mum² (mûm) mummed, mum´ming •vi. to wear a mask or costume in fun; specif., to act as a mummer at Christmas time Also sp. mumm [< OFr momer < momo, echoic for grimace (as in Sp momo)]

mum³ (mûm) •n. [Colloq.] a chrysanthemum

mum4 (mûm) •n. [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] mother

mum5 (mûm) •adj. silent; not speaking •interj. be silent! do not speak! mum's the word say nothing [ME momme, echoic of sound made with the lips closed]

mumble (mûm´bэl) -bled, -bling •vt., vi. 1 to speak or say indistinctly and in a low voice, as with the mouth partly closed; mutter 2 [Rare] to chew gently and ineffectively, as with toothless gums •n. a mumbled sound or utterance SYN. MURMUR mum´bler •n. mum´bling·ly •adv. [ME momelen, like Ger mummeln, Du mommelen, of echoic orig.]

mumbletypeg (mûm´bэl ti: peg') •n. a children's game in which a jackknife is tossed in various ways to make it land with the blade in the ground, the loser originally having to draw a peg from the ground with his teeth [altered < mumble-the-peg < mumble, to bite]

mumbo jumbo (mûm´bou jûm´bou) 1 [M- J-] among certain West African tribes, an idol or god believed to protect the people from evil and terrorize the women into subjection 2 a) any idol or fetish b) any object of fear or dread 3 meaningless ritual 4 gibberish [of Afr orig.: meaning, form, & dialect uncert.]

Mumford (mûm´fэrd), Lewis 1895-1990; U.S. social philosopher & architectural critic

mummer (mûm´эr) •n. 1 a person who wears a mask or disguise for fun; specif., in England, any of the masked and costumed persons who travel about, as at Christmas time, acting out short pantomimes 2 any actor [MFr momeur < OFr momer: see MUM²]

mummery (mûm´эr i:) pl. -mer·ies •n. 1 performance by mummers 2 any display or ceremony regarded as pretentious or hypocritical [MFr mommerie < OFr momer: see MUM²]

mummify (mûm´э fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. to make into or like a mummy •vi. to shrivel or dry up mum'mi·fi·ca´tion •n. [fol. + -FY]

mummy¹ (mûm´i:) pl. -mies •n. 1 a dead body preserved by embalming, as by the ancient Egyptians 2 any dead body that has been naturally well preserved 3 any thin, withered person regarded as looking like a mummy [Fr momie < ML mumia < Ar mūmiyāر, embalmed body, mummy < Pers mum, wax]

mummy² (mûm´i:) •n. [Chiefly Brit.] child's term for MOTHER¹

mump (mûmp) •vt., vi. 1 [Dial.] to mumble; mutter 2 [Old Slang] [Du mompen, to cheat, prob. akin to mompelen] a) to beg b) to cheat [echoic, or < ? Du mompelen, var. of mommelen, to mumble]

mumps (mûmps) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] an acute communicable disease, usually of childhood, caused by a virus and characterized by swelling of the salivary glands, esp. the parotid, and, in adults, often complicated by inflammation of the testes, ovaries, etc. [pl. of obs. mump, a grimace: prob. from patient's appearance]

mumu or mu-mu (mu:´mu:') •n. MUUMUU

mun municipal

Munch (muŋk), Ed·vard (ed´väřt') 1863-1944; Norw. painter munch (mûnch) •vt., vi. 1 to chew steadily, often with a crunching sound 2 to eat with enjoyment munch´er •n. [ME monchen, prob. echoic alteration of mangen, to feast < OFr manger < L manducare: see MANGER]

Munchausen (mûn´chau'zэn, mun´-; -chö'-), Baron (Karl Friedrich Hieronymus von Münchhausen) 1720-97; Ger. soldier & adventurer known for his exaggerated tales of his exploits, esp. as collected by Rudolf Erich Raspe (1737-94), Ger. writer in England

München (mün´Hэn) Ger. name of MUNICH

München-Gladbach (-glät´bäkh') var. of MÖNCHEN-GLADBACH

munchies (mûnch´i:z') •n.pl. [Colloq.] 1 food for snacking; snacks 2 a desire for snacks: usually with the

munchkin (mûnch´kin) •n. [often M-] an imaginary being having a small human form and a dutiful, amiable, innocuous nature 2 a person who keeps busy doing things that are often unimportant, unnecessary, or annoying [coined in a novel (1900) by L(yman) Frank BAUM]

Muncie (mûn´si:) city in EC Ind.: pop. 71,000 [after the Munsee (Delaware) Indians]

Munda (mun´dэ) •n. a branch of the Austro-Asiatic family of languages, spoken in areas of NE India

mundane (mûn´dein', mûn dein´) •adj. 1 of the world; esp., worldly, as distinguished from heavenly, spiritual, etc. 2 commonplace, everyday, ordinary, etc. SYN. EARTHLY mun´dane'ly •adv. [LME mondeyne < OFr mondain < LL mundanus < L mundus, world (in LL(Ec), the secular world, as opposed to the church)]

mundungus (mûn dûŋ´gэs) •n. [Archaic] a dark, smelly tobacco [orig. facetious use of Sp mondongo, tripe]

mung bean (mûŋ) an annual bean (Vigna radiata) of the pea family grown for green manure and forage, and as a source of bean sprouts [mung, short for mungo < Tamil mūngu < Hindi mug < Sans mudga]

mungo (mûŋ´gou) pl. -gos •n. the waste of milled wool used to make a cheap cloth [< Yorkshire dial. < ?]

Munich (myu:´nik) city in SE Germany: capital of the state of Bavaria: pop. 1,277,000: Ger. name MÜNCHEN

Munich Pact (or Agreement) a pact signed in 1938 at Munich by Great Britain and France, ceding the Czech Sudetenland to Nazi Germany: regarded as the epitome of political appeasement

municipal (myu: nis´э pэl) •adj. 1 a) of or having to do with a city, town, etc. or its local government b) having self-government locally 2 [Rare] of the internal, as distinguished from the international, affairs of a nation •n. Æ Finance a bond floated by a city, town, etc. to raise money, usually for a specified purpose mu·nic´i·pal·ly •adv. [L municipalis < municeps, inhabitant of a free town < munia, official duties, functions < IE base *mei-, to exchange (> COMMON, MEAN²) + capere, to take (see HAVE)]

municipalism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 self-government by a municipality 2 the principle that such government should be fostered mu·nic´i·pal·ist •n.

municipality (myu: nis'э pæl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 a city, town, etc. having its own incorporated government for local affairs 2 its governing officials [Fr municipalité < municipal < L municipalis, MUNICIPAL]

municipalize (myu: nis´э pэl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to bring under the control or ownership of a municipality 2 to make a municipality of mu·nic'i·pal·i·za´tion •n.

munificent (myu: nif´э sэnt) •adj. 1 very generous in giving; lavish 2 characterized by great generosity {a munificent reward} mu·nif´i·cence •n. mu·nif´i·cent·ly •adv. [L munificens < munificus, bountiful < munus, a gift (akin to munia: see MUNICIPAL) + facere, to make: see DO¹]

muniment (myu:´nэ mэnt) •n. 1 [Rare] a means of protection or defense 2 [pl.] Law a document or documents serving as evidence of inheritances, title to property, etc. [ML munimentum] [ME < Anglo-Fr < OFr < L munimentum, a fortification, defense, protection < munire, to furnish with walls, fortify: see MUNITIONS]

munition (myu: nish´эn) •vt. to provide with munitions [< fol.]

munitions (-эnz) •n.pl. [sometimes with sing. v.] war supplies; esp., weapons and ammunition [< MFr munition < L munitio, a fortifying, defending < munire, to fortify < moenia, fortifications < IE base *mei-, to fortify > MERE³, L murus, wall]

munnion (mûn´yэn) •n. archaic var. of MULLION

Munro (mэn rou´), H(ector) H(ugh) see SAKI

Munster (mûn´stэr) province of SW Ireland: 9,315 sq. mi. (24,125 sq. km); pop. 998,000

Münster (mün´stэř) city in WC Germany, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia: pop. 274,000

muntin (mûnt´ªn) •n. any of the strips of wood or metal used for support between panes of glass, as in a window

muntjac or muntjak (mûnt´jæk') •n. any of a genus (Muntiacus) of small jungle deer of Southeast Asia and the East Indies: the males have horns and long, sharp, tusklike canine teeth [< Jav & Malay menjangan]

muon (myu:´än') •n. a positively or negatively charged lepton with a mass 207 times that of an electron: it decays into an electron and two neutrinos with a mean life of 2.2 X 10-6 seconds and interacts very weakly with matter mu·on´ic •adj. [MU + (MES)ON]

mural (myur´эl) •adj. 1 of, on, in, or for a wall 2 like a wall •n. a picture, esp. a large one, painted directly on a wall or ceiling, or a large photograph, etc. attached directly to a wall [Fr < L muralis, of a wall < murus: see MUNITIONS]

muralist (-ist) •n. a painter of murals

Murasaki Shikibu (mu:´řä sä´ki: shi:´ki: bu:´), Lady c. A.D. 978-c. 1031; Jpn. novelist & poet

Murat (mü řå´), Jo·a·chim (zhô å shæñ´) 1767-1815; Fr. marshal under Napoleon: king of Naples (1808-15)

Murcia (mør´shэ, -shi: э; Sp mu:ř´θyä) 1 region & ancient kingdom of SE Spain: 4,370 sq. mi. (11,317 sq. km); pop. 958,000 2 its capital: pop. 288,000

Murcott (mør´kät') early name for HONEY TANGERINE: also Mur´cot' (orange) •n. [after Murcott Smith, Florida citrus grower, who developed the strain c. 1922]

murder (mør´dэr) •n. 1 the unlawful and malicious or premeditated killing of one human being by another; also, any killing done while committing some other felony, as rape or robbery Æ 2 [Colloq.] something very hard, unsafe, or disagreeable to do or deal with •vt. 1 to kill (a person) unlawfully and with malice 2 to kill inhumanly or barbarously, as in warfare 3 to spoil, mar, etc., as in performance {a song murdered in the rendition} •vi. to commit murder SYN. KILL¹ Æ get away with murder [Slang] to escape detection of or punishment for a blameworthy act murder will out 1 a murder or murderer will always be revealed 2 any secret or wrongdoing will be revealed sooner or later mur´der·er •n. mur´der·ess •n.fem. [ME murthir, mordre < OE & OFr: OE morthor, akin to ON morth, Goth maurthr; OFr mordre < Frank *morthr: all ult. < IE *mrtóm < base *mer- > MORTAL]

murderous (mør´dэr эs) •adj. 1 of, having the nature of, or characteristic of murder; brutal {a murderous act} 2 capable or guilty of, or intending, murder Æ 3 [Colloq.] very difficult, disagreeable, dangerous, trying, etc. mur´der·ous·ly •adv. mur´der·ous·ness •n.

Murdoch (mør´däk'), (Jean) Iris 1919- ; Eng. writer, born in Ireland

mure (myur) mured, mur´ing •vt. [Now Rare] IMMURE [ME muren < MFr murer < LL(Ec) murare, to provide with walls < L murus, wall: see MUNITIONS]

Mureş (mu resh´) river flowing west from the Carpathian Mountains into the Tisza in SE Hungary: 470 mi. (756 km)

murex (myu:´reks', myur´eks') pl. -ri·ces' (-э si:z') •n.or -rex·es any of a genus (Murex) of flesh-eating snails, found in warm salt waters and having a rough, spiny shell: some species yield a purple substance formerly valued as a dye [ModL < L, the purple fish < IE base *mus > MOUSE, Gr myax, sea mussel]

Murfreesboro (mør´fri:z bør'ou, -э) city in central Tenn.: site of a Union victory over Confederate forces during Civil War (1863): pop. 45,000 [after Col. H. Murfree (1752-1809)]

muriate (myur´i: it, -eit') •n. [Now Rare] a salt of hydrochloric acid; chloride; esp., potassium chloride, used as a fertilizer [Fr < muriatique: see MURIATIC ACID]

muriatic acid (myur'i: æt´ik) hydrochloric acid: now only a commercial term [Fr muriatique < L muriaticus, pickled < muria, brine < IE *meuro- < base *meu-, damp, musty > MOSS, MIRE]

muricate (myur´i kit, -keit') •adj. rough, with short, sharp points: also mu´ri·cat'ed [< L muricatus, pointed, shaped like a purple fish < murex, MUREX]

murid (myu:´rid, myur´id) •n. any of a family (Muridae) of rodents, including the Old World rats and mice [< ModL Muridae < L mus (gen. muris), MOUSE]

Muriel (myur´i: эl) a feminine name [prob. < Celt, as in Ir Muirgheal < muir, the sea + geal, bright]

Murillo (mu: ři:´lyô; E myu ril´ou, mэ-), Bar·to·lo·mé Es·te·ban (bäř´tô lô mei´ es tei´bän') 1617-82; Sp. painter

murine (myu:´rain', -rin; myur´ain, -in) •adj. of the murids, or family of rodents including the Old World rats and mice •n. a murine rodent [L murinus < mus (gen. muris), MOUSE]

murk (mørk) •n. darkness; gloom •adj. [Archaic] dark or dim [ME mirke < ON myrkr, dark, akin to OE mirce, dark]

murky (mørk´i:) murk´i·er, murk´i·est •adj. 1 dark or gloomy 2 heavy and obscure with smoke, mist, etc. {the murky air} SYN. DARK murk´i·ly •adv. murk´i·ness •n. [ME mirky]

