# dictionary

word: Mind₂
definition:
Mind

Mind
(mīnd)
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
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.


word: mind-altering
definition:
mind-altering

mind-altering
adj.
producing mood changes or distorted perception; -- used mostly of psychoactive substances; as, hallucinogenic drugs are mind-altering substances.


word: mind-bending
definition:
mind-bending

mind-bending
adj.
intensely affecting the mind, especially in producing hallucinations; -- usually of chemical substances.
[informal]

Syn. -- mind-blowing.


word: mind-blowing
definition:
mind-blowing

mind-blowing
adj.
1.
mind-bending.
[informal]

Syn. -- .

2.
intensely affecting the mind or emotions; astonishing; -- usually referring to extraordinary experiences; as, spending a week in the jungle was a mind-blowing experience; a mind-blowing horror story.


word: mind-boggling
definition:
mind-boggling

mind-boggling
adj.
intellectually or emotionally overwhelming; straining one's capacity to comprehend or cope; as, a mind-boggling display; a mind-boggling puzzle.


word: Minded
definition:
Minded

Mind"ed
a.
Disposed; inclined; having a mind.

Joseph . . . was minded to put her away privily.
Matt. i. 19.

If men were minded to live virtuously.
Tillotson.

&hand_; Minded is much used in composition; as, high-minded, feeble-minded, bloody-minded, sober-minded, double-minded.


word: Minden
definition:
Minden

Minden
prop. n.
A battle in the Seven Years' War (1759) in which the Anglo-Allied forces under duke Ferdinand of Brunswick defeated the French under Marshal Contades.

Syn. -- battle of Minden.


word: Minder
definition:
Minder

Mind"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who minds, tends, or watches something, as a child, a machine, or cattle; as, a minder of a loom.

2.
One to be attended; specif., a pauper child intrusted to the care of a private person.
[Eng.]
Dickens.


word: Mindful
definition:
Mindful

Mind"ful
(?)
a.
Bearing in mind; regardful; attentive; heedful; observant.

What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
Ps. viii. 4.

I promise you to be mindful of your admonitions.
Hammond.


word: Mindless
definition:
Mindless

Mind"less
a.
1.
Not indued with mind or intellectual powers; stupid; unthinking.

2.
Unmindful; inattentive; heedless; careless.

Cursed Athens, mindless of thy worth.
Shak.


word: Mine₂
definition:
Mine

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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Mine₃
definition:
Mine

Mine
v. i.
[F. miner, L. minare to drive animals, in LL. also, to lead, conduct, dig a mine (cf. E. lode, and lead to conduct), akin to L. minari to threaten; cf. Sp. mina mine, conduit, subterraneous canal, a spring or source of water, It. mina. See Menace, and cf. Mien.]

1.
To dig a mine or pit in the earth; to get ore, metals, coal, or precious stones, out of the earth; to dig in the earth for minerals; to dig a passage or cavity under anything in order to overthrow it by explosives or otherwise.

2.
To form subterraneous tunnel or hole; to form a burrow or lodge in the earth; as, the mining cony.


word: Mine₄
definition:
Mine

Mine
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mining.]

1.
To dig away, or otherwise remove, the substratum or foundation of; to lay a mine under; to sap; to undermine; hence, to ruin or destroy by slow degrees or secret means.

They mined the walls.
Hayward.

Too lazy to cut down these immense trees, the spoilers . . . had mined them, and placed a quantity of gunpowder in the cavity.
Sir W. Scott.

2.
To dig into, for ore or metal.

Lead veins have been traced . . . but they have not been mined.
Ure.

3.
To get, as metals, out of the earth by digging.

The principal ore mined there is the bituminous cinnabar.
Ure.


word: Mine₅
definition:
Mine

Mine
n.
[F., fr. LL. mina. See Mine, v. i.]

1.
A subterranean cavity or passage
especially:
(a)
A pit or excavation in the earth, from which metallic ores, precious stones, coal, or other mineral substances are taken by digging; -- distinguished from the pits from which stones for architectural purposes are taken, and which are called quarries.
(b)
(Mil.)
A cavity or tunnel made under a fortification or other work, for the purpose of blowing up the superstructure with some explosive agent.

2.
Any place where ore, metals, or precious stones are got by digging or washing the soil; as, a placer mine.

3.
(Fig.)
A rich source of wealth or other good.
Shak.

4.
(Mil.)
An explosive device placed concealed in a location, on land or at sea, where an enemy vehicle or enemy personnel may pass through, having a triggering mechanism which detects people or vehicles, and which will explode and kill or maim personnel or destroy or damage vehicles.  A mine placed at sea (formerly called a torpedo, see torpedo{2} (a)) is also called an marine mine and underwater mine and sometimes called a floating mine, even though it may be anchored to the floor of the sea and not actually float freely.  A mine placed on land (formerly called a torpedo, see torpedo{3}), usually buried, is called a land mine.

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. -- gold mine (a) a mine where gold is obtained. (b) (Fig.) a rich source of wealth or other good; same as Mine 3.
Raymond.


word: mined
definition:
mined

mined
adj.
extracted from a source of supply as of minerals from the earth.
deep-mined
exploited
strip-mined


word: minefield
definition:
minefield

minefield
n.
1.
(Mil.)
a region in which explosive mines{4} have been placed, especially a region on land.

2.
Hence:
(Fig.)
A situation in which a simple mistake can have disastrous consequences; a touchy or dangerous situation requiring great caution; as, the candidate threaded his way skillfully through a minefield of loaded questions from the audience.


word: minelaying
definition:
minelaying

minelaying
n.
The act or process of laying explosive mines in concealed places to destroy enemy personnel and equipment.

Syn. -- mining.


word: Miner
definition:
Miner

Min"er
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. mineur.]

1.
One who mines; a digger for metals, etc.; one engaged in the business of getting ore, coal, or precious stones, out of the earth; one who digs military mines; as, armies have sappers and miners.

2.
(Zool.)
(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.


word: Mineral
definition:
Mineral

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).


word: Mineral₂
definition:
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 paraffin. -- 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.


word: Mineralization
definition:
Mineralization

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.


word: Mineralize
definition:
Mineralize

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.

3.
To charge or impregnate with ore.


word: Mineralize₂
definition:
Mineralize

Min"er*al*ize
v. i.
To go on an excursion for observing and collecting minerals; to mineralogize.


word: mineralized
definition:
mineralized

mineralized
adj.
1.
containing or impregnated with minerals; as, mineralized water; red stains that signify mineralized land.

2.
converted into a mineral.

Syn. -- petrified.


word: Mineralizer
definition:
Mineralizer

Min"er*al*i`zer
(?)
n.
An element which is combined with a metal, thus forming an ore.  Thus, in galena, or lead ore, sulphur is a mineralizer; in hematite, oxygen is a mineralizer.


word: Mineralogical
definition:
Mineralogical

Min`er*al*og"ic*al
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. minéralogique. See Mineralogy.]
Of or pertaining to mineralogy; as, a mineralogical table.


word: Mineralogically
definition:
Mineralogically

Min`er*al*og"ic*al*ly
adv.
According to the principles of, or with reference to, mineralogy.


word: Mineralogist
definition:
Mineralogist

Min`er*al"o*gist
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. minéralogiste.]

1.
One versed in mineralogy; one devoted to the study of minerals.

2.
(Zool.)
A carrier shell (Phorus).


word: Mineralogize
definition:
Mineralogize

Min`er*al"o*gize
(?)
v. i.
To study mineralogy by collecting and examining minerals.
Miss Edgeworth.


word: Mineralogy
definition:
Mineralogy

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.


word: Minerva
definition:
Minerva

Mi*ner"va
(?)
n.
[L.]
(Rom. Myth.)
The goddess of wisdom, of war, of the arts and sciences, of poetry, and of spinning and weaving; -- identified with the Grecian Pallas Athene.


word: minesweeper
definition:
minesweeper

minesweeper
n.
A boat designed for the purpose of detecting and disposing of marine mines.


word: minginess
definition:
minginess

minginess
n.
an extreme stinginess.

Syn. -- meanness, niggardliness, niggardness, parsimony, parsimoniousness, tightfistedness.


word: Mingle
definition:
Mingle

Min"gle
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mingled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mingling (?).]
[From OE. mengen, AS. mengan; akin to D. & G. mengen, Icel. menga, also to E. among, and possibly to mix.  Cf. Among, Mongrel.]

1.
To mix; intermix; to combine or join, as an individual or part, with other parts, but commonly so as to be distinguishable in the product; to confuse; to confound.

There was . . . fire mingled with the hail.
Ex. ix. 24.

2.
To associate or unite in society or by ties of relationship; to cause or allow to intermarry; to intermarry.

The holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands.
Ezra ix. 2.

3.
To deprive of purity by mixture; to contaminate.

A mingled, imperfect virtue.
Rogers.

4.
To put together; to join.
[Obs.]
Shak.

5.
To make or prepare by mixing the ingredients of.

[He] proceeded to mingle another draught.
Hawthorne.


word: Mingle₂
definition:
Mingle

Min"gle
v. i.
1.
To become mixed or blended.

2.
To associate (with certain people); as, he's too highfalutin to mingle with working stiffs.

3.
To move (among other people); -- of people; as, the president left his car to mingle with the crowd; a host at a a party should mingle with his guests.


word: Mingle-mangle
definition:
Mingle-mangle

Min"gle-man`gle
(?)
v. t.
[Reduplicated fr. mingle.]
To mix in a disorderly way; to make a mess of.
[Obs.]
Udall.


word: Miniate
definition:
Miniate

Min"i*ate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Miniated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Miniating (?).]
[L. miniatus, p. p. of miniare. See Minium.]
To paint or tinge with red lead or vermilion; also, to decorate with letters, or the like, painted red, as the page of a manuscript.
T. Wharton.


word: Miniate₂
definition:
Miniate

Min"i*ate
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to the color of red lead or vermilion; painted with vermilion.


word: Miniature
definition:
Miniature

Min"i*a*ture
(?; 277)
n.
[It. miniatura, fr. L. miniare. See Miniate, v.,Minium.]

1.
Originally, a painting in colors such as those in mediaeval 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.


word: Miniature₂
definition:
Miniature

Min"i*a*ture
a.
Being on a small scale; much reduced from the reality; as, a miniature copy.


word: miniaturization
definition:
miniaturization

miniaturization
n.
The act or process of making on a greatly reduced scale.

Syn. -- miniaturisation.


word: Minibus
definition:
Minibus

Min"i*bus
(?)
n.
[L. minor less + -bus, as in omnibus.]
1.
A kind of light passenger vehicle, carrying four persons.
[archaic]

2.
A type of bus (omnibus) similar in general appearnace to a standard-sized bus, but smaller and having a smaller passenger capacity, typically about 15 persons.  It is usually used for transportation over relatively short distances.


word: minicomputer
definition:
minicomputer

minicomputer
n.
(Computers)
a mid-sized digital computer; at any given point in the development of computer technology, a minicomputer will be faster and have greater capacity than a microcomputer, but will be slower and have less capacity than a mainframe computer.


word: Minie ball
definition:
Minie ball

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.


word: Minify
definition:
Minify

Min"i*fy
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Minified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Minifying (?).]
[L. minor less + -fly.]

1.
To make small, or smaller; to diminish the apparent dimensions of; to lessen.

2.
To degrade by speech or action.


word: Minikin
definition:
Minikin

Min"i*kin
(?)
n.
[OD. minneken a darling, dim. of minne love; akin to G. minne, and to E. mind.]

1.
A little darling; a favorite; a minion.
[Obs.]
Florio.

2.
A little pin.
[Obs.]


word: Minim
definition:
Minim

Min"im
(?)
n.
[F. minime, L. minimus the least, smallest, a superl. of minor: cf. It. minima a note in music. See Minor, and cf. Minimum.]

1.
Anything very minute; as, the minims of existence; -- applied to animalcula; and the like.

2.
The smallest liquid measure, equal to about one drop; the sixtieth part of a fluid drachm, equal to one four-hundred-eightieth of a fluid ounce, or 0.06161 milliliter (U. S. measure) or 0.05919 milliliters (British measure).

3.
(Zool.)
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.


word: Minimal
definition:
Minimal

Min"i*mal
(?)
a.
Of, pertaining to, or having a character of, a minim or minimum; least; smallest; as, a minimal amount or value.


word: Miniment
definition:
Miniment

Min"i*ment
(?)
n.
[Prob. corrupt. of moniment.]
A trifle; a trinket; a token.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: minimize
definition:
minimize

min"i*mize
(mĭn"ĭ*mīz)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. minimized (mĭn"ĭ*mīzd); p. pr. & vb. n. minimizing (mĭn"ĭ*mī*zĭng).]
1.
To reduce to the smallest part or proportion possible; to reduce to a minimum.
Bentham.

2.
To represent, to oneself or others, as of no importance or minimal importance or effect; to belittle or disarage.


word: Minimum
definition:
Minimum

Min"i*mum
(?)
n.
pl. Minima (#).
[L., fr. minimus. See Minim.]
The least quantity assignable, admissible, or possible, in a given case; hence, a thing of small consequence; -- opposed to maximum.

Minimum thermometer, a thermometer for recording the lowest temperature since its last adjustment.


word: Minimus
definition:
Minimus

Min"i*mus
(?)
n.
pl. Minimi (#).
[L. See Minim.]
1.
A being of the smallest size.
[Obs.]
Shak.

2.
(Anat.)
The little finger; the fifth digit, or that corresponding to it, in either the manus or pes.

de minimis or de minimus a.of trifling consequence or importance; too insignificant to be worthy of concern; -- a reference to the phrase de minimis non curat lex. -- de minimis non curat lex [Latin] The law does not concern itself with trifles; -- a principle of law, that even if a technical violation of a law appears to exist according to the letter of the law, if the effect is too small to be of consequence, the violation of the law will not be considered as a sufficient cause of action, whether in civil or criminal proceedings.


word: Mining₂
definition:
Mining

Min"ing
a.
Of or pertaining to mines; as, mining engineer; mining machinery; a mining region.

Mining engineering. See the Note under Engineering.


word: Minion₂
definition:
Minion

Min"ion
n.
[F. mignon, fr. OHG. minni love, G. minne; akin to E. mind. See Mind, and cf. Mignonette.]

1.
A loved one; one highly esteemed and favored; -- in a good sense.
[Obs.]

God's disciple and his dearest minion.
Sylvester.

Is this the Athenian minion whom the world
Voiced so regardfully?
Shak.

2.
An obsequious or servile dependent or agent of another; a fawning favorite.
Sir J. Davies.

Go, rate thy minions, proud, insulting boy!
Shak.

3.
(Print.)
A small kind of type, in size between brevier and nonpareil.

4.
An ancient form of ordnance, the caliber of which was about three inches.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.


word: Minionette₂
definition:
Minionette

Min"ion*ette
n.
(Print.)
A size of type between nonpareil and minion; -- used in ornamental borders, etc.


word: Minionly
definition:
Minionly

Minionlike

{ Min"ion*like` (?), Min"ion*ly, }
a. & adv.
Like a minion; daintily.
Camden.


word: Minious
definition:
Minious

Min"ious
(?)
a.
[L. minium red lead.]
Of the color of red or vermilion.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Minish
definition:
Minish

Min"ish
(?)
v. t.
[OE. menusen, F. menuiser to make small, cut small, fr. (assumed) LL. minutiare, for minutare, fr. L. minutus small. See Minute, a., and cf. Diminish, Minge.]
To diminish; to lessen.

The living of poor men thereby minished.
Latimer.


word: Minishment
definition:
Minishment

Min"ish*ment
(?)
n.
The act of diminishing, or the state of being diminished; diminution.
[Obs.]


word: Minister
definition:
Minister

Min"is*ter
(?)
n.
[OE. ministre, F. ministre, fr. L. minister, orig. a double comparative from the root of minor less, and hence meaning, an inferior, a servant. See 1st Minor, and cf. Master, Minstrel.]

1.
A servant; a subordinate; an officer or assistant of inferior rank; hence, an agent, an instrument.

Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua.
Ex. xxiv. 13.

I chose
Camillo for the minister, to poison
My friend Polixenes.
Shak.

2.
An officer of justice.
[Obs.]

I cry out the on the ministres, quod he,
That shoulde keep and rule this 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Minister₂
definition:
Minister

Min"is*ter
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Ministered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ministering.]
[OE. ministren, OF. ministrer, fr. L. ministrare. See Minister, n.]
To furnish or apply; to afford; to supply; to administer.

He that ministereth seed to the sower.
2 Cor. ix. 10.

We minister to God reason to suspect us.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Minister₃
definition:
Minister

Min"is*ter
v. i.
1.
To act as a servant, attendant, or agent; to attend and serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular.

The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.
Matt. xx. 28.

2.
To supply or to things needful; esp., to supply consolation or remedies; as, to minister to the sick.
Matt. xxv. 44.

Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased?
Shak.


word: Ministerial
definition:
Ministerial

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
Bacon.
ministerial
Junius.
Ministerial
Hooker.

3.
Tending to advance or promote; contributive.
Ministerial
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.


word: Ministerially
definition:
Ministerially

Min`is*te"ri*al*ly
adv.
In a ministerial manner; in the character or capacity of a minister.


word: Ministrant
definition:
Ministrant

Min"is*trant
(mĭn"ĭs*trant)
a.
[L. ministrans, -antis, of ministrare to minister.]
Performing service as a minister; attendant on service; acting under command; subordinate.
ministrant
Milton.
n. One who ministers.


word: Ministration
definition:
Ministration

Min`is*tra"tion
(?)
n.
[L. ministratio, fr. ministrare.]
The act of ministering; service; ministry.
ministration
Luke i. 23.


word: Ministry
definition:
Ministry

Min"is*try
(?)
n.
pl. Ministries (#).
[L. ministerium. See Minister, n., and cf. Mystery a trade.]

1.
The act of ministering; ministration; service.
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.


word: minium
definition:
minium

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, lead tetroxide, lead orthoplumbate, mineral orange, mineral red, Paris red, Saturn red, and less definitively, lead oxide.


word: Miniver
definition:
Miniver

Min"i*ver
(?)
n.
[See Meniver.]
A fur esteemed in the Middle Ages as a part of costume.  It is uncertain whether it was the fur of one animal only or of different animals.


word: Mink
definition:
Mink

Mink
(mĭ&nsmacr_;k)
n.
[Cf. 2d Minx.]
1.
(Zool.)
A carnivorous mammal of the genus Mustela (foremrly Putorius), allied to the weasel.  The European mink is Mustela lutreola.  The common American mink (Mustela vison) varies from yellowish brown to black.  Its fur is highly valued.  Called also minx, nurik, and vison.

2.
The fur of the mink{1}.    Together with sable, it is one of the most expensive furs not taken from endangerd species.  When the fur is taken from animals grown on a farm, it called ranch mink.


word: Minnesinger
definition:
Minnesinger

Min"ne*sing`er
(?)
n.
[G., fr. minne love + singen to sing.]
A love-singer; specifically, one of a class of German poets and musicians who flourished from about the middle of the twelfth to the middle of the fourteenth century.  They were chiefly of noble birth, and made love and beauty the subjects of their verses.


word: minniebush
definition:
minniebush

minniebush
n.
A low shrub (Menziesia pilosa) of the eastern U. S. with downy twigs.

Syn. -- minnie bush, Menziesia pilosa.


word: Minnow
definition:
Minnow

Min"now
n.
[OE. menow, cf. AS. myne; also OE. menuse, OF. menuise small fish; akin to E. minish, minute.]
[Written also minow.]

1.
(Zool.)
A small European fresh-water cyprinoid fish (Phoxinus laevis, 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.
(Zool.)
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.


word: Mino bird
definition:
Mino bird

Mi"no bird"
(mī"no̝ bẽrd)
[Hind. mainā.]
(Zool.)
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.  It is one of the birds called mynah bird.


word: minor
definition:
minor

mi"nor
(mī"nẽr)
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&sharp, 8/A.  But, for melodic purposes, both the sixth and the seventh are sometimes made major in the ascending, and minor in the descending, scale, thus: --
[1913 Webster]

[1913 Webster]
See Major. -- Minor term of a syllogism (Logic), the subject of the conclusion.


word: Minor
definition:
Minor

Mi"nor
(?)
n.
1.
A person of either sex who has not attained the age at which full civil rights are accorded; an infant; in England and the United States, one under twenty-one years of age.

&hand_; 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.


word: Minorat
definition:
Minorat

Mi`no*rat"
(?)
n.
[G. Cf. Minor, a.]
(Law)
A custom or right, analogous to borough-English in England, formerly existing in various parts of Europe, and surviving in parts of Germany and Austria, by which certain entailed estates, as a homestead and adjacent land, descend to the youngest male heir.


word: Minorate
definition:
Minorate

Mi"nor*ate
(?)
v. t.
[L. minoratus; p. p. of minorare to diminish, fr. minor, a. See 1st Minor.]
To diminish.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Minoration
definition:
Minoration

Mi`nor*a"tion
(?)
n.
[L. minoratio: cf. F. minoration.]
A diminution.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Minority
definition:
Minority

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.

4.
Those members of a legislature that belong to the political party which is in the minority in that institution; as, the bill will pass even if the minority are strongly opposed.


word: minor league
definition:
minor league

minor league
n.
Sport)
A league of professional sports teams less proficient than a major leagues.  Players in the minor leagues generally are paid less than those in the major leagues, and their games attract less atention.
Certain minor league sports teams are often owned by those owning a major league club, and the minor league clubs are used to provide practise and opportunity for evaluation for candidates who wish to play in the major leagues.

Syn. -- minor league.


word: minor-league
definition:
minor-league

minor-league
a.
Of or pertaining to a minor league.

2.
Of mediocre talent or poor accomplishment; unimportant; -- of people; as, a minor-league physicist.


word: minors
definition:
minors

minors
n.
The minor leagues, those leagues of professional sports teams less proficient than the majors, or major leagues.

Syn. -- minor league.


word: Minos
definition:
Minos

Mi"nos
(?)
prop. 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.


word: Minotaur
definition:
Minotaur

Min"o*taur
(mĭn"o̝*t&asuml_;r)
n.
[L. Minotaurus, Gr. Minw`tayros; Mi`nos, the husband of Pasiphae + tay^ros a bull, the Minotaur being the offspring of Pasiphae and a bull: cf. F. minotaure.]
(Class. Myth.)
A fabled monster, half man and half bull, confined in the labyrinth constructed by Daedalus in Crete.


word: Minster
definition:
Minster

Min"ster
(?)
n.
[AS. mynster, fr. L. monasterium. See Monastery.]
(Arch.)
A church of a monastery.  The name is often retained and applied to the church after the monastery has ceased to exist (as Beverly Minster, Southwell Minster, etc.), and is also improperly used for any large church.

Minster house, the official house in which the canons of a cathedral live in common or in rotation. Shipley.


word: Minstrel
definition:
Minstrel

Min"strel
(?)
n.
[OE. minstrel, menestral, OF. menestrel, fr. LL. ministerialis servant, workman (cf. ministrellus harpist), fr. L. ministerium service. See Ministry, and cf. Ministerial.]
In the Middle Ages, one of an order of men who subsisted by the arts of poetry and music, and sang verses to the accompaniment of a harp or other instrument; in modern times, a poet; a bard; a singer and harper; a musician.
Chaucer.


word: Minstrelsy
definition:
Minstrelsy

Min"strel*sy
(?)
n.
1.
The arts and occupation of minstrels; the singing and playing of a minstrel.

2.
Musical instruments.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

3.
A collective body of minstrels, or musicians; also, a collective body of minstrels' songs.
Chaucer.
minstrelsy
Milton.


word: Mint
definition:
Mint

Mint
(mĭnt)
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.

&hand_; Corn mint is Mentha arvensis. -- Horsemint is Mentha 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 Mentha piperita. -- Spearmint is Mentha viridis. -- Water mint is Mentha aquatica.

Mint camphor. (Chem.) See Menthol. -- Mint julep. See Julep. -- Mint sauce, a sauce flavored with spearmint, for meats.


word: Mint₂
definition:
Mint

Mint
n.
[AS. mynet money, coin, fr. L. moneta the mint, coined money, fr. Moneta, a surname of Juno, in whose at Rome money was coined; akin to monere to warn, admonish, AS. manian, and to E. mind. See Mind, and cf. Money, Monition.]
1.
A place where money is coined by public authority.

2.
Hence:
Any place regarded as a source of unlimited supply; the supply itself.

A mint of phrases in his brain.
Shak.

3.
Specifically:
A large quantity of money; as, to make a mint in stock trading.


word: Mint₃
definition:
Mint

Mint
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Minted; p. pr. & vb. n. Minting.]
[AS. mynetian.]

1.
To make by stamping, as money; to coin; to make and stamp into money.

2.
To invent; to forge; to fabricate; to fashion.

Titles . . . of such natures as may be easily minted.
Bacon.

Minting mill, a coining press.


word: mint
definition:
mint

mint
a.
Like new; in brand-new condition; unworn, as a coin recently made at a mint{1}; as, he had a '53 Cadillac in mint condition.

2.
Specifically:
(Numismatics)
Uncirculated; in the same condition as when it was freshly coined at the mint{1}.


word: Mintage
definition:
Mintage

Mint"age
(?)
n.
1.
The coin, or other production, made in a mint.

Stamped in clay, a heavenly mintage.
Sterling.

2.
The duty paid to the mint for coining.  At one time people could bring precious metals, as gold or silver, to a mint and receive in return coins of the same value, minus the commision charged by the mint, which was the mintage.

3.
The act or process of minting{1}; as, a coin of recent mintage.

4.
The quantity of coins of a specific type made by the mint; as, coins of low mintage tend to be more valuable as collectors' items.


word: Mint sauce
definition:
Mint sauce

Mint sauce
1.
A sauce of vinegar and sugar flavored with spearmint leaves.

2.
Money.
[Slang, Eng.]


word: mint state
definition:
mint state

mint state
n.
(Numismatics)
A numerical grade indicating the degree of perfection of the condition of a coin which is classified as uncirculated, ranging from 70 for a coin in perfect condition to 60 for a coin which is uncirculated but may have a weak strike, or numerous small scratches from being handled in mint bags; usually used as the abbreviation MS; as, an MS-67 Morgan Dollar.


word: minuend
definition:
minuend

min"u*end
(?)
n.
[L. minuendus to be diminished, fr. minuere to lessen, diminish. See Minish.]
(Arith.)
In the process of subtraction{2}, the number from which another number (the subtrahend) is to be subtracted, to find the difference.


word: Minuet
definition:
Minuet

Min"u*et
(?)
n.
[F., fr. menu small, L. minutus small. So called on account of the short steps of the dance. See 4th Minute.]

1.
A slow graceful dance consisting of a coupee, a high step, and a balance.

2.
(Mus.)
A tune or air to regulate the movements of the dance so called; a movement in suites, sonatas, symphonies, etc., having the dance form, and commonly in 3-4, sometimes 3-8, measure.


word: Minum
definition:
Minum

Min"um
(?)
n.
[See 2d Minion, Minum, 6.]
[Obs.]

1.
A small kind of printing type; minion.

2.
(Mus.)
A minim.


word: Minus
definition:
Minus

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.


word: minus
definition:
minus

mi"nus
(mī"nŭs)
n.
pl. minuses (mī"nŭs*e̝z).
A factor counted as a disadvantage; a loss or potential loss in a situation or plan; as, he added up all the pluses and minuses and decided not to do it; as, the lack of money is a big minus in an election campaign.


word: minuscular
definition:
minuscular

minuscular
adj.
of or relating to minuscule script, a small cursive script developed from uncial, and used in the 7th to 9th centuries.

Syn. -- minuscule.


word: Minuscule
definition:
Minuscule

Mi*nus"cule
(?)
n.
[L. minusculus rather small, fr. minus less: cf. F. minuscule.]

1.
Any very small, minute object.

2.
A small Roman letter which is neither capital nor uncial; a manuscript written in such letters.


word: minuscule
definition:
minuscule

minuscule
adj.
a.
Of or relating to a minuscule{2} or of a script written in minuscules{2}; of the size and style of minuscules{2}; written in minuscules{2}; minuscular.

These minuscule letters are cursive forms of the earlier uncials.
I. Taylor (The Alphabet).


word: Minute
definition:
Minute

Min"ute
(?; 277)
n.
[LL. minuta a small portion, small coin, fr. L. minutus small: cf. F. minute. See 4th Minute.]

1.
The sixtieth part of an hour; sixty seconds. (Abbrev. m. or min.; 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.
pl.
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; to read the minutes of the last meeting.

8.
(Arch.)
A fixed part of a module. See Module.

&hand_; Different writers take as the minute one twelfth, one eighteenth, one thirtieth, or one sixtieth part of the module.


word: Minute₂
definition:
Minute

Min"ute
a.
Of or pertaining to a minute or minutes; occurring at or marking successive minutes.

Minute bell, a bell tolled at intervals of a minute, as to give notice of a death or a funeral. -- Minute book, a book in which written minutes are entered. -- Minute glass, a glass measuring a minute or minutes by the running of sand. -- Minute gun, a discharge of a cannon repeated every minute as a sign of distress or mourning. -- Minute hand, the long hand of a watch or clock, which makes the circuit of the dial in an hour, and marks the minutes.


word: Minute₃
definition:
Minute

Min"ute
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Minuted; p. pr. & vb. n. Minuting.]
To set down a short sketch or note of; to jot down; to make a minute or a brief summary of.

The Empress of Russia, with her own hand, minuted an edict for universal tolerance.
Bancroft.


word: Minute₄
definition:
Minute

Mi*nute"
(mī*nūt" or mĭ*nūt")
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; as, minute details.
Minute
Milton.

2.
Attentive to small things; paying attention to details; critical; particular; precise; as, a minute observer; minute observation.


word: Minute-jack
definition:
Minute-jack

Mi*nute"-jack`
(?)
n.
1.
A figure which strikes the hour on the bell of some fanciful clocks; -- called also jack of the clock house.

2.
A timeserver; an inconstant person.
Shak.


word: Minutely
definition:
Minutely

Mi*nute"ly
(?)
adv.
[From 4th Minute.]
In a minute manner; with minuteness; exactly; nicely.


word: Minutely₂
definition:
Minutely

Min"ute*ly
(?)
a.
[From 1st Minute.]
Happening every minute; continuing; unceasing.
[Obs.]

Throwing themselves absolutely upon God's minutely providence.
Hammond.


word: Minutely₃
definition:
Minutely

Min"ute*ly
adv.
At intervals of a minute; very often and regularly.
J. Philips.

Minutely proclaimed in thunder from heaven.
Hammond.


word: Minuteman
definition:
Minuteman

Min"ute*man
(?)
n.
pl. Minutemen (_;).
A militiaman who was to be ready to march at a moment's notice; -- a term used in the American Revolution.


word: Minutia
definition:
Minutia

Mi*nu"ti*a
n.
pl. Minutiae (-ē).
[L., fr. minutus small, minute. See 4th Minute.]
A minute particular; a small or minor detail; -- used chiefly in the plural.


word: Minx
definition:
Minx

Minx
(mĭ&nsmacr_;ks)
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.


word: Minyan
definition:
Minyan

Min*yan"
(me̝n*yän")
n.
(Jewish Relig.)
A quorum, or number necessary, for conducting public worship.


word: Miocene
definition:
Miocene

Mi"o*cene
(mī"o̝*sēn)
prop. 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.


word: Miohippus
definition:
Miohippus

Mi`o*hip"pus
(mī`o̝*hĭp"pŭs)
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.


word: Miquelet
definition:
Miquelet

Miq"ue*let
(mĭk"we̝*lĕt)
n.
[Sp. miquelete.]
(Mil.)
An irregular or partisan soldier; a bandit.


word: Mira
definition:
Mira

Mi"ra
(?)
n.
[NL., from L. mirus wonderful.]
(Astron.)
A remarkable variable star in the constellation Cetus (ο Ceti).


word: Mirabilary
definition:
Mirabilary

Mi*rab"i*la*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Mirabilaries (_;).
One who, or a work which, narrates wonderful things; one who writes of wonders.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: mirabile dictu
definition:
mirabile dictu

mi*ra"bi*le dic"tu
(me̝*rä"bĭ*la̝ dĭk"tō)
adv.
[Latin.]
Remarkably; strange to say; marvelous to relate.


word: Mirable
definition:
Mirable

Mi"ra*ble
(?)
a.
[L. mirabilis, fr. mirari to wonder: cf. OF. mirable. See Marvel.]
Wonderful; admirable.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Miracle
definition:
Miracle

Mir"a*cle
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. miraculum, fr. mirari to wonder. See Marvel, and cf. Mirror.]

1.
A wonder or wonderful thing.

That miracle and queen of genus.
Shak.

2.
Specifically:
An event or effect contrary to the established constitution and course of things, or a deviation from the known laws of nature; a supernatural event, or one transcending the ordinary laws by which the universe is governed.

They considered not the miracle of the loaves.
Mark vi. 52.

3.
A miracle play.

4.
A story or legend abounding in miracles.
[Obs.]

When said was all this miracle.
Chaucer.

Miracle monger, an impostor who pretends to work miracles. -- Miracle play, one of the old dramatic entertainments founded on legends of saints and martyrs or (see 2d Mystery, 2) on events related in the Bible.


word: Miraculous
definition:
Miraculous

Mi*rac"u*lous
(?)
a.
[F. miraculeux. See Miracle.]

1.
Of the nature of a miracle; performed by supernatural power; effected by the direct agency of almighty power, and not by natural causes.

2.
Supernatural; wonderful.

3.
Wonder-working.
miraculous
Shak.


word: Mirador
definition:
Mirador

Mir`a*dor"
(?)
n.
[Sp., fr. mirar to behold, view. See Mirror.]
(Arch.)
Same as Belvedere.


word: Mirage
definition:
Mirage

Mi`rage"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. mirer to look at carefully, to aim, se mirer to look at one's self in a glass, to reflect, to be reflected, LL. mirare to look at. See Mirror.]
An optical effect, sometimes seen on the ocean, but more frequently in deserts, due to total reflection of light at the surface common to two strata of air differently heated.  The reflected image is seen, commonly in an inverted position, while the real object may or may not be in sight.  When the surface is horizontal, and below the eye, the appearance is that of a sheet of water in which the object is seen reflected; when the reflecting surface is above the eye, the image is seen projected against the sky.  The fata Morgana and looming are species of mirage.

By the mirage uplifted the land floats vague in the ether,
Ships and the shadows of ships hang in the motionless air.
Longfellow.


word: Mire
definition:
Mire

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.


word: Mire₂
definition:
Mire

Mire
n.
[OE. mire, myre; akin to Icel. m_;rr swamp, Sw. myra marshy ground, and perh. to E. moss.]
Deep mud; wet, spongy earth.
Chaucer.

He his rider from the lofty steed
Would have cast down and trod in dirty mire.
Spenser.

Mire crow (Zool.), the pewit, or laughing gull. [Prov. Eng.] -- Mire drum, the European bittern. [Prov. Eng.]


word: Mire₃
definition:
Mire

Mire
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mired (mīrd); 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.
Hence:
To stick or entangle; to involve in difficulties; -- often used in the passive or predicate form; as, we got mired in bureaucratic red tape and it took years longer than planned.

3.
To soil with mud or foul matter.

Smirched thus and mired with infamy.
Shak.


word: Mirifical
definition:
Mirifical

Mirific

{ Mi*rif"ic (?), Mi*rif"ic*al (?), }
a.
[L. mirificus; mirus wonderful + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.]
Working wonders; wonderful.


word: Mirliton
definition:
Mirliton

Mir"li*ton
(?)
n.
[F.]
1.
A kind of musical toy into which one sings, hums, or speaks, producing a coarse, reedy sound.  It is also called a kazoo.

Trilby singing “Ben Bolt” into a mirliton was a thing to be remembered, whether one would or no!
Du Maurier.

2.
same as chayote{2}.


word: Mirror
definition:
Mirror

Mir"ror
(?)
n.
[OE. mirour, F. miroir, OF. also mireor, fr. (assumed) LL. miratorium, fr. mirare to look at, L. mirari to wonder. See Marvel, and cf. Miracle, Mirador.]

1.
A looking-glass or a speculum; any glass or polished substance that forms images by the reflection of rays of light.

And in her hand she held a mirror bright,
Wherein her face she often 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.
(Zool.)
See Speculum.

Mirror carp (Zool.), 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.


word: Mirror₂
definition:
Mirror

Mir"ror
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mirrored (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mirroring.]
1.
To reflect, as in a mirror.

2.
To copy or duplicate; to mimic or imitate; as, the files at Project Gutenberg were mirrored on several other ftp sites around the world.

3.
To have a close resemblance to; as, his opinions often mirrored those of his wife.


word: mirrorlike
definition:
mirrorlike

mirrorlike
adj.
1.
capable of reflecting light like a mirror; flat and reflective; as, the mirrorlike surface of the lake.

Syn. -- specular.


word: Mirth
definition:
Mirth

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.


word: Mirthful
definition:
Mirthful

Mirth"ful
(?)
a.
1.
Full of mirth or merriment; merry; as, mirthful children.

2.
Indicating or inspiring mirth; as, a mirthful face.

Mirthful, comic shows.
Shak.


word: Miryachit
definition:
Miryachit

Mir"ya*chit`
(?)
n.
[Written also myriachit.]
[Yakoot merjäk epileptic, fr. imerek jerk, rage.]
(Med.)
A nervous disease in which the patient involuntarily imitates the words or action of another.


word: Mirza
definition:
Mirza

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.


word: Mis-
definition:
Mis-

Mis-
(mĭs-)
[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.


word: Misadjust
definition:
Misadjust

Mis`ad*just"
(?)
v. t.
To adjust wrongly of unsuitably; to throw out of adjustment.
I. Taylor.


word: Misadventure
definition:
Misadventure

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.


word: misaffection
definition:
misaffection

mis`af*fec"tion
(mĭs`ăf*fĕk"shŭn)
n.
An evil or wrong affection; the state of being ill affected.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.


word: misalignment
definition:
misalignment

mis`align"ment
(mĭs`ȧ*līn"ment)
n.
The act of aligning improperly or state of being improperly aligned.


word: Misalliance
definition:
Misalliance

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.


word: misandrist
definition:
misandrist

mis"an*drist
(mĭs"ăn*drĭst)
n.
one who hates men.  Contrast misogynist and cf. misandry.

