.]
Out*name" (?), v. t. 1.
To exceed in naming or describing. [R.]
2. To exceed in name, fame, or degree.
[Obs.]
And found out one to outname thy other
faults.
Beau. & Fl.
Out"ness (?), n. 1.
The state of being out or beyond; separateness.
2. (Metaph.) The state or quality of
being distanguishable from the perceiving mind, by being in space,
and possessing marerial quality; externality; objectivity.
The outness of the objects of
sense.
Sir W. Hamiltom.
Out*noise" (?), v. t. To exceed in
noise; to surpass in noisiness. [R.] Fuller.
Out*num"ber (?), v. t. To exceed
in number.
Out`-of-door" (?), a. Being out of
the house; being, or done, in the open air; outdoor; as, out-of-
door exercise. See Out of door, under Out,
adv.
Amongst out-of-door delights.
G. Eliot.
Out`-of-the-way", a. See under
Out, adv.
Out*pace" (?), v. t. [Cf.
Outpass.] To outgo; to move faster than; to leave
behind. [R.] Lamb.
Out*par"a*mour (?), v. t. To
exceed in the number of mistresses. [R.] Shak.
Out"par`ish (?), n. A parish lying
without the walls of, or in a remote part of, a town.
Graunt.
Out"part` (?), n. An outlying
part. [R.] Ayliffe.
Out*pass" (?), v. t. [Cf.
Outpace.] To pass beyond; to exceed in
progress.
Out*pas"sion (?), v. t. To exceed
in passion.
Out"-pa`tient (?), n. A patient
who is outside a hospital, but receives medical aid from
it.
Out*peer" (?), v. t. To
excel. [R.] Shak.
Out*play" (?), v. t. To excel or
defeat in a game; to play better than; as, to be outplayed in
tennis or ball.
Out*poise" (?), v. t. To
outweigh. Howell.
Out"port` (?), n. A harbor or port
at some distance from the chief town or seat of trade.
Macaulay.
Out"post` (?), n. (Mil.)
(a) A post or station without the limits of a
camp, or at a distance from the main body of an army, for observation
of the enemy. (b) The troops placed at
such a station.
Out*pour" (?), v. t. To pour
out. Milton.
Out"pour`, n. A flowing out; a
free discharge.
Out*pow"er (?), v. t. To excel in
power; to overpover. [Obs.] Fuller.
Out*pray" (?), v. t. To exceed or
excel in prayer.
Out*preach" (?), v. t. To surpass
in preaching.
And for a villain's quick conversion
A pillory can outpreach a parson.
Trumbull.
Out*prize" (?), v. t. To prize
beyong value, or in excess; to exceed in value. [Obs.]
Shak.
Out"put` (?), n. 1.
The amount of coal or ore put out from one or more mines, or the
quantity of material produced by, or turned out from, one or more
furnaces or mills, in a given time.
2. (Physiol.) That which is thrown out
as products of the metabolic activity of the body; the egesta other
than the fæces. See Income.
&fist; The output consists of: (a) The respiratory products
of the lungs, skin, and alimentary canal, consisting chiefly of
carbonic acid and water with small quantities of hydrogen and
carbureted hydrogen. (b) Perspiration, consisting chiefly of
water and salts. (c) The urine, which is assumed to contain
all the nitrogen truly excreted by the body, besides a large quantity
of saline matters and water. Foster.
Out*quench" (?), v. t. To quench
entirely; to extinguish. "The candlelight outquenched."
Spenser.
Out*rage" (?), v. t. [Out +
rage.] To rage in excess of. [R.]
Young.
Out"rage (?), n. [F. outrage;
OF. outre, oltre, beyond (F. outre, L.
ultra) + -age, as, in courage, voyage.
See Ulterior.] 1. Injurious violence or
wanton wrong done to persons or things; a gross violation of right or
decency; excessive abuse; wanton mischief; gross injury.
Chaucer.
He wrought great outrages, wasting all the
country.
Spenser.
2. Excess; luxury. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Syn. -- Affront; insult; abuse. See Affront.
Out"rage (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Outragen (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Outraging (?).] [F. outrager. See Outrage,
n.]
1. To commit outrage upon; to subject to
outrage; to treat with violence or excessive abuse.
Base and insolent minds outrage men when they
have hope of doing it without a return.
Atterbury.
This interview outrages all
decency.
Broome.
2. Specifically, to violate; to commit an
indecent assault upon (a female).
Out"rage, v. t. To be guilty of an
outrage; to act outrageously.
Out*ra"geous (?), a. [OF.
outrageus, F. outrageux. See Outrage,
n.] Of the nature of an outrage; exceeding the
limits of right, reason, or decency; involving or doing an outrage;
furious; violent; atrocious. "Outrageous weeping."
Chaucer. "The most outrageous villainies." Sir P.
Sidney. "The vile, outrageous crimes." Shak.
"Outrageous panegyric." Dryden.
Syn. -- Violent; furious; exorbitant; excessive; atrocious;
monstrous; wanton; nefarious; heinous.
-- Out*ra"geous*ly (out*rā"jŭs*l&ybreve;),
adv. -- Out*ra"geous*ness,
n.
||Ou`trance" (&oomac;`träNs"), n.
[F. See OutrÆ.] The utmost or last
extremity.
||Combat à outrance, a fight to the
end, or to the death.
Out*rank" (out*ră&nsm;k"), v. t.
To exceed in rank; hence, to take precedence of.
Out*ray" (-rā"), v. t. To
outshine. [R.] Skelton.
Out*ray", v. i. To spread out in
array. [Obs.]
And now they outray to your fleet.
Chapman.
Out*raye" (?), v. i. See
Outrage, v. i. [Obs.]
This warn I you, that ye not suddenly
Out of yourself for no woe should outraye.
Chaucer.
Out*raze" (?), v. t. To
obliterate. [Obs.] Sandys.
||Ou`tré" (?), a. [F., p. p. of
outrer to exaggerate, fr. L. ultra beyond. See
Outrage.] Being out of the common course or limits;
extravagant; bizarre.
Out*reach" (?), v. t. To reach
beyond.
Out*rea"son (?), v. t. To excel or
surpass in reasoning; to reason better than. South.
Out*reck"on (?), v. t. To exceed
in reckoning or computation. Bp. Pearson.
||Ou`tre*cui`dance" (?), n. [F., fr.
outre beyond + cuider to think, L. cogitare.]
Excessive presumption. [R.] B. Jonson.
Out*rede" (?), v. t. To surpass in
giving rede, or counsel. [Obs.] See Atrede.
Chaucer.
Out*reign" (?), v. t. To go beyond
in reigning; to reign through the whole of, or longer than.
[R.] Spenser.
Out*ride" (?), v. t. To surpass in
speed of riding; to ride beyond or faster than.
Shak.
Out"ride`, n. 1. A
riding out; an excursion. [R.]
2. A place for riding out. [R.]
Out"rid`er (?), n. 1.
A summoner whose office is to cite men before the sheriff.
[Obs.]
2. One who rides out on horseback.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
3. A servant on horseback attending a
carriage.
Out"rig`ger (?), n. 1.
Any spar or projecting timber run out for temporary use, as from
a ship's mast, to hold a rope or a sail extended, or from a building,
to support hoisting teckle.
2. (Naut.) (a) A
projecting support for a rowlock, extended from the side of a
boat. (b) A boat thus equipped.
(c) A projecting contrivance at the side of a
boat to prevent upsetting, as projecting spars with a log at the
end.
Out"right` (?), adv. 1.
Immediately; without delay; at once; as, he was killed
outright.
2. Completely; utterly. Cardinal
Manning.
Out*ring" (?), v. t. To excel in
volume of ringing sound; to ring louder than.
Out*ri"val (?), v. t. To surpass
in a rivalry.
Out*rive" (?), v. t. To river; to
sever. [Obs.] Fairfax.
{ Out"road`, Out"rode` } (?),
n. An excursion. [Obs.] "Outrodes
by the ways of Judea." Macc. xv. 41 (Geneva Bible).
Out*roar" (?), v. t. To exceed in
roaring.
Out`ro*mance" (?), v. t. To exceed
in romantic character. [R.] Fuller.
Out"room` (?), n. An outer
room. [R.] Fuller.
Out*root" (?), v. t. To eradicate;
to extirpate.
Out*run" (?), v. t.
[imp. Outran (?); p. p.
Outrun; p. pr. & vb. n. Outrunning.]
To exceed, or leave behind, in running; to run faster than; to
outstrip; to go beyond.
Your zeal outruns my wishes.
Sir W. Scott.
The other disciple did outrun Peter, and came
first to the sepulcher.
Jhon xx. 4.
Out*run"ner (?), n. An offshoot; a
branch. [R.] "Some outrunner of the river."
Lauson.
Out*rush" (?), v. i. To rush out;
to issue, or ru&?; out, forcibly. Garth.
Out*sail" (?), v. t. To excel, or
to leave behind, in sailing; to sail faster than. Beau. &
Fl.
Out*scent" (?), v. t. To exceed in
odor. Fuller.
Out*scold" (?), v. t. To exceed in
scolding. Shak.
Out*scorn" (?), v. t. To confront,
or subdue, with greater scorn. Shak.
Out"scour`ing (?), n. That which
is scoured out o&?; washed out. Buckland.
Out*scout" (?), v. t. To overpower
by disdain; to outface. [Obs.] Marston.
Out*see" (?), v. t. To see beyond;
to excel in cer&?;ainty of seeing; to surpass in foresight.
Out*sell" (?), v. t. 1.
To exceed in amount of sales; to sell more than.
2. To exceed in the price of selling; to
fetch more than; to exceed in value. Fuller. Shak.
Out"sen`try (?), n. (Mil.)
A sentry who guards the entrance or approach to a place; an
outguard.
Out"set` (?), n. A setting out,
starting, or beginning. "The outset of a political
journey." Burke.
Giving a proper direction to this outset of
life.
J. Hawes.
Out"set`tler (?), n. One who
settles at a distance, or away, from others.
Out*shine" (?), v. i. To shine
forth. "Bright, outshining beams." Shak.
Out*shine", v. t. To excel in
splendor.
A throne of royal state, which far
Outshone the wealth of Ormus and of Ind.
Milton.
Out*shoot" (?), v. t. To exceed or
excel in shooting; to shoot beyond. Bacon.
Men are resolved never to outshoot their
forefathers' mark.
Norris.
Out*shut" (?), v. t. To shut
out. [R.] Donne.
Out"side` (?), n. 1.
The external part of a thing; the part, end, or side which forms
the surface; that which appears, or is manifest; that which is
superficial; the exterior.
There may be great need of an outside where
there is little or nothing within.
South.
Created beings see nothing but our
outside.
Addison.
2. The part or space which lies without an
inclosure; the outer side, as of a door, walk, or boundary.
I threw open the door of my chamber, and found the
family standing on the outside.
Spectator.
3. The furthest limit, as to number,
quantity, extent, etc.; the utmost; as, it may last a week at the
outside.
4. One who, or that which, is without; hence,
an outside passenger, as distinguished from one who is
inside. See Inside, n. 3.
[Colloq. Eng.]
Out"side` (?), a. 1.
Of or pertaining to the outside; external; exterior;
superficial.
2. Reaching the extreme or farthest limit, as
to extent, quantity, etc.; as, an outside estimate.
[Colloq.]
Outside finish (Arch.), a term for
the minor parts, as corner boards, hanging stiles, etc., required to
complete the exterior of a wooden building; -- rare in
masonry.
Out"side` (?), adv. or
prep. On or to the outside (of); without; on the exterior; as,
to ride outside the coach; he stayed outside.
Out`sid"er (?), n. 1.
One not belonging to the concern, institution, party, etc.,
spoken of; one disconnected in interest or feeling. [Recent]
A. Trollope.
2. A locksmith's pinchers for grasping the
point of a key in the keyhole, to open a door from the outside when
the key is inside.
3. A horse which is not a favorite in the
betting. [Cant]
Out*sing" (?), v. t. To surpass in
singing.
Out*sit" (?), v. t. To remain
sitting, or in session, longer than, or beyond the time of; to
outstay.
Out"skirt` (?), n. A part remote
from the center; outer edge; border; -- usually in the plural; as,
the outskirts of a town. Wordsworth.
The outskirts of his march of
mystery.
Keble.
Out*sleep" (?), v. t. To exceed in
sleeping. Shak.
Out*slide" (?), v. i. To slide
outward, onward, or forward; to advance by sliding.
[Poetic]
At last our grating keels
outslide.
Whittier.
Out*soar" (?), v. t. To soar
beyond or above.
Out"sole` (?), n. The outside sole
of a boot or shoe.
Out*sound" (?), v. t. To surpass
in sounding.
Out*span" (?), v. t. & i. [D.
uitspannen.] To unyoke or disengage, as oxen from a
wagon. [S. Africa]
Out*spar"kle (?), v. t. To exceed
in sparkling.
Out*speak" (?), v. t.
1. To exceed in speaking.
2. To speak openly or boldly. T.
Campbell.
3. To express more than.
Shak.
Out*speed" (?), v. t. To excel in
speed.
Outspeed the realized miracles of
steam.
Talfourd.
Out"spend` (?), n. Outlay;
expenditure. [R.]
A mere outspend of savageness.
I. Taylor.
Out*spin" (?), v. t. To spin out;
to finish.
Out*spo"ken (?), a. Speaking, or
spoken, freely, openly, or boldly; as, an outspoken man; an
outspoken rebuke. -- Out*spo"ken*ness,
n.
Out*sport" (?), v. t. To exceed in
sporting. [R.] "Not to outsport discretion."
Shak.
Out*spread" (?), v. t. To spread
out; to expand; -- usually as a past part. or
adj.
Out*spring" (?), v. i. To spring
out; to issue.
Out*stand" (?), v. i. To stand
out, or project, from a surface or mass; hence, to remain standing
out.
Out*stand", v. t. 1.
To resist effectually; to withstand; to sustain without
yielding. [R.] Woodward.
2. To stay beyond. "I have
outstood my time." Shak.
Out*stand"ing, a. That stands out;
undischarged; uncollected; not paid; as, outstanding
obligations.
Revenues . . . as well outstanding as
collected.
A. Hamilton.
Out*stare" (?), v. t. To excel or
overcome in staring; to face down.
I would outstare the sternest eyes that
look.
Shak.
Out*start" (?), v. i. To start out
or up. Chaucer.
Out*stay" (?), v. t. To stay
beyond or longer than.
She concluded to outstay him.
Mad. D' Arblay.
Out*step" (?), v. t. To exceed in
stepping.
Out*storm" (?), v. t. To exceed in
storming.
Insults the tempest and outstorms the
skies.
J. Barlow.
Out"street` (?), n. A street
remote from the center of a town. Johnson.
Out*stretch" (?), v. t. To stretch
out. Milton.
Out*stride" (?), v. t. To surpass
in striding.
Out*strike" (?), v. t. To strike
out; to strike faster than. Shak.
Out*strip" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Outstripped (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Outstripping.] To go faster than; to outrun;
to advance beyond; to leave behing.
Appetites which . . . had outstripped the
hours.
Southey.
He still outstript me in the race.
Tennyson.
Out*suf"fer (?), v. t. To exceed
in suffering.
Out*swear" (?), v. t. To exceed in
swearing.
Out*sweet"en (?), v. t. To surpass
in sweetness. [R.] Shak.
Out*swell" (?), v. t.
1. To exceed in swelling.
2. To swell beyond; to overflow. [Obs.]
Hewyt.
Out*take" (?), prep. Except.
[Obs.] R. of Brunne.
Out*tak"en (?), p. p. or
prep. Excepted; save. [Obs.] Wyclif.
Chaucer.
Out*talk" (?), v. t. To overpower
by talking; to exceed in talking; to talk down.
Shak.
Out*tell" (?), v. t. To surpass in
telling, counting, or reckoning. "I have outtold the
clock." Beau. & Fl.
Out"term` (?), n. An external or
superficial thing; outward manner; superficial remark, etc.
[Obs.]
Not to bear cold forms, nor men's
outterms.
B. Jonson.
Out*throw" (?), v. t.
1. To throw out. Spenser.
2. To excel in throwing, as in ball
playing.
Out*toil" (?), v. t. To exceed in
toiling.
Out*tongue" (?), v. t. To silence
by talk, clamor, or noise. [R.] Shak.
Out*top" (?), v. t. To
overtop. [Obs.]
Out*trav"el (?), v. t. To exceed
in speed o&?; distance traveled. Mad. D' Arblay.
Out*twine" (?), v. t. To
disentangle. [Obs.]
Out*val"ue (?), v. t. To exceed in
value. Boyle.
Out*ven"om (?), v. t. To exceed in
venom.
Out*vie" (?), v. t. To exceed in
vying. Dryden.
Out*vil"lain (?), v. t. To exceed
in villainy.
Out*voice" (?), v. t. To exceed in
noise. Shak.
Out*vote" (?), v. t. To exceed in
the number of votes given; to defeat by votes.
South.
Out*walk" (?), v. t. To excel in
walking; to leave behind in walking. B. Jonson.
Out"wall` (?), n. The exterior
wall; the outside surface, or appearance. Shak.
{ Out"ward (?), Out"wards (?), }
adv. [AS. &?;teweard. See Out, and
-ward, -wards.] From the interior part; in a
direction from the interior toward the exterior; out; to the outside;
beyond; off; away; as, a ship bound outward.
The wrong side may be turned
outward.
Shak.
Light falling on them is not reflected
outwards.
Sir I. Newton.
Outward bound, bound in an outward direction
or to foreign parts; -- said especially of vessels, and opposed to
homeward bound.
Out"ward, a. 1.
Forming the superficial part; external; exterior; -- opposed to
inward; as, an outward garment or layer.
Though our outward man perish, yet the inward
man is renewed day by day.
Cor. iv. 16.
2. Of or pertaining to the outer surface or
to what is external; manifest; public. "Sins outward."
