# dictionary

word: Motherly
definition:
Motherly

Moth"er*ly
a.
[AS. m&omacrdorlic.]
Of or pertaining to a mother; like, or suitable for, a mother; tender; maternal; as, motherly authority, love, or care.
Hooker.


word: Mother-naked
definition:
Mother-naked

Moth"er-na`ked
(?)
a.
Naked as when born; completely naked.

Syn. -- naked as the day one was born, in one's birthday suit.


word: Mother-of-pearl
definition:
Mother-of-pearl

Moth"er-of-pearl`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
The hard, iridescent, pearly internal layer of several kinds of shells, esp. of pearl oysters, river mussels, and the abalone shells; nacre. See Pearl.


word: mother-of-thousands
definition:
mother-of-thousands

mother-of-thousands
n.
An East Asiatic saxifrage (Saxifraga stolonifera) with racemes of small red-and-white flowers; spreads by numerous creeping stolons; called also strawberry geranium and strawberry saxifrage.

Syn. -- strawberry geranium, strawberry saxifrage, Saxifraga stolonifera, Saxifraga sarmentosam.


word: Mother-of-thyme
definition:
Mother-of-thyme

Moth"er-of-thyme`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
An aromatic plant (Thymus Serphyllum); -- called also wild thyme.


word: Mother's Day
definition:
Mother's Day

Moth"er's Day
A day appointed for the honor and uplift of motherhood by the loving remembrance of each person of his mother through the performance of some act of kindness, visit, tribute, or letter. The founder of the day is Anna Jarvis, of Philadelphia, who designated the second Sunday in May, or for schools the second Friday, as the time, and a white carnation as the badge.


word: Motherwort
definition:
Motherwort

Moth"er*wort`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
(a)
A labiate herb (Leonurus Cardiaca), of a bitter taste, used popularly in medicine; lion's tail.
(b)
The mugwort. See Mugwort.


word: Mothery
definition:
Mothery

Moth"er*y
(mŭ&thlig_;"ẽr*&ybreve_;)
a.
Consisting of, containing, or resembling, mother (in vinegar).


word: Motif
definition:
Motif

Mo"tif
(?)
n.
[F.]
Motive.
[archaic]

2.
In literature and the fine arts, a salient feature or element of a composition or work; esp., the theme, or central or dominant feature;
specif.
(Music)
a motive{3}.  See also leitmotif.

This motif, of old things lost, is a favorite one for the serious ballade.
R. M. Alden.

The design . . . is . . . based on the peacock -- a motif favored by decorative artists of all ages.
R. D. Benn.

3.
(Dressmaking)
A decorative appliqué design or figure, as of lace or velvet, used in trimming; also, a repeated design.


word: Motific
definition:
Motific

Mo*tif"ic
(?)
a.
[L. motus motion (fr. movere to move) + facere to make.]
Producing motion.
[R.]


word: Motile
definition:
Motile

Mo"tile
(?)
a.
[See Motive.]
1.
(Biol.)
Exhibiting, or capable of, spontaneous movement; as, motile bacteria, motile protozoa, motile cilia, motile spores, etc.

2.
Producing motion; as, motile powers.


word: Motile₂
definition:
Motile

Mo"tile
n.
(Psychol.)
A person whose prevailing mental imagery takes the form of inner feelings of action, such as incipient pronunciation of words, muscular innervations, etc.


word: Motion
definition:
Motion

Mo"tion
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. motio, fr. movere, motum, to move. See Move.]
1.
The act, process, or state of changing place or position; movement; the passing of a body from one place or position to another, whether voluntary or involuntary; -- opposed to rest.

Speaking or mute, all comeliness and grace
attends thee, and each word, each motion, forms.
Milton.

2.
Power of, or capacity for, motion.

Devoid of sense and motion.
Milton.

3.
Direction of movement; course; tendency; as, the motion of the planets is from west to east.

In our proper motion we ascend.
Milton.

4.
Change in the relative position of the parts of anything; action of a machine with respect to the relative movement of its parts.

This is the great wheel to which the clock owes its motion.
Dr. H. More.

5.
Movement of the mind, desires, or passions; mental act, or impulse to any action; internal activity.

Let a good man obey every good motion rising in his heart, knowing that every such motion proceeds from God.
South.

6.
A proposal or suggestion looking to action or progress; esp., a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly; as, a motion to adjourn.

Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion.
Shak.

7.
(Law)
An application made to a court or judge orally in open court.  Its object is to obtain an order or rule directing some act to be done in favor of the applicant.
Mozley & W.

8.
(Mus.)
Change of pitch in successive sounds, whether in the same part or in groups of parts.

The independent motions of different parts sounding together constitute counterpoint.
Grove.

&hand_; Conjunct motion is that by single degrees of the scale. Contrary motion is that when parts move in opposite directions. Disjunct motion is motion by skips. Oblique motion is that when one part is stationary while another moves. Similar or direct motion is that when parts move in the same direction.

9.
A puppet show or puppet.
[Obs.]

What motion's this? the model of Nineveh?
Beau. & Fl.

&hand_; Motion, in mechanics, may be simple or compound. Simple motions are: (a) straight translation, which, if of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating. (b) Simple rotation, which may be either continuous or reciprocating, and when reciprocating is called oscillating. (c) Helical, which, if of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating. Compound motion consists of combinations of any of the simple motions.

Center of motion, Harmonic motion, etc. See under Center, Harmonic, etc. -- Motion block (Steam Engine), a crosshead. -- Perpetual motion (Mech.), an incessant motion conceived to be attainable by a machine supplying its own motive forces independently of any action from without.  According to the law of conservation of energy, such perpetual motion is impossible, and no device has yet been built that is capable of perpetual motion.


word: Motion₂
definition:
Motion

Mo"tion
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Motioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Motioning.]
1.
To make a significant movement or gesture, as with the hand; as, to motion to one to take a seat.

2.
To make proposal; to offer plans.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Motion₃
definition:
Motion

Mo"tion
v. t.
1.
To direct or invite by a motion, as of the hand or head; as, to motion one to a seat.

2.
To propose; to move.
[Obs.]

I want friends to motion such a matter.
Burton.


word: Motion picture
definition:
Motion picture

Mo"tion pic"ture
1.
A series of pictures on a strip of film, taken at regular intervals in rapid succession (now usually 24 frames per second for ordinary work) by a special camera, intended to capture the image of objects in motion.

2.
the display of the images captured on a motion picture{1}, presented to the eye in very rapid succession by projection from a special apparatus (a movie projector), with shows some or all of the objects in the picture represented in changing positions, producing, by persistence of vision, the optical effect of a continuous picture in which the objects appear to move as they did in the original scene.

Syn. -- movie, moving picture, flick.
3.
The conceptual or informational content of a motion picture{1}; the actions or events represented in a motion picture{1}; the story line of a movie.
motion picture


word: Motivate
definition:
Motivate

Mo"ti*vate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. -vated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. -vating (?).]
[From Motive, n.]
To provide with a motive; to move; impel; induce; incite.
Mo`ti*va"tion (#), n.
William James.

Syn. -- move, prompt, incite, induce impel, drive.


word: motivated
definition:
motivated

motivated
adj.
Having a strong motive; -- of people.  Opposite of unmotivated.
driven, impelled


word: motivative
definition:
motivative

motivating

motivating motivative
adj.
causing motion or impelling to action; providing a motive{2}; as, motivating arguments.

Syn. -- motive(prenominal).

It may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function
Arthur Pap


word: motivation
definition:
motivation

motivation
n.
1.
The act or process of motivating.

2.
The mental process that arouses an organism to action; as, a large part of a teacher's job is to give students the motivation to learn on their own.

Syn. -- motive, need.

3.
The goal or mental image of a goal that creates a motivation{2}; as, the image of a peaceful world is a powerful motivation for only a rare few individuals.


word: Motive
definition:
Motive

Mo"tive
(?)
n.
[F. motif, LL. motivum, from motivus moving, fr. L. movere, motum, to move. See Move.]
1.
That which moves; a mover.
[Obs.]
Shak.

2.
That which incites to action; anything prompting or exciting to choise, or moving the will; cause; reason; inducement; object; motivation{2}.

By motive, I mean the whole of that which moves, excites, or invites the mind to volition, whether that be one thing singly, or many things conjunctively.
J. Edwards.

3.
(Mus.)
The theme or subject; a leading phrase or passage which is reproduced and varied through the course of a comor a movement; a short figure, or melodic germ, out of which a whole movement is develpoed. See also Leading motive, under Leading.
[Written also motivo.]

4.
(Fine Arts)
That which produces conception, invention, or creation in the mind of the artist in undertaking his subject; the guiding or controlling idea manifested in a work of art, or any part of one.


word: Motive₂
definition:
Motive

Mo"tive
a.
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power.
Motive
Bp. Wilkins.

Motive power (Mach.), a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used to impart motion to machinery; a motor; a mover.


word: Motiveless
definition:
Motiveless

Mo"tive*less
a.
Destitute of a motive; not incited by a motive.
Mo"tive*less*ness, n.
G. Eliot.


word: Motivity
definition:
Motivity

Mo*tiv"i*ty
(?)
n.
[See Motive, n.]
1.
The power of moving or producing motion.

2.
The quality of being influenced by motives.
[R.]


word: Motley
definition:
Motley

Mot"ley
(?)
a.
[OE. mottelee, motle; cf. OF. mattelé clotted, curdled, OF, ciel mattonné a mottled sky, mate, maton, curdled milk, Prov. G. matte curd.  Cf. Mottle.]
1.
Variegated in color; consisting of different colors; dappled; party-colored; as, a motley coat.

2.
Wearing motley or party-colored clothing. See Motley, n., 1.
motley
Shak.

3.
Composed of different or various parts; heterogeneously made or mixed up; discordantly composite; as, motley style.
Byron.


word: Motley₂
definition:
Motley

Mot"ley
n.
1.
A combination of distinct colors; esp., the party-colored cloth, or clothing, worn by the professional fool.
Chaucer.
Motley
Shak.

2.
Hence, a jester, a fool.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Man of motley, a fool. 
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.


word: motley collection
definition:
motley collection

mot"ley col*lec"tion
n.
A collection of objects of various kinds; a hodgepodge; a medley; a confused mixture; an omnium gatherum.


word: Motmot
definition:
Motmot

Mot"mot
(?)
n.
[Cf. Momot.]
(Zool.)
Any one of several species of long-tailed, passerine birds of the genus Momotus, having a strong serrated beak.  In most of the species the two long middle tail feathers are racket-shaped at the tip, when mature.  The bird itself is said by some writers to trim them into this shape.  They feed on insects, reptiles, and fruit, and are found from Mexico to Brazil.  The name is derived from its note.
[Written also momot.]


word: Moto
definition:
Moto

Mo"to
(?)
n.
[It.]
(Mus.)
Movement; manner of movement; particularly, movement with increased rapidity; -- used especially in the phrase con moto, directing to a somewhat quicker movement; as, andante con moto, a little more rapidly than andante, etc.


word: Motograph
definition:
Motograph

Mo"to*graph
(?)
n.
[L. movere, motum, to move + -graph.]
(Elec.)
A device utilized in the making of a loud-speaking telephone, depending on the fact that the friction between a metallic point and a moving cylinder of moistened chalk, or a moving slip of paper, on which it rests is diminished by the passage of a current between the point and the moving surface.
[obsolescent]
Mo`to*graph"ic (#), a.


word: Moton
definition:
Moton

Mo"ton
(?)
n.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
(Anc. Armor)
A small plate covering the armpit in armor of the 14th century and later.


word: Motor
definition:
Motor

Mo"tor
(?)
n.
[L., fr. movere, motum, to move.]
1.
One who, or that which, imparts motion; a source of mechanical power.

2.
(Mach.)
A prime mover; a machine by means of which a source of power, as steam, moving water, electricity, etc., is made available for doing mechanical work.

3.
A motor car; an automobile.
[archiac Colloq.]


word: Motorial
definition:
Motorial

Motory

Motor

{ Mo"tor (?), Mo"to*ry (?), Mo*to"ri*al (?), }
a.
[L. motorius that has motion. See Motor, n.]
Causing or setting up motion; pertaining to organs of motion; -- applied especially in physiology to those nerves or nerve fibers which only convey impressions from a nerve center to muscles, thereby causing motion.


word: motorboat
definition:
motorboat

motorboat
n.
a boat propelled by an internal-combustion engine driving propellers immersed in the water.

Syn. -- powerboat.


word: motorbus
definition:
motorbus

motorbus
n.
a road vehicle carrying many passengers; used for public transport; an omnibus.

Syn. -- bus, autobus, coach, charabanc, double-decker, jitney, motorcoach, omnibus.


word: Motorcar
definition:
Motorcar

Motor car

{ Motor car, or Mo"tor*car` }
n.
1.
An automobile, locomobile, or locomotive designed to run and be steered on a street or roadway; esp., an automobile specially designed for passengers and propelled by an internal combustion engine.

Syn. -- car, auto, automobile, machine.

2.
(Elec. Railroads)
Any car containing motors for propulsion.
[U. S.]


word: Motorbike
definition:
Motorbike

Mo"tor*bike`
n.
1.
a light two-wheeled vehicle containing a motor for propulsion.  It is lighter in construction and has a lower speed than a motorcycle.

2.
Specifically:
a small motorcycle with a low frame and small weels and elevated handlebars.

Syn. -- minibike.

3.
Specifically:
a bicyle with a motor attached for propulsion.


word: motorcoach
definition:
motorcoach

motorcoach
n.
a motorbus.

Syn. -- bus, autobus, coach, charabanc, double-decker, jitney, motorbus, omnibus.


word: motor cycle
definition:
motor cycle

motorcycle

{ mo"tor*cy`cle, or mo"tor cy`cle }
n.
A two-wheeled vehicle having a motor attached so as to be self-propelled.  In common usage, a motorcycle is of heavier construction with larger wheels, a more powerful motor, and a higher maximum speed than a motorbike.
A motorcycle may have a small appended compartment called a sidecar, supported by a third wheel, which can carry a passenger.

In Great Britain as of 1913 the term motor cycle was treated by statute (3 Ed VII. c. 36) as limited to motor cars (self-propelled vehicles) designed to travel on not more than three wheels, and weighing unladen (that is, without water, fuel, or accumulators necessary for propulsion) not more than three hundred weight (336 lbs.).


word: motor-driven
definition:
motor-driven

mo`tor-driv`en
a.
(Mach.)
Driven or actuated by a motor, esp. by an individual electric motor. An electric motor forms an integral part of many machine tools in numerous modern machine shops.


word: motored
definition:
motored

motored
adj.
equipped with a motor or motors; motorized.  Opposite of unmotorized.
bimotored
trimotored 


word: Motor generator
definition:
Motor generator

Motor generator
The combination consisting of a generator and a driving motor mechanically connected, usually on a common bedplate and with the two shafts directly coupled or combined into a single shaft.


word: Motoring
definition:
Motoring

Mo"tor*ing
(?)
n.
the act or recreation of riding in or driving a motor car or automobile.


word: Motoring₂
definition:
Motoring

Mo"tor*ing
a.
Pertaining to motor cars or automobiles, or to the technology of such; addicted to riding in or driving automobiles; as, motoring parlance; my motoring friend.


word: motorization
definition:
motorization

motorization
n.
the act of motorizing (equiping with motors or with motor vehicles).

Syn. -- motorisation.


word: Motorize
definition:
Motorize

Mo"tor*ize
(m&omacr"tẽr*īz)
v. t.
[Motor + -ize.]
1.
To substitute motor-driven vehicles, or automobiles, for the horses and horse-drawn vehicles of (a fire department, city, etc.).
[archaic]
Mo`tor*i*za"tion (#), n.

2.
to equip (a piece of machinery) with a motor.

3.
to provide with automobiles or other motor vehicles; as, a motorized army division.

Syn. -- mechanize.


word: motorized
definition:
motorized

motorized
adj.
1.
same as motored; as, a motorized wheelchair.  Opposite of unmotorized.
bimotored 
trimotored 

Syn. -- motored.

2.
Equipped with vehicles to permit rapid movement from place to place.

Syn. -- mechanized.


word: Motorman
definition:
Motorman

Mo"tor*man
(?)
n.
1.
A man who controls a motor.
[archaic]

2.
an operator of a motor vehicle, especially of a streetcar or subway train.


word: Motorpathy
definition:
Motorpathy

Mo*tor"pa*thy
(?)
n.
[L. motor a mover + Gr. _;, _;, to suffer.]
(Med.)
same as Kinesiatrics.


word: Motte
definition:
Motte

Motte
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. motte a clod, clump, or hillock.]
A clump of trees in a prairie.
[Local, U.S.]


word: Mottle
definition:
Mottle

Mot"tle
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mottled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mottling (?).]
[From Mottled.]
To mark with spots of different color, or shades of color, as if stained; to spot; to maculate.


word: Mottled
definition:
Mottled

Mot"tled
(?)
a.
[From Motley.]
Marked with spots of different colors; variegated; spotted; as, mottled wood.
mottled
Drayton.


word: mottling
definition:
mottling

mottling
n.
1.
the act of coloring with areas of different shades.

2.
A mottled pattern.


word: Motto
definition:
Motto

Mot"to
(?)
n.
pl. Mottoes (#).
[It. motto a word, a saying, L. muttum a mutter, a grunt, cf. muttire, mutire, to mutter, mumble; prob. of imitative origin.  Cf. Mot a word.]
1.
(Her.)
A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievment.

2.
A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim.

It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works, . . . “Serve God, and be cheerful.”
Addison.


word: Motty
definition:
Motty

Mot"ty
(?)
a.
Full of, or consisting of, motes.
[Written also mottie.]
[Scot.]

The motty dust reek raised by the workmen.
H. Miller.


word: Mouflon
definition:
Mouflon

Mouf"lon
(?)
n.
[F. mouflon.]
(Zool.)
A wild sheep (Ovis musimon), inhabiting the mountains of Sardinia, Corsica, etc.  Its horns are very large, with a triangular base and rounded angles.  It is supposed by some to be the original of the domestic sheep.  Called also musimon or musmon.
[Written also moufflon.]


word: Mouillation
definition:
Mouillation

Mouil*la"tion
(?)
n.
[See Mouillé.]
(Phon.)
The act of uttering the sound of a mouillé letter.


word: Mouille
definition:
Mouille

Mouil`lé"
(?)
a.
[F., lit., wet.]
(Phon.)
Applied to certain consonants having a “liquid” or softened sound; e. g., in French, l or ll and gn (like the lli in million and ni in minion); in Italian, gl and gn; in Spanish, ll and ñ; in Portuguese, lh and nh.


word: Mouldy₂
definition:
Mouldy

Moulder

Mould

{ Mould (m&omacrlt), Mould"er (m&omacrld"ẽr), Mould"y (m&omacrld"&ybreve_;), etc. }
See Mold, Molder, Moldy, etc.


word: moulding
definition:
moulding

moulding
n.
1.
a sculpture produced by molding.

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

2.
a decorative recessed or relieved surface.

Syn. -- molding, border.

3.
a decorative strip used for ornamentation or finishing.

Syn. -- molding.

4.
a preliminary sculpture in wax or clay from which a finished work can be copied.

Syn. -- modeling, molding.


word: Moule
definition:
Moule

Moule
(m&omacrl)
v. i.
[OE. moulen. See Mold.]
To contract mold; to grow moldy; to mold.
[Obs.]

Let us not moulen thus in idleness.
Chaucer.


word: Moulinet
definition:
Moulinet

Mouline

{ Mou*line" (?), Mou"li*net (?), }
n.
[F. moulinet, orig., a little mill, dim. of moulin mill. See Mill.]
1.
The drum upon which the rope is wound in a capstan, crane, or the like.

2.
A machine formerly used for bending a crossbow by winding it up.

3.
In sword and saber exercises, a circular swing of the weapon.


word: Mound
definition:
Mound

Mound
(mound)
n.
[F. monde the world, L. mundus. See Mundane.]
A ball or globe forming part of the regalia of an emperor or other sovereign.  It is encircled with bands, enriched with precious stones, and surmounted with a cross; -- called also globe.


word: Mound₂
definition:
Mound

Mound
n.
[OE. mound, mund, protection, AS. mund protection, hand; akin to OHG. munt, Icel. mund hand, and prob. to L. manus. See Manual.]
An artificial hill or elevation of earth; a raised bank; an embarkment thrown up for defense; a bulwark; a rampart; also, a natural elevation appearing as if thrown up artificially; a regular and isolated hill, hillock, or knoll.

To thrid the thickets or to leap the mounds.
Dryden.

Mound bird. (Zool.) See moundbird in the vocabulary. -- Mound builders (Ethnol.), the tribe, or tribes, of North American aborigines who built, in former times, extensive mounds of earth, esp. in the valleys of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.  Formerly they were supposed to have preceded the Indians, but later investigations go to show that they were, in general, identical with the tribes that occupied the country when discovered by Europeans. -- Mound maker (Zool.), any one of the megapodes.  See also moundbird in the vocabulary. -- Shell mound, a mound of refuse shells, collected by aborigines who subsisted largely on shellfish. See Midden, and Kitchen middens.


word: Mound₃
definition:
Mound

Mound
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Mounding.]
To fortify or inclose with a mound.


word: mound bird
definition:
mound bird

moundbird

moundbird, mound bird
n.
(Zool.)
Any of several large-footed short-winged birds of Australasia, which build mounds of decaying vegetation to incubate eggs.  Called also mound builder, mound maker, megapode, brush turkey, and scrub fowl.

Syn. -- megapode, mound builder, scrub fowl, brush turkey.


word: Mount
definition:
Mount

Mount
(mount)
n.
[OE. munt, mont, mount, AS. munt, fr. L. mons, montis; cf. L. minae protections, E. eminent, menace: cf. F. mont.  Cf. Mount, v., Mountain, Mont, Monte, Montem.]
1.
A mass of earth, or earth and rock, rising considerably above the common surface of the surrounding land; a mountain; a high hill; -- used always instead of mountain, when put before a proper name; as, Mount Washington; otherwise, chiefly in poetry.

2.
A bulwark for offense or defense; a mound.
[Obs.]

Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem.
Jer. vi. 6.

3.
[See Mont de piété.]
A bank; a fund.

4.
(Palmistry)
Any one of seven fleshy prominences in the palm of the hand which are taken as significant of the influence of “planets,” and called the mounts of Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, the Moon, Saturn, the Sun or Apollo, and Venus.

Mount of piety. See Mont de piété.


word: Mount₂
definition:
Mount

Mount
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Mounted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mounting.]
[OE. mounten, monten, F. monter, fr. L. mons, montis, mountain. See Mount, n. (above).]
1.
To rise on high; to go up; to be upraised or uplifted; to tower aloft; to ascend; -- often with up.

Though Babylon should mount up to heaven.
Jer. li. 53.

The fire of trees and houses mounts on high.
Cowley.

2.
To get up on anything, as a platform or scaffold; especially, to seat one's self on a horse for riding.

3.
To attain in value; to amount.

Bring then these blessings to a strict account,
Make fair deductions, see to what they mount.
Pope.


word: Mount₃
definition:
Mount

Mount
v. t.
1.
To get upon; to ascend; to climb; as, to mount the pulpit and deliver a sermon.

Shall we mount again the rural throne?
Dryden.

2.
To place one's self on, as a horse or other animal, or anything that one sits upon; to bestride.

3.
To cause to mount; to put on horseback; to furnish with animals for riding; to furnish with horses.
mount
Dryden.

4.
Hence: To put upon anything that sustains and fits for use, as a gun on a carriage, a map or picture on cloth or paper; to prepare for being worn or otherwise used, as a diamond by setting, or a sword blade by adding the hilt, scabbard, etc.; as, to mount a picture or diploma in  a frame

5.
To raise aloft; to lift on high.

What power is it which mounts my love so high?
Shak.

&hand_; A fort or ship is said to mount cannon, when it has them arranged for use in or about it.

To mount guard (Mil.), to go on guard; to march on guard; to do duty as a guard. -- To mount a play, to prepare and arrange the scenery, furniture, etc., used in the play.


word: Mount₄
definition:
Mount

Mount
n.
[From Mount, v.]
That upon which a person or thing is mounted
especially:
(a)
A horse.

She had so good a seat and hand, she might be trusted with any mount.
G. Eliot.


word: Mountain
definition:
Mountain

Moun"tain
(?)
n.
[OE. mountaine, montaine, F. montagne, LL. montanea, montania, fr. L. mons, montis, a mountain; cf. montanus belonging to a mountain. See 1st Mount.]
1.
A large mass of earth and rock, rising above the common level of the earth or adjacent land; earth and rock forming an isolated peak or a ridge; an eminence higher than a hill; a mount.

2.
pl.
A range, chain, or group of such elevations; as, the White Mountains.

3.
A mountainlike mass; something of great bulk; a large quantity.

I should have been a mountain of mummy.
Shak.

The Mountain (La montagne) (French Hist.), a popular name given in 1793 to a party of extreme Jacobins in the National Convention, who occupied the highest rows of seats.


word: Mountain₂
definition:
Mountain

Moun"tain
(moun"tĭn)
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to a mountain or mountains; growing or living on a mountain; found on or peculiar to mountains; among mountains; as, a mountain torrent; mountain pines; mountain goats; mountain air; mountain howitzer.

2.
Like a mountain; mountainous; vast; very great.

The high, the mountain majesty of worth.
Byron.

Mountain antelope (Zool.), the goral. -- Mountain ash (Bot.), an ornamental tree, the Pyrus Americana (or Sorbus Americana), producing beautiful bunches of red berries. Its leaves are pinnate, and its flowers white, growing in fragrant clusters. The European species is the Pyrus aucuparia, or rowan tree. -- Mountain barometer, a portable barometer, adapted for safe transportation, used in measuring the heights of mountains. -- Mountain beaver (Zool.), the sewellel. -- Mountain blue (Min.), blue carbonate of copper; azurite. -- Mountain cat (Zool.), the catamount. See Catamount. -- Mountain chain, a series of contiguous mountain ranges, generally in parallel or consecutive lines or curves. -- Mountain cock (Zool.), capercailzie. See Capercailzie. -- Mountain cork (Min.), a variety of asbestus, resembling cork in its texture. -- Mountain crystal. See under Crystal. -- Mountain damson (Bot.), a large tree of the genus Simaruba (Simaruba amarga) growing in the West Indies, which affords a bitter tonic and astringent, sometimes used in medicine. -- Mountain dew, Scotch whisky, so called because often illicitly distilled among the mountains. [Humorous] -- Mountain ebony (Bot.), a small leguminous tree (Bauhinia variegata) of the East and West Indies; -- so called because of its dark wood. The bark is used medicinally and in tanning. -- Mountain flax (Min.), a variety of asbestus, having very fine fibers; amianthus. See Amianthus. -- Mountain fringe (Bot.), climbing fumitory. See under Fumitory. -- Mountain goat. (Zool.) See Mazama. -- Mountain green. (Min.) (a) Green malachite, or carbonate of copper. (b) See Green earth, under Green, a. -- Mountain holly (Bot.), a branching shrub (Nemopanthes Canadensis), having smooth oblong leaves and red berries.  It is found in the Northern United States. -- Mountain laurel (Bot.), an American shrub (Kalmia latifolia) with glossy evergreen leaves and showy clusters of rose-colored or white flowers.  The foliage is poisonous.  Called also American laurel, ivy bush, and calico bush.  See Kalmia. -- Mountain leather (Min.), a variety of asbestus, resembling leather in its texture. -- Mountain licorice (Bot.), a plant of the genus Trifolium (Trifolium Alpinum). -- Mountain limestone (Geol.), a series of marine limestone strata below the coal measures, and above the old red standstone of Great Britain.  See Chart of Geology. -- Mountain linnet (Zool.), the twite. -- Mountain magpie. (Zool.) (a) The yaffle, or green woodpecker. (b) The European gray shrike. -- Mountain mahogany (Bot.) See under Mahogany. -- Mountain meal (Min.), a light powdery variety of calcite, occurring as an efflorescence. -- Mountain milk (Min.), a soft spongy variety of carbonate of lime. -- Mountain mint. (Bot.) See Mint. -- Mountain ousel (Zool.), the ring ousel; -- called also mountain thrush and mountain colley.  See Ousel. -- Mountain pride, or Mountain green (Bot.), a tree of Jamaica (Spathelia simplex), which has an unbranched palmlike stem, and a terminal cluster of large, pinnate leaves. -- Mountain quail (Zool.), the plumed partridge (Oreortyx pictus) of California.  It has two long, slender, plumelike feathers on the head.  The throat and sides are chestnut; the belly is brown with transverse bars of black and white; the neck and breast are dark gray. -- Mountain range, a series of mountains closely related in position and direction. -- Mountain rice. (Bot.) (a) An upland variety of rice, grown without irrigation, in some parts of Asia, Europe, and the United States. (b) An American genus of grasses (Oryzopsis). -- Mountain rose (Bot.), a species of rose with solitary flowers, growing in the mountains of Europe (Rosa alpina). -- Mountain soap (Min.), a soft earthy mineral, of a brownish color, used in crayon painting; saxonite. -- Mountain sorrel (Bot.), a low perennial plant (Oxyria digyna with rounded kidney-form leaves, and small greenish flowers, found in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and in high northern latitudes. Gray. -- Mountain sparrow (Zool.), the European tree sparrow. -- Mountain spinach. (Bot.) See Orach. -- Mountain tobacco (Bot.), a composite plant (Arnica montana) of Europe; called also leopard's bane. -- Mountain witch (Zool.), a ground pigeon of Jamaica, of the genus Geotrygon.


word: Mountaineer
definition:
Mountaineer

Moun`tain*eer"
(moun`tĭn*ēr")
n.
[OF. montanier, LL. montanarius. See Mountain.]
1.
An inhabitant of a mountain; one who lives among mountains.

2.
A rude, fierce person.
[Obs.]

No savage fierce, bandit, or mountaineer.
Milton.

3.
A person who climbs mountains for sport.


word: mountaineer
definition:
mountaineer

moun`tain*eer"
v. i.
To live or act as a mountaineer; to climb mountains.

You can't go mountaineering in a flat country.
H. James.


word: Mountainous
definition:
Mountainous

Moun"tain*ous
(?)
a.
[F. montagneux, L. montaniosus.]
1.
Full of, or containing, mountains; as, the mountainous country of the Swiss.

2.
Inhabiting mountains.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

3.
Large as, or resembling, a mountain; huge; of great bulk; as, a mountainous heap.
Prior.


word: Mountain specter
definition:
Mountain specter

Moun"tain spec"ter
An optical phenomenon sometimes seen on the summit of mountains (as on the Brocken) when the observer is between the sun and a mass of cloud.  The figures of the observer and surrounding objects are seen projected on the cloud, greatly enlarged and often encircled by rainbow colors.


word: Mountant
definition:
Mountant

Mount"ant
(?)
a.
[F. montant, p. pr. of monter. See Mount, and cf. Montant.]
Raised; high.
[Obs.]


word: Mountebank
definition:
Mountebank

Mount"e*bank
(?)
n.
[It. montimbanco, montambanco; montare to mount + in in, upon + banco bench. See Mount, and 4th Bank.]
1.
One who mounts a bench or stage in the market or other public place, boasts of his skill in curing diseases, and vends medicines which he pretends are infallible remedies; a quack doctor.

Such is the weakness and easy credulity of men, that a mountebank . . . is preferred before an able physician.
Whitlock.

2.
Any boastful or false pretender; a charlatan; a quack.

Nothing so impossible in nature but mountebanks will undertake.
Arbuthnot.


word: Mountebankery
definition:
Mountebankery

Mount"e*bank`er*y
(?)
n.
The practices of a mountebank; quackery; boastful and vain pretenses.


word: Mounted
definition:
Mounted

Mount"ed
a.
1.
Seated or serving on horseback or similarly; as, mounted police; mounted infantry.

2.
Placed on a suitable support, or fixed in a setting; as, a mounted gun; a mounted map; a mounted gem.


word: Mounting
definition:
Mounting

Mount"ing
n.
1.
The act of one that mounts.

2.
That by which anything is prepared for use, or set off to advantage; equipment; embellishment; setting; as, the mounting of a sword or diamond.

3.
(Aeronautics)
same as  Carriage.


word: Mounty
definition:
Mounty

Mount"y
(?)
n.
[F. montée, fr. monter. See Mount, v.]
The rise of a hawk after prey.
Sir P. Sidney.


word: Mourn
definition:
Mourn

Mourn
(m&omacrrn)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Mourned (m&omacrrnd); p. pr. & vb. n. Mourning.]
[AS. murnan; akin to OS. mornian, OHG. mornen, Goth. maúrnan.]
1.
To express or to feel grief or sorrow; to grieve; to be sorrowful; to lament; to be in a state of grief or sadness.

Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
Gen. xxiii. 2.

2.
To wear the customary garb of a mourner.

We mourn in black; why mourn we not in blood?
Shak.

Grieve for an hour, perhaps, then mourn a year.
Pope.


word: Mourn₂
definition:
Mourn

Mourn
v. t.
1.
To grieve for; to lament; to deplore; to bemoan; to bewail.

As if he mourned his rival's ill success.
Addison.

And looking over the hills, I mourn
The darling who shall not return.
Emerson.

2.
To utter in a mournful manner or voice.

The lovelorn nightingale
Nightly to thee her sad song mourneth well.
Milton.


word: Mourne
definition:
Mourne

Mourne
(m&omacrrn)
n.
[See 2d Morne.]
The armed or feruled end of a staff; in a sheephook, the end of the staff to which the hook is attached.
Sir P. Sidney.


word: Mourner
definition:
Mourner

Mourn"er
(m&omacrrn"ẽr)
n.
1.
One who mourns or is grieved at any misfortune, as the death of a friend.

His mourners were two hosts, his friends and foes.
Byron.

2.
One who attends a funeral as a hired mourner.

Mourners were provided to attend the funeral.
L'Estrange.


word: Mournful
definition:
Mournful

Mourn"ful
(?)
a.
Full of sorrow; expressing, or intended to express, sorrow; mourning; grieving; sad; also, causing sorrow; saddening; grievous; as, a mournful person; mournful looks, tones, loss.
Mourn"ful*ly, adv. -- Mourn"ful*ness, n.


word: Mourning
definition:
Mourning

Mourn"ing
n.
[AS. murnung.]
1.
The act of sorrowing or expressing grief; lamentation; sorrow.

2.
Garb, drapery, or emblems indicative of grief, esp. clothing or a badge of somber black.

The houses to their tops with black were spread,
And ev'n the pavements were with mourning hid.
Dryden.

Deep mourning. See under Deep.


word: Mourning₂
definition:
Mourning

Mourn"ing
a.
1.
Grieving; sorrowing; lamenting.

2.
Employed to express sorrow or grief; worn or used as appropriate to the condition of one bereaved or sorrowing; as, mourning garments; a mourning ring; a mourning pin, and the like.

Mourning bride (Bot.), a garden flower (Scabiosa atropurpurea) with dark purple or crimson flowers in flattened heads. -- Mourning dove (Zool.), a wild dove (Zenaidura macroura) found throughout the United States; -- so named from its plaintive note. Called also Carolina dove. See Illust. under Dove. -- Mourning warbler (Zool.), an American ground warbler (Geothlypis Philadelphia).  The male has the head, neck, and chest, deep ash-gray, mixed with black on the throat and chest; other lower parts are pure yellow.


word: Mouse
definition:
Mouse

Mouse
(mous)
n.
pl. Mice (mīs).
[OE. mous, mus, AS. mūs, pl. m&ymacr_;s; akin to D. muis, G. maus, OHG. & Icel. mūs, Dan. muus, Sw. mus, Russ. muishe, L. mus, Gr. my^s, Skr. mūsh mouse, mush to steal. √277.  Cf. Muscle, Musk.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the genus Mus and various related genera of the family Muridae.  The common house mouse (Mus musculus) is found in nearly all countries.  The American white-footed mouse, or deer mouse (Peromyscus leucopus, formerly Hesperomys leucopus) sometimes lives in houses.  See Dormouse, Meadow mouse, under Meadow, and Harvest mouse, under Harvest.

2.
(Naut.)
(a)
A knob made on a rope with spun yarn or parceling to prevent a running eye from slipping.
(b)
Same as 2d Mousing, 2.

3.
A familiar term of endearment.
Shak.

4.
A dark-colored swelling caused by a blow.
[Slang]

5.
A match used in firing guns or blasting.

Field mouse, Flying mouse, etc. See under Field, Flying, etc. -- Mouse bird (Zool.), a coly. -- Mouse deer (Zool.), a chevrotain, as the kanchil. -- Mouse galago (Zool.), a very small West American galago (Galago murinus). In color and size it resembles a mouse. It has a bushy tail like that of a squirrel. -- Mouse hawk. (Zool.) (a) A hawk that devours mice. (b) The hawk owl; -- called also mouse owl. -- Mouse lemur (Zool.), any one of several species of very small lemurs of the genus Chirogaleus, found in Madagascar. -- Mouse piece (Cookery), the piece of beef cut from the part next below the round or from the lower part of the latter; -- called also mouse buttock.


word: Mouse₂
definition:
Mouse

Mouse
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Moused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mousing (?).]
1.
To watch for and catch mice.

2.
To watch for or pursue anything in a sly manner; to pry about, on the lookout for something.


word: Mouse₃
definition:
Mouse

Mouse
v. t.
1.
To tear, as a cat devours a mouse.
[Obs.]
mousing
Shak.

2.
(Naut.)
To furnish with a mouse; to secure by means of a mousing. See Mouse, n., 2.


word: Mouse-ear
definition:
Mouse-ear

Mouse"-ear`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
(a)
The forget-me-not (Myosotis palustris) and other species of the same genus.
(b)
A European species of hawkweed (Hieracium Pilosella).

Mouse-ear chickweed, a name of two common species of chickweed (Cerastium vulgarium, and Cerastium viscosum). -- Mouse-ear cress, a low cruciferous herb (Sisymbrium Thaliana). All these are low herbs with soft, oval, or obovate leaves, whence the name.


word: Mousehole
definition:
Mousehole

Mouse"hole`
(?)
n.
A hole made by a mouse, for passage or abode, as in a wall; hence, a very small hole like that gnawed by a mouse.


word: mouseketeer
definition:
mouseketeer

mouse"ke*teer`
(mous"kĕ*tēr`)
n.
One of a group of children appearing on the television program The Mickey Mouse Club in the 1950's.
[U. S.]


word: Mouser
definition:
Mouser

Mous"er
(?)
n.
1.
A cat that catches mice; as, a good mouser is better than a dozen mousetraps.

2.
One who pries about on the lookout for something.


word: Mousetail
definition:
Mousetail

Mouse"tail`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A genus of ranunculaceous plants (Myosurus), in which the prolonged receptacle is covered with imbricating achenes, and so resembles the tail of a mouse.


word: mouse trap
definition:
mouse trap

mousetrap

mouse"trap`, mouse" trap`
(?)
n.
Any device that catches, and usually kills, mice.  They are of various designs, the most common being a stiff loop of wire mounted on a small wooden platform base and attached to a strong spring, which holds the loop firmly against the base.  To activate the trap, the loop is pulled through a 180° arc against the tension of the spring and held against the base by a delicate metal catch, which can keep the loop from moving, though in a state of high tension.  The metal catch is moved when a mouse tries to take a piece of bait attached to it, releasing the loop which forcefully moves though an arc, usually killing the mouse.  A larger version of the same device is used as a rat trap.


word: Mousing₂
definition:
Mousing

Mous"ing
n.
1.
The act of hunting mice.

2.
(Naut.)
A turn or lashing of spun yarn or small stuff, or a metallic clasp or fastening, uniting the point and shank of a hook to prevent its unhooking or straighening out.

3.
A ratchet movement in a loom.

Mousing hook, a hook with an attachment which prevents its unhooking.


word: Mousle
definition:
Mousle

Mou"sle
(?)
v. t.
To sport with roughly; to rumple.
[Written also mouzle.]
[Obs.]
Wycherley.


word: Mousquetaire
definition:
Mousquetaire

Mous`que*taire"
(?)
n.
[F.]
1.
A musketeer, esp. one of the French royal musketeers of the 17th and 18th centuries, conspicuous both for their daring and their fine dress.

2.
A mosquetaire cuff or glove, or other article of dress fancied to resemble those worn by the French mosquetaires.


word: Mousse
definition:
Mousse

Mousse
(mōs)
n.
[F.]
1.
(Cookery)
A frozen dessert of a frothy texture, made of sweetened and flavored whipped cream, sometimes with the addition of egg yolks and gelatin.  Mousse differs from ice cream in being beaten before -- not during -- the freezing process.

2.
Any of a variety of foods whipped to a light texture; as, a salmon mousse.

3.
A foam containing special chemicals, used for styling hair.


word: Mousseline
definition:
Mousseline

Mousse`line"
(?)
n.
[F.]
Muslin.

Mousseline de laine (_;). [F., muslin of wool.] Muslin delaine. See under Muslin. -- Mousseline glass, a kind of thin blown glassware, such as wineglasses, etc.


word: Mousseline de soie
definition:
Mousseline de soie

Mousse`line de soie"
(?)
[F.]
A soft thin silk fabric with a weave like that of muslin.


word: Moutan
definition:
Moutan

Mou"tan
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
The Chinese tree peony (Paeonia Mountan), a shrub with large flowers of various colors.


word: Mouth
definition:
Mouth

Mouth
(mouth)
n.
pl. Mouths (mou&thlig_;z).
[OE. mouth, muþ, AS. mūð; akin to D. mond, OS. mūð, G. mund, Icel. muðr, munnr, Sw. mun, Dan. mund, Goth. munþs, and possibly L. mentum chin; or cf. D. muil mouth, muzzle, G. maul, OHG. mūla, Icel. mūli, and Skr. mukha mouth.]
1.
The opening through which an animal receives food; the aperture between the jaws or between the lips; also, the cavity, containing the tongue and teeth, between the lips and the pharynx; the buccal cavity.

2.
Hence:
An opening affording entrance or exit; orifice; aperture;
(a)
The opening of a vessel by which it is filled or emptied, charged or discharged; as, the mouth of a jar or pitcher; the mouth of the lacteal vessels, etc.
(b)
The opening or entrance of any cavity, as a cave, pit, well, or den.
(c)
The opening of a piece of ordnance, through which it is discharged.
(d)
The opening through which the waters of a river or any stream are discharged.
(e)
The entrance into a harbor.

3.
(Saddlery)
The crosspiece of a bridle bit, which enters the mouth of an animal.

4.
A principal speaker; one who utters the common opinion; a mouthpiece.

Every coffeehouse has some particular statesman belonging to it, who is the mouth of the street where he lives.
Addison.

5.
Cry; voice.
[Obs.]
Dryden.

6.
Speech; language; testimony.

That in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Matt. xviii. 16.

7.
A wry face; a grimace; a mow.

Counterfeit sad looks,
Make mouths upon me when I turn my back.
Shak.

Down at the mouth or Down in the mouth, chapfallen; of dejected countenance; depressed; discouraged. [Obs. or Colloq.] -- Mouth friend, one who professes friendship insincerely. Shak. -- Mouth glass, a small mirror for inspecting the mouth or teeth. -- Mouth honor, honor given in words, but not felt. Shak. -- Mouth organ. (Mus.) (a) Pan's pipes. See Pandean. (b) An harmonicon. -- Mouth pipe, an organ pipe with a lip or plate to cut the escaping air and make a sound. -- To stop the mouth, to silence or be silent; to put to shame; to confound. -- To put one's foot in one's mouth, to say something which causes one embarrassment. -- To run off at the mouth, to speak excessively. -- To talk out of both sides of one's mouth, to say things which are contradictory.

The mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
Ps. lxiii. 11.

Whose mouths must be stopped.
Titus i. 11.


word: Mouth₂
definition:
Mouth

Mouth
(mou&thlig_;)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mouthed (mou&thlig_;d); p. pr. & vb. n. Mouthing.]
1.
To take into the mouth; to seize or grind with the mouth or teeth; to chew; to devour.
Dryden.

2.
To utter with a voice affectedly big or swelling; to speak in a strained or unnaturally sonorous manner; as, mouthing platitudes.
Mouthing
Hare.

Mouthing out his hollow oes and aes.
Tennyson.

3.
To form or cleanse with the mouth; to lick, as a bear her cub.
Sir T. Browne.

4.
To make mouths at.
[R.]
R. Blair.


word: Mouth₃
definition:
Mouth

Mouth
v. i.
1.
To speak with a full, round, or loud, affected voice; to vociferate; to rant.

I'll bellow out for Rome, and for my country,
And mouth at Caesar, till I shake the senate.
Addison.

2.
To put mouth to mouth; to kiss.
[R.]
Shak.

3.
To make grimaces, esp. in ridicule or contempt.

Well I know, when I am gone,
How she mouths behind my back.
Tennyson.


word: Mouthed
definition:
Mouthed

Mouthed
(?)
a.
1.
Furnished with a mouth.

2.
Having a mouth of a particular kind; using the mouth, speech, or voice in a particular way; -- used only in composition; as, wide-mouthed; hard-mouthed; foul-mouthed; mealy-mouthed.


word: Mouth-footed
definition:
Mouth-footed

Mouth"-foot`ed
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Having the basal joints of the legs converted into jaws.


word: Mouthful
definition:
Mouthful

Mouth"ful
(?)
n.
pl. Mouthfuls (_;).
1.
As much as is usually put into the mouth at one time.

2.
Hence, a small quantity.

3.
A statement that has a profound truth in it; as, you said a mouthful!
[informal]


word: Mouthpiece
definition:
Mouthpiece

Mouth"piece`
(?)
n.
1.
The part of a musical or other instrument to which the mouth is applied in using it; as, the mouthpiece of a bugle, or of a tobacco pipe.

2.
An appendage to an inlet or outlet opening of a pipe or vessel, to direct or facilitate the inflow or outflow of a fluid.

3.
One who delivers the opinion of others or of another; a spokesman; as, the mouthpiece of his party.

Egmont was imprudent enough to make himself the mouthpiece of their remonstrance.
Motley.

4.
Hence:
A person's lawyer.
[slang]
This is a term that was used sometimes in old movies.  When a tough bad guy was arrested he might say “I ain't sayin' nothin' without my mouthpiece!”


word: mouthwash
definition:
mouthwash

mouthwash
n.
a medicated solution used for gargling and rinsing the mouth.

Syn. -- gargle.


word: Movable
definition:
Movable

Mov"a*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. OF. movable. See Move.]
1.
Capable of being moved, lifted, carried, drawn, turned, or conveyed, or in any way made to change place or posture; susceptible of motion; not fixed or stationary; as, a movable steam engine.
[Also spelled moveable.]

Syn. -- transferable, transferrable, transportable.

2.
Changing from one time to another; as, movable feasts, i. e., church festivals, the date of which varies from year to year.

Movable letter (Heb. Gram.), a letter that is pronounced, as opposed to one that is quiescent. -- Movable feast (Ecclesiastical), a holy day that changes date, depending on the lunar cycle.  An example of such a day is Easter.


word: Movable₂
definition:
Movable

Mov"a*ble
n.
pl. Movables (_;).
1.
An article of wares or goods; a commodity; a piece of property not fixed, or not a part of real estate; generally, in the plural, goods; wares; furniture.
[Also spelled moveable.]

Furnished with the most rich and princely movables.
Evelyn.

2.
(Rom. Law)
Property not attached to the soil.

&hand_; The word is not convertible with personal property, since rents and similar incidents of the soil which are personal property by our law are immovables by the Roman law.
Wharton.


word: Movableness
definition:
Movableness

Mov"a*ble*ness
n.
The quality or state of being movable; mobility; susceptibility of motion.


word: Move
definition:
Move

Move
(mōv)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Moved (mōvd); p. pr. & vb. n. Moving.]
[OE. moven, OF. moveir, F. mouvoir, L. movere; cf. Gr. 'amei`bein to change, exchange, go in or out, quit, Skr. mīv, p. p. mūta, to move, push.  Cf. Emotion, Mew to molt, Mob, Mutable, Mutiny.]
1.
To cause to change place or posture in any manner; to set in motion; to carry, convey, draw, or push from one place to another; to impel; to stir; as, the wind moves a vessel; the horse moves a carriage.

2.
(Chess, Checkers, etc.)
To transfer (a piece or man) from one space or position to another on a playing board, according to the rules of the game; as, to move a king.

3.
To excite to action by the presentation of motives; to rouse by representation, persuasion, or appeal; to influence.

Minds desirous of revenge were not moved with gold.
Knolles.

No female arts his mind could move.
Dryden.

4.
To arouse the feelings or passions of; especially, to excite to tenderness or compassion; to touch pathetically; to excite, as an emotion.
Shak.

When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them.
Matt. ix. 36.

[The use of images] in orations and poetry is to move pity or terror.
Felton.

5.
To propose; to recommend; specifically, to propose formally for consideration and determination, in a deliberative assembly; to submit, as a resolution to be adopted; as, to move to adjourn.

Let me but move one question to your daughter.
Shak.

They are to be blamed alike who move and who decline war upon particular respects.
Hayward.

6.
To apply to, as for aid.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Move₂
definition:
Move

Move
v. i.
1.
To change place or posture; to stir; to go, in any manner, from one place or position to another; as, a ship moves rapidly.

The foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
Ps. xviii. 7.

On the green bank I sat and listened long, . . . 
Nor till her lay was ended could I move.
Dryden.

2.
To act; to take action; to stir; to begin to act; as, to move in a matter.

3.
To change residence; to remove, as from one house, town, or state, to another.

4.
(Chess, Checkers, etc.)
To change the place of a piece in accordance with the rules of the game.


word: Move₃
definition:
Move

Move
(?)
n.
1.
The act of moving; a movement.

2.
(Chess, Checkers, etc.)
The act of moving one of the pieces, from one position to another, in the progress of the game; also, the opportunity or obligation to so move a piece; one's turn; as, you can only borrow from the bank in Monopoly when it's your move.

3.
An act for the attainment of an object; a step in the execution of a plan or purpose.

To make a move. (a) To take some action toward a goal, usually one involving interaction with other people. (b) To move a piece, as in a game. -- To be on the move, to bustle or stir about. [Colloq.]


word: Movement
definition:
Movement

Move"ment
(?)
n.
[F. mouvement. See Move, and cf. Moment.]
1.
The act of moving in space; change of place or posture; motion; as, the movement of an army in marching or maneuvering; the movement of a wheel or a machine.

2.
Manner or style of moving; as, a slow, or quick, or sudden, movement.

3.
Transference, by any means, from one situation to another; a change of situation; progress toward a goal; advancement; as, after months of fruitless discussion there was finally some movement toward an agreement.

4.
Motion of the mind or feelings; emotion.

5.
(Mus.)
(a)
The rhythmical progression, pace, and tempo of a piece.
movement
Busby.
(b)
One of the several strains or pieces, each complete in itself, with its own time and rhythm, which make up a larger work; as, the several movements of a suite or a symphony.

6.
(Mech.)
A system of mechanism for transmitting motion of a definite character, or for transforming motion; as, the wheelwork of a watch; as, a seventeen jewel movement.