Syn. -- man-hater.


word: misandry
definition:
misandry

mis"an*dry
(mĭs"ăn*dr&ybreve_;)
n.
[Gr. misei^n to hate  + 'andh`r a man.]
Hatred of men.  Contrast misogyny and cf. misandrist.

Syn. -- man-hating.


word: misanthrope
definition:
misanthrope

mis"an*thrope
(mĭs"ăn*thr&omacrp)
n.
[Gr. misa`nqrwpos; misei^n to hate + 'a`nqrwpos a man; cf. F. misanthrope.  Cf. Miser.]
A hater of mankind; a misanthropist.


word: Misanthropical
definition:
Misanthropical

Misanthropic

{ Mis`an*throp"ic (?), Mis`an*throp"ic*al (?), }
a.
[Cf. F. misanthropique.]
Hating or disliking mankind.


word: Misanthropy
definition:
Misanthropy

Mis*an"thro*py
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;: cf. F. misanthropie.]
Hatred of, or dislike to, mankind; -- opposed to philanthropy.
Orrery.


word: Misapply
definition:
Misapply

Mis`ap*ply"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Misapplied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Misapplying.]
To apply wrongly; to use for a wrong purpose; as, to misapply a name or title; to misapply public money.


word: Misapprehension
definition:
Misapprehension

Mis*ap`pre*hen"sion
(?)
n.
A mistaking or mistake; wrong apprehension of one's meaning of a fact; misconception; misunderstanding.


word: misappropriated
definition:
misappropriated

mis`ap*pro"pri*a*ted
adj.
taken for one's own use in violation of a trust.

Syn. -- embezzled.


word: Misarrange
definition:
Misarrange

Mis`ar*range"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Misarranged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Misarranging (?).]
To place in a wrong order, or improper manner.


word: Misassay
definition:
Misassay

Mis`as*say"
(?)
v. t.
To assay, or attempt, improperly or unsuccessfully.
[Obs.]
W. Browne.


word: Misbear
definition:
Misbear

Mis*bear"
(?)
v. t.
To carry improperly; to carry (one's self) wrongly; to misbehave.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Misbecome
definition:
Misbecome

Mis`be*come"
(?)
v. t.
Not to become; to suit ill; not to befit or be adapted to.
Macaulay.

Thy father will not act what misbecomes him.
Addison.


word: Misbecoming
definition:
Misbecoming

Mis`be*com"ing
a.
Unbecoming.
Milton.
Mis`be*com"ing*ly, adv. -- Mis`be*com"ing*ness, n.
Boyle.


word: Misbede
definition:
Misbede

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.


word: Misbegotten
definition:
Misbegotten

Misbegot

{ Mis`be*got" (?), Mis`be*got"ten (_;), }
p. a.
1.
Unlawfully or irregularly begotten; of bad or disreputable origin; pernicious.
misbegot
Shak.

2.
Poorly designed or planned; badly carried out; ill-conceived.


word: Misbehave
definition:
Misbehave

Mis`be*have"
(?)
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Misbehaved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Misbehaving.]
To behave ill; to conduct one's self improperly; -- often used with a reciprocal pronoun.


word: Misbelieve
definition:
Misbelieve

Mis`be*lieve"
(_;)
v. i.
To believe erroneously, or in a false religion.
misbelieving
Shak.


word: Miscalculate
definition:
Miscalculate

Mis*cal"cu*late
(?)
v. t. & i.
1.
To calculate erroneously.

2.
To judge wrongly, especially about the effects of action or the likely course of events.


word: miscalculation
definition:
miscalculation

mis*cal`cu*la"tion
n.
1.
a mistake in calculating.

Syn. -- misreckoning, misestimation.

2.
An error in judgment, especially about the effects of action or the likely course of events; as, IBM's miscalculation about the impact of microcomputers cost them many billions in lost opportunities; Sadam's invasion of Kuwait was only his worst, but not his last, miscalculation.


word: Miscall
definition:
Miscall

Mis*call"
(?)
v. t.
1.
To call by a wrong name; to name improperly.

2.
To call by a bad name; to abuse.
[Obs.]
Fuller.


word: Miscarriage
definition:
Miscarriage

Mis*car"riage
(?)
n.
1.
Unfortunate event or issue of an undertaking; failure to attain a proper or desired result or reach a destination; as, a serious miscarriage of justice.

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 a child before the time it is viable; a premature birth, resulting in death of the fetus; spontaneous abortion.


word: Miscarry
definition:
Miscarry

Mis*car"ry
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Miscarried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Miscarrying.]

1.
To carry, or go, wrong; to fail of reaching a destination, or fail of the intended effect; to be unsuccessful; to suffer defeat.

My ships have all miscarried.
Shak.

The cardinal's letters to the pope miscarried.
Shak.

2.
To bring forth young before the time they are viable; to have a spontaneous abortion.


word: Miscegenation
definition:
Miscegenation

Mis`ce*ge*na"tion
(?)
n.
[L. miscere to mix + the root of genus race.]
A mixing of races; amalgamation, as by intermarriage of black and white.
Until the late twentieth century, misceganation was a crime in some states of the Southern United States.


word: Miscellanarian
definition:
Miscellanarian

Mis`cel*la*na"ri*an
(?)
a.
[See Miscellany.]
Of or pertaining to miscellanies.
Shaftesbury.
n. A writer of miscellanies.


word: Miscellane
definition:
Miscellane

Mis"cel*lane
(?)
n.
[See Miscellaneous, and cf. Maslin.]
A mixture of two or more sorts of grain; -- now called maslin and meslin.
Bacon.


word: Miscellanea
definition:
Miscellanea

Mis"cel*la"ne*a
(?)
n. pl.
[L. See Miscellany.]
A collection of miscellaneous matters; matters of various kinds.


word: Miscellaneous
definition:
Miscellaneous

Mis`cel*la"ne*ous
(?)
a.
[L. miscellaneus mixed, miscellaneous, fr. miscellus mixed, fr. miscere to mix. See Mix, and cf. Miscellany.]
Mixed; mingled; consisting of several things; of diverse sorts; promiscuous; heterogeneous; as, a miscellaneous collection.
miscellaneous
Milton.
Mis`cel*la"ne*ous*ly, adv. -- Mis`cel*la"ne*ous*ness, n.


word: Miscellany
definition:
Miscellany

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.


word: Miscensure
definition:
Miscensure

Mis*cen"sure
(?)
v. t.
To misjudge.
[Obs.]
Daniel.
n. Erroneous judgment. [Obs.] Sylvester.


word: Mischance
definition:
Mischance

Mis*chance"
(?)
n.
[OE. meschance, OF. mescheance.]
Ill luck; ill fortune; mishap.
Chaucer.

Never come mischance between us twain.
Shak.


word: Mischaracterize
definition:
Mischaracterize

Mis*char"ac*ter*ize
(?)
v. t.
To characterize falsely or erroneously; to give a wrong character to.

They totally mischaracterize the action.
Eton.


word: Mischarge
definition:
Mischarge

Mis*charge"
(?)
v. t.
To charge erroneously, as in an account.
n. A mistake in charging.


word: Mischief
definition:
Mischief

Mis"chief
(mĭs"chĭf)
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.]


word: Mischief-maker
definition:
Mischief-maker

Mis"chief-mak`er
(?)
n.
One who makes mischief; one who excites or instigates quarrels or enmity.


word: Mischief-making
definition:
Mischief-making

Mis"chief-mak`ing
a.
Causing harm; exciting enmity or quarrels.
Rowe.
n. The act or practice of making mischief, inciting quarrels, etc.


word: Mischievous
definition:
Mischievous

Mis"chie*vous
(mĭs"che̝*vŭs)
a.
Causing mischief; harmful; hurtful; -- now often applied where the evil is done carelessly or in sport; as, a mischievous child.
mischievous
Shak.

This false, wily, doubling disposition is intolerably mischievous to society.
South.


word: Mischoose
definition:
Mischoose

Mis*choose"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. Mischose (?); p. p. Mischosen (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mischoosing.]
To choose wrongly.
Milton.


word: Miscible
definition:
Miscible

Mis"ci*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. miscible, fr. L. miscere to mix.]
Capable of being mixed; mixable.
Burke.

2.
(Chem.)
Mixable in all proportions; forming a single phase when mixed in any proportion; -- of liquids; as, water and alcohol are miscible in all proportions; water and gasoline are not miscible; benzene and ethyl alcohol are miscible, and ethyl alcohol is miscible with water, but water is not miscible with benzene..


word: Miscolor
definition:
Miscolor

Mis*col"or
(?)
v. t.
To give a wrong color to.

2.
[figuratively]
To set forth erroneously or unfairly; to misrepresent; as, to miscolor facts.
C. Kingsley.


word: Misconceive
definition:
Misconceive

Mis`con*ceive"
(?)
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Misconceived (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Misconceiving.]
To conceive wrongly; to interpret incorrectly; to receive a false notion of; to misunderstand; to misjudge; to misapprehend.

Those things which, for want of due consideration heretofore, they have misconceived.
Hooker.


word: Misconception
definition:
Misconception

Mis`con*cep"tion
(?)
n.
Erroneous conception; false opinion; wrong understanding.
Harvey.


word: Misconduct
definition:
Misconduct

Mis*con"duct
(?)
n.
1.
Wrong conduct; bad behavior; mismanagement.
Addison.

2.
Unlawful or unethical conduct by a person holding a public office or having a position of responsibility in the administration of justice; malfeasance; as, discussing the case out of court during a trial is misconduct by a juror;
especially,
misuse of office by an elected or appointed government official, also called misconduct in office.


word: Misconduct₂
definition:
Misconduct

Mis`con*duct"
(?)
v. t.
To conduct amiss; to mismanage.
Johnson.

To misconduct one's self, to behave improperly.


word: Misconfident
definition:
Misconfident

Mis*con"fi*dent
(?)
a.
Having a mistaken confidence; wrongly trusting.
[R.]
Bp. Hall.


word: Misconstruable
definition:
Misconstruable

Mis*con"stru*a*ble
(?)
a.
Such as can be misconstrued, as language or conduct.
R. North.


word: Misconstruct
definition:
Misconstruct

Mis`con*struct"
(?)
v. t.
To construct wrongly; to construe or interpret erroneously.


word: Misconstruction
definition:
Misconstruction

Mis`con*struc"tion
(?)
n.
Erroneous construction; wrong interpretation.
Bp. Stillingfleet.


word: Misconstrue
definition:
Misconstrue

Mis*con"strue
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Misconstrued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Misconstruing.]
To construe wrongly; to interpret erroneously.

Do not, great sir, misconstrue his intent.
Dryden.

Much afflicted to find his actions misconstrued.
Addison.


word: Miscontinuance
definition:
Miscontinuance

Mis`con*tin"u*ance
(?)
n.
(Law)
Discontinuance; also, continuance by undue process.


word: Miscount
definition:
Miscount

Mis*count"
(?)
v. t. & i.
[Cf. OF. mesconter, F. mécompter.  Cf. Miscompute.]
To count erroneously.


word: Miscount₂
definition:
Miscount

Mis*count"
n.
[Cf. F. mécompte error, OF. mesconte.]
1.
An erroneous counting.

2.
Specifically:
An erroneous count of ballots cast in an election.


word: Miscreancy
definition:
Miscreancy

Miscreance

{ 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.


word: Miscreant
definition:
Miscreant

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 depraved person; a vile wretch.
Addison.


word: Miscreant₂
definition:
Miscreant

Mis"cre*ant
a.
1.
Holding a false religious faith.

2.
Destitute of conscience; unscrupulous; villainous; base; depraved.
Pope.


word: Miscreate
definition:
Miscreate

Mis`cre*ate"
(?)
a.
Miscreated; illegitimate; forged; as, miscreate titles.
[Obs. or Poet.]
Shak.


word: Miscredent
definition:
Miscredent

Mis*cre"dent
(?)
n.
[Pref. mis- + credent.  Cf. Miscreant.]
A miscreant, or believer in a false religious doctrine.
[Obs.]
Holinshed.


word: Miscue
definition:
Miscue

Mis*cue"
(?)
n.
1.
(Billiards)
A false stroke with a billiard cue, the cue slipping from the ball struck without impelling it as desired.

2.
Hence:
To make a mistake;
especially
to fail to execute a necessary or expected action at the proper time, such as making a play in sports, or saying one's line in a drama.


word: Misdate
definition:
Misdate

Mis*date"
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Misdated; p. pr. & vb. n. Misdating.]
1.
To put a false or erroneous date on (a document).
Young.

2.
To assign an incorrect date to; as, the fall of Troy was misdated by medieval writers.


word: misdating
definition:
misdating

misdating
n.
The assignment of a date to something at a time when it could not have existed or occurred.

Syn. -- anachronism, mistiming.


word: Misdeal
definition:
Misdeal

Mis*deal"
(?)
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Misdealt (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Misdealing.]
To deal or distribute wrongly, as cards; to make a wrong distribution.


word: Misdeed
definition:
Misdeed

Mis*deed"
(?)
n.
[AS. misd&aemacr_;d. See Deed, n.]
An evil deed; a wicked action.

Evils which our own misdeeds have wrought.
Milton.


word: Misdemean
definition:
Misdemean

Mis`de*mean"
(?)
v. t.
To behave ill; -- with a reflexive pronoun; as, to misdemean one's self.


word: Misdemeanor
definition:
Misdemeanor

Mis`de*mean"or
(?)
n.
1.
Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault.
Shak.

2.
(Law)
A crime less than a felony.
Wharton.

&hand_; 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.


word: Misdepart
definition:
Misdepart

Mis`de*part"
(?)
v. t.
To distribute wrongly.
[Obs.]

He misdeparteth riches temporal.
Chaucer.


word: Misderive
definition:
Misderive

Mis`de*rive"
(?)
v. t.
1.
To turn or divert improperly; to misdirect.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.

2.
To derive erroneously.


word: Misdirect
definition:
Misdirect

Mis`di*rect"
(?)
v. t.
To give a wrong direction to; as, to misdirect a passenger, or a letter; to misdirect one's energies.
Shenstone.


word: Misdirection
definition:
Misdirection

Mis`di*rec"tion
(?)
n.
1.
The act of directing wrongly, or the state of being so directed.

2.
(Law)
An error of a judge in charging the jury on a matter of law.
Mozley & W.

3.
The direction of another's attention to an unimportant place or matter, for the purpose of being able to perform an action undetected; as, misdirection is an important part of a magician's art.


word: Misdo
definition:
Misdo

Mis*do"
(mĭs*dō")
v. t.
[imp. Misdid (?); p. p. Misdone (mĭs*dŭn"); p. pr. & vb. n. Misdoing.]
[AS. misd&omacrn. 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.


word: Misdo₂
definition:
Misdo

Mis*do"
v. i.
To do wrong; to commit a fault.

I have misdone, and I endure the smart.
Dryden.


word: Misdoubt
definition:
Misdoubt

Mis*doubt"
(?)
v. t. & i.
To be suspicious of; to have suspicion.
[Obs.]

I do not misdoubt my wife.
Shak.


word: Mise
definition:
Mise

Mise
(?)
n.
[F. mise a putting, setting, expense, fr. mis, mise, p. p. of mettre to put, lay, fr. LL. mittere to send.]

1.
(Law)
The issue in a writ of right.

2.
Expense; cost; disbursement.
[Obs.]

3.
A tax or tallage; in Wales, an honorary gift of the people to a new king or prince of Wales; also, a tribute paid, in the country palatine of Chester, England, at the change of the owner of the earldom.
[Obs.]


word: Misease
definition:
Misease

Mis*ease"
(?)
n.
[OE. mesaise, OF. mesaise.]
Want of ease; discomfort; misery.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Misemploy
definition:
Misemploy

Mis`em*ploy"
(?)
v. t.
To employ amiss; as, to misemploy time, advantages, talents, etc.

Their frugal father's gains they misemploy.
Dryden.


word: Miser
definition:
Miser

Mi"ser
(mī"zẽr)
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 stingy person; one very reluctant to spend money.

5.
A kind of large earth auger.
Knight.


word: Miserable
definition:
Miserable

Mis"er*a*ble
(?)
a.
[F. misérable, L. miserabilis, fr. miserari to lament, pity, fr. miser wretched. See Miser.]

1.
Very unhappy; wretched; living in misery.

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.


word: Miserably
definition:
Miserably

Mis"er*a*bly
adv.
In a miserable; unhappily; calamitously; wretchedly; meanly.

They were miserably entertained.
Sir P. Sidney.

The fifth was miserably stabbed to death.
South.


word: Miserere
definition:
Miserere

Mis`e*re"re
(?)
n.
[L., have mercy, fr. misereri to have mercy, fr. miser. See Miser.]

1.
(R. C. Ch.)
The psalm usually appointed for penitential acts, being the 50th psalm in the Latin version.  It commences with the word miserere.

2.
A musical composition adapted to the 50th psalm.

Where only the wind signs miserere.
Lowell.

3.
(Arch.)
A small projecting boss or bracket, on the under side of the hinged seat of a church stall (see Stall).  It was intended, the seat being turned up, to give some support to a worshiper when standing.  Called also misericordia.

4.
(Med.)
Same as Ileus.


word: Misericorde
definition:
Misericorde

Mis"er*i*corde"
(?)
n.
[F. miséricorde. See Misericordia.]

1.
Compassion; pity; mercy.
[Obs.]

2.
(Anc. Armor.)
Same as Misericordia, 2.


word: Misericordia
definition:
Misericordia

Mis`e*ri*cor"di*a
(?)
n.
[L., mercy, compassion; miser wretched + cor, cordis, heart.]

1.
(O. Law)
An amercement.
Burrill.

2.
(Anc. Armor.)
A thin-bladed dagger; so called, in the Middle Ages, because used to give the death wound or “mercy” stroke to a fallen adversary.

3.
(Eccl.)
An indulgence as to food or dress granted to a member of a religious order.
Shipley.


word: Miserly
definition:
Miserly

Mi"ser*ly
(mī"zẽr*l&ybreve_;)
a.
[From Miser.]
Like a miser; very covetous; avaricious; stingy; sordid; niggardly.


word: Misery
definition:
Misery

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.]


word: Misfall
definition:
Misfall

Mis*fall"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. Misfell; p. p. Misfallen (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Misfalling.]
To befall, as ill luck; to happen to unluckily.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Misfeasance
definition:
Misfeasance

Mis*fea"sance
(?)
n.
[OF. pref. mes- wrong (L. minus less) + faisance doing, fr. faire to do, L. facere.  Cf. Malfeasance.]
(Law)
A trespass; a wrong arising from an overt act; the improper doing of an act which a person might lawfully do.
Bouvier. Wharton.


word: Misfit
definition:
Misfit

Mis*fit"
(?)
n.
1.
The act or the state of fitting badly; as, a misfit in making a coat; a ludicrous misfit.

2.
Something that fits badly, as a garment.

I saw an uneasy change in Mr. Micawber, which sat tightly on him, as if his new duties were a misfit.
Dickens.

3.
A person who does not fit in comfortably with the surrounding situation or society; one who cannot conform or adjust to the circumstances in which he lives.


word: Misform
definition:
Misform

Mis*form"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Misformed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Misforming.]
To make in an ill form.
Spenser.


word: Misfortune
definition:
Misfortune

Mis*for"tune
(?)
n.
Bad fortune or luck; calamity; an evil accident; disaster; mishap; mischance.

Consider why the change was wrought,
You 'll find his misfortune, not his fault.
Addison.


word: Misfortune₂
definition:
Misfortune

Mis*for"tune
v. i.
To happen unluckily or unfortunately; to miscarry; to fail.
[Obs.]
Stow.


word: Misgive
definition:
Misgive

Mis*give"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. Misgave (?); p. p. Misgiven (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Misgiving.]

1.
To give or grant amiss.
[Obs.]
Laud.

2.
Specifically: To give doubt and apprehension to, instead of confidence and courage; to impart fear to; to make irresolute; -- usually said of the mind or heart, and followed by the objective personal pronoun.

So doth my heart misgive me in these conflicts
What may befall him, to his harm and ours.
Shak.

Such whose consciences misgave them, how ill they had deserved.
Milton.

3.
To suspect; to dread.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Misgive₂
definition:
Misgive

Mis*give"
v. i.
To give out doubt and apprehension; to be fearful or irresolute.
misgives
Shak.


word: misgiving
definition:
misgiving

mis*giv"ing
n.
Evil premonition; doubt; distrust; a feeling of apprehension; -- used commonly in the plural.
misgivings
South.


word: Misgovernance
definition:
Misgovernance

Mis*gov"ern*ance
(?)
n.
Misgovernment; misconduct; misbehavior.
[Obs.]
Chaucer. Spenser.


word: Misguide
definition:
Misguide

Mis*guide"
(?)
v. t.
To guide wrongly; to lead astray; as, to misguide the understanding.


word: Mishap
definition:
Mishap

Mis*hap"
(?)
n.
Evil accident; ill luck; misfortune; mischance.
Chaucer.

Secure from worldly chances and mishaps.
Shak.


word: Mishmash
definition:
Mishmash

Mish"mash`
(?)
n.
[Cf. G. mish-mash, fr. mischen to mix.]
A hodgepodge or hotchpotch; a confused jumble.
[Also spelled mishmosh.]
Sir T. Herbert.


word: Mishna
definition:
Mishna

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.]


word: Misimprove
definition:
Misimprove

Mis`im*prove"
(?)
v. t.
To use for a bad purpose; to abuse; to misuse; as, to misimprove time, talents, advantages, etc.
South.


word: Misincline
definition:
Misincline

Mis"in*cline"
(?)
v. t.
To cause to have a wrong inclination or tendency; to affect wrongly.


word: Misinform₂
definition:
Misinform

Mis`in*form"
v. i.
To give untrue information; (with against) to calumniate.
[R.]
Bp. Montagu.


word: Misintelligence
definition:
Misintelligence

Mis`in*tel"li*gence
(?)
n.
1.
Wrong information; misinformation.

2.
Disagreement; misunderstanding.
[Obs.]


word: Misinterpret
definition:
Misinterpret

Mis`in*ter"pret
(?)
v. t.
To interpret erroneously; to understand or to explain in a wrong sense.


word: Misinterpretable
definition:
Misinterpretable

Mis`in*ter"pret*a*ble
(?)
a.
Capable of being misinterpreted; liable to be misunderstood.


word: Misinterpretation
definition:
Misinterpretation

Mis`in*ter"pre*ta"tion
(?)
n.
The act of interpreting erroneously; a mistaken interpretation.


word: Misjoinder
definition:
Misjoinder

Mis*join"der
(?)
n.
(Law)
An incorrect union of parties or of causes of action in a procedure, criminal or civil.
Wharton.


word: Misjudge
definition:
Misjudge

Mis*judge"
(?)
v. t. & i.
To judge erroneously or unjustly; to err in judgment; to misconstrue.


word: Mislay
definition:
Mislay

Mis*lay"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mislaid (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mislaying.]

1.
To lay in a wrong place; to ascribe to a wrong source.

The fault is generally mislaid upon nature.
Locke.

2.
To lay in a place not recollected; to misplace; 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.


word: Misle
definition:
Misle

Mi"sle
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Misled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Misling (?).]
[Prop. mistle, fr. mist.  Cf. Mistle, Mizzle.]
To rain in very fine drops, like a thick mist; to mizzle; to drizzle.
[archaic]


word: Mislead
definition:
Mislead

Mis*lead"
(mĭs*lēd")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Misled (mĭs*lĕd"); 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.


word: Mislike
definition:
Mislike

Mis*like"
(mĭs*līk")
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Misliked (mĭs*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.


word: Mismake
definition:
Mismake

Mis*make"
(mĭs*māk")
v. t.
To make or form amiss; to spoil in making.
mismade
Mrs. Browning.


word: Mismanage
definition:
Mismanage

Mis*man"age
(?)
v. t. & i.
To manage ill or improperly; as, to mismanage public affairs.


word: mismatched
definition:
mismatched

mis*matched"
adj.
1.
Matched unsuitably; grouped into pairs or sets with incompatible characteristics.
ill-sorted, incompatible, mismated, unsuited
odd, unmatched, unmated, unpaired 
Also See: incompatible.
matched

2.
Of very unequal ability; -- of contestants in a contest.  The less able contestant is said to be overmatched or outclassed.

Syn. -- uneven, not fairly matched.


word: Mismate
definition:
Mismate

Mis*mate"
(?)
v. t.
To mate wrongly or unsuitably; to mismatch; as, to mismate gloves or shoes; a mismated couple.


word: Misnomer
definition:
Misnomer

Mis*no"mer
(?)
n.
[OF. pref. mes- amiss, wrong (L. minus less) + F. nommer to name, L. nominare, fr. nomen name. See Name.]
The misnaming of a person in a legal instrument, as in a complaint or indictment; any misnaming of a person or thing; a wrong or inapplicable name or title.

Many of the changes, by a great misnomer, called parliamentary “reforms”.
Burke.

The word “synonym” is fact a misnomer.
Whately.


word: Misnurture
definition:
Misnurture

Mis*nur"ture
(?; 135)
v. t.
To nurture or train wrongly; as, to misnurture children.
Bp. Hall.


word: Misogynist
definition:
Misogynist

Mi*sog"y*nist
(mĭ*s&obreve_;j"ĭ*nĭst)
n.
[Gr. misogy`nhs, misogy`naios; misei^n to hate + gynh` woman: cf. F. misogyne.]
A woman hater.  Contrast misandrist.
Fuller.


word: Misogynous
definition:
Misogynous

Mi*sog"y*nous
(mĭ*s&obreve_;j"ĭ*nŭs)
a.
Hating women; having deep-seated distrust of women; -- used of men.


word: Misogyny
definition:
Misogyny

Mi*sog"y*ny
(mĭ*s&obreve_;j"ĭ*n&ybreve_;; 277)
n.
[Gr. misogyni`a: cf. F. misogynie.]
Hatred of women.  Contrast misandry.
Johnson.


word: Misology
definition:
Misology

Mi*sol"o*gy
(mĭ*s&obreve_;l"o̝*j&ybreve_;)
n.
[Gr. misologi`a; misei^n to hate + lo`gos discourse.]
Hatred of argument or discussion; hatred of enlightenment.
G. H. Lewes.


word: Misplace
definition:
Misplace

Mis*place"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Misplaced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Misplacing (?).]
1.
To put in a wrong place; to set or place on an improper or unworthy object; as, he misplaced his confidence.

2.
To place in a location that one does not recall; to  mislay; to lose.


word: misprint
definition:
misprint

mis"print
(mĭs"prĭnt)
n.
A mistake in printing; a deviation from the copy; as, a book full of misprints.  Misprints are sometimes noted and corrected in a list of corrigenda distributed with a book.


word: Misprise₂
definition:
Misprise

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.


word: Misprision
definition:
Misprision

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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Misprize
definition:
Misprize

Mis*prize"
(mĭs*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.


word: Misprofess
definition:
Misprofess

Mis`pro*fess"
(?)
v. i.
To make a false profession; to make pretensions to skill which is not possessed.


word: Mispronounce
definition:
Mispronounce

Mis`pro*nounce"
(?)
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Mispronounced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mispronouncing (?).]
To pronounce incorrectly.


word: Misproportion
definition:
Misproportion

Mis`pro*por"tion
(?)
v. t.
To give wrong or unesthetic proportions to; to join without due proportion; as, the legs were misrpoportioned to the body.


word: Misread
definition:
Misread

Mis*read"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Misread (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Misreading (?).]
To read amiss; to misunderstand in reading.


word: Misrecollect
definition:
Misrecollect

Mis*rec`ol*lect"
(?)
v. t. & i.
To have an erroneous remembrance of; to suppose erroneously that one recollects.
Hitchcock.


word: Misremember
definition:
Misremember

Mis`re*mem"ber
(?)
v. t. & i.
To mistake in remembering; not to remember correctly.
Sir T. More.


word: Misreport
definition:
Misreport

Mis`re*port"
(?)
v. t. & i.
To report erroneously; to give an incorrect account of.
Locke.


word: Misrepresent
definition:
Misrepresent

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.


word: Misrepresentation
definition:
Misrepresentation

Mis*rep`re*sen*ta"tion
(?)
n.
Untrue representation; false or incorrect statement or account; -- usually unfavorable to the thing represented; as, a misrepresentation of a person's motives.
Sydney Smith.

&hand_; In popular use, this word often conveys the idea of intentional untruth.


word: Misrepresentative
definition:
Misrepresentative

Mis*rep`re*sent"a*tive
(?)
a.
Tending to convey a wrong impression; misrepresenting.


word: Misrule₂
definition:
Misrule

Mis*rule"
n.
1.
The act, or the result, of misruling.

2.
Disorder; confusion; tumult from insubordination.

Enormous riot and misrule surveyed.
Pope.

Abbot of Misrule, or Lord of Misrule. See under Abbot, and Lord.


word: Miss
definition:
Miss

Miss
(mĭs)
n.
pl. Misses (mĭs"sĕz).
[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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Miss₂
definition:
Miss

Miss
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Missed (mĭst); 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; as, to miss an absent loved one.
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.


word: Miss₃
definition:
Miss

Miss
(mĭs)
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.


word: Miss₄
definition:
Miss

Miss
n.
1.
The act of missing; failure to hit, reach, find, obtain, etc.

2.
Loss; want; felt absence.
[Obs.]

There will be no great miss of those which are lost.
Locke.

3.
Mistake; error; fault.
Shak.

He did without any great miss in the hardest points of grammar.
Ascham.

4.
Harm from mistake.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Missa
definition:
Missa

Mis"sa
(?)
n.
pl. Missae (#).
[LL. See 1st Mass.]
(R. C. Ch.)
The service or sacrifice of the Mass.


word: Missal
definition:
Missal

Mis"sal
(?)
n.
[LL. missale, liber missalis, from missa mass: cf. F. missel. See 1st Mass.]
The book containing the service of the Mass for the entire year; a Mass book.


word: Misseem
definition:
Misseem

Mis*seem"
(?)
v. i.
1.
To make a false appearance.
[Obs.]

2.
To misbecome; to be misbecoming.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Missel
definition:
Missel

Mis"sel
(?)
n.
Mistletoe.
[Obs.]

Missel bird, Missel thrush (Zool.), a large European thrush (Turdus viscivorus) which feeds on the berries of the mistletoe; -- called also mistletoe thrush and missel.


word: Misseldine
definition:
Misseldine

Mis"sel*dine
(?)
n.
[See Mistletoe.]
[Written also misselden.]
The mistletoe.
[Obs.]
Baret.


word: Misshape
definition:
Misshape

Mis*shape"
(?)
v. t.
To shape ill; to give an ill or unnatural from to; to deform.
misshaped
Pope.


word: Missheathed
definition:
Missheathed

Mis*sheathed"
(?)
a.
Sheathed by mistake; wrongly sheathed; sheathed in a wrong place.
Shak.


word: Missificate
definition:
Missificate

Mis*sif"i*cate
(?)
v. i.
[LL. missa Mass + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See fy-.]
To perform Mass.
[Obs.]
Milton.


word: Missile
definition:
Missile

Mis"sile
(?)
a.
[L. missils, fr. mittere, missum, to cause to go, to send, to throw; cf. Lith. mesti to throw: cf. F. missile.  Cf. Admit, Dismiss, Mass the religious service, Message, Mission.]
Capable of being thrown; adapted for hurling or to be projected from the hand, or from any instrument or engine{2}, so as to strike an object at a distance.

We bend the bow, or wing the missile dart.
Pope.


word: Missile₂
definition:
Missile

Mis"sile
n.
[L. missile.]
1.
A weapon thrown or projected or intended to be projected, as a lance, an arrow, or a bullet.

2.
A rocket-propelled device designed to fly through the air and deliver a warhead of explosive materials to a target.

Numerous types of rocket-propelled missile{2} are now used in modern warfare.  Some types with names indicating their range or function are: antiaircraft missile; ballistic missile; cruise missile; antiballistic missile missile; air-to-air missile; air-to-ground missile; guided missile; intercontinental ballistic missile (IBM); intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM); surface-to-air missile.


word: Missing
definition:
Missing

Miss"ing
(?)
a.
[From Miss, v. i.]
Absent from the place where it was expected to be found; lost; lacking; 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.


word: Mission
definition:
Mission

Mis"sion
(?)
n.
[L. missio, fr. mittere, missum, to send: cf. F. mission. See Missile.]
1.
The act of sending, or the state of being sent; a being sent or delegated by authority, with certain powers for transacting business; comission.

Whose glorious deeds, but in these fields of late,
Made emulous missions 'mongst the gods themselves.
Shak.

2.
That with which a messenger or agent is charged; an errand; business or duty on which one is sent; a commission.

How to begin, how to accomplish best
His end of being on earth, and mission high.
Milton.

3.
Persons sent; any number of persons appointed to perform any service; a delegation; an embassy; as, the Russian mission to the United Nations.

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.


word: Mission₂
definition:
Mission

Mis"sion
(?)
v. t.
To send on a mission.
[Mostly used in the form of the past participle.]
Keats.


word: Missionary
definition:
Missionary

Mis"sion*ary
(?)
n.
pl. Missionaries (#).
[Cf. F. missionnaire. See Mission, n.]
One who is sent on a mission; especially, one sent to propagate religion.
Swift.

Missionary apostolic, a Roman Catholic missionary sent by commission from the pope.


word: Missionary₂
definition:
Missionary

Mis"sion*a*ry
a.
Of or pertaining to missions; as, a missionary meeting; a missionary fund.


word: Missioner
definition:
Missioner

Mis"sion*er
(?)
n.
A missionary; an envoy; one who conducts a mission. See Mission, n., 6.
missioner
Dryden.


word: Mississippian
definition:
Mississippian

Mississippian
prop. n.
1.
A geological period extending from from 310 million to 345 million years ago; it was associated with an increase of land areas, the presence of primitive ammonites, and emergence of winged insects; called also Missippian period and Lower Carboniferous period.

Syn. -- Missippian period, Lower Carboniferous, Lower Carboniferous period.

2.
A resident of Mississippi.


word: Missive
definition:
Missive

Mis"sive
(?)
a.
[See Missive, n.]
1.
Specially sent; intended or prepared to be sent; as, a letter missive.
Ayliffe.

2.
Missile.
missive
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.


word: Missive₂
definition:
Missive

Mis"sive
n.
[F. lettre missive. See Mission, n.]
1.
That which is sent; a writing containing a message.

2.
One who is sent; a messenger.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Misspell
definition:
Misspell

Mis*spell"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Misspelled (?), or Misspelt (_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Misspelling.]
To spell incorrectly.


word: Misspend
definition:
Misspend

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.


word: Misstate
definition:
Misstate

Mis*state"
(?)
v. t.
To state wrongly; as, to misstate a question in debate.
Bp. Sanderson.


word: Missy₂
definition:
Missy

Mis"sy
n.
An affectionate, or contemptuous, form of miss; a young girl; a miss.
a. Like a miss, or girl.


word: mist
definition:
mist

mist
(mĭst)
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. 'omichei^n to make water, 'omi`chlh mist, Skr. mih to make water, n., a mist mēgha cloud.  √102.  Cf. Misle, Mizzle, Mixen.]
1.
Visible watery vapor suspended in the atmosphere, at or near the surface of the earth; fog.

2.
Coarse, watery vapor, floating or falling in visible particles, approaching the form of rain; as, Scotch mist.

3.
Hence, anything which dims or darkens, and obscures or intercepts vision.

His passion cast a mist before his sense.
Dryden.

Mist flower (Bot.), a composite plant (Eupatorium coelestinum), having heart-shaped leaves, and corymbs of lavender-blue flowers.  It is found in the Western and Southern United States.


word: Mist
definition:
Mist

Mist
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Misted; p. pr. & vb. n. Misting.]
To cloud; to cover with mist; to dim.
Shak.


word: Mistakable
definition:
Mistakable

Mis*tak"a*ble
(?)
a.
Liable to be mistaken; capable of being misconceived.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Mistake
definition:
Mistake

Mis*take"
(mĭs*tāk")
v. t.
[imp. & obs. p. p. Mistook (mĭs*tŏk"); p. p. Mistaken (mĭs*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.


word: Mistake₂
definition:
Mistake

Mis*take"
v. i.
To err in knowledge, perception, opinion, or judgment; to commit an unintentional error.

Servants mistake, and sometimes occasion misunderstanding among friends.
Swift.


word: Mistake₃
definition:
Mistake

Mis*take"
(mĭs*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]


word: Mistaken
definition:
Mistaken

Mis*tak"en
(?)
p.a.
1.
Being in error; judging wrongly; having a wrong opinion or a misconception; as, a mistaken man; he is mistaken.

2.
Erroneous; wrong; as, a mistaken notion.


word: Mistaught
definition:
Mistaught

Mis*taught"
(mĭs*t&asuml_;t")
a.
[See Misteach.]
Wrongly taught; as, a mistaught youth.
L'Estrange.


word: Misteach
definition:
Misteach

Mis*teach"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mistaught (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Misteaching.]
[AS. mist&aemacr_;can.]
To teach wrongly; to instruct erroneously.


word: Mistell
definition:
Mistell

Mis*tell"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mistold (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mistelling.]
To tell erroneously.


word: Mistemper
definition:
Mistemper

Mis*tem"per
(?)
v. t.
To temper ill; to disorder; as, to mistemper one's head.
Warner.