Chaucer.
An outward honor for an inward
toil.
Shak.
3. Foreign; not civil or intestine; as, an
outward war. [Obs.] Hayward.
4. Tending to the exterior or
outside.
The fire will force its outward
way.
Dryden.
-- Out"ward*ly, adv. --
Out"ward*ness, n.
Outward stroke. (Steam Engine) See
under Stroke.
Out"ward, n. External form;
exterior. [R.]
So fair an outward and such stuff
within.
Shak.
Out"wards (?), adv. See
Outward, adv.
Out*watch" (?), v. t. To exceed in
watching.
Out"way` (?), n. A way out;
exit. [R.]
In divers streets and outways
multiplied.
P. Fletcher.
Out*wear" (?), v. t. 1.
To wear out; to consume or destroy by wearing.
Milton.
2. To last longer than; to outlast; as, this
cloth will outwear the other. "If I the night
outwear." Pope.
Out*wea"ry (?), v. t. To weary
out. Cowley.
Out*weed" (?), v. t. To weed
out. [Obs.]
Out*weep" (?), v. t. To exceed in
weeping.
Out*weigh" (?), v. t. To exceed in
weight or value.
Out*well" (?), v. t. To pour
out. [Obs.] Spenser.
Out*well", v. i. To issue
forth. Thomson.
Out*went" (?), imp. of
Outgo.
Out*whore" (?), v. t. To exceed in
lewdness.
Out*win" (?), v. t. To win a way
out of. [Obs.]
Out*wind" (?), v. t. To extricate
by winding; to unloose. [R.] Spenser. Dr. H. More.
Out*wing" (?), v. t. To surpass,
exceed, or outstrip in flying. Garth.
Out*wit" (?), v. t. To surpass in
wisdom, esp. in cunning; to defeat or overreach by superior
craft.
They did so much outwit and outwealth us
!
Gauden.
Out"wit (?), n. The faculty of
acquiring wisdom by observation and experience, or the wisdom so
acquired; -- opposed to inwit. [Obs.] Piers
Plowman.
Out*woe" (?), v. t. To exceed in
woe. [Obs.]
Out*work" (?), v. t. To exceed in
working; to work more or faster than.
Out"work` (?), n. (Fort.) A
minor defense constructed beyond the main body of a work, as a
ravelin, lunette, hornwork, etc. Wilhelm.
Out*worth" (?), v. t. To exceed in
worth. [R.]
Out*wrest" (?), v. t. To extort;
to draw from or forth by violence. [Obs.] Spenser.
Out*write" (?), v. t. To exceed or
excel in writing.
Out*za"ny (?), v. t. To exceed in
buffoonery. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Ou*va"ro*vite (?), n. [Named from the
Russian Count Uvaroff.] (Min.) Chrome
garnet.
Ouze (?), n. & v. See
Ooze. [Obs.]
Ou"zel (?), n. (Zoöl.)
Same as Ousel.
The mellow ouzel fluted in the
elm.
Tennyson.
||O"va (?), n. pl. See
Ovum.
O"val (?), a. [F. ovale, fr. L.
ovum egg. Cf. Egg, Ovum.] 1.
Of or pertaining to eggs; done in the egg, or inception; as,
oval conceptions. [Obs.]
2. Having the figure of an egg; oblong and
curvilinear, with one end broader than the other, or with both ends
of about the same breadth; in popular usage, elliptical.
3. (Bot.) Broadly
elliptical.
Oval chuck (Mech.), a lathe chuck so
constructed that work attached to it, and cut by the turning tool in
the usual manner, becomes of an oval form.
O"val, n. A body or figure in the
shape of an egg, or popularly, of an ellipse.
Cassinian oval (Geom.), the locus of
a point the product of whose distances from two fixed points is
constant; -- so called from Cassini, who first investigated
the curve. Thus, in the diagram, if P moves so that P A.P B is
constant, the point P describes a Cassinian oval. The locus may
consist of a single closed line, as shown by the dotted line, or of
two equal ovals about the points A and B.
{ O`val*bu"min (?), O`val*bu"men (?), }
n. [Ovum + albumin.] (Physiol.
Chem.) The albumin from white of eggs; egg albumin; -- in
distinction from serum albumin. See Albumin.
O*val"i*form (?), a. [Oval +
-form.] Having the form of an egg; having a figure such
that any section in the direction of the shorter diameter will be
circular, and any in the direction of the longer diameter will be
oval.
O"val*ly (?), adv. In an oval
form.
O"vant (?), a. [L. ovans
triumphant, p. pr. of ovare to exult.] Exultant.
[Obs.] Holland.
{ O*va"ri*an (?), O*va"ri*al (?), }
a. Of or pertaining to an ovary.
O*va"ri*ole (?), n. (Zoöl.)
One of the tubes of which the ovaries of most insects are
composed.
O*va`ri*ot"o*mist (?), n. One who
performs, or is skilled in, ovariotomy.
O*va`ri*ot"o*my (?), n. [Ovarium
+ Gr. &?; to cut.] (Surg.) The operation of removing one
or both of the ovaries; oöphorectomy.
O*va"ri*ous (?), a. Consisting of
eggs; as, ovarious food. [R.] Thomson.
||O`va*ri"tis (?), n. [NL. See
Ovarium, and -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of
the ovaries.
||O*va"ri*um (?), n.; pl. L.
Ovaria (#), E. Ovariums (#).
[NL.] An ovary. See Ovary.
O"va*ry (?), n.; pl.
Ovaries (#). [NL. ovarium, fr. L.
ovum egg: cf. F. ovaire. See Oval.]
1. (Bot.) That part of the pistil which
contains the seed, and in most flowering plants develops into the
fruit. See Illust. of Flower.
2. (Zoöl. & Anat.) The essential
female reproductive organ in which the ova are produced. See
Illust. of Discophora.
O"vate (?), a. [L. ovatus, from
ovum egg. See Oval.]
1. Shaped like an egg, with the lower
extremity broadest.
2. (Bot.) Having the shape of an egg,
or of the longitudinal sectior of an egg, with the broader end
basal. Gray.
O"vate-a*cu"mi*nate (?), a. Having
an ovate form, but narrowed at the end into a slender
point.
O"vate-cyl`in*dra"ceous (?), a.
Having a form intermediate between ovate and
cylindraceous.
O"va*ted (?), a. Ovate.
O"vate-lan"ce*o*late (?), a.
Having a form intermediate between ovate and
lanceolate.
O"vate-ob"long (?), a. Oblong.
with one end narrower than the other; ovato-oblong.
O"vate-ro*tund"ate (?), a. Having
a form intermediate between that of an egg and a sphere; roundly
ovate.
O"vate-su"bu*late (?), a. Having
an ovate form, but with a subulate tip or extremity.
O*va"tion (?), n. [L. ovatio,
fr. ovare to exult, rejoice, triumph in an ovation; cf. Gr.
&?; to shout: cf. F. ovation.] 1. (Rom.
Antiq.) A lesser kind of triumph allowed to a commander for
an easy, bloodless victory, or a victory over slaves.
2. Hence: An expression of popular homage;
the tribute of the multitude to a public favorite.
To rain an April of ovation round
Their statues.
Tennyson.
O*va"to-a*cu"mi*nate (?), a. Same
as Ovate-acuminate.
O*va"to-cyl`in*dra"ceous (?), a.
Same as Ovate-cylindraceous.
O*va"to-ob"long (?), a. Same as
Ovate-oblong.
O*va"to-ro*tund"ate (?), a. Same
as Ovate-rotundate.
Ov"en (?), n. [AS. ofen; akin to
D. oven, OHG. ofan, ovan, G. ofen, Icel.
ofn, Dan. ovn, Sw. ugn, Goth.
aúhns, Gr. &?;, Skr. ukhā pot.] A
place arched over with brick or stonework, and used for baking,
heating, or drying; hence, any structure, whether fixed or portable,
which may be heated for baking, drying, etc.; esp., now, a chamber in
a stove, used for baking or roasting.
Ov"en*bird` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
(a) Any species of the genus Furnarius,
allied to the creepers. They inhabit South America and the West
Indies, and construct curious oven-shaped nests.
(b) In the United States, Seiurus
aurocapillus; -- called also golden-crowned thrush.
(c) In England, sometimes applied to the willow
warbler, and to the long-tailed titmouse.
O"ver (?), prep. [AS. ofer; akin
to D. over, G. über, OHG. ubir,
ubar, Dan. over, Sw. öfver, Icel.
yfir, Goth. ufar, L. super, Gr. &?;, Skr.
upari. &?;199. Cf. Above, Eaves, Hyper-,
Orlop, Super-, Sovereign, Up.]
1. Above, or higher than, in place or position,
with the idea of covering; -- opposed to under; as, clouds are
over our heads; the smoke rises over the
city.
The mercy seat that is over the
testimony.
Ex. xxx. 6.
Over them gleamed far off the crimson banners
of morning.
Longfellow.
2. Across; from side to side of; -- implying
a passing or moving, either above the substance or thing, or on the
surface of it; as, a dog leaps over a stream or a
table.
Certain lakes . . . poison birds which fly over
them.
Bacon.
3. Upon the surface of, or the whole surface
of; hither and thither upon; throughout the whole extent of; as, to
wander over the earth; to walk over a field, or
over a city.
4. Above; -- implying superiority in
excellence, dignity, condition, or value; as, the advantages which
the Christian world has over the heathen.
Swift.
5. Above in authority or station; -- implying
government, direction, care, attention, guard, responsibility, etc.;
-- opposed to under.
Thou shalt be over my house.
Gen. xli. 40.
I will make thee rules over many
things.
Matt. xxv. 23.
Dost thou not watch over my sin ?
Job xiv. 16.
His tender mercies are over all his
works.
Ps. cxlv. 9.
6. Across or during the time of; from
beginning to end of; as, to keep anything over night; to keep
corn over winter.
7. Above the perpendicular height or length
of, with an idea of measurement; as, the water, or the depth of
water, was over his head, over his shoes.
8. Beyond; in excess of; in addition to; more
than; as, it cost over five dollars. "Over all
this." Chaucer.
9. Above, implying superiority after a
contest; in spite of; notwithstanding; as, he triumphed over
difficulties; the bill was passed over the veto.
&fist; Over, in poetry, is often contracted into
o'er.
&fist; Over his signature (or name) is a substitute
for the idiomatic English form, under his signature
(name, hand and seal, etc.), the reference in the
latter form being to the authority under which the writing is
made, executed, or published, and not the place of the
autograph, etc.
Over all (Her.), placed over or upon
other bearings, and therefore hinding them in part; -- said of a
charge. -- Over head and ears, beyond
one's depth; completely; wholly; hopelessly; as, over head and
ears in debt. [Colloq.] -- Over the left.
See under Left. -- To run over
(Mach.), to have rotation in such direction that the crank
pin traverses the upper, or front, half of its path in the forward,
or outward, stroke; -- said of a crank which drives, or is driven by,
a reciprocating piece.
O"ver (?), adv. 1.
From one side to another; from side to side; across; crosswise;
as, a board, or a tree, a foot over, i. e., a foot in
diameter.
2. From one person or place to another
regarded as on the opposite side of a space or barrier; -- used with
verbs of motion; as, to sail over to England; to hand
over the money; to go over to the enemy. "We will
pass over to Gibeah." Judges xix. 12. Also, with
verbs of being: At, or on, the opposite side; as, the boat is
over.
3. From beginning to end; throughout the
course, extent, or expanse of anything; as, to look over
accounts, or a stock of goods; a dress covered over with
jewels.
4. From inside to outside, above or across
the brim.
Good measure, pressed down . . . and running
over.
Luke vi. 38.
5. Beyond a limit; hence, in excessive degree
or quantity; superfluously; with repetition; as, to do the whole work
over. "So over violent." Dryden.
He that gathered much had nothing
over.
Ex. xvi. 18.
6. In a manner to bring the under side to or
towards the top; as, to turn (one's self) over; to roll a
stone over; to turn over the leaves; to tip over
a cart.
7. At an end; beyond the limit of
continuance; completed; finished. "Their distress was
over." Macaulay. "The feast was over." Sir W.
Scott.
&fist; Over, out, off, and similar adverbs,
are often used in the predicate with the sense and force of
adjectives, agreeing in this respect with the adverbs of place,
here, there, everywhere, nowhere; as, the
games were over; the play is over; the master was
out; his hat is off.
&fist; Over is much used in composition, with the same
significations that it has as a separate word; as in overcast,
overflow, to cast or flow so as to spread over or cover;
overhang, to hang above; overturn, to turn so as to
bring the underside towards the top; overact,
overreach, to act or reach beyond, implying excess or
superiority.
All over. (a) Over the
whole; upon all parts; completely; as, he is spatterd with mud all
over. (b) Wholly over; at an end; as, it
is all over with him. -- Over again,
once more; with repetition; afresh; anew. Dryden. --
Over against, opposite; in front.
Addison. -- Over and above, in a manner,
or degree, beyond what is supposed, defined, or usual; besides; in
addition; as, not over and above well. "He . . . gained,
over and above, the good will of all people." L'
Estrange. -- Over and over, repeatedly;
again and again. -- To boil over. See
under Boil, v. i. -- To come it
over, To do over, To give
over, etc. See under Come, Do,
Give, etc. -- To throw over, to
abandon; to betray. Cf. To throw overboard, under
Overboard.
O"ver, a. Upper; covering; higher;
superior; also, excessive; too much or too great; -- chiefly used in
composition; as, overshoes, overcoat, over-
garment, overlord, overwork,
overhaste.
O"ver, n. (Cricket) A
certain number of balls (usually four) delivered successively from
behind one wicket, after which the ball is bowled from behind the
other wicket as many times, the fielders changing places.
O`ver*a*bound" (?), v. i. To be
exceedingly plenty or superabundant. Pope.
O`ver*act" (?), v. t.
1. To act or perform to excess; to exaggerate in
acting; as, he overacted his part.
2. To act upon, or influence, unduly.
[Obs.]
The hope of inheritance overacts
them.
Milton.
O`ver*act" (?), v. i. To act more
than is necessary; to go to excess in action. B.
Jonson.
O"ver*ac"tion (?), n.
Per&?;ormance to excess; exaggerated or excessive
action.
O`ver*af*fect" (?), v. t. To
affect or care for unduly. [Obs.] Milton.
O`ver*ag"i*tate (?), v. t. To
agitate or discuss beyond what is expedient. Bp.
Hall.
O"ver*all (?), adv.
Everywhere. [Obs.] Chaucer.
O"ver*alls (?), n. pl.
1. A kind of loose trousers worn over others to
protect them from soiling.
2. Waterproof leggings. R. D.
Blackmore.
O"ver*anx*i"e*ty (?), n. The state
of being overanxious; excessive anxiety.
O"ver*anx"ious (?), a. Anxious in
an excessive or needless degree. -- O"ver*anx"ious*ly,
adv.
O`ver*arch" (?), v. t. & i. To
make or place an arch over; to hang over like an arch. "Brown
with o'erarching shades." Pope.
O"ver-arm` (?), a. (Cricket,
etc.) Done (as bowling or pitching) with the arm raised
above the shoulder. See Overhard. "An over-arm
with a round-arm bowler." R. A. Proctor.
O`ver*awe" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overawed (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overawing.] To awe exceedingly; to subjugate
or restrain by awe or great fear.
The king was present in person to overlook the
magistrates, and overawe these subjects with the terror of his
sword.
Spenser.
O"ver*aw"ful (?), a. Awful, or
reverential, in an excessive degree. [R.] Milton.
O`ver*bal"ance (?), v. t.
1. To exceed equality with; to outweigh.
Locke.
2. To cause to lose balance or
equilibrium.
O"ver*bal`ance (?), n. Excess of
weight or value; something more than an equivalent; as, an
overbalance of exports. J. Edwards.
O"ver*bar"ren (?), a. Excessively
barren.
O"ver*bat"tle (?), a. [Over +
battle, a.] Excessively fertile; bearing rank or noxious
growths. [Obs.] "Overbattle grounds."
Hooker.
O`ver*bear" (?), v. t.
1. To bear down or carry down, as by excess of
weight, power, force, etc.; to overcome; to suppress.
The point of reputation, when the news first came of
the battle lost, did overbear the reason of war.
Bacon.
Overborne with weight the Cyprians
fell.
Dryden.
They are not so ready to overbear the adversary
who goes out of his own country to meet them.
Jowett
(Thucyd. )
2. To domineer over; to overcome by
insolence.
O`ver*bear", v. i. To bear fruit
or offspring to excess; to be too prolific.
O`ver*bear"ing, a. 1.
Overpowering; subduing; repressing. I. Watts.
2. Aggressively haughty; arrogant;
domineering; tyrannical; dictatorial; insolent.
--O`ver*bear"ing*ly, adv. --
O`ver*bear"ing*ness, n.
O`ver*bend" (?), v. t. To bend to
excess.
O`ver*bend", v. i. To bend
over. [R.]
O`ver*bid" (?), v. t. To bid or
offer beyond, or in excess of. Dryden.
O`ver*bide" (?), v. t. To
outlive. [Obs.] Chaucer.
O`ver*blow" (?), v. i.
1. To blow over, or be subdued. [R.]
Spenser.
2. (Mus.) To force so much wind into a
pipe that it produces an overtone, or a note higher than the natural
note; thus, the upper octaves of a flute are produced by
overblowing.
O`ver*blow", v. t. To blow away;
to dissipate by wind, or as by wind.
When this cloud of sorrow's
overblown.
Waller.
O"ver*board` (?), adv. Over the
side of a ship; hence, from on board of a ship, into the water; as,
to fall overboard.
To throw overboard, to discard; to abandon,
as a dependent or friend.
O`ver*boil" (?), v. i. To boil
over or unduly.
Nor is discontent to keep the mind
Deep in its fountain, lest it overboil
In the hot throng.
Byron.