7.
A more or less organized effort by many people to achieve some goal, especially a social or artistic goal; as, the women's liberation movement; the progressive movement in architecture.

Febrile movement (Med.), an elevation of the body temperature; a fever. -- Movement cure. (Med.) See Kinesiatrics. -- Movement of the bowels, an evacuation or stool; a passage or discharge.


word: Mover
definition:
Mover

Mov"er
(?)
n.
1.
A person or thing that moves, stirs, or changes place.

2.
A person or thing that imparts motion, or causes change of place; a motor.

3.
One who, or that which, excites, instigates, or causes movement, change, etc.; as, movers of sedition.

These most poisonous compounds,
Which are the movers of a languishing death.
Shak.

4.
A proposer; one who offers a proposition, or recommends anything for consideration or adoption; as, the mover of a resolution in a legislative body.


word: Movie
definition:
Movie

Mov"ie
(?)
n.
1.
A motion picture.

Syn. -- film, picture, moving picture, motion picture, picture show, flick.

2.
A motion picture show; the event of showing a motion picture.  In the pl., the event of showing a motion picture at a movie theater; as, to go to the movies; to spend an evening at the movies.

3.
pl.
The motion picture industry or medium, generally.


word: Moving
definition:
Moving

Mov"ing
a.
1.
Changing place or posture; causing motion or action; as, a moving car, or power.

2.
Exciting movement of the mind or feelings; adapted to move the sympathies, passions, or affections; touching; pathetic; as, a moving appeal.

I sang an old moving story.
Coleridge.

Moving force (Mech.), a force that accelerates, retards, or deflects the motion of a body. -- Moving plant (Bot.), a leguminous plant (Desmodium gyrans); -- so called because its leaflets have a distinct automatic motion.


word: Moving₂
definition:
Moving

Mov"ing
n.
The act of changing place or posture; esp., the act of changing one's dwelling place or place of business.

Moving day, a day when one moves; esp., a day when a large number of tenants change their dwelling place.


word: Mow
definition:
Mow

Mow
(?)
n.
[Written also moe and mowe.]
[F. moue pouting, a wry face; cf. OD. mouwe the protruded lip.]
A wry face.
mows
Shak.


word: Mow₄
definition:
Mow

Mow
v.
[pres. sing. Mow, pl. Mowe, Mowen, Moun.]
[AS. magan. See May, v.]
May; can.
mow
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Our walles mowe not make hem resistence.
Chaucer.


word: Mow₅
definition:
Mow

Mow
(m&omacr)
v. t.
[imp. Mowed (m&omacrd); p. p. Mowed or Mown (m&omacrn); p. pr. & vb. n. Mowing.]
[OE. mowen, mawen, AS. māwan; akin to D. maaijen, G. mähen, OHG. mājan, Dan. meie, L. metere to reap, mow, Gr. 'ama^n.  Cf. Math, Mead a meadow, Meadow.]
1.
To cut down, as grass, with a scythe or machine.

2.
To cut the grass from; as, to mow a meadow.

3.
To cut down; to cause to fall in rows or masses, as in mowing grass; -- with down; as, a discharge of grapeshot mows down whole ranks of men.


word: Mow₇
definition:
Mow

Mow
(mou)
n.
[OE. mowe, AS. mūga.]
1.
A heap or mass of hay or of sheaves of grain stowed in a barn.

2.
The place in a barn where hay or grain in the sheaf is stowed.


word: Mow₈
definition:
Mow

Mow
(mou)
v. t.
To lay, as hay or sheaves of grain, in a heap or mass in a barn; to pile and stow away.


word: Mowing
definition:
Mowing

Mow"ing
n.
1.
The act of one who, or the operation of that which, mows.

2.
Land from which grass is cut; meadow land.

Mowing machine, an agricultural machine armed with knives or blades for cutting standing grass, etc.  It may be drawn by a horse or horses, or propelled by a powered engine.


word: Mown
definition:
Mown

Mown
(?)
p. p. & a.
Cut down by mowing, as grass; deprived of grass by mowing; as, a mown field.


word: Moxa
definition:
Moxa

Mox"a
(?)
n.
[A corruption of Japan. mogusa (pronounced mongsa), an escharotic made from the plant yomigi: cf. F. moxa.]
1.
(Med.)
A soft woolly mass prepared from the young leaves of Artemisia Chinensis, and used as a cautery by burning it on the skin; hence, any substance used in a like manner, as cotton impregnated with niter, amadou.

2.
(Bot.)
A plant from which this substance is obtained, esp.  Artemisia Chinensis, and Artemisia moxa.


word: Moxie
definition:
Moxie

Mox"ie
(?)
n.
[fr. Moxie, a trade name for a beverage.]
1.
energy; pep.

2.
courage, determination.

3.
Know-how, expertise.
MW10.


word: Mozzetta
definition:
Mozzetta

Mozetta

{ Mo*zet"ta (?), Moz*zet"ta (?), }
n.
[It. mozzetta: cf. F. mosette.  Cf. Amice a hood or cape.]
(Eccl.)
A cape, with a small hood; -- worn by the pope and other dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church.


word: Mrs.
definition:
Mrs.

Mrs.
(_;)
The customary abbreviation of Mistress or Missess when used as a title of courtesy, in writing and printing; as, Mrs. Clinton is commonly called by her full name, Hillary Rodham Clinton.


word: msasa
definition:
msasa

msasa
n.
(Bot.)
Amall shrubby African tree (Brachystegia speciformis) having compound leaves and racemes of small fragrant green flowers.

Syn. -- Brachystegia speciformis.


word: MST
definition:
MST

MST
n.
Mountain Standard Time, the time of the 105th meridian, used in the mountain states of the U.S.
[abbr.]

Syn. -- Mountain Time, Mountain Standard Time.


word: MT
definition:
MT

MT
n.
A metric ton, a unit of weight equivalent to 1000 kilograms.
[abbr.]

Syn. -- metric ton, tonne, t.


word: Mucamide
definition:
Mucamide

Mu*cam"ide
(?)
n.
[Mucic + amide.]
(Chem.)
The acid amide of mucic acid, obtained as a white crystalline substance.


word: Mucedin
definition:
Mucedin

Mu*ce"din
(?)
n.
[From Mucus.]
(Bot. Chem.)
A yellowish white, amorphous, nitrogenous substance found in wheat, rye, etc., and resembling gluten; -- formerly called also mucin.


word: Much
definition:
Much

Much
(mŭch)
a.
[Compar. & superl. wanting, but supplied by More (m&omacrr), and Most (m&omacrst), from another root.]
[OE. moche, muche, miche, prob. the same as mochel, muchel, michel, mikel, fr. AS. micel, mycel; cf. Gr. me`gas, fem. mega`lh, great, and Icel. mjök, adv., much. √103. See Mickle.]
1.
Great in quantity; long in duration; as, much rain has fallen; much time.

Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in.
Deut. xxviii. 38.

2.
Many in number.
[Archaic]

Edom came out against him with much people.
Num. xx. 20.

3.
High in rank or position.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Much₂
definition:
Much

Much
n.
1.
A great quantity; a great deal; also, an indefinite quantity; as, you have as much as I.

He that gathered much had nothing over.
Ex. xvi. 18.

&hand_; Muchin this sense can be regarded as an adjective qualifying a word unexpressed, and may, therefore, be modified by as, so, too, very.

2.
A thing uncommon, wonderful, or noticeable; something considerable.

And [he] thought not much to clothe his enemies.
Milton.

To make much of, to treat as something of especial value or worth.


word: Much₃
definition:
Much

Much
adv.
[Cf. Icel. mjök. See Much, a.]
To a great degree or extent; greatly; abundantly; far; nearly.
Much
Pope.

Thou art much mightier than we.
Gen. xxvi. 16.

Excellent speech becometh not a fool, much less do lying lips a prince.
Prov. xvii. 7.

Henceforth I fly not death, nor would prolong
Life much.
Milton.

All left the world much as they found it.
Sir W. Temple.


word: Muchness
definition:
Muchness

Much"ness
n.
Greatness; extent.
[Obs. or Colloq.]

The quantity and muchness of time which it filcheth.
W. Whately.

Much of a muchness, much the same. [Colloq.] “Men's men; gentle or simple, they're much of a muchness.”  G. Eliot.


word: Mucic
definition:
Mucic

Mu"cic
(?)
a.
[L. mucus mucus: cf. F. mucique.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, gums and micilaginous substances; specif., denoting an acid obtained by the oxidation of gums, dulcite, etc., as a white crystalline substance isomeric with saccharic acid.


word: Mucid
definition:
Mucid

Mu"cid
(?)
a.
[L. mucidus, fr. L. mucus mucus. See Mucus, and cf. Moist.]
Musty; moldy; slimy; mucous.
Mu"cid*ness, n.


word: Mucific
definition:
Mucific

Mu*cif"ic
(?)
a.
[Mucus + L. -ficare (in comp.) to make. See  -fy.]
1.
(Med.)
Inducing or stimulating the secretion of mucus; blennogenous.

2.
(Physiol.)
Secreting mucus.


word: Muciform
definition:
Muciform

Mu"ci*form
(?)
a.
[Mucus + -form.]
(Physiol.)
Resembling mucus; having the character or appearance of mucus.


word: Mucigen
definition:
Mucigen

Mu"ci*gen
(?)
n.
[Mucin + -gen.]
(Physiol.)
A substance which is formed in mucous epithelial cells, and gives rise to mucin.


word: Mucigenous
definition:
Mucigenous

Mu*cig"e*nous
(?)
a.
(Physiol.)
Connected with the formation of mucin; resembling mucin.

The mucigenous basis is manufactured at the expense of the ordinary protoplasm of the cell.
Foster.


word: Mucilage
definition:
Mucilage

Mu"ci*lage
(?)
n.
[F., from L. mucilago a musty juice, fr. mucus mucus, slime. See Mucus.]
1.
(Bot. Chem.)
A gummy or gelatinous substance produced in certain plants by the action of water on the cell wall, as in the seeds of quinces, of flax, etc.

2.
An aqueous solution of gum, or of substances allied to it; a glue; a liquid adhesive; as, medicinal mucilage; mucilage for fastening envelopes.


word: Mucilaginous
definition:
Mucilaginous

Mu`ci*lag"i*nous
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. mucilagineux. See Mucilage.]
1.
Partaking of the nature of, or resembling, mucilage; moist, soft, and viscid; slimy; ropy; as, a mucilaginous liquid.

2.
Of, pertaining to, or secreting, mucilage; as, the mucilaginous glands.

3.
Soluble in water, but not in alcohol; yielding mucilage; as, mucilaginous gums or plants.
Mu`ci*lag"i*nous*ness, n.


word: Mucin
definition:
Mucin

Mu"cin
(mū"sĭn)
n.
[From Mucus.]
1.
(Bot. Chem.)
See Mucedin.
[Obs.]

2.
(Physiol. Chem.)
Any of a class of high molecular weight glycoproteins which are contained in mucus, and give to the latter secretion its peculiar ropy character.  They are found in all the secretions from mucous glands, and also between the fibers of connective tissue, as in tendons. They form viscous solutions and serve to provide lubrication for movement within body cavities, and some protection of surfaces. See Illust. of Demilune.


word: Muciparous
definition:
Muciparous

Mu*cip"a*rous
(m&uuptack_;*sĭ"pȧ*rŭs)
a.
[Mucus + L. parere to produce.]
(Physiol.)
Secreting, or producing, mucus or mucin.


word: Mucivore
definition:
Mucivore

Mu"ci*vore
(mū"sĭ*v&omacrr)
n.
[L. mucus slime, mucus + vorare to devour.]
(Zool.)
An insect which feeds on mucus, or the sap of plants, as certain Diptera, of the tribe Mucivora.


word: Muck₂
definition:
Muck

Muck
n.
[Icel. myki; akin to D. mög.  Cf. Midden.]
1.
Dung in a moist state; manure.
Bacon.

2.
Vegetable mold mixed with earth, as found in low, damp places and swamps.

3.
Anything filthy or vile.
Spenser.

4.
Money; -- in contempt.

The fatal muck we quarreled for.
Beau. & Fl.

5.
(Mining)
The unwanted material, especially  rock or soil, that must be excavated in order to reach the valuable ore; also, the unwanted material after being excavated or crushed by blasting, or after being removed to a waste pile.  In the latter sense, also called a muck pile.

Muck bar, bar iron which has been through the rolls only once. -- Muck iron, crude puddled iron ready for the squeezer or rollers. Knight. muck pile see muck pile in the vocabulary.


word: muck₃
definition:
muck

muck
v. i. & t.
To excavate and remove muck{5}.  Often used with out, as, to muck out a round.

 . . . Inco is still much more advanced than other mining companies.  He says that the LKAB mine in Sweden is the closest rival.  He predicts that, by 2008, Inco can reach a new productivity plateau, doubling the current mining productivity from 3,350 tonnes to 6,350 tonnes per person per year. Another aim is to triple the mine cycle rate (the time to drill, blast and muck a round) from one cycle to three complete cycles per 24 hours.
http://www.canadianminingjournal.com/issues/apr00/page10.asp


word: Muckender
definition:
Muckender

Muck"en*der
(mŭk"ĕn*dẽr)
n.
[Sp. mocador.  Cf. Mokadour.]
A handkerchief.
[Obs.]
[Written also muckinder, muckiter, mockadour.]


word: mucker
definition:
mucker

muck"er
(mŭk"ẽr)
n.
(Construction)
An excavating machine designed to remove particulate material from within a confined area, as in a tunnel or mine.


word: muck pile
definition:
muck pile

muck" pile`
(mŭk" pīl`)
n.
1.
(Construction)
The broken material at the face of a tunnel being bored, after being crushed by blasting.

2.
(Mining)
Muck{5} that has been placed in a spoil area.


word: muckrake
definition:
muckrake

muck"rake`
(mŭk"rāk`)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. -raked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. -raking (?).]
To seek for, expose, or charge, especially habitually, corruption, real or alleged, on the part of public men and corporations.
On April 14, 1906, President Roosevelt delivered a speech on “The Man with the Muck Rake,” in which he deprecated sweeping and unjust charges of corruption against public men and corporations.  The phrase was taken up by the press, and the verb to muckrake, in the above sense, and the noun muckraker, to designate one so engaged, were speedily coined and obtained wide currency.  The original allusion was to a character in Bunyan's “Pilgrim's Progress” so intent on raking up muck that he could not see a celestial crown held above him.


word: Mucksy
definition:
Mucksy

Muck"sy
(mŭk"s&ybreve_;)
a.
Somewhat mucky; soft, sticky, and dirty; muxy.
[Prov. Eng.]
R. D. Blackmore.


word: Muckworm
definition:
Muckworm

Muck"worm`
(mŭk"wûrm`)
n.
1.
(Zool.)
A larva or grub that lives in muck or manure; -- applied to the larvae of the tumbledung and allied beetles.

2.
One who scrapes together money by mean labor and devices; a miser.
muckworms
Pope.


word: Mucky
definition:
Mucky

Muck"y
(mŭk"&ybreve_;)
a.
1.
Filthy with muck; miry; as, a mucky road.
Mucky
Spenser.

2.
Vile, in a moral sense; sordid.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

Mucky money and false felicity.
Latimer.


word: Mucocele
definition:
Mucocele

Mu"co*cele
(?)
n.
[Mucus + Gr. kh`lh tumor.]
(Med.)
An enlargement or protrusion of the mucous membrane of the lachrymal passages, or dropsy of the lachrymal sac, dependent upon catarrhal inflammation of the latter.
Dunglison.


word: Mucoid
definition:
Mucoid

Mu"coid
(?)
a.
[Mucus + -oid.]
Resembling mucus.
Dunglison.

Mucoid degeneration, a form of degeneration in which the tissues are transformed into a semisolid substance resembling mucus. Quain.


word: Mucoid₂
definition:
Mucoid

Mu"coid
(?)
n.
[Mucin + -oid.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
One of a class of mucinlike substances yielding on decomposition a reducing carbohydrate together with some form of proteinaceous matter.


word: Muconic
definition:
Muconic

Mu*con"ic
(?)
a.
[Mucic + itaconic.]
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid (C6H6O4, 2-4-hexadienedoic acid), obtained indirectly from mucic acid, and somewhat resembling itaconic acid.  Various other means of synthesis have been reported.


word: Mucopurulent
definition:
Mucopurulent

Mu`co*pu"ru*lent
(?)
a.
[Mucus + purulent.]
(Med.)
Having the character or appearance of both mucus and pus.
Dunglison.


word: Mucor
definition:
Mucor

Mu"cor
(?)
prop. n.
[L., fr. mucere to be moldy or musty.]
(Bot.)
A genus of minute fungi.  The plants consist of slender threads with terminal globular sporangia; mold.


word: mucosa
definition:
mucosa

mucosa
n.
The mucus-secreting membrane lining all body cavities or passages that communicate with the exterior; called also mucous membrane.

Syn. -- mucous membrane.


word: Mucous
definition:
Mucous

Mu"cous
(?)
a.
[L. mucosus, fr. mucus mucus.]
1.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, mucus; slimy, ropy, or stringy, and lubricous; as, a mucous substance.

2.
Secreting a slimy or mucigenous substance; as, the mucous membrane.

Mucous membrane. (Anat.) See under Membrane. -- Mucous patches (Med.), elevated patches found in the mucous membranes of the mouth and anus, usually due to syphilis. -- Mucous tissue (Anat.), a form of connective tissue in an early stage of development, found in the umbilical cord and in the embryo, and also in certain tumors called myxomata.


word: Mucro
definition:
Mucro

Mu"cro
(?)
n.
[L.]
(Bot. & Zool.)
A minute abrupt point, as of a leaf; any small, sharp point or process, terminating a larger part or organ.


word: Mucronated
definition:
Mucronated

Mucronate

{ Mu"cro*nate (?), Mu"cro*na`ted (?), }
a.
[L. mucronatus, fr. mucro a sharp point: cf. F. mucroné.]
Ending abruptly in a sharp point; abruptly tipped with a short and sharp point; as, a mucronate leaf.
Mu"cro*nate*ly, adv.


word: Mucus
definition:
Mucus

Mu"cus
(mū"kŭs)
n.
[L. mucus, muccus; cf. mucere to be moldy or musty, Gr. my`xa mucus, and Skr. muc to release.  Cf. Match for striking fire, Moist, Mucilage.]
1.
(Physiol.)
A viscid fluid secreted by mucous membranes, which it serves to moisten and protect. It covers the lining membranes of all the cavities which open externally, such as those of the mouth, nose, lungs, intestinal canal, urinary passages, etc.

2.
(Physiol.)
Any other animal fluid of a viscid quality, as the synovial fluid, which lubricates the cavities of the joints; -- improperly so used.

3.
(Bot.)
A gelatinous or slimy substance found in certain algae and other plants.


word: Mud
definition:
Mud

Mud
(mŭd)
n.
[Akin to LG. mudde, D. modder, G. moder mold, OSw. modd mud, Sw. modder mother, Dan. mudder mud.  Cf. Mother a scum on liquors.]
Earth and water mixed so as to be soft and adhesive.

Mud bass (Zool.), a fresh-water fish (Acantharchum pomotis or Acantharchus pomotis) of the Eastern United States. It produces a deep grunting note. -- Mud bath, an immersion of the body, or some part of it, in mud charged with medicinal agents, as a remedy for disease. -- Mud boat, a large flatboat used in dredging. -- Mud cat. See mud cat in the vocabulary. -- Mud crab (Zool.), any one of several American marine crabs of the genus Panopeus. -- Mud dab (Zool.), the winter flounder. See Flounder, and Dab. -- Mud dauber (Zool.), a mud wasp; the mud-dauber. -- Mud devil (Zool.), the fellbender. -- Mud drum (Steam Boilers), a drum beneath a boiler, into which sediment and mud in the water can settle for removal. -- Mud eel (Zool.), a long, slender, aquatic amphibian (Siren lacertina), found in the Southern United States.  It has persistent external gills and only the anterior pair of legs.  See Siren. -- Mud frog (Zool.), a European frog (Pelobates fuscus). -- Mud hen. (Zool.) (a) The American coot (Fulica Americana). (b) The clapper rail. -- Mud lark, a person who cleans sewers, or delves in mud. [Slang] -- Mud minnow (Zool.), any small American fresh-water fish of the genus Umbra, as Umbra limi.  The genus is allied to the pickerels. -- Mud plug, a plug for stopping the mudhole of a boiler. -- Mud puppy (Zool.), the menobranchus. -- Mud scow, a heavy scow, used in dredging; a mud boat. [U.S.] -- Mud turtle, Mud tortoise (Zool.), any one of numerous species of fresh-water tortoises of the United States. -- Mud wasp (Zool.), any one of numerous species of hymenopterous insects belonging to Pepaeus, and allied genera, which construct groups of mud cells, attached, side by side, to stones or to the woodwork of buildings, etc.  The female places an egg in each cell, together with spiders or other insects, paralyzed by a sting, to serve as food for the larva.  Called also mud dauber.


word: Mudar
definition:
Mudar

Mu"dar
(?)
n.
[Hind. madār.]
(Bot.)
Either one of two asclepiadaceous shrubs (Calotropis gigantea, and Calotropis procera), which furnish a strong and valuable fiber.  The acrid milky juice is used medicinally.
[Also spelled madar and muddar.]


word: Mudarin
definition:
Mudarin

Mu"da*rin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A brown, amorphous, bitter substance having a strong emetic action, extracted from the root of the mudar.


word: mud cat
definition:
mud cat

mudcat

mudcat, mud cat
n.
A large catfish (Pylodictus olivaris, formerly Leptops olivaris) of the central U. S. having a flattened head and projecting jaw.

Syn. -- flathead catfish, goujon, shovelnose catfish, spoonbill catfish, Pylodictus olivaris.


word: mud dauber
definition:
mud dauber

mud-dauber

mud"-daub`er, mud" daub`er
(?)
n.
A wasp of the family Sphegidae (Sphecidae) which builds a nest of mud and stores insects and spiders in it; a digger-wasp.


word: mud crab
definition:
mud crab

mud-crab

mud"-crab`, mud" crab`
(?)
n.
A crab of the genus Panopœus (also written Panopeus).


word: Muddily
definition:
Muddily

Mud"di*ly
(?)
adv.
In a muddy manner; turbidly; without mixture; cloudily; obscurely; confusedly.


word: Mudder
definition:
Mudder

Mud"der
(?)
n.
1.
a racehorse that exhibits a better than usual performance when the racetrack is wet or muddy.

2.
An athlete who performs better than his/her average under muddy conditions.


word: Muddiness
definition:
Muddiness

Mud"di*ness
n.
1.
The condition or quality of being muddy; turbidness; foulness caused by mud, dirt, or sediment; as, the muddiness of a stream.

2.
Obscurity or confusion, as in treatment of a subject; intellectual dullness.


word: Muddle
definition:
Muddle

Mud"dle
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Muddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Muddling (?).]
[From Mud.]
1.
To make turbid, or muddy, as water.
[Obs.]

He did ill to muddle the water.
L'Estrange.

2.
To cloud or stupefy; to render stupid with liquor; to intoxicate partially.

Epicurus seems to have had brains so muddled and confounded, that he scarce ever kept in the right way.
Bentley.

Often drunk, always muddled.
Arbuthnot.

3.
To waste or misuse, as one does who is stupid or intoxicated.
[R.]

They muddle it [money] away without method or object, and without having anything to show for it.
Hazlitt.

4.
To mix confusedly; to confuse; to make a mess of; as, to muddle matters; also, to perplex; to mystify.
F. W. Newman.


word: Muddle₂
definition:
Muddle

Mud"dle
v. i.
1.
To dabble in mud.
[Obs.]
Swift.

2.
To think and act in a confused, aimless way.


word: Muddle₃
definition:
Muddle

Mud"dle
n.
A state of being turbid or confused; hence, intellectual cloudiness or dullness.

We both grub on in a muddle.
Dickens.


word: Muddlehead
definition:
Muddlehead

Mud"dle*head`
(?)
n.
A stupid person; a blunderer.
[Colloq.]
C. Reade.
Mud"dle-head`ed, a. [Colloq.] Dickens.


word: Muddy
definition:
Muddy

Mud"dy
(?)
a.
[Compar. Muddier (?); superl. Muddiest.]
1.
Abounding in mud; besmeared or dashed with mud; as, a muddy road or path; muddy boots.

2.
Turbid with mud; as, muddy water.

3.
Consisting of mud or earth; gross; impure.

This muddy vesture of decay.
Shak.

4.
Confused, as if turbid with mud; cloudy in mind; dull; stupid; also, immethodical; incoherent; vague.

Cold hearts and muddy understandings.
Burke.

Dost think I am so muddy, so unsettled.
Shak.

5.
Not clear or bright.
Swift.


word: Muddy₂
definition:
Muddy

Mud"dy
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Muddied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Muddying (?).]
1.
To soil with mud; to dirty; to render turbid.

2.
(Fig.)
To cloud; to make dull or heavy; to confuse.
Grew.


word: Mudfish
definition:
Mudfish

Mud"fish`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
(a)
The European loach.
(b)
The bowfin (Amia calva).
(c)
The South American lipedosiren, and the allied African species (Protopterus annectens). See Lipedosiren.
(d)
The mud minnow, a fish of the genus Umbra or family Umbridae.
(e)
any fish which lives in muddy waters, such as the mummichog, a killifish.


word: Mudhole
definition:
Mudhole

Mud"hole`
(?)
n.
1.
A hole, or hollow place, containing mud, as in a road.

2.
(Steam Boilers)
A hole near the bottom, through which the sediment is withdrawn.


word: Mudsill
definition:
Mudsill

Mud"sill`
(?)
n.
1.
The lowest sill of a structure, usually embedded in the soil; the lowest timber of a house; also, that sill or timber of a bridge which is laid at the bottom of the water. See Sill.

2.
Fig.: A person of the lowest stratum of society; -- a term of opprobrium or contempt.
[Southern U. S.]


word: Mudwort
definition:
Mudwort

Mud"wort`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A small herbaceous plant growing on muddy shores (Limosella aquatica).


word: muesli
definition:
muesli

mues"li
(mūs"le̝ or mūz"le̝)
n.
A mixture of untoasted dry cereals, nuts, and fruits, eaten mostly as a breakfast cereal; -- of Swiss origin.


word: muezzin
definition:
muezzin

mu*ez"zin
(m&uuptack_;*ĕz"zĭn)
n.
[Ar.]
A Muslim crier of the hour of prayer; the Moslem official of a mosque who summons the faithful to prayer from a minaret five times a day.
[Written also mouezzin, mueddin, muazzin, mu'adhdhin, and muwazzin.]


word: Muff
definition:
Muff

Muff
(mŭf)
n.
[Cf. LG. muff, D. mof, G., Dan., & Sw. muff, F. moufle mitten, LL. muffula, MHG. mouwe sleeve, D. mouw, and E. muffle, v.]
1.
A soft cover of cylindrical form, usually of fur, worn by women to shield the hands from cold.

2.
(Mech.)
A short hollow cylinder surrounding an object, as a pipe.

3.
(Glass Manuf.)
A blown cylinder of glass which is afterward flattened out to make a sheet.

4.
[Perhaps a different word; cf. Prov. E. maffle to slammer.]
A stupid fellow; a poor-spirited person.
[Colloq.]
muff
Thackeray.

5.
[See 4.]
(Baseball)
A failure to hold a ball when once in the hands.

6.
(Zool.)
The whitethroat.
[Prov. Eng.]


word: Muff₂
definition:
Muff

Muff
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Muffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Muffing.]
To handle awkwardly; to fumble; to fail to hold, as a ball, in catching it.


word: Muffle
definition:
Muffle

Muf"fle
(mŭf"f'l)
n.
The bare end of the nose between the nostrils; -- used esp. of ruminants.


word: Muffle₂
definition:
Muffle

Muf"fle
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Muffled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Muffling (?).]
[Cf. F. moufle a mitten, LL. muffula, OD. moffel a muff. See Muff.]
1.
To wrap up in something that conceals or protects; to wrap, as the face and neck, in thick and disguising folds; hence, to conceal or cover the face of; to envelop; to inclose; -- often with up.
South.

The face lies muffled up within the garment.
Addison.

He muffled with a cloud his mournful eyes.
Dryden.

Muffled up in darkness and superstition.
Arbuthnot.

2.
To prevent seeing, or hearing, or speaking, by wraps bound about the head; to blindfold; to deafen.

3.
To wrap or fit with something that dulls or deadens the sound of; as, to muffle the strings of a drum, or that part of an oar which rests in the rowlock; to muffle the exhaust of a motor vehicle.


word: Muffle₃
definition:
Muffle

Muf"fle
v. i.
[Cf. F. maffle, mumble, D. moffelen.]
To speak indistinctly, or without clear articulation.


word: Muffle₄
definition:
Muffle

Muf"fle
n.
[F. moufle, prop., a mitten, from the resemblance in shape. See Muffle, v. t., Muff.]
1.
Anything with which another thing, as an oar or drum, is muffled; also, a boxing glove; a muff.

2.
(Metal.)
An earthenware compartment or oven, often shaped like a half cylinder, used in furnaces to protect objects heated from the direct action of the fire, as in scorification of ores, cupellation of ore buttons, etc.

3.
(Ceramics)
A small oven for baking and fixing the colors of painted or printed pottery, without exposing the pottery to the flames of the furnace or kiln.

4.
A pulley block containing several sheaves.
Knight.


word: muffled
definition:
muffled

muffled
adj.
1.
same as muted; as, muffled drums; the muffled noises of the street.

Syn. -- dull, muted, softened.

2.
Wrapped up especially for protection or secrecy; as, children muffled almost to the eyebrows.


word: Muffler
definition:
Muffler

Muf"fler
(?)
n.
1.
Anything used in muffling; esp., a scarf for protecting the head and neck in cold weather; a tippet.

Fortune is painted blind, with a muffler above her eyes.
Shak.

2.
(Mus.)
A cushion for terminating or softening a note made by a stringed instrument with a keyboard.

3.
A kind of mitten or boxing glove, esp. when stuffed.

4.
One who muffles.

5.
(Mach.)
Any of various devices to deaden the noise of escaping gases or vapors, as a tube filled with obstructions, through which the exhaust gases of an internal-combustion engine, as on an automobile, are passed (called also silencer).


word: Mufti
definition:
Mufti

Muf"ti
(?)
n.
pl. Muftis (#).
[Ar. mufti.]
1.
An official expounder of Muslim law.

2.
One of the chief legal advisers to the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.


word: mufti
definition:
mufti

muf"ti
n.
Ordinary civilian dress when worn by persons who serve in a uniformed service, such as the military or police.  It originally was used in reference to British naval or military officers, and originated with the British service in India.
[Colloq. Eng.]


word: Mug
definition:
Mug

Mug
(mŭg)
n.
[Cf. Ir. mugam a mug, mucog a cup.]
1.
A kind of ceramic or metal drinking cup, with a handle, -- usually cylindrical and without a lip.

2.
The face or mouth; as, I don't want to see your ugly mug again; -- often used contemptuously.
[Slang]
Thackeray.


word: mug
definition:
mug

mug
(mŭg)
v. t.
To take property from (a person) in a public place by threatening or committing violence on the person who is robbed; to rob, especially to rob by use of a weapon such as a knife or gun.
To rob a person or a business indoors is not usually referred to as to mug, but to stick up or hold up.

Syn. -- rob, stick up


word: Muggard
definition:
Muggard

Mug"gard
(?)
a.
[Cf. G. mucker a sulky person, muckish sullen, peevish, mucken to mutter, grumble.]
Sullen; displeased.
[Obs.]


word: Muggur
definition:
Muggur

Muggar

Mugger

{ Mug"ger (?), n. Also Mug"gar, Mug"gur }
[Hind. magar, fr. Skr. makara sea monster.]
The common crocodile (Crocodilus palustris) of India, the East Indies, etc. It becomes twelve feet or more long.


word: mugger
definition:
mugger

mugger
n.
A thief who takes property by threatening (or performing) violence on the person who is robbed; a person who commits a mugging; one who mugs.  See mug, v. t.

Syn. -- robber


word: Mugging
definition:
Mugging

Mug"ging
(?)
n.
[p. pr. & vb. n. from mug, v.]
A robbery; a taking of property by threatening (or performing) violence on the person who is robbed.  See mug, v.

Syn. -- robbery, holdup, stickup


word: Muggins
definition:
Muggins

Mug"gins
(?)
n.
[Etym. unknown.]
1.
A game of dominoes in which the object is to make the sum of the two ends of the line some multiple of five.

2.
A game at cards which depends upon building in suits or matching exposed cards, the object being to get rid of one's cards.


word: Muggins₂
definition:
Muggins

Mug"gins
v. t.
In certain games, to score against, or take an advantage over (an opponent), as for an error, announcing the act by saying “muggins.”


word: Muggletonian
definition:
Muggletonian

Mug`gle*to"ni*an
(?)
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of an extinct sect, named after Ludovic Muggleton, an English journeyman tailor, who (about 1657) claimed to be inspired.
Eadie.


word: Muggy
definition:
Muggy

Mug"gy
(mŭg"g&ybreve_;)
a.
[Compar. Muggier (mŭg"gĭ*ẽr); superl. Muggiest.]
[Cf. Icel. mugga mist, mugginess.  Cf. 4th Mold.]
1.
Moist; damp; moldy; as, muggy straw.

2.
Warm, damp, and windless; uncomfortably hot and humid; sultry; as, muggy air, weather.


word: Mugient
definition:
Mugient

Mu"gi*ent
(?)
a.
[L. mugiens, p. pr. of mugire to bellow.]
Lowing; bellowing.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Mugil
definition:
Mugil

Mu"gil
(?)
prop. n.
[L., a sort of fish.]
(Zool.)
A genus of fishes including the gray mullets. See Mullet.


word: Mugilidae
definition:
Mugilidae

Mugilidae
prop. n.
A natural family of fish including the gray mullets.

Syn. -- family Mugilidae.


word: Mugiloidea
definition:
Mugiloidea

Mugiloidea
prop. n.
A suborder of fishes distinguished by abdominal pelvic fins, including the families Mugilidae; Atherinidae; and Sphyraenidae.

Syn. -- suborder Mugiloidea.


word: Mugweed
definition:
Mugweed

Mug"weed`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A slender European weed (Galium Cruciata); -- called also crossweed.


word: Mugwort
definition:
Mugwort

Mug"wort`
(?)
n.
[AS. mucgwyrt.  Cf. Midge.]
(Bot.)
A somewhat aromatic composite weed (Artemisia vulgaris), at one time used medicinally; -- called also motherwort.


word: mugwump
definition:
mugwump

mug"wump`
(?)
n.
[Cf. Algonquin mugquomp a chief.]
1.
A bolter from the Republican party in the national election of 1884; an Independent.
[Political Cant, U.S.]

2.
A person who is undecided about an issue, especially a political one; a person who takes a neutral stance on an issue; a fence-sitter.


word: Mugwumpism
definition:
Mugwumpism

Mugwumpery

{ Mug"wump`er*y (?), Mug"wump*ism (?), }
n.
The acts and views of the mugwumps.
[Political Cant, U.S.]


word: Mulada₂
definition:
Mulada

Mu*la"da
(?)
n.
[Sp. Amer., fr. Sp. mulo, mula, a mule.]
A drove of mules.
[Southwest. U.S.]


word: Mulatto
definition:
Mulatto

Mu*lat"to
(?)
n.
pl. Mulattoes (#).
[Sp. & Pg. mulato, masc., mulata, fem., of a mixed breed, fr. mulo mule, L. mulus. See Mule.]
The offspring of a negress by a white man, or of a white woman by a negro, -- usually of a brownish yellow complexion.


word: Mulberry
definition:
Mulberry

Mul"ber*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Mulberries (#).
[OE. moolbery, murberie, AS. murberie, where the first part is fr. L. morum mulberry; cf. Gr. _;, _;.  Cf. Murrey, Sycamore.]
1.
(Bot.)
The berry or fruit of any tree of the genus Morus; also, the tree itself. See Morus.

2.
A dark pure color, like the hue of a black mulberry.

Mulberry mass. (Biol.) See Morula. -- Paper mulberry, a tree (Broussonetia papyrifera), related to the true mulberry, used in Polynesia for making tapa cloth by macerating and pounding the inner bark, and in China and Japan for the manufacture of paper.  It is seen as a shade tree in America.


word: Mulberry-faced
definition:
Mulberry-faced

Mul"ber*ry-faced`
(-fāst`)
a.
Having a face of a mulberry color, or blotched as if with mulberry stains.


word: Mulch
definition:
Mulch

Mulch
(?)
n.
[Cf. mull dirt, also Prov. G. mulsch, molsch, rotten, soft, mellow, as fruit.]
Half-rotten straw, or any similar light, porous, organic substance strewn on the ground, as over the roots of plants, to protect from heat, drought, etc., and to hinder weed growth and preserve moisture.


word: Mulch₂
definition:
Mulch

Mulch
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mulched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mulching.]
To cover or dress with mulch.


word: Mulct
definition:
Mulct

Mulct
(?)
n.
[L. mulcta, multa.]
1.
A fine or penalty, esp. a pecuniary punishment or penalty.

2.
A blemish or defect.
[Obs.]


word: Mulct₂
definition:
Mulct

Mulct
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mulcted; p. pr. & vb. n. Mulcting.]
[L. mulctare, multare.]
1.
To punish for an offense or misdemeanor by imposing a fine or forfeiture, esp. a pecuniary fine; to fine.

2.
Hence, to deprive of; to withhold by way of punishment or discipline.
[Obs.]


word: Mulctuary
definition:
Mulctuary

Mulctary

{ Mulc"ta*ry (?), Mulc"tu*a*ry (?), }
a.
Imposing a pecuniary penalty; consisting of, or paid as, a fine.

Fines, or some known mulctuary punishments.
Sir W. Temple.


word: Mule
definition:
Mule

Mule
(mūl)
n.
[F., a she-mule, L. mula, fem. of mulus; cf. Gr. my`klos, mychlo`s.  Cf. AS. mūl, fr. L. mulus.  Cf. Mulatto.]
1.
(Zool.)
A hybrid animal; specifically, one generated between an ass and a mare.  Sometimes the term is applied to the offspring of a horse and a she-ass, but that hybrid is more properly termed a hinny.  See Hinny.

&hand_; Mules are much used as draught animals.  They are hardy, and proverbial for stubbornness.

2.
(Bot.)
A plant or vegetable produced by impregnating the pistil of one species with the pollen or fecundating dust of another; -- called also hybrid.

3.
A very stubborn person.

4.
A machine, used in factories, for spinning cotton, wool, etc., into yarn or thread and winding it into cops; -- called also jenny and mule-jenny.

5.
A slipper that has no fitting around the heel.

Syn. -- mules, scuff, scuffs.

Mule armadillo (Zool.), a long-eared armadillo (Tatusia hybrida), native of Buenos Ayres; -- called also mulita. See Illust. under Armadillo. -- Mule deer (Zool.), a large deer (Cervus macrotis syn. Cariacus macrotis) of the Western United States.  The name refers to its long ears. -- Mule pulley (Mach.), an idle pulley for guiding a belt which transmits motion between shafts that are not parallel. -- Mule twist, cotton yarn in cops, as spun on a mule; -- in distinction from yarn spun on a throstle frame.


word: Mule killer
definition:
Mule killer

Mule killer
Any of several arthropods erroneously supposed to kill live stock, in the southern United States, by stinging or by being swallowed;
(a)
A whip scorpion.
[Florida]
(b)
A walking-stick insect.
[Texas]
(c)
A mantis.
(d)
A wheel bug.


word: Muleteer
definition:
Muleteer

Mu`le*teer"
(?)
n.
[F. muletier, fr. mulet a mule, dim. fr. L. mulus.]
One who drives mules.


word: Muley
definition:
Muley

Mu"ley
(?)
n.
(Sawmills)
A stiff, long saw, guided at the ends but not stretched in a gate.

Muley axle (Railroad), a car axle without collars at the outer ends of the journals. Forney.


word: Muliebrity
definition:
Muliebrity

Mu`li*eb"ri*ty
(mū`lĭ*ĕb"rĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. muliebritas, fr. muliebris belonging to a woman, fr. mulier a woman.]
1.
The state of being a woman or of possessing full womanly powers; womanhood; -- correlate of virility.

2.
Hence:
Effeminancy; softness.


word: Mulier
definition:
Mulier

Mu"li*er
(?)
n.
[L., a woman.]
1.
A woman.

2.
(Law)
(a)
Lawful issue born in wedlock, in distinction from an elder brother born of the same parents before their marriage; a lawful son.
(b)
(Civ. Law)
A woman; a wife; a mother.
Blount. Cowell.


word: Mulierly
definition:
Mulierly

Mu"li*er*ly
adv.
In the manner or condition of a mulier; in wedlock; legitimately.
[Obs.]


word: Mulierty
definition:
Mulierty

Mu"li*er*ty
(?)
n.
(Law)
Condition of being a mulier; position of one born in lawful wedlock.


word: Mull₂
definition:
Mull

Mull
n.
[Icel. mūli a snout, muzzle, projecting crag; or cf. Ir. & Gael. meall a heap of earth, a mound, a hill or eminence, W. moel.  Cf. Mouth.]
1.
A promontory; as, the Mull of Cantyre.
[Scot.]

2.
A snuffbox made of the small end of a horn.


word: Mull₅
definition:
Mull

Mull
v. i.
To work (over) mentally; to cogitate; to ruminate; -- usually with over; as, to mull over a thought or a problem.
[Colloq. U.S.]


word: Mull₆
definition:
Mull

Mull
n.
An inferior kind of madder prepared from the smaller roots or the peelings and refuse of the larger.


word: Mull₇
definition:
Mull

Mull
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mulled (mŭld); p. pr. & vb. n. Mulling.]
[From mulled, for mold, taken as a p. p.; OE. mold-ale funeral ale or banquet. See Mold soil.]
1.
To heat, sweeten, and enrich with spices; as, to mull wine.

New cider, mulled with ginger warm.
Gay.

2.
To dispirit or deaden; to dull or blunt.
Shak.


word: Mullagatawny
definition:
Mullagatawny

Mul`la*ga*taw"ny
(?)
n.
[Tamil milagu-tannīr pepper water.]
An East Indian curry soup.


word: Mullein
definition:
Mullein

Mul"lein
(?)
n.
[OE. moleyn, AS. molegn.]
(Bot.)
Any plant of the genus Verbascum.  They are tall herbs having coarse leaves, and large flowers in dense spikes.  The common species, with densely woolly leaves, is Verbascum Thapsus.

Moth mullein. See under Moth. -- Mullein foxglove, an American herb (Seymeria macrophylla) with coarse leaves and yellow tubular flowers with a spreading border. -- Petty mullein, the cowslip. Dr. Prior.


word: Muller
definition:
Muller

Mull"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, mulls.

2.
A vessel in which wine, etc., is mulled over a fire.


word: Muller₂
definition:
Muller

Mull"er
n.
[OE. mullen to pulverize, bruise; cf. Icel. mylja; prob. akin to E. mold soil. See Mold soil, and cf. Mull dirt.]
A stone or thick lump of glass, or kind of pestle, flat at the bottom, used for grinding pigments or drugs, etc., upon a slab of similar material.


word: Muellerian
definition:
Muellerian

Mullerian

Mül*le"ri*an
(?)
prop. a.
(Anat., Med.)
Of, pertaining to, or discovered by, Johannes Müller; as, Mullerian duct; Muellerian tumor; Müllerian capsule.

Müllerian ducts (Anat.), a pair of embryonic ducts which give rise to the genital passages in the female, but disappear in the male. -- Müllerian fibers (Anat.), the sustentacular or connective-tissue fibers which form the framework of the retina.


word: Mullet
definition:
Mullet

Mul"let
(?)
n.
[OE. molet, mulet, F. mulet, fr. L. mullus.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous fishes of the genus Mugil; -- called also gray mullets. They are found on the coasts of both continents, and are highly esteemed as food. Among the most valuable species are Mugil capito of Europe, and Mugil cephalus which occurs both on the European and American coasts.

2.
(Zool.)
Any species of the genus Mullus, or family Mullidae; called also red mullet, and surmullet, esp. the plain surmullet (Mullus barbatus), and the striped surmullet (Mullus surmulletus) of Southern Europe.  The former is the mullet of the Romans. It is noted for the brilliancy of its colors. See Surmullet.

French mullet. See Ladyfish (a).


word: Mullet₂
definition:
Mullet

Mul"let
n.
[F. molette.]
(Her.)
A star, usually five pointed and pierced; -- when used as a difference it indicates the third son.


word: Mullet₃
definition:
Mullet

Mul"let
n.
[Cf. F. molet a sort of pinchers.]
Small pinchers for curling the hair.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.


word: Moolley₂
definition:
Moolley

Mulley

{ Mul"ley (?), Mool"ley  }
n.
[CF. Gael. maolag a hornless cow, maol bald, hornless, blunt.]
1.
A mulley or polled animal.
[U. S.]

2.
A cow.
[Prov. Eng.; U.S., a child's word.]

Leave milking and dry up old mulley, thy cow.
Tusser.


word: Moolley₃
definition:
Moolley

Mulley

{ Mul"ley (?), Mool"ley  }
a.
Destitute of horns, although belonging to a species of animals most of which have horns; hornless; polled; as, mulley cattle; a mulley (or moolley) cow.
[U. S.]
[Written also muley.]


word: mulligan stew
definition:
mulligan stew

mulligan

mulligan, mulligan stew
n.
1.
A stew made typically of meat, vegetables, and any conveniently available ingredients; also, an Irish version of burgoo.

Syn. -- Irish burgoo.

2.
(Golf)
In informal and friendly games of golf, a permission to take another stroke without counting the previous stroke against the score, when a stroke was poorly played; a free stroke; as, to take a mulligan.


word: Mulligrubs
definition:
Mulligrubs

Mul"li*grubs
(?)
n.
[Cf. Prov. E. mull to squeeze, pull about, mulling numb or dull.]
1.
A griping of the intestines; colic.
[Slang]

Whose dog lies sick of the mulligrubs?
Beau. & Fl.

2.
Hence, sullenness; the sulks.
[Slang]


word: Mullion
definition:
Mullion

Mul"lion
(?)
n.
[A corruption of munnion, F. moignon stump of an amputated limb, stump, OF. moing mutilated; cf. Armor. moñ, mouñ, mank, monk, and also L. mancus maimed.]
(Arch.)
(a)
A slender bar or pier which forms the division between the lights of windows, screens, etc.
(b)
An upright member of a framing. See Stile.


word: Mullock
definition:
Mullock

Mul"lock
(?)
n.
[From Mull dirt: cf. Scot. mulloch, mulock, crumb. √108.]
Rubbish; refuse; dirt.
[Obs.]

All this mullok [was] in a sieve ythrowe.
Chaucer.


word: Mulloid
definition:
Mulloid

Mul"loid
(mŭl"loid)
a.
[NL. Mullus, generic name (fr. L. mullus surmullet) + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Like or pertaining to the genus Mullus, which includes the surmullet, or red mullet.


word: mull over
definition:
mull over

mull over
v. t.
To think about; to consider; to ruminate about; as, mull it over and decide in the morning.
[Colloq. U.S.]


word: Mulse
definition:
Mulse

Mulse
(mŭls)
n.
[L. mulsum (sc. vinum), fr. mulsus mixed with honey, honey-sweet, p. p. of mulcere to sweeten, soften.]
Wine boiled and mingled with honey.


word: Multangular
definition:
Multangular

Mul*tan"gu*lar
(?)
a.
[L. multangulus; multus much, many + angulus angle: cf. F. multangulaire.]
Having many angles.
Mul*tan"gu*lar*ly, adv. -- Mul*tan"gu*lar*ness, n.


word: Multanimous
definition:
Multanimous

Mul*tan"i*mous
(?)
a.
[Mult- + L. animus mind.]
Many-minded; many-sided.

The multanimous nature of the poet.
J. R. Lowell.


word: Multarticulate
definition:
Multarticulate

Mul`tar*tic"u*late
(?)
a.
[Mult- + articulate.]
Having many articulations or joints.


word: Mult-₂
definition:
Mult-

Multi-

{ Mul"ti- (?), Mult- (?) }
[L. multus much.]
A prefix signifying much or many; several; more than one; as, multiaxial, multocular.


word: Multiaxial
definition:
Multiaxial

Mul`ti*ax"i*al
(?)
a.
[Multi- + axial.]
(Biol.)
Having more than one axis; developing in more than a single line or plain; -- opposed to monoaxial.


word: Multicapsular
definition:
Multicapsular

Mul`ti*cap"su*lar
(?)
a.
[Multi- + capsular: cf. F. multicapsulaire.]
(Bot.)
Having many, or several, capsules.


word: Multicavous
definition:
Multicavous

Mul`ti*ca"vous
(?)
a.
[L. multicavus; multus much, many + cavum, cavus, a cavity, hole, fr. cavus hollow.]
Having many cavities.


word: Multicellular
definition:
Multicellular

Mul`ti*cel"lu*lar
(?)
a.
Consisting of, or having, many cells or more than one cell.


word: Multicentral
definition:
Multicentral

Mul`ti*cen"tral
(?)
a.
[Multi- + central.]
Having many, or several, centers; as, a multicentral cell.

Multicentral development (Biol.), growth, or development, from several centers. According as the insubordination to a single center is more or less pronounced, the resultant organism will be more or less irregular in form and may even become discontinuous.


word: Multicipital
definition:
Multicipital

Mul`ti*cip"i*tal
(?)
a.
[Multi- + L. caput head.]
(Bot.)
Having many heads or many stems from one crown or root.
Gray.


word: Multicostate
definition:
Multicostate

Mul`ti*cos"tate
(?)
a.
[Multi- + costate.]
Having numerous ribs, or costae, as the leaf of a plant, or as certain shells and corals.


word: Multidentate
definition:
Multidentate

Mul`ti*den"tate
(?)
a.
[Multi- + dentate.]
Having many teeth, or toothlike processes.


word: Multidigitate
definition:
Multidigitate

Mul`ti*dig"i*tate
(?)
a.
[Multi- + digitate.]
Having many fingers, or fingerlike processes.


word: Multifarious
definition:
Multifarious

Mul`ti*fa"ri*ous
(?)
a.
[L. multifarius; multus much, many.  Cf. Bifarious.]
1.
Having multiplicity; having great diversity or variety; of various kinds; diversified; made up of many differing parts; manifold.

There is a multifarious artifice in the structure of the meanest animal.
Dr. H. More.

2.
(Bot.)
Having parts, as leaves, arranged in many vertical rows.


word: Multifariously
definition:
Multifariously

Mul`ti*fa"ri*ous*ly
adv.
With great multiplicity and diversity; with variety of modes and relations.


word: Multifariousness
definition:
Multifariousness

Mul`ti*fa"ri*ous*ness
n.
1.
Multiplied diversity.