Murmansk (muř mänsk´) seaport in Russia on the NW coast of Kola Peninsula, on the Barents Sea: pop. 419,000

murmur (mør´mэr) •n. 1 a low, indistinct, continuous sound, as of a stream, far-off voices, etc. 2 a mumbled or muttered complaint 3 Med. any abnormal sound heard by auscultation, esp. of the heart •vi. 1 to make a murmur 2 to mumble or mutter a complaint •vt. to say in a murmur mur'mur·a´tion •n. mur´mur·er •n. mur´mur·ing •adj. SYN.—murmur implies a continuous flow of words or sounds in a low, indistinct voice and may apply to utterances of satisfaction or dissatisfaction [to murmur a prayer]; mutter usually suggests angry or discontented words or sounds of this kind [to mutter curses]; to mumble is to utter almost inaudible or inarticulate sounds in low tones, with the mouth nearly closed [an old woman mumbling to herself] [ME murmure < OFr < L, a murmur, roar, muttering < IE echoic base *mormor-, *murmur- > Sans marmara-, Gr mormurein]

murmurous (mør´mэr эs) •adj. characterized by or making a murmur or murmurs mur´mur·ous·ly •adv.

murphy (mør´fi:) pl. -phies •n. [Old Slang] a potato [after Murphy, Ir surname]

Murphy bed (mør´fi:) a bed that swings up or folds into a closet or cabinet when not in use [after W. L. Murphy, its U.S. inventor (c. 1900)]

Murphy game a confidence game in which the victim pays the swindler (Murphy Man) for something, as the services of a prostitute, which the swindler promises but the victim never receives [? after a 19th-c. confidence man of that name]

Murphy's Law a facetious or satirical proposition stating that if there is a possibility for something to go wrong, it will go wrong [after E. A. Murphy, Jr., U.S. engineer who formulated the orig. version (1949)]

murrain (mør´in) •n. 1 any of various infectious diseases of cattle 2 [Archaic] a pestilence; plague [ME moreine < OFr morine < VL *morire, to die < L mori: see MORTAL]

Murray (mør´i:) river in SE Australia, flowing from the Australian Alps into the Indian Ocean: 1,596 mi. (2,568 km) Murray (mør´i:, mû´ri:) 1 a masculine name 2 (George) Gilbert (Aimé) 1866-1957; classical scholar & statesman, born in Australia 3 Sir James Augustus Henry 1837-1915; lexicographer, born in Scotland 4 Lind·ley (lind´li:) 1745-1826; Am. grammarian, in England [after the surname Murray < ? Celt, as in Welsh mor, the sea]

murre (mør) pl. murres •n.or murre any of a genus (Uria) of swimming and diving alcidine shorebirds [< ?]

murrelet (mør´lit) •n. any of a number of small auklike birds found chiefly on N Pacific islands [prec. + -LET]

murrey (mør´i:) •n. a dark purplish-red color; mulberry •adj. of this color [ME murry < OFr moree, a dark-red color < ML moratum < L morum, MULBERRY]

murrhine (mør´in, -ain) •adj. of an ancient Roman semiprecious stone, variously believed to be fluorite, agate, etc., used for making vases and drinking cups Also murrine [L murr(h)inus < murr(h)a < Iran, as in Pers mori, glass ball]

Murrow (mør´ou), Edward R(oscoe) 1908-65; U.S. radio & TV journalist

Murrumbidgee (mør'эm bij´i:) river in SE Australia, flowing west into the Murray: c. 1,000 mi. (1,609 km)

murther (mør´ðэr) •n., vt., vi. obs. or dial. var. of MURDER

mus 1 museum 2 music 3 musical 4 musician

MusB or Mus.B. Bachelor of Music: also MusBac or Mus.Bac. [L Musicae Baccalaureus]

Musca (mûs´kэ) a S constellation near Crux [L, a fly: see MIDGE]

Muscadet (mûs'kэ dei´, mus´-; Fr müs kå de´) •n. [also m-] 1 a light, dry white wine from the western Loire valley, France 2 the grape from which it is made [Fr < Prov, after the variety of grape from which made: akin to MUSCAT]

muscadine (mûs´kэ din, -dain') •n. an American grape (Vitis rotundifolia) growing in the SE U.S., with small leaves, simple tendrils, and small clusters of large, spherical, musky, purple grapes [altered < muscadel, var. of MUSCATEL]

muscae volitantes (mûs´i: väl'э tæn´ti:z', mûs´ki:) FLOATER (sense 6) [L, flying flies]

muscarine (mûs´kэ rin, -ri:n') •n. an extremely poisonous alkaloid, C9H21NO3, found in certain mushrooms, rotten fish, etc., that will seriously disrupt the neuromuscular system if consumed [< ModL (Amanita) muscaria, fly (agaric) < L muscarius, of flies < musca, a fly: see MIDGE]

Muscat (mûs kæt´) capital of Oman: seaport on the Gulf of Oman: pop. 7,500 muscat (mûs´kэt, -kæt') •n. 1 any of several sweet European grapes used in making muscatel and raisins 2 MUSCATEL (sense 1) [Fr < Prov < It moscato, musk, wine, lit., having the smell or flavor of musk < LL muscus, MUSK]

Muscat and Oman old name of OMAN (the country)

muscatel (mûs'kэ tel´) •n. 1 a rich, sweet, usually fortified wine made from the muscat 2 MUSCAT (sense 1) Also mus'ca·del´ (-del´) [ME muscadelle < OFr muscadel < Prov or < It moscadello, orig. dim. of Prov muscat, It moscato, MUSCAT]

muscid (mûs´id) •adj. of the family (Muscidae) of two-winged dipteran insects that includes the common housefly •n. a muscid insect [< ModL Muscidae < L musca, a fly: see MIDGE]

muscle (mûs´эl) •n. 1 any of the body organs consisting of bundles of cells or fibers that can be contracted and expanded to produce bodily movements 2 the tissue making up such an organ 3 muscular strength; brawn Æ 4 [Colloq.] power or influence, esp. when based on force or threats of force •vi. -cled, -cling Æ [Colloq.] to make one's way or take control by sheer strength or force, or threats of force: usually with in [Fr < L musculus, a muscle, lit., little mouse (from the fancied resemblance between the movements of a mouse and muscle), dim. of mus, MOUSE]

muscle car an automobile, esp. in the 1960's, made to look and perform like a racing car, as in being able to accelerate quickly to high speeds, but designed for use on regular roads

muscle sense KINESTHESIA

muscle shirt a casual shirt similar to a T-shirt but without sleeves, ostensibly worn to show off a muscular physique

muscle-bound (-baund') •adj. 1 having some of the muscles enlarged and less elastic, as from too much exercise 2 not flexible or adaptive; rigid

muscleman (-mæn') pl. -men' •n. 1 [Colloq.] a man with a well-developed, brawny physique, esp. a bodybuilder 2 [Slang] a bodyguard, esp. one hired to use coercive, physical methods; goon

muscly (mûs´li:, -эl i:) •adj. having prominent, well-developed muscles, esp. in the chest and upper arms

muscovado (mûs'kэ vei´dou, -vä´-) •n. the dark raw sugar that remains after the molasses has been extracted from the juice of the sugar cane [Sp mascabado (or Port mascavado), unrefined, of inferior quality < Sp mascabar, to depreciate, contr. < menoscabar, to lessen, deteriorate < menos, less (< L minus: see MINUS) + acabar, to achieve < L ad-, to + caput, HEAD]

muscovite (mûs´kэ vait') •n. the common, light-colored mica, KAl3Si3O10(OH)2, used as an electrical insulator [formerly called Muscovy glass: see -ITE¹] Muscovite (mûs´kэ vait') •n. 1 a) a native or inhabitant of Muscovy b) a Russian 2 an inhabitant of Moscow •adj. 1 a) of Muscovy b) Russian 2 of Moscow

Muscovy (mûs´kэ vi:) 1 former grand duchy, surrounding and including Moscow, that expanded into the Russian Empire under Ivan IV (16th cent.) 2 old name of RUSSIA

Muscovy duck a large, neotropical domestic duck (Cairina moschata) with dark plumage, blue eyes, and white wing patches [altered (by assoc. with prec.) < MUSK DUCK]

muscular (mûs´kyu: lэr, -kyэ-) •adj. 1 of, consisting of, or accomplished by a muscle or muscles 2 having well-developed muscles; strong; brawny 3 suggestive of great physical strength; powerful mus'cu·lar´i·ty (-lær´э ti:) •n. mus´cu·lar·ly •adv. [< L musculus (see MUSCLE) + -AR]

muscular dystrophy a chronic, noncontagious disease characterized by a progressive wasting of the muscles

musculature (mûs´kyu: lэ chэr, -kyэ-) •n. the arrangement of the muscles of a body or of some part of the body; muscular system [Fr < L musculus]

musculo- (mûs´kyu: lou, -lэ; -kyэ-) combining form muscle, muscle and {musculospinal} Also, before a vowel, muscul- [< L musculus, MUSCLE]

MusD or Mus.D. Doctor of Music: also MusDoc or Mus.Doc. [L Musicae Doctor]

muse (myu:z) mused, mus´ing •vi. to think deeply and at length; meditate •vt. to think or say meditatively •n. a musing; deep meditation [ME musen < OFr muser, to ponder, loiter, orig., ? to stand with muzzle in the air < ML *musare < musum (> OFr musel), snout, MUZZLE] Muse (myu:z) •n. 1 Gr. Myth. any of the MUSES 2 a) [m-] the spirit that is thought to inspire a poet or other artist; source of genius or inspiration b) [Now Rare] a poet [OFr < L musa < Gr mousa, a Muse, music, eloquence < ? IE base *mendh-, to pay attention to, be lively > ON munda, to strive]

museful (-fэl) •adj. [Archaic] meditative [MUSE + -FUL]

Muses (myu:z´iz) Gr. Myth. the nine goddesses who preside over literature and the arts and sciences: Calliope, Clio, Euterpe, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polyhymnia (or Polymnia), Urania, and Thalia

musette (myu: zet´) •n. 1 a small French bagpipe of the 17th and 18th cent. 2 a soft pastoral melody, in imitation of the tunes played on this 3 MUSETTE BAG [OFr < muser, to play music, MUSE]

musette bag Mil. a small bag of canvas or leather for toilet articles, etc., worn suspended from a shoulder strap, as by soldiers or hikers

museum (myu: zi:´эm) •n. an institution, building, or room for preserving and exhibiting artistic, historical, or scientific objects [L < Gr mouseion, place for the Muses or for study < mousa, MUSE]

mush¹ (mûsh) •n. 1 a thick porridge made by boiling meal, esp. cornmeal, in water or milk 2 any thick, soft, yielding mass 3 [Colloq.] maudlin sentimentality •vt. [Dial., Chiefly Brit.] to make into mush; crush [prob. var. of MASH]

mush² (mûsh) •interj. in Canada and Alaska, a shout commanding sled dogs to start or to go faster •vi. to travel on foot over snow with a dog sled •n. a journey by mushing [prob. < mush on, altered < Fr marchons, let's go < marcher, to go, MARCH¹]

mushroom (mûsh´ru:m'; also, -rum') •n. 1 a) any of various rapidly growing, fleshy fungi, typically having a stalk capped with an umbrellalike top; esp., a gill or pore fungus b) the fruiting body of such a fungus c) an edible fruiting body of such a fungus 2 anything like a mushroom in shape or rapid growth •adj. 1 of or made with mushrooms 2 like a mushroom in shape or rapid growth {a mushroom cloud} •vi. 1 to grow or spread rapidly 2 to flatten out at the end so as to resemble a mushroom [ME muscheron < OFr moisseron < LL mussirio (gen. mussirionis)]

mushy (mûsh´i:) mush´i·er, mush´i·est •adj. 1 a) like mush; thick, soft, and yielding b) poorly defined; blurry {the old recording had a mushy sound} 2 [Colloq.] affectionate or sentimental in a maudlin fashion mush´i·ly •adv.

music (myu:´zik) •n. 1 the art and science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds or tones in varying melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre, esp. so as to form structurally complete and emotionally expressive compositions 2 the sounds or tones so arranged, or the arrangement of these 3 any rhythmic sequence of pleasing sounds, as of birds, water, etc. 4 a) a particular form, style, etc. of musical composition or a particular class of musical works or pieces {folk music} b) the body of musical works of a particular style, place, period, or composer 5 the written or printed score of a musical composition 6 ability to respond to or take pleasure in music {no music in his soul} 7 [Rare] a group of musical performers Æ face the music [Colloq.] to accept the consequences of one's actions, however unpleasant set to music to compose music for (a poem, etc.) [ME musike < OFr musique < L musica < Gr mousikē (technē), musical (art), orig. an art of the Muses < mousa, MUSE]

music box a mechanical musical instrument consisting of a case containing a bar with tuned steel teeth that are struck by pins or projections so arranged on a revolving cylinder or disc as to produce a certain tune or tunes

music drama a form of opera, specif. as developed by Richard Wagner, characterized by a continuous flow of orchestral music, with an integrative use of musical themes (leitmotifs), and singing that is free from formal division into arias, recitatives, etc.