O`ver*bold" (?), a. Excessively or
presumptuously bold; impudent. Shak. --
O"ver*bold"ly, adv.
O"ver*book"ish (?), a. Excessively
bookish.
O"ver*boun"te*ous, a. Bounteous to
excess.
O`ver*bow" (?), v. t. To bend or
bow over; to bend in a contrary direction. [Obs.]
Fuller.
O`ver*breed" (?), v. t. To breed
to excess.
O`ver*brim" (?), v. i. To flow
over the brim; to be so full as to overflow. [R.]
O`ver*brow" (?), v. t. To hang
over like a brow; to impend over. [Poetic]
Longfellow.
Did with a huge projection overbrow
Large space beneath.
Wordsworth.
O`ver*build" (?), v. t.
1. To build over. Milton.
2. To build too much; to build beyond the
demand.
O`ver*built" (?), a. Having too
many buildings; as, an overbuilt part of a town.
O`ver*bulk" (?), v. t. To oppress
by bulk; to overtower. [Obs. & R.] Shak.
O`ver*bur"den (?), v. t. To load
with too great weight or too much care, etc. Sir P.
Sidney.
O"ver*bur`den, n. The waste which
overlies good stone in a quarry. Raymond.
O"ver*bur"den*some (?), a. Too
burdensome.
O`ver*burn" (?), v. t. & i. To
burn too much; to be overzealous.
O"ver-bus"y (?), a. Too busy;
officious.
O`ver*buy" (?), v. t.
1. To buy too much.
2. To buy at too dear a rate.
Dryden.
O`ver*can"o*py (?), v. t. To cover
as with a canopy. Shak.
O`ver*ca"pa*ble (?), a. Too
capable. [R.]
Overcapable of such pleasing
errors.
Hooker.
O"ver*care" (?), n. Excessive
care. Dryden.
O"ver*care"ful (?), a. Too
careful. Shak.
O"ver*cark"ing (?), a. Too
anxious; too full of care. [Archaic] Fuller.
O`ver*car"ry (?), v. t. & i. To
carry too far; to carry beyond the proper point.
Hayward.
O`ver*cast" (?), v. t.
1. To cast or cover over; hence, to cloud; to
darken.
Those clouds that overcast your morn shall
fly.
Dryden.
2. To compute or rate too high.
Bacon.
3. (Sewing) To take long, loose
stitches over (the raw edges of a seam) to prevent
raveling.
O`ver*catch" (?), v. t. To
overtake. [Obs.]
O"ver*cau"tious (?), a. Too
cautious; cautious or prudent to excess. --
O"ver*cau"tious*ly, adv. --
O"ver*cau"tiou*ness, n.
O"ver*change` (?), n. Too much or
too frequent change; fickleness. [R.] Beau. & Fl.
O`ver*charge" (?), v. t. [Cf.
Supercharge, Surcharge.]
1. To charge or load too heavily; to burden;
to oppress; to cloy. Sir W. Raleigh.
2. To fill too full; to crowd.
Our language is overcharged with
consonants.
Addison.
3. To charge excessively; to charge beyond a
fair rate or price.
4. To exaggerate; as, to overcharge a
description.
Overcharged mine. (Mil.) See Globe
of compression, under Globe.
O`ver*charge", v. i. To make
excessive charges.
O"ver*charge` (?), n. [Cf.
Supercargo, Supercharge.]
1. An excessive load or burden.
2. An excessive charge in an
account.
O`ver*climb" (?), v. t. To climb
over. Surrey.
O`ver*cloud" (?), v. t. To cover
or overspread with clouds; to becloud; to overcast.
O`ver*cloy" (?), v. t. To fill
beyond satiety. Shak.
O"ver*coat` (?), n. [Cf.
Surcoat.] A coat worn over the other clothing; a
greatcoat; a topcoat.
O"ver*cold" (?), a. Cold to
excess. Wiseman.
O`ver*col"or (?), v. t. To color
too highly.
O`ver*come" (?), v. t.
[imp. Overcame (?); p. p.
Overcome; p. pr & vb. n. Overcoming.]
[AS. ofercuman. See Over, Come, and cf.
Supervene.]
1. To get the better of; to surmount; to
conquer; to subdue; as, to overcome enemies in
battle.
This wretched woman overcome
Of anguish, rather than of crime, hath been.
Spenser.
2. To overflow; to surcharge. [Obs.]
J. Philips.
3. To come or pass over; to spreads
over. [Obs.]
And overcome us like a summer's
cloud.
Shak.
Syn. -- To conquer; subdue; vanquish; overpower; overthrow;
overturn; defeat; crush; overbear; overwhelm; prostrate; beat;
surmount. See Conquer.
O`ver*come", v. i. To gain the
superiority; to be victorious. Rev. iii. 21.
O`ver*com"er (?), n. One who
overcomes.
O`ver*com"ing (?), a. Conquering;
subduing. -- O`ver*com"ing*ly,
adv.
O"ver*con"fi*dence (?), n.
Excessive confidence; too great reliance or trust.
O"ver*con"fi*dent (?), a.
Confident to excess. -- O"ver*con"fi*dent*ly,
adv.
O"ver*cost"ly (?), a. Too
costly. Milton.
O`ver*count" (?), v. t. To rate
too high; to outnumber. Shak.
O`ver*cov"er (?), v. t. To cover
up. Shak.
O"ver*cred"u*lous (?), a. Too
credulous.
O`ver*crow" (?), v. t. To crow,
exult, or boast, over; to overpower. Spenser. Shak.
O`ver*crowd" (?), v. t. To crowd
too much.
O"ver*cun"ning (?), a. Exceedingly
or excessively cunning.
O"ver*cu"ri*ous (?), a. Too
curious.
O`ver*dare" (?), v. t. & i. To
dare too much or rashly; to be too daring.
O`ver*date" (?), v. t. To date
later than the true or proper period. Milton.
O"ver*deal` (?), n. The
excess. [Obs.]
The overdeal in the price will be
double.
Holland.
O"ver*del"i*cate (?), a. Too
delicate.
O"ver*de*light"ed (?), a.
Delighted beyond measure.
O"ver*dight" (?), a. Covered
over. [Obs.] Spenser.
O`ver*do" (?), v. t.
[imp. Overdid (?); p. p.
Overdone (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Overdoing.] 1. To do too much; to exceed
what is proper or true in doing; to exaggerate; to carry too
far.
Anything so overdone is from the purpose of
playing.
Shak.
2. To overtask. or overtax; to fatigue; to
exhaust; as, to overdo one's strength.
3. To surpass; to excel. [R.]
Tennyson.
4. To cook too much; as, to overdo the
meat.
O`ver*do", v. i. To labor too
hard; to do too much.
O`ver*do"er (?), n. One who
overdoes.
O`ver*dose" (?), v. t. To dose to
excess; to give an overdose, or too many doses, to.
O"ver*dose`, n. Too great a dose;
an excessive dose.
O`ver*draw" (?), v. t.
[imp. Overdrew (?); p. p.
Overdrawn (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Overdrawing.]
1. To exaggerate; to overdo.
2. (Banking) To make drafts upon or
against, in excess of the proper amount or limit.
O`ver*dress" (?), v. t. To dress
or adorn to excess; to dress too much. Pope.
O`ver*drink" (?), v. t. & i. To
drink to excess.
O`ver*drive" (?), v. t. & i. To
drive too hard, or far, or beyond strength.
O`ver*drown" (?), v. t. To wet or
drench to excess. [Obs.] W. Browne.
O`ver*dry" (?), v. t. To dry too
much. Burton.
O"ver*due" (?), a. Due and more
than due; delayed beyond the proper time of arrival or payment, etc.;
as, an overdue vessel; an overdue note.
O`ver*dye" (?), v. t. To dye with
excess of color; to put one color over (another).
Shak.
O`ver*ea"ger (?), a. Too eager;
too impatient. -- O`ver*ea"ger*ly,
adv. -- O"ver*ea"ger*ness,
n.
O`ver*ear"nest (?), a. Too
earnest. -- O"ver*ear"nest*ly, adv.
-- O"ver*ear"nest*ness, n.
O`ver*eat" (?), v. t. & i.
1. To gnaw all over, or on all sides.
[Obs.] Shak.
2. To eat to excess; -- often with a
reflexive.
O"ver*el"e*gant (?), a. Too
elegant. Johnson.
O`ver*emp"ty (?), v. t. To make
too empty; to exhaust. [R.] Carew.
O"ver*est (?), a.
[Superl. of Over.] Uppermost;
outermost.
Full threadbare was his overeste
courtepy.
Chaucer.
O`ver*es"ti*mate (?), v. t. To
estimate too highly; to overvalue.
O`ver*es"ti*mate (?), n. An
estimate that is too high; as, an overestimate of the
vote.
O`ver*ex*cite" (?), v. t. To
excite too much.
O"ver*ex*cite"ment (?), n. Excess
of excitement; the state of being overexcited.
O`ver*ex*ert" (?), v. t. To exert
too much.
O"ver*ex*er"tion (?), n. Excessive
exertion.
O"ver*ex"qui*site (?), a. Too
exquisite; too exact or nice; too careful.
O`ver*eye" (?), v. t.
1. To superintend; to oversee; to inspect.
[Obs.]
2. To see; to observe. [Obs.]
Shak.
O"ver*fall` (?), n. 1.
A cataract; a waterfall. [Obs.]
2. (Naut.) A turbulent surface of
water, caused by strong currents setting over submerged ridges; also,
a dangerous submerged ridge or shoal.
O"ver*fa*tigue" (?), n. Excessive
fatigue.
O`ver*fa*tigue", v. t. To fatigue
to excess; to tire out.
O`ver*feed" (?), v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Overfed (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. Overfeeding.] To feed to excess; to
surfeit.
O"ver*fierce" (?), a. Excessively
fierce.
o`ver*fill" (?), v. t. To fill to
excess; to surcharge.
O`ver*fish" (?), v. t. To fish to
excess.
O`ver*float" (?), v. t. To
overflow. [R.] Dryden.
O`ver*flour"ish (?), v. t.
1. To make excessive display or flourish
of. Collier.
2. To embellish with outward ornaments or
flourishes; to varnish over. [Obs.] Shak.
O`ver*flow" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overflowed (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overflowing.] [AS. oferfl&?;wan. See
Over, and Flow.] 1. To flow over;
to cover woth, or as with, water or other fluid; to spread over; to
inundate; to overwhelm.
The northern nations overflowed all
Christendom.
Spenser.
2. To flow over the brim of; to fill more
than full.
O`ver*flow", v. i. 1.
To run over the bounds.
2. To be superabundant; to abound.
Rogers.
O"ver*flow` (?), n. 1.
A flowing over, as of water or other fluid; an inundation.
Bacon.
2. That which flows over; a superfluous
portion; a superabundance. Shak.
3. An outlet for the escape of surplus
liquid.
Overflow meeting, a meeting constituted of
the surplus or overflow of another audience.
O`ver*flow"ing (?), n. An
overflow; that which overflows; exuberance; copiousness.
He was ready to bestow the overflowings of his
full mind on anybody who would start a subject.
Macaulay.
O`ver*flow"ing*ly, adv. In great
abundance; exuberantly. Boyle.
O`ver*flush" (?), v. t. To flush
to excess. [R.]
O`ver*flut"ter (?), v. t. To
flutter over.
O"ver*flux` (?), n. Overflow;
exuberance. [R.]
O`ver*fly" (?), v. t.
[imp. Overflew (?); p. p.
Overflown (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Overflying.] To cross or pass over by flight.
Byron.
O"ver*fond" (?), a. Fond to
excess. Milton.
-- O"ver*fond"ly, adv. --
O"ver*fond"ness, n.
O"ver*force` (?), n. Excessive
force; violence.
O"ver*for"ward (?), a. Forward to
excess; too forward. -- O"ver*for"ward*ness,
n.
O"ver*free" (?), a. Free to
excess; too liberal; too familiar. -- O"ver*free"ly,
adv.
O`ver*freight" (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Overfreighted (Overfraught (?),
obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. Overfreighting.]
To put too much freight in or upon; to load too full, or too
heavily; to overload.
O"ver*fre"quent (?), a. Too
frequent.
O`ver*frieze" (?), v. t. To cover
with a frieze, or as with a frieze. E. Hall.
O`ver*front" (?), v. t. To
confront; to oppose; to withstand. [Obs.] Milton.
O"ver*fruit"ful (?), a. Too
fruitful.
O"ver*full" (?), a. [AS.
oferfull.] Too full; filled to overflowing; excessively
full; surfeited. Shak.
O"ver*full"ness, n. The state of
being excessively or abnormally full, so as to cause overflow,
distention, or congestion; excess of fullness; surfeit.
O"ver-gar`ment (?), n. An outer
garment.
O`ver*gar"ri*son (?), v. t. To
garrison to excess.
O`ver*gaze" (?), v. t. To gaze; to
overlook. [Poetic] "Earth's o'ergazing mountains."
Byron.
O`ver*get" (?), v. t.
1. To reach; to overtake; to pass.
[Obs.]
2. To get beyond; to get over or recover
from. [R.]
O`ver*gild" (?), v. t. [AS.
ofergyldan.] To gild over; to varnish.
O`ver*gird" (?), v. t. To gird too
closely. [R.]
O`ver*give" (?), v. t. To give
over; to surrender; to yield. [Obs.] Spenser.
O"ver*glad" (?), a. Excessively or
unduly glad.
O`ver*glance" (?), v. t. To glance
over.
O`ver*glide" (?), v. t. To glide
over. Wyatt.
O`ver*gloom" (?), v. t. To spread
gloom over; to make gloomy; to overshadow. [R.]
Overgloomed by memories of sorrow.
De Quincey.
O`ver*go" (?), v. t.
[imp. Overwent (?); p. p.
Overgone (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Overgoing.] [AS. ofergān.]
1. To travel over. [R.]
Shak.
2. To exceed; to surpass. [Obs.]
Sir P. Sidney.
3. To cover. [Obs.]
Chapman.
4. To oppress; to weigh down. [Obs.]
Shak.
O`ver*gorge" (?), v. t. To gorge
to excess.
O`ver*grace" (?), v. t. To grace
or honor exceedingly or beyond desert. [R.] Beau. &
Fl.
O"ver*grassed" (?), a.
Overstocked, or overgrown, or covered, with grass. [Obs.]
Spenser.
O`ver*great" (?), a. Too
great.
O"ver*great"ness, n. Excessive
greatness.
O"ver*greed"y (?), a. Excessively
greedy.
O"ver*gross" (?), a. Too
gross.
O"ver*ground" (?), a. Situated
over or above ground; as, the overground portion of a
plant.
O`ver*grow" (?), v. t.
[imp. Overgrew (?); p. p.
Overgrown (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Overgrowing.]
1. To grow over; to cover with growth or
herbage, esp. that which is rank.
The green . . . is rough and
overgrown.
Sir W. Scott.
2. To grow beyond; to rise above; hence, to
overcome; to oppress. [Obs.] Mortimer. "O'ergrown
with labor." Beau. & Fl.
[Usually in the past participle.]
O`ver*grow", v. i. To grow beyond
the fit or natural size; as, a huge, overgrown ox.
L'Estrange.
O"ver*growth` (?), n. Excessive
growth.
O`ver*hail" (?), v. t. See
Overhaul. [Obs.]
O`ver*hale" (?), v. t. See
Overhaul. [Obs.]
O"ver*hand` (?), n. The upper
hand; advantage; superiority; mastery.
He had gotten thereby a great overhand on
me.
Sir T. More.
O"ver*hand`, a. 1.
(Sewing) Over and over; -- applied to a style of sewing,
or to a seam, in which two edges, usually selvedges, are sewed
together by passing each stitch over both.
2. (Baseball, Cricket, etc.) Done (as
pitching or bowling) with the hand higher than the elbow, or the arm
above, or higher than, the shoulder.
Overhand knot. See Illustration of
Knot.
O"ver*hand`, adv. In an overhand
manner or style.
O`ver*han"dle (?), v. t. To
handle, or use, too much; to mention too often.
Shak.
O`ver*hang" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overhung (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overhanging.] 1. To impend
or hang over. [R.] Beau. & Fl.
2. To hang over; to jut or project
over. Pope.
O`ver*hang", v. i. To jut
over. Milton.
O`ver*hang`, n. (Arch.)
1. In a general sense, that which just out or
projects; a projection; also, the measure of the projection; as, the
overhang is five feet.
2. Specifically: The projection of an upper
part (as a roof, an upper story, or other part) of a building beyond
the lower part; as, the overhang of a roof, of the eaves,
etc.
3. (Naut.) The portion of the bow or
stem of a vessel that projects over the water beyond the water
line.
4. (Mach.) The projection of a part
beyond another part that is directly below it, or beyond a part by
which it is supported; as, the overhang of a shaft; i.
e., its projection beyond its bearing.
O"ver*hap"py (?), a. Exceedingly
happy. Shak.
O`ver*hard"en (?), v. t. To harden
too much; to make too hard. Boyle.
O"ver*har"dy (?), a. Too hardy;
overbold.
O"ver*haste` (?), n. Too great
haste.
O"ver*has"ty (?), a. Too hasty;
precipitate; rash. -- O"ver*has"ti*ly (#),
adv. -- O`ver*has"ti*ness,
n.
O`ver*haul" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overhauled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Overhauling.] 1. To haul or drag over;
hence, to turn over for examination; to inspect; to examine
thoroughly with a view to corrections or repairs.
2. (Naut.) To gain upon in a chase; to
overtake.
To overhaul a tackle, to pull on the leading
parts so as to separate the blocks. -- To overhaul
running rigging, to keep it clear, and see that no
hitch occurs.
{ O"ver*haul` (?), O`ver*haul"ing, }
n. A strict examination with a view to
correction or repairs.
O`ver*head" (?), adv. Aloft;
above; in or attached to the ceiling or roof; in the story or upon
the floor above; in the zenith.
While overhead the moon
Sits arbitress.