2.
(Law)
The fault of improperly uniting in one bill distinct and independent matters, and thereby confounding them.
Burrill.


word: Multiferous
definition:
Multiferous

Mul*tif"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. multifer; multus much, many + ferre to bear.]
Bearing or producing much or many.
[R.]


word: Multifid
definition:
Multifid

Mul"ti*fid
(?)
a.
[L. multifidus; multus much, many + findere to split: cf. F. multifide.]
(Bot.)
Having many segments; cleft into several parts by linear sinuses; as, a multifid leaf or corolla.


word: Multiflorous
definition:
Multiflorous

Mul`ti*flo"rous
(?)
a.
[L. multiflorus; multus much, many + flos, floris, flower: cf. F. multiflore.]
(Bot.)
Having many flowers.


word: Multiflue
definition:
Multiflue

Mul"ti*flue
(mŭl"tĭ*flū)
a.
[Multi- + flue.]
Having many flues; as, a multiflue boiler. See Boiler.


word: Multifoil
definition:
Multifoil

Mul"ti*foil
(mŭl"tĭ*foil)
n.
[Multi- + foil.]
(Arch.)
An ornamental foliation consisting of more than five divisions or foils.
[R.]
See Foil.


word: Multifold
definition:
Multifold

Mul"ti*fold
(mŭl"tĭ*f&omacrld)
a.
[Multi- + fold.]
Many times doubled; manifold; numerous.


word: Multiform
definition:
Multiform

Mul"ti*form
(mŭl"tĭ*fôrm)
a.
[L. multiformis; multus much, many + forma shape: cf. F. multiforme.]
Having many forms, shapes, or appearances.

A plastic and multiform unit.
Hare.


word: Multiformity
definition:
Multiformity

Mul`ti*form"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. multiformitas.]
The quality of being multiform; diversity of forms; variety of appearances in the same thing.
Purchas.


word: Multigenerous
definition:
Multigenerous

Mul`ti*gen"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. multigenerus; multus + genus, generis, kind.]
Having many kinds.


word: Multigranulate
definition:
Multigranulate

Mul`ti*gran"u*late
(?)
a.
[Multi- + granulate.]
Having, or consisting of, many grains.


word: Multigraph
definition:
Multigraph

Mul"ti*graph
(?)
n.
[Multi- + -graph.]
A combined rotary type-setting and printing machine for office use.  The type is transferred semi-automatically by means of keys from a type-supply drum to a printing drum.  The printing may be done by means of an inked ribbon to print “typewritten” letters, or directly from inked type or a stereotype plate, as in a printing press.


word: Multijugous
definition:
Multijugous

Mul*tij"u*gous
(?)
a.
[L. multijugus; multus + jugum yoke.]
1.
Consisting of many parts.

2.
(Bot.)
Same as Multijugate.


word: Multilocular
definition:
Multilocular

Mul`ti*loc"u*lar
(?)
a.
[Multi- + locular: cf. F. multiloculaire.]
Having many or several cells or compartments; as, a multilocular shell or capsule.


word: Multiloquence
definition:
Multiloquence

Mul*til"o*quence
(?)
n.
Quality of being multiloquent; use of many words; talkativeness.


word: Multiloquous
definition:
Multiloquous

Multiloquent

{ Mul*til"o*quent (?), Mul*til"o*quous (?), }
a.
[L. multiloquus; multus much, many + loqui to speak.]
Speaking much; very talkative; loquacious.


word: Multinomial
definition:
Multinomial

Mul`ti*no"mi*al
(?)
n. & a.
[Multi- + -nomial, as in binomial. See Binomial.]
(Alg.)
Same as Polynomial.


word: Multinominous
definition:
Multinominous

Multinominal

{ Mul`ti*nom"i*nal (?), Mul`ti*nom"i*nous (?), }
a.
[L. multinominis; multus many + nomen nominis name.]
Having many names or terms.


word: Multinuclear
definition:
Multinuclear

Mul`ti*nu"cle*ar
(?)
a.
[Multi- + nuclear.]
(Biol.)
Containing many nuclei; as, multinuclear cells.


word: Multinucleated
definition:
Multinucleated

Multinucleate

{ Mul`ti*nu"cle*ate (?), Mul`ti*nu"cle*a`ted (?), }
a.
(Biol.)
Multinuclear.


word: Multiparous
definition:
Multiparous

Mul*tip"a*rous
(?)
a.
[Multi- + L. parere to produce: cf. F. multipare.]
Producing many, or more than one, at a birth.


word: Multipartite
definition:
Multipartite

Mul*tip"ar*tite
(?)
a.
[L. multipartitus multus much, many partitus divided, p. p.: cf. F. multipartite. See Partite.]
Divided into many parts; having several parts.


word: Multiped
definition:
Multiped

Mul"ti*ped
(?)
n.
[L. multipes, multipeda; multus much, many + pes, pedis, foot: cf. F. multipède.]
(Zool.)
An insect having many feet, as a myriapod.


word: Multiphase
definition:
Multiphase

Mul"ti*phase
(?)
a.
[Multi- + phase.]
Having many phases;
specif.
(Elec.)
pertaining to, or designating, a generator producing, or any system conveying or utilizing, two or more waves of pressure, or electromotive force, not in phase with each other; polyphase.


word: Multiplane
definition:
Multiplane

Mul"ti*plane
(?)
a.
Having several or many planes or plane surfaces; as, a multiplane kite.


word: Multiplane₂
definition:
Multiplane

Mul"ti*plane
n.
[Multi- + plane.]
(Aeronautics)
An airplane with three or more superposed main wings, such as a triplane.


word: Multiple
definition:
Multiple

Mul"ti*ple
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. multiple, and E. quadruple, and multiply.]
Containing more than once, or more than one; consisting of more than one; manifold; repeated many times; having several, or many, parts.

Law of multiple proportion (Chem.), the generalization that when the same elements unite in more than one proportion, forming two or more different compounds, the higher proportions of the elements in such compounds are simple multiples of the lowest proportion, or the proportions are connected by some simple common factor; thus, iron and oxygen unite in the proportions FeO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, in which compounds, considering the oxygen, 3 and 4 are simple multiplies of 1.  Called also the Law of Dalton or Dalton's Law, from its discoverer. -- Multiple algebra, a branch of advanced mathematics that treats of operations upon units compounded of two or more unlike units. -- Multiple conjugation (Biol.), a coalescence of many cells (as where an indefinite number of amoeboid cells flow together into a single mass) from which conjugation proper and even fertilization may have been evolved. -- Multiple fruits. (Bot.) See Collective fruit, under Collective. -- Multiple star (Astron.), several stars in close proximity, which appear to form a single system.


word: Multiple₂
definition:
Multiple

Mul"ti*ple
n.
(Math.)
A quantity containing another quantity an integral number of times without a remainder.

&hand_; A common multiple of two or more numbers contains each of them a number of times exactly; thus, 24 is a common multiple of 3 and 4. The least common multiple is the smallest number that will do this; thus, 12 is the least common multiple of 3 and 4 (abbreviated LCM).


word: Multipliable
definition:
Multipliable

Mul"ti*pli`a*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. multipliable.]
Capable of being multiplied.
Mul"ti*pli`a*ble*ness, n.


word: Multiplicable
definition:
Multiplicable

Mul"ti*pli*ca*ble
(?)
a.
[L. multiplicabilis.]
Capable of being multiplied; multipliable.


word: Multiplicand
definition:
Multiplicand

Mul"ti*pli*cand`
(?)
n.
[L. multiplicandus to be multiplied: cf. F. multiplicande.]
(Math.)
The number which is to be multiplied by another number called the multiplier. See Note under Multiplication.


word: Multiplicate
definition:
Multiplicate

Mul"ti*pli*cate
(?)
a.
[L. multiplicatus, p. p. of multiplicare. See Multiply.]
Consisting of many, or of more than one; multiple; multifold.

Multiplicate flower (Bot.), a flower that is double, or has an unusual number of petals in consequence of the abnormal multiplication of the parts of the floral whorls.


word: Multiplication
definition:
Multiplication

Mul`ti*pli*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. multiplicatio: cf. F. multiplication. See Multiply.]
1.
The act or process of multiplying, or of increasing in number; the state of being multiplied; as, the multiplication of the human species by natural generation.

The increase and multiplication of the world.
Thackeray.

2.
(Math.)
The process of repeating, or adding to itself, any given number or quantity a certain number of times; commonly, the process of ascertaining by a briefer computation the result of such repeated additions; also, the rule by which the operation is performed; -- the reverse of division.

&hand_; The word multiplication is sometimes used in mathematics, particularly in multiple algebra, to denote any distributive operation expressed by one symbol upon any quantity or any thing expressed by another symbol.  Corresponding extensions of meaning are given to the words multiply, multiplier, multiplicand, and product. Thus, since φ(x + y) = φx + φy (see under Distributive), where φ(x + y), φx, and φy indicate the results of any distributive operation represented by the symbol φ upon x + y, x, and y, severally, then because of many very useful analogies φ(x + y) is called the product of φ and x + y, and the operation indicated by φ is called multiplication.  Cf. Facient, n., 2.

3.
(Bot.)
An increase above the normal number of parts, especially of petals; augmentation.

4.
The art of increasing gold or silver by magic, -- attributed formerly to the alchemists.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Multiplication table, a table giving the product of a set of numbers multiplied in some regular way; commonly, a table giving the products of the first ten or twelve numbers multiplied successively by 1, 2, 3, etc., up to 10 or 12.  Called also a times table, used by students in elementary school prior to memorization of the table.


word: Multiplicative
definition:
Multiplicative

Mul"ti*pli*ca*tive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. multiplicatif.]
Tending to multiply; having the power to multiply, or incease numbers.


word: Multiplicator
definition:
Multiplicator

Mul"ti*pli*ca`tor
(?)
n.
[L.: cf. F. multiplicateur.  Cf. Multiplier.]
The number by which another number is multiplied; a multiplier.


word: Multiplicity
definition:
Multiplicity

Mul`ti*plic"ity
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. multiplicité.]
The quality of being multiple, manifold, or various; a state of being many; a multitude; as, a multiplicity of thoughts or objects.
multiplicity
South.


word: Multiplier
definition:
Multiplier

Mul"ti*pli`er
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. multiplier.  Cf. Multiplicator.]
1.
One who, or that which, multiplies or increases number.

2.
(Math.)
The number by which another number (the multiplicand) is multiplied.  See the Note under Multiplication.

3.
(Physics)
An instrument for multiplying or increasing by repetition or accumulation the intensity of a force or action, as heat or electricity.  It is particularly used to render such a force or action appreciable or measurable when feeble.  See Thermomultiplier.


word: Multiply
definition:
Multiply

Mul"ti*ply
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Multiplied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Multiplying (?).]
[F. multiplier, L. multiplicare, fr. multiplex manifold. See Multitude, Complex.]
1.
To increase in number; to make more numerous; to add quantity to.

Impunity will multiply motives to disobedience.
Ames.

2.
(Math.)
To add (any given number or quantity) to itself a certain number of times; to find the product of by multiplication; thus 7 multiplied by 8 produces the number 56; to multiply two numbers. See the Note under Multiplication.

3.
To increase (the amount of gold or silver) by the arts of alchemy.
[Obs.]

Multiplying gear (Mach.), gear for increasing speed. -- Multiplying lens. (Opt.) See under Lens.


word: Multiply₂
definition:
Multiply

Mul"ti*ply
v. i.
1.
To become greater in number; to become numerous.

When men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them.
Gen. vi. 1.

2.
To increase in extent and influence; to spread.

The word of God grew and multiplied.
Acts xii. 24.

3.
To increase amount of gold or silver by the arts of alchemy.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Multipolar
definition:
Multipolar

Mul`ti*po"lar
(?)
a.
[Multi- + polar.]
1.
Having many poles; in Anat., designating specif. a nerve cell which has several dendrites.

2.
(Elec.)
Having, or pertaining to, many poles, as a field magnet or armature of a dynamo, or a dynamo having such a field magnet or (sometimes) armature.


word: Multipotent
definition:
Multipotent

Mul*tip"o*tent
(?)
a.
[L. multipotens; multus much + potens powerful. See Potent.]
Having manifold power, or power to do many things.
multipotent
Shak.


word: Multipresence
definition:
Multipresence

Mul`ti*pres"ence
(?)
n.
The state or power of being multipresent.

The multipresence of Christ's body.
Bp. Hall.


word: Multipresent
definition:
Multipresent

Mul`ti*pres"ent
(?)
a.
[Multi- + present, a.]
Being, or having the power to be, present in two or more places at once.


word: Multiscious
definition:
Multiscious

Mul*tis"cious
(?)
a.
[L. multiscius; multus much + scius knowing, fr. scire to know.]
Having much or varied knowledge.
[Obs.]


word: Multisect
definition:
Multisect

Mul"ti*sect
(?)
a.
[Multi- + L. sectus, p. p. of secare to cut.]
(Zool.)
Divided into many similar segments; -- said of an insect or myriapod.


word: Multiseptate
definition:
Multiseptate

Mul`ti*sep"tate
(?)
a.
[Multi- + septate.]
(Bot.)
Divided into many chambers by partitions, as the pith of the pokeweed.


word: Multiserial
definition:
Multiserial

Mul`ti*se"ri*al
(?)
a.
[Multi- + serial.]
(Bot.)
Arranged in many rows, or series, as the scales of a pine cone, or the leaves of the houseleek.


word: Multisiliquous
definition:
Multisiliquous

Mul`ti*sil"i*quous
(?)
a.
[Multi- + siliquious.]
(Bot.)
Having many pods or seed vessels.


word: Multisonous
definition:
Multisonous

Mul*tis"o*nous
(?)
a.
[L. multisonus; multus much, many + sonus sound.]
Having many sounds, or sounding much.


word: Multispiral
definition:
Multispiral

Mul`ti*spi"ral
(?)
a.
[Multi- + spiral.]
(Zool.)
Having numerous spiral coils round a center or nucleus; -- said of the opercula of certain shells.


word: Multisyllable
definition:
Multisyllable

Mul"ti*syl`la*ble
(?)
n.
[Multi- + syllable.]
A word of many syllables; a polysyllable.
[R.]
Mul`ti*syl*lab"ic (#), a.


word: Multitubular
definition:
Multitubular

Mul`ti*tu"bu*lar
(?)
a.
[Multi- + tubular.]
Having many tubes; as, a multitubular boiler.


word: Multitude
definition:
Multitude

Mul"ti*tude
(?)
n.
[F. multitude, L. multitudo, multitudinis, fr. multus much, many; of unknown origin.]
1.
A great number of persons collected together; a numerous collection of persons; a crowd; an assembly.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them.
Matt. ix. 36.

2.
A great number of persons or things, regarded collectively; as, the book will be read by a multitude of people; the multitude of stars; a multitude of cares.

It is a fault in a multitude of preachers, that they utterly neglect method in their harangues.
I. Watts.

A multitude of flowers
As countless as the stars on high.
Longfellow.

3.
The state of being many; numerousness.

They came as grasshoppers for multitude.
Judg. vi. 5.

The multitude, the populace; the mass of men.


word: Multitudinous
definition:
Multitudinous

Mul`ti*tu"di*nous
(?)
a.
1.
Consisting of a multitude; manifold in number or condition; as, multitudinous waves.
multitudinous
Shak.

A renewed jingling of multitudinous chains.
G. Kennan.

2.
Of or pertaining to a multitude.
multitudinous
Shak.


word: Multivagous
definition:
Multivagous

Multivagant

{ Mul*tiv"a*gant (?), Mul*tiv"a*gous (?), }
a.
[L. multivagus; multus much + vagus wandering; cf. vagans, p. pr. of vagari. See Vagary.]
Wandering much.
[Obs.]


word: Multivalence
definition:
Multivalence

Mul*tiv"a*lence
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
Quality, state, or degree, of a multivalent element, atom, or radical.


word: Multivalent
definition:
Multivalent

Mul*tiv"a*lent
(?)
a.
[Multi- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence.]
1.
(Chem.)
(a)
Having a valence greater than one, as silicon.
(b)
Having more than one degree of valence, as sulphur.

2.
(Immunology)
Having multiple antigen-binding sites; -- of antibody molecules.

3.
(Immunology)
Containing several types of antibody, to protect against more than one disease; polyvalent; -- of vaccines.


word: Multivalve
definition:
Multivalve

Mul"ti*valve
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. multivalve.]
(Zool.)
Any mollusk which has a shell composed of more than two pieces.


word: Multivalvular
definition:
Multivalvular

Multivalve

{ Mul"ti*valve (?), Mul`ti*val"vu*lar (?), }
a.
[Multi- + valve, valvular: cf. F. multivalve.]
1.
Having many valves.

2.
(Zool.)
Many-valved; having more than two valves; -- said of certain shells, as the chitons.


word: Multiversant
definition:
Multiversant

Mul*tiv"er*sant
(?)
a.
[Multi- + L. versans, p. pr. See Versant.]
Turning into many shapes; assuming many forms; protean.


word: Multivious
definition:
Multivious

Mul*tiv"i*ous
(?)
a. & adv.
[L. multivius; multus many + via way.]
Having many ways or roads; by many ways.
[Obs.]


word: Multivocal
definition:
Multivocal

Mul*tiv"o*cal
(?)
a.
[Multi- + vocal.]
Signifying many different things; of manifold meaning; equivocal.
multivocal
Coleridge.


word: Multum
definition:
Multum

Mul"tum
(?)
n.
An extract of quassia licorice, fraudulently used by brewers in order to economize malt and hops.
Craig.

Hard multum, a preparation made from Cocculus Indicus, etc., used to impart an intoxicating quality to beer.


word: Multure
definition:
Multure

Mul"ture
(?)
n.
[OF. multure, moulture, F. mouture, fr. L. molitura a grinding, molere to grind. See Mill the machine.]
1.
(Scots Law)
The toll for grinding grain.
Erskine.

2.
A grist or grinding; the grain ground.


word: Mum
definition:
Mum

Mum
(?)
a.
[Of imitative origin.  Cf. Mumble.]
Silent; not speaking; as, to keep mum.
Thackeray.

The citizens are mum, and speak not a word.
Shak.

mum's the word keep this a secret; don't tell anybody.


word: Mum₄
definition:
Mum

Mum
n.
[G. mummere, fr. Christian Mumme, who first brewed it in 1492.]
A sort of strong beer, originally made in Brunswick, Germany.
Addison.

The clamorous crowd is hushed with mugs of mum.
Pope.


word: Mumble
definition:
Mumble

Mum"ble
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mumbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mumbling (?).]
[OE. momelen; cf. D. mompelen, mommelen, G. mummelen, Sw. mumla, Dan. mumle.  Cf. Mum, a., Mumm, Mump, v.]
1.
To speak with the lips partly closed, so as to render the sounds inarticulate and imperfect; to utter words in a grumbling indistinct manner, indicating discontent or displeasure; to mutter.

Peace, you mumbling fool.
Shak.

A wrinkled hag, with age grown double,
Picking dry sticks, and mumbling to herself.
Otway.

2.
To chew something gently with closed lips.


word: Mumble₂
definition:
Mumble

Mum"ble
(mŭm"b'l)
v. t.
1.
To utter with a low, inarticulate voice.
Bp. Hall.

2.
To chew or bite gently, as one without teeth.

Gums unarmed, to mumble meat in vain.
Dryden.

3.
To suppress, or utter imperfectly.


word: Mumblety peg
definition:
Mumblety peg

Mumbledy peg

Mum"ble*dy peg`, Mum"ble*ty peg`
(?)
n.
A game played with a pocketknife, the object of which is to throw the knife in any of a vairety of ways (such as over the back), or from various positions, and have it stick in the ground or another surface.  Also called mumble-the-peg and mumble peg.


word: Mumbo Jumbo
definition:
Mumbo Jumbo

Mum"bo Jum"bo
(?)
n.
[Perh. fr. the native name of an African god.]
1.
Among the Mandingos of the western Sudan, a bugbear by means of which the women are terrified and disciplined by societies of the men, one of whom assumes a masquerade for the purpose; hence, loosely, any Negro idol, fetish, or bugaboo.

The miserable Mumbo Jumbo they paraded.
Dickens.

2.
An object of superstitious homage and fear.
Carlyle.

3.
Incomprehensible or senseless language, usually intended to avoid answering plainly, confuse a listener, or obscure an issue.

4.
Language so arcane or obscure as to be unintelligible to the listener.


word: Mum-chance
definition:
Mum-chance

Mum"-chance`
(?)
n.
1.
A game of hazard played with cards in silence.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Decker.

2.
A silent, stupid person.
[Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.


word: Mum-chance₂
definition:
Mum-chance

Mum"-chance`
a.
Silent and idle.
[Colloq.]

Boys can't sit mum-chance always.
J. H. Ewing.


word: mu meson
definition:
mu meson

mu-meson

mu-meson, mu meson
n.
(Physics)
an elementary particle with a negative charge and a half-life of 2 microseconds; the muon.  It is a lepton, not a true meson, and decays to an electron and neutrino and antineutrino.

Syn. -- muon, negative muon.


word: Mumm
definition:
Mumm

Mumm
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Mummed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mumming.]
[D. mimmen to mask, mom a mask; akin to G. mumme disguise; prob. of imitative origin, and akin to E. mum, mumble, in allusion to the indistinctness of speech occasioned by talking from behind a mask.  Cf. Mumble, Mummery.]
To sport or make diversion in a mask or disguise; to mask.

With mumming and with masking all around.
Spenser.


word: Mummer
definition:
Mummer

Mumm"er
(?)
n.
[Cf. OF. mommeur. See Mumm, and cf. Momier.]
One who mumms, or makes diversion in disguise; a masker; a buffon.

Jugglers and dancers, antics, mummers.
Milton.


word: Mummery
definition:
Mummery

Mum"mer*y
(?)
n.
pl. Mummeries (#).
[F. momerie, of Dutch or German origin. See Mumm.]
1.
Masking; frolic in disguise; buffoonery.

The mummery of foreign strollers.
Fenton.

2.
Farcical show; hypocritical disguise and parade or ceremonies.
Bacon.


word: Mummichog
definition:
Mummichog

Mum"mi*chog
(?)
n.
[Amer. Indian name.]
(Zool.)
Any one of several species of small American cyprinodont fishes of the genus Fundulus, and of allied genera; the killifishes; -- called also minnow.
[Written also mummychog, mummachog.]


word: Mummified
definition:
Mummified

Mum"mi*fied
(?)
a.
Converted into a mummy or a mummylike substance; having the appearance of a mummy; withered.


word: Mummiform
definition:
Mummiform

Mum"mi*form
(?)
a.
[Mummy + -form.]
Having some resemblance to a mummy; -- in Zoology, said of the pupae of certain insects.


word: Mummify
definition:
Mummify

Mum"mi*fy
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mummified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mummifying (?).]
[Mummy + -fy: cf. F. momifier.]
To embalm and dry as a mummy; to make into, or like, a mummy.
Hall (1646).


word: mummify
definition:
mummify

mum"mi*fy
v. i.
To turn into a mummy-like corpse; to dry up with unusually little decomposition; -- said of dead animals; as, A mummified body was found in the attic.


word: Mummy
definition:
Mummy

Mum"my
(mŭm"m&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Mummies (mŭm"mĭz).
[F. momie; cf. Sp. & Pg. momia, It. mummia; all fr. Per. mūmiyā, fr. mūm wax.]
1.
A dead body embalmed and dried after the manner of the ancient Egyptians; also, a body preserved, by any means, in a dry state, from the process of putrefaction.
Bacon.

2.
Dried flesh of a mummy.
[Obs.]
Sir. J. Hill.

3.
A gummy liquor that exudes from embalmed flesh when heated; -- formerly supposed to have magical and medicinal properties.
[Obs.]
Shak. Sir T. Herbert.

4.
A brown color obtained from bitumen. See Mummy brown (below).

5.
(Gardening)
A sort of wax used in grafting, etc.

6.
One whose affections and energies are withered.

Mummy brown, a brown color, nearly intermediate in tint between burnt umber and raw umber.  A pigment of this color is prepared from bitumen, etc., obtained from Egyptian tombs. -- Mummy wheat (Bot.), wheat found in the ancient mummy cases of Egypt.  No botanist now believes that genuine mummy wheat has been made to germinate in modern times. -- To beat to a mummy, to beat to a senseless mass; to beat soundly.


word: Mump
definition:
Mump

Mump
(?)
v. i.
[Akin to mumble; cf. D. mompen to cheat; perh. orig., to whine like a beggar, D. mompelen to mumble. See Mumble, Mum, and cf. Mumps.]
1.
To move the lips with the mouth closed; to mumble, as in sulkiness.

He mumps, and lovers, and hangs the lip.
Taylor, 1630.

2.
To talk imperfectly, brokenly, or feebly; to chatter unintelligibly.

3.
To cheat; to deceive; to play the beggar.

And then when mumping with a sore leg, . . . canting and whining.
Burke.

4.
To be sullen or sulky.
[Prov. Eng.]


word: Mump₂
definition:
Mump

Mump
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mumped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mumping.]
1.
To utter imperfectly, brokenly, or feebly.

Old men who mump their passion.
Goldsmith.

2.
To work over with the mouth; to mumble; as, to mump food.

3.
To deprive of (something) by cheating; to impose upon.


word: Mumper
definition:
Mumper

Mump"er
(?)
n.
A beggar; a begging impostor.

Deceived by the tales of a Lincoln's Inn mumper.
Macaulay.


word: Mumps
definition:
Mumps

Mumps
(?)
n.
[Prov. E. mump to be sulky.  Cf. Mump, Mumble, and Mum.]
1.
pl.
Sullenness; silent displeasure; the sulks.
Skinner.

2.
[Prob. so called from the patient's appearance.]
(Med.)
A specific infectious febrile disorder characterized by a nonsuppurative inflammation of the parotid glands, and sometimes causing inflammation of the testes or ovaries; also called epidemic parotitis or infectious parotitis.  It is caused by infection with a paramyxovirus.


word: Mun
definition:
Mun

Mun
(?)
n.
[See Mouth.]
The mouth.
[Obs.]

One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns,
Butter them and sugar them and put them in your muns.
Old Rhyme. Halliwell.


word: Munch
definition:
Munch

Munch
(?)
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Munched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Munching.]
[Prob. akin to mumble: cf. also F. manger to eat (cf. Mange), and mâcher to cher (cf. Masticate). See Mumble.]
To chew with a grinding, crunching sound, as a beast chews provender; to chew deliberately or in large mouthfuls.
[Formerly written also maunch and mounch.]

I could munch your good dry oats.
Shak.


word: Munchausenism
definition:
Munchausenism

Mun*chau"sen*ism
(?)
n.
[So called in allusion to Baron Munchausen's extravagant tales of travel.]
An extravagant fiction embodying an account of some marvelous exploit or adventure.


word: Mundane
definition:
Mundane

Mun"dane
(?)
a.
[L. mundanus, fr. mundus the world, an implement, toilet adornments, or dress; cf. mundus, a., clean, neat, Skr. ma&nsdot_;&dsdot_; to adorn, dress, ma&nsdot_;&dsdot_;a adornment.  Cf. Monde, Mound in heraldry.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the world; worldly, as contrasted with heavenly; earthly; terrestrial; as, the mundane sphere; mundane concerns.
Mun"dane*ly, adv.

The defilement of mundane passions.
I. Taylor.

2.
Commonplace; ordinary; banal.


word: Mundation
definition:
Mundation

Mun*da"tion
(?)
n.
[L. mundatio, fr. mundare to make clean.]
The act of cleansing.
[Obs.]


word: Mundificant
definition:
Mundificant

Mun*dif"i*cant
(?)
a.
[L. mundificans, p. pr. of mundificare to make clean, fr. mundus clean + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.]
Serving to cleanse and heal.
n. A mundificant ointment or plaster.


word: Mundify
definition:
Mundify

Mun"di*fy
(?)
v. t.
[Cf. F. mondifier, L. mundificare. See Mundificant.]
To cleanse.
[Obs.]


word: Mundivagant
definition:
Mundivagant

Mun*div"a*gant
(?)
a.
[L. mundus the world + vagans wandering, p. pr. of vagari. See Vagary.]
Wandering over the world.
[R.]


word: Munerary
definition:
Munerary

Mu"ner*a*ry
(?)
a.
[L. munerarius, from munus a gift.]
Having the nature of a gift.
[Obs.]


word: Munerate
definition:
Munerate

Mu"ner*ate
(?)
v. t.
[L. muneratus, p. p. of munerare to give, bestow, fr. munus a gift.]
To remunerate.


word: Mung
definition:
Mung

Mung
(mŭng)
n.
[Hind. mūng.]
(Bot.)
Green gram, a kind of legume (pulse) (Vigna radiata syn. Phaseolus aureus, syn. Phaseolus Mungo), grown for food in British India; called also gram, mung bean, Chinese mung bean, and green-seeded mung bean.  It is an erect, bushy annual producing edible green or yellow seeds, and edible pods and young sprouts.
Balfour (Cyc. of India).


word: Mung bean
definition:
Mung bean

Mung" bean`
(mŭng" bēn`)
n.
The mung (Vigna radiata).

2.
The bean produced by the mung.


word: Mungo
definition:
Mungo

Mun"go
(?)
n.
A material of short fiber and inferior quality obtained by deviling woolen rags or the remnants of woolen goods, specif. those of felted, milled, or hard-spun woolen cloth, as distinguished from shoddy, or the deviled product of loose-textured woolen goods or worsted, -- a distinction often disregarded.

&hand_; Mungo properly signifies the disintegrated rags of woolen cloth, as distinguished from those of worsted, which form shoddy.  The distinction is very commonly disregarded.
Beck (Draper's Dict.).


word: Municipal
definition:
Municipal

Mu*nic"i*pal
(?)
a.
[L. municipalis, fr. municipium a town, particularly in Italy, which possessed the right of Roman citizenship, but was governed by its own laws, a free town, fr. municeps an inhabitant of a free town, a free citizen; munia official duties, functions + capere to take: cf. F. municipal.  Cf. Immunity, and Capacoius.]
1.
Of or pertaining to a city or a corporation having the right of administering local government; as, municipal rights; municipal officers.

2.
Of or pertaining to a state, kingdom, or nation.

Municipal law is properly defined to be a rule of civil conduct prescribed by the supreme power in a state.
Blackstone.


word: Municipality
definition:
Municipality

Mu*nic`i*pal"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Municipalities (#).
[Cf. F. municipalité.]
A municipal district; a borough, city, or incorporated town or village.


word: Municipalize
definition:
Municipalize

Mu*nic"i*pal*ize
(?)
v. t.
[Municipal + -ize.]
To bring under municipal oversight or control; as, a municipalized industry.
London people are now determined to centralize and to municipalize such services.
The Century.


word: Munificate
definition:
Munificate

Mu*nif"i*cate
(?)
v. t.
[L. munificatus, p. p. of munificare to present with a thing, fr. munificus. See Munificent.]
To enrich.
[Obs.]


word: Munificence
definition:
Munificence

Mu*nif"i*cence
(?)
n.
[Cf. L. munire to fortify.]
Means of defense; fortification.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Munificence₂
definition:
Munificence

Mu*nif"i*cence
n.
[L. munificentia: cf. F. munificence.]
The quality or state of being munificent; a giving or bestowing with extraordinary liberality; generous bounty; lavish generosity.

Syn. -- Benevolence; beneficence; liberality; generosity; bounty; bounteousness. See Benevolence.

The virtues of liberality and munificence.
Addison.


word: Munificent
definition:
Munificent

Mu*nif"i*cent
(?)
a.
[L. munificus; munus service, gift + -ficare (in comp.) to make.  Cf. Immunity, -fy.]
Very liberal in giving or bestowing; lavish; as, a munificent benefactor.
Mu*nif"i*cent*ly, adv.

Syn. -- Bounteous; bountiful; liberal; generous.


word: Muniment
definition:
Muniment

Mu"ni*ment
(?)
n.
[L. munimentum, fr. munire to fortify. See Munition.]
1.
The act of supporting or defending.
[Obs.]

2.
That which supports or defends; stronghold; place or means of defense; munition; assistance.
muniments
Shak.

3.
(Law)
A record; the evidences or writings whereby a man is enabled to defend the title to his estate; title deeds and papers.
Blount.

Muniment room or Muniment house, that room in a cathedral, castle, or other public building, which is used for keeping the records, charters, seals, deeds, and the like. Gwilt.


word: Munite
definition:
Munite

Mu*nite"
(?)
v. t.
[L. munitus, p. p. of munire to wall, fortify.]
To fortify; to strengthen.
[Obs.]


word: Munition
definition:
Munition

Mu*ni"tion
(?)
n.
[F., munition of war, L. munitio a fortifying, fortification, fr. munire to fortify, defend with a wall; cf. moenia walls, murus (for moirus) a wall, and Skr. mi to fix, make firm.  Cf. Ammunition.]
1.
Fortification; stronghold.
[Obs.]

His place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks.
Is. xxxiii. 16.

2.
Whatever materials are used in war for defense or for annoying an enemy; ammunition; also, stores and provisions; military stores of all kinds.

The bodies of men, munition, and money, may justly be called the sinews of war.
Sir W. Raleigh.


word: munja
definition:
munja

munj

munj, munja
n.
A tough Asiatic grass (Saccharum bengalense syn. Saccharum munja) whose culms are used for ropes and baskets.

Syn. -- munj, Saccharum bengalense, Saccharum munja.


word: Munjeet
definition:
Munjeet

Mun*jeet"
(?)
n.
[Hind. majī&tsdot_;h a drug used for dyeing red.]
See Indian madder, under Madder.


word: Munjistin
definition:
Munjistin

Mun"jis*tin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
An orange-red coloring substance resembling alizarin, found in the root of an East Indian species of madder (Rubia munjista).


word: Munting
definition:
Munting

Muntin

{ Mun"tin (?), Mun"ting (?), }
n.
[CF. Montant.]
(Arch.)
Same as Mullion; -- especially used in joiner's work.


word: Muntjac
definition:
Muntjac

Munt"jac
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
Any one of several species of small Asiatic deer of the genus Cervulus, esp. Cervulus muntjac, which occurs both in India and on the East Indian Islands.
[Written also muntjak.]


word: Muraena
definition:
Muraena

Mu*rae"na
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;.]
(Zool.)
A genus of large eels of the family Muraenidae. They differ from the common eel in lacking pectoral fins and in having the dorsal and anal fins continuous.  The murry (Muraena Helenae) of Southern Europe was the muraena of the Romans.  It is highly valued as a food fish.


word: Murenoid
definition:
Murenoid

Muraenoid

{ Mu*rae"noid, Mu*re"noid  }
(?)
a.
[NL. Muraena, the generic name + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Like or pertaining to the genus Muraena, or family Muraenidae.


word: Murage
definition:
Murage

Mu"rage
(?)
n.
[F., fr. murer to wall, fr. mur wall, L. murus. See Mure a wall.]
A tax or toll paid for building or repairing the walls of a fortified town.


word: Mural
definition:
Mural

Mu"ral
(?)
a.
[F., fr. L. muralis, fr. murus wall. See Mure a wall.]
1.
Of or pertaining to a wall; being on, or in, a wall; growing on, or against, a wall; as, a mural quadrant.
Mural
Milton.
Mural
Evelyn.

2.
Resembling a wall; perpendicular or steep; as, a mural precipice.

Mural circle (Astron.), a graduated circle, in the plane of the meridian, attached permanently to a perpendicular wall; -- used for measuring arcs of the meridian. See Circle, n., 3. -- Mural crown (Rom. Antiq.), a golden crown, or circle of gold indented so as to resemble a battlement, bestowed on him who first mounted the wall of a besieged place, and there lodged a standard.


word: Murder
definition:
Murder

Mur"der
(mûr"dẽr)
n.
[OE. morder, morther, AS. morðor, fr. morð murder; akin to D. moord, OS. morð, G., Dan., & Sw. mord, Icel. morð, Goth. maúrþr, OSlav. mrēti to die, Lith. mirti, W. marw dead, L. mors, mortis, death, mori, moriri, to die, Gr. broto`s (for mroto`s) mortal, 'a`mbrotos immortal, Skr. m&rsdot_; to die, m&rsdot_;ta death.  √105.  Cf. Amaranth, Ambrosia, Mortal.]
The offense of killing a human being with malice prepense or aforethought, express or implied; intentional and unlawful homicide.
Mordre
Chaucer.

The killing of their children had, in the account of God, the guilt of murder, as the offering them to idols had the guilt of idolatry.
Locke.

Slaughter grows murder when it goes too far.
Dryden.

&hand_; Murder in the second degree, in most jurisdictions, is a malicious homicide committed without a specific intention to take life.
Wharton.


word: Murder₂
definition:
Murder

Mur"der
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Murdered (mûr"dẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Murdering.]
[OE. mortheren, murtheren, AS. myrðrian; akin to OHG. murdiren, Goth. maúrþrjan. See Murder, n.]
1.
To kill with premediated malice; to kill (a human being) willfully, deliberately, and unlawfully. See Murder, n.

2.
To destroy; to put an end to.

[Canst thou] murder thy breath in middle of a word?
Shak.

3.
To mutilate, spoil, or deform, as if with malice or cruelty; to mangle; as, to murder the king's English.


word: Murderer
definition:
Murderer

Mur"der*er
(mûr"dẽr*ẽr)
n.
1.
One guilty of murder; a person who, in possession of his reason, unlawfully kills a human being with premeditated malice.

2.
A small cannon, formerly used for clearing a ship's decks of boarders; -- called also murdering piece.
[Obs.]


word: Murderous
definition:
Murderous

Mur"der*ous
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to murder; characterized by, or causing, murder or bloodshed; having the purpose or quality of murder; bloody; sanguinary; as, the murderous king; murderous rapine; murderous intent; a murderous assault.
Murderous
Shak.
Mur"der*ous*ly, adv.


word: Murdress
definition:
Murdress

Mur"dress
(?)
n.
A battlement in ancient fortifications with interstices for firing through.


word: Mure₂
definition:
Mure

Mure
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mured (?).]
[F. murer, L. murare. See Mure, n.]
To inclose in walls; to wall; to immure; to shut up.
Spenser.

The five kings are mured in a cave.
John. x. (Heading).


word: Murex
definition:
Murex

Mu"rex
(?)
prop. n.
pl. Murices (#).
[L., the purple fish.]
(Zool.)
A genus of marine gastropods, having rough, and frequently spinose, shells, which are often highly colored inside; the rock shells.  They abound in tropical seas.


word: Murexan
definition:
Murexan

Mu*rex"an
(?)
n.
[From Murexide.]
(Chem.)
A complex nitrogenous substance obtained from murexide, alloxantin, and other ureids, as a white, or yellowish, crystalline which turns red on exposure to the air; -- called also uramil, dialuramide, and formerly purpuric acid.


word: Murexide
definition:
Murexide

Mu*rex"ide
(?)
n.
[L. murex the purple fish, purple.]
(Chem.)
A crystalline nitrogenous substance (C8H8N6O6, 5-5'-nitrilodibarbituric acid monoammonium salt) having a splendid dichroism, being green by reflected light and garnet-red by transmitted light.  It was formerly used in dyeing calico, and was obtained in a large quantities from guano.  It is now synthesized from alloxan.  Formerly called also ammonium purpurate.


word: Murexoin
definition:
Murexoin

Mu*rex"o*ïn
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A complex nitrogenous compound obtained as a scarlet crystalline substance, and regarded as related to murexide.


word: Muriate
definition:
Muriate

Mu"ri*ate
(?)
n.
[See Muriatic.]
(Chem.)
A salt of muriatic hydrochloric acid; a chloride; as, muriate of ammonia.

&hand_; This term, as also the word muriatic, was formerly applied to the chlorides before their true composition was understood, and while they were erroneously supposed to be compounds of an acid with an oxide.  Muriate and muriatic are still occasionally used as commercial terms, but are obsolete in scientific language.


word: Muriated
definition:
Muriated

Mu"ri*a`ted
(?)
a.
1.
Put in brine.
Evelyn.

2.
(Chem.)
Combined or impregnated with muriatic or hydrochloric acid.

3.
(Photog.)
Prepared with chloride of silver through the agency of common salt.


word: Muriatic
definition:
Muriatic

Mu`ri*at"ic
(?)
a.
[L. muriaticus pickled, from muria brine: cf. F. muriatique.]
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, sea salt, or from chlorine, one of the constituents of sea salt; hydrochloric.

Muriatic acid, hydrochloric acid, HCl; -- formerly called also marine acid, and spirit of salt. See hydrochloric, and the Note under Muriate.


word: Muriatiferous
definition:
Muriatiferous

Mu`ri*a*tif"er*ous
(?)
a.
[Muriatic + -ferous.]
(Old Chem.)
Producing muriatic substances or salt.
[Obs.]


word: Muricated
definition:
Muricated

Muricate

{ Mu"ri*cate (?), Mu"ri*ca`ted (?), }
a.
[L. muricatus, fr. murex a pointed rock or stone.]
Formed with sharp points; full of sharp points or of pickles; covered, or roughened, as a surface, with sharp points or excrescences.


word: Muricoid
definition:
Muricoid

Mu"ri*coid
(?)
a.
[Murex + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Like, or pertaining to, the genus Murex, or family Muricidae.


word: Muride
definition:
Muride

Mu"ride
(?)
n.
[L. muria brine.]
(Old Chem.)
Bromine; -- formerly so called from its being obtained from sea water.


word: Muriform
definition:
Muriform

Mu"ri*form
(?)
a.
[L. murus a wall + -form.]
(Bot.)
Resembling courses of bricks or stones in squareness and regular arrangement; as, a muriform variety of cellular tissue.


word: Murine
definition:
Murine

Mu"rine
(?)
a.
[L. murinus, from mus, muris, mouse: cf. F. murin.]
(Zool.)
Pertaining to a family of rodents (Muridae), of which the mouse is the type.


word: Murky
definition:
Murky

Murk"y
(?)
a.
[Compar. Murkier (?); superl. Murkiest.]
[OE. mirke, merke, AS. myrce, mirce; akin to Icel. myrkr, Dan. & Sw. mörk.]
1.
Dark; gloomy.
murkiest
Shak.

A murky deep lowering o'er our heads.
Addison.

2.
Obscured by haze or mist; clouded; turbid; as, poor visibility in the murky water.


word: Murmur
definition:
Murmur

Mur"mur
(?)
n.
[F. murmure: cf. L. murmur.  CF. Murmur, v. i.]
1.
A low, confused, and indistinct sound, like that of running water.

2.
A complaint half suppressed, or uttered in a low, muttering voice.
Chaucer.

Some discontents there are, some idle murmurs.
Dryden.


word: Murmur₂
definition:
Murmur

Mur"mur
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Murmured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Murmuring.]
[F. murmurer, L. murmurare, murmurari, fr. murmur murmur; cf. Gr. _; to roar and boil, said of water, Skr. marmara a rustling sound; prob. of imitative origin.]
1.
To make a low continued noise, like the hum of bees, a stream of water, distant waves, or the wind in a forest.

They murmured as doth a swarm of bees.
Chaucer.

2.
To utter complaints in a low, half-articulated voice; to feel or express dissatisfaction or discontent; to grumble; -- often with at or against.
murmured
John vi. 61.

And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron.
Num. xiv. 2.

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured.
1 Cor. x. 10.


word: Murmur₃
definition:
Murmur

Mur"mur
v. t.
To utter or give forth in low or indistinct words or sounds; as, to murmur tales.
Shak.

The people murmured such things concerning him.
John vii. 32.


word: Murmuration
definition:
Murmuration

Mur`mur*a"tion
(?)
n.
[L. murmuratio.]
The act of murmuring; a murmur.
[Obs.]
Skelton.


word: Murmuring
definition:
Murmuring

Mur"mur*ing
a. & n.
Uttering murmurs; making low sounds; complaining.
Mur"mur*ing*ly, adv.


word: Murmurous
definition:
Murmurous

Mur"mur*ous
(?)
a.
[Cf. L. murmuriosus, OF. murmuros.]
Attended with murmurs; exciting murmurs or complaint; murmuring.
[Archaic or Poetic]

The lime, a summer home of murmurous wings.
Tennyson.


word: Murnival
definition:
Murnival

Mur"ni*val
(?)
n.
[Perh. fr. F. mornifle a game at cards.]
In the game of gleek, four cards of the same value, as four aces or four kings; hence, four of anything.
[Obs.]
[Written also mournival.]


word: Murrain
definition:
Murrain

Mur"rain
(?)
n.
[OE. moreine, OF. morine, fr. OF. morir, murir, 8die, L. mori, moriri.]
(Far.)
An infectious and fatal disease among cattle.
Bacon.

A murrain on you, may you be afflicted with a pestilent disease. Shak.


word: Murrayin
definition:
Murrayin

Mur"ray*in
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A glucoside found in the flowers of a plant (Murraya exotica) of South Asia, and extracted as a white amorphous slightly bitter substance.


word: Murre
definition:
Murre

Murre
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
Any one of several species of sea birds of the genus Uria, or Catarractes; a guillemot.

&hand_; The murres are allied to the auks, and are abundant on the northern coasts of Europe and America.  They often breed in large communities on the projecting ledges of precipituous cliffs, laying one or two large eggs on the bare rocks.


word: Murrelet
definition:
Murrelet

Murre"let
(?)
n.
[Murre + -let.]
(Zool.)
One of several species of sea birds of the genera Synthliboramphus and Brachyramphus, inhabiting the North Pacific.  They are closely related to the murres.


word: Murrey
definition:
Murrey

Mur"rey
(?)
n.
[OF. morée a dark red color, mor blackish brown, fr. L. morum mulberry, blackberry, or fr. Maurus a Moor.  Cf. Mulberry, Moor, Morelle.]
A dark red color.
a. Of a dark red color.
Bacon.


word: Murrhine
definition:
Murrhine

Mur"rhine
(?)
a.
[L. murrhinus, fr. murrha: cf. F. murrhin.]
Made of the stone or material called by the Romans murrha; -- applied to certain costly vases of great beauty and delicacy used by the luxurious in Rome as wine cups; as, murrhine vases, cups, vessels.

Murrhine glass, glassware made in imitation of murrhine vases and cups.


word: Murza
definition:
Murza

Mur"za
(?)
n.
One of the hereditary nobility among the Tatars, esp. one of the second class.

&hand_; This word must not be confounded with the Persian Mirza, though perhaps of the same origin.


word: Mus
definition:
Mus

Mus
(?)
prop. n.
pl. Mures (#).
[L., a mouse.]
(Zool.)
A genus of small rodents, including the common mouse and rat.


word: Musa
definition:
Musa

Mu"sa
(?)
prop. n.
pl. Musae (#).
[NL., fr. Ar. mauz, mauza, banana.]
(Bot.)
A genus of perennial, herbaceous, endogenous plants of great size, including the banana (Musa sapientum), the plantain (Musa paradisiaca of Linnaeus, but probably not a distinct species), the Abyssinian (Musa Ensete), the Philippine Island (Musa textilis, which yields Manila hemp), and about eighteen other species. See Illust. of Banana and Plantain.


word: Musaceae
definition:
Musaceae

Musaceae
prop. n.
A natural family of treelike tropical Asian herbs including the banana tree.

Syn. -- family Musaceae, banana family.


word: Musang
definition:
Musang

Mu*sang"
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A small animal of Java (Paradoxirus fasciatus), allied to the civets. It swallows, but does not digest, large quantities of ripe coffee berries, thus serving to disseminate the coffee plant; hence it is called also coffee rat.


word: Musard
definition:
Musard

Mu"sard
(?)
n.
[F., fr. muser to loiter, trifle. See Muse, v. i.]
A dreamer; an absent-minded person.
[Obs.]
Rom. of R.


word: Musca
definition:
Musca

Mus"ca
(?)
prop. n.
pl. Muscae (#).
[L., a fly.]
1.
(Zool.)
A genus of dipterous insects, including the common house fly, and numerous allied species.

&hand_; Formerly, a large part of the Diptera were included under the genus Musca.

2.
(Astron.)
A small constellation situated between the Southern Cross and the Pole.

Muscae volitantes (_;). [L., flying flies.] (Med.) Specks or filaments apparently seen moving or gliding about in the field of vision.  Their appearance is often a symptom of disease of the eye, or of disorder of the nervous system.


word: muscadelle
definition:
muscadelle

Muscadel

Mus"ca*del`, mus"ca*delle
(?)
n.
[It. moscadello, moscatello, LL. muscatellum or muscadellum (sc. vinum), fr. muscatellus nutmeglike, dim. of muscatus smelling like musk, muscatum and muscata (sc. nux) nutmeg: cf. F. muscadelle, fr. Italian. See Musk and cf. Moschatel, Muscardin, Muscat, Nutmeg.]
See Muscatel, n.

Quaffed off the muscadel.
Shak.


word: Muscadet
definition:
Muscadet

Muscadet
n.
1.
A white grape grown esp. in the Loire Valley in France.

2.
A dry white wine from the Loire Valley in France.


word: Muscadine
definition:
Muscadine

Mus"ca*dine
(?)
n.
[See Muscadel.]
1.
(Bot.)
A name given to several very different kinds of grapes, but in America used chiefly for the scuppernong, or southern fox grape, which is said to be the parent stock of the Catawba.  See Grapevine.

2.
(Bot.)
A fragrant and delicious pear.

3.
(Zool.)
See Muscardin.

Northern muscadine (Bot.), a derivative of the northern fox grape, and scarcely an improvement upon it. -- Royal muscadine (Bot.), a European grape of great value.  Its berries are large, round, and of a pale amber color.  Called also golden chasselas.


word: Muscales
definition:
Muscales

Mus*ca"les
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. L. muscus moss.]
(Bot.)
An old name for mosses in the widest sense, including the true mosses and also hepaticae and sphagna.


word: Muscardin
definition:
Muscardin

Mus"car*din
(?)
n.
[F., fr. muscadin a musk-scented lozenge, fr. muscade nutmeg, fr. L. muscus musk. See Muscadel.]
(Zool.)
The common European dormouse; -- so named from its odor.
[Written also muscadine.]


word: Muscardine
definition:
Muscardine

Mus`car*dine"
(?)
n.
[F.]
A disease which is very destructive to silkworms, and which sometimes extends to other insects.  It is attended by the development of a fungus (provisionally called Botrytis bassiana).  Also, the fungus itself.


word: Muscarin
definition:
Muscarin

Mus*ca"rin
(?)
n.
(Physiol. Chem.)
A solid crystalline substance, C5H13NO2, found in the toadstool (Agaricus muscarius), and in putrid fish. It is a typical ptomaine, and a violent poison.


word: Muscat
definition:
Muscat

Mus"cat
(?)
n.
[F. See Muscadel.]
(Bot.)
A name given to several varieties of Old World grapes, differing in color, size, etc., but all having a somewhat musky flavor. The muscat of Alexandria is a large oval grape of a pale amber color.
[Written also muskat.]


word: Muscatel
definition:
Muscatel

Mus"ca*tel`
(?)
a.
Of, pertaining to, or designating, or derived from, a muscat grapes or similar grapes; as, muscatel grapes; muscatel wine, etc.


word: Muscatel₂
definition:
Muscatel

Mus"ca*tel`
n.
1.
A common name for several varieties of rich sweet wine, made in Italy, Spain, and France.

