Morison (mör´э sэn), Samuel Eliot 1887-1976; U.S. historian
Morisot (mô ři: zou´), Berthe (beřt) 1841-95; Fr. impressionist painter
Mormon (mör´mэn) •n. a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the Mormon Church), founded in the U.S. in 1830 by Joseph Smith: its sacred Book of Mormon was represented by Smith as his translation of an account of some ancient American peoples by a prophet among them named Mormon •adj. of the Mormons or their religion Mor´mon·ism' •n. [explained by Joseph SMITH as more mon, more good]
morn (mörn) •n. [Old Poet.] morning [ME morne < OE contr. of morgene, dat. of morgen, MORNING]
Mornay (môř nei´), Phi·lippe de (fi: li:p´ dэ) Seigneur du Plessis-Marly 1549-1623; Fr. diplomat & Huguenot leader: also Duplessis-Mornay
Mornay sauce (mör nei´) a rich white sauce to which grated cheese, usually Swiss or Parmesan, and seasonings have been added
morning (mörn´iŋ) •n. 1 the first or early part of the day, from midnight, or esp. dawn, to noon 2 the first or early part {the morning of life} 3 the dawn; daybreak •adj. of, in, or for the morning [ME morweninge (by analogy with EVENING) < OE morgen, morning, akin to Ger < IE base *mer(e)k-, to glimmer, twilight > obs. Czech mrkati, to dawn, grow dark]
morning after [Colloq.] a hangover, or painful awakening
morning dress [Colloq.] formal daytime dress for men, including a cutaway (morning coat)
morning glory any of a genus (Ipomoea) of plants of the morning-glory family; esp., a twining annual vine (I. purpurea), with heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers of lavender, blue, pink, or white
morning prayer [often M- P-] 1 R.C.Ch. the second of the canonical hours; lauds 2 Anglican Ch. the service assigned to the morning
morning sickness a condition of nausea and vomiting, sometimes accompanied by dizziness, headache, etc., that affects many women during the first months of pregnancy: it occurs most often in the morning
morning star a planet, esp. Venus, visible in the eastern sky before sunrise; daystar
morning-after (-æf´tэr) •adj. [Colloq.] 1 having to do with a morning after or the depressed feelings usually associated with it 2 designating or of a pill taken after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy
morning-glory (mörn´iŋ glör'i:) •adj. designating a family (Convolvulaceae, order Solanales) of twining dicotyledonous vines and some erect shrubs and trees with flowers having five sepals and a funnel-shaped corolla, including some bindweeds and the jalaps and sweet potatoes
mornings (mörn´iŋz) •adv. during every morning or most mornings
Moro (mour´ou, mör´ou) pl. -ros or -ro •n. 1 a member of a group of Malay peoples living in the S Philippines 2 any of the Austronesian languages of the Moros •adj. of the Moros [Sp, lit., Moor < L Maurus]
Morocco (mэ rä´kou) kingdom on the NW coast of Africa, bordering on the Atlantic & the Mediterranean; a Muslim kingdom since the 11th cent., from 1912-56 was divided into a French protectorate (French Morocco), a Spanish protectorate (Spanish Morocco), & the International Zone of Tangier (established in 1923); 254,815 sq. mi. (659,970 sq. km); pop. 23,667,000; cap. Rabat •n. [m-] 1 a fine, soft leather made, orig. in Morocco, from goatskins tanned with sumac 2 any similar leather, as one made from sharkskin Also morocco leather Mo·roc´can •adj., n.
moron (mör´än', mour´-) •n. 1 a retarded person mentally equal to a child between eight and twelve years old: an obsolescent term: see MENTAL RETARDATION 2 a very foolish or stupid person mo·ron·ic (mör rän´ik, mэ´-) •adj. mo·ron´i·cal·ly •adv. mo·ron´i·ty or mo´ron·ism' •n. [arbitrary use (by H. H. Goddard, 1866-1957, U.S. psychologist) of Gr mōron, neut. of mōros, foolish, akin to Sans mūrá-, stupid]
Moroni (mö rou´ni:) capital of the Comoro Islands; pop. 20,000
morose (mэ rous´) •adj. 1 ill-tempered; gloomy, sullen, etc. 2 characterized by gloom mo·rose´ly •adv. mo·rose´ness •n. [L morosus, peevish, fretful, fastidious < mos (gen. moris), manner: see MOOD¹]
morph abbrev. morphology morph (mörf) •n. 1 Linguis. ALLOMORPH (sense 2) 2 a representation of an occurrence of a morpheme 3 a sequence of phonemes isolated from surrounding sequences but not yet assigned to a particular morpheme [< Gr morphē, form]
-morph (mörf) combining form forming nouns one having a (specified) form {pseudomorph} [see MORPH]
morphallaxis (mör'fэ læk´sis) pl. -lax´es (-si:z) •n. Zool. the transformation of one part into another during regeneration, as in the growth of an antennule from the stump of an eye in some crustaceans [ModL < Gr morphē, form + allaxis, an exchange < allassein, to change, exchange < allos, other: see ELSE]
morpheme (mör´fi:m') •n. the smallest meaningful unit or form in a language: it may be an affix (Ex.: un- in undo or -er in doer) or a base (Ex.: do in undo): in linguistics notation, morphemes are enclosed in braces, as in un- mor·phe´mic •adj. mor·phe´mi·cal·ly •adv. [Fr morphème < Gr morphē, form + Fr -ème, as in phonème, PHONEME]
morphemics (mör fi:´miks) •n.pl. with sing. v. 1 the study of the morphemic systems of languages 2 the description and classification of the morphemes of a specific language
Morpheus (mör´fi: эs, -fyu:s-) Gr. Myth. the god of dreams, son of Hypnos [ME < L < Gr Morpheus, prob. < morphē, form: hence, orig., one who shapes (dreams)]
-morphic (mör´fik) combining form forming adjectives having a (specified) form or shape {idiomorphic} [< Gr morphē, form + -IC]
morphine (mör´fi:n') •n. a bitter, white or colorless, crystalline narcotic alkaloid, C17H19NO3·H2O, derived from opium and used in medicine to relieve pain: also mor´phi·a (-fэ э) mor·phin´ic (-fi:´nik, -fin´ik) •adj. [Ger morphin or Fr morphine < ModL morphium, so named (1811) by F. W. A. Sertürner (1783-1841), Ger pharmacist < L Morpheus: see MORPHEUS]
morphinism (mör´fi:n iz'эm, -fin-) •n. 1 a diseased condition resulting from the habitual or excessive use of morphine 2 addiction to the use of morphine
morpho- (mör´fou, -fэ) combining form morpheme {morphophonemics} [MORPH(EME) + -o-]
morphogenesis (mör'fou jen´э sis) •n. Zool. the structural changes occurring during the development of an organism, organ, or part mor'pho·ge·net´ic (-jэ net´ik) •adj. [ModL: see -MORPH & -GENESIS]
morphol morphology
morphology (mör fäl´э ji:) •n. 1 the branch of biology that deals with the form and structure of animals and plants 2 a) the branch of linguistics that deals with the internal structure and forms of words b) the study of the structure, classification, and relationships of morphemes 3 any scientific study of form and structure, as in physical geography 4 form and structure, as of an organism, regarded as a whole mor'pho·log´i·cal (-fэ läj´i kэl) or mor'pho·log´ic •adj. mor'pho·log´i·cal·ly •adv. mor·phol´o·gist •n. [Ger morphologie, coined (1822) by GOETHE < Gr morphē, form + -logie, -LOGY]
morphophonemics (mör'fou fэ ni:´miks) •n.pl. 1 the study of phonemic variations in morphemes 2 description of such variations in a particular language mor'pho·pho·ne´mic •adj. [MORPHO- + PHONEMICS]
morphosis (mör fou sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. the mode of developmental formation of an organism or any of its parts mor·phot´ic (-fät´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr morphōsis, form < morphoun, to form < morphē, form]
-morphous (mör´fэs) combining form -MORPHIC [Gr -morphos < morphē, form]
Morris (mör´is, mär´-) 1 a masculine name: dim. Morrie, Morry 2 Gou·ver·neur (gûv'эr nir´) 1752-1816; Am. statesman & diplomat 3 Robert 1734-1806; Am. financier & patriot 4 William 1834-96; Eng. poet, artist, craftsman, & socialist [var. of MAURICE] morris (mör´is, mär´-) •adj. designating or of an old folk dance formerly common in England, esp. on May Day, in which fancy costumes were worn, often those associated with characters in the Robin Hood legends •n. this dance [< ME morys, MOORISH]
Morris chair an armchair with an adjustable back and removable cushions [after William MORRIS, who popularized it]
Morris Jessup (jes´эp), Cape cape at the N tip of Greenland: northernmost point of land in the world
morro (mör´ou; Sp möř´řô) pl. -ros' (-ouz'; Sp, -řôs) •n. a rounded hill or point of land [Sp: see MORAINE]
morrow (mär´ou, mör´-) •n. [Archaic] 1 morning 2 the next day 3 the time just after some particular event [ME morwe, morwen < OE morgen, MORNING]
Mors (mörz, mörs) Rom. Myth. death personified as a god: identified with the Greek Thanatos [L: see MORTAL]
Morse (mörs) •adj. [often m-] designating or of a code, or alphabet, consisting of a system of dots and dashes, or short and long sounds or flashes, used to represent letters, numerals, etc. in telegraphy, signaling, and the like: the international (or continental) code was adapted from the original •n. the Morse code [after fol.] Morse (mörs), Samuel F(inley) B(reese) 1791-1872; U.S. artist & inventor of the telegraph
morsel (mör´sэl) •n. 1 a small bite or portion of food 2 a small piece or amount; bit 3 a tasty dish •vt. to divide into or distribute in small portions [OFr, dim. of mors < L morsum, a bite, piece < pp. of mordere, to bite: see MORDANT]
mort¹ (mört) •n. 1 [Obs.] death 2 a note sounded on a hunting horn to announce the killing of the quarry [OFr < L mors, death: see MORTAL]
mort² (mört) •n. [Dial.] a great quantity or number [? altered (infl. by prec.) < dial. merth, excess < ON mergth, a multitude; akin to margr, much]
mortadella (mör'tэ del´э) •n. a type of Italian bologna [It < L murtatum (farcimen), (sausage) spiced with myrtle, neut. of myrtatus < myrtus, MYRTLE] mortal (mör´tэl, mört´ªl) •adj. 1 that must eventually die {all mortal beings} 2 of man as a being who must eventually die 3 of this world 4 of death 5 causing death; deadly; fatal 6 to the death {mortal combat} 7 not to be pacified {a mortal enemy} 8 very intense; grievous {mortal terror} 9 [Colloq.] a) extreme; very great b) very long and tedious c) conceivable; possible {of no mortal good to anyone} 10 Theol. causing spiritual death: said of a sin serious in itself, adequately recognized as such, and committed with full consent of one's will: compare VENIAL •n. a being who must eventually die; esp., a human being; person •adv. [Dial.] extremely SYN. FATAL mor´tal·ly •adv. [OFr < L mortalis < mors (gen. mortis), death, akin to mori, to die < IE base *mer-, to die, be worn out > MURDER, Sans marati, (he) dies]
mortality (mör tæl´э ti:) •n. 1 the condition of being mortal; esp., the nature of man, as having eventually to die 2 death on a large scale, as from disease or war 3 a) the proportion of deaths to the population of a region, nation, etc.; death rate b) the death rate from a particular disease 4 the number or proportion that fail {the high mortality of first-year students} 5 human beings collectively; mankind 6 [Obs.] death [ME mortalite < OFr < L mortalitas < mortalis, MORTAL]
mortality table a statistical table, based on a sample group of the population, stating the percentage of people who live to any given age and the life expectancy at any given age
mortar (mört´эr) •n. 1 a very hard bowl in which softer substances are ground or pounded to a powder with a pestle 2 any machine in which materials are ground or pounded 3 a short-barreled cannon with a low muzzle velocity, which hurls shells in a high trajectory [Fr mortier] 4 any of various similar devices, for shooting lifelines, flares, etc. 5 a mixture of cement or lime with sand and water, used between bricks or stones to bind them together in building, or as plaster [ME morter < MFr mortier < L mortarium, a mixture of sand and lime: so called from the vessel in which it was made] •vt. 1 to plaster or bind together with mortar 2 to attack with mortar shells [ME mortere < OE mortere & OFr mortier, both < L moratarium, mixing vessel or trough < IE *mrtos, pulverized < base *mer-, to rub: see MORBID]