This inundation of mistempered humor.
Shak.


word: Mister
definition:
Mister

Mis"ter
(?)
n.
[See Master, and cf. Mistress.]
A title of courtesy prefixed to the name of a man or youth. It is usually written in the abbreviated form Mr.

To call your name, inquire your where,
Or what you think of Mister Some-one's book,
Or Mister Other's marriage or decease.
Mrs. Browning.


word: Mister₂
definition:
Mister

Mis"ter
v. t.
To address or mention by the title Mr.; as, he mistered me in a formal way.
[Colloq.]


word: Mister₃
definition:
Mister

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.


word: Mister₄
definition:
Mister

Mis"ter
v. i.
To be needful or of use.
[Obs.]

As for my name, it mistereth not to tell.
Spenser.


word: Misthink₂
definition:
Misthink

Mis*think"
v. t.
To have erroneous thoughts or judgment of; to think ill of.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Mistico
definition:
Mistico

Mistic

{ 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.


word: Mistide
definition:
Mistide

Mis*tide"
(?)
v. i.
[AS. mistīdan. See Tide.]
To happen or come to pass unfortunately; also, to suffer evil fortune.
[Obs.]


word: Mistigri
definition:
Mistigri

Mistigris

{ &VerbarMis`ti`gris" (?), &VerbarMis`ti`gri"  }
n.
[F. mistigri.]
A variety of the game of poker in which the joker is used, and called mistigris or mistigri.


word: Mistime
definition:
Mistime

Mis*time"
(?)
v. t.
[AS. mistīmain to turn out ill.]
To time wrongly; not to adapt to the time.


word: mistiming
definition:
mistiming

mistiming
n.
The act or process of assigning something to a time when it could not have existed or occurred.

Syn. -- anachronism, misdating.


word: Mistle
definition:
Mistle

Mis"tle
(?)
v. i.
[Eng. mist. See Misle, and Mizzle.]
To fall in very fine drops, as rain; to drizzle.


word: Mistletoe
definition:
Mistletoe

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.

&hand_; The mistletoe of the United States is Phoradendron serotinum (syn. Phoradendron flavescens), having broader leaves than the European kind.  In different regions various similar plants are called by this name.  The mistletoe is used as a decoration at Christmas time, and it is a tradition that two persons of the oposite sex finding each other under a mistletoe sprig should kiss.


word: Mistral
definition:
Mistral

Mis"tral
(?)
n.
[F., fr. Provençal.]
A violent and cold northwest wind experienced in the Mediterranean provinces of France, etc.


word: Mistransport
definition:
Mistransport

Mis`trans*port"
(?)
v. t.
To carry away or mislead wrongfully, as by passion.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.


word: mistreated
definition:
mistreated

mistreated
adj.
physically abused.
assaulted, molested, raped
battered, beaten
misunderstood 

Syn. -- abused, ill-treated, maltreated.


word: Mistress
definition:
Mistress

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 woman having an ongoing usually exclusive sexual relationship with a man, who may provide her with financial support in return; a concubine; a loose woman with whom one consorts habitually; as, both his wife and his mistress attended his funeral.
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.


word: Mistressship
definition:
Mistressship

Mis"tress*ship
n.
1.
Female rule or dominion.

2.
Ladyship, a style of address; -- with the personal pronoun.
[Obs.]
Massinger.


word: Mistrial
definition:
Mistrial

Mis*tri"al
(?)
n.
(Law)
A false or erroneous trial; a trial which has no result; a trial which comes to no conclusion, such as a criminal trial which does not produce a unanimous verdict of the jurors.


word: Mistrust₂
definition:
Mistrust

Mis*trust"
v. t.
1.
To regard with jealousy or suspicion; to suspect; to doubt the integrity of; to distrust.

I will never mistrust my wife again.
Shak.

2.
To forebode as near, or likely to occur; to surmise.

By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust
Ensuing dangers.
Shak.


word: Mistrustful
definition:
Mistrustful

Mis*trust"ful
(?)
a.
Having or causing mistrust, suspicions, or forebodings.

Their light blown out in some mistrustful wood.
Shak.


word: Mistrustless
definition:
Mistrustless

Mis*trust"less
a.
Having no mistrust or suspicion.

The swain mistrustless of his smutted face.
Goldsmith.


word: Mistura
definition:
Mistura

Mis*tu"ra
(?)
n.
[L. See Mixture.]
(Med.)
(a)
A mingled compound in which different ingredients are contained in a liquid state; a mixture. See Mixture, n., 4.
(b)
Sometimes, a liquid medicine containing very active substances, and which can only be administered by drops.
Dunglison.


word: Misty
definition:
Misty

Mist"y
(mĭst"&ybreve_;)
a.
[Compar. Mistier (mĭst"ĭ*ẽr); 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, a misty morning; misty weather; misty mountains; a misty atmosphere.

2.
Obscured as if by mist; dim; obscure; clouded; as, misty sight; to peer into the misty future.

The more I muse therein [theology],
The mistier it seemeth.
Piers Plowman.


word: Misunderstand
definition:
Misunderstand

Mis*un`der*stand"
(mĭs*ŭn`dẽr*stănd")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Misunderstood (mĭs*ŭn`dẽr*stŏd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Misunderstanding.]
To misconceive; to mistake; to miscomprehend; to take in a wrong sense.


word: Misunderstanding
definition:
Misunderstanding

Mis*un`der*stand"ing
n.
1.
Mistake of the meaning; error; misconception.
Bacon.

2.
Disagreement; difference of opinion; dissension; quarrel.
Misunderstandings
Swift.


word: Misurato
definition:
Misurato

Mi`su*ra"to
(mē`sō*rä"to̝)
a.
[It.]
(Mus.)
Measured; -- a direction to perform a passage in strict or measured time.


word: Misuse
definition:
Misuse

Mis*use"
(mĭs*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.


word: Misuse₂
definition:
Misuse

Mis*use"
(mĭs*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.


word: Misuser
definition:
Misuser

Mis*us"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who misuses.
misusers
Coleridge.

2.
(Law)
Unlawful use of a right; use in excess of, or varying from, one's right.
Bouvier.


word: Misvalue
definition:
Misvalue

Mis*val"ue
(?)
v. t.
To value wrongly or too little; to undervalue.

But for I am so young, I dread my work
Wot be misvalued both of old and young.
W. Browne.


word: Miswander
definition:
Miswander

Mis*wan"der
(?)
v. i.
To wander in a wrong path; to stray; to go astray.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Misween
definition:
Misween

Mis*ween"
(?)
v. i.
To ween amiss; to misjudge; to distrust; to be mistaken.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Misworship
definition:
Misworship

Mis*wor"ship
(?)
n.
Wrong or false worship; mistaken practices in religion.
Bp. Hall.

Such hideous jungle of misworships.
Carlyle.


word: Misy
definition:
Misy

Mi"sy
(?)
n.
[Cf. L. misy a mineral, perh. copperas, Gr. _;.]
(Min.)
An impure yellow sulphate of iron; yellow copperas or copiapite.


word: Mite
definition:
Mite

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.
(Zool.)
A minute arachnid, of the order Acarina, of which there are many species; as, the dust mite, cheese mite, sugar mite, harvest mite, three-toed spider 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.


word: Mitella
definition:
Mitella

Mitella
prop. n.
A genus of low slender herbs of North America and Northeast Asia having flowers with trifid or pinnatifid petals.

Syn. -- genus Mitella.


word: Mitre
definition:
Mitre

Miter

{ Mi"ter, Mi"tre  }
(?)
n.
[F. mitre, fr. L. mitra headband, turban, Gr. _;.]
1.
A covering for the head, worn on solemn occasions by bishops and other 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, such as the edges of a window frame, and the edge of each piece at the point of junction is cut at a 45° angle to its long direction.  See Miter, 2. -- Miter shell (Zool.), 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.


word: Mitre₂
definition:
Mitre

Miter

{ 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.
[wns=2]
Mitered
Milton.

2.
To match together, as two pieces of molding or brass rule on a line bisecting the angle of junction; to fit together in a miter joint.
[wns=3]

3.
To bevel the ends or edges of, for the purpose of matching together at an angle.
[wns=1]


word: Mitre₃
definition:
Mitre

Miter

{ Mi"ter, Mi"tre  }
v. i.
To meet and match together, as two pieces of molding, on a line bisecting the angle of junction.


word: Miterwort
definition:
Miterwort

Mi"ter*wort`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
Any plant of the genus Mitella, -- slender, perennial herbs with a pod slightly resembling a bishop's miter; bishop's cap.

False miterwort, a white-flowered perennial herb of the United States (Tiarella cardifolia).


word: Mithras
definition:
Mithras

Mithra

Mi"thra, Mi"thras
(?)
prop. n.
[L., from Gr. _;.]
The sun god of the ancient Persians; the god of light and truth.


word: Mithraism
definition:
Mithraism

Mithraism
prop. n.
The ancient Persian religion which worshiped Mithra; it was popular among Romans during first three centuries a. d.

Syn. -- Mithraicism.


word: Mithridate
definition:
Mithridate

Mith"ri*date
(?)
n.
(Med.)
An antidote against poison, or a composition in form of an electuary, supposed to serve either as a remedy or a preservative against poison; an alexipharmic; -- so called from King Mithridates, its reputed inventor.

[Love is] a drop of the true elixir; no mithridate so effectual against the infection of vice.
Southey.


word: Mithridatic
definition:
Mithridatic

Mith`ri*dat"ic
(mĭth`rĭ*dăt"ĭk)
a.
Of or pertaining to King Mithridates, or to a mithridate.


word: Mitigant
definition:
Mitigant

Mit"i*gant
(?)
a.
[L. mitigans, p. pr. of mitigare. See Mitigate.]
Tending to mitigate; mitigating; lenitive.
Johnson.


word: Mitigate
definition:
Mitigate

Mit"i*gate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mitigated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mitigating.]
[L. mitigatus, p. p. of mitigare to soften, mitigate; mitis mild, soft + the root of agere to do, drive.]
1.
To make less severe, intense, harsh, rigorous, painful, etc.; to soften; to meliorate; to alleviate; to diminish; to lessen; as, to mitigate heat or cold; to mitigate grief.

2.
To make mild and accessible; to mollify; -- applied to persons.
[Obs.]

This opinion . . . mitigated kings into companions.
Burke.


word: mitigating
definition:
mitigating

mitigating
adj.
serving to reduce blame; -- of situations; as, mitigating factors; mitigating circumstances.  Opposite of aggravating.
exculpatory

Syn. -- extenuating.


word: Mitigation
definition:
Mitigation

Mit`i*ga"tion
(?)
n.
[OE. mitigacioun, F. mitigation, fr. L. mitigatio.]
The act of mitigating, or the state of being mitigated; abatement or diminution of anything painful, harsh, severe, afflictive, or calamitous; as, the mitigation of pain, grief, rigor, severity, punishment, or penalty.


word: Mitigative
definition:
Mitigative

Mit"i*ga*tive
(?)
a.
[L. mitigativus: cf. F. mitigatif.]
Tending to mitigate; alleviating.


word: Mitis casting
definition:
Mitis casting

Mi"tis cast`ing
(?)
[Perh. fr. L. mitis mild.]
A process, invented by P. Ostberg, for producing malleable iron castings by melting wrought iron, to which from 0.05 to 0.1 per cent of aluminum is added to lower the melting point, usually in a petroleum furnace, keeping the molten metal at the bubbling point until it becomes quiet, and then pouring the molten metal into a mold lined with a special mixture consisting essentially of molasses and ground burnt fire clay; also, a casting made by this process; -- called also wrought-iron casting.


word: Mitis metal
definition:
Mitis metal

Mitis metal
The malleable iron produced by mitis casting; -- called also simply mitis.


word: Mitome
definition:
Mitome

Mi"tome
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; a thread.]
(Biol.)
The denser part of the protoplasm of a cell.
[archaic]


word: Mitotic
definition:
Mitotic

Mi*tot"ic
(?)
a.
(Biol.)
Of or pertaining to mitosis; karyokinetic; as, mitotic cell division; -- opposed to amitotic.
Mi*tot"ic*al*ly (#), adv.


word: Mitraille
definition:
Mitraille

Mi`traille"
(?)
n.
[F. See Mitrailleur.]
Shot or bits of iron used sometimes in loading cannon.


word: Mitrailleur
definition:
Mitrailleur

Mi`tra`illeur"
(?)
n.
[F.]
1.
(Mil.)
One who serves a mitrailleuse.

2.
A mitralleuse.


word: Mitrailleuse
definition:
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.
[obsolescent]


word: Mitral
definition:
Mitral

Mi"tral
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. mitral. See Miter.]
Pertaining to a miter; resembling a miter; as, the mitral valve between the left auricle and left ventricle of the heart.


word: mitrewort
definition:
mitrewort

mitrewort
n.
Any of various rhizomatous perennial herbs of the genus Mitella having a capsule resembling a bishop's miter.
[Also spelled miterwort.]

Syn. -- miterwort, bishop's cap.


word: Mitriform
definition:
Mitriform

Mit"ri*form
(?)
a.
[Miter + -form: cf. F. mitriforme.]
Having the form of a miter, or a peaked cap; as, a mitriform calyptra.
Gray.


word: Mitt
definition:
Mitt

Mitt
(?)
n.
[Abbrev. fr. mitten.]
1.
A mitten; also, a covering for the wrist and hand and not for the fingers, usually worn by women.

2.
(Baseball)
A large glove, usually made of leather or similar material, with differing degrees of padding and usually some form of webbing in the large space between the thumb insert and the insert for the index finger; a baseball glove.  It is used to assist in catching the baseball.  The catcher's mitt has more padding and less webbing.

3.
A hand; -- used mostly in slang expressions; as, keep your mitts off my box of chocolates!


word: Mitten
definition:
Mitten

Mit"ten
(?)
n.
[OE. mitaine, meteyn, F. mitaine, perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. miotog, Gael. miotag, Ir. & Gael. mutan a muff, a thick glove.  Cf. Mitt.]
1.
A covering for the hand, worn to defend it from cold or injury.  It differs from a glove in not having a separate sheath for each finger.
Chaucer.

2.
A cover for the wrist and forearm.

To give the mitten to, to dismiss as a lover; to reject the suit of. [Colloq.] -- To handle without mittens, to treat roughly; to handle without gloves. [Colloq.]


word: Mittent
definition:
Mittent

Mit"tent
(?)
a.
[L. mittens, p. pr. of mittere to send.]
Sending forth; emitting.
[Obs.]
Wiseman.


word: Mittimus
definition:
Mittimus

Mit"ti*mus
(?)
n.
[L., we send, fr. mittere to send.]
(Law)
(a)
A precept or warrant granted by a justice for committing to prison a party charged with crime; a warrant of commitment to prison.
Burrill.
(b)
A writ for removing records from one court to another.
Brande & C.


word: Mittler's green
definition:
Mittler's green

Mit"tler's green`
(?)
(Chem.)
A pigment of a green color, the chief constituent of which is oxide of chromium.


word: Mitu
definition:
Mitu

Mi"tu
(mī"t&uuptack_;)
n.
[Braz. mitu poranga.]
(Zool.)
A South American curassow of the genus Mitua.


word: Mix
definition:
Mix

Mix
(mĭks)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mixed (mĭkst) (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.

4.
To combine (two or more activities) within a specified or implied time frame; as, to mix studying and partying while at college.


word: Mix₂
definition:
Mix

Mix
(?)
v. i.
1.
To become united into a compound; to be blended promiscuously together.

2.
To associate; to mingle; as, Democrats and Republicans mixed freely at the party.

He had mixed
Again in fancied safety with his kind.
Byron.


word: Mixed
definition:
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.


word: Mixen
definition:
Mixen

Mix"en
(?)
n.
[AS. mixen, myxen, fr. meohx, meox, dung, filth; akin to E. mist. See Mist.]
A compost heap; a dunghill.
Chaucer. Tennyson.


word: Mixer
definition:
Mixer

Mix"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, mixes.

2.
A person who has social intercourse with others of many sorts; a person viewed as to his casual sociability; -- commonly used with some characterizing adjective; as, a good mixer; a bad mixer.
[Colloq. or Slang, U. S.]

3.
a social gathering, game, or dance organized to provide an opportunity for people to meet each other; as, on the first night of the conference they had a wine-and-cheese mixer.

4.
a nonalcoholic beverage (such as fruit juice, club soda or ginger ale) added to an alcoholic beverage to produce a mixed drink.

5.
any device used for mixing.

6.
an electronic device for blending or manipulating sounds from different sources to produce a composite soundtrack, for an audio recording, video recording, or a movie.

7.
The technician who operates a mixer{6}.


word: Mixogamous
definition:
Mixogamous

Mix*og"a*mous
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; a mixing + _; marriage.]
(Zool.)
Pairing with several males; -- said of certain fishes of which several males accompany each female during spawning.


word: Mixolydian mode
definition:
Mixolydian mode

Mix`o*lyd"i*an mode`
(?)
[Gr. _; a mixing + E. Lydian.]
(Mus.)
The seventh ecclesiastical mode, whose scale commences on G.


word: Mixtilinear
definition:
Mixtilinear

Mixtilineal

{ 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.]


word: Mixtion
definition:
Mixtion

Mix"tion
(?)
n.
[L. mixtio, mistio: cf. F. mixtion. See Mistion, Mix.]
1.
Mixture.
[Obs.]

2.
A kind of cement made of mastic, amber, etc., used as a mordant for gold leaf.


word: Mixture
definition:
Mixture

Mix"ture
(?)
n.
[L. mixtura, fr. miscere, mixtum, to mix: cf. F. mixture. See Mix.]
1.
The act of mixing, or the state of being mixed; as, made by a mixture of ingredients.
Hooker.

2.
That which results from mixing different ingredients together; a compound; as, to drink a mixture of molasses and water; -- also, a medley.

There is also a mixture of good and evil wisely distributed by God, to serve the ends of his providence.
Atterbury.

3.
An ingredient entering into a mixed mass; an additional ingredient.

Cicero doubts whether it were possible for a community to exist that had not a prevailing mixture of piety in its constitution.
Addison.

4.
(Med.)
A kind of liquid medicine made up of many ingredients; esp., as opposed to solution, a liquid preparation in which the solid ingredients are not completely dissolved.

5.
(Physics & Chem.)
A mass of two or more ingredients, the particles of which are separable, independent, and uncompounded with each other, no matter how thoroughly and finely commingled; -- contrasted with a compound and solution; 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.


word: mix up
definition:
mix up

mix up
n.
1.
To confuse the identities of (two or more objects); to mistake (one object for another); as, at the family gathering he mixed up his two nieces, to their great amusement.

2.
To mix together; -- usually implying a mistake, whether done intentionally or unintentionally; as, the mixed up this year's receipts with last year's, and it took hours to find the right ones.


word: mix-up
definition:
mix-up

mix-up
n.
a mistake that results from taking one thing to be another.

Syn. -- confusion, confounding.


word: Mizzen
definition:
Mizzen

Miz"zen
(?)
a.
[It. mezzana, fr. mezzano middle, fr. mezzo middle, half: cf. F. misaine foresail. See Mezzo.]
(Naut.)
Hindmost; nearest the stern; as, the mizzen shrouds, sails, etc.


word: Mizzen₂
definition:
Mizzen

Miz"zen
n.
(Naut.)
The hindmost of the fore and aft sails of a three-masted vessel; also, the spanker.


word: Mizzenmast
definition:
Mizzenmast

Miz"zen*mast
(?)
n.
(Naut.)
the third mast from the bow in a vessel having three or more masts; the after and shorter mast of a yawl, ketch, or dandy.
The definition varies slightly with the dictionary; in some dictionaries it is the last mast of a three-masted vessel; in others, it is the mast after the mainmast  of a vessel of three or more masts. PJC.


word: Mizzle
definition:
Mizzle

Miz"zle
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Mizzled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mizzling (?).]
[See Misle, and cf. Mistle.]
1.
To rain in very fine drops; to drizzle.
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.


word: Mizzy
definition:
Mizzy

Miz"zy
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. moisi moldy, musty, p. p. of moisir to mold, fr. L. mucere to be moldy.]
A bog or quagmire.
[Obs.]
Ainsworth.


word: M'-Naught
definition:
M'-Naught

M'-Naught"
(mak*n&asuml_;t")
v. t.
(Steam Engines)
To increase the power of (a single-cylinder beam engine) by adding a small high-pressure cylinder with a piston acting on the beam between the center and the flywheel end, using high-pressure steam and working as a compound engine, -- a plan introduced by M'Naught, a Scottish engineer, in 1845.


word: Mnemonical
definition:
Mnemonical

Mnemonic

{ Mne*mon"ic (ne̝*m&obreve_;n"ĭk), Mne*mon"ic*al (ne̝*m&obreve_;n"ĭ*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; helping to remember; as, a mnemonic device.


word: mnemonic
definition:
mnemonic

mnemonic
n.
1.
Something used to assist the memory, as an easily remembered acronym or verse.

2.
An abbreviated word that resembles the full word, used so as to be easily recognized; as, the CIDE uses ... tags as mnemnonics for an italicised word or field.

 In basic organic chemistry class, one may learn the mnenomic “Oh my, such good apple pie” to help remember the names of the dicarboxylic acids in increasing order of length, namely: oxalic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, and pimelic acids. (From L. Fieser's Organic Chemistry text).


word: Mnemonics
definition:
Mnemonics

Mne*mon"ics
(?)
n.
[Gr. ta~ mnhmonika`: cf. F. mnémonique.]
The art of memory; a method for improving the memory; a system of precepts and rules intended to assist the memory; artificial memory.


word: Mnemosyne
definition:
Mnemosyne

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.


word: Mniaceae
definition:
Mniaceae

Mniaceae
prop. n.
A natural family of erect mosses with club-shaped paraphyses andgonal cells of the upper leaf surface; sometimes treated as a subfamily of Bryaceae.

Syn. -- family Mniaceae.


word: Mnium
definition:
Mnium

Mnium
prop. n.
A genus of mosses similar to those of genus Bryum but larger.

Syn. -- genus Mnium.


word: Mo
definition:
Mo

Mo
(m&omacr)
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.


word: MO
definition:
MO

MO
(_;)
abbreviation for modus operandi, manner of operating; -- often used to refer to the method an habitual criminal uses to perpetrate his crime.


word: -mo
definition:
-mo

-mo
(?)
A suffix added to the names of certain numerals or to the numerals themselves, to indicate the number of leaves made by folding a sheet of paper; as, sixteenmo or 16mo; eighteenmo or 18mo.  It is taken from the Latin forms similarly used; as, duodecimo, sextodecimo, etc.  A small circle, placed after the number and near its top, is often used for -mo; as, 16°, 18°, etc.


word: moa
definition:
moa

mo"a
(m&omacr"ȧ)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
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.


word: Moabite
definition:
Moabite

Mo"ab*ite
(?)
n.
One of the posterity of Moab, the son of Lot. (Gen. xix. 37.)  Also used adjectively.


word: Moabite stone
definition:
Moabite stone

Mo"ab*ite stone
(?)
(Archaeol.)
A block of black basalt, found at Dibon in Moab by Rev. F. A. Klein, Aug. 19, 1868, which bears an inscription of thirty-four lines, dating from the 9th century b. c., and written in the Moabite alphabet, the oldest Phoenician type of the Semitic alphabet.  It records the victories of Mesha, king of Moab, esp. those over Israel (2 Kings iii. 4, 5, 27).


word: Moan
definition:
Moan

Moan
(m&omacrn)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Moaned (m&omacrnd); 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.


word: Moan₂
definition:
Moan

Moan
v. t.
1.
To bewail audibly; to lament.

Ye floods, ye woods, ye echoes, moan
My dear Columbo, dead and gone.
Prior.

2.
To afflict; to distress.
[Obs.]

Which infinitely moans me.
Beau. & Fl.


word: Moan₃
definition:
Moan

Moan
n.
[OE. mone. See Moan, v. i.]
1.
A low prolonged sound, articulate or not, indicative of pain or of grief; a low groan.

Sullen moans, hollow groans.
Pope.

2.
A low mournful or murmuring sound; -- of things.

Rippling waters made a pleasant moan.
Byron.


word: Moat
definition:
Moat

Moat
(?)
n.
[OF. mote hill, dike, bank, F. motte clod, turf: cf. Sp. & Pg. mota bank or mound of earth, It. motta clod, LL. mota, motta, a hill on which a fort is built, an eminence, a dike, Prov. G. mott bog earth heaped up; or perh. F. motte, and OF. mote, are from a LL. p. p. of L. movere to move (see Move). The name of moat, properly meaning, bank or mound, was transferred to the ditch adjoining: cf. F. dike and ditch.]
(Fort.)
A deep trench around the rampart of a castle or other fortified place, sometimes filled with water; a ditch.


word: Mob₃
definition:
Mob

Mob
n.
[L. mobile vulgus, the movable common people. See Mobile, n.]
1.
The lower classes of a community; the populace, or the lowest part of it.

A cluster of mob were making themselves merry with their betters.
Addison.

2.
Hence:
A throng; a rabble; esp., an unlawful or riotous assembly; a disorderly crowd.

The mob of gentlemen who wrote with ease.
Pope.

Had every Athenian citizen been a Socrates, every Athenian assembly would still have been a mob.
Madison.

Confused by brainless mobs.
Tennyson.

3.
A criminal organization or organized criminal gangs, collectively; the Mafia; the syndicate; as, he was a lawyer for the mob.

Mob law, law administered by the mob; lynch law. -- Swell mob, well dressed thieves and swindlers, regarded collectively. [Slang] Dickens.


word: Mob₄
definition:
Mob

Mob
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mobbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mobbing.]
To crowd about, as a mob, and attack or annoy; as, to mob a house or a person.


word: Mobcap
definition:
Mobcap

Mob"cap`
(?)
n.
[D. mop-muts; OD. mop a woman's coif + D. muts cap.]
A plain cap or headdress for women or girls; especially, one tying under the chin by a very broad band, generally of the same material as the cap itself.
Thackeray.


word: Mobile
definition:
Mobile

Mo"bile
(?)
a.
[L. mobilis, for movibilis, fr. movere to move: cf. F. mobile. See Move.]
1.
Capable of being moved; not fixed in place or condition; movable.
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.

6.
Capable of moving readily, or moving frequenty from place to place; as, a mobile work force.

7.
Having motor vehicles to permit movement from place to place; as, a mobile library; a mobile hospital.


word: Mobile₂
definition:
Mobile

Mo"bile
(m&omacr"bĭl; L. m&obreve_;b"ĭ*lē)
n.
[L. mobile vulgus. See Mobile, a., and cf. 3d Mob.]
The mob; the populace.
[Obs.]
mobile
South.


word: Mobile₃
definition:
Mobile

Mo"bile
(m&omacr"bēl`)
n.
a form of sculpture having several sheets or rods of a stiff material attached to each other by thin wire or twine in a balanced and artfully arranged tree configuration, with the topmost member suspended in air from a support so that the parts may move independently when set in motion by a current of air.


word: Mobility
definition:
Mobility

Mo*bil"i*ty
(mo̝*bĭl"ĭ*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.


word: Mobilize
definition:
Mobilize

Mob"i*lize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mobilized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mobilizing (?).]
[F. mobiliser.]
1.
To assemble and organize and make ready for use or action; as, to mobilize volunteers for the election campaign.

Syn. -- mobilise, marshal.

2.
Specifically:
To put in a state of readiness for active service in war, as an army corps; as, to mobilize the National Guard.

Syn. -- mobilise, militarize, militarise.


word: Mobius strip
definition:
Mobius strip

Moebius strip

Mo"bi*us strip`, Mö"bi*us strip`, Moe"bi*us strip`
(?)
n.
[From August F. Möbius, a German mathematician.]
A mathematical object, or a physical representation of it, which is a two-dimensional sheet with only one surface.  It is constructed or visualized as a rectangle, one end of which is held fixed while the opposite end is twisted through a 180 degree angle and joined to the fixed end.  It is a two-dimensional object that can only exist in a three-dimensional space.

The moebius strip was the subject of a famous woodcut by M. Escher, published in 1963.  See Moebius Strip II.


word: Mobocracy
definition:
Mobocracy

Mob*oc"ra*cy
(?)
n.
[Mob rabble + -cracy, as in democracy.]
A condition in which the lower classes of a nation control public affairs without respect to law, precedents, or vested rights.

It is good name that Dr. Stevens has given to our present situation (for one can not call it a government), a mobocracy.
Walpole.


word: Mobocrat
definition:
Mobocrat

Mob"o*crat
(?)
n.
One who favors a form of government in which the unintelligent populace rules without restraint.
Bayne.


word: moccasin
definition:
moccasin

moc"ca*sin
(?)
n.
[An Indian word. Algonquin makisin.]
[Sometimes written moccason.]
1.
A shoe made of deerskin, or other soft leather, the sole and upper part being one piece.  It is the customary shoe worn by the American Indians.

2.
(Zool.)
A poisonous snake of the Southern United States.  The water moccasin (Ancistrodon piscivorus syn. Agkistrodon piscivorus, also called cottonmouth and cottonmouth water moccasin) 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.


word: Moccasined
definition:
Moccasined

Moc"ca*sined
(?)
a.
Covered with, or wearing, a moccasin or moccasins.
Moccasined
Harper's Mag.


word: Mocha
definition:
Mocha

Mo"cha
(?)
n.
1.
A seaport town of Yemen, on the Red Sea, also spelled Mukha.

2.
A variety of coffee originally brought from Mocha.

3.
An Abyssinian weight, equivalent to a Troy grain.

4.
A flavoring made from an infusion of coffee or of a combination of coffee with chocolate or cocoa.

5.
A color of a deep chocolate brown.

Mocha stone (Min.), moss agate.


word: Mock
definition:
Mock

Mock
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mocked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mocking.]
[F. moquer, of uncertain origin; cf. OD. mocken to mumble, G. mucken, OSw. mucka.]
1.
To imitate; to mimic; esp., to mimic in sport, contempt, or derision; to deride by mimicry.

To see the life as lively mocked as ever
Still sleep mocked death.
Shak.

Mocking marriage with a dame of France.
Shak.

2.
To treat with scorn or contempt; to deride.

Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud.
1 Kings xviii. 27.

Let not ambition mock their useful toil.
Gray.

3.
To disappoint the hopes of; to deceive; to tantalize; as, to mock expectation.

Thou hast mocked me, and told me lies.
Judg. xvi. 13.

He will not . . . 
Mock us with his blest sight, then snatch him hence.
Milton.


word: Mock₂
definition:
Mock

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.


word: Mock₃
definition:
Mock

Mock
n.
1.
An act of ridicule or derision; a scornful or contemptuous act or speech; a sneer; a jibe; a jeer.

Fools make a mock at sin.
Prov. xiv. 9.

2.
Imitation; mimicry.
[R.]
Crashaw.


word: Mock₄
definition:
Mock

Mock
a.
Imitating reality, but not real; false; counterfeit; assumed; sham.

That superior greatness and mock majesty.
Spectator.

Mock bishop's weed (Bot.), a genus of slender umbelliferous herbs (Discopleura) growing in wet places. -- Mock heroic, burlesquing the heroic; as, a mock heroic poem. -- Mock lead. See Blende (a). -- Mock nightingale (Zool.), the European blackcap. -- Mock orange (Bot.), a genus of American and Asiatic shrubs (Philadelphus), with showy white flowers in panicled cymes.  Philadelphus 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.


word: Mockado
definition:
Mockado

Mock"a*do
(?)
n.
A stuff made in imitation of velvet; -- probably the same as mock velvet.
[Obs.]

Our rich mockado doublet.
Ford.


word: Mocker
definition:
Mocker

Mock"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, mocks; a scorner; a scoffer; a derider.

2.
A deceiver; an impostor.

3.
(Zool.)
A mocking bird.


word: mocker nut
definition:
mocker nut

mockernut

mockernut, mocker nut
n.
1.
(Bot.)
A smooth-barked North American hickory (Carya tomentosa) with 7 to 9 leaflets bearing a hard-shelled edible nut, which is far inferior to the true shagbark hickory nut.

Syn. -- mockernut hickory, black hickory, white-heart hickory, big-bud hickory, Carya tomentosa .

2.
The fruit of the mockernut{1}.


word: Mockery
definition:
Mockery

Mock"er*y
(?)
n.
pl. Mockeries (#).
[F. moquerie.]
1.
The act of mocking, deriding, and exposing to contempt, by mimicry, by insincere imitation, or by a false show of earnestness; a counterfeit appearance.

It is, as the air, invulnerable,
And our vain blows malicious mockery.
Shak.

Grace at meals is now generally so performed as to look more like a mockery upon devotion than any solemn application of the mind to God.
Law.

And bear about the mockery of woe.
Pope.

2.
Insulting or contemptuous action or speech; contemptuous merriment; derision; ridicule.

The laughingstock of fortune's mockeries.
Spenser.

3.
Subject of laughter, derision, or sport.

The cruel handling of the city whereof they made a mockery.
2 Macc. viii. 17.


word: Mocking
definition:
Mocking

Mock"ing
a.
Imitating, esp. in derision, or so as to cause derision; mimicking; derisive.

Mocking thrush (Zool.), any species of the genus Harporhynchus, as the brown thrush (Harporhynchus rufus). -- Mocking wren (Zool.), any American wren of the genus Thryothorus, esp. Thryothorus Ludovicianus.


word: mocking bird
definition:
mocking bird

mockingbird

mockingbird, mocking bird
n.
(Zool.)
A long-tailed gray-and-white songbird of North America (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.  Originally its range was confined mostly to the southern states, but by late 19th century it had migrated as far north as New York.  The name is also applied to other members of thee same and related genera, found in Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies, such as the blue mockingbird of Mexico, Melanotis caerulescens.

Syn. -- mocker, Mimus polyglottos .


word: Moco
definition:
Moco

Mo"co
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A South American rodent (Cavia rupestris), allied to the Guinea pig, but larger; -- called also rock cavy.


word: Modal
definition:
Modal

Mo"dal
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. modal. See Mode.]
1.
Of or pertaining to a mode or mood; consisting in mode or form only; relating to form; having the form without the essence or reality.
Glanvill.

2.
(Logic & Metaph.)
Indicating, or pertaining to, some mode of conceiving existence, or of expressing thought, such as the modes of possibility or obligation.

3.
(Gram.)
Pertaining to or denoting mood.


word: modal auxiliary
definition:
modal auxiliary

mo"dal aux*il"iar*y
(?)
(Gram.)
n.
Any one of the auxiliary verbs of English, such as can, may, will, shall, must, might, could, would, or should, which are used together with the infinitive form of another verb to express distinctions of mood{2}, such as uncertainty, possibility, command, emphasis, and obligation.


word: Modalist
definition:
Modalist

Mo"dal*ist
n.
(Theol.)
One who regards Father, Son, and Spirit as modes of being, and not as persons, thus denying personal distinction in the Trinity.
Eadie.


word: Modality
definition:
Modality

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.


word: modal logic
definition:
modal logic

mo"dal log"ic
(?)
n.
A system of logic which studies how to combine propositions which include the concepts of necessity, possibility, and obligation.


word: Modally
definition:
Modally

Mo"dal*ly
(?)
adv.
In a modal manner.

A compound proposition, the parts of which are united modally . . . by the particles  “as” and “so.”
Gibbs.


word: Mode
definition:
Mode

Mode
(m&omacrd)
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.

&hand_; In modern music, only the major and the minor mode, of whatever key, are recognized.

8.
A kind of silk. See Alamode, n.

9.
(Gram.)
the value of the variable in a frequency distribution or probability distribution, at which the probability or frequency has a maximum.  The maximum may be local or global.  Distributions with only one such maximum are called unimodal; with two maxima, bimodal, and with more than two, multimodal.


word: Model
definition:
Model

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; as, a 1/100 scale model of the B-52 bomber.

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 for an artist; as, the artist used his daughter as a model for an Indian maiden.

7.
A person who is employed to wear clothing for the purpose of advertising or display, or who poses with a product for the same purpose; a mannequin{1}; as, a fashion model.

Syn. -- mannequin{1}.

A professional model.
H. James.

8.
A particular version or design of an object that is made in multiple versions; as, the 1993 model of the Honda Accord; the latest model of the HP laserjet printer.  For many manufactured products, the model name is encoded as part of the model number.

Syn. -- modification{2}.

9.
An abstract and often simplified conceptual representation of the workings of a system of objects in the real world, which often includes mathematical or logical objects and relations representing the objects and relations in the real-world system, and constructed for the purpose of explaining the workings of the system or predicting its behavior under hypothetical conditions; as, the administration's model of the United States economy predicts budget surpluses for the next fifteen years; different models of the universe assume different values for the cosmological constant; models of proton structure have grown progressively more complex in the past century.

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.


word: Model₂
definition:
Model

Mod"el
(?)
a.
Suitable to be taken as a model or pattern; as, a model house; a model husband.


word: Model₃
definition:
Model

Mod"el
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Modeled (?) or Modelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Modeling or Modelling.]
[Cf. F. modeler, It. modellare.]
To plan or form after a pattern; to form in model; to form a model or pattern for; to shape; to mold; to fashion; as, to model a house or a government; to model an edifice according to the plan delineated.


word: Model₄
definition:
Model

Mod"el
v. i.
(Fine Arts)
To make a copy or a pattern; to design or imitate forms; as, to model in wax.


word: modeled
definition:
modeled

modeled
adj.
resembling sculpture; as, her finely modeled features.

Syn. -- sculptural, sculptured, sculpturesque.


word: Modeling
definition:
Modeling

Mod"el*ing
n.
(Fine Arts)
The act or art of making a model from which a work of art is to be executed; the formation of a work of art from some plastic material. Also, in painting, drawing, etc., the expression or indication of solid form.
[Written also modelling.]