2.
pl.
Finest raisins, dried on the vine; “sun raisins.”


word: Muschelkalk
definition:
Muschelkalk

Musch"el*kalk`
(?)
n.
[G., from muschel shell + kalk limestone.]
(Geol.)
A kind of shell limestone, whose strata form the middle one of the three divisions of the Triassic formation in Germany. See Chart, under Geology.


word: Musci
definition:
Musci

Mus"ci
(?)
n. pl.
[L. muscus moss.]
(Bot.)
An order or subclass of cryptogamous plants; the mosses. See Moss, and Cryptogamia.


word: Muscicapidae
definition:
Muscicapidae

Muscicapidae
prop. n.
A natural family of Old World (true) flycatchers.

Syn. -- family Muscicapidae.


word: Muscicapine
definition:
Muscicapine

Mus*cic"a*pine
(?)
a.
[L. musca a fly + capere to catch.]
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the Muscicapidae, a family of birds that includes the true flycatchers.


word: Muscidae
definition:
Muscidae

Muscidae
prop. n.
A natural family of two-winged flies esp. the housefly.

Syn. -- family Muscidae.


word: Musciform
definition:
Musciform

Mus"ci*form
(?)
a.
[Musca + -form.]
(Zool.)
Having the form or structure of flies of the genus Musca, or family Muscidae.


word: Muscivora-forficata
definition:
Muscivora-forficata

Muscivora-forficata
n.
A gray flycatcher of Southwestern U. S. and Mexico and Central America having a long forked tail and white breast and salmon and scarlet markings; the scissortailed flycatcher.

Syn. -- scissortail, scissortailed flycatcher.


word: Muscle
definition:
Muscle

Mus"cle
(mŭs"'l)
n.
[F., fr. L. musculus a muscle, a little mouse, dim. of mus a mouse. See Mouse, and cf. sense 3 (below).]
1.
(Anat.)
(a)
An organ which, by its contraction, produces motion.
Illust.
(b)
The contractile tissue of which muscles are largely made up.

&hand_; Muscles are of two kinds, striated and nonstriated.  The striated muscles, which, in most of the higher animals, constitute the principal part of the flesh, exclusive of the fat, are mostly under the control of the will, or voluntary, and are made up of great numbers of elongated fibres bound together into bundles and inclosed in a sheath of connective tissue, the perimysium.  Each fiber is inclosed in a delicate membrane (the sarcolemma), is made up of alternate segments of lighter and darker material which give it a transversely striated appearance, and contains, scattered through its substance, protoplasmic nuclei, the so-called muscle corpuscles.

2.
Muscular strength or development; as, to show one's muscle by lifting a heavy weight.
[Colloq.]

3.
[AS. muscle, L. musculus a muscle, mussel. See above.]
(Zool.)
See Mussel.

4.
An essential part of something; as, budget cuts have gone beyond the fat and are cutting into the muscle of the government.

5.
Bodyguards or other persons hired to provide protection or commit violence; as, he doesn't go out without his muscle along.
[slang]

Muscle curve (Physiol.), contraction curve of a muscle; a myogram; the curve inscribed, upon a prepared surface, by means of a myograph when acted upon by a contracting muscle. The character of the curve represents the extent of the contraction.


word: muscle
definition:
muscle

mus"cle
(?)
v. t.
1.
To compel by threat of force; as, they muscled the shopkeeper into paying protection money.

2.
To moved by human force; as, to muscle the piano onto the truck.


word: musclebuilder
definition:
musclebuilder

musclebuilder
n.
someone who does special exercises to develop the musculature; a bodybuilder.


word: musclebuilding
definition:
musclebuilding

musclebuilding
n.
exercise that builds muscles through tension; bodybuilding.

Syn. -- bodybuilding, anaerobic exercise.


word: Muscle reading
definition:
Muscle reading

Mus"cle read`ing
The art of making discriminations between objects of choice, of discovering the whereabouts of hidden objects, etc., by inference from the involuntary movements of one whose hand the reader holds or with whom he is otherwise in muscular contact.


word: Muscling
definition:
Muscling

Mus"cling
(?)
n.
(Fine Arts)
Exhibition or representation of the muscles.
[R.]

A good piece, the painters say, must have good muscling, as well as coloring and drapery.
Shaftesbury.


word: Muscoid₂
definition:
Muscoid

Mus"coid
n.
(Bot.)
A term formerly applied to any mosslike flowerless plant, with a distinct stem, and often with leaves, but without any vascular system.


word: Muscoidea
definition:
Muscoidea

Muscoidea
prop. n.
A superfamily of two-winged flies esp. the families: Muscidae; Gasterophilidae; Calliphoridae; and Tachinidae.

Syn. -- superfamily Muscoidea.


word: Muscovado
definition:
Muscovado

Mus`co*va"do
(?)
a.
[Corrupted fr. Sp. mascabado; cf. Pg. mascavado, F. moscouade, n., formerly also mascovade, It. mascavato.]
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, unrefined or raw sugar, obtained from the juice of the sugar cane by evaporating and draining off the molasses.  Muscovado sugar contains impurities which render it dark colored and moist.


word: Muscovite
definition:
Muscovite

Mus"co*vite
(?)
n.
[See Muscovy glass.]
1.
A native or inhabitant of Muscovy or ancient Russia; hence, a Russian.

2.
An inhabitant of Moscow.

3.
(Min.)
Common potash mica, essentially KAl3Si3O10(OH)2. It is used as an electrical insulator.  See Mica.


word: Muscovy duck
definition:
Muscovy duck

Mus"co*vy duck`
(?)
[A corruption of musk duck.]
(Zool.)
A duck (Cairina moschata), larger than the common duck, often raised in poultry yards. Called also musk duck.  It is native of tropical America, from Mexico to Southern Brazil.


word: Muscovy glass
definition:
Muscovy glass

Mus"co*vy glass`
(?)
[From Muscovy, the old name of Russia: cf. F. verre de Moscovie.]
Mica; muscovite. See Mica.


word: Muscular
definition:
Muscular

Mus"cu*lar
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. musculaire. See Muscle.]
1.
Of or pertaining to a muscle, or to a system of muscles; consisting of, or constituting, a muscle or muscles; as, muscular fiber.

Great muscular strength, accompanied by much awkwardness.
Macaulay.

2.
Performed by, or dependent on, a muscle or the muscles.
muscular
Arbuthnot.

3.
Well furnished with muscles; having well-developed muscles; brawny; hence, strong; powerful; vigorous; as, a muscular body or arm.

Muscular Christian, one who believes in a part of religious duty to maintain a healthful and vigorous physical state. T. Hughes. -- Muscular Christianity. (a) The practice and opinion of those Christians who believe that it is a part of religious duty to maintain a vigorous condition of the body, and who therefore approve of athletic sports and exercises as conductive to good health, good morals, and right feelings in religious matters. T. Hughes. (b) An active, robust, and cheerful Christian life, as opposed to a meditative and gloomy one. C. Kingsley. -- Muscular excitability (Physiol.), that property in virtue of which a muscle shortens, when it is stimulated; irritability; contractility. -- Muscular sense (Physiol.), muscular sensibility; the sense by which we obtain knowledge of the condition of our muscles and to what extent they are contracted, also of the position of the various parts of our bodies and the resistance offering by external objects.


word: Musculature
definition:
Musculature

Mus"cu*la*ture
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. musculature.]
(Anat.)
The muscular system of an animal, or of any of its parts; musculation.


word: Muscule
definition:
Muscule

Mus"cule
(?)
n.
[L. musculus: cf. F. muscule.]
(Mil.)
A long movable shed used by besiegers in ancient times in attacking the walls of a fortified town.


word: Musculocutaneous
definition:
Musculocutaneous

Mus`cu*lo*cu*ta"ne*ous
(?)
a.
[L. musculus + E. cutaneous.]
(Anat.)
Pertaining both to muscles and skin; as, the musculocutaneous nerve.


word: Musculophrenic
definition:
Musculophrenic

Mus`cu*lo*phren"ic
(?)
a.
[L. musculus muscle + E. phrenic.]
(Anat.)
Pertaining to the muscles and the diaphragm; as, the musculophrenic artery.


word: Musculospiral
definition:
Musculospiral

Mus`cu*lo*spi"ral
(?)
a.
[L. musculus muscle + E. spiral.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the muscles, and taking a spiral course; -- applied esp. to a large nerve of the arm.


word: Muse
definition:
Muse

Muse
(?)
n.
[From F. musse. See Muset.]
A gap or hole in a hedge, hence, wall, or the like, through which a wild animal is accustomed to pass; a muset.

Find a hare without a muse.
Old Prov.


word: Muse₂
definition:
Muse

Muse
n.
[F. Muse, L. Musa, Gr. _;.  Cf. Mosaic, n., Music.]
1.
(Class. Myth.)
One of the nine goddesses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who presided over song and the different kinds of poetry, and also the arts and sciences; -- often used in the plural.  At one time certain other goddesses were considered as muses.

Granville commands; your aid, O Muses, bring:
What Muse for Granville can refuse to sing?
Pope.

&hand_; The names of the Muses and the arts they presided over were: Calliope (Epic poetry), Clio (History), Erato (Lyric poetry), Euterpe (music), Melpomene (Tragedy), Polymnia or Polyhymnia (religious music), Terpsichore (dance), Thalia (comedy), and Urania (astronomy).

2.
A particular power and practice of poetry; the inspirational genius of a poet.
Shak.

3.
A poet; a bard.
[R.]
Milton.


word: Muse₃
definition:
Muse

Muse
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Mused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Musing.]
[F. muser to loiter or trifle, orig., to stand with open mouth, fr. LL. musus, morsus, muzzle, snout, fr. L. morsus a biting, bite, fr. mordere to bite. See Morsel, and cf. Amuse, Muzzle, n.]
1.
To think closely; to study in silence; to meditate.
mused
Chaucer.

He mused upon some dangerous plot.
Sir P. Sidney.

2.
To be absent in mind; to be so occupied in study or contemplation as not to observe passing scenes or things present; to be in a brown study.
Daniel.

3.
To wonder.
[Obs.]
Spenser. B. Jonson.


word: Muse₄
definition:
Muse

Muse
v. t.
1.
To think on; to meditate on.

Come, then, expressive Silence, muse his praise.
Thomson.

2.
To wonder at.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Muse₅
definition:
Muse

Muse
n.
1.
Contemplation which abstracts the mind from passing scenes; absorbing thought; hence, absence of mind; a brown study.
Milton.

2.
Wonder, or admiration.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Museless
definition:
Museless

Muse"less
a.
Unregardful of the Muses; disregarding the power of poetry; unpoetical.
Milton.


word: Muset
definition:
Muset

Mu"set
(?)
n.
[OF. mussette, dim. of musse, muce, a hiding place, fr. F. musser, OF. mucier, muchier, to conceal, hide.  Cf. Micher.]
A small hole or gap through which a wild animal passes; a muse.
Shak.


word: Musette
definition:
Musette

Mu*sette"
(?)
n.
[F., dim. of OF. muse.]
1.
A small bagpipe formerly in use, having a soft and sweet tone.

2.
An air adapted to this instrument; also, a kind of rustic dance.


word: Museum
definition:
Museum

Mu*se"um
(?)
n.
[L., a temple of the Muses, hence, a place of study, fr. Gr. _;, fr. _; a Muse.]
A repository or a collection of natural, scientific, or literary curiosities, or of works of art.

Museum beetle, Museum pest. (Zool.) See Anthrenus.


word: Mush
definition:
Mush

Mush
(?)
n.
[Cf. Gael. mus, muss, pap, porridge, any thick preparation of fruit, OHG. muos; akin to AS. & OS. m&omacrs food, and prob, to E. meat. See Meat.]
Meal (esp. Indian meal) boiled in water; hasty pudding; supawn.
[U.S.]


word: Mush₂
definition:
Mush

Mush
v. t.
[Cf. F. moucheter to cut with small cuts.]
To notch, cut, or indent, as cloth, with a stamp.


word: Mush₃
definition:
Mush

Mush
(?)
n.
[Perh. short for mush on, a corrupt of E. marchons, the cry of the voyageurs and coureurs de bois to their dogs.]
A march on foot, esp. across the snow with dogs; as, he had a long mush before him; -- also used attributively.
[Colloq., Alaska & Northwestern U. S.]


word: Mush₄
definition:
Mush

Mush
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Mushed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mushing.]
To travel on foot, esp. across the snow with dogs.
v. t.  To cause to travel or journey. [Rare] [Colloq., Alaska & Northwestern U. S.]


word: Mushroom
definition:
Mushroom

Mush"room
(?)
n.
[OE. muscheron, OF. mouscheron, F. mousseron; perhaps fr. mousse moss, of German origin. See Moss.]
1.
(Bot.)
(a)
An edible fungus (Agaricus campestris), having a white stalk which bears a convex or oven flattish expanded portion called the pileus.  This is whitish and silky or somewhat scaly above, and bears on the under side radiating gills which are at first flesh-colored, but gradually become brown.  The plant grows in rich pastures and is proverbial for rapidity of growth and shortness of duration.  It has a pleasant smell, and is largely used as food. It is also cultivated from spawn.
(b)
Any large fungus developing a visible fruiting body with a stem and cap, usu. of the basidiomycetes;
especially
one of the genus Agaricus; a toadstool. Several species are edible; but many are very poisonous.  The term mushroom is used most often for edible varieties, the poisonous ones being termed toadstools or other names.  But this distinction is often ignored.

2.
One who rises suddenly from a low condition in life; an upstart.
Bacon.


word: Mushroom₂
definition:
Mushroom

Mush"room
a.
1.
Of or pertaining to mushrooms; as, mushroom catchup.

2.
Resembling mushrooms in rapidity of growth and shortness of duration; short-lived; ephemerial; as, mushroom cities.

Mushroom anchor, an anchor shaped like a mushroom, capable of grasping the ground in whatever way it falls. -- Mushroom coral (Zool.), any coral of the genus Fungia. See Fungia. -- Mushroom spawn (Bot.), the mycelium, or primary filamentous growth, of the mushroom; also, cakes of earth and manure containing this growth, which are used for propagation of the mushroom. -- mushroom cloud, a cloud of smoke rising and then spreading laterally to take on the shape of a mushroom -- caused by large fires or explosions, esp. nuclear explosions.


word: mushroom
definition:
mushroom

mush"room
(?)
v. i.
1.
to grow or expand rapidly.

2.
to grow so much and so rapidly as to change qualitatively; used with into; as, a minor border skirmish mushroomed into a full-blown war.


word: Mushroom-headed
definition:
Mushroom-headed

Mush"room-head`ed
(?)
a.
(Bot.)
Having a cylindrical body with a convex head of larger diameter; having a head like that of a mushroom.


word: Mushy
definition:
Mushy

Mush"y
(?)
a.
Soft like mush; figuratively, good-naturedly weak and effusive; weakly sentimental.

She 's not mushy, but her heart is tender.
G. Eliot.


word: Music
definition:
Music

Mu"sic
(?)
n.
[F. musique, fr. L. musica, Gr. _; (sc. _;), any art over which the Muses presided, especially music, lyric poetry set and sung to music, fr. _; belonging to Muses or fine arts, fr. _; Muse.]
1.
The science and the art of tones, or musical sounds, i. e., sounds of higher or lower pitch, begotten of uniform and synchronous vibrations, as of a string at various degrees of tension; the science of harmonical tones which treats of the principles of harmony, or the properties, dependences, and relations of tones to each other; the art of combining tones in a manner to please the ear.

&hand_; Not all sounds are tones. Sounds may be unmusical and yet please the ear. Music deals with tones, and with no other sounds. See Tone.

2.
(a)
Melody; a rhythmical and otherwise agreeable succession of tones.
(b)
Harmony; an accordant combination of simultaneous tones.

3.
The written and printed notation of a musical composition; the score.

4.
Love of music; capacity of enjoying music.

The man that hath no music in himself
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.
Shak.

5.
(Zool.)
A more or less musical sound made by many of the lower animals. See Stridulation.

Magic music, a game in which a person is guided in finding a hidden article, or in doing a specific act required, by music which is made more loud or rapid as he approaches success, and slower as he recedes.  It is similar to the game of hot and cold, but using music as the clue. Tennyson. -- Music box. See Musical box, under Musical. -- Music hall, a place for public musical entertainments. -- Music loft, a gallery for musicians, as in a dancing room or a church. -- Music of the spheres, the harmony supposed to be produced by the accordant movement of the celestial spheres. -- Music paper, paper ruled with the musical staff, for the use of composers and copyists. -- Music pen, a pen for ruling at one time the five lines of the musical staff. -- Music shell (Zool.), a handsomely colored marine gastropod shell (Voluta musica) found in the East Indies; -- so called because the color markings often resemble printed music. Sometimes applied to other shells similarly marked. -- To face the music, to meet any disagreeable necessity, such as a reprimand for an error or misdeed, without flinching. [Colloq. or Slang]


word: Musical
definition:
Musical

Mu"sic*al
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. musical.]
Of or pertaining to music; having the qualities of music; or the power of producing music; devoted to music; melodious; harmonious; as, musical proportion; a musical voice; musical instruments; a musical sentence; musical persons.

Musical box, or Music box, a box or case containing apparatus moved by clockwork so as to play certain tunes automatically.  The apparatus may be driven by a wind-up spring mechanism or by batteries. -- Musical fish (Zool.), any fish which utters sounds under water, as the drumfish, grunt, gizzard shad, etc. -- Musical glasses, glass goblets or bowls so tuned and arranged that when struck, or rubbed, they produce musical notes.  Cf. Harmonica, 1.


word: Musical₂
definition:
Musical

Mu"sic*al
n.
1.
Music.
[Obs.]

To fetch home May with their musical.
Spenser.

2.
A social entertainment of which music is the leading feature; a musical party.
[Colloq.]

3.
A drama in which music and song are prominent features; a musical drama or musical play; as, Oklahoma! was a breakthrough in the form and popularity of the musical.


word: Music drama
definition:
Music drama

Mu"sic dra`ma
An opera in which the text and action are not interrupted by set arias, duets, etc., the music being determined throughout by dramatic appropriateness; musical drama of this character, in general.  It involves the use of a kind of melodious declamation, the development of leitmotif, great orchestral elaboration, and a fusion of poetry, music, action, and scene into an organic whole.  The term is applied esp. to the later works of Wagner: “Tristan und Isolde,” “Die Meistersinger,” “Rheingold,” “Walküre,” “Siegfried,” “Götterdämmerung,” and “Parsifal.”


word: Music hall
definition:
Music hall

Music hall
A place for public musical entertainments; specif. (Eng.), esp. a public hall for vaudeville performances, in which smoking and drinking are usually allowed in the auditorium.


word: Musician
definition:
Musician

Mu*si"cian
(?)
n.
[F. musicien.]
One skilled in the art or science of music; esp., a skilled singer, or performer on a musical instrument.


word: Musicomania
definition:
Musicomania

Mu`si*co*ma"ni*a
(?)
n.
[Music + mania: cf. F. musicomanie.]
(Med.)
A kind of monomania in which the passion for music becomes so strong as to derange the intellectual faculties.
Dunglison.


word: musing
definition:
musing

musing
adj.
Thinking long and intensely.

Syn. -- brooding, broody, contemplative, meditative, pensive, pondering, reflective, ruminative.


word: Musk
definition:
Musk

Musk
(mŭsk)
n.
[F. musc, L. muscus, Per. musk, fr. Skr. mushka testicle, orig., a little mouse. See Mouse, and cd. Abelmosk, Muscadel, Muscovy duck, Nutmeg.]
1.
A substance of a reddish brown color, and when fresh of the consistency of honey, obtained from a bag being behind the navel of the male musk deer.  It has a slightly bitter taste, but is specially remarkable for its powerful and enduring odor.  It is used in medicine as a stimulant antispasmodic.  The term is also applied to secretions of various other animals, having a similar odor.

2.
(Zool.)
The musk deer. See Musk deer (below).

3.
The perfume emitted by musk, or any perfume somewhat similar.

4.
(Bot.)
(a)
The musk plant (Mimulus moschatus).
(b)
A plant of the genus Erodium (Erodium moschatum); -- called also musky heron's-bill.
(c)
A plant of the genus Muscari; grape hyacinth.

Musk beaver (Zool.), muskrat (1). -- Musk beetle (Zool.), a European longicorn beetle (Aromia moschata), having an agreeable odor resembling that of attar of roses. -- Musk cat. See Bondar. -- Musk cattle (Zool.), musk oxen. See Musk ox (below). -- Musk deer (Zool.), a small hornless deer (Moschus moschiferus), which inhabits the elevated parts of Central Asia.  The upper canine teeth of the male are developed into sharp tusks, curved downward.  The male has scent bags on the belly, from which the musk of commerce is derived.  The deer is yellow or red-brown above, whitish below.  The pygmy musk deer are chevrotains, as the kanchil and napu. -- Musk duck. (Zool.) (a) The Muscovy duck. (b) An Australian duck (Biziura lobata). -- Musk lorikeet (Zool.), the Pacific lorikeet (Glossopsitta australis) of Australia. -- Musk mallow (Bot.), a name of two malvaceous plants: (a) A species of mallow (Malva moschata), the foliage of which has a faint musky smell. (b) An Asiatic shrub. See Abelmosk. -- Musk orchis (Bot.), a European plant of the Orchis family (Herminium Minorchis); -- so called from its peculiar scent. -- Musk ox (Zool.), an Arctic hollow-horned ruminant (Ovibos moschatus), now existing only in America, but found fossil in Europe and Asia.  It is covered with a thick coat of fine yellowish wool, and with long dark hair, which is abundant and shaggy on the neck and shoulders.  The full-grown male weighs over four hundred pounds. -- Musk parakeet. (Zool.) Same as Musk lorikeet (above). -- Musk pear (Bot.), a fragrant kind of pear much resembling the Seckel pear. -- Musk plant (Bot.), the Mimulus moschatus, a plant found in Western North America, often cultivated, and having a strong musky odor. -- Musk root (Bot.), the name of several roots with a strong odor, as that of the nard (Nardostachys Jatamansi) and of a species of Angelica. -- Musk rose (Bot.), a species of rose (Rosa moschata), having peculiarly fragrant white blossoms. -- Musk seed (Bot.), the seed of a plant of the Mallow family (Hibiscus moschatus), used in perfumery and in flavoring. See Abelmosk. -- Musk sheep (Zool.), the musk ox. -- Musk shrew (Zool.), a shrew (Sorex murinus), found in India.  It has a powerful odor of musk.  Called also sondeli, and mondjourou. -- Musk thistle (Bot.), a species of thistle (Carduus nutans), having fine large flowers, and leaves smelling strongly of musk. -- Musk tortoise, Musk turtle (Zool.), a small American fresh-water tortoise (Armochelys odorata syn. Ozotheca odorata), which has a distinct odor of musk; -- called also stinkpot.


word: Muskellunge
definition:
Muskellunge

Mus"kel*lunge
(?)
n.
[From the Amer. Indian name.]
(Zool.)
A large American pike (Esox masquinongy formerly Esox nobilior) found in the Great Lakes, and other Northern lakes, and in the St. Lawrence River. It is valued as a food fish.
[Written also maskallonge, maskalonge, maskinonge, muskallonge, muskellonge, and muskelunjeh.]


word: Musket
definition:
Musket

Mus"ket
(?)
n.
[F. mousquet, It. moschetto, formerly, a kind of hawk; cf. OF. mousket, moschet, a kind of hawk falcon, F. mouchet, prop., a little fly (the hawk prob. being named from its size), fr. L. musca a fly.  Cf. Mosquito.]
[Sometimes written also musquet.]
1.
(Zool.)
The male of the sparrow hawk.

2.
A species of firearm formerly carried by the infantry of an army.  It was originally fired by means of a match, or matchlock, for which several mechanical appliances (including the flintlock, and finally the percussion lock) were successively substituted.  This arm has been completely superseded by the rifle, and is now only of historical interest.


word: Musketeer
definition:
Musketeer

Mus`ket*eer"
(?)
n.
[F. mousquetaire; cf. It. moschettiere.]
A soldier armed with a musket.


word: Musketoon
definition:
Musketoon

Mus`ket*oon"
(?)
n.
[F. mousqueton; cf. It. moschettone.]
1.
A short musket.

2.
One who is armed with such a musket.


word: Musketry
definition:
Musketry

Mus"ket*ry
(?)
n.
[F. mousqueterie; cf. It. moschetteria.]
1.
Muskets, collectively.

2.
The fire of muskets.
Motley.


word: Muskmelon
definition:
Muskmelon

Musk"mel`on
(?)
n.
[Musk + melon.]
(Bot.)
The fruit of a cucurbitaceous plant (Cucumis Melo) of the gourd family, having a peculiar aromatic flavor, and cultivated in many varieties, the principal sorts being the cantaloupe, of oval form and yellowish flesh, and the smaller nutmeg melon with greenish flesh.  See Illust. of Melon.


word: Muskogees
definition:
Muskogees

Mus*ko"gees
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Muskogee (_;)
(Ethnol.)
A powerful tribe of North American Indians that formerly occupied the region of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.  They constituted a large part of the Creek confederacy.
[Written also Muscogees.]


word: Muskrat
definition:
Muskrat

Musk"rat`
(?)
n.
1.
(Zool.)
A North American aquatic fur-bearing rodent (Ondatra zibethica formerly Fiber zibethicus).  It resembles a rat in color and having a long scaly tail, but the tail is compressed, the hind feet are webbed, and the ears are concealed in the fur.  It has scent glands which secrete a substance having a strong odor of musk.  Called also musquash, musk beaver, ondatra, and sometimes water rat.

2.
(Zool.)
The musk shrew.

3.
(Zool.)
The desman.


word: Muskwood
definition:
Muskwood

Musk"wood`
(?)
n.
[So called from its fragrance.]
(Bot.)
(a)
The wood of a West Indian tree of the Mahogany family (Moschoxylum Swartzii).
(b)
The wood of an Australian tree (Eurybia argophylla).


word: Muslin
definition:
Muslin

Mus"lin
(?)
n.
[F. mousseline; cf. It. mussolino, mussolo, Sp. muselina; all from Mussoul a city of Mesopotamia, Ar. Mausil, Syr. Mauzol, Muzol, Mosul, where it was first manufactured.  Cf. Mull a kind of cloth.]
A thin cotton, white, dyed, or printed.  The name is also applied to coarser and heavier cotton goods; as, shirting and sheeting muslins.  In sheeting, muslin is not as finely woven as percale.

Muslin cambric. See Cambric. -- Muslin delaine, a light woolen fabric for women's dresses. See Delaine. [Written also mousseline de laine.]


word: Musmon
definition:
Musmon

Mus"mon
(?)
n.
[L. musmo, musimo, a Sardinian animal; cf. Gr. moy`smwn.]
(Zool.)
See Mouflon.


word: Musquash
definition:
Musquash

Mus"quash
(?)
n.
[American Indian name.]
(Zool.)
See Muskrat.

Musquash root (Bot.), an umbelliferous plant (Cicuta maculata), having a poisonous root. See Water hemlock.


word: Musrol
definition:
Musrol

Musrole

{ Mus"role, Mus"rol  }
(?)
n.
[F. muserolle, fr. muserau a muzzle, OF. musel. See Muzzle.]
The nose band of a horse's bridle.


word: Muss
definition:
Muss

Muss
(?)
n.
[Cf. OF. mousche a fly, also, the play called muss, fr. L. musca a fly.]
A scramble, as when small objects are thrown down, to be taken by those who can seize them; a confused struggle.
Shak.


word: Muss₂
definition:
Muss

Muss
n.
A state of confusion or disorder; -- prob. variant of mess, but influenced by muss, a scramble.
[Colloq. U.S.]


word: Muss₃
definition:
Muss

Muss
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mussed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mussing.]
To disarrange, as clothing; to rumple; -- often used with up; as, the wind mussed up my hair.
[Colloq. U.S.]


word: Mussel
definition:
Mussel

Mus"sel
(?)
n.
[See Muscle, 3.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any one of many species of marine bivalve shells of the genus Mytilus, and related genera, of the family Mytidae.  The common mussel (Mytilus edulis; see Illust. under Byssus), and the larger, or horse, mussel (Modiola modiolus), inhabiting the shores both of Europe and America, are edible. The former is extensively used as food in Europe.

2.
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of Unio, and related fresh-water genera; -- called also river mussel. See Naiad, and Unio.

Mussel digger (Zool.), the grayback whale. See Gray whale, under Gray.


word: Mussitation
definition:
Mussitation

Mus`si*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. mussitatio suppression of the voice, fr. mussitare to be silent, to murmur.]
A speaking in a low tone; mumbling.
[Obs.]


word: Mussulman
definition:
Mussulman

Mus"sul*man
n.
pl. Mussulmans (#).
[Ar. muslimīn, pl. of muslim: cf. F. & Sp. musulman. See Moslem.]
A Muslim; a Moslem.


word: Mussulmanic
definition:
Mussulmanic

Mus`sul*man"ic
(?)
a.
Of, pertaining to, or like, the Muslims (Mussulmans), or their customs: Islamic.


word: Must
definition:
Must

Must
(mŭst)
v. i. or auxiliary
[OE. moste, a pret. generally meaning, could, was free to, pres. mot, moot, AS. m&omacrste, pret. m&omacrt, pres.; akin to D. moetan to be obliged, OS. m&omacrtan to be free, to be obliged, OHG. muozan, G. müssen to be obliged, Sw. måste must, Goth. gam&omacrtan to have place, have room, to able; of unknown origin.]
1.
To be obliged; to be necessitated; -- expressing either physical or moral necessity; as, a man must eat for nourishment; we must submit to the laws.

2.
To be morally required; to be necessary or essential to a certain quality, character, end, or result; as, he must reconsider the matter; he must have been insane.

Likewise must the deacons be grave.
1 Tim. iii. 8.

Morover, he [a bishop] must have a good report of them which are without.
1 Tim. iii. 7.

&hand_; The principal verb, if easily supplied by the mind, was formerly often omitted when must was used; as, I must away. “I must to Coventry.” Shak.


word: Must₂
definition:
Must

Must
n.
[AS. must, fr. L. mustum (sc. vinum), from mustus young, new, fresh.  Cf. Mustard.]
1.
The expressed juice of the grape, or other fruit, before fermentation.
must
Wyclif (Acts ii. 13.).

No fermenting must fills . . . the deep vats.
Longfellow.

2.
[Cf. Musty.]
Mustiness.


word: musth
definition:
musth

must

must, musth
(mŭst)
a.
[Hind. mast intoxicated, ruttish, fr. Skr. matta, p.p. of mad to rejoice, intoxicate.]
(Zool.)
Being in a condition of dangerous frenzy, usually connected with sexual excitement; -- said of adult male elephants which become so at irregular intervals, typicaly due to increased testosterone levels.
n. (a) The condition of frenzy. (b) An elephant in must.


word: Mustache
definition:
Mustache

Mus*tache"
(mŭs*tȧsh"; 277)
n.
pl. Mustaches (_;).
[Written also moustache.]
[F. moustache, It. mostaccio visage, mostacchio mustache, fr. Gr. my`stax upper lip and the beard upon it; cf. ma`stax mouth: cf. Sp. mostacho.]
1.
That part of the beard which grows on the upper lip; hair left growing above the mouth.

2.
(Zool.)
A West African monkey (Cercopithecus cephus). It has yellow whiskers, and a triangular blue mark on the nose.

3.
(Zool.)
Any conspicuous stripe of color on the side of the head, beneath the eye of a bird.

4.
A stain or discoloration on the upper lip of a person; as, wearing a milk mustache.
[informal]


word: Mustahfiz
definition:
Mustahfiz

Mus`tah"fiz`
(?)
n.
[Turk. & Ar. musta&hsdot_;fi&zsdot_; who trusts to another's keeping, a soldier of a garrison.]
See Army organization, above.


word: Mustaiba
definition:
Mustaiba

Mus`ta*i"ba
(?)
n.
A close-grained, heavy wood of a brownish color, brought from Brazil, and used in turning, for making the handles of tools, and the like.
[Written also mostahiba.]
MaElrath.


word: Mustang
definition:
Mustang

Mus"tang
(?)
n.
[Sp. musteño belonging to the graziers, strayed, wild.]
(Zool.)
The half-wild horse of the plains in Mexico, California, etc.  It is small, hardy, and easily sustained.

Mustard grape (Bot.), a species of grape (Vitis candicans), native in Arkansas and Texas.  The berries are small, light-colored, with an acid skin and a sweet pulp.


word: Mustard
definition:
Mustard

Mus"tard
(?)
n.
[OF. moustarde, F. moutarde, fr. L. mustum must, -- mustard was prepared for use by being mixed with must. See Must, n.]
1.
(Bot.)
The name of several cruciferous plants of the genus Brassica (formerly Sinapis), as white mustard (Brassica alba), black mustard (Brassica Nigra), wild mustard or charlock (Brassica Sinapistrum).

&hand_; There are also many herbs of the same family which are called mustard, and have more or less of the flavor of the true mustard; as, bowyer's mustard (Lepidium ruderale); hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale); Mithridate mustard (Thlaspi arvense); tower mustard (Arabis perfoliata); treacle mustard (Erysimum cheiranthoides).

2.
A powder or a paste made from the seeds of black or white mustard, used as a condiment and a rubefacient.  Taken internally it is stimulant and diuretic, and in large doses is emetic.

Mustard oil (Chem.), a substance obtained from mustard, as a transparent, volatile and intensely pungent oil.  The name is also extended to a number of analogous compounds produced either naturally or artificially.


word: Mustela
definition:
Mustela

Mustela
prop. n.
The type genus of the family Mustelidae: minks and weasels.

Syn. -- genus Mustela.


word: mustelid
definition:
mustelid

mustelid
n.
A member of the Mustelidae, fissiped fur-bearing carnivorous mammals.

Syn. -- musteline mammal, musteline.


word: Mustelidae
definition:
Mustelidae

Mustelidae
prop. n.
A natural family of fissiped fur-bearing carnivorous mammals including the weasels; polecats; ferrets; minks; fishers; otters; badgers; skunks; wolverines; and martens.

Syn. -- family Mustelidae.


word: Musteline
definition:
Musteline

Mus"te*line
(?)
a.
[L. mustelinus, fr. mustela weasel.]
(Zool.)
Like or pertaining to the family Mustelidae, or the weasels and martens.


word: Mustelus
definition:
Mustelus

Mustelus
prop. n.
A genus of sharks including certain of the smooth dogfishes.

Syn. -- genus Mustelus.


word: Muster
definition:
Muster

Mus"ter
(?)
n.
[OE. moustre, OF. mostre, moustre, F. montre, LL. monstra. See Muster, v. t.]
1.
Something shown for imitation; a pattern.
[Obs.]

2.
A show; a display.
[Obs.]
Piers Plowman.

3.
An assembling or review of troops, as for parade, verification of numbers, inspection, exercise, or introduction into service.

The hurried muster of the soldiers of liberty.
Hawthorne.

See how in warlike muster they appear,
In rhombs, and wedges, and half-moons, and wings.
Milton.

4.
The sum total of an army when assembled for review and inspection; the whole number of effective men in an army.

And the muster was thirty thousands of men.
Wyclif.

Ye publish the musters of your own bands, and proclaim them to amount of thousands.
Hooker.

5.
Any assemblage or display; a gathering.

Of the temporal grandees of the realm, mentof their wives and daughters, the muster was great and splendid.
Macaulay.

Muster book, a book in which military forces are registered. -- Muster file, a muster roll. -- Muster master (Mil.), one who takes an account of troops, and of their equipment; a mustering officer; an inspector. [Eng.] -- Muster roll (Mil.), a list or register of all the men in a company, troop, or regiment, present or accounted for on the day of muster. -- To pass muster, to pass through a muster or inspection without censure.

Such excuses will not pass muster with God.
South.


word: Muster₂
definition:
Muster

Mus"ter
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mustered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mustering.]
[OE. mustren, prop., to show, OF. mostrer, mustrer, moustrer, monstrer, F. montrer, fr. L. monstrare to show. See Monster.]
1.
To collect and display; to assemble, as troops for parade, inspection, exercise, or the like.
Spenser.

2.
Hence: To summon together; to enroll in service; to get together.
all its force
Cowper.

All the gay feathers he could muster.
L'Estrange.

To muster troops into service (Mil.), to inspect and enter troops on the muster roll of the army. -- To muster troops out of service (Mil.), to register them for final payment and discharge. -- To muster up, to gather up; to succeed in obtaining; to obtain with some effort or difficulty.

One of those who can muster up sufficient sprightliness to engage in a game of forfeits.
Hazlitt.


word: Muster₃
definition:
Muster

Mus"ter
v. i.
To be gathered together for parade, inspection, exercise, or the like; to come together as parts of a force or body; as, his supporters mustered in force.
mustering
Byron.


word: Musty
definition:
Musty

Mus"ty
(?)
a.
[Compar. Mustier (?); superl. Mustiest.]
[From L. mustum must; or perh. fr. E. moist.  Cf. Must, n., Moist.]
1.
Having the rank, pungent, offensive odor and taste which substances of organic origin acquire during warm, moist weather; foul or sour and fetid; moldy; as, musty corn; musty books.
Harvey.

2.
Spoiled by age; rank; stale.

The proverb is somewhat musty.
Shak.

3.
Dull; heavy; spiritless.
musty
Addison.


word: Mutability
definition:
Mutability

Mu`ta*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. mutabilitas: cf. F. mutabilité.]
The quality of being mutable, or subject to change or alteration, either in form, state, or essential character; susceptibility of change; changeableness; inconstancy; variation.

Plato confessed that the heavens and the frame of the world are corporeal, and therefore subject to mutability.
Stillingfleet.


word: Mutable
definition:
Mutable

Mu"ta*ble
(?)
a.
[L. mutabilis, fr. mutare to change. See Move.]
1.
Capable of alteration; subject to change; changeable in form, qualities, or nature.

Things of the most accidental and mutable nature.
South.

2.
Changeable; inconstant; unsettled; unstable; fickle.
mutable
Byron.


word: mutagen
definition:
mutagen

mu"ta*gen
(mū"tȧ*jĕn)
n.
A chemical compound or other external influence (such as ionizing radiation) which causes mutations{3}.


word: mutagenesis
definition:
mutagenesis

mu`ta*gen"e*sis
(mū`tȧ*jĕn"e̝*sĭs)
n.
the causing of a mutation or the occurrence of a mutation{3}.


word: mutagenicity
definition:
mutagenicity

mu`ta*gen*i"ci*ty
(?)
n.
the degree or measure of the ability to cause mutation{3};  -- said of mutagens.


word: mutandum
definition:
mutandum

mu*tan"dum
(m&uuptack_;*tăn"dŭm)
n.
pl. Mutanda (m&uuptack_;*tăn"dȧ).
[L., fr. mutare to change.]
A thing which is to be changed; something which must be altered; -- used chiefly in the plural.


word: mutation
definition:
mutation

mu*ta"tion
(m&uuptack_;*tā"shŭn)
n.
[L. mutatio, fr. mutare to change: cf. F. mutation. See Mutable.]
Change; alteration, either in form or qualities.

The vicissitude or mutations in the superior globe are no fit matter for this present argument.
Bacon.

2.
(Biol.)
Gradual definitely tending variation, such as may be observed in a group of organisms in the fossils of successive geological levels.

3.
(Biol.)
(a)
As now employed (first by de Vries), a cellular process resulting in a sudden inheritable variation (the offspring differing from its parents in some well-marked character or characters) as distinguished from a gradual variation in which the new characters become fully developed only in the course of many generations.  The occurrence of mutations, the selection of strains carrying mutations permitting enhanced survival under prevailing conditions, and the mechanism of hereditary of the characters so appearing, are well-established facts; whether and to what extent the mutation process has played the most important part in the evolution of the existing species and other groups of organisms is an unresolved question.
(b)
The result of the above process; a suddenly produced variation.
Mutations can occur by a change in the fundamental coding sequence of the hereditary material, which in most organisms is DNA, but in some viruses is RNA.  It can also occur by rearrangement of an organism's chromosomes.  Specific mutations due to a change in DNA sequence have been recognized as causing certain specific hereditary diseases.  Certain processes which produce variation in the genotype of an organism, such as sexual mixing of chromosomes in offspring, or artificially induced recombination or introduction of novel genetic material into an organism, are not referred to as mutation.

4.
(Biol.)
a variant strain of an organism in which the hereditary variant property is caused by a mutation{3}.


word: Mutch
definition:
Mutch

Mutch
(much)
n.
[Cf. D. mutse a cap, G. mütze.  Cf. Amice a cape.]
The close linen or muslin cap of an old woman.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]


word: Mute
definition:
Mute

Mute
(mūt)
v. t.
[L. mutare to change. See Molt.]
To cast off; to molt.

Have I muted all my feathers?
Beau. & Fl.


word: Mute₂
definition:
Mute

Mute
v. t. & i.
[F. mutir, émeutir, OF. esmeltir, fr. OD. smelten, prop., to melt. See Smelt.]
To eject the contents of the bowels; -- said of birds.
B. Jonson.


word: Mute₄
definition:
Mute

Mute
a.
[L. mutus; cf. Gr. my`ein to shut, Skr. mūta bound, mūka dumb: cf. OE. muet, fr. F. muet, a dim. of OF. mu, L. mutus.]
1.
Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent.

All the heavenly choir stood mute,
And silence was in heaven.
Milton.

&hand_; In law a prisoner is said to stand mute, when, upon being arranged, he makes no answer, or does not plead directly, or will not put himself on trial.

2.
Incapable of speaking; dumb.
Dryden.

3.
Not uttered; unpronounced; silent; also, produced by complete closure of the mouth organs which interrupt the passage of breath; -- said of certain letters. See 5th Mute, 2.

4.
Not giving a ringing sound when struck; -- said of a metal.

Mute swan (Zool.), a European wild white swan (Cygnus olor syn. Cygnus gibbus), which produces no loud notes, in distinction from the Trumpeter swan.

Syn. -- Silent; dumb; speechless.
Mute, Silent, Dumb. One is silent who does not speak; one is dumb who can not, for want of the proper organs; as, a dumb beast, etc.; and hence, figuratively, we speak of a person as struck dumb with astonishment, etc.  One is mute who is held back from speaking by some special cause; as, he was mute through fear; mute astonishment, etc.  Such is the case with most of those who never speak from childhood; they are not ordinarily dumb, but mute because they are deaf, and therefore never learn to talk; and hence their more appropriate name is deaf-mutes.
[1913 Webster]
They spake not a word;
But, like dumb statues, or breathing stones,
Gazed each on other. Shak.
[1913 Webster]
All sat mute,
Pondering the danger with deep thoughts. Milton.


word: Mute₅
definition:
Mute

Mute
n.
1.
One who does not speak, whether from physical inability, unwillingness, or other cause.
Specifically:
(a)
One who, from deafness, either congenital or from early life, is unable to use articulate language; a deaf-mute.
(b)
A person employed by undertakers at a funeral.
(c)
A person whose part in a play does not require him to speak.
(d)
Among the Turks, an officer or attendant who is selected for his place because he can not speak.

2.
(Phon.)
A letter which represents no sound; a silent letter; also, a close articulation; an element of speech formed by a position of the mouth organs which stops the passage of the breath; as, p, b, d, k, t.

3.
(Mus.)
A little utensil made of brass, ivory, or other material, so formed that it can be fixed in an erect position on the bridge of a violin, or similar instrument, in order to deaden or soften the tone.


word: muted
definition:
muted

muted
adj.
1.
same as quiet; as, the muted atmosphere of a church.  Opposite of noisy.

Syn. -- hushed.

2.
softened; rendered less loud or harsh; -- of sounds and instruments which produce sounds; as, muted trumpets.

Syn. -- dull, muffled, softened.


word: Mutessarif
definition:
Mutessarif

Mu*tes`sa*rif"
(?)
n.
[Turk. & Ar. muteçarif freely disposing of anything, master.]
In Turkey prior to the revolution, an administrative authority of any of certain sanjaks.  They were appointed directly by the Sultan.


word: Mutessarifat
definition:
Mutessarifat

Mu*tes`sa*ri*fat"
(?)
n.
[Turk. & Ar. muteçarifah office of a mutessarif.]
In Turkey, a sanjak whose head is a mutessarif.


word: Muticous
definition:
Muticous

Mutic

{ Mu"tic (?), Mu"ti*cous (?), }
a.
[L. muticus, for mutilus. See Mutilate.]
(Bot. & Zool.)
Without a point or pointed process; blunt.


word: Mutilate
definition:
Mutilate

Mu"ti*late
(?)
a.
[L. mutilatus, p. p. of mutilare to mutilate, fr. mutilus maimed; cf. Gr. _;, _;.  Cf. Mutton.]
1.
Deprived of, or having lost, an important part; mutilated.
Sir T. Browne.

2.
(Zool.)
Having finlike appendages or flukes instead of legs, as a cetacean.


word: Mutilate₃
definition:
Mutilate

Mu"ti*late
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mutilated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mutilating (?).]
1.
To cut off or remove a limb or essential part of; to maim; to cripple; to disfigure; to hack; as, to mutilate the body, a statue, etc.

2.
To destroy or remove a material part of, so as to render imperfect; as, to mutilate the orations of Cicero.

Among the mutilated poets of antiquity, there is none whose fragments are so beautiful as those of Sappho.
Addison.

Mutilated gear, Mutilated wheel (Mach.), a gear wheel from a portion of whose periphery the cogs are omitted. It is used for giving intermittent movements.


word: mutilated
definition:
mutilated

mutilated
adj.
1.
badly injured, perhaps with amputation or permanent disfigurement; as, mutilated victims of the rocket attack.

Syn. -- maimed.

3.
damaged, often deliberately; -- of compositions; as, a mutilated text.  Opposite of undamaged or intact.

Syn. -- mangled, mutilated.


word: Mutilation
definition:
Mutilation

Mu`ti*la"tion
(?)
n.
[L. mutilatio: cf. F. mutilation.]
The act of mutilating, or the state of being mutilated; deprivation of a limb or of an essential part.


word: Mutinous
definition:
Mutinous

Mu"ti*nous
(?)
a.
[See Mutiny.]
Disposed to mutiny; in a state of mutiny; characterized by mutiny; seditious; insubordinate.

The city was becoming mutinous.
Macaulay.


word: Mutiny
definition:
Mutiny

Mu"ti*ny
(?)
n.
pl. Mutinies (#).
[From mutine to mutiny, fr. F. se mutiner, fr. F. mutin stubborn, mutinous, fr. OF. meute riot, LL. movita, fr. movitus, for L. motus, p. p. of movere to move. See Move.]
1.
Insurrection against constituted authority, particularly military or naval authority; concerted revolt against the rules of discipline or the lawful commands of a superior officer; hence, generally, forcible resistance to rightful authority; insubordination.

In every mutiny against the discipline of the college, he was the ringleader.
Macaulay.

2.
Violent commotion; tumult; strife.
[Obs.]

To raise a mutiny betwixt yourselves.
Shak.

Mutiny act (Law), an English statute reenacted annually to punish mutiny and desertion. Wharton.


word: Mutiny₂
definition:
Mutiny

Mu"ti*ny
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Mutinied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mutinying (?).]
1.
To rise against, or refuse to obey, lawful authority in military or naval service; to excite, or to be guilty of, mutiny or mutinous conduct; to revolt against one's superior officer, or any rightful authority.

2.
To fall into strife; to quarrel.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Mutism
definition:
Mutism

Mut"ism
(?)
n.
The condition, state, or habit of being mute, or without speech.
Max Müller.


word: Mutoscope
definition:
Mutoscope

Mu"to*scope
(?)
n.
[L. mutare to change + -scope.]
A simple form of moving-picture machine in which the series of views, exhibiting the successive phases of a scene, are printed on paper and mounted around the periphery of a wheel.  The rotation of the wheel brings them rapidly into sight, one after another, and the blended effect gives a semblance of motion.


word: Mutter
definition:
Mutter

Mut"ter
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Muttered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Muttering.]
[Prob. of imitative origin; cf. L. muttire, mutire.]
1.
To utter words indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed; esp., to utter indistinct complaints or angry expressions; to grumble; to growl.

Wizards that peep, and that mutter.
Is. viii. 19.

Meantime your filthy foreigner will stare,
And mutter to himself.
Dryden.

2.
To sound with a low, rumbling noise.

Thick lightnings flash, the muttering thunder rolls.
Pope.


word: Mutter₂
definition:
Mutter

Mut"ter
v. t.
To utter with imperfect articulations, or with a low voice; as, to mutter threats.
Shak.


word: Mutteringly
definition:
Mutteringly

Mut"ter*ing*ly
adv.
With a low voice and indistinct articulation; in a muttering manner.


word: Mutton
definition:
Mutton

Mut"ton
(?)
n.
[OE. motoun, OF. moton, molton, a sheep, wether, F. mouton, LL. multo, by transposition of l fr. L. mutilus mutilated. See Mutilate.]
1.
A sheep.
[Obs.]
Chapman.

Not so much ground as will feed a mutton.
Sir H. Sidney.

Muttons, beeves, and porkers are good old words for the living quadrupeds.
Hallam.

2.
The flesh of a sheep.

The fat of roasted mutton or beef.
Swift.

3.
A loose woman; a prostitute.
[Obs.]

Mutton bird (Zool.), the Australian short-tailed petrel (Nectris brevicaudus). -- Mutton chop, a rib of mutton for broiling, with the end of the bone at the smaller part chopped off. -- Mutton fish (Zool.), the American eelpout. See Eelpout. -- Mutton fist, a big brawny fist or hand. [Colloq.] Dryden. -- Mutton monger, a pimp. [Low & Obs.] Chapman. -- To return to one's muttons. [A translation of a phrase from a farce by De Brueys, revenons à nos moutons let us return to our sheep.] To return to one's topic, subject of discussion, etc. [Humorous]
[1913 Webster]
I willingly return to my muttons. H. R. Haweis.


word: muttonfish
definition:
muttonfish

muttonfish
n.
A fish (Lutjanus analis) similar to and often marketed as “red snapper”.

Syn. -- mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis.


word: muttonhead
definition:
muttonhead

muttonhead
n.
A stupid or foolish person; a dolt; a numbskull; a blockhead; -- disparaging and offensive.  These words are used to express a low opinion of someone's intelligence.
[disparaging]

Syn. -- dunce, dunderhead, numskull, blockhead, bonehead, lunkhead, hammerhead, knucklehead, loggerhead, shithead, fuckhead.


word: Mutual
definition:
Mutual

Mu"tu*al
(?)
a.
[F. mutuel, L. mutuus, orig., exchanged, borrowed, lent; akin to mutare to change. See Mutable.]
1.
Reciprocally acting or related; reciprocally receiving and giving; reciprocally given and received; reciprocal; interchanged; as, a mutual love, advantage, assistance, aversion, etc.

Conspiracy and mutual promise.
Sir T. More.

Happy in our mutual help,
And mutual love.
Milton.

A certain shyness on such subjects, which was mutual between the sisters.
G. Eliot.