music hall 1 an auditorium for musical or theatrical productions 2 [Brit.] a vaudeville theater

music of the spheres an ethereal music supposed by Pythagoras and other early mathematicians to be produced by the movements of the heavenly bodies

music stand a rack to hold sheets of music for a performer or conductor

music video a performance on film or videotape of a musical recording accompanied by synchronized actions, such as a dramatic interpretation of the lyrics or a series of, sometimes surreal, images

musical (myu:´zi kэl) •adj. 1 of or for the creation, production, or performance of music 2 having the nature of music; melodious or harmonious 3 fond of, sensitive to, or skilled in music 4 set to music; accompanied by music •n. Æ 1 a theatrical or film production, often elaborately costumed and staged, with dialogue developing the story line and an integrated musical score featuring songs and dances in a popular idiom: in full, variously, musical comedy, musical play, or musical drama 2 [Archaic] MUSICALE mu'si·cal´i·ty (-kæl´э ti:) •n. mu´si·cal·ly •adv. [ME < ML musicalis < L musica]

musical chairs a game in which the players march to music around empty chairs (always one fewer than the number of players) and rush to sit down each time the music stops: the player with no seat is eliminated in each round

musical saw a handsaw held upright between the knees and variously flexed and stroked with a violin bow to produce musical tones

musicale (myu:'zi kæl´) •n. a party or social affair featuring a musical program [Fr]

musician (myu: zish´эn) •n. a person skilled in music; esp., a professional performer, composer, or conductor of music mu·si´cian·ly •adj. mu·si´cian·ship' •n. [ME < MFr musicien]

musicology (myu:'zi käl´э ji:) •n. the systematized study of the science, history, forms, and methods of music mu'si·co·log´i·cal (-kou läj´i kªl) •adj. mu'si·col´o·gist •n. [It musicologia: see MUSIC & -LOGY]

musing (myu:´ziŋ) •adj. that muses; meditative •n. meditation; reflection mus´ing·ly •adv.

musique concrète (mü zi:k kouñ křet´) a musiclike art form composed directly on magnetic tape by the electronic manipulation, distortion, or transformation of natural sounds and noises, as of musical instruments, rain, etc. [Fr, concrete (as opposed to abstract) music]

musjid (mûs´jid) •n. MASJID

musk (mûsk) •n. 1 a substance with a strong, penetrating odor, obtained from a small sac (musk bag) under the skin of the abdomen in the male musk deer: used as the basis of numerous perfumes 2 a similar substance secreted by certain other animals, as the alligator, musk ox, etc. 3 the odor of any of these substances, now often created synthetically 4 any of several plants having a musky scent [OFr musc < LL muscus < Gr moschos < Pers mušk, musk < Sans muska, testicle, dim. of mus, MOUSE]

musk deer a small, hornless deer (Moschus moschiferus) of the uplands of central Asia: the male secretes musk and has tusklike upper canines

musk duck 1 an Australian duck (Biziura lobata) with an inflatable leathery pouch beneath the lower jaw, spikelike tail feathers, and a musklike odor during the breeding season 2 MUSCOVY DUCK

musk ox a hardy ox (Ovibos moschatus) of arctic America and Greenland, with a long, coarse, hairy coat, large, curved horns, and a musklike odor

musk plant a perennial North American plant (Mimulus moschatus) of the figwort family, with yellow tubular flowers and, sometimes, a musky odor

musk rose a Mediterranean rose (Rosa moschata) with fragrant, usually white, flowers

musk turtle any of a family (Kinosternidae) of small, aquatic turtles having a heavy, musky scent; esp., any of a genus (Sternotherus) found in E North America

muskeg (mûs´keg') •n. a kind of bog or marsh containing thick layers of decaying vegetable matter, mosses, etc., found esp. in Canada and Alaska and often overgrown with moss [Cree maskeek, swamp]

Muskegon (mûs ki:´gэn) city & port in SW Mich.: pop. 40,000 [< Algonquian tribal name]

muskellunge (mûs´kэ lûnj') pl. -lunge' a very large pike (Esox masquinongy) of the Great Lakes and upper Mississippi drainages, valued as a game and food fish Also called mus´kie (-ki:) •n. [Ojibwa maaskinoozhe < maazh-, similar to + ginoozhe, northern pike]

musket (mûs´kэt) •n. a smoothbore, long-barreled firearm, used esp. by infantry soldiers before the invention of the rifle [MFr mosquet < It moschetto, musket, orig., fledged arrow < mosca, a fly < L musca: see MIDGE]

musketeer (mûs'kэ tir´) •n. a soldier armed with a musket [Fr mousquetaire]

musketry (mûs´kэ tri:) •n. 1 the skill of firing muskets or other small arms 2 a) muskets collectively b) musketeers collectively [Fr mousqueterie]

muskmelon (mûsk´mel'эn) •n. 1 a) any of several round or oblong fruits growing on a trailing vine (Cucumis melo) of the gourd family, as the cantaloupe: they have a thick, ribbed rind, sweet, juicy flesh, and a musky odor b) this plant 2 popularly, any of various other melons, as the casaba [MUSK + MELON]

Muskogean (mûs kou´gi: эn, -ji:-) •adj. designating or of a North American Indian language family of the SE U.S., consisting of four main branches, including Choctaw-Chickasaw and Creek-Seminole Also Mus·kho´ge·an [var. of Muskhogean, coined (1891) < MUSKOGEE by J. W. Powell (1834-1902), U.S. ethnologist & geologist]

Muskogee (mûs kou´gi:) city in E Okla.: pop. 38,000 •n. pl. -gees or -gee CREEK (sense 2) [Creek maaskóoki] [< n.]

muskrat (mûsk´ræt') pl. -rats' or -rat' •n. 1 any of various American rodents (family Cricetidae) living in water and having glossy brown fur, a long tail, webbed hind feet, and a musklike odor 2 its fur

musky (mûs´ki:) musk´i·er, musk´i·est •adj. of, like, or smelling of musk musk´i·ness •n.

Muslim (mûz´lэm, -lim; mûs´-; muz´-, mu:z´-; mus´-, mu:s´-) •n. an adherent of Islam •adj. of Islam or the Muslims

muslin (mûz´lin) •n. any of various strong, often sheer cotton cloths of plain weave; esp., a heavy variety used for sheets, pillowcases, etc. [Fr mousseline < It mussolino < mussolo, muslin, after Mussolo (< Ar Mausil), Mosul, city in Iraq, where it was made]

muslin delaine DELAINE

musquash (mûs´kwäsh', -kwösh') pl. -quash'es or -quash' •n. 1 any of a genus (Ondatra) of muskrats of N North America having rudderlike tails that are flat from top to bottom 2 [Chiefly Brit.] the fur of the muskrat [< AmInd (Algonquian), akin to Abenaki muskwessu, it is red]

muss (mûs) •n. 1 [Colloq.] a mess; disorder {done without muss or fuss} 2 [Dial.] a squabble; row; commotion •vt. to make messy or disordered; disarrange: often with up [prob. var. of MESS]

mussel (mûs´эl) •n. any of various bivalve mollusks; specif., a) any of a sometimes edible saltwater family (Mytilidae) that anchors to rocks, ships, etc. by byssus threads b) any of a freshwater family (Unionidae) that is large-sized, may produce pearls, and is used to make buttons [ME muscle < OE, akin to OHG muscula, both < VL *muscula, for L musculus, mussel, MUSCLE]

Musset (mü se´), (Louis Charles) Al·fred de (ål fřed´ dэ) 1810-57; Fr. poet & writer

Mussolini (mu:s'sô li:´ni:; E mus'э li:´ni:, mûs'-), Be·ni·to (be ni:´tô) 1883-1945; It. dictator: Fascist prime minister of Italy (1922-43): executed: called Il Duce

Mussorgsky (mэ sörk´ski:, -sörg´-), Mo·dest Pe·tro·vich (mou dest´ pi trou´vich) 1839-81; Russ. composer

Mussulman (mûs´эl mэn) pl. -mans •n. [Archaic] MUSLIM [Pers musulmān, a Muslim < Ar muslim]

mussy (mûs´i:) muss´i·er, muss´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] messy; disordered, untidy, rumpled, etc.

must¹ (mûst; unstressed mэst) pt. must v.aux. 1 used to express compulsion, obligation, requirement, or necessity {I know I must pay her, I knew I must pay her} 2 used to express probability {then you must be my cousin, I thought he must be my cousin} 3 used to express certainty or inevitability {all men must die, they knew they must die} As a modal auxiliary, must is followed by an infinitive without to •vi. used elliptically in the same functions as MUST¹ (v.aux.) {shoot if you must} •n. [Colloq.] something that must be done, had, read, seen, etc. {this book is a must} •adj. [Colloq.] that must be done, etc.; necessary; essential {must reading} [ME moste, pt., had to < OE, pt. of motan, may, akin to Goth (ga)mot, (I) find room, am permitted, prob. < IE *mōt-, var. of *med-, to measure > METE¹]

must² (mûst) •n. a state of frenzy in animals, esp. in the male elephant, usually associated with sexual heat •adj. in must [Hindi mast, intoxicated < Pers mast < IE base *mad-, to be moist > MEAT]

must³ (mûst) •n. the juice pressed from grapes or other fruit before it has fermented; new wine [ME < OE < L mustum, new wine, neut. of mustus, new, fresh < IE base *meu-, moist > MOSS]

must4 (mûst) •n. a musty quality or state; mustiness [back-form. < MUSTY]

mustache (mûs´tæsh', mэs tæsh´) •n. 1 a) the hair that a man has let grow out on his upper lip (sometimes used in the plural in reference to the two halves of this growth) b) hair growing on the upper lip {at fourteen he's already getting a mustache} 2 the hair or bristles growing about the mouth in some animals [Fr moustache < It mostacchio, mustache < MGr mustaki < Gr mystax, upper lip, mustache < mastax, a mouth, jaws < IE base *menth- > MOUTH]

mustachio (mэs tæ´shou', -tä´-) pl. -chios •n. a mustache, esp. a large, bushy one mus·ta´chioed •adj. [< Sp mostacho or It mostaccio]

Mustafa Kemal (mus´tä fä' ke mäl´) see KEMAL ATATÜRK

mustang (mûs´tæŋ') •n. a small wild or half-wild horse of the SW plains of the U.S. [AmSp mestengo < Sp mesteño, belonging to an assoc. of cattlemen, ranging freely < mesta, (cattlemen's) group < ML mixta, a mixture < fem. of L mixtus, a mingling, orig. pp. of miscere, MIX]

mustard (mûs´tэrd) •n. 1 any of several annual herbs (genus Brassica) of the crucifer family, with yellow flowers and slender pods containing round seeds 2 the ground or powdered seeds of some species (as Brassica nigra) of these plants, often prepared as a paste, used as a pungent seasoning for foods, or as a counterirritant in medicine 3 the color of ground mustard, a dark yellow Æ cut the mustard [Colloq.] to come up to expectations or to the required standard; succeed [ME mustarde < OFr moustarde < moust, must < L mustum (see MUST³): orig. prepared with must as an ingredient]

mustard gas an oily, volatile liquid, (CH2ClCH2)2S, used in warfare as a poison gas because of its extremely irritating, blistering, and disabling effects [from its odor, like that of ground mustard]

mustard oil an oil extracted from mustard seed, used in making soap

mustard plaster a paste made with powdered mustard, spread on a cloth and applied to the skin as a counterirritant and rubefacient

mustardy (mûs´tэr di:) •adj. of or having the flavor, color, etc. of, mustard {a mustardy mayonnaise, mustardy sauces}

mustee (mûs ti:´, mûs´ti:) •n. 1 OCTOROON 2 any person of mixed ancestry [altered < MESTIZO]

musteline (mûs´tэ lain', -lin) •adj. designating or of a large family (Mustelidae) of fur-bearing carnivores, including the weasel, marten, polecat, and mink [L mustelinus < mustela, a weasel, akin to mus, MOUSE]

muster (mûs´tэr) •vt. 1 to assemble or summon (troops, etc.), as for inspection, roll call, or service 2 to put through a roll call 3 to gather together and display; collect; summon: often with up {to muster up strength} 4 to have in number; amount to •vi. to come together or gather; specif., to assemble as for inspection or roll call •n. 1 a gathering together or assembling, as of troops for inspection 2 a) the persons or things assembled; assemblage b) the sum of these 3 the roll, or list, of persons in a military or naval unit: also muster roll SYN. GATHER Æ muster in (or out) to enlist in (or discharge from) military service pass muster to measure up to the required standards [ME mousteren < OFr moustrer, to exhibit, show < ML mustrare < L monstrare, to show < monstrum: see MONSTER]

musth (mûst) •n., adj. MUST²

mustn't (mûs´эnt) must not

musty (mûs´ti:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. 1 having a stale, moldy smell or taste, as an unused room, food kept in a damp place, etc. 2 stale or trite; worn-out; antiquated {musty ideas} 3 dull; apathetic mus´ti·ly •adv. mus´ti·ness •n. [< ? earlier moisty < MOIST]

mutable (myu:t´э bэl) •adj. 1 that can be changed 2 tending to frequent change; inconstant; fickle 3 subject to mutation mu'ta·bil´i·ty or mu´ta·ble·ness •n. mu´ta·bly •adv. [ME < L mutabilis, changeable < mutare, to change: see MISS¹]