mortarboard (-börd') •n. 1 a square board with a handle beneath or with legs, used for holding mortar 2 an academic cap with a square, flat, horizontal top, worn at commencements, etc. in schools and colleges
mortgage (mör´gij) •n. 1 the pledging of property to a creditor as security for the payment of a debt 2 the deed by which this pledge is made 3 the claim of the mortgagee on the property •vt. -gaged, -gag·ing 1 Law to pledge (property) by a mortgage 2 to put an advance claim or liability on {to mortgage one's future} [OFr morgage, mort gage, lit., dead pledge < mort, dead (see MORT¹) + gage, GAGE¹]
mortgagee (mör'gэ ji:´) •n. a person to whom property is mortgaged
mortgagor or mortgager (mör´gi jэr) •n. a person who mortgages property
mortice (mört´is) •n., vt. alt. sp. of MORTISE
mortician (mör tish´эn) •n. FUNERAL DIRECTOR [< L mors, death (see MORTAL) + -ICIAN]
mortification (mör'tэ fi kei´shэn) •n. 1 a mortifying or being mortified; specif., a) the control of physical desires and passions by self-denial, fasting, etc. b) shame, humiliation, chagrin, etc.; loss of self-respect 2 something causing shame, humiliation, etc. 3 early term for GANGRENE [ME mortificacioun < LL(Ec) mortificatio < pp. of mortificare]
mortify (mört´э fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to punish (one's body) or control (one's physical desires and passions) by self-denial, fasting, etc., as a means of religious or ascetic discipline 2 to cause to feel shame, humiliation, chagrin, etc.; injure the pride or self-respect of 3 [Now Rare] to cause (body tissue) to decay or become gangrenous 4 to destroy the vitality or vigor of •vi. 1 to practice MORTIFICATION (sense 1a) 2 [Now Rare] to decay or become gangrenous mor´ti·fi'er •n. [ME mortifien < OFr mortifier < LL(Ec) mortificare, to kill, destroy < L mors, death (see MORTAL) + facere, to make, DO¹]
Mortimer (mört´э mэr) a masculine name: dim. Mort, Morty [< Norm surname < place name]
mortise (mört´is) •n. a hole or recess cut, as in a piece of wood, to receive a projecting part (tenon) shaped to fit into it, or to receive a lock •vt. -tised, -tis·ing 1 to join or fasten securely, esp. with a mortise and tenon 2 to cut a mortise in [ME mortays < MFr mortaise, a mortise < Ar murtazza, joined, fixed in]
mortmain (mört´mein') •n. 1 a transfer of lands or houses to a corporate body, such as a school, church, or charitable organization, for perpetual ownership 2 such ownership [ME morte-mayne < OFr mortemain < ML mortua manus, lit., dead hand < fem. of L mortuus, pp. of mori, to die (see MORTAL) + manus, hand: see MANUAL]
Morton (mört´ªn) a masculine name: dim. Mort, Morty [orig. surname & place name < OE Mor-tun < mor, a swamp, MOOR¹ + tun, TOWN] Morton (mört´ªn) 1 Ferdinand Joseph (called Jelly Roll) 1890-1941; U.S. jazz pianist & composer 2 William Thomas Green 1819-68; U.S. dentist: introduced the use of ether for anesthesia (1846)
mortuary (mör´chu: er i:) pl. -ar'ies •n. a place where dead bodies are kept before burial or cremation, as a morgue or funeral home •adj. 1 of or having to do with the burial of the dead 2 of or connected with death [< LL mortuarius, of the dead < L mortuus, pp. of mori, to die: see MORTAL]
morula (mör´yu: lэ, mör´э-) pl. -lae' (-li:') •n. a solid mass of cells, somewhat like a mulberry in shape, formed by cleavage of an ovum in the early stages of embryonic development mor´u·lar •adj. mor'u·la´tion •n. [ModL, dim. of L morum, MULBERRY]
mosaic (mou zei´ik) •n. 1 the process of making pictures or designs by inlaying small bits of colored stone, glass, tile, etc. in mortar 2 inlaid work made by this process 3 a picture or design so made 4 anything resembling this, as a number of aerial photographs pieced together to show a continuous area 5 Biol. CHIMERA (n. 3) 6 Bot. any of the virus diseases that cause wrinkling or mottling of leaves 7 TV the photosensitive plate in an iconoscope or other television camera tube •adj. of or resembling mosaic or a mosaic •vt. -icked, -ick·ing 1 to make by or as by mosaic 2 to decorate with mosaics mo·sa´i·cal·ly •adv. mo·sa´i·cist (-э sist) •n. [LME musycke < OFr musique < ML musaicum, altered < LL musivum, mosaic, orig. neut. of L musivus, artistic, of a muse < L musa, MUSE: sp. altered by assoc. with Fr mosaique < It mosaico < same ML source] Mosaic (mou zei´ik) •adj. of Moses or the writings, principles, etc. attributed to him [LL(Ec) Mosaicus < Gr(Ec) Mōsaikos] mosaic (mou zei´ik) •n. 1 the process of making pictures or designs by inlaying small bits of colored stone, glass, tile, etc. in mortar 2 inlaid work made by this process 3 a picture or design so made 4 anything resembling this, as a number of aerial photographs pieced together to show a continuous area 5 Biol. CHIMERA (n. 3) 6 Bot. any of the virus diseases that cause wrinkling or mottling of leaves 7 TV the photosensitive plate in an iconoscope or other television camera tube •adj. of or resembling mosaic or a mosaic •vt. -icked, -ick·ing 1 to make by or as by mosaic 2 to decorate with mosaics mo·sa´i·cal·ly •adv. mo·sa´i·cist (-э sist) •n. [LME musycke < OFr musique < ML musaicum, altered < LL musivum, mosaic, orig. neut. of L musivus, artistic, of a muse < L musa, MUSE: sp. altered by assoc. with Fr mosaique < It mosaico < same ML source]
mosaic gold 1 a yellow, crystalline powder, stannic sulfide, SnS2, used as a pigment 2 ORMOLU
mosaic image the image produced by a compound eye in which each element (ommatidium) focuses and forms a very small part of the total view
Mosaic law the ancient law of the Hebrews, ascribed to Moses and contained mainly in the Pentateuch
mosaicism (mou zei´i siz'эm) •n. the condition existing when tissues of different genetic makeup occur in the same organism [MOSAIC, n. 5 + -ISM]
Moscow (mäs´kou, -kau') capital of Russia, in the W part: pop. 8,642,000: Russ. name MOSKVA
Moselle (mou zel´; Fr mô zel´) river in NE France & SW Germany, flowing north into the Rhine at Koblenz: c. 320 mi. (515 km): Ger. name Mo·sel (mou´zэl) •n. 1 a variety of white wine made in the valley of this river 2 a similar wine made elsewhere [Fr < L Mosella]
Moses (mou´zэz, -zэs) 1 a masculine name: dim. Mo, Mose 2 Bible the leader who brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and led them to the Promised Land, received the Ten Commandments from God, and gave laws to the people •n. a leader or lawgiver [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) Mōsēs < Heb mōsheh, prob. < Egypt mes, mesu, child, son] Moses (mou´zэz, -zэs), Anna Mary Robertson 1860-1961; U.S. primitive painter: called Grandma Moses
mosey (mou´zi:) •vi. [Slang] 1 to stroll, amble, or shuffle along 2 to go away; move along [prob. < VAMOOSE]
moshav (mou shäv´) pl. mo·sha·vim (mou'shä vi:m´) •n. in Israel, a type of settlement consisting of individual leaseholds farmed cooperatively: cf. KIBBUTZ [ModHeb mōshābh < Heb, a dwelling]
Moskva (môs kvä´) Russ. name of MOSCOW
Moslem (mäz´lэm, mäs´-) •n., adj. MUSLIM [Ar muslim, true believer < aslama, to resign oneself (to God)]
mosque (mäsk) •n. a Muslim temple or place of worship [Early ModE muskey < MFr mosquez < It moschea, ult. < Ar masjid, place of adoration, temple < sajada, to prostrate oneself, pray]
mosquito (mэ ski:t´ou) pl. -toes •n.or -tos any of a large family (Culicidae) of two-winged dipteran insects, the females of which have skin-piercing mouthparts used to extract blood from animals, including humans: some varieties are carriers of certain diseases, as malaria and yellow fever mos·qui´to·ey (-i:) •adj. [Sp & Port, dim. of mosca < L musca, a fly: see MIDGE]
Mosquito Coast region on the Caribbean coast of Honduras & Nicaragua: also Mos·qui·ti·a (môs ki:´ti: ä)
mosquito hawk 1 DRAGONFLY 2 NIGHTHAWK (sense 1)
mosquito net (or netting) a very fine cloth mesh or a curtain made of this, for keeping out mosquitoes
mosquitofish (-fish') pl. -fish' •n. a small gambusia fish (Gambusia affinis) sometimes introduced into a body of water to control mosquito larvae
moss (mös, mäs) •n. 1 a) any of various classes (esp. Bryopsida) of very small, green bryophytes having stems with leaflike structures and growing in velvety clusters on rocks, trees, moist ground, etc. b) a growth of these 2 any of various similar plants, as some lichens, algae, etc. •vt. to cover with a growth of moss moss´like' •adj. [ME mos, a bog, moss < OE a swamp, akin to ON mosi, Ger moos, a bog, moss < IE *meus- (> L muscus, moss) < base *meu-, moist]
moss agate a kind of agate with black, brown, or green, mosslike markings
moss pink a hardy, perennial phlox (Phlox subulata) forming sprawling mats with bristly, narrow leaves and white, pink, or lavender flowers
moss rose 1 PORTULACA 2 a variety of the cabbage rose with a roughened, mossy flower stalk and calyx
mossback (-bæk') •n. 1 an old fish, shellfish, turtle, etc. with a greenish growth of algae, etc. over the back 2 [Colloq.] an old-fashioned or very conservative person
Mössbauer (mös´bau'эr), Ru·dolf Lud·wig (řu:´dôlf' lu:t´viH') 1929- ; Ger. physicist
Mössbauer effect (mös´bau'эr) the phenomenon in which gamma rays from the nuclei of certain radioactive isotopes do not lose energy from the recoil of those nuclei if the nuclei are bound in the lattice of a crystal [after prec.]
mossbunker (mös´bûŋ'kэr) •n. MENHADEN [altered < Du marsbanker < ?]
moss-grown (-groun') •adj. 1 overgrown with moss 2 old-fashioned; antiquated
mosstrooper (-tru:p'эr) •n. 1 any of the raiders who infested the swampy borderland between England and Scotland in the 17th cent. 2 a raider; marauder [< Scot moss, a swamp < ME mos: see MOSS]
mossy (mös´i:) moss´i·er, moss´i·est •adj. 1 full of or covered with moss or a mosslike growth 2 as if covered with moss 3 like moss moss´i·ness •n.
mossycup oak (mös´i: køp') BUR OAK
most (moust) •adj. 1 greatest in amount, quantity, or degree: used as the superlative of MUCH 2 greatest in number: used as the superlative of MANY 3 in the greatest number of instances {most fame is fleeting} •n. 1 the greatest amount, quantity or degree {to take most of the credit} 2 [with pl. v.] a) the greatest number (of persons or things) {most of us are going} b) the greatest number of persons or things •adv. 1 compar. MORE in or to the greatest degree or extent: used with many adjectives and adverbs (regularly with those of three or more syllables) to form the superlative degree {most horrible, most quickly} 2 very (often preceded by a) {a most beautiful morning} 3 [Colloq.] almost; nearly [for ALMOST] at (the) most at the very limit; not more than make the most of to make the greatest use of; take fullest advantage of the most [Slang] the best or most exciting, attractive, etc. [ME < OE mast, used as superl. of micel, big (var. of mycel: see MUCH): akin to Goth maists: for IE base see MORE]
-most (moust) suffix forming superlatives {hindmost} [ME, altered (after prec.) < -mest < OE < older superl. suffixes, -ma + -est]
most favored nation a nation to which privileges of trade are extended under a government policy of giving the same privileges to all nations that are given to any one of them, sometimes if certain conditions, as of reciprocity, are met
mostest (moust´ist) •adj., n. [Slang] tautological var. of MOST {the hostess with the mostest}
mostly (moust´li:) •adv. 1 for the most part 2 chiefly; principally 3 usually; generally
Móstoles (môs´tô les) city in central Spain: suburb of Madrid: pop. 150,000
Mosul (mou su:l´) city in N Iraq, on the Tigris, opposite the site of ancient Nineveh: pop. 293,000
mot (mou) •n. a witticism or pithy remark; bon mot [Fr, a word, saying < L muttum, a grunt, muttering < IE echoic base *mu- > MUTTER, MOPE, MEW³]
mot juste (mou zhüst´) pl. mots justes (mou zhüst´) exactly the word or phrase wanted; just the right word or phrase [Fr]
mote¹ (mout) •n. a speck of dust or other tiny particle [ME < OE mot, akin to Du, sawdust, grit]
mote² (mout) •vi. [Archaic] may; might [ME moten < OE motan, akin to Ger müssen: basic sense it is permitted; must (OE moste) is the pt. of this v.]