Modeling plane, a small plane for planing rounded objects. -- Modeling wax, beeswax melted with a little Venice turpentine, or other resinous material, and tinted with coloring matter, usually red, -- used in modeling.


word: modem
definition:
modem

mo"dem
(m&omacr"dĕm)
n.
[by shortening from modulator-demodulator.]
An electronic device that converts electronic signals into sound waves, and sound waves into electronic signals, used to transmit information between computers by the use of ordinary telephone lines; also called modulator-demodulator; as, the latest modems can transmit data at 56,000 baud over a clear telephone line.  The speed of transmission of information by a modem is usually measured in units of baud, equivalent to bits per second.


word: Modenese
definition:
Modenese

Mod`e*nese"
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to Modena or its inhabitants.
n. sing. & pl. A native or inhabitant of Modena; the people of Modena.


word: Moder
definition:
Moder

Mo"der
(?)
n.
[OE. See Mother female parent.]
1.
A mother.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

2.
The principal piece of an astrolabe, into which the others are fixed.
[Obs.]


word: Moderate
definition:
Moderate

Mod"er*ate
(?)
a.
[L. moderatus, p. p. of moderate, moderati, to moderate, regulate, control, fr. modus measure. See Mode.]
Kept within due bounds; observing reasonable limits; not excessive, extreme, violent, or rigorous; limited; restrained
(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 moderate Republican.

A number of moderate members managed . . . to obtain a majority in a thin house.
Swift.


word: Moderate₂
definition:
Moderate

Mod"er*ate
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a party in the Church of Scotland in the 18th century, and part of the 19th, professing moderation in matters of church government, in discipline, and in doctrine.


word: Moderate₃
definition:
Moderate

Mod"er*ate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Moderated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Moderating.]
1.
To restrain from excess of any kind; to reduce from a state of violence, intensity, or excess; to keep within bounds; to make temperate; to lessen; to allay; to repress; to temper; to qualify; as, to moderate rage, action, desires, etc.; to moderate heat or wind.

By its astringent quality, it moderates the relaxing quality of warm water.
Arbuthnot.

To moderate stiff minds disposed to strive.
Spenser.

2.
To preside over, direct, or regulate, as a public meeting or a discussion; as, to moderate a synod; to moderate a debate.


word: Moderate₄
definition:
Moderate

Mod"er*ate
v. i.
1.
To become less violent, severe, rigorous, or intense; as, the wind has moderated.

2.
To preside as a moderator.

Dr. Barlow [was] engaged . . . to moderate for him in the divinity disputation.
Bp. Barlow's Remains (1693).


word: moderated
definition:
moderated

moderated
adj.
having elements or qualities mixed in proper or suitable proportions; especially, made less severe.  Contrasted with harsh.

Syn. -- qualified, tempered.


word: Moderately
definition:
Moderately

Mod"er*ate*ly
(?)
adv.
In a moderate manner or degree; to a moderate extent.

Each nymph but moderately fair.
Waller.


word: Moderateness
definition:
Moderateness

Mod"er*ate*ness
n.
The quality or state of being moderate; temperateness; moderation.


word: moderating
definition:
moderating

moderating
adj.
lessening in intensity or strength.  Opposite of intensifying.
tempering
weakening


word: Moderation
definition:
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.


word: Moderatism
definition:
Moderatism

Mod"er*a*tism
(m&obreve_;d"ẽr*a̝*tĭz'm)
n.
Moderation in doctrines or opinion, especially in politics or religion.


word: Moderato
definition:
Moderato

Mod`e*ra"to
(?)
a. & adv.
[It. See Moderate.]
(Mus.)
With a moderate degree of quickness; moderately.

Allegro moderato, a little slower than allegro. -- Andante moderato, a little faster than andante.


word: Moderator
definition:
Moderator

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 or discussion 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.


word: Modern
definition:
Modern

Mod"ern
(?)
a.
[F. moderne, L. modernus; akin to modo just now, orig. abl. of modus measure; hence, by measure, just now. See Mode.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the present time, or time not long past; late; not ancient or remote in past time; of recent period; as, modern days, ages, or time; modern authors; modern fashions; modern taste; modern practice.
Bacon.

2.
New and common; trite; commonplace.
[Obs.]

We have our philosophical persons, to make modern and familiar, things supernatural and causeless.
Shak.

Modern English. See the Note under English.


word: Modernism
definition:
Modernism

Mod"ern*ism
(?)
n.
1.
Modern practice; a thing of recent date; esp., a modern usage or mode of expression.

2.
Certain methods and tendencies which, in Biblical questions, apologetics, and the theory of dogma, in the endeavor to reconcile the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church with the conclusions of modern science, replace the authority of the church by purely subjective criteria; -- so called officially by Pope Pius X.


word: Modernist
definition:
Modernist

Mod"ern*ist
n.
[Cf. F. moderniste.]
1.
One who admires the moderns, or their ways and fashions.

2.
An advocate of the teaching of modern subjects, as modern languages, in preference to the ancient classics.


word: modernistic
definition:
modernistic

modernistic
adj.
Conspicuously (sometimes outrageously) modern in style or appearance; as, shiny tables in modernistic design.


word: Modernization
definition:
Modernization

Mod`ern*i*za"tion
(?)
n.
The act of rendering modern in style; the act or process of causing to conform to modern of thinking or acting.


word: Modernize
definition:
Modernize

Mod"ern*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Modernized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Modernizing (?).]
[Cf. F. moderniser.]
To render modern; to adapt to modern person or things; to cause to conform to recent or present usage or taste.
Percy.


word: Modest
definition:
Modest

Mod"est
(?)
a.
[F. modeste, L. modestus, fr. modus measure. See Mode.]
1.
Restraining within due limits of propriety; not forward, bold, boastful, or presumptious; rather retiring than pushing one's self forward; not obstructive; as, a modest youth; a modest man.

2.
Observing the proprieties of the sex; not unwomanly in act or bearing; free from undue familiarity, indecency, or lewdness; decent in speech and demeanor; -- said of a woman.

Mrs. Ford, the honest woman, the modest wife.
Shak.

The blushing beauties of a modest maid.
Dryden.

3.
Evincing modestly in the actor, author, or speaker; not showing presumption; not excessive or extreme; moderate; as, a modest request; modest joy.


word: Modesty
definition:
Modesty

Mod"es*ty
(?)
n.
[L. modestia: cf. F. modestie. See Modest.]
1.
The quality or state of being modest; that lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one's own worth and importance; absence of self-assertion, arrogance, and presumption; humility respecting one's own merit.

2.
Natural delicacy or shame regarding personal charms and the sexual relation; purity of thought and manners; due regard for propriety in speech or action.

Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.
Shak.

Modesty piece, a narrow piece of lace worn by women over the bosom. [Obs.] Addison.


word: Modicity
definition:
Modicity

Mo*dic"i*ty
(?)
n.
[LL. modicitas; cf. F. modicité.]
Moderateness; smallness; meanness.
[Obs.]


word: Modicum
definition:
Modicum

Mod"i*cum
(?)
n.
[L., fr. modicus moderate, fr. modus. See Mode.]
A little; a small quantity; a measured supply.
Modicums
Shak.

Her usual modicum of beer and punch.
Thackeray.


word: Modifiability
definition:
Modifiability

Mod`i*fi`a*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
Capability of being modified; state or quality of being modifiable.


word: Modifiable
definition:
Modifiable

Mod"i*fi`a*ble
(?)
a.
[From Modify.]
Capable of being modified; liable to modification.


word: Modification
definition:
Modification

Mod`i*fi*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. modificatio a measuring: cf. F. modification. See Modify.]
1.
The act of modifying, or the state of being modified; a change; as, the modification of an opinion, or of a machine.
Bentley.

Syn. -- change, alteration, adjustment.

2.
Something which has been modified; a modified form or condition; state as modified; as, the various modifications of light; the latest modification of the operating system crashes less frequently.

Syn. -- model{8}.

3.
(Gram.)
The alteration of the meaning of a word or phrase by another word or phrase; -- usually a restriction of the scope of the word modified; as, in the phrase “a billion dollars is a relatively small sum to spend on cancer research” the modification of small by relatively is needed to make the sentence accurate, rather than ludicrous.


word: Modifier
definition:
Modifier

Mod"i*fi`er
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, modifies.
Hume.

2.
(Gram.)
A word or phrase that modifies another word, phrase, or sentence, usually by limiting the scope or restricting the meaning of the sentence element modified.


word: Modify
definition:
Modify

Mod"i*fy
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Modified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Modifying (?).]
[F. modifier, L. modificare, modificari; modus limit + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Mode, and -fy.]
1.
To change somewhat the form or qualities of; to change a part of something while leaving most parts unchanged; 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.


word: Modillion
definition:
Modillion

Mo*dil"lion
(?)
n.
[F. modillon, It. modiglione.  Cf. Module, n.]
(Arch.)
The enriched block or horizontal bracket generally found under the cornice of the Corinthian and Composite entablature, and sometimes, less ornamented, in the Ionic and other orders; -- so called because of its arrangement at regulated distances.


word: Modiolar
definition:
Modiolar

Mo*di"o*lar
(?)
a.
[L. modiolus, dim. of modius the Roman corn measure.]
Shaped like a bushel measure.


word: Modiolus
definition:
Modiolus

Mo*di"o*lus
(?)
n.
pl. Modioli (#).
[L., a small measure.]
(Anat.)
The central column in the osseous cochlea of the ear.


word: Modish
definition:
Modish

Mod"ish
(?)
a.
According to the mode, or customary manner; conformed to the fashion; fashionable; hence, conventional; as, a modish dress; a modish feast.
Dryden.
Modish
Barrow.


word: Modiste
definition:
Modiste

Mo`diste"
(?)
n.
[F. See Mode; cf. Modist.]
One, esp. a woman, who makes, or deals in, articles of fashion, esp. of the fashionable dress of ladies; a dress-maker or milliner.


word: Modocs
definition:
Modocs

Mo"docs
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Modoc (_;)
(Ethnol.)
A tribe of warlike Indians formerly inhabiting Northern California. They are nearly extinct.


word: Modular
definition:
Modular

Mod"u*lar
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to mode, modulation, module, or modius; as, modular arrangement; modular accent; modular measure.


word: Modulate
definition:
Modulate

Mod"u*late
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Modulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Modulating (?).]
[L. modulatus, p. p. of modulari to measure, to modulate, fr. modulus a small measure, meter, melody, dim. of modus. See Mode.]
1.
To form, as sound, to a certain key, or to a certain portion.

2.
To vary or inflect in a natural, customary, or musical manner; as, the organs of speech modulate the voice in reading or speaking.

Could any person so modulate her voice as to deceive so many?
Broome.

3.
(Electronics)
To alter the amplitude, frequency, phase, or intensity of (the carrier wave of a radio signal) at intervals, so as to represent information to be conveyed by the signal; -- a technique used to convey information by means of radio waves transmitted by one electronic device and received by another.


word: modulated
definition:
modulated

modulated
adj.
(Electronics)
1.
Having either amplitude, intensity, frequency, or phase altered at intervals to represent information to be transmitted; -- of the carrier wave of a radio signal transmitted from one device to another for the purpose of conveying information.  Opposite of unmodulated.
frequency modulated
amplitude modulated

2.
altered in volume as well as tone or pitch.


word: Modulation
definition:
Modulation

Mod`u*la"tion
(?)
n.
[L. modulatio: cf. F. modulation.]
1.
The act of modulating, or the state of being modulated; as, the modulation of the voice.

2.
Sound modulated; melody.
[R.]
Thomson.

3.
(Mus.)
A change of key, whether transient, or until the music becomes established in the new key; a shifting of the tonality of a piece, so that the harmonies all center upon a new keynote or tonic; the art of transition out of the original key into one nearly related, and so on, it may be, by successive changes, into a key quite remote. There are also sudden and unprepared modulations.

4.
(Electronics)
The alteration of hte amplitude, intensity, frequency, or phase (of the carrier wave of a radio signal) at intervals, so as to represent information to be transmitted.


word: modulator-demodulator
definition:
modulator-demodulator

mod"u*la`tor-de`mod"u*la`tor
(?)
n.
An electronic device that converts electronic signals into sound waves, and sound waves into electronic signals, used to transmit information between computers by the use of ordinary telephone lines; usually called a modem.


word: Module
definition:
Module

Mod"ule
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. modulus a small measure, dim. of modus. See Mode, and cf. Model, Modulus, Mold a matrix.]
1.
A model or measure.

2.
(Arch.)
The size of some one part, as the diameter of semi-diameter of the base of a shaft, taken as a unit of measure by which the proportions of the other parts of the composition are regulated. Generally, for columns, the semi-diameter is taken, and divided into a certain number of parts, called minutes (see Minute), though often the diameter is taken, and any dimension is said to be so many modules and minutes in height, breadth, or projection.


word: Module₂
definition:
Module

Mod"ule
v. t.
[See module, n., Modulate.]
To model; also, to modulate.
[Obs.]
Sandys. Drayton.


word: Modulus
definition:
Modulus

Mod"u*lus
(?)
n.
pl. Moduli (#).
[L., a small measure. See Module, n.]
(Math., Mech., & Physics)
A quantity or coefficient, or constant, which expresses the measure of some specified force, property, or quality, as of elasticity, strength, efficiency, etc.; a parameter.

Modulus of a machine, a formula expressing the work which a given machine can perform under the conditions involved in its construction; the relation between the work done upon a machine by the moving power, and that yielded at the working points, either constantly, if its motion be uniform, or in the interval of time which it occupies in passing from any given velocity to the same velocity again, if its motion be variable; -- called also the efficiency of the machine. Mosley. Rankine. -- Modulus of a system of logarithms (Math.), a number by which all the Napierian logarithms must be multiplied to obtain the logarithms in another system. -- Modulus of elasticity. (a) The measure of the elastic force of any substance, expressed by the ratio of a stress on a given unit of the substance to the accompanying distortion, or strain. (b) An expression of the force (usually in terms of the height in feet or weight in pounds of a column of the same body) which would be necessary to elongate a prismatic body of a transverse section equal to a given unit, as a square inch or foot, to double, or to compress it to half, its original length, were that degree of elongation or compression possible, or within the limits of elasticity; -- called also Young's modulus. -- Modulus of rupture, the measure of the force necessary to break a given substance across, as a beam, expressed by eighteen times the load which is required to break a bar of one inch square, supported flatwise at two points one foot apart, and loaded in the middle between the points of support. Rankine.


word: Modus
definition:
Modus

Mo"dus
(?)
n.
pl. Modi (#).
[L. See Mode.]
(Old Law)
1.
The arrangement of, or mode of expressing, the terms of a contract or conveyance.

2.
(Law)
A qualification involving the idea of variation or departure from some general rule or form, in the way of either restriction or enlargement, according to the circumstances of the case, as in the will of a donor, an agreement between parties, and the like.
Bracton.

3.
(Law)
A fixed compensation or equivalent given instead of payment of tithes in kind, expressed in full by the phrase modus decimandi.
Blackstone.

They, from time immemorial, had paid a modus, or composition.
Landor.


word: Modus vivendi
definition:
Modus vivendi

Mo"dus vi*ven"di
(?)
[L.]
Mode, or manner, of living; hence, a temporary arrangement of affairs until disputed matters can be settled.


word: Moebles
definition:
Moebles

Moe"bles
(?)
n. pl.
[OE., fr. OF. moeble, mueble, movable, from L. mobilis.]
Movables; furniture; -- also used in the singular (moeble).
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Moesogothic
definition:
Moesogothic

Moe`so*goth"ic
(?)
a.
Belonging to the Moesogoths, a branch of the Goths who settled in Moesia.


word: Mog
definition:
Mog

Mog
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mogged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mogging.]
[Etym. unknown.]
To move away; to go off.
[Prov. Eng. or Local, U. S.]


word: Mogen David
definition:
Mogen David

Mogen David
(?)
n.
[Hebrew, shield of David.]
A hexagram{1a}, when used as the symbol of Judaism; called also Magen David and Star of David.  It is included on the flag of the state of Israel

Syn. -- Star of David, Magen David.


word: Mogul
definition:
Mogul

Mo*gul"
(?)
n.
[From the Mongolian.]
1.
A person of the Mongolian race.

2.
Specifically:
Any of the Mongolian peoples who conquered parts of India and established an empire lasting from 1526 to 1857.  Also, any of their descendents.

3.
(Railroad)
A heavy locomotive for freight traffic, having three pairs of connected driving wheels and a two-wheeled truck.

4.
A great personage; magnate; autocrat; as, an industrial mogul.

Great Mogul, or Grand Mogul, the sovereign of the empire founded in Hindustan by the Mongols under Baber in the sixteenth century.  Hence, a very important personage; a lord; -- sometimes only mogul or Moghul.
Dryden.


word: Mogul₂
definition:
Mogul

Moghul

Mo*ghul", Mo*gul"
(?)
prop. a.
[See Mogul, n..]
Of or pertaining to the Moguls{2}; as, The Taj Mahal, the most beautiful piece of Mogul architecture, was built by the Mogul emperor Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife.


word: Mogul empire
definition:
Mogul empire

Moghul empire

Mo*ghul" empire, Mo*gul" empire
(?)
prop. a.
[See Mogul, n..]
The empire created in India by invading Mongolians (Tatars), established under Baber, who conquered Hindustan in 1526.  The established religion of the empire was Islam.  After the death of the Great Mogul Aurung-Zeb in 1707, power passed to the Mahrattas and the British.  The empire existed only nominally in the early 1800's, and was finally abolished in 1857 by the deposing of the last emperor.


word: Mohair
definition:
Mohair

Mo"hair`
(?)
n.
[F. moire, perh. from Ar. mukhayyar a kind of coarse camelot or haircloth; but prob. fr. L. marmoreus of marble, resembling marble.  Cf. Moire, Marble.]
The long silky hair or wool of the Angora goat of Asia Minor; also, a fabric made from this material, or an imitation of such fabric.


word: Mohammed
definition:
Mohammed

Mohammed
(m&omacr*hăm"mĕd)
n.
['The praised one'.]
[Also spelled Mahomed, Mahomet, Muhammad (the Arabic form), Mahmoud, Mehemet, etc.]
The prophet who founded Islam (570-632).

Syn. -- Muhammad, Mahomet, Mahmoud.


word: Mohammedan
definition:
Mohammedan

Mo*ham"med*an
(?)
a.
[From Mohammed, fr. Ar. muhámmad praiseworthy, highly praised.]
Of or pertaining to Mohammed, or to Islam, the religion and institutions founded by Mohammed; in the latter sense, synonymous with Islamic, the term preferred by Moslems.
[Written also Mahometan, Mahomedan, Muhammadan, etc.]


word: Mohammedan₂
definition:
Mohammedan

Mo*ham"med*an
n.
A follower of Mohammed, the founder of Islam (also called Islamism or Mohammedanism); an adherent of Islam; one who professes Islam; a Muslim; a Moslem; a Musselman; -- this term is used mostly by non-Moslems, and some Moslems find it offensive.
[Written also Muhammadan, Mahometan, Mahomedan, etc.]


word: Mohammedan calendar
definition:
Mohammedan calendar

Mo*ham"med*an cal"en*dar
The Muslim calendar, a lunar calendar reckoning from the year of the hegira (hejira), 622 a. d. Thirty of its years constitute a cycle, of which the 2d, 5th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 24th, 26th, and 29th are leap years, having 355 days; the others are common, having 354 days.
By the following tables any Mohammedan date may be changed into the Christian date, or vice versa, for the years 1900-1935 a. d.


Months of the Mohammedan year.


 1 Muharram . . . .. 30
 2 Safar . . . . . . .. 29
 3 Rabia I . . . . . . 30
 4 Rabia II . . . .. 29
 5 Jumada I . . . .. 30
 6 Jumada II . . . . 29
 7 Rajab . . . . . . .. 30
 8 Shaban . . . . . . . 29
 9 Ramadan . . . . . . 30
10 Shawwal . . . . . . 29
11 Zu'lkadah . . . . 30
12 Zu'lhijjah . . . 29*
* in leap year, 30 days


a. h. a. d.  a. h.   a. d.
--------------------------------------------------------------
1317   begins May 12, 1899        1336*  begins  Oct.17, 1917
1318          May  1, 1900        1337           Oct. 7, 1918
1319*         Apr.20, 1901        1338*          Sept.26,1919
1320          Apr.10, 1902        1339           Sept.15,1920
1321+         Mar.30, 1903        1340           Sept.4, 1921
1322*         Mar.18, 1904        1341*          Aug.24, 1922
1323          Mar. 8, 1905        1342           Aug.14, 1923
1324          Feb.25, 1906        1343           Aug. 2, 1924
1325*         Feb.14, 1907        1344*          July 22,1925
1326          Feb. 4, 1908        1345           July 12,1926
1327*         Jan.23, 1909        1346*          July 1, 1927
1328          Jan.13, 1910        1347           June 20,1928
1329          Jan. 2, 1911        1348           June 9, 1929
1330*         Dec.22, 1911        1349*          May 29, 1930
1331          Dec.11, 1912        1350           May 19, 1931
1332          Nov.30, 1913        1351++         May  7, 1932
1333*         Nov.19, 1914        1352*          Apr.26, 1933
1334          Nov. 9, 1915        1353           Apr.16, 1934
1335          Oct.28, 1916        1354           Apr. 5, 1935
-----------------------------------------------------------------
* Leap year  + First year of the 45th cycle
++ First year of the 46th cycle


   The following general rule for finding the date of commencement of any Mohammedan year has a maximum error of a day: Multiply 970,224 by the Mohammedan year, point off six decimal places, and add 621.5774. The whole number will be the year a. d., and the decimal multiplied by 365 will give the day of the year.

 The Mohammedan calendar is one of the most primitive. It is strictly a Lunar calendar, the year consisting of twelve lunar months, which retrograde through the seasons in about 321/2 years.  To reconcile the lunar cycle to a given number of complete days, a leap year is introduced on the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 24th, 26th and 29th years of a thirty year cycle, making these years consist of 355 days instead of 354.  The names of the months and the number of days are: 1, Muharram (30); 2, Saphar (29); 3, Rabia I (30); 4, Rabia II (29); 5, Jomada I (30); 6, Jomada II (29); 7, Rajah (30); 8, Shaaban (29); 9, Ramadan (30); 10, Shawaal (29); 11, Dulkasda (30); and 12, Dulheggia (29 or 30).  The years are calculated from July 16, 622 A.D., the day following the Hegira, the flight of Mohammed from Mecca to Medina after an attempted assassination.  The beginning of the 46th cycle, with the first day of Muharram, in the year 1351, compares to May 7, 1932 of the Gregorian calendar; continuing: 1365 Dec. 6, 1945 1366 Nov. 25, 1946 1367 Nov. 15, 1947 1368 Nov. 3, 1948 1369 Oct. 24, 1949 1370 Oct. 13, 1950 1371 Oct. 2, 1951 1372 Sept. 21, 1952 1373 Sept. 10, 1953 1374 Aug. 30, 1954 To find the Gregorian equivalent to any Mohammedan date multiply 970,224 by the Mohammedan year, point off six decimal places and add 621.5774. The whole number will be the year A.D., and the decimal multiplied by 365 will be the day of the year. 
http://www.arsakeio.gr/universe/timeref1.htm


word: Mohammedan Era
definition:
Mohammedan Era

Mohammedan Era
prop. n.
The era in use in Moslem countries. See Mohammedan year, below.


word: Mohammedism
definition:
Mohammedism

Mohammedanism

{ Mo*ham"med*an*ism, Mo*ham"med*ism  }
(?)
prop. n.
The religion, or doctrines and precepts, of Mohammed, contained in the Koran; Islamism; Islam.  The term Islam is preferred by most Moslems, and some find the term Mohammedanism to be offensive, as they worship Allah, not Mohammed.


word: Mohammedize
definition:
Mohammedize

Mohammedanize

{ Mo*ham"med*an*ize, Mo*ham"med*ize  }
(?)
prop. v. t.
To make conformable to the principles, or customs and rites, of Islam.
[Written also Mahometanize.]


word: Mohammedan year
definition:
Mohammedan year

Mohammedan year
prop. n.
The year used by Muslims, consisting of twelve lunar months without intercalation, so that they retrograde through all the seasons in about 321/2 years.  The Mohammedan era begins with the year 622 a. d., the first day of the Mohammedan year 1332 being Nov. 30, 1913, according to the Gregorian calendar.


word: Mohawk
definition:
Mohawk

Mo"hawk
(?)
prop. 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.


word: Mohicans
definition:
Mohicans

Mo*hi"cans
(?)
prop. n. pl.
sing. Mohican (_;)
(Ethnol.)
A tribe of Lenni-Lenape Indians who formerly inhabited Western Connecticut and Eastern New York.
[Written also Mohegans.]


word: Moho
definition:
Moho

Mo"ho
(?)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
A gallinule (Notornis Mantelli) formerly inhabiting New Zealand, but now supposed to be extinct.  It was incapable of flight. See Notornis.


word: Moho₂
definition:
Moho

Mo"ho
(?)
n.
[Short for Mohorovicic discontinuity, from Andrija Mohorovičić, a Yugoslavian geologist.]
(Geol.)
The boundary between the earth's crust and the semiliquid mantle beneath.  It varies in depth from 3 miles beneath the surface at certain points in the ocean to over 25 miles under certain parts of continents.


word: Mohr
definition:
Mohr

Mohr
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
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.]


word: Mohur
definition:
Mohur

Mo"hur
(?)
n.
[Hind., fr. Per. muhur, muhr, a gold coin, a seal, seal ring.]
A British Indian gold coin, of the value of fifteen silver rupees, or $7.21 (in 1913).
Malcom.


word: Muharram
definition:
Muharram

Mohurrum

{ &VerbarMo*hur"rum (?), &VerbarMu*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 Muslims held during the first ten days of the month Mohurrum.


word: Moidore
definition:
Moidore

Moi"dore
(?)
n.
[Pg. moeda d'ouro, lit., coin of gold.  Cf. Money, and Aureate.]
A gold coin of Portugal, valued at about 27s. sterling.


word: Moiety
definition:
Moiety

Moi"e*ty
(moi"e̝*t&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Moieties (moi"e̝*tĭz).
[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.


word: Moil
definition:
Moil

Moil
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Moiled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Moiling.]
[OE. moillen to wet, OF. moillier, muillier, F. mouller, fr. (assumed) LL. molliare, fr. L. mollis soft. See Mollify.]
To daub; to make dirty; to soil; to defile.

Thou . . . doest thy mind in dirty pleasures moil.
Spenser.


word: Moil₂
definition:
Moil

Moil
v. i.
[From Moil to daub; prob. from the idea of struggling through the wet.]
To soil one's self with severe labor; to work with painful effort; to labor; to toil; to drudge.

Moil not too much under ground.
Bacon.

Now he must moil and drudge for one he loathes.
Dryden.


word: Moineau
definition:
Moineau

Moi"neau
(?)
n.
[F.]
(Fort.)
A small flat bastion, raised in the middle of an overlong curtain.


word: Moira
definition:
Moira

Moi"ra
(moi"rȧ)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. Moi^ra.]
(Greek Myth.)
The deity who assigns to every man his lot.


word: Moire
definition:
Moire

Moire
(mwär)
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; moi`ré.


word: Moire₂
definition:
Moire

Moi`ré"
(mwä`rā"; m&omacr"rā)
n.
1.
A watered, clouded, or frosted appearance on textile fabrics or metallic surfaces.

2.
Erroneously, moire, the fabric.

3.
A wavy pattern of lines produced by the superposition of two patterns having closely spaced, often curved, lines, so that the lines of the two patterns intersect at an acute angle.  When the superposing patterns are moved relative to the observer or relative to each other, a shimmering effect is produced in which the apparent pattern changes, often producing a pleasing artistic effect.  The effect may be seen, for example, when the superposed folds of a sheer fabric, such as a window curtain, are observed with transmitted light.

Syn. -- moire pattern.

4.
(Printing)
An interference pattern produced by the dots of a color printing process.

Moire antique, a superior kind of thick moire.


word: Moire₃
definition:
Moire

Moi`ré"
(?)
a.
[F., p.p. of moirer to water (silk, etc.). See Moire.]
Watered; having a watered or clouded appearance; -- as of silk or metals.


word: Moire₄
definition:
Moire

Moi*ré"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Moiréed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Moiréeing (?).]
Moire
[F. moiré.]
To give a watered or clouded appearance to (a surface).


word: Moire metallique
definition:
Moire metallique

Moi`ré" mé`tal`lique"
(?)
[F.]
A crystalline or frosted appearance produced by some acids on tin plate; also, the tin plate thus treated.


word: Moist
definition:
Moist

Moist
(?)
a.
[OE. moiste, OF. moiste, F. moite, fr. L. muccidus, for mucidus, moldy, musty.  Cf. Mucus, Mucid.]
1.
Moderately wet; damp; humid; not dry; as, a moist atmosphere or air.
Moist
Shak.

2.
Fresh, or new.
[Obs.]
moist
moist
Chaucer.


word: Moisten
definition:
Moisten

Mois"ten
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Moistened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Moistening.]
1.
To make damp; to wet in a small degree.

A pipe a little moistened on the inside.
Bacon.

2.
To soften by making moist; to make tender.

It moistened not his executioner's heart with any pity.
Fuller.


word: Moisture
definition:
Moisture

Mois"ture
(?)
n.
[Cf. OF. moistour, F. moiteur.]
1.
A moderate degree of wetness.
Bacon.

2.
That which moistens or makes damp or wet; exuding fluid; liquid in small quantity.

All my body's moisture
Scarce serves to quench my furnace-burning heat.
Shak.


word: Mojarra
definition:
Mojarra

Mo*jar"ra
(?)
n.
[Sp.]
Any of certain basslike marine fishes (mostly of tropical seas, and having a deep, compressed body, protracile mouth, and large silvery scales) constituting the family Gerridae, as Gerres plumieri, found from Florida to Brazil and used as food.  Also, any of numerous other fishes of similar appearance but belonging to other families.


word: Moke
definition:
Moke

Moke
(?)
n.
1.
A stupid person; a dolt.

2.
A donkey.
[Cant]
Thackeray.

3.
A negro.
[U. S.]

4.
(Theat. Slang)
[More fully musical moke.]
A performer, as a minstrel, who plays on several instruments.


word: Moky
definition:
Moky

Mo"ky
(?)
a.
[Cf. Icel. mökkvi cloud, mist, mökkr a dense cloud, W. mwg smoke, and E. muggy, muck.]
Misty; dark; murky; muggy.
[Obs.]


word: mol
definition:
mol

mol
n.
(Chem.)
A quantity of a substance equal to the molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams; a gram molecule; the basic unit of amount of substance adopted under the System International d'Unites; as, he added two mols of dextrose to the medium.

Syn. -- gram molecule, mole.


word: molal
definition:
molal

molal
adj.
(Chem.)
Being at a concentration with the designated number of moles (of solute) per 1000 grams of solvent; as, an 0.5 molal solution of glycerol in water.  Compare molar.


word: molality
definition:
molality

molality
n.
(Chem.)
A measure of concentaration of substances in mixtures, 1 molal being the concentration of a solution containing 1 mole of solute per 1000 grams of solvent.  Compare molar.


word: molar
definition:
molar

mo"lar
(m&omacr"lẽr)
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.


word: molar₂
definition:
molar

mo"lar
(m&omacr"lẽr or  m&omacr"lär)
a.
[L. moles mass.]
(Chem.)
Being at a concentration having the designated number of moles (of solute) per liter of solvent; as, an 0.2 molar solution of sodium chloride in water is close to isotonic.


word: Molar
definition:
Molar

Mo"lar
a.
[L. molaris, fr. mola mill, fr. molere to grind in a mill. See Mill the machine.]
Having power to grind; grinding; as, the molar teeth; also, of or pertaining to the molar teeth.
Bacon.


word: Molar₂
definition:
Molar

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.


word: Molasse
definition:
Molasse

Mo*lasse"
(?)
n.
[F. molasse, prob. fr. mollasse flabby, flimsy, fr. L. mollis soft.]
(Geol.)
A soft Tertiary sandstone; -- applied to a rock occurring in Switzerland. See Chart of Geology.


word: Molasses
definition:
Molasses

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.


word: Mould
definition:
Mould

Mold

{ 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.


word: Mould₂
definition:
Mould

Mold

{ Mold, Mould  }
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Molded or Moulded; p. pr. & vb. n. Molding or Moulding.]
To cover with mold or soil.
[R.]


word: Mould₃
definition:
Mould

Mold

{ 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Mould₅
definition:
Mould

Mold

{ Mold, Mould, }
v. i.
To become moldy; to be covered or filled, in whole or in part, with a mold.


word: Mould₆
definition:
Mould

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.


word: Mould₇
definition:
Mould

Mold

{ 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.


word: Mouldboard
definition:
Mouldboard

Moldboard

{ 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.


word: Moulder
definition:
Moulder

Molder

{ 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.


word: Moulder₂
definition:
Moulder

Molder

{ 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.


word: Moulder₃
definition:
Moulder

Molder

{ 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.


word: Mouldery
definition:
Mouldery

Moldery

{ Mold"er*y, Mould"er*y  }
(?)
a.
Covered or filled with mold; consisting of, or resembling, mold.


word: Mouldiness
definition:
Mouldiness

Moldiness

{ Mold"i*ness, Mould"i*ness  }
(?)
n.
[From Moldy.]
The state of being moldy.


word: Moulding
definition:
Moulding

Molding

{ 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, or sculptures.
[wns=1]

Syn. -- mold, mould, molding, modeling, clay sculpture.

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.
[wns=2]

4.
Especially:
a decorative strip used for ornamentation or finishing.
[wns=3]

Syn. -- moolding.

5.
a preliminary sculpture in wax or clay from which a finished work can be copied.
[wns=5]

Syn. -- modeling, moulding.


word: Moulding₂
definition:
Moulding

Molding

{ Mold"ing, Mould"ing, }
p. a.
Used in making a mold or moldings; used in shaping anything according to a pattern.

Molding board or Moulding board. (a) See Follow board, under Follow, v. t. (b) A board on which bread or pastry is kneaded and shaped. -- Molding machine or Moulding machine. (a) (Woodworking) A planing machine for making moldings. (b) (Founding) A machine to assist in making molds for castings. -- Molding mill or Moulding mill, a mill for shaping timber. -- Molding sand or Moulding sand (Founding), a kind of sand containing clay, used in making molds.


word: Mouldwarp
definition:
Mouldwarp

Moldwarp

{ 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.]
(Zool.)
See Mole the animal.
Spenser.


word: Mouldy
definition:
Mouldy

Moldy

{ Mold"y, Mould"y  }
(?)
a.
[Compar. Moldier (?) or Mouldier; superl. Moldiest or Mouldiest.]
[From Mold the growth of fungi.]
Overgrown with, or containing, mold; smelling of mold; as, moldy cheese or bread.


word: Mole
definition:
Mole

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.


word: Mole₂
definition:
Mole

Mole
n.
[L. mola.]
A mass of fleshy or other more or less solid matter generated in the uterus.


word: Mole₃
definition:
Mole

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.


word: Mole₄
definition:
Mole

Mole
n.
[OE. molle, either shortened fr. moldwerp, or from the root of E. mold soil: cf. D. mol, OD. molworp. See Moldwarp.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any insectivore of the family Talpidae.  They have minute eyes and ears, soft fur, and very large and strong fore feet.

&hand_; The common European mole, or moldwarp (Talpa Europaea), is noted for its extensive burrows.  The common American mole, or shrew mole (Scalops aquaticus), and star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) have similar habits.

&hand_; 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.]

3.
(fig.)
A spy who lives for years an apparently normal life (to establish a cover) before beginning his spying activities.

Duck mole. See under Duck. -- Golden mole. See Chrysochlore. -- Mole cricket (Zool.), 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 (Gryllotalpa borealis), are the best known. -- Mole rat (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), any one of several species of short-tailed American shrews of the genus Blarina, esp. Blarina brevicauda. -- Water mole, the duck mole.


word: mole
definition:
mole

mole
n.
A quantity of a substance equal to the molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams; a gram molecule; the basic unit of amount of substance adopted under the System International d'Unites; as, he added two moles of sodium chloride to the medium.

Syn. -- gram molecule, mol.


word: Mole₅
definition:
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.


word: Molech
definition:
Molech

Mo"lech
(?)
prop. n.
[Heb. molek king.]
(Script.)
The fire god of the Ammonites, to whom human sacrifices were offered; Moloch.
Lev. xviii. 21.


word: Molecular
definition:
Molecular

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 having weight of 1 as a standard; the sum of the atomic weights of the constituents of a molecule; thus, the molecular weight of water (H2O) is 18.  For more precise measurements, the weight of the carbon isotope carbon-12 is used as the standard, that isotope having the value of 12.000.  In this systen, now used almost universally, the hydrogen atom has a weight of 1.0079.


word: molecular formula
definition:
molecular formula

mo*lec"u*lar form"u*la
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
An expression representing the composition of elements in a chemical substance, commonly consisting of a series of letters and numbers comprising the atomic symbols of each element present in a compound followed by the number of atoms of that element present in one molecule of the substance.  Thus the molecular formula for common alcohol (ethyl alcohol) is C2H6O, meaning that each molecule contains two carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom.  The molecular formula may be written to provide some indication of the actual structure of the molecule, in which case structural units may be written separately.  Thus, ethyl alcohol can also be written as CH3.CH2.OH or CH3-CH2-OH, in which the period or dash between functional groups indicates a single bond between the principle atoms of each group.  This formula shows that in ethyl alcohol, the carbon of a methyl group (CH3-) is attached to the carbon of a methylene group (-CH2-), which is attached to the oxygen of a hydroxyl group (-OH).  A structural formula is a graphical depiction of the relative positions of atoms in a molecule, and may be very complicated.


word: Molecularity
definition:
Molecularity

Mo*lec`u*lar"i*ty
(?)
n.
(Phys. & Chem.)
The state of consisting of molecules; the state or quality of being molecular.


word: Molecularly
definition:
Molecularly

Mo*lec"u*lar*ly
(?)
adv.
(Phys. & Chem.)
With molecules; in the manner of molecules.
W. R. Grove.


word: Molecule
definition:
Molecule

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 ordinary 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.


word: Molehill
definition:
Molehill

Mole"hill`
(?)
n.
A little hillock of earth thrown up by moles working under ground; hence, a very small hill, or an insignificant obstacle or difficulty; as, to make a mountain out of a molehill.