Milton.
Also used adjectively; as, an overhead crane, gear,
etc.
Overhead engine, a vertical steam engine in
which the cylinder stands above the crank. -- Overhead
work, a general term in manufactories for
countershafting and gearing, when overhead.
O`ver*hear" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overheard (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overhearing.] [AS. oferhiéran.]
1. To hear more of (anything) than was
intended to be heard; to hear by accident or artifice.
Shak.
2. To hear again. ShaK.
O`ver*heat" (?), v. t. [Cf.
Superheat.] To heat to excess; to superheat.
Cowper.
O"ver*heav`y (?), a. Excessively
heavy.
O`ver*hele" (?), v. t. [AS.
oferhelian.] To hele or cover over. [Obs.] B.
Jonson.
O`ver*hent", v. t. [See Hent.]
To overtake. [Obs.]
So forth he went and soon them
overhent.
Spenser.
O"ver*high" (?), a. [AS.
oferheáh.] Too high.
O"ver*high"ly, adv. Too highly;
too greatly.
O`ver*hip" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overhipped (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overhipping.] [Over + a word akin to E.
hop to skip.] To pass over by, or as by a hop; to skip
over; hence, to overpass. [Obs.] "When the time is
overhipt." Holland.
O`ver*hold" (?), v. t. To hold or
value too highly; to estimate at too dear a rate. [Obs.]
Shak.
O"ver*hung" (?), a. 1.
Covered over; ornamented with hangings.
Carlyle.
2. Suspended from above or from the
top.
Overhung door, a sliding door, suspended
door, suspended from the top, as upon rollers.
O`ver*in"flu*ence (?), v. t. To
influence in an excessive degree; to have undue influence
over.
O`ver*in*form" (?), v. t. To
inform, fill, or animate, excessively. [R.]
Johnson.
O"ver*is"sue (?), n. An excessive
issue; an issue, as of notes or bonds, exceeding the limit of
capital, credit, or authority.
An overissue of government paper.
Brougham.
O`ver*is"sue, v. t. To issue in
excess.
O`ver*jeal"ous (?), a. [Over +
jealous. Cf. Overzealous.] Excessively jealous;
too jealous.
O`ver*joy" (?), v. t. To make
excessively joyful; to gratify extremely.
O"ver*joy` (?), n. Excessive joy;
transport.
O`ver*jump" (?), v. t. To jump
over; hence, to omit; to ignore. Marston.
O"ver*king` (?), n. A king who has
sovereignty over inferior kings or ruling princes. J. R.
Green.
O"ver*know"ing (?), a. Too knowing
or too cunning.
O`ver*la"bor (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overlabored (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overlaboring.]
1. To cause to labor excessively; to
overwork. Dryden.
2. To labor upon excessively; to refine
unduly.
O`ver*lade" (?), v. t.
[imp. Overladed; p. p.
Overladen (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Overlading.] [Cf. Overload.] To load with too
great a cargo; to overburden; to overload. Spenser.
O"ver*land` (?), a. Being, or
accomplished, over the land, instead of by sea; as, an
overland journey.
O"ver*land`, adv. By, upon, or
across, land.
O"ver*land`er (?), n. One who
travels over lands or countries; one who travels overland.
O"ver*lan"guaged (?), a. Employing
too many words; diffuse. Lowell.
O`ver*lap" (?), v. t. & i. To lap
over; to lap.
O"ver*lap` (?), n. 1.
The lapping of one thing over another; as, an overlap of
six inches; an overlap of a slate on a roof.
2. (Geol.) An extension of geological
beds above and beyond others, as in a conformable series of beds,
when the upper beds extend over a wider space than the lower, either
in one or in all directions.
O"ver*large" (?), a. Too large;
too great.
O"ver*large"ness, n. Excess of
size or bulk.
O`ver*lash" (?), v. i. [Cf. Prov. E.
lash extravagant, lashing lavish.] To drive on
rashly; to go to excess; hence, to exaggerate; to boast. [Obs.]
Barrow.
O`ver*lash"ing, n. Excess;
exaggeration. [Obs.]
O"ver*late" (?), a. Too late;
exceedingly late.
O`ver*lave" (?), v. t. To lave or
bathe over.
O"ver*lav"ish (?), a. Lavish to
excess.
O`ver*lay" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overlaid (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overlaying.] 1. To lay, or
spread, something over or across; hence, to cover; to overwhelm; to
press excessively upon.
When any country is overlaid by the multitude
which live upon it.
Sir W. Raleigh.
As when a cloud his beams doth
overlay.
Spenser.
Framed of cedar overlaid with
gold.
Milton.
And overlay
With this portentous bridge the dark abyss.
Milton.
2. To smother with a close covering, or by
lying upon.
This woman's child died in the night; because she
overlaid it.
1 Kings iii. 19.
A heap of ashes that o'erlays your
fire.
Dryden.
3. (Printing) To put an overlay
on.
O"ver*lay` (?), n. 1.
A covering. Sir W. Scott.
2. (Printing) A piece of paper pasted
upon the tympan sheet to improve the impression by making it stronger
at a particular place.
O"ver*lay"er (?), n. One who
overlays; that with which anything is overlaid.
O"ver*lay"ing, n. A superficial
covering; a coating.
O`ver*lead" (?), v. t. To domineer
over; to affront; to treat with indignity. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
O`ver*leap" (?), v. t. [AS.
oferhleápan. See Over, and Leap.] To
leap over or across; hence, to omit; to ignore. "Let me
o'erleap that custom." Shak.
O"ver*learn"ed (?), a. Too
learned. -- O"ver*learn"ed, adv. --
O"ver*learn"ed*ness, n.
O"ver*leath`er (?), n. Upper
leather. Shak.
O`ver*leav"en (?), v. t. To leaven
too much; hence, to change excessively; to spoil. [Obs.]
O"ver*lib"er*al (?), a. Too
liberal.
O"ver*lib"er*al*ly, adv. In an
overliberal manner.
O`ver*lick" (?), v. t. To lick
over.
O`ver*lie" (?), v. t.
[imp. Overlay (?); p. p.
Overlain (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Overlying.] To lie over or upon; specifically, to
suffocate by lying upon; as, to overlie an infant.
Quain.
A woman by negligence overlieth her child in
her sleeping.
Chaucer.
O"ver*light` (?), n. Too strong a
light. Bacon.
O"ver*light", a. Too light or
frivolous; giddy.
O"ver*li*ness (?), n. The quality
or state of being overly; carelessness. [Obs.] Bp.
Hall.
O"ver*lin"ger (?), v. t. To cause
to linger; to detain too long. [Obs.] Fuller.
O"ver*lip` (?), n. [AS.
oferlibban.] The upper lip. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
O`ver*live" (?), v. t. To
outlive. Sir P. Sidney.
The culture of Northumbria overlived the term
of its political supermacy.
Earle.
O`ver*live" (?), v. i. To live too
long, too luxuriously, or too actively. Milton.
"Overlived in this close London life." Mrs.
Browning.
O"ver*liv"er (?), n. A
survivor. Bacon.
O`ver*load" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overloaded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Overloading.] [Cf. Overlade.] To load or fill to
excess; to load too heavily.
O"ver*load` (?), n. An excessive
load; the excess beyond a proper load.
O"ver*log"ic*al (?), a.
Excessively logical; adhering too closely to the forms or rules
of logic.
O"ver*long" (?), a. & adv. Too
long. Shak.
O`ver*look" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overlooked (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overlooking.] 1. To look
down upon from a place that is over or above; to look over or view
from a higher position; to rise above, so as to command a view of;
as, to overlook a valley from a hill. "The pile
o'erlooked the town." Dryden.
[Titan] with burning eye did hotly overlook
them.
Shak.
2. Hence: To supervise; to watch over;
sometimes, to observe secretly; as, to overlook a gang of
laborers; to overlook one who is writing a letter.
3. To inspect; to examine; to look over
carefully or repeatedly. "Overlook this pedigree."
Shak.
The time and care that are required
To overlook and file and polish well.
Roscommon.
4. To look upon with an evil eye; to bewitch
by looking upon; to fascinate. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Shak.
If you trouble me I will overlook you, and then
your pigs will die.
C. Kingsley.
5. To look over and beyond (anything) without
seeing it; to miss or omit in looking; hence, to refrain from
bestowing notice or attention upon; to neglect; to pass over without
censure or punishment; to excuse.
The times of ignorance therefore God
overlooked.
Acts xvii. 30 (Rev. Ver. )
They overlook truth in the judgments they
pass.
Atterbury.
The pardoning and overlooking of
faults.
Addison.
O"ver*look"er (?), n. One who
overlooks.
O"ver*loop` (?), n. See
Orlop. [Obs.]
O"ver*lord` (?), n. One who is
lord over another or others; a superior lord; a master.
Freeman.
O"ver*lord"ship (?), n. Lordship
or supremacy of a person or a people over others. J. R.
Green.
O"ver*loud" (?), a. Too loud;
noisy.
O`ver*love" (?), v. t. To love to
excess.
O"ver*lus"cious (?), a.
Excessively luscious.
O"ver*lust"y (?), a. Too lusty, or
lively. Shak.
O"ver*ly, a. 1.
Careless; negligent; inattentive; superfical; not
thorough. [Archaic] Bp. Hall.
2. Excessive; too much. [R.]
Coleridge.
O"ver*ly, adv. In an overly
manner. [Archaic]
O`ver*ly"ing (?), a. Lying over or
upon something; as, overlying rocks.
O`ver*mag"ni*fy (?), v. t. To
magnify too much. Bp. Hall.
O"ver*mal"a*pert (?), a.
Excessively malapert or impudent. [Obs.]
Prynne.
O"ver*man`ner (?), adv. In an
excessive manner; excessively. [Obs.] Wiclif.
O`ver*march" (?), v. t. & i. To
march too far, or too much; to exhaust by marching.
Baker.
O`ver*mast" (?), v. t. (Naut.)
To furnish (a vessel) with too long or too heavy a mast or
masts.
O`ver*mas"ter (?), v. t. To
overpower; to subdue; to vanquish; to govern.
O`ver*match" (?), v. t.
1. To be more than equal to or a match for;
hence, to vanquish. Drayton.
2. To marry (one) to a superior. [Obs.]
Burton.
O"ver*match` (?), n. One superior
in power; also, an unequal match; a contest in which one of the
opponents is overmatched. Milton. D. Webster.
O`ver*meas"ure (?), v. t. To
measure or estimate too largely.
O"ver*meas`ure (?), n. Excessive
measure; the excess beyond true or proper measure; surplus.
O`ver*med"dle (?), v. t. To meddle
unduly.
O`ver*med"dling (?), n. Excessive
interference. "Justly shent for their overmeddling."
Fuller.
O"ver*mel"low (?), a. Too mellow;
overripe.
O"ver*mer"it (?), n. Excessive
merit. Bacon.
O"ver*mic"kle (?), a. & adv.
Overmuch. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
O`ver*mix" (?), v. t. To mix with
too much.
O"ver*mod"est (?), a. Modest to
excess; bashful. -- O"ver*mod"est*ly,
adv.
O"ver*moist" (?), a. Excessively
moist. Bacon.
O"ver*mois"ture (?), n. Excess of
moisture.
O"ver*more" (?), adv. Beyond;
moreover. [Obs.]
O"ver*mor"row (?), n. The day
after or following to-morrow. [Obs.] Bible (1551).
O"ver*most` (?), a. Over the rest
in authority; above all others; highest. [Obs.]
Fabyan.
O`ver*mount" (?), v. t. [Cf.
Surmount.] To mount over; to go higher than; to rise
above.
O"ver*much" (?), a. Too
much. -- adv. In too great a degree; too
much. -- n. An excess; a
surplus.
O`ver*much"ness (?), n. The
quality or state of being in excess; superabundance. [R.]
B. Jonson.
O`ver*mul"ti*ply (?), v. t. & i.
To multiply or increase too much; to repeat too often.
O`ver*mul"ti*tude (?), v. t. To
outnumber. [Obs.]
O`ver*name" (?), v. t. To name
over or in a series; to recount. [Obs.] Shak.
O"ver*neat" (?), a. Excessively
neat. Spectator.
O"ver*nice" (?), a. Excessively
nice; fastidious. Bp. Hall. -- O"ver*nice"ly,
adv. -- O"ver*nice"ness,
n.
O"ver*night` (?), n. The fore part
of the night last past; the previous evening. [R.]
Shak.
O"ver*night", adv. In the fore
part of the night last past; in the evening before; also, during the
night; as, the candle will not last overnight.
I had been telling her all that happened
overnight.
Dickens.
O`ver*noise" (?), v. t. To
overpower by noise.
O"ver*nu"mer*ous (?), a.
Excessively numerous; too many.
O`ver*of"fice (?), v. t. To
domineer over by virtue of office. [Obs.] Shak.
O"ver*of*fi"cious (?), a. Too
busy; too ready to intermeddle; too officious.
Collier.
O`ver*paint" (?), v. t. To color
or describe too strongly. Sir W. Raleigh.
O`ver*pam"per (?), v. t. To pamper
excessively; to feed or dress too much. Dryton.
O`ver*part" (?), v. t. To give too
important or difficult a part to. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
O`ver*pass" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overpassed (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overpassing.] [Cf. Surpass.]
1. To go over or beyond; to cross; as, to
overpass a river; to overpass limits.
2. To pass over; to omit; to overlook; to
disregard.
All the beauties of the East
He slightly viewed and slightly overpassed.
Milton.
3. To surpass; to excel. [R.] R.
Browning.
O`ver*pass", v. i. To pass over,
away, or off.
O"ver*pas"sion*ate (?), a.
Passionate to excess. -- O"ver*pas"sion*ate*ly,
adv.
O"ver*pa"tient (?), a. Patient to
excess.
O`ver*pay" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overpaid (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overpaying.] To pay too much to; to reward
too highly.
O`ver*peer" (?), v. t. To peer
over; to rise above.
O`ver*peo"ple (?), v. t. To people
too densely.
O`ver*perch" (?), v. t. To perch
upon; to fly over. [Obs.] Shak.
O`ver*per*suade" (?), v. t. To
persuade or influence against one's inclination or judgment.
Pope.
O`ver*pes"ter (?), v. t. To pester
exceedingly or excessively. Sir W. Raleigh.
O`ver*pic"ture (?), v. t. To
surpass nature in the picture or representation of. [Obs.]
"O'erpicturing that Venus." Shak.
O`ver*please" (?), v. t. To please
excessively.
O"ver*plus (?), n. [Over + L.
plus more. See Plus, and cf. Surplus.] That
which remains after a supply, or beyond a quantity proposed;
surplus. Shak.
"The overplus of a great fortune." Addison.
O`ver*ply" (?), v. t. To ply to
excess; to exert with too much vigor; to overwork.
Milton.
O`ver*poise" (?), v. t. To
outweigh; to overbalance. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
O"ver*poise`, n. Preponderant
weight; a counterbalance. [R.] Mrs. Browning.
O`ver*pol"ish (?), v. t. To polish
too much.
O"ver*pon"der*ous (?), a. Too
heavy.
O`ver*post" (?), v. t. To post
over; to pass over swiftly, as by post. Shak.
O"ver*po"tent (?), a. Too potent
or powerful.
O`ver*pow"er (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overpowered (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overpowering.] To excel or exceed in power;
to cause to yield; to vanquish; to subdue; as, the light
overpowers the eyes. "And overpower'd that
gallant few." Wordsworth.
Syn. -- To overbear; overcome; vanquish; defeat; crush;
overwhelm; overthrow; rout; conquer; subdue.
O"ver*pow`er, n. A dominating
power. Bacon.
O`ver*pow"er*ing, a. Excelling in
power; too powerful; irresistible. --
O`ver*pow"er*ing*ly, adv.
O`ver*praise" (?), v. t. [Cf.
Overprize, Superpraise.] To praise excessively or
unduly.
O`ver*prais"ing, n. The act of
praising unduly; excessive praise. Milton.
O`ver*press" (?), v. t.
1. To bear upon with irresistible force; to
crush; to overwhelm. Shak.
2. To overcome by importunity.
Johnson.
O"ver*pres"sure (?), n. Excessive
pressure or urging. London Athenæum.
O`ver*prize" (?), v. t. [Cf.
Overpraise.] Toprize excessively; to overvalue.
Sir H. Wotton.
O"ver*pro*duc"tion (?), n.
Excessive production; supply beyond the demand. J. S.
Mill.
O"ver*prompt" (?), a. Too prompt;
too ready or eager; precipitate. -- O`ver*prompt"ness,
n.
O"ver*proof" (?), a. Containing
more alcohol than proof spirit; stronger than proof spirit; that is,
containing more than 49.3 per cent by weight of alcohol.
O`ver*pro*por"tion (?), v. t. To
make of too great proportion.
O"ver*proud" (?), a. Exceedingly
or unduly proud. "Overproud of his victory."
Milton.
O"ver*prov"i*dent (?), a. Too
provident.
O`ver*pro*voke" (?), v. t. To
provoke excessively. Bp. Hall.
O`ver*quell" (?), v. t. To quell
or subdue completely. [R.] Bp. Hall.
O"ver*qui"et*ness (?), n. Too much
quietness. Sir. T. Browne.
O`ver*rake" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overraked (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overraking.] (Naut.) To rake over, or
sweep across, from end to end, as waves that break over a vessel
anchored with head to the sea.
O"ver*rank" (?), a. Too rank or
luxuriant.
O`ver*rate" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overrated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Overrating.] To rate or value too highly.
O"ver*rate`, n. An excessive
rate. [R.] Massinger.
O`ver*reach" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overreached (?), (Overraught (&?;),
obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. Overreaching.]
1. To reach above or beyond in any
direction.
2. To deceive, or get the better of, by
artifice or cunning; to outwit; to cheat. Shak.
O`ver*reach", v. i. 1.