motel (mou tel´) •n. a hotel intended primarily for those traveling by car, usually with easy access from each room to an area for cars [coined (1925) by A. S. Heineman, U.S. architect (< MO(TOR) + (HO)TEL) for an inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif.]
motet (mou tet´) •n. Music a contrapuntal, polyphonic song of a sacred nature, generally unaccompanied [OFr dim. of mot, a word: see MOT]
moth (möθ) pl. moths (möðz, möθs) •n. 1 any of various families of four-winged, chiefly night-flying lepidopteran insects, similar to the butterflies but generally smaller, less brightly colored, and not having the antennae knobbed 2 CLOTHES MOTH [ME motthe < OE moththe, akin to Ger motte < IE base *math-, gnawing vermin]
mothball (-böl') •n. a small ball of naphthalene or, sometimes, camphor, the fumes of which repel moths, as from woolens, furs, etc. •vt. to store with protective covering or set aside indefinitely for possible future use •adj. in storage or reserve {a mothball fleet} in (or out of) mothballs put into (or taken from) a condition of being stored or in reserve
moth-eaten (-i:t'ªn) •adj. 1 gnawed away in patches by moth larvae, as cloth 2 decayed or decrepit in appearance; worn-out 3 outdated
Mother Carey's chicken (ker´i:z) STORM PETREL [< ?]
mother country MOTHERLAND
Mother Goose 1 the imaginary narrator of a collection of tales (c. 1697) by Charles Perrault 2 the imaginary creator of a collection of nursery rhymes first published in London perhaps as early as 1765
Mother Hubbard (hûb´эrd) 1 a character in an old nursery rhyme 2 a full loose gown for women [from the costume in old illustrations of the rhyme]
mother image (or figure) a person substituted in one's mind for one's mother and often the object of emotions felt toward the mother
mother lode the main lode, or vein of ore, in a particular region or district
Mother Nature NATURE (sense 8)
Mother of God name for VIRGIN MARY
mother of vinegar a stringy, gummy, slimy substance formed by bacteria (genus Acetobacter) in vinegar or on the surface of fermenting liquids: used as a starter to make vinegar [see MOTHER²]
mother superior pl. mother superiors or mothers superior [often M- S-] a woman who is the head of a religious establishment: often used as a title
mother tongue 1 one's native language 2 a language in its relation to another derived from it
mother wit native intelligence; common sense
mother¹ (mûð´эr) •n. 1 a woman who has borne a child; esp., a woman as she is related to her child or children 2 a) a stepmother b) an adoptive mother c) a mother-in-law 3 the female parent of a plant or animal 4 that which gives birth to something, is the origin or source of something, or nurtures in the manner of a mother 5 a) a woman having the responsibility and authority of a mother b) [often M-] MOTHER SUPERIOR (used esp. as a title) 6 an elderly woman: used as a title of affectionate respect 7 [Slang] short for MOTHERFUCKER •adj. 1 of, like, or like that of a mother 2 derived or learned from one's mother; native {mother tongue} 3 designating a company, institution, etc. from which another or others originated {mother church} •vt. 1 to be the mother of; give birth to: often used figuratively 2 to look after or care for as a mother does moth´er·less •adj. [ME moder < OE modor, akin to Ger mutter < IE *matér, mother (> L mater, Gr mētēr, OIr māthir) < *ma-, echoic of baby talk]
mother² (mûð´эr) •n. 1 short for MOTHER OF VINEGAR 2 [Obs.] dregs [altered (infl. by prec.) < MDu moeder, akin to MLowG modder: for IE base see MUD]
motherboard (-börd') •n. the main interconnecting circuit board in an electronic device, to which the various subassemblies, as printed circuit boards, are plugged or wired
motherfucker (mûθ´эr fûk'эr) •n. [Vulgar Slang] a person or thing regarded as remarkable, despicable, contemptible, unpleasant, etc. moth´er-fuck'ing •adj.
motherhood (mûð´эr hud') •n. 1 the state of being a mother; maternity 2 the character or qualities of a mother 3 mothers collectively
motherhouse (-haus') •n. R.C.Ch. 1 a monastery or other religious house from which one or more additional religious houses have been founded 2 the headquarters of a religious community
mothering (-iŋ) •n. the work or skill of a mother in raising a child or children
mother-in-law (-in lö') pl. moth´ers-in-law' •n. the mother of one's husband or wife
motherland (mûð´эr lænd') •n. 1 one's native land or, sometimes, the land of one's ancestors 2 a country thought of as originator or source
motherly (-li:) •adj. 1 of a mother 2 having traits considered typical of mothers; kind, protective, nurturing, etc. •adv. [Archaic] as a mother moth´er·li·ness •n.
mother-naked (-nei´kid) •adj. as naked as when one was born; completely naked
mother-of-pearl (-эv pørl´) •n. the hard, pearly internal layer of certain marine shells, as of the pearl oyster, abalone, etc., used in the arts, in making pearl buttons, etc. •adj. of the mother-of-pearl [transl. of ML mater perlarum: orig. applied to the marine animal, later to the shell]
Mother's Day the second Sunday in May, a day set aside (in the U.S.) in honor of mothers
Motherwell (mûð´эr wel'), Robert 1915-91; U.S. painter
Motherwell and Wishaw (mûð´эr wel' эnd wish´ö) city in SC Scotland: pop. 76,000
motherwort (-wørt') •n. any of a genus (Leonurus) of weedy plants of the mint family; esp., an Old World perennial (L. cardiaca) with pink or purplish flowers and a spiny, toothed calyx [ME moderwort (see MOTHER¹ & WORT²): from the notion that it was helpful in curing diseases of the womb]
mothproof (möθ´pru:f') •adj. treated chemically so as to repel the clothes moth •vt. to make mothproof
mothy (möθ´i:) moth´i·er, moth´i·est •adj. 1 infested with moths 2 moth-eaten
motif (mou ti:f´) •n. 1 a main element, idea, feature, etc.; specif., a) a main theme or subject to be elaborated on or developed, as in a piece of music, a book, etc. b) a repeated figure in a design 2 MOTIVE (sense 1) [Fr: see MOTIVE]
motile (mou´til, mout´ªl) •adj. Biol. capable of or exhibiting spontaneous motion mo·til·i·ty (mou til´э ti:) •n. [< L motus, pp. of movere, to MOVE + -ILE]
motion (mou´shэn) •n. 1 the act or process of moving; passage of a body from one place to another; movement 2 the act of moving the body or any of its parts 3 a meaningful movement of the hand, eyes, etc.; gesture 4 [Rare] the ability to move 5 an impulse; inclination {of one's own motion} 6 a proposal; suggestion; esp. a proposal formally made in an assembly or meeting 7 Law an application to a court for a ruling, order, etc. 8 Mech. a combination of moving parts; mechanism 9 Music melodic progression, as a change from one pitch to another in a voice part •vi. to make a meaningful movement of the hand, head, etc.; gesture •vt. to direct or command by a meaningful gesture go through the motions to do something from habit or according to formalities, but without enthusiasm, personal involvement, etc. in motion moving; traveling or in operation mo´tion·al •adj. mo´tion·less •adj. mo´tion·less·ly •adv. mo´tion·less·ness •n. [ME mocioun < L motio (gen. motionis), a moving < motus, pp. of movere, MOVE]
motion picture FILM (n. 5)
motion sickness sickness characterized by nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, and caused by the motion of an aircraft, boat, etc.
motion study see TIME STUDY
motivate (mout´э veit') -vat'ed, -vat'ing •vt. to provide with, or affect as, a motive or motives; incite or impel mo'ti·va´tion •n. mo'ti·va´tion·al •adj. mo´ti·va'tive •adj. mo´ti·va'tor •n.
motivational research a systematic and scientific analysis of the forces influencing people so as to control the making of their decisions: applied in advertising, marketing, etc.
motive (mout´iv) •n. 1 some inner drive, impulse, intention, etc. that causes a person to do something or act in a certain way; incentive; goal 2 MOTIF (sense 1) •adj. [ML motivus] 1 of, causing, or tending to cause motion 2 [Rare] of, or having the nature of, a motive or motives •vt. -tived, -tiv·ing to supply a motive for; motivate SYN. CAUSE mo´tive·less •adj. [ME motif < OFr motif (adj.) < ML motivus, moving < L motus, pp. of movere, to MOVE]
-motive (mout´iv) combining form forming adjectives moving, of motion {automotive} [< prec. (adj.)]
motive power 1 any power, as steam, electricity, etc., used to impart motion; any source of mechanical energy 2 an impelling force
motivic (mou tiv´ik) •adj. of or having to do with a musical motif [< MOTIVE (n. 2)]
motivity (mou tiv´э ti:) •n. the power of moving or causing motion
motley (mät´li:) •adj. 1 of many colors or patches of color 2 [Rare] wearing many-colored garments {a motley fool} 3 having or composed of many different or clashing elements; heterogeneous {a motley group} •n. 1 cloth of mixed colors 2 [Rare] a garment of various colors, worn by a clown or jester 3 [Rare] a fool or jester 4 a combination of diverse or clashing elements [ME mottley < ?] Motley (mät´li:), John Lo·throp (lou´θrэp) 1814-77; U.S. historian & diplomat
motmot (mät´mät') •n. any of a family (Momotidae) of long-tailed, chiefly green, coraciiform birds of tropical and subtropical America, usually nesting in tunnels they make along river banks [AmSp, echoic of its note]
motocross (mou´tou krös') •n. a race for lightweight motorcycles over a cross-country course with obstacles [Fr < motocyclette, motorcycle + E cross-country]
motoneuron (mou'tэ nur´än', -nyur´-) •n. a motor nerve cell: see MOTOR (adj. 5) [MOTO(R) + NEURON]
motor (mout´эr) •n. 1 anything that produces or imparts motion 2 an engine; esp., an internal-combustion engine for propelling a vehicle 3 MOTOR VEHICLE 4 Elec. a machine for converting electric energy into mechanical energy •adj. 1 producing or imparting motion 2 of or powered by a motor or motors {a motor bicycle} 3 of, by, or for motor vehicles {a motor trip} 4 for motorists {a motor inn} 5 designating or of a nerve carrying impulses from the central nervous system to a muscle producing motion 6 of, manifested by, or involving muscular movements {a motor reflex, motor skills} •vi. to ride in a motor vehicle; esp., to travel by automobile •vt. [Chiefly Brit.] to convey by automobile [L, a mover < motus, pp. of movere, MOVE]
motor drive an electric motor and other parts of a mechanical system for operating a machine or machines
motor generator an apparatus consisting of one or more electric motors coupled to one or more generators, for transforming or converting electrical energy
motor home a motor vehicle with a van or trucklike chassis, outfitted as a traveling home, usually with self-contained electrical and plumbing facilities: cf. MOBILE HOME
motor hotel MOTEL: also motor court or motor inn or motor lodge
motor pool a group of motor vehicles kept, as at a military installation, for use as needed by personnel
motor scooter a light motor vehicle resembling a scooter, having usually two small wheels and the driver seated over the engine with the feet in front resting on a floorboard
motor ship a ship propelled by an internal-combustion engine or engines
motor torpedo boat a high-speed powerboat equipped with torpedoes and machine guns
motor truck a motor-driven truck for hauling loads
motor vehicle a vehicle on wheels, having its own motor and not running on rails or tracks, for use on streets or highways; esp., an automobile, truck, or bus
motorbike (-baik') •n. [Colloq.] 1 a bicycle propelled by a motor 2 a light motorcycle
motorboat (-bout') •n. a boat propelled by an internal-combustion engine or other kind of motor, esp. such a boat that is relatively small
motorbus (-bûs') •n. BUS (sense 1): also motor coach
motorcade (-keid') •n. a procession of automobiles or other motor vehicles [MOTOR + -CADE]
motorcar (-kär') •n. 1 AUTOMOBILE Æ 2 a small, open car propelled by a motor and used on a railroad by workers: also motor car
motorcycle (-sai'kэl) •n. a two-wheeled (or, if equipped with a sidecar, three-wheeled) vehicle propelled by an internal-combustion engine and resembling a bicycle, but usually larger and heavier, and often having two saddles •vi. -cled, -cling to ride a motorcycle mo´tor·cy'clist (-saik'list) •n. [MOTOR + (BI)CYCLE]
motored (mout´эrd) •adj. having a motor or motors: usually used in compounds {bimotored}
motoric (mou tör´ik) •adj. MOTOR (adj. 6)
motorist (mout´эr ist) •n. a person who drives an automobile or travels by automobile
motorize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 a) to equip with motor-driven vehicles (as in place of horses and horse-drawn vehicles) b) to make mobile by designing as part of a motor vehicle or mounting on a motor vehicle 2 to equip (vehicles, machines, etc.) with a motor or motors mo'tor·i·za´tion •n.