Having leapt over such mountains, lie down before a molehill.
South.


word: molendinarious
definition:
molendinarious

mMolendinaceous

{ mMo*len`di*na"ceous (mo̝*lĕn`dĭ*nā"shŭs), mo*len`di*na"ri*ous (mo̝*lĕn`dĭ*nā"rĭ*ŭs), }
a.
[L. molendinarius, fr. molendinum a mill, fr. molere to grind.]
(Bot.)
Resembling the sails of a windmill.


word: moleskin
definition:
moleskin

mole"skin`
(m&omacrl"skĭn)
n.
1.
Any fabric having a thick soft shag, like the fur of a mole; esp., a kind of strong twilled fustian.

2.
A soft fabric having an adhesive backing, applied to the skin at points susceptible to abrasion, as on the feet, to prevent irritation or blistering during exercise, such as hiking.


word: Molest
definition:
Molest

Mo*lest"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Molested; p. pr. & vb. n. Molesting.]
[F. molester, L. molestare, fr. molestus troublesome, fr. moles a heavy mass, load, burden. See 3d Mole.]
To trouble; to disturb; to render uneasy; to interfere with; to vex.

They have molested the church with needless opposition.
Hooker.


word: Molestation
definition:
Molestation

Mol`es*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. molestation.]
The act of molesting, or the state of being molested; disturbance; annoyance.


word: Moliminous
definition:
Moliminous

Mo*lim"i*nous
(?)
a.
[L. molimen a great exertion; moles a heavy mass.]
Of great bulk or consequence; very important.
[Obs.]
Dr. H. More.


word: Moline
definition:
Moline

Mo"line
(?)
n.
[L. molina mill, fr. molere to grind. See Mill.]
The crossed iron that supports the upper millstone by resting on the spindle; a millrind.

Cross moline (Her.), a cross each arm of which is divided at the end into two rounded branches or divisions.


word: Molinism
definition:
Molinism

Mo"lin*ism
(?)
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
The doctrines of the Molinists, somewhat resembling the tenets of the Arminians.


word: Molinist
definition:
Molinist

Mo"lin*ist
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of the opinions of Molina, a Spanish Jesuit (in respect to grace); an opposer of the Jansenists.


word: Moll
definition:
Moll

Moll
(?)
a.
[G., fr. L. mollis soft, tender, elegiac.  Cf. Molle.]
(Mus.)
Minor; in the minor mode; as, A moll, that is, A minor.


word: Mollah
definition:
Mollah

Mol"lah
(?)
n.
[Ar. maulā, commonly mollāin Turkey.]
1.
One of the higher order of Turkish; also, a Turkish title of respect for a religious and learned man.
[Written also mullah and moolah.]

2.
A title of respect used in Islamic countries for one who is learned in Islamic law; a teacher or expounder of Islamic law.


word: Mollebart
definition:
Mollebart

Mol"le*bart
(?)
n.
An agricultural implement used in Flanders, consisting of a kind of large shovel drawn by a horse and guided by a man.
[Written also mollebaert and mouldebaert.]
Simmonds.


word: Mollemoke
definition:
Mollemoke

Mol"le*moke`
(?)
n.
[Sw. mallemucke the stormy petrel.]
(Zool.)
Any one of several species of large pelagic petrels and fulmars, as Fulmarus glacialis, of the North Atlantic, and several species of Aestrelata, of the Southern Ocean. See Fulmar.
[Written also mollymawk, malmock, mollemock, mallemocke, etc.]


word: Mollient
definition:
Mollient

Mol"lient
(?)
a.
[L. molliens, p. p. of mollire to soften, fr. mollis soft.]
Serving to soften; assuaging; emollient.


word: Mollification
definition:
Mollification

Mol`li*fi*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[LL. mollificatio; cf. F. mollification.]
The act of mollifying, or the state of being mollified; a softening.
Chaucer.


word: Mollify
definition:
Mollify

Mol"li*fy
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mollified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mollifying (?).]
[F. mollifier, L. mollificare; mollis soft + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Enmollient, Moil, v. t., and -fy.]
1.
To soften; to make tender; to reduce the hardness, harshness, or asperity of; to qualify; as, to mollify the ground.

With sweet science mollified their stubborn hearts.
Spenser.

2.
To assuage, as pain or irritation, to appease, as excited feeling or passion; to pacify; to calm.


word: Mollipilose
definition:
Mollipilose

Mol`li*pi*lose"
(?)
a.
[L. mollis soft + pilosus hairy.]
(Zool.)
Having soft hairs; downy.


word: Mollities
definition:
Mollities

Mol*li"ti*es
(?)
n.
[L., softness.]
(Med.)
Unnatural softness of any organ or part.
Dunglison.


word: Mollitude
definition:
Mollitude

Mol"li*tude
(?)
n.
[L. mollitudo, fr. mollis soft.]
Softness; effeminacy; weakness.
[R.]


word: Mollusca
definition:
Mollusca

Mol*lus"ca
(?)
prop. n. pl.
[NL. See Mollusk.]
(Zool.)
One of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom, a phylum including the classes Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, Pteropoda, Scaphopoda, and Pelecyopoda (syn. Bivalvia, formerly called 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Molluscan
definition:
Molluscan

Mol*lus"can
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to mollusks.
n. A mollusk; one of the Mollusca.


word: Molluscoid
definition:
Molluscoid

Mol*lus"coid
(?)
a.
[Mollusca + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Resembling the true mollusks; belonging to the Molluscoidea.
n. One of the Molluscoidea.


word: Molluscoidea
definition:
Molluscoidea

Mol`lus*coi"de*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Mollusk, and -oid.]
(Zool.)
A division of Invertebrata which includes the classes Brachiopoda and Bryozoa; -- called also Anthoid Mollusca.

&hand_; 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.


word: Molluscum
definition:
Molluscum

Mol*lus"cum
(?)
n.
[NL. See Mollusk.]
(Med.)
A cutaneous disease characterized by numerous tumors, of various forms, filled with a thick matter; -- so called from the resemblance of the tumors to some molluscous animals.
Dunglison.


word: Mollusk
definition:
Mollusk

Mol"lusk
(?)
n.
[F. mollusque, L. mollusca a kind of soft nut with a thin shell, fr. molluscus soft, mollis soft. See Mollify.]
(Zool.)
One of the Mollusca.
[Written also mollusc.]


word: Molly₂
definition:
Molly

Mol"ly
n.
A pet or colloquial name for Mary.

Molly cottontail. (Zool.) See Cottontail. -- Molly Maguire (mȧ*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.


word: Moloch
definition:
Moloch

Mo"loch
(?)
prop. 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.
(Zool.)
A spiny Australian lizard (Moloch horridus). The horns on the head and numerous spines on the body give it a most formidable appearance.


word: Molossus
definition:
Molossus

Mo*los"sus
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;, prop., Molossian, belonging to the Molossians, a people in the eastern part of Epirus.]
(Gr. & Lat. Pros.)
A foot of three long syllables.
[Written also molosse.]


word: Molotov cocktail
definition:
Molotov cocktail

Molotov cocktail
n.
A home-made incendiary device consisting of a bottle filled with gasoline, and a cloth wick.  The wick is lighted, and the bottle thrown at a target, such as a vehicle, where it may shatter and spread intense flames over the vehicle, destroying or damaging it.


word: Moult
definition:
Moult

Molt

{ 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.


word: Moult₃
definition:
Moult

Molt

{ Molt, Moult, }
n.
The act or process of changing the feathers, hair, skin, etc.; molting.


word: Molten
definition:
Molten

Mol"ten
(?)
a.
[See Melt.]
1.
Melted; being in a state of fusion, esp. when the liquid state is produced by a high degree of heat; as, molten iron.

2.
Made by melting and casting the substance or metal of which the thing is formed; as, a molten image.


word: molting
definition:
molting

molting
n.
The act or process by which an animal molts; especially, the periodic shedding of the cuticle in arthropods or the outer skin in reptiles, or feathers in birds.

Syn. -- molt, moult, moulting, ecdysis.


word: Moly
definition:
Moly

Mo"ly
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;.]
1.
A fabulous herb of occult power, having a black root and white blossoms, said by Homer to have been given by Hermes to Ulysses to counteract the spells of Circe.
Milton.

2.
(Bot.)
A kind of garlic (Allium Moly) with large yellow flowers; -- called also golden garlic.


word: Molybdena
definition:
Molybdena

Mol`yb*de"na
(?)
n.
[L. molybdaena galena, Gr. _;, fr. _; lead.]
(Min.)
See Molybdenite.


word: Molybdenite
definition:
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.


word: Molybdenum
definition:
Molybdenum

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 number 42. Atomic weight 95.94.


word: Molybdic
definition:
Molybdic

Mo*lyb"dic
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. molybdique. See molybdena.]
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or containing, molybdenum; specif., designating those compounds in which the element has a higher valence, as contrasted with molybdous compounds; as, molybdic oxide.


word: Molybdous
definition:
Molybdous

Mo*lyb"dous
(?)
a.
[See Molybdena.]
Of, pertaining to, or containing, molybdenum; specif., designating those compounds in which molybdenum has a lower valence as contrasted with molybdic compounds.


word: Moment
definition:
Moment

Mo"ment
(?)
n.
[F. moment, L. momentum, for movimentum movement, motion, moment, fr. movere to move. See Move, and cf. Momentum, Movement.]
1.
A minute portion of time; a point of time; an instant; as, at 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.


word: Momental
definition:
Momental

Mo*men"tal
(?)
a.
[Cf. OF. momental.]
[Obs.]
1.
Lasting but a moment; brief.

Not one momental minute doth she swerve.
Breton.

2.
Important; momentous.

3.
(Mech.)
Of or pertaining to moment or momentum.


word: Momentany
definition:
Momentany

Momentaneous

{ Mo`men*ta"ne*ous (?), Mo"men*ta*ny (?), }
a.
[L. momentaneus: cf. F. momentané.]
Momentary.
[Obs.]
Hooker.
Momentany
Shak.


word: Momentarily
definition:
Momentarily

Mo"men*ta*ri*ly
(?)
adv.
1.
Every moment; from moment to moment.
Shenstone.

2.
In a moment; in the immediate future.


word: Momentariness
definition:
Momentariness

Mo"men*ta*ri*ness
n.
The state or quality of being momentary; shortness of duration.


word: Momentary
definition:
Momentary

Mo"men*ta*ry
(?)
a.
[L. momentarius. See Moment.]
Done in a moment; continuing only a moment; lasting a very short time; as, a momentary pang.

This momentary joy breeds months of pain.
Shak.


word: Momentous
definition:
Momentous

Mo*men"tous
(?)
a.
[Cf. L. momentosus rapid, momentary.]
Of moment or consequence; very important; weighty; as, a momentous decision; momentous affairs.
Mo*men"tous*ly, adv. -- Mo*men"tous*ness, n.


word: Momentum
definition:
Momentum

Mo*men"tum
(?)
n.
pl. L. Momenta (#), F. Momentums (#).
[L. See Moment.]
1.
(Mech.)
The quantity of motion in a moving body, being always proportioned to the quantity of matter multiplied by the velocity; impetus.

2.
Essential element, or constituent element.

I shall state the several momenta of the distinction in separate propositions.
Sir W. Hamilton.

3.
A property of an activity or course of events, viewed as analogous to forward motion or to physical momentum (def. 1), such that the activity is believed to be able to continue moving forward without further application of force or effort; -- often used to describe an increase in the acquisition of public support for a purpose; as, as, the petition drive gained momentum when it was mentioned in the newspapers.


word: Momier
definition:
Momier

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.


word: Momus
definition:
Momus

Mo"mus
(?)
prop. n.
[Gr. _; blame, ridicule, Momus.]
(Gr. Myth.)
The god of mockery and censure.


word: Mon
definition:
Mon

Mon
(m&obreve_;n)
n.
[Jap., usually translated as crest.]
(Japan)
The badge of a family, esp. of a family of the ancient feudal nobility.  The most frequent form of the mon is circular, and it commonly consists of conventionalized forms from nature, flowers, birds, insects, the lightnings, the waves of the sea, or of geometrical symbolic figures; color is only a secondary character.  It appears on lacquer and pottery, and embroidered on, or woven in, fabrics.  The imperial chrysanthemum, the mon of the reigning family, is used as a national emblem.  Formerly the mon of the shoguns of the Tokugawa family was so used.


word: Mona
definition:
Mona

Mo"na
(?)
n.
[CF. Sp. & Pg. mona, fem. of mono a monkey, ape.]
(Zool.)
A small, handsome, long-tailed West American monkey (Cercopithecus mona). The body is dark olive, with a spot of white on the haunches.


word: Monachal
definition:
Monachal

Mon"a*chal
(?)
a.
[L. monachus a monk: cf. F. monacal. See Monk.]
Of or pertaining to monks or a monastic life; monastic.


word: Monachism
definition:
Monachism

Mon"a*chism
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. monachisme.]
The system and influences of a monastic life; monasticism.


word: monacid
definition:
monacid

mon*ac"id
(?)
a.
[Mon- + acid.]
(Chem.)
Having one hydrogen atom replaceable by an acidic atom or radical.

Syn. -- monoacid, monoacidic, monacidic.

2.
Capable of neutralizing one equivalent of a monobasic acid; -- said of bases, and of certain metals.


word: Monad
definition:
Monad

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.
(Zool.)
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.


word: Monadelphia
definition:
Monadelphia

Mon`a*del"phi*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. mo`nos alone + 'adelfo`s brother.]
(Bot.)
A Linnaean class of plants having the stamens united into a tube, or ring, by the filaments, as in the Mallow family.


word: Monadelphous
definition:
Monadelphous

Monadelphian

{ 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.


word: Monadical
definition:
Monadical

Monadic

{ 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.


word: Monadiform
definition:
Monadiform

Mo*nad"i*form
(?)
a.
[Monad + -form.]
(Biol.)
Having the form of a monad; resembling a monad in having one or more filaments of vibratile protoplasm; as, monadiform young.


word: Monal
definition:
Monal

Mo*nal"
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
Any Asiatic pheasant of the genus Lophophorus, as the Impeyan pheasant.


word: Monamide
definition:
Monamide

Mon*am"ide
(?)
n.
[Mon- + amide.]
(Chem.)
An amido compound with only one amido group; a monoamide.


word: Monamine
definition:
Monamine

Mon*am"ine
(?)
n.
[Mon- + amine.]
(Chem.)
A basic compound containing one amido group; a monoamine; as, methyl amine is a monamine.


word: Monandria
definition:
Monandria

Mo*nan"dri*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. mo`nos alone + 'anh`r, 'andro`s, a man.]
(Bot.)
A Linnaean class of plants embracing those having but a single stamen.


word: Monandric
definition:
Monandric

Mo*nan"dric
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to monandry; practicing monandry as a system of marriage.


word: Monandry
definition:
Monandry

Mo*nan"dry
(?)
n.
[See Monandria.]
The possession by a woman of only one husband at the same time; -- contrasted with polyandry.


word: Monanthous
definition:
Monanthous

Mo*nan"thous
(?)
a.
[Mon- + Gr. 'a`nqos flower.]
(Bot.)
Having but one flower; one-flowered.
Gray.


word: Monarch
definition:
Monarch

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.
(Zool.)
A very large red and black butterfly (Danais Plexippus); -- called also milkweed butterfly and monarch butterfly.


word: Monarchal
definition:
Monarchal

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.


word: monarch butterfly
definition:
monarch butterfly

mon"arch but"ter*fly
n.
(Zool.)
A very large red and black butterfly (Danais Plexippus) having striking orange-brown wings with black veins in a reticulated pattern; -- called also milkweed butterfly and monarch.  Its larvae feed on the leaves of the milkweed.


word: Monarchian
definition:
Monarchian

Mo*nar"chi*an
(?)
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect in the early Christian church which rejected the doctrine of the Trinity; -- called also patripassian.


word: Monarchical
definition:
Monarchical

Monarchic

{ 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.


word: Monarchize
definition:
Monarchize

Mon"arch*ize
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Monarchized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Monarchizing (?).]
To play the sovereign; to act the monarch.
[R.]
Shak.


word: Monarcho
definition:
Monarcho

Mo*nar"cho
(?)
n.
The nickname of a crackbrained Italian who fancied himself an emperor.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Monarchy
definition:
Monarchy

Mon"arch*y
(?)
n.
pl. Monarchies (#).
[F. monarchie, L. monarchia, Gr. _;. See Monarch.]
1.
A state or government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch.

2.
A system of government in which the chief ruler is a monarch.

In those days he had affected zeal for monarchy.
Macaulay.

3.
The territory ruled over by a monarch; a kingdom.

What scourage for perjury
Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence.
Shak.

Fifth monarchy, a universal monarchy, supposed to be the subject of prophecy in Daniel ii.; the four preceding monarchies being Assyrian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman. See Fifth Monarchy men, under Fifth.


word: Monas
definition:
Monas

Mo"nas
(?)
n.
[NL. See Monad.]
(Zool.)
A genus of minute flagellate Infusoria of which there are many species, both free and attached. See Illust. under Monad.


word: Monasterial
definition:
Monasterial

Mon`as*te"ri*al
(?)
a.
[L. monasterials, fr. monasterium.]
Of or pertaining to monastery, or to monastic life.
Mon`as*te"ri*al*ly, adv.


word: Monastery
definition:
Monastery

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.


word: Monastical
definition:
Monastical

Monastic

{ 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.
monastic
Denham.


word: Monatomic
definition:
Monatomic

Mon`a*tom"ic
(?)
adv.
[Mon- + atomic.]
(Chem.)
(a)
Consisting of, or containing, one atom; as, the molecule of mercury is monatomic.
(b)
Having the equivalence or replacing power of an atom of hydrogen; univalent; as, the methyl radical is monatomic.


word: monaural
definition:
monaural

mon*au"ral
(m&obreve_;n*ôr"al)
a.
1.
Having or hearing with only one ear.

2.
Same as monophonic{2}.


word: Monaxial
definition:
Monaxial

Mo*nax"i*al
(?)
a.
[Mon- + axial.]
(Biol.)
Having only one axis; developing along a single line or plane; as, monaxial development.


word: Monazite
definition:
Monazite

Mon"a*zite
(m&obreve_;n"ȧ*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.


word: Monday
definition:
Monday

Mon"day
(mŭn"da̝; 48)
n.
[OE. moneday, monenday, AS. m&omacrnandaeg, 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.


word: Monday's Child
definition:
Monday's Child

Mon"day's Child
(mŭn"dāz chīld`)
n.
A child who is fair of face; -- a reference to a nineteenth century poem.  See below.

Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for a living,
But the child who is born on the Sabbath day,
Is lucky and happy and good and gay.


word: Monde
definition:
Monde

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.


word: Monembryony
definition:
Monembryony

Mon*em"bry*o*ny
(?)
n.
[See Mono-, and Embryo.]
(Bot.)
The condition of an ovule having but a single embryo.
Mon*em`bry*on"ic (#), a.


word: Monera
definition:
Monera

Mo*ne"ra
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. mo`nos single.]
(Zool.)
The lowest division of rhizopods, including those which resemble the amoebas, but are destitute of a nucleus.
[archaic]

2.
(Biol.)
One of the five kingdoms of living organisms in the five-kingdom classification, consisting of microscopic usually monocellular prokaryotic organisms that mostly reproduce by asexual fission, sporulation, or budding; it includes the bacteria and cyanophytes (blue-green algae), as well as certain primitive pathogenic microbes, such as the Rickettsias.


word: Monerula
definition:
Monerula

Mo*ner"u*la
(?)
n.
[NL., dim. of moner. See Monera.]
(Biol.)
A germ in that stage of development in which its form is simply that of a non-nucleated mass of protoplasm.  It precedes the one-celled germ.  So called from its likeness to a moner.
Haeckel.


word: Monesia
definition:
Monesia

Mo*ne"sia
(?)
n.
(Pharm.)
The bark, or a vegetable extract brought in solid cakes from South America and believed to be derived from the bark, of the tree Chrysophyllum glycyphloeum.  It is used as an alterative and astringent.


word: Monest
definition:
Monest

Mo*nest"
(?)
v. t.
[See Admonish.]
To warn; to admonish; to advise.
[Obs.]
Wyclif (2 Cor. v. 20).


word: monestrous
definition:
monestrous

mon*es"trous
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Having only one estrus period per breeding cycle or per year; -- of certain mammals.


word: monetarism
definition:
monetarism

mon"e*tar*ism
(?)
n.
An economic theory holding that the rate of growth of the money supply is the priunciple cause of changes in inflation, economic growth, and unemployment.


word: Monetary
definition:
Monetary

Mon"e*ta*ry
(?)
a.
[L. monetarius belonging to a mint. See Money.]
Of or pertaining to money, or consisting of money; pecuniary.
monetary
E. Everett.

Monetary unit, the standard of a national currency, as the dollar in the United States, the pound in England, the peso in Mexico, the ruble in Russia, the franc in France, the mark in Germany.  Also, the standard of an international currency, such as the euro used in the European union.


word: monetization
definition:
monetization

mon`e*ti*za"tion
(?)
n.
The act or process of converting into money, or of establishing something (e.g. gold or silver) as the legal tender of a country; as, the monetization of silver.


word: Monetize
definition:
Monetize

Mon"e*tize
(?)
v. t.
To convert into money; to adopt as current money; as, to monetize silver.


word: Money
definition:
Money

Mon"ey
(?)
n.
pl. Moneys (#).
[OE. moneie, OF. moneie, F. monnaie, fr. L. moneta. See Mint place where coin is made, Mind, and cf. Moidore, Monetary.]
1.
A piece of metal, as gold, silver, copper, etc., coined, or stamped, and issued by the sovereign authority as a medium of exchange in financial transactions between citizens and with government; also, any number of such pieces; coin.

To prevent such abuses, . . . it has been found necessary . . . to affix a public stamp upon certain quantities of such particular metals, as were in those countries commonly made use of to purchase goods.  Hence the origin of coined money, and of those public offices called mints.
A. Smith.

2.
Any written or stamped promise, certificate, or order, as a government note, a bank note, a certificate of deposit, etc., which is payable in standard coined money and is lawfully current in lieu of it; in a comprehensive sense, any currency usually and lawfully employed in buying and selling.

3.
Any article used as a medium of payment in financial transactions, such as checks drawn on checking accounts.

4.
(Economics)
Any form of wealth which affects a person's propensity to spend, such as checking accounts or time deposits in banks, credit accounts, letters of credit, etc.  Various aggregates of money in different forms are given different names, such as M-1, the total sum of all currency in circulation plus all money in demand deposit accounts (checking accounts).

&hand_; 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.

4.
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 (Zool.), any one of several species of Cypraea (esp. Cypraea 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, (a) 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. -- (b) a similar order issued by a bank or other financial institution. -- Money scrivener, a person who procures the loan of money to others. [Eng.] -- Money spider, Money spinner (Zool.), 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. -- plastic money, credit cards, usually made out of plastic; also called plastic; as, put it on the plastic. -- To make money, to gain or acquire money or property; to make a profit in dealings.


word: Moneyage
definition:
Moneyage

Mon"ey*age
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. monnayage coinage.]
1.
A tax paid to the first two Norman kings of England to prevent them from debashing the coin.
Hume.

2.
Mintage; coinage.
[Obs.]


word: Moneyed
definition:
Moneyed

Mon"eyed
(?)
adv.
1.
Supplied with money; having money; wealthy; as, moneyed men.
[Also spelled monied.]
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.


word: Moneyer
definition:
Moneyer

Mon"ey*er
(?)
n.
[From Money; cf. OF. monoier, F. monnoayeur, L. monetarius a master of the mint.  Cf. Monetary.]
1.
A person who deals in money; banker or broker.
[Obs. or R.]

2.
An authorized coiner of money.
Sir M. Hale.

The Company of Moneyers, the officials who formerly coined the money of Great Britain, and who claimed certain prescriptive rights and privileges.


word: moneylender
definition:
moneylender

moneylender
n.
someone who lends money at excessive rates of interest.

Syn. -- usurer, loan shark, shark, money-lender.


word: Money-maker
definition:
Money-maker

Mon"ey-mak`er
(?)
n.
1.
One who coins or prints money; also, a counterfeiter of money.
[R.]

2.
One who accumulates money or wealth; specifically, one who makes money-getting his governing motive.


word: Money-making
definition:
Money-making

Mon"ey-mak`ing
n.
The act or process of making money; the acquisition and accumulation of wealth.

Obstinacy in money-making.
Milman.


word: Money-making₂
definition:
Money-making

Mon"ey-mak`ing
a.
1.
Affording profitable returns; lucrative; as, a money-making business.  Opposite of unprofitable.

2.
Successful in gaining money, and devoted to that aim; as, a money-making man.


word: money-spinner
definition:
money-spinner

money-spinner
n.
a project that generates a continuous flow of money.

Syn. -- moneymaker, cash cow.


word: Moneywort
definition:
Moneywort

Mon"ey*wort`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A trailing plant (Lysimachia Nummularia), with rounded opposite leaves and solitary yellow flowers in their axils.


word: Monger
definition:
Monger

Mon"ger
(?)
n.
[AS. mangere, fr. mangian to trade; akin to Icel. manga to trade, mangari a trader, OHG. mangari, mengari; cf. L. mango a dealer in slaves.]
1.
A trader; a dealer; -- now used chiefly in composition; as, fishmonger, ironmonger, newsmonger.

2.
A small merchant vessel.
[Obs.]
Blount.


word: Monger₂
definition:
Monger

Mon"ger
v. t.
To deal in; to make merchandise of; to traffic in; -- used chiefly of discreditable traffic.


word: Mongoloid
definition:
Mongoloid

Mon"go*loid
(?)
a.
[Mongol + -oid.]
Resembling a Mongol or the Mongols; having race characteristics, such as color, hair, and features, like those of the Mongols.
Huxley.

2.
Of, related to, or affected with, Down syndrome; -- not a technical term.


word: Mongolians
definition:
Mongolians

Mongols

{ 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.


word: Mongoos
definition:
Mongoos

Mongoose

{ Mon"goose, Mon"goos  }
(?)
n.
pl. Mongooses (#)
1.
(Zool.)
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.]

2.
[Tamil manegos.]
A Madagascan lemur (Lemur mongos).


word: Mongrel
definition:
Mongrel

Mon"grel
(?)
n.
[Prob. shortened fr. mongrel, and akin to AS. mengan to mix, and E. mingle. See Mingle.]
The progeny resulting from a cross between two breeds, as of domestic animals; anything of mixed breed.
Drayton.


word: Mongrelize
definition:
Mongrelize

Mon"grel*ize
(?)
v. t. & i.
To cause to be mongrel; to cross breeds, so as to produce mongrels.


word: moniker
definition:
moniker

monicker

monicker, moniker
n.
The name of a person, especially an alias or a nickname.
[slang]

Syn. -- nickname, alias, sobriquet, cognomen.


word: Monifier
definition:
Monifier

Mo*nif"i*er
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. L. monile necklace + ferre to bear.]
(Paleon.)
A fossil fish.


word: Moniliales
definition:
Moniliales

Mo*nil`i*a"les
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. L. monile necklace, -- because the conidia are produced in chains.]
(Bot.)
The largest of the three orders into which the Fungi Imperfecti are divided, including various forms.


word: moniliasis
definition:
moniliasis

moniliasis
n.
(Med.)
An infectious disease caused by fungi of the genera Monilia or Candida especially Candida albicans.

Syn. -- candidiasis, monilia disease.


word: Moniliform
definition:
Moniliform

Mo*nil"i*form
(?)
a.
[L. monile necklace + -form: cf. F. moniliforme.]
(Biol.)
Joined or constricted, at regular intervals, so as to resemble a string of beads; as, a moniliform root; a moniliform antenna.  See Illust. of Antenna.


word: Moniment
definition:
Moniment

Mon"i*ment
(?)
n.
[L. monimentum, monumentum. See Monument.]
Something to preserve memory; a reminder; a monument; hence, a mark; an image; a superscription; a record.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Monish
definition:
Monish

Mon"ish
(?)
v. t.
[OE. monesten. See Admonish, Monition.]
To admonish; to warn. See Admonish.
[Archaic]
Ascham.


word: Monism
definition:
Monism

Mon"ism
(m&obreve_;n"ĭz'm or m&omacr"nĭz'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.

&hand_; 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.

3.
The doctrine that the universe is an organized unitary being or total self-inclusive structure.
Monism means that the whole of reality, i.e., everything that is, constitutes one inseparable and indivisible entirety. Monism accordingly is a unitary conception of the world. It always bears in mind that our words are abstracts representing parts or features of the One and All, and not separate existences.  Not only are matter and mind, soul and body, abstracts, but also such scientific terms as atoms and molecules, and also religious terms such as God and world.
Paul Carus.


word: Monition
definition:
Monition

Mo*ni"tion
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. monitio, from monere to warn, bring to mind; akin to E. mind. See Mind, and cf. Admonish, Money, Monster.]
1.
Instruction or advice given by way of caution; an admonition; a warning; a caution.

Sage monitions from his friends.
Swift.

2.
Information; indication; notice; advice.

We have no visible monition of . . . other periods, such as we have of the day by successive light and darkness.
Holder.

3.
(Admiralty Practice)
A process in the nature of a summons to appear and answer.

4.
(Eccl. Law)
An order monishing a party complained against to obey under pain of the law.
Shipley.


word: Monitor
definition:
Monitor

Mon"i*tor
(?)
n.
[L., fr. monere. See Monition, and cf. Mentor.]
1.
One who admonishes; one who warns of faults, informs of duty, or gives advice and instruction by way of reproof or caution.

You need not be a monitor to the king.
Bacon.

2.
Hence, specifically, a pupil selected to look to the school in the absence of the instructor, to notice the absence or faults of the scholars, or to instruct a division or class.

3.
(Zool.)
Any large Old World lizard of the genus Varanus; esp., the Egyptian species (Varanus 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.

6.
A monitor nozzle.

Monitor top, the raised central portion, or clearstory, of a car roof, having low windows along its sides.


word: Monitorial
definition:
Monitorial

Mon`i*to"ri*al
(?)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to a monitor or monitors.

2.
Done or performed by a monitor; as, monitorial work; conducted or taught by monitors; as, a monitorial school; monitorial instruction.


word: Monitor nozzle
definition:
Monitor nozzle

Monitor nozzle
A nozzle capable of turning completely round in a horizontal plane and having a limited play in a vertical plane, used in hydraulic mining, fire-extinguishing apparatus, etc.


word: Monitory
definition:
Monitory

Mon"i*to*ry
(?)
a.
[L. monitorius.]
Giving admonition; instructing by way of caution; warning.

Losses, miscarriages, and disappointments, are monitory and instructive.
L'Estrange.


word: Monitory₂
definition:
Monitory

Mon"i*to*ry
n.
Admonition; warning; especially, a monition proceeding from an ecclesiastical court, but not addressed to any one person.


word: Monk
definition:
Monk

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.
monk
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.
(Zool.)
(a)
A South American monkey (Pithecia monachus); also applied to other species, as Cebus xanthocephalus.
(b)
The European bullfinch.

Monk bat (Zool.), a South American and West Indian bat (Molossus nasutus); -- so called because the males live in communities by themselves. -- Monk bird(Zool.), the friar bird. -- Monk seal (Zool.), 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).


word: Monkery
definition:
Monkery

Monk"er*y
(?)
n.
pl. Monkeries (_;).
1.
The life of monks; monastic life; monastic usage or customs; -- now usually applied by way of reproach.

Miters, and wretched dead mediaeval monkeries.
Carlyle.

2.
A collective body of monks.
[Obs.]

Though he have a whole monkery to sing for him.
Latimer.


word: Monkey
definition:
Monkey

Mon"key
(?)
n.
pl. Monkeys (#).
[Cf. OIt. monicchio, It. monnino, dim. of monna an ape, also dame, mistress, contr. fr. madonna. See Madonna.]
1.
(Zool.)
(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.

&hand_; The monkeys are often divided into three groups: (a) Catarrhines, or Simidae. 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 Cebidae. 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.


word: Monkey₂
definition:
Monkey

Mon"key
v. t. & i.
To act or treat as a monkey does; to ape; to act in a grotesque or meddlesome manner.

To monkey with, To monkey around with, to handle in a meddlesome manner. [Colloq.]


word: Monkey-bread
definition:
Monkey-bread

Mon"key-bread`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
The fruit of the Adansonia digitata; also, the tree. See Adansonia.


word: monkey pod
definition:
monkey pod

monkeypod

monkeypod, monkey pod
n.
large ornamental tropical American tree (Albizia saman) with bipinnate leaves and globose clusters of flowers with crimson stamens and sweet-pulp seed pods eaten by cattle.

Syn. -- rain tree, saman, zaman, zamang, Albizia saman.


word: Monkey-pot
definition:
Monkey-pot

Mon"key-pot`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
The fruit of two South American trees (Lecythis Ollaria, and Lecythis 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.


word: Monkey's puzzle
definition:
Monkey's puzzle

Mon"key's puz"zle
(?)
(Bot.)
A lofty coniferous Chilian tree (Araucaria araucana, formerly Araucaria imbricata), the branches of which are so crowded and intertwisted “as to puzzle a monkey to climb.”  It is also called monkey puzzle and monkey puzzle tree.  The edible nuts are over an inch long, and are called piñon by the Chilians.


word: Monkeytail
definition:
Monkeytail

Mon"key*tail`
(?)
n.
(Naut.)
A short, round iron bar or lever used in naval gunnery.
Totten.


word: monkey wrench
definition:
monkey wrench

monkeywrench

monkeywrench, monkey wrench
n.
A wrench or spanner which has one fixed and one adjustable jaw.

Syn. -- monkey wrench.


word: Monkfish
definition:
Monkfish

Monk"fish
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
(a)
The angel fish (Squatina).
(b)
The angler (Lophius), esp. the goosefishes Lophius Americanus in America and Lophius piscatorius in Europe, used for food.
[MW10]


word: Monkflower
definition:
Monkflower

Monk"flow`er
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A name of certain curious orchids which bear three kinds of flowers formerly referred to three genera, but now ascertained to be sexually different forms of the same genus (Catasetum tridentatum, etc.).


word: Monkhood
definition:
Monkhood

Monk"hood
(?)
n.
[Monk + -hood.]
1.
The character or condition of a monk.
Atterbury.

2.
Monks, regarded collectively.
Longfellow.


word: Monkish
definition:
Monkish

Monk"ish
a.
Like a monk, or pertaining to monks; monastic; as, monkish manners; monkish dress; monkish solitude.
Monk"ish*ness, n.


word: Monk's seam
definition:
Monk's seam

Monk's" seam`
(?)
(Naut.)
An extra middle seam made at the junction of two breadths of canvas, ordinarily joined by only two rows of stitches.


word: Mon-₂
definition:
Mon-

Mono-

{ Mon"o- (?), Mon- (?) }
[Gr. _;.]
A prefix signifying one, single, alone; as, monocarp, monopoly; (Chem.) indicating that a compound contains one atom, one radical, or one group of that to the name of which it is united; as, monoxide, monosulphide, monatomic, etc.


word: Monobasic
definition:
Monobasic

Mon`o*ba"sic
(?)
a.
[Mono- + basic.]
(Chem.)
Capable of being neutralized by a univalent base or basic radical; having but one acid hydrogen atom to be replaced; -- said of acids; as, acetic, nitric, and hydrochloric acids are monobasic.


word: monocarboxylic
definition:
monocarboxylic

monocarbonic

mon`o*car*bon"ic, mon`o*car*box*yl"ic
(?)
a.
[Mono- + carbonic.]
(Chem.)
Containing one carboxyl group; as, acetic acid is a monocarbonic acid.  The more common term is monocarboxylic.  Contrasted with dicarboxylic, tricarboxylic, etc.


word: Monocardian
definition:
Monocardian

Mon`o*car"di*an
(?)
a.
[Mono- + Gr. _; heart.]
(Zool.)
Having a single heart, as fishes and amphibians.
n. An animal having a single heart.


word: Monocarpellary
definition:
Monocarpellary

Mon`o*car"pel*la*ry
(?)
a.
[Mono- + carpellary.]
(Bot.)
Consisting of a single carpel, as the fruit of the pea, cherry, and almond.


word: Monocarpous
definition:
Monocarpous

Monocarpic

{ 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.

&hand_; Annual and biennual herbs are monocarpic, so also some plants of longer duration, as the century plant.


word: Monocephalous
definition:
Monocephalous

Mon`o*ceph"a*lous
(?)
a.
[Mono- + Gr. kefalh` head.]
(Bot.)
Having a solitary head; -- said of unbranched composite plants.


word: Monoceros
definition:
Monoceros

Mo*noc"e*ros
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;; mo`nos alone, single + ke`ras horn.]
1.
A one-horned creature; a unicorn; a sea monster with one horn.

Mighty monoceroses with immeasured tails.
Spenser.

2.
(Astron.)
The Unicorn, a constellation situated to the east Orion.


word: Monochlamydeous
definition:
Monochlamydeous

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.


word: Monochord
definition:
Monochord

Mon"o*chord
(?)
n.
[L. monochordon, Gr. _;, fr. _; with but one string; _; only, single + _; string: cf. F. monocorde. See Chord, and cf. Mainchord.]
(Mus.)
An instrument for experimenting upon the mathematical relations of musical sounds. It consists of a single string stretched between two bridges, one or both of which are movable, and which stand upon a graduated rule for the purpose of readily changing and measuring the length of the part of the string between them.


word: Monochromatic
definition:
Monochromatic

Mon`o*chro*mat"ic
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. monochromatique. See Monochrome.]
Consisting of one color, or presenting rays of light of one color only.