To reach too far; as: (a) To strike
the toe of the hind foot against the heel or shoe of the forefoot; --
said of horses. (b) (Naut.) To sail
on one tack farther than is necessary. Shak.
2. To cheat by cunning or
deception.
O"ver*reach` (?), n. The act of
striking the heel of the fore foot with the toe of the hind foot; --
said of horses.
O`ver*reach"er (?), n. One who
overreaches; one who cheats; a cheat.
O`ver*read" (?), v. t. To read
over, or peruse. Shak.
O"ver*read"y (?), a. Too
ready. -- O"ver*read"*i*ly (#), adv.
-- O"ver*read"i*ness, n.
O`ver*reck"on (?), v. t. To reckon
too highly.
O`ver*red" (?), v. t. To smear
with red. [Obs.]
O`ver*re*fine" (?), v. t. To
refine too much.
O"ver*re*fine"ment (?), n.
Excessive refinement.
O`ver*rent" (?), v. t. To rent for
too much.
O"ver*rich" (?), a. Exccessively
rich.
O`ver*ride" (?), v. t.
[imp. Overrode (?); p. p.
Overridden (?), Overrode, Overrid (&?;);
p. pr. & vb. n. Overriding.] [AS.
offerīdan.] 1. To ride over or
across; to ride upon; to trample down.
The carter overridden with [i. e., by]
his cart.
Chaucer.
2. To suppress; to destroy; to supersede; to
annul; as, one low overrides another; to override a
veto.
3. To ride beyond; to pass; to outride.
[Obs.]
I overrode him on the way.
Shak.
4. To ride too much; to ride, as a horse,
beyond its strength.
O"ver*rigged" (?), a. Having too
much rigging.
O"ver*right"eous (?), a.
Excessively righteous; -- usually implying hypocrisy.
O"ver*rig"id (?), a. Too rigid;
too severe.
O"ver*rig"or*ous (?), a. Too
rigorous; harsh.
O"ver*ripe" (?), a. Matured to
excess. Milton.
O`ver*rip"en (?), v. t. To make
too ripe. Shak.
O`ver*roast" (?), v. t. To roast
too much. Shak.
O`ver*rule" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overruled (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overruling.] 1. To rule
over; to govern or determine by superior authority.
2. To rule or determine in a contrary way; to
decide against; to abrogate or alter; as, God overrules the
purposes of men; the chairman overruled the point of
order.
His passion and animosity overruled his
conscience.
Clarendon.
These [difficulties] I had habitually
overruled.
F. W. Newman.
3. (Law) To supersede, reject, annul,
or rule against; as, the plea, or the decision, was overruled
by the court.
O`ver*rule", v. i. To be superior
or supreme in rulling or controlling; as, God rules and
overrules. Shak.
O`ver*rul"er (?), n. One who, or
that which, controls, governs, or determines. Sir P.
Sidney.
O`ver*rul"ing, a. Exerting
controlling power; as, an overruling Providence. --
O`ver*rul"ing*ly, adv.
O`ver*run" (?), v. t.
[imp. Overran (?); p. p.
Overrun; p. pr. & vb. n. Overrunning.
] 1. To run over; to grow or spread over in
excess; to invade and occupy; to take possession of; as, the vine
overran its trellis; the farm is overrun with witch
grass.
Those barbarous nations that overran the
world.
Spenser.
2. To exceed in distance or speed of running;
to go beyond or pass in running.
Ahimaaz run by the way of the plain, and
overran Cushi.
2 Sam. xviii. 23.
3. To go beyond; to extend in part beyond;
as, one line overruns another in length.
&fist; In machinery, a sliding piece is said to overrun its
bearing when its forward end goes beyond it.
4. To abuse or oppress, as if by treading
upon.
None of them the feeble overran.
Spenser.
5. (Print.) (a) To
carry over, or back, as type, from one line or page into the next
after, or next before. (b) To extend the
contents of (a line, column, or page) into the next line, column, or
page.
O`ver*run", v. i. 1.
To run, pass, spread, or flow over or by something; to be
beyond, or in excess.
Despised and trodden down of all that
overran.
Spenser.
2. (Print.) To extend beyond its due
or desired length; as, a line, or advertisement,
overruns.
O`ver*run"ner (?), n. One that
overruns. Lovelace.
O`ver*sat"u*rate (?), v. t. [Cf.
Supersaturate.] To saturate to excess.
O`ver*say" (?), v. t. To say over;
to repeat. Ford.
O`ver*scent"ed (?), a.
1. Scented excessively.
2. Covered or concealed by a different
odor. Fuller.
O`ver*scru`pu*los"i*ty (?), n.
Overscrupulousness.
O`ver*scru"pu*lous (?), a.
Scrupulous to excess.
O`ver*scru"pu*lous*ness, n. The
quality or state of being overscrupulous; excess of
scrupulousness.
O"ver*sea" (?), a. Beyond the sea;
foreign.
{ O"ver*sea" (?), O"ver*seas" (?), }
adv. Over the sea; abroad. Milton.
Tennyson.
O`ver*search" (?), v. t. To search
all over.
O`ver*sea"son (?), v. t. To season
too highly.
O`ver*see" (?), v. t.
[imp. Oversaw (?); p. p.
Overseen (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Overseeing.] [AS. oferséon to survey, to
despise. See Over, and See.]
1. To superintend; to watch over; to direct;
to look or see after; to overlook.
2. To omit or neglect seeing.
Spenser.
O`ver*see", v. i. To see too or
too much; hence, to be deceived. [Obs.]
The most expert gamesters may sometimes
oversee.
Fuller.
Your partiality to me is much overseen, if you
think me fit to correct your Latin.
Walpole.
O`ver*seer" (?), n. One who
oversees; a superintendent; a supervisor; as, an overseer of a
mill; specifically, one or certain public officers; as, an
overseer of the poor; an overseer of
highways.
O`ver*seer"ship, n. The office of
an overseer.
O`ver*sell` (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Oversold (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overselling. ] 1. To sell
for a higher price than; to exceed in selling price.
One whose beauty
Would oversell all Italy.
Beau. & Fl.
2. To sell beyond means of delivery.
[Brokers'Cant]
Oversold market (Brokers' Cant), a
market in which stocks or commodities have been sold "short" to such
an extent that it is difficult to obtain them for delivery.
O`ver*set" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overset; p. pr. & vb. n.
Oversetting. ] 1. To turn or tip
(anything) over from an upright, or a proper, position so that it
lies upon its side or bottom upwards; to upset; as, to overset
a chair, a coach, a ship, or a building. Dryden.
2. To cause to fall, or to tail; to subvert;
to overthrow; as, to overset a government or a plot.
Addison.
3. To fill too full. [Obs.]
Howell.
O`ver*set", v. i. To turn, or to
be turned, over; to be upset. Mortimer.
O"ver*set` (?), n. 1.
An upsetting; overturn; overthrow; as, the overset of a
carriage.
2. An excess; superfluity. [Obs.] "This
overset of wealth and pomp. " Bp. Burnel.
O`ver*shade` (?), v. t. [AS.
ofersceadwian. See Over, and Shade, and cf.
Overshadow.] To cover with shade; to render dark or
gloomy; to overshadow. Shak.
O`ver*shad"ow (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Overshadowed(?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overshadowing. ] [Cf. Overshade. ]
1. To throw a shadow, or shade, over; to darken;
to obscure.
There was a cloud that overshadowed
them.
Mark ix. 7.
2. Fig.: To cover with a superior
influence. Milton.
O"ver*shad"ow*er (?), n. One that
throws a shade, or shadow, over anything. Bacon.
O"ver*shad"ow*y (?), a.
Overshadowing. [R.]
O`ver*shake" (?), v. t. To shake
over or away; to drive away; to disperse. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
O`ver*shine" (?), v. t.
1. To shine over or upon; to illumine.
Shak.
2. To excel in shining; to outshine.
Shak.
O"ver*shoe` (?), n. A shoe that is
worn over another for protection from wet or for extra warmth; esp.,
an India-rubber shoe; a galoche.
O`ver*shoot" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overshot (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overshooting.] 1. To shoot
over or beyond. "Not to overshoot his game."
South.
2. To pass swiftly over; to fly beyond.
Hartle.
3. To exceed; as, to overshoot the
truth. Cowper.
To overshoot one's self, to venture too far;
to assert too much.
O`ver*shoot", v. i. To fly beyond
the mark. Collier.
O"ver*shot` (?), a. From
Overshoot, v. t.
Overshot wheel, a vertical water wheel, the
circumference of which is covered with cavities or buckets, and which
is turned by water which shoots over the top of it, filling the
buckets on the farther side and acting chiefly by its
we'ght.
O"ver*sight` (?), n. 1.
Watchful care; superintendence; general supervision.
2. An overlooking; an omission; an
error. Hooker.
3. Escape from an overlooked peril.
[R.] "His fool-happy oversight." Spenser.
Syn. -- Superintendence; supervision; inspection;
overlooking; inadvertence; neglect; mistake; error; omission.
O`ver*size" (?), v. t. To surpass
in size.
O`ver*size", v. t. To cover with
viscid matter. [R.]
O'ersized with coagulate gore.
Shak.
O`ver*skip" (?), v. t. To skip or
leap over; to treat with indifference. Shak.
O"ver*skirt` (?), n. An upper
skirt, shorter than the dress, and usually draped.
O"ver*slaugh` (?), n. [D.
overslag.] A bar in a river; as, the overslaugh in
the Hudson River. [Local, U. S.] Bartlett.
O`ver*slaugh", v. t. [D.
overslaan.] To hinder or stop, as by an overslaugh or an
impediment; as, to overslaugh a bill in a legislative body; to
overslaugh a military officer, that is, to hinder his
promotion or employment. [Local Cant, U. S.]
O`ver*sleep" (?), v. t. To sleep
beyond; as, to oversleep one's self or one's usual hour of
rising.
O`ver*sleep", v. i. To sleep too
long.
O`ver*slide" (?), v. t. To slide
over or by.
O`ver*slip" (?), v. t. To slip or
slide over; to pass easily or carelessly beyond; to omit; to neglect;
as, to overslip time or opportunity.
O"ver*slop` (?), n. [AS.
oferslop.] An outer garment, or slop. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
O`ver*slow" (?), v. t. To render
slow; to check; to curb. [Obs.] Hammond.
O"ver*slow", a. Too
slow.
O"vers*man (?), n.; pl.
Oversmen (&?;).
1. An overseer; a superintendent.
2. (Scots Law) An umpire; a third
arbiter, appointed when two arbiters, previously selected,
disagree.
O`ver*snow" (?), v. t. To cover
with snow, or as with snow. [Poetic] Shak. Dryden.
O"ver*soon" (?), adv. Too
soon. Sir P. Sidney.
O`ver*sor"row (?), v. t. To grieve
or afflict to excess. [Obs.] Milton.
O"ver*soul` (?), n. The all-
containing soul. [R.]
That unity, that oversout, within which every
man's particular being is contained and made one with all
other.
Emerson.
O`ver*sow" (?), v. t. [AS.
ofersawan.] To sow where something has already been
sown. [R.]
His enemy came and oversowed cockle among the
wheat.
Matt. x&?;ii. 25. (Douay Version).
O`ver*span" (?), v. t. To reach or
extend over.
O`ver*speak" (?), v. t. & i. [AS.
ofersprecan.] To exceed in speaking; to speak too much;
to use too many words.
O`ver*spin" (?), v. t. To spin out
to too great length; to protract unduly. W.
Cartwright.
O`ver*spread" (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Overspread; p. pr. & vb.
n. Overspreading.] [AS. oferspr&aemacr;dan.]
To spread over; to cover; as, the deluge overspread the
earth. Chaucer.
Those nations of the North
Which overspread the world.
Drayton.
O`ver*spread", v. i. To be spread
or scattered over.
O`ver*spring" (?), v. t. To spring
or leap over.
O`ver*stand" (?), v. t. To stand
on the price or conditions of, so as to lose a sale; to lose by an
extravagant price or hard conditions. [Obs.]
What madman would o'erstand his market twice
?
Dryden.
O`ver*stare" (?), v. t. To
outstare. [Obs.] Shak.
O`ver*stare", v. i. To stare
wildly. [Obs.] Ascham.
O`ver*state" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overstated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Overstating.] To state in too strong terms; to
exaggerate. Fuller.
O"ver*state"ment (?), n. An
exaggerated statement or account.
O`ver*stay" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overstayed (?) or Overstaid (&?;);
p. pr. & vb. n. Overstaying.] To stay
beyond the time or the limits of; as, to overstay the
appointed time. Bp. Hall.
O`ver*step" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overstepped (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overstepping.] [AS. ofersteppan.] To
step over or beyond; to transgress. Shak.
O"ver*stock` (?), n. Stock in
excess. Tatler.
O`ver*stock", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Overstocked (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overstocking.] To fill too full; to supply
in excess; as, to overstock a market with goods, or a farm
with cattle.
O`ver*store" (?), v. t. To
overstock. Sir. M. Hale.
O`ver-sto`ry (?), n. (Arch.)
The clearstory, or upper story, of a building.
O`ver*strain" (?), v. i. [imp.
& p. p. Overstrained (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overstraining.] To strain one's self to
excess. Dryden.
O`ver*strain", v. t. To stretch or
strain too much; as to overstrain one's nerves.
Ayliffe.
O`ver*strait"ly (?), adv. Too
straitly or strictly. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.
O`ver*straw" (?), v. t. To
overstrew. [Obs.] Shak.
O`ver*strew" (?), v. t. To strew
or scatter over.
O"ver*strict" (?), a. Excessively
strict.
O`ver*stride" (?), v. t. To stride
over or beyond.
O`ver*strike" (?), v. t. To strike
beyond. [Obs.]
O`ver*strow" (?), v. t. See
Overstrew.
O"ver*stu"di*ous (?), a. Too
studious.
O"ver*sub"tile (?), a. Excessively
subtile.
O"ver*sum` (?), n. A sum or
quantity over; surplus. [Obs.] Holinshed.
O`ver*sup*ply" (?), v. t. To
supply in excess.
O"ver*sup*ply`, n. An excessive
supply.
A general oversupply or excess of all
commodities.
J. S. Mill.
O"ver*sure" (?), a. Excessively
sure.
O`ver*sway" (?), v. t. To bear
sway over.
O`ver*swell" (?), v. t. & i. To
swell or rise above; to overflow. [R.] Shak.
O"vert (?), a. [OF. overt, F.
ouvert, p. p. of OF. ovrir, F. ouvrir, to open,
of uncertain origin; cf. It. aprire, OIt. also oprire,
L. aperire to open, operire to cover, deoperire
to uncover. Perch. from L. aperire influenced by F.
couvrir to cover. Cf. Aperient, Cover.]
1. Open to view; public; apparent;
manifest.
Overt and apparent virtues bring forth
praise.
Bacon.
2. (Law) Not covert; open; public;
manifest; as, an overt act of treason.
Macaulay.
No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the
testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on
confession in open court.
Constitution of the U.
S.
&fist; In criminal law, an overt act is an open done in
pursuance and manifestation of a criminal design; the mere design or
intent not being punishable without such act. In English law, market
overt is an open market; a pound overt is an open,
uncovered pound.
O`ver*take" (?), v. t.
[imp. Overtook (?); p. p.
Overtaken (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Overtaking.]
1. To come up with in a course, pursuit,
progress, or motion; to catch up with.
Follow after the men; and when thou dost
overtake them, say . . . Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for
good.
Gen. xliv. 4.
He had him overtaken in his
flight.
Spenser.
2. To come upon from behind; to discover; to
surprise; to capture; to overcome.
If a man be overtaken in a fault.
Gal. vi. 1
I shall see
The winged vengeance overtake such children.
Shak.
3. Hence, figuratively, in the past
participle (overtaken), drunken. [Obs.]
Holland.
O`ver*talk" (?), v. i. To talk to
excess. Milton.
O`ver*task" (?), v. t. To task too
heavily.
O`ver*tax" (?), v. t. To tax or to
task too heavily.
O`ver*te"di*ous (?), a. Too
tedious.
O`ver*tempt" (?), v. t. To tempt
exceedingly, or beyond the power of resistance.
Milton.
O`ver*throw" (?), v. t.
[imp. Overthrew (?); p. p.
Overthrown (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Overthrowing.]
1. To throw over; to overturn; to upset; to
turn upside down.
His wife overthrew the table.
Jer. Taylor.
2. To cause to fall or to fail; to subvert;
to defeat; to make a ruin of; to destroy.
When the walls of Thebes he
overthrew.
Dryden.
[Gloucester] that seeks to overthrow
religion.
Shak.
Syn. -- To demolish; overturn; prostrate; destroy; ruin;
subvert; overcome; conquer; defeat; discomfit; vanquish; beat;
rout.
O"ver*throw` (?), n. 1.
The act of overthrowing; the state of being overthrow;
ruin.
Your sudden overthrow much rueth
me.
Spenser.
2. (a) (Baseball) The
act of throwing a ball too high, as over a player's head.
(b) (Cricket) A faulty return of the ball
by a fielder, so that the striker makes an additional run.
O"ver*thwart" (ō"v&etilde;r*thw&add;rt"),
a. 1. Having a transverse
position; placed or situated across; hence, opposite. "Our
overthwart neighbors." Dryden.
2. Crossing in kind or disposition; perverse;
adverse; opposing. "Overthwart humor."
Clarendon.
O"ver*thwart", adv. Across;
crosswise; transversely. "Y'clenched overthwart and
endelong." Chaucer.
O"ver*thwart", prep. Across; from
alde to side of. "Huge trees overthwart one another."
Milton.
O"ver*thwart`, n. That which is
overthwart; an adverse circumstance; opposition. [Obs.]
Surrey.
O`ver*thwart", v. t. To cross; to
oppose. [Obs.]
O"ver*thwart"ly, adv. In an
overthwart manner; across; also, perversely. [Obs.]
Peacham.
O"ver*thwart"ness, n. The state of
being overthwart; perverseness. [Obs.] Lord
Herbert.