motorman (-mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a person who drives an electric streetcar or electric locomotive 2 a person who operates a motor
motormouth (-mauθ') •n. [Slang] a person who talks incessantly: also mo´tor-mouth' or motor mouth
Motown (mou´taun') •adj. designating or of a style of rhythm and blues of the 1960's characterized by a strong, even beat and the use of elements derived from black gospel music [< a trademark for phonograph records, etc. < Mo(tor) Town, nickname for DETROIT]
Mott (mät), Lucretia (born Lucretia Coffin) 1793-1880; U.S. abolitionist & women's rights advocate
motte or mott (mät) •n. [Southwest] a small grove of trees [AmSp mata < LL matta, a cover, MAT¹]
mottle (mät´ªl) -tled, -tling •vt. to mark with blotches, streaks, and spots of different colors or shades •n. 1 such a blotch, streak, or spot 2 a mottled pattern or coloring, as of marble mot´tled •adj. [back-form. < mottled < MOTLEY + -ED]
motto (mät´ou) pl. -toes or -tos •n. 1 a word, phrase, or sentence chosen as expressive of the goals or ideals of a nation, group, etc. and inscribed on a seal, banner, coin, etc. 2 a maxim adopted as a principle of behavior SYN. SAYING [It, a word < L muttum: see MOT]
moue (mu:) pl. moues (mu:) •n. a pouting grimace; wry face [Fr: see MOW³]
mouflon (mu:f´län') pl. -lons' or -lon' •n. 1 a) a wild sheep (Ovis musimon) native to the mountainous regions of Corsica and Sardinia: the male has large, curving horns b) a similar Asiatic sheep (O. orientalis) 2 the wool of these sheep Also mouf´flon' [Fr mouflon < It dial. muffolo, for muffione < LL dial. mufro, akin to L musimo, wild sheep < a pre-L western Mediterranean native term]
mouillé (mu:´yei´) •adj. Phonet. palatalized, as the sound of Spanish ñ in cañon or French ll in fille [Fr, pp. of mouiller, to moisten < VL *molliare < L mollis, soft: see MOLLIFY]
moujik (mu: zhi:k´, mu:´zhik') •n. MUZHIK
moulage (mu: läzh´) •n. 1 the science or practice of making a mold, as in plaster of Paris, of an object, footprint, etc., for use in crime detection 2 such a mold [Fr < MFr, a molding < mouler, to mold < OFr modle: see MOLD¹]
mould (mould) •n., vt., vi. chiefly Brit., etc. sp. of MOLD¹, MOLD², MOLD³ mould´y, mould´i·er, mould´i·est, •adj.
mouldboard (-börd') •n. chiefly Brit., etc. sp. of MOLDBOARD
moulder (moul´dэr) •vt., vi. chiefly Brit., etc. sp. of MOLDER
moulding (moul´diŋ) •n. chiefly Brit., etc. sp. of MOLDING
moule (mu:l) •n. a mussel, esp. an edible variety
moulin (mu: læn´) •n. a nearly vertical shaft through a glacier, down which a stream of surface water plunges [Fr, lit., a mill < LL molinum, molina, MILL¹]
Moulmein (mul mein´, moul-) seaport in S Myanmar, on the Gulf of Martaban: pop. 203,000
moult (moult) •n., vt., vi. chiefly Brit. sp. of MOLT
Mound Builders the early Indian peoples who built the burial mounds, fortifications, and other earthworks found in the Middle West and the Southwest
mound¹ (maund) •n. 1 a heap or bank of earth, sand, etc. built over a grave, in a fortification, etc. 2 a natural elevation like this; small hill 3 any heap or pile 4 Baseball the slightly raised area on which the pitcher must stand when pitching •vt. 1 [Archaic] to enclose or fortify with a mound 2 to heap up in a mound [prob. < MDu mond, protection, akin to ON mund, hand: see MANUAL]
mound² (maund) •n. ORB (sense 4) [Fr monde < L mundus, the world]
Mount Desert (dez´эrt) island off the S coast of Me.: resort: c. 100 sq. mi. (259 sq. km) [< Fr Isle des Monts Deserts, lit., island of desert mountains]
Mount McKinley National Park see MCKINLEY, Mount
Mount Prospect village in NE Ill.: suburb of Chicago: pop. 53,000 [after a high ridge in the area]
Mount Rainier National Park see RAINIER, Mount
Mount Vernon 1 home & burial place of George Washington in N Va., on the Potomac, near Washington, D.C. 2 city in SE N.Y.: suburb of New York City: pop. 67,000 [after the historic site] [after Brit Admiral Edward Vernon (1684-1757)]
mount¹ (maunt) •n. 1 a mountain or hill: now poetic except before a proper name {Mount McKinley} 2 [Obs.] a raised fortification 3 Palmistry any fleshy raised part on the palm of the hand [ME < OE munt & OFr mont, a mount, both < L mons (gen. montis), hill, mountain < IE base *men-, to project > Welsh meneth, mountain]
mount² (maunt) •vi. 1 to climb; ascend: often with up 2 to climb up on something; esp., to get on the back of a horse, on a bicycle, etc. for riding 3 to increase in amount {profits are mounting} •vt. 1 to go up; ascend; climb {to mount stairs} 2 a) to get up on (a horse, bicycle, etc.) for riding b) to set on a horse c) to climb or get up on (a platform, stool, etc.) 3 to provide with a horse or horses 4 to climb on (a female) for copulation: said of a male animal 5 to place on something raised: with on {mount the statue on a pedestal} 6 to place, fix, or fasten on or in the proper support, backing, etc. for the required purpose; specif., a) to fix (a jewel) in a setting b) to fix (a specimen) on (a slide) for microscopic study c) to arrange (a skeleton, dead animal, etc.) for exhibition d) to affix (a picture) to a mat or other backing e) to affix (a postage stamp) on an album page 7 to furnish the necessary costumes, settings, etc. for producing (a play) 8 to prepare for and undertake (an expedition, campaign, etc.) 9 Mil. a) to raise or adjust (a gun) into proper position for use b) to be armed with (a cannon) {a ship that mounts six cannons} c) to post (a guard) as for sentry duty d) to go on (guard) as a sentry •n. 1 the act or manner of mounting (a horse, etc.) 2 a horse, bicycle, etc. for mounting and riding 3 the opportunity to ride a horse, etc., esp. in a race 4 the support, setting, etc. on or in which something is mounted, as the support for a microscopic slide or the setting for a jewel mount´a·ble •adj. mount´er •n. [ME mounten < OFr munter < VL *montare, lit., to go uphill < L mons: see MOUNT1]
mountain (maunt´ªn, maun´tэn) •n. 1 a natural raised part of the earth's surface, usually rising more or less abruptly, and larger than a hill 2 [pl.] a chain or group of such elevations 3 a large pile, heap, or mound 4 a very large amount •adj. 1 of a mountain or mountains 2 situated, living, or used in the mountains 3 like a mountain; esp., very large the Mountain the extreme revolutionary party of Danton and Robespierre, which occupied the highest seats in the French National Assembly in 1793 [transl. of Fr la Montagne] [ME montaine < OFr montaigne < VL *montanea, for L montana < montanus, mountainous < mons: see MOUNT¹]
mountain ash any of a genus (Sorbus) of small trees or shrubs of the rose family, with compound leaves and clusters of white flowers and red or orange berries
mountain avens 1 a small evergreen plant (Dryas octopetala) of the rose family, found on mountains and in arctic regions 2 a perennial plant (Geum triflorum) of the rose family, with reddish flowers and elongated, plumy styles
mountain cat any of various animals, as the cougar, bobcat, cacomistle, etc.
mountain chain 1 a mountain range 2 two or more relatively adjacent mountain ranges
mountain cranberry COWBERRY
mountain dew 1 orig., Scotch whiskey 2 [Colloq.] any whiskey, esp. when illegally distilled, as by mountaineers
mountain goat ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT
mountain laurel an evergreen shrub (Kalmia latifolia) of the heath family, with pink and white flowers and poisonous, shiny leaves, native to E North America
mountain lion COUGAR
mountain mahogany any of a genus (Cercocarpus) of W North American shrubs or small trees of the rose family, with lobed leaves and single dry fruits
mountain range a series of connected mountains considered as a single system because of geographical proximity or common origin
mountain sheep any of various wild sheep found in mountain regions; esp., the bighorn
mountain sickness a feeling of weakness, nausea, etc. brought on at high altitudes by the rarefied air
Mountain Standard Time a standard time used in the zone which includes the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. corresponding to the mean solar time of the 105th meridian west of Greenwich, England: it is seven hours behind Greenwich time: see TIME ZONE, map
Mountain State any of the eight States of the W U.S. through which the Rocky Mountains pass; Mont., Ida., Wyo., Nev., Utah, Colo., Ariz., or N.Mex.
Mountain View city in WC Calif., near San Jose: pop. 67,000 [descriptive]
mountaineer (maun'tªn ir´, maun´tэn ir´) •n. 1 a person who lives in a mountainous region 2 a mountain climber •vi. to climb mountains, as for sport
mountainous (maunt´ªn эs, maun´tэn эs) •adj. 1 having or full of mountains 2 having the nature of or like a mountain; esp., very large moun´tain·ous·ly •adv.
mountainside (-said') •n. the side of a mountain
mountaintop (-täp') •n. the top of a mountain
Mountbatten (maunt bæt´ªn), Louis (Francis Albert Victor Nicholas) 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma 1900-79; Brit. admiral [orig. transl. of Ger Battenberg]
mountebank (maunt´э bæŋk') •n. 1 orig., a person who mounted a bench, or platform, in a public place and sold quack medicines, usually attracting an audience by tricks, stories, etc. 2 any charlatan, or quack •vi. to act as a mountebank SYN. QUACK² moun´te·bank'er·y •n. [It montambanco < montare, MOUNT² + in, on + banco, a bench: see BANK¹]
mounted (maunt´id) •adj. 1 seated on horseback, a bicycle, etc. 2 serving on horseback {mounted police} 3 set up and ready for use {mounted gun} 4 fixed on or in the proper backing, support, setting, etc. 5 Mil. regularly equipped with a means of transportation, as with horses, tanks, armored vehicles, etc.
Mountie or Mounty (maunt´i:) pl. -ies •n. [Colloq.] a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
mounting (maunt´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of a person or thing that mounts 2 something serving as a backing, support, setting, etc.
mourn (mörn) •vi. 1 to feel or express sorrow; lament; grieve 2 to grieve for someone who has died; specif., to manifest the conventional signs of such grief, as by wearing black clothes 3 to make the low, continuous sound of a dove •vt. 1 to feel or express sorrow for (something regrettable) 2 to grieve for (someone who has died) 3 to utter in a manner expressing sorrow [ME mournen < OE murnan; akin to Goth *maúrnan, to be anxious < IE base *(s)mer-, to remember: see MERIT]
mourner (mörn´эr) •n. 1 a) a person who is in mourning b) any of the persons attending a funeral 2 a person who makes a public profession of penitence at a revival meeting
mourners' bench a front row of seats at a revival meeting, for those who are to profess penitence
mournful (mörn´fэl) •adj. 1 of or characterized by mourning; feeling or expressing grief or sorrow 2 causing sorrow or depression; melancholy 3 having a sound, appearance, etc. that suggests sadness mourn´ful·ly •adv. mourn´ful·ness •n.
mourning (mörn´iŋ) •n. 1 the actions or feelings of one who mourns; specif., the expression of grief at someone's death 2 black clothes, drapery, etc. worn or displayed as a conventional sign of grief for the dead 3 the period during which one mourns the dead •adj. of or expressing mourning mourn´ing·ly •adv.