2.
Possessed, experienced, or done by two or more persons or things at the same time; common; joint; as, mutual happiness; a mutual effort.
Burke.

A vast accession of misery and woe from the mutual weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
Bentley.

&hand_;   This use of mutual as synonymous with common is inconsistent with the idea of interchange, or reciprocal relation, which properly belongs to it; but the word has been so used by many writers of high authority.  The present tendency is toward a careful discrimination.
[1913 Webster]
Mutual, as Johnson will tell us, means something reciprocal, a giving and taking.  How could people have mutual ancestors? P. Harrison.


Mutual insurance, agreement among a number of persons to insure each other against loss, as by fire, death, or accident. -- Mutual insurance company, one which does a business of insurance on the mutual principle, the policy holders sharing losses and profits pro rata.


word: Mutualism
definition:
Mutualism

Mu"tu*al*ism
(?)
n.
(Ethics)
The doctrine of mutual dependence as the condition of individual and social welfare.
F. Harrison. H. Spencer. Mallock.


word: mutualist
definition:
mutualist

mutualist
adj.
One practising or advocating the doctrine of mutualism.

Syn. -- interdependent, mutually beneficial.


word: Mutuality
definition:
Mutuality

Mu`tu*al"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. mutualité.]
1.
The quality of correlation; reciprocation; interchange; interaction; interdependence.

2.
(Law)
Reciprocity of consideration.
Wharton.


word: mutual savings bank
definition:
mutual savings bank

mutual savings bank
n.
a state-chartered savings bank owned by its depositors and managed by a board of trustees.  Abbreviated MSB.


word: Mutuary
definition:
Mutuary

Mu"tu*a*ry
(?)
n.
[L. mutuarius mutual.See Mutuation.]
(Law)
One who borrows personal chattels which are to be consumed by him, and which he is to return or repay in kind.
Bouvier.


word: Mutuation
definition:
Mutuation

Mu`tu*a"tion
(?)
n.
[L. mutuatio, fr. mutuare, mutuari, to borrow, fr. mutuus. See Mutual.]
The act of borrowing or exchanging.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.


word: Mutule
definition:
Mutule

Mu"tule
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. mutulus.]
(Arch.)
A projecting block worked under the corona of the Doric corice, in the same situation as the modillion of the Corinthian and Composite orders. See Illust. of Gutta.
Oxf. Gloss.


word: Mux₂
definition:
Mux

Mux
v. t.
To mix in an untidy and offensive way; to make a mess of.
[Prov. Eng.; Colloq. U.S.]


word: Muzarab
definition:
Muzarab

Muz"a*rab
(?)
n.
[Sp. mozarabe, fr. Ar. mosta'rib, a name applied to strange tribes living among the Arabs.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a denomination of Christians formerly living under the government of the Moors in Spain, and having a liturgy and ritual of their own.
[Written also Mozarab, Mostarab.]
Brande & C.


word: Muzarabic
definition:
Muzarabic

Muz`a*rab"ic
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to Muzarabs; as, the Muzarabic liturgy.
[Written also Mozarabic.]


word: Muzzle
definition:
Muzzle

Muz"zle
(?)
n.
[OE. mosel, OF. musel, F. museau muzzle or snout, LL. musellus, fr. musus, morsus. See Muse, v. i., and cf. Morsel.]
1.
The projecting mouth and nose of a quadruped, as of a horse; a snout.

2.
The mouth of a thing; the end for entrance or discharge; as, the muzzle of a gun.

3.
A fastening or covering (as a band or cage) for the mouth of an animal, to prevent eating or vicious biting.

With golden muzzles all their mouths were bound
Dryden.

Muzzle sight. (Gun.) See Dispart, n., 2.


word: Muzzle₂
definition:
Muzzle

Muz"zle
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Muzzled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Muzzling (?).]
[F. museler.]
1.
To bind the mouth of; to fasten the mouth of, so as to prevent biting or eating; hence, figuratively, to bind; to sheathe; to restrain from speech or action; as, the dictator muzzled all the newspapers.
muzzled
Shak.

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.
Deut. xxv. 4.

2.
To fondle with the closed mouth.
[Obs.]
L'Estrange.


word: Muzzle₃
definition:
Muzzle

Muz"zle
v. i.
To bring the mouth or muzzle near.

The bear muzzles and smells to him.
L'Estrange.


word: Muzzle-loader
definition:
Muzzle-loader

Muz"zle-load`er
(?)
n.
A firearm which receives its charge through the muzzle, as distinguished from one which is loaded at the breech.


word: Muzzle-loading
definition:
Muzzle-loading

Muz"zle-load`ing
a.
Receiving its charge through the muzzle; as, a muzzle-loading rifle.


word: Muzzy
definition:
Muzzy

Muz"zy
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. muse.]
Absent-minded; dazed; muddled; stupid.

The whole company stared at me with a whimsical, muzzy look, like men whose senses were a little obfuscated by beer rather than wine.
W. Irving.


word: MVP
definition:
MVP

MVP
n.
(acron.)
most valuable player; the player judged to be the most important to the sport, also the name of the award given to that player.
[abbreviation]


word: My
definition:
My

My
(mī)
a. & poss. pron.
[OE. mi, fr. min. See Mine, and cf., for loss of n, A, a., An, a.]
Of or belonging to me; -- used always attributively; as, my body; my book; -- mine is used in the predicate; as, the book is mine. See Mine.


word: Mya
definition:
Mya

My"a
(?)
prop. n.
[L. mya a kind of mussel.]
(Zool.)
A genus of bivalve mollusks, including the common long, or soft-shelled, clam.


word: Myadestes
definition:
Myadestes

Myadestes
prop. n.
A genus of birds including  the solitaires, thrushes noted for their beautiful songs.


word: Myalgia
definition:
Myalgia

My*al"gi*a
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; muscle + _; pain.]
(Med.)
Pain in the muscles; muscular rheumatism or neuralgia.


word: Myall wood
definition:
Myall wood

My*all" wood`
(?)
(Bot.)
A durable, fragrant, and dark-colored Australian wood, used by the natives for spears. It is obtained from the small tree Acacia homolophylla.


word: Myaria
definition:
Myaria

My*a"ri*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL.]
(Zool.)
A division of bivalve mollusks of which the common clam (Mya) is the type.


word: Mycelium
definition:
Mycelium

My*ce"li*um
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. my`khs a mushroom.]
(Bot.)
The white threads or filamentous growth from which a mushroom or fungus is developed; the so-called mushroom spawn.
My*ce"li*al (#), a.


word: Mycetes
definition:
Mycetes

My*ce"tes
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. mykhth`s a bellower, fr. myka^sqai to bellow.]
(Zool.)
A genus of South American monkeys, including the howlers. See Howler, 2, and Illust.


word: Mycetozoa
definition:
Mycetozoa

My*ce`to*zo"a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL.; Gr. my`khs, my`khtos, fungus + _; pl. of zw^,on an animal.]
(Zool.)
The Myxomycetes; -- so called by those who regard them as a class of animals.
My*ce`to*zo"an (#), a.


word: mycobacteria
definition:
mycobacteria

mycobacteria
n. pl.
A group of rod-shaped bacteria, some saprophytic or causing diseases.

Syn. -- mycobacterium.


word: mycobacterium
definition:
mycobacterium

mycobacterium
n.
pl. mycobacteria (#).
Any of various rod-shaped bacteria, some saprophytic or causing diseases.


word: mycoderma
definition:
mycoderma

my`co*der"ma
(?)
n.
[NL., from Gr. my`khs a fungus + de`rma skin.]
1.
(Biol.)
One of the forms in which bacteria group themselves; a more or less thick layer of motionless but living bacteria, formed by the bacteria uniting on the surface of the fluid in which they are developed.  This production differs from the zoogloea stage of bacteria by not having the intermediary mucous substance.

2.
(Capitalized)
A genus of microorganisms of which the acetic ferment (Mycoderma aceti), which converts alcoholic fluids into vinegar, is a representative.  Cf. Mother.


word: Mycological
definition:
Mycological

Mycologic

{ My`co*log"ic (?), My`co*log"ic*al (?), }
a.
Of or relating to mycology, or the fungi.


word: Mycology
definition:
Mycology

My*col"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Gr. my`khs fungus + -logy.]
That branch of botanical science which relates to the mushrooms and other fungi.


word: Mycomelic
definition:
Mycomelic

My`co*mel"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. (spurious) my^kos mucus (L. mucus) + me`li honey.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a complex nitrogenous acid of the alloxan group, obtained as a honey-yellow powder.  Its solutions have a gelatinous consistency.


word: Mycoprotein
definition:
Mycoprotein

My`co*pro"te*in
(?)
n.
[Gr. (spurious) my^kos mucus (L. mucus) + E. protein.]
(Biol.)
The protoplasmic matter of which bacteria are composed.
[archaic]


word: Mycose
definition:
Mycose

My"cose
(mī"k&omacrs)
n.
[Gr. my`khs a mushroom.]
(Chem.)
A variety of sugar, isomeric with sucrose and obtained from certain lichens and fungi.  Called also trehalose.
[Written also mykose.]


word: Mycothrix
definition:
Mycothrix

Myc"o*thrix
(mīk"o̝*thrĭks)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. (spurious) my`khs mucus (L. mucus) + qri`x, tricho`s, hair.]
(Biol.)
The chain of micrococci formed by the division of the micrococci in multiplication.


word: Mycteria
definition:
Mycteria

Mycteria
prop. n.
A genus of birds including certain of the wood ibises, including the endangered Mycteria americana; it is sometimes assigned to a subfamily Mycteriinae.

Syn. -- genus Mycteria.


word: Mydaleine
definition:
Mydaleine

My*da"le*ine
(?)
n.
[Gr. myda^n to be clammy (from decay).]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A toxic alkaloid (ptomaine) obtained from putrid flesh and from herring brines.  As a poison it is said to execute profuse diarrhoea, vomiting, and intestinal inflammation.
Brieger.


word: Mydatoxin
definition:
Mydatoxin

Myd`a*tox"in
(?)
n.
[Gr. myda^n to be clammy (from decay) + toxic + in.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A poisonous amido acid, C6H13NO2, separated by Brieger from decaying horseflesh. In physiological action, it is similar to curare.


word: Mydriasis
definition:
Mydriasis

My*dri"a*sis
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;.]
(Physiol. & Med.)
A long-continued or excessive dilatation of the pupil of the eye.


word: Mydriatic
definition:
Mydriatic

Myd`ri*at"ic
(?)
a.
Causing dilatation of the pupil.
n. A mydriatic medicine or agent, as belladonna.


word: Myelencephalic
definition:
Myelencephalic

My`e*len`ce*phal"ic
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the myelencephalon; cerebro-spinal.


word: Myelencephalon
definition:
Myelencephalon

My`e*len*ceph"a*lon
(?)
n.
[NL., from Gr. myelo`s marrow + E. encephalon.]
(Anat.)
(a)
The brain and spinal cord; the cerebro-spinal axis.  Sometimes abbreviated to myelencephal.
(b)
The metencephalon.
Huxley.


word: myeline
definition:
myeline

myelin

my"e*lin, my"e*line
(?)
n.
[Gr. myelo`s marrow.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
(a)
A soft white substance constituting the medullary sheaths of nerve fibers, and composed mainly of cholesterin, lecithin, cerebrin, protein, and some fat.
(b)
One of a group of phosphorized principles occurring in nerve tissue, both in the brain and nerve fibers.


word: Myelitis
definition:
Myelitis

My`e*li"tis
(?)
n.
[NL., from Gr. myelo`s marrow + -itis.]
(Med.)
1.
Inflammation of the spinal marrow or its membranes.

3.
Inflammation of bone marrow.


word: Myelocoele
definition:
Myelocoele

My"e*lo*coele`
(?)
n.
[Gr. myelo`s marrow + koi^los hollow.]
(Anat.)
The central canal of the spinal cord.


word: Myelogenic
definition:
Myelogenic

My`e*lo*gen"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. myelo`s marrow + the root of gi`gnesqai to be born.]
(Physiol.)
Derived from, or pertaining to, the bone marrow.


word: Myeloid
definition:
Myeloid

My"e*loid
(?)
a.
[Gr. myelo`s marrow + -oid.]
Resembling marrow in appearance or consistency; as, a myeloid tumor.


word: Myeloidin
definition:
Myeloidin

My`e*loid"in
(?)
n.
[Myelin + -oid + -in.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A substance, present in the protoplasm of the retinal epithelium cells, and resembling, if not identical with, the substance (myelin) forming the medullary sheaths of nerve fibers.


word: Myelon
definition:
Myelon

My"e*lon
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. myelo`s marrow.]
(Anat.)
The spinal cord. (Sometimes abbrev. to myel.)


word: Myelonal
definition:
Myelonal

My"e*lo`nal
(?)
a.
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the myelon; as, the myelonal, or spinal, nerves.


word: Myeloneura
definition:
Myeloneura

My`e*lo*neu"ra
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. myelo`s + ney^ron a nerve.]
(Zool.)
The Vertebrata.


word: Myeloplax
definition:
Myeloplax

My*el"o*plax
(?)
n.
pl. E. Myeloplaxes (#), L. Myeloplaces (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. myelo`s marrow + _; anything flat and broad.]
(Anat.)
One of the huge multinucleated cells found in the marrow of bone and occasionally in other parts; a giant cell. See Osteoclast.


word: Mygale
definition:
Mygale

Myg"a*le
(?)
prop. n.
[L., a field mouse, Gr. _;.]
(Zool.)
A genus of very large hairy spiders of the family Ctenizidae, having four lungs and only four spinnerets.  They do not spin webs, but usually construct tubes in the earth, which are often furnished with a trapdoor.  The South American bird spider (Mygale avicularia), and the crab spider, or matoutou (Mygale cancerides) are among the largest species.  They are also called trapdoor spiders.  Some of the species are erroneously called tarantulas, as the Texas tarantula (Mygale Hentzii).


word: Mykiss
definition:
Mykiss

My"kiss
(?)
n.
[Russ. muikize, prob. fr. a native name.]
(Zool.)
A salmon (Salmo mykiss, syn. Salmo purpuratus) marked with black spots and a red throat, found in most of the rivers from Alaska to the Colorado River, and in Siberia; -- called also black-spotted trout, cutthroat trout, and redthroat trout.


word: Mylitta
definition:
Mylitta

Mylitta
prop. n.
(Babylonian and Assyrian Mythology)
The goddess of love and fertility and war; also called Ishtar; the counterpart of Ashtoreth and Astarte.

Syn. -- Ishtar.


word: Mylodon
definition:
Mylodon

Myl"o*don
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; a mill + 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth.]
(Paleon.)
An extinct genus of large slothlike American edentates, allied to Megatherium.


word: Mylodontidae
definition:
Mylodontidae

Mylodontidae
n.
A natural family of extinct South American edentates.

Syn. -- family Mylodontidae.


word: Mylohyoid
definition:
Mylohyoid

My`lo*hy"oid
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; the molar teeth + E. hyoid.]
(Anat.)
Pertaining to, or in the region of, the lower jaw and the hyoid apparatus; as, the mylohyoid nerve.


word: mynah
definition:
mynah

myna

my"na, my"nah
(?)
n.
[See Mino bird.]
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of Asiatic starlings of the genera Acridotheres, Sturnopastor, Sturnia, Gracula, and allied genera.  In habits they resemble the European starlings, and like them are often caged and taught to talk.  See Hill myna, under Hill, and Mino bird.
[Spelt also mynah.]


word: Mynchery
definition:
Mynchery

Myn"cher*y
(?)
n.
A nunnery; -- a term still applied to the ruins of certain nunneries in England.


word: Myocardium
definition:
Myocardium

My`o*car"di*um
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, _;, muscle + _; heart.]
(Anat.)
The main substance of the muscular wall of the heart inclosed between the epicardium and endocardium.


word: Myochrome
definition:
Myochrome

My"o*chrome
(?)
n.
[Myo- + Gr. _; color.]
(Physiol.)
A colored albuminous substance in the serum from red-colored muscles.  It is identical with hemoglobin.


word: Myocomma
definition:
Myocomma

My`o*com"ma
(?)
n.
pl. L. Myocommata (#), E. Myocommas (#).
[NL. See Myo-, and Comma.]
(Anat.)
A myotome.


word: Myodynamics
definition:
Myodynamics

My`o*dy*nam"ics
(?)
n.
[Myo- + dynamics.]
(Physiol.)
The department of physiology which deals with the principles of muscular contraction; the exercise of muscular force or contraction.


word: Myodynamometer
definition:
Myodynamometer

My`o*dy`na*mom"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Myo- + E. dynamometer.]
(Physiol.)
An instrument for measuring the muscular strength of man or of other animals; a dynamometer.
Dunglison.


word: Myoepithelial
definition:
Myoepithelial

My`o*ep`i*the"li*al
(?)
a.
[Myo- + epithelial.]
1.
(Biol.)
Derived from epithelial cells and destined to become a part of the muscular system; -- applied to structural elements in certain embryonic forms.

2.
(Zool.)
Having the characteristics of both muscle and epithelium; as, the myoepithelial cells of the hydra.


word: Myogalid
definition:
Myogalid

My*og"a*lid
(?)
n.
[Myo- + Gr. _; a weasel.]
(Zool.)
One of the Myogalodae, a family of Insectivora, including the desman, and allied species.


word: Myograph
definition:
Myograph

My"o*graph
(?)
n.
[Myo- + -graph.]
(Physiol.)
An instrument for determining and recording the different phases, as the intensity, velocity, etc., of a muscular contraction.


word: Myographical
definition:
Myographical

Myographic

{ My`o*graph"ic (?), My`o*graph"ic*al (?), }
a.
Of or pertaining to myography.


word: Myography
definition:
Myography

My*og"ra*phy
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. myographie.]
The description of muscles, including the study of muscular contraction by the aid of registering apparatus, as by some form of myograph; myology.


word: Myohaematin
definition:
Myohaematin

My`o*haem"a*tin
(?)
n.
[Myo- + haematin.]
(Physiol.)
A red-colored respiratory pigment found associated with hemoglobin in the muscle tissue of a large number of animals, both vertebrate and invertebrate.


word: Myology
definition:
Myology

My*ol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Myo- + -logy: cf. F. myologie.]
That part of anatomy which treats of muscles.


word: Myomorpha
definition:
Myomorpha

My`o*mor"pha
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. my^s, myo`s, a mouse + morfh` form.]
(Zool.)
An extensive group of rodents which includes the rats, mice, jerboas, and many allied forms.


word: Myopathia
definition:
Myopathia

My`o*pa*thi"a
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, _;, a muscle + _;, _;, to suffer.]
(Med.)
Any affection of the muscles or muscular system.


word: Myope
definition:
Myope

My"ope
(?)
n.
[F., fr. Gr. _;, _;; _; to close, shut the eyes + _;, _;, the eye.]
A person having myopia; a myops.


word: Myophan
definition:
Myophan

My"o*phan
(?)
n.
[Myo- + Gr. _; to show.]
(Zool.)
A contractile striated layer found in the bodies and stems of certain Infusoria.


word: Myopia
definition:
Myopia

My*o"pi*a
(?)
n.
[NL. See Myope.]
(Med.)
Nearsightedness; shortsightedness; a condition of the eye in which the rays from distant object are brought to a focus before they reach the retina, and hence form an indistinct image; while the rays from very near objects are normally converged so as to produce a distinct image.  It is corrected by the use of a concave lens.


word: Myopic
definition:
Myopic

My*op"ic
(?)
a.
Pertaining to, or affected with, or characterized by, myopia; nearsighted.

Myopic astigmatism, a condition in which the eye is affected with myopia in one meridian only.


word: Myopsis
definition:
Myopsis

My*op"sis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; fly + _; sight.]
(Med.)
The appearance of muscae volitantes. See Muscae volitantes, under Musca.


word: Myosin
definition:
Myosin

My"o*sin
(?)
n.
[Gr. my^s, myo`s a muscle.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A protein present in muscle, serving as the principle contractile protein in muscle contraction.
It was earlier considered as being formed in the process of coagulation which takes place in rigor mortis.  See Muscle plasma, under Plasma.

&hand_; Myosin belongs to the group of globulins.  It is insoluble in water, but soluble in dilute solution of salt, and is especially characterized by being completely precipitated by saturation of its solutions with salt.


word: Myosis
definition:
Myosis

My*o"sis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; to close the eyes or lips.]
(Med.)
Long-continued contraction of the pupil of the eye.


word: Myositis
definition:
Myositis

My`o*si"tis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, _;, muscle + -itis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the muscles.


word: Myosotis
definition:
Myosotis

My`o*so"tis
(?)
prop. n.
[NL.; Gr. _;, lit., mouse ear.]
(Bot.)
A genus of plants. See Mouse-ear.


word: Myotic
definition:
Myotic

My*ot"ic
(?)
a.
[See Myosis.]
(Med.)
Producing myosis, or contraction of the pupil of the eye, as opium, calabar bean, etc.
n. A myotic agent.


word: Myotome
definition:
Myotome

My"o*tome
(?)
n.
[See Myotomy.]
(Anat.)
(a)
A muscular segment; one of the zones into which the muscles of the trunk, especially in fishes, are divided; a myocomma.
(b)
One of the embryonic muscular segments arising from the protovertebrae; also, one of the protovertebrae themselves.
(c)
The muscular system of one metamere of an articulate.


word: Myotomy
definition:
Myotomy

My*ot"o*my
(?)
n.
[Myo- + Gr. _; to cut: cf. F. myotomie.]
The dissection, or that part of anatomy which treats of the dissection, of muscles.


word: Myrcia
definition:
Myrcia

Myr"ci*a
(?)
n.
[NL.]
(Bot.)
A large genus of tropical American trees and shrubs, nearly related to the true myrtles (Myrtus), from which they differ in having very few seeds in each berry.


word: Myria-
definition:
Myria-

Myr"i*a-
(?)
[Gr. _; a myriad. See Myriad.]
A prefix, esp. in the metric system, indicating ten thousand, ten thousand times; as, myriameter.


word: Myriacanthous
definition:
Myriacanthous

Myr`i*a*can"thous
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; numberless + 'a`kanqa a spine.]
(Zool.)
Having numerous spines, as certain fishes.


word: Myriad
definition:
Myriad

Myr"i*ad
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;, fr. _; numberless, pl. _; ten thousand: cf. F. myriade.]
1.
The number of ten thousand; ten thousand persons or things.

2.
An immense number; a very great many; an indefinitely large number.


word: Myriagramme
definition:
Myriagramme

Myriagram

{ Myr"i*a*gram, Myr"i*a*gramme  }
(?)
n.
[F. myriagramme. See Myria-, and 3d Gram.]
A metric weight, consisting of ten thousand grams or ten kilograms.  It is equal to 22.046 lbs. avoirdupois.


word: Myrialitre
definition:
Myrialitre

Myrialiter

{ Myr"i*a*li`ter, Myr"i*a*li`tre  }
(?)
n.
[F. myrialitre. See Myria-, and Liter.]
A metric measure of capacity, containing ten thousand liters.  It is equal to 2641.7 wine gallons.


word: Myriametre
definition:
Myriametre

Myriameter

{ Myr"i*a*me`ter, Myr"i*a*me`tre  }
(?)
n.
[F. myriamètre. See Myria-, and Meter.]
A metric measure of length, containing ten thousand meters.  It is equal to 6.2137 miles.


word: Myriapoda
definition:
Myriapoda

Myr`i*ap"o*da
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; numberless + -poda.]
(Zool.)
A class, or subclass, of arthropods, related to the hexapod insects, from which they differ in having the body made up of numerous similar segments, nearly all of which bear true jointed legs.  They have one pair of antennae, three pairs of mouth organs, and numerous tracheae, similar to those of true insects.  The larvae, when first hatched, often have but three pairs of legs. See Centiped, Galleyworm, Milliped.

&hand_; The existing Myriapoda are divided into three orders: Chilopoda, Chilognatha or Diplopoda, and Pauropoda (see these words in the Vocabulary).  Large fossil species (very different from any living forms) are found in the Carboniferous formation.


word: Myriarch
definition:
Myriarch

Myr"i*arch
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, _;; _; ten thousand + _; chief.]
A captain or commander of ten thousand men.


word: Myriare
definition:
Myriare

Myr"i*are
(?)
n.
[F. See Myria-, and 2d Are.]
A measure of surface in the metric system containing ten thousand ares, or one million square meters.  It is equal to about 247.1 acres.


word: Myrica
definition:
Myrica

My*ri"ca
(?)
prop. n.
[L., fr. Gr. _; tamarisk.]
(Bot.)
A widely dispersed genus of shrubs and trees, usually with aromatic foliage.  It includes the bayberry or wax myrtle, the sweet gale, and the North American sweet fern, so called.


word: Myricin
definition:
Myricin

Myr"i*cin
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. myricine. Prob. so called from a fancied resemblance to the wax of the bayberry (Myrica).]
(Chem.)
A silky, crystalline, waxy substance, forming the less soluble part of beeswax, and regarded as a palmitate of a higher alcohol of the paraffin series; -- called also myricyl alcohol.


word: Myricyl
definition:
Myricyl

Myr"i*cyl
(?)
n.
[Myricin + -yl.]
(Chem.)
A hypothetical radical regarded as the essential residue of myricin; -- called also melissyl.


word: Myriologue
definition:
Myriologue

Myr"i*o*logue
(?)
n.
[F. myriologue, myriologie, NGr. _;, _;, fr. Gr. Moi^ra the goddess of fate or death + lo`gos speech, discourse.]
An extemporaneous funeral song, composed and sung by a woman on the death of a friend.
[Modern Greece]


word: Myriophyllous
definition:
Myriophyllous

Myr`i*oph"yl*lous
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; numberless + fy`llon leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having an indefinitely great or countless number of leaves.


word: Myriorama
definition:
Myriorama

Myr`i*o*ra"ma
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; numberless + _; a sight, fr. _; to see.]
A picture made up of several smaller pictures, drawn upon separate pieces in such a manner as to admit of combination in many different ways, thus producing a great variety of scenes or landscapes.


word: Myristic
definition:
Myristic

My*ris"tic
(mĭ*rĭs"tĭk)
a.
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, the nutmeg (Myristica).  Specifically, designating an acid (C14H28O2) found in nutmeg oil and otoba fat, and extracted as a white crystalline waxy substance.


word: Myristin
definition:
Myristin

My*ris"tin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
The myristate of glycerin, -- found as a vegetable fat in nutmeg butter, etc.


word: Myristone
definition:
Myristone

My*ris"tone
(?)
n.
[Myristic + -one.]
(Chem.)
The ketone of myristic acid, obtained as a white crystalline substance.


word: Myrmecophaga
definition:
Myrmecophaga

Myrmecophaga
prop. n.
(Zool.)
The type genus of the Myrmecophagidae; the South American ant bear.

Syn. -- genus Myrmecophaga.


word: Myrmecophagidae
definition:
Myrmecophagidae

Myrmecophagidae
prop. n.
(Zool.)
A natural family of New World anteaters.

Syn. -- family Myrmecophagidae.


word: myrmecophile
definition:
myrmecophile

myrmecophile
n.
(Biol.)
An organism such as an insect that habitually shares the nest of a species of ant.


word: myrmecophilous
definition:
myrmecophilous

myrmecophilous
adj.
(Biol.)
Associated with, or benefitted by ants through sharing their nest.


word: Myrmecophyte
definition:
Myrmecophyte

Myr"me*co*phyte`
(?)
n.
[Gr. my`rmhx, my`rmhkos, ant + fyto`n plant.]
(Bot.)
A plant that affords shelter and food to certain species of ants which live in symbiotic relations with it. Special adaptations for this purpose exist; thus, Acacia spadicigera has large hollows thorns, and species of Cecropia have stem cavities.
Myr`me*co*phyt"ic (#), a.


word: Myrmeleon
definition:
Myrmeleon

Myrmeleon
prop. n.
The type genus of the Myrmeleontidae, including the antlions.

Syn. -- genus Myrmeleon.


word: Myrmeleontidae
definition:
Myrmeleontidae

Myrmeleontidae
prop. n.
A natural family of the order Neuroptera, including the antlions.

Syn. -- family Myrmeleontidae.


word: Myrmicine
definition:
Myrmicine

Myr"mi*cine
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to Myrmica, a genus of ants including the small house ant (Myrmica molesta), and many others.


word: Myrmidon
definition:
Myrmidon

Myr"mi*don
(?)
n.
[L. Myrmidones, Gr. Myrmido`nes, pl.]
1.
One of a fierce tribe or troop who accompanied Achilles, their king, to the Trojan war.

2.
A soldier or a subordinate civil officer who executes cruel orders of a superior without protest or pity; -- sometimes applied to bailiffs, constables, etc.
Thackeray.

With unabated ardor the vindictive man of law and his myrmidons pressed forward.
W. H. Ainsworth.


word: Myrmotherine
definition:
Myrmotherine

Myr`mo*the"rine
(?)
a.
[Gr. my`rmhx an ant + qhra^n to hunt.]
(Zool.)
Feeding upon ants; -- said of certain birds.


word: Myrobolan
definition:
Myrobolan

Myrobalan

{ My*rob"a*lan (?), My*rob"o*lan (?), }
n.
[L. myrobalanum the fruit of a palm tree from which a balsam was made, Gr. myroba`lanos; my`ron any sweet juice distilling from plants, any prepared unguent or sweet oil + ba`lanos an acorn or any similar fruit: cf. F. myrobolan.]
A dried astringent fruit much resembling a prune.  It contains tannin, and was formerly used in medicine, but is now chiefly used in tanning and dyeing.  Myrobolans are produced by various species of Terminalia of the East Indies, and of Spondias of South America.


word: Myronic
definition:
Myronic

My*ron"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. my`ron a sweet-smelling unguent.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or obtained from, mustard; -- used specifically to designate a glucoside called myronic acid, found in mustard seed.


word: Myropolist
definition:
Myropolist

My*rop"o*list
(?)
n.
[Gr. myropw`lhs; my`ron unguent + pwlei^n to sell.]
One who sells unguents or perfumery.
[Obs.]
Jonhson.


word: Myroxylon
definition:
Myroxylon

My*rox"y*lon
(?)
prop. n.
[NL., fr. Gr. my`ron a sweet juice distilling from a plant + xy`lon wood.]
(Bot.)
A genus of leguminous trees of tropical America, the different species of which yield balsamic products, among which are balsam of Peru, and balsam of Tolu.  The species were formerly referred to Myrospermum.


word: Myrrh
definition:
Myrrh

Myrrh
(?)
n.
[OE. mirre, OF. mirre, F. myrrhe, L. myrrha, murra, Gr. _;; cf. Ar. murr bitter, also myrrh, Heb. mar bitter.]
A gum resin, usually of a yellowish brown or amber color, of an aromatic odor, and a bitter, slightly pungent taste.  It is valued for its odor and for its medicinal properties.  It exudes from the bark of a shrub of Abyssinia and Arabia, the Commiphora Myrrha (syn. Balsamodendron Myrrha) of the family Burseraceae, or from the Commiphora abyssinica.  The myrrh of the Bible is supposed to have been partly the gum above named, and partly the exudation of species of Cistus, or rockrose.

False myrrh. See the Note under Bdellium.


word: Myrtaceae
definition:
Myrtaceae

Myrtaceae
prop. n.
A natural family of trees and shrubs yielding fragrant oils, including the myrtles, eucalyptus, clove, allspice, and guava; the myrtle family.

Syn. -- family Myrtaceae, myrtle family.


word: Myrtaceous
definition:
Myrtaceous

Myr*ta"ceous
(?)
a.
[L. myrtaceus.]
(Bot.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a large and important natural family of trees and shrubs (Myrtaceae of the order Myrtales), of which the myrtle (Myrtus) is the type.  It includes the genera Eucalyptus, Pimenta, Lechythis, and about seventy more.


word: Myrtales
definition:
Myrtales

Myrtales
prop. n.
A natural order of trees and shrubs including the myrtle family, Myrtaceae; Combretaceae; Elaeagnaceae; Haloragidaceae; Melastomaceae; Lecythidaceae; Lythraceae; Rhizophoraceae; Onagraceae; Lecythidaceae; and Punicaceae.

Syn. -- order Myrtales, Thymelaeales, order Thymelaeales.


word: Myrtiform
definition:
Myrtiform

Myr"ti*form
(?)
a.
[L. myrtus myrtle + -form: cf. F. myrtiforme.]
Resembling myrtle or myrtle berries; having the form of a myrtle leaf.


word: Myrtillocactus
definition:
Myrtillocactus

Myrtillocactus
prop. n.
A small genus of arborescent cacti of Mexico and Central America.

Syn. -- genus Myrtillocactus.


word: Myrtle
definition:
Myrtle

Myr"tle
(mẽr"t'l)
n.
[F. myrtil bilberry, prop., a little myrtle, from myrte myrtle, L. myrtus, murtus, Gr. my`rtos; cf. Per. mūrd.]
(Bot.)
A species of the genus Myrtus, especially Myrtus communis. The common myrtle has a shrubby, upright stem, eight or ten feet high. Its branches form a close, full head, thickly covered with ovate or lanceolate evergreen leaves.  It has solitary axillary white or rosy flowers, followed by black several-seeded berries.  The ancients considered it sacred to Venus.  The flowers, leaves, and berries are used variously in perfumery and as a condiment, and the beautifully mottled wood is used in turning.

&hand_; The name is also popularly but wrongly applied in America to two creeping plants, the blue-flowered periwinkle and the yellow-flowered moneywort.  In the West Indies several myrtaceous shrubs are called myrtle.

Bog myrtle, the sweet gale. -- Crape myrtle. See under Crape. -- Myrtle warbler (Zool.), a North American wood warbler (Dendroica coronata); -- called also myrtle bird, yellow-rumped warbler, and yellow-crowned warbler. -- Myrtle wax. (Bot.) See Bayberry tallow, under Bayberry. -- Sand myrtle, a low, branching evergreen shrub (Leiophyllum buxifolium), growing in New Jersey and southward. -- Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera). See Bayberry.


word: Myself
definition:
Myself

My*self"
(?)
pron.
pl. Ourselves (_;).
I or me in person; -- used for emphasis, my own self or person; as I myself will do it; I have done it myself; -- used also instead of me, as the object of the first person of a reflexive verb, without emphasis; as, I will defend myself.


word: Mysidacea
definition:
Mysidacea

Mysidacea
prop. n.
An order of crustaceans including the opossum shrimp.

Syn. -- order Mysidacea.


word: Mysidae
definition:
Mysidae

Mysidae
prop. n.
A natural family of small shrimplike crustaceans.

Syn. -- family Mysidae.


word: Mysis
definition:
Mysis

My"sis
(?)
prop. n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; a closing of the lips or eyes.]
(Zool.)
A genus of small schizopod shrimps found both in fresh and salt water; the opossum shrimps.  One species inhabits the Great Lakes of North America, and is largely eaten by the whitefish.  The marine species form part of the food of right whales.


word: Mystacal
definition:
Mystacal

Mys"ta*cal
(?)
a.
[Gr. my`stax mustache.]
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the upper lip, or mustache.


word: Mystagogical
definition:
Mystagogical

Mystagogic

{ Mys`ta*gog"ic (?), Mys`ta*gog"ic*al (?), }
a.
Of or pertaining to interpretation of mysteries or to mystagogue; of the nature of mystagogy.


word: Mystagogue
definition:
Mystagogue

Mys"ta*gogue
(?)
n.
[L. mystagogus, Gr. _;; _; one initiated in mysteries + _; leading, n., a leader, fr. _; to lead: cf. F. mystagogue. See 1st Mystery.]
1.
One who interprets mysteries, especially of a religious kind.

2.
One who keeps and shows church relics.


word: Mystagogy
definition:
Mystagogy

Mys"ta*go`gy
(?)
n.
The doctrines, principles, or practice of a mystagogue; interpretation of mysteries.


word: Mysteriarch
definition:
Mysteriarch

Mys*te"ri*arch
(?)
n.
[L. mysteriarches, Gr. _;; _; mystery + _; chief.]
One presiding over mysteries.
[Obs.]


word: Mysterious
definition:
Mysterious

Mys*te"ri*ous
(?)
a.
[F. mystèrieux. See 1st Mystery.]
Of or pertaining to mystery; containing a mystery; difficult or impossible to understand; inexplicable; obscure; not revealed or explained; enigmatical; incomprehensible.

God at last
To Satan, first in sin, his doom applied,
Thought in mysterious terms.
Milton.


word: Mysteriousness
definition:
Mysteriousness

Mys*te"ri*ous*ness
n.
1.
The state or quality of being mysterious.

2.
Something mysterious; a mystery.
[R.]
Jer. Taylor.


word: Mysterize
definition:
Mysterize

Mys"ter*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mysterized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mysterizing (?).]
To make mysterious; to make a mystery of.


word: Mystery
definition:
Mystery

Mys"ter*y
(mĭs"tẽr*&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Mysteries (mĭs"tẽr*ĭz).
[L. mysterium, Gr. mysth`rion, fr. my`sths one initiated in mysteries; cf. myei^n to initiate into the mysteries, fr. my`ein to shut the eyes.  Cf. Mute, a.]
1.
A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder; something which has not been or can not be explained; hence, specifically, that which is beyond human comprehension.

We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery.
1 Cor. ii. 7.

If God should please to reveal unto us this great mystery of the Trinity, or some other mysteries in our holy religion, we should not be able to understand them, unless he would bestow on us some new faculties of the mind.
Swift.

2.
A kind of secret religious celebration, to which none were admitted except those who had been initiated by certain preparatory ceremonies; -- usually plural; as, the Eleusinian mysteries.

3.
pl.
The consecrated elements in the eucharist.

4.
Anything artfully made difficult; an enigma.


word: Mystery₂
definition:
Mystery

Mys"ter*y
n.
pl. Mysteries.
[OE. mistere, OF. mestier, F. métier, L. ministerium. See Ministry.]
1.
A trade; a handicraft; hence, any business with which one is usually occupied.

Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.
Shak.

And that which is the noblest mystery
Brings to reproach and common infamy.
Spenser.

2.
A dramatic representation of a Scriptural subject, often some event in the life of Christ; a dramatic composition of this character; as, the Chester Mysteries, consisting of dramas acted by various craft associations in that city in the early part of the 14th century.

“Mystery plays,” so called because acted by craftsmen.
Skeat.


word: Mystical
definition:
Mystical

Mystic

{ Mys"tic (?), Mys"tic*al (?), }
a.
[L. mysticus, Gr. _; belonging to secret rites, from _; one initiated: cf. F. mystique. See 1st Mystery, Misty.]
1.
Remote from or beyond human comprehension; baffling human understanding; unknowable; obscure; mysterious.

Heaven's numerous hierarchy span
The mystic gulf from God to man.
Emerson.

God hath revealed a way mystical and supernatural.
Hooker.

2.
Importing or implying mysticism; involving some secret meaning; allegorical; emblematical; as, a mystic dance; mystic Babylon.

Thus, then, did the spirit of unity and meekness inspire every joint and sinew of the mystical body.
Milton.

3.
employing mysticism; as, mystical intuition; mystical explanations; -- contrasted to logical, rational, analytical.


word: Mystic
definition:
Mystic

Mys"tic
(?)
n.
One given to mysticism; one who holds mystical views, interpretations, etc.; especially, in ecclesiastical history, one who professed mysticism. See Mysticism.


word: Mysticete
definition:
Mysticete

Mys"ti*cete
(?)
n.
[Gr. my`stax the upper lip, also, the mustache + kh^tos a whale.]
(Zool.)
Any right whale, or whalebone whale. See Cetacea.


word: Mysticeti
definition:
Mysticeti

Mysticeti
prop. n.
A suborder including baleen whales: right whales; rorquals; blue whales; and humpbacks.

Syn. -- suborder Mysticeti.


word: Mysticism
definition:
Mysticism

Mys"ti*cism
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. mysticisme.]
1.
Obscurity of doctrine.

2.
(Eccl. Hist.)
The doctrine of the Mystics, who professed a pure, sublime, and wholly disinterested devotion, and maintained that they had direct intercourse with the divine Spirit, and aquired a knowledge of God and of spiritual things unattainable by the natural intellect, and such as can not be analyzed or explained.

3.
(Philos.)
The doctrine that the ultimate elements or principles of knowledge or belief are gained by an act or process akin to feeling or faith.


word: Mystification
definition:
Mystification

Mys`ti*fi*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. mystification.]
The act of mystifying, or the state of being mystied; also, something designed to, or that does, mystify.

The reply of Pope seems very much as though he had been playing off a mystification on his Grace.
De Quincey.


word: Mystify
definition:
Mystify

Mys"ti*fy
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Mystified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mystifying (?).]
[F. mystifier, fr. Gr. _; + L. -ficare (in comp.) to make. See 1st Mystery, and -fy.]
1.
To involve in mystery; to make obscure or difficult to understand; as, to mystify a passage of Scripture.

2.
To perplex the mind of; to puzzle; to impose upon the credulity of; to baffle; as, to mystify an opponent.

He took undue advantage of his credulity and mystified him exceedingly.
Ld. Campbell.


word: mystique
definition:
mystique

mystique
n.
1.
An aura of reverence or mystery stemming from  feelings of high value or interest or meaning surrounding a person or thing; as, the Kennedy mystique.

2.
The aura of mystery surrounding the esoteric knowledge and skills required in certain occupations, or the power of those possessing those skills; as, the mystique of the astrophysicists.


word: Mytacism
definition:
Mytacism

My"ta*cism
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;.  Cf. Metacism.]
Too frequent use of the letter m, or of the sound represented by it.


word: Myth
definition:
Myth

Myth
(mĭth)
n.
[Written also mythe.]
[Gr. my^qos myth, fable, tale, talk, speech: cf. F. mythe.]
1.
A story of great but unknown age which originally embodied a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon of experience, and in which often the forces of nature and of the soul are personified; an ancient legend of a god, a hero, the origin of a race, etc.; a wonder story of prehistoric origin; a popular fable which is, or has been, received as historical.

2.
A person or thing existing only in imagination, or whose actual existence is not verifiable.

As for Mrs. Primmins's bones, they had been myths these twenty years.
Ld. Lytton.

Myth history, history made of, or mixed with, myths.


word: Mythical
definition:
Mythical

Mythic

{ Myth"ic (?), Myth"ic*al (?), }
a.
[L. mythicus, Gr. _;. See Myth.]
Of or relating to myths; described in a myth; of the nature of a myth; fabulous; imaginary; fanciful; mythological.
Myth"ic*al*ly, adv.

The mythic turf where danced the nymphs.
Mrs. Browning.

Hengist and Horsa, Vortigern and Rowena, Arthur and Mordred, are mythical persons, whose very existence may be questioned.
Macaulay.


word: Mythographer
definition:
Mythographer

My*thog"ra*pher
(?)
n.
[Gr. myqogra`fos; my^qos + gra`fein to write.]
A composer of fables.


word: Mythological
definition:
Mythological

Mythologic

{ Myth`o*log"ic (?), Myth`o*log"ic*al (?), }
a.
[L. mythologicus: cf. F. mytholigique.]
1.
Of or pertaining to mythology or to myths; as, mythological creatures.
Myth`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

2.
based on or told of in traditional stories; lacking factual basis or historical validity; mythical; fabulous.

Syn. -- fabulous, mythic, mythical.


word: Mythologist
definition:
Mythologist

My*thol"o*gist
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. mythologiste.]
One versed in, or who writes on, mythology or myths.


word: mythologization
definition:
mythologization

mythologization
n.
The construction of a myth; the restatement of a message as a myth.

Syn. -- mythologisation.


word: Mythologize
definition:
Mythologize

My*thol"o*gize
(?)
v. i.
[Cf. F. mythologiser.]
1.
To relate, classify, and explain, or attempt to explain, myths; to write upon myths.

2.
To construct and propagate myths.


word: Mythologizer
definition:
Mythologizer

My*thol"o*gi`zer
(?)
n.
One who, or that which, mythologizes.

Imagination has always been, and still is, in a narrower sense, the great mythologizer.
Lowell.


word: Mythologue
definition:
Mythologue

Myth"o*logue
(?)
n.
[See Mythology.]
A fabulous narrative; a myth.
[R.]

May we not . . . consider his history of the fall as an excellent mythologue, to account for the origin of human evil?
Geddes.


word: Mythology
definition:
Mythology

My*thol"o*gy
(?)
n.
pl. Mythologies (#).
[F. mythologie, L. mythologia, Gr. myqologi`a; my^qos, fable, myth + lo`gos speech, discourse.]
1.
The science which treats of myths; a treatise on myths.

2.
A body of myths; esp., the collective myths which describe the gods of a heathen people; as, the mythology of the Greeks.


word: Mythopoeic
definition:
Mythopoeic

Myth`o*poe"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. myqopoio`s making myths; my^qos myth + poiei^n to make.]
Making or producing myths; giving rise to mythical narratives.

The mythopoeic fertility of the Greeks.
Grote.


word: Mythopoetic
definition:
Mythopoetic

Myth`o*po*et"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. my^qos myth + _; able to make, producing, fr. poiei^n to make.]
Making or producing myths or mythical tales.


word: Mytiloid
definition:
Mytiloid

Myt"i*loid
(?)
a.
[Mytilus + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Like, or pertaining to, the genus Mytilus, or family Mytilidae.


word: Mytilotoxine
definition:
Mytilotoxine

Myt`i*lo*tox"ine
(?)
n.
[Mytilus + toxic.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A poisonous base (leucomaine) found in the common mussel.  It either causes paralysis of the muscles, or gives rise to convulsions, including death by an accumulation of carbonic acid in the blood.


word: Mytilus
definition:
Mytilus

Myt"i*lus
(?)
n.
[L., a sea mussel, Gr. _;.]
(Zool.)
A genus of marine bivalve shells, including the common mussel. See Illust. under Byssus.


word: myxedema
definition:
myxedema

myxedema
n.
(Med.)
A pathological condition due to severe hyperthyroidism, marked by dry skin and swellings around lips and nose as well as mental and physical deterioration.
[Also spelled myxoedema.]


word: Myxinoidei
definition:
Myxinoidei

Myxinoidei
prop. n.
A suborder of hagfishes as distinguished from lampreys.

Syn. -- Myxiniformes, suborder Myxiniformes, Hyperotreta, suborder Hyperotreta, Myxinoidea, suborder Myxinoidei.


word: myxobacterium
definition:
myxobacterium

myxobacterium
n.
pl. myxobacteria (#).
A type of bacteria that form colonies in self-produced slime; they inhabit moist soils or decaying plant matter or animal waste.

Syn. -- myxobacterium, myxobacter, gliding bacteria, slime bacteria.


word: Myxobacteriaceae
definition:
Myxobacteriaceae

Myxobacteriaceae
prop. n.
A family of bacteria living mostly in soils and on dung; called also Polyangiaceae.

Syn. -- Polyangiaceae, family Polyangiaceae, family Myxobacteriaceae.


word: Myxocephalus
definition:
Myxocephalus

Myxocephalus
prop. n.
A genus of fish including the grubb (Myxocephalus aenaeus), a type of sculpin.

Syn. -- genus Myxocephalus.


word: Myxocystodea
definition:
Myxocystodea

Myx`o*cys*to"de*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; mucus + _; a bladder.]
(Zool.)
A division of Infusoria including the Noctiluca.  See Noctiluca.


word: Myxoedema
definition:
Myxoedema

Myx`oe*de"ma
(?)
n.
[NL. fr. Gr. _; mucus + oedema.]
(Med.)
A disease producing a peculiar cretinoid appearance of the face, slow speech, and dullness of intellect, and due to failure of the functions of the thyroid gland.
[Also spelled myxedema.]
Myx`oe*dem"a*tous (#), a., Myx`oe*dem"ic (#), a.


word: Myxoma
definition:
Myxoma

Myx*o"ma
(?)
n.
pl. Myxomata (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. _; mucus + -oma.]
(Med.)
A tumor made up of a gelatinous tissue resembling that found in the umbilical cord.


word: myxomycete
definition:
myxomycete

myxomycete
n.
1.
(Biol.)
an organism of the class Myxomycetes.

Syn. -- true slime mold, acellular slime mold, plasmodial slime mold.


word: Myxomycetes
definition:
Myxomycetes

Myx`o*my*ce"tes
(?)
n. pl.
[NL.; Gr. _; mucus, slime + myceles.]
(Bot.)
A class of peculiar organisms, the slime molds, formerly regarded as animals (Mycetozoa), but now generally thought to be plants and often separated as a distinct phylum (Myxophyta); essentially equivalent to the division Myxomycota.  They are found on damp earth and decaying vegetable matter, and consist of naked masses of protoplasm, often of considerable size, which creep very slowly  over the surface and ingest solid food.
Myx`o*my*ce"tous (#), a.

Syn. -- true slime molds, acellular slime molds, plasmodial slime molds.


word: Myxomycota
definition:
Myxomycota

Myxomycota
n.
(Biol.)
The slime molds; organisms having a noncellular and multinucleate creeping vegetative phase and a propagative spore-producing stage: comprises Myxomycetes and Acrasiomycetes and Plasmodiophoromycetes; in some classifications placed in the kingdom Protoctista.

Syn. -- division Myxomycota, Gymnomycota, division Gymnomycota.


word: Myxophyceae
definition:
Myxophyceae

Myxophyceae
prop. n.
(Biol.)
A former term for the natural family Cyanophyceae.

Syn. -- family Myxophyceae, Schizophyceae, family Schizophyceae.


word: Myxophyta
definition:
Myxophyta

Myx*oph"y*ta
(?)
n. pl.
[NL.; Gr. _; mucus, slime + _; plant.]
(Bot.)
A phylum of the vegetable kingdom consisting of the class Myxomycetes.  By some botanists it is not separated from the Thallophyta.


word: Myxopod
definition:
Myxopod

Myx"o*pod
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; mucus, slime + -pod.]
(Zool.)
A rhizopod or moneran. Also used adjectively; as, a myxopod state.


word: myxosporidian
definition:
myxosporidian

myxosporidian
n.
An organism of the order Myxosporidia, mostly parasitic in fishes and including various serious pathogens.


word: Myzostomata
definition:
Myzostomata

My`zo*stom"a*ta
(?)
prop. n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. my`zein to suck + sto`ma, -atos, mouth.]
(Zool.)
An order of curious parasitic worms found on crinoids. The body is short and disklike, with four pairs of suckers and five pairs of hook-bearing parapodia on the under side.


word: N
definition:
N

N
(ĕn)
the fourteenth letter of English alphabet, is a vocal consonent, and, in allusion to its mode of formation, is called the dentinasal or linguanasal consonent. Its commoner sound is that heard in ran, done; but when immediately followed in the same word by the sound of g hard or k (as in single, sink, conquer), it usually represents the same sound as the digraph ng in sing, bring, etc. This is a simple but related sound, and is called the gutturo-nasal consonent. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 243-246.

   The letter N came into English through the Latin and Greek from the Phoenician, which probably derived it from the Egyptian as the ultimate origin.  It is etymologically most closely related to M.  See M.


word: Nab
definition:
Nab

Nab
(năb)
n.
[Cf. Knap, Knop, Knob.]
1.
The summit of an eminence.
[Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.