O`ver*tilt" (?), v. t. To tilt
over; to overturn.
O"ver*time` (?), n. Time beyond,
or in excess of, a limit; esp., extra working time.
O`ver*tire" (?), v. t. To tire to
excess; to exhaust.
O`ver*tire", v. t. To become too
tired. Br. Hall.
O`ver*ti"tle (?), v. t. To give
too high a title to.
O"vert*ly (?), adv. Publicly;
openly.
O`ver*toil" (?), v. t. To
overwork.
O`ver*toil", v. t. To weary
excessively; to exhaust.
Then dozed a while herself, but overtoiled
By that day's grief and travel.
Tennyson.
O"ver*tone` (?), n. [A translation of
G. oberton. See Over,Tone.] (Mus.)
One of the harmonics faintly heard with and above a tone as it
dies away, produced by some aliquot portion of the vibrating sting or
column of air which yields the fundamental tone; one of the natural
harmonic scale of tones, as the octave, twelfth, fifteenth, etc.; an
aliquot or "partial" tone; a harmonic. See Harmonic, and
Tone. Tyndall.
O`ver*top" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overtopped (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overtopping.] 1. To rise
above the top of; to exceed in height; to tower above. "To
&?; 'ertop old Pelion." Shak.
2. To go beyond; to transcend; to
transgress.
If kings presume to overtop the law by which
they reign, . . . they are by law to be reduced into
order.
Milton.
3. To make of less importance, or throw into
the background, by superior excellence; to dwarf; to obscure.
Becon.
O`ver*tow"er (?), v. t. To tower
over or above.
O`ver*tow"er, v. i. To soar too
high. [R.] Fuller.
O`ver*trade" (?), v. i. To trade
beyond one's capital; to buy goods beyond the means of paying for or
seleng them; to overstock the market.
O`ver*trad"ing (?), n. The act or
practice of buying goods beyond the means of payment; a glutting of
the market.
O`ver*tread" (?), v. t. [AS.
oferiredan.] To tread over or upon.
O`ver*trip" (?), v. t. To trip
over nimbly.
O`ver*trou"bled (?), a.
Excessively troubled.
O`ver*trow" (?), v. i. To be too
trustful or confident; to trust too much. [Obs.] Wyclif
&?;
O"ver*trust` (?), n. Excessive
confidence.
O`ver*trust", v. t. & i. To trust
too much. Bp. Hall.
O"ver*ture (?), [OF. overture, F.
ouverture, fr. OF. ovrir, F. ouvrir. See
Overt.] 1. An opening or aperture; a
recess; a recess; a chamber. [Obs.] Spenser. "The cave's
inmost overture." Chapman.
2. Disclosure; discovery; revelation.
[Obs.]
It was he
That made the overture of thy treasons to us.
Shak.
3. A proposal; an offer; a proposition
formally submitted for consideration, acceptance, or rejection.
"The great overture of the gospel." Barrow.
4. (Mus.) A composition, for a full
orchestra, designed as an introduction to an oratorio, opera, or
ballet, or as an independent piece; -- called in the latter case a
concert overture.
O"ver*ture, v. t. To make an
overture to; as, to overture a religious body on some
subject.
O`ver*turn" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overturned (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overturning.] 1. To turn or
throw from a basis, foundation, or position; to overset; as, to
overturn a carriage or a building.
2. To subvert; to destroy; to
overthrow.
3. To overpower; to conquer.
Milton.
Syn. -- To demolish; overthrow. See Demolish.
O"ver*turn`, n. The act off
overturning, or the state of being overturned or subverted;
overthrow; as, an overturn of parties.
O`ver*turn"a*ble (?), a. Capable
of being, or liable to be, overturned or subverted.
O`ver*turn"er (?), n. One who
overturns. South.
O`ver*vail" (?), v. t. See
Overveil.
O"ver*val`u*a"tion (?), n.
Excessive valuation; overestimate.
O`ver*val"ue (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overvalued (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overvaluing.] 1. To value
excessively; to rate at too high a price. "To overvalue
human power." Holyday.
2. To exceed in value. [R.] H.
Brooke.
O`ver*veil" (?), v. t. To veil or
cover. Shak.
O"ver*view` (?), n. [Cf.
Survey.] An inspection or overlooking. [Obs.]
Shak.
O`ver*vote" (?), v. t. To outvote;
to outnumber in votes given. [R.] Eikon Basilike.
O`ver*walk" (?), v. t. To walk
over or upon.
O`ver*war" (?), v. t. To
defeat. [Obs.] Warner.
O"ver*wa"ry (?), a. Too wary; too
cautious.
O`ver*wash" (?), v. t. To
overflow. Holinshed.
O`ver*wast"ed (?), a. Wasted or
worn out; &?;onsumed; spent [Obs.] Drayton.
O"ver*watch" (?), v. t.
1. To watch too much.
2. To weary or exhaust by watching.
Dryden.
O`ver*wax" (?), v. i. To wax or
grow too rapindly or too much. [Obs.] R. of
Gloucester.
O"ver*weak" (?), a. Too weak; too
feeble.
O`ver*wear" (?), v. t. To wear too
much; to wear out. Drayton.
O"ver*wea"ry (?), v. t. To weary
too much; to tire out. Dryden.
O`ver*weath"er (?), v. t. To
expose too long to the influence of the weather. [Obs.]
Shak.
O`ver*ween" (?), v. t. [AS.
oferw&?;nian. See Over, and Ween.] To think
too highly or arrogantly; to regard one's own thinking or conclusions
too highly; hence, to egotistic, arrogant, or rash, in opinion; to
think conceitedly; to presume.
They that overween,
And at thy growing virtues fret their spleen.
Milton.
O`ver*ween"er (?), n. One who
overweens. [R.]
The conceits of warmed or overweening
brain.
Locke.
O`ver*ween"ing, a. Unduly
confident; arrogant; presumptuous; conceited. --
O`ver*ween"ingly, adv. Milton. --
O`ver*ween"ing*ness, n.
Here's an overweening rogue.
Shak.
O`ver*ween"ing, n. Conceit;
arrogance. Milton.
O`ver*weigh" (?), v. t. To exceed
in weight; to overbalance; to weigh down. Drayton.
Hooker.
O"ver*weight` (?), n.
1. Weight over and above what is required by law
or custom.
2. Superabundance of weight;
preponderance.
O"ver*weight", a. Overweighing;
excessive. [Obs.] "Of no overweight worth."
Fuller.
O`ver*well" (?), v. t. To
overflow. R. D. Blackmore.
O"ver*wet (?), n. Excessive
wetness. [Obs.]
Another ill accident is, overwet at sowing
time.
Bacon.
O`ver*whelm" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overwhelmed (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Overwhelming.]
1. To cover over completely, as by a great
wave; to overflow and bury beneath; to ingulf; hence, figuratively,
to immerse and bear down; to overpower; to crush; to bury; to
oppress, etc., overpoweringly.
The sea overwhelmed their enemies.
Ps. lxxviii. 53.
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror
hath overwhelmed me.
Ps. lv. 5.
Foul deeds will rise,
Though all the earth o'erwhelm them.
Shak.
Gaza yet stands; but all her sons are fallen,
All in a moment overwhelmed and fallen.
Milton.
2. To project or impend over
threateningly.
His louering brows o'erwhelming his fair
sight.
Shak.
3. To cause to surround, to cover.
Papin.
O"ver*whelm`, n. The act of
overwhelming. [R.]
O`ver*whelm"ing, a. Overpowering;
irresistible. -- O`ver*whelm"ing*ly,
adv.
O`ver*wind" (?), v. t. To wind too
tightly, as a spring, or too far, as a hoisting rope on a
drum.
O`ver*wing" (?), v. t. To
outflank. [Obs.] Milton.
O"ver*wise" (?), a. Too wise;
affectedly wise. -- O`ver*wise"ly,
adv. -- O`ver*wise"ness,
n.
O`ver*wit" (?), v. t. To
outwit. Swift.
O`ver*word" (?), v. t. To say in
too many words; to express verbosely. Hales.
O`ver*work" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Overworked (?) or Overwrought (&?;);
p. pr. & vb. n. Overworking.]
1. To work beyond the strength; to cause to
labor too much or too long; to tire excessively; as, to
overwork a horse.
2. To fill too full of work; to crowd with
labor.
My days with toil are overwrought.
Longfellow.
3. To decorate all over.
O`ver*work", v. t. To work too
much, or beyond one's strength.
O"ver*work`, n. Work in excess of
the usual or stipulated time or quantity; extra work; also, excessive
labor.
O`ver*worn" (?), p. p. & a. from
Overwear, v. t. Worn out or subdued by
toil; worn out so as to be trite.
O`ver*wrest" (?), v. t. To wrest
or force from the natural or proper position. Shak.
O`ver*wres"tle (?), v. t. To
subdue by wrestling. [Obs.] Spenser.
O`ver*wrought (?), p. p. & a. from
Overwork. Wrought upon excessively; overworked;
overexcited.
O"ver*zeal (?), n. Excess of
zeal. Fairfax.
O"ver*zeal"ous (?), a. Too
zealous.
O`vi*cap"sule (?), n. [Ovum +
capsule.]
1. (Anat) The outer layer of a
Graafian follicle.
2. (Zoöl.) Same as
Oötheca.
O"vi*cell` (?), n. [Ovum +
cell.] (Zoöl) One of the dilatations of the
body wall of Bryozoa in which the ova sometimes undegro the first
stages of their development. See Illust. of
Chilostoma.
O*vic"u*lar (?), a. [L. ovum an
egg.] (Biol.) Of or pertaining to an egg.
O"vi*cyst (?), n. [Ovum +
cyst.] (Zoöl.) The pouch in which incubation
takes place in some Tunicata.
O*vid"i*an (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the Latin poet Ovid; resembling the style of
Ovid.
O`vi*du"cal (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to oviducts; as, oviducal
glands.
O"vi*duct (?), n. [Ovum +
duct: cf. F. oviducte.] (Anat.) A tube, or
duct, for the passage of ova from the ovary to the exterior of the
animal or to the part where further development takes place. In
mammals the oviducts are also called Fallopian
tubes.
O*vif"er*ous (?), a. [Ovum +
-ferous: cf. F. ovifère.] (Biol.)
Egg-bearing; -- applied particularly to certain receptacles, as
in Crustacea, that retain the eggs after they have been excluded from
the formative organs, until they are hatched.
O"vi*form (?), a. [Ovum + -
form: cf. F. oviforme.] (Biol.) Having the
form or figure of an egg; egg-shaped; as, an oviform
leaf.
O*vig"er*ons (?), a. [Ovum +
-gerous: cf. F. ovigere.] (Biol.) Bearing
eggs; oviferous.
O"vile (?), a. See
Ovine.
O"vine (?), a. [L. ovinus, fr.
ovis sheep: cf. F. ovine.] Of or pertaining to
sheep; consisting of sheep.
||O*vip"a*ra (?), n. pl. [NL. See
Oviparous.] (Zoöl.) An artificial division of
vertebrates, including those that lay eggs; -- opposed to
Vivipara.
O`vi*par"i*ty (?), n. [See
Oviparous.] (Biol.) Generation by means of ova.
See Generation.
O*vip"a*rous (?), a. [L.
oviparus; ovum egg + parere to bring forth: cf.
F. ovipare.] (Physiol.) Producing young from rggs;
as, an oviparous animal, in which the egg is generally
separated from the animal, and hatched after exclusion; -- opposed to
viviparous.
O`vi*pos"it (?), v. i. [imp. &
p. p. Oviposited; p. pr. & vb. n.
Ovipositing.] [See Ovum, and Posit.] To lay
or deposit eggs; -- said esp. of insects.
O`vi*pos"it, v. t. To deposit or
lay (an egg).
{ O`vi*pos"it*ing (?), O`vi*po*si"tion (?), }
n. The depositing of eggs, esp. by
insects.
O`vi*pos"i*tor (?), n. [L. ovum an
egg + positor a placer, fr. ponere to place.]
(Zoöl.) The organ with which many insects and some
other animals deposit their eggs. Some ichneumon files have a long
ovipositor fitted to pierce the eggs or larvæ of other insects,
in order to lay their own eggs within the same.
O"vi*sac (?), n. [Ovum +
sac.] (Anat) (a) A Graafian
follicle; any sac containing an ovum or ova.
(b) The inner layer of the fibrous wall of a
Graafian follicle.
O"vist (?), n. (Biol.) Same
as Ovulist.
||O`vo*coc"cus (?), n.; pl.
Ovococci (#). [Ovum + Gr. &?; grain, seed.]
(Biol.) A germinal vesicle.
{ O"void (?), O*void"al (?), }
a. [Ovum + -oid: cf. F.
ovoïde.] Resembling an egg in shape; egg-shaped;
ovate; as, an ovoidal apple.
O"void (?), n. A solid resembling
an egg in shape.
O"vo*lo (?), n. [It. ovolo,
uovolo, fr. L. ovum an egg. Cf. Ovule.]
(Arch.) A round, convex molding. See Illust. of
Column.
&fist; In Roman work it is usually a quarter circle in section; in
Greek work it is flatter, and is equivalent to the echinus; that is,
it has in section the elastic curve of the shell of the sea urchin.
In mediæval architecture it is not distinguishable from the
multitude of convex moldings, of all sections, which are used.
O*vol"o*gy (?), n. [Ovum + -
logy. Cf. F. ovologie.] That branch of natural
history which treats of the origin and functions of eggs.
O`vo*plas"ma (?), n. [Ovum +
plasma.] (Boil.) Yolk; egg yolk.
Haeckel.
O`vo*test"tis (?), n. [NL. See
Ovum, and Testis.] (Zoöl.) An organ
which produces both ova and spermatozoids; an hermaphrodite
gland.
O*vo*vi*vip"a*rous (?), a. [Ovum
+ viviparous: cf. F. ovovivipare.] (Biol.)
Oviparous, but hatching the egg while it is within the body, as
some fishes and reptiles.
O"vu*lar (?), a. (Biol.)
Relating or belonging to an ovule; as, an ovular
growth.
O"vu*la*ry (?), a. (Biol.)
Pertaining to ovules.
O"vu*late (?), a. (Biol.)
Containing an ovule or ovules.
O`vu*la"tion (?), n. (Phisiol.)
The formation of ova or eggs in the ovary, and the discharge of
the same. In the mammalian female the discharge occurs during
menstruation.
O"vule (?), n. [Dim. of L. ovum
an egg: cf. F. ovule. Cf. Ovolo, Ovulum.]
(Biol.) (a) The rudiment of a seed. It
grows from a placenta, and consists of a soft nucleus within two
delicate coatings. The attached base of the ovule is the
hilum, the coatings are united with the nucleus at the
chalaza, and their minute orifice is the foramen.
(b) An ovum.
O`vu*lif"er*ous (?), a. [Ovule +
-ferous.] (biol.) Producing ovules.
O"vu*list (?), n. (Biol.) A
believer in the theory (called encasement theory), current
during the last century, that the egg was the real animal germ, and
that at the time of fecundation the spermatozoa simply gave the
impetus which caused the unfolding of the egg, in which all
generations were inclosed one within the other. Also called
ovist.
O"vu*lite (?), n. [Ovum + -
lite.] A fossil egg.
||O"vu*lum (?), n.; pl.
Ovula (#). [NL. See Ovule.] (Biol.)
An ovule.
||O"vum (?), n.; pl. L.
Ova (#), E. Ovums (#). [L., an
egg. See Oval.] 1. (Biol.) A more
or less spherical and transparent mass of granular protoplasm, which
by a process of multiplication and growth develops into a mass of
cells, constituting a new individual like the parent; an egg, spore,
germ, or germ cell. See Illust. of Mycropyle.
&fist; The ovum is a typical cell, with a cell wall, cell
substance, nucleus, and nucleolus. In man and the higher animals the
cell wall, a vertically striated membrane, is called the zona
pellucida; the cell contents, the vitellus; the nucleus,
the germinal vesicle; and the nucleolus, the germinal
spot. The diameter of the ripe ovum in man and the domestic
animals varies between 1-200 and 1-120 of an inch.
2. (Arch.) One of the series of egg-
shaped ornaments into which the ovolo is often carved.
Gwilt.
Owch (?), n. See
Ouch. [Obs.] Speser.
Owe (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Owed (?), (Ought (&?;) obs.); p.
pr. & vb. n. Owing (?).] [OE. owen,
awen,aghen, to have, own, have (to do), hence, owe, AS.
āgan to have; akin to G. eigen, a., own, Icel.
eiga to have, Dan. eie, Sw. äga, Goth.
áigan, Skr. &?;. &?;&?;&?;&?;. Cf. Ought,
v., 2d Own, Fraught.]
1. To possess; to have, as the rightful owner;
to own. [Obs.]
Thou dost here usurp
The name thou ow'st not.
Shak.
2. To have or possess, as something derived
or bestowed; to be obliged to ascribe (something to some source); to
be indebted or obliged for; as, he owed his wealth to his
father; he owed his victory to his lieutenants.
Milton.
O deem thy fall not owed to man's
decree.
Pope.
3. Hence: To have or be under an obigation to
restore, pay, or render (something) in return or compensation for
something received; to be indebted in the sum of; as, the subject
owes allegiance; the fortunate owe assistance to the
unfortunate.
The one ought five hundred pence, and the other
fifty.
Bible (1551).
A son owes help and honor to his
father.
Holyday.
&fist; Owe was sometimes followed by an objective clause
introduced by the infinitive. "Ye owen to incline and bow your
heart." Chaucer.
4. To have an obligation to (some one) on
account of something done or received; to be indebted to; as, to
iwe the grocer for supplies, or a laborer for
services.
Ow"el (?), a. [OF. oel,
owel, iwel,ivel, F. égal, fr. L.
aequalis.] (Law) Equal. [Obs.]
Burrill.
