matinee or matinée (mæt'ªn ei´; chiefly Brit, mæt´ªn ei') •n. a reception or entertainment held in the daytime; esp., a performance, as of a play, held in the afternoon [Fr matinée < matin, morning: see MATIN]
Matisse (må ti:s´), Hen·ri (äñ ři:´) 1869-1954; Fr. painter
matjes herring (mät´yэs-) a reddish herring, filleted and served or packed usually in a spiced wine sauce [< Du maatjesharing, altered < MDu medykens hering, lit., maiden herring (because prepared from herrings that have never spawned]
Mato Grosso (mät´u grô´su) state of WC Brazil: 340,155 sq. mi. (881,000 sq. km); pop. 1,139,000; cap. Cuiabá
Mato Grosso do Sul (mät´u grô´su dou su:l) state of WC Brazil: 135,347 sq. mi. (350,548 sq. km); pop. 1,370,000; cap. Campo Grande
matrass (mæ´trэs) •n. a glass container with a rounded body and a long neck, formerly used in distilling, etc. [Fr matras, kind of arrow, blunt borer < Gaul mataris, javelin]
matri- (mei´tri, -trэ; mæ´-) combining form mother {matriarch} Also, before a vowel, matr- [< L mater (gen. matris), MOTHER¹]
matriarch (mei´tri: ärk') •n. 1 a mother who rules her family or tribe; specif., a woman who is head of a matriarchy 2 a highly respected elderly woman ma'tri·ar´chal (-är´kэl) •adj. [prec. + -ARCH]
matriarchate (-är'kit, -keit') •n. 1 a family, tribe, etc. ruled by a matriarch 2 a matriarchal system; esp., as in certain mythical tribes, etc.
matriarchy (-tri: är'ki:) pl. -arch'ies •n. 1 a form of social organization in which the mother is recognized as the head of the family or tribe, descent and kinship being traced through the mother 2 government, rule, or domination by women ma'tri·ar´chic •adj. [MATRI- + -ARCHY]
matrices (mei´trэ si:z', mæ´-) •n. alt. pl. of MATRIX
matricide (mæt´rэ said', mei´-) •n. 1 the act of murdering one's mother 2 a person who does this [L matricida] mat'ri·ci´dal •adj. [L matricidium < mater, MOTHER¹ + caedere, to kill: see -CIDE]
matriculant (mэ trik´yu: lэnt, -yэ-) •n. a person who has matriculated or is applying for matriculation
matriculate (for v. mэ trik´yu: leit', -yэ-; for n., -lit, -leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt., vi. to enroll, esp. as a student in a college or university •n. a person so enrolled ma·tric'u·la´tion •n. [< ML matriculatus, pp. of matriculare, to register < LL matricula, dim. of matrix: see MATRIX]
matrifocal (mæ'trэ fou´kэl) •adj. of a sociological group, as a household, tribe, etc., having a female as its leader
matrilineal (mæ'trэ lin´i: эl, mei'trэ-) •adj. designating or of descent, kinship, or derivation through the mother mat'ri·lin´e·al·ly •adv. [MATRI- + LINEAL]
matrilocal (mæ'trэ lou´kэl) of a pattern of residence in which a married couple lives with or near the wife's parents
matrimonial (mæ'trэ mou´ni: эl) •adj. of matrimony; marital; nuptial; conjugal mat'ri·mo´ni·al·ly •adv. [Fr < LL matrimonialis]
matrimony (mæ´trэ mou'ni:) pl. -nies •n. 1 the act, rite, or sacrament of marriage 2 the state of being husband and wife 3 married life [ME matrimonye < OFr matrimoine < L matrimonium < mater (gen. matris), MOTHER¹]
matrimony vine a shrub (genus Lycium) of the nightshade family, with small, pink flowers and reddish berries
matrix (mei´triks') pl. -tri·ces (mei´trэ si:z', mæ´trэ-) or -trix'es •n. 1 orig., the womb; uterus 2 that within which, or within and from which, something originates, takes form, or develops; specif., a) a die or mold for casting or shaping b) an impression from which a large number of phonograph records can be duplicated 3 Anat. a) any nonliving, intercellular substance in which living cells are embedded, as in bone, cartilage, etc. b) the formative cells from which a nail, tooth, etc. grows 4 Electronics a process in which several signals are combined for transmission or recording and then separated for reception or playback 5 Geol. the rock or earthy material in which a crystal, pebble, fossil, etc. is enclosed or embedded 6 Linguis. a main or independent clause 7 Math. a set of numbers or terms arranged in rows and columns between parentheses or double lines 8 Printing a) a metal mold for casting the face of type b) a papier-mâché, plaster, or similar impression of type, etc., from which a plate can be made, as in stereotypy [LL, womb, public register, origin < L, breeding animal < mater (gen. matris), MOTHER¹]
matron (mei´trэn) •n. 1 a married woman or widow, esp. one who has a mature appearance and manner 2 a woman superintendent or manager of the domestic arrangements of a hospital, prison, or other institution 3 a woman attendant or guard in charge of women or children, as in an institution ma´tron·al •adj. ma´tron·hood' •n. [ME matrone < OFr < L matrona < mater, MOTHER¹]
matron of honor a married woman acting as chief attendant to the bride at a wedding: cf. MAID OF HONOR
matronize (mei´trэn aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make matronly 2 to chaperon
matronly (mei´trэn li:) •adj. of, like, or suitable for a matron; dignified, sedate, etc. ma´tron·li·ness •n.
matronymic (mæ'trэ nim´ik) •adj. of or derived from the name of the mother or a female ancestor •n. a matronymic name [< Gr mētrōnymikos, altered by assoc. with L mater (gen. matris), by analogy with PATRONYMIC]
Matsqui (mäts´ki:) city in SW British Columbia, Canada: near Vancouver: pop. 51,000 [< ? AmInd]
Matsu (mät´su:', mæt´-) island of a small group in Taiwan Strait, administered by Taiwan: pop. 11,000
Matsudo (mät su:´dou') city in SE Honshu, Japan: suburb of Tokyo: pop. 416,000
Matsuyama (mä'tsu yä´mэ) seaport on W Shikoku, Japan, on the Inland Sea: pop. 418,000
Matt Bible Matthew
matte¹ (mæt) •n. an impure mixture of sulfides that is produced in smelting the sulfide ores of copper, nickel, lead, etc. [Fr < dial. mate, a lump, prob. ult. < L matta, MAT¹]
matte² (mæt) •n. a dull surface or finish, often roughened •adj. not shiny or glassy; dull Also sp. matt [var. of MAT²]
matted¹ (mæt´id) •adj. 1 closely tangled together in a dense mass {matted hair} 2 covered with a dense growth 3 covered with or enclosed in matting or mats
matted² (mæt´id) •adj. having a matte, or dull finish
matter (mæt´эr) •n. 1 what a thing is made of; constituent substance or material 2 what all (material) things are made of; whatever occupies space and is perceptible to the senses in some way: in modern physics, matter and energy are regarded as equivalents, mutually convertible according to Einstein's formula, E = mc² (i.e., energy equals mass multiplied by the square of the velocity of light); in dualistic thinking, matter is regarded as the opposite of mind, spirit, etc. 3 any specified sort of substance {coloring matter} 4 material of thought or expression; what is spoken or written, regarded as distinct from how it is spoken or written; content, as distinguished from manner, style, or form 5 an amount or quantity, usually indefinite {a matter of a few days} 6 a) something that is the subject of discussion, concern, action, etc.; thing or affair {business matters} b) cause, occasion, or grounds {no matter for jesting} 7 the body of heroic stories and legends, as contained in a folk epic, regarded as central to a culture or literature {the King Arthur stories make up the matter of Britain} 8 a) an important affair; thing of some moment or significance b) importance; moment; significance {it's of no matter} 9 an unfavorable state of affairs; trouble; difficulty: with the {something seems to be the matter} 10 documents, letters, etc. sent, or to be sent, by mail; mail {second-class matter} 11 a substance discharged by the body; specif., pus 12 Law something that is to be proved 13 Philos. that which has yet to take on form; undifferentiated substance of reality or experience 14 Printing a) written material prepared, or to be prepared, for printing; copy b) copy ready to be printed •vi. 1 to be of importance or consequence; have significance {the things that matter to one} 2 to form and discharge pus; suppurate as a matter of fact see this phrase at FACT for that matter in regard to that; as far as that is concerned Also for the matter of that no matter 1 it is of no importance 2 regardless of [ME matiere < OFr < L materia, material, stuff, wood (< base of mater, MOTHER¹), orig., the growing trunk of a tree]
matter of course a thing to be expected as a natural or logical occurrence in the course of events
Matterhorn (mæt´эr hörn') mountain of the Pennine Alps, on the Swiss-Italian border: c. 14,700 ft. (4,480 m)
matter-of-course (mæt'эr эv körs´) •adj. 1 coming as a natural or logical occurrence in the course of events; routine 2 reacting to events in a calm and natural way
matter-of-fact (mæt'эr эv fækt´) •adj. sticking strictly to facts; literal, unimaginative, unemotional, prosaic, etc. mat'ter-of-fact´ly •adv. mat'ter-of-fact´ness •n.
Matthew (mæθ´yu:') 1 a masculine name: dim. Mat(t); var. Matthias; equiv. Fr. Mathieu, Ger. & Swed. Matthaus, It. Matteo, Sp. Mateo 2 Bible a) one of the four Evangelists, a customs collector to whom is ascribed the first Gospel: his day is Sept. 21 (also Saint Matthew) b) the first book of the New Testament, telling of Jesus' life (abbrev. Matt, Mat, or Mt) [ME Matheu < OFr < LL(Ec) Matthaeus < Gr(Ec) Matthaios, Matthias, contr. < Mattathias < Heb mattīthyāh, lit., gift of God]
Matthias (mэ θai´эs) Bible one of the Apostles, chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot: Acts 1:26: his day is May 14 Also Saint Matthias [Gr: see MATTHEW]
matting¹ (mæt´iŋ) •n. 1 a woven fabric of fiber, as straw or hemp, for mats, floor covering, wrapping, etc. 2 mats collectively 3 the making of mats
matting² (mæt´iŋ) •n. 1 the production of a dull surface or finish on metal, glass, etc. 2 such a surface or finish 3 a mat, or border [see MATTE²]
mattins (mæt´ªnz) Brit. var. of matins: see MATIN (n. 1) •n.pl.
mattock (mæt´эk) •n. a tool for loosening the soil, digging up and cutting roots, etc.: it is like a pickax but has a flat, adz-shaped blade on one or both sides [ME mattok < OE mattuc < VL *mattiuca < *mattea, back-form. < L mateola, dim. < *matea < IE base *mat-, hoe, club > Sans matyá-, a harrow]
mattoid (mæt´oid') •n. [Rare] a person of unbalanced mind who is almost psychotic [It mattoide < matto, mad < L mattus, intoxicated: see MAT²]
mattress (mæ´trэs) •n. 1 a) a casing of strong cloth or other fabric filled with cotton, hair, foam rubber, etc., usually containing coiled springs, often quilted or tufted at intervals, and used on or as a bed b) an inflatable pad used in the same way (in full air mattress) 2 a mass or mat of interwoven brushwood, poles, etc. used to protect an embankment or dike from erosion, etc. [ME materas < OFr < It materasso < Ar matrah, place where something is thrown or laid, cushion]
maturate (mæch´э reit') -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vi. 1 to suppurate; discharge pus 2 to ripen; mature ma·tur·a·tive (mæch´э reit'iv; mэ tur´э tiv, -tyur´-) •adj. [< L maturatus, pp. of maturare, to ripen < maturus, MATURE]
maturation (mæch'э rei´shэn) •n. 1 the formation or discharge of pus; suppuration 2 the act or process of maturing, esp. of becoming full-grown or fully developed 3 Biol. the final stages in the development of gametes in which, through meiosis, the normal number of chromosomes is reduced by half mat'u·ra´tion·al •adj. [Fr < L maturatio < pp. of maturare: see MATURE]
mature (mэ tur´, -chur´, -tyur´) •adj. 1 a) full-grown, as plants or animals b) ripe, as fruits c) fully developed, as a person, a mind, etc. 2 fully or highly developed, perfected, worked out, considered, etc. {a mature scheme} 3 of a state of full development {a person of mature age} 4 due; payable: said of a note, bond, etc. 5 Geol. having reached maximum development of topographical form or vigor of action, as with streams that have no plains and that have begun to widen rather than deepen their valleys •vt. -tured´, -tur´ing 1 to bring to full growth or development, or to ripeness 2 to develop or work out fully •vi. 1 to become fully grown, developed, or ripe 2 to become due: said of a note, etc. SYN. RIPE ma·ture´ly •adv. ma·ture´ness •n. [ME < L maturus, seasonable, ripe, mature < IE base *ma-, good, in good time > L Matuta, goddess of dawn]
maturity (-э ti:) •n. 1 the state or quality of being mature; specif., a) a being full-grown, ripe, or fully developed b) a being perfect, complete, or ready 2 a) a becoming due b) the time at which a note, etc. becomes due [ME maturite < L maturitas]
matutinal (mэ tu:t´ªn эl, -tyu:t´-; chiefly Brit, mæ'tu: tai´nэl, -tyu:-) •adj. of or in the morning; early ma·tu´ti·nal·ly •adv. [L matutinalis < matutinus, of morning, after Matuta, goddess of morning: see MATIN]
matzo (mät´sэ, -sou) pl. mat´zot, mat´zoth (-sout), or mat´zos •n. 1 flat, thin, unleavened bread eaten by Jews during the Passover 2 a piece of this Also mat´sah (-sэ) [Heb matstsāh, unleavened]
matzo ball a dumpling made of matzo meal, usually served in chicken broth or soup
matzo meal matzo that has been coarsely ground into meal
Mau Mau (mau´ mau') pl. Mau Mau or Mau Maus a member of a secret society of Kikuyu tribesmen in Kenya, organized c. 1951 to fight against white rule: both the movement and its suppression were marked by terrorism and violence
maud (möd) •n. a shawl, wrap, or rug made of gray striped plaid, worn in Scotland [after ? fol.]