2.
(Firearms)
The cock of a gunlock.
Knight.

3.
(Locksmithing)
The keeper, or box into which the lock is shot.
Knight.


word: Nab₂
definition:
Nab

Nab
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Nabbed (năbd); p. pr. & vb. n. Nabbing.]
[Dan nappe, or Sw. nappa.]
1.
To catch or seize suddenly or unexpectedly.
[Colloq.]
Smollett.

2.
To capture; to arrest; as, the police nabbed the culprit wtrying to hide in the basement.


word: Nabk
definition:
Nabk

Nabk
(năbk)
n.
[Ar. nabiqa, nibqa.]
(Bot.)
The edible berries of the Zizyphys Lotus, a tree of Northern Africa, and Southwestern Europe.
[Written also nubk.]
Lotus
(b)
Sadr


word: Nabob
definition:
Nabob

Na"bob
(nā"b&obreve_;b)
n.
[Hind. nawāb, from Ar. nawāb, pl. of nāïb a vicegerent, governor. Cf Nawab.]
1.
A deputy or viceroy in India; a governor of a province of the ancient Mogul empire.

2.
One who returns to Europe from the East with immense riches: hence, any man of great wealth.
nabob
Macaulay.


word: Nacarat
definition:
Nacarat

Nac"a*rat
(năk"ȧ*răt)
n.
[F. nacarat, fr. Sp. or Pg. nacarado, fr. nácar mother-of-pearl. See Nacre.]
1.
A pale red color, with a cast of orange.
Ure.

2.
Fine linen or crape dyed of this color.
Ure.


word: Nacelle
definition:
Nacelle

Na*celle"
(nȧ*sĕl")
n.
[F.]
1.
A small boat.
[Obs.]

2.
The basket suspended from a balloon; hence, the framework forming the body of a dirigible balloon, and containing the machinery, passengers, etc.

3.
A streamlined enclosure on an airplane, as for the engine or for the cargo or passengers; -- formerly used to refer to the boatlike, inclosed body of an airplane which is usually now called the fuselage, and now referring mostly to the enclosure for the engine.


word: nacho
definition:
nacho

nacho
n.
A tortilla chip topped with cheese and often chili-pepper or beans and then broiled; -- eaten as a snack or light meal.


word: Nacre
definition:
Nacre

Na"cre
(nā"kẽr)
n.
[F., cf. Sp. nácara, nácar, It. nacchera, naccaro, LL. nacara, nacrum; of Oriental origin, cf. Ar. nakīr hollowed.]
(Zool.)
A pearly substance which lines the interior of many shells, and is most perfect in the mother-of-pearl.
[Written also nacker and naker.]
See Pearl, and Mother-of-pearl.


word: Nacre₂
definition:
Nacre

Na`cré"
(nȧ*krā")
a.
[F. See Nacre.]
(Art)
Having the peculiar iridescence of nacre, or mother-of-pearl, or an iridescence resembling it; as, nacré ware.


word: Nacreous
definition:
Nacreous

Na"cre*ous
(nā"kre̝*ŭs)
a.
[See Nacre.]
(Zool.)
Consisting of, or resembling, nacre; pearly.


word: nada
definition:
nada

nada
n.
1.
[Spanish]
Nothing.
[informal or jocose]
[used mostly jocosely or for emphasis in phrases such as “Nothing, nada, zip!”]


word: Na-dene
definition:
Na-dene

Na-dene
prop. n.
A family of North American Indian languages including Tlingit, the Athabascan language family, and Haida.


word: Nadir
definition:
Nadir

Na"dir
(nā"dẽr)
n.
[F., Sp., & It. nadir; all fr. Ar. nazīru's samt nadir, prop., the point opposite the zenith (as samt), in which nazīr means alike, corresponding to.  Cf. Azimuth, Zenith.]
1.
That point of the heavens, or lower hemisphere, directly opposite the zenith; the inferior pole of the horizon; the point of the celestial sphere directly under the place where we stand.

2.
The lowest point; the time of greatest depression.

The seventh century is the nadir of the human mind in Europe.
Hallam.

Nadir of the sun (Astron.), the axis of the conical shadow projected by the earth. Crabb.


word: Naevoid
definition:
Naevoid

Nae"void
(?)
a.
[Naevus + -oid.]
Resembling a naevus or naevi; as, naevoid elephantiasis.
Dunglison.


word: Naevus
definition:
Naevus

Nae"vus
(nē"vŭs)
n.
pl. Naevi (-vī).
[L.]
(Med.)
A spot or mark on the skin of children when born; a birthmark; -- the term includes moles as wells a other types of birthmark, and is most commonly applied to reddish or brownish raised vascular areas of the skin, i. e., those consisting mainly of blood vessels, as dilated arteries, veins, or capillaries.
[Usually spelled nevus.]


word: Nag
definition:
Nag

Nag
(năg)
n.
[OE. nagge, D. negge; akin to E. neigh.]
1.
A small horse; a pony; hence, any horse, especially one that is of inferior breeding or useless.

2.
A paramour; -- in contempt.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Nag₂
definition:
Nag

Nag
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Nagged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nagging (?).]
[Cf. Sw. nagga to nibble, peck, Dan. nage to gnaw, Icel. naga, gnaga, G. nagen, & E. gnaw.]
To tease in a petty way; to scold habitually; to annoy; to fret pertinaciously.
[Colloq.]
nagged
J. Ingelow.


word: nagami
definition:
nagami

nagami
n.
A shrub (Fortunella margarita) bearing oval-fruited kumquats. See also kumquat.

Syn. -- nagami kumquat, oval kumquat, Fortunella margarita.


word: Nagana
definition:
Nagana

Na*ga"na
(nȧ*gä"nȧ)
n.
[Prob. native name.]
(Med.)
A disease of horses and other domestic animals, transmitted by the tsetse fly; any trypanosomiasis, especially the variety caused by Trypanosoma brucei.
[South Africa]


word: Nageia
definition:
Nageia

Nageia
prop. n.
A small genus of Asian evergreen trees having columnar crowns and distinguished by leaves lacking a midrib; eastern Asia including India and Philippines and New Guinea.

Syn. -- genus Nageia.


word: nagger
definition:
nagger

nagger
n.
Someone (especially a woman) who constantly finds fault.

Syn. -- scold, scolder, nag.


word: Nagging
definition:
Nagging

Nag"ging
(năg"gĭng)
a.
Fault-finding; teasing; persistently annoying; as, a nagging toothache.
[Colloq.]


word: Nagyagite
definition:
Nagyagite

Nag"yag*ite
(?)
n.
[So called from Nagyag, in Transylvania.]
(Min.)
A mineral of blackish lead-gray color and metallic luster, generally of a foliated massive structure; foliated tellurium.  It is a telluride of lead and gold.


word: Naiad
definition:
Naiad

Na"iad
(nā"yăd; 277)
n.
[L. naias, -adis, naïs, -idis, a water nymph, Gr nai:a`s, nai:`s, fr. na`ein  to flow: cf. F. naïade.  Cf. Naid.]
1.
(Myth.)
A water nymph; one of the lower female divinities, fabled to preside over some body of fresh water, as a lake, river, brook, or fountain.

2.
(Zool.)
Any species of a tribe (Naiades) of freshwater bivalves, including Unio, Anodonta, and numerous allied genera; a river mussel.

3.
(Zool)
One of a group of butterflies. See Nymph.

4.
(Bot.)
Any plant of the order Naiadaceae, such as eelgrass, pondweed, etc.


word: Naiadaceae
definition:
Naiadaceae

Naiadaceae
prop. n.
A monotypic family of aquatic plants having narrow leaves and small flowers.

Syn. -- family Naiadaceae, Najadaceae, family Najadaceae, naiad family.


word: naid
definition:
naid

na"id
(?)
n.
[See Naiad.]
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of small, fresh-water, chaetopod annelids of the tribe Naidina.  They belong to the Oligochaeta.


word: Naif
definition:
Naif

Na"ïf`
(_;; formerly _;)
a.
[F. naïf. See Naïve.]
1.
Having a true natural luster without being cut; -- applied by jewelers to a precious stone.

2.
Naïve; as, a naïf remark.
London Spectator.


word: Nail
definition:
Nail

Nail
(nāl)
n.
[AS. naegel, akin to D. nagel, OS. & OHG. nagal, G. nagel, Icel. nagl, nail (in sense 1), nagli nail (in sense 3), Sw. nagel nail (in senses 1 and 3), Dan. nagle, Goth. ganagljan to nail, Lith. nagas nail (in sense 1), Russ. nogote, L. unguis, Gr. "o`nyx, Skr. nakha. √259.]
1.
(Anat.)
the horny scale of plate of epidermis at the end of the fingers and toes of man and many apes.

His nayles like a briddes claws were.
Chaucer.

&hand_; The nails are strictly homologous with hoofs and claws. When compressed, curved, and pointed, they are called talons or claws, and the animal bearing them is said to be unguiculate; when they incase the extremities of the digits they are called hoofs, and the animal is ungulate.

2.
(Zool.)
(a)
The basal thickened portion of the anterior wings of certain hemiptera.
(b)
The terminal horny plate on the beak of ducks, and other allied birds.

3.
A slender, pointed piece of metal, usually with a head{2}, used for fastening pieces of wood or other material together, by being driven into or through them.

&hand_; The different sorts of nails are named either from the use to which they are applied, from their shape, from their size, or from some other characteristic, as shingle, floor, ship-carpenters', and horseshoe nails, roseheads, diamonds, fourpenny, tenpenny (see Penny, a.), chiselpointed, cut, wrought, or wire nails, etc.

4.
A measure of length, being two inches and a quarter, or the sixteenth of a yard.

Nail ball (Ordnance), a round projectile with an iron bolt protruding to prevent it from turning in the gun. -- Nail plate, iron in plates from which cut nails are made. -- On the nail, in hand; on the spot; immediately; without delay or time of credit; as, to pay money on the nail; to pay cash on the nail. “You shall have ten thousand pounds on the nail.” Beaconsfield. -- To hit the nail on the head, (a) to hit most effectively; to do or say a thing in the right way. (b) to describe the most important factor.


word: Nail₂
definition:
Nail

Nail
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Nailed (nāld); p. pr. & vb. n. Nailing.]
[AS. naeglian. See Nail, n.]
1.
To fasten with a nail or nails; to close up or secure by means of nails; as, to nail boards to the beams.

He is now dead, and nailed in his chest.
Chaucer.

2.
To stud or boss with nails, or as with nails.

The rivets of your arms were nailed with gold.
Dryden.

3.
To fasten, as with a nail; to bind or hold, as to a bargain or to acquiescence in an argument or assertion; hence, to catch; to trap.

When they came to talk of places in town, you saw at once how I nailed them.
Goldsmith.

4.
To spike, as a cannon.
[Obs.]
Crabb.

To nail an assertion or To nail a lie, etc., to detect and expose it, so as to put a stop to its currency; -- an expression probably derived from the former practice of shopkeepers, who were accustomed to nail bad or counterfeit pieces of money to the counter.


word: Nailer
definition:
Nailer

Nail"er
(?)
n.
1.
One whose occupation is to make nails; a nail maker.

2.
One who fastens with, or drives, nails.


word: Nail-headed
definition:
Nail-headed

Nail"-head`ed
(?)
a.
Having a head like that of a nail; formed so as to resemble the head of a nail.

Nail-headed characters, arrowheaded or cuneiform characters. See under Arrowheaded. -- Nail-headed molding (Arch.), an ornament consisting of a series of low four-sided pyramids resembling the heads of large nails; -- called also nail-head molding, or nail-head.  It is the same as the simplest form of dogtooth.  See Dogtooth.


word: Nainsook
definition:
Nainsook

Nain`sook"
(?)
n.
[Nainsukh, a valley in Kaghan.]
A thick sort of jaconet muslin, plain or striped, formerly made in India.


word: naive
definition:
naive

naive

na*ive", na*ïve"
(nä*ēv")
a.
[F. naïf, fem. naïve, fr. L. nativus innate, natural, native. See Native, and cf. Naïf.]
1.
Having native or unaffected simplicity; ingenuous; artless; frank; as, naïve manners; a naïve person; naïve and unsophisticated remarks.

2.
Having a lack of knowledge, judgment, or experience; especially, lacking sophistication in judging the motives of others; credulous; as, a naive belief in the honesty of politicians.


word: Naivete
definition:
Naivete

Na`ïve`té"
(?)
n.
[F. See Naïve, and cf. Nativity.]
1.
The state or quality of being naive; lack of sophistication or worldliness.

Syn. -- naivete, naiveness.

A story which pleases me by its naïveté -- that is, by its unconscious ingenuousness.
De Quincey.

2.
An act displaying naivete; a naive remark or action.


word: Najadaceae
definition:
Najadaceae

Najadaceae
prop. n.
A monotypic family of aquatic plants having narrow leaves and small flowers; same as Naiadaceae; the naiad family.

Syn. -- Naiadaceae, family Naiadaceae, family Najadaceae, naiad family.


word: Najas
definition:
Najas

Najas
prop. n.
The sole genus of the family Naiadaceae.

Syn. -- Naias, genus Naias, genus Najas.


word: Naked
definition:
Naked

Na"ked
(nā"kĕd)
a.
[AS. nacod; akin to D. naakt, G. nackt, OHG. nacchot, nahhot, Icel. nökviðr, nakinn, Sw. naken, Dan. nögen, Goth. naqaþs, Lith. nůgas, Russ. nagii, L. nudus, Skr. nagna. √266.  Cf. Nude.]

1.
Having no clothes on; uncovered; nude; bare; as, a naked body; a naked limb; a naked sword.

2.
Having no means of defense or protection; open; unarmed; defenseless; as, naked to invasion.

Had I but served my God with half the zeal
I served my king, he would not in mine age
Have left me naked to mine enemies.
King Henry VIII., Act iii. sc. 2 (Shakespeare)

Thy power is full naked.
Chaucer.

Behold my bosom naked to your swords.
Addison.

3.
Unprovided with needful or desirable accessories, means of sustenance, etc.; destitute; unaided; bare.

Patriots who had exposed themselves for the public, and whom they saw now left naked.
Milton.

4.
Without addition, exaggeration, or excuses; not concealed or disguised; open to view; manifest; plain.

The truth appears so naked on my side,                   That any purblind eye may find it out.
Shak.

All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Heb. iv. 13.

5.
Mere; simple; plain; as, the naked truth.

The very naked name of love.
Shak.

6.
(Bot.)
Without pubescence; as, a naked leaf or stem; bare, or not covered by the customary parts, as a flower without a perianth, a stem without leaves, seeds without a pericarp, buds without bud scales.

7.
(Mus.)
Not having the full complement of tones; -- said of a chord of only two tones, which requires a third tone to be sounded with them to make the combination pleasing to the ear; as, a naked fourth or fifth.

Naked bed, a bed the occupant of which is naked, no night linen being worn in ancient times. Shak. -- Naked eye, the eye alone, unaided by eyeglasses, or by telescope, microscope, or other magnifying device. -- Naked-eyed medusa. (Zool.) See Hydromedusa. -- Naked flooring (Carp.), the timberwork which supports a floor. Gwilt. -- Naked mollusk (Zool.), a nudibranch. -- Naked wood (Bot.), a large rhamnaceous tree (Colibrina reclinata) of Southern Florida and the West Indies, having a hard and heavy heartwood, which takes a fine polish. C. S. Sargent.


word: Nakedly
definition:
Nakedly

Na"ked*ly
adv.
In a naked manner; without covering or disguise; manifestly; simply; barely.


word: Nakedness
definition:
Nakedness

Na"ked*ness
n.
1.
The condition of being naked.

2.
(Script.)
The privy parts; the genitals.

Ham . . . saw the nakedness of his father.
Gen. ix. 22.


word: Naker₂
definition:
Naker

Na"ker
n.
[OE. nakere, F. nakaire, LL. nacara, Per. naqāret.]
A kind of kettledrum.
[Obs.]
 Chaucer.


word: Nale
definition:
Nale

Nale
(?)
n.
[A corrupt form arising from the older “at þen ale” at the nale.]
Ale; also, an alehouse.
[Obs.]

Great feasts at the nale.
Chaucer.


word: Nall
definition:
Nall

Nall
(?)
n.
[Either fr. Icel. nāl (see Needle); or fr. awl, like newt fr. ewt.]
An awl.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Tusser.


word: Namation
definition:
Namation

Na*ma"tion
(?)
n.
[LL. namare to take; cf. AS. niman to take.]
(O. Eng. & Scots Law)
A distraining or levying of a distress; an impounding.
Burrill.


word: Namaycush
definition:
Namaycush

Nam"ay*cush
(?)
n.
[Indian name.]
(Zool.)
A large North American lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush).  It is usually spotted with red, and sometimes weighs over forty pounds.  Called also Mackinaw trout, lake trout, lake salmon, salmon trout, togue, and tuladi.


word: Namby-pamby
definition:
Namby-pamby

Nam"by-pam`by
(?)
n.
[From Ambrose Phillips, in ridicule of the extreme simplicity of some of his verses.]
Talk or writing which is weakly sentimental or affectedly pretty.
Macaulay.


word: Namby-pamby₂
definition:
Namby-pamby

Nam"by-pam`by
a.
1.
Affectedly pretty; weakly sentimental; finical; insipid.
Thackeray.

Namby-pamby madrigals of love.
W. Gifford.

2.
Indecisive or weak; lacking firmness or resolve; -- of actions and policies.


word: Name
definition:
Name

Name
(nām)
n.
[AS. nama; akin to D. naam, OS. & OHG. namo, G. name, Icel. nafn, for namn, Dan. navn, Sw. namn, Goth. nam&omacr, L. nomen (perh. influenced by noscere, gnoscere, to learn to know), Gr. 'o`mona, Scr. nāman. √267.  Cf. Anonymous, Ignominy, Misnomer, Nominal, Noun.]
1.
The title by which any person or thing is known or designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of an individual or a class.

Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
Gen. ii. 19.  

What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
Shak.

2.
A descriptive or qualifying appellation given to a person or thing, on account of a character or acts.

His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Is. ix. 6.

3.
Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation; fame; especially, illustrious character or fame; honorable estimation; distinction.

What men of name resort to him?
Shak.

Far above . . . every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
Eph. i. 21.

I will get me a name and honor in the kingdom.
1 Macc. iii. 14.

He hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin.
Deut. xxii. 19.

The king's army . . . had left no good name behind.
Clarendon.

4.
Those of a certain name; a race; a family.

The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his name, came every day to pay their feigned civilities.
Motley.

5.
A person, an individual.
[Poetic]

They list with women each degenerate name.
Dryden.

Christian name. (a) The name a person receives at baptism, as distinguished from surname; baptismal name; in western countries, it is also called a first name. (b) A given name, whether received at baptism or not. -- Given name. See under Given. -- In name, in profession, or by title only; not in reality; as, a friend in name. -- In the name of.  (a) In behalf of; by the authority of. “ I charge you in the duke's name to obey me.” Shak. (b) In the represented or assumed character of. “I'll to him again in name of Brook.” Shak. -- Name plate, a plate as of metal, glass, etc., having a name upon it, as a sign; a doorplate. -- Pen name, a name assumed by an author; a pseudonym or nom de plume. Bayard Taylor. -- Proper name (Gram.), a name applied to a particular person, place, or thing. -- To call names, to apply opprobrious epithets to; to call by reproachful appellations. -- To take a name in vain, to use a name lightly or profanely; to use a name in making flippant or dishonest oaths. Ex. xx. 7.


word: Name₂
definition:
Name

Name
(nām)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Named (nāmd); p. pr. & vb. n. Naming.]
[AS. namian.  See Name, n.]
1.
To give a distinctive name or appellation to; to entitle; to denominate; to style; to call.

She named the child Ichabod.
1 Sam. iv. 21.

Thus was the building left
Ridiculous, and the work Confusion named.
Milton.

2.
To mention by name; to utter or publish the name of; to refer to by distinctive title; to mention.

None named thee but to praise.
Halleck.

Old Yew, which graspest at the stones
That name the underlying dead.
Tennyson.

3.
To designate by name or specifically for any purpose; to nominate; to specify; to appoint; as, to name a day for the wedding; to name someone as ambassador.

Whom late you have named for consul.
Shak.

4.
(House of Commons)
To designate (a member) by name, as the Speaker does by way of reprimand.


word: named
definition:
named

named
adj.
1.
given or having a specified name; as, an actor named Harold Lloyd; a building in Cardiff named the Temple of Peace.  Contrasted to unnamed.

Syn. -- called.

2.
bearing the author's name; as, a named source.  Opposite of anonymous.


word: namedrop
definition:
namedrop

namedrop
v. i.
To refer to people that one assumes one's interlocutors admire so as to impress them; same as to drop names.

Syn. -- drop names.


word: namedropper
definition:
namedropper

namedropper
n.
Someone who pretends that famous people are his/her friends.  Someone who namedrops.


word: name-dropping
definition:
name-dropping

name-dropping
n.
The practice of casually mentioning important people in order to impress one's listener.


word: nameko
definition:
nameko

nameko
n.
one of the most important fungi (Pholiota nameko) cultivated in Japan.

Syn. -- viscid mushroom, Pholiota nameko.


word: Nameless
definition:
Nameless

Name"less
a.
1.
Without a name; not having been given a name; as, a nameless star.
Waller.

2.
Undistinguished; not noted or famous.

A nameless dwelling and an unknown name.
Harte.

3.
Not known or mentioned by name; anonymous; as, a nameless writer.
Nameless
Atterbury.

4.
Unnamable; indescribable; inexpressible.

But what it is, that is not yet known; what
I can not name; 't is nameless woe,I wot.
Shak.

I have a nameless horror of the man.
Hawthorne.


word: Namely
definition:
Namely

Name"ly
adv.
1.
By name; by particular mention; specifically; especially; expressly.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

The solitariness of man . . . God hath namely and principally ordered to prevent by marriage.
Milton.

2.
That is to say; to wit; videlicet; -- introducing a particular or specific designation.

For the excellency of the soul, namely, its power of divining dreams; that several such divinations have been made, none can question.
Addison.


word: Namesake
definition:
Namesake

Name"sake`
(?)
n.
[For name's sake; i. e., one named for the sake of another's name.]
One that has the same name as another; especially, one called after, or named out of regard to, another.


word: Nammu
definition:
Nammu

Nammu
prop. n.
(Sumerian mythology)
The Sumerian goddess personifying the primeval sea; mother of the gods and of heaven and earth.


word: Namtaru
definition:
Namtaru

Namtar

Namtar, Namtaru
prop. n.
(Sumerian and Akkadian mythology)
A demon personifying death; messenger of the underworld goddess Ereshkigal bringing death to mankind.

Syn. -- Namtaru.


word: Nandine
definition:
Nandine

Nan"dine
(?)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
An African carnivore (Nandinia binotata), allied to the civets.  It is spotted with black.


word: Nandu
definition:
Nandu

Nandou

{ Nan"dou (?), Nan"du (?), }
n.
[Braz. nhandu or yandu.]
(Zool.)
Any one of three species of South American ostriches of the genera Rhea and Pterocnemia, especially the smallest, Pterocnemia pennata (formerly Rhea Americana), called also the common rhea.  They are tall fast-running flightless birds similar to ostriches but three-toed, found from Peru to the Straits of Magellan.  See Rhea.
[Written also nandow.]


word: Nanism
definition:
Nanism

Na"nism
(nā"nĭz'm; năn"ĭz'm)
n.
[Gr. na^nos + -ism: cf. F. nanisme.]
The condition of being abnormally small in stature; dwarfism; dwarfishness; -- opposed to gigantism.


word: Nankeen
definition:
Nankeen

Nan*keen"
(?)
n.
[So called from its being originally manufactured at Nankin (Nanjing), in China.]
[Written also nankin.]
1.
A species of cloth, of a firm texture, originally brought from China, made of a species of cotton (Gossypium religiosum) that is naturally of a brownish yellow color quite indestructible and permanent.

2.
An imitation of this cloth by artificial coloring.

3.
pl.
Trousers made of nankeen.
Ld. Lytton.

Nankeen bird (Zool.), the Australian night heron (Nycticorax Caledonicus); -- called also quaker.


word: Nanna
definition:
Nanna

Nanna
n.
1.
The wife of Balder.

2.
(Sumerian mythology)
The god of the moon; counterpart of the Akkadian Sin.


word: Nanny
definition:
Nanny

Nan"ny
(?)
n.
1.
A diminutive of Ann or Anne, the proper name.

Nanny goat, a female goat. [Colloq.]


word: Nannie
definition:
Nannie

Nanny

Nan"ny, Nan"nie
(năn"n&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. nannies.
1.
a caretaker for a child; a child's nurse; a nursemaid.

2.
Grandmother; -- a child's word, used especially as a form of address.  See also nana.


word: nano-
definition:
nano-

nan"o-
(năn"o̝-)
pref.
1.
A prefix meaning one-billionth; as, a nanogram is one-thousandth of a microgram.

2.
Very small; submicroscopic; -- used to designate sizes smaller than those that would be referred to as micro-; as, nanoscale manipulations.


word: nanotechnology
definition:
nanotechnology

nan"o*tech*nol`o*gy
(năn"o̝*tĕk*n&obreve_;l`o̝*jē)
n.
The manipulation or construction of objects with sizes in the nanometer range or smaller.
Objects of the size of molecules may be moved and placed in specific locations using laser tweezers or an atomic force microscope.  See nanotechnology.


word: Nantua
definition:
Nantua

Nantua
n.
(Cookery)
A white sauce with whipping cream and shrimp butter.

Syn. -- shrimp sauce.


word: Naos
definition:
Naos

Na"os
(nā"&obreve_;s)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. nao`s a temple, the cella.]
(Arch.)
A term used by modern archaeologists instead of cella. See Cella.


word: Nap
definition:
Nap

Nap
(năp)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Napped (năpt); p. pr. & vb. n. Napping (năp"pĭng).]
[OE. nappen, AS. hnæppian to take a nap, to slumber; cf. AS. hnipian to bend one's self, Icel. hnipna, hnīpa, to droop.]
1.
To have a short sleep; to be drowsy; to doze.
Chaucer.

2.
To be in a careless, secure state; to be unprepared; as, to be caught napping.
Wyclif.

I took thee napping, unprepared.
Hudibras.


word: Nap₃
definition:
Nap

Nap
n.
[OE. noppe, AS. hnoppa; akin to D. nop, Dan. noppe, LG. nobbe.]
1.
Woolly or villous surface of felt, cloth, plants, etc.; an external covering of down, of short fine hairs or fibers forming part of the substance of anything, and lying smoothly in one direction; the pile; as, the nap of cotton flannel or of broadcloth.

2.
pl.
The loops which are cut to make the pile, in velvet.
Knight.


word: napa
definition:
napa

napa
n.
A plant (Brassica rapa pekinensis) with an elongated celerylike head of broadstalked leaves used as a vegetable in east Asia; called also Chinese cabbage.

Syn. -- Chinese cabbage, celery cabbage, pe-tsai, Brassica rapa pekinensis.


word: Napaea
definition:
Napaea

Napaea
prop. n.
A genus consisting of only one species, the glade mallow.

Syn. -- genus Napaea.

2.
A name from Greek mythology.

Syn. -- Napea.


word: napalm
definition:
napalm

napalm
(nā"päm)
n.
A highly incediary liquid consisting of gasoline jelled with aluminum soaps, used as a weapon of war in fire bombs and flame throwers.


word: Nape-crest
definition:
Nape-crest

Nape"-crest`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
An African bird of the genus Schizorhis, related to the plantain eaters.


word: Napery
definition:
Napery

Na"per*y
(?)
n.
pl. Naperies (#).
[OF. naperie, fr. nape a tablecloth, F. nappe, LL. napa, fr. L. mappa. See Map, and cf. Apron, Napkin.]
Table linen; also, linen clothing, or linen in general.
[Obs.]
Gayton.


word: Napha water
definition:
Napha water

Na"pha wa`ter
(?)
[Sp. nafa, from Ar. napha odor.]
A perfume distilled from orange flowers.


word: naprapathy
definition:
naprapathy

naprapathy
n.
A drugless method of treatment based on the belief that disease symptoms arise from problems with ligaments and connective tissues.


word: Naphtha
definition:
Naphtha

Naph"tha
(năf"thȧ or năp"thȧ)
n.
[L. naphtha, Gr. na`fqa, fr.Ar. nafth, nifth.]
1.
(Chem.)
The complex mixture of volatile, liquid, inflammable hydrocarbons, occurring naturally, and usually called crude petroleum, mineral oil, or rock oil.
Specifically:
That portion of the distillate obtained in the refinement of petroleum which is intermediate between the lighter gasoline and the heavier benzine, and has a specific gravity of about 0.7, -- used as a solvent for varnishes, as a carburetant, illuminant, etc.

2.
(Chem.)
One of several volatile inflammable liquids obtained by the distillation of certain carbonaceous materials and resembling the naphtha from petroleum; as, Boghead naphtha, from Boghead coal (obtained at Boghead, Scotland); crude naphtha, or light oil, from coal tar; wood naphtha, from wood, etc.

&hand_; This term was applied by the earlier chemical writers to a number of volatile, strong smelling, inflammable liquids, chiefly belonging to the ethers, as the sulphate, nitrate, or acetate of ethyl.
Watts.

Naphtha vitrioli [NL., naphtha of vitriol] (Old Chem.), common ethyl ether; -- formerly called sulphuric ether. See Ether.


word: Naphthalene
definition:
Naphthalene

Naph"tha*lene
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A white crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon, C10H8, analogous to benzene, and obtained by the distillation of certain bituminous materials, such as the heavy oil of coal tar.  It is the type and basis of a large number of derivatives among organic compounds. Formerly called also naphthaline.

Naphthalene red (Chem.), a dyestuff obtained from certain diazo derivatives of naphthylamine, and called also magdala red. -- Naphthalene yellow (Chem.), a yellow dyestuff obtained from certain nitro derivatives of naphthol.


word: Naphthalenic
definition:
Naphthalenic

Naph`tha*len"ic
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
Pertaining to , or derived from, naphthalene; -- used specifically to designate a yellow crystalline substance, called naphthalenic acid and also hydroxy quinone, and obtained from certain derivatives of naphthol.


word: Naphthalic
definition:
Naphthalic

Naph*tha"lic
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
(a)
Pertaining to, derived from, or related to, naphthalene; -- formerly used to denote any one of a series of acids derived from naphthalene, and called naphthalene acids, now specifically referring to 1,8-naphthalenedicaboxylic acid, C12H8O4.
(b)
Formerly, designating an acid probably identical with phthalic acid.


word: Naphthaline
definition:
Naphthaline

Naphthalin

{ Naph"tha*lin (?), Naph"tha*line (?), }
n.
[F. naphthaline.]
(Chem.)
See Naphthalene.


word: Naphthazarin
definition:
Naphthazarin

Naph*thaz"a*rin
(?)
n.
[Naphthalene + alizarin.]
(Chem.)
A dyestuff, resembling alizarin, obtained from naphthoquinone as a red crystalline substance with a bright green, metallic luster; -- called also naphthalizarin.


word: Naphthene
definition:
Naphthene

Naph"thene
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A peculiar hydrocarbon fraction occuring as an ingredient of some crude petroleums, mostly mixtures of derivatives of the five- and six-membered saturated cyclic alkanes, cyclopentane and cyclohexane, having the general formula CnH2n.


word: Naphthide
definition:
Naphthide

Naph"thide
(năf"thĭd or năf"thīd)
n.
(Chem.)
A compound of naphthalene or its radical with a metallic element; as, mercuric naphthide.


word: Naphthoic
definition:
Naphthoic

Naph*tho"ic
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or related to, naphthalene; -- used to designate any one of a series of carboxyl derivatives, called naphthoic acids of the general formula C10H7.COOH, such as 1-naphthoic acid.


word: Naphthol
definition:
Naphthol

Naph"thol
(?)
n.
[Naphthalene + -ol.]
(Chem.)
Any one of a series of hydroxyl derivatives of naphthalene, analogous to phenol.  In general they are crystalline substances with a phenol (carbolic) odor.

Naphthol blue, Naphthol orange, Naphthol yellow (Chem.), brilliant dyestuffs produced from certain complex nitrogenous derivatives of naphthol or naphthoquinone.


word: Naphthoquinone
definition:
Naphthoquinone

Naph`tho*qui"none
(?)
n.
[Naphthalene + quinone.]
(Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance, C10H6O2, analogous to quinone, obtained by oxidizing naphthalene with chromic acid.


word: Naphthyl
definition:
Naphthyl

Naph"thyl
(?)
n.
[Naphthalene + -yl.]
(Chem.)
A hydrocarbon radical regarded as the essential residue of naphthalene.


word: Naphthylamine
definition:
Naphthylamine

Naph`thyl*am"ine
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
One of two basic amido derivatives of naphthalene, C10H7.NH2, forming crystalline solids.


word: Naperian
definition:
Naperian

Napierian

{ Na*pie"ri*an, Na*pe"ri*an , }
(?)
a.
Of, pertaining to, or discovered by, Napier, or Naper.

Naperian logarithms. See under Logarithms.


word: Napier's rods
definition:
Napier's rods

Napier's bones

{ Na"pi*er's bones` (?), Na"pi*er's rods` (?) }
A set of rods, made of bone or other material, each divided into nine spaces, and containing the numbers of a column of the multiplication table; -- a contrivance of Baron Napier, the inventor of logarithms, for facilitating the operations of multiplication and division.


word: Napiform
definition:
Napiform

Na"pi*form
(?)
a.
[L. napus turnip + -form: cf. F. napiforme.  Cf. Navew.]
(Bot.)
Turnip-shaped; large and round in the upper part, and very slender below.


word: Napkin
definition:
Napkin

Nap"kin
(?)
n.
[Dim. of OF. nape a tablecloth, cloth, F. nappe, L. mappa. See Napery.]
1.
A little towel, made of cloth or paper, esp. one for wiping the fingers and mouth at table.

2.
A handkerchief.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Napkin pattern. See Linen scroll, under Linen. -- Napkin ring, a ring of metal, ivory, or other material, used to inclose a table napkin. -- paper napkin, a napkin made of paper, intended to be disposed of after use.


word: Napoleon I.
definition:
Napoleon I.

Napoleon

Napoleon, Napoleon I.
(nä*p&omacr"lē*ŭn; F. pron. nä`p&omacr`lā`&obreve_;N")
Napoleon Bonaparte (or Buonaparte), Born at Ajaccio, Corsica, Aug. 15, 1766, or, according to some, at Corte, Jan. 7, 1768; died at Longwood, St. Helena, May 5, 1821.  Emperor of the French 1804-14.
   He was the son of Charles Marie Bonaparte and Laetitia Ramolino; studied at the military school of Brienne 1779-84, and at that of Paris 1784-85; and received a lieutenant's commission in the French army in 1785. He opposed the patriot movement under Paoli in Corsica in 1793; commanded the artillery in the attack on Toulon in the same year; served in the army in Italy in 1794; and, as second in command to Barras, subdued the revolt of the sections at Paris in Oct., 1795. He married Josephine de Beauharnais March 9, 1796.  Toward the close of this month (March 27) he assumed command at Nice of the army in Italy, which he found opposed by the Austrians and the Sardinians.  He began his campaign April 10, and, after defeating the Austrians at Montenotte (April 12), Millesimo (April 14), and Dego (April 15), turned (April 15) against the Sardinians, whom he defeated at Ceva (April 20) and Mondovi (April 22), forcing them to sign the separate convention of Cherasco (April 29).  In the following month he began an invasion of Lombardy, and by a brilliant series of victories, including those of Lodi (May 10) and Arcole (Nov. 15-17), expelled the Austrians from their possessions in the north of Italy, receiving the capitulation of Mantua, their last stronghold, Feb. 2, 1797. Crossing the Alps, he penetrated Styria as far as Leoben, where he dictated preliminaries of peace April 18.  The definitive peace of Campo-Formio followed (Oct 17).  By the treaty of Campo-Formio northern Italy was reconstructed in the interest of France, which furthermore acquired the Austrian Netherlands, and received a guarantee of the left bank of the Rhine.  Campo-Formio destroyed the coalition against France, and put an end to the Revolutionary war on the Continent.  The only enemy that remained to France was England.  At the instance of Bonaparte the Directory adopted the plan of attacking the English in India, which involved the conquest of Egypt. Placed at the head of an expedition of about 85,000 men, he set sail from Toulon May 19, 1798; occupied Malta June 12; disembarked at Alexandria July 2; and defeated the Mamelukes in the decisive battle of the Pyramids July 21.  He was master of Egypt, but the destruction of his fleet by Nelson in the battle of the Nile (Aug. 1) cut him off from France and doomed his expedition to failure.  Nevertheless he undertook the subjugation of Syria, and stormed Jaffa March 7, 1799. Repulsed at Acre, the defense of which was supported by the English, he commenced a retreat to Egypt May 21.  He inflicted a final defeat on the Turks at Abukir July 26; transferred the command in Egypt to Kléber Aug. 22; and, setting sail with two frigates, arrived in the harbor of Fréjus Oct. 9.  During his absence a new coalition had been formed against France, and the Directory saw its armies defeated, both on the Rhine and in Italy.  With the assistance of his brother Lucien and of Sieyès and Roger Ducos, he executed the coup d'etat of Brumaire, whereby he abolished the Directory and virtually made himself monarch under the title of first consul, holding office for a term of 10 years.  He crossed the Great St. Bernard in May, 1800, and restored the French ascendancy in Italy by the victory of Marengo (June 14), which, with that won by Moreau at Hohenlinden (Dec. 8), brought about the peace of Lunéville (Feb. 9, 1801).  The treaty of Lunéville, which was based on that of Campo-Formio, destroyed the coalition, and restored peace on the Continent.  He concluded the peace of Amiens with England March 27, 1802.  After the peace of Lunéville he commenced the legislative reconstruction of France, the public institutions of which had been either destroyed or thrown into confusion during the Revolution.  To this period belong the restoration of the Roman Catholic Church bythe Concordat (concluded July 15, 1801), the restoration of higher education by the erection of the new university (May 1, 1802), and the establishment of the Legion of Honor (May 19, 1802): preparation had been previously made for the codification of the laws.
   He was made consul for life Aug. 2, 1802; executed the Duc d'Enghien March 21, 1804; was proclaimed hereditary emperor of the French May 18, 1804 (the coronation ceremony took place Dec. 2, 1804); and was crowned king of Italy May 26, 1805.  In the meantime England had been provoked into declaring war (May 18, 1803), and a coalition consisting of England, Russia, Austria, and Sweden was formed against France in 1806: Spain was allied with France.  The victory of Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar (Oct. 21, 1805) followed the failure of the projected invasion of England.  Breaking up his camp at Boulogne, he invaded Austria, occupied Vienna, and (Dec. 2, 1805) defeated the allied Russians and Austrians at Austerlitz.  The Russians retired from the contest under a military Convention; the Austrians signed the peace of Presburg (Dec. 26, 1805); and the coalition was destroyed.  His intervention in germany brought about the erection of the Confederation of the Rhine July 12, 1806.  This confederation, which was placed under his protection, ultimately embraced nearly all the states of Germany except Austria and Prussia.  Its erection, together with other provocation, caused Prnssia to mobilize its army in Aug., and Napoleon presently found himself opposed by a coalition with Prussia, Russia, and England as its principal members.  He crushed the Prussian army at Jena and Auerstädt Oct. 14; entered Berlin Oct. 27; fought the Russians and Prussians in the drawn battle of Eylau Feb. 7-8, 1807; defeated the Russians at the battle of Friedland June 14; and compelled both Russia and Prussia to conclude peace at Tilsit July 7 and 9, 1807, respectively.  Russia became the ally of France; Prussia was deprived of nearly half her territory.  Napoleon was now, perhaps, at the height of his power.  The imperial title was no empty form.  He was the head of a great confederacy of states.  He had surrounded the imperial throne with subordinate thrones occupied by members of his own family.  His stepson Eugène de Beauharnais was viceroy of the kingdom of Italy in northern and central Italy; his brother Joseph was king of Naples in southern Italy; his brother Louis was king of Holland; his brother Jerome was king of Westphalia; his brother-in-law Murat was grandduke of Berg.  The Confederation of the Rhine existed by virtue of his protection, and his troops occupied dismembered Prussia.  He directed the policy of Europe.
   England alone, mistress of the seas, appeared to stand between him and universal dominion.  England was safe from invasion, but she was vulnerable through her commerce.  Napoleon undertook to starve her by closing the ports of the Continent against her commerce.  This policy, known as "the Continental system," was inaugurated by the Berlin decree in 1806, and was extended by the Milan decree in 1807.  To further this policy he resolved to seize the maritime states of Portugal and Spain.  His armies expelled the house of Braganza from Portugal, and Nov. 30, 1807, the French entered Lisbon.  Under pretense of guarding the coast against the English, he quartered 80,000 troops in Spain, then in 1808 enticed Ferdinand VII. and his father Charles IV. (who had recently abdicated) to Bayonne, extorted from both a renunciation of their claims, and placed his brother Joseph on the Spanish throne.  An uprising of the Spaniards took place, followed by a popular insurrection in Portugal, movements which found response in Germany.  The seizure of Spain and Portugal proved in the end a fatal error.  The war which it kindled, known as the Peninsular war, drained him of his resources and placed an enemy in his rear when northern Europe rose against him in 1813.  The English in 1808 landed an army in Portugal, whence they expelled the French, and penetrated into Spain.  Napoleon, securing himself against Austria by a closer alliance with the czar Alexander at Erfurt (concluded Oct. 12, 1808), hastened in person to Spain.  With 250,000 men, drove out the English, and entered Madrid (Dec. 4, 1808).  He was recalled by the threatening attitude of Austria, against which he precipitated war in April, 1809.  He occupied Vienna (May 13), was defeated by the archduke Charles at Aspern and Essling (May 21-22), defeated the archduke at Wagram (July 5-6), and concluded the peace of Schönbrunn Oct. 14, 1809.  He divorced Josephine Dec. 16, 1809, and married Maria Louisa of Austria March 11 (April 2), 1810.  He annexed the Papal States in 1809 (the Pope being carried prisoner to France), and Holland in 1810.  The refusal of Alexander to carry out strictly the Continental system, which Napoleon himself evaded by the sale of licenses, brought on war with Russia.  He crossed the Niemen June 24, 1812; gained the victory of Borodino Sept. 7; and occupied Moscow Sept. 14.  His proffer of truce was rejected by the Russians, and he was forced by the approach of winter to begin a retreat (Oct. 19).  He was overtaken by the winter, and his army dwindled before the cold, hunger, and the enemy.  He left the army in command of Murat Dec. 4, and hastened to Paris. Murat recrossed the Niemen Dec. 13, with 100,000 men), the remnant of the Grand Army of 600,000 veterans.  The loss sustained by Napoleon in this campaign encouraged the defection of Prussia, which formed an alliance with Russia at Kalisch Feb. 28, 1813.  Napoleon defeated the Russians and Prussians at Lützen May 2, and at Bautzen May 20-21.  Austria declared war Aug. 12, and Napoleon presently found himself opposed by a coalition of Russia, England, Sweden, Prussia, and Austria, of which the first three had been united since the previous year.  He won his last great victory at Dresden Aug. 26-27, and lost the decisive battles of Leipsic (Oct. 16, 18, and 19), Laon (March 9-10, 1814), and Arcis-sur-Aube (March 20-21).  On March 31 the Allies entered Paris.  He was compelled to abdicate at Fontainebleau April 11, but was allowed to retain the title of emperor, and received the island of Elba as a sovereign principality, and an aunual income of 2,000,000 francs.  He arrived in Elba May 4.  The Congress of Vienna convened in Sept., 1814, for the purpose of restoring and regulating the relations between the powers disturbed by Napoleon.  Encouraged by the quarrels which arose at the Congress between the Allies, Napoleon left Elba Feb. 26, 1816; landed at Cannes March 1; and entered Paris March 20, the troops sent against him, including Ney with his corps, having joined his standard.  At the return of Napoleon, the Allies again took the field.  He was finally overthrown at Waterloo June 18, 1815, and the Allies entered Paris a second time July 7.  After futile attempts to escape to America, he surrendered himself to the British admiral Hotham at Rochefort July 16.  By a unanimous resolve of the Allies he was transported as prisoner of war to St. Helena, where he arrived on Oct. 16, 1815, and where he was detained the rest of his life.


The spelling Buonaparte was used by Napoleon's father, and by Napoleon himself down to 1796, although the spelling Bonaparte occurs in early Italian documents.

  Aug. 15, 1769, is the commonly accepted date of Napoleon's birth, and Jan. 7, 1768 that of the birth of his brother Joseph.  It has been said, but without good reason, that these dates were interchanged at the time of Napoleon's admission to the military school of Brienne in 1779, no candidate being eligible after 10 years of age.

Century Dict. 1906


word: Napoleon
definition:
Napoleon

Na*po"le*on
(?)
n.
[From the Emperor Napoleon 1.]
1.
A French gold coin of twenty francs, no longer minted or circulated.  It bore the portrait of Napoleon I. or Napoleon III.

2.
(Card Playing)
(a)
A game in which each player holds five cards, the eldest hand stating the number of tricks he will bid to take, any subsequent player having the right to overbid him or a previous bidder, the highest bidder naming the trump and winning a number of points equal to his bid if he makes so many tricks, or losing the same number of points if he fails to make them.
(b)
A bid to take five tricks at napoleon.  It is ordinarily the highest bid; but sometimes bids are allowed of wellington, or of blucher, to take five tricks, or pay double, or treble, if unsuccessful.

3.
A Napoleon gun.

4.
A kind of top boot of the middle of the 19th century.

5.
A shape and size of cigar. It is about seven inches long.

6.
a puff pastry confection, usually layered, with a filling of custard or cream, or sometimes jelly.


word: Napoleonic
definition:
Napoleonic

Na*po`le*on"ic
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to Napoleon I., or his family; resembling, or having the qualities of, Napoleon I.
Lowell.


word: Nappe
definition:
Nappe

Nappe
(?)
n.
[F. nappe cloth, sheet. See Napery.]
(Geom.)
Sheet; surface; all that portion of a surface that is continuous in such a way that it is possible to pass from any one point of the portion to any other point of the portion without leaving the surface.  Thus, some hyperboloids have one nappe, and some have two.


word: Nappiness
definition:
Nappiness

Nap"pi*ness
(?)
n.
[From 2d Nappy.]
The quality of having a nap; abundance of nap, as on cloth.


word: Napping
definition:
Napping

Nap"ping
(?)
n.
1.
The act or process of raising a nap, as on cloth.

2.
(Hat Making)
A sheet of partially felted fur before it is united to the hat body.
Knight.

3.
The act or process of having a short sleep; as, napping is a common occupation for cats.


word: Nappy
definition:
Nappy

Nap"py
(?)
a.
[From 1st Nap.]
1.
Inclined to sleep; sleepy; as, to feel nappy.

2.
Tending to cause sleepiness; serving to make sleepy; strong; heady; as, nappy ale.
[Obs.]
Wyatt.


word: Nappy₃
definition:
Nappy

Nap"py
n.
pl. Nappies (#).
[OE. nap, AS. hnaep cup, bowl. See Hanaper.]
A round earthen dish, with a flat bottom and sloping sides.
[Written also nappie.]


word: Napu
definition:
Napu

Na*pu"
(?)
n.
[Native name.]
(Zool.)
A very small chevrotain (Tragulus Javanicus), native of Java. It is about the size of a hare, and is noted for its agility in leaping. Called also Java musk deer, pygmy musk deer, and deerlet.


word: Narceine
definition:
Narceine

Nar"ce*ine
(?)
n.
[L. narce numbness, torpor, Gr. _;_;_;_;_;: cf. F. narcéïne.]
(Chem.)
An alkaloid found in small quantities in opium, and extracted as a white crystalline substance of a bitter astringent taste.  It is a narcotic.  Called also narceia.


word: narcissism
definition:
narcissism

narcissism
n.
An exceptional interest in and admiration for oneself.

Syn. -- self-love, narcism.


word: narcissistic
definition:
narcissistic

narcissistic
adj.
Having an excessive love of oneself; egocentric; egoistic.

Syn. -- egotistic, egotistical, self-loving.


word: Narcissus
definition:
Narcissus

Nar*cis"sus
(när*sĭs"sŭs)
n.
pl. Narcissuses (#).
[L. narcissus, and (personified) Narcissus, Gr. na`rkissos, Na`rkissos, fr. na`rkh torpor, in allusion to the narcotic properties of the flower.  Cf. Narcotic.]

1.
(Bot.)
A genus of endogenous bulbous plants with handsome flowers, having a cup-shaped crown within the six-lobed perianth, and comprising the daffodils and jonquils of several kinds.

2.
(Classical Myth.)
(Capitalized)
A beautiful youth fabled to have been enamored of his own image as seen in a fountain, and to have been changed into the flower called Narcissus.


word: Narcosis
definition:
Narcosis

Nar*co"sis
(när*k&omacr"sĭs)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. na`rkwsis. See Narcotic.]
(Med.)
Privation of sense or consciousness, due to a narcotic.


word: Narcotic
definition:
Narcotic

Nar*cot"ic
(när*k&obreve_;t"ĭk)
a.
[F. narcotique, Gr. narkwtiko`s, fr. narkoy^n to benumb, na`rkh numbness, torpor.]
(Med.)
Having the properties of a narcotic; operating as a narcotic.


word: Narcotic₂
definition:
Narcotic

Nar*cot"ic
(när*k&obreve_;t"ĭk)
n.
(Med.)
A drug which, in medicinal doses, generally allays morbid susceptibility, relieves pain, and produces sleep; but which, in poisonous doses, produces stupor, coma, or convulsions, and, when given in sufficient quantity, causes death. The best examples are opium (with morphine), belladonna (with atropine), and conium.

Nercotykes and opye (opium) of Thebes.
Chaucer.


word: Narcotine
definition:
Narcotine

Nar"co*tine
(när"ko̝*tĭn or när"ko̝*tēn)
n.
[Cf. F. narcotine.  Cf. Cotarnine.]
(Chem.)
An alkaloid found in opium, and extracted as a white crystalline substance, tasteless and less poisonous than morphine; -- called also narcotia.


word: Narcotism
definition:
Narcotism

Nar"co*tism
(när"ko̝*tĭz'm)
n.
[Cf. F. narcotisme.]
Narcosis; the state of being narcotized.
G. Eliot.


word: Narcotize
definition:
Narcotize

Nar"co*tize
(när"ko̝*tīz)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Narcotized (när"ko̝*tīzd); p. pr. & vb. n. Narcotizing (när"ko̝*tī*zĭng).]
To imbue with, or subject to the influence of, a narcotic; to put into a state of narcosis.


word: Nard
definition:
Nard

Nard
(närd)
n.
[AS., fr. L. nardus, Gr. na`rdos; cf. Heb. nêrd, Per. nard, Scr. nalada.]
1.
(Bot.)
An East Indian plant (Nardostachys Jatamansi) of the Valerian family, used from remote ages in Oriental perfumery.