mourning band a strip of black crepe or other cloth worn, usually around the arm, to show mourning
mourning cloak a common butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) having purplish-brown wings with a wide yellow border, found throughout Europe and North America
mourning dove a gray wild dove (Zenaida macroura) of the U.S.: so called because its cooing sounds mournful
mouse (for n. maus; for v. maus, mauz) pl. mice •n. 1 any of a large number of small, widespread rodents belonging to various families and having small ears and a long, thin tail, esp., a species (Mus musculus) that commonly infests buildings 2 a) [Rare] a girl or young woman (a term of endearment) b) a timid or spiritless person 3 [Slang] a dark, swollen bruise under the eye; black eye Æ 4 Comput. a small, hand-held device that is moved about on a flat surface in front of a video screen in such a way as to move or position the cursor or part of the display •vi. moused, mous´ing 1 to hunt for or catch mice 2 to seek about or search for something busily and stealthily •vt. 1 to hunt for 2 [Obs.] to tear or rend as a cat does a mouse [ME mous < OE mus, akin to Ger maus < IE *mūs, a mouse > Gr mys, L mus, mouse & musculus, MUSCLE]
mouse deer CHEVROTAIN
mousebird (-børd') •n. COLY
mouse-ear (-ir') •n. any of various plants with short, hairy leaves resembling the ear of a mouse, as the hawkweed or chickweed
mouser (maus´эr, mauz´-) •n. a cat, dog, etc., with reference to its ability to catch mice {a poor mouser}
mousetail (maus´teil') •n. any of a genus (Myosurus) of small plants of the buttercup family, with a slender gynoecium resembling the tail of a mouse
mousetrap (-træp') •n. a trap for catching mice •vt. -trapped', -trap'ping Æ to trick or ensnare by means of a feint or stratagem
mousey (maus´i:, mauz´-) mous´i·er, mous´i·est •adj. MOUSY
mousing (maus´iŋ, mauz´-) •n. 1 the act of hunting or catching mice 2 Naut. cord strung across the gap between the point and shank of a hook to keep something attached from slipping off
mousquetaire (mu:s kэ tэř´) •n. a musketeer [Fr]
moussaka (mu: sä´kэ, mu:'sä kä´) •n. a Greek dish consisting typically of sliced eggplant and ground meat arranged in layers, covered with a white sauce and cheese and baked [ModGr]
mousse (mu:s) •n. 1 any of various light chilled or frozen foods made with egg white, gelatin, whipped cream, etc., combined with fruit or flavoring for desserts, or with fish, meat, etc. 2 an aerosol foam used to help hair stay in place, and sometimes, to add color [Fr, foam, prob. < L mulsa, kind of mead < mulsus, mixed with honey < mel, honey: see MILDEW]
mousseline (mu:s li:n´) •n. 1 a sheer fabric somewhat resembling muslin and made of rayon, silk, etc. 2 a fine blown glass with a lacy pattern [Fr: see MUSLIN]
mousseline (sauce) (mu:s li:n´) any of various sauces lightened with whipped cream or beaten egg whites; esp., hollandaise sauce containing whipped cream
mousseline de laine (dэ len´) a lightweight woolen cloth, often printed, used for dresses [Fr, lit., muslin of wool]
mousseline de soie (dэ swå´) a gauzelike silk or rayon cloth with a plain weave [Fr, muslin of silk]
Moussorgsky , Modest alt. sp. of Modest Petrovich MUSSORGSKY
moustache (mûs´tæsh', mэs tæsh´) •n. var. of MUSTACHE
moustachio (mэs tæ´shou', -tä´-) •n. MUSTACHIO
Mousterian (mu:s tir´i: эn) •adj. designating or of a Middle Paleolithic culture, associated with the Neanderthal cave people and characterized by the use of flaked hand axes, scrapers, etc. [Fr moustérien: remains were found at Le Moustier, cave in S France]
mousy (maus´i:, mauz´-) mous´i·er, mous´i·est •adj. 1 of, characteristic of, or like a mouse, in any of various ways; quiet, timid, drab, etc. 2 full of or infested with mice mous´i·ness •n.
mouth (for n. mauθ; for v. mauð) pl. mouths (mauðz) •n. 1 the opening through which an animal takes in food; specif., the cavity, or the entire structure, in the head of any of the higher animals which contains the teeth and tongue and through which sounds are uttered 2 a) the mouth regarded as the organ of chewing and tasting b) the mouth regarded as the organ of speech 3 a person or animal regarded as a being needing food {six mouths to feed} 4 the lips, or the part of the face surrounding the lips 5 a wry expression of the face; grimace 6 any opening regarded as like the mouth; specif., a) the part of a river, stream, etc. where the water empties into another body of water b) the opening into the earth of a cave, volcano, tunnel, etc. c) the opening of a container, through which it is filled or emptied d) the front opening in the barrel of a gun e) the opening between the jaws of a vise, etc. f) the opening between the lips of an organ pipe g) the opening in a flute across which the player blows •vt. 1 a) to say, esp. in an affected, oratorical, or insincere manner; declaim b) to form (a word) with the mouth soundlessly 2 to take or put into the mouth 3 to caress or rub with the mouth or lips 4 to train (a horse) to become accustomed to the bit •vi. 1 to speak in an affected or oratorical manner; declaim 2 [Rare] to make a wry face by twisting the mouth; grimace down in (or at) the mouth [Colloq.] depressed; unhappy; discouraged give mouth to [Now Rare] to express in speech; say have a big mouth [Slang] to have a tendency to mouth off Æ mouth off [Slang] to talk loudly, excessively, indiscreetly, or impudently mouth·er (mauð´эr) •n. mouth´less •adj. [ME < OE muth, akin to Ger mund < IE base *menth-, to chew > Gr masasthai, L mandere, to chew]
mouth organ Æ HARMONICA (sense 1)
mouthbreeder (mauθ´bri:d'эr) •n. any of a number of small fishes that carry their eggs and young in the mouth, as certain cichlids and catfishes
-mouthed (mauðd) combining form having a (specified kind) of mouth, voice, etc. {loud-mouthed}
mouthful (mauθ´ful') pl. -fuls' •n. 1 as much as the mouth can hold 2 as much as is usually taken into the mouth at one time 3 a small amount, esp. of food 4 [Colloq.] a long word or group of words hard to say 5 [Slang] a pertinent, important, or correct remark: chiefly in say a mouthful
mouthpart (-pärt') •n. any of various structures, organs, or appendages around the mouth in arthropods, modified for biting, piercing, sucking, chewing, grasping, etc.: usually used in pl.
mouthpiece (-pi:s') •n. 1 a part placed at, or forming, a mouth {the mouthpiece of a telephone, a pipe, a horse's bit, etc.} 2 the part of a musical instrument held in or to the mouth 3 a person, periodical, etc. used by another or others to express their views, ideas, etc. 4 [Slang] a lawyer who defends criminals
mouth-to-mouth (mauθ´tэ mauθ´) •adj. designating a method of resuscitation in which the rescuer breathes directly into the mouth and lungs of a person who has stopped breathing
mouthwash (mauθ´wösh') •n. a flavored, often antiseptic liquid used for rinsing the mouth or for gargling
mouthwatering (-wöt´эr iŋ) •adj. appetizing enough to make the mouth water; tasty
mouthy (mauð´i:, mauθ´i:) mouth´i·er, mouth´i·est •adj. overly talkative, esp. in a bombastic or rude way mouth´i·ly •adv. mouth´i·ness •n.
mouton (mu:´tän') •n. lambskin or sheepskin, processed and dyed to resemble beaver, seal, etc. [Fr, sheep < OFr moton: see MUTTON]
moutonnée (mu:'tэ nei´) •adj. rounded like the back of a sheep, as by glacial action: said of rock [Fr, fem. pp. of moutonner, make sheeplike < mouton: see MOUTON]
movable (mu:v´э bэl) •adj. 1 a) that can be moved from one place to another; not fixed b) Law designating or of personal property as distinguished from real property 2 changing in date from one year to the next {Thanksgiving is a movable holiday} •n. 1 something movable 2 Law a piece of property that is movable, as furniture; personal property: usually used in pl. Also move´a·ble mov'a·bil´i·ty •n. mov´a·bly •adv.
move (mu:v) moved, mov´ing •vt. 1 to change the place or position of; push, carry, or pull from one place or position to another 2 to set or keep in motion; actuate, impel, turn, stir, etc. 3 to cause or persuade (to act, do, say, speak, etc.); prompt 4 to arouse or stir the emotions, passions, or sympathies of 5 to propose or suggest; esp., to propose formally, as in a meeting 6 to cause (the bowels) to evacuate 7 Commerce to dispose of (goods) by selling •vi. 1 to change place or position; go (to some place) 2 to change one's place of residence 3 to live or be active in a specified milieu or setting {to move in artistic circles} 4 to make progress; advance 5 to take action; begin to act 6 a) to be, or be set, in motion b) to operate in a certain fixed motion; turn, revolve, etc. (said of machines) 7 to make a formal appeal or application (for) {move for a new trial} 8 to evacuate: said of the bowels 9 [Colloq.] to start leaving; depart: often with on {time to be moving on} 10 Chess, Checkers, etc. a) to change the position of a piece b) to be put in another position (said of a piece) 11 Commerce to be disposed of by sale: said of goods •n. 1 act of moving; movement 2 one of a series of actions toward some goal 3 a change of residence 4 Chess, Checkers, etc. the act of moving or a player's turn to move SYN. AFFECT¹ Æ get a move on 1 [Slang] to start moving 2 to hurry; go faster Æ move in on 1 [Slang] to draw near, with the intention of capturing 2 to attempt to take over control of (something) from (someone) move over to move to another place or position, esp. an adjacent one move up to promote or be promoted on the move [Colloq.] moving about from place to place [ME moven < Anglo-Fr mover < OFr movoir < L movere < IE base *mew-, to push away > Sans mīvati, (he) shoves]
movement (mu:v´mэnt) •n. 1 the act or process of moving; specif., a) a motion or action of a person or group b) a shift in position c) an evacuation (of the bowels); also, the matter evacuated d) Mil. a change in the location of troops, ships, etc., as part of a maneuver 2 a particular manner of moving 3 a) a series of organized activities by people working concertedly toward some goal b) the organization consisting of those active in this way 4 a tendency or trend in some particular sphere of activity 5 the pacing, specif. the rapid pacing, of the incidents in a literary work 6 the effect or representation of motion in painting, sculpture, etc. 7 Commerce a change in the price of some stock or commodity 8 Mech. the moving parts of a mechanism; esp., a series of connected moving parts {the movement of a clock} 9 Music a) any of the principal divisions of a symphony, sonata, or other extended composition b) TEMPO or RHYTHM c) MOTION (n. 9) 10 Prosody rhythmic flow; cadence [OFr]
mover (mu:v´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that moves Æ 2 a person whose work or business is moving furniture, etc. for those changing residence
mover and shaker a person who has power and influence, especially a member of a group having power and influence
movie (mu:v´i:) •n. 1 FILM (n. 5) 2 a showing of a film, as in a theater {I'm going to a movie tonight} the movies 1 the film industry 2 a showing of a film [contr. < MOVING PICTURE]
moviegoer (-gou'эr) •n. a person who goes to see films, esp. often or regularly
moving (mu:v´iŋ) •adj. 1 that moves; specif., a) changing, or causing to change, place or position b) causing motion c) causing to act; impelling, influencing, etc. d) arousing or stirring the emotions or feelings; esp., arousing pathos 2 involving a moving motor vehicle {a moving violation (of a traffic law)} mov´ing·ly •adv. SYN.—moving implies a general arousing or stirring of the emotions or feelings, sometimes, specif., of pathos [her moving plea for help]; poignant is applied to that which is sharply painful to the feelings [the poignant cry of a lost child]; affecting applies to that which stirs the emotions, as to tears [the affecting scene of their reunion]; touching is used of that which arouses tender feelings, as of sympathy, gratitude, etc. [her touching little gift to me]; pathetic applies to that which arouses pity or compassion, sometimes pity mingled with contempt [his pathetic attempt at wit]
moving picture FILM (n. 5)
moving staircase (or stairway) ESCALATOR
Moviola (mu:v'i: ou´lэ) trademark for a small motor-driven machine for viewing and editing FILM (n. 5) •n. [m-] such a machine: also mov'ie·o´la
mow¹ (mou) mowed, mowed or mown, mow´ing •vt., vi. 1 to cut down (standing grass or grain) with a sickle, scythe, lawn mower, etc. 2 to cut grass or grain from (a lawn, field, etc.) mow down 1 to cause to fall like grass or grain being cut 2 to kill or destroy as with swift, sudden strokes, gunfire, etc. 3 to overwhelm (an opponent) mow´er •n. [ME mowen < OE mawan, akin to Ger mähen < IE base *mē-, *met- > L metere, to mow]
mow² (mau) •n. 1 a stack or heap of hay, grain, etc., esp. in a barn 2 the part of a barn where hay or grain is stored; haymow or hayloft [ME mowe < OE muga, a heap, pile, akin to ON mūgi, a crowd, swath < Gmc *mug- < IE base *muk-, heap > Gr mykōn]
mow³ (mou, mau) •n., vi. [Archaic] GRIMACE [ME mowe < OFr moue < Frank *mauwa, akin to MDu mouwe: for IE base see MOPE]
mowing (mou´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of cutting down grass or grain 2 the quantity of grass or grain mowed at one time Æ 3 a field on which grass is grown for hay
mowing machine a farm machine with a reciprocating blade for mowing standing grain or grass
mown (moun) •vt., vi. alt. pp. of MOW¹
moxa (mäks´э) •n. a soft, downy material, burned on the skin as a cauterizing agent or counterirritant, esp. in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine [altered < Jpn mogusa, a caustic < moe kusa, burning herb]
moxibustion (mäks'э bûs´chэn) •n. the burning of moxa on the skin in treating various diseases or disorders [< prec. + (COM)BUSTION]
moxie (mäks´i:) •n. [Slang] courage, pluck, perseverance, etc.; guts [after Moxie, trademark for a soft drink]
moyen âge (mwå yæñ näzh´) the Middle Ages [Fr]
Mozambique (mou'zэm bi:k´) country in SE Africa, on Mozambique Channel: formerly a Portuguese territory, it became independent in 1975: 302,329 sq. mi. (783,030 sq. km); pop. 14,022,000; cap. Maputo
Mozambique Channel part of the Indian Ocean, between Mozambique & Madagascar: c. 1,000 mi. (1,609 km) long
Mozarab (mouz ær´эb) •n. any of the Spanish Christians who were permitted to practice their religion in a modified form during the period of Moorish rule Moz·ar´a·bic •adj. [Sp mozárabe < Ar mustarib, would-be Arab]
Mozart (mou´tsäřt'), Wolf·gang A·ma·de·us (vôlf´gäŋk' ä'mä dei´us) 1756-91; Austrian composer Mo·zar´te·an or Mo·zar´ti·an (-tsärt´i: эn) •adj.