Maud or Maude (möd) a feminine name: see MATILDA
maudlin (möd´lin) •adj. 1 foolishly and tearfully or weakly sentimental 2 tearfully sentimental from too much liquor [after Maudlin, Magdalene < ME Maudeleyne < OFr Madeleine: Magdalene was often represented with eyes red from weeping]
Maugham (möm), (William) Som·er·set (sûm´эr set') 1874-1965; Eng. novelist & playwright
maugre or mauger (mö´gэr) •prep. [Archaic] in spite of [OFr maugré, malgré, lit., with displeasure < mal, ill + gré, pleasure: see MAL- & AGREE]
Maui (mau´i:) an island of Hawaii, southeast of Oahu: 728 sq. mi. (1,896 sq. km); pop. 91,000 [Haw]
maul (möl) •n. a very heavy hammer or mallet, often of wood, for driving stakes, wedges, etc. •vt. [ME mallen < OFr mailler < the n.] 1 to injure by beating or tearing; bruise or lacerate 2 to handle roughly or clumsily; manhandle; paw SYN. BEAT maul´er •n. [Early ModE phonetic sp. of ME malle < OFr maile < L malleus, a hammer: see MALLEABLE]
maulstick (möl´stik') •n. MAHLSTICK
maun (män, mön) •vi. [Scot.] must [MScot mane < ON man, pt. of munu, shall, will, lit., intend]
Mauna Kea (mau´nэ kei´э) extinct volcano on the island of Hawaii: 13,796 ft. (4,205 m) [Haw, lit., ? white mountain]
Mauna Loa (lou´э) active volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, on the island of Hawaii: 13,680 ft. (4,170 m) [Haw, lit., long mountain]
maund (mönd) •n. a varying unit of weight of certain countries of Asia; esp., a unit of weight of India equal to 40 seers (82.28 lb. or 37.35 kg) [Hindi & Pers man < Sans manā, prob. < Sem]
maunder (mön´dэr) •vi. 1 to move or act in a dreamy, vague, aimless way 2 to talk in an incoherent, rambling way; drivel maun´der·er •n. [Early ModE mander, to grumble, growl, prob. freq. of obs. maund, to beg: sense prob. infl. by MEANDER]
Maundy Thursday (mön´di:) the Thursday before Easter [ME maunde, ceremony of washing the feet of the poor < OFr mandé < LL(Ec) mandatum, commandment of God < L (see MANDATE): from use of mandatum at the beginning of the prayer for washing the feet, commemorating Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet: see John 13:5, 34]
Maupassant (mou pä säñ´; E mou´pэ sänt'), (Henri René Albert) Guy de (gi: dэ) 1850-93; Fr. writer of novels & short stories
Maureen (mö ri:n´) a feminine name [Ir Mairin, dim. of Maire, MARY]
Mauretania (mör'э tei´ni: э, -tein´yэ) ancient country & Roman province in NW Africa, including areas now in NE Morocco & W Algeria
Mauriac (mö´ri: æk'; Fr mô řyåk´), Fran·çois (fřäñ swå´) 1885-1970; Fr. novelist & essayist
Maurice (mö ri:s´, mör´is, mär´-) a masculine name: var. Morris; equiv. Ger. Moritz, It. Maurizio, Sp. Mauricio [Fr < LL Mauritius < Maurus, a Moor]
Maurice of Nassau Prince of Orange 1567-1625; Du. statesman & military leader
Mauritania (mör'э tei´ni: э, -tein´yэ) country in NW Africa, on the Atlantic: formerly a French protectorate & colony, it became independent (1960): 419,230 sq. mi. (1,085,763 sq. km); pop. 1,690,000; cap. Nouakchott: official name Islamic Republic of Mauritania Mau'ri·ta´ni·an •adj., n.
Mauritius (mö rish´i: эs, -rish´эs) 1 island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar: 720 sq. mi. (1,865 sq. km) 2 country consisting of this island & several nearby islands: discovered by the Portuguese in the 16th cent., it was in turn occupied by the Dutch, the French, & the British; became independent & a member of the Commonwealth in 1968: 787 sq. mi. (2,040 sq. km); pop. 851,000; cap. Port Louis Mau·ri´tian •adj., n.
Maurois (mô řwä´), An·dré (äñ dřei´) (born Émile Salomon Wilhelm Herzog) 1885-1967; Fr. writer
Maury (mör´i:), Matthew Fon·taine (fän tein´) 1806-73; U.S. naval officer & oceanographer
Mausoleum (mö'sэ li:´эm, -zэ-) the tomb of Mausolus, king of Caria, at Halicarnassus: included among the seven wonders of the ancient world •n. pl. -le´ums or -le´a (-li:´э) [m-] 1 a large, imposing tomb: humorously applied to any large, somber building or room 2 a building with vaults for the entombment of a number of bodies mau'so·le´an (-эn) •adj. [L < Gr Mausōleion]
mauve (mouv) •n. 1 a purple dye and pigment that is produced by oxidizing aniline, used for wool, silk, etc. 2 any of several shades of delicate purple •adj. of such a color [Fr, mallow < L malva, MALLOW: from the color of the mallow]
maven or mavin (mei´vэn) •n. [Colloq.] an expert or connoisseur, often specif. a self-proclaimed one [Yidd < LHeb mēvin]
maverick (mæv´эr ik) •n. 1 an unbranded animal, esp. a strayed calf 2 [Colloq.] a person who takes an independent stand, as in politics, refusing to conform to that of a party or group [after S. Maverick (1803-70), Texas rancher who did not brand his cattle]
mavis (mei´vis) •n. SONG THRUSH [OFr mauvis < ?]
mavourneen or mavournin (mэ vur´ni:n') •n. [Irish] my darling [Ir mo muirnīn]
maw¹ (mö) •n. 1 a) orig., the stomach or its cavity b) the stomach of an animal; specif., the fourth stomach of a cud-chewing animal 2 the throat, gullet, jaws, or oral cavity of a voracious animal 3 anything thought of as consuming, devouring, etc. without end [ME mawe < OE maga, akin to Ger magen, stomach < IE base *mak-, skin, bag > Welsh megin, bellows]
maw² (mö) •n. [Dial.] ma; mama; mother
mawkish (mök´ish) •adj. 1 having a sweet, weak, sickening taste; insipid or nauseating 2 sentimental in a weak, insipid way, so as to be sickening mawk´ish·ly •adv. mawk´ish·ness •n. [lit., maggoty < ME mawke, maggot < ON mathkr < IE base *math-, gnawing vermin > MOTH]
Max (mæks) a masculine name: fem. Maxine: see MAXIMILIAN max abbrev. maximum max (mæks) [Slang] •n., adj. MAXIMUM max out to reach the maximum, or limit to the max to the greatest possible degree
maxi (mæks´i:) pl. max´is •n. [Colloq.] a very long, usually ankle-length, skirt, dress, coat, etc. [< fol.]
maxi- (mæks´i:, -i, -э) combining form 1 maximum, very large, very long {maxicoat} 2 of greater scope, extent, etc. than usual: used in nonce compounds, often hyphenated {maxi-power} [< MAXI(MUM)]
maxilla (mæks il´э) pl. -lae (-i:) •n. 1 in vertebrates, the upper jaw, or a major bone or cartilage of the upper jaw: see SKULL, illus. 2 in most arthropods, as insects or crabs, one of the first or second pair of accessory jaws or head appendages situated just behind the mandibles [L, dim., akin to mala, a jaw]
maxillary (mæks´i ler'i:, mæks il´эr i:) •adj. designating, of, or near the jaw or jawbone, esp. the upper one; relating to a maxilla or maxillae •n. pl. -lar'ies a maxillary bone; maxilla [L maxillaris]
maxilliped (mæks il´i ped') •n. any one limb of the three pairs of appendages behind the maxillae in crustaceans, esp. in decapods, modified for aid in feeding [< MAXILLA + -PED]
maxim (mæks´im) •n. a concisely expressed principle or rule of conduct, or a statement of a general truth SYN. SAYING [ME maxime < MFr < ML maxima < LL maxima (propositio), the greatest (premise), fem. of L maximus, greatest, superl. of magnus, great: see MAGNI-] Maxim (mæk´sim) 1 Hiram Percy 1869-1936; U.S. inventor: son of Sir Hiram 2 Sir Hiram Stevens 1840-1916; Brit. engineer & inventor of weapons & explosives, born in the U.S. 3 Hudson 1853-1927; U.S. chemist & inventor of explosives: brother of Sir Hiram
Maxim (gun) (mæks´im) an early, single-barreled, automatic machine gun [after Sir Hiram Stevens MAXIM]
maximal (mæks´i mэl) •adj. highest or greatest possible; of or constituting a maximum max´i·mal·ly •adv.
maximalist (-mэl ist) •n. a person who favors direct or revolutionary action to achieve a goal [prec. + -IST]
Maximilian (mæk'sэ mil´yэn) 1 a masculine name: dim. Max 2 (born Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph), 1832-67; archduke of Austria: emperor of Mexico (1864-67); executed 3 Maximilian I 1459-1519; emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (1493-1519) 4 Maximilian II 1527-76; emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (1564-76) [blend of the L names Maximus & Aemilianus]
maximize (mæks´i maiz') -mized', -miz'ing •vt. 1 to increase to the maximum; raise to the highest possible degree; enlarge, intensify, etc. as much as possible 2 to estimate or make appear to be of the greatest possible amount, value, or importance max'i·mi·za´tion •n. max´i·miz'er •n.
maximum (mæks´i mэm) pl. -mums or -ma (-mэ) •n. 1 the greatest quantity, number, or degree possible or permissible 2 the highest degree or point (of a varying quantity, as temperature) reached or recorded; upper limit of variation 3 Math. the largest of a specified set of real numbers •adj. 1 greatest possible, permissible, or reached 2 of, marking, or setting a maximum or maximums [L, neut. of maximus, superl. of magnus, great: see MAGNI-]
maximum card Philately a postcard with an enlarged picture of a commemorative postage stamp, with the stamp itself postmarked on the picture, usually the first day of issue
Maxine (mæks i:n´) a feminine name: see MAX [fem. of MAX]
maxixe (mэ shi:´shэ) •n. 1 an old-fashioned Brazilian dance in moderate duple time, similar to the two-step 2 music for this dance [BrazPort < ?]
Maxwell (mæks´wel', -wэl), James Clerk (klärk) 1831-79; Scot. physicist maxwell (mæks´wel') •n. the cgs electromagnetic unit of magnetic flux, equal to the flux through one square centimeter normal to a magnetic field with an intensity of one gauss: abbrev. Mx [after fol.]
May , Cape peninsula at the southernmost point of N.J.: c. 20 mi. (32 km) long [after C. J. Mey, 17th-c. Du explorer]
May apple 1 a perennial woodland plant (Podophyllum peltatum) of the barberry family, with shield-shaped leaves and a single, large, white, cuplike flower, found in the E U.S. 2 its edible yellow fruit
May Day May 1: as a traditional spring festival, often celebrated by dancing around a maypole, crowning a May queen, etc.; as a more recent international labor holiday, observed in many countries by parades, demonstrations, etc.