2.
An ointment prepared partly from this plant. See Spikenard.

3.
(Bot.)
A kind of grass (Nardus stricta) of little value, found in Europe and Asia.


word: Nardine
definition:
Nardine

Nard"ine
(närd"ĭn)
a.
[L. nardinus, Gr. na`rdinos.]
Of or pertaining to nard; having the qualities of nard.


word: Nardoo
definition:
Nardoo

Nar*doo"
(när*dō")
n.
(Bot.)
An Australian name for Marsilea Drummondii, a four-leaved cryptogamous plant, sometimes used for food.


word: Nares
definition:
Nares

Na"res
(?)
n. pl.
[L., pl. of naris nostril.]
(Anat.)
The nostrils or nasal openings, -- the anterior nares being the external or proper nostrils, and the posterior nares, the openings of the nasal cavities into the mouth or pharynx.


word: Nargileh
definition:
Nargileh

Nargile

{ Nar"gile (?), Nar"gi*leh (?), }
n.
[Per. nārghīl, prop., a cocoanut; prob. so called because first made of a cocoanut.]
An apparatus for smoking tobacco.  It has a long flexible tube, and the smoke is drawn through water.  Also called hoookah and water pipe.  Functionally similar to the hubble-bubble, a simplified form.


word: nark
definition:
nark

nark
n.
[from narcotics.]
A law enforcement agent specializing in narcotics law violations.
[slang]


word: narrable
definition:
narrable

nar"ra*ble
(?)
a.
[L. narrabilis, fr. narrare to narrate.]
Capable of being narrated or told.
[Obs.]


word: Narragansetts
definition:
Narragansetts

Nar`ra*gan"setts
(?)
prop. n. pl.
sing. Narragansett (_;)
(Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited the shores of Narragansett Bay.


word: narrate
definition:
narrate

nar*rate"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Narrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Narrating.]
[L. narratus, p. p. of narrare to narrate, prob. for gnarigare, fr. gnarus knowing. See Ignore, Know.]
To tell, rehearse, or recite, as a story; to relate the particulars of; to go through with in detail, as an incident or transaction; to give an account of.


word: narration
definition:
narration

nar*ra"tion
(?)
n.
[L. narratio: cf. F. narration.]
1.
The act of telling or relating the particulars of an event; a recital of certain events, usually in chronological order; rehearsal.

2.
That which is related; the relation in words or writing of the particulars of any transaction or event, or of any series of transactions or events; a narrative; story; history.

3.
(Rhet.)
That part of a discourse which recites the time, manner, or consequences of an action, or simply states the facts connected with the subject.


word: Narrative
definition:
Narrative

Nar"ra*tive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. narratif.]
1.
Of or pertaining to narration; relating to the particulars of an event or transaction.

2.
Apt or inclined to relate stories, or to tell particulars of events; story-telling; garrulous.

But wise through time, and narrative with age.
Pope.


word: Narrative₂
definition:
Narrative

Nar"ra*tive
n.
That which is narrated; the recital of a story; a continuous account of the particulars of an event or transaction; a story.

Cyntio was much taken with my narrative.
Tatler.


word: Narrator
definition:
Narrator

Nar*ra"tor
(?)
n.
[L.]
One who narrates; one who relates a series of events or transactions.


word: Narratory
definition:
Narratory

Nar"ra*to*ry
(?)
a.
Giving an account of events; narrative; as, narratory letters.
Howell.


word: Narrow
definition:
Narrow

Nar"row
(năr"ro̝)
a.
[Compar. Narrower (năr"ro̝*ẽr); superl. Narrowest.]
[OE. narwe, naru, AS. nearu; akin to OS. naru, naro.]
1.
Of little breadth; not wide or broad; having little distance from side to side; as, a narrow board; a narrow street; a narrow hem.

Hath passed in safety through the narrow seas.
Shak.

2.
Of little extent; very limited; circumscribed.

The Jews were but a small nation, and confined to a narrow compass in the world.
Bp. Wilkins.

3.
Having but a little margin; having barely sufficient space, time, or number, etc.; close; near{5}; -- with special reference to some peril or misfortune; as, a narrow shot; a narrow escape; a narrow miss; a narrow majority.
Dryden.

4.
Limited as to means; straitened; pinching; as, narrow circumstances.

5.
Contracted; of limited scope; illiberal; bigoted; as, a narrow mind; narrow views.
narrow
Macaulay.

6.
Parsimonious; niggardly; covetous; selfish.

A very narrow and stinted charity.
Smalridge.

7.
Scrutinizing in detail; close; accurate; exact.

But first with narrow search I must walk round
This garden, and no corner leave unspied.
Milton.

8.
(Phon.)
Formed (as a vowel) by a close position of some part of the tongue in relation to the palate; or (according to Bell) by a tense condition of the pharynx; -- distinguished from wide; as ē (ēve) and ō (fōd), etc., from ĭ (ĭll) and ŏ (fŏt), etc. See Guide to Pronunciation, §13.

&hand_; Narrow is not unfrequently prefixed to words, especially to participles and adjectives, forming compounds of obvious signification; as, narrow-bordered, narrow-brimmed, narrow-breasted, narrow-edged, narrow-faced, narrow-headed, narrow-leaved, narrow-pointed, narrow-souled, narrow-sphered, etc.

Narrow gauge. (Railroad) See Note under Gauge, n., 6.


word: Narrow₂
definition:
Narrow

Nar"row
(?)
n.
pl. Narrows (_;).
A narrow passage; esp., a contracted part of a stream, lake, or sea; a strait connecting two bodies of water; -- usually in the plural; as, The Narrows of New York harbor.

Near the island lay on one side the jaws of a dangerous
narrow.
Gladstone.


word: Narrow₃
definition:
Narrow

Nar"row
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Narrowed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Narrowing.]
[AS. nearwian.]
1.
To lessen the breadth of; to contract; to draw into a smaller compass; to reduce the width or extent of.
Sir W. Temple.

2.
To contract the reach or sphere of; to make less liberal or more selfish; to limit; to confine; to restrict; as, to narrow one's views or knowledge; to narrow a question in discussion.

Our knowledge is much more narrowed if we confine ourselves to our own solitary reasonings.
I. Watts.

3.
(Knitting)
To contract the size of, as a stocking, by taking two stitches into one.


word: Narrow₄
definition:
Narrow

Nar"row
v. i.
1.
To become less broad; to contract; to become narrower; as, the sea narrows into a strait.

2.
(Man.)
Not to step out enough to the one hand or the other; as, a horse narrows.
Farrier's Dict.

3.
(Knitting)
To contract the size of a stocking or other knit article, by taking two stitches into one.


word: Narrowing
definition:
Narrowing

Nar"row*ing
n.
1.
The act of contracting, or of making or becoming less in breadth or extent.

2.
The part of a stocking which is narrowed.


word: Narrowly
definition:
Narrowly

Nar"row*ly
adv.
[AS. nearulice.]
1.
With little breadth; in a narrow manner.

2.
Without much extent; contractedly.

3.
With minute scrutiny; closely; as, to look or watch narrowly; to search narrowly.

4.
With a little margin or space; by a small distance; hence, closely; hardly; barely; only just; -- often with reference to an avoided danger or misfortune; as, he narrowly escaped.

5.
Sparingly; parsimoniously.

6.
With close adherence to the literal meaning of a text; as, to interpret narrowly; to construe narrowly; to read narrowly; -- used especially of laws and contracts.


word: Narrow-minded
definition:
Narrow-minded

Nar"row-mind`ed
(?)
a.
Of narrow mental scope; lacking tolerance or breadth of view; illiberal; mean.  Opposite of broad-minded, open-minded, liberal.
[wns=2]
dogmatic, dogmatical
little, petty, small, small-minded

Syn. -- narrowminded, narrow, illiberal, intolerant.

2.
Capable of being shocked by behavior of others.  Opposite of unshockable.
[wns=1]

Syn. -- shockable.


word: Narthex
definition:
Narthex

Nar"thex
(?)
n.
[L., giant fennel, Gr. na`rqhx.]
1.
(Bot.)
A tall umbelliferous plant (Ferula communis). See Giant fennel, under Fennel.

2.
(Arch.)
The portico in front of ancient churches; sometimes, the atrium or outer court surrounded by ambulatories; -- used, generally, for any vestibule, lobby, or outer porch, leading to the nave of a church.


word: Narwhal
definition:
Narwhal

Nar"whal
(när"hwȧl)
n.
[Sw. or Dan. narvhal; akin to Icel. nāhvalr, and E. whale. the first syllable is perh. from Icel. nār corpse, dead body, in allusion to the whitish color its skin. See Whale.]
[Written also narwhale and narwal.]
(Zool.)
An arctic cetacean (Monodon monocerous), about twenty feet long.  The male usually has one long, twisted, pointed canine tooth, or tusk, projecting forward from the upper jaw like a horn, whence it is called also sea unicorn, unicorn fish, and unicorn whale. Sometimes two horns are developed, side by side.


word: Nasal
definition:
Nasal

Na"sal
(nā"zal)
a.
[F., from L. nasus the nose. See Nose.]
1.
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the nose.

2.
(Phon.)
Having a quality imparted by means of the nose; and specifically, made by lowering the soft palate, in some cases with closure of the oral passage, the voice thus issuing (wholly or partially) through the nose, as in the consonants m, n, ng (see Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 20, 208); characterized by resonance in the nasal passage; as, a nasal vowel; a nasal utterance.

Nasal bones (Anat.), two bones of the skull, in front of the frontals. -- Nasal index (Anat.), in the skull, the ratio of the transverse breadth of the anterior nasal aperture to the height from the base of the aperture to the nasion, which latter distance is taken as the standard, equal to 100.


word: Nasal₂
definition:
Nasal

Na"sal
n.
1.
An elementary sound which is uttered through the nose, or through both the nose and the mouth simultaneously.

2.
(Med.)
A medicine that operates through the nose; an errhine.
[Archaic]

3.
(Anc. Armor)
Part of a helmet projecting to protect the nose; a nose guard.

4.
(Anat.)
One of the nasal bones.

5.
(Zool.)
A plate, or scale, on the nose of a fish, etc.


word: Nasalis
definition:
Nasalis

Nasalis
prop. n.
A genus of mammals comprising the proboscis monkeys.

Syn. -- genus Nasalis.


word: Nasalize
definition:
Nasalize

Na"sal*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Nasalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nasalizing (?).]
To render nasal, as sound; to insert a nasal or sound in.


word: Nasalize₂
definition:
Nasalize

Na"sal*ize
v. t.
To utter words or letters with a nasal sound; to speak through the nose; to pronounce with a lowered velum.


word: Nascal
definition:
Nascal

Nas"cal
(năs"kal)
n.
[F. nascale.]
(Med.)
A kind of pessary of medicated wool or cotton, formerly used.


word: Nascency
definition:
Nascency

Nas"cen*cy
(năs"sen*s&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. nascentia. See Nascent.]
State of being nascent; birth; beginning; origin.


word: Nascent
definition:
Nascent

Nas"cent
(năs"sent; nā"sent)
a.
[L. nascens, -entis, p. pr. nasci to be born. See Nation, and cf. Naissant.]
1.
Commencing, or in process of development; beginning to exist or to grow; coming into being; as, a nascent germ.

Nascent passions and anxieties.
Berkley.

2.
(Chem.)
Evolving; being evolved or produced; as, nascent oxygen.

Nascent state (Chem.), the fleeting or momentary state of an uncombined atom or radical just separated from one compound, and not yet united with another, -- a hypothetical condition implying peculiarly active chemical properties; as, hydrogen in the nascent state is a strong reducer.


word: Naseberry
definition:
Naseberry

Nase"ber`ry
(nāz"bĕr*r&ybreve_;)
n.
[Sp. nispero medlar and naseberry tree, fr. L. mespilus. See Medlar.]
(Bot.)
A tropical fruit. See Sapodilla.
[Written also nisberry.]


word: Nasicornous
definition:
Nasicornous

Nas`i*cor"nous
(năz`ĭ*kôr"nŭs)
a.
[L. nasus nose + cornu horn: cf. F. nasicorne.]
(Zool.)
Bearing a horn, or horns, on the nose, as the rhinoceros.


word: Nasiform
definition:
Nasiform

Nas"i*form
(năz"ĭ*fôm)
a.
[L. nasus nose + -form. See Nose, and cf. Nariform.]
Having the shape of a nose.


word: Nasion
definition:
Nasion

Na*si*on
(nā"zĭ*&obreve_;n)
n.
[NL., fr. L. nasus nose.]
(Anat.)
The middle point of the nasofrontal suture.


word: Naso-
definition:
Naso-

Na"so-
(nā"zo̝-)
[L. nasus nose.]
(Anat.)
A combining form denoting pertaining to the nose, or connected with the nose; as, nasofrontal.


word: Nasobuccal
definition:
Nasobuccal

Na"so*buc"cal
(?)
a.
[Naso + buccal.]
(Anat.)
Connected with both the nose and the mouth; as, the nasobuccal groove in the skate.


word: Nasofrontal
definition:
Nasofrontal

Na`so*fron"tal
(?)
a.
[Naso- + frontal.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the nose and the front of the head; as, the embryonic nasofrontal process which forms the anterior boundary of the mouth.


word: Nasolachrymal
definition:
Nasolachrymal

Na`so*lach"ry*mal
(?)
a.
[Naso- + lachrymal.]
(Anat.)
Connected with the lachrymal apparatus and the nose; as, the nasolachrymal, or lachrymal duct.


word: Nasopalatine
definition:
Nasopalatine

Nasopalatal

{ Na`so*pal"a*tal (?), Na`so*pal"a*tine (?) }
a.
[Naso- + palatal.]
(Anat.)
Connected with both the nose and the palate; as, the nasopalatine or incisor, canal connecting the mouth and the nasal chamber in some animals; the nasopalatine nerve.


word: Nasopharyngeal
definition:
Nasopharyngeal

Na`so*phar`yn*ge"al
(? or _;)
a.
[Naso- + pharyngeal.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to both throat and nose; as, a nasopharyngeal polypus.


word: Nasoseptal
definition:
Nasoseptal

Na`so*sep"tal
(?)
a.
[Naso- + septal.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the internasal septum.


word: Nasoturbinal
definition:
Nasoturbinal

Na`so*tur"bi*nal
(?)
a.
[Naso- + turbinal.]
(Anat.)
Connected with, or near, both the turbinal and the nasal bones; as, the nasoturbinal bone, made up of the uppermost lammelae of the ethmoturbinal, and sometimes united with the nasal.
n. The nasoturbinal bone.


word: Nassa
definition:
Nassa

Nas"sa
(?)
n.
pl. E. Nassas (#), L. Nassae (#).
[From L. nassa a kind of basket, in allusion to the reticulation of some species.]
(Zool.)
Any species of marine gastropods, of the genera Nassa, Tritia, and other allied genera of the family Nassidae; a dog whelk. See Illust. under Gastropoda.


word: Nastiness
definition:
Nastiness

Nas"ti*ness
n.
The quality or state of being nasty; extreme filthness; dirtiness; also, indecency; obscenity.

The nastiness of Plautus and Aristophanes.
Dryden.


word: Nasturtium
definition:
Nasturtium

Nas*tur"tium
(?)
n.
[L. nasturtium, for nasitortium, fr. nasus nose + torquere, tortum, to twist, torture, in allusion to the causing one to make a wry face by its pungent taste. See Nose of the face, and Torture.]
1.
(Bot.)
A genus of cruciferous plants, having white or yellowish flowers, including several species of cress. They are found chiefly in wet or damp grounds, and have a pungent biting taste.

2.
(Bot.)
Any plant of the genus Tropaeolum, geraniaceous herbs, having mostly climbing stems, peltate leaves, and spurred flowers, and including the common Indian cress (Tropaeolum majus), the canary-bird flower (Tropaeolum peregrinum), and about thirty more species, all natives of South America.  The whole plant has a warm pungent flavor, and the fleshy fruits are used as a substitute for capers, while the leaves and flowers are sometimes used in salads.


word: Nasty
definition:
Nasty

Nas"ty
(nȧs"t&ybreve_;)
a.
[Compar. Nastier (nȧs"tĭ*ẽr); superl. Nastiest.]
[For older nasky; cf. dial. Sw. naskug, nasket.]
1.
Offensively filthy; very dirty, foul, or defiled; disgusting; nauseous.

2.
Hence, loosely: Offensive; disagreeable; unpropitious; wet; drizzling; as, a nasty rain, day, sky.

3.
Characterized by obscenity; indecent; indelicate; gross; filthy.

4.
Vicious; offensively ill-tempered; insultingly mean; spiteful; as, a nasty disposition.

5.
Difficult to deal with; troublesome; as, he fell of his bike and got a nasty bruise on his knee.
[slang]


word: Nasute
definition:
Nasute

Na"sute
(?)
a.
[L. nasutus, fr. nasus the nose.]
1.
Having a nice sense of smell.
[Obs.]
Evelyn.

2.
Critically nice; captious.
[Obs.]
auden.


word: Nasutness
definition:
Nasutness

Na"sut*ness
n.
Quickness of scent; hence, nice discernment; acuteness.
[Obs.]
Dr. H. More.


word: Natal
definition:
Natal

Na"tal
(nā"tal)
a.
[L. natalis, fr. natus, p. p. of nasci to be born: cf. F. natal. See Nation, and cf. Noel.]
1.
Of or pertaining to one's birth; accompying or dating from one's birth; native.

Princes' children took names from their natal places.
Camden.

Propitious star, whose sacred power
Presided o'er the monarch's natal hour.
Prior.

2.
(Astrol.)
Presiding over nativity; as, natal Jove.


word: Natalitious
definition:
Natalitious

Natalitial

{ Na`ta*li"tial (?), Na`ta*li"tious (?) }
a.
[L. natalitius, from natalis. See Natal.]
Of or pertaining to one's birth or birthday, or one's nativity.
[Obs.]
Natalitial
Evelyn.
Natalitious
W. Cartwright.


word: Nataloin
definition:
Nataloin

Na*tal"o*in
(?)
n.
[From Natal aloes.]
(Chem.)
A bitter crystalline substance constituting the essential principle of Natal aloes.  Cf. Aloon.


word: Natal plum
definition:
Natal plum

Na*tal" plum`
(?)
1.
(Bot.)
The drupaceous fruit of two South African shrubs of the genus Carissa (formerly Arduina) (Carissa bispinosa and Carissa grandiflora).  It is also called amatungulu.

2.
the shrub bearing the natal plum{1}; a very large closely branched South African shrub (Carissa grandiflora) of the dogbane family having forked bright green spines, white flowers, shiny leaves, and red berries.


word: Natant
definition:
Natant

Na"tant
(?)
a.
[L. natans, -antis, from swim, v. intens. fr. nare to swim: cf. F. natant.]
1.
(Bot.)
Floating in water, as the leaves of water lilies, or submersed, as those of many aquatic plants.

2.
(Her.)
Placed horizontally across the field, as if swimming toward the dexter side; said of all sorts of fishes except the flying fish.


word: Natation
definition:
Natation

Na*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. natatio, fr. natare to swim: cf. F. natation. See Natant.]
The act of floating on the water; swimming.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Natatores
definition:
Natatores

Na`ta*to"res
(?)
n. pl.
[L. natator a swimmer.]
(Zool.)
The swimming birds.

&hand_; They were formerly united into one order, which is now considered an artificial group.


word: Natatorious
definition:
Natatorious

Na`ta*to"ri*ous
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Adapted for swimming; -- said of the legs of certain insects.


word: Natatory
definition:
Natatory

Na"ta*to*ry
(?)
a.
[L. natatorius.]
Adapted for swimming or floating; as, natatory organs.


word: Natch
definition:
Natch

Natch
(năch)
n.
[OF. nache fesse, LL. natica, from L. natis the rump, buttocks.  Cf. Aitchbone.]
The rump of beef; esp., the lower and back part of the rump.

Natch bone, the edgebone, or aitchbone, in beef.


word: Natchez
definition:
Natchez

Natch"ez
(?)
n. pl.
(Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians who formerly lived near the site of the city of Natchez, Mississippi.  In 1729 they were subdued by the French; the survivors joined the Creek Confederacy.


word: Natchnee
definition:
Natchnee

Natch"nee
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
An annual grass (Eleusine coracona), cultivated in India as a food plant.


word: Nates
definition:
Nates

Na"tes
(?)
n. pl.
[L., the buttocks.]
1.
(Anat.)
(a)
The buttocks.
(b)
The two anterior of the four lobes on the dorsal side of the midbrain of most mammals; the anterior optic lobes.

2.
(Zool.)
The umbones of a bivalve shell.


word: Nathless
definition:
Nathless

Nath"less
(?)
adv.
[OE. natheles, na the les, not the less, AS. nā never. See Na, The, conj., and cf. Nevertheless.]
Nevertheless.
[Archaic]
Chaucer. Milton. E. Arnold.


word: natica
definition:
natica

nat"i*ca
(?)
n.
pl. naticas (_;), L. naticae (-sē).
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of marine gastropods belonging to Natica, Lunatia, Neverita, and other allied genera (family Naticidae.)  They burrow beneath the sand, or mud, and drill other shells.


word: Naticoid
definition:
Naticoid

Nat"i*coid
(?)
a.
[Natica + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Like or belonging to Natica, or the family Naticidae.


word: Nation
definition:
Nation

Na"tion
(?)
n.
[F. nation, L. natio nation, race, orig., a being born, fr. natus, p. p. of nasci, to be born, for gnatus, gnasci, from the same root as E. kin. √44. See Kin kindred, and cf. Cognate, Natal, Native.]
1.
(Ethnol.)
A part, or division, of the people of the earth, distinguished from the rest by common descent, language, or institutions; a race; a stock.

All nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.
Rev. vii. 9.

2.
The body of inhabitants of a country, united under an independent government of their own.

A nation is the unity of a people.
Coleridge.

Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
F. S. Key.

3.
Family; lineage.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

4.
(a)
One of the divisions of university students in a classification according to nativity, formerly common in Europe.
(b)
(Scotch Universities)
One of the four divisions (named from the parts of Scotland) in which students were classified according to their nativity.

5.
A great number; a great deal; -- by way of emphasis; as, a nation of herbs.
Sterne.

Five nations. See under Five. -- Law of nations. See International law, under International, and Law.


word: National
definition:
National

Na"tion*al
(?; 277)
a.
[Cf. F. national.]
1.
Of or pertaining to a nation; common to a whole people or race; public; general; as, a national government, language, dress, custom, calamity, etc.

2.
Attached to one's own country or nation.

National anthem, a popular song or hymn which has become by general acceptance the recognized musical expression of the patriotic sentiment of a nation; as, “God save the King” is called the national anthem of England. -- National bank, the official common name of a class of banking corporations established under the laws of the United States. -- National flag. See under Flag. -- National guard, a body of militia, or a local military organization, as in Paris during the French Revolution, or as certain bodies of militia in other European countries and in the United States. -- National salute, a salute consisting of as many guns as there are States in the Union. [U.S.]


word: national
definition:
national

na"tion*al
(?; 277)
n.
1.
A citizen (of a particular country); as, U. S. nationals are advised to contact their embassy when abroad.

2.
A country-wide sports competition; for a series of competitions, the plural form is usually used; as, to advance to the nationals.


word: Nationalism
definition:
Nationalism

Na"tion*al*ism
(?)
n.
1.
The state of being national; national attachment; nationality.

2.
An idiom, trait, or character peculiar to any nation.

3.
National independence; the principles of the Nationalists.

4.
A devotion to one's country; patriotism;
especially.
an exaggerated or excessive form of patriotism; chauvinism.

5.
The policy of advocating the independence of one's country.

6.
The policy of advocating the interests of one's own country exclusively, regardless of effects of a country's actions on other countries.


word: nationalist
definition:
nationalist

na"tion*al*ist
n.
1.
One who advocates national unity and independence; -- as, for example, one of a party favoring Irish independence before 1918.

2.
One who advocates nationalism, in any sense.


word: nationalistic
definition:
nationalistic

nationalistic
adj.
1.
Fanatically patriotic; chauvinistic.

Syn. -- chauvinistic, flag-waving(prenominal), jingoistic, superpatriotic.

2.
Devotion to the interests or culture of a particular nation including promoting the interests of one country over those of others; as, minor nationalistic differences.

Syn. -- nationalist.


word: Nationality
definition:
Nationality

Na`tion*al"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Nationalities (#).
[Cf. F. nationalité.]
1.
The quality of being national, or strongly attached to one's own nation; patriotism.

2.
The sum of the qualities which distinguish a nation; national character.

3.
A race or people, as determined by common language and character, and not by political bias or divisions; a nation.

The fulfillment of his mission is to be looked for in the condition of nationalities and the character of peoples.
H. W. Beecher.

4.
Existence as a distinct or individual nation; national unity and integrity.

5.
The state or quality of belonging to or being connected with a nation or government by nativity, character, ownership, allegiance, etc.; as, to record one's nationality on identification papers; the Soviet Union had citizens of many nationalities.


word: Nationalization
definition:
Nationalization

Na`tion*al*i*za"tion
(?)
n.
The act of nationalizing, or the state of being nationalized.


word: nationalize
definition:
nationalize

na"tion*al*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Nationalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nationalizing (?).]
[Cf. F. nationaliser.]
1.
To make national; to make a nation of; to endow with the character and habits of a nation, or the peculiar sentiments and attachment of citizens of a nation.

2.
To change ownership of (a business, a property) from private ownership to state ownership or control; as, to nationalize the steel industry.


word: Nationally
definition:
Nationally

Na"tion*al*ly
adv.
1.
In a national manner or way; as a nation.
nationally
South.

2.
Throughout the nation; as, nationally famous.


word: Native
definition:
Native

Na"tive
(nā"tĭv)
a.
[F. natif, L. nativus, fr. nasci, p. p. natus. See Nation, and cf. Naïve, Neif a serf.]
1.
Arising by birth; having an origin; born.
[Obs.]

Anaximander's opinion is, that the gods are native, rising and vanishing again in long periods of times.
Cudworth.

2.
Of or pertaining to one's birth; natal; belonging to the place or the circumstances in which one is born; -- opposed to foreign; as, native land, language, color, etc.

3.
Born in the region in which one lives; as, a native inhabitant, race; grown or originating in the region where used or sold; not foreign or imported; as, native oysters, or strawberries.  In the latter sense, synonymous with domestic.

4.
Original; constituting the original substance of anything; as, native dust.
Milton.

5.
Conferred by birth; derived from origin; born with one; inherent; inborn; not acquired; as, native genius, cheerfulness, wit, simplicity, rights, intelligence, etc.  Having the same meaning as congenital, but typically used for positive qualities, whereas congenital may be used for negative qualities.  See also congenital

Courage is native to you.
Jowett (Thucyd.).

6.
Naturally related; cognate; connected (with).
[R.]

the head is not more native to the heart, . . . 
Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.
Shak.

7.
(Min.)
(a)
Found in nature uncombined with other elements; as, native silver, copper, gold.
(b)
Found in nature; not artificial; as native sodium chloride.

Native American party. See under American, a. -- Native bear (Zool.), the koala. -- Native bread (Bot.), a large underground fungus, of Australia (Mylitta australis), somewhat resembling a truffle, but much larger. -- Native devil. (Zool.) Same as Tasmanian devil, under Devil. -- Native hen (Zool.), an Australian rail (Tribonyx Mortierii). -- Native pheasant. (Zool.) See Leipoa. -- Native rabbit (Zool.), an Australian marsupial (Perameles lagotis) resembling a rabbit in size and form. -- Native sloth (Zool.), the koala. -- Native thrush (Zool.), an Australian singing bird (Pachycephala olivacea); -- called also thickhead. -- Native turkey (Zool.), the Australian bustard (Choriotis australis); -- called also bebilya.


word: Native₂
definition:
Native

Na"tive
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, is born in a place or country referred to; a denizen by birth; an animal, a fruit, or vegetable, produced in a certain region; as, a native of France; the natives are restless.

2.
(Stock Breeding)
Any of the live stock found in a region, as distinguished from such as belong to pure and distinct imported breeds.
[U.S.]


word: Native steel
definition:
Native steel

Na"tive steel
A sort of steel which has been found where a burning coal seam had reduced and carbonized adjacent iron ore.


word: Nativism
definition:
Nativism

Na"tiv*ism
(?)
n.
1.
The disposition to favor the native inhabitants of a country, in preference to immigrants from foreign countries.

2.
(Philos.)
The doctrine of innate ideas, or that the mind possesses forms of thought independent of sensation.


word: Nativity
definition:
Nativity

Na*tiv"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Nativies (#).
[F. nativité, L. nativitas. See Native, and cf. Naïveté.]
1.
The coming into life or into the world; birth; also, the circumstances attending birth, as time, place, manner, etc.
Chaucer.

I have served him from the hour of my nativity.
Shak.

Thou hast left . . . the land of thy nativity.
Ruth ii. 11.

These in their dark nativity the deep
Shall yield us, pregnant with infernal flame.
Milton.

2.
(Fine Arts)
(capitalized)
A picture representing or symbolizing the early infancy of Christ.  The simplest form is the babe in a rude cradle, and the heads of an ox and an ass to express the stable in which he was born.

3.
(Astrol.)
A representation of the positions of the heavenly bodies as the moment of one's birth, supposed to indicate one's future destinies; a horoscope.

The Nativity, the birth or birthday of Christ; Christmas day. -- To cast one's nativity or To calculate one's nativity (Astrol.), to find out and represent the position of the heavenly bodies at the time of one's birth.


word: Natrolite
definition:
Natrolite

Na"tro*lite
(?; 277)
n.
[Natron + -lite: cf. F. natrolithe.]
(Min.)
A zeolite occuring in groups of glassy acicular crystals, and in masses which often have a radiated structure.  It is a hydrous silicate of alumina and soda.


word: Natron
definition:
Natron

Na"tron
(?)
n.
[F., fr. Sp. natron, Ar. natrūn, nitrūn.  Cf. Niter, Anatron.]
(Min.)
Native sodium carbonate.
[Written also anatron.]


word: Natter
definition:
Natter

Nat"ter
(?)
v. i.
[Cf. Icel. knetta to grumble.]
1.
To find fault; to be peevish.
[Prov. Eng. or Scot.]

2.
To talk constantly; to chatter incessantly to prattle; as, nattering like a chatterbox.


word: Natterjack
definition:
Natterjack

Nat"ter*jack`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A European toad (Bufo calamita), having a yellow line along its back.


word: Natural
definition:
Natural

Nat"u*ral
(?; 135)
a.
[OE. naturel, F. naturel, fr. L. naturalis, fr. natura. See Nature.]
1.
Fixed or determined by nature; pertaining to the constitution of a thing; belonging to native character; according to nature; essential; characteristic; innate; not artificial, foreign, assumed, put on, or acquired; as, the natural growth of animals or plants; the natural motion of a gravitating body; natural strength or disposition; the natural heat of the body; natural color.

With strong natural sense, and rare force of will.
Macaulay.

2.
Conformed to the order, laws, or actual facts, of nature; consonant to the methods of nature; according to the stated course of things, or in accordance with the laws which govern events, feelings, etc.; not exceptional or violent; legitimate; normal; regular; as, the natural consequence of crime; a natural death; anger is a natural response to insult.

What can be more natural than the circumstances in the behavior of those women who had lost their husbands on this fatal day?
Addison.

3.
Having to do with existing system to things; dealing with, or derived from, the creation, or the world of matter and mind, as known by man; within the scope of human reason or experience; not supernatural; as, a natural law; natural science; history, theology.

I call that natural religion which men might know . . . by the mere principles of reason, improved by consideration and experience, without the help of revelation.
Bp. Wilkins.

4.
Conformed to truth or reality
(a)
Springing from true sentiment; not artificial or exaggerated; -- said of action, delivery, etc.; as, a natural gesture, tone, etc.
(b)
Resembling the object imitated; true to nature; according to the life; -- said of anything copied or imitated; as, a portrait is natural.

5.
Having the character or sentiments properly belonging to one's position; not unnatural in feelings.

To leave his wife, to leave his babes, . . . 
He wants the natural touch.
Shak.

6.
Connected by the ties of consanguinity.
especially,
Related by birth rather than by adoption; as, one's natural mother.
Natural
J. H. Newman.

7.
Hence:
Begotten without the sanction of law; born out of wedlock; illegitimate; bastard; as, a natural child.

8.
Of or pertaining to the lower or animal nature, as contrasted with the higher or moral powers, or that which is spiritual; being in a state of nature; unregenerate.

The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.
1 Cor. ii. 14.

9.
(Math.)
Belonging to, to be taken in, or referred to, some system, in which the base is 1; -- said of certain functions or numbers; as, natural numbers, those commencing at 1; natural sines, cosines, etc., those taken in arcs whose radii are 1.

10.
(Mus.)
(a)
Produced by natural organs, as those of the human throat, in distinction from instrumental music.
(b)
Of or pertaining to a key which has neither a flat nor a sharp for its signature, as the key of C major.
(c)
Applied to an air or modulation of harmony which moves by easy and smooth transitions, digressing but little from the original key.
(d)
Neither flat nor sharp; -- of a tone.
(e)
Changed to the pitch which is neither flat nor sharp, by appending the sign &natur; as, A natural.
Moore (Encyc. of Music).

11.
Existing in nature or created by the forces of nature, in contrast to production by man; not made, manufactured, or processed by humans; as, a natural ruby; a natural bridge; natural fibers;  a deposit of natural calcium sulfate.  Opposed to artificial, man-made, manufactured, processed and synthetic.
[wns=2]

12.
Hence:
Not processed or refined; in the same statre as that existing in nature; as, natural wood; natural foods.

Natural day, the space of twenty-four hours. Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
-- Natural fats, Natural gas, etc. See under Fat, Gas. etc. -- Natural Harmony (Mus.), the harmony of the triad or common chord. -- Natural history, in its broadest sense, a history or description of nature as a whole, including the sciences of botany, Zoology, geology, mineralogy, paleontology, chemistry, and physics. In recent usage the term is often restricted to the sciences of botany and Zoology collectively, and sometimes to the science of zoology alone. -- Natural law, that instinctive sense of justice and of right and wrong, which is native in mankind, as distinguished from specifically revealed divine law, and formulated human law. -- Natural modulation (Mus.), transition from one key to its relative keys. -- Natural order. (Nat. Hist.) See under order. -- Natural person. (Law) See under person, n. -- Natural philosophy, originally, the study of nature in general; the natural sciences; in modern usage, that branch of physical science, commonly called physics, which treats of the phenomena and laws of matter and considers those effects only which are unaccompanied by any change of a chemical nature; -- contrasted with mental philosophy and moral philosophy. -- Natural scale (Mus.), a scale which is written without flats or sharps. Model would be a preferable term, as less likely to mislead, the so-called artificial scales (scales represented by the use of flats and sharps) being equally natural with the so-called natural scale. -- Natural science, the study of objects and phenomena existing in nature, especially biology, chemistry, physics and their interdisciplinary related sciences; natural history, in its broadest sense; -- used especially in contradistinction to social science, mathematics, philosophy, mental science or moral science. -- Natural selection (Biol.), the operation of natural laws analogous, in their operation and results, to designed selection in breeding plants and animals, and resulting in the survival of the fittest; the elimination over time of species unable to compete in specific environments with other species more adapted to survival; -- the essential mechanism of evolution.  The principle of natural selection is neutral with respect to the mechanism by which inheritable changes occur in organisms (most commonly thought to be due to mutation of genes and reorganization of genomes), but proposes that those forms which have become so modified as to be better adapted to the existing environment have tended to survive and leave similarly adapted descendants, while those less perfectly adapted have tended to die out through lack of fitness for the environment, thus resulting in the survival of the fittest. See Darwinism. -- Natural system (Bot. & Zool.), a classification based upon real affinities, as shown in the structure of all parts of the organisms, and by their embryology.

It should be borne in mind that the natural system of botany is natural only in the constitution of its genera, tribes, orders, etc., and in its grand divisions. Gray.

  -- Natural theology, or Natural religion, that part of theological science which treats of those evidences of the existence and attributes of the Supreme Being which are exhibited in nature; -- distinguished from revealed religion. See Quotation under Natural, a., 3. -- Natural vowel, the vowel sound heard in urn, furl, sir, her, etc.; -- so called as being uttered in the easiest open position of the mouth organs. See Neutral vowel, under Neutral and Guide to Pronunciation, § 17. 


word: Natural₂
definition:
Natural

Nat"u*ral
(?; 135)
n.
1.
A native; an aboriginal.
[Obs.]
Sir W. Raleigh.

2.
pl.
Natural gifts, impulses, etc.
[Obs.]
Fuller.

3.
One born without the usual powers of reason or understanding; an idiot.
naturals
Locke.

4.
(Mus.)
A character [&natur] used to contradict, or to remove the effect of, a sharp or flat which has preceded it, and to restore the unaltered note.

5.
A person who has an innate talent that makes success in some specific endeavor, such as sports, much easier than for others; as, Pele was a natural in soccer.


word: natural family
definition:
natural family

nat"u*ral fam"i*ly
n.
(Biol.)
a group of living organisms classed as a family in a toxonomic classification.


word: natural gas
definition:
natural gas

natural gas
n.
The combustible gas found associated with petroleum deposits, and also in other geological formations, comprised predominantly of methane plus variable other constitutents.  It is an important source of energy, and is transported long distances by pipelines, or in a liquefied state in tankers, for commercial distribution.  Some natural gas deposits contain helium, and comprise the primary source of that rare element.

Syn. -- gas.


word: Naturalism
definition:
Naturalism

Nat"u*ral*ism
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. naturalisme.]
1.
A state of nature; conformity to nature.

2.
(Metaph.)
The doctrine of those who deny a supernatural agency in the miracles and revelations recorded in the Bible, and in spiritual influences; also, any system of philosophy which refers the phenomena of nature to a blind force or forces acting necessarily or according to fixed laws, excluding origination or direction by one intelligent will.

3.
The theory that art or literature should conform to nature; realism; also, the quality, rendering, or expression of art or literature executed according to this theory.

4.
Specifically:
The principles and characteristics professed or represented by a 19th-century school of realistic writers, notably by Zola and Maupassant, who aimed to give a literal transcription of reality, and laid special stress on the analytic study of character, and on the scientific and experimental nature of their observation of life.


word: naturalist
definition:
naturalist

nat"u*ral*ist
n.
[Cf. F. naturaliste.]
1.
One versed in natural science; a student of natural history, esp. of the natural history of plants or animals; a botanist or zoologist.

2.
One who holds or maintains the doctrine of naturalism in religion.
H. Bushnell.


word: Naturalistic
definition:
Naturalistic

Nat`u*ral*is"tic
(?)
a.
1.
Belonging to the doctrines of naturalism.

2.
Closely resembling nature; realistic.
Naturalistic
W. D. Howells.


word: Naturalization
definition:
Naturalization

Nat`u*ral*i*za"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. naturalisation.]
The act or process of naturalizing, esp. of investing an alien with the rights and privileges of a native or citizen; also, the state of being naturalized.


word: Naturalize
definition:
Naturalize

Nat"u*ral*ize
(?; 135)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Naturalized (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Naturalizing (#).]
[Cf. F. naturaliser. See Natural.]
1.
To make natural; as, custom naturalizes labor or study.

2.
To confer the rights and privileges of a native subject or citizen on; to make as if native; to adopt, as a foreigner into a nation or state, and place in the condition of a native subject.

3.
To receive or adopt as native, natural, or vernacular; to make one's own; as, to naturalize foreign words.

4.
To adapt; to accustom; to habituate; to acclimate; to cause to grow as under natural conditions.

Its wearer suggested that pears and peaches might yet be naturalized in the New England climate.
Hawthorne.


word: Naturalize₂
definition:
Naturalize

Nat"u*ral*ize
v. i.
1.
To become as if native.

2.
To explain phenomena by natural agencies or laws, to the exclusion of the supernatural.

Infected by this naturalizing tendency.
H. Bushnell.


word: naturalized
definition:
naturalized

naturalized
adj.
1.
Acclimated to a new environment; introduced from another region and persisting without cultivation; -- of plants or animals not native to a location.
[wns=1 & 3]

Syn. -- domesticated, nonnative.

2.
planted randomly in soil so as to give an appearance of wild growth; as, drifts of naturalized daffodils.


word: Naturally
definition:
Naturally

Nat"u*ral*ly
adv.
In a natural manner or way; according to the usual course of things; spontaneously.


word: Natural product
definition:
Natural product

Nat"u*ral prod"uct
n.
(Chem., Biochem.)
A chemical substance produced by a living organism; -- a term used commonly in reference to chemical substances found in nature that have distinctive pharmacological effects.  Such a substance is considered a natural product even if it can be prepared by total synthesis.


word: Natural product chemistry
definition:
Natural product chemistry

Nat"u*ral prod"uct chem"is*try
n.
(Chem.)
That branch of chemistry which deals with the isolation, identification, structure elucidation, and study of the chemical characteristics of chemical substances produced by living organisms.


word: Natural steel
definition:
Natural steel

Nat"u*ral steel
Steel made by the direct refining of cast iron in a finery, or, as wootz, by a direct process from the ore.


word: Nature
definition:
Nature

Na"ture
(?; 135)
n.
[F., fr. L. natura, fr. natus born, produced, p. p. of nasci to be born. See Nation.]
1.
The existing system of things; the universe of matter, energy, time and space; the physical world; all of creation.  Contrasted with the world of mankind, with its mental and social phenomena.

But looks through nature up to nature's God.
Pope.

When, in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bonds which have connected them with another, ans to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal Station which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes that impel them to the Separation.
Declaration of Independence
Nature has caprices which art can not imitate.
Macaulay.

2.
The personified sum and order of causes and effects; the powers which produce existing phenomena, whether in the total or in detail; the agencies which carry on the processes of creation or of being; -- often conceived of as a single and separate entity, embodying the total of all finite agencies and forces as disconnected from a creating or ordering intelligence; as, produced by nature; the forces of nature.

I oft admire
How Nature, wise and frugal, could commit
Such disproportions.
Milton.

3.
The established or regular course of things; usual order of events; connection of cause and effect.

4.
Conformity to that which is natural, as distinguished from that which is artificial, or forced, or remote from actual experience.

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.
Shak.

5.
The sum of qualities and attributes which make a person or thing what it is, as distinct from others; native character; inherent or essential qualities or attributes; peculiar constitution or quality of being.

Thou, therefore, whom thou only canst redeem,
Their nature also to thy nature join,
And be thyself man among men on earth.
Milton.

6.
Hence:
Kind, sort; character; quality.

A dispute of this nature caused mischief.
Dryden.

7.
Physical constitution or existence; the vital powers; the natural life.
nature
Shak.

Oppressed nature sleeps.
Shak.

8.
Natural affection or reverence.

Have we not seen
The murdering son ascend his parent's bed,
Through violated nature force his way?
Pope.

9.
Constitution or quality of mind or character.

A born devil, on whose nature
Nurture can never stick.
Shak.

That reverence which is due to a superior nature.
Addison.

Good nature, Ill nature. see under Good and Ill. -- In a state of nature. (a) Naked as when born; nude. (b) In a condition of sin; unregenerate. (c) Untamed; uncivilized. -- Nature printing, a process of printing from metallic or other plates which have received an impression, as by heavy pressure, of an object such as a leaf, lace, or the like. -- Nature worship, the worship of the personified powers of nature. -- To pay the debt of nature, to die.


word: Nature₂
definition:
Nature

Na"ture
v. t.
To endow with natural qualities.
[Obs.]

He [God] which natureth every kind.
Gower.


word: Natured
definition:
Natured

Na"tured
(?; 135)
a.
Having (such) a nature, temper, or disposition; disposed; -- used in composition; as, good-natured, ill-natured, etc.


word: Naturism
definition:
Naturism

Na"tur*ism
(?)
n.
(Med.)
The belief or doctrine that attributes everything to nature as a sanative agent.


word: Naturity
definition:
Naturity

Na*tu"ri*ty
(?)
n.
The quality or state of being produced by nature.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Naturize
definition:
Naturize

Na"tur*ize
(?)
v. t.
To endow with a nature or qualities; to refer to nature.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.


word: nauch
definition:
nauch

nauch
n.
an intricate traditional dance in India performed by professional dancing girls.

Syn. -- nautch, nautch dance.


word: Nauclea
definition:
Nauclea

Nauclea
prop. n.
A small genus of evergreen tropical shrubs or trees with smooth leathery leaves.

Syn. -- genus Nauclea.


word: Naufrage
definition:
Naufrage

Nau"frage
(?; 48)
n.
[F., fr. L. naufragium; navis + frangere.]
Shipwreck; ruin.
[Obs.]
acon.


word: Naught
definition:
Naught

Naught
(n&asuml_;t)
n.
[OE. naught, nought, naht, nawiht, AS. nāwiht, nāuht, nāht; ne not + ā ever + wiht thing, whit; hence, not ever a whit. See No, adv. Whit, and cf. Aught, Not.]
1.
Nothing.
[Written also nought.]

Doth Job fear God for naught?
Job i. 9.

2.
The arithmetical character 0; a cipher. See Cipher.

To set at naught, to treat as of no account; to disregard; to despise; to defy; to treat with ignominy. “Ye have set at naught all my counsel.”  Prov. i. 25.


word: Naught₂
definition:
Naught

Naught
adv.
In no degree; not at all.
Chaucer.

To wealth or sovereign power he naught applied.
Fairfax.


word: Naught₃
definition:
Naught

Naught
a.
1.
Of no value or account; worthless; bad; useless.

It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer.
Prov. xx. 14.

Go, get you to your house; begone, away!
All will be naught else.
Shak.

Things naught and things indifferent.
Hooker.

2.
Hence, vile; base; naughty.
[Obs.]

No man can be stark naught at once.
Fuller.


word: Naughtiness
definition:
Naughtiness

Naugh"ti*ness
n.
The quality or state of being naughty; perverseness; badness; wickedness.

I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart.
1 Sam. xvii. 28.


word: Naughtly
definition:
Naughtly

Naught"ly
(?)
adv.
Naughtily; wrongly.
[Obs.]

because my parents naughtly brought me up.
Mir. for Mag.


word: Naughty
definition:
Naughty

Naugh"ty
(?)
a.
[Compar. Naughtier (?); superl. Naughtiest.]
1.
Having little or nothing.
[Obs.]

[Men] that needy be and naughty, help them with thy goods.
Piers Plowman.

2.
Worthless; bad; good for nothing.
[Obs.]

The other basket had very naughty figs.
Jer. xxiv. 2.

3.
hence, corrupt; wicked.
[Archaic]

So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
Shak.

4.
Mischievous; perverse; froward; guilty of disobedient or improper conduct; as, a naughty child.

&hand_; This word is now seldom used except in the latter sense, as applied to children, or in sportive censure.


word: Nauheim bath
definition:
Nauheim bath

Nauheim treatment

Nau"heim treat`ment
(?)
(Med.)
Orig., a method of therapeutic treatment administered, esp. for chronic diseases of the curculatory system, at Bad Nauheim, Germany, by G. Schott, consisting in baths in the natural mineral waters of that place, which are charged with carbonic acid, and the use of a graduated course of rest, physical exercises, massage, etc.; hence, any similar treatment using waters artificially charged with the essential ingredients of the natural mineral waters of Bad Nauheim.  Hence, Nauheim bath, etc.


word: Naumachy
definition:
Naumachy

Nau"ma*chy
(n&asuml_;"mȧ*k&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. naumachia, Gr. naymachi`a; nay^s ship + ma`chh fight, battle, ma`chesqai to fight.]
1.
A naval battle; esp., a mock sea fight put on by the ancient Romans.

2.
(Rom. Antiq.)
A show or spectacle representing a sea fight; also, a place for such exhibitions.


word: Nauplius
definition:
Nauplius

Nau"pli*us
(?)
n.
pl. Nauplii (#).
[L., a kind of shellfish, fr. Gr. nay^s ship + _; to sail.]
(Zool.)
A crustacean larva having three pairs of locomotive organs (corresponding to the antennules, antennae, and mandibles), a median eye, and little or no segmentation of the body.


word: Nauropometer
definition:
Nauropometer

Nau`ro*pom"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Gr. nay^s ship + _; inclination + -meter.]
(Naut.)
An instrument for measuring the amount which a ship heels at sea.


word: Nauruan
definition:
Nauruan

Nauruan
prop. adj.
1.
Of or pertaining to Nauru; as, Nauruan artifacts.

2.
Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of Nauru; as, Nauruan natives.

Syn. -- Nauran.


word: Nauscopy
definition:
Nauscopy

Naus"co*py
(?)
n.
[Gr. nay^s ship + -scopy: cf. F. nauscopie.]
(Naut.)
The power or act of discovering ships or land at considerable distances.


word: Nausea
definition:
Nausea

Nau"se*a
(? or _;)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;, fr. nay^s ship. See Nave of a church, and cf. Noise.]
Seasickness; hence, any similar sickness of the stomach accompanied with a propensity to vomit; qualm; squeamishness of the stomach; loathing.


word: Nauseant
definition:
Nauseant

Nau"se*ant
(?)
n.
[L. nauseans, p. pr. Of nauseare.]
(Med.)
A substance which produces nausea; an emetic.


word: Nauseate
definition:
Nauseate

Nau"se*ate
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Nauseated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nauseating.]
[L. nauseare, nauseatum, fr. nausea. See Nausea.]
To become squeamish; to feel nausea; to turn away with disgust.


word: Nauseate₂
definition:
Nauseate

Nau"se*ate
v. t.
1.
To affect with nausea; to sicken; to cause to feel loathing or disgust.

2.
To sicken at; to reject with disgust; to loathe.

The patient nauseates and loathes wholesome foods.
Blackmore.


word: Nauseous
definition:
Nauseous

Nau"seous
(?; 277)
a.
[L. nauseosus.]
1.
Causing, or fitted to cause, nausea; sickening; loathsome; disgusting; exciting abhorrence; as, a nauseous drug or medicine.

2.
Feeling nausea; as, nauseous from the effects of chemotherapy.

The nauseousness of such company disgusts a reasonable man.
Dryden.


word: Nautch
definition:
Nautch

Nautch
(?)
n.
[Hind. nāch, fr. Skr. n&rsdot_;tya dance.]
An entertainment consisting chiefly of dancing by professional dancing (or Nautch) girls.
[India]

Syn. -- nauch.


word: Nautical
definition:
Nautical

Nau"tic*al
(?)
a.
[L. nauticus, Gr. naytiko`s, fr. nay`ths a seaman, sailor, fr. nay^s ship: cf. F. nautique. See Nave of a church.]
Of or pertaining to seamen, to the art of navigation, or to ships; as, nautical skill.

Nautical almanac. See under Almanac. -- Nautical distance, the length in nautical miles of the rhumb line joining any two places on the earth's surface. -- nautical mile. See under Mile.


word: Nautilidae
definition:
Nautilidae

Nautilidae
prop. n.
A natural family of spiral-shelled cephalopods.