Monochromatic lamp (Opt.),a lamp whose flame yields rays of some one homogenous light. It is of great importance in optical experiments.


word: Monochrome
definition:
Monochrome

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.


word: Monochromic
definition:
Monochromic

Mon`o*chro"mic
(?)
a.
Made, or done, with a single color; as, a monochromic picture.  Called also, monochromatic and monochrome.


word: Monochronic
definition:
Monochronic

Mon`o*chron"ic
(?)
a.
[Mono- + Gr. _; time.]
Existing at the same time; contemporaneous.


word: Monoclinal
definition:
Monoclinal

Mon`o*cli"nal
(?)
a.
[See Monoclinic.]
(Geol.)
Having one oblique inclination; -- applied to strata that dip in only one direction from the axis of elevation.


word: Monoclinic
definition:
Monoclinic

Mon`o*clin"ic
(?)
a.
[Mono- + Gr. _; to incline.]
(Crystallog.)
Having one oblique intersection; -- said of that system of crystallization in which the vertical axis is inclined to one, but at right angles to the other, lateral axis. See Crystallization.


word: Monoclinous
definition:
Monoclinous

Mo*noc"li*nous
(?)
a.
[Mono- + Gr. _; couch, fr. _; to lie down: cf. F. monocline.]
(Bot.)
Hermaphrodite, or having both stamens and pistils in every flower.


word: Monocondyla
definition:
Monocondyla

Mon`o*con"dy*la
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Mono-, and Condyle.]
(Zool.)
A group of vertebrates, including the birds and reptiles, or those that have only one occipital condyle; the Sauropsida.


word: Monocotyledon
definition:
Monocotyledon

Mon`o*cot`y*le"don
(?)
n.
[Mono- + cotyledon: cf. F. monocotylédone.]
(Bot.)
A plant with only one cotyledon, or seed lobe; a member of the Monocotyledonae.

&hand_; The plural, monocotyledons, is used as the name of a large class of plants (the Monocotyledones, or Monocotyledonae), and is generally understood to be equivalent to the term endogens.


word: Monocotyledones
definition:
Monocotyledones

Monocotyledonae

Monocotyledonae, Monocotyledones
prop. n.
A class of plants comprising seed plants that produce an embryo with a single cotyledon and parallel-veined leaves: grasses; lilies; palms; and orchids.  It is divided into four subclasses or superorders: Alismatidae; Arecidae; Commelinidae; and Liliidae.

Syn. -- class Monocotyledones, Monocotyledonae, class Monocotyledonae, Liliopsida, class Liliopsida.


word: Monocotyledonous
definition:
Monocotyledonous

Mon`o*cot`y*le"don*ous
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. monocotylédoné.]
(Bot.)
Having only one cotyledon, seed lobe, or seminal leaf.
Lindley.


word: Monocracy
definition:
Monocracy

Mo*noc"ra*cy
(?)
n.
[Mono- + -cracy, as in democracy.]
Government by a single person; undivided rule.
Sydney Smith.


word: Monocrotic
definition:
Monocrotic

Mon`o*crot"ic
(?)
a.
(Physiol.)
Of, pertaining to, or showing, monocrotism; as, a monocrotic pulse; a pulse of the monocrotic type.


word: Monocrotism
definition:
Monocrotism

Mo*noc"ro*tism
(?)
n.
[Gr. mo`nos alone + _; a beating.]
(Physiol.)
That condition of the pulse in which the pulse curve or sphygmogram shows but a single crest, the dicrotic elevation entirely disappearing.


word: Monocular
definition:
Monocular

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.


word: monocule
definition:
monocule

mon"o*cule
(m&obreve_;n"o̝*kūl)
n.
[See Monocular.]
(Zool.)
A small crustacean with one median eye.


word: monocystic
definition:
monocystic

mon`o*cys"tic
(?)
a.
[See Mono-, and Cyst.]
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to a division (Monocystidea) of the protozoan order  Gregarinida, in which the body consists of one sac.


word: Monodactylous
definition:
Monodactylous

Mon`o*dac"tyl*ous
(?)
a.
[Gr. monoda`ktylos; mo`nos single + da`ktylos finger: cf. F. monodactyle.]
(Zool.)
Having but one finger or claw.


word: Monodelphian
definition:
Monodelphian

Monodelph

{ Mon"o*delph (?), Mon`o*del"phi*an (?), }
n.
(Zool.)
One of the Monodelphia.


word: Monodelphia
definition:
Monodelphia

Mon`o*del"phi*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. mo`nos single + delfy`s the womb.]
(Zool.)
The group that includes all ordinary or placental mammals; the Placentalia. See Mammalia.


word: Monodelphous
definition:
Monodelphous

Monodelphic

{ Mon`o*del"phic (?), Mon`o*del"phous (?), }
a.
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the Monodelphia.


word: Monodical
definition:
Monodical

Monodic

{ 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.


word: Monodrame
definition:
Monodrame

Monodrama

{ Mon"o*dra`ma (?), Mon"o*drame (?), }
n.
[Mono- + Gr. _; drama.]
A drama acted, or intended to be acted, by a single person.


word: Monody
definition:
Monody

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.


word: Monodynamic
definition:
Monodynamic

Mon`o*dy*nam"ic
(?)
a.
[Mono- + dynamic.]
Possessing but one capacity or power.
Monodynamic
De Quincey.


word: Monodynamism
definition:
Monodynamism

Mon`o*dy"na*mism
(?)
n.
The theory that the various forms of activity in nature are manifestations of the same force.
G. H. Lewes.
A philosophical form of the grand unified theory?


word: Monoecia
definition:
Monoecia

Mo*noe"ci*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. mo`nos single + _; house.]
(Bot.)
A Linnaean class of plants, whose stamens and pistils are in distinct flowers in the same plant.


word: Monoecian
definition:
Monoecian

Mo*noe"cian
(?)
a.
1.
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the Monoecia; monoecious.
n. One of the Monoecia.

2.
(Zool.)
A monoecious animal, as certain mollusks.


word: Monoecious
definition:
Monoecious

Mo*noe"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 dioecious.


word: Monogamia
definition:
Monogamia

Mon`o*ga"mi*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Monogamous.]
(Bot.)
A Linnaean order of plants, having solitary flowers with united anthers, as in the genus Lobelia.


word: Monogamic
definition:
Monogamic

Monogamian

{ 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.


word: Monogamous
definition:
Monogamous

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.
(Zool.)
Mating with but one of the opposite sex; -- said of birds and mammals.


word: monogamousness
definition:
monogamousness

monogamousness
n.
The state of being monogamous; having one wife at a time.

Syn. -- monogamy, monogyny.


word: Monogamy
definition:
Monogamy

Mo*nog"a*my
(?)
n.
[L. monogamia, Gr. _;: cf. F. monogamie.]
1.
Single marriage; marriage with but one person, husband or wife, at the same time; -- opposed to polygamy. Also, one marriage only during life; -- opposed to deuterogamy.

2.
(Zool.)
State of being paired with a single mate.


word: Monogenesis
definition:
Monogenesis

Mon`o*gen"e*sis
(?)
n.
[Mono- + genesis.]
1.
Oneness of origin; esp. (Biol.), development of all beings in the universe from a single cell; -- opposed to polygenesis. Called also monism.
Dana. Haeckel.

2.
(Biol.)
That form of reproduction which requires but one parent, as in reproduction by fission or in the formation of buds, etc., which drop off and form new individuals; asexual reproduction.
Haeckel.

3.
(Biol.)
The direct development of an embryo, without metamorphosis, into an organism similar to the parent organism; -- opposed to metagenesis.
E. van Beneden.


word: Monogenetic
definition:
Monogenetic

Mon`o*ge*net"ic
(?)
a.
[See Monogenesis.]
1.
(Geol.)
One in genesis; resulting from one process of formation; -- used of a mountain range.
Dana.

2.
(Biol.)
Relating to, or involving, monogenesis; as, the monogenetic school of physiologists, who admit but one cell as the source of all beings.


word: Monogenic
definition:
Monogenic

Mon`o*gen"ic
(?)
a.
1.
(Biol.)
Of or pertaining to monogenesis.

2.
(Zool.)
Producing only one kind of germs, or young; developing only in one way.


word: Monogenism
definition:
Monogenism

Mo*nog"e*nism
(?)
n.
(Anthropol.)
The theory or doctrine that the human races have a common origin, or constitute a single species.


word: Monogenist
definition:
Monogenist

Mo*nog"e*nist
(?)
n.
(Anthropol.)
One who maintains that the human races are all of one species; -- opposed to polygenist.


word: Monogenous
definition:
Monogenous

Mo*nog"e*nous
(?)
a.
(Biol.)
Of or pertaining to monogenesis; as, monogenous, or asexual, reproduction.


word: Monogeny
definition:
Monogeny

Mo*nog"e*ny
(?)
n.
1.
Monogenesis.

2.
(Anthropol.)
The doctrine that the members of the human race have all a common origin.


word: Monogoneutic
definition:
Monogoneutic

Mon`o*go*neu"tic
(?)
a.
[Mono- + Gr. _; offspring.]
(Zool.)
Having but one brood in a season.


word: Monogram
definition:
Monogram

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.

&hand_; 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.]


word: Monograph
definition:
Monograph

Mon"o*graph
(?)
n.
[Mono- + -graph.]
A written account or description of a single thing, or class of things; a special treatise on a particular subject of limited range.


word: Monographical
definition:
Monographical

Monographic

{ 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.


word: Monography
definition:
Monography

Mo*nog"ra*phy
(?)
n.
[Mono- + -graphy: cf. F. monographie.]
1.
Representation by lines without color; an outline drawing.

2.
A monograph.
[Obs.]


word: Monogynia
definition:
Monogynia

Mon`o*gyn"i*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. mo`nos single + _; woman, female.]
(Bot.)
A Linnaean order of plants, including those which have only one style or stigma.


word: Monogynian
definition:
Monogynian

Mon`o*gyn"i*an
(?)
a.
(Bot.)
Pertaining to the Monogynia; monogynous.
n. One of the Monogynia.


word: Monogynous
definition:
Monogynous

Mo*nog"y*nous
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. monogyne.]
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to Monogynia; having only one style or stigma.


word: Monogyny
definition:
Monogyny

Mo*nog"y*ny
(?)
n.
[See Monogynia.]
1.
Marriage with the one woman only.

2.
(Bot.)
The state or condition of being monogynous.


word: monolingual
definition:
monolingual

mon`o*lin"gual
adj.
Using or knowing only one language; as, monolingual speakers; a monolingual dictionary.  Opposite of multilingual.


word: Monolith
definition:
Monolith

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.


word: Monologist
definition:
Monologist

Mo*nol"o*gist
(?)
n.
[See Monologue.]
One who soliloquizes; esp., one who monopolizes conversation in company.
De Quincey.


word: Monologue
definition:
Monologue

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.


word: Monology
definition:
Monology

Mo*nol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;.]
The habit of soliloquizing, or of monopolizing conversation.

It was not by an insolent usurpation that Coleridge persisted in monology through his whole life.
De Quincey.


word: Monomachy
definition:
Monomachy

Monomachia

{ &VerbarMon`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.
monomachia
Sir W. Scott.


word: Monomania
definition:
Monomania

Mon`o*ma"ni*a
(?)
n.
[Mono- + mania.]
Derangement of the mind in regard of a single subject only; also, such a concentration of interest upon one particular subject or train of ideas to show mental derangement.


word: Monomaniacal
definition:
Monomaniacal

Monomaniac

{ 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.


word: Monome
definition:
Monome

Mon"ome
(?)
n.
[F., fr. Gr. mo`nos single + -nome as in binome. See Binomial.]
(Math.)
A monomial.


word: monomer
definition:
monomer

mon"o*mer
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
The basic conceptual building unit of a polymer; a molecule of low molecular weight which may combine with other molecules to form a molecule in a chain or branched form having high molecular weight; as, amino acids are the monomer units which are combined to form proteins; vinylic plastics are formed from monomers having a vinyl group.


word: monomeric
definition:
monomeric

mon`o*mer"ic
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
Not linked to other molecules of the same kind; having the property of a monomer.  Opposed to polymeric.


word: Monomerous
definition:
Monomerous

Mo*nom"er*ous
(?)
a.
[Gr.  single; mo`nos alone + _; part.]
1.
(Bot.)
Composed of solitary parts, as a flower with one sepal, one petal, one stamen, and one pistil.

2.
(Zool.)
Having but one joint; -- said of the foot of certain insects.


word: Monometallism
definition:
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.


word: Monometallist
definition:
Monometallist

Mon`o*met"al*list
(?)
n.
One who believes in monometallism as opposed to bimetallism, etc.


word: Monometer
definition:
Monometer

Mo*nom"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; of one meter; mo`nos single + _; measure.]
A rhythmic series, consisting of a single meter.


word: Monomial
definition:
Monomial

Mo*no"mi*al
(?)
n.
[See Monome, Binomial.]
(Alg.)
A single algebraic expression; that is, an expression unconnected with any other by the sign of addition, substraction, equality, or inequality.


word: Monomorphous
definition:
Monomorphous

Monomorphic

{ Mon`o*mor"phic (?), Mon`o*mor"phous (?), }
a.
[Mono- + Gr. morfh` 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.


word: Monomphalus
definition:
Monomphalus

Mo*nom"pha*lus
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. mo`nos alone + _; the navel.]
A form of double monster, in which two individuals are united by a common umbilicus.


word: Monomyaria
definition:
Monomyaria

Monomya

{ &VerbarMo*no"my*a (?), &VerbarMon`o*my*a"ri*a (?), }
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. mo`nos single + _;, _;, muscle.]
(Zool.)
An order of lamellibranchs having but one muscle for closing the shell, as the oyster.


word: Monomyary
definition:
Monomyary

Monomyarian

{ Mon`o*my"a*ri*an (?), Mon`o*my"a*ry (?), }
a.
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the Monomya.
n. One of the Monomya.


word: Monoousious
definition:
Monoousious

Monoousian

{ 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.


word: Monopathy
definition:
Monopathy

Mo*nop"a*thy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;; mo`nos alone + _;, _;, to suffer.]
Suffering or sensibility in a single organ or function.
Mon`o*path"ic, a.


word: Monopersonal
definition:
Monopersonal

Mon`o*per"son*al
(?)
a.
[Mono- + personal.]
Having but one person, or form of existence.


word: Monopetalous
definition:
Monopetalous

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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Monophanous
definition:
Monophanous

Mo*noph"a*nous
(?)
a.
[Mono- + Gr. _; to show.]
Having one and the same appearance; having a mutual resemblance.


word: Monophonic
definition:
Monophonic

Mon`o*phon"ic
(?)
a.
[Mono- + Gr. _; a voice.]
1.
(Mus.)
Single-voiced; having but one part; as, a monophonic composition; -- opposed to polyphonic.

2.
Of or relating to a system for recording and reproducing sound, which has only one sound channel; also called monaural or mono.  It contrasts with stereophonic (or stereo), quadraphonic, or surround-sound, which have two or more channels, and can thus reproduce the effect of the sound coming from more than one direction.


word: Monophthong
definition:
Monophthong

Mon"oph*thong
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; with one sound; mo`nos alone + _; sound, voice.]
1.
A single uncompounded vowel sound.

2.
A combination of two written vowels pronounced as one; a digraph.


word: Monophyletic
definition:
Monophyletic

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.


word: Monophyllous
definition:
Monophyllous

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.


word: Monophyodont
definition:
Monophyodont

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.


word: Monophysite
definition:
Monophysite

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.


word: Monoplastic
definition:
Monoplastic

Mon`o*plas"tic
(?)
a.
[Mono- + -plastic.]
(Biol.)
That has one form, or retains its primary form, as, a monoplastic element.


word: Monoplegia
definition:
Monoplegia

Mon`ople"gi*a
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. mo`nos single + _; a stroke.]
(Med.)
Paralysis affecting a single limb.


word: Monopneumona
definition:
Monopneumona

Mon`op*neu"mo*na
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Mono-, and Pneumonia.]
(Zool.)
A suborder of Dipnoi, including the Ceratodus.
[Written also monopneumonia.]


word: Monopode
definition:
Monopode

Mon"o*pode
(?)
n.
1.
One of a fabulous tribe or race of Ethiopians having but one leg and foot.
Sir J. Mandeville. Lowell.

2.
(Bot.)
A monopodium.


word: Monopodial
definition:
Monopodial

Mon`o*po"di*al
(?)
a.
(Bot.)
Having a monopodium or a single and continuous axis, as a birchen twig or a cornstalk.


word: Monopodium
definition:
Monopodium

Mon`o*po"di*um
(?)
n.
pl. L. Monopodia (#), E. -ums (#).
[L. See Monopody.]
(Bot.)
A single and continuous vegetable axis; -- opposed to sympodium.


word: Monopody
definition:
Monopody

Mo*nop"o*dy
(?)
n.
[Mono- + Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot: cf. _;, _;, one-footed.]
(Pros.)
A measure of but a single foot.


word: Monopolist
definition:
Monopolist

Mo*nop"o*list
(mo̝*n&obreve_;p"o̝*lĭst)
n.
One who monopolizes; one who has a monopoly; one who favors monopoly.


word: Monopolistic
definition:
Monopolistic

Mo*nop`o*lis"tic
(mo̝*n&obreve_;p`o̝*lĭs"tĭk)
a.
Of or pertaining to a monopolist.
North Am. Rev.


word: Monopolize
definition:
Monopolize

Mo*nop"o*lize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Monopolized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Monopolizing (?).]
[From Monopoly.]
To acquire a monopoly of; to have or get the exclusive privilege or means of dealing in, or the exclusive possession of; to engross the whole of; as, to monopolize the coffee trade; to monopolize land.


word: Monopoly
definition:
Monopoly

Mo*nop"o*ly
(?)
n.
pl. Monopolies (#).
[L. monopolium, Gr. _;, _;; mo`nos alone + _; to sell.]
1.
The exclusive power, or privilege of selling a commodity; the exclusive power, right, or privilege of dealing in some article, or of trading in some market; sole command of the traffic in anything, however obtained; as, the proprietor of a patented article is given a monopoly of its sale for a limited time; chartered trading companies have sometimes had a monopoly of trade with remote regions; a combination of traders may get a monopoly of a particular product.

Raleigh held a monopoly of cards, Essex a monopoly of sweet wines.
Macaulay.

2.
Exclusive possession; as, a monopoly of land.

If I had a monopoly out, they would have part on 't.
Shak.

3.
The commodity or other material thing to which the monopoly relates; as, tobacco is a monopoly in France.
[Colloq.]


word: Monopolylogue
definition:
Monopolylogue

Mon`o*pol"y*logue
(?)
n.
[Mono- + Gr. poly`s many + lo`gos speech.]
An exhibition in which an actor sustains many characters.


word: Monopsychism
definition:
Monopsychism

Mon`o*psy"chism
(?)
n.
[Mono- + Gr. _; soul.]
The doctrine that there is but one immortal soul or intellect with which all men are endowed.


word: monopteral
definition:
monopteral

mo*nop"ter*al
(mo̝*n&obreve_;p"tẽr*al)
a.
[Gr. mono`pteros with a row of pillars only; mo`nos alone, only + ptero`n 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.


word: Monopteron
definition:
Monopteron

Mo*nop"ter*on
(?)
n.
pl. Monoptera (#).
[NL. See Monopteral.]
(Arch.)
A circular temple consisting of a roof supported on columns, without a cella.


word: Monoptote
definition:
Monoptote

Mon"op*tote
(?)
n.
[L. monoptotum, Gr. mono`ptwtos; 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.


word: Monopyrenous
definition:
Monopyrenous

Mon`o*py*re"nous
(?)
a.
[Mono- + pyrene.]
(Bot.)
Having but a single stone or kernel.


word: Monorganic
definition:
Monorganic

Mon`or*gan"ic
(?)
a.
[Mon- + organic.]
(Biol. & Med.)
Belonging to, or affecting, a single organ, or set of organs.


word: Monorhina
definition:
Monorhina

Mon`o*rhi"na
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. mo`nos single + _;, _;, nose.]
(Zool.)
The Marsipobranchiata.


word: Monorhyme
definition:
Monorhyme

Mon"o*rhyme
(?)
n.
[Mono- + rhyme: cf. F. monorime.]
A composition in verse, in which all the lines end with the same rhyme.


word: -rid
definition:
-rid

Monosaccharide

{ Mon`o*sac"cha*ride (?), n. Also -rid  }
[Mono- + saccharide.]
(Chem.)
A simple sugar; any of a number of sugars (including the trioses, tetroses, pentoses, hexoses, etc.), not decomposable into simpler sugars by hydrolysis. Specif., as used by some, a hexose.  The monosaccharides are all open-chain compounds containing hydroxyl groups and either an aldehyde group or a ketone group.


word: Monosepalous
definition:
Monosepalous

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.

&hand_; 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.


word: monosodium glutamate
definition:
monosodium glutamate

monosodium glutamate
n.
The monosodium salt of the natural amino acid L-glutamine (C5H8NNaO4), used as a food additive to enhance flavor; abbreviated MSG.  It is usually marketed as the monhydrate (C5H8NNaO4.H2O). It is commmonly used in Chinese-American restaurants, and has been identified as a main cause of Chinese restaurant syndrome.


word: Monospermous
definition:
Monospermous

Monospermal

{ Mon`o*sper"mal (?), Mon`o*sper"mous (?), }
a.
[Mono- + Gr. spe`rma seed: cf. F. monosperme.]
(Bot.)
Having only one seed.


word: Monostich
definition:
Monostich

Mon"o*stich
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, from _; consisting of one verse; mo`nos single + sti`chos line, verse.]
A composition consisting of one verse only.


word: Monostichous
definition:
Monostichous

Mo*nos"ti*chous
(mo̝*n&obreve_;s"tĭ*kŭs)
a.
[See Monostich.]
(Bot.)
Arranged in a single row on one side of an axis, as the flowers in grasses of the tribe Chloridae.


word: Monostrophe
definition:
Monostrophe

Mo*nos"tro*phe
(mo̝*n&obreve_;s"tro̝*fe̝)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. mono`strofos monostrophic.]
A metrical composition consisting of a single strophe.


word: Monostrophic
definition:
Monostrophic

Mon`o*stroph"ic
(m&obreve_;n`o̝*str&obreve_;f"ĭk)
a.
[Gr. monostrofiko`s; mo`nos single + strofh` strophe.]
(Pros.)
Having one strophe only; not varied in measure; written in unvaried measure.
Milton.


word: Monosulphide
definition:
Monosulphide

Mon`o*sul"phide
(?)
n.
[Mono- + sulphide.]
(Chem.)
A sulphide containing one atom of sulphur, and analogous to a monoxide; -- contrasted with a polysulphide; as, galena is a monosulphide.


word: Monosyllabic
definition:
Monosyllabic

Mon`o*syl*lab"ic
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. monosyllabique.]
Being a monosyllable, or composed of monosyllables; as, a monosyllabic word; a monosyllabic language.
Mon`o*syl*lab"ic*al*ly (#), adv.


word: Monosyllabism
definition:
Monosyllabism

Mon`o*syl"la*bism
(?)
n.
The state of consisting of monosyllables, or having a monosyllabic form; frequent occurrence of monosyllables.


word: Monosyllable
definition:
Monosyllable

Mon"o*syl`la*ble
(?)
n.
[L. monosyllabus of one syllable, Gr. _;: cf. F. monosyllabe. See Mono-, Syllable.]
A word of one syllable.


word: Monosymmetrical
definition:
Monosymmetrical

Monosymmetric

{ Mon`o*sym*met"ric (?), Mon`o*sym*met"ric*al (?), }
a.
[Mono- + symmetric, -ical.]
(Crystallog.)
Same as Monoclinic.


word: Monotessaron
definition:
Monotessaron

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.]


word: Monothalama
definition:
Monothalama

Mon`o*thal"a*ma
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. mo`nos single + qa`lamos a chamber.]
(Zool.)
A division of Foraminifera including those that have only one chamber.


word: Monothalaman
definition:
Monothalaman

Mon`o*thal"a*man
(?)
n.
[See Monothalamous.]
(Zool.)
A foraminifer having but one chamber.


word: Monothalamous
definition:
Monothalamous

Mon`o*thal"a*mous
(?)
a.
[Mono- + Gr. qa`lamos chamber: cf. F. monothalame.]
(Zool.)
One-chambered.


word: Monothalmic
definition:
Monothalmic

Mon`o*thal"mic
(?)
a.
[See Monothalamous.]
(Bot.)
Formed from one pistil; -- said of fruits.
R. Brown.


word: Monotheism
definition:
Monotheism

Mon"o*the*ism
(?)
n.
[Mono- + Gr. _; god: cf. F. monothéisme.]
The doctrine or belief that there is but one God.


word: Monothelitism
definition:
Monothelitism

Monothelism

{ Mo*noth"e*lism (?), Mo*noth"e*li*tism (?), }
n.
[Cf. F. monothélisme, monothélitisme.]
The doctrine of the Monothelites.


word: Monothelite
definition:
Monothelite

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.


word: Monothelitic
definition:
Monothelitic

Mon`o*the*lit"ic
(?)
prop. a.
Of or pertaining to the Monothelites, or their doctrine.


word: Monotocous
definition:
Monotocous

Mo*not"o*cous
(?)
a.
[Mono- + Gr. _; birth, offspring.]
1.
(Bot.)
Bearing fruit but once; monocarpic.

2.
(Zool.)
Uniparous; laying a single egg.


word: Monotomous
definition:
Monotomous

Mo*not"o*mous
(?)
a.
[Mono- + Gr. _; cutting, fr. _; to cut.]
(Min.)
Having a distinct cleavage in a single direction only.


word: Monotone
definition:
Monotone

Mon"o*tone
(?)
n.
[See Monotonous, Monotony.]
1.
(Mus.)
A single unvaried tone or sound.

2.
(Rhet.)
The utterance of successive syllables, words, or sentences, on one unvaried key or line of pitch.


word: Monotonical
definition:
Monotonical

Monotonic

{ Mon`o*ton"ic (?), Mon`o*ton"ic*al (?), }
a.
1.
Of, pertaining to, or uttered in, a monotone; monotonous.
Monotonical
Chesterfield.

2.
(Math.)
Always increasing or always decreasing, as the value of the independent variable increases; -- of a function.


word: Monotonist
definition:
Monotonist

Mo*not"o*nist
(?)
n.
One who talks in the same strain or on the same subject until weariness is produced.
Richardson.


word: Monotonous
definition:
Monotonous

Mo*not"o*nous
(?)
a.
[Gr. _;; mo`nos alone, single + _; tone. See Tone.]
Uttered in one unvarying tone; continued with dull uniformity; characterized by monotony; without change or variety; wearisome.
Mo*not"o*nous*ly, adv. -- Mo*not"o*nous*ness, n.


word: Monotony
definition:
Monotony

Mo*not"o*ny
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;: cf. F. monotonie. See Monotonius.]
1.
A frequent recurrence of the same tone or sound, producing a dull uniformity; absence of variety, as in speaking or singing.

2.
Any irksome sameness, or want of variety.

At sea, everything that breaks the monotony of the surrounding expanse attracts attention.
W. Irving.


word: Monotremata
definition:
Monotremata

Mon`o*trem"a*ta
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. mo`nos single + _; hole.]
(Zool.)
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.


word: Monotriglyph
definition:
Monotriglyph

Mon`o*tri"glyph
(?)
n.
[Mono- + triglyph: cf. F. monotriglyphe.]
(Arch.)
A kind of intercolumniation in an entablature, in which only one triglyph and two metopes are introduced.


word: Monotropa
definition:
Monotropa

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.


word: Monotropaceae
definition:
Monotropaceae

Monotropaceae
prop. n.
A natural family of plants, used in some classifications for saprophytic herbs; it is sometimes included in the family Pyrolaceae, and contains the genera Monotropa and Sarcodes.

Syn. -- family Monotropaceae.


word: Monotypic
definition:
Monotypic

Monotype

{ 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.


word: Monotype
definition:
Monotype

Mon"o*type
(?)
1.
[Mono- + -type.]
1.
(Biol.)
The only representative of its group, as a single species constituting a genus.

2.
A print (but one impression can be taken) made by painting on metal and then transferring the painting to paper by pressure; also, the process of making such prints.

3.
A kind of keyboard-operated typesetting and casting machine that makes and sets separate characters.


word: Monovalent
definition:
Monovalent

Mo*nov"a*lent
(?)
a.
[Mono- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence.]
(Chem.)
Having a valence of one; univalent. See Univalent.


word: monovular
definition:
monovular

monovular
adj.
(Biol.)
derived from a single egg or ovum; -- of twins; as, identical twins are monovular.  Contrasted with fraternal.

Syn. -- identical.


word: Monoxide
definition:
Monoxide

Mo*nox"ide
(?)
n.
[Mon- + oxide.]
(Chem.)
An oxide containing one atom of oxygen in each molecule; as, barium monoxide.


word: Monoxylon
definition:
Monoxylon

Mo*nox"y*lon
(?)
n.
[NL., from Gr. _;, fr. _; made from one piece of wood; mo`nos alone + _; wood.]
A canoe or boat made from one piece of timber.


word: Monozoa
definition:
Monozoa

Mon`o*zo"a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. mo`nos single + zw^,on an animal.]
(Zool.)
A division of Radiolaria; -- called also Monocyttaria.
Mon`o*zo"ic (#), a.


word: Monseigneur
definition:
Monseigneur

Mon`sei`gneur"
(?)
n.
pl. Messeigneurs (#).
[F., fr. mon my + seigneur lord, L. senior older. See Senior, and cf. Monsieur.]
My lord; -- a title in France of a person of high birth or rank; as, Monseigneur the Prince, or Monseigneur the Archibishop.  It was given, specifically, to the dauphin, before the Revolution of 1789. (Abbrev. Mgr.)


word: Monsel's salt
definition:
Monsel's salt

Mon"sel's salt`
(?)
(Med.)
A basic sulphate of iron; -- so named from Monsel, a Frenchman.


word: Monsel's solution
definition:
Monsel's solution

Mon"sel's so*lu"tion
(?)
[See Monsel's salt.]
(Med.)
An aqueous solution of Monsel's salt, having valuable styptic properties.


word: Monsieur
definition:
Monsieur

Mon*sieur"
(?)
n.
pl. Messieurs (#).
[F., fr. mon my + Sieur, abbrev. of seigneur lord. See Monseigneur.]
1.
The common title of civility in France in speaking to, or of, a man; Mr. or Sir.
[Represented by the abbreviation M. or Mons. in the singular, and by MM. or Messrs. in the plural.]

2.
The oldest brother of the king of France.

3.
A Frenchman.
[Contemptuous]
Shak.


word: Monsignore
definition:
Monsignore

Mon`si*gno"re
(?)
n.
pl. Monsignors (#).
[It., my lord.  Cf. Monseigneur.]
My lord; -- an ecclesiastical dignity bestowed by the pope, entitling the bearer to social and domestic rank at the papal court. (Abbrev. Mgr.)


word: monsoon
definition:
monsoon

mon*soon"
(m&obreve_;n*sōn")
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.

2.
A heavy rainfall in India associated with the southwest monsoon{1}.

3.
The season in which the monsoon{2} occurs.


word: Monster
definition:
Monster

Mon"ster
(m&obreve_;n*stẽr)
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.


word: Monster₂
definition:
Monster

Mon"ster
a.
1.
Monstrous in size.
Pope.

2.
Enormous or very powerful; as, he drove a monster Harley.
[informal]


word: monstera
definition:
monstera

monstera
n.
1.
any plant of the genus Monstera; they are often grown as houseplants.

2.
A tropical cylindrical pineconelike fruit with pineapple-banana flavor.

Syn. -- ceriman.


word: monstrance
definition:
monstrance

mon"strance
(m&obreve_;n*strans)
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.


word: Monstration
definition:
Monstration

Mon*stra"tion
(m&obreve_;n*strā"shŭn)
n.
[L. monstratio.]
The act of demonstrating; proof.
[Obs.]

A certain monstration.
Grafton.


word: Monstrosity
definition:
Monstrosity

Mon*stros"i*ty
(m&obreve_;n*str&obreve_;s"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Monstrosities (m&obreve_;n*str&obreve_;s"ĭ*tĭz).
[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.).


word: Monstrous
definition:
Monstrous

Mon"strous
(m&obreve_;n"strŭs)
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.


word: Monstrous₂
definition:
Monstrous

Mon"strous
adv.
Exceedingly; very; very much.
monstrous
Bacon.

And will be monstrous witty on the poor.
Dryden.


word: Monstrously
definition:
Monstrously

Mon"strous*ly
adv.
In a monstrous manner; unnaturally; extraordinarily; as, monstrously wicked.
monstrously
Dryden.


word: Monstrousness
definition:
Monstrousness

Mon"strous*ness
n.
The state or quality of being monstrous, unusual, extraordinary.
Shak.


word: Montanic
definition:
Montanic

Mon*tan"ic
(?)
a.
[L. montanus, fr. mons, montis, mountain. See Mount, n.]
Of or pertaining to mountains; consisting of mountains.


word: Montanist
definition:
Montanist

Mon"ta*nist
(?)
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Mintanus, a Phrygian enthusiast of the second century, who claimed that the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, dwelt in him, and employed him as an instrument for purifying and guiding men in the Christian life.
Mon`ta*nis"tic (#), Mon`ta*nis"tic*al (#), a.


word: Montant
definition:
Montant

Mon"tant
(?)
n.
[F.,prop., mounting, fr. monter to mount, fr. L. mons, montis, mountain. See Mount.]
1.
(Fencing)
An upward thrust or blow.
Shak.

2.
(Arch.)
An upright piece in any framework; a mullion or muntin; a stile.
[R.]
See Stile.


word: Mont de piete
definition:
Mont de piete

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.


word: Monte
definition:
Monte

Mon"te
(m&obreve_;n"ta̝)
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.

three-card monte a gambling game using playing cards, in which a dealer shows a bettor three cards face up and specifies one to be identified, and after the cards are turned face down and moved around quickly, the bettor must identify which of the three cards is the specified card.  It is sometimes engaged in by dealers on the streets of a city, with bets made by passers-by.


word: Monte₂
definition:
Monte

Mon"te
(?)
n.
In Spanish America, a wood; forest; timber land; esp., in parts of South America, a comparatively wooden region.


word: Monte-acid
definition:
Monte-acid

Monte`-ac"id
(?)
n.
[F. monter to raise + acide acid.]
(Chem.)
An acid elevator, as a tube through which acid is forced to some height in a sulphuric acid manufactory.


word: Monteith₂
definition:
Monteith

Mon*teith"
(?)
n.
A kind of cotton handkerchief having a uniform colored ground with a regular pattern of white spots produced by discharging the color; -- so called from the Glasgow manufactures.


word: Monte-jus
definition:
Monte-jus

Monte"-jus"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. monter to bring up + jus juice.]
An apparatus for raising a liquid by pressure of air or steam in a reservoir containing the liquid.


word: Montem
definition:
Montem

Mon"tem
(?)
n.
[L. ad montem to the hillock. See Mount, n.]
A custom, formerly practiced by the scholars at Eton school, England, of going every third year, on Whittuesday, to a hillock near the Bath road, and exacting money from all passers-by, to support at the university the senior scholar of the school.


word: Montero
definition:
Montero

Mon*te"ro
(?)
n.
[Sp. montera a hunting cap, fr. montero a huntsman, monte a mountain, forest, L. mons, montis, mountain. See Mount, n.]
An ancient kind of cap worn by horsemen or huntsmen.
Bacon.


word: Montessori Method
definition:
Montessori Method

Mon`tes*so"ri Meth"od
(?)
(Pedagogy)
A system of training and instruction, primarily for use with normal children aged from three to six years, devised by Dr. Maria Montessori while teaching in the “Houses of Childhood” (schools in the poorest tenement districts of Rome, Italy), and first fully described by her in 1909.  The fundamental aim is to create self-motivation for education, and the leading features are freedom for physical activity (no stationary desks and chairs), informal and individual instruction, the very early development of reading and writing skills, and an extended sensory and motor training (with special emphasis on vision, touch, perception of movement, and their interconnections), mediated by a patented, standardized system of “didactic apparatus,” which is declared to be “auto-regulative.”  Most of the chief features of the method are borrowed from current methods used in many institutions for training feeble-minded children, and dating back especially to the work of the French-American physician Edouard O. Seguin (1812-80).


word: Monteith₃
definition:
Monteith

Monteth

{ 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.


word: Montgolfier
definition:
Montgolfier

Mont`gol"fier
(?)
n.
A balloon which ascends by the buoyancy of air heated by a fire; a fire balloon; -- so called from two brothers, Stephen and Joseph Montgolfier, of France, who first constructed and sent up a fire balloon.


word: Month
definition:
Month

Month
(mŭnth)
n.
[OE. month, moneth, AS. m&omacrnð, m&omacrnað; akin to m&omacrna moon, and to D. maand month, G. monat, OHG. mān&omacrd, Icel. mānuðr, mānaðr, Goth. mēn&omacrþs. √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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Monthling
definition:
Monthling

Month"ling
(?)
n.
That which is a month old, or which lives for a month.
[R.]
Wordsworth.


word: Monthly
definition:
Monthly

Month"ly
a.
1.
Continued a month, or a performed in a month; as, the monthly revolution of the moon.

2.
Done, happening, payable, published, etc., once a month, or every month; as, a monthly visit; monthly charges; a monthly installment; a monthly magazine.

Monthly nurse, a nurse who serves for a month or some short time, esp. one which attends women after childbirth.


word: Monthly₃
definition:
Monthly

Month"ly
adv.
1.
Once a month; in every month; as, the moon changes monthly.
Shak.