mozzarella (mät'sэ rel´э) •n. a soft, white Italian cheese with a mild flavor, used esp. in cooking [It, dim. of mozza, a kind of cheese < mozzare, to cut off < mozzo, blunt < VL *mutius, cut off, blunted]
mozzetta or mozetta (mэ zet´э, mou-) •n. a short cape with a small hood, worn over the rochet by the pope and other high dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church [It mozzetta < mozzo, shortened < VL *mutius]
MP 1 Member of Parliament 2 Military Police 3 Mounted Police mp 1 melting point 2 Musical Direction moderately soft [It mezzo piano]
mpg miles per gallon
mph miles per hour
Mr abbrev. March
Mr. Charlie (chär´li:) [Black Slang] a white man or white men collectively: usually used derisively
Mr. Clean [Slang] a man who is, or is thought to be, honest and upright; esp., such a man in politics or public life
Mr. Fixit (fiks´it) [Slang] a man who is good at repairing things; specif., a man who is an expert at finding acceptable solutions to difficult problems, situations, etc.
Mr. or Mr (mis´tэr) mister: used before the name or title of a man: pl. Messrs: see MISTER¹
Mr. Right [Slang] the man that a woman may be hoping to find as an ideal mate, esp. in marriage
MRI (em'ær'ai´) •n. a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that produces the image of a cross-section of an object: see NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE [m(agnetic) r(esonance) i(maging)]
mridangam (mri däŋ´gэm) •n. a double-headed, barrel-shaped drum of India: also mri·dan´ga (-gэ) [< Sans mrdanga, clayey]
Mrs. or Mrs (mis´iz) mistress: now used as a title before the name of a woman who is married or has been married: pl. Mmes
MS abbrev. 1 manuscript: also ms 2 Master of Science 3 Master of Surgery 4 Mississippi 5 motor ship 6 multiple sclerosis 7 sacred to the memory of [L memoriae sacrum] Also, for 2, 3, and 7, M.S.
Ms. or Ms (miz) a title free of reference to marital status: used before the name of a woman instead of either Miss or Mrs.
MSc or M.Sc. Master of Science
MSG 1 Master Sergeant 2 monosodium glutamate
Msgr Monsignor
MSgt Master Sergeant
m'sieur (mэ syør´; Fr mэ syö´) •n. contr. for MONSIEUR
msl mean sea level
MST Mountain Standard Time
MSW or M.S.W. Master of Social Work
Mt 1 Bible Matthew 2 Mount 3 Mountain MT 1 Masoretic Text 2 megaton 3 Montana mt 1 metric ton 2 mountain
Mt Rev Most Reverend
mtg 1 meeting 2 mortgage: also mtge
mtn mountain
mu (mu:, myu:) name of the twelfth letter of the Greek alphabet (Μ, μ) •n. [Gr my]
Mubarak (mu: bär´эk), (Muhammad) Hos·ni (häs´ni:) 1929- ; Egyptian statesman: pres. of Egypt (1981- )
much (mûch) more, most •adj. 1 [Obs.] many in number 2 great in quantity, amount, degree, etc. •adv. more, most 1 to a great degree or extent {much happier} 2 just about; almost; nearly {much the same as yesterday} 3 at frequent intervals; often {do you dine out much?} •n. 1 a great amount or quantity {much to be done} 2 something great, unusual, or outstanding {not much to look at} a bit much too much as much as 1 to the degree that 2 practically; virtually; in effect make much of to treat or consider as of great importance much as 1 almost as 2 however; although not much of a not particularly good as a [ME muche < muchel, large, much < OE mycel, large in size or quantity < IE base *meG(h)-, large > Gr megas, L magnus]
muchacha (mu: chä´chä) pl. -chas (-chäs) •n. a girl or young woman mu·cha´cho (-chô), pl. -chos (-chôs), •n.masc. [Sp]
muchly (mûch´li:) •adv. [Colloq.] very much: used mainly in the phrase thanks muchly
muchness (mûch´nis) •n. greatness, as of quantity, degree, etc.
mucic acid (myu:´sik) a colorless, crystalline acid, HOOC(CHOH)4COOH, formed by oxidizing lactose, gums, etc. [Fr mucique < L mucus (see MUCUS) + -ique, -IC]
mucid (myu:´sid) •adj. [Archaic] moldy; musty [L mucidus < mucere, to be moldy, akin to mucus, MUCUS]
muciferous (myu: sif´эr эs) •adj. producing or secreting mucus [MUC(US) + -i- + -FEROUS]
mucilage (myu:´si lij') •n. 1 any of various thick, sticky substances produced in certain plants Æ 2 any watery solution of gum, glue, etc. used as an adhesive [ME muscilage < MFr mucilage < LL mucilago, musty juice < L mucere: see MUCID]
mucilaginous (myu:'si læj´ э nэs) •adj. 1 of or like mucilage; sticky 2 producing mucilage [MFr mucilagineux < ML mucilaginosus]
mucin (myu:´sin) •n. any of various glycoproteins in connective tissue, saliva, mucus, etc., that lubricate and protect the body mu´cin·oid' or mu´cin·ous •adj. [Fr mucine: see MUCUS & -IN¹]
mucinogen (myu: sin´э jэn) •n. any of a group of substances from which mucins are derived [prec. + -o- + -GEN]
muck (mûk) •n. 1 moist manure 2 black earth containing decaying matter, used as a fertilizer 3 a) mire; mud b) anything unclean or degrading; dirt; filth •vt. 1 to fertilize with muck 2 [Colloq.] to dirty with or as with muck: often with up 3 [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] to make a mess of; bungle: often with up 4 [Chiefly Brit.] to clean (esp. a stable); remove muck from: usually used with out muck about (or around) [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] to waste time; putter [ME muk < or akin to ON myki, dung < IE base *meuk-, slippery, viscous > MEEK, L mucus]
muck-a-muck or muckamuck (mûk´э mûk') •n. HIGH MUCK-A-MUCK Also muck´e·ty-muck'
mucker (mûk´эr) •n. [Slang] a coarse or vulgar person, esp. one without honor; cad [prob. < Ger mucker, low person < mucken, to grumble < MHG mugen, to roar < IE *mug- (> L mugire, to roar) < base *mu-: see MOPE]
muckle (mûk´эl) •adj., adv., n. var. of MICKLE
muckrake (mûk´reik') -raked', -rak'ing •vi. Æ to search for and publicize, as in newspapers, any real or alleged corruption by public officials, business executives, or other important persons Æ muck´rak'er •n. [inspired by the allusion by Theodore ROOSEVELT in a speech (1906) to the man with the muck rake in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress]
muckworm (mûk´wørm') •n. 1 a grub, or larva, that lives and develops in manure or mud 2 a miser
mucky (mûk´i:) muck´i·er, muck´i·est •adj. of or like muck; esp., dirty, filthy, etc.
muco- (myu:´kou, -kэ) combining form 1 mucus {mucopolysaccharide} 2 mucous membrane
mucoid (myu:´koid') •n. any of a group of mucoproteins found in connective tissues, in certain types of cysts, etc. •adj. like mucus [MUC(IN) + -OID]
mucopolysaccharide (myu:'kou päl'i sæk´э raid') •n. any of a group of complex carbohydrates that provides structural support for connective tissue, lubrication for all body joints, etc. [MUCO- + POLYSACCHARIDE]
mucoprotein (myu:'kou prou´ti:n') •n. any of a group of glycoproteins found in connective tissue, mucous secretions, blood plasma, gastric juice, urine, etc.
mucopurulent (myu:'kou pyu:r´э lэnt) •adj. containing both mucus and pus
mucosa (myu: kou´sэ) pl. -sae (-si:) •n.or -sas MUCOUS MEMBRANE mu·co´sal •adj. [ModL < fem. of L mucosus, fol.]
mucous (myu:´kэs) •adj. 1 of, containing, or secreting mucus 2 like mucus or covered with or as with mucus; slimy mu·cos´i·ty (-käs´э ti:) •n. [L mucosus, slimy < mucus, MUCUS]
mucous membrane a mucus-secreting membrane lining body cavities and canals connecting with the external air, as the alimentary canal and respiratory tract
mucro (myu:´krou') pl. -cro·nes (myu: krou´ni:z') •n. Biol. a short, sharp point, tip, or process projecting abruptly from certain parts and organs, as at the end of a leaf [ModL < L, sharp point < IE base *meuk-, to scratch > Gr amychē, a scratch]
mucronate (myu:´krэ nit, -neit') •adj. ending in a mucro, or sharp point Also mu´cro·nat'ed mu'cro·na´tion •n. [ModL < L mucronatus]
mucus (myu:´kэs) •n. the thick, slimy secretion of the mucous membranes, that moistens and protects them [L: see MEEK, MUCK]
mud (mûd) •n. 1 wet, soft, sticky earth 2 defamatory remarks; libel or slander •vt. mud´ded, mud´ding to cover or soil with or as with mud; muddy [ME, prob. < a LowG source as in mudde < IE *meut < base *meu-, wet, musty > MOSS, MOTHER²]
mud crack a crack formed in mud beds in the course of drying and shrinking, sometimes filled in and preserved when the beds are changed to rock
mud dauber any of various narrow-waisted wasps (family Sphecidae) that build cells of hard, caked mud for their larvae
mud eel a slime-coated, eel-like siren salamander (Siren lacertina) with no hind legs, two short front legs, internal lungs, and external gills: it lives in swamps, ditches, and ponds, in the SE U.S.
mud flat low, muddy land that is flooded at high tide and left uncovered at low tide
mud hen any of various birds that live in marshes, as the coot or gallinule
mud puppy any of a genus (Necturus, family Proteidae) of gilled, aquatic North American salamanders that hide during the day in mud along the bottom of freshwater streams or lakes
mud snake a long, bluish-black colubrine snake (Farancia abacura) with a red belly, and a nonpoisonous spine at the tip of the tail, found in the SE U.S.
mud turtle any of a genus (Kinosternon) of musk turtles of North and Central America that live in muddy ponds, streams, etc.
mudcat (-kæt') •n. any of several catfishes living in muddy waters
mudder (mûd´эr) •n. a race horse that performs especially well on a wet, muddy track
muddle (mûd´ªl) -dled, -dling •vt. 1 to mix up in a confused manner; jumble; bungle 2 to mix or stir (a drink, etc.) 3 to make (water, etc.) turbid 4 to confuse mentally; befuddle, as with alcoholic liquor 5 to confuse (the brain, mind, etc.); befog •vi. to act or think in a confused way •n. 1 a confused or disordered condition; mess, jumble, etc. 2 mental confusion SYN. CONFUSION muddle through [Chiefly Brit.] to manage to succeed in spite of apparent blunders or confusion [< MUD + -LE]
muddle-headed (-hed´id) •adj. stupid; blundering; confused mud´dle-head´ed·ness •n.