Syn. -- family Nautilidae.


word: Nautiloid
definition:
Nautiloid

Nau"ti*loid
(?)
a.
[Nautilus + -oid: cf. F. nautiloïde.]
(Zool.)
Like or pertaining to the nautilus; shaped like a nautilus shell.
n. A mollusk, or shell, of the genus Nautilus or family Nautilidae.


word: Nautilus
definition:
Nautilus

Nau"ti*lus
(?)
n.
pl. E. Nautiluses (#), L. Nautili (#).
[L., fr. Gr. nayti`los a seaman, sailor, a kind of shellfish which was supposed to be furnished with a membrane which served as a sail; fr. nay^s ship. See Nave of a church.]
1.
(Zool.)
The only existing genus of tetrabranchiate cephalopods.  About four species are found living in the tropical Pacific, but many other species are found fossil.  The shell is spiral, symmetrical, and chambered, or divided into several cavities by simple curved partitions, which are traversed and connected together by a continuous and nearly central tube or siphuncle. See Tetrabranchiata.

&hand_; The head of the animal bears numerous simple tapered arms, or tentacles, arranged in groups, but not furnished with suckers.  The siphon, unlike, that of ordinary cephalopods, is not a closed tube, and is not used as a locomotive organ, but merely serves to conduct water to and from the gill cavity, which contains two pairs of gills.  The animal occupies only the outer chamber of the shell; the others are filled with gas. It creeps over the bottom of the sea, not coming to the surface to swim or sail, as was formerly imagined.

2.
The argonaut; -- also called paper nautilus. See Argonauta, and Paper nautilus, under Paper.

3.
A variety of diving bell, the lateral as well as vertical motions of which are controlled, by the occupants.


word: Navajoes
definition:
Navajoes

Na"va*joes
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Navajo (_;)
(Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians inhabiting New Mexico and Arizona, allied to the Apaches. They are now largely engaged in agriculture.


word: Naval
definition:
Naval

Na"val
(nā"val)
a.
[L. navalis, fr. navis ship: cf. F. naval. See Nave of a church.]
Having to do with shipping; of or pertaining to ships or a navy; consisting of ships; as, naval forces, successes, stores, etc.

Naval brigade, a body of seamen or marines organized for military service on land. -- Naval officer. (a) An officer in the navy. (b) A high officer in some United States customhouses. -- Naval tactics, the science of managing or maneuvering vessels sailing in squadrons or fleets.


word: Navarch
definition:
Navarch

Na"varch
(nā"värk)
n.
[L. navarchus, Gr. nay`archo`s; nay^s ship + 'archo`s chief.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
The commander of a fleet.
Mitford.


word: navarchy
definition:
navarchy

na"varch*y
(nā"värk*&ybreve_;)
n.
[Gr. nayarchi`a.]
Nautical skill or experience.
[Obs.]
Sir W. Petty.


word: Navarino
definition:
Navarino

Navarino
prop. n.
The name of a naval battle in the War of Greek Independence (1827), at which the Turkish and Egyptian fleet was defeated by the allied fleet.

Syn. -- battle of Navarino.


word: Navarrese
definition:
Navarrese

Na`var*rese"
(? or _;)
prop. a.
Of or pertaining to Navarre.
n. sing. & pl. A native or inhabitant of Navarre; the people of Navarre.


word: nave
definition:
nave

nave
(nāv)
n.
[AS. nafu; akin to D. naaf, G. nabe, OHG. naba, Icel. nöf, Dan. nav, Sw. naf, Skr. nābhi nave and navel: cf. L. umbo boss of a shield. √260.  Cf. Navel.]
1.
The block in the center of a wheel, from which the spokes radiate, and through which the axle passes; -- called also hub or hob.

2.
The navel.
[Obs.]
hak.


word: Nave
definition:
Nave

Nave
n.
[F. nef, fr. L. navis ship, to which the church was often likened; akin to Gr. nay`archo`s, Skr. nāus, and perh. to AS. naca boat, G. nachen, Icel. nökkvi; cf. L. nare to swim, float.  Cf. Nausea, Nautical, Naval.]
(Arch.)
The middle or body of a church, extending from the transepts to the principal entrances, or, if there are no transepts, from the choir to the principal entrance, but not including the aisles.


word: Navel
definition:
Navel

Na"vel
(nā"v'l)
n.
[AS. nafela, fr. nafu nave; akin to D. navel, G. nabel, OHG. nabolo, Icel. nafli, Dan. navle, Sw. nafle, L. umbilicus, Gr. 'omfalo`s, Skr. nābhīla. √260. See Nave hub, and cf. Omphalic, Nombril, Umbilical.]
1.
(Anat.)
A mark or depression in the middle of the abdomen; the umbilicus; called also belly button in humans.  See Umbilicus.

2.
The central part or point of anything; the middle.

Within the navel of this hideous wood,
Immured in cypress shades, a sorcerer dwells.
Milton.

3.
(Gun.)
An eye on the under side of a carronade for securing it to a carriage.

Navel gall, a bruise on the top of the chine of the back of a horse, behind the saddle. Johnson. -- Navel point. (Her.) Same as Nombril.


word: navel orange
definition:
navel orange

na"vel or"ange
A type of orange in which the fruit incloses a small secondary fruit, the rind showing on the exterior a navel-like pit or depression at the apex.  There are several varieties; they are usually seedless, or nearly so, and are much grown in California.


word: Navelwort
definition:
Navelwort

Na"vel*wort`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A European perennial succulent herb (Cotyledon umbilicus), having round, peltate leaves with a central depression; -- also called pennywort, and kidneywort.


word: Navew
definition:
Navew

Na"vew
(?)
n.
[OE. navel, naveau, a dim. fr. L. napus navew.  Cf. Napiform.]
(Bot.)
A kind of small turnip, a variety of Brassica campestris. See Brassica.
[Written also naphew.]


word: Navicular
definition:
Navicular

Na*vic"u*lar
(?)
a.
[L. navicularius, fr. navicula, dim. of navis ship: cf. F. naviculaire.]
1.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a boat or ship.

2.
Shaped like a boat; cymbiform; scaphoid; as, the navicular glumes of most grasses; the navicular bone.

Navicular bone. (Anat.) (a) One of the middle bones of the tarsus, corresponding to the centrale; -- called also scaphoid. (b) A proximal bone on the radial side of the carpus; the scaphoid. -- Navicular disease (Far.), a disease affecting the navicular bone, or the adjacent parts, in a horse's foot.


word: Navigability
definition:
Navigability

Nav`i*ga*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. navigabilité.]
The quality or condition of being navigable; navigableness.


word: Navigable
definition:
Navigable

Nav"i*ga*ble
(?)
a.
[L. navigabilis: cf. F. navigable. See Navigate.]
Capable of being navigated; deep enough and wide enough to afford passage to vessels; as, a navigable river.

&hand_; By the common law, a river is considered as navigable only so far as the tide ebbs and flows in it.  This is also the doctrine in several of the United States.  In other States, the doctrine of the civil law prevails, which is, that a navigable river is a river capable of being navigated, in the common sense of the term.
Kent. Burrill.


word: Navigate
definition:
Navigate

Nav"i*gate
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Navigated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Navigating.]
[L. navigatus, p. p. of navigare, v.t. & i.; navis ship + agere to move, direct. See Nave, and Agent.]
1.
To journey by water; to go in a vessel or ship; to perform the duties of a navigator; to use the waters as a highway or channel for commerce or communication; to sail.

The Phenicians navigated to the extremities of the Western Ocean.
Arbuthnot.

2.
To direct or operate a vehicle, especially a ship or aircraft.

3.
To pass through, over, or around; -- used especially of a course having obstacles; as, to navigate around all the randomly scattered tables to the far side of the room.


word: Navigate₂
definition:
Navigate

Nav"i*gate
v. t.
1.
To pass over in ships; to sail over or on; as, to navigate the Atlantic.

2.
To steer, direct, or manage in sailing; to conduct (ships) upon the water by the art or skill of seamen; as, to navigate a ship.

3.
To pass through, over, or around; -- used especially of a course having obstacles; as, to navigate all the randomly scattered tables to the far side of the room.


word: Navigation
definition:
Navigation

Nav`i*ga"tion
(?)
n.
[L. navigatio: cf. F. navigation.]
1.
The act of navigating; the act of passing on water in ships or other vessels; the state of being navigable.

2.
(a)
The science or art of conducting ships or vessels from one place to another, including, more especially, the method of determining a ship's position, course, distance passed over, etc., on the surface of the globe, by the principles of geometry and astronomy.
(b)
The management of sails, rudder, etc.; the mechanics of traveling by water; seamanship.

3.
Ships in general.
[Poetic]
Shak.

Aerial navigation, the act or art of sailing or floating in the air, as by means of airplanes or ballons; aviation; aeronautic. -- Inland navigation, Internal navigation, navigation on rivers, inland lakes, etc.


word: navigational
definition:
navigational

navigational
adj.
of or pertaining to navigation; used in navigation; as, navigational aids.


word: Navigator
definition:
Navigator

Nav"i*ga`tor
(?)
n.
One who navigates or sails; esp., one who direct the course of a ship, or one who is skillful in the art of navigation; also, a book which teaches the art of navigation; as, Bowditch's Navigator.


word: Navigerous
definition:
Navigerous

Na*vig"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. naviger; navis ship + gerere to bear.]
Bearing ships; capable of floating vessels.
[R.]
Blount.


word: Navvy
definition:
Navvy

Nav"vy
(?)
n.
pl. Navies (#).
[Abbreviated fr. navigator.]
Originally, a laborer on canals for internal navigation; hence, a laborer on other public works, as in building railroads, embankments, etc.
[Eng.]


word: Navy
definition:
Navy

Na"vy
(?)
n.
pl. Navies (#).
[ OF. navie, fr. L. navis ship. See Nave of a church.]
1.
A fleet of ships; an assemblage of merchantmen, or so many as sail in company.
navy
1 kings x. 11.

2.
The whole of the war vessels belonging to a nation or ruler, considered collectively; as, the navy of Italy.

3.
The officers and men attached to the war vessels of a nation; as, he belongs to the navy.

4.
same as navy blue.

Navy bean. see Bean. -- Navy yard, a place set apart as a shore station for the use of the navy.  It often contains all the mechanical and other appliences for building and equipping war vessels and training their crews.


word: Nawab
definition:
Nawab

Na*wab"
(?)
n.
[See Nabob.]
1.
A deputy ruler or viceroy in India; also, a title given by courtesy to other persons of high rank in the East.

2.
A rich, retired Anglo-Indian; a nabob.


word: nay
definition:
nay

nay
(nā)
adv.
[Icel. nei; akin to E. no. See No, adv.]
1.
No; -- a negative answer to a question asked, or a request made, now superseded by no.  Opposed to aye or yea. See also Yes.

And eke when I say “ye,” ne say not “nay.”
Chaucer.

I tell you nay; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke xiii. 3.

And now do they thrust us out privily? nay, verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
Acts xvi. 37.

He that will not when he may,
When he would he shall have nay.
Old Prov.

&hand_; Before the time of Henry VIII. nay was used to answer simple questions, and no was used when the form of the question involved a negative expression; nay was the simple form, no the emphatic.
Skeat.

2.
Not this merely, but also; not only so, but; -- used to mark the addition or substitution of a more explicit or more emphatic phrase.

&hand_; Nay in this sense may be interchanged with yea. “Were he my brother, nay, my kingdom's heir.”
Shak.


word: Nay
definition:
Nay

Nay
n.
pl. Nays (_;).
1.
Denial; refusal.

2.
A negative vote; one who votes in the negative.

It is no nay, there is no denying it. [Obs.] haucer.


word: Nayaur
definition:
Nayaur

Na*yaur"
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A specied of wild sheep (Ovis Hodgsonii), native of Nepal and Tibet.  It has a dorsal mane and a white ruff beneath the neck.


word: Nazarene
definition:
Nazarene

Naz`a*rene"
(?)
prop. n.
[L. Nazarenus, Gr. _;, fr. _; Nazareth.]
1.
A native or inhabitant of Nazareth; -- a term of contempt applied to Christ and the early Christians.

2.
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect of Judaizing Christians in the first and second centuries, who observed the laws of Moses, and held to certain heresies.


word: Nazarite
definition:
Nazarite

Naz"a*rite
(?)
prop. n.
A Jew bound by a vow to leave the hair uncut, to abstain from wine and strong drink, and to practice extraordinary purity of life and devotion, the obligation being for life, or for a certain time.  The word is also used adjectively.


word: ne
definition:
ne

ne
(nē)
adv.
[AS. ne. See No.]
Not; never.
[Obs.]

He never yet no villany ne said.
Chaucer.

&hand_; Ne was formerly used as the universal adverb of negation, and survives in certain compounds, as never (= ne ever) and none (= ne one). Other combinations, now obsolete, will be found in the Vocabulary, as nad, nam, nil. See Negative, 2.


word: ne₂
definition:
ne

ne
conj.
[See Ne, adv.]
Nor.
[Obs.]
Shak.

No niggard ne no fool.
Chaucer.

Ne . . . ne, neither . . . nor. [Obs.] Chaucer.


word: neanderthal
definition:
neanderthal

neanderthal
adj.
1.
uncouth in manners or appearance.

Syn. -- boorish, clownish, loutish, oafish.


word: Neanderthal man
definition:
Neanderthal man

Neanderthal race

Neanderthal

Ne*an"der*thal`
(?)
prop. a.
1.
(Anthropol.)
Of, pertaining to, or named from, the Neanderthal, a valley in the Rhine Province, in which were found parts of a skeleton of an early type of man.  The skull is characterized by extreme dolichocephaly, flat, retreating forehead, with closed frontal sutures, and enormous superciliary ridges.  The cranial capacity is estimated at about 1,220 cubic centimeters, being about midway between that of the Pithecanthropus and modern man.
Hence,
pertaining to or designating the Neanderthal race, or Neanderthal man, a species of extinct robust humans, believed to have been widespread in the Middle Paleolithic in Europe and western Asia; as, a Neanderthal skull.

Syn. -- Neanderthalian.

2.
Similar to or reminiscent of a neanderthal human; troglodytic; primitive and uncultured.


word: Neanderthal
definition:
Neanderthal

Ne*an"der*thal`
(?)
prop. n.
1.
(Anthropol.)
A neanderthal human being; a member of the race Homo sapiens neanderthalensis; as, neanderthals were shorter than modern humans.

2.
One resembling a neanderthal human; a troglodyte; a cave man.

3.
Hence:
(Fig.)
A person of primitive, unenlightened or uneducated opinions or attitudes; one with a regressive social or political outlook; -- used disparagingly.


word: Neanderthaloid
definition:
Neanderthaloid

Ne*an`der*thal"oid
(?)
a.
[Neanderthal + -oid.]
(Anthropol.)
Like, or pertaining to, the Neanderthal skull, or the type of man it represents.


word: Neap
definition:
Neap

Neap
(?)
n.
[Cf. Neb, Nape.]
The tongue or pole of a cart or other vehicle drawn by two animals.
[U.S.]


word: Neap₂
definition:
Neap

Neap
(nēp)
a.
[As. nēpfl&omacrd neap flood; cf. hnipian to bend, incline.]
Low.

Neap tides, the lowest tides of the lunar month, which occur in the second and fourth quarters of the moon; -- opposed to spring tides.


word: Neaped
definition:
Neaped

Neaped
(?)
a.
(Naut.)
Left aground on the height of a spring tide, so that it will not float till the next spring tide; -- called also beneaped.


word: Neapolitan
definition:
Neapolitan

Ne`a*pol"i*tan
(?)
prop. a.
[L. Neapolitanus, fr. Neapolis Naples, Gr. _;, lit., New town.]
Of of pertaining to Naples in Italy.
n. A native or citizen of Naples.


word: Neapolitan ice cream
definition:
Neapolitan ice cream

Neapolitan ice

{ Ne`a*pol"i*tan ice, Neapolitan ice cream }
(a)
An ice or ice cream containing eggs as well as cream.
(b)
An ice or ice cream prepared in layers, as vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream, and orange or lemon water ice.


word: Near
definition:
Near

Near
(nēr)
adv.
[AS. neár, compar. of neáh nigh. See Nigh.]
1.
At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.

My wife! my traitress! let her not come near me.
Milton.

2.
Nearly; almost; well-nigh.
Near
Shak.
Near
Addison.

Near about the yearly value of the land.
Locke.

3.
Closely; intimately.
Shak.

Far and near, at a distance and close by; throughout a whole region. -- To come near to, to want but little of; to approximate to. “Such a sum he found would go near to ruin him.”  Addison. -- Near the wind (Naut.), close to the wind; closehauled.


word: Near₂
definition:
Near

Near
(?)
a.
[Compar. Nearer (?); superl. Nearest.]
[See Near, adv.]
1.
Not far distant in time, place, or degree; not remote; close at hand; adjacent; neighboring; nigh.
near
Shak.

He served great Hector, and was ever near,
Not with his trumpet only, but his spear.
Dryden.

2.
Closely connected or related.

She is thy father's near kinswoman.
Lev. xviii. 12.

3.
Close to one's interests, affection, etc.; touching, or affecting intimately; intimate; dear; as, a near friend.

4.
Close to anything followed or imitated; not free, loose, or rambling; as, a version near to the original.

5.
So as barely to avoid or pass injury or loss; close; narrow{3}; as, a near escape; a near miss.

6.
Next to the driver, when he is on foot; in the Unted States, on the left of an animal or a team; as, the near ox; the near leg. See Off side, under Off, a.

7.
Immediate; direct; close; short.
nearest
Milton.

8.
Close-fisted; parsimonious.
[Obs. or Low, Eng.]

&hand_; Near may properly be followed by to before the thing approached; but more frequently to is omitted, and the adjective or the adverb is regarded as a preposition.  The same is also true of the word nigh.


word: Near₃
definition:
Near

Near
prep.
Adjacent to; close by; not far from; nigh; as, the ship sailed near the land. See the Note under near, a.


word: Near₄
definition:
Near

Near
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Neared (?); p. pr. & vb. n Nearing.]
[See Near, adv.]
To approach; to come nearer; as, the ship neared the land.


word: Near₅
definition:
Near

Near
v. i.
To draw near; to approach.

A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist!
And still it neared, and neared.
Coleridge.


word: Nearctic
definition:
Nearctic

Ne*arc"tic
(?)
a.
[Neo + arctic.]
Of or pertaining to a region of the earth's surface including all of temperate and arctic North America and Greenland. In the geographical distribution of animals, this region is marked off as the habitat certain species.


word: Near beer
definition:
Near beer

Near beer
Any of various malt liquors (see Citation below).

Near beer is a term of common currency used to designate all that class of malt liquors which contain so little alcohol (usually less than 1/2 per cent) that they will not produce intoxication, though drunk to excess, and includes in its meaning all malt liquors which are not within the purview of the general prohibition law.
Cambell v. City of Thomasville, Georgia Appeal Records, 6 212.


word: Near-legged
definition:
Near-legged

Near"-legged`
(?)
a.
Having the feet so near together that they interfere in traveling.
Shak.


word: Nearly
definition:
Nearly

Near"ly
adv.
In a near manner; not remotely; closely; intimately; almost; as, he nearly lost his life in the accident.


word: Nearness
definition:
Nearness

Near"ness
n.
The state or quality of being near; -- used in the various senses of the adjective.


word: Nearsightedness
definition:
Nearsightedness

Near"sight`ed*ness
n.
(Med.)
An  eyesight abnormality resulting from the eye's faulty refractive ability, such that one can see only close objects distinctly; the condition of being nearsighted.  See Myopic, and Myopia.

Syn. -- myopia, shortsightedness.


word: Neat
definition:
Neat

Neat
(nēt)
n. sing. & pl.
[AS. neát; akin to OHG. n&omacrz, Icel. naut, Sw. nöt, Dan. nöd, and to AS. neótan to make use of, G. geniessen, Goth. niutan to have a share in, have joy of, Lith. nauda use, profit.]
(Zool.)
Cattle of the genus Bos, as distinguished from horses, sheep, and goats; an animal of the genus Bos; as, a neat's tongue; a neat's foot.
Chaucer.

Wherein the herds[men] were keeping of their neat.
Spenser.

The steer, the heifer, and the calf
Are all called neat.
Shak.

A neat and a sheep of his own.
Tusser.

Neat's-foot, an oil obtained by boiling the feet of neat cattle.  It is used to render leather soft and pliable.


word: Neat₂
definition:
Neat

Neat
a.
[See neat, n.]
Of or pertaining to the genus Bos, or to cattle of that genus; as, neat cattle.


word: Neat₃
definition:
Neat

Neat
a.
[Compar. Neater (?); superl. Neatest.]
[OE. nett, F. nett, fr. L. nitidus, fr. nitere to shine.  Cf. Nitid, Net, a., Natty.]
1.
Free from that which soils, defiles, or disorders; clean; cleanly; tidy.

If you were to see her, you would wonder what poor body it was that was so surprisingly neat and clean.
Law.

2.
Free from what is unbecoming, inappropriate, or tawdry; simple and becoming; pleasing with simplicity; tasteful; chaste; as, a neat style; a neat dress.

3.
Free from admixture or adulteration; good of its kind; as, neat brandy; to drink one's vodka neat.
Hence:
(Chem.)
Pure; undiluted; as, dissolved in neat acetone.
neat
Chapman.

4.
Excellent in character, skill, or performance, etc.; nice; finished; adroit; as, a neat design; a neat thief.

5.
With all deductions or allowances made; net. [In this sense usually written net. See Net, a., 3.]

neat line (Civil Engin.), a line to which work is to be built or formed. -- Neat work, work built or formed to neat lines.


word: Neathouse
definition:
Neathouse

Neat"house`
(?)
n.
A building for the shelter of neat cattle.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Massinger.


word: Neb
definition:
Neb

Neb
(nĕb)
n.
[AS. nebb head, face; akin to D. neb, Icel. nef, beak of a bird, nose, Dan. naeb beak, bill, Sw. näbb, näf, and prob. also to D. sneb, snavel, bill, beak, G. schnabel, Dan. & Sw. snabel, and E. snap.  Cf. Nib, Snap, Snaffle.]
The nose; the snout; the mouth; the beak of a bird; a nib, as of a pen.
[Also written nib.]
Shak.


word: Nebalia
definition:
Nebalia

Ne*ba"li*a
(ne̝*bā"lĭ*ȧ)
n.
[NL., of uncertain origin.]
(Zool.)
A genus of small marine Crustacea, considered the type of a distinct order (Nebaloidea, or Phyllocarida.)


word: Nebbish
definition:
Nebbish

Neb"bish
(mĕb"ĭsh)
n.
[Yiddish, nebekh poor, unfortunate.]
A person who is ineffectual, timid, and often luckless; a person of no significance.


word: Nebo
definition:
Nebo

Nebo
prop. n.
(Babylonian mythology)
The Babylonian god of wisdom and agriculture and patron of scribes and schools.

Syn. -- Nabu.


word: Nebula
definition:
Nebula

Neb"u*la
(nĕb"&uuptack_;*lȧ)
n.
pl. Nebulae (nĕb"&uuptack_;*lē).
[L., mist, cloud; akin to Gr. nefe`lh, ne`fos, cloud, mist, G. nebel mist, OHG. nebul, D. nevel, Skr. nabhas cloud, mist.  Cf. Nebule.]
1.
(Astron.)
A faint, cloudlike, self-luminous mass of matter situated beyond the solar system among the stars.  The term was originally applied to any diffuse luminous region.  Now, technically, it is applied to interstellar clouds of dust and gases (diffuse nebula).  However distant galaxies and very distant star clusters often appear like them in the telescope, such as the spiral nebula in Andromeda, known now to be a distant galaxy.

2.
(Med.)
(a)
A white spot or a slight opacity of the cornea.
(b)
A cloudy appearance in the urine.
[Obs.]


word: Nebular
definition:
Nebular

Neb"u*lar
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to nebulae; of the nature of, or resembling, a nebula.

Nebular hypothesis, an hypothesis to explain the process of formation of the stars and planets, presented in various forms by Kant, Herschel, Laplace, and others.  As formed by Laplace, it supposed the matter of the solar system to have existed originally in the form of a vast, diffused, revolving nebula, which, gradually cooling and contracting, threw off, in obedience to mechanical and physical laws, succesive rings of matter, from which subsequently, by the same laws, were produced the several planets, satellites, and other bodies of the system.  The phrase may indicate any hypothesis according to which the stars or the bodies of the solar system have been evolved from a widely diffused nebulous form of matter.


word: nebulation
definition:
nebulation

neb`u*la"tion
(?)
n.
The condition of being nebulated; also, a clouded, or ill-defined, color mark.


word: nebule
definition:
nebule

neb"ule
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. nébule. See nebula.]
A little cloud; a cloud.
[Obs.]

O light without nebule.
Old Ballad.


word: Nebuly
definition:
Nebuly

Nebule

{ &VerbarNé`bu`lé" (?), Neb"u*ly (?) }
a.
[F. nébulé.]
(Her.)
Composed of successive short curves supposed to resemble a cloud; -- said of a heraldic line by which an ordinary or subordinary may be bounded.


word: Nebulize
definition:
Nebulize

Neb"u*lize
(?)
v. t.
[See Nebula.]
To reduce (as a liquid) to a fine spray or vapor; to atomize.


word: Nebulosity
definition:
Nebulosity

Neb`u*los"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. nebulositas: cf. F. nébulosité]
1.
The state or quality of being nebulous; cloudiness; haziness; mistiness; nebulousness.

The nebulosity . . . of the mother idiom.
I. Disraeli.

2.
(Astron.)
(a)
The stuff of which a nebula is formed.
(b)
A nebula.


word: Nebulous
definition:
Nebulous

Neb"u*lous
(?)
a.
[L. nebulosus: cf. F. nébuleux. See Nebula.]
1.
Cloudy; hazy; misty.

2.
(Astron.)
Of, pertaining to, or having the appearance of, a nebula; nebular; cloudlike.


word: Nebuly₂
definition:
Nebuly

Neb"u*ly
n.
(Her. & Arch.)
A line or a decoration composed of successive short curves or waves supposed to resemble a cloud. See Nébulé


word: Necessarian
definition:
Necessarian

Nec`es*sa"ri*an
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. nécessarien. See Necessary.]
An advocate of the doctrine of philosophical necessity; a necessitarian.


word: Necessarianism
definition:
Necessarianism

Nec`es*sa"ri*an*ism
(?)
n.
The doctrine of philosophical necessity; necessitarianism.
Hixley.


word: Necessarily
definition:
Necessarily

Nec"es*sa*ri*ly
(?)
adv.
In a necessary manner; by necessity; unavoidably; indispensably.


word: Necessary
definition:
Necessary

Nec"es*sa*ry
(?)
a.
[L. necessarius, from necesse unavoidable, necessary; of uncertain origin: cf. F. nécessaire.]
1.
Such as must be; impossible to be otherwise; not to be avoided; inevitable.

Death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
Shak.

2.
Impossible to be otherwise, or to be dispensed with, without preventing the attainment of a desired result; indispensable; requisite; essential.
necessary
Shak.

A certain kind of temper is necessary to the pleasure and quiet of our minds.
Tillotson.

3.
Acting from necessity or compulsion; involuntary; -- opposed to free; as, whether man is a necessary or a free agent is a question much discussed.


word: Necessary₂
definition:
Necessary

Nec"es*sa*ry
n.
pl. Necessaries (_;).
1.
A thing that is necessary or indispensable to some purpose; something that one can not do without; a requisite; an essential; -- used chiefly in the plural; as, the necessaries of life.

2.
A privy; a water-closet.

3.
pl.
(Law)
Such things, in respect to infants, lunatics, and married women, as are requisite for support suitable to station.


word: Necessitarian
definition:
Necessitarian

Ne*ces`si*ta"ri*an
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to the doctrine of philosophical necessity in regard to the origin and existence of things, especially as applied to the actings or choices of the will; -- opposed to libertarian.


word: Necessitarianism
definition:
Necessitarianism

Ne*ces`si*ta"ri*an*ism
(?)
n.
The doctrine of philosophical necessity; the doctrine that results follow by invariable sequence from causes, and esp. that the will is not free, but that human actions and choices result inevitably from motives; determinism.
M. Arnold.


word: Necessitate
definition:
Necessitate

Ne*ces"si*tate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Necessitated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Necessitating (?).]
[Cf. L. necessitatus, p. p. of necessitare, and F. nécessiter. See Necessity.]
1.
To make necessary or indispensable; to render unavoidable.

Sickness [might] necessitate his removal from the court.
South.

This fact necessitates a second line.
J. Peile.

2.
To reduce to the necessity of; to force; to compel.

The Marquis of Newcastle, being pressed on both sides, was necessitated to draw all his army into York.
Clarendon.


word: Necessitattion
definition:
Necessitattion

Ne*ces`si*tat"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. nécessitation.]
The act of making necessary, or the state of being made necessary; compulsion.
[R.]
bp. Bramhall.


word: Necessitous
definition:
Necessitous

Ne*ces"si*tous
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. nécessiteux.]
1.
Very needy or indigent; pressed with poverty.

Necessitous heirs and penurious parents.
Arbuthnot.

2.
Narrow; destitute; pinching; pinched; as, necessitous circumstances.


word: Necessitude
definition:
Necessitude

Ne*ces"si*tude
(?)
n.
[L. necessitudo, fr. necesse. See Necessray.]
1.
Necessitousness; want.
Sir M. Hale.

2.
Necessary connection or relation.

Between kings and their people, parents and their children, there is so great a necessitude, propriety, and intercourse of nature.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Necessity
definition:
Necessity

Ne*ces"si*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Necessities (#).
[OE. necessite, F. nécessité, L. necessitas, fr. necesse. See Necessary.]
1.
The quality or state of being necessary, unavoidable, or absolutely requisite; inevitableness; indispensableness.

2.
The condition of being needy or necessitous; pressing need; indigence; want.

Urge the necessity and state of times.
Shak.

The extreme poverty and necessity his majesty was in.
Clarendon.

3.
That which is necessary; a necessary; a requisite; something indispensable; -- often in the plural.

These should be hours for necessities,
Not for delights.
Shak.

What was once to me
Mere matter of the fancy, now has grown
The vast necessity of heart and life.
Tennyson.

4.
That which makes an act or an event unavoidable; irresistible force; overruling power; compulsion, physical or moral; fate; fatality.

So spake the fiend, and with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deeds.
Milton.

5.
(Metaph.)
The negation of freedom in voluntary action; the subjection of all phenomena, whether material or spiritual, to inevitable causation; necessitarianism.

Of necessity, by necessary consequence; by compulsion, or irresistible power; perforce.


word: Neck
definition:
Neck

Neck
(nĕk)
n.
[OE. necke, AS. hnecca; akin to D. nek the nape of the neck, G. nacken, OHG. nacch, hnacch, Icel. hnakki, Sw. nacke, Dan. nakke.]
1.
The part of an animal which connects the head and the trunk, and which, in man and many other animals, is more slender than the trunk.

2.
Any part of an inanimate object corresponding to or resembling the neck of an animal
(a)
The long slender part of a vessel, as a retort, or of a fruit, as a gourd.
(b)
A long narrow tract of land projecting from the main body, or a narrow tract connecting two larger tracts.
(c)
(Mus.)
That part of a violin, guitar, or similar instrument, which extends from the head to the body, and on which is the finger board or fret board.

3.
(Mech.)
A reduction in size near the end of an object, formed by a groove around it; as, a neck forming the journal of a shaft.

4.
(Bot.)
the point where the base of the stem of a plant arises from the root.

Neck and crop, completely; wholly; altogether; roughly and at once. [Colloq.] -- Neck and neck (Racing), so nearly equal that one cannot be said to be before the other; very close; even; side by side. -- Neck of a capital. (Arch.) See Gorgerin. -- Neck of a cascabel (Gun.), the part joining the knob to the base of the breech. -- Neck of a gun, the small part of the piece between the chase and the swell of the muzzle. -- Neck of a tooth (Anat.), the constriction between the root and the crown. -- Neck or nothing (Fig.), at all risks. -- Neck verse. (a) The verse formerly read to entitle a party to the benefit of clergy, said to be the first verse of the fifty-first Psalm, “Miserere mei,” etc. Sir W. Scott. (b) Hence, a verse or saying, the utterance of which decides one's fate; a shibboleth.

These words, “bread and cheese,” were their neck verse or shibboleth to distinguish them; all pronouncing “broad and cause,” being presently put to death. Fuller.

  -- Neck yoke. (a) A bar by which the end of the tongue of a wagon or carriage is suspended from the collars of the harnesses. (b) A device with projecting arms for carrying things (as buckets of water or sap) suspended from one's shoulders. -- On the neck of, immediately after; following closely; on the heel of. “Committing one sin on the neck of another.” W. Perkins. -- Stiff neck, obstinacy in evil or wrong; inflexible obstinacy; contumacy. “I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck.” Deut. xxxi. 27. -- To break the neck of, to destroy the main force of; to break the back of. “What they presume to borrow from her sage and virtuous rules . . . breaks the neck of their own cause.” Milton. -- To harden the neck, to grow obstinate; to be more and more perverse and rebellious. Neh. ix. 17. -- To tread on the neck of, to oppress; to tyrannize over.


word: Neck₂
definition:
Neck

Neck
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Necked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Necking.]
(Mech.)
To reduce the diameter of (an object) near its end, by making a groove around it; -- used with down; as, to neck down a shaft.


word: Neckband
definition:
Neckband

Neck"band`
(?)
n.
A band which goes around the neck; often, the part at the top of a garment.


word: Necked
definition:
Necked

Necked
(?)
a.
1.
Having (such) a neck; -- chiefly used in composition; as, stiff-necked.

2.
(Naut.)
Cracked; -- said of a treenail.


word: Neckerchief
definition:
Neckerchief

Neck"er*chief
(?)
n.
[For neck kerchief.]
A kerchief for the neck; -- called also neck handkerchief.


word: necklace
definition:
necklace

neck"lace
(?; 48)
n.
1.
A string of beads, etc., or any continuous band or chain, worn around the neck as an ornament.

2.
(Naut.)
A rope or chain fitted around the masthead to hold hanging blocks for jibs and stays.


word: necklaced
definition:
necklaced

neck"laced
(?)
a.
Wearing a necklace; marked as with a necklace.

The hooded and the necklaced snake.
Sir W. Jones.


word: neckless
definition:
neckless

neckless
adj.
lacking or apparently lacking a neck; -- of a garment; as, a neckless gown.


word: Neckmould
definition:
Neckmould

Neckmold

{ Neck"mold`, Neck"mould`  }
(?)
n.
(Arch.)
A small convex molding surrounding a column at the junction of the shaft and capital.
Weale.


word: Necktie
definition:
Necktie

Neck"tie`
(?)
n.
A scarf, band, or kerchief of silk, etc., passing around the neck or collar and tied in front; a bow of silk, etc., fastened in front of the neck.


word: Neckweed
definition:
Neckweed

Neck"weed`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
(a)
An American annual weed (veronica peregrina), with small white flowers and a roundish pod.
(b)
The hemp; -- so called as furnishing ropes for hanging criminals.
Dr. Prior.


word: Necrobiosis
definition:
Necrobiosis

Nec`ro*bi*o"sis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. nekro`s dead + _; way of life, fr. _; life.]
(Biol. & Med.)
The death of a part of an organism by molecular disintegration and without loss of continuity, as in the processes of degeneration and atrophy; a normal dying out of cells in a tissue, in contrast to necrosis.
Virchow.


word: Necrobiotic
definition:
Necrobiotic

Nec`ro*bi*ot"ic
(?)
a.
(Biol. & Med.)
Of or pertaining to necrobiosis; as, a necrobiotic metamorphosis.


word: Necrolatry
definition:
Necrolatry

Ne*crol"a*try
(?)
n.
[Gr. nekro`s a dead person + _; to worship.]
The worship of the dead; manes worship.
H. Spenser.


word: Necrological
definition:
Necrological

Necrologic

{ Nec`ro*log"ic (?), Nec`ro*log"ic*al (?) }
a.
[Cf. F. nécrologique.]
Of or pertaining to necrology; of the nature of necrology; relating to, or giving, an account of the dead, or of deaths.


word: Necrology
definition:
Necrology

Ne*crol"o*gy
(?)
n.
pl. Necrologies (#).
[Gr. nekro`s a dead person + -logy: cf. F. nécrologie. See Necromancy.]
An account of deaths, or of the dead; a register of deaths; a collection of obituary notices.


word: Necromancy
definition:
Necromancy

Nec"ro*man`cy
(?)
n.
[OE. nigromaunce, nigromancie, OF. nigromance, F. nécromance, nécromancie, from L. necromantia, Gr. _;; nekro`s a dead body (akin to L. necare to kill, Skr. naç to perish, vanish) + _; divination, fr. _; diviner, seer, akin to E. mania.  See Mania, and cf. Internecine, Noxious.  The old spelling is due to confusion with L. niger black.  Hence the name black art.]
The art of revealing future events by means of a pretended communication with the dead; the black art; hence, magic in general; conjuration; enchantment. See Black art.

This palace standeth in the air,
By necromancy placèd there.
Drayton.


word: Necromantic
definition:
Necromantic

Nec`ro*man"tic
(?)
n.
Conjuration.
[R.]

With all the necromantics of their art.
Young.


word: Necromantical
definition:
Necromantical

Necromantic

{ Nec`ro*man"tic (?), Nec`ro*man"tic*al (?) }
a.
Of or pertaining to necromancy; performed by necromancy.
Nec`ro*man"tic*al*ly, adv.


word: Necronite
definition:
Necronite

Nec"ro*nite
(?)
n.
[Gr. nekro`s a dead body.]
(Min.)
Fetid feldspar, a mineral which, when struck, exhales a fetid odor.


word: Necrophagan
definition:
Necrophagan

Ne*croph"a*gan
(?)
a.
[See Necrophagous.]
(Zool.)
Eating carrion.
n. (Zool.) Any species of a tribe (Necrophaga) of beetles which, in the larval state, feed on carrion; a burying beetle.


word: Necrophagous
definition:
Necrophagous

Ne*croph"a*gous
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; eating corpses; nekro`s a dead body + _; to eat: cf. F. nécrophage.]
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the Necrophaga; eating carrion. See Necrophagan.


word: Necrophobia
definition:
Necrophobia

Nec`ro*pho"bi*a
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. nekro`s a dead body + fobei^n to fear.]
An exaggerated fear of death or horror of dead bodies.


word: Necrophore
definition:
Necrophore

Nec"ro*phore
(?)
n.
[Gr. nekro`s a dead body + fe`rein to bear.]
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of beetles of the genus Necrophorus and allied genera; -- called also burying beetle, carrion beetle, sexton beetle.


word: Necropolis
definition:
Necropolis

Ne*crop"o*lis
(?)
n.
pl. Necropolises (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. _;; nekro`s a dead body, adj., dead + _; city.]
A city of the dead; a name given by the ancients to their cemeteries, and sometimes applied to modern burial places; a graveyard.


word: Necropsy
definition:
Necropsy

Nec"rop*sy
(?)
n.
[Gr. nekro`s a dead body + _; sight: cf. F. nécropsie.]
(Med.)
A post-mortem examination or inspection; an autopsy. See Autopsy.


word: Necroscopical
definition:
Necroscopical

Necroscopic

{ Nec`ro*scop"ic (?), Nec`ro*scop"ic*al (?) }
a.
[Gr. nekro`s a dead body + -scope.]
Or or relating to post-mortem examinations.


word: Necrosed
definition:
Necrosed

Ne*crosed"
(ne̝*kr&omacrst")
a.
(Med.)
Affected by necrosis; dead; as, a necrosed bone.
Dunglison.


word: Necrosis
definition:
Necrosis

Ne*cro"sis
(ne̝*kr&omacr"sĭs)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. ne`krwsis, fr. nekroy^n to make dead, to mortify, nekro`s a dead body.]
1.
(Med.)
The pathologic death of part of a tissue due to irreversible damage.    Contrast to necrobiosis, which is a normal death of cells in a tissue.  Formerly, applied primarily to death of bone tissue.

2.
(Bot.)
A disease of trees, in which the branches gradually dry up from the bark to the center.


word: Necrotic
definition:
Necrotic

Ne*crot"ic
(?)
a.
(Med.)
Affected with necrosis; as, necrotic tissue; characterized by, or producing, necrosis; as, a necrotic process.


word: Necrotomy
definition:
Necrotomy

Nec*rot"o*my
(?)
n.
[Gr. nekro`s dead person + te`mnein to cut.]
(Med.)
The dissection of dead bodies; also, excision of necrosed bone.
Nec`ro*tom"ic (#), a. -- Nec*rot"o*mist (#), n.


word: Nectar
definition:
Nectar

Nec"tar
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;.]
1.
(Myth. & Poetic)
The drink of the gods (as ambrosia was their food); hence, any delicious or inspiring beverage.

2.
(Bot.)
A sweetish secretion of blossoms from which bees make honey.


word: Nectarean
definition:
Nectarean

Nec*ta"re*an
(?)
a.
[L. nectareus: cf. F. nectaréen.]
Resembling nectar; very sweet and pleasant.
nectarean
Talfourd.


word: Nectareous
definition:
Nectareous

Nec*ta"re"ous
(?)
a.
Of, pertaining to, containing, or resembling nectar; delicious; nectarean.
Pope.


word: Nectariferous
definition:
Nectariferous

Nec`tar*if"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. nectar nectar + -ferous: cf. F. nectarifère.]
(Bot.)
Secreting nectar; -- said of blossoms or their parts.


word: Nectarine₂
definition:
Nectarine

Nec`tar*ine"
(nĕk`tẽr*ēn")
n.
[Cf. F. nectarine. See Nectar.]
(Bot.)
A smooth-skinned variety of peach.

Spanish nectarine, the plumlike fruit of the West Indian tree Chrysobalanus Icaco; -- also called cocoa plum.  It is made into a sweet conserve which is largely exported from Cuba.


word: Nectarize
definition:
Nectarize

Nec"tar*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Nectarized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nectarizing (?).]
To mingle or infuse with nectar; to sweeten.
[Obs.]
Cockeram.


word: Nectary
definition:
Nectary

Nec"ta*ry
(?)
n.
pl. Nectaries (#).
[From Nectar: cf. F. nectaire.]
(Bot.)
That part of a blossom which secretes nectar, usually the base of the corolla or petals; also, the spur of such flowers as the larkspur and columbine, whether nectariferous or not. See the Illustration of Nasturtium.


word: Nectocalyx
definition:
Nectocalyx

Nec`to*ca"lyx
(?)
n.
pl. Nectocalyces (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. nhkto`s swimming + _; a calyx.]
(Zool.)
(a)
The swimming bell or umbrella of a jellyfish of medusa.
(b)
One of the zooids of certain Siphonophora, having somewhat the form, and the essential structure, of the bell of a jellyfish, and acting as a swimming organ.


word: Nectosack
definition:
Nectosack

Nectosac

{ Nec"to*sac, Nec"to*sack  }
(?)
n.
[Gr. nhkto`s swimming + E. sac, sack.]
(Zool.)
The cavity of a nectocalyx.


word: Nectostem
definition:
Nectostem

Nec"to*stem
(?)
n.
[Gr. nhkto`s swimming + E. stem.]
(Zool.)
That portion of the axis which bears the nectocalyces in the Siphonophora.


word: Nee
definition:
Nee

Nee
(na̝)
p. p., fem.
[F., fr. L. nata, fem. of natus, p. p. of nasci to be born. See Nation.]
Born; -- a term sometimes used in introducing the name of the family to which a married woman belongs by birth (i.e. her maiden name); as, Madame de Stael, née Necker.


word: Need
definition:
Need

Need
(nēd)
n.
[OE. need, neod, nede, AS. neád, n&ymacr_;d; akin to D. nood, G. not, noth, Icel. nauðr, Sw. & Dan. nöd, Goth. nauþs.]
1.
A state that requires supply or relief; pressing occasion for something; necessity; urgent want.

And the city had no need of the sun.
Rev. xxi. 23.

I have no need to beg.
Shak.

Be governed by your needs, not by your fancy.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
Want of the means of subsistence; poverty; indigence; destitution.
Chaucer.

Famine is in thy cheeks;
Need and oppression starveth in thine eyes.
Shak.

3.
That which is needful; anything necessary to be done; (pl.) necessary things; business.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

4.
Situation of need; peril; danger.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Need₂
definition:
Need

Need
(nēd)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Needed; p. pr. & vb. n. Needing.]
[See Need, n. Cf. AS. n&ymacr_;dan to force, Goth. nauþjan.]
To be in want of; to have cause or occasion for; to lack; to require, as supply or relief.

Other creatures all day long
Rove idle, unemployed, and less need rest.
Milton.

&hand_; With another verb, need is used like an auxiliary, generally in a negative sentence expressing requirement or obligation, and in this use it undergoes no change of termination in the third person singular of the present tense. “And the lender need not fear he shall be injured.”
Anacharsis (Trans. ).


word: Need₃
definition:
Need

Need
v. i.
To be wanted; to be necessary.
Chaucer.

When we have done it, we have done all that is in our power, and all that needs.
Locke.


word: needed
definition:
needed

needed
adj.
necessary; as, provided them with all needed equipment.  Opposite of unnecessary.

Syn. -- needful, required, requisite.


word: Needful
definition:
Needful

Need"ful
(nēd"f&usdot_;l)
a.
1.
Full of need; in need or want; needy; distressing.
[Archaic]
Chaucer.

The needful time of trouble.
Bk. of Com. Prayer.

2.
Necessary for supply or relief; requisite.

All things needful for defense abound.
Dryden.


word: Needily
definition:
Needily

Need"i*ly
(nēd"ĭ*l&ybreve_;)
adv.
[From Needy.]
In a needy condition or manner; necessarily.
Chaucer.


word: Neediness
definition:
Neediness

Need"i*ness
(nēd"ĭ*nĕs)
n.
The state or quality of being needy; want; poverty; indigence.


word: Needle
definition:
Needle

Nee"dle
(nē"d'l)
n.
[OE. nedle, AS. n&aemacr_;dl; akin to D. neald, OS. nādla, G. nadel, OHG. nādal, nādala, Icel. nāl, Sw. nål, Dan. naal, and also to G. nähen to sew, OHG. nājan, L. nere to spin, Gr. ne`ein, and perh. to E. snare: cf. Gael. & Ir. snathad needle, Gael. snath thread, G. schnur string, cord.]
1.
A small instrument of steel, sharply pointed at one end, with an eye to receive a thread, -- used in sewing.
Chaucer.

&hand_; In some needles (as for sewing machines) the eye is at the pointed end, but in ordinary needles it is at the blunt end.

2.
See Magnetic needle, under Magnetic.

3.
A slender rod or wire used in knitting; a knitting needle; also, a hooked instrument which carries the thread or twine, and by means of which knots or loops are formed in the process of netting, knitting, or crocheting.

4.
(Bot.)
One of the needle-shaped secondary leaves of pine trees. See Pinus.

5.
Any slender, pointed object, like a needle, as a pointed crystal, a sharp pinnacle of rock, an obelisk, etc.

6.
A hypodermic needle; a syringe fitted with a hypodermic needle, used for injecting fluids into the body.
[Informal]

7.
An injection of medicine from a hypodermic needle; a shot.

Dipping needle. See under Dipping. -- Needle bar, the reciprocating bar to which the needle of a sewing machine is attached. -- Needle beam (Arch.), in shoring, the horizontal cross timber which goes through the wall or a pier, and upon which the weight of the wall rests, when a building is shored up to allow of alterations in the lower part. -- Needle furze (Bot.), a prickly leguminous plant of Western Europe; the petty whin (Genista Anglica). -- Needle gun, a firearm loaded at the breech with a cartridge carrying its own fulminate, which is exploded by driving a slender needle, or pin, into it. [archaic] -- Needle loom (Weaving), a loom in which the weft thread is carried through the shed by a long eye-pointed needle instead of by a shuttle. -- Needle ore (Min.), acicular bismuth; a sulphide of bismuth, lead, and copper occuring in acicular crystals; -- called also aikinite. -- Needle shell (Zool.), a sea urchin. -- Needle spar (Min.), aragonite. -- Needle telegraph, a telegraph in which the signals are given by the deflections of a magnetic needle to the right or to the left of a certain position. -- Sea needle (Zool.), the garfish.


word: Needle₂
definition:
Needle

Nee"dle
v. t.
1.
To form in the shape of a needle; as, to needle crystals.

2.
To tease (a person), especially repeatedly.

3.
To prod or goad (someone) into action by teasing or daring.


word: Needlebook
definition:
Needlebook

Nee"dle*book`
(?)
n.
A book-shaped needlecase, having leaves of cloth into which the needles are stuck.


word: needlebush
definition:
needlebush

needlebush
n.
A shrub (Hakea lissosperma) of eastern Australia, with pungent rigid needle-shaped leaves and white flowers.

Syn. -- needle bush, Hakea lissosperma.


word: needlecraft
definition:
needlecraft

needlecraft
n.
1.
An article or articles created or assembled by needle and thread; needlework.

Syn. -- needlework.

2.
The art, process, or occupation of creating objects with needles, such as in crocheting, embroidery, quilting, or tapestry.


word: Needlefish
definition:
Needlefish

Nee"dle*fish`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
(a)
The European great pipefish (Siphostoma acus or Syngnathus acus); -- called also earl, and tanglefish.
(b)
The garfish.


word: needleful
definition:
needleful

nee"dle*ful
(?)
n.
pl. needlefuls (_;).
As much thread as is used in a needle at one time.


word: Needless
definition:
Needless

Nee"dless
(?)
a.
1.
Having no need.
[Obs.]

Weeping into the needless stream.
Shak.

2.
Not wanted; unnecessary; not requisite; as, needless labor; needless expenses.

3.
Without sufficient cause; groundless; causeless.
Needless
Shak.


word: Needlewoman
definition:
Needlewoman

Nee"dle*wom`an
(?)
n.
pl. Needlewomen (_;).
A woman who does needlework; a seamstress.


word: needlewood
definition:
needlewood

nee"dle*wood`
n.
A large bushy shrub (Hakea leucoptera) of central and eastern Australia, with pungent pointed leaves and creamy white flowers.

Syn. -- needle wood, Hakea leucoptera.


word: Needlework
definition:
Needlework

Nee"dle*work`
(?)
n.
1.
Work executed with a needle; sewed work; sewing; embroidery, crocheting, quilting, or tapestry, etc.; also, the art, process, or occupation of creating objects with needles.

Syn. -- needlecraft.

2.
The combination of timber and plaster making the outside framework of some houses.


word: Needly
definition:
Needly

Nee"dly
(?)
a.
Like a needle or needles; as, a needly horn; a needly beard.
R. D. Blackmore.


word: Needment
definition:
Needment

Need"ment
(?)
n.
Something needed or wanted.
pl.
Outfit; necessary luggage.
[Archaic]
Spenser.

Carrying each his needments.
Wordsworth.


word: Needs
definition:
Needs

Needs
(?)
adv.
[Orig. gen. of need, used as an adverb.  Cf. -wards.]
Of necessity; necessarily; indispensably; -- often with must, and equivalent to of need.

A man must needs love mauger his head.
Chaucer.

And he must needs go through Samaria.
John iv. 4.

He would needs know the cause of his repulse.
Sir J. Davies.