Ow"el*ty (?), n. [OF.
oelté, ivelté.] (Law)
Equality; -- sometimes written ovelty and
ovealty. Burrill.
Ow"en (?), a.[See Own.]
Own. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Ow"en*ite (?), n. A follower of
Robert Owen, who tried to reorganize society on a socialistic
basis, and established an industrial community on the Clyde,
Scotland, and, later, a similar one in Indiana.
O"wher (?), adv. [AS.
āhwær.] Anywhere. [Obs.] "If he found
owher a good fellow." Chaucer.
Ow`ing (?), p. p. & a. [Used in a
passive sense for owed (AS. āgen. See
Own).] 1. Had or held under obligation of
paying; due.
There is more owing her than is
paid.
Shak.
2. Had or experienced as a consequence,
result, issue, etc.; ascribable; -- with to; as, misfortunes
are often owing to vices; his failure was owing to
speculations.
Owl (?), n. [AS. ūle; akin
to D. uil, OHG. ūwila, G. eule, Icel.
ugla, Sw. ugla, Dan. ugle.]
1. (Zoöl.) Any species of
raptorial birds of the family Strigidæ. They have large
eyes and ears, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye.
They are mostly nocturnal in their habits.
&fist; Some species have erectile tufts of feathers on the head.
The feathers are soft and somewhat downy. The species are numerous.
See Barn owl, Burrowing owl, Eared owl, Hawk
owl, Horned owl, Screech owl, Snowy owl,
under Barn, Burrowing, etc.
&fist; In the Scriptures the owl is commonly associated with
desolation; poets and story-tellers introduce it as a bird of ill
omen. . . . The Greeks and Romans made it the emblem of wisdom, and
sacred to Minerva, -- and indeed its large head and solemn eyes give
it an air of wisdom. Am. Cyc.
2. (Zoöl.) A variety of the
domestic pigeon.
Owl monkey (Zoöl.), any one of
several species of South American nocturnal monkeys of the genus
Nyctipithecus. They have very large eyes. Called also
durukuli. -- Owl moth
(Zoöl.), a very large moth (Erebus strix). The
expanse of its wings is over ten inches. -- Owl
parrot (Zoöl.), the kakapo. --
Sea owl (Zoöl.), the lumpfish.
-- Owl train, a cant name for certain railway
trains whose run is in the nighttime.
Owl, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Owled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Owling.] 1. To pry about; to prowl.
[Prov. Eng.]
2. To carry wool or sheep out of
England. [Obs.]
&fist; This was formerly illegal, and was done chiefly by
night.
3. Hence, to carry on any contraband
trade. [Eng.]
Owl"er (?), n. [From Owl,
v. i.] One who owls; esp., one who conveys
contraband goods. See Owling, n. [Obs.
or Prov. Eng.] T. Brown.
Owl"er*y (?), n.; pl.
Owleries (&?;). An abode or a haunt of
owls.
Owl"et (?), n. [Dim. of owl.
Cf. Howlet.] (Zoöl.) A small owl; especially,
the European species (Athene noctua), and the California
flammulated owlet (Megascops flammeolus).
Owlet moth (Zoöl.), any noctuid
moth.
Owl"-eyed` (?), a. Having eyes
like an owl's.
Owl"ing, n. [From Owl,
v. i.] (O. Eng. Law) The offense of
transporting wool or sheep out of England contrary to the statute
formerly existing. Blackstone.
Owl"ish, a. Resembling, or
characteristic of, an owl.
Owl"ism (?), n. Affected wisdom;
pompous dullness. [R.]
Owl"light` (?), n. Glimmering or
imperfect light. [R.] Bp. Warburton.
Own (ōn), v. t. [OE. unnen
to grant, permit, be pleased with, AS. unnan to grant; akin to
OS. giunnan, G. gönnen, Icel. unna; of
uncertain origin. This word has been confused with own to
possess.] To grant; to acknowledge; to admit to be true; to
confess; to recognize in a particular character; as, we own
that we have forfeited your love.
The wakeful bloodhound rose, and shook his hide;
But his sagacious eye an inmate owns.
Keats.
Own, a. [OE. owen, awen,
auen, aughen, AS. āgen, p. p. of
āgan to possess; akin to OS. ēgan, G. & D.
eigen, Icel. eiginn, Sw. & Dan. egen.
√110. See Owe.] Belonging to; belonging
exclusively or especially to; peculiar; -- most frequently following
a possessive pronoun, as my, our, thy,
your, his, her, its, their, in
order to emphasize or intensify the idea of property, peculiar
interest, or exclusive ownership; as, my own father; my
own composition; my own idea; at my own
price. "No man was his own [i. e., no man was
master of himself, or in possession of his senses]."
Shak.
To hold one's own, to keep or maintain one's
possessions; to yield nothing; esp., to suffer no loss or
disadvantage in a contest. Shak.
Own, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Owned (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Owning.] [OE. ohnien, ahnien, AS.
āgnian, fr. āgen own, a.
See Own, a.] To hold as property; to
have a legal or rightful title to; to be the proprietor or possessor
of; to possess; as, to own a house.
Own"er (?), n. One who owns; a
rightful proprietor; one who has the legal or rightful title, whether
he is the possessor or not. Shak.
Own"er*less, a. Without an
owner.
Own"er*ship, n. The state of being
an owner; the right to own; exclusive right of possession; legal or
just claim or title; proprietorship.
Owre (?), n. [AS. ūr; akin
to G. auerochs, OHG. ūr, ūrohso,
Icel. ūrr.] (Zoöl.) The aurochs.
[Obs.]
{ Owse (ouz), Ow"ser (ou"z&etilde;r), }
n. Tanner's ooze. See Ooze,
3.
Ox (&obreve;ks), n.; pl.
Oxen (#). [AS. oxa; akin to D. os. G.
ochs, ochse, OHG. ohso, Icel. oxi, Sw. &
Dan. oxe, Goth. aúhsa, Skr. ukshan ox,
bull; cf. Skr. uksh to sprinkle. √214. Cf.
Humid, Aurochs.] (Zoöl.) The male of
bovine quadrupeds, especially the domestic animal when castrated and
grown to its full size, or nearly so. The word is also applied, as a
general name, to any species of bovine animals, male and
female.
All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the
field.
Ps. viii. 7.
&fist; The castrated male is called a steer until it
attains its full growth, and then, an ox; but if castrated
somewhat late in life, it is called a stag. The male, not
castrated, is called a bull. These distinctions are well
established in regard to domestic animals of this genus. When wild
animals of this kind are spoken of, ox is often applied both
to the male and the female. The name ox is never applied to
the individual cow, or female, of the domestic kind.
Oxen may comprehend both the male and the female.
Grunting ox (Zoöl.), the
yak. -- Indian ox (Zoöl.), the
zebu. -- Javan ox (Zoöl.), the
banteng. -- Musk ox. (Zoöl.)
See under Musk. -- Ox bile. See
Ox gall, below. -- Ox gall, the
fresh gall of the domestic ox; -- used in the arts and in
medicine. -- Ox pith, ox marrow.
[Obs.] Marston. -- Ox ray
(Zoöl.), a very large ray (Dicerobatis
Giornæ) of Southern Europe. It has a hornlike organ
projecting forward from each pectoral fin. It sometimes becomes
twenty feet long and twenty-eight feet broad, and weighs over a ton.
Called also sea devil. -- To have the black ox
tread on one's foot, to be unfortunate; to know what
sorrow is (because black oxen were sacrificed to Pluto).
Leigh Hunt.
Ox`ac"id (&obreve;ks`ăs"&ibreve;d),
n. (Chem.) See
Oxyacid.
Ox"a*lan (?), n. [From Alloxan,
by transposition of letters.] (Chem.) A complex
nitrogenous substance
C3N3H5O3 obtained from
alloxan (or when urea is fused with ethyl oxamate), as a stable white
crystalline powder; -- called also oxaluramide.
Ox`a*lan"tin (?), n. [From
Alloxantin, by transposition of letters.] (Chem.)
A white crystalline nitrogenous substance
(C6H4N4O5) obtained by
the reduction of parabanic acid; -- called also leucoturic
acid.
Ox"a*late (?), n. [Cf. F.
oxalate. See Oxalic.] (Chem.) A salt of
oxalic acid.
Ox*al"de*hyde (?), n. [Oxalic +
aldehyde.] (Chem.) Same as
Glyoxal.
Ox`al*eth"yl*ine (?), n. [Oxalic
+ ethyl + -ine.] A poisonous nitrogenous base
(C6H10N2) obtained indirectly from
oxamide as a thick transparent oil which has a strong narcotic odor,
and a physiological action resembling that of atropine. It is
probably related to pyridine.
Ox*al"ic (?), a. [From Oxalis:
cf. F. oxalique.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived
from, or contained in, sorrel, or oxalis; specifically, designating
an acid found in, and characteristic of, oxalis, and also certain
plant of the Buckwheat family.
Oxalic acid (Chem.), a dibasic acid,
existing combined in oxalis as an acid potassium oxalate, and in many
plant tissues as the calcium oxalate. It is prepared on a large
scale, by the action of fused caustic soda or potash on sawdust, as a
white crystalline substance, which has a strong acid taste, and is
poisonous in large doses. It is used in dyeing, calico printing,
bleaching flax and straw, the preparation of formic acid, and in
salts of lemon for removing ink stains, mold, etc.
Ox"a*line (?), n. [Glyoxal + -
ine.] (Chem.) See Glyoxaline.
Ox"a*lis (?), n. [L., a kind of sorrel,
Gr. &?;&?;&?;, fr. &?;&?;&?;&?; sharp, pungent, acid.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants, mostly herbs, with acid-tasting trifoliolate
or multifoliolate leaves; -- called also wood
sorrel.
Ox"a*lite (?), n. (Min.) A
yellow mineral consisting of oxalate of iron.
Ox`a*lur*am"ide (?), n.
[Oxaluric + amide.] (Chem.) Same as
Oxalan.
Ox`a*lur"ate (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of oxaluric acid.
Ox`a*lur"ic (?), a. [Oxalyl +
urea.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, a
complex nitrogenous acid related to the ureids, and obtained from
parabanic acid as a white silky crystalline substance.
Ox"a*lyl (?), n. [Oxalic + -
yl.] (Chem.) (a) A hydrocarbon
radical (C2O2) regarded as a residue of oxalic
acid and occurring in derivatives of it. (b)
An old name for carbonyl. (c)
An old name for carboxyl.
Ox*am"ate (?), n. (Chem.) A
salt of oxamic acid.
Ox`a*meth"ane (?), n. [Oxamic +
ethyl.] (Chem.) Ethyl oxamate, obtained as a white
scaly crystalline powder.
Ox`a*meth"yl*ane (?), n. [Oxamic
+ methyl.] (Chem.) Methyl oxamate, obtained as a
pearly white crystalline substance.
Ox*am"ic (?), a. [Oxalic +
amido] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an
acid NH2.C2O2.HO obtained as a fine
crystalline powder, intermediate between oxalic acid and oxamide. Its
ammonium salt is obtained by boiling oxamide with ammonia.
Ox*am"ide (?), n, [Oxalic +
amide.] (Chem.) A white crystalline neutral
substance (C2O2(NH2)2)
obtained by treating ethyl oxalate with ammonia. It is the acid amide
of oxalic acid. Formerly called also oxalamide.
Ox*am"i*dine (?), n. [Oxygen +
amido + -ine.] (Chem.) One of a series of
bases containing the amido and the isonitroso groups united to the
same carbon atom.
Ox`a*nil*am"ide (?), n.
[Oxanilic + amide.] (Chem.) A white
crystalline nitrogenous substance, obtained indirectly by the action
of cyanogen on aniline, and regarded as an anilide of oxamic acid; --
called also phenyl oxamide.
Ox*an"i*late (?), n. (Chem.)
A salt of oxanilic acid.
Ox`an*il"ic (?), a. [Oxalic +
aniline.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from,
oxalic acid and aniline; -- used to designate an acid obtained in
white crystalline scales by heating these substances
together.
Ox*an"i*lide (?), n. [Oxalic +
aniline + amide.] (Chem.) A white
crystalline substance, resembling oxanilamide, obtained by heating
aniline oxalate, and regarded as a double anilide of oxalic acid; --
called also diphenyl oxamide.
Ox"bane` (?), n. (Bot.) A
poisonous bulbous plant (Buphane toxicaria) of the Cape of
Good Hope.
Ox"bird` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
(a) The dunlin. (b)
The sanderling. (c) An African weaver bird
(Textor alector).
Ox"bit`er (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The cow blackbird. [Local, U. S.]
Ox"bow` (?), n. A frame of wood,
bent into the shape of the letter U, and
embracing an ox's neck as a kind of collar, the upper ends passing
through the bar of the yoke; also, anything so shaped, as a bend in a
river.
Ox"eye` (?), n. [Ox +
eye.] 1. (Bot.) (a)
The oxeye daisy. See under Daisy.
(b) The corn camomile (Anthemis
arvensis). (c) A genus of composite
plants (Buphthalmum) with large yellow flowers.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) A
titmouse, especially the great titmouse (Parus major) and the
blue titmouse (P. cœruleus). [Prov. Eng.]
(b) The dunlin. (c) A
fish; the bogue, or box.
Creeping oxeye (Bot.) a West Indian
composite plant (Wedelia carnosa). -- Seaside
oxeye (Bot.), a West Indian composite shrub
(Borrichia arborescens).
Ox"*eyed` (?), a. Having large,
full eyes, like those of an ox. Burton.
Ox"fly` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
The gadfly of cattle.
Ox"ford (?), a. Of or pertaining
to the city or university of Oxford, England.
Oxford movement. See
Tractarianism. -- Oxford School, a
name given to those members of the Church of England who adopted the
theology of the so-called Oxford "Tracts for the Times," issued the
period 1833 -- 1841. Shipley. -- Oxford
tie, a kind of shoe, laced on the instep, and usually
covering the foot nearly to the ankle.
Ox"gang` (?), n. [Ox +
gang, n., 1.] (O. Eng. Law) See
Bovate.
Ox"goad` (?), n. A goad for
driving oxen.
Ox"head` (?), n. [Cf. Hogshead.]
Literally, the head of an ox (emblem of cuckoldom); hence, a
dolt; a blockhead.
Dost make a mummer of me, oxhead?
Marston.
Ox"heal` (?), n. (Bot.)
Same as Bear's-foot.
Ox"heart` (?), n. A large heart-
shaped cherry, either black, red, or white.
Ox"hide` (?), n. 1.
The skin of an ox, or leather made from it.
2. (O. Eng. Law) A measure of land.
See 3d Hide.
Ox"id (?), n. (Chem.) See
Oxide.
Ox`i*da*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F.
oxydabilité.] Capability of being converted into
an oxide.
Ox"i*da*ble (?), a. [Cf. F.
oxydable.] Capable of being converted into an
oxide.
Ox"i*date (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Oxidated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Oxidating.] [Cf. f. oxyder. See Oxide.]
(Chem.) To oxidize. [Obs.]
Ox`i*da"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
oxidation.] (Chem.) The act or process of
oxidizing, or the state or result of being oxidized.
Ox"i*da`tor (?), n. 1.
An oxidizer. [Obs.]
2. A contrivance for causing a current of air
to impinge on the flame of the Argand lamp; -- called also
oxygenator.
Ox"ide (?), n. [F.
oxygène oxygen + acide acid: cf. F.
oxyde. The French word was correctly spelt oxide, till
about the year 1840, when, in ignorance or forgetfulness of the true
history and composition of the word, the orthography was change to
make it represent the υ of Gr. 'oxy`s, from
which it was supposed to be directly derived.] (Chem.) A
binary compound of oxygen with an atom or radical, or a compound
which is regarded as binary; as, iron oxide, ethyl
oxide, nitrogen oxide, etc.
&fist; In the chemical nomenclature adopted by Guyton de Morveau,
Lavoisier,and their associates, the term oxides was made to
include all compounds of oxygen which had no acid (F.
acide) properties, as contrasted with the acids, all of which
were at that time supposed to contain oxygen. The orthography
oxyde, oxyd, etc., was afterwards introduced in
ignorance or disregard of the true etymology, but these forms are now
obsolete in English. The spelling oxid is not common.
Ox"i*di`za*ble (?), a. Capable of
being oxidized.
Ox"i*dize (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Oxidized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Oxidizing.] (Chem.) To combine with oxygen, or
subject to the action of oxygen, or of an oxidizing agent.
Specifically: (a) To combine with oxygen or with
more oxygen; to add oxygen to; as, to oxidize nitrous acid so
as to form nitric acid. (b) To remove
hydrogen from (anything), as by the action of oxygen; as, to
oxidize alcohol so as to form aldehyde.
(c) To subject to the action of oxygen or of an
oxidizing agent, so as to bring to a higher grade, as an -ous
compound to an -ic compound; as, to oxidize mercurous
chloride to mercuric chloride.
&fist; In certain cases to oxidize is identical with to
acidify; for, in nearly all cases, the more oxygen a substance
contains the more nearly does it approximate to acid qualities; thus,
by oxidation many elements, as sulphur, nitrogen, carbon, chromium,
manganese, etc., pass into compounds which are acid anhydrides, and
thus practically in the acid state.
Ox"i*dize`ment (?), n.
Oxidation. [R.]
Ox"i*di`zer (?), n. (Chem.)
An agent employed in oxidation, or which facilitates or brings
about combination with oxygen; as, nitric acid, chlorine, bromine,
etc., are strong oxidizers.
Ox*id"u*la`ted (?), a. (Chem.)
Existing in the state of a protoxide; -- said of an oxide.
[R.]
Ox"ime (?), n. (Chem.) One
of a series of isonitroso derivatives obtained by the action of
hydroxylamine on aldehydes or ketones.
Ox*in"dol (?), n. [Oxygen +
indol.] (Chem.) A white crystalline nitrogenous
substance (C8H7NO) of the indol group, obtained
by the reduction of dioxindol. It is a so-called lactam
compound.