2.
As if under the influence of the moon; in the manner of a lunatic.
[Obs.]
Middleton.


word: Monticle
definition:
Monticle

Mon"ti*cle
(?)
n.
[L. monticulus, dim. of mons, montis, mountain: cf. F. monticule. See Mount, n.]
A little mount; a hillock; a small elevation or prominence.
[Written also monticule.]


word: Montigenous
definition:
Montigenous

Mon*tig"e*nous
(?)
a.
[L. montigena; mons, montis, mountain + the root of gignere to beget.]
Produced on a mountain.


word: Montoir
definition:
Montoir

Mon`toir"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. monter to mount. See Montant.]
A stone used in mounting a horse; a horse block.


word: Monton
definition:
Monton

Mon"ton
(?)
n.
[Sp.]
(Mining)
A heap of ore; a mass undergoing the process of amalgamation.


word: Montre
definition:
Montre

Mon"tre
(?)
n.
[F., show, show case, organ case.]
1.
(Organ Building)
A stop, usually the open diapason, having its pipes “shown” as part of the organ case, or otherwise specially mounted.

2.
A hole in the wall of a pottery kiln, by which the state of the pieces within can be judged.


word: Montrue
definition:
Montrue

Mon"true
(?)
n.
[F., fr. monter to mount. See Montoir.]
That on which anything is mounted; a setting; hence, a saddle horse.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Monument
definition:
Monument

Mon"u*ment
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. monumentum, fr. monere to remind, admonish. See Monition, and cf. Moniment.]
1.
Something which stands, or remains, to keep in remembrance what is past; a memorial.

Of ancient British art
A pleasing monument.
Philips.

Our bruised arms hung up for monuments.
Shak.

2.
A building, pillar, stone, or the like, erected to preserve the remembrance of a person, event, action, etc.; as, the Washington monument; the Bunker Hill monument. Also, a tomb, with memorial inscriptions.

On your family's old monument
Hang mournful epitaphs, and do all rites
That appertain unto a burial.
Shak.

3.
A stone or other permanent object, serving to indicate a limit or to mark a boundary.

4.
A saying, deed, or example, worthy of record.

Acts and Monuments of these latter and perilous days.
Foxe.


word: Monumental
definition:
Monumental

Mon`u*men"tal
(?)
a.
[L. monumentalis: cf. F. monumental.]
1.
Of, pertaining to, or suitable for, a monument; as, a monumental inscription.

2.
Serving as a monument; memorial; preserving memory.
monumental
Milton.

A work outlasting monumental brass.
Pope.

3.
Of lasting significance; as, a monumental work of literature; a monumental accomplishment.

4.
Exceptionally large in quantity, quality, or degree; as, a monumental amount of work to be done


word: Monureid
definition:
Monureid

Mon*u"re*id
(?)
n.
[Mon- + ureid.]
(Chem.)
Any one of a series of complex nitrogenous substances regarded as derived from one molecule of urea; as, alloxan is a monureid.
[Written also monureide.]


word: Moo₂
definition:
Moo

Moo
(mō)
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.


word: mooch
definition:
mooch

mooch
v. t.
1.
to ask for and get free; to borrow without intending to repay; to sponge; -- usually with objects of small value; as, he mooched a few cigarettes from me.

Syn. -- bum, cadge, grub, sponge.

2.
To beg for.


word: Mood
definition:
Mood

Mood
(mōd)
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, conditional, hypothetical, obligatory, imperitive, etc., without regard to other accidents, such as time, person, number, etc.; as, the indicative mood; the imperitive mood; the infinitive mood; the subjunctive mood. Same as Mode.


word: Mood₂
definition:
Mood

Mood
n.
[OE. mood, mod, AS. m&omacrdmind, feeling, heart, courage; akin to OS. & OFries. m&omacrd, D. moed, OHG. muot, G. muth, mut, courage, Dan. & Sw. mod, Icel. m&omacrðr wrath, Goth. m&omacrds.]
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.


word: Moodiness
definition:
Moodiness

Mood"i*ness
n.
The quality or state of being moody; specifically, liability to strange or violent moods.


word: Moodir
definition:
Moodir

Moo"dir
(?)
n.
[Ar. mudīr.]
The governor of a province in Egypt, etc.
[Written also mudir.]


word: Moody
definition:
Moody

Mood"y
(?)
a.
[Compar. Moodier (?); superl. Moodiest.]
[AS. m&omacrdig 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.
moody
Rowe.

Arouse thee from thy moody dream!
Sir W. Scott.


word: Moon
definition:
Moon

Moon
(mōn)
n.
[OE. mone, AS. m&omacrna; 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; as, it's been many moons since I last visited Washington.
Shak.

4.
(Fort.)
A crescentlike outwork. See Half-moon.

5.
The deliberately exposed naked buttocks.
[slang]

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. -- blue moon, see blue moon in the vocabulary. -- many moons, a long time. 


word: Moon₂
definition:
Moon

Moon
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mooned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mooning.]
1.
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.

2.
To expose one's naked buttocks to (a person); -- a vulgar sign of contempt or disrespect, sometimes done as a prank.


word: Moon₃
definition:
Moon

Moon
v. i.
To act if moonstruck; to wander or gaze about in an abstracted manner.

Elsley was mooning down the river by himself.
C. Kingsley.


word: Moonblink
definition:
Moonblink

Moon"blink`
(?)
n.
A temporary blindness, or impairment of sight, said to be caused by sleeping in the moonlight; -- sometimes called nyctalopia.


word: Mooncalf
definition:
Mooncalf

Moon"calf`
(?)
n.
1.
A monster; a false conception; a mass of fleshy matter, generated in the uterus.

2.
A dolt; a stupid fellow.
Dryden.


word: Moon-culminating
definition:
Moon-culminating

Moon"-cul"mi*na`ting
(?)
a.
Culminating, or coming to the meredian, at or about the same time with the moon; -- said of a star or stars, esp. of certain stars selected beforehand, and named in an ephemeris (as the Nautical Almanac), as suitable to be observed in connection with the moon at culmination, for determining terrestrial longitude.


word: Mooner
definition:
Mooner

Moon"er
(?)
n.
One who abstractedly wanders or gazes about, as if moonstruck.
[R.]
Dickens.


word: Moon-eye
definition:
Moon-eye

Moon"-eye`
(?)
n.
1.
A eye affected by the moon; also, a disease in the eye of a horse.

2.
(Zool.)
(a)
Any species of American fresh-water fishes of the genus Hyodon, esp. Hyodon tergisus of the Great Lakes and adjacent waters.
(b)
The cisco.


word: Moonfish
definition:
Moonfish

Moon"fish`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
(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.


word: Moonflower
definition:
Moonflower

Moon"flow`er
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
(a)
The oxeye daisy; -- called also moon daisy.
(b)
A kind of morning glory (Ipomoea Bona-nox) with large white flowers opening at night.


word: Moonglade
definition:
Moonglade

Moon"glade`
(?)
n.
The bright reflection of the moon's light on an expanse of water.
[Poetic]


word: Moonie
definition:
Moonie

Moo"nie
(mō"nē)
prop. n.
[from Sun Myun Moon, Korean evangelist and founder.]
A member of the Unification Church, founded by Sun Myun Moon.
[informal & contemptuous.]


word: Moonlight
definition:
Moonlight

Moon`light`
(mōn"līt`)
n.
The light of the moon.
a. Occurring during or by moonlight; characterized by moonlight.


word: Moonlight₂
definition:
Moonlight

Moon"light`
(mōn"līt`)
v. i.
To work at a second job in addition to one's main occupation; -- often done at night, hence the word.


word: Moonlighter
definition:
Moonlighter

Moon"light`er
(mōn"līt`ẽr)
n.
One who follows an occupation or pastime by moonlight;
(a)
A moonshiner.
(b)
In Ireland, one of a band that engaged in agrarian outrages by night.
(c)
A serenader by moonlight.
[Local, U. S.]
(d)
One who works at a second job in addition to his main occupation.


word: Moonrise
definition:
Moonrise

Moon"rise`
(?)
n.
The rising of the moon above the horizon; also, the time of its rising.


word: Moonsail
definition:
Moonsail

Moon"sail`
(?)
n.
(Naut.)
A sail sometimes carried in light winds, above a skysail.
R. H. Dana, Jr.


word: Moonseed
definition:
Moonseed

Moon"seed`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A climbing plant of the genus Menispermum; -- so called from the crescentlike form of the seeds.


word: Moonset
definition:
Moonset

Moon"set`
(?)
n.
The descent of the moon below the horizon; also, the time when the moon sets.


word: Moonshee
definition:
Moonshee

Moon"shee
(?)
n.
[Hind. munishī, fr. Ar. munishī a writer, author, secretary, tutor.]
A Muslim professor or teacher of language.
[India]


word: Moonshine
definition:
Moonshine

Moon"shine`
(?)
n.
1.
The light of the moon.

2.
Hence, show without substance or reality.

3.
A month.
[R.]
Shak.

4.
A preparation of eggs for food.
[Obs.]

5.
Liquor smuggled or illicitly distilled, especially liquor distilled illegally in rural parts of the southern U. S.
[Dial. Eng., & Colloq. or Slang, U. S.]


word: Moonshine₂
definition:
Moonshine

Moon"shine`
a.
Moonlight.
[R.]
Clarendon.

2.
Empty; trivial; idle.

3.
Designating, or pertaining to, illicit liquor; as, moonshine whisky.
[Dial. Eng., & Colloq. or Slang, U. S.]


word: Moonshiner
definition:
Moonshiner

Moon"shin`er
(?)
n.
A person engaged in illicit distilling; -- so called because the work is largely done at night.
[Cant, U.S.]


word: Moonshiny
definition:
Moonshiny

Moon"shin`y
(?)
a.
Moonlight.
[Colloq.]

I went to see them in a moonshiny night.
Addison.


word: Moon shot
definition:
Moon shot

Moon" shot`
(mōn" sh&obreve_;t)
n.
The action or event of sending a spacecraft to the moon; -- used of manned or unmanned missions.


word: moon-splashed
definition:
moon-splashed

moon-splashed
adj.
splashed or covered patchily with moonlight; as, the moon-splashed world.

Syn. -- moon splashed.


word: Moonstone
definition:
Moonstone

Moon"stone`
(mōn"st&omacrn`)
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.


word: Moonstruck
definition:
Moonstruck

Moon"struck`
(mōn"strŭk`)
a.
1.
Mentally affected or deranged by the supposed influence of the moon; lunatic.

2.
Produced by the supposed influence of the moon.
Moonstruck
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.


word: moonwalk
definition:
moonwalk

moonwalk
n.
1.
a kind of dance step in which the dancer seems to be sliding backward on the spot; as, Michael Jackson perfected the moonwalk in the 1980s.

2.
an exploratory walk by an astronaut on the surface of Earth's moon.


word: Moonwort
definition:
Moonwort

Moon"wort`
(mōn"wûrt`)
n.
(Bot.)
(a)
The herb lunary or honesty. See Honesty.
(b)
Any fern of the genus Botrychium, esp. Botrychium Lunaria; -- so named from the crescent-shaped segments of its frond.


word: Moony
definition:
Moony

Moon"y
(?)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to the moon.

Soft and pale as the moony beam.
J. R. Drake.

2.
Furnished with a moon; bearing a crescent.

But soon the miscreant moony host
Before the victor cross shall fly.
Fenton.

3.
Silly; weakly sentimental.
[Colloq.]
G. Eliot.


word: Moony₂
definition:
Moony

Moon"y
(?)
prop. n.
A follower of the Rev. Sun Myun Moon; a member of the Unification Church; -- often considered disparaging.
[Also spelled Moonie.]


word: Moor
definition:
Moor

Moor
(mōr)
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 Muslim religion.
Moors
Internat. Cyc.


word: Moor₂
definition:
Moor

Moor
n.
[OE. mor, AS. m&omacrr 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 (Zool.), the marsh harrier. [Prov. Eng.] -- Moor coal (Geol.), a friable variety of lignite. -- Moor cock (Zool.), the male of the moor fowl or red grouse of Europe. -- Moor coot. (Zool.) See Gallinule. -- Moor game. (Zool.) Same as Moor fowl. -- Moor grass (Bot.), a tufted perennial grass (Sesleria caerulea), found in mountain pastures of Europe. -- Moor hawk (Zool.), the marsh harrier. -- Moor hen. (Zool.) (a) The female of the moor fowl. (b) A gallinule, esp. the European species. See Gallinule. (c) An Australian rail (Tribonyx ventralis). -- Moor monkey (Zool.), the black macaque of Borneo (Macacus maurus). -- Moor titling (Zool.), the European stonechat (Pratinocola rubicola).


word: Moor₃
definition:
Moor

Moor
(mōr)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Moored (mōrd); 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.


word: Moorball
definition:
Moorball

Moor"ball`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A fresh-water alga (Cladophora Aegagropila) which forms a globular mass.


word: moor fowl
definition:
moor fowl

moorfowl

moorfowl, moor fowl
n.
(Zool.)
1.
A reddish-brown grouse (Lagopus Scoticus) of upland moors of Great Britain; the European ptarmigan, or red grouse, also called the moorgame.

Syn. -- red grouse, moorbird, moorgame, Lagopus scoticus.

2.
The European heath grouse. See under Heath.


word: moorhen
definition:
moorhen

moorhen
n.
(Zool.)
1.
A black gallinule (Gallinula chloropus) that inhabits ponds and lakes.

Syn. -- Gallinula chloropus.

2.
The female of the moor fowl; the moor hen.


word: Mooring
definition:
Mooring

Moor"ing
n.
1.
The act of confining a ship to a particular place, by means of anchors or fastenings.

2.
That which serves to confine a ship to a place, as anchors, cables, bridles, etc.

3.
pl.
The place or condition of a ship thus confined.

And the tossed bark in moorings swings.
Moore.

Mooring block (Naut.), a heavy block of cast iron sometimes used as an anchor for mooring vessels.


word: Moorish
definition:
Moorish

Moor"ish
a.
[From 2d Moor.]
Having the characteristics of a moor or heath.
Moorish
Thomson.


word: Moorish₂
definition:
Moorish

Moor"ish
a.
[See 1st Moor, and cf. Morris, Moresque.]
Of or pertaining to Morocco or the Moors; in the style of the Moors.

Moorish architecture, the style developed by the Moors in the later Middle Ages, esp. in Spain, in which the arch had the form of a horseshoe, and the ornamentation admitted no representation of animal life.  It has many points of resemblance to the Arabian and Persian styles, but should be distinguished from them. See Illust. under Moresque.


word: Moorpan
definition:
Moorpan

Moor"pan`
(?)
n.
[Cf. Hard pan, under Hard.]
A clayey layer or pan underlying some moors, etc.


word: Mooruk
definition:
Mooruk

Moo"ruk
(?)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
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.


word: Moory
definition:
Moory

Moor"y
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to moors; marshy; fenny; boggy; moorish.
Mortimer.

As when thick mists arise from moory vales.
Fairfax.


word: moose
definition:
moose

moose
(mōs)
n.
[A native name; Knisteneaux mouswah; Algonquin monse. Mackenzie.]
1.
(Zool.)
A large cervine mammal (Alces alces syn. Alces machlis, syn Alces 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 Zoologists is considered the same species. See Elk.

2.
A member of the Progressive Party; a Bull Moose.
[Obsolescent. Cant, from the early 1900's.]

2.
[capitalized]
A member of the fraternal organization named Loyal Order of Moose.

Moose bird (Zool.), the Canada jayor whisky jack. See Whisky jack. -- Moose deer. Same as Moose. -- Moose yard (Zool.), a locality where moose, in winter, herd together in a forest to feed and for mutual protection.


word: Moot
definition:
Moot

Moot
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mooted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mooting.]
[OE. moten, motien, AS. m&omacrtan to meet or assemble for conversation, to discuss, dispute, fr. m&omacrt, gem&omacrt, a meeting, an assembly; akin to Icel. m&omacrt, 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.

3.
To render inconsequential, as having no effect on the practical outcome; to render academic; as, the ruling that the law was invalid mooted the question of whether he actually violated it.


word: Moot₂
definition:
Moot

Moot
(?)
v. i.
To argue or plead in a supposed case.

There is a difference between mooting and pleading; between fencing and fighting.
B. Jonson.


word: Moot₃
definition:
Moot

Moot
n.
[AS. m&omacrt, gem&omacrt, 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. -- to make moot v. t. to render moot{2}; to moot{3}.


word: Moot₄
definition:
Moot

Moot
a.
1.
Subject, or open, to argument or discussion; undecided; debatable; mooted.

2.
Of purely theoretical or academic interest; having no practical consequence; as, the team won in spite of the bad call, and whether the ruling was correct is a moot question.


word: Moot-house
definition:
Moot-house

Moot-hall

{ Moot"-hall` (?), Moot"-house` (?), }
n.
[AS. m&omacrth_;s.]
A hall for public meetings; a hall of judgment.
[Obs.]
moot-hall
Wyclif.


word: Moot-hill
definition:
Moot-hill

Moot"-hill`
(?)
n.
(O. Eng. Law)
A hill of meeting or council; an elevated place in the open air where public assemblies or courts were held by the Saxons; -- called, in Scotland, mute-hill.
J. R. Green.


word: Mootman
definition:
Mootman

Moot"man
(?)
n.
pl. Mootmen (_;).
(O. Eng. Law)
One who argued moot cases in the inns of court.


word: Mop₃
definition:
Mop

Mop
n.
[CF. W. mop, mopa, Ir. moipal, Gael. moibeal, moibean; or OF. mappe a napkin (see Map, Napkin).]
1.
An implement for washing floors, or the like, made of a piece of cloth, or a collection of thrums, or coarse yarn, fastened to a handle.

2.
A fair where servants are hired.
[Prov. Eng.]

3.
The young of any animal; also, a young girl; a moppet.
[Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.

Mop head. (a) The end of a mop, to which the thrums or rags are fastened. (b) A clamp for holding the thrums or rags of a mop. [U.S.]


word: Mop₄
definition:
Mop

Mop
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mopped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mopping.]
To rub or wipe with a mop, or as with a mop; as, to mop a floor; to mop one's face with a handkerchief.


word: Mopboard
definition:
Mopboard

Mop"board`
(?)
n.
(Carp.)
A narrow board nailed against the wall of a room next to the floor; skirting board; baseboard. See Baseboard.


word: Mope
definition:
Mope

Mope
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Moped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Moping.]
[Cf. D. moppen to pout, Prov. G. muffen to sulk.]
To be dull and spiritless; to spend time doing little; as, to mope around the house.
Moping
Milton.

A sickly part of one true sense
Could not so mope.
Shak.


word: mop-headed
definition:
mop-headed

mop-headed
adj.
having a bushy top without a leader; -- of trees; as, mop-headed cabbage palms.

Syn. -- mopheaded.


word: Moppet
definition:
Moppet

Mop"pet
(?)
n.
[From 3d Mop.]
1.
A rag baby; a puppet made of cloth; hence, also, in fondness, a little girl, or a woman.

2.
(Zool.)
A long-haired pet dog.


word: Mora
definition:
Mora

Mor"a
(?)
n.
[It.]
A game of guessing the number of fingers extended in a quick movement of the hand, -- much played by Italians of the lower classes.


word: Mora₂
definition:
Mora

Mo"ra
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A leguminous tree of Guiana and Trinidad (Dimorphandra excelsa); also, its timber, used in shipbuilding and making furniture.


word: Moraine
definition:
Moraine

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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Moral
definition:
Moral

Mor"al
(?)
a.
[F., fr. It. moralis, fr. mos, moris, manner, custom, habit, way of life, conduct.]
1.
Relating to duty or obligation; pertaining to those intentions and actions of which right and wrong, virtue and vice, are predicated, or to the rules by which such intentions and actions ought to be directed; relating to the practice, manners, or conduct of men as social beings in relation to each other, as respects right and wrong, so far as they are properly subject to rules.

Keep at the least within the compass of moral actions, which have in them vice or virtue.
Hooker.

Mankind is broken loose from moral bands.
Dryden.

She had wandered without rule or guidance in a moral wilderness.
Hawthorne.

2.
Conformed to accepted rules of right; acting in conformity with such rules; virtuous; just; as, a moral man.  Used sometimes in distinction from religious; as, a moral rather than a religious life.

The wiser and more moral part of mankind.
Sir M. Hale.

3.
Capable of right and wrong action or of being governed by a sense of right; subject to the law of duty.

A moral agent is a being capable of those actions that have a moral quality, and which can properly be denominated good or evil in a moral sense.
J. Edwards.

4.
Acting upon or through one's moral nature or sense of right, or suited to act in such a manner; as, a moral arguments; moral considerations.  Sometimes opposed to material and physical; as, moral pressure or support.

5.
Supported by reason or probability; practically sufficient; -- opposed to legal or demonstrable; as, a moral evidence; a moral certainty.

6.
Serving to teach or convey a moral; as, a moral lesson; moral tales.

Moral agent, a being who is capable of acting with reference to right and wrong. -- Moral certainty, a very high degree or probability, although not demonstrable as a certainty; a probability of so high a degree that it can be confidently acted upon in the affairs of life; as, there is a moral certainty of his guilt. -- Moral insanity, insanity, so called, of the moral system; badness alleged to be irresponsible. -- Moral philosophy, the science of duty; the science which treats of the nature and condition of man as a moral being, of the duties which result from his moral relations, and the reasons on which they are founded. -- Moral play, an allegorical play; a morality. [Obs.] -- Moral sense, the power of moral judgment and feeling; the capacity to perceive what is right or wrong in moral conduct, and to approve or disapprove, independently of education or the knowledge of any positive rule or law. -- Moral theology, theology applied to morals; practical theology; casuistry.


word: Moral₂
definition:
Moral

Mor"al
(?)
n.
1.
The doctrine or practice of the duties of life; manner of living as regards right and wrong; conduct; behavior; -- usually in the plural.

Corrupt in their morals as vice could make them.
South.

2.
The inner meaning or significance of a fable, a narrative, an occurrence, an experience, etc.; the practical lesson which anything is designed or fitted to teach; the doctrine meant to be inculcated by a fiction; a maxim.

Thus may we gather honey from the weed,
And make a moral of the devil himself.
Shak.

To point a moral, or adorn a tale.
Johnson.

We protest against the principle that the world of pure comedy is one into which no moral enters.
Macaulay.

3.
A morality play. See Morality, 5.


word: Morale
definition:
Morale

Mo`rale"
(?)
n.
[F. See Moral, a.]
The moral condition, or the condition in other respects, so far as it is affected by, or dependent upon, moral considerations, such as zeal, spirit, hope, and confidence; mental state, as of a body of men, an army, and the like.


word: Moralist
definition:
Moralist

Mor"al*ist
n.
[Cf. F. moraliste.]
1.
One who moralizes; one who teaches or animadverts upon the duties of life; a writer of essays intended to correct vice and inculcate moral duties.
Addison.

2.
One who practices moral duties; a person who lives in conformity with moral rules; one of correct deportment and dealings with his fellow-creatures; -- sometimes used in contradistinction to one whose life is controlled by religious motives.

The love (in the moralist of virtue, but in the Christian) of God himself.
Hammond.


word: moralistic
definition:
moralistic

moralistic
adj.
1.
narrowly and conventionally moral; -- of people.

2.
disposed to moralize{2}; -- of people.

Syn. -- moralizing.


word: Morality
definition:
Morality

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.


word: Moralization
definition:
Moralization

Mor`al*i*za"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. moralisation.]
1.
The act of moralizing; moral reflections or discourse.

2.
Explanation in a moral sense.
T. Warton.


word: Moralize
definition:
Moralize

Mor"al*ize
(m&obreve_;r"al*īz)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Moralized (m&obreve_;r"al*īzd); p. pr. & vb. n. Moralizing (m&obreve_;r"al*ī*zĭng).]
[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.


word: Moralize₂
definition:
Moralize

Mor"al*ize
(?)
v. i.
1.
To make moral reflections; to regard acts and events as involving a moral.

2.
to lecture to a person in a manner asserting moral principles.

Syn. -- sermonize, preachify, moralise.


word: Morally
definition:
Morally

Mor"al*ly
adv.
1.
In a moral or ethical sense; according to the rules of morality.

By good, good morally so called, “bonum honestum” ought chiefly to be understood.
South.

2.
According to moral rules; virtuously.
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.


word: morals
definition:
morals

morals
n.
motivation based on ideas of right and wrong.

Syn. -- ethical motive, ethics, morality.


word: Morass
definition:
Morass

Mo*rass"
(?)
n.
[OE. marras, mareis (perh. through D. moeras), fr. F. marais, prob. from L. mare sea, in LL., any body of water; but perh. influenced by some German word. See Mere a lake, and cf. Marsh.]
A tract of soft, wet ground; a marsh; a fen.

Morass ore. (Min.) See Bog ore, under Bog.


word: Moratorium
definition:
Moratorium

Mor`a*to"ri*um
(?)
n.
[NL. See Moratory.]
1.
(Law)
A period during which an obligor has a legal right to delay meeting an obligation, esp. such a period granted, as to a bank, by a moratory law.

2.
a suspension of an activity.

3.
an officially authorized period of delay or waiting; as, a moratorium on putting a law into effect.


word: Moratory
definition:
Moratory

Mor"a*to*ry
(?)
a.
[L. moratorius delaying, fr. morari to delay.]
Of or pertaining to delay; esp., designating a law passed, as in a time of financial panic, to postpone or delay for a period the time at which notes, bills of exchange, and other obligations, shall mature or become due.


word: Moravian
definition:
Moravian

Mo*ra"vi*an
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to Moravia, or to the United Brethren. See Moravian, n.


word: Moravian₂
definition:
Moravian

Mo*ra"vi*an
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a religious sect called the United Brethren (an offshoot of the Hussites in Bohemia), which formed a separate church of Moravia, a northern district of Austria, about the middle of the 15th century.  After being nearly extirpated by persecution, the society, under the name of The Renewed Church of the United Brethren, was reestablished in 1722-35 on the estates of Count Zinzendorf in Saxony.  Called also Herrnhuter.


word: Morbid
definition:
Morbid

Mor"bid
(?)
a.
[L. morbidus, fr. morbus disease; prob. akin to mori to die: cf. F. morbide, It. morbido. See Mortal.]
1.
Not sound and healthful; induced by a diseased or abnormal condition; diseased; sickly; as, a morbid condition; a morbid constitution; a morbid state of the juices of a plant.
morbid
Hawthorne.

2.
Of or pertaining to disease or diseased parts; as, morbid anatomy.

3.
Indicating an unhealthy mental attitude or disposition; especially, abnormally gloomy, to an extent not justified by the situation; preoccupied with death, disease, or fear of death; as, a morbid interest in details of a disaster.

4.
Gruesome; as, a morbid topic.


word: Morbidezza
definition:
Morbidezza

Mor`bi*dez"za
(?)
n.
[It., softness, delicacy. See Morbid.]
1.
(Fine Arts)
Delicacy or softness in the representation of flesh.

2.
(Mus.)
A term used as a direction in execution, signifying, with extreme delicacy.
Ludden.


word: Morbidity
definition:
Morbidity

Mor*bid"i*ty
(?)
n.
1.
The quality or state of being morbid.

2.
Morbid quality; disease; sickness.
C. Kingsley.

3.
Amount of disease; rate of sickness.


word: Morbifical
definition:
Morbifical

Morbific

{ 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.


word: Morbillous
definition:
Morbillous

Mor*bil"lous
(?)
a.
[LL. morbilli measles, dim. of L. morbus disease: cf. F. morbilleux.]
Pertaining to the measles; partaking of the nature of measels, or resembling the eruptions of that disease; measly.


word: Morbose
definition:
Morbose

Mor*bose"
(?)
a.
[L. morbosus, fr. morbus disease.]
Proceeding from disease; morbid; unhealthy.

Morbose tumors and excrescences of plants.
Ray.


word: Morbosity
definition:
Morbosity

Mor*bos"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. morbositas.]
A diseased state; unhealthiness.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Mordacious
definition:
Mordacious

Mor*da"cious
(?)
a.
[L. mordax, -acis, fr. mordere, morsum, to bite. See Morsel.]
Biting; given to biting; hence, figuratively, sarcastic; severe; scathing.
Mor*da"cious*ly, adv.


word: Mordacity
definition:
Mordacity

Mor*dac"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. mordacitas: cf. F. mordacité. See Mordacious.]
The quality of being mordacious; biting severity, or sarcastic quality.
Bacon.


word: Mordant
definition:
Mordant

Mor"dant
(?)
a.
[F., p. pr. of mordere to bite; L. mordere. See Morsel.]
1.
Biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe.

2.
(Dyeing & Calico Printing)
Serving to fix colors.


word: Mordant₂
definition:
Mordant

Mor"dant
n.
[F., originally, biting.]
1.
Any corroding substance used in etching.

2.
(Dyeing & Calico Printing)
Any substance, as alum or copperas, which, having a twofold attraction for organic fibers and coloring matter, serves as a bond of union, and thus gives fixity to, or bites in, the dyes.

3.
(Gilding)
Any sticky matter by which the gold leaf is made to adhere.


word: Mordant₃
definition:
Mordant

Mor"dant
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mordanted; p. pr. & vb. n. Mordanting.]
To subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant; as, to mordant goods for dyeing.


word: Mordicant
definition:
Mordicant

Mor"di*cant
(?)
a.
[L. mordicans, p. pr. of mordicare to bite, fr. mordere: cf. F. mordicant.]
Biting; acrid; as, the mordicant quality of a body.
[R.]
Boyle.


word: Mordication
definition:
Mordication

Mor`di*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. mordicatio.]
The act of biting or corroding; corrosion.
[R.]
Bacon.


word: More₂
definition:
More

More
n.
[AS. more, moru; akin to G. möhre carrot, OHG. moraha, morha.]
A root.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: More₃
definition:
More

More
a., compar.
[Positive wanting; superl. Most (m&omacrst).]
[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.

&hand_; 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.

The people of the children of Israel are more and mightier 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.


word: More₄
definition:
More

More
n.
1.
A greater quantity, amount, or number; that which exceeds or surpasses in any way what it is compared with.

And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
Ex. xvi. 17.

2.
That which is in addition; something other and further; an additional or greater amount.

They that would have more and more can never have enough.
L'Estrange.

O! That pang where more than madness lies.
Byron.

Any more. (a) Anything or something additional or further; as, I do not need any more. (b) Adverbially: Further; beyond a certain time; as, do not think any more about it. -- No more, not anything more; nothing in addition. -- The more and less, the high and low. [Obs.] Shak. “All cried, both less and more.” Chaucer.


word: More₅
definition:
More

More
adv.
1.
In a greater quantity; in or to a greater extent or degree.
(a)
With a verb or participle.

Admiring more
The riches of Heaven's pavement.
Milton.

Happy here, and more happy hereafter.
Bacon.

&hand_; Double comparatives were common among writers of the Elizabeth period, and for some time later; as, more brighter; more dearer.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
Those oracles which set the world in flames,
Nor ceased to burn till kingdoms were no more. Byron.


word: moreen
definition:
moreen

mo*reen"
(mo̝*rēn")
n.
[Cf. Mohair.]
A thick woolen fabric, watered or with embossed figures; -- used in upholstery, for curtains, etc.


word: morel
definition:
morel

mor"el
(m&obreve_;r"ĕl)
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.]


word: morel₂
definition:
morel

mor"el
n.
[See morelle.]
(Bot.)
1.
Nightshade; -- so called from its blackish purple berries.
[Written also morelle.]

2.
A kind of cherry. See Morello.

Great morel, the deadly nightshade. -- Petty morel, the black nightshade. See Nightshade.


word: Morelle
definition:
Morelle

Mo*relle"
(?)
n.
[F., orig. fem. of moreau black, OF. morel, fr. LL. morellus.  Cf. Morello, Murrey.]
(Bot.)
Nightshade. See 2d Morel.


word: Morello
definition:
Morello

Mo*rel"lo
(?)
n.
[Cf. It. morello blackish, OF. morel.  Cf. Morelle.]
(Bot.)
A kind of nearly black cherry with dark red flesh and juice, -- used chiefly for preserving.


word: Morendo
definition:
Morendo

Mo*ren"do
(?)
a. & n.
[It.]
(Mus.)
Dying; a gradual decrescendo at the end of a strain or cadence.


word: Moreover
definition:
Moreover

More*o"ver
(?)
adv.
[More + over.]
Beyond what has been said; further; besides; in addition; furthermore; also; likewise.

Moreover, he hath left you all his walks.
Shak.


word: Morepork
definition:
Morepork

More"pork`
(?)
n.
[So named from its cry.]
(Zool.)
The Australian crested goatsucker (Aegotheles Novae-Hollandiae).  Also applied to other allied birds, as Podargus Cuveiri.


word: Mores
definition:
Mores

Mo"res
(m&omacr"rēz)
n. pl.
sing. Mos (m&omacrs)
[L.]
Customs; habits; esp., moral customs conformity to which is more or less obligatory; customary law.
[singular is rarely used]


word: Moresque
definition:
Moresque

Mo*resque"
(?)
a.
[F., fr. It. moresco, or Sp. morisco. See Morris.]
Of or pertaining to, or in the manner or style of, the Moors; Moorish.
n. The Moresque style of architecture or decoration. See Moorish architecture, under Moorish.
[Written also mauresque.]


word: Morgan
definition:
Morgan

Mor"gan
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
One of a celebrated breed of small compact American saddle and trotting horses; -- so called from the name of the stud (Justin Morgan) from which the breed originated in Vermont.


word: Morgan₂
definition:
Morgan

Morgan
prop. n.
John Pierpont Morgan, a noted American financier and philanthropist; 1837-1913.

Syn. -- J. P. Morgan.


word: Morganatic
definition:
Morganatic

Mor`ga*nat"ic
(?)
a.
[LL. matrimonium ad morganaticam, fr. morganatica a morning gift, a kind of dowry paid on the morning before or after the marriage, fr. OHG. morgan morning, in morgangeba morning gift, G. morgengabe. See Morn.]
Pertaining to, in the manner of, or designating, a kind of marriage, called also left-handed marriage, between a man of superior rank and a woman of inferior, in which it is stipulated that neither the latter nor her children shall enjoy the rank or inherit the possessions of her husband.
Brande & C.
Mor`ga*nat"ic*al*ly (#), adv.


word: Morgay
definition:
Morgay

Mor"gay
(?)
n.
[W. morgi dogfish, shark; mor sea + ci dog.]
(Zool.)
The European small-spotted dogfish, or houndfish. See the Note under Houndfish.


word: Morgue
definition:
Morgue

Morgue
(?)
n.
[F.]
1.
A place where the bodies of dead persons are kept, until they are identified, or claimed by their friends; a deadhouse.

2.
(Newspapers)
A room containing reference files of older material in a newspaper office; also, the material contained in such a room.


word: Moribund
definition:
Moribund

Mor"i*bund
(?)
a.
[L. moribundus, from moriri to die. See Mortal.]
In a dying state; dying; at the point of death.

The patient was comatose and moribund.
Copland.


word: Morigerate
definition:
Morigerate

Mo*rig"er*ate
(?)
a.
[L. morigeratus, p. p. of morigerari to comply with. See Morigerous.]
Obedient.
[Obs.]


word: Morigerous
definition:
Morigerous

Mo*rig"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. morigerus; mos, moris, custom, manner + gerere to bear, conduct.]
Obedient; obsequious.
[Obs.]
Brathwait.


word: Moril
definition:
Moril

Mor"il
(?)
n.
[F. morille; cf. OHG. morhila, G. morchel, OHG. morha carrot. See More a root.]
(Bot.)
An edible fungus. Same as 1st Morel.


word: Morin
definition:
Morin

Mo"rin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance (C15H10O7) of acid properties extracted from fustic (Chlorophora tinctoria syn. Maclura tinctoria, formerly called Morus tinctoria); -- called also moric acid and natural yellow 8.  It is used as a dye for wool, giving a color from lemon yellow through olive to olive brown, depending on the metal with which it is mordanted.


word: Morinda
definition:
Morinda

Mo*rin"da
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A genus of rubiaceous trees and shrubs, mostly East Indian, many species of which yield valuable red and yellow dyes. The wood is hard and beautiful, and used for gunstocks.


word: morindin
definition:
morindin

mo*rin"din
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A yellow dyestuff (C27H30O14) extracted from the root bark of an East Indian plant (Morinda citrifolia) or from the bark of Coprosma australis.  The substance is also found in the fruit of the Morinda citrifolia, called noni, which is touted by some merchants to have a stimulatory effect on the immune system.  It is a disaccharide derivative of anthracenedione.


word: Moringa
definition:
Moringa

Mo*rin"ga
(?)
prop. 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 Moringa aptera, are known in commerce as ben or ben nuts, and yield the oil called oil of ben.


word: Moringic
definition:
Moringic

Mo*rin"gic
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
Designating an organic acid obtained from oil of ben. See Moringa.


word: Morintannic
definition:
Morintannic

Mo`rin*tan"nic
(?)
a.
[NL. Morus fustic + E. tannic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a variety of tannic acid extracted from fustic (Chlorophora tinctoria,  formerly Maclura tinctoria and Morus tinctoria) as a yellow crystalline substance; -- called also maclurin.


word: Morion
definition:
Morion

Mo"ri*on
(?)
n.
[F. morion, Sp. morrion; cf. Sp. morra the upper part of the head, morro anything that is round.]
A kind of open helmet, without visor or beaver, and somewhat resembling a hat.