mutagen (myu:t´э jэn, -jen') •n. Biol. any agent or substance, as X-rays, mustard gas, etc., capable of noticeably increasing the frequency of mutation mu'ta·gen´ic (-jen´ik) or mu'ta·gen´i·cal·ly •adv. [MUTA(TION) + -GEN]

mutagenesis (myu:t'э jen´э sis) •n. the occurrence or production of mutation [MUTA(TION) + GENESIS]

mutant (myu:´tэnt, myu:t´ªnt) •adj. having to do with or undergoing mutation •n. an animal or plant with inheritable characteristics that differ from those of the parents; sport [< L mutans, prp. of mutare: see MISS¹]

mutate (myu:´teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vi., vt. to change; specif., to undergo or cause to undergo mutation [< L mutatus, pp. of mutare, to change: see MISS¹]

mutation (myu: tei´shэn) •n. 1 a changing or being changed 2 a change, as in form, nature, qualities, etc. 3 Biol. a) a sudden variation in some inheritable characteristic in a germ cell of an individual animal or plant, as distinguished from a variation resulting from generations of gradual change b) an individual resulting from such variation; mutant c) an abrupt and relatively permanent change in somatic cells that is transmitted only to daughter cells and can be inherited only in plants that reproduce asexually 4 Linguis. a) UMLAUT (sense 1a) b) alternation of consonants under specific conditions, as in variations in the initial consonant of a word in Irish and other Celtic languages mu·ta´tion·al •adj. mu·ta´tion·al·ly •adv. [ME mutacioun < OFr mutacion < L mutatio < mutare, to change: see MISS¹]

mutatis mutandis (mu: tät´is mu: tän´dis) with all due adjustments or modifications made for the particular thing mentioned or discussed or about to be mentioned or discussed [L]

mutative (myu:t´э tiv) •adj. of, tending to, or characterized by mutation [ML mutativus]

mutchkin (mûch´kin) •n. [Scot.] a unit of liquid measure equal to a little less than a pint [ME muchekyn < obs. Du mudseken, a measure of capacity < MDu mudde, bushel < ML modius, a liquid measure < L, the Roman corn measure < modus: see MODE]

mute (myu:t) •adj. 1 not speaking; voluntarily silent: often used figuratively 2 unable to speak 3 not spoken {a mute appeal} 4 SILENT (adj. 4b) {the letter e in mouse is mute} •n. 1 a person who does not speak; specif., one who, deaf from infancy, has not learned to speak; deaf-mute 2 [Now Rare] a hired mourner at a funeral 3 a silent letter 4 Music any of various devices used to soften or muffle the tone of an instrument, as a block placed within the bell of a brass instrument or a piece set onto the bridge of a violin •vt. mut´ed, mut´ing 1 to soften or muffle the sound of (a musical instrument, etc.) as with a mute 2 to subdue the intensity of (a color) SYN. VOICELESS stand mute Law to refuse to plead guilty or not guilty mute´ly •adv. mute´ness •n. [ME mewet < OFr muet < mu < L mutus, silent: for IE base see MOPE]

muticous (myu:t´i kэs) •adj. Bot. lacking a point or awn; blunt [L muticus, curtailed, docked, var. of mutilus: see MUTILATE]

mutilate (myu:t´ªl eit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. 1 to cut off or damage a limb or other important part of (a person or animal) 2 to damage, injure, or otherwise mar, esp. by removing an essential part or parts {to mutilate a book by censorship} SYN. MAIM mu'ti·la´tion •n. mu´ti·la'tive •adj. mu´ti·la'tor •n. [< L mutilatus, pp. of mutilare, to maim, mutilate < mutilus, maimed; akin to Ir mut, short]

mutineer (myu:t'ªn ir´) •n. a person guilty of mutiny [Fr mutinier < OFr mutin: see MUTINY]

mutinous (myu:t´ªn эs) •adj. 1 of, engaged in, or inclined to mutiny 2 like or characteristic of mutiny mu´ti·nous·ly •adv. mu´ti·nous·ness •n.

mutiny (myu:t´ªn i:) pl. -nies •n. revolt against and, often, forcible resistance to constituted authority; esp., rebellion of soldiers or sailors against their officers •vi. -nied, -ny·ing to participate in a mutiny; revolt against constituted authority [< earlier mutine, to rebel < Fr mutiner < OFr mutin, mutinous < meute, a revolt < LL *movita, movement, ult. < L movere, MOVE]

mutism (myu:t´iz'эm) •n. the condition of being mute; esp., a refusal to speak, as a manifestation of a psychotic disorder [Fr mutisme < L mutus, MUTE]

muton (myu:´tän´) •n. the smallest unit of DNA, possibly one nucleotide, that can produce a mutation

Mutsuhito (mut'sэ hi:t´ou) 1852-1912; emperor of Japan (1867-1912): see also MEIJI, MEIJI RESTORATION

mutt (mût) •n. [Slang] 1 a stupid person; blockhead 2 a mongrel dog; cur [prob. contr. < MUTTONHEAD]

mutter (mût´эr) •vi. 1 to speak in low, indistinct tones without much movement of the lips, as in complaining or in speaking to oneself 2 to complain or grumble 3 to make a low, rumbling, threatening sound, as thunder •vt. to say in low, indistinct, often angry or discontented, tones •n. 1 the act of muttering 2 something muttered; esp., a complaint or grumble SYN. MURMUR mut´ter·er •n. [ME moteren, akin to Ger muttern, ult. < IE echoic base *mu- (see MOPE) > L muttire]

mutton (mût´ªn) •n. 1 the flesh of a sheep, esp. a grown sheep, used as food 2 [Rare] a sheep mut´ton·y •adj. [ME moton < OFr, a ram < ML *multo, sheep, of Celt orig. as in Welsh mollt, Ir molt]

mutton chop 1 a piece cut from the rib of a sheep for broiling or frying 2 [pl.] side whiskers shaped like mutton chops (i.e., narrow at the top, and broad and rounded at the bottom), with a clean-shaven chin separating the two whiskers; burnsides

muttonhead (-hed') •n. [Slang] a stupid person

Muttra (mût´rэ) old name of MATHURA

mutual (myu:´chu: эl) •adj. 1 a) done, felt, etc. by each of two or more for or toward the other or others; reciprocal {mutual admiration} b) of, or having the same relationship toward, each other or one another {mutual enemies} 2 shared in common; joint {our mutual friend} 3 designating or of a type of insurance in which the policyholders elect the directors, share in the profits, and agree to indemnify one another against loss mu'tu·al´i·ty (-æl´э ti:), pl. -ties, •n. mu´tu·al·ly •adv. SYN.—mutual may be used for an interchange of feeling between two persons [John and Joe are mutual enemies] or may imply a sharing jointly with others [the mutual efforts of a group]; reciprocal implies a return in kind or degree by each of two sides of what is given or demonstrated by the other [a reciprocal trade agreement], or it may refer to any inversely corresponding relationship [the reciprocal functions of two machine parts]; common simply implies a being shared by others or by all the members of a group [our common interests] [LME mutuall < MFr mutuel < L mutuus, mutual, reciprocal < mutare, to change, exchange: see MISS¹]

mutual fund a company or corporation formed to invest, ordinarily in diversified securities, the funds which it obtains from its shareholders

mutual savings bank a savings bank that has no capital, its depositors sharing all the net profits

mutualism (-iz'эm) •n. Biol. symbiosis with mutual advantage to both or all organisms involved

mutualize (myu:´chu: эl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt., vi. 1 to make or become mutual 2 to organize or reorganize (a corporation) so that a majority of shares are held by the employees or customers mu'tu·al·i·za´tion •n.

mutuel (myu:´chu: эl) •n. PARIMUTUEL

mutule (myu:´chu:l') •n. Archit. a flat block projecting beneath, and supporting, the corona of a Doric cornice [Fr < L mutulus: see MODILLION]

muumuu (mu:´mu:') •n. a full, long, loose garment for women, usually in a bright print as orig. worn in Hawaii [< Haw, lit., cut off: so named because formerly the yoke was omitted, and the sleeves were short]

Muybridge (mai´brij'), Ead·weard (ed´wэrd) 1830-1904; Eng. photographer

Muzak (myu:´zæk') trademark for a system of transmitting recorded background music by telephone line or radio to restaurants, stores, factories, etc. •n. the music so transmitted, variously regarded as unobtrusive but pervasive, bland and monotonous, etc.

muzhik or muzjik (mu: zhi:k´, mu:´zhik') •n. in czarist Russia, a peasant [Russ, dim. of muž, MAN]

muzzle (mûz´эl) •n. 1 the projecting part of the head of a dog, horse, etc., including the mouth, nose, and jaws; snout: see DOG, illus., HORSE, illus. 2 a device, as of straps, fastened over the mouth of an animal to prevent its biting or eating 3 anything that prevents free speech or discussion 4 the front end of the barrel of a firearm •vt. -zled, -zling 1 to put a muzzle on (an animal) 2 to prevent from talking or expressing an opinion; gag muz´zler •n. [ME mosel < OFr musel, snout, muzzle, dim. of mus < ML musum < ?]

muzzle velocity the velocity of a projectile as it leaves the muzzle of a firearm: expressed in feet per second

muzzleloader (-loud'эr) •n. any firearm loaded through the muzzle muz´zle·load'ing •adj.

muzzy (mûz´i:) -zi·er, -zi·est •adj. [Colloq.] 1 confused; befuddled 2 blurred [prob. < MU(DDY) + (FU)ZZY]

MV 1 megavolt(s): also Mv 2 motor vessel

mV or mv millivolt(s)

MVP Sports most valuable player

MW or Mw megawatt(s) mW or mw milliwatt(s)

Mweru (mwei´ru:) lake between SE Zaire & NE Zambia: c. 1,700 sq. mi. (4,403 sq. km)

Mx maxwell

MX missile any of a system of U.S. intercontinental ballistic missiles, armed with several nuclear warheads, designed to be extremely destructive, highly mobile, and concealable in underground silos [< m(issile), (e)x(perimental)]

my (mai; unstressed, often mэ) possessive pronominal adj. of, belonging to, made by, or done by me: also used before some formal titles of address {my lord, my dear Mr. Brown} •interj. an exclamation of surprise, dismay, disbelief, etc.: often in combination with other words {Oh, my! my goodness! my eye!} [ME mi, shortened form of min used before consonants < OE min, of me, my, mine: see MINE¹, ME] My May

my- (mai) combining form MYO-: used before a vowel

myalgia (mai æl´ji: э, -jэ) •n. pain in a muscle or muscles my·al´gic •adj. [ModL: see MYO- & -ALGIA]

Myanmar (myûn´mä, -mär) country in SE Asia, on the Indochinese peninsula: modern state founded in 18th cent.; under British control from 1885 to 1948: 261,789 sq. mi. (678,030 sq. km); pop. 37,651,000; cap. Yangon: officially, a federation of states called Union of Myanmar •n. a native or inhabitant of Myanmar

myasthenia (mai'æs θi:´ni: э) muscular weakness or fatigue my'as·then´ic (-θen´ik) •adj. [ModL: see MYO- & ASTHENIA]

myasthenia gravis (-grei´vis) a disease of faulty nerve conduction characterized by myasthenia, esp. of the face and neck

myc- combining form MYCO-: used before a vowel

mycelium (mai si:´li: эm) pl. -li·a (-э) •n. the thallus, or vegetative part, of a fungus, made of a mass or network of threadlike tubes my·ce´li·al •adj. [ModL < Gr mykēs, a mushroom (see MYCO-) + -lium, as in EPITHELIUM]

Mycenae (mai si:´ni:) ancient city in Argolis, in the NE Peloponnesus

Mycenaean (mai'sэ ni:´эn) •adj. 1 of Mycenae 2 designating or of a Bronze Age civilization which existed in Greece, Crete, Asia Minor, etc. from c. 1700-c. 1100 B.C.

-mycete (mai´si:t', mai si:t´) combining form a member of a (specified) class, subdivision, or division of fungi or slime molds {basidiomycete} [< fol.]