Ox`i*od"ic (?), a. [Oxy-
(a) + iodic.] (Chem.) Pertaining
to, or designating, certain compounds of iodine and oxygen.
Ox"like (?), a. Characteristic of,
or like, an ox.
Ox"lip` (?), n. [AS. oxanslyppe.
See Ox, and Cowslip.] (Bot.) The great
cowslip (Primula veris, var. elatior).
Ox"o*nate (?), n. (Chem.) A
salt of oxonic acid.
Ox*o"ni*an (?), a. Of or relating
to the city or the university of Oxford, England.
Macaulay.
Ox*o"ni*an, n. A student or
graduate of Oxford University, in England.
Ox*on"ic (?), a. [Prob.
glyoxalic + carbonic.] (Chem.) Pertaining
to, or designating, a complex nitrogenous acid
(C4H5N3O4) not known in
the free state, but obtained, in combination with its salts, by a
slow oxidation of uric acid, to which it is related.
Ox"peck`er (?), n. (Zoöl.)
An African bird of the genus Buphaga; the
beefeater.
Ox"shoe` (?), n. A shoe for oxen,
consisting of a flat piece of iron nailed to the hoof.
Ox"ter (?), n. [AS.
ōhsta.] The armpit; also, the arm. [Prov.
Eng. & Scot.]
Ox"tongue` (?), n. (Bot.) A
name given to several plants, from the shape and roughness of their
leaves; as, Anchusa officinalis, a kind of bugloss, and
Helminthia echioides, both European herbs.
Ox"y- (?). (Chem.) A prefix, also used
adjectively, designating: (a) A compound
containing oxygen. (b) A compound
containing the hydroxyl group, more properly designated by
hydroxy-. See Hydroxy-.
Oxy acid. See Oxyacid
(below).
Ox`y*a*ce"tic (?), a. [Oxy-
(b) + acetic.] Hydroxyacetic; designating an acid
called also glycolic acid.
Ox`y*ac"id (?), n. [Oxy-
(a) + acid.] (Chem.) An acid
containing oxygen, as chloric acid or sulphuric acid; -- contrasted
with the hydracids, which contain no oxygen, as hydrochloric
acid. See Acid, and Hydroxy-.
Ox`y*am*mo"ni*a (?), n. [Oxy-
(b) + ammonia.] (Chem.) Same as
Hydroxylamine.
Ox`y*ben"zene (?), n. [Oxy-
(b) + benzene.] (Chem.) Hydroxy
benzene. Same as Phenol.
Ox`y*ben*zo"ic (?), a. [Oxy-
(b) + benzoic.] (Chem.)
Hydroxybenzoic; pertaining to, or designating, any one of
several hydroxyl derivatives of benzonic acid, of which the commonest
is salicylic acid.
Ox`y*bro"mic (?), a. [Oxy-
(a) + bromic.] (Chem.) Pertaining
to, or designating, certain compounds of oxygen and
bromine.
Ox`y*bu*tyr"ic (?), a. [Oxy-
(b) + butyric.] (Chem.)
Hydroxybutyric; designating any one of a group of metameric
acids (C3H6.OH.CO2H).
Ox`y*cal"ci*um (?), a. [Oxy-
(a) + calcium.] Of or pertaining to
oxygen and calcium; as, the oxycalcium light. See Drummond
light.
Ox`y*ca*pro"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
See Leucic.
Ox`y*chlo"ric (?), a. [Oxy-
(a) + chloric.] (Chem.)
(a) Of, pertaining to, or designating in
general, certain compounds containing oxygen and chlorine.
(b) Formerly designating an acid now called
perchloric acid. See Perchloric.
Ox`y*chlo"ride (?), n. [Oxy-
(a) + chloride.] (Chem.) A ternary
compound of oxygen and chlorine; as, plumbic
oxychloride.
Ox"y*crate (?), n. [Gr.
&?;&?;&?;&?;&?;;&?;&?;&?;&?; acid + &?;&?;&?;&?; to mix: cf. F.
oxycrat.] (med.) A Mixture of water and
vinegar. Wiseman.
Ox`y*cy"mene (?), n. [Oxy-
(b) + cymene.] (Chem.) Hydroxy
cymene. Same as Carvacrol.
Ox"y*gen (?), n. [F.
oxygène, from Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?; sharp, acid + root of
&?;&?;&?;&?; to be born. So called because originally supposed to be
an essential part of every acid.]
1. (Chem.) A colorless, tasteless,
odorless, gaseous element occurring in the free state in the
atmosphere, of which it forms about 23 per cent by weight and about
21 per cent by volume, being slightly heavier than nitrogen. Symbol
O. Atomic weight 15.96.
&fist; It occurs combined in immense quantities, forming eight
ninths by weight of water, and probably one half by weight of the
entire solid crust of the globe, being an ingredient of silica, the
silicates, sulphates, carbonates, nitrates, etc. Oxygen combines with
all elements (except fluorine), forming oxides, bases, oxyacid
anhydrides, etc., the process in general being called
oxidation, of which combustion is only an intense
modification. At ordinary temperatures with most substances it is
moderately active, but at higher temperatures it is one of the most
violent and powerful chemical agents known. It is indispensable in
respiration, and in general is the most universally active and
efficient element. It may be prepared in the pure state by heating
potassium chlorate.
This element (called dephlogisticated air by Priestley)
was named oxygen by Lavoisier because he supposed it to be a
constituent of all acids. This is not so in the case of a very few
acids (as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydric
sulphide, etc.), but these do contain elements analogous to
oxygen in property and action. Moreover, the fact that most elements
approach the nearer to acid qualities in proportion as they
are combined with more oxygen, shows the great accuracy and breadth
of Lavoisier's conception of its nature.
2. Chlorine used in bleaching.
[Manufacturing name]
Ox"y*gen*ate (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Oxygenated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Oxygenating (?).] [Cf. F.
oxygéner.] (Chem.) To unite, or cause to
combine, with oxygen; to treat with oxygen; to oxidize; as,
oxygenated water (hydrogen dioxide).
Ox`y*gen*a"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
oxygénation.] (Chem.) The act or process of
combining or of treating with oxygen; oxidation.
Ox"y*gen*a`tor (?), n. An
oxidizer.
Ox`y*gen"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, containing, or resembling, oxygen; producing
oxygen.
||Ox`y*ge"ni*um (?), n. [NL.]
(Chem.) The technical name of oxygen. [R.]
Ox"y*gen*i"za*ble (?), a.
(Chem.) Oxidizable.
Ox"y*gen*ize (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Oxygenized (?); p pr. & vb.
n. Oxygenizing (?).] (Chem.) To
oxidize.
Ox"y*gen*ize`ment (?), n.
Oxidation.
Ox*yg"e*nous (?), a.
Oxygenic.
Ox"y*gon (?), n. [Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;
sharp + &?;&?;&?; an angle: cf.F. oxygone.] (Geom.)
A triangle having three acute angles.
{ Ox*yg"o*nal (?), Ox`y*go"ni*al (?), }
a. Having acute angles.
Barlow.
{ Ox`Y*hæm`a*cy"a*nin (?),
Ox`y*hæm`o*cy"a*nin (?), } n.
[Oxy- (a) + hæmacyanin,
hæmocyanin.] (Physiol. Chem.) See
Hæmacyanin.
{ Ox`y*hæm`o*glo"bin, Ox`y*hem`o*glo"bin
} (?), n. [Oxy- (a) +
hæmoglobin, hemoglobin.] (Physiol. Chem.)
See Hemoglobin.
Ox`y*hy"dro*gen (?), a. [Oxy-
(a) + hydrogen.] (Chem.) Of or
pertaining to a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen; as,
oxyhydrogen gas.
Oxyhydrogen blowpipe. (Chem.) See
Blowpipe. -- Oxyhydrogen microscope,
a form of microscope arranged so as to use the light produced by
burning lime or limestone under a current of oxyhydrogen
gas.
Ox"y*mel (?), n. [L. oxymeli,
Gr. &?;&?;&?;; &?;&?;&?;&?; acid + &?;&?;&?; honey.] (Med.)
A mixture of honey, water, vinegar, and spice, boiled to a
sirup. Sir T. Elyot.
Ox`y*meth"yl*ene, n. [Oxy-
(a) + methylene.] (Chem.) Formic
aldehyde, regarded as a methylene derivative.
||Ox`y*mo"ron (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
&?;&?;&?;, fr. &?;&?;&?; pointedly foolish; &?;&?;&?; sharp +
&?;&?;&?; foolish.] (Rhet.) A figure in which an epithet
of a contrary signification is added to a word; e. g., cruel
kindness; laborious idleness.
Ox`y*mu"ri*ate (?), n. (Old
Chem.) A salt of the supposed oxymuriatic acid; a
chloride.
Oxymuriate of lime, chloride of
lime.
Ox`y*mu`ri*at"ic (?), a. [Oxy-
(a) + muriatic: cf. F. oxymuriatique.]
(Chem.) Pertaining to, or consisting of, oxygen and
muriatic acid, that is, hydrochloric acid. [Archaic.]
Oxymuriatic acid, chlorine, formerly so
called on the supposition that it was a compound of oxygen and
muriatic acid. [Obs.]
Ox`y*neu"rine (?), n. (Chem.)
See Betaine.
Ox*yn"tic (?), a. [Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?; to
make acid.] (Physiol.) Acid; producing acid; -applied
especially to certain glands and cells in the stomach.
{ ||Ox`y*o"pi*a (?), Ox"y*o`py (?), }
n. [NL. oxyopia, from Gr. &?;&?;&?; sharp +
&?;&?;&?; sight.] (Med.) Excessive acuteness of
sight.
Ox`y*phe"nic (?), a. [Oxy- (b)
+ phenol.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating,
the phenol formerly called oxyphenic acid, and now
oxyphenol and pyrocatechin. See
Pyrocatechin.
Ox`y*phe"nol (?), n. (Chem.)
A phenol, &?;&?;&?;&?;&?;, produced by the distillation of
catechin; called also oxyphenic acid, and now
pyrocatechin.
Ox*yph"o*ny (?), n. [Gr. &?;&?;&?;
sharp + &?;&?;&?;&?; voice.] Acuteness or shrillness of
voice.
Ox`y*quin"o*line (?), n. [Oxy-
(b) + quinoline.] (Chem.) Hydroxy
quinoline; a phenol derivative of quinoline, -- called also
carbostyril.
||Ox`y*rhyn"cha (?), n. pl. [NL., fr.
Gr.&?;&?;&?;&?; sharp + &?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?; snout.]
(Zoöl.) The maioid crabs.
Ox*yr"rho*dine (?), n. [Gr. &?;&?;&?;
(sc. &?;&?;&?;); 'oxy`s acid + &?;&?;&?;&?; made of roses,
&?;&?;&?;&?; rose.] (Med.) A mixture of two parts of the
oil of roses with one of the vinegar of roses.
Floyer.
Ox"y*salt (?), n. [Oxy-
(a) + salt.] (Chem.) A salt of an
oxyacid, as a sulphate.
Ox`y*sul"phide (?), n. (Chem.)
A ternary compound of oxygen and sulphur.
Ox`y*sul"phu*ret (?), n. (Chem.)
An oxysulphide. [Obsolescent]
Ox`y*toc"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;
sharp, quick + &?;&?;&?;&?; birth.] (Med.) Promoting
uterine contractions, or parturition. -- n.
An oxytocic medicine or agent.
Ox`y*tol"u*ene (?), n. [Oxy-
(a) + toluene.] One of three hydroxy
derivatives of toluene, called the cresols. See
Cresol.
Ox"y*tone (?), a. [Gr. &?;&?;&?;;
&?;&?;&?; sharp + &?;&?;&?; tone.] Having an acute sound;
(Gr. Gram.), having an acute accent on the last
syllable.
Ox"y*tone, n. 1.
An acute sound.
2. (Gr. Gram.) A word having the acute
accent on the last syllable.
Ox`y*ton"ic*al (?), a. (Gr.
Gram.) Oxytone.
O"yer (?), n. [Anglo F., a hearing,
from OF. oïr, F. ouïr, to hear, L.
audire. See Audible.] (Law) A hearing or an
inspection, as of a deed, bond, etc., as when a defendant in court
prays oyer of a writing. Blackstone.
Oyer and terminer (Law), a term used
in England in commissions directed to judges of assize about to hold
court, directing them to hear and determine cases brought before
them. In the U.S. the phrase is used to designate certain criminal
courts.
O"yez` (ōy&ebreve;s; 277),
interj. [Anglo-F. oyez hear ye. See
Oyer.] Hear; attend; -- a term used by criers of courts
to secure silence before making a proclamation. It is repeated three
times. [Written also oyes.]
Oy"let (?), n. [See Eyelet.]
1. See Eyelet.
2. (Arch.) Same as
Oillet.
Oy"noun (?), n. Onion.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Oys"ter (?), n. [OF. oistre, F.
huître, L. ostrea, ostreum, Gr.
'o`streon; prob. akin to 'ostre`on bone, the
oyster being so named from its shell. Cf. Osseous,
Ostracize.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any
marine bivalve mollusk of the genus Ostrea. They are usually found
adhering to rocks or other fixed objects in shallow water along the
seacoasts, or in brackish water in the mouth of rivers. The common
European oyster (Ostrea edulis), and the American oyster
(Ostrea Virginiana), are the most important species.
2. A name popularly given to the delicate
morsel contained in a small cavity of the bone on each side of the
lower part of the back of a fowl.
Fresh-water oyster (Zoöl.), any
species of the genus Etheria, and allied genera, found in
rivers of Africa and South America. They are irregular in form, and
attach themselves to rocks like oysters, but they have a pearly
interior, and are allied to the fresh-water mussels. --
Oyster bed, a breeding place for oysters; a
place in a tidal river or other water on or near the seashore, where
oysters are deposited to grow and fatten for market. See 1st
Scalp, n. -- Oyster
catcher (Zoöl.), any one of several species
of wading birds of the genus Hæmatopus, which frequent
seashores and feed upon shellfish. The European species (H.
ostralegus), the common American species (H. palliatus),
and the California, or black, oyster catcher (H. Bachmani) are
the best known. -- Oyster crab
(Zoöl.) a small crab (Pinnotheres ostreum)
which lives as a commensal in the gill cavity of the oyster. --
Oyster dredge, a rake or small dragnet of
bringing up oyster from the bottom of the sea. -- Oyster
fish. (Zoöl.) (a) The
tautog. (b) The toadfish. --
Oyster plant. (Bot.) (a)
A plant of the genus Tragopogon (T. porrifolius),
the root of which, when cooked, somewhat resembles the oyster in
taste; salsify; -- called also vegetable oyster.
(b) A plant found on the seacoast of Northern
Europe, America and Asia (Mertensia maritima), the fresh
leaves of which have a strong flavor of oysters. --
Oyster plover. (Zoöl.) Same as
Oyster catcher, above. -- Oyster shell
(Zoöl.), the shell of an oyster. --
Oyster wench, Oyster wife,
Oyster women, a women who deals in
oysters. -- Pearl oyster. (Zoöl.)
See under Pearl. -- Thorny oyster
(Zoöl.), any spiny marine shell of the genus
Spondylus.
Oys"ter-green` (?), n. (Bot.)
A green membranous seaweed (Ulva) often found growing on
oysters but common on stones, piles, etc.
Oys"ter*ing, n. Gathering, or
dredging for, oysters.
Oys"ter*ling (?), n.
(Zoöl.) A young oyster.
O*ze"na (?), n. [NL., fr. L.
ozaena, Gr. 'o`zaina, fr. 'o`zein to
smell.] (Med.) A discharge of fetid matter from the
nostril, particularly if associated with ulceration of the soft parts
and disease of the bones of the nose.
O`zo*ce"rite (?), n. [Gr.
'o`zein to smell + &?; wax.] (Min.) A waxlike
mineral resin; -- sometimes called native paraffin, and
mineral wax.
O`zo*na"tion (?), n. (Chem.)
The act of treating with ozone; also, the act of converting
into, or producing, ozone; ozonization.
O"zone (?), n. [Gr. 'o`zwn
smelling, p. pr. of 'o`zein to smell. See Odor.]
(Chem.) A colorless gaseous substance (O&?;) obtained (as
by the silent discharge of electricity in oxygen) as an allotropic
form of oxygen, containing three atoms in the molecule. It is a
streng oxidizer, and probably exists in the air, though by he
ordinary tests it is liable to be confused with certain other
substances, as hydrogen dioxide, or certain oxides of nitrogen. It
derives its name from its peculiar odor, which resembles that of weak
chlorine.
O*zon"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, resembling, or containing, ozone.
O*zo`ni*fi*ca"tion (?), n.
[Ozone + L. -ficare to make. See fy. ]
(Chem.) The act or process of producing, or of subjecting
to the action of, ozone.
O`zo*ni*za"tion (?), n. (Chem.)
Ozonation.
O"zo*nize (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Ozonized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Ozonizing.] (Chem.) (a) To convert
into ozone, as oxygen. (b) To treat with
ozone.
O"zo*ni`zer (?), n. (Chem.)
An apparatus or agent for the production or application of
ozone.
O`zo*nom"e*ter (?), n. [Ozone +
-meter.] An instrument for ascertaining the amount of
ozone in the atmosphere, or in any gaseous mixture.
Faraday.
O`zo*no*met"ric (?), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or used for, the determination of the amount of
ozone; of or relating to ozonometry.
O`zo*nom"e*try (?), n. (Chem.)
The measurement or determination of the quantity of
ozone.
O*zo"no*scope (?), n. [Ozone +
-scope.] (Chem.) An apparatus employed to indicate
the presence, or the amount, of ozone.
O*zo`no*scop"ic (?), a. [Ozone +
Gr. &?; to view.] (Chem.) Serving to indicate the
presence or the amount of ozone.
O"zo*nous (?), a. Pertaining to or
containing, ozone.