muddler (mûd´lэr) •n. a stick for stirring mixed drinks
muddy (mûd´i:) -di·er, -di·est •adj. 1 full of or spattered with mud 2 a) not clear; containing sediment; cloudy {muddy coffee} b) not light or bright; dull {a muddy complexion} 3 confused, obscure, vague, etc. {muddy thinking} •vt., vi. -died, -dy·ing to make or become muddy mud´di·ly •adv. mud´di·ness •n.
mudfish (-fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es Æ any of various unrelated fishes that live in mud or muddy water, as the bowfin and killifish
mudflow (mûd´flou') •n. a massive movement of wet soil, rocks, etc.: see LAHAR, MUDSLIDE
mudguard (-gärd') old name for FENDER (sense a) •n.
mudhole (-houl') •n. a hole or low place, as in a field or road, full of mud
mudlark (-lärk') •n. Brit. colloq. for STREET ARAB
mudpack (-pæk') •n. a paste made up of fuller's earth, astringents, etc., used as a facial
mudra (mu drä´) •n. 1 in ancient India, any identifying symbol or seal 2 a stylized, symbolic gesture used in dances, rituals, etc. of India; specif., an intricate movement or positioning of the hands or fingers [Sans, a seal, sign]
mudroom (mûd´ru:m) •n. a room in a house used for the removal and storage of wet or muddy footwear and outerwear
mudsill (mûd´sil') •n. the lowest sill of a structure, placed on the foundation or directly on the ground
mudskipper (-skip'эr) •n. any of various goby fishes that are able to leave the water regularly when living in mud flats or climbing mangrove roots in search of food
mudslide (-slaid') •n. 1 a slow, viscous mudflow down a gradual slope 2 loosely, any mudflow
mudslinging (-sliŋ'iŋ) •n. the practice of making unscrupulous, malicious attacks against an opponent, as in a political campaign mud´sling'er •n.
mudstone (-stoun') •n. a hardened sedimentary rock consisting of clay and similar to shale, but not distinctly laminated
Muenster (mûn´stэr, min´-) •n. a mild light-yellow semisoft cheese [after Munster, France, where first made]
muesli (myuz´li) •n. [Chiefly Brit.] a breakfast cereal like granola, with rolled oats, shredded apples, raisins, etc.
muezzin (myu: ez´in) •n. in Muslim countries, a crier, as in a minaret, who calls the people to prayer five times a day [Ar mu'adhdhin, prp. of adhdhana, freq. of adhana, to proclaim < udhn, an ear]
muff (mûf) •n. 1 a cylindrical covering of fur or other soft material into which the hands are placed from either end for keeping them warm 2 a tuft of feathers on the sides of the head, or on the legs, of certain fowl 3 a) Sports a failure to hold the ball when catching it b) any bungling action •vt., vi. 1 to do (something) badly or awkwardly 2 Sports to miss (a catch) or bungle (a play) [Du mof < Wal moufe, shortened < Fr moufle, a mitten < ML muffla, glove]
muff-diving (-daiv'iŋ) •n. [Vulgar Slang] CUNNILINGUS muff-diver •n.
muffin (mûf´эn) •n. a quick bread made with eggs, baked in a small cup-shaped mold and usually eaten hot: see also ENGLISH MUFFIN [< dial. mouffin, moufin, ? akin to OFr moufflet, soft, as in pain moufflet, soft bread]
muffineer (mûf'э nir´) •n. a shaker for sprinkling sugar, spices, etc. on muffins, fruit, etc.
muffle (mûf´эl) -fled, -fling •vt. 1 to wrap up in a shawl, blanket, cloak, etc. so as to hide, keep warm, or protect 2 [Now Rare] to keep (a person) from seeing or speaking by wrapping up the head 3 to wrap or cover in order to deaden or prevent sound 4 to deaden (a sound), as by wrapping 5 to prevent the expression of; stifle •n. 1 [Now Rare] a wrap, covering, etc. used for muffling 2 an oven in which pottery, etc. can be fired without being exposed directly to the flame 3 the fleshy bare part of the upper lip and nose of certain mammals, as ruminants or rabbits [ME muflen, prob. akin to OFr enmouflé, muffled < moufle, a mitten: see MUFF]
muffler (mûf´lэr) •n. 1 a scarf worn around the throat, as for warmth 2 any of various devices for deadening noises; specif., an automotive exhaust device containing two perforated pipes packed in sound-deadening material
mufti (mûf´ti:) pl. -tis •n. 1 in Muslim countries, an interpreter or expounder of religious law 2 ordinary clothes, esp. when worn by one who normally wears, or has long worn, a military or other uniform [Ar, one who gives a decisive response < āftā, to judge; sense 2 ? in allusion to the Muslimlike dressing gown and tasseled cap worn by an officer off duty in the early 19th c.]
mug¹ (mûg) •n. 1 a heavy drinking cup of earthenware or metal, having a handle and formerly often ornamented with a human face 2 as much as a mug will hold 3 [Slang] a) the face b) the mouth c) a grimace d) a rough, ugly person; ruffian, thug, etc. Æ e) a photograph of the face of a criminal or suspect (also mug shot) •vt. mugged, mug´ging 1 to assault usually with intent to rob Æ 2 [Slang] to photograph; esp., to photograph (a criminal or suspect) for police records •vi. 1 to assault a person, usually with intent to rob 2 [Slang] a) to make a grimace b) Theater to overact by exaggerated facial expressions [prob. < Scand, as in Swed mugg]
mug² (mûg) mugged, mug´ging •vi. [Brit. Slang] to study hard and hurriedly, as in preparation for an examination; cram: used with up
mugger¹ (mûg´эr) •n. one who mugs; esp., a) one who assaults with intent to rob b) Theater one who overacts, esp. by exaggerated facial expressions
mugger² (mûg´эr) •n. a large, relatively timid crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) of India and Malaysia, with a broad, wrinkled snout [Hindi magar < Sans makara, sea monster]
muggins (mûg´inz) •n. [Brit. Slang] a dupe; fool [after pers. name Muggins, assoc. with slang mug, cardsharp's dupe]
muggy (mûg´i:) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. hot and damp, with little or no stirring of the air {muggy weather} mug´gi·ness •n. [< dial. mug, mist, drizzle, prob. < or akin to ON mugga < IE base *meuk- > MUCK]
mugho pine (myu:´gou) a Swiss mountain pine (Pinus mugo), esp. a shrubby spreading form often used as an ornamental [prob. via Fr mugho, mugho pine < It mugo]
mugwump (mûg´wûmp') •n. 1 a Republican who refused to support the party ticket in 1884 2 any independent, esp. in politics [Algonquian mugquomp, chief]
Muhammad (mu hæm´эd) var. of MOHAMMED Mu·ham´mad·an •adj., n. Mu·ham´mad·an·ism' •n.
Muir (myur), John 1838-1914; U.S. naturalist, explorer, & writer, born in Scotland
mujik (mu: zhi:k´, mu:´zhik') •n. alt. sp. of MUZHIK
Mukden (muk´dэn, muk den´) old name of SHENYANG
mukluk (mûk´lûk') •n. 1 an Eskimo boot made of sealskin or reindeer skin 2 a boot like this, made of canvas, rubber, etc. [Esk muklok, a large seal]
muktuk (mûk´tûk') •n. blubber and skin of a whale eaten as food
mulatto (mэ lät´ou, -læt´ou; myu:-) pl. -toes or -tos •n. 1 a person who has one black parent and one white parent 2 technically, any person with mixed black and Caucasoid ancestry •adj. 1 of a mulatto 2 of the light-brown color of a mulatto's skin [Sp & Port mulato, mulatto, of mixed breed, orig. young mule < mulo, mule < L mulus]
mulberry (mûl´ber'i:, -bэr i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 any of a genus (Morus) of shrubs and trees of the mulberry family, with milky juice and multiple false fruits which resemble the fruits of the raspberry 2 the edible fruit 3 a dark purplish red •adj. designating a family (Moraceae, order Urticales) of dicotyledonous plants of wide horticultural and economic importance, including the fig and breadfruit trees [ME mulberie, dissimilated var. of murberie < OE morberie < L morum, mulberry, blackberry < IE base *moro-, blackberry (> Gr moron, mulberry, blackberry) + OE berie, BERRY]
mulch (mûlch) •n. leaves, straw, peat moss, etc., spread on the ground around plants to prevent evaporation of water from soil, freezing of roots, etc. •vt. to apply mulch to [ME molsh, soft, akin to Ger dial. molsch, soft: for prob. IE base see MOLD³]
mulct (mûlkt) •vt. 1 to punish by a fine or by depriving of something 2 to extract (money, etc.) from (someone), as by fraud or deceit •n. a fine or similar penalty [L mulctare < mulcta, multa, a fine]
mule deer a long-eared deer (Odocoileus hemionus) of the W U.S. with a black tail
mule skinner [Colloq.] a driver of mules
mule¹ (myu:l) •n. 1 the offspring of a donkey and a horse; esp., the offspring of a jackass and a mare: mules are nearly always sterile: cf. HINNY 2 a small tractor or electric engine used to tow boats along a canal or move mine cars 3 a machine for drawing and spinning cotton fibers into yarn and winding the yarn on spindles 4 a hybrid animal, as the offspring of a canary and some other finch; esp., a sterile hybrid 5 [Colloq.] a stubborn person 6 [Slang] a person who smuggles drugs or narcotics into a country [OFr, fem. of mul < L mulus, mule]
mule² (myu:l) •n. a lounging slipper that does not cover the heel [Fr, ult. < L mulleus, red or purple shoe < IE base *mel-, dark-colored > Gr melas, black]
muleta (mu: leit´э, -let´э) •n. a red flannel cloth draped over a stick and manipulated by the matador in his series of passes [Sp, muleta, crutch, orig. dim. of mula, a she-mule < L mulus, MULE¹]
muleteer (myu:l'э tir´) •n. a driver of mules [OFr muletier < mulet, dim. of mule]
muley (myu:l´i:, mul´i:) •adj. hornless; polled: said of cattle •n. 1 a hornless cow 2 any cow [Scot moiley < Celt, as in Welsh moel, Gael maol, hornless, bald < IE base *mai-, to cut off > MAD]
Mulhacén (mul'ä θen´) highest mountain in Spain, in the S part, near Granada: 11,420 ft. (3,480 m)
Mülheim (mül´haim') city in W Germany, on the Ruhr, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia: pop. 175,000: also Mülheim an der Ruhr (än deř řu:ř´)
Mulhouse (mü lu:z´) city in E France, near the Rhine: pop. 113,000
muliebrity (myu:'li: eb´rэ ti:) •n. 1 the condition of being a woman; womanhood 2 the qualities characteristic of a woman; womanliness; femininity [LL muliebritas < L muliebris, womanly, womanish < mulier, a woman, prob. < IE *mlyésī, (the) softer (one), compar. of *mldu- (> L mollis) < base *mel- > MILL¹]
mulish (myu:l´ish) •adj. like or characteristic of a mule; stubborn, obstinate, balky, etc. mul´ish·ly •adv. mul´ish·ness •n.