-mycetes (mai si:t´i:z') combining form Bot. the scientific name of a (specified) class of fungi or slime molds {Discomycetes} [ModL < Gr mykētes, pl. of mykēs, a mushroom: see MYCO-]

myceto- (mai si:t´ou, -э) combining form fungus {mycetoma} Also, before a vowel, mycet- [< Gr mykētes: see -MYCETES]

mycetoma (mai'sэ tou´mэ) •n. a chronic infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, esp. of the foot, characterized by a tumorous mass consisting mostly of fungi [prec. + -OMA]

mycetozoan (mai si:t'э zou´эn) •n. MYXOMYCETE: term used when classified as a protozoan (class Eumycetozoa) •adj. MYXOMYCETOUS [MYCETO- + -ZO(A) + -AN]

-mycin (mai´sin, -sэn) combining form a substance, esp. an antibiotic, derived from a fungus {erythromycin} [< Gr mykēs, fungus (see MYCO-) + -IN¹]

myco- (mai´kou, -kэ) combining form fungus {mycology} [< Gr mykēs, fungus < IE base *meuk-, slippery > MUCK, L mucus]

mycobacterium (mai'kou bæk tir´i: эm) pl. -ri·a (-э) •n. any of a genus (Mycobacterium) of rod-shaped, Gram-positive bacteria, as those causing tuberculosis and leprosy [ModL: see MYCO- & BACTERIA]

mycology (mai käl´э ji:) •n. 1 the branch of botany dealing with fungi 2 all the fungi of a region my·co·log·ic (mai kэ läj´ik) or my'co·log´i·cal •adj. my·col´o·gist •n. [ModL mycologia: see MYCO- & -LOGY]

mycoplasma (mai'kou plæz´mэ) •n. any of a class (Mollicutes) of bacteria that lack cell walls and may cause disease, esp. of the joints and lungs, in humans and domestic animals, or may be pathogenic for plants [ModL: see MYCO- & PLASMA]

mycorrhiza (mai'kou rai´zэ) pl. -zae' (-zi:') •n.or -zas an intimate symbiotic association of the mycelium of certain fungi with the root cells of some vascular plants, as certain orchids my'cor·rhi´zal •adj. [< MYCO- + Gr rhiza, ROOT¹]

mycosis (mai kou´sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z) •n. 1 the growth of parasitic fungi in any part of the body 2 a disease caused by such fungi my·cot´ic (-kät´ik) •adj. [ModL: see MYCO- & -OSIS]

mycotoxin (mai´kou'täks'in, -kэ-) •n. a toxin produced by a fungus

mydriasis (mi drai´э sis, mai-) •n. prolonged or excessive dilatation of the pupil of the eye, as the result of disease or the administration of a drug [LL < Gr]

mydriatic (mid'ri: æt´ik) •adj. of or causing mydriasis •n. any drug causing mydriasis

myelencephalon (mai'э len'sef´э län') pl. -la (-lэ) •n. the part of the hindbrain consisting of the medulla oblongata [ModL: see MYELO- & ENCEPHALON]

myelin (mai´э lin) •n. the white, fatty substance forming a sheath about certain nerve fibers my'e·lin´ic •adj. [Ger < Gr myelos, marrow: see MYELO- & -INE³]

myelitis (mai'э lait´is) •n. inflammation of the spinal cord or the bone marrow [ModL: see MYELO- & -ITIS]

myelo- (mai´э lou') combining form 1 bone marrow {myeloma} 2 spinal cord {myelogram} 3 myelin Also, before a vowel, myel- [< Gr myelos, marrow, prob. < myōn, muscle cluster, muscle < mys: see MOUSE]

myeloblast (mai´э lou blæst') •n. a bone-marrow cell, not normally in the blood, that develops into certain white blood cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils) [prec. + -BLAST]

myelogenic (mai´э lou jen´ik) •adj. produced in or by elements of the bone marrow Also my'e·log´e·nous (-läj´э nэs) [MYELO- + -GENIC]

myelogram (mai´э lou græm') •n. an X-ray of the spinal cord, taken after the injection of a substance that will show contrast on a photograph my'e·log´ra·phy (-läg´rэ fi:) •n. [MYELO- + -GRAM]

myeloid (mai´э loid') •adj. 1 of, like, or derived from elements of bone marrow 2 of the spinal cord [MYEL(O)- + -OID]

myeloma (mai'э lou´mэ) pl. -mas or -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n. a malignant tumor of the bone marrow, consisting generally of abnormal plasma cells my'e·lom´a·tous (-läm´э tэs, -lou´mэ-) •adj. [MYEL(O)- + -OMA]

myiasis (mai ai´э sis) •n. infestation of a body area or cavity by fly maggots [< Gr myia, fly + -ASIS]

Mylar (mai´lär') trademark for a polyester made in extremely thin sheets of great tensile strength and used for recording tapes, insulating film, fabrics, etc. •n. [m-] this substance

myna or mynah (mai´nэ) •n. any of various tropical starlings of Southeast Asia; esp., the HILL MYNA [Hindi mainā]

Mynheer (mi ner´, -nir´; main her´, -hir´) •n. Sir; Mr.: a Dutch title of address [Du mijn heer, my lord: see MILORD]

myo- (mai´ou, -э) combining form muscle, muscle and {myograph, myoneural} [< Gr mys (gen. myos), a muscle, MOUSE]

MYOB mind your own business

myocardiograph (mai'ou kär´di: ou græf') •n. an instrument for recording the movements of the heart muscle [MYO- + CARDIOGRAPH]

myocarditis (-kär dait´is) •n. inflammation of the myocardium [ModL: see -ITIS]

myocardium (-kär´di: эm) •n. the muscular substance of the heart my'o·car´di·al •adj. [ModL: see MYO- & CARDIO-]

myoclonus (mai äk´lэ nэs) •n. involuntary twitching or spasm of a muscle or muscles my·o·clon·ic (mai'ou klän´ik) •adj. [MYO- + CLONUS]

myoelectric (mai'ou i: lek´trik) •adj. designating or of potential developed in a muscle or muscles which is then picked up, amplified, and used to operate various attached prosthetic devices my'o·e·lec´tri·cal·ly •adv. [MYO- + ELECTRIC]

myogenic (mai'ou jen´ik) •adj. originating in or produced by a muscle [MYO- + -GENIC]

myoglobin (mai´ou glou'bin, mai'ou glou´-) •n. an iron-containing protein in muscle, similar to hemoglobin, that receives oxygen from the red blood cells and transports it to the mitochondria of muscle cells, where the oxygen is used in cellular respiration to produce energy [MYO- + GLOBIN]

myograph (mai´ou græf') •n. an instrument for recording muscular contractions [MYO- + -GRAPH]

myology (mai äl´э ji:) •n. the branch of anatomy dealing with the muscles my'o·log´ic (-ou läj´ik) or my'o·log´i·cal •adj. [ModL myologia: see MYO- & -LOGY]

myoma (mai ou´mэ) pl. -mas or -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n. any tumor consisting of muscular tissue my·om´a·tous (-äm´э tэs, -ou´mэ-) •adj. [ModL: see MYO- & -OMA]

myoneural (mai'ou nur´эl, -nyur´-) •adj. pertaining to both muscle and nerve, esp. to the ending of a nerve of a muscle fiber [MYO- + NEURAL]

myopathy (mai äp´э θi:) •n. any disease of a muscle [MYO- + -PATHY]

myope (mai´oup') •n. a person having myopia; nearsighted person [Fr < LL myops < Gr myōps, shortsighted, blinking < myein, to close (< ? IE base *mu-, with closed lips > MOPE, MUTE) + ōps, EYE]

myopia (mai ou´pi: э) •n. 1 an abnormal eye condition in which light rays from distant objects are focused in front of the retina instead of on it, so that the objects are not seen distinctly; nearsightedness 2 lack of understanding or foresight my·op´ic (-äp´ik) •adj. my·op´i·cal·ly •adv. [ModL < Gr myōpia < myōps: see MYOPE]

myosin (mai´ou sin) •n. a protein in muscles: see ACTOMYOSIN [< Gr mys (gen. myos), a muscle, MOUSE + -IN¹]

myosotis (mai'ou sout´is) •n. FORGET-ME-NOT (sense 1) [ModL < L, mouse ear < Gr myosōtis < mys (gen. myos), MOUSE + ōtos, gen. of ous, EAR¹]

myotome (mai´ou toum') •n. 1 the body-wall musculature in a single segment of primitive chordates and segmented invertebrates 2 one of the paired mesodermal masses in a vertebrate embryo from which the musculature develops [MYO- + -TOME]

myotonia (mai'ou tou´ni: э) •n. prolonged muscular spasm, often a manifestation of certain diseases of muscles my'o·ton´ic (-tän´ik) •adj. [MYO- + TON(IC) + -IA]

Myra (mai´rэ) a feminine name [< ? Ir Moira, Moyra]

Myrdal (mir´däl', mør´-, mür´-), (Karl) Gun·nar (gûn´är, -эr) 1898-1987; Swed. economist & sociologist

myria- (mir´i: э) combining form 1 many, numerous {myriapod} 2 ten thousand; the factor 104 {myrialiter} [< Gr myrias: see MYRIAD]

myriad (mir´i: эd) •n. 1 orig., ten thousand 2 any indefinitely large number 3 a great number of persons or things •adj. 1 of an indefinitely large number; countless; innumerable 2 of a highly varied nature [< Gr myrias (gen. myriados), the number ten thousand < myrios, countless]

myriapod (mir´i: э päd') •adj. having many legs: said esp. of millipedes and centipedes •n. a millipede or centipede [< ModL Myriapoda: see MYRIA- & -POD]

myrmeco- (mør´mi kou, -kэ) combining form ant {myrmecology} [Gr myrmēko- < myrmēx, ant < IE base *morwi- > (PIS)MIRE, OIr moirb]

myrmecology (mør'mi käl´э ji:) •n. the branch of entomology dealing with ants myr'me·co·log´i·cal (-kou läj´i kэl) •adj. myr'me·col´o·gist •n. [prec. + -LOGY]

myrmecophagous (-käf´э gэs) •adj. feeding on ants [MYRMECO- + -PHAGOUS]

Myrmidon (mør´mэ dän', -dэn) pl. -dons' or Myr·mid·o·nes (mэr mid´э ni:z') •n. 1 Gr. Legend any of the tribe of Thessalian warriors who fight under Achilles, their king, in the Trojan War 2 [m-] an unquestioning follower or subordinate [ME mirmidones < L Myrmidones, pl. < Gr, the Myrmidons]

myrobalan (mai räb´э lэn, mi-) •n. 1 any of various trees (genus Terminalia) of a tropical family (Combretaceare, order Myrtales) of dicotyledonous plants 2 any of their dried prunelike fruits containing tannin and used for dyeing and tanning 3 CHERRY PLUM [Fr < L myrobalanum < Gr myrobalanon < myron, plant juice (for base see SMEAR + balanos, a nut, acorn: see GLAND¹]

Myron (mai´rэn) 1 a masculine name 2 Gr. sculptor of the 5th cent. B.C. [prob. < Gr Myrōn]

myrrh (mør) •n. 1 a fragrant, bitter-tasting gum resin exuded from any of several plants of Arabia and E Africa, used in making incense, perfume, etc. 2 any of these plants; esp., any of several small trees (genus Commiphora) of the bursera family [ME mirre < OE myrre & OFr mirre, both < L myrrha < Gr < Ar murr, myrrh, bitter]

myrtle (mørt´ªl) •n. 1 any of a genus (Myrtus) of plants of the myrtle family, with evergreen leaves, white or pinkish flowers, and dark, fragrant berries 2 any of various other plants, as the periwinkle and the California laurel •adj. designating a family (Myrtaceae, order Myrtales) of dicotyledonous, evergreen trees and shrubs, including eucalyptus, guava, clove, and blue gum [ME mirtille < OFr myrtille < ML myrtillus, dim. < L myrtus < Gr myrtos, myrtle, prob. < Sem; ? akin to Ar murr, myrrh] Myrtle (mørt´ªl) a feminine name [< prec.]

myself (mai self´; unstressed, often mэ-) pron. a form of the 1st pers. sing. pronoun, used: a) as an intensive [I went myself] b) as a reflexive [I hurt myself] c) as a quasi-noun meaning my real, true, or actual self [I am not myself today]: in this construction my may be considered as a possessive pronominal adjective and self a noun, and they may be separated [my own sweet self] [ME meself < OE me sylf: see ME & SELF]

Mysia (mish´i: э) ancient region in NW Asia Minor, on the Propontis My´si·an •adj., n.

mysid (mai´sid) •n. any of an order (Mysidacea) of small, shrimplike, malacostracan crustaceans with a carapace over most of the thorax [< ModL Mysidacea]

Mysore (mai sör´) 1 old name of KARNATAKA state 2 city in S India, in the state of Karnataka: pop. 476,000

mystagogue (mis´tэ gäg', -gög') •n. a person who interprets religious mysteries or initiates others into them mys'ta·gog´ic (-gäj´ik) •adj. mys´ta·go'gy (-gou'ji:) •n. [Fr < L mystagogus < Gr mystagōgos < mystēs (see MYSTERY¹) + agōgos, leader < agein: see ACT]

mysterious (mis tir´i: эs) •adj. of, containing, implying, or characterized by mystery mys·te´ri·ous·ly •adv. mys·te´ri·ous·ness •n. SYN.—mysterious is applied to that which excites curiosity, wonder, etc. but is impossible or difficult to explain or solve [a mysterious murder]; that is inscrutable which is completely mysterious and is altogether incapable of being searched out, interpreted, or understood [the inscrutable ways of God]; mystical applies to that which is occult or esoteric in connection with religious rites or spiritual experience [< L mysterium (see MYSTERY1) + -OUS]

mystery play any of a class of medieval dramatic representations of Biblical events, esp. of the life and death of Jesus: they originated in the church liturgy but were later presented by craft guilds in marketplaces, etc.: cf. MIRACLE PLAY, MORALITY PLAY

mystery¹ (mis´tэ ri:; often mis´tri:) pl. -ter·ies •n. 1 something unexplained, unknown, or kept secret {the mystery of life} 2 a) any thing or event that remains so secret or obscure as to excite curiosity {a murder mystery} b) a novel, story, or play involving such an event, esp. a crime and the gradual discovery of who committed it 3 the quality of being inexplicable; obscurity or secrecy {an air of mystery surrounding the affair} 4 [pl.] secret rites or doctrines known only to a small, esoteric group; specif., in ancient Greece, religious ceremonies or doctrines revealed only to the initiated 5 [pl.] any of the ancient cults characterized by such ceremonies {the Eleusinian mysteries} 6 MYSTERY PLAY [? infl. by fol.] 7 R.C.Ch. a) a sacrament; esp. the Eucharist b) any of fifteen events in the lives of Jesus and Mary serving as a subject for meditation during the saying of the rosary 8 Theol. any religious truth made known to man only by divine revelation and believed through faith SYN.—mystery is applied to something beyond human knowledge or understanding, or it merely refers to any unexplained or seemingly inexplicable matter; enigma specifically applies to that whose meaning is hidden by cryptic or ambiguous allusions, and generally, to anything very difficult to explain; a riddle is an enigma (usually in the form of a question in guessing games) that involves paradoxes; a puzzle is a situation, problem, or, often, a contrivance, that requires some ingenuity to solve or explain; conundrum is specifically applied to a riddle whose answer is a pun, and generally, to any puzzling question or problem [ME mysterye < L mysterium (in N.T., supernatural thing) < Gr mystērion, a secret rite (in N.T., divine secret) < mystēs, one initiated into the mysteries < myein, to initiate into the mysteries, orig., to close: see MYOPE]

mystery² (mis´tэ ri:) pl. -ter·ies •n. [Archaic] 1 a craft or trade 2 GUILD (sense 1) [altered < ME misterie, a trade, craft < ML misterium, altered < L ministerium, office, occupation (see MINISTER), by confusion with mysterium (see MYSTERY1)]

mystic (mis´tik) •adj. 1 of mysteries, or esoteric rites or doctrines 2 MYSTICAL 3 of obscure or occult character or meaning {mystic powers} 4 beyond human comprehension; mysterious or enigmatic 5 filling one with wonder or awe 6 having magic power •n. 1 a person initiated into esoteric mysteries 2 a believer in mysticism; specif., one who professes to undergo mystical experiences and so to comprehend intuitively truths beyond human understanding [ME mistik < L mysticus < Gr mystikos, belonging to secret rites < mystēs, one initiated: see MYSTERY¹]

mystical (mis´ti kэl) •adj. 1 spiritually significant or symbolic; allegorical 2 of mystics or mysticism; esp., relating to or based on intuition, contemplation, or meditation of a spiritual nature 3 MYSTIC (sense 3) 4 [Rare] mysterious; enigmatic SYN. MYSTERIOUS mys´ti·cal·ly •adv. mys´ti·cal·ness •n.

mysticism (mis´tэ siz'эm) •n. 1 the doctrines or beliefs of mystics; specif., the doctrine that it is possible to achieve communion with God through contemplation 2 any doctrine that asserts the possibility of attaining an intuitive knowledge of spiritual truths through meditation 3 vague, obscure, or confused thinking or belief

mystify (mis´tэ fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 a) to puzzle or perplex b) to bewilder deliberately; play on the credulity of; hoax 2 to involve in mystery or obscurity; make obscure or hard to understand mys'ti·fi·ca´tion •n. [Fr mystifier < mystère, mystery (< L mysterium) + -fier, -FY]

mystique (mis ti:k´) •n. a complex of somewhat mystical attitudes and feelings surrounding some person, institution, activity, etc. [Fr, mystic]

myth abbrev. mythology myth (miθ) •n. 1 a traditional story of unknown authorship, ostensibly with a historical basis, but serving usually to explain some phenomenon of nature, the origin of man, or the customs, institutions, religious rites, etc. of a people: myths usually involve the exploits of gods and heroes: cf. LEGEND 2 such stories collectively; mythology 3 any fictitious story, or unscientific account, theory, belief, etc. 4 any imaginary person or thing spoken of as though existing [LL mythos < Gr, a word, speech, story, legend]

mythic (miθ´ik) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, a myth or myths 2 MYTHICAL (senses 1 & 2)

mythical (-i kэl) •adj. 1 existing only in a myth or myths {a mythical creature} 2 imaginary, fictitious, or not based on facts or scientific study 3 MYTHIC (sense 1) SYN. FICTITIOUS myth´i·cal·ly •adv.

mythicize (-э saiz') -cized', -ciz'ing •vt. to make into, or explain as, a myth myth´i·ciz'er •n.

mytho- (miθ´э, -ou) combining form myth {mythomania} [< Gr mythos, MYTH]

mythographer (mi θäg´rэ fэr) •n. a person who collects or writes about myths

mythography (-fi:) •n. 1 a collection of myths 2 the collecting of myths See MYTH (senses 1 & 3)

mythological (miθ'э läj´i kэl) •adj. 1 of mythology 2 mythical; imaginary Also myth'o·log´ic myth'o·log´i·cal·ly •adv.

mythologist (mi θäl´э jist) •n. 1 an expert in mythology 2 a writer or compiler of myths

mythologize (-jaiz') -gized', -giz'ing •vi. 1 to relate or construct a myth or myths 2 to compile, classify, or write about myths •vt. MYTHICIZE my·thol´o·giz'er •n. [Fr mythologiser]

mythology (-ji:) pl. -gies •n. 1 the science or study of myths 2 a book of or about myths 3 myths collectively; esp., all the myths of a specific people or about a specific being [ME methologie < LL mythologia < Gr, a telling of tales or legends < mythos, MYTH + -logia, -LOGY]

mythomania (miθ'э mei´ni: э, -mein´yэ) •n. Psychiatry an abnormal tendency to lie or exaggerate myth'o·ma´ni·ac' •adj., n. [ModL: see MYTHO- & -MANIA]

mythopoeia (miθ'э pi:´э) •n. the making of myths myth'o·poe´ic (-ik) or myth'o·po·et´ic (-pou et´ik) •adj. [< Gr mythopoios < mythos, MYTH + poiein, to make: see POEM]

mythos (miθ´äs', mai´θäs') •n. 1 MYTH (senses 1, 2, & 3) 2 the complex of attitudes, beliefs, etc. most characteristic of a particular group or society [see MYTH]

Mytilene (mit'ªl i:´ni:) alt. sp. of MITILÍNI

myxedema (mik'sэ di:´mэ) •n. a disease caused by failure of the thyroid gland and characterized by a drying and thickening of the skin and a slowing down of physical and mental activity myx'e·de´ma·tous (-tэs) •adj. [ModL: see MYXO- & EDEMA]

myxo- (mik´sou, -sэ) combining form slime or mucus {myxomycete} Also myx- [< Gr myxa, MUCUS]

myxoma (mik sou´mэ) pl. -mas or -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n. a tumor of connective tissue cells containing a mucuslike material myx·o´ma·tous (-tэs) •adj. [MYX(O)- + -OMA]

myxomatosis (mik'sэ mэ tou´sis) •n. 1 the presence of many myxomas 2 an infectious virus disease in rabbits, transmitted by mosquitoes and characterized by tumorous growths resembling myxomas [see MYXOMA & -OSIS]

myxomycete (mik'sou mai´si:t, -mai si:t´) •n. any of various primitive organisms, usually classified as a thallophyte (division Myxomycota) but also as a mycetozoan, that are found on decaying vegetation, having a vegetative stage in which they move as a protozoan and a dry reproductive stage in which they form spores like a MOLD² (n. 2); slime mold myx'o·my·ce´tous (-si:´tэs) •adj. [MYXO- + -MYCETE]

N abbrev. 1 Chess knight 2 National 3 Navy 4 neutral (on automotive automatic-shift indicators) 5 newton 6 Chem. symbol for nitrogen 7 Norse 8 North 9 north 10 northern 11 November n abbrev. 1 born [L natus] 2 Math. indefinite number 3 nail 4 name 5 nano- 6 national 7 nephew 8 net 9 neuter 10 Physics neutron 11 new 12 nominative 13 noon 14 north 15 northern 16 note 17 noun 18 number

n- prefix negative

N Eng 1 New England 2 North England

N Lat north latitude

n or N (en) pl. n's, N's •n. 1 the fourteenth letter of the English alphabet: from the Greek nu, a borrowing from the Phoenician 2 any of the speech sounds that this letter represents, as, in English, the (n) in night 3 a type or impression for N or n 4 the fourteenth in a sequence or group 5 Printing an en (half an em) 6 an object shaped like N •adj. 1 of N or n 2 fourteenth in a sequence or group 3 shaped like N

n.b. note well [L nota bene]

n.l. 1 it is not clear 2 it is not lawful [L non licet] 3 Printing new line: also nl [L non liquet]

n.p. nisi prius

n/a Banking no account

n/s Banking not sufficient funds

NA 1 North America 2 not applicable: also N/A Na 1 Bible Nahum 2 Chem. symbol for sodium [L natrium] na (nэ) •adv. [Chiefly Scot.] 1 no 2 not: usually with auxiliary verbs {wouldna} conj. [Chiefly Scot.] nor [OE, NO¹]

NAACP National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

NAB 1 naval air base 2 New American Bible nab (næb) nabbed, nab´bing •vt. [Colloq.] 1 to seize suddenly; snatch or steal 2 to arrest or catch (a felon or wrongdoer) SYN. CATCH [< thieves' slang (16th-17th c.) prob. var. of dial. nap, to snatch < Scand, as in Dan nappe, Swed nappa, to snatch]

Nabatea or Nabataea (næb'э ti:´э) ancient Arab kingdom in SW Asia, now in W Jordan Nab'a·te´an or Nab'a·tae´an •adj., n.

nabe (neib) •n. [Slang] a neighborhood movie theater [altered < NEIGHB(ORHOOD)]

Naberezhniye Chelny (nä´bi řizh ni: yi chi:l ni:´) city E European Russia, on the Kama River: pop. 437,000

Nablus (næb´lэs, näb´-) city in W Jordan: capital (as Shechem) of ancient Samaria: pop. 202,000

nabob (nei´bäb') •n. 1 a native provincial deputy or governor of the old Mogul Empire in India 2 a very rich or important man na´bob'ish •adj. [Urdu nawwāb < Ar nuwwāb, pl. of nā'ib, deputy, viceroy]

Nabokov (nä bö´köf, nä´bэ köf'), Vladimir 1899-1977; U.S. writer & teacher, born in Russia

Naboth (nei´bäθ) a vineyard owner, killed at Jezebel's behest so that Ahab could seize the vineyard: 1 Kings 21 [Heb nābhōth]

nacelle (nэ sel´) •n. a streamlined enclosure on an aircraft, esp. for an engine [Fr < LL navicella, dim. of L navis, a ship: see NAVY]

nachas or naches (näkh´эs) •n. pleasurable pride, esp. in another's achievements [Yidd nakhes < Heb nachat, a calmness, repose < nach, to rest]

Nachlass (näkh´läs') •n. REMAINS (sense 4) [Ger]

nacho (nä´chou) pl. -chos •n. a tortilla chip spread with a savory mixture, as of beans, beef, hot peppers, guacamole, etc., then covered with cheese and broiled [Sp]

nacre (nei´kэr) •n. MOTHER-OF-PEARL [Fr < It nacchera < Ar naqqārah, small kettledrum]

nacreous (-kri: эs) •adj. 1 of or like nacre 2 yielding nacre 3 iridescent; lustrous

nada (nä´ðä; E näd´э) •n. nothing [Sp]

Na-Dene (nä'dэ nei´, -dei-) •n. ha genetic grouping of North American Indian languages, including the Athabaskan languages, Tlingit, and, possibly, Haida [< Haida na, to dwell, house & Tlingit na, people + Athabaskan dene, person, people (occurring in various dialect forms): coined (1914) by SAPIR while at Ottawa]

Nader (nei´dэr), Ralph 1934- ; U.S. lawyer & consumer advocate

Nadine (nэ di:n´, nei-) a feminine name [Fr < ? Russ nadyezhda, hope]

nadir (nei´dэr, -dir') •n. 1 that point of the celestial sphere directly opposite to the zenith and directly below the observer 2 the lowest point [ME < MFr < ML < Ar nazīr, in nazīr as-samt, lit., opposite to the zenith < nazīr, opposite + as-samt, zenith]

nae (nei) •adv. [Scot.] no; not •adj. [Scot.] no

Nafud (nэ fu:d´) desert in the N Arabian Peninsula: c. 180 mi. (290 km) long; 140 mi. (225 km) wide

nag¹ (næg) nagged, nag´ging •vt. 1 to annoy by continual scolding, faultfinding, complaining, urging, etc. 2 to keep troubling, worrying, etc. {nagged by a thought} •vi. 1 to urge, scold, find fault, etc. constantly 2 to cause continual discomfort, pain, etc. {a nagging toothache} •n. a person, esp. a woman, who nags Also nag´ger nag´ging·ly •adv. nag´gy, -gi·er, -gi·est, •adj. [< Scand (as in Swed nagga, obs. Dan nagge, to nibble, gnaw, nag) < ON gnaga: for IE base see GNAW: for sense development see FRET¹]

nag² (næg) •n. 1 [Archaic] a small saddle horse; pony 2 a horse that is worn-out, old, etc. 3 [Slang] a racehorse, esp. an inferior one [ME nagge, akin to obs. Du negghe < ?]

Nagaland (nä´gэ lænd') state of NE India, on the Myanmar border: 6,381 sq. mi. (16,527 sq. km); pop. 774,000

nagana (nэ gä´nэ) •n. an infectious disease affecting horses and cattle in tropical Africa, caused by a trypanosome (Trypanosoma brucei) transmitted by the bite of infected tsetse flies [< Zulu u(lu)-nakane]

Nagano (nä gä´nou) city in WC Honshu, Japan: pop. 330,000

Nagasaki (nä'gэ sä´ki:) seaport on the W coast of Kyushu, Japan: partly destroyed (Aug. 9, 1945) by a U.S. atomic bomb, the second ever used in warfare: pop. 446,000: cf. HIROSHIMA

Nagorno-Karabakh (nä gör´nou kär'ä bäk´) autonomous region in Azerbaijan, mostly populated by Armenians: 1,700 sq. mi. (4,400 sq. km); pop. 180,000; cap. Stepanakert

Nagoya (nä´gô yä´) seaport in S Honshu, Japan, on an inlet of the Pacific: pop. 2,066,000

Nagpur (näg´pur') city in EC India, in Maharashtra state: pop. 1,298,000

Nah Bible Nahum nah (nä) •adv. [Colloq.] no: a negative reply

Naha (nä´hä') seaport on Okinawa: pop. 304,000

Nahuatl (nä´wät'ªl) •n. 1 pl. Na´hua'tls or Na´hua'tl a member of any of a group of Amerindian peoples of Mexico and Central America, including the Aztecs 2 a Uto-Aztecan language widely spoken in central and W Mexico Na´hua'tlan •adj., n. [Nahuatl na:waλ: a self-designation]

Nahum (nei´эm, -hэm) 1 Bible a Hebrew prophet of the 7th cent. B.C. 2 the book of his prophecies: abbrev. Nah or Na [Heb nahūm, lit., comfort]

NAIA National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

naiad (nei´æd', nai´-; -эd) pl. -ads' or -a·des' (-э di:z') •n. 1 [also N-] Gr. & Rom. Myth. any of the nymphs living in and giving life to springs, fountains, rivers, and lakes 2 a girl or woman swimmer 3 Bot. any of a family (Najadaceae, order Najadales) of monocotyledonous, submerged, freshwater plants, with only one genus (Najas), having linear opposite leaves 4 Zool. the aquatic nymph of certain insects, as the dragonfly and mayfly [Fr naïade < L Naias (gen. Naiadis) < Gr Naias (pl. Naïades) < naein, to flow < IE base *(s)na-, to flow > L natare, to swim]

naif or naïf (nä i:f´) •adj. NAIVE •n. a naive person [Fr]

nail (neil) •n. 1 a) the thin, horny substance growing out at the ends of the fingers and toes of people, monkeys, etc. b) a similar growth on the toes of a bird or animal; claw 2 a tapered piece of metal, commonly pointed and having a flattened head, driven with a hammer, and used to hold pieces or parts together, to hang things on, etc. 3 an old cloth measure, equal to 2¼ inches •vt. [ME nailen < OE mæglan] 1 to attach or fasten together or onto something else with or as with nails 2 to secure, hold, or fasten shut with nails 3 to fix (the eyes, attention, etc.) steadily on an object 4 to discover or expose (a lie, etc.) 5 [Colloq.] to catch, capture, seize, or intercept 6 [Colloq.] to hit squarely hard as nails callous, unfeeling, remorseless, etc. hit the nail on the head to do or say whatever is exactly right or to the point nail down 1 to fasten tightly with nails, as a lid on a box 2 to settle definitely; clinch {to nail down an agreement} nail up 1 to fasten with nails to a wall or at some height 2 to fasten tightly with nails, as a door no longer used [ME naile < OE nægl, akin to Ger nagel < IE base *onogh, nail > Sans ánghri-, foot, Gr onyx, nail, L unguis, fingernail]

nail file a small, flat file for smoothing and shaping the fingernails

nail polish a kind of lacquer, usually colored, applied to the fingernails or toenails as a cosmetic

nail set a tool used in driving the head of a nail below, or level with, a wood surface

nailbrush (-brûsh') •n. a small, stiff brush for cleaning the fingernails

nailhead (-hed') •n. 1 the flattened or, sometimes, rounded head of a nail 2 a decoration resembling the rounded head of a nail, as on a leather belt

nainsook (nein´suk') •n. a thin, lightweight cotton fabric [Hindi nainsukh < nain, the eye + sukh, pleasure]

naira (nai´rэ) pl. nai´ra •n. the basic monetary unit of Nigeria See MONEY, table [contr. < NIGERIA]

Nairn (nern) former county of NE Scotland, now in the region of Highland: also Nairn´shire (-shir, -shэr)

Nairobi (nai rou´bi:) capital of Kenya, in the SW part: pop. 828,000

naive or naïve (nä i:v´) •adj. 1 unaffectedly, or sometimes foolishly, simple; childlike; artless 2 not suspicious; credulous na·ive´ly or na·ïve´ly •adv. SYN.—naive implies a genuine, innocent simplicity or lack of artificiality but sometimes connotes an almost foolish lack of worldly wisdom [his naive belief in the kindness of others]; ingenuous implies a frankness or straightforwardness that suggests the simplicity of a child [her ingenuous smile at my discomfiture]; artless suggests a lack of artificiality or guile that derives from indifference to the effect one has upon others [her artless beauty]; unsophisticated, like naive, implies a lack of worldly wisdom but connotes that this is the result merely of a lack of experience [an unsophisticated freshman] —ANT. sophisticated, artful [Fr, fem. of naïf < L nativus, natural, NATIVE]

naiveté or naïveté (nä i:v tei´, -i:v´tei') •n. 1 the quality or state of being naive; simplicity; artlessness 2 a naive action or remark Also na·ive´ness or na·ïve´ness, na·ive´ty (-ti:) or na·ïve´ty [Fr]

naked (nei´kid) •adj. 1 a) completely unclothed; bare; nude b) uncovered; exposed (said of parts of the body) 2 lacking clothing, means of support, etc.; destitute 3 without protection or defense 4 without conventional or usual covering; specif., a) out of its sheath {a naked sword} b) without grass, vegetation, etc. c) without furnishing, decoration, etc. {a naked wall} 5 without additions, ornaments, disguises, or embellishments; plain; stark {the naked truth} 6 without the aid of a microscope, telescope, etc. {the naked eye} 7 Bot. without leaves, corolla, ovary, perianth, etc. 8 Law lacking a necessary condition; invalid {a naked contract} 9 Zool. without hair, scales, feathers, shell, etc. SYN. BARE¹ na´ked·ly •adv. na´ked·ness •n. [ME < OE nacod, akin to Ger nackt < IE base *nogw-, naked > Sans nagná-, L nudus]

nalorphine (næl ör´fi:n') •n. a white crystalline powder, C19H21NO3, a derivative of morphine used in the form of its hydrochloride to counteract the effects of narcotic overdoses and to aid in diagnosing narcotic addiction [< N-al(lylnorm)orphine]

naloxone (næl´эk soun') •n. a nonaddictive, synthetic drug, C19H21NO4, used in the form of its hydrochloride to counteract the effects of narcotic overdoses [< N-al(lylnor)ox(ymorph)one]

NAM National Association of Manufacturers

Nam Co (näm´ tsou´) salt lake in E Tibet: c. 700 sq. mi. (1,813 sq. km); 15,200 ft. (4,650 m) above sea level

Nama (nä´mä) •n. 1 the chief tribe of the Hottentots 2 a Hottentot 3 the Khoisan language of the Hottentots [< Hottentot name]

Namaqualand (nэ mä´kwэ lænd') region in SW Africa divided by the Orange River into Great Namaqualand in Namibia & Little Namaqualand in Cape Province, Republic of South Africa: also Na·ma·land (nä´mэ lænd')

namaste (nä´mэ stei') •n. a Hindu gesture of salutation made by placing the palms together, thumbs against the chest, and nodding the head slightly [Hindi < Sans námas-, a bow < IE base *nem-, to bend, bow]

namby-pamby (næm´bi: pæm´bi:) •adj. weakly sentimental; wishy-washy; without vigor; insipidly pretty or nice •n. pl. -bies 1 namby-pamby talk or writing 2 a namby-pamby person [orig. satirical nickname of Ambrose Philips, 18th-c. Eng poet: in ridicule of his sentimental pastorals]

name (neim) •n. 1 a word or phrase by which a person, thing, or class of things is known, called, or spoken to or of; appellation; title 2 a word or words expressing some quality considered characteristic or descriptive of a person or thing, often showing approval or disapproval; epithet 3 the sacred designation of a deity {His ineffable name} 4 a) fame, reputation, or character {a good name} b) good reputation 5 a family or clan {the last of his name} 6 appearance only, not reality; semblance {chief in name only} 7 a distinguished or famous person {the greatest name in science} •adj. Æ 1 having a good reputation; well-known {a name brand} 2 carrying a name {a name tag} •vt. named, nam´ing 1 to give a name or title to; entitle; style 2 to designate, mention, or refer to by name 3 to identify by the right name {name all the oceans} 4 to nominate or appoint to a post, situation, or office 5 to set or fix; specify (a date, price, etc.) 6 to speak about; mention call names to mention in an abusive manner; swear at in the name of 1 in appeal or reference to 2 by the authority of; as the representative of 3 as belonging to know only by name to be familiar with the name of but not know personally name names to identify specific persons, esp. as doing wrong to one's name belonging to one name´a·ble or nam´a·ble •adj. nam´er •n. [ME < OE nama, akin to Ger name < IE base *(o)nomn > L nomen, Gr onoma, onyma]

name brand 1 a well-known brand or trademark 2 a product bearing such a brand or trademark

name day the feast day of the saint after whom one is named

name of the game the basic or essential quality, situation, goal, etc.

name-calling (-köl'iŋ) •n. the use of disparaging or abusive names in attacking another name´-call'er •n.

name-dropper (-dräp'эr) •n. a person who seeks to impress others by frequently mentioning famous or important persons in a familiar way name´-drop'ping •n.

nameless (-lis) •adj. 1 not having or bearing a name 2 left unnamed; anonymous {a rogue who shall be nameless} 3 not publicly known; obscure 4 lacking a legal name; illegitimate 5 that cannot be described; indescribable {nameless dread} 6 too horrid or painful to specify {nameless crimes} name´less·ly •adv. name´less·ness •n.

namely (-li:) •adv. that is to say; specifically [ME: see NAME & -LY²]

Namen (nä´mэn) Fl. name of NAMUR

nameplate (-pleit') •n. 1 a piece of metal, wood, etc. on which a name is inscribed 2 the name of a newspaper as it appears across the top of the front page

namesake (-seik') •n. a person with the same name as another, esp. if named after the other [earlier name's sake]

Namibia (nэ mib´i: э) country in S Africa, on the Atlantic: a former mandate of South Africa; administered by South Africa until full independence (1990): 318,261 sq. mi. (824,292 sq. km); pop. 1,033,000; cap. Windhoek Na·mib´i·an •adj., n.

Namier (nei´mi: эr), Sir Lewis Bernstein 1888-1960; Brit. historian, born in Russia

Namur (nå müř´) 1 province of S Belgium: 1,413 sq. mi. (3,660 sq. km); pop. 412,000 2 its capital, on the Meuse River: pop. 102,000

Nan Shan (nän´shän´) mountain system in NW China, in N Qinghai & S Gansu provinces: highest peak, c. 20,000 ft. (6,096 m)

nana (næn´э, nä´nэ) •n. child's term for GRANDMOTHER

Nanaimo (nэ nai´mou) city in SE Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: pop. 49,000

nance (næns) •n. [Slang] an effeminate or homosexual man: usually a term of contempt or hostility [< NANCY (fem. name)]

Nanchang (nän´chäŋ´) city in SE China: capital of Jianxi province: pop. 1,046,000

Nancy (næn´si:; also, for 2, Fr näñ si:´) 1 a feminine name: dim. Nan [prob. by faulty division of MINE² + Ancy, dim. form of ME Annis, AGNES, confused with ANNE: see ANNA] 2 city in NE France: pop. 99,000 •n. [n-] NANCE

Nanda Devi (nûn´dä dei´vi:) mountain of the Himalayas, in N Uttar Pradesh, India: 25,645 ft. (7,817 m)

Nanga Parbat (nûŋ´gэ pør´bэt) mountain of the Himalayas, in W Kashmir: 26,660 ft. (8,126 m)

Nanjing (nän´jiŋ´) city in E China, on the Chang: capital of Jiangsu province: pop. 2,000,000

nankeen or nankin (næn ki:n´) •n. 1 a buff-colored, durable cotton cloth, orig. from China 2 [pl.] trousers made of this cloth [< fol., whence orig. imported]

Nanking (næn´kiŋ´, nän´-) old form of NANJING

Nannette or Nanette (næ net´) a feminine name: see ANNA

Nanning (nän´niŋ´) city in S China: capital of Guangxi autonomous region: pop. 866,000

nannoplankton (næn'ou plæŋk´tэn) •n. planktonic organisms smaller than 40 microns in diameter Also na'no·plank´ton [< NANO- + PLANKTON]

nanny (næn´i:) pl. -nies •n. a person whose work is caring for a young child in the child's home [< Nan, dim. of ANN(A)]

nanny goat a female goat [see NANNY]

nano- (næn´ou, -э) combining form a one billionth part of (a specified unit); the factor 10-9 {nanosecond} [< Gr nanos, dwarf, akin to nanna, aunt: see NUN¹]

nanometer (næn´ou mi:t'эr) •n. one billionth of a meter

nanosecond (-sek´эnd) •n. one billionth of a second

Nansen (nän´sэn; næn´-), Fridt·jof (fřit´yäf') 1861-1930; Norw. arctic explorer, naturalist, & statesman

Nansen bottle an oceanographic instrument used to obtain a water sample at a particular depth in the sea: usually special thermometers are attached that record the temperature at that particular depth [after prec.]

Nanterre (näñ teř´) city in NC France: suburb of Paris: pop. 91,000

Nantes (näñt; E nänts, also nænts) city in W France, on the Loire River: pop. 247,000

Nantucket (næn tûk´it) island of Mass., south of Cape Cod: summer resort: 46 sq. mi. (119 sq. km); pop. 6,000 [Massachusett]

Naomi (nei ou´mi:, næ-; nei´э mai') 1 a feminine name 2 Bible the mother-in-law of Ruth: Ruth 1 [Heb nōomī, lit., my delight]

naos (nei´äs, nä´-) pl. na´oi (-oi) •n. 1 an ancient temple 2 the enclosed part of such a temple; cella [Gr < IE base *nes-, to unite, be protected > OE nerian, Ger nähren, to protect, support]

nap¹ (næp) napped, nap´ping •vi. 1 to doze or sleep lightly for a short time 2 to be careless or unprepared •n. a brief, light sleep; doze [ME nappen < OE hnappian, akin to OHG hnaffezan]

nap² (næp) •n. 1 the downy or hairy surface of cloth formed by short hairs or fibers, esp. when artificially raised by brushing, etc.; pile of velvet, etc. 2 any downy surface like this, as that raised on the flesh side of leather •vt. napped, nap´ping to raise a nap on (fabric or leather) by brushing, etc. nap´less •adj. napped •adj. [ME noppe < or akin to MDu & MLowG noppe (Ger & Dan hoppe) < IE *kenebh- < base *ken-, to scratch, rub > Ger nut, rabbet, Gr knaptein, to scratch, tear apart]

nap³ (næp) short for NAPOLEON (senses 1 & 2) •n.

Napa (næp´э) city in W Calif., north of Oakland: pop. 62,000 [< AmInd < ? napa, grizzly bear or napo, house]

napalm (nei´päm') •n. 1 sodium palmitate or an aluminum soap added to gasoline or oil to form a jellylike substance 2 this substance, used in flame throwers and bombs •vt. to attack or burn with napalm [NA(PHTHENE) + PALM(ITATE), constituents used in its manufacture]

nape (neip, næp) •n. the back of the neck [ME < ?]

Naperville (nei´pэr vil') city in NE Ill., west of Chicago: pop. 85,000 [after Captain J. Naper, its founder]

napery (nei´pэr i:) •n. household linen; esp., table linen [ME naprye < MFr naperie < OFr nappe: see NAPKIN]

Naphtali (næf´tэ lai') Bible 1 Jacob's sixth son, whose mother was Bilhah: Gen. 30:7-8 2 the tribe of Israel descended from him: Num. 1:43 [Heb < naphtulim; wrestlings: see Gen. 30:8]

naphtha (næf´θэ, næp´-) •n. 1 a flammable, volatile, oily liquid produced by the fractional distillation of petroleum: it is the fraction that boils between gasoline and kerosene and is used as a fuel, solvent, and illuminant 2 PETROLEUM 3 any of several flammable, volatile liquids produced by the distillation of coal tar, wood, coal, and other carbonaceous materials [L < Gr naphtha, naphtha, bitumen < Pers neft, pitch < ? IE base *nebh-, damp, water > Gr nephelē, cloud, fog]

naphthalene (-li:n') •n. a white, crystalline, aromatic hydrocarbon, C10H8, produced in the fractional distillation of coal tar: it is used in moth repellents and in the manufacture of certain dyes and other organic compounds Also naph´tha·lin' naph'tha·le´nic (-li:´nik, -len´ik) •adj. [earlier naphthaline < prec. + -l- + -INE³]

naphthene (næf´θi:n, næp´-) •n. CYCLOPARAFFIN naph·the´nic (-θi:´nik, -θen´ik) •adj. [NAPHTH(A) + -ENE]

naphthol (næf´θoul', -θöl'; næp´-) •n. either of two white, crystalline isomeric compounds, C10H7OH, derived from naphthalene and used as antiseptics and in dyes, pharmaceuticals, etc. [NAPHTH(ALENE) + -OL¹]

naphthyl (-θil) •n. a monovalent radical C10H7 derived from naphthalene [NAPHTH(ALENE) + -YL]

Napier (nei´pi: эr, nэ pir´), John 1550-1617; Scot. mathematician: inventor of logarithms

Napierian logarithm (nэ pir´i: эn) NATURAL LOGARITHM [after prec.]

napiform (nei´pэ förm') •adj. large and round at the top, tapering sharply below; turnip-shaped: said of roots [< L napus, turnip (see NEEP) + -FORM]

napkin (næp´kin) •n. 1 a small piece of cloth or paper, usually square, used while eating for protecting the clothes and wiping the fingers or lips 2 any small cloth, towel, etc.; esp., a) [Brit.] a diaper b) [Brit. Dial.] a handkerchief c) [Scot.] a kerchief or neckerchief d) SANITARY NAPKIN [ME nappekyn, dim. < OFr nappe, cloth, tablecloth < L mappa: see MAP]

Naples (nei´pэlz) 1 seaport in S Italy, on the Bay of Naples: pop. 1,212,000 2 former kingdom occupying the S half of Italy 3 Bay of inlet of the Tyrrhenian Sea, on the S coast of Italy: c. 10 mi. (16 km) wide

Napoleon (nэ pou´li: эn, -poul´yэn) 1 see BONAPARTE, Napoleon: in full Napoleon I 2 Napoleon II (born François Charles Joseph Napoléon Bonaparte), Duke of Reichstadt, 1811-32; titular emperor of France: son of Napoleon I & Marie Louise 3 Napoleon III see LOUIS NAPOLEON napoleon (nэ pou´li: эn, -poul´yэn) •n. 1 a former gold coin of France, equivalent to 20 francs, with a portrait of Napoleon I (or III) on it 2 a) a card game similar to euchre b) a bid to take all five tricks in this game 3 a rectangular, layered puff pastry with a custardlike filling [after NAPOLEON I]

Napoleonic (nэ pou'li: än´ik) •adj. of, characteristic of, or like Napoleon I, his campaigns, period, etc.

Napoleonic Code Eng. name for CODE NAPOLÉON

Napoli (nä´pô li:') It. name of NAPLES

napper¹ (næp´эr) •n. a person who naps or is in the habit of taking naps

napper² (næp´эr) •n. a person, device, or machine that raises a nap on cloth

nappy¹ (næp´i:) pl. -pies •n. a small, shallow, flat-bottomed dish for serving food [dim. of obs. nap, a drinking cup, bowl < ME nap, hnap < OE hnæp, akin to Ger napf]

nappy² (næp´i:) -pi·er, -pi·est •adj. 1 covered with nap; hairy, downy, shaggy, etc. 2 KINKY (sense 1): said esp. of the hair of blacks and used derogatorily or contemptuously nap´pi·ness •n.

nappy³ (næp´i:) -pi·er, -pi·est •adj. [Brit.] foaming; heady; strong: said of ale •n. [Brit.] ale [prob. < prec.]

nappy4 (næp´i:) pl. -pies Brit. term for DIAPER (n. 2) •n. [< NAPKIN + -Y²]

Nara (nä´rä) city in S Honshu, Japan, east of Osaka: oldest permanent capital of Japan & chief early Buddhist center (fl. 8th cent. A.D.): pop. 316,000

Narbada (nэr bûd´э) river in central India, flowing west into the Arabian Sea: c. 800 mi. (1,288 km)

narc (närk) •n. [Slang] a local or federal police agent charged with enforcing the laws restricting the use of narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, etc. Also nar·co (när´kou') or nark [< NARC(OTIC)]

narceine (när´si: i:n', -in) •n. a bitter, white, crystalline narcotic alkaloid, C23H27NO8, obtained from opium [Fr narcéïne < Gr narkē, numbness: see NARCOTIC]

narcissism (när´sэ siz'эm; chiefly Brit, när sis´iz'эm) •n. 1 self-love; excessive interest in one's own appearance, comfort, importance, abilities, etc. 2 Psychoanalysis arrest at or regression to the first stage of libidinal development, in which the self is an object of erotic pleasure Also nar´cism nar´cis·sist •n., adj. nar'cis·sis´tic •adj. [Ger Narzissismus (< Narziss, NARCISSUS) + -ismus, -ISM]

Narcissus (när sis´эs) Gr. Myth. a beautiful youth who, after Echo's death, is made to pine away for love of his own reflection in a spring and changes into the narcissus •n. pl. -cis´sus, -cis´sus·es, or -cis´si (-ai) [n-] any of a genus (Narcissus) of bulbous plants of the lily family with smooth, linear leaves and six-parted flowers with a cup or tube projecting from the center, including daffodils and jonquils [ModL < L < Gr narkissos, ? akin to narkē, stupor (see NARCOTIC), in reference to the plant's narcotic properties] [L < Gr Narkissos]

narco- (när´kou, -kэ) combining form 1 narcosis, stupor, or sleep {narcolepsy} 2 narcotic drug {narcosynthesis} Also, before a vowel, narc- [< Gr narkē: see NARCOTIC]

narcoanalysis (när'kou э næl´э sis) •n. psychotherapy using the method of narcosynthesis but in a slower, gentler, and more extensive manner [prec. + ANALYSIS]

narcolepsy (när´kэ lep'si:) •n. a condition of frequent and uncontrollable desire for sleep; paroxysmal sleep nar'co·lep´tic •adj., n. [NARCO- + -LEPSY]

narcosis (när kou´sis) pl. -ses •n. a condition of deep stupor which passes into unconsciousness and paralysis, usually caused by a narcotic or certain chemicals [ModL < Gr narkōsis < narkoun: see NARCOTIC]

narcosynthesis (när'kou sin´θэ sis) •n. a method of treating an acute traumatic neurosis by working with a patient while the patient is under the influence of a hypnotic drug [NARCO- + SYNTHESIS]

narcotic (när kät´ik) •n. 1 a drug, as opium or any of its derivatives (morphine, heroin, codeine, etc.), used to relieve pain and induce sleep: narcotics are often addictive and in excessive doses can cause stupor, coma, or death 2 anything that has a soothing, lulling, or dulling effect •adj. 1 of, like, or capable of producing narcosis 2 of, by, or for narcotic addicts [ME narcotyke < OFr narcotique, orig. adj. < ML narcoticus < Gr narkoun, to benumb < narkē, numbness, stupor < IE *nerk- < base *(s)ner-, to twist, entwine > SNARE, NARROW]

narcotism (när´kэ tiz'эm) •n. 1 NARCOSIS 2 a method producing narcosis 3 addiction to narcotics

narcotize (när´kэ taiz') -tized', -tiz'ing •vt. 1 to subject to a narcotic; stupefy 2 to lull or dull the senses of nar'co·ti·za´tion •n.

nard (närd) •n. SPIKENARD (sense 2) [ME narde < OFr < L nardus < Gr nardos < Sem, as in Heb nērd, prob. < Sans nálada-, nard]

nares (ner´i:z') sing. na´ris (-is) •n.pl. the nasal passages; esp., the nostrils nar´i·al (-i: эl) or nar´ine (-in, -ain) •adj. [L: see NOSE]

Narew (nä´ref') river in NE Poland, flowing west & southwest into the Bug River, near Warsaw: c. 270 mi. (435 km)

narghile (när´gэ li:', -lei') •n. a kind of water pipe for smoking Also sp. nar´gi·le' or nar´gi·leh' [Pers nārgīleh < nargīl, coconut tree, prob. < Sans nārikera, coconut: orig. made of coconut shell]

nark¹ (närk) •n. [Brit. Slang] an informer; stool pigeon •vt., vi. [Brit. Slang] 1 to inform on (a person) 2 to make, be, or become annoyed, angry, etc. nark it [Brit. Slang] stop it; keep quiet nark´y •adj. [< Romany nāk, a nose < Hindi nāk, nose: for IE base see NOSE]

nark² •n. [Slang] NARC

Narragansett (nær'э gæn´sit) •n. 1 pl. -setts or -sett a member of a North American Indian people who live west of Narragansett Bay 2 the extinct Algonquian language of this people •adj. designating or of the Narragansetts or their language or culture Also sp. Nar'ra·gan´set [earlier (17th c.) Nanhiggansett, Nanohigganset, etc. < a Narragansett place name of uncert. meaning]

Narragansett Bay inlet of the Atlantic, extending into R.I.: c. 30 mi. (48 km) [see NARRAGANSETT]

narrate (nær´eit'; næ reit´, nэ-) -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vt., vi. 1 to tell (a story) in writing or speech 2 to give an account of (happenings, etc.) [< L narratus, pp. of narrare, to tell, akin to gnarus, acquainted with < IE *Gnoro- < base *Gen-, to KNOW]

narration (næ rei´shэn, nэ-) •n. 1 the act or process of narrating; the telling of a story or of happenings 2 a story or account; narrative 3 writing or speaking that narrates, as history, biography, or fiction nar·ra´tion·al •adj. [ME narracion < OFr < L narratio]

narrative (nær´э tiv) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, narration; in story form 2 occupied or concerned with narration {a narrative poet} •n. 1 a story; account; tale 2 the art or practice of narrating; narration SYN. STORY¹ nar´ra·tive·ly •adv. [L narrativus]