May queen a girl chosen to be queen of the merrymakers on May Day and crowned with flowers
may tree [Brit.] MAY¹ (sense 3a)
May wine a punch made of white wine flavored with woodruff and garnished with fresh fruit, traditionally strawberries [after the month of May, when the woodruff blossoms]
may¹ (mei) pt. might v.aux. 1 used to express ability or power: now generally replaced by CAN¹ 2 used to express possibility or likelihood {it may rain} 3 used to express permission {you may go}: see usage note at CAN¹ 4 used to express contingency, as in clauses of purpose, result, concession, or condition {they died that we may be free} 5 used in exclamations and apostrophes to express a wish, hope, or prayer {may he rest in peace} 6 Law shall; must As a modal auxiliary, may is followed by an infinitive without to •vi. 1 used to express possibility or likelihood 2 used to express permission {yes, you may} [ME < OE mæg, akin to Ger mag, OHG & Goth magan, lit., to be physically capable of doing < IE base *māgh-, to be able > MIGHT²] May¹ (mei) •n. 1 the fifth month of the year, having 31 days: abbrev. M or My 2 a) springtime b) the springtime of life; youth; prime 3 [m-] a) the English hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) with small, lobed leaves and white, pink, or red flowers b) its branches or flowers 4 the festivities of May Day [OFr mai < L (mensis) Maius, (month) of Maius: see MAIA]
may² (mei) •n. [Archaic] a maiden [ME < OE mæg, kinswoman, woman (? merged with ON mær, maiden)] May² (mei) a feminine name [contr. of MARY, MARGARET, often assoc. with the name of the month]
Maya¹ (mä´yэ, mai´э) pl. -ya or -yas •n. 1 a member of a tribe of Indians found in Yucatán, Belize, and N Guatemala: the Mayas had a highly developed civilization when discovered by Europeans early in the 16th century 2 a) their Mayan language b) one of several branches of the Mayan family of languages •adj. of the Mayas, their language, culture, etc.; Mayan [Sp < native name]
Maya² (mä´yä') Hinduism the goddess Devi, or Shakti, consort of Siva •n. [also m-] illusion, or the illusory world of the senses, often personified as a woman [Sans māyā]
Mayagüez (mä'yä gwes´) seaport in W Puerto Rico: pop. 100,000 [prob. after Mayagüa, legendary local Indian chief]
Mayakovski (mä'yä kôf´ski:), Vla·di·mir (Vladimirovich) (vlä di:´miř') 1893-1930; Russ. poet
Mayan (mä´yэn, mai´эn) •adj. 1 designating or of an American Indian language family of Central America, consisting of about 25 languages that are grouped in several branches, as Maya, Huastec, etc. 2 MAYA¹ •n. 1 a member of the Indian peoples that speak a Mayan language 2 the Mayan language family
maybe (mei´bi:) •adv. perhaps [ME (for it may be)]
Mayday (mei´dei') •n. the international radiotelephone signal for help, used by ships and aircraft in distress [prob. short for Fr (venez) m'aider, (come) help me]
mayest (mei´ist, meist) v.aux. archaic 2d pers. sing., pres. indic., of MAY¹: used with thou
Mayfair (mei´fer') a fashionable residential district of the West End, London
mayflower (mei´flau'эr) •n. any of various plants that flower in May or early spring; esp., Æ a) in the U.S., the trailing arbutus, any of several anemones, etc. b) in England, the may, cowslip, marsh marigold, etc. [M-] the ship on which the Pilgrims came to America (1620)
mayfly (-flai') pl. -flies' •n. 1 any of an order (Ephemeroptera) of delicate, soft-bodied insects with gauzy wings held vertically when at rest: in the adult stage, it lives only hours or a few days, but the aquatic larval stage may last for several years 2 an angler's artificial fly made to resemble this insect [so named because thought to be most prevalent in May]
mayhap (mei'hæp´, mei´hæp') •adv. [Archaic] perhaps; maybe Also may'hap´pen [< it may hap(pen)]
mayhem (mei´hem; also mei´эm) •n. 1 Law the offense of maiming a person; specif., a) the intentional mutilation of another's body b) injury inflicted on another so as to cause loss of a bodily part or function necessary for self-defense 2 any deliberate destruction or violence [see MAIM]
maying (mei´iŋ) •n. [also M-] the celebration of May Day, as by gathering flowers, dancing, etc.
Maynard (mei´nэrd, -närd') a masculine name [ME < Anglo-Fr Mainard < OHG Maganhard < magan, power, strength (see MAY¹) + hart, strong, HARD]
mayn't (mei´эnt, meint) may not
Mayo (mei´ou) 1 Charles Horace 1865-1939: U.S. surgeon 2 William James 1861-1939; U.S. surgeon; brother of Charles Horace mayo (mei´ou') •n. [Colloq.] short for MAYONNAISE Mayo (mei´ou) county in NW Ireland, in Connacht province: 2,084 sq. mi. (5,397 sq. km); pop. 116,000
Mayon (mä yôn´) active volcano in SE Luzon, Philippines: c. 8,000 ft. (2,440 m)
mayonnaise (mei'э neiz´, mei´э neiz') •n. 1 a creamy salad dressing or sauce made by beating together egg yolks, olive oil or other vegetable oil, lemon juice or vinegar, and seasoning 2 a dish of meat or fish made with this [Fr, earlier mahonnaise, apparently fem. of mahonais, of Mahón, Minorca: reason for name unknown]
mayor (mei´эr, mer) •n. the chief administrative official of a city, town, or other municipality, or, under a city manager plan, the titular, or formal, head may·or·al (mei´эr эl, mei ör´эl) •adj. [Rare] may´or·ess •n.fem. See -ESS [ME mair < OFr maire < L major, compar. of magnus, great: see MAGNI-]
mayoralty (mei´эr эl ti:; mer´эl-, mær´-) pl. -ties •n. the office or term of office of a mayor [ME mairalte < OFr mairalté]
maypole (mei´poul') •n. [often M-] a high pole wreathed with flowers, streamers, etc., around which merrymakers dance on May Day
maypop (mei´päp') •n. 1 the small, yellow, edible fruit of a passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) growing in the S U.S. 2 the plant itself [altered < maracock < AmInd (Algonquian)]
Mays (meiz), Willie (Howard, Jr.) 1931- ; U.S. baseball player
mayst (meist) archaic 2d pers. sing., pres. indic., of MAY¹: used with thou
Maytime (mei´taim') •n. the month of May Also May´tide'
mayweed (mei´wi:d') •n. DOG FENNEL (sense 1) [for maidweed < *maythe-weed < OE magothe, mayweed (prob. akin to mægeth, maiden) + WEED²]
mazard (mæz´эrd) •n. [Obs.] 1 a mazer 2 a) the head or skull b) the face [altered (infl. by -ARD) < MAZER]
Mazarin (må zå ræñ´; E mæ´zэ rin'), Jules (zhül) Cardinal (born Giulio Mazarini) 1602-61; Fr. statesman & prelate, born in Italy
Mazatlán (mä'sät län´) seaport & resort on the Pacific coast of Mexico, in the state of Sinaloa: pop. 250,000
Mazdaism (mæz´dэ iz'эm) •n. ZOROASTRIANISM [< Avestan mazda (see ORMAZD) + -ISM]
maze (meiz) mazed, maz´ing •vt. [Now Chiefly Dial.] 1 to stupefy; daze 2 to confuse; bewilder •n. 1 a confusing, intricate network of winding pathways; labyrinth; specif., such a network with one or more blind alleys, used in psychological experiments and tests 2 a state of confusion or bewilderment [ME masen, to confuse, puzzle, aphetic for OE amasian: see AMAZE]
mazel tov (mä´zэl touv', -tôf') good luck: an expression of congratulation Also maz´el·tov' or maz´zel tov [Heb (often via Yidd) < māzal, luck + tōv, good]
mazer (mei´zэr) •n. a large drinking bowl or goblet, orig. of a hard wood, probably maple, later of metal [ME maser < OFr masere, maple wood < Gmc, as in OHG masar, gnarled growth on oaks, ON mösurr, maple, akin to OHG māsa, a spot]
mazuma (mэ zu:´mэ) •n. [Slang] money [Yidd mezumon < Heb mezūmānim]
mazurka or mazourka (mэ zør´kэ, -zur´-) •n. 1 a lively Polish folk dance 2 music for this, generally in ¾ or 3/8 time [Pol mazurka, woman from Mazovia (or Masovia), region of central Poland]
mazy (mei´zi:) -zi·er, -zi·est •adj. like a maze; intricately winding; bewildering maz´i·ly •adv. maz´i·ness •n.
mazzard (mæz´эrd) •n. SWEET CHERRY; esp., a wild sweet cherry whose young seedlings are used as a rootstock for cultivated varieties [? var. of MAZER]
Mazzini (mät tsi:´ni:, mäd dzi:´ni:), Giu·sep·pe (ju: zep´pe) 1805-72: It. patriot & revolutionist
MB 1 Manitoba 2 megabyte mb 1 megabyte(s) 2 millibar(s)
MBA or M.B.A. Master of Business Administration
Mbabane (эm bä bä´nei) capital of Swaziland in the NW part: pop. 23,000
Mbandaka (em'bän däk´э) city in WC Zaire, on the Congo River: pop. 149,000
Mbini (em bi:´ni:) mainland portion of Equatorial Guinea, on the Gulf of Guinea: 10,045 sq. mi. (26,016 sq. km)
mbira (эm bir´э) •n. a hand-held African musical instrument consisting of a series of metal or wooden strips mounted on a soundboard and, often, having a resonator formed from a gourd: it is played by plucking the free ends of the strips with the thumbs and forefingers [of Afr. origin, prob. from a word in Shona (a Bantu language)]
MBS Mutual Broadcasting System
Mbuji-Mayi (em bu:´ji: mai´yi:) city in SC Zaire: pop. 383,000
Mbundu (эm bu:n´du:', em-) •n. 1 pl. -dus' or -du' a member of a people of WC Angola 2 the Bantu language of this people
MC 1 Master of Ceremonies 2 Medical Corps 3 Member of Congress mc millicycle(s) Mc 1 Bible Maccabees 2 megacycle(s)
Mc- or Mc- prefix MAC- {McDonald}
McAllen (mэ kæl´эn) city in S Tex., in the Rio Grande valley: pop. 84,000 [after J. McAllen, local rancher]
MCAT Medical College Admission Test
McCarthyism (mэ kär´θi: iz'эm) •n. the use of indiscriminate, often unfounded, accusations, sensationalism, inquisitorial investigative methods, etc., as in the suppression of political opponents portrayed as subversive Mc·Car´thy·ite •adj., n. [after J. McCarthy, U.S. senator (1946-57), to whom such practices were attributed]
McClellan (mэ klel´эn), George Brin·ton (brint´ªn) 1826-85; Union general in the Civil War
McCormack (mэ kör´mэk), John 1884-1945; U.S. tenor, born in Ireland
McCormick (mэ kör´mik), Cyrus Hall 1809-84; U.S. inventor of the reaping machine
McCoy (mэ koi´) •n. [Slang] the real person or thing, not a substitute: with the In full the real McCoy [< ?]
McCullers (mэ kûl´эrz), Carson (born Carson Smith) 1917-67; U.S. writer
McGuffey (mэ gûf´i:), William Holmes 1800-73; U.S. educator: editor of a series of school readers
McIntosh (mæk´in täsh') •n. a late-maturing variety of red apple: also McIntosh Red [after J. McIntosh, who discovered and cultivated it (1796)]
McKinley (mэ kin´li:), William 1843-1901; 25th president of the U.S. (1897-1901): assassinated McKinley (mэ kin´li:), Mount mountain of the Alaska Range, SC Alas.: highest peak in North America: 20,320 ft. (6,194 m): in a national park (Mount McKinley National Park), 3,030 sq. mi. (7,770 sq. km) [after prec.]
MCL or M.C.L. Master of Civil Law
McLuhan (mэ klu:´эn), (Herbert) Marshall 1911-80; Cdn. writer & educator
McMillan (mэk mil´эn), Edwin Mat·ti·son (mæt´э sэn) 1907-91; U.S. chemist
McMurdo Sound (mэk mør´dou) arm of the Ross Sea, off the coast of Victoria Land, Antarctica
MCP [Colloq.] male chauvinist pig
MD 1 Doctor of Medicine: also M.D. [L Medicinae Doctor] 2 Maryland 3 Medical Department Md 1 Maryland 2 Chem. symbol for mendelevium
M-day (em´dei') •n. the day on which mobilization for war begins
MDiv or M.Div. Master of Divinity
Mdlle Mademoiselle
Mdme Madame
MDS or M.D.S. Master of Dental Surgery
mdse merchandise
MDu Middle Dutch
ME 1 Maine 2 Master of Education: also M.E. 3 Mechanical Engineer 4 Medical Examiner 5 Methodist Episcopal 6 Middle English 7 Military Engineer 8 Mining Engineer 9 Most Excellent Me abbrev. 1 Maine 2 methyl me (mi:) objective case of I²: also used as a predicate complement with a linking verb, although the usage is objected to by some (Ex.: that's me) pron. [ME < OE, akin to Ger mich, acc., mir, dat. < IE base *me- > L me, acc., mi(hi), dat.]