A battered morion on his brow.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Morioplasty
definition:
Morioplasty

Mo"ri*o*plas`ty
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; piece (dim. of _; a part + -plasty.]
(Surg.)
The restoration of lost parts of the body.


word: Morisco₂
definition:
Morisco

Mo*ris"co
n.
[Sp. morisco Moorish.]
A thing of Moorish origin;
(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.


word: Morkin
definition:
Morkin

Mor"kin
(?)
n.
[Akin to Sw. murken putrefied, Icel. morkinn putrid.]
A beast that has died of disease or by mischance.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.


word: Morling
definition:
Morling

Mor"ling
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. mort dead, L. mortuus, fr. moriri to die.]
Mortling.
[Eng.]
Ainsworth.


word: Mormal
definition:
Mormal

Mor"mal
(?)
n.
[F. mort-mai a deadly evil. Nares.]
A bad sore; a gangrene; a cancer.
[Obs.]
[Written also morrimal and mortmal.]
Chaucer.


word: Mormo
definition:
Mormo

Mor"mo
(?)
n.
[Gr. mormw` a hideous she-monster, a bugbear.]
A bugbear; false terror.
[Obs.]
Jonhson.


word: Mormon
definition:
Mormon

Mor"mon
(?)
prop. n.
[NL., fr. Gr. mormw`n monster, bugbear.]
(Zool.)
(a)
A genus of sea birds, having a large, thick bill; the puffin.
(b)
The mandrill.


word: Mormon₂
definition:
Mormon

Mor"mon
(?)
prop. n.
(Eccl.)
One of a Christian denomination (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) 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.

&hand_; 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.  The church headquarters are in Salt Lake City, Utah.  They form a substantial fraction of the population of Utah, and at the end of the 20th centrury their numbers were increasing due to active proselytization.


word: Mormon₃
definition:
Mormon

Mor"mon
n.
(Eccl.)
A member of a sect, called the Reorganized Church of Jesus of Latterday Saints, which has always rejected polygamy.  It was organized in 1852, and is represented in about forty States and Territories of the United States.


word: Morn
definition:
Morn

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.


word: Morne₂
definition:
Morne

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.


word: Morne₃
definition:
Morne

Mor`né"
(môr`na̝")
a.
[F., fr. morne a morne.]
(Her.)
Without teeth, tongue, or claws; -- said of a lion represented heraldically.


word: Morning
definition:
Morning

Morn"ing
(môrn"ĭng)
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.


word: Morning₂
definition:
Morning

Morn"ing
a.
Pertaining to the first part or early part of the day; being in the early part of the day; as, morning dew; morning light; morning service.

She looks as clear
As morning roses newly washed with dew.
Shak.

Morning gown, a gown worn in the morning before one is dressed for the day. -- Morning gun, a gun fired at the first stroke of reveille at military posts. -- Morning sickness (Med.), nausea and vomiting, usually occurring in the morning; -- a common sign of pregnancy. -- Morning star. (a) Any one of the planets (Venus, Jupiter, Mars, or Saturn) when it precedes the sun in rising, esp. Venus.  Cf. Evening star, Evening. (b) Satan. See Lucifer.
[1913 Webster]
Since he miscalled the morning star,
Nor man nor fiend hath fallen so far. Byron.
[1913 Webster]
(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..


word: Morning-glory
definition:
Morning-glory

Morning glory

Morn"ing-glo`ry
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A climbing plant (Ipomoea purpurea) having handsome, funnel-shaped flowers, usually red, pink, purple, white, or variegated, sometimes pale blue. See Dextrorsal.


word: Mornward
definition:
Mornward

Morn"ward
(?)
adv.
Towards the morn.
[Poetic]

And mornward now the starry hands move on.
Lowell.


word: Moro
definition:
Moro

Mo"ro
(m&omacr"ro̝)
n.
[Cf. It. mora mulberry, L. morum.]
(Med.)
A small abscess or tumor having a resemblance to a mulberry.
Dunglison.


word: Moro₂
definition:
Moro

Mo"ro
(m&omacr"ro̝)
prop. n.
pl. Moros (m&omacr"ro̝s)
[Sp., moor.  See moor, n. and Moros.]
1.
(Ethnol.)
A member of any of the Moros, a group one of various tribes of the southern Phillippine Islands, mostly Malays adhering to Islam.

2.
(Linguistics)
Any of the languages of the Moro people, of the Austronesian language family.


word: Morocco
definition:
Morocco

Mo*roc"co
(?)
n.
[Named from Morocco, the country.  Cf. Morris the dance.]
A fine kind of leather, prepared commonly from goatskin (though an inferior kind is made of sheepskin), and tanned with sumac and dyed of various colors; -- said to have been first made by the Moors.


word: Morology
definition:
Morology

Mo*rol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Gr. mwrologi`a foolish talk, mw^ros foolish + lo`gos discourse.]
Foolish talk; nonsense; folly.
[Obs.]


word: Moron
definition:
Moron

Mo"ron
(m&omacr"r&obreve_;n)
n.
[Gr. mw^ros foolish, stupid.]
1.
(Pedagogy)
A mentally retarded person whose intellectual development proceeds normally up to about the eighth year of age and is then arrested so that there is little or no further development; an adult having the mental development of an 8-to-12-year old.  A moron is considered capable of doing routine work under supervision.

2.
Hence, a very stupid person.
[informal, derogatory]


word: Moron₂
definition:
Moron

Mo*ron"
(mo̝*r&omacrn")
n.
Sp. pl. Morones (#)
[Sp.]
An inferior olive size having a woody pulp and a large clingstone pit, growing in the mountainous and high-valley districts around the city of Moron, in Spain.


word: moronic
definition:
moronic

moronic
adj.
having a mental age of between eight and twelve years; also used as a derogatory term.


word: Moros
definition:
Moros

Mo"ros
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Moro (_;)
[Sp., pl. of Moro Moor.]
(Ethnol.)
The Muslim tribes of the southern Philippine Islands, said to have formerly migrated from Borneo.  Some of them are warlike and addicted to piracy.


word: Morosaurus
definition:
Morosaurus

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.


word: Morose
definition:
Morose

Mo*rose"
(mo̝*r&omacrs")
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.
morose
I. Watts.

2.
Lascivious; brooding over evil thoughts.
[Obs.]


word: Moroseness
definition:
Moroseness

Mo*rose"ness
n.
Sourness of temper; sulenness.

Learn good humor, never to oppose without just reason; abate some degrees of pride and moroseness.
I. Watts.

&hand_; 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.


word: Morosis
definition:
Morosis

Mo*ro"sis
(mo̝*r&omacr"sĭs)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. mw`rwsis, fr. mw^ros silly, foolish.]
(Med.)
Idiocy; fatuity; stupidity.


word: Morosoph
definition:
Morosoph

Mo"ro*soph
(?)
n.
[Gr. mwro`s foolish + sofo`s wise.  See also sophomore.]
A philosophical or learned fool.
[Obs.]


word: Moroxite
definition:
Moroxite

Mo*rox"ite
(?)
n.
[Cf. Gr. _;, _;, a sort of pipe clay.]
(Min.)
A variety of apatite of a greenish blue color.


word: Moroxylic
definition:
Moroxylic

Mor`ox*yl"ic
(?)
a.
[L. morus a mulberry tree + Gr. _; wood.]
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, the mulberry; moric.


word: morph
definition:
morph

morph
(môrf)
n.
(Linguistics)
A sequence of phonemes, often a word fragment, which constitutes the minimum unit of meaning or syntax within a given word.  A morph may be one of several variants of a morpheme, depending for its individal form on the context in which it occurs.  Thus the morphs -s and -es are variants of the morpheme by which the plural form of an English noun is expressed.


word: morph₂
definition:
morph

morph
(môrf)
v. i. & t.
To transform smoothly in imperceptible steps from one image to another, on a computer screen.


word: morpheme
definition:
morpheme

mor"pheme
(môr"fēm)
n.
(Linguistics)
The smallest unit of meaning of a language, which cannot be divided into smaller parts carrying meaning; it is usually smaller than a single wordform, such as the -ed morpheme of verbs in the past tense or the -s morpheme of nouns in the plural form.


word: morphemics
definition:
morphemics

mor*phem"ics
(môr*fēm"ĭks)
n.
(Linguistics)
The study of the types and functions of morphemes; morphology{4}.


word: Morpheus
definition:
Morpheus

Mor"pheus
(môr"fūs or môr"fe̝*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.


word: Morphew
definition:
Morphew

Mor"phew
(?)
n.
[F. morpheé, LL. morphea; cf. It. morfea.]
A scurfy eruption.
[Obs.]
Drayton.


word: Morphine
definition:
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.


word: morphing
definition:
morphing

morph"ing
(môrf"ĭng)
n.
(Computers)
The smooth transformation of one shape or image into another, displayed on the computer screen as a series of images that appear to be continuous, as if in a movie.


word: morphinism
definition:
morphinism

mor"phin*ism
(?)
n.
(Med.)
A morbid condition produced by the excessive or prolonged use of morphine.


word: morpho
definition:
morpho

mor"pho
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, an epithet of Venus.]
(Zool.)
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.


word: morphogenesis
definition:
morphogenesis

mor`pho*gen"e*sis
(Biol.)
The development of the tissues and organs of an organism; the formation of structural features of an organism.


word: morphogenetic
definition:
morphogenetic

mor`pho*ge*net"ic
(Biol.)
Of or pertaining to morphogenesis; concerned with the process of development of the normal features of an organism.


word: Morphogeny
definition:
Morphogeny

Mor*phog"e*ny
(?)
n.
[form + root of gi`gnesqai 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.


word: Morphological
definition:
Morphological

Morphologic

{ 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.


word: Morphology
definition:
Morphology

Mor*phol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Gr. morfh` form + -logy: cf. F. morphologie.]
1.
(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.

2.
(Biol.)
The form and structure of an organism.

3.
(Linguistics)
The branch of linguistics which studies the patterns by which words are formed from other words, including inflection, compounding, and derivation.

4.
Specifically:
The study of the patterns of inflection of words or word classes in any given language; the study of the patterns in which morphemes combine to form words, and the rules for combination; morphemics; as, the morphology of Spanish verbs; also, the inflection patterns themselves.


word: Morphon
definition:
Morphon

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.

&hand_; 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. Personae (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.


word: Morphonomy
definition:
Morphonomy

Mor*phon"o*my
(?)
n.
[Gr. morfh` form + _; a law.]
(Biol.)
The laws of organic formation.


word: Morphophyly
definition:
Morphophyly

Mor"pho*phy`ly
(?)
n.
[Gr. morfh` 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.


word: Morphosis
definition:
Morphosis

Mor*pho"sis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. mo`rfwsis form, fr. morfh` form.]
(Biol.)
The order or mode of development of an organ or part.


word: Morphotic
definition:
Morphotic

Mor*phot"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; fit for forming.]
(Physiol.)
Connected with, or becoming an integral part of, a living unit or of the morphological framework; as, morphotic, or tissue, proteids.
Foster.


word: -morphous
definition:
-morphous

-mor"phous
(?)
[Gr. morfh` form.]
A combining form denoting form, shape; as, isomorphous.


word: Morrice₂
definition:
Morrice

Mor"rice
a.
Dancing the morrice; dancing.

In shoals and bands, a morrice train.
Wordsworth.


word: Morris
definition:
Morris

Mor"ris
(?)
n.
[Sp. morisco Moorish, fr. Moro a Moor: cf. F. moresque, It. moresca.]
1.
A Moorish dance, usually performed by a single dancer, who accompanies the dance with castanets.

2.
A dance formerly common in England, often performed in pagenats, processions, and May games. The dancers, grotesquely dressed and ornamented, took the parts of Robin Hood, Maidmarian, and other 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Morris₂
definition:
Morris

Mor"ris
(?)
n.
[So called from its discoverer.]
(Zool.)
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.


word: Morris-chair
definition:
Morris-chair

Mor"ris-chair`
(?)
n.
[Prob. fr. the proper name Morris.]
A kind of easy-chair with a back which may be lowered or raised.


word: Morro
definition:
Morro

Mor"ro
(?)
n.
[Sp., any spherical object.]
A round hill or point of land; hence, Morro castle, a castle on a hill.


word: Morrow
definition:
Morrow

Mor"row
(?)
n.
[OE. morwe, morwen, AS. morgen. See Morn.]
1.
Morning.
[Obs.]
morrow's
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.


word: Morse
definition:
Morse

Morse
(?)
n.
[F. morse, Russ. morj'; perh. akin to E. mere lake; cf. Russ. more sea.]
(Zool.)
The walrus. See Walrus.


word: Morse₂
definition:
Morse

Morse
n.
[L. morsus a biting, a clasp, fr. mordere to bite.]
A clasp for fastening garments in front.
Fairholt.


word: Morse code
definition:
Morse code

Morse" code"
(?)
(Teleg.)
a telegraphic code, in which dots, dashes, and spaces represent letters, numbers, and other elements of text.  The original code was invented by Samuel B. Morse. The code now mostly used is the International Morse code, also referred to simply as the Morse code.

The present International Morse Code is given in the table below.  There are no spaces in the International Morse Code.

Alphabet
----------------------------------------------------------
A .-          H ....       O ---          V ...-
B -...        I ..         P .--.         W .--
C _._.        J .---       Q --.-         X -..-
D -..         K -.-        R .-.          Y -.--
E .           L .-..       S ...          Z --..
F ..-.        M --         T -
G --.         N -.         U ..-

Numerals

1 .----       4 ....-          7 --...
2 ..---       5 .....          8 ---..
3 ...--       6 -....          9 ----.
0 -----      

Punctuation

 . (Period)            .-.-.-    , (Comma)             --..--
 ? (Question Mark)     ..--..    ; (Semicolon)         -.-.-.
 : (Colon)             ---...    ' (apostrophe)        .----.
 - (hyphen)            -....-    / (forward slash)     -..-.
 ( (left parenthesis)  -.--.     ) (right parenthesis) -.--.-
----------------------------------------------------------------

The Alphabetic code which was originally in use in North America is given in the table below.  In length, or duration, one dash is theoretically equal to three dots; the space between the elements of a letter is equal to one dot; the interval in spaced letters, as O . ., is equal to three dots. There are no spaces in any letter composed wholly or in part of dashes.
Alphabet

A .-          H ....       O . .          V ...-
B - . . .     I ..         P .....        W .--
C .. .        J -.-.       Q ..-.         X .-..
D -..         K -.-        R . ..         Y .. ..
E .           L —    S ...          Z ... .
F .-.         M --         T --           & . ...
G --.         N -.         U ..-

Numerals

1 .--.        4 . . . .-          7 --..
2 ..-..       5 ---               8 - . . . .
3 . . . -.    6 . . . . . .       9 -..-
0 ----     Period ..--..   Comma .-.-

The Morse code was used chiefly with the electric telegraph, but is also employed in signalling with flags, lights, etc.


word: Morsel
definition:
Morsel

Mor"sel
(?)
n.
[OF. morsel, F. morceau, LL. morsellus, a dim. fr. L. morsus a biting, bite, fr. mordere to bite; prob. akin to E. smart. See Smart, and cf. Morceau, Mordant, Muse, v., Muzzle, n.]
1.
A little bite or bit of food.
Chaucer.

Every morsel to a satisfied hunger is only a new labor to a tired digestion.
South.

2.
A small quantity; a little piece; a fragment.


word: Morsing horn
definition:
Morsing horn

Mor"sing horn`
(?)
A horn or flask for holding powder, as for priming.
[Scot.]
Sir W. Scott.


word: Mort
definition:
Mort

Mort
(?)
n.
[Cf. Icel. margt, neut. of margr many.]
A great quantity or number.
[Prov. Eng.]

There was a mort of merrymaking.
Dickens.


word: Mort₂
definition:
Mort

Mort
n.
[Etym. uncert.]
A woman; a female.
[Cant, archaic]

Male gypsies all, not a mort among them.
B. Jonson.


word: Mort₄
definition:
Mort

Mort
n.
[F., death, fr. L. mors, mortis.]
1.
Death; esp., the death of game in the chase.

2.
A note or series of notes sounded on a horn at the death of game.

The sportsman then sounded a treble mort.
Sir W. Scott.

3.
The skin of a sheep or lamb that has died of disease.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Mort cloth, the pall spread over a coffin; black cloth indicative or mourning; funeral hangings. Carlyle. -- Mort stone, a large stone by the wayside on which the bearers rest a coffin. [Eng.] H. Taylor.


word: Mort₅
definition:
Mort

Mort
(?)
n.
[F. mort dummy, lit., dead.]
A variety of dummy whist for three players; also, the exposed or dummy hand in this game.


word: Mortal
definition:
Mortal

Mor"tal
(?)
a.
[F. mortel, L. mortalis, from mors, mortis, death, fr. moriri 8die; akin to E. murder. See Murder, and cf. Filemot, Mere a lake, Mortgage.]
1.
Subject to death; destined to die; as, man is mortal.

2.
Destructive to life; causing or occasioning death; terminating life; exposing to or deserving death; deadly; as, a mortal wound; a mortal sin.

3.
Fatally vulnerable; vital.

Last of all, against himself he turns his sword, but missing the mortal place, with his poniard finishes the work.
Milton.

4.
Of or pertaining to the time of death.

Safe in the hand of one disposing Power,
Or in the natal or the mortal hour.
Pope.

5.
Affecting as if with power to kill; deathly.

The nymph grew pale, and in a mortal fright.
Dryden.

6.
Human; belonging to man, who is mortal; as, mortal wit or knowledge; mortal power.

The voice of God
To mortal ear is dreadful.
Milton.

7.
Very painful or tedious; wearisome; as, a sermon lasting two mortal hours.
[Colloq.]
Sir W. Scott.

Mortal foe, Mortal enemy, an inveterate, desperate, or implacable enemy; a foe bent on one's destruction.


word: Mortality
definition:
Mortality

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.


word: Mortalize
definition:
Mortalize

Mor"tal*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mortalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mortalizing (?).]
To make mortal.
[R.]


word: Mortally
definition:
Mortally

Mor"tal*ly
adv.
1.
In a mortal manner; so as to cause death; as, mortally wounded.

2.
In the manner of a mortal or of mortal beings.

I was mortally brought forth.
Shak.

3.
In an extreme degree; to the point of dying or causing death; desperately; as, mortally jealous.

Adrian mortally envied poets, painters, and artificers, in works wherein he had a vein to excel.
Bacon.


word: Mortar
definition:
Mortar

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 Mortar 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.


word: Mortar₂
definition:
Mortar

Mor"tar
n.
[OE. mortier, F. mortier, L. mortarium mortar, a large basin or trough in which mortar is made, a mortar (in sense 1, above). See 1st Mortar.]
(Arch.)
A building material made by mixing lime, cement, or plaster of Paris, with sand, water, and sometimes other materials; -- used in masonry for joining stones, bricks, etc., also for plastering, and in other ways.

Mortar bed, a shallow box or receptacle in which mortar is mixed.


word: mortar board
definition:
mortar board

mortarboard

mortarboard, mortar board
n.
1.
A small square board with a handle beneath, for holding mortar; a hawk; used by masons to hold or carry mortar.

2.
An academic cap topped by broad, projecting, stiff and flat square top, with a tassel attached to the top and hanging down.  It was once worn by students in some colleges, but is now worn usually only at graduation ceremonies.


word: Mortgage
definition:
Mortgage

Mort"gage
(môr"ga̝j; 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Mortgage₂
definition:
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.


word: mortgaged
definition:
mortgaged

mortgaged
adj.
burdened with legal or financial obligations; as, His house was mortgaged to the hilt.


word: Mortgagee
definition:
Mortgagee

Mort`ga*gee"
(?)
n.
(Law)
The person to whom property is mortgaged, or to whom a mortgage is made or given.


word: Mortgagor
definition:
Mortgagor

Mortgageor

{ Mort"gage*or, Mort"ga*gor  }
(?)
n.
(Law)
One who gives a mortgage.

&hand_; 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").


word: Mortiferous
definition:
Mortiferous

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.


word: Mortification
definition:
Mortification

Mor`ti*fi*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. mortificatio a killing. See Mortify.]
1.
The act of mortifying, or the condition of being mortified
(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.

2.
Deep humiliation or shame, from a loss of pride; painful embarassment, usually arising from exposure of a mistake; chagrin; vexation.

3.
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.

4.
(Scots Law)
A gift to some charitable or religious institution; -- nearly synonymous with mortmain.


word: Mortifiedness
definition:
Mortifiedness

Mor"ti*fied*ness
(?)
n.
The state of being mortified; humiliation; subjection of the passions.
[R.]


word: Mortify
definition:
Mortify

Mor"ti*fy
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mortified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mortifying (?).]
[OE. mortifien, F. mortifier, fr. L. mortificare; L. mors, mortis, death + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Mortal, and -fy.]
1.
To destroy the organic texture and vital functions of; to produce gangrene in.

2.
To destroy the active powers or essential qualities of; to change by chemical action.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Quicksilver is mortified with turpentine.
Bacon.

He mortified pearls in vinegar.
Hakewill.

3.
To deaden by religious or other discipline, as the carnal affections, bodily appetites, or worldly desires; to bring into subjection; to abase; to humble; as, to mortify the flesh.

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; 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.

5.
To humiliate deeply, especially by injuring the pride of; to embarrass painfully; to humble; as, the team was mortified to lose by 45 to 0.


word: Mortify₂
definition:
Mortify

Mor"ti*fy
v. i.
1.
To lose vitality and organic structure, as flesh of a living body; to gangrene.

2.
To practice penance from religious motives; to deaden desires by religious discipline.

This makes him . . . give alms of all that he hath, watch, fast, and mortify.
Law.

3.
To be subdued; to decay, as appetites, desires, etc.


word: Mortifying
definition:
Mortifying

Mor"ti*fy`ing
(?)
a.
1.
Tending to mortify; affected by, or having symptoms of, mortification; as, a mortifying wound; mortifying flesh.

2.
Subduing the appetites, desires, etc.; as, mortifying penances.

3.
Tending to humble or abase; humiliating; as, a mortifying repulse.


word: Mortise
definition:
Mortise

Mor"tise
(?)
n.
[F. mortaise; cf. Sp. mortaja, Ar. murtazz fixed, or W. mortais, Ir. mortis, moirtis, Gael. moirteis.]
A cavity cut into a piece of timber, or other material, to receive something (as the end of another piece) made to fit it, and called a tenon.

Mortise and tenon (Carp.), made with a mortise and tenon; joined or united by means of a mortise and tenon; -- used adjectively. -- Mortise joint, a joint made by a mortise and tenon. -- Mortise lock. See under Lock. -- Mortise wheel, a cast-iron wheel, with wooden clogs inserted in mortises on its face or edge; -- also called mortise gear, and core gear.


word: Mortise₂
definition:
Mortise

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.


word: Mortling
definition:
Mortling

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.


word: Mortmain
definition:
Mortmain

Mort"main`
(?)
n.
[F. mort, morte, dead + main hand; F. main-morte. See Mortal, and Manual.]
(Law)
Possession of lands or tenements in, or conveyance to, dead hands, or hands that cannot alienate.

&hand_; The term was originally applied to conveyance of land made to ecclesiastical bodies; afterward to conveyance made to any corporate body.
Burrill.


word: Mortpay
definition:
Mortpay

Mort"pay`
(?)
n.
[F. mort dead + E. pay.]
Dead pay; the crime of taking pay for the service of dead soldiers, or for services not actually rendered by soldiers.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Mortrew
definition:
Mortrew

Mortress

{ Mor"tress (?), Mor"trew (?), }
n.
[See Mortar.]
A dish of meats and other ingredients, cooked together; an ollapodrida.
Chaucer. Bacon.


word: Mortuary
definition:
Mortuary

Mor"tu*a*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Mortuaries (#).
[LL. mortuarium. See Mortuary, a.]
1.
A sort of ecclesiastical heriot, a customary gift claimed by, and due to, the minister of a parish on the death of a parishioner. It seems to have been originally a voluntary bequest or donation, intended to make amends for any failure in the payment of tithes of which the deceased had been guilty.

2.
A burial place; a place for the dead.

3.
A place for the reception of the dead before burial; a deadhouse; a morgue.

4.
A funeral home.


word: Mortuary₂
definition:
Mortuary

Mor"tu*a*ry
(?)
a.
[L. mortuarius, fr. mortuus dead: cf. F. mortuaire. See Mortal.]
Of or pertaining to the dead; as, mortuary monuments.

Mortuary urn, an urn for holding the ashes of a dead person after cremation.


word: Morula
definition:
Morula

Mor"u*la
(?)
n.
pl. Morulae (#).
[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.


word: Morulation
definition:
Morulation

Mor`u*la"tion
(?)
n.
(Biol.)
The process of cleavage, or segmentation, of the ovum, by which a morula is formed.


word: Morus
definition:
Morus

Mo"rus
(?)
n.
[L., mulberry tree. See Mulberry.]
(Bot.)
A genus of trees, some species of which produce edible fruit; the mulberry. See Mulberry.

&hand_; 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.


word: Mosaic
definition:
Mosaic

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.

3.
Something resembling a mosaic{1}; something made up of different pieces, fitted together by design to form a unified composition.

aerial mosaic An aerial photograph of a large area, made by carefully fitting together aerial photographs of smaller areas so that the edges match in location, and the whole provides a continuous image of the larger area.  Called also mosaic map and photomosaic. -- mosaic virus A type of plant virus that causes green and yellow mottling of leaves of a plant.  A much-studied type is the tobacco mosaic virus, affecting the tobacco plant.


word: Mosaic₂
definition:
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.


word: Mosaic₃
definition:
Mosaic

Mo*sa"ic
prop. 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.


word: Mosaism
definition:
Mosaism

Mo"sa*ism
(?)
n.
Attachment to the system or doctrines of Moses; that which is peculiar to the Mosaic system or doctrines.


word: Mosasaurian
definition:
Mosasaurian

Mosasaur

{ Mos"a*saur (?), Mos`a*sau"ri*an (?), }
n.
(Paleon.)
One of an extinct order of reptiles, including Mosasaurus and allied genera. See Mosasauria.


word: Mosasauria
definition:
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.


word: Mosasaurus
definition:
Mosasaurus

Mos`a*sau"rus
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. L. Mosa the River Meuse (on which Meastricht is situated) + Gr. _; a lizard.]
(Paleon.)
A genus of extinct marine reptiles allied to the lizards, but having the body much elongated, and the limbs in the form of paddles.  The first known species, nearly fifty feet in length, was discovered in Cretaceous beds near Maestricht, in the Netherlands.
[Written also Mososaurus.]


word: Moschatel
definition:
Moschatel

Mos"cha*tel`
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; musk: cf. F. moscatelline. See Muscadel, Musk.]
(Bot.)
A plant of the genus Adoxa (Adoxa 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.


word: Moselle
definition:
Moselle

Mo*selle"
(?)
n.
A light wine, usually white, produced in the vicinity of the river Moselle.


word: Moses
definition:
Moses

Mo"ses
(?)
n.
A large flatboat, used in the West Indies for taking freight from shore to ship.


word: Mosey
definition:
Mosey

Mo"sey
(?)
v. i.
[Perh. fr. Vamose.]
To go, or move (in a certain manner); -- usually with out, off, along, etc.
[Colloq.]
E. N. Wescott.


word: Moslem
definition:
Moslem

Mos"lem
(m&obreve_;z"lĕm)
n.
pl. Moslems (m&obreve_;z"lĕmz), or collectively Moslem.
[Ar. muslim a true believer in the Muslim faith, fr. salama to submit to God, to resign one's self to the divine will.  Cf. Islam, Mussulman.]
An adherent of Islam; a Mussulman; an orthodox Muslim.
[Written also muslim.]
Moslem
Macaulay.

They piled the ground with Moslem slain.
Halleck.


word: Moslem₂
definition:
Moslem

Mos"lem
(m&obreve_;z"lĕm)
a.
Of or pertaining to the Muslims; Islamic; as, Moslem lands; the Moslem faith.


word: Mosque
definition:
Mosque

Mosque
(m&obreve_;sk)
n.
[F. mosquée, Sp. mezquita, Ar. masjid, from sajada to bend, adore.]
A Muslim church or place of religious worship.
[Written also mosk.]


word: Mosquito
definition:
Mosquito

Mos*qui"to
(m&obreve_;s*kē*to̝)
n.
pl. Mosquitoes (m&obreve_;s*kē*t&omacrz).
[Sp. mosquito, fr. moscafly, L. musca.  Cf. Musket.]
(Zool.)
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 larvae and pupae, 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 (Zool.), a dragon fly; -- so called because it captures and feeds upon mosquitoes. -- Mosquito netting, a loosely-woven gauzelike fabric for making mosquito bars.


word: mosquitofish
definition:
mosquitofish

mosquitofish
n.
A silvery topminnow (Gambusia affinis) with rows of black spots of tropical North America and West Indies; important in mosquito control.

Syn. -- Gambusia affinis.


word: Moss
definition:
Moss

Moss
(m&obreve_;s; 115)
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.

&hand_; 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.

&hand_; 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 (Zool.), 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 (Phlox 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 (Juncus squarrosus). -- Scale moss. See Hepatica.


word: Moss₂
definition:
Moss

Moss
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mossed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mossing.]
To cover or overgrow with moss.

An oak whose boughs were mossed with age.
Shak.


word: Mossback
definition:
Mossback

Moss"back`
(?)
n.
A veteran partisan; one who is so conservative in opinion that he may be likened to a stone or old tree covered with moss.
[Political Slang, U.S.]


word: Mosstrooper
definition:
Mosstrooper

Moss"troop`er
(?)
n.
[Moss + trooper.]
One of a class of marauders or bandits that formerly infested the border country between England and Scotland; -- so called in allusion to the mossy or boggy character of much of the border country.


word: Mossy
definition:
Mossy

Moss"y
(?)
a.
[Compar. Mossier (?); superl. Mossiest.]
1.
Overgrown with moss; abounding with or edged with moss; as, mossy trees; mossy streams.

Old trees are more mossy far than young.
Bacon.

2.
Resembling moss; as, mossy green.


word: Most
definition:
Most

Most
(m&omacrst)
a.
superl.
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
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.
moste
Chaucer.

3.
Highest in rank; greatest.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

&hand_; 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.


word: Most₂
definition:
Most

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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Most-favored-nation clause
definition:
Most-favored-nation clause

Most-favored-nation clause
(Diplomacy)
A clause, often inserted in treaties, by which each of the contracting nations binds itself to grant to the other in certain stipulated matters the same terms as are then, or may be thereafter, granted to the nation which receives from it the most favorable terms in respect of those matters.  It is used most frequently in treaties regarding the terms of trade between countries, as regarding tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade.

There was a “most-favored-nation” clause with provisions for the good treatment of strangers entering the Republic.
James Bryce.

Steam navigation was secured by the Japanese as far as Chungking, and under the most-favored-nation clause the right accrued to us.
A. R. Colquhoun.


word: Mot
definition:
Mot

Mot
(m&omacrt)
v.
[Sing. pres. ind. Mot, Mote, Moot (m&omacrt), 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.


word: Mot₂
definition:
Mot

Mot
(m&obreve_;t; mo̝, 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.


word: Motacil
definition:
Motacil

Mot"a*cil
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. motacille.]
(Zool.)
Any singing bird of the genus Motacilla; a wagtail.


word: Motation
definition:
Motation

Mo*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. motare, motatum, to keep moving.]
The act of moving; motion.
[Obs.]


word: Mote₂
definition:
Mote

Mote
n.
[See Moot, a meeting.]
[Obs., except in a few combinations or phrases.]
1.
A meeting of persons for discussion; as, a wardmote in the city of London.

2.
A body of persons who meet for discussion, esp. about the management of affairs; as, a folkmote.

3.
A place of meeting for discussion.

Mote bell, the bell rung to summon to a mote. [Obs.]


word: Mote₄
definition:
Mote

Mote
n.
[OE. mot, AS. mot.]
A small particle, as of floating dust; anything proverbially small; a speck.

The little motes in the sun do ever stir, though there be no wind.
Bacon.

We are motes in the midst of generations.
Landor.


word: Motet
definition:
Motet

Mo*tet"
(?)
n.
[F., a dim. of mot word; cf. It. mottetto, dim. of motto word, device. See Mot, Motto.]
(Mus.)
A composition adapted to sacred words in the elaborate polyphonic church style; an anthem.


word: Moth₂
definition:
Moth

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.
(Zool.)
Any nocturnal lepidopterous insect, or any not included among the butterflies; as, the luna moth; Io moth; hawk moth.

2.
(Zool.)
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.
(Zool.)
Any one of various other insects that destroy woolen and fur goods, etc., esp. the larvae of several species of beetles of the genera Dermestes and Anthrenus.  Carpet moths are often the larvae of Anthrenus.  See Carpet beetle, under Carpet, Dermestes, Anthrenus.

4.
Anything which gradually and silently eats, consumes, or wastes any other thing.

Moth blight (Zool.), any plant louse of the genus Aleurodes, and related genera. They are injurious to various plants. -- Moth gnat (Zool.), a dipterous insect of the genus Bychoda, having fringed wings. -- Moth hunter (Zool.), the goatsucker. -- Moth miller (Zool.), a clothes moth. See Miller, 3, (a). -- Moth mullein (Bot.), a common herb of the genus Verbascum (Verbascum Blattaria), having large wheel-shaped yellow or whitish flowers.


word: mothball
definition:
mothball

moth"ball`
n.
A small sphere of camphor or naphthalene used to keep moths away from stored clothing.

Syn. -- camphor ball.


word: mothball₂
definition:
mothball

moth"ball`
v. t.
To put into long-term storage; as, to mothball the battleships not needed after the war.


word: Moth-eat
definition:
Moth-eat

Moth"-eat`
(?)
v. t.
To eat or prey upon, as a moth eats a garment.
[Rarely used except in the form moth-eaten, p. p. or a.]

Ruin and neglect have so moth-eaten her.
Sir T. Herbert.


word: Moth-eaten
definition:
Moth-eaten

Moth"-eat`en
(?)
a.
having holes due to eating by moths or moth larvae; -- of cloth or clothing.


word: Mother
definition:
Mother

Moth"er
(mŭ&thlig_;"ẽr)
n.
[OE. moder, AS. m&omacrdor; akin to D. moeder, OS. m&omacrdar, G. mutter, OHG. muotar, Icel. m&omacrðir, 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 (Zool.), 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 Oceanodroma furcata of the North Pacific. -- Mother Carey's goose (Zool.), the giant fulmar of the Pacific.  See Fulmar. -- Mother's mark (Med.), a congenital mark upon the body; a birthmark; a naevus.


word: Mother₂
definition:
Mother

Moth"er
a.
Received by birth or from ancestors; native, natural; as, mother language; also acting the part, or having the place of a mother; producing others; originating.

It is the mother falsehood from which all idolatry is derived.
T. Arnold.

Mother cell (Biol.), a cell which, by endogenous divisions, gives rise to other cells (daughter cells); a parent cell. -- Mother church, the original church; a church from which other churches have sprung; as, the mother church of a diocese. -- Mother country, the country of one's parents or ancestors; the country from which the people of a colony derive their origin. -- Mother liquor (Chem.), the impure or complex residual solution which remains after the salts readily or regularly crystallizing have been removed. -- Mother queen, the mother of a reigning sovereign; a queen mother. -- Mother tongue. (a) A language from which another language has had its origin. (b) The language of one's native land; native tongue. -- Mother water. See Mother liquor (above). -- Mother wit, natural or native wit or intelligence.


word: Mother₃
definition:
Mother

Moth"er
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mothered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mothering.]
To adopt as a son or daughter; to perform the duties of a mother to.

The queen, to have put lady Elizabeth besides the crown, would have mothered another body's child.
Howell.


word: Mother₄
definition:
Mother

Moth"er
n.
[Akin to D. modder mud, G. moder mold, mud, Dan. mudder mud, and to E. mud. See Mud.]
A film or membrane which is developed on the surface of fermented alcoholic liquids, such as vinegar, wine, etc., and acts as a means of conveying the oxygen of the air to the alcohol and other combustible principles of the liquid, thus leading to their oxidation.

&hand_; The film is composed of a mass of rapidly developing microorganisms of the genus Mycoderma, and in the mother of vinegar the microorganisms (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.


word: mother
definition:
mother

moth"er
(mŭ&thlig_;"ẽr)
n.
[Shortened from motherfucker as a euphemism.]
1.
Same as motherfucker.
[Vulgar slang]

2.
A person or thing with some exceptional quality, as great size or power; as, a grizzly stuck his nose in my tent and I grabbed my pistol and shot the mother.
[Slang]


word: motherboard
definition:
motherboard

moth"er*board`
n.
(Electronics)
The board containing the main circuits of an electronic device, especially computers.  The term is used primarily in microcomputer literature, where it designates the board containing the main expansion bus, and usually also the cpu.   On motherboards designed with an expansion bus, often all of the circuits not contained on an expansion card are on the motherboard.


word: Mothered
definition:
Mothered

Moth"ered
(?)
a.
Thick, like mother; viscid.

They oint their naked limbs with mothered oil.
Dryden.


word: motherfucker
definition:
motherfucker

moth"er*fuck`er
n.
1.
A person who is deemed to be worthless or despicable; -- obscene and highly offensive.
[vulgar slang]

Syn. -- rotter, rat, skunk, stinker, bum, crumb, lowlife, scum bag, cocksucker, mother.

2.
Any object viewed as annoying or frustrating; -- usually used as an expression of anger.
[vulgar slang]


word: Mother Goose
definition:
Mother Goose

Mother Goose
n.
The supposed author of a book of nursery rhymes first published as “Mother Goose's Melodies,” and usually called simply “Mother Goose.”  The first English edition is said to have been printed in 1719 in London.  The actual persons who composed the rhymes is unknown, and earlier similar rhymes in French are a likely source for some of them.  Mother Goose is also used as the title of a book of Mother Goose rhymes.


word: Mothering
definition:
Mothering

Moth"er*ing
n.
A rural custom in England, of visiting one's parents on Midlent Sunday, -- supposed to have been originally visiting the mother church to make offerings at the high altar.


word: Motherless
definition:
Motherless

Moth"er*less
a.
[AS. m&omacrdorleás.]
Destitute of a mother; having lost a mother; as, motherless children.