Mull (mûl) island of the Inner Hebrides, Scotland: 351 sq. mi. (909 sq. km); pop. (with small nearby islands) 1,700
mull¹ (mûl) •vt., vi. to cogitate or ponder: usually with over [ME mullen, to grind < mul, dust < OE myl, dust: for IE base see MOLD³]
mull² (mûl) •vt. to heat, sweeten, and flavor with spices (wine, cider, ale, etc.) [< ?]
mull³ (mûl) •n. a thin, soft muslin [contr. < mulmul < & Pers malmal]
mullah or mulla (mûl´э, mul´э) •n. a Muslim teacher or interpreter of the religious law: used as a general title of respect for a learned man [Islamic culture word < Ar maulā, a master, sir]
mullein (mûl´in) •n. any of a genus (Verbascum) of tall plants of the figwort family, with spikes of yellow, lavender, or white flowers [ME moleyne < OFr moleine < mol, soft < L mollis: see MOLLIFY]
mullein pink a perennial woolly plant (Lychnis coronaria) of the pink family, with reddish flowers
Muller (mûl´эr), H(ermann) J(oseph) 1890-1967; U.S. biologist & geneticist muller (mûl´эr) •n. any of various mechanical or hand devices for grinding; specif., a flat-bottomed pestle of stone, etc., as for grinding paints or drugs [ME molour, prob. < mullen, to grind: see MULL¹]
Müller (mûl´эr, myu:l´-; mül´-), (Friedrich) Max (mæks; mäks) 1823-1900; Eng. philologist, mythologist, & Orientalist, born in Germany
mullet (mûl´it) pl. -lets or -let •n. 1 any of a family (Mugilidae) of edible, spiny-finned percoid fishes, both freshwater and marine, having a small mouth and feeble teeth; esp., a striped species (Mugil cephalus) 2 any goatfish; esp., a species (Mullus auratus) with reddish or golden scales [ME molet < OFr mulet, dim. < L mullus, red mullet < Gr myllos, kind of fish < ? IE base *mel-: see MULE²]
mulley (mul´i:, mu:´li:) •adj., n. MULEY
mulligan (mûl´i gэn) •n. Golf in informal play, a free drive, esp. off the first tee after a poor shot [prob. after pers. name Mulligan]
mulligan stew a stew made of odd bits of meat and vegetables, esp. as prepared by hobos: also mulligan
mulligatawny (mûl'i gэ tö´ni:) •n. an East Indian soup of meat, etc., flavored with curry [Tamil milagutannir, lit., pepper water]
Mulliken (mûl´i kэn), Robert San·der·son (sæn´dэr sэn) 1896-1986; U.S. physicist & chemist
mullion (mûl´yэn) •n. a slender, vertical dividing bar between the lights of windows, doors, etc. •vt. to furnish with or divide by mullions mul´lioned •adj. [prob. altered < OFr moienel < moien, median < L medianus, middle: see MID¹]
mullite (mûl´ait') •n. a heat-resistant mineral, 3Al2O3·2SiO2, used in furnace linings, etc. [after Mull, island off W coast of Scotland, where the ore is found + -ITE¹]
Mulroney (mûl rou´ni:), (Martin) Brian 1939- ; prime minister of Canada (1984- )
Multan (mu:l tän´) city in NE Pakistan, near the Chenab River: pop. 730,000
multangular (mûl tæŋ´gyu: lэr, -gyэ-) •adj. having many angles, as certain wrist bones Also mul'ti·an´gu·lar (mûl'ti: æŋ´-)
multi- (mûl´ti, -tэ, -ti:, -tai) combining form 1 having, consisting of, or affecting many {multifold} 2 more than two, or sometimes, more than one {multilateral, multiparous} 3 many times more than {multimillionaire} Also, before a vowel, mult- The meanings of the following words can be determined by combining the meanings of their component elements multibranched multilobate multicelled multimolecular multicellular multiphase multichambered multipinnate multichannel multipolar multicircuit multiracial multicolor multirange multicolored multisegmented multicomponent multisite multicultural multiskilled multicylinder multispeed multidenominational multispiral multidimensional multistaminate multidirectional multistoried multidwelling multistory multifaceted multitalented multifamily multitiered multifilament multitrack multifoliate multiunit multihued multiuse multilane multivalve multilayered multivitamin multilevel multivoiced multilinear multivolume [L < multus, much, many < IE base *mel-, strong, big > Gr mala, very]
multiculturalism (mûl'ti: kûl´chэr эl iz'эm) •n. the policy or practice of giving equal attention or representation to the cultural needs and contributions of all the groups in a society: special emphasis may be given to minority groups underrepresented in the past, as through bilingual education
multidisciplinary (mûl'tэ dis´э pli ner'i:) •adj. of or combining the disciplines of many different branches of learning or research
multiethnic (mûl'ti: eθ´nik) •adj. of or having to do with a society, community, etc. made up of people of many different ethnic backgrounds
multifarious (mûl'tэ fær´i: эs, -fer´-) •adj. having many kinds of parts or elements; of great variety; diverse; manifold mul'ti·far´i·ous·ly •adv. mul'ti·far´i·ous·ness •n. [L multifarius, manifold < multi-, MULTI- + -farius, as in bifarius: see BIFARIOUS]
multifid (mûl´tэ fid) •adj. cut into many divisions or lobes, as a leaf of a geranium mul´ti·fid'ly •adj. [L multifidus: see MULTI- & -FID]
multiflora rose (mûl'tэ flör´э) a rose (Rosa multiflora) with thick clusters of small flowers, grown esp. for hedges
multifold (mûl´tэ fould') •adj. 1 doubled or folded many times 2 MANIFOLD [MULTI- + -FOLD]
multiform (-förm') •adj. having many forms, shapes, etc. mul'ti·for´mi·ty •n. [< Fr or L: Fr multiforme < L multiformis < multi-, MULTI- + forma, FORM]
multilateral (mûl'ti læt´эr эl) •adj. 1 many-sided 2 participated in by more than two parties, nations, etc. {a multilateral treaty} mul'ti·lat´er·al·ly •adv. [MULTI- + LATERAL]
multilingual (mûl'ti liŋ´gwэl) •adj. 1 of or in several languages 2 using or capable of using several languages mul'ti·lin´gual·ly •adv.
multimedia (-mi:´di: э) •n. 1 a combination of media, as film, tape recordings, slides, and special lighting effects, used for entertainment or education 2 a combination of communication media, such as television, newspapers, and radio, used in an advertising or publicity campaign 3 MIXED MEDIA (sense 1) •adj. for or using multimedia
multimillionaire (-mil'yэ ner´) •n. a person whose wealth amounts to many millions of dollars, francs, pounds, etc.
multinational (-næsh´э nэl) •adj. 1 of or involving a number of nations 2 designating a corporation with branches in a number of countries 3 comprising persons of various nationalities •n. a multinational corporation
multinucleate (-nu:´kli: it, -eit'; -nyu:´-) •adj. having more than two nuclei: also mul'ti·nu´cle·at'ed or mul'ti·nu´cle·ar
multipara (mûl tip´э rэ) pl. -ras •n.or -rae' a woman who is bearing her second child or has borne two or more children [ModL < fem. of multiparus: see MULTIPAROUS]
multiparous (mûl tip´э rэs) •adj. 1 of or being a multipara 2 Zool. designating or of a species of animals that normally bears more than one offspring at a birth [ModL multiparus: see MULTI- & -PAROUS]
multipartite (mûl'tэ pär´tait') •adj. 1 divided into many parts 2 MULTILATERAL (sense 2) [L multipartitus < multi-, MULTI- + pars (gen. partis), PART]
multiped (mûl´tэ ped') •adj. having many feet •n. [Rare] a multiped animal or insect Also mul´ti·pede' (-pi:d') [L multipes (gen. multipedis) < multi-, MULTI- + pes (gen. pedis), FOOT]
multiple (mûl´tэ pэl) •adj. 1 having or consisting of many parts, elements, etc.; more than one or once; manifold or complex 2 shared by or involving many 3 Elec. designating or of a circuit having two or more conductors connected in parallel •n. 1 Elec. a group of terminals so arranged that connection with the circuit can be made at any of a number of points 2 Math. a number which is a product of some specified number and another number {10 is a multiple of 5} [Fr < L multiplex < multi-, MULTI- + -plex, -fold: see DUPLEX]
multiple factors Genetics a series of two or more pairs of allelic genes, considered to act as a single unit with a cumulative effect in the transmission of certain characters, such as size, pigmentation, etc.
multiple fruit a false fruit formed by a fused cluster of the ovaries of several flowers, as a pineapple or mulberry
multiple sclerosis a chronic disease in which there is scattered demyelination of the central nervous system: it may result in speech defects, loss of muscular coordination, etc.
multiple shop (or store) [Brit.] CHAIN STORE
multiple star Astron. three or more stars that appear to be a single star, or a binary, forming one gravitational system: usually a binary star with a single or binary star
multiple-choice (-chois´) •adj. designating a question for which one of several proposed answers is to be selected, or a test made up of such questions
multiplet (mûl´tэ plэt) •n. Physics 1 a set of quantum mechanical states related to each other whose single energy level can be split into a specific number of distinct energy levels 2 a line in a spectrum composed of a group of related lines [MULTIPL(E) + -ET]
multiplex (mûl´tэ pleks') •adj. 1 multiple, or manifold 2 designating or of a system for transmitting or receiving simultaneously two or more messages or signals over a common circuit, carrier wave, etc. •vt. to send (messages or signals) by a multiplex system •n. a complex of three or more movie theaters in the same building, sharing management, projectionists, etc. mul´ti·plex'er or mul´ti·plex'or •n. [L multiplex, MULTIPLE]
multipliable (mûl´tэ plai'э bэl) •adj. that can be multiplied Also mul´ti·plic'a·ble (-plik'э bэl)
multiplicand (mûl'tэ pli kænd´) Math. the number that is, or is to be, multiplied by another (the multiplier) •n. [L multiplicandus, to be multiplied, ger. of multiplicare, MULTIPLY¹]
multiplicate (mûl´tэ pli keit') •adj. [Now Rare] multiple; manifold [ME < L multiplicatus, pp. of multiplicare, to MULTIPLY¹]
multiplication (mûl´tэ pli kei´shэn) •n. 1 a multiplying or being multiplied 2 Math. the process of finding the number or quantity (product) obtained by repeated additions of a specified number or quantity (multiplicand) a specified number of times (multiplier): symbolized in various ways (Ex., 3X4=12 or 3·4=12, which means 3+3+3+3=12, to add the number three together four times) [ME multiplicacioun < OFr multiplication < L multiplicatio]
multiplication factor (or constant) the ratio of the number of neutrons in a generation to the number of neutrons in the previous generation: when the multiplication factor is equal to or greater than one, a chain reaction is possible
multiplication table a table for memorization showing the results of multiplying each number of a series, usually 1 to 12, by each of the numbers in succession
multiplicative (mûl´tэ pli keit'iv) •adj. tending to multiply or capable of multiplying mul´ti·pli·ca'tive·ly •adv. [LL multiplicativus < L multiplicatus, pp.: see MULTIPLY¹]
multiplicity (mûl'tэ plis´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or condition of being manifold or various 2 a great number [LL multiplicitas < L multiplex, MULTIPLE]
multiplier (mûl´tэ plai'эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that multiplies or increases 2 Econ. the ratio between the total increase in income resulting from the stimulating effect of an initial expenditure and the initial expenditure itself 3 Math. the number by which another number (the multiplicand) is, or is to be, multiplied 4 Physics any device for multiplying, or intensifying, some effect
multiply¹ (mûl´tэ plai') -plied', -ply'ing •vt. 1 to cause to increase in number, amount, extent, or degree 2 Math. to find the product of by multiplication •vi. 1 to increase in number, amount, extent, or degree; specif., to increase by procreation 2 Math. to perform multiplication SYN. INCREASE [ME multiplien < OFr multiplier < L multiplicare < multiplex, MULTIPLE]
multiply² (mûl´tэ pli:) •adv. in multiple ways
multiprocessing (mûl'ti prä´ses'iŋ) •n. the process of using a multiprocessor
multiprocessor (-ses'эr) •n. a computer system having two or more central processing units, each sharing main memory and peripherals, in order to simultaneously process programs
multipurpose (mûl´ti pør'pэs) •adj. having more than one purpose or use; esp., designating a room, as in a school, in which more than one type of activity may take place
multistage (mûl´ti steij') •adj. having, or operating in, more than one stage; specif., having several propulsion systems, used and discarded in sequence: said of a rocket or missile
multi-tasking or multitasking (mûl´ti tæsk'iŋ) •n. Comput. the execution by a single central processing unit of two or more programs at once, either by simultaneous operation or by rapid alternation between the programs
multitude (mûl´tэ tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. 1 the quality or state of being numerous, or many 2 a large number of persons or things, esp. when gathered together or considered as a unit; host, myriad, etc. 3 the masses: preceded by the SYN. CROWD¹ [OFr < L multitudo < multus, many: see MULTI-]
multitudinous (mûl'tэ tu:d´ªn эs, -tyu:d´-) •adj. 1 very numerous; many 2 consisting of many parts, elements etc.; manifold 3 [Rare] holding a multitude; crowded mul'ti·tu´di·nous·ly •adv. [< L multitudo (gen. multitudinis), multitude + -OUS]
multivalent (mûl'ti vei´lэnt; mûl´ti vei'-, mûl´ti vei´-) Chem. POLYVALENT (sense 2) •adj. mul'ti·va´lence •n.
multivariate (-ver´i: it, -eit') •adj. involving more than one variable {multivariate analysis}
multiversity (mûl'tэ vør´sэ ti:) pl. -ties •n. the modern large and complex university with its many colleges, schools, extensions, etc. characteristically regarded as being impersonal, bureaucratic, etc. [MULTI- + (UNI)VERSITY: coined by Arthur Bestor (1908- ), U.S. historian]
multure (mûl´chэr) •n. [Historical] a fee paid to the owner of a mill for the privilege of having one's grain ground there, usually a percentage of the grain or of the ground flour [ME multer < OFr molture < VL *molitura < pp. of L molere, to grind < mola, MILL¹]
mum¹ (mûm) •n. a strong beer [Ger mumme: said to be named after Christian Mumme, 15th-c. Ger brewer]