Me Decade (mi:) the decade of the 1970's thought of as characterized by narcissism, self-indulgence, and a lack of social concern in many, esp. younger, people (the Me Generation) [coined (1976) by Tom Wolfe (1931- ), U.S. writer]
mea culpa (mei'ä kul´pä) (by) my fault; I am to blame [L]
Mead (mi:d), Lake lake in SE Nev. & NW Ariz., formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River: c. 250 sq. mi. (648 sq. km) [after E. Mead (1858-1936), U.S. engineer] Mead (mi:d), Margaret 1901-78; U.S. anthropologist
mead¹ (mi:d) •n. an alcoholic liquor made of fermented honey and water, often with spices, fruit, malt, etc. added [ME mede < OE meodu, akin to Ger met < IE base *medhu-, honey > Sans mādhu, Gr methy, wine, Welsh medd, mead]
mead² (mi:d) •n. [Old Poet.] var. of MEADOW [ME mede < OE mæd, MEADOW]
Meade (mi:d) 1 George Gordon 1815-72; Union general in the Civil War 2 James Edward 1907- ; Eng. economist
meadow (med´ou) •n. 1 a piece of grassland, esp. one whose grass is grown for use as hay 2 low, level grassland near a stream, lake, etc. mead´ow·y •adj. [ME medow < OE mædwe, oblique case of mæd < Gmc *mædwa- < IE base *mē-, to MOW¹]
meadow beauty any of a genus (Rhexia) of perennial North American plants of the melastome family, with pink or lavender flowers and large stamens
meadow fescue a tufted perennial grass (Festuca pratensis) with narrow, lustrous leaves, used for hay meadows and lawns
meadow lily CANADA LILY
meadow mouse FIELD MOUSE
meadow mushroom a common edible mushroom (Agaricus campestris) with pinkish or brown gills, found in open, grassy areas
meadow nematode any of a number of roundworms (genus Pratylenchus), parasitic on the roots of various plants
meadow rue any of a genus (Thalictrum) of perennial plants of the buttercup family, with leaves like those of rue
meadow saffron COLCHICUM (sense 1)
meadowlark (-lärk') pl. -larks' •n.or -lark' any of a genus (Sturnella, family Icteridae) of American passerine birds; esp., any of the yellow-breasted North American species (S. magna and S. neglecta) with a black, V-shaped collar
meadowsweet (med´ou swi:t') •n. 1 any of several spireas; esp., either of two common species (Spiraea alba and S. latifolia) 2 any of a genus (Filipendula) of plants of the rose family, with fragrant, white, pink, or purple flowers in clusters
meager (mi:´gэr) •adj. 1 thin; lean; emaciated 2 of poor quality or small amount; not full or rich; inadequate Brit., etc. sp. mea´gre mea´ger·ly •adv. mea´ger·ness •n. SYN.—meager literally implies an emaciated thinness and, hence, connotes a lack of those qualities which give something richness, vigor, strength, etc. [meager cultural resources]; scanty implies an inadequacy in amount, number, quantity, etc. of something essential [a scanty income]; scant is applied to a barely sufficient amount or a stinted quantity [the scant attendance at the concert]; spare implies less than a sufficient amount but does not necessarily connote great hardship [to live on spare rations]; sparse applies to a scanty quantity that is thinly distributed over a wide area [his sparse hair] —ANT. ample, abundant, plentiful [ME megre < OFr megre (Fr maigre) < L macer, lean, thin < IE *makro- < base *māk-, long and thin > Gr makros, long, OE mæger, meager]
-meal (mi:l) suffix forming adverbs by a (specified) amount done or used at one time: obs. except in inchmeal, piecemeal [ME -mele < OE -mælum < mæl, measure, time (see MEAL¹) + adv. dat. -um]
meal ticket 1 a ticket entitling the holder to a specified value in meals at a particular restaurant 2 [Slang] a person, job, skill, etc. that one depends on as one's means of support
meal¹ (mi:l) •n. 1 any of the times, esp. the customary times, for eating, as breakfast, lunch, or dinner 2 the food served or eaten at such a time [ME mele < OE mæl, a measure, fixed time, meal, akin to Ger mal, time, mahl, meal < IE base *mē-, to MEASURE]
meal² (mi:l) •n. 1 any edible grain, or the edible part of any grain, coarsely ground and unbolted {cornmeal} 2 any substance similarly ground or powdered [ME mele < OE melu, akin to Ger mehl < IE base *mel-, to grind, soft > MILL¹]
mealie (mi:l´i:) •n. in South Africa a) [pl.] CORN¹ (sense 3) b) an ear of this [Afrik milje < Port milho, millet (in milho grande, maize) < L milium, MILLET]
mealtime (mi:l´taim') •n. the usual time for serving or eating a meal
mealworm (-wørm') •n. the wormlike larva of any of a genus (Tenebrio) of darkling beetles, which destroys flour, meal, etc.
mealy (mi:l´i:) meal´i·er, meal´i·est •adj. 1 a) like meal; powdery, dry, soft, etc. b) dry and somewhat crumbly or coarse in texture, with little flavor {a mealy apple} 2 of or containing meal 3 sprinkled or covered with meal 4 spotty or flecked: said of color, etc. 5 floury in color; pale 6 MEALY-MOUTHED meal´i·ness •n.
mealybug (-bûg') •n. any of a family (Pseudococcidae) of destructive homopteran insects, having a soft body protected by a white, flourlike or cottony wax secretion
mealy-mouthed (-mauðd´, -mauθt´) •adj. not outspoken or blunt; not willing to state the facts in simple, direct words; euphemistic and insincere
mean deviation a measure of variability equal to the average of the absolute values of a set of deviations from a specified value, usually the arithmetic mean
mean distance the average of the greatest and least distances in the orbit of a celestial body from its focus
mean solar time time based on the mean sun: used as the basis for standard time because it has exactly equal divisions: also mean time
mean sun Astron. a hypothetical sun thought of as moving uniformly along the celestial equator at a speed equal to the actual sun's average speed along the ecliptic: hypothesized as a basis for keeping time, because the actual sun does not travel along the ecliptic at a uniform rate: see EQUATION OF TIME
mean¹ (mi:n) meant (ment), mean´ing •vt. 1 to have in mind; intend; purpose {he means to go} 2 a) to intend or design for a certain person or purpose {a gift meant for you} b) to destine or seem to destine {he was meant to be a doctor} 3 to intend to express, signify, or indicate {to say what one means} 4 a) to be used to convey; denote {the German word ja means yes} b) to be a sign, indication, or herald of; signify {this means war!} •vi. 1 to have a purpose or intention in mind: chiefly in mean well, to have good intentions 2 to have a (specified) degree of importance, effect, or influence {honors mean little to him} SYN. INTEND mean well by to have good intentions or friendly, helpful feelings toward [ME menen < OE mænan, to mean, tell, complain, akin to Ger meinen, to have in mind, have as opinion < IE base *meino-, opinion, intent > OIr mian, wish, desire]
mean² (mi:n) •adj. 1 low in quality, value, or importance; paltry; poor; inferior: now usually in negative constructions {paid no mean sum} 2 [Rare] low in social status or rank; of humble origin 3 poor in appearance; shabby {a mean dwelling} 4 ignoble; base; small-minded; petty 5 stingy; miserly; penurious Æ 6 bad-tempered; vicious; unmanageable: said of a horse, etc. Æ 7 pettily or contemptibly selfish, bad-tempered, disagreeable, malicious, etc. Æ 8 humiliated or ashamed Æ 9 [Colloq.] in poor health; not well; ill; indisposed Æ 10 [Slang] a) hard to cope with; difficult {to throw a mean curve in baseball} b) skillful; expert {to play a mean game of chess} SYN. BASE² mean´ly •adv. mean´ness •n. [ME mene, common, hence mean < OE (ge)mæne, akin to Ger gemein, plentiful, COMMON]
mean³ (mi:n) •adj. 1 halfway between extremes; in a middle or intermediate position as to place, time, quantity, quality, kind, value, degree, etc. 2 medium; average; middling •n. 1 what is between extremes; intermediate state, quality, course, or procedure 2 avoidance of extremes or excess; moderation 3 Math. a) a number between the smallest and largest values of a set of quantities, obtained by some prescribed method: unless otherwise qualified, the ARITHMETIC MEAN b) the number obtained by multiplying each value of x by the probability (or probability density) of x and then summing (or integrating) over the range of x c) the second or third term of a four-term proportion: see also GEOMETRIC MEAN, MEANS SYN. AVERAGE [ME mene < OFr meien (Fr moyen) < L medianus: see MEDIAN]
meander (mi: æn´dэr) •n. 1 [pl.] windings or convolutions, as of a stream 2 an ornamental pattern of winding or crisscrossing lines 3 an aimless wandering; rambling •vi. 1 to take a winding or tortuous course: said of a stream 2 to wander aimlessly or idly; ramble me·an´drous (-drэs) •adj. [L maeander < Gr maiandros < Maiandros, the MAEANDER (noted for its winding course)] Meander alt. sp. of MAEANDER
meanie or meany (mi:n´i:) pl. mean´ies •n. [Colloq.] a person who is mean, selfish, cruel, etc.
meaning (mi:n´iŋ) •n. 1 what is meant; what is intended to be, or in fact is, signified, indicated, referred to, or understood; signification, purport, import, sense, or significance {the meaning of a word} 2 [Archaic] intention; purpose •adj. 1 that has meaning; significant; expressive 2 intending; having purpose mean´ing·ly •adv.
meaningful (-fэl) •adj. full of meaning; having significance or purpose mean´ing·ful·ly •adv. mean´ing·ful·ness •n.
meaningless (-lis) •adj. having no meaning; without significance or purpose; senseless mean´ing·less·ly •adv. mean´ing·less·ness •n.
means (mi:nz) •n.pl. 1 [with sing. or pl. v.] that by which something is done or obtained; agency {the fastest means of travel} 2 resources or available wealth; often, specif., great wealth; riches {a person of means} by all means 1 without fail 2 of course; certainly by any means in any way possible; at all; somehow by means of by using; with the aid of; through by no (manner of) means not at all; in no way means to an end a method of getting or accomplishing what one wants [< MEAN³, n.]
means test the investigation of a person's financial resources made to determine whether that person is eligible for welfare payments, low-cost housing, etc.
meant (ment) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of MEAN¹
meantime (mi:n´taim') •adv. 1 in or during the intervening time 2 at the same time •n. the intervening time Also, and for adv. now usually, mean´while' (-hwail')
Meany (mi:´ni:), George 1894-1980; U.S. labor leader: president of the AFL-CIO (1955-79)
meas measure
measled (mi:´zэld) •adj. infected with MEASLES (sense 2)
measles (mi:´zэlz) •n.pl. 1 [with sing. v.] a) an acute, infectious, communicable virus disease characterized by small, red spots on the skin, high fever, nasal discharge, etc. and occurring most frequently in childhood; rubeola b) any of various similar but milder diseases; esp., rubella (German measles) 2 a) [with sing. v.] a disease of cattle and hogs, caused by tapeworm larvae in the flesh b) these larvae [ME maseles, pl. of masel, measle, spot (? infl. by mesel, leper < OFr < L misellus, wretch < miser, wretched), akin to OHG māsa, a spot, Ger masern, measles]
measly (mi:z´li:) -sli·er, -sli·est •adj. 1 infected with MEASLES (sense 1 or 2) 2 [Colloq.] contemptibly slight, worthless, or skimpy
measurable (mezh´эr э bэl) •adj. that can be measured meas'ur·a·bil´i·ty or meas´ur·a·ble·ness •n. meas´ur·a·bly •adv. [ME mesurable < OFr]
measure (mezh´эr) •n. 1 the extent, dimensions, capacity, etc. of anything, esp. as determined by a standard 2 the act or process of determining extent, dimensions, etc.; measurement 3 a) a standard for determining extent, dimensions, etc.; unit of measurement, as an inch, yard, or bushel b) any standard of valuation, comparison, judgment, etc.; criterion 4 a system of measurement {dry measure, board measure} 5 an instrument for measuring, or a container of standard capacity {a quart measure} 6 a definite quantity measured out or thought of as measured 7 an extent or degree not to be exceeded {remain within measure} 8 proportion, quantity, or degree {in large measure} 9 a procedure; course of action; step {take measures to stop him} 10 a legislative bill, resolution, etc. that is proposed or has been enacted 11 a) rhythm in verse; meter b) a metrical unit; foot of verse 12 [Archaic] a dance or dance movement, esp. if slow and stately 13 [Old Poet.] a melody or tune 14 [pl.] [Rare] Geol. related beds or strata, as of coal 15 Music the notes or rests, or both, contained between two vertical lines on the staff; bar 16 Printing the width of a column or page •vt. -ured, -ur·ing [ME mesuren < OFr mesurer < LL mensurare, to measure < the L n.] 1 to find out or estimate the extent, dimensions, etc. of, esp. by the use of a standard 2 to get, take, set apart, or mark off by measuring: often with off or out 3 to estimate by comparison; judge; appraise {to measure one's foe} 4 to bring into comparison or rivalry: with against {to measure one's skill against another's} 5 to be a measure of {a clock measures time} 6 to adjust or proportion by a standard {to measure a speech by the listeners' reactions} 7 to choose or weigh carefully (one's words or actions) 8 [Now Rare] to go over or through; traverse as if measuring •vi. 1 to find out or estimate extent, dimensions, etc.; get or take measurements 2 to be of a specified dimension, quantity, etc. when measured {a pole that measures ten feet} 3 to allow of measurement beyond (or above) measure so much as not to be measurable; exceedingly; extremely for good measure as a bonus or something extra in a measure to some extent; somewhat made to measure made to fit one's own measurements; custom-made: said of clothes measure one's length to fall, lie, or be thrown down at full length measure out to give out or allot by measuring measure swords 1 to duel with swords 2 to fight or contend Æ measure up to prove to be competent or qualified Æ measure up to to come up to; meet (expectations, a standard, etc.) take measures to take action; do things to accomplish a purpose take someone's measure to make an estimate or judgment of someone's ability, character, etc. tread a measure to dance meas´ur·er •n. [ME mesure < OFr < L mensura < mensus, pp. of metiri, to measure < IE base *mē-, to measure > MEAL¹, Sans mātrā, a measure, Gr metron]
measured (-эrd) •adj. 1 determined, ascertained, or proportioned by a standard 2 a) regular, steady, or uniform b) steady, slow, and deliberate {to walk with a measured tread} 3 a) rhythmic b) metrical 4 calculated, restrained, and deliberate; careful and guarded: said of speech, etc. meas´ured·ly •adv.
measureless (mezh´эr lis) •adj. too large to be measurable; vast; immense meas´ure·less·ly •adv.
measurement (-mэnt) •n. 1 a measuring or being measured; mensuration 2 extent, quality, or size as determined by measuring; dimension {a waist measurement of 32 inches} 3 a system of measuring or of measures
measurement ton TON (sense 5)
measuring cup a standard cup, usually one holding either 8 oz. or 16 oz., with marks to show fractional amounts and with a lip for pouring, used to measure ingredients in cooking
measuring worm the caterpillar of any geometrid moth: it moves by alternately advancing the front end of its body and bringing the rear end forward to form a loop
meat (mi:t) •n. 1 food; esp., solid food, as distinguished from drink: now archaic or dialectal except in meat and drink 2 the flesh of animals used as food; esp., the flesh of mammals and, sometimes, of fowl 3 the edible, inner part {the meat of a nut} 4 the substance, meaning, or gist {the meat of a story} 5 one's quarry 6 [Archaic] a meal, esp. dinner Æ one's meat [Slang] something that one especially enjoys or is skillful at {golf's my meat} [ME mete < OE < Gmc *mad-, food, meat < IE base *mad-, to be moist, trickle > MAST², Gr mastos, breast]
meat hooks Æ [Slang] the hands or fists
meatball (-böl') •n. 1 a small ball of ground meat, seasoned and cooked, often with sauce, gravy, etc. 2 [Slang] a stupid, awkward, or boring person
Meath (mi:θ) county in E Ireland, in Leinster province: 903 sq. mi. (2,340 sq. km); pop. 95,000
meathead (mi:t´hed') •n. [Slang] a stupid person; blockhead
meatless (-lis) •adj. 1 having no meat or food 2 when no meat is to be eaten {a meatless day} 3 containing no meat or meat substances {meatless vegetable soup}
meatloaf (-louf') •n. a baked loaf of ground meat, usually beef or beef and pork, mixed with cracker or bread crumbs, egg, etc.: also meat loaf
meatman (-mæn') pl. -men' (-men') •n. a man who sells meat; butcher
meatpacking (-pæk'iŋ) •n. the process or industry of slaughtering animals and preparing their meat for market meat´pack'er •n.
meatus (mi: eit´эs) pl. -tus·es •n.or -tus a ductlike passage within the body or the external opening of such a passage, as in the ear, nose, or urethra [LL, avenue of sensation in the body < L, a passage, pp. of meare, to go, pass < IE base *mei-, to go]
meaty (mi:t´i:) meat´i·er, meat´i·est •adj. 1 of, like, or having the flavor or quality of, meat 2 a) full of meat b) stout; heavy Æ 3 full of substance; thought-provoking; pithy meat´i·ness •n.
Mecca (mek´э) city in W Saudi Arabia, near the Red Sea: birthplace of Mohammed & hence a holy city of Islam: pop. c. 367,000 •n. [often m-] 1 any place visited by many people 2 any place that one yearns to go to 3 any goal that one is seeking to achieve Mec´can •adj., n.
mech 1 mechanical 2 mechanics 3 mechanism
mechanic (mэ kæn´ik) •adj. archaic var. of MECHANICAL •n. 1 a worker skilled in using tools or in making, operating, and repairing machines 2 [Archaic] a manual laborer [L mechanicus < Gr mēchanikos < mēchanē, MACHINE]
mechanical (mэ kæn´i kэl) •adj. 1 having to do with, or having skill in the use of, machinery or tools 2 produced or operated by machinery or a mechanism 3 of, in accordance with, or using the principles and terminology of, the science of mechanics 4 automatic, as if from force of habit; machinelike; lacking spontaneity, expression, warmth, etc. {to greet someone in a mechanical way} 5 [Archaic] of manual labor or manual laborers •n. Printing an assemblage of type proofs, pictures, etc. mounted on a sheet of paper, to be photographed for making into a plate me·chan´i·cal·ly •adv.
mechanical advantage the ratio of the output force of a device that performs useful work to the input force: used in rating the performance of a machine
mechanical drawing 1 the art of drawing by the use of T squares, scales, compasses, etc. 2 a drawing so made
mechanical tissue a plant tissue made up of hard, thick-walled cells that add strength to an organ
mechanician (mek'э nish´эn) •n. a person skilled in the theory, design, operation, or care of machinery
mechanics (mэ kæn´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v. in senses 1, 2, and sometimes 3] 1 the branch of physics that deals with the motion of material bodies and the phenomena of the action of forces on bodies: cf. STATICS, DYNAMICS, KINEMATICS 2 theoretical and practical knowledge of the design, construction, operation, and care of machinery 3 the mechanical aspect; technical part {the mechanics of writing} [see MECHANIC]
mechanic's lien a lien on a building or other property given by statute to those who perform work or furnish materials in the improvement of that property
mechanism (mek´э niz'эm) •n. 1 the working parts or arrangement of parts of a machine; works {the mechanism of a clock} 2 a) a system whose parts work together like those of a machine {the mechanism of the universe} b) any system or means for doing something; esp., a physical or mental process or processes, whether conscious or unconscious, by which some result is produced; machinery (cf. DEFENSE MECHANISM) 3 the mechanical aspect; technical part 4 the theory or doctrine that all the phenomena of the universe, particularly life, can ultimately be explained in terms of matter moving in accordance with the laws of nature [ModL mechanismus < Gr mēchanē, MACHINE]
mechanist (mek´э nist) •n. 1 a person who believes in the theory of mechanism 2 rare var. of MECHANICIAN
mechanistic (mek'э nis´tik) •adj. 1 of or in accordance with the theory of mechanism 2 of mechanics or mechanical concepts mech'a·nis´ti·cal·ly •adv.
mechanize (mek´э naiz') -nized', -niz'ing •vt. 1 to make mechanical 2 to do or operate by machinery, not by hand 3 to bring about the use of machinery in (an industry, etc.) 4 to equip (an army, etc.) with motor vehicles, tanks, etc., for greater mobility and striking power mech'a·ni·za´tion •n. mech´a·niz'er •n.
mechanotherapy (mek'э nou'θer´э pi:) •n. the treatment of disease, injuries, etc. by using mechanical devices, massage, etc. mech'an·o'ther´a·pist •n. [< Gr mēchanē, MACHINE + THERAPY]
Mechelen (mek´э lэn) city in NC Belgium, in Antwerp province: pop. 65,000
Mechlin (mek´lin) Eng. name of MECHELEN •n. a fine lace made in Mechelen, with the design clearly outlined by a heavier thread: also Mechlin lace
Mecklenburg (mek´lэn børg'; -buřk') historical region in NE Germany, formerly a German state and now part of the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (-wes´tэrn päm'эr ei´ni: э) state of NE Germany: 8,842 sq. mi. (22,900 sq. km); pop. 2,100,000; cap. Schwerin
meclizine (mek´lэ zi:n') •n. an antihistamine, C25H27ClN2, used for treating nausea and motion sickness [ME(THYL BENZENE) + C(H)L(OROFORM) + -I- + (PIPERA)ZINE]
meconium (mi kou´ni: эm) •n. the greenish fecal matter in a fetus, forming the first bowel movement of a newborn infant [ModL < L, meconium, orig. poppy juice < Gr mēkōnion < mēkōn, poppy < IE *mak(en)- > OHG maho (Ger mohn), Russ mak]
mecopteran (mi käp´tэr эn) •n. any of an order (Mecoptera) of carnivorous insects, with a head that is greatly elongated into a beak with chewing mouthparts, and, usually, four long, narrow, membranous wings; scorpion fly me·cop´ter·ous (-эs) •adj. [< ModL Mecoptera < Gr mēkos, length (for IE base see MEAGER) + PTER(O)- + -AN]
med 1 medical 2 medicine 3 medieval 4 medium
MEd or M.Ed. Master of Education
medaillon or médaillon (mei dai youn´) •n. MEDALLION (sense 3)
medal (med´ªl) •n. 1 a small, flat piece of metal with a design or inscription stamped or inscribed on it, made to commemorate some event, or awarded for some distinguished action, merit, etc. 2 a similar piece of metal with a religious figure or design, worn or carried as an aid to piety •vt. -aled or -alled, -al·ing or -al·ling [Rare] to honor with a medal me·dal·lic (mэ dæl´ik) •adj. [Fr médaille < It medaglia < VL *medalia, a small coin < *medialia < LL medialis, MEDIAL]
Medal for Merit a U.S. military decoration awarded civilians for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services
Medal of Freedom a U.S. decoration awarded to civilians for significant aid in prosecuting a war and, since 1963, to civilians or military persons for any of various achievements
Medal of Honor the highest U.S. military decoration, awarded by Congress for gallantry at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty: established 1862
medal play Golf a form of competitive play in which the score is calculated by counting the total number of strokes taken to play the designated number of holes: distinguished from MATCH PLAY
medalist (med´ªl ist) •n. 1 a person who designs or makes medals 2 a person who has been awarded a medal 3 Golf the low scorer in a qualifying round of medal play preliminary to a match play tournament Also, Brit. sp., med´al·list
medallion (mэ dæl´yэn) •n. 1 a large medal 2 an oval or circular design, portrait, relief carving, etc. resembling a medal in shape and used as a decorative form in architecture, textiles, etc. 3 a small round or oval portion of meat or fish, especially of beef or veal [Fr médaillon < It medaglione < medaglia: see MEDAL]
Medan (mei dän´, mei´dän') city in N Sumatra, Indonesia, near the Strait of Malacca: pop. 1,379,000
Medawar (med´э wэr), Peter Brian 1915-87; Eng. immunologist
meddle (med´ªl) -dled, -dling •vi. 1 to concern oneself with or take part in other people's affairs without being asked or needed; interfere (in or with) 2 to tamper (with) 3 [Obs.] to mingle; combine •vt. [Obs.] to mix; mingle med´dler •n. [ME medlen < OFr medler, mesler (Fr mêler), to mix, hence mix in, meddle < VL *misculare < L miscere, to MIX]
meddlesome (-sэm) •adj. meddling or inclined to meddle; interfering SYN. CURIOUS med´dle·some·ness •n.
Mede (mi:d) •n. a native or inhabitant of Media [L Medus, pl. Medi < Gr Mēdos, pl. Mēdoi]
Medea (mi: di:´э, mэ-) Gr. Myth. a sorceress who helps Jason get the Golden Fleece and, later, when deserted by him, kills their children [L < Gr Mēdeia]
Medellín (mei'dei yi:n´) city in NW Colombia: pop. 2,069,000
medevac (med´i væk') •n. the evacuation of wounded military personnel for medical treatment, esp. by aircraft •adj. of or having to do with such an evacuation or the aircraft used, esp. helicopters
medfly (med´flai') pl. -flies' •n. [also M-] MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY
Medford (med´fэrd) 1 city in E Mass.: suburb of Boston: pop. 57,000 [prob. after an English place name] 2 city in SW Oreg.: pop. 47,000 [after the city in Mass.]
medi- (mi:´di:, -di, -dэ) combining form MEDIO-: used before a vowel
Media (mi:´di: э) ancient kingdom in the part of SW Asia that is now NW Iran: cap. Ecbatana
media event a public appearance or event deliberately staged to gain publicity from the news media
media¹ (mi:´di: э) alt. pl. of MEDIUM: see MEDIUM (n. 3) •n. the media [usually with sing. v.] all the means of communication, as newspapers, radio, and TV, that provide the public with news, entertainment, etc., usually along with advertising
media² (mi:´di: э) pl. -di·ae' (-i:') •n. 1 Anat. the middle coat of the wall of a blood or lymph vessel 2 [Historical] Phonet. a voiced stop [LL, used by PRISCIAN for L littera media, intermediate letter: so named as medial between aspirates and tenues] [ModL < fem. of L medius, middle: see MID¹]
mediacy (mi:´di: э si:) •n. the state or quality of being mediate
mediad (mi:´di: æd') •adv. Biol. toward the median plane or axis of a body or part [MEDI- + -AD²]
mediaeval (mi:'di: i:´vэl; mid'i: i:´vэl, med'-; mэ di:´vэl) •adj. MEDIEVAL me'di·ae´val·ism' •n. me'di·ae´val·ist •n.
mediagenic (mi:'di: э jen´ik) •adj. attractive and appealing to viewers and readers of the news media [MEDIA¹ + -GENIC]
medial (mi:´di: эl) •adj. 1 of or in the middle; neither beginning nor ending; median 2 nearer the median plane or axis of a body or part 3 a) of an average or mean b) average; ordinary •n. 1 a medial letter 2 in some alphabets, the form of a letter that is used as neither an initial nor final letter me´di·al·ly •adv. [LL medialis < L medius, middle: see MID¹]
median (mi:´di: эn) •adj. 1 middle; intermediate 2 a) designating a line extending from a vertex of a triangle to the middle of the opposite side b) designating a line joining the midpoints of the nonparallel sides of a trapezoid 3 a) designating the plane that divides a body or part into symmetrical parts b) situated in this plane 4 Statistics a) designating the middle number in a series containing an odd number of items (Ex.: 7 in the series 1, 4, 7, 16, 43) b) designating the number midway between the two middle numbers in a series containing an even number of items (Ex.: 10 in the series 3, 4, 8, 12, 46, 72): distinguished from AVERAGE, MEAN³, MODE •n. 1 a median number, point, or line 2 an artery, vein, nerve, etc. in the middle of the body or along the imaginary plane that bisects the body into the right and left halves Æ 3 the strip of land separating the lanes of opposing traffic of a divided highway: in full median strip me´di·an·ly •adv. [L medianus < medius, middle: see MID¹] Median (mi:´di: эn) •adj. of Media, the Medes, their Iranian language (Medic), or their culture •n. a Mede median (mi:´di: эn) •adj. 1 middle; intermediate 2 a) designating a line extending from a vertex of a triangle to the middle of the opposite side b) designating a line joining the midpoints of the nonparallel sides of a trapezoid 3 a) designating the plane that divides a body or part into symmetrical parts b) situated in this plane 4 Statistics a) designating the middle number in a series containing an odd number of items (Ex.: 7 in the series 1, 4, 7, 16, 43) b) designating the number midway between the two middle numbers in a series containing an even number of items (Ex.: 10 in the series 3, 4, 8, 12, 46, 72): distinguished from AVERAGE, MEAN³, MODE •n. 1 a median number, point, or line 2 an artery, vein, nerve, etc. in the middle of the body or along the imaginary plane that bisects the body into the right and left halves Æ 3 the strip of land separating the lanes of opposing traffic of a divided highway: in full median strip me´di·an·ly •adv. [L medianus < medius, middle: see MID¹]
mediant (mi:´di: эnt) •n. the third degree of a major or minor scale [It mediante < LL medians, prp. of mediare: see MEDIATE]
mediastinum (mi:'di: æs tai´nэm) pl. -na (-nэ) •n. 1 a membranous partition between two cavities of the body, esp. that separating the lungs or the two pleural sacs 2 the space between the pleural sacs, containing the heart and other chest viscera except the lungs me'di·as·ti´nal •adj. [ModL < ML mediastinus, in the middle (form infl. by L mediastinus, servant, medical assistant) < L medius, middle: see MID¹]
mediate (for v., mi:´di: eit'; for adj., -it, -эt) -at'ed, -at'ing •vi. 1 to be in an intermediate position or location 2 to be an intermediary or conciliator between persons or sides •vt. 1 a) to settle by mediation {mediated the dispute} b) to bring about by conciliation {mediated a settlement} 2 to be the medium for bringing about (a result), conveying (an object), communicating (information), etc. •adj. 1 [Now Rare] intermediate or intervening 2 dependent on, acting by, or connected through some intervening agency; related indirectly me´di·ate·ly •adv. me´di·a'tor •n. [Now Rare] me'di·a´trix' (-ei´triks') •n.fem. [< LL mediatus, pp. of mediare, to divide in the middle < L medius, middle: see MID¹]
mediation (mi:'di: ei´shэn) •n. the act or process of mediating; friendly or diplomatic intervention, usually by consent or invitation, for settling differences between persons, nations, etc. me´di·a'tive •adj. me´di·a·to'ry (-э tör'i:) •adj. [ME mediacioun < ML mediatio]
mediatize (mi:´di: э taiz') -tized', -tiz'ing •vt. to annex (a smaller state) to a larger one, leaving the ruler his or her title and some authority [< Fr or Ger: Fr médiatiser (< médiat < LL mediatus: see MEDIATE), or Ger mediatisieren < Fr]
Medic (mi:´dik') •n. the language of the ancient Medes; Median
medic¹ (med´ik) •n. [Colloq.] 1 a physician or surgeon Æ 2 a medical student or intern 3 a medical noncommissioned officer who gives first aid in combat; aidman; corpsman [L medicus]
medic² (med´ik) •n. any of a genus (Medicago) of plants, as alfalfa, of the pea family [ME medike < L medica < Gr mēdikē (poa), Median (grass), kind of clover from Media < Mēdikos, of Media]
medicable (med´i kэ bэl) •adj. that can be cured, healed, or relieved by medical treatment [L medicabilis]
Medicaid (med´i keid') •n. [also m-] a public health program through which certain medical and hospital expenses of those having no income, or a low income, are paid for from State and Federal funds [fol. + AID]
medical (med´i kэl) •adj. of or connected with medicine or the practice or study of medicine med´i·cal·ly •adv. [Fr médical < LL medicalis < L medicus, physician < IE base *med- (akin to *mē-: see MEASURE), to measure, consider, wise counselor, doctor > OE metan, to measure]
medical examiner 1 a coroner or similar public officer 2 a physician who performs medical examinations, as of applicants for life insurance
medical jurisprudence the application of medical knowledge to questions of law affecting life or property, including ascertaining and certifying the cause of death, proper medical practice, etc.
medicalize (med´i kэl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to use medical methods or concepts in dealing with (nonmedical problems, conditions, etc.) med'i·cal·i·za´tion •n.
medicament (med´i kэ mэnt, mэ dik´э-) •n. MEDICATION (sense 2) [Fr médicament < L medicamentum]
Medicare (med´i ker') •n. [also m-] a national health program through which certain medical and hospital expenses of the aged and the needy are paid for from Federal, mostly social security, funds [MEDI(CAL) + CARE]
medicate (med´i keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 to treat with medicine 2 to add a medicinal substance to; tincture or impregnate with medicine med´i·ca'tive •adj. [< L medicatus, pp. of medicari, to heal < medicus: see MEDICAL]
medication (med'i kei´shэn) •n. 1 a medicating or being medicated 2 a medicine; substance for curing or healing, or for relieving pain [L medicatio]
Medici (med´э chi:'; It me´di: chi:') 1 family of rich, powerful bankers, merchants, & rulers of Florence & Tuscany in the 14th, 15th, & 16th cent., also noted as patrons of art & literature 2 Catherine de' 1519-89; queen of Henry II of France (1547-59): Fr. name Catherine de Mé·di·cis (dэ mei di: si:s´) 3 Cos·i·mo de' (kô´zi: mô' de) 1389-1464; head of the Florentine Republic: called the Elder 4 Cosimo I de' 1519-74; grand duke of Tuscany (1569-74): called the Great 5 Giu·lio de' (ju:´lyô de) see CLEMENT VII 6 Lo·ren·zo de' (lô řen´tsô de) 1449-92; ruler of Florence (1469-92): called the Magnificent 7 Maria de' 1573-1642; queen of Henry IV of France (1600-10): queen regent (1610-17): Fr. name Marie de Médicis Med'i·ce´an (-si:´эn, -chi:´эn) •adj.
medicinal (mэ dis´эn эl) •adj. of, or having the properties of, medicine; curing, healing, or relieving me·dic´i·nal·ly •adv. [ME medycinal < OFr < L medicinalis]
medicine (med´i sэn) •n. 1 the science and art of diagnosing, treating, curing, and preventing disease, relieving pain, and improving and preserving health 2 the branch of this science and art that makes use of drugs, diet, etc., as distinguished esp. from surgery and obstetrics 3 a) any drug or other substance used in treating disease, healing, or relieving pain b) [Obs.] a drug or other substance, as a poison, love potion, etc., used for other purposes Æ 4 among North American Indian peoples a) any object, spell, rite, etc. supposed to have natural or supernatural powers as a remedy, preventive, protection, etc. b) magical power •vt. -cined, -cin·ing to give medicine to; treat medicinally Æ take one's medicine to endure just punishment or accept the results of one's action [OFr < L medicina < medicus: see MEDICAL]
medicine ball a large, heavy, leather-covered ball, tossed from one person to another for physical exercise
medicine dance a ritual dance to drive out disease or make magic, as among North American Indian peoples
Medicine Hat city in SE Alberta, Canada: pop. 42,000 [prob. transl. of Blackfoot saamis, headdress of a medicine man]
medicine man among North American Indians, etc., a man supposed to have supernatural powers of curing disease and controlling spirits; shaman
medicine show a show given by entertainers who traveled from town to town, in order to sell cure-alls and nostrums
medico (med´i kou') pl. -cos' •n. [Colloq.] 1 a physician or surgeon; doctor 2 a medical student [It < L medicus: see MEDICAL]
medico- (med´i kou') combining form 1 medical 2 medical and {medicolegal}
medieval (mi:'di: i:´vэl; mid'i: i:´vэl, med'-; mэ di:´vэl) •adj. of, like, characteristic of, or suggestive of the Middle Ages me'di·e´val·ly •adv. [< L medius, middle (see MID¹) + aevum, AGE + -AL]
Medieval Greek the Greek language as it was used in the Middle Ages, from c. 600-c. 1500 A.D.
Medieval Latin the Latin language as it was used throughout Europe in the Middle Ages, from c. 600-c. 1500 A.D., with many Latinized borrowings from other languages
medievalism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 medieval spirit, beliefs, customs, etc. 2 devotion to or acceptance of medieval beliefs, habits, customs, etc. 3 a belief, custom, etc. characteristic of or surviving from the Middle Ages
medievalist (-ist) •n. 1 a student of or specialist in medieval history, literature, art, etc. 2 a person devoted to medieval customs, beliefs, etc.
Medina (mэ di:´nэ) city in Hejaz, NW Saudi Arabia: site of Mohammed's tomb & hence a holy city of Islam: pop. c. 198,000 medina (mэ di:´nэ) •n. the old native quarter of a N African city [native term in N Africa, orig. lit., city < Ar medinat, city]
medio- (mi:´di: ou', -э) combining form MIDDLE [< L medius: see MID¹]
mediocre (mi:'di: ou´kэr, mi:´di: ou'kэr) •adj. 1 neither very good nor very bad; ordinary; average 2 not good enough; inferior [Fr médiocre < L mediocris < medius, middle (see MID¹) + ocris, a peak < IE base *a-, sharp > L acer]
mediocrity (mi:'di: äk´rэ ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality or state of being mediocre 2 mediocre ability or attainment 3 a person of mediocre abilities or attainments [Fr médiocrité < L mediocritas]
meditate (med´э teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vt. 1 [Rare] to reflect upon; study; ponder 2 to plan or intend •vi. to think deeply and continuously; reflect; muse med´i·ta'tor •n. [< L meditatus, pp. of meditari, to meditate: for base see MEDICAL]
meditation (med'э tei´shэn) •n. 1 act of meditating; deep, continued thought 2 solemn reflection on sacred matters as a devotional act 3 [often pl.] oral or written material, as a sermon, based on meditation [ME meditacioun < OFr & L: OFr meditation < L meditatio]
meditative (med´э teit'iv) •adj. 1 meditating or inclined to meditate 2 indicating meditation SYN. PENSIVE med´i·ta'tive·ly •adv. [LL meditativus]
mediterranean (med'i tэ rei´ni: эn) •adj. 1 a) far from the coast; inland (said of land) b) surrounded, or almost surrounded, by land; landlocked (said of water) 2 [M-] of the Mediterranean Sea or nearby regions 3 [M-] designating or of a physical type of the Caucasoid peoples exemplified by the long-headed, short, olive-skinned people living around the Mediterranean Sea: see also ALPINE, NORDIC Æ 4 [M-] designating or of a style of furniture made, as through the use of plastic moldings, to simulate the heavy wood, massive lines, and ornate carving of a kind of Renaissance furniture •n. [M-] a Mediterranean person See also MEDITERRANEAN SEA [< L mediterraneus < medius, middle (see MID¹) + terra, land (see TERRAIN)]
Mediterranean climate a climate characterized by warm, dry summers and rainy winters
Mediterranean fever UNDULANT FEVER
Mediterranean flour moth a small, gray moth (Ephestia kuehniella) whose larvae are serious pests in flour
Mediterranean fruit fly a small, gall-forming, two-winged fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) whose larvae infest and feed on many kinds of fruit
Mediterranean Sea large sea surrounded by Europe, Africa, & Asia: c. 2,300 mi. (3,700 km) long; c. 965,000 sq. mi. (2,499,000 sq. km)
medium (mi:´di: эm) pl. -di·ums or -di·a (-э) •n. 1 a) something intermediate b) a middle state or degree; mean 2 an intervening thing through which a force acts or an effect is produced {copper is a good medium for conducting heat} 3 any means, agency, or instrumentality; specif., a means of communication that reaches the general public and carries advertising: in this sense, a singular form media (pl. medias) is now sometimes used: see also MEDIA¹ 4 any surrounding or pervading substance in which bodies exist or move 5 environment 6 a sterilized nutritive mixture, as enriched agar, for cultivating bacteria, viruses, etc. Æ 7 a person through whom communications are supposedly sent to the living from spirits of the dead 8 any material or technique as used for expression or delineation in art 9 a liquid mixed with pigments to give smoothness •adj. 1 in a middle position; intermediate in quality, amount, degree, size, etc. 2 neither rare nor well-done: said of cooked meat [L, the middle, neut. of medius: see MID¹]
medium frequency any radio frequency between 300 kilohertz and 3 megahertz
medium of exchange anything used as a measure of value in exchange for goods and services; currency, checks, etc.
mediumistic (mi:'di: эm is´tik) •adj. of or like a MEDIUM (sense 7)
medium-sized (mi:´di: эm saizd') •adj. of a medium size; neither large nor small
medlar (med´lэr) •n. 1 a small tree (Mespilus germanica) of the rose family, growing in Europe and Asia 2 its small, brown, applelike fruit, hard and bitter when ripe and eaten or used in preserves when partly decayed [ME medler < OFr medler, meslier < mesle, the fruit < L mespilum < Gr mespilon]
medley (med´li:) pl. -leys •n. 1 a mixture of things not usually placed together; heterogeneous assortment or collection; hodgepodge 2 a musical piece made up of tunes or passages from various works 3 [Archaic] MELEE •adj. [Archaic] made up of heterogeneous parts; mixed [ME medle < OFr medlee, a mixing < fem. pp. of medler: see MEDDLE]
medley race 1 a relay race in which each contestant must cover a different distance 2 a swimming race in which a different stroke must be used for each length of the pool Also medley relay
Médoc (mei dôk´; E mei´däk', mei däk´) •n. a red wine from the Médoc district of the Bordeaux region
medulla (mi dûl´э) pl. -dul´las or -dul´lae (-i:) •n. 1 Anat. a) MEDULLA OBLONGATA b) the inner substance of an organ, as of the kidney, adrenal gland, etc. c) bone marrow 2 Bot. PITH (sense 1) med·ul·lar·y (med´э ler'i:, mej´-; mi dûl´эr i:) •adj. [L, marrow, pith: see SMEAR]
medulla oblongata (äb'läŋ gät´э, -löŋ-; -geit´э) the widening continuation of the spinal cord, forming the lowest part of the brain and containing nerve centers that control breathing, circulation, etc.: see BRAIN, illus. [ModL, oblong medulla]
medullary ray 1 Anat. extensions of the kidney tubules into the cortical substance 2 Bot. strands of parenchymal tissue extending from the pith to the bark and separating the vascular bundles in the stems of certain plants (dicotyledons and gymnosperms)
medullary sheath 1 Anat. a layer of myelin forming a sheath around certain nerve fibers 2 Bot. a ring of primary xylem around the pith of some stems
medullated (med´ªl eit'id, mej´э leit'-; mi dûl´eit'id) •adj. 1 covered with a medullary substance; having myelin sheaths 2 having a medulla
Medusa (mэ du:´sэ, -dyu:´-; -zэ) Gr. Myth. one of the three Gorgons, slain by Perseus: see GORGON •n. pl. -sas or -sae (-si:, -zi:) [m-] Zool. JELLYFISH [ModL] [ME Meduse < L Medusa < Gr Medousa, lit., ruler < medein, to govern < IE base *med-: see MEDICAL]
medusan (-sэn, -zэn) •adj. of a medusa, or jellyfish Also me·du´sal •n. a medusa, or jellyfish
medusoid (-soid', -zoid') •adj. like a medusa, or jellyfish •n. a medusa-shaped gonophore of a hydrozoan
meed (mi:d) •n. 1 [Archaic] a merited recompense or reward 2 [Obs.] a) a bribe b) merit; worth [ME mede < OE med, a recompense, reward, akin to Ger miete, pay, rent < IE base *mizdhó-, reward, pay > Sans mīdhá-, prize]
meek (mi:k) •adj. 1 patient and mild; not inclined to anger or resentment 2 too submissive; easily imposed on; spineless; spiritless 3 [Obs.] gentle or kind meek´ly •adv. meek´ness •n. [ME meke (earlier meoc) < ON miukr, pliant, gentle < IE base *meug-, *meuk-, to slip, slippery, slimy > MUCK, L mucus, Gr myxa]
Meer (mer, mir), Jan van der see VERMEER, Jan
meerschaum (mir´shэm, -shöm', -shaum') •n. 1 a soft, white, claylike, heat-resistant mineral, a hydrous magnesium silicate, H4Mg2Si3O10, used for tobacco pipes, etc. 2 a pipe with a bowl made of this [Ger, lit., sea foam (< meer, sea + schaum, foam), transl. of ML spuma maris, orig. used of coral, calque of Gr halos hachnē: name transferred in 18th-c. Ger to a variety of lithomarge]
Meerut (mi:´rэt) city in N India, in Uttar Pradesh: pop. 538,000
meet¹ (mi:t) met, meet´ing •vt. 1 to come upon or encounter; esp., to come face to face with or up to (a person or thing moving from a different direction) 2 to be present at the arrival of {to meet a bus} 3 to come into contact, connection, or conjunction with {the ball met the bat} 4 a) to come into the presence or company of b) to be introduced to; get acquainted with c) to keep an appointment or engagement with 5 a) to encounter in or as in battle; contend with b) to deal with; face; match {to meet angry words with a laugh} c) to refute or deal with effectively {to meet an objection} 6 to experience {to meet disaster} 7 to come within the perception of (the eye, ear, etc.) 8 a) to comply with; satisfy (a demand, etc.) b) to pay (a bill, etc.) •vi. 1 to come together, as from different directions 2 to come into contact, connection, or conjunction 3 to become acquainted; be introduced 4 to be opposed in or as in battle; contend; fight 5 to be united 6 a) to assemble b) to come together for discussion, bargaining, etc. (with) •n. 1 a meeting, gathering, or assembling, as for a sporting event {a track meet} 2 the people who so meet or the place of meeting meet with 1 to experience 2 to receive 3 to come upon or across; encounter: also meet up with [ME meten < OE metan < base of mot, a coming together, meeting: see MOOT]
meet² (mi:t) •adj. [Now Rare] suitable; proper; fit meet´ly •adv. [ME mete < OE (ge)mæte, fitting, akin to Ger gemäss, commensurable < IE base *med-: see MEDICAL]
meeting (mi:t´iŋ) •n. 1 a coming together of persons or things 2 an assembly; gathering of people, esp. to discuss or decide on matters 3 an assembly or place of assembly for worship, esp. of Friends, or Quakers 4 a series of horse or dog races held during a period of days at a certain track 5 a point of contact or intersection; junction [see MEET¹]
meetinghouse (-haus') •n. a building used for public meetings, esp. for worship, as by Friends, or Quakers
meg abbrev. megohm(s)
mega- (meg´э) combining form 1 large, great, powerful {megacephalic, megaphone} 2 one million; the factor 106 {megahertz, megaton} Also, before a vowel, meg- [Gr mega- < megas, great, mighty: see MUCH]
megabuck (meg´э bûk') •n. [Slang] 1 a million dollars 2 [pl.] a large, indefinite amount of money [prec. < BUCK³]
megabyte (-bait') •n. 1 a unit of capacity, equal to 1,048,576 (2²0) bytes 2 loosely, one million bytes Abbrev. mb [MEGA- + BYTE]
megacephalic (meg'э sэ fæl´ik) •adj. having a large head; esp., having a cranial capacity greater than the average Also meg'a·ceph´a·lous (-sef´э lэs) meg'a·ceph´a·ly (-sef´э li:) •n. [MEGA- + CEPHALIC]
megacycle (meg´э sai'kэl) •n. MEGAHERTZ
megadeath (-deθ') •n. one million dead persons: a unit in computing the hypothetical victims of a nuclear explosion [MEGA- + DEATH]
megadose •n. an abnormally large dose, esp. of a vitamin
Megaera (mэ jir´э) Gr. & Rom. Myth. one of the three Furies [L < Gr Megaira, lit., the exalted one (a euphemism) < *megaros, great < megas: see MUCH]
Megagaea (meg'э ji:´э) •n. one of the three primary zoogeographic areas of the earth including Europe, Africa, Asia, certain islands southeast of Asia, and the polar and temperate areas of North America [ModL < MEGA- + Gr gaia, earth]
megagamete (meg'э gæm´i:t', -gæ mi:t´) •n. MACROGAMETE
megahertz (meg´э herts', -hørts') pl. -hertz' •n. one million hertz: abbrev. MHz [MEGA- + HERTZ]
megalith (-liθ') •n. a huge stone, esp. one used in Neolithic monuments or in the construction work of ancient peoples: see CROMLECH meg'a·lith´ic •adj. [MEGA- + -LITH]
megalo- (meg´э lou', -lэ) combining form 1 large, great, powerful {megalomania} 2 abnormal enlargement {megalocardia} Also, before a vowel, meg´al- [ModL < Gr < megas, large: see MUCH]
megalocardia (meg'э lou kär´di: э) •n. abnormal enlargement of the heart [ModL < prec. + Gr kardia, HEART]
megalocephalic (-sэ fæl´ik) •adj. MEGACEPHALIC meg´a·lo'ceph´a·lous (-sef´э lэs) •adj. meg'a·lo'ceph´a·ly (-sef´э li:) •n.
megalomania (-mei´ni: э, -mein´yэ) •n. 1 a mental disorder characterized by delusions of grandeur, wealth, power, etc. 2 a passion for, or for doing, big things 3 a tendency to exaggerate meg'a·lo·ma´ni·ac' (-æk) •adj., n. meg'a·lo·ma·ni´a·cal (-mэ nai´э kэl) •adj. meg'a·lo·man´ic (-mæn´ik) •adj. [ModL: see MEGALO- & MANIA]
megalopolis (meg'э läp´э lis) pl. -lis·es •n. an extensive, heavily populated, continuously urban area, including any number of cities meg'a·lo·pol´i·tan (-lou päl´i tэn) •adj., n. [Gr, lit., great city]
megalops (meg´э läps') pl. -lops' •n.or -lop'ses an advanced larval stage of the true crabs, just preceding the definitive adult stage meg'a·lop´ic •adj. [ModL < MEGAL(O)- + Gr ōps, EYE]
megalosaur (meg´э lou sör', -lэ-) •n. any of a genus (Megalosaurus) of huge, flesh-eating theropod dinosaurs of the Jurassic Period meg'a·lo·sau´ri·an (-sör´i: эn) •adj., n. [< ModL megalosaurus: see MEGALO- & -SAURUS]
Megan (meg´эn, mi:´gэn) a feminine name: see MARGARET [Ir]
megaphone (meg´э foun') •n. a device shaped like a large cone open at both ends, used for increasing the volume of the voice and directing it •vt., vi. -phoned', -phon'ing to magnify or direct (the voice) through or as through a megaphone meg'a·phon´ic (-fän´ik) •adj. [MEGA- + -PHONE]
megapod (meg´э päd') •adj. large-footed •n. MEGAPODE [MEGA- + -POD]
megapode (-poud') •n. any of a family (Megapodiidae) of large-footed, mound-building gallinaceous birds of Australia and the East Indies [see MEGAPOD]
Megara (meg´э rэ) city on the Isthmus of Corinth, central Greece: capital of ancient Megaris: pop. 15,000
Megaris (meg´э ris) ancient district on the E part of the Isthmus of Corinth
megascopic (meg'э skäp´ik) •adj. MACROSCOPIC (sense 1) meg'a·scop´i·cal·ly •adv. [MEGA- + -SCOP(E) + -IC]
megasporangium (-spou ræn´ji: эm, -spэ-) pl. -gi·a (-э) •n. a sporangium, or spore case, containing only megaspores, as in some ferns [ModL: see MEGA- & SPORANGIUM]
megaspore (meg´э spör') •n. a haploid spore, usually larger than a microspore of the same plant, which gives rise to a female gametophyte: found in all vascular plants that have differentiated sexes in the gametophyte meg'a·spor´ic •adj. [MEGA- + SPORE]
megasporophyll (meg'э spör´ э fil') •n. a sporophyll bearing only megasporangia
megass or megasse (mэ gæs´, -gäs´) •n. BAGASSE
megatherium (meg'э θir´i: эm) •n. any of an extinct genus (Megatherium) of very large, plant-eating, ground-dwelling sloths Also meg´a·there' (-θir') [ModL < Gr megas (see MEGA-) + thērion, beast < thēr, wild animal: see FIERCE]
megaton (meg´э tûn') •n. the explosive force of a million tons of TNT: a unit for measuring the power of nuclear weapons meg´a·ton'nage •n. [MEGA- + TON]
megavitamin (meg´э vait'э min) •n. any vitamin taken in a dosage that greatly exceeds the usual recommended levels [MEGA- + VITAMIN]
megawatt (meg´э wät') •n. a unit of electrical power, equal to one million watts: abbrev. MW or Mw [MEGA- + WATT]
Meghalaya (mei'gэ lei´э) state of NE India: 8,785 sq. mi. (22,489 sq. km); pop. 1,328,000
Megiddo (mэ gid´ou) ancient town in N Palestine, on the plain of Esdraelon, dating from c. 3500 B.C.: thought to be the Biblical Armageddon
megillah (mэ gil´э) •n. [Slang] 1 a long or involved explanation, story, etc. 2 a complicated matter or affair [Yidd < Heb megillāh, scroll, roll]
megilp (mэ gilp´) •n. a mixture usually of linseed oil with mastic varnish or turpentine, used in oil paints [< ?]
megohm (meg´oum') •n. one million ohms
megrim (mi:´grim) •n. 1 obs. var. of MIGRAINE 2 [Archaic] a whim, fancy, or fad 3 [pl.] [Rare] low spirits; the blues [LME migreime < OFr migraine: see MIGRAINE]
Mehemet Ali (me met´ ä li:´) 1769-1849; viceroy of Egypt (1805-48)
Meiji (mei´ji:´) reign name of the emperor Mutsuhito of Japan [Jpn, lit., enlightened peace]
Meiji Restoration revolution in Japanese life and government that occurred after the accession of Emperor Mutsuhito (1867), characterized by the downfall of the shogun and feudalism and the creation of a modern state
meinie or meiny (mei´ni:) pl. mein´ies (-i:z) •n. 1 [Obs.] feudal retainers or attendants, collectively; retinue or household 2 [Scot.] a crowd; throng; multitude [ME menie < OFr meisniee: see MENIAL]
meiosis (mai ou´sis) •n. 1 the process of two consecutive nuclear divisions in the formation of germ cells in animals and of spores in most plants, by which the number of chromosomes ordinarily is reduced from the diploid, or double, number found in somatic cells to the haploid, or halved, number found in gametes and in spores: distinguished from MITOSIS 2 LITOTES mei·ot´ic (-ät´ik) •adj. mei·ot´i·cal·ly •adv. [ModL < Gr meiōsis < meioun, to make smaller < meiōn, less: see MINOR]
Meir (me ir´), Gol·da (goul´dэ) (born Goldie Mabovitch, later Goldie Myerson) 1898-1978; Israeli statesman, born in Russia: prime minister of Israel (1969-74)
Meissen (mai´sэn) city in EC Germany, on the Elbe, in the state of Saxony: noted for its porcelain: pop. 50,000
Meissonier (me sô nyei´), Jean Lou·is Er·nest (zhäñ lwi: eř nest´) 1815-91; Fr. painter
Meistersinger (mais´tэr siŋ'эr, -ziŋ'эr) pl. -sing'er •n. a member of any of several guilds, mainly of workingmen, organized in German cities in the 14th-16th cent. for cultivating music and poetry [Ger, lit., master singer]
Meitner (mait´nэr), Li·se (li: zэ) 1878-1968; Austrian nuclear physicist, in U.S. & Sweden
Méjico (me´hi: kô') Sp. name of MEXICO
Meknès (mek nes´) city in NC Morocco: pop. 386,000
Mekong (mei´käŋ´, -köŋ´) river in SE Asia, flowing from Tibet through SW China & the Indochinese peninsula into the South China Sea: c. 2,600 mi. (4,184 km)
mel (mel) •n. honey, esp. in the pure, clarified form used in pharmacy [L: see MILDEW]
melamed (mэ läm´эd) pl. -lam´dim (-dim) •n. a teacher of children in a heder or other Jewish school [Yidd < Heb, teacher < limed, to teach < root lmd, to teach, study]
melamine (mel´э mi:n') •n. a white, crystalline, cyclic compound, C3H6N6, containing three cyanamide molecules in its structure, used in making synthetic resins [Ger melamin < melam, an ammonium thiocyanate distillate < mel < ? + am(monium), AMMONIUM + -in, -INE³]
melamine resin any of various thermosetting, synthetic resins made by condensing formaldehyde with melamine and used as molding and laminating compounds in making dishes, utensils, adhesives, etc.
melan- (mel´эn) combining form MELANO-: used before a vowel
melancholia (mel'эn kou´li: э) •n. a mental disorder, often psychotic, characterized by extreme depression of spirits, brooding, and anxiety mel'an·cho´li·ac' (-kou´li: æk') •adj., n. [ModL < LL: see MELANCHOLY]
melancholy (mel´эn käl'i:) pl. -chol'ies •n. 1 [Obs.] a) orig., black bile: in medieval times considered to be one of the four humors of the body, to come from the spleen or kidneys, and to cause gloominess, irritability, or depression b) the condition of having, or the disorder supposed to result from having, too much black bile 2 a) sadness and depression of spirits b) a tendency to be sad, gloomy, or depressed 3 sad, sober musing; pensiveness •adj. 1 sad and depressed; gloomy 2 a) causing sadness, gloom, or depression b) lamentable; deplorable 3 sadly or soberly musing; pensive 4 [Obs.] having the disorder of melancholy SYN. SAD mel'an·chol´ic •adj. mel'an·chol´i·cal·ly •adv. [ME malencoli < OFr melancolie < LL melancholia < Gr < melas, black (see MELANO-) + cholē, bile, gall: see YELLOW]
Melanchthon (mэ læŋk´θэn), Philipp (born Philipp Schwarzerd) 1497-1560; Ger. Protestant reformer
Melanesia (mel'э ni:´zhэ, -shэ; Brit, -zi: э) one of the three major divisions of the Pacific islands, south of the equator and including groups from the Bismarck Archipelago to the Fiji Islands [ModL < Gr melas, black (see MELANO-) + nēsos, island (see NATANT) + -IA; in reference to the dark skin of the inhabitants]
Melanesian (-zhэn, -shэn; Brit, -zi: эn) •adj. of Melanesia, its people, or their languages •n. 1 a member of any of the indigenous peoples of Melanesia 2 a branch of the Austronesian family of languages, consisting of the languages of Melanesia
mélange (mei löñzh´, -lönj´; -läñzh´, -länj´) •n. a mixture or medley; hodgepodge [Fr < mêler, to mix: see MEDDLE]
melanic (mэ læn´ik) •adj. of, characteristic of, or having melanism or melanosis
Melanie (mel´э ni:) a feminine name
melanin (mel´э nin) •n. a brownish-black pigment found in skin, hair, and other animal or plant tissues [MELAN- + -IN¹]
melanism (-niz'эm) •n. 1 abnormal development of dark pigmentation in the skin, hair, feathers, etc. 2 darkness of skin, hair, eyes, etc., resulting from a high degree of pigmentation mel'a·nis´tic •adj. [MELAN- + -ISM]
melanite (-nait') •n. a black variety of andradite garnet [Ger melanit, coined (1799) by A. G. Werner (see WERNERITE) < Gr melas (see MELANO-) + Ger -it, -ITE¹]
melanize (-naiz') -nized', -niz'ing •vt. 1 to darken by the deposition of abnormal amounts of melanin in tissues 2 to make dark [MELAN(O)- + -IZE]
melano- (mel´э nou', -nэ) combining form 1 black, very dark {melanous} 2 of melanin {melanocyte} [< Gr melas (gen. melanos), black < IE base *mel-, dark, dirty > Sans mala-, dirt, MHG mal, a spot]
Melanochroi (mel'э näk´rou ai') •n.pl. the darker Caucasoids living around the Mediterranean Sea Mel'a·noch´roid' (-roid') •adj. [ModL < MELAN(O)- + Gr ōchros, pale]
melanocyte (mel´э nou sait', mэ læn´э-) •n. a specialized cell containing melanin [MELANO- + -CYTE]
melanoid (mel´э noid') •adj. 1 pigmented black or dark 2 of or like melanosis
melanoma (mel'э nou´mэ) pl. -mas or -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n. a skin tumor, esp. a malignant one, derived from cells capable of melanin formation [< ModL: see MELANO- & -OMA]
melanophore (mэl´э nou för', mэ læn´э-) •n. a chromatophore containing melanin, found esp. in coldblooded animals
melanosis (mel'э nou´sis) •n. the abnormal production and deposition of melanin in the body tissues mel'a·not´ic (-nät´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr melanōsis, a becoming black < melanousthai, to become black < melas: see MELANO-]
melanosome (mel´э nou soum', mэ læn´э-) •n. an organelle of a cell containing densely packed melanin pigments along rows of tiny fibers
melanous (mel´э nэs) •adj. having black or dark skin and hair [MELAN(O)- + -OUS]
melaphyre (mel´э fair') •n. [Obs.] any dark-colored porphyritic igneous rock [Fr mélaphyre < Gr melas, black (see MELANO-) + Fr (por)phyre, porphyry]
melastome (mel´э stoum') •adj. designating a family (Melastomataceae, order Myrtales) of tropical dicotyledonous plants characterized by showy flowers and leaves with strong longitudinal ribs, including the meadow beauty [< ModL Melastoma < Gr melas, black + stoma, mouth: so named from the stain caused by the fruit]
melatonin (mel'э tou´nin) •n. a hormone, C13H16N2O2, produced by the pineal body, that lightens skin pigmentation, inhibits estrus, etc.: its secretion is inhibited by sunlight [MELA(NO)- + TON(IC) + -IN¹]
Melba (mel´bэ), Dame Nellie (Helen Porter Mitchell Armstrong) 1861-1931; Austral. soprano
Melba toast [also m- t-] bread sliced very thin and toasted until brown and crisp [after prec.]
Melbourne (mel´bэrn), 2d Viscount (William Lamb) 1779-1848; Eng. statesman: prime minister (1834; 1835-41) Melbourne (mel´bэrn) 1 seaport in SE Australia: capital of Victoria: pop. 2,864,000 2 city in E Fla.: pop. 60,000 [after the Austral city] Mel·bur´ni·an •n.
Melchior (mel´ki: ör'), Lau·ritz (Lebrecht Hommel) (lau´rits) 1890-1973; U.S. tenor, born in Denmark
Melchite (mel´kait') •n. a member of the Eastern Church of the Byzantine rite, as in Egypt, Israel, and Syria: also Mel´kite [ModL Melchita < MGr melchitēs, lit., a royalist < Heb mēlekh, king]
Melchizedek (mel kiz´э dek', -ki:´zэ-) Bible the priest and king of Salem who blessed Abraham: Gen. 14:18 •adj. Æ Mormon Ch. designating or of the higher order of priests: cf. AARONIC [Heb malkī-tsedheq, lit., king of righteousness]
meld¹ (meld) •vt., vi. Card Games to make known, for a score, that one holds (a card or combination of cards), esp. by putting them face up on the table •n. 1 the act of melding 2 a combination of cards melded or to be melded [Ger melden, to announce, akin to OE meld, proclamation < IE base *meldh-, to address a deity > OSlav moliti, to ask]
meld² (meld) •vt., vi. to blend; merge; unite [merging of MELT + WELD¹]
Meleager (mel'i: ei´jэr) Gr. Myth. the son of the queen of Calydon and slayer of the Calydonian boar: he is sometimes also listed as one of the Argonauts [L < Gr Meleagros]
melee or mêlée (mei´lei', mei lei´) •n. 1 a noisy, confused fight or hand-to-hand struggle among a number of people 2 a confused conflict or mixture [Fr mêlée < OFr meslee: see MEDLEY]
Melian (mi:´li: эn) •adj. of or relating to Melos
melic (mel´ik) •adj. 1 of song or poetry, esp. early Greek lyric poetry 2 meant to be sung; lyric [L melicus < Gr melikos < melos, song, musical member, orig., limb < IE base *mel-, a limb > Cornish mel, a knuckle]
Melilla (mэ li:´yэ) seaport in NW Africa: Spanish enclave in NE Morocco: pop. 59,000
melilot (mel´i lät') •n. SWEET CLOVER [ME mellilot < OFr melilot < L melilotos < Gr melilōtos, kind of clover < meli, honey (see MILDEW) + lōtos, LOTUS]
Melinda (mэ lin´dэ) a feminine name: var. Malinda
melinite (mel´i nait') •n. a powerful explosive like lyddite, made by combining picric acid with guncotton [Fr mélinite < Gr mēlinos, quince-yellow < mēlon, quince, apple: from its color]
meliorate (mi:l´yэ reit') -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vt., vi. to make or become better; improve; ameliorate mel´io·ra·ble (-yэ rэ bэl) •adj. mel´io·ra'tive (-yэ reit'iv, -yэ rэ tiv) •adj. mel´io·ra'tor •n. [< LL melioratus, pp. of meliorare, to make better < L melior, better < IE base *mel-, strong, big > Gr mala, very]
melioration (mi:l'yэ rei´shэn) •n. 1 a meliorating or being meliorated; improvement 2 Linguis. the process by which the meaning or connotation of a word becomes more positive
meliorism (mi:l´yэ riz'эm) •n. 1 the belief that the world naturally tends to get better and, esp., that this tendency can be furthered by human effort 2 the betterment of society by improving people's health, living conditions, etc. mel´io·rist •n., adj. mel'io·ris´tic •adj. [L melior, better (see MELIORATE) + -ISM]
melisma (mэ liz´mэ) pl. -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n.or -mas a succession of different notes sung upon a single syllable, as orig. in plainsong or, now especially, in the ornamental phrases of Near Eastern and Asian music mel·is·mat·ic (mel'iz mæt´ik) •adj. [Gr, song < melizein, to sing, modulate < melos, song: see MELIC]
Melissa (mэ lis´э) a feminine name [Gr, lit., a bee < meli, honey: see MILDEW]
Melitopol (mel'э tou´pэl) city in S Ukraine: pop. 170,000
mell (mel) •vi. [Brit. Dial.] 1 to mingle; mix 2 to meddle •vt. [Brit. Dial.] to mingle; mix [ME mellen < OFr meller, var. of mesler: see MEDDLE]
melliferous (me lif´эr эs) •adj. producing honey [L mellifer < mel, honey (see MILDEW) + -fer (see -FEROUS) + -OUS]
mellifluent (mэ lif´lu: эnt) •adj. MELLIFLUOUS mel·lif´lu·ence •n. [LL mellifluens]
mellifluous (mэ lif´lu: эs) •adj. sounding sweet and smooth; honeyed {mellifluous tones} mel·lif´lu·ous·ly •adv. mel·lif´lu·ous·ness •n. [L mellifluus < mel (gen. mellis), honey (see MILDEW) + fluere, to flow: see FLUCTUATE]
Mellon (mel´эn), Andrew William 1855-1937; U.S. financier: secretary of the treasury (1921-32)
mellophone (mel´э foun') •n. a valved brass band instrument similar to the French horn: also mel'lo·pho´ni·um (-fou´ni: эm)
Mellotron (mel´э trän') trademark for an electronic keyboard instrument that uses tapes of recorded sounds, especially of orchestral instruments •n. [often m-] this instrument
mellow (mel´ou) •adj. 1 soft, sweet, and juicy because ripe: said of fruit 2 full-flavored; matured; not acid or bitter: said of wine, etc. 3 full, rich, soft, and pure; not harsh: said of sound, light, color, weather, etc. 4 moist and rich; loamy: said of soil 5 softened and made gentle, understanding, and sympathetic by age and experience 6 [Colloq.] genial or convivial, as from drinking liquor •vt., vi. to make or become mellow SYN. RIPE mel´low·ly •adv. mel´low·ness •n. [ME melwe, ripe, prob. < or akin to OE melu (see MEAL²), Fl meluw, soft, mellow]
melodeon (mэ lou´di: эn) •n. a small keyboard organ in which the tones are produced by drawing air through metal reeds by means of a bellows operated by pedals: it is much like a harmonium [Ger melodion, coined (1806) by J. C. Dietz, Ger inventor, for another instrument < melodie < OFr, MELODY]
melodic (mэ läd´ik) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, melody 2 MELODIOUS me·lod´i·cal·ly •adv. [Fr mélodique < LL melodicus]
melodica (mэ læd´i kэ, -lou´di-) •n. a modified HARMONICA (sense 1) having a mouthpiece at one end and a small keyboard for sounding the tones
melodious (mэ lou´di: эs) •adj. 1 containing or producing melody 2 pleasing to hear; sounding sweet; tuneful me·lo´di·ous·ly •adv. me·lo´di·ous·ness •n. [OFr melodieus]