metropolitanize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to cause to be metropolitan or have a metropolitan character met'ro·pol´i·tan·ism' •n. met'ro·pol'i·tan·i·za´tion •n.
metrorrhagia (mi:'trэ rei´ji: э, me'trэ-) •n. nonmenstrual bleeding from the uterus [ModL: see METRO-² & -RRHAGIA]
-metry (mэ tri:) combining form the process, art, or science of measuring {bathymetry, psychometry} [Gr -metria < metron, MEASURE]
Metternich (met´эr nik), Prince (Klemens Wenzel Nepomuk Lothar) von 1773-1859; Austrian statesman & diplomat
mettle (met´ªl) •n. quality of character or temperament; esp., high quality of character; spirit; courage; ardor on one's mettle roused or prepared to do one's best [var. of METAL, used fig.]
mettlesome (met´ªl sэm) •adj. full of mettle; spirited; ardent, brave, etc.: also met´tled
Metz (mets) city in NE France, on the Moselle River: pop. 118,000
meunière (mэ nyer´) •adj. designating fish prepared by being rolled in flour, etc., fried in butter, and sprinkled with lemon juice and chopped parsley [Fr (à la) meunière, (in the style of) a miller's wife, fem. of meunier, a miller]
Meursault (mэr sou´) •n. a dry white wine from the commune of Meursault in Burgundy
Meuse (myu:z; Fr möz) river flowing from NE France, through Belgium & the Netherlands, into the North Sea: c. 575 mi. (925 km): Du. name MAAS
MeV or Mev (mev) pl. MeV •n.or Mev a unit of energy equal to one million (106) electron-volts [m(illion) e(lectron-)v(olts)]
mew¹ (myu:) •n. 1 a cage, as for hawks while molting 2 a secret place or den 3 [Obs.] a place of confinement See also MEWS •vt. 1 to confine in or as in a cage; shut up or conceal: often with up [< the n.] 2 [Archaic] to shed or change (feathers); molt [ME mewen < OFr muer] •vi. [Archaic] to molt [ME mewe < OFr mue < muer, to change, molt < L mutare, to change: see MUTATE]
mew² (myu:) •n. the characteristic vocal sound made by a cat •vi. to make this sound [echoic]
mew³ (myu:) •n. a gull; esp., the common gull (Larus canus) of Eurasia and NW North America [ME mewe < OE mæw, akin to Ger möwe (< LowG): echoic of its cry, as in IE echoic base *mu- > MOPE]
mewl (myu:l) •vi. to cry weakly, like a baby; whimper or whine mewl´er •n. [freq. of MEW²]
mews (myu:z) •n.pl. [usually with sing. v.] 1 the royal stables in London, built on the site where the royal hawks were mewed 2 [Chiefly Brit.] a) stables or carriage houses, now often converted into dwellings, grouped around a court or along an alley b) such an alley [< MEW¹]
Mex 1 Mexican 2 Mexico
Mexicali (meks'i kä´li:) city in NW Mexico, on the U.S. border: capital of Baja California Norte: pop. 510,000
Mexican (meks´i kэn) •adj. of Mexico, its people, their dialect of Spanish, or their culture •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Mexico 2 NAHUATL
Mexican bean beetle a spotted ladybug beetle (Epilachna varivestis) that eats the leaves and pods of bean plants
Mexican hairless any of a breed of small, reddish-gray dog native to Mexico, having no hair except for a tuft on the top of the head
Mexican standoff a general stalemate, often with the threat of violent confrontation
Mexican War a war between the U.S. and Mexico (1846-48)
Mexico (meks´i kou') 1 country in North America, south of the U.S.: 756,198 sq. mi. (1,958,201 sq. km); pop. 66,846,000; cap. Mexico City 2 state of SC Mexico: 8,284 sq. mi. (21,455 sq. km); pop. 7,565,000; cap. Toluca 3 Gulf of arm of the Atlantic, east of Mexico & south of the U.S.: c. 700,000 sq. mi. (1,813,000 sq. km) Spanish sp. MÉJICO, Mexican sp. Mé·xi·co (me´hi: kô') [< Sp Méjico < Nahuatl Mexìtli, name of the war god]
Mexico City capital of Mexico, in a federal district, 573 sq. mi. (1,485 sq. km), in the SC part of Mexico: pop. 9,377,000 (met. area c. 14,000,000): official name Mexico, D(istrito) F(ederal)
MexSp Mexican Spanish
Meyerbeer (mai´эr bir', -ber'), Gia·co·mo (jä´kэ mou') (born Jakob Liebmann Beer) 1791-1864; Ger. operatic composer
mezereum (mэ zir´i: эm) •n. 1 a low European shrub (Daphne mezereum) of the mezereum family, with clusters of pink or purple flowers in early spