lunitidal (-taid´ªl) •adj. of a tide or tidal movement caused by the moon's attraction [LUNI- + TIDAL]

lunitidal interval the interval by which the lunar high tide lags behind the transit of the moon

lunker (lûŋk´эr) •n. [Colloq.] a big fish [< ?]

lunkhead (lûŋk´hed') •n. [Colloq.] a stupid person Also lunk lunk´head'ed •adj. [prob. echoic alteration of LUMP¹ (after HUNK) + HEAD]

Lunt (lûnt), Alfred 1893-1977; U.S. actor lunt (lûnt, lunt) •n. [Scot.] 1 a) a slow-burning match b) a torch 2 smoke •vt., vi. [Scot.] to kindle or smoke [Du lont, a match, earlier lamp wick]

lunula (lu:´nyu: lэ, -nyэ-) pl. -lae' (-li:') any structure or marking in the shape of a crescent, as the whitish half-moon at the base of a fingernail Also lu·nule (lu:´nyu:l') •n. lu´nu·lar •adj. [ModL < L, dim. of luna, the moon: see LIGHT¹]

lunulate (-lit, -leit') •adj. 1 crescent-shaped 2 having crescent-shaped markings Also lu´nu·lat'ed [< L lunula (see LUNULA) + -ATE¹]

Luoyang (lэ wou´yäŋ´) city in Henan province, EC China, near the Huang River: pop. 750,000

Lupercalia (lu:'pэr kei´li: э) pl. -li·as or -li·a [occas. with pl. v.] an ancient Roman festival with fertility rites, held Feb 15 in honor of Lupercus, a pastoral god sometimes identified with Faunus Also Lu´per·cal' (-kæl') •n. Lu'per·ca´li·an •adj. [L < Lupercalis, of Lupercus < Lupercus < lupus, a wolf: orig. meaning obscure]

lupine¹ (lu:´pin) •n. 1 any of a genus (Lupinus) of plants of the pea family, with palmately compound leaves, racemes of white, rose, yellow, or blue flowers, and pods containing beanlike seeds: used for forage, green manure, etc. 2 the seed of the European lupine (Lupinus albus) used in some parts of Europe as food [ME lupyne < L lupinus < lupus, WOLF: reason for name uncert.]

lupine² (lu:´pain') •adj. 1 of a wolf or wolves 2 wolflike; fierce; ravenous [L lupinus < lupus, WOLF]

lupulin (lu:´pyu: lin) •n. a bitter resinous powder obtained from the strobiles of hops, formerly used in medicine as a sedative [< ModL lupulus, the hop (dim. of L lupus, hop plant, apparently identical to lupus, WOLF) + -IN¹]

Lupus (lu:´pэs) a S constellation near the Milky Way between Centaurus and Scorpius [L, WOLF] lupus (lu:´pэs) •n. any of various diseases with skin lesions, esp. systemic lupus erythematosus [ModL < L, a WOLF: from eating into the substance]

lupus erythematosus (er'э θi:'mэ tou´sэs, -θem'э-) a usually chronic inflammatory disease in which immunological reactions cause abnormalities of blood vessels and connective tissue: the systemic form commonly involves the joints, kidney, nervous system, and skin, while the discoid form produces a chronic skin disease characterized by red scaly patches that tend to produce scars [ModL, lit., erythematous lupus]

lupus vulgaris (vûl gær´is, -ger´-) tuberculosis of the skin, characterized by the appearance of reddish-brown nodules that tend to ulcerate and form scars [ModL, lit., common lupus: see VULGAR]

lurch¹ (lørch) •vi. 1 to roll, pitch, or sway suddenly forward or to one side 2 to stagger •n. a lurching movement; sudden rolling, pitching, etc. [earlier lee-lurch < ?] [< ?]

lurch² (lørch) •vi. [Obs.] to remain furtively near a place; lurk •vt. 1 [Archaic] to prevent (a person) from getting his fair share of something 2 [Obs.] to get by cheating, robbing, tricking, etc. •n. [Obs.] the act of lurching lie at (or on) the lurch [Archaic] to lie in wait [ME lorchen, var. of LURK]

lurch³ (lørch) •n. [Archaic] a situation in certain card games, in which the winner has more than double the score of the loser leave in the lurch to leave (someone) in a difficult situation; leave (a person) in trouble and needing help [Fr lourche, name of a 16th-c. game like backgammon, prob. < OFr, duped < MDu lurz, left (hand), hence unlucky, akin to MHG lërz, left, lürzen, to deceive]

lurcher (lør´chэr) •n. 1 a person that lurches, or lurks 2 a thief; poacher

lurdan or lurdane (lør´dэn) •n. [Archaic] a lazy, dull person •adj. [Archaic] lazy and dull [ME lurdan < OFr lourdin < lourd, heavy, dull, stupid, prob. < VL *lurdus < L luridus, LURID]

lure (lur) •n. 1 a device consisting of a bunch of feathers on the end of a long cord, often baited with food: it is used in falconry to recall the hawk 2 a) the power of attracting, tempting, or enticing {the lure of the stage} b) anything that so attracts or tempts 3 a bait for animals; esp., an artificial one used in fishing •vt. lured, lur´ing 1 to recall (a falcon) with a lure 2 to attract, tempt, or entice: often with on lur´er •n. SYN.—lure suggests an irresistible force, as desire, greed, curiosity, etc., in attracting someone, esp. to something harmful or evil [lured on by false hopes]; entice implies a crafty or skillful luring [he enticed the squirrel to eat from his hand]; inveigle suggests the use of deception or cajolery in enticing someone [they inveigled him with false promises]; decoy implies the use of deceptive appearances in luring into a trap [artificial birds are used to decoy wild ducks]; beguile suggests the use of subtly alluring devices in leading someone on [beguiled by her sweet words]; tempt suggests the influence of a powerful attraction that tends to overcome scruples or judgment [I'm tempted to accept your offer]; seduce implies enticement to a wrongful or unlawful act, especially to loss of chastity —ANT. repel [ME < MFr leurre < OFr loirre, prob. < Frank or Goth *lōthr, akin to MDu loder, lure, OE lathian, to invite]

Lurex (lur´eks') trademark for a thread of aluminum coated with plastic •n. [l-] such thread, or fabric made of such thread [arbitrary coinage, based on prec. + -ex, suffix of trade names]

lurid (lur´id) •adj. 1 [Rare] deathly pale; wan 2 glowing through a haze, as flames enveloped by smoke 3 a) vivid in a harsh or shocking way; startling; sensational b) characterized by violent passion or crime {a lurid tale} lu´rid·ly •adv. lu´rid·ness •n. [L luridus, pale yellow, ghastly]

lurk (lørk) •vi. 1 to stay hidden, ready to spring out, attack, etc.; lie in wait 2 to exist undiscovered or unobserved; be present as a latent or not readily apparent threat 3 to move furtively [ME lurken, akin to louren (see LOWER²), Norw lurka, to sneak off]

Lusaka (lu: sä´kä) capital of Zambia, in the central part: pop. 538,000

Lusatia (lu: sei´shэ, -shi: э) region in E Germany & SW Poland

Lusatian (-shэn) •n., adj. SORBIAN

luscious (lûsh´эs) •adj. 1 highly gratifying to taste or smell, esp. because of a rich sweetness; delicious 2 a) delighting any of the senses b) having a strong sensual appeal; voluptuous 3 [Archaic] sickeningly sweet or full-flavored; cloying lus´cious·ly •adv. lus´cious·ness •n. [ME lucius, prob. var. of licious, aphetic form of DELICIOUS, infl. by lusch, LUSH¹]

lush¹ (lûsh) •adj. 1 tender and full of juice 2 of luxuriant growth {lush vegetation} 3 characterized by a rich growth of vegetation {lush fields} 4 characterized by richness, abundance, or extravagance, as in ornamentation, invention, etc., often tending to excess {lush writing} SYN. PROFUSE lush´ly •adv. lush´ness •n. [ME lusch, ? echoic var. of lassch, soft, flaccid < OFr lasche, lax, loose < laschier, to loosen < LL *lascare < *lascus, altered by metathesis < L laxus, LAX]

lush² (lûsh) •n. 1 [Old Slang] alcoholic liquor 2 [Slang] a person who drinks liquor habitually and to excess; esp., an alcoholic •vi., vt. [Slang] to drink (liquor) [< ? prec., in sense full of juice]

Lüshun (lu:´shun´) seaport in Liaoning province, NE China: pop. 200,000

Lusitania (lu:'sэ tei´ni: э) ancient Roman province in the Iberian Peninsula, corresponding to most of modern Portugal & part of W Spain

lust (lûst) •n. 1 a desire to gratify the senses; bodily appetite 2 a) sexual desire b) excessive sexual desire, esp. as seeking unrestrained gratification 3 a) overmastering desire {a lust for power} b) intense enthusiasm; zest 4 [Obs.] a) pleasure b) inclination •vi. to feel an intense desire, esp. sexual desire: often with after or for [ME < OE, pleasure, delight, appetite, akin to Ger pleasure < IE base *las-, to be eager > L lascivus, wanton, larva, specter, ghost: sexual senses in E chiefly < rendering Vulg. concupiscentia carnis (1 John 2:16) as lusts of the flesh]

luster¹ (lûs´tэr) •n. 1 the quality, condition, or fact of shining by reflected light; gloss; sheen 2 brightness; radiance; brilliance 3 a) radiant beauty b) great fame or distinction; glory 4 a) any of the glass pendants on a chandelier or candlestick b) a chandelier, etc. adorned with such pendants 5 a substance used to give luster to an object 6 a glossy fabric of cotton and wool 7 the reflecting quality and brilliance of the surface of a mineral 8 a metallic, sometimes iridescent, appearance given to pottery by a glaze •vt. 1 to give a lustrous finish or gloss to 2 to add glory or fame to •vi. to be or become lustrous lus´ter·less •adj. [Fr lustre < It lustro < lustrare < L, to light, illumine < lustrum, LUSTRUM]

luster² (lûs´tэr) •n. LUSTRUM (sense 2)

lusterware (lûs´tэr wer') •n. highly glazed earthenware decorated by the application of metallic oxides to the glaze

lustful (lûst´fэl) •adj. 1 filled with or characterized by lust 2 [Archaic] lusty; vigorous lust´ful·ly •adv. lust´ful·ness •n.

lustihood (lûs´ti: hud') •n. [Archaic] lustiness

lustral (lûs´trэl) •adj. 1 of, used in, or connected with ceremonial purification 2 [Rare] of a lustrum, or five-year period [L lustralis < lustrum, LUSTRUM]

lustrate (lûs´treit') -trat'ed, -trat'ing •vt. to purify by means of certain ceremonies lus·tra´tion •n. [< L lustratus, pp. of lustrare, to purify by means of a propitiatory sacrifice: see LUSTRUM]

lustre (lûs´tэr) -tred, -tring •n., vt., vi. chiefly Brit., etc. sp. of LUSTER¹, LUSTER²

lustreware (-wer') •n. chiefly Brit., etc. sp. of LUSTERWARE

lustring (lûs´triŋ) •n. LUTESTRING [Fr lustrine < It lustrino < lustro, LUSTER¹]

lustrous (lûs´trэs) •adj. having luster; shining; bright; glorious SYN. BRIGHT lus´trous·ly •adv. lus´trous·ness •n.

lustrum (lûs´trэm) pl. -trums or -tra (-trэ) •n. 1 in ancient Rome, a purification of all the people by means of ceremonies held every five years, after the census 2 a five-year period [L, orig., prob. illumination < IE *leukstrom, illumination < base *leuk-, to light, shine > LIGHT¹]

lusty (lûs´ti:) lust´i·er, lust´i·est •adj. full of vigor; strong, robust, hearty, etc. lust´i·ly •adv. lust´i·ness •n.

lusus naturae (lu:´sэs nэ tur´i:) a sport of nature; freak of nature [L]

Lut Desert (lu:t) DASHT-E-LUT

lutanist (lu:t´ªn ist) •n. var. sp. of LUTENIST [ML lutanista < lutana, a lute < MFr lut, LUTE¹]

lute¹ (lu:t´) •n. an old stringed instrument related to the guitar, with a body shaped like half a pear and six to thirteen strings stretched along the fretted neck, which is often bent to form a sharp angle •vi., vt. lut´ed, lut´ing to play (on) a lute [ME < MFr lut < OFr leüt < Prov läut < Ar alūd, lit., the wood]

lute² (lu:t´) •n. a clayey cement used to keep the joints of pipes from leaking and as a sealing agent generally •vt. lut´ed, lut´ing to seal with lute [OFr lut < L lutum, mud, clay < IE base *leu-, dirt > Gr lyma, filth, OIr loth, dirt]

luteal (lu:t´i: эl) •adj. of or pertaining to the corpus luteum

lutecium (lu: ti:´shi: эm) •n. old sp. of LUTETIUM

lutein (lu:t´i: in) •n. 1 XANTHOPHYLL 2 a preparation of dried and powdered corpus luteum [< (CORPUS) LUTE(UM) + -IN¹]

luteinize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to stimulate the production of the corpus luteum in •vi. to become part of the corpus luteum lu'te·in·i·za´tion •n.

luteinizing hormone a hormone, secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, which stimulates ovulation, the development of the corpus luteum with its subsequent secretion of progesterone in females, the development of interstitial tissue, and the secretion of testosterone in the testes of males

lutenist (lu:t´ªn ist) •n. a lute player

luteolin (lu:t´i: э lin) •n. a yellow crystalline compound, C15H10O6, extracted from weld [Fr lutéoline < ModL (Reseda) luteola, lit., yellowish (reseda) < L luteolus, yellowish, dim. of luteus: see LUTEOUS]

luteous (lu:t´i: эs) •adj. golden-yellow tinged with green [L luteus, golden-yellow < lutum, weed used in dyeing yellow, akin to luridus, LURID]

lutestring (lu:t´striŋ') •n. a glossy silk cloth, formerly used for women's apparel [altered (by assoc. with LUTE¹) < LUSTRING]

Lutetia (lu: ti:´shэ) ancient Rom. name of PARIS (the city)

lutetium (lu: ti:´shi: эm) •n. a chemical element of the rare-earth metals: symbol, Lu; at. wt., 174.97; at. no., 71; sp. gr., 9.84; melt. pt., 1,661°C; boil. pt., 3,402°C [ModL < lutetia, lutetium oxide (< L Lutetia: see LUTETIA) + -IUM: so named by G. Urbain (1872-1938), Fr chemist, after his native city]

Luth Lutheran

Luther (lu:´θэr), Martin 1483-1546; Ger. theologian & translator of the Bible: leader of the Protestant Reformation in Germany [Ger < OHG Chlothar, Hludher < Gmc base *hluda-, famous (akin to LOUD) + OHG hari, army, host: hence, lit., famous fighter]

Lutheran (-эn) •adj. 1 of Martin Luther 2 of his doctrines, esp. justification by faith 3 designating or of the Protestant denomination founded by Luther •n. any member of a Lutheran Church Lu´ther·an·ism' •n.

luthern (lu:´θэrn) •n. a dormer window: see DORMER [altered < ? Fr lucarne]

luthier (lu:t´i: эr) •n. a maker of stringed instruments, orig. of lutes [Fr < luth, lute (< OFr leüt, LUTE¹) + -ier, -ER]

luting (lu:t´iŋ) •n. LUTE²

lutist (lu:t´ist) •n. 1 LUTENIST 2 a maker of lutes

Luton (lu:t´ªn) city in Bedfordshire, SC England: pop. 165,000

Lutuli (lэ tu:´li:), Albert (John Mvumbi) 1898-1967; South African political leader, born in Zimbabwe: also sp. Lu·thu´li (-θu:´-)

Lutyens (lûch´эnz), Sir Edwin (Landseer) 1869-1944; Eng. architect

luv (lûv) •n. [Brit. Slang] love; sweetheart; lover: a term of affectionate address

Luwian (lu:´wi: эn) •n. an extinct Anatolian language regarded as closely related to cuneiform and hieroglyphic Hittite Also Lu·vi·an (lu:´vi: эn) [< the native name]

lux (lûks) pl. lux •n.or lux´es Physics a unit of illumination, equal to one lumen per square meter or to the illumination of a surface uniformly one meter distant from a point source of one candela: abbrev. lx [L, LIGHT¹] Lux Luxembourg

luxate (lûks´eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. to put out of joint; dislocate lux·a´tion •n. [< L luxatus, pp. of luxare, to dislocate < luxus, a dislocated < IE base *leug-, to bend > LOCK¹, Gr loxos, slanting]

luxe (luks, lûks) •n. richness, elegance, luxury, or the like: see also DELUXE [Fr < L luxus: see LUXURY]

Luxembourg (lûk´sэm børg'; Fr lük säñ bu:ř´) 1 grand duchy in W Europe, bounded by Belgium, Germany, & France: 998 sq. mi. (2,586 sq. km); pop. 366,000 2 its capital, in the S part: pop. 76,000 3 province of SE Belgium: 1,714 sq. mi. (4,440 sq. km); pop. 224,000: also Lux´em·burg' Lux´em·bourg'er (-bør´gэr) or Lux´em·burg·er •n. Lux'em·bourg´i·an (-bør´gi: эn) or Lux'em·burg´i·an •adj.

Luxemburg (lûk´sэm børg'; Ger luk´sэm buřk'), Rosa c. 1870-1919; Ger. socialist leader, born in Poland

Luxor (lûk´sör, luk´-) city in S Egypt, on the Nile, near the ruins of ancient Thebes: pop. 93,000

luxuriant (lûg zhur´i: эnt, -zyur´-; lûk shur´-, lûks yur´-) •adj. 1 [Rare] very productive; fertile {luxuriant soil} 2 growing with vigor and in great abundance; lush; teeming 3 characterized by richness and extravagance, as in ornamentation, invention, etc. often tending to excess {a luxuriant imagination} 4 LUXURIOUS SYN. PROFUSE lux·u´ri·ance or lux·u´ri·an·cy •n. lux·u´ri·ant·ly •adv. [L luxurians, prp. of luxuriare: see LUXURIATE]

luxuriate (-eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vi. 1 to grow with vigor and in great abundance 2 to expand or develop greatly 3 to live in great luxury 4 to take great pleasure; revel (in) lux·u'ri·a´tion •n. [< L luxuriatus, pp. of luxuriare, to be too fruitful, be rank < luxuria, LUXURY]

luxurious (-эs) •adj. 1 fond of or indulging in luxury 2 constituting or contributing to luxury; splendid, rich, comfortable, etc. SYN. SENSUOUS lux·u´ri·ous·ly •adv. lux·u´ri·ous·ness •n. [OFr luxurius < L luxuriosus]

luxury (lûk´shэ ri:, -shur i:; lûg´zhэ ri:, -zhur i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 the use and enjoyment of the best and most costly things that offer the most physical comfort and satisfaction 2 anything contributing to such enjoyment, usually something considered unnecessary to life and health 3 a) the unusual intellectual or emotional pleasure or comfort derived from some specified thing {to give in to the luxury of tears} b) something producing such pleasure or comfort •adj. characterized by luxury [ME luxurie < OFr < L luxuria < luxus, extravagance, luxury, excess, prob. identical in orig. with luxus, dislocated: see LUXATE]

Luzern (lu:t sern´) Ger. name of LUCERNE

Luzhou (lu:´jou´) city in Sichuan province, SC China, on the Chiang: pop. 289,000

Luzon (lu: zän´) main island of the Philippines: 40,420 sq. mi. (104,647 sq. km); chief city, Manila

Lv Bible Leviticus lv leave(s)

Lviv (lyªvi:f) city W Ukraine: pop 742,000: Russ. name Lvov (lyªvôf)

Lw Chem. symbol for lawrencium

lwei (lэ wei´) pl. lweis •n. a monetary unit of Angola, equal to ¹/100 of a kwanza [after a tributary of the Cuanza River: see KWANZA]

Lwów (lэ vu:f´) Pol. name of LVIV

lx lux

LXX Septuagint

-ly¹ (li:) suffix forming adjectives 1 like, characteristic of, suitable to {manly, godly, deadly} 2 happening (once) every (specified period of time) {hourly, monthly} [ME < OE -lic < Gmc *lika-, body > LIKE¹]

-ly² (li:) suffix forming adverbs 1 in a (specified) manner or direction, to a (specified) extent, in or at a (specified) time or place {haply, inwardly, merely} 2 in the (specified) order {firstly, thirdly} [ME < OE -lice < -lic]

Lyallpur (lai´эl pur') old name of FAISALABAD

lycanthrope (lai´kэn θroup', lai kæn´-) •n. WEREWOLF [< ModL lycanthropus < Gr lykanthrōpos < lykos, WOLF + anthrōpos, a man: see ANTHROPO-]

lycanthropy (lai kæn´θrэ pi:) •n. 1 [Archaic] a mental illness in which one imagines oneself to be a wolf 2 Folklore the magical power to transform oneself or another into a wolf ly·can·throp·ic (lai'kэn θräp´ik) •adj. [ModL lycanthropia < Gr lykanthrōpia: see LYCANTHROPE]

lycée (li: sei´) •n. in France, a secondary school maintained by the government for preparing students for a university [Fr < L lyceum: see LYCEUM]

Lyceum (lai si:´эm) the grove at Athens where Aristotle taught •n. [l-] 1 a hall where public lectures or discussions are held 2 an organization presenting public lectures, concerts, etc. 3 LYCÉE [L < Gr Lykeion, the Lyceum: so called from the neighboring temple of Apollōn Lykeios]

lych gate (lich) LICH GATE

lychee (li:´chi:') •n. LITCHI

lychnis (lik´nis) •n. any of a genus (Lychnis) of plants of the pink family, with red, pink, or white flowers [ModL < L, a fiery red rose < Gr lychnos, lamp < IE base *leuk- > LIGHT¹]

Lycia (lish´э, -i: э) ancient country in SW Asia Minor, on the Mediterranean: settled in early times, came under Persian and Syrian rule; annexed as a province by Rome (1st cent. A.D.)

Lycian (-эn) •adj. of Lycia, its people, or their language •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Lycia 2 the language of the Lycians, probably akin to cuneiform Hittite

lycopod (lai´kou päd') •n. any of a division (Lycopodiophyta) of living or fossil vascular plants with small leaves having a single vascular strand, and spores produced in cones at the tips of the stems or in leaf axils, including lycopodiums, selaginellas, and quillworts; club moss [see LYCOPODIUM]

lycopodium (lai'kou pou´di: эm) •n. 1 any of a genus (Lycopodium) of usually creeping, often evergreen, lycopods, very popular as Christmas decorations 2 the flammable yellow powder found in the spore cases of these plants, used in making fireworks and in medicine [ModL < Gr lykos, WOLF + -PODIUM]

Lycra (lai´krэ) trademark for a spandex fiber or fabric used in underwear, swimwear, athletic apparel, etc.

Lycurgus (lai kør´gэs) real or legendary Spartan lawgiver of about the 9th cent. B.C.

Lydda (lid´э) LOD

lyddite (lid´ait') •n. a powerful explosive containing picric acid, used in shells [after Lydd, village in KENT (where first made and tested) + -ITE¹]

Lydgate (lid´geit, -git), John c. 1370-c. 1450; Eng. poet

Lydia (lid´i: э) 1 a feminine name 2 ancient kingdom in W Asia Minor: fl. 7th-6th cent. B.C.; conquered by Persians and absorbed into Persian Empire (6th cent. B.C.) [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec), orig. fem. of Gr Lydios, Lydian: see Acts 16:14]

Lydian (-эn) •adj. 1 of Lydia, its people, or their language 2 a) soft; gentle; effeminate b) voluptuous; sensual •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Lydia 2 their language, probably Anatolian

lye (lai) •n. 1 orig., a strong, alkaline solution obtained by leaching wood ashes 2 any strongly alkaline substance, usually sodium or potassium hydroxide, used in cleaning, making soap, etc. 3 any substance obtained by leaching [ME lie < OE leag, akin to Ger lauge < IE base *lou-, to LAVE¹]

Lyell (lai´эl), Sir Charles 1797-1875; Brit. geologist

lygus bug (lai´gэs) any of a genus (Lygus, family Miridae) of hemipterous bugs, including many that damage plants [ModL]

lying¹ (lai´iŋ) •vi. prp. of LIE¹

lying² (lai´iŋ) •vt., vi. prp. of LIE² •adj. false; not truthful •n. the telling of a lie or lies SYN. DISHONEST

lying-in (-in´) •n. confinement in childbirth •adj. of or for childbirth {a lying-in hospital}

Lyle (lail) a masculine and feminine name [< Brit place name & surname]

Lyly (lil´i:), John c. 1554-1606; Eng. author & dramatist

Lyme disease (laim) a tick-transmitted disease characterized at first by a skin rash, headache, fever, etc. and later by arthritis and heart damage Also called Lyme arthritis

lymph (limf) •n. 1 orig., a spring of clear water 2 a clear, yellowish fluid resembling blood plasma, found in intercellular spaces and in the lymphatic vessels of vertebrates 3 any of various colorless liquids similar to this; esp., the clear liquid given off from inflamed body tissues [L lympha, spring water, altered (infl. by Gr nymphē: see NYMPH) OL limpa, lumpa, orig. < ? Gr nymphē]

lymph- (limf) combining form LYMPHO-: used before a vowel

lymph node any of many small, compact structures lying in groups along the course of the lymphatic vessels and producing lymphocytes: also [Now Rare] lymph gland

lymphadenitis (lim fæd'ªn ait´is) •n. inflammation of the lymph nodes [ModL < prec. + ADEN- + -ITIS]

lymphangial (lim fæn´ji: эl) •adj. of the lymphatic vessels [< LYMPH- + Gr angeion, vessel + -AL]

lymphangitis (lim'fэn jait´is) •n. inflammation of the lymphatic vessels [ModL < prec. + -ITIS]

lymphatic (lim fæt´ik) •adj. 1 of, containing, or conveying lymph 2 of, or caused by improper functioning of, the lymph nodes 3 sluggish; without energy: a sluggish condition was formerly thought to be due to too much lymph in the body •n. a lymphatic vessel [ModL lymphaticus < L lympha: see LYMPH & -ATIC]

lympho- (lim´fou, -fэ) combining form 1 lymph 2 the lymphatics {lymphocyte}

lymphoblast (lim´fou blæst') •n. a primitive cell that is a precursor of a lymphocyte [prec. + -BLAST]

lymphocyte (lim´fou sait') •n. a nongranular variety of leukocyte formed in lymphatic tissue, important in the synthesis of antibodies lym'pho·cyt´ic (-sit´ik) •adj. [LYMPHO- + -CYTE]

lymphocytosis (lim'fou sai tou´sis) •n. a condition characterized by an increase in the number of lymphocytes in the blood, as in acute or chronic infection lym'pho·cy·tot´ic (-tät´ik) •adj. [ModL: see LYMPHOCYTE + -OSIS]

lymphogranuloma (-græn'yu: lou´mэ) pl. -mas or -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n. any of several diseases characterized by enlargement of specific lymph nodes; esp., a venereal disease (lymphogranuloma venereum) typically involving the lymph nodes in the groin [LYMPHO- + GRANULOMA]

lymphoid (limf´oid') •adj. of or like lymph or the tissue of the lymph nodes [LYMPH- + -OID]

lymphokine (lim´fou kain') •n. any of various soluble proteins, as interferon, that are secreted by T cells interacting with an antigen and that help fight infection [LYMPHO- + -kine < Gr kinein, to move]

lymphoma (lim fou´mэ) •n. any of a group of diseases characterized by progressive enlargement of lymphoid tissue resulting from the proliferation of malignant lymphoid cells [LYMPH- + -OMA]

lymphopoiesis (lim'fou poi i:´sis) •n. the production of lymphocytes [ModL < LYMPHO- + Gr poiesis: see POESY]

lyncean (lin si:´эn) •adj. [Rare] of or like a lynx; esp., having the keenness of sight attributed to the lynx [< L lynceus (< Gr lynkeios < lynx, LYNX) + -AN]

lynch (linch) •vt. to murder (an accused person) by mob action and without lawful trial, as by hanging lynch´er •n. lynch´ing •n. [< LYNCH LAW]

lynch law the lawless practice of killing by lynching [formerly Lynch's law, after Capt. W. Lynch (1742-1820), member of a vigilance committee in Pittsylvania, Virginia (1780)]

Lynchburg (linch´børg') city in central Va., on the James River: pop. 66,000 [after J. Lynch, reputed founder]

Lynn (lin) 1 a masculine name 2 a feminine name: var. Lynne 3 city in NE Mass., on Massachusetts Bay: suburb of Boston: pop. 81,000 [prob. < Brit place name Lynn < Celt, as in Welsh llyn, a lake]

Lynwood (lin´wud') city in SW Calif.: pop. 62,000 [ult. after Lynn Wood Sessions, wife of a local dairy owner]

lynx (liŋks) pl. lynx´es or lynx •n. 1 any of a genus (Lynx) of wildcats found throughout the Northern Hemisphere and characterized by a ruff on each side of the face, relatively long legs, a short tail, long, usually tufted ears, and keen vision, as the bobcat or Canada lynx of North America 2 the long, silky, tawny fur of the lynx [L] a N constellation between Auriga and Ursa Major [ME < L < Gr lynx; prob. so named from its shining eyes: see LIGHT¹]

lynx-eyed (-aid') •adj. having very keen sight

Lyon (lyouñ) city in EC France, at the juncture of the Rhone & Saône rivers: pop. 418,000 Lyon (lai´эn), Mary 1797-1849; U.S. educator

Lyonnais (li: ô ne´) historical region of SE central France

lyonnaise (lai'э neiz´; Fr lyô´nez´) •adj. prepared with finely sliced onions; esp., designating potatoes prepared with fried onions [Fr, fem. of Lyonnais, of LYON]

Lyonnesse (lai'э nes´) Arthurian Legend a region in SW England, apparently near Cornwall, supposed to have sunk beneath the sea [OFr Leonois, earlier Loonois, ult., after ? Lothian, former division of Scotland]

Lyons (lai´эnz) Eng. name of LYON

lyophilic (lai'ou fil´ik) •adj. having a strong affinity for, and stabilized by, the liquid dispersing medium: said of a colloidal material Also ly´o·phile' (-fail') [lyo- < Gr lyein, to loose (see LOSE) + -PHIL + -IC]

lyophilize (lai äf´э laiz') -lized', -liz'ing •vt. to freeze-dry (esp. biologicals) ly·oph'i·li·za´tion •n. [see LYOPHILIC & -IZE]

lyophobic (lai'ou fou´bik) •adj. having little affinity for the liquid dispersing medium: said of a colloidal material [lyo- (see LYOPHILIC) + -PHOB(E) + -IC]

Lyra (lai´rэ) a N constellation between Hercules and Cygnus containing the star Vega; Harp [L < Gr: see LYRE]

lyrate (lai´reit') •adj. shaped like or suggestive of a lyre Also ly´rat'ed [ModL lyratus]

lyre (lair) •n. a small stringed instrument of the harp family, used by the ancient Greeks to accompany singers and reciters [ME lire < L lyra < Gr]

lyrebird (-børd') •n. any of a family (Menuridae) of Australian passerine birds: the long tail feathers of the male resemble a lyre when spread

lyric (lir´ik) •adj. 1 of a lyre 2 suitable for singing, as to the accompaniment of a lyre; songlike; specif., designating poetry or a poem mainly expressing the poet's emotions and feelings: sonnets, elegies, odes, hymns, etc. are lyric poems 3 writing or having written lyric poetry 4 LYRICAL (sense 2) 5 Music a) characterized by a relatively high compass and a light, flexible quality b) having a lyric voice {a lyric tenor} •n. 1 a lyric poem 2 [usually pl.] the words of a song, as distinguished from the music [< Fr or L: Fr lyrique < L lyricus < Gr lyrikos]

lyrical (lir´i kэl) •adj. 1 LYRIC 2 characterized by or expressing rapture or great enthusiasm {a lyrical account of her trip} lyr´i·cal·ly •adv.

lyricism (lir´э siz'эm) •n. 1 lyric quality, style, or character {Shelley's lyricism} 2 emotional and poetic expression of enthusiasm, etc.

lyricist (-sist) •n. a writer of lyrics, esp. lyrics for popular songs

Lyricon (lir´i kän') trademark for an electronic wind instrument somewhat resembling a clarinet, with a synthesizer console that converts electrical impulses, created by air blown in the tube, into a variety of musical sounds [LYRI(CAL) + CON(SOLE)²]

lyriform (lai´rэ förm') •adj. shaped like a lyre

lyrism (lair´iz'эm; for 2 lir´iz'эm) •n. 1 the act of playing on a lyre 2 LYRICISM [Fr lyrisme < Gr lyrismos]

lyrist (lair´ist; for 2 & 3 lir´ist) •n. 1 a player on a lyre 2 a lyric poet 3 LYRICIST [L lyristes < Gr lyristēs < lyrizein, to play on a lyre]

Lys (li:s) river in N France & W Belgium, flowing northwest into the Scheldt: c. 130 mi. (209 km)

Lysander (lai sæn´dэr) died 395 B.C.; Spartan naval and military commander

lyse (lais, laiz) lysed, lys´ing •vt., vi. to cause or undergo lysis [back-form. < LYSIS]

-lyse (laiz) combining form chiefly Brit. sp. of -LYZE

Lysenkoism (lai seŋ´kou iz'эm) •n. a repudiated doctrine based on the belief that characteristics acquired through environmental changes can be transmitted by heredity [after T. D. Lysenko (1898-1976), Soviet agronomist who promoted it]

lysergic acid (lai sør´jik) a monobasic acid, C16H16N2O2, extracted from ergot alkaloids or synthesized: see LSD [< fol. + ERG(OT) + -IC]

lysi- (lai´si, -sэ; lis´i, -э) combining form freeing, loosening, dissolving {lysimeter} Also, before a vowel, lys- [ModL < Gr lysi- < lysis: see LYSIS]

Lysimachus (lai sim´э kэs) c. 355-281 B.C.; Macedonian general: ruler of Thrace (323-281)

lysimeter (lai sim´эt эr) •n. a device for determining the solubility of substances [LYSI- + -METER]

lysin (lai´sin) •n. any antibody capable of dissolving bacteria, blood corpuscles, etc. [LYS(I)- + -IN¹]

lysine (lai´si:n') •n. an essential amino acid, NH2(CH2)4CH(NH2)COOH obtained synthetically or by the hydrolysis of certain proteins in digestion: see AMINO ACID [LYS(I)- + -INE³]

Lysippus (lai sip´эs) c. 360-c. 316 B.C.; Gr. sculptor

lysis (lai´sis) •n. 1 the process of cell destruction through the action of specific lysins 2 the gradual ending of disease symptoms [ModL < Gr, a loosening, dissolving: see LOSE]

-lysis (lэ sis, li-) combining form a loosening, dissolution, dissolving, destruction {catalysis, electrolysis} [< Gr lysis: see LYSIS]

lysogeny (lai säj´э ni:) •n. a dormant viral infection of bacteria in which the genetic material of a virus combines with that of a host bacterium ly·so·gen·ic (lai'sou jen´ik) •adj.

lysosome (lai´sэ soum') •n. a particle in the cytoplasm of cells containing a number of digestive enzymes capable of breaking down most of the constituents of living matter: see CELL, illus. ly'so·so´mal •adj. [lyso-, pertaining to dissolving < Gr lysis (see LYSIS) + -SOME³]

lysozyme (lai´sou zaim') •n. an enzyme present in egg white, tears, saliva, etc. that can kill certain bacteria by dissolving the cell walls [see LYSOSOME & ZYME]

-lyte¹ (lait) combining form a substance subjected to a process of decomposition (specified by the corresponding noun ending in -LYSIS {electrolyte} [< Gr lytos < lyein: see LOSE]

-lyte² (lait) combining form -LITE

lytic (lit´ik) •adj. 1 of a lysin 2 of or causing lysis [see -LYTIC]

-lytic (lit´ik) combining form forming adjectives 1 of, relating to, or causing (a specified kind of) dissolution or decomposition 2 Biochem. undergoing hydrolysis by enzymes [Gr -lytikos < lytikos, able to loose: see LYSIS]

lytta (lit´э) pl. -tae (-i:) •n. a band of cartilage lying along the underside of the tongue of dogs and certain other carnivores [ModL < L < Gr lytta, lyssa (lit., madness), thought to be a worm under a dog's tongue causing rabies]

Lytton see BULWER-LYTTON, Edward George Earle Lytton

-lyze (laiz) combining form forming verbs to dissolve, decompose, etc. by a (specified) means {electrolyze} [Fr -lyser < nouns ending in -lyse (< Gr -lysis: see LYSIS) + -er, inf. ending]

M abbrev. 1 male 2 Manitoba 3 March 4 mark (a coin) 5 Marquis 6 married 7 May 8 medieval 9 medium 10 mega- 11 Chem. metal 12 Music mezzo 13 Monday 14 Monsieur 15 Elec. mutual inductance 16 noon {A.M., P.M.} [L meridies] M (em) •n. a Roman numeral for 1,000: with a superior bar (M¯), 1,000,000 m abbrev. 1 male 2 manual 3 mark (a coin) 4 married 5 masculine 6 Physics a) mass b) modulus 7 medium 8 meridian 9 meter(s) 10 mile(s) 11 mill(s) 12 milli- 13 million(s) 14 minim 15 minute(s) 16 month 17 moon 18 morning 19 noon {a.m., p.m.} [see M (sense 16)]

M' prefix MAC- {M'Donald}

m- prefix Chem. META- (sense 6d): usually italicized and hyphenated in chemical names

m or M (em) pl. m's, M's •n. 1 the thirteenth letter of the English alphabet: from the Greek mu, derived ultimately from the Phoenician 2 any of the speech sounds that this letter represents, as, in English, the (m) in meadowlark 3 a type or impression for M or m 4 the thirteenth in a sequence or group 5 Printing an em (Example: a ## dash is a dash that is one em long) 6 an object shaped like M •adj. 1 of M or m 2 thirteenth in a sequence or group 3 shaped like M

M-1 (em´wûn´) •n. Econ. a measure of the U.S. money supply comprising currency in circulation and all types of checking accounts: other measures (M-1A, M-1B, M-2, M-3, etc.) include other components of the money supply, as time deposits and money market funds [M(ONEY) + identifying numeral]

ma (mä) •n. [Colloq.] MOTHER¹ MA 1 Massachusetts 2 Master of Arts: also M.A. [L Magister Artium] 3 Military Academy

mA or ma milliampere(s)

ma'am (mæm, mäm; unstressed mэm, ªm) •n. [Colloq.] madam: used in direct address

Maas (mäs) Du. name of MEUSE

Maastricht (mäs´třiHt) city in SE Netherlands, on the Maas River: pop. 114,000

Mab (mæb) see QUEEN MAB

Mabel (mei´bэl) a feminine name [< Amabel < L amabilis, lovable < amare, to love]

mac (mæk) •n. [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] MACKINTOSH (sense 1) Mac abbrev. Bible Maccabees Mac (mæk) •n. [Slang] fellow: used as a general term of address for a man or boy [< fol., MC-]

Mac- (mæk, mэk, mэ) prefix son of: used in Scottish and Irish family names {MacDonald} This form and its variants Mc-, Mc-, M'- are often grouped together when names are alphabetized [< Ir & Gael mac, son < OCelt *makkos, akin to *makwos, son > OWelsh map, Welsh mab, ap, son: see MAIDEN]

macabre (mэ käb´rэ, mэ käb´, -kä´bэr) •adj. grim and horrible; gruesome; ghastly: also ma·ca´ber (-kä´bэr) [Fr < OFr (danse) Macabré, (dance) of death, prob. altered < ML (Chorea) Machabaeorum, lit., dance of the Maccabees (see MACCABEES): semantic connection obscure]

macadam (mэ kæd´эm) •n. 1 small broken stones used in making roads; esp., such stones combined with a binder such as tar or asphalt 2 macadamized pavement [after John L. McAdam (1756-1836), Scot engineer]

macadamia nut (mæk'э dei´mi: э) a spherical, hard-shelled, edible nut from an Australian tree (Macadamia ternifolia) of the protea family, cultivated in Hawaii [ModL Macadamia, after John Macadam (died 1865), Scot chemist in Australia]

macadamize (mэ kæd´э maiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make (a road) by rolling successive layers of macadam on a dry earth roadbed 2 to repair or cover (a road) with macadam

Macao (mэ kau´) 1 Chinese territory under Portuguese administration forming an enclave in Guangdong Province, SE China: it consists of a peninsula & two small adjacent islands at the mouth of the Zhu River, west of Hong Kong: 6 sq. mi. (16 sq. km); pop. 343,000 2 its capital, a seaport coextensive with the peninsula: Port. sp. Ma·cau Mac·a·nese (mæk'э ni:z´), pl. -nese´, •n.

Macapá (mæk'э pä´) seaport in N Brazil, on the Amazon delta: capital of Amapá state: pop. 115,000

macaque (mэ käk´) •n. any of a genus (Macaca) of monkeys of Asia, Africa, and the East Indies, with a long or short tail that is not prehensile, including the rhesus monkey and Barbary ape [Fr < Port macaco, monkey]

macaroni (mæk'э rou´ni:) •n. 1 pasta in the form of tubes or in various other shapes, often baked with cheese, ground meat, etc. 2 pl. -nies an English dandy in the 18th cent. who affected foreign mannerisms and fashions [It maccaroni, maccheroni, pl. of maccherone < LGr makaria, food of broth and barley groats, sacrificial cake made from such mixture, lit., blessed (cake) < Gr, bliss < makar, blessed]

macaronic (-rän´ik) •adj. involving or characterized by a mixture of languages; esp., designating or of burlesque verse in which real or coined words from two or more languages are mixed, or words of a modern language are given Latin case endings and mixed with Latin words •n. macaronic verse: usually used in pl. [Fr macaronique < It maccaronico < maccaroni, lit., macaroni: see MACARONI]

macaroon (mæk'э ru:n´) •n. a small, chewy cookie made chiefly of egg white, crushed almonds or coconut, and sugar [Fr macaron < It maccaroni, MACARONI]

MacArthur (mæk är´θэr, mэk-), Douglas 1880-1964; U.S. general: commander in chief of Allied forces in the SW Pacific, World War II

Macassar (mэ kæs´эr) alt. sp. of MAKASSAR

Macaulay (mэ kö´li:) 1 Dame Rose 1881-1958; Eng. novelist 2 Thomas Bab·ing·ton (bæb´iŋ tэn) 1st Baron Macaulay of Rothley 1800-59; Eng. historian, essayist, & statesman

macaw (mэ kö´) •n. any of a group of large, bright-colored, long-tailed, harsh-voiced parrots (esp. genus Ara) of Central and South America [Port macao, prob. < Brazilian (Tupi) native name]

Macbeth (mэk beθ´, mæk-) 1 a tragedy (c. 1606) by Shakespeare 2 its title character, who, goaded by his ruthlessly ambitious wife, murders the king to gain the crown for himself

Macc Bible Maccabees

Maccabaeus (mæk'э bi:´эs), Judas see MACCABEES

Maccabean (mæk'э bi:´эn) •adj. of Judas Maccabaeus or the Maccabees

Maccabees (mæk´э bi:z') 1 family of Jewish patriots who, under Judas Maccabaeus, headed a successful revolt against the Syrians (175-164 B.C.) & ruled Palestine until 37 B.C. 2 Bible two books of the Old Testament Apocrypha that tell of this revolt: abbrev. Mac, Macc, or Mc [LL(Ec) Machabaei, pl. of Machabaeus, surname of Judas < Gr(Ec) Makkabaios < ? Aram maqqābā, hammer: hence, lit., the hammerer]

maccaboy (mæk´э boi') •n. a kind of snuff, usually rose-scented: also sp. mac´co·boy' [Fr macouba, after Macouba, district in Martinique where made]

MacDiarmid (mэk dør´mid), Hugh (pseud. of Christopher Murray Grieve Scott) 1892-1978; Scot. poet

MacDonald (mэk dän´эld), (James) Ram·say (ræm´zi:) 1866-1937; Brit. statesman & Labour Party leader: prime minister (1924; 1929-35) Macdonald (mэk dän´эld), Sir John Alexander 1815-91; Cdn. statesman, born in Scotland

MacDowell (mэk dau´эl), Edward Alexander 1861-1908; U.S. composer

Mace (meis) trademark for a chemical compound, prepared for use in aerosol containers, that has the combined effect of a tear gas and a nerve gas, temporarily stunning its victims: in full Chemical Mace •n. [often m-] such a compound, or a container of it •vt. Maced, Mac´ing [often m-] to spray with Mace [< MACE¹]

mace¹ (meis) •n. 1 a) a heavy medieval war club, often with a spiked, metal head b) any similar weapon 2 a) a staff used as a symbol of authority by certain officials b) MACEBEARER [ME < OFr masse < VL *mattea, a club < L *matea < IE base *mat-, a hoe, club > MATTOCK]

mace² (meis) •n. a spice, usually ground, made from the dried outer covering of the nutmeg [ME, assumed as sing. of macis, mace < OFr < ML, prob. scribal error for L macir < Gr makir, a fragrant resin from India]

macebearer (-ber'эr) •n. a person who carries a mace in ceremonial processions

macédoine (mæs'i dwän´; Fr må sei dwån´) •n. 1 a mixture of vegetables or fruits served as a salad, cocktail, etc., often in jelly 2 a medley [Fr, lit., Macedonia: ? referring to mixture of diverse races there]

Macedon (mæs´э dän') ancient Macedonia

Macedonia (mæs'э dou´ni: э, -doun´yэ) 1 ancient kingdom in SE Europe: now a region divided among Greece, the country of Macedonia, & Bulgaria 2 country in the Balkan Peninsula: formerly (1946-91) a constituent republic of Yugoslavia: 9,928 sq. mi. (25,713 sq. km); pop. 1,909,000; cap. Skopje

Macedonian (-эn, -yэn) •adj. of Macedonia, its people, their language, etc. •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Macedonia 2 the Indo-European language of the ancient Macedonians, akin either to Greek or to Illyrian 3 the South Slavic language of modern Macedonia and adjoining regions

Maceió (mä'sei yô´) seaport in NE Brazil, on the Atlantic: capital of Alagoas state: pop. 375,000

macer (mei´sэr) •n. a macebearer, esp. one who is an official in a Scottish court [ME < OFr massier < masse: see MACE¹ & -ER]

macerate (mæs´эr eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to soften and break down into component parts by soaking in liquid for some time; specif., to soften and break down (food) in the digestive system 2 to steep (fruit or vegetables) as in wine or liquor 3 loosely, to break, tear, chop, etc. into bits 4 to cause to waste away or grow thin •vi. to undergo maceration; waste away; grow thin mac'er·a´tion •n. mac´er·a'tor •n. [< L maceratus, pp. of macerare, to make soft or tender, weaken, harass < IE base *māk-, to knead > Latvian màcu, to squeeze]

mach abbrev. 1 machine 2 machinery 3 machinist Mach (mäk) •n. short for MACH NUMBER

Mach number (mäk) [also m- n-] a number representing the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium, as air, through which the object is moving [after E. Mach (1838-1916), Austrian physicist]

mâche or mache (mäsh; Fr måsh) •n. CORN SALAD [Fr]

macher (mä´khэr) •n. a person who gets things done; doer [Ger (chiefly via Yidd) < machen, to make, do]

machete (mэ shet´i:, -chet´i:; Sp mä chei´tei) •n. 1 a large, heavy-bladed knife used for cutting down sugar cane, dense underbrush, etc., esp. in Central and South America 2 a small Pacific tenpounder fish (Elops affinis) sometimes found in fresh waters [Sp < macho, hammer, ax < L marculus, dim. of marcus, hammer]

Machiavelli (mæk'i: э vel´i:), Nic·co·lò (di Bernardo) (ni:'kô lô´) 1469-1527; Florentine statesman & writer

Machiavellian (mæk'i: э vel´i: эn, -vel´yэn) •adj. 1 of Machiavelli 2 of, like, or characterized by the political principles and methods of expediency, craftiness, and duplicity set forth in Machiavelli's book, The Prince; crafty, deceitful, etc. •n. a follower of such principles and methods Mach'i·a·vel´li·an·ism' •n.

machicolate (mэ chik´э leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. to put machicolations in (a parapet, etc.) [< ML machicolatus, pp. of machicolare < MFr machicoler < *machicol, machicolation < Prov machacol < macar, to crush, beat (< VL *maccare, to crush) + col, neck: from use of machicolations for dropping stones, etc.]

machicolation (mэ chik'э lei´shэn) •n. 1 an opening in the floor of a projecting gallery or parapet, between the supports or corbels, or in the roof over an entrance, through which hot liquids, heavy stones, etc. could be dropped by the defenders of a fortress 2 a gallery, parapet, etc. with such openings [< prec.]

Machida (mэ chi:´dэ, mäch´i dä') city in SE Honshu, Japan, near Tokyo: pop. 307,000

machinate (mæk´э neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vi., vt. to devise, plan, or plot artfully, esp. with evil intent mach´i·na'tor •n. [< L machinatus, pp. of machinari, to devise, plan, plot < machina, MACHINE]

machination (mæk'э nei´shэn) •n. 1 [Rare] the act of machinating 2 an artful or secret plot or scheme, esp. one with evil intent: usually used in pl. SYN. PLOT [ME machinacion < L machinatio]

machine (mэ shi:n´) •n. 1 [Now Rare] a structure or built-up fabric of any kind 2 [Old-fashioned] a vehicle, as an automobile, bicycle, etc. 3 a structure consisting of a framework and various fixed and moving parts, for doing some kind of work; mechanism {a sewing machine} 4 a) a person or organization regarded as acting like a machine, without thought or will b) a complex organization coordinated to function in a smooth, effective way {the military machine} Æ 5 a) the members of a political party or group who control policy and confer patronage b) the party organization generally 6 a device or apparatus, as in the ancient theater, for producing stage effects 7 [Archaic] a literary device for dramatic effect, as a supernatural agent or force introduced into a poem 8 Mech. a device, as a lever or pulley, that transmits, or changes the application of, energy •adj. 1 of or for a machine or machines 2 made or done by machinery 3 standardized; stereotyped •vt. -chined´, -chin´ing to make, shape, finish, etc. by machinery ma·chin´a·ble •adj. [Fr < L machina < Gr mēchanē, a machine, engine < mēchos, a contrivance < IE base *magh-, to be able, help > MAY¹, MIGHT²]

machine bolt a large bolt with a square or hexagonal head, and threads on the lower part for use with a nut: see BOLT¹, illus.

machine gun an automatic gun, usually mounted and with a cooling apparatus, firing a rapid and continuous stream of bullets ma·chine´-gun' (-gûn'), -gunned', -gun'ning, •vt.

machine language a computer language, entirely in binary digits representing instructions and information, used directly by a computer without translation

machine screw a small screw designed for fastening metal parts having tapped holes: see SCREW, illus.

machine shop a workshop, factory, or part of a factory for making or repairing machines or machine parts

machine tool an automatic or semiautomatic power-driven tool, as an electric lathe, punch press, drill, or planer: machine tools are used in making machines or machine parts ma·chine´-tool' •adj., vt.

machinery (mэ shi:n´эr i:, -shi:n´ri:) pl. -er·ies •n. 1 machines collectively 2 the working parts of a machine 3 any combination of things or persons by which something is kept in action or a desired result is obtained {the machinery of government} 4 apparatus used to produce stage effects 5 literary devices involving the introduction of supernatural beings or forces, as in epic poetry

machinist (mэ shi:n´ist) •n. 1 a person who makes or repairs machinery 2 a worker skilled in using machine tools 3 a worker who operates a machine

machinist's mate U.S. Navy a petty officer trained to operate, repair, etc. ships' engines

machismo (mä chi:z´mou, mэ chiz´-; Sp mä chi:s´mô) •n. overly assertive or exaggerated masculinity, esp. as characterized by a show of virility, domination of women, etc. [Sp < macho (see MACHO) + -ismo, -ISM]

Machmeter (mäk´mi:t'эr) •n. an aircraft instrument that measures airspeed by comparing it to the speed of sound [see MACH NUMBER & -METER]

macho (mä´chou; Sp mä´chô) pl. -chos (-chôz; Sp, -chôs) •n. 1 an overly assertive, virile, and domineering man 2 MACHISMO •adj. exhibiting or characterized by machismo; overly aggressive, virile, domineering, etc. [Sp < Port, ult. < L masculus, MASCULINE]

machree (mэ kri:´, mэ khři:´) •n. literally, my heart: Anglo-Irish term of endearment {Mother machree} [< Ir mo, my + croidhe (OIr cride), HEART]

Machu Picchu (mä´chu: pi:k´ch¹) site of ruins of an ancient Incan city in SC Peru

-machy (mэ ki:) combining form struggle or contest of {theomachy} [< Gr machē, a battle]

macintosh (mæk´in täsh') •n. MACKINTOSH

mack (mæk) •n. [Colloq.] MACKINTOSH (sense 1)

Mackenzie (mэ ken´zi:) 1 Sir Alexander c. 1763-1820; Cdn. explorer, born in Scotland 2 William Lyon 1795-1861; Cdn. journalist & insurgent leader, born in Scotland Mackenzie (mэ ken´zi:) 1 river in W Northwest Territories, Canada, flowing from the Great Slave Lake northwest into the Beaufort Sea: 2,635 mi. (4,216 km) 2 former district of Northwest Territories, Canada [after Sir Alexander MACKENZIE]

mackerel (mæk´эr эl, mæk´rэl) pl. -el •n.or -els any of various scombroid fishes; esp., an edible fish (Scomber scombrus) of the North Atlantic, that has a greenish, blue-striped back and a silvery belly [ME makerel < OFr maquerel < ?]

mackerel shark any of a family (Lamnidae) of large, partly warm-blooded sharks, including the porbeagle, mako, and white sharks

mackerel sky a sky covered with rows of small, fleecy, cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds, suggesting the streaks on a mackerel's back

Mackinac (mæk´э nö') small island in the Straits of Mackinac: a Mich. State park: 6 sq. mi. (15.5 sq. km): formerly a center of trade with the Indians of the Northwest [see MACKINAW] Mackinac (mæk´э nö'), Straits of channel connecting Lake Huron & Lake Michigan, separating the upper & lower peninsulas of Mich.: c. 4 mi. (6.4 km) wide [see MACKINAW]

Mackinaw (mæk´э nö') •adj. 1 of or from Mackinac Island, formerly a center of trade with the Indians of the Northwest 2 of or made of a heavy, napped woolen cloth, often plaid •n. [usually m-] 1 MACKINAW BLANKET 2 MACKINAW BOAT 3 MACKINAW COAT [CdnFr Mackinac < Ojibwa mitchimakinak, large turtle]

Mackinaw blanket a thick woolen blanket, often woven in bars of bright colors, much used by Indians, lumbermen, etc. in the American Northwest

Mackinaw boat a rowboat or sailboat with a flat bottom, pointed bow, and, sometimes, pointed stern, formerly used on and around the upper Great Lakes

Mackinaw coat a short, double-breasted coat made of heavy woolen cloth, usually plaid

mackintosh (mæk´in täsh') •n. 1 a waterproof outer coat; raincoat 2 the fabric used for this, orig. made by cementing layers of cloth with rubber See also MCINTOSH [after C. Macintosh (1766-1843), Scot inventor]

mackle (mæk´эl) •n. Printing 1 a blot or blur 2 a blurred sheet •vt., vi. pl. -led or -ling Printing to print blurred or double; blur [Fr macule < L macula, a spot, stain]

macle (mæk´эl) •n. a twin crystal, as of a diamond [Fr < OFr mascle, prob. < ODu maske, MESH]

MacLeish (mэk li:sh´), Archibald 1892-1982; U.S. poet

Macleod (mэ klaud´), John James Rick·ard (rik´эrd) 1876-1935; Scot. physiologist: co-discoverer of insulin

MacMahon (måk må ouñ´), Comte Ma·rie Ed·mé Pa·trice Mau·rice de (må ři:´ ed mei´ på tři:s´ mô ři:s´ dэ) Duc de Magenta 1808-93; marshall of France: president of France (1873-79)

MacMillan (mæk mil´эn, mэk-), Donald Baxter 1874-1970; U.S. arctic explorer Macmillan (mæk mil´эn, mэk-), (Maurice) Harold 1894-1986; Eng. statesman: prime minister (1957-63)

MacNeice (mэk ni:s´), Louis 1907-63; Brit. poet, born in Ireland

Macon (mei´kэn) city in central Ga.: pop. 107,000 [after N. Macon (1758-1837), N.C. patriot]

Mâcon (må kouñ´) •n. any of several white or red wines produced in or near the city of Mâcon in southern Burgundy, France

Macpherson (mэk før´sэn), James 1736-96; Scot. poet: see OSSIAN

Macquarie (mэ kwör´i:, -kwär´-) river in SE Australia, flowing northwest into the Darling: c. 600 mi. (965 km)

macramé (mæk´rэ mei') •n. a coarse fringe or lace of thread or cord knotted in designs, used for decorating furniture, pillows, etc.: also macramé lace [Fr < It macrame < Turk makrama, napkin < Ar miqramah, a veil]

macro (mæk´rou') pl. -ros' •n. a single computer instruction that represents a given sequence of instructions; macroinstruction [MACRO(INSTRUCTION)]

macro- (mæk´rou, -rэ) combining form long (in extent or duration), large, enlarged or elongated (in a specified part) {macrocyte, macrocephaly}: also, before a vowel, macr- [< Gr makros, long < IE *merós < base *māk-, long, slender > L macer, MEAGER]

macrobiotics (mæk'rou bai ät´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the study of prolonging life, as by special diets, etc. mac'ro·bi·ot´ic •adj. [see MACRO- & -BIOTIC]

macrocephaly (mæk'rou sef´э li:) •n. a condition in which the head or cranial capacity is abnormally large: opposed to MICROCEPHALY mac'ro·ceph´a·lous or mac'ro·ce·phal´ic (-sэ fæl´ik) •adj. [MACRO- + -CEPHALY]

macroclimate (mæk´rou klai'mэt, -rэ-) •n. the general climate over a large geographical area mac'ro·cli·mat´ic (-klai mæt´ik) •adj. [MACRO- + CLIMATE]

macrocosm (-käz'эm) •n. 1 the great world; the universe 2 any large, complex entity Opposed to MICROCOSM mac'ro·cos´mic (-käz´mik) •adj. [Fr macrocosme < ML macrocosmus: see MACRO- & COSMOS]

macrocyst (-sist') •n. a large or enlarged cyst; esp., an encysted mass of cytoplasm with many nuclei in a slime mold [MACRO- + CYST]

macrocyte (-sait') •n. an abnormally large red blood corpuscle occurring esp. in pernicious anemia mac´ro·cyt'ic (-sit'ik) •adj. [MACRO- + -CYTE]

macrodont (-dänt') •adj. having large teeth

macroeconomics (mæk'rou ek'э näm´iks, -i:'kэ-) •n. a branch of economics dealing with all the forces at work in an economy or with the interrelationship of large sectors, as in employment or income mac'ro·ec'o·nom´ic •adj.

macroevolution (-ev'э lu:´shэn) •n. large-scale and long-range evolution involving the appearance of new genera, families, etc. of organisms

macrogamete (-gæm´i:t', -gæ mi:t´) •n. the larger of two conjugating cells in heterogamous sexual reproduction, considered to be female [MACRO- + GAMETE]

macroinstruction (mæk'rou in strûk´ shэn) •n. MACRO

macromere (mæk´rou mir') •n. one of the large cells produced by unequal cell division during the early embryologic development of many animals, as mollusks [MACRO- + -MERE]

macromolecule (mæk'rou mäl´i kyu:l') •n. a very large molecule, as a protein or polymer molecule, composed of hundreds of thousands of atoms: also mac´ro·mole' (-moul') mac'ro·mo·lec´u·lar (-mou lek´yu: lэr) •adj.

macron (mei´krэn, -krän') •n. a short, straight mark (¯) placed over a vowel to indicate that it is long or is to be pronounced in a certain way [Gr makron, neut. of makros, long: see MACRO-]

macronucleus (mæk'rou nu:´kli: эs) •n. the larger of two types of nuclei present in the cells of ciliate protozoans mac'ro·nu´cle·ar •adj.

macronutrient (-nu:´tri: эnt) •n. any of the chemical elements, as carbon, required in relatively large quantities for plant growth [MACRO- + NUTRIENT]

macrophage (mæk´rou feij') •n. any of various phagocytic cells in connective tissue, lymphatic tissue, bone marrow, etc. of vertebrates mac'ro·phag´ic (-fæj´ik) •adj. [MACRO- + -PHAGE]

macropterous (mæ kräp´tэr эs) •adj. having unusually large wings or fins [MACRO- + -PTEROUS]

macroscopic (mæk'rou skäp´ik) •adj. 1 visible to the naked eye: opposed to MICROSCOPIC 2 having to do with large groups or units Also mac'ro·scop´i·cal [MACRO- + -SCOP(E) + -IC]

macrosporangium (mæk'rou spэ ræn´ji: эm) pl. -gi·a (-э) •n. MEGASPORANGIA

macrospore (mæk´rou spör') •n. MEGASPORE [MACRO- + SPORE]

macruran (mэ krur´эn) •n. any of various decapods with large abdomens, including the lobsters and shrimps ma·cru´rous or ma·cru´ral •adj. [< ModL macrura (< MACRO- + Gr oura, tail) + -AN]

macula (mæk´yu: lэ) pl. -lae' (-li:') •n.or -las a spot, stain, blotch, etc.; esp., a discolored spot on the skin mac´u·lar •adj. [L, a spot, stain]

macula lutea (-lu:t´i: э) an area of especially keen vision on the retina [ModL, lit., luteous spot]

maculate (mæk´yu: leit'; for adj., -lit) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. [Archaic] to spot; stain; blemish; defile •adj. 1 spotted; blotched 2 defiled; impure [ME maculaten < L maculatus, pp. of maculare, to spot, speckle < macula, a spot, stain]

maculation (mæk'yu: lei´shэn) •n. 1 [Archaic] a spotting or being spotted 2 a spot; blemish 3 the pattern of spots on an animal or plant [L maculatio: see MACULATE]

macule (mæk´yu:l') •n. MACULA [ME]

macumba (mэ kum´bэ) •n. a religious cult in Brazil, combining voodoo with elements of Christianity [BrazPort]

MAD (mæd) •n. the theory that the possession of equally devastating nuclear weapons by superpowers will deter each from attacking another or its allies [m(utually) a(ssured) d(estruction)] mad (mæd) mad´der, mad´dest •adj. 1 mentally ill; insane 2 wildly excited or disorderly; frenzied; frantic {mad with fear} 3 showing or resulting from lack of reason; foolish and rash; unwise {a mad scheme} 4 blindly and foolishly enthusiastic or fond; infatuated {to be mad about clothes} 5 wildly amusing; hilarious {a mad comedy} 6 having rabies {a mad dog} 7 a) angry or provoked (often with at) b) showing or expressing anger •vt., vi. mad´ded, mad´ding [Archaic] to madden •n. an angry or sullen mood or fit have a mad on [Colloq.] to be angry mad as a hatter (or March hare) completely crazy [ME madd, aphetic < OE gemæd, pp. of (ge)mædan, to make mad, akin to Goth gamaiths, crippled, OS gimēd, foolish < IE *mait- < base *mai-, to hew, cut off > Goth maitan, to hew, Gr mitylos, dehorned]

mad money 1 a small amount of money carried by a woman for emergencies, as on a date to enable her to get home alone if she wishes 2 money saved for minor purchases, often specif. for spending frivolously

Madagascar (mæd'э gæs´kэr) 1 large island in the Indian Ocean, off the SE coast of Africa 2 country comprising this island and nearby islands: discovered by the Portuguese (1500), it became a French protectorate (1895), colony (1896), & a republic (Malagasy Republic) of the French Community; it became fully independent (1960); since 1975, the Democratic Republic of Madagascar: 228,919 sq. mi. (592,900 sq. km); pop. 7,604,000; cap. Antananarivo Mad'a·gas´can •adj., n.

madam (mæd´эm) pl. mad´ams; for 1, usually mes·dames (mei däm´, -dæm´) •n. 1 a woman; lady: a polite term of address 2 the mistress of a household Æ 3 a woman in charge of a brothel [Fr madame, orig. ma dame < L mea domina, my lady: see DAME]

madame (mэ däm´, -dæm´; mæd´эm; Fr må dåm´) pl. mes·dames (mei däm´, -dæm´; Fr mei dåm´) •n. a married woman: French title equivalent to Mrs.: used in English as a title of respect for a distinguished woman or generally for any foreign married woman: abbrev. Mme, Mdme [Fr: see MADAM]

madcap (mæd´kæp') •n. a reckless, impulsive, or uninhibited person, orig. esp. a girl •adj. reckless, uninhibited, or zany {madcap pranks} [MAD + CAP, fig. for head]

madden (mæd´ªn) •vt., vi. to make or become mad; make or become insane, angry, or wildly excited mad´den·ing •adj. mad´den·ing·ly •adv.

madder¹ (mæd´эr) •n. 1 any of a genus (Rubia) of plants of the madder family, with petals fused to form a funnel-shaped corolla; esp., a perennial vine (R. tinctorum) with panicles of small, yellow flowers 2 a) the red root of this vine b) a red dye made from this: see also ALIZARIN 3 bright red; crimson •adj. designating a family (Rubiaceae, order Rubiales) of chiefly tropical, dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees, including bedstraw, bluet, coffee, and cinchona [ME mader < OE mædere, akin to ON mathra, Norw modra < IE base *modhro-, dye plant > Czech modrý, blue]

madder² (mæd´эr) •adj. compar. of MAD

madding (mæd´iŋ) •adj. [Rare] 1 raving; frenzied {the madding crowd} 2 maddening; making mad

maddish (mæd´ish) •adj. somewhat mad

made (meid) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of MAKE¹ •adj. 1 constructed; shaped; formed {a well-made play} 2 produced artificially {made ground, from filling in a swamp} 3 invented; contrived {a made word} 4 prepared from various ingredients {a made dish} 5 sure of success {a made man} Æ have (got) it made [Slang] to be assured of success

Madeira (mэ dir´э) •n. any of several fortified wines, ranging from pale to amber and dry to sweet, made chiefly on the island of Madeira Madeira (mэ dir´э) 1 group of Portuguese islands in the Atlantic, off the W coast of Morocco: 308 sq. mi. (798 sq. km); pop. 268,000; chief city, Funchal 2 largest island of this group: 286 sq. mi. (740 sq. km) 3 river in NW Brazil, flowing northeast into the Amazon: c. 2,100 mi. (3,379 km)

madeleine (mæd´ªl in) •n. a type of small, rich cake baked in a shell-shaped mold [Fr, ? after Madeleine Paulnier, 19th-c. Fr cook]

Madeline (mæd´ªl in, -ain') a feminine name: see MAGDALENE

mademoiselle (mæd'э mэ zel´, mæm zel´; Fr måd mwå zel´) pl. Fr. mes·de·moi·selles (meid mwå zel´) •n. 1 an unmarried woman or girl: French title equivalent to Miss: abbrev. Mlle or Mdlle 2 a French governess 3 SILVER PERCH (sense 1) [Fr < ma, my + demoiselle, young lady < OFr dameisele: see DAMSEL]

Madero (mэ der´ou; Sp mä ðei´řô), Fran·cis·co In·da·le·cio (fřän si:s´kô i:n'dä le´syô) 1873-1913; Mex. revolutionist & statesman: president of Mexico (1911-13)

made-to-order (meid´tэ ör´dэr) •adj. 1 made to conform to the customer's specifications or measurements; custom-made 2 perfectly suitable or conformable

made-up (-ûp´) •adj. 1 put together; arranged {a made-up page of type} 2 invented; fabricated; false {a made-up story} 3 with cosmetics applied

Madge (mæj) a feminine name: see MARGARET

madhouse (mæd´haus') •n. 1 a former kind of institution for the confinement of the mentally ill; insane asylum 2 any place of turmoil, noise, and confusion

Madhya Pradesh (mûd´yэ prä´desh) state of central India: 172,985 sq. mi. (442,841 sq. km); pop. 52,178,000; cap. Bhopal

Madison (mæd´э sэn) capital of Wis., in the SC part: pop. 191,000 [after James MADISON] Madison (mæd´э sэn) 1 Dol·ley (däl´i:) (or, incorrectly, Dol·ly) (born Dorothea Payne) 1768-1849; wife of James 2 James 1751-1836; 4th president of the U.S. (1809-17)

Madison Avenue 1 a street in New York City, regarded as the center of the U.S. advertising industry Æ 2 this industry, its practices, influence, etc.

madly (mæd´li:) •adv. 1 insanely 2 wildly; furiously 3 foolishly 4 extremely

madman (mæd´mæn', -mэn) pl. -men' (-men', -mэn) •n. a demented or insane person; lunatic; maniac

madness (mæd´nis) •n. 1 dementia; insanity; lunacy 2 great anger 3 great folly 4 wild excitement 5 rabies

madonna (mэ dän´э) •n. 1 a former Italian title for a woman, equivalent to madam 2 [M-] a picture or statue of Mary [M-] Mary, mother of Jesus [It, my lady < ma, my (< L mea) + donna, lady (< L domina, see DAME)]

Madonna lily a hardy lily (Lilium candidum) with white flowers

madras (mæ´drэs; mэ dræs´, -dräs´) •n. 1 a fine, firm cotton cloth, usually striped or plaid, used for shirts, dresses, etc. 2 a durable silk cloth, usually striped 3 a figured cotton or rayon cloth in leno weave, used for draperies 4 a large, bright-colored kerchief of silk or cotton •adj. made of madras [after fol.] Madras (mэ dræs´, -dräs´; mæd´rэs, mäd´-) 1 old name of TAMIL NADU 2 capital of Tamil Nadu: seaport on the Coromandel Coast: pop. 4,277,000

madre (mä´dře) •n. mother [Sp]

Madre de Dios (mä´dře de dyôs´) river in SE Peru & N Bolivia, flowing east into the Beni: c. 900 mi. (1,448 km)

madrepore (mæ´drэ pör') •n. STONY CORAL mad're·por´ic or mad're·po´ri·an •adj. [Fr madrépore < It madrepora, lit., mother-stone (from its rapid production) < madre (< L mater, MOTHER¹) + poro, a pore < L porus, PORE²]

madreporite (mæ´drэ pör´ait') •n. a porous calcareous plate in most echinoderms, through which the sea enters the water-vascular system: see STARFISH, illus. [prec. + -ITE¹]

Madrid (mэ drid´; Sp mä ðři:ð´) capital of Spain, in the central part: pop. 3,200,000 Mad·ri·le·ni·an (mæd'rэ le´ni: эn) •adj., n. Ma·dri·le·ño (mä'drэ lei´nyou') •n.

madrigal (mæ´dri gэl) •n. 1 a short poem, usually a love poem, which can be set to music 2 an often contrapuntal song with parts for several voices singing without accompaniment, popular in the 15th, 16th, and 17th cent. 3 loosely, any song, esp. a part song mad´ri·gal·ist •n. [It madrigale < ?]

madrilène (mæ'drэ len´; Fr må dři: len´) •n. a consommé made with tomatoes [Fr (consommé) Madrilène, Madrid (consommé) < Sp Madrileño, of Madrid]

madroño (mэ drou´nyou) pl. -ños an evergreen tree (Arbutus menziesii) of the heath family, with smooth, red bark, leathery, oval leaves, and edible, red berries, native to W North America Also ma·dro´ne (-nэ) or ma·dro´ña (-nyэ) •n. [Sp < maduro: see MADURO]

Madura (mä dur´ä) island of Indonesia, just off the NE coast of Java: 1,770 sq. mi. (4,584 sq. km): see JAVA Mad·u·rese (mæd´э ri:z, mäj´-), pl. -rese´, •adj., n.

Madurai (mä dэ rai´) city in S India, in the state of Tamil Nadu: pop. 904,000

maduro (mэ dur´ou) •adj. designating or of a cigar that has a dark-brown wrapper leaf •n. such a cigar [Sp, mature < L maturus, MATURE]

madwoman (mæd´wum'эn) pl. -wom'en (-wim'эn) •n. a demented or insane woman

madwort (-wørt') •n. ALYSSUM [MAD + WORT²; once a supposed remedy for rabies]

mae (mei) •adj., n., adv. Scot. var. of MORE Mae (mei) a feminine name: see MARY

Mae West (mei´west´) an inflatable life jacket for use as by aviators downed at sea [after Mae West (1892-1980), shapely U.S. actress]

Maeander (mi: æn´dэr) ancient name of MENDERES (river flowing into the Aegean)

Maebashi (mä'yэ bäsh´i:, mi: bäsh´-) city in central Honshu, Japan: pop. 272,000

Maecenas (mai si:´nэs, mi-), (Gaius Cilnius) c. 70-8 B.C.; Rom. statesman & patron of Horace & Virgil Maecenas (mai si:´nэs, mi-) •n. any wealthy, generous patron, esp. of literature or art [after fol.]

Maelstrom (meil´strэm) a famous strong, swirling tidal current off the W coast of Norway, hazardous to safe navigation •n. [m-] 1 any large or violent whirlpool 2 a violently confused or dangerously agitated state of mind, emotion, affairs, etc. [17th-c. Du (now maalstroom) < malen, to grind, whirl round (akin to Ger mahlen: see MILL¹) + stroom, a stream: first applied by 16th-c. Du geographers]

maenad (mi:´næd') •n. 1 [often M-] a female votary of Dionysus, who took part in the wild, orgiastic rites that characterized his worship; bacchante 2 a frenzied or raging woman mae·nad·ic (mi: næd´ik) •adj. [L Maenas (gen. Maenadis) < Gr mainas (gen. mainados) < mainesthai, to rave < IE *mnā-, var. of base *men-, to think > MIND]

maestoso (mais tou´sou; It mä'э stô´sô) •adj., adv. Musical Direction with majesty or dignity [It]

maestro (mais´trou; also mä es´trou') pl. -tros or -tri (-tri:) •n. a master in any art; esp., a great composer, conductor, or teacher of music [It < L magister, MASTER]

Maeterlinck (meit´эr liŋk', met´-), Count Maurice 1862-1949; Belgian playwright, essayist, & poet

Mafeking (mäf´э kiŋ) old name of MAFIKENG

maffick (mæf´ik) •vi. [Chiefly Brit.] to celebrate in an exuberant, unrestrained manner [back-form. < prec., where unrestrained celebration marked the successful Brit stand against the Boers (1900)]

Mafia (mä´fi: э) •n. 1 in Sicily, a) [m-] an attitude of popular hostility to law and government b) a secret society characterized by this attitude 2 in the U.S. and elsewhere, a secret society, of Italian origin, engaged in such illegal activities as gambling, prostitution, and illicit trade in narcotics 3 [m-] any exclusive or dominating group Also Maf·fi·a [It maffia]

mafic (mæf´ik) •adj. Geol. of or pertaining to igneous rocks rich in magnesium and iron and comparatively low in silica [MA(GNESIUM) + L f(errum), iron + -IC]

Mafikeng (mäf´э kiŋ) city in NC Bophuthatswana, near the Botswana border, South Africa: scene of famous siege of British garrison by the Boers, lasting 217 days: pop. 6,500

Mafioso (mä'fi: ou´sou) pl. -si (-si:) •n. 1 a member of the Mafia 2 [m-] a member of any mafia [It]

mag (mæg) •n. short for: 1 MAGNETO 2 [Slang] MAGAZINE (n. 5) mag abbrev. 1 magazine 2 magnetism 3 magnitude

mag (wheel) a shiny, lightweight motor vehicle wheel having an attractive, symmetrical pattern of holes or spokes around the hub

Magallanes (mä'gä yä´nes) old name of PUNTA ARENAS

magazine (mæg'э zi:n´, mæg´э zi:n') •n. 1 a place of storage, as a warehouse, storehouse, or military supply depot 2 a space in which ammunition and explosives are stored, as a building or room in a fort, or a section of a warship 3 a supply chamber, as a space in or container on a rifle or pistol from which cartridges are fed, or a space in or container on a camera from which a protected roll of film is fed 4 the things kept in a magazine, as munitions or supplies 5 [from the idea of storehouse of information] a) a publication, usually with a paper back and sometimes illustrated, that appears at regular intervals and contains stories, articles, etc. by various writers and, usually, advertisements b) a newspaper section similar to thisÆ 6 a television program, appearing regularly, with brief informational segments [Fr magasin < OFr magazin < It magazzino < Ar makhāzin, pl. of makhzan, a storehouse, granary < khazana, to store up]

Magdalena (mäg'dä le´nä) river in W Colombia, flowing north into the Caribbean: c. 1,000 mi. (1,609 km)

Magdalene (mæg´dэ lэn, -lin, -li:n'; also, for 2, mæg' dэ li:´nэ) 1 a feminine name: dim. Lena; var. Madeline, Madelyn 2 Mary Magdalene: Luke 8:2 (identified with the repentant woman in Luke 7:37) •n. [m-] 1 a reformed and repentant prostitute 2 [Brit.] a reformatory for prostitutes Also Mag´da·len (-lэn) [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) Magdalēne, lit., of Magdala, after Magdala, town on the Sea of Galilee]

Magdalenian (mæg'dэ li:´ni: эn) •adj. designating or of an Upper Paleolithic culture characterized by cave art, bone engraving, and tools of polished stone and bone [Fr magdalénien, after La Madeleine, rock shelter in SW France, where many of the artifacts were found]

Magdeburg (mäg´dэ buřkh; E mæg´dэ børg') city & port in E Germany, on the Elbe, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt: pop. 288,000

mage (meij) •n. [Archaic] a magician; wizard [Fr < L magus: see MAGI]

Magellan , Strait of channel between the South American mainland & Tierra del Fuego: c. 350 mi. (563 km) long Magellan (mэ jel´эn), Ferdinand c. 1480-1521; Port. navigator in the service of Spain: discovered the Strait of Magellan & the Philippine Islands Mag·el·lan·ic (mæj'э læn´ik) •adj.

Magellanic cloud Astron. either of two (the Large and the Small) irregular galaxies visible to the naked eye in the S constellations Dorado, Mensa, and Tucana: the nearest of the external galaxies to the Milky Way [after Ferdinand MAGELLAN]

Magen David (mä gein´ dä vi:d´, mö´gэn dö´vid) STAR OF DAVID [Heb]

magenta (mэ jen´tэ) •n. 1 FUCHSIN 2 purplish red •adj. purplish-red [after Magenta, town in Italy: so called because discovered about the time (1859) of the battle fought there]

Maggie (mæg´i:) a feminine name: see MARGARET

Maggiore (mэ jör´i:; It mäd jô´ře), Lake lake in NW Italy & S Switzerland: 82 sq. mi. (212 sq. km)

maggot (mæg´эt) •n. 1 a wormlike insect larva, as the legless larva of the housefly: often found in decaying matter 2 an odd notion; whim mag´got·y •adj. [ME magotte, prob. < earlier mathek, flesh worm < ON mathkr or OE matha, a worm, maggot: see MAWKISH]

Maghreb (mû´grэb) NW Africa, chiefly Morocco, Algeria, & Tunisia: the Arabic name

Magi (mei´jai') sing. Ma´gus (-gэs) •n.pl. members of a priestly caste of ancient Media and Persia the wise men from the East (in later tradition, three in number) who came bearing gifts to the infant Jesus: Matt. 2:1-13 Ma´gi·an (-ji: эn) •adj., n. [L, pl. of magus < Gr magos < OPers magus (or Iran magu-), member of a priestly caste, magician < IE base *magh-, to be able > MIGHT², L machina]

magic (mæj´ik) •n. 1 a) the use of charms, spells, and rituals in seeking or pretending to cause or control events, or govern certain natural or supernatural forces; occultism b) such charms, spells, etc. 2 any mysterious, seemingly inexplicable, or extraordinary power or quality {the magic of love} 3 the art or performing skill of producing baffling effects or illusions by sleight of hand, concealed apparatus, etc. •adj. [L magicus < Gr magikos] 1 of, produced by, used in, or using magic 2 producing extraordinary results, as if by magic or supernatural means •vt. 1 to cause, change, make, etc. by or as if by magic 2 to make disappear by or as if by magic: with away SYN.—magic is the general term for any of the supposed arts of producing marvelous effects by supernatural or occult power and is figuratively applied to any extraordinary, seemingly inexplicable power; sorcery implies magic in which spells are cast or charms are used, usually for a harmful or sinister purpose; witchcraft (of women) and wizardry (of men) imply the possession of supernatural power by compact with evil spirits, witchcraft figuratively suggesting the use of womanly wiles, and wizardry, remarkable skill, cleverness, etc. [ME magike < OFr magique < L magice < Gr magikē (technē), magic (art), sorcery < magikos, of the Magi: see MAGI]

magic lantern an early type of projector for showing still pictures from transparent slides

Magic Marker trademark for a pen holding colored, waterproof ink that is applied through a felt tip, used for writing, drawing, etc.

magic realism a style in 20th-cent. literature and art that depicts fantastic or magical characters or occurrences in an otherwise realistic presentation: also magical realism

magical (mæj´i kэl) •adj. MAGIC (esp. in sense 2): used predicatively as well as attributively, whereas magic tends to be attributive only mag´i·cal·ly •adv.

magician (mэ jish´эn) •n. an expert in magic; specif., a) a sorcerer; wizard b) a performer skilled in sleight of hand, illusions, etc. [ME magicien < OFr]

Maginot line (mæzh´э nou') a system of heavy fortifications built before World War II on the E frontier of France: it failed to prevent invasion by the Nazi armies [after A. Maginot (1877-1932), Fr minister of war]

magisterial (mæj'is tir´i: эl) •adj. 1 of or suitable for a magistrate or master 2 authoritative; official 3 domineering; pompous SYN. MASTERFUL mag'is·te´ri·al·ly •adv. [ML magisterialis < LL magisterius < L magister, a MASTER]

magisterium (mæj'is tir´i: эm) •n. the authority, office, and power to teach true doctrine by divine guidance, held by the Roman Catholic Church to have been given to itself alone by divine commission; also, the doctrine so taught [L < magister, MASTER]

magistracy (mæj´is trэ si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 the position, office, function, or term of a magistrate 2 magistrates collectively 3 the district under a magistrate; magistrate's jurisdiction

magistral (-trэl) •adj. 1 [Rare] magisterial; authoritative 2 guiding; principal {a magistral line in fortifications} 3 [Obs.] prepared on prescription: said of medicines [L magistralis]

magistrate (-treit', -trit) •n. 1 a civil officer empowered to administer the law: the President of the U.S. is sometimes called chief magistrate 2 a minor official with limited judicial powers, as a justice of the peace or judge of a police court mag'is·trat´i·cal (-træt´i kэl) •adj. [ME < L magistratus < magister, MASTER]

Maglemosean or Maglemosian (mæg'lэ mou´si: эn) •adj. designating or of a Mesolithic lake or bog culture of N Europe characterized by microliths [after Maglemose, bog in Denmark]

maglev (mæg´lev') •adj. of or having to do with a railroad system using magnets to float a swiftly moving train above its tracks

magma (mæg´mэ) •n. 1 a pasty mixture of crude mineral or organic matter 2 liquid or molten rock deep in the earth, which on cooling solidifies to produce igneous rock 3 Pharmacy a suspension of precipitated matter in a watery substance mag·mat´ic (-mæt´ik) •adj. [L, the dregs of an unguent < Gr < massein, to knead < IE base *menk-, to knead, crush > MINGLE]

Magna Carta or Magna Charta (mæg´nэ kär´tэ) the great charter that King John of England was forced by the English barons to grant at Runnymede, June 15, 1215, traditionally interpreted as guaranteeing certain civil and political liberties [ML, lit., great charter]

magna cum laude (mäg´nä kum lau´de, mæg´nэ kûm lö´di:) a phrase signifying above-average academic standing at the time of graduation from a college or university: the second of three categories: see also CUM LAUDE, SUMMA CUM LAUDE [L]

Magna Graecia (mæg´nэ gri:´shi: э) ancient Greek colonies in S Italy

magnanimity (mæg'nэ nim´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or state of being magnanimous 2 pl. -ties a magnanimous act [ME magnanimite]

magnanimous (mæg næn´э mэs) •adj. noble in mind; high-souled; esp., generous in overlooking injury or insult; rising above pettiness or meanness mag·nan´i·mous·ly •adv. [L magnanimus < magnus, great (see MAGNI-) + animus, mind, soul (see ANIMAL)]

magnate (mæg´neit, -nit) •n. a very important or influential person in any field of activity, esp. in a large business [ME < LL magnas (pl. magnates), great man < L magnus, great: see MAGNI-]

magnesia (mæg ni:´zhэ, -shэ) •n. 1 magnesium oxide, MgO, a white, tasteless powder, used as a mild laxative and antacid, and as an insulating substance, in firebrick, etc. 2 hydrated magnesium carbonate, also used as a laxative mag·ne´sian or mag·ne´sic (-sik) •adj. [ModL magnesia (alba), lit., (white) magnesia (in contrast to ML magnesia, a black mineral < LGr magnēsia < Magnēsia, fol.): term substituted by F. Hoffmann (1660-1742), Ger physician, for ModL magnes carneus, lit., flesh-magnet (see MAGNET & CARNAL): so named from clinging to the lips] Magnesia (mæg ni:´zhэ, -shэ) ancient name of MANISA

magnesite (mæg´nэ sait') •n. native magnesium carbonate, MgCO3, a mineral occurring usually in white, compact masses: used for furnace linings, in making carbon dioxide, etc.

magnesium (mæg ni:´zi: эm, -zhi: эm, -zhэm) •n. a light, silver-white metallic chemical element, malleable and ductile: used in making several alloys and, because it burns with a hot, white light, in photographic flashbulbs, incendiary bombs, etc.: symbol, Mg; at. wt., 24.305; at. no., 12; sp. gr., 1.74; melt. pt., 650°C; boil. pt., 1,110°C [ModL < MAGNESIA]

magnet (mæg´nit) •n. 1 any piece of certain kinds of material, as iron, that has the property of attracting like material: this property may be permanent or temporarily induced: see ELECTROMAGNET 2 a person or thing that attracts [ME magnete < OFr < L magnes (gen. magnetis) < Gr Magnētis (lithos), (stone) of MAGNESIA]

magnet school a public school which offers innovative courses, specialized training, etc. in order to attract students from a broad urban area and thereby help to bring about desegregation

magnetic (mæg net´ik) •adj. 1 having the properties of a magnet {magnetic needle} 2 of, producing, caused by, or operating by magnetism 3 of the earth's magnetism {the magnetic poles} 4 that is or can be magnetized 5 powerfully attractive: said of a person, personality, etc. mag·net´i·cal·ly •adv.

magnetic amplifier a tubeless, sensitive amplifier that controls the flow of current from an alternating voltage source by applying a weak signal to the control windings

magnetic axis the straight line joining the two poles of a magnet

magnetic bottle Physics a geometric configuration whose extent is outlined by magnetic lines of force that will confine a hot plasma, and, in thermonuclear reactors, keep it away from the walls of the chambers

magnetic circuit a closed path, usually of magnetic material, that confines the magnetic flux

magnetic compass an instrument for indicating geographical directions magnetically, as by the action of the earth's magnetic field on a bar magnet (magnetic needle) suspended so as to swing freely on a pivot

magnetic course an airplane's course measured clockwise in degrees from the direction of magnetic north

magnetic declination (or deviation) DECLINATION (sense 3)

magnetic equator an imaginary line around the earth near the equator, where the lines of force of the earth's magnetic field are parallel with the surface of the earth and where a magnetic needle will consequently not dip

magnetic field a physical field that arises from an electric charge in motion, producing a force on a moving electric charge

magnetic flux the component of a magnetic field perpendicular to an area multiplied by the size of that area; a measure of the number of magnetic field lines passing through the area

magnetic force the repelling or attracting force between a magnet and a ferromagnetic material, between a magnet and a current-carrying conductor, etc.

magnetic induction the flux per unit area perpendicular to the direction of the flux Also magnetic flux density

magnetic meridian a continuous line on the earth's surface connecting the north and south magnetic poles

magnetic mine a naval mine designed to explode when the metal hull of a ship passing near it deflects a magnetic needle, closing an electric circuit and thus detonating the charge

magnetic moment 1 a measure of the strength of a localized source of magnetic field 2 a moment of electrons and nuclear particles caused by the intrinsic spin of a particle and the orbital motion of a particle, as around a nucleus

magnetic monopole MONOPOLE

magnetic needle a slender bar of magnetized steel which, when mounted so as to swing freely on a pivot, will point along the line of the magnetic meridian toward the magnetic poles, approximately north and south: it is the essential part of a magnetic compass

magnetic north the direction toward which a magnetic needle points: in most places it is not true north

magnetic pickup a phonograph pickup in which a part of the stylus assembly vibrates in a magnetic field between two coils, thus inducing current in the coils

magnetic pole 1 either pole of a magnet, where the magnetic lines of force seem to be concentrated 2 either point on the earth's surface toward which the needle of a magnetic compass points: the north and south magnetic poles do not precisely coincide with the geographical poles

magnetic recording the recording of electrical signals by means of changes in areas of magnetization on a tape, wire, or disc: used for recording sound, video material, digital computer data, etc.

magnetic storm a worldwide disturbance of the earth's magnetic field, caused by solar flares and sunspots

magnetic tape a thin plastic ribbon coated with a suspension of ferromagnetic iron oxide particles, used as a storage medium for magnetic recording

magnetic wire a fine wire of a ferromagnetic alloy, used as a storage medium for magnetic recording

magnetics (mæg net´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the branch of physics dealing with magnets and magnetic phenomena

magnetism (mæg´nэ tiz'эm) •n. 1 the property, quality, or condition of being magnetic 2 the force to which this is due 3 the branch of physics dealing with magnets and magnetic phenomena; magnetics 4 power to attract; personal charm or allure 5 old term for HYPNOTISM

magnetite (mæg´nэ tait') •n. a black iron oxide, Fe3O4, an important iron ore: called lodestone when magnetic [Ger magnetit: see MAGNET & -ITE¹]

magnetize (mæg´nэ taiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make into a magnet; give magnetic properties to (steel, iron, etc.) 2 [Rare] HYPNOTIZE 3 to attract or charm (a person), often in an almost hypnotic way •vi. to become magnetic mag'net·iz´a·ble •adj. mag'net·i·za´tion •n. mag´net·iz'er •n.

magneto (mæg ni:t´ou) pl. -tos •n. a dynamo in which one or more permanent magnets produce the magnetic field; esp., a small machine of this sort connected with and run by an internal-combustion engine, used to generate the electric current providing a spark for the ignition [see MAGNET]

magneto- (mæg ni:t´ou, -э; -net´ou, -э) combining form 1 magnetism, magnetic force {magnetometer} 2 magnetoelectric {magnetohydrodynamics} [see MAGNET]

magnetoelectric (-i: lek´trik) •adj. designating or of electricity produced by changing magnetic fields in the vicinity of electric conductors mag·ne'to·e'lec'tric´i·ty (-tris´э ti:) •n.

magnetohydrodynamics (-hai'drou dai næm´iks) •n.pl. [with sing v.] the science that deals with the interaction of a magnetic field with an electrically conducting fluid, as a liquid metal or an ionized gas mag·ne´to·hy'dro·dy·nam´ic •adj. [MAGNETO- + HYDRODYNAMICS]

magnetometer (mæg'nэ täm´эt эr) •n. 1 an instrument for measuring magnetic forces, esp. the earth's magnetic field 2 an instrument for detecting the presence of magnetic materials by their influence on the local magnetic field: often used to screen for weapons at airports, etc. mag·ne'to·met´ric (-ni:t'ou met´rik, -net'-) •adj. mag'ne·tom´e·try (-э tri:) •n. [MAGNETO- + -METER]

magnetomotive (mæg ni:t'ou mout´iv, -net'ou-) •adj. designating or of a force that gives rise to magnetic flux [MAGNETO- + -MOTIVE]

magneton (mæg´nэ tän') •n. a unit of the magnitude of the magnetic moment of atoms or other particles [Fr: see MAGNET & -ON]

magnetopause (mæg ni:t´ou pöz', -ni:t´э-) •n. the outer boundary of a magnetosphere that separates a planet's magnetic field from interplanetary space

magnetoresistance (mæg ni:t'ou ri zis´tэns, -net'ou-) •n. a change in the electrical resistance of a substance with the application of a magnetic field [MAGNETO- + RESISTANCE]

magnetosphere (mæg ni:t´ou sfir', -ni:t´э-; -net´-) •n. that region surrounding a planet in which the planet's magnetic field is stronger than the interplanetary field: the solar wind gives it a cometlike shape with the tail extending from the night side of the planet for vast distances mag·ne'to·spher´ic (-sfer´ik, -sfir´-) •adj. [MAGNETO- + -SPHERE]

magnetostriction (-strik'shэn) •n. a small variation in the size of a ferromagnetic material when subjected to an applied magnetic field mag·ne'to·stric´tive •adj. [MAGNETO- + (CON)STRICTION]

magnetron (mæg´nэ trän') •n. an electron tube in which the flow of electrons from the cathode to one or more anodes is controlled by an externally applied magnetic field: used to generate alternating currents at microwave frequencies [MAGNE(T) + (ELEC)TRON]

magni- (mæg´ni, -nэ) combining form great, big, large, {magnificence} [< L magnus, great, big < IE base *meG(h)- > MUCH, Sans mahā-, Gr megas, big]

magnific (mæg nif´ik) •adj. [Archaic] 1 magnificent 2 imposing in size, dignity, etc. 3 a) pompous b) grandiloquent 4 eulogistic Also mag·nif´i·cal [ME magnyfyque < OFr magnifique < L magnificus]

Magnificat (mæg nif´i kæt', män yif´i kät') the hymn of the Virgin Mary in Luke 1:46-55, beginning Magnificat anima mea Dominum, My soul doth magnify the Lord •n. 1 any musical setting for this 2 [m-] any song, poem, or hymn of praise [L]

magnification (mæg'nэ fi kei´shэn) •n. 1 a magnifying or being magnified 2 the power of magnifying 3 a magnified image, model, or representation [LL magnificatio]

magnificence (mæg nif´э sэns) •n. richness and splendor, as of furnishings, color, dress, etc.; stately or imposing beauty [OFr < L magnificentia < magnificus, noble < magnus, great (see MAGNI-) + facere, to DO¹]

magnificent (mæg nif´э sэnt) •adj. 1 beautiful in a grand or stately way; rich or sumptuous, as in construction, decoration, form, etc. 2 exalted: said of ideas, etc., and also of some former rulers, as Lorenzo the Magnificent 3 [Colloq.] exceptionally good; excellent SYN. GRAND mag·nif´i·cent·ly •adv. [OFr < LL magnificens: see MAGNIFICENCE]

magnifico (mæg nif´i kou') pl. -coes' or -cos' •n. 1 a nobleman of ancient Venice 2 a person of high rank or great importance [It < L magnificus: see MAGNIFICENCE]

magnifier (mæg´nэ fai'эr) •n. 1 a person who magnifies 2 a thing that magnifies; specif., a lens or combination of lenses for magnifying

magnify (mæg´nэ fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 [Rare] to make greater in size, status, or importance; enlarge 2 to cause to seem greater, more important, etc. than is really so; exaggerate {to magnify one's sufferings} 3 to cause to seem larger than is really so; increase the apparent size of, esp. by means of a lens or lenses 4 [Archaic] to glorify; praise; extol •vi. to have the power of increasing the apparent size of an object, as a microscope does [ME magnifien < OFr magnifier < L magnificare, to make much of, esteem highly, LL(Ec), to worship < magnus, great (see MAGNI-) + facere, to make, DO¹]

magnifying glass a lens or combination of lenses that increases the apparent size of an object seen through it

magniloquent (mæg nil´э kwэnt) •adj. 1 lofty, pompous, or grandiose in speech or style of expression 2 boastful or bombastic mag·nil´o·quence •n. mag·nil´o·quent·ly •adv. [prob. back-form. < magniloquence < L magniloquentia < magniloquus, speaking in a lofty style < magnus, great (see MAGNI-) + loqui, to speak]

Magnitogorsk (mäg'ni tô gôřsk´) city in SW Russia, on the Ural River: pop. 422,000

magnitude (mæg´nэ tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. 1 greatness; specif., a) of size b) of extent c) of importance or influence d) [Obs.] of character 2 a) size or measurable quantity {the magnitude of a velocity} b) loudness (of sound) c) importance or influence 3 Astron. a number representing the apparent brightness of a celestial body: it is part of an unlimited arbitrary scale that ranges from the brightest object, the sun, at -26.72 to the faintest visible object at c. 26: only 21 stars are brighter than 1.5 (first magnitude), while stars c. 6 (sixth magnitude) are barely visible to the naked eye: each increase of one magnitude equals 2.512 times as much brightness (a magnitude increase of 5 is 100 times brighter): see ABSOLUTE MAGNITUDE 4 Math. a number given to a quantity for purposes of comparison with other quantities of the same class of the first magnitude of the greatest importance [L magnitudo < magnus, great: see MAGNI-]

magnolia (mæg nou´li: э, -noul´yэ) •n. 1 any of a genus (Magnolia) of trees or shrubs of the magnolia family, with large, fragrant flowers of white, pink, or purple 2 the flower •adj. designating a family (Magnoliaceae, order Magnoliales) of dicotyledonous trees, shrubs, and, sometimes, vines, including the cucumber tree and the tulip tree [ModL, after P. Magnol (1638-1715), Fr botanist]

magnum (mæg´nэm) •n. 1 a wine bottle holding twice as much as the usual bottle, or 1.5 liters Æ 2 [usually M-] a firearm, esp. a revolver, designed to fire magnum cartridges •adj. of or pertaining to a cartridge having more explosive force than an ordinary cartridge of its size would [L, neut. sing. of magnus, great: see MAGNI-]

magnum opus (mæg´nэm ou´pэs) 1 a great work, esp. of art or literature; masterpiece 2 a person's greatest work or undertaking [L]

Magog see GOG AND MAGOG

magpie (mæg´pai') •n. 1 any of a number of jaylike passerine birds (family Corvidae) characterized by black-and-white coloring, a long, tapering tail, and a habit of noisy chattering 2 a person who chatters 3 a person who collects odds and ends [< Mag, dim. of MARGARET + PIE³]

Magritte (må gři:t´), Re·né (François Ghislain) (řэ nei´) 1898-1967; Belgian painter

maguey (mæg´wei'; Sp mä ge´i:) •n. 1 any of a number of fleshy-leaved, fiber-yielding agaves of the SW U.S., Mexico, and Central America; esp., the century plant and species used in making rope, pulque, and tequila 2 any of several other plants (genus Furcraea) of the same family 3 any of several kinds of tough fibers from these plants [Sp < Taino]

Magus (mei´gэs) pl. -gi' (-jai') •n. 1 one of the Magi 2 a sorcerer or astrologer [ME < L: see MAGI]

Magyar (mæg´yär'; Hung môd´yäř) •n. 1 a member of the people constituting the main ethnic group in Hungary 2 their Ugric language; Hungarian •adj. designating or of the Magyars or their language or culture [Hung]

Magyarország (môd´yäř ôř'säg) Hung. name of HUNGARY

Mahabharata (mэ hä´bä´rэ tэ) one of the two great epics of India, written in Sanskrit about 200 B.C.: cf. RAMAYANA [Sans Mahābhārata, lit., the great story]

Mahalla el Kubra (mä hä´lä el ku:´břä) city in N Egypt, in the Nile delta: pop. 292,000

maharajah or maharaja (mä'hэ rä´jэ) •n. [Historical] in India, a prince, specif. one who ruled any of the chief native states [Sans mahārājā < mahā, great (see MAGNI-) + rājā, king: see REGAL]

maharani or maharanee (-ni:) •n. [Historical] in India a) the wife of a maharajah b) a princess who ruled any of the chief native states [Hindi mahārānī < mahā, great (< Sans: see MAGNI-) + rānī, queen]

Maharashtra (mэ hä'räsh´trэ) state of W India: 118,717 sq. mi. (307,475 sq. km); pop. 62,693,000; cap. Bombay

maharishi (mä'hä rish´i:) •n. a Hindu teacher of mysticism [Hindi mahārishi < mahā, great + rshi, sage]

mahatma (mэ hæt´mэ, -hät´-) •n. in India, any of a class of wise and holy persons held in special regard or reverence: Mohandas Gandhi was called Mahatma [Sans mahātman < mahā, great (see MAGNI-) + ātman, ATMAN]

Mahayana (mä'hэ yä´nэ) •n. a branch of Buddhism stressing idealism, disinterested love, relief of the suffering of others, etc. [Sans mahāyāna, lit., greater vehicle]

Mahdi (mä´di:) •n. a Muslim messianic leader; esp., such a leader and prophet expected by Muslims to appear on earth before the world ends Mah´dism' (-diz'эm') •n. Mah´dist •n. [Ar mahdīy, one guided aright < hadā, to lead aright]

Mahé (mä hei´) chief island of the Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean: 56 sq. mi. (145 sq. km)

Mahican (mэ hi:´kэn) •n. 1 pl. -cans or -can a member of a North American Indian people who lived chiefly in the upper Hudson Valley 2 the Algonquian language of this people •adj. designating or of the Mahicans or their language or culture [self-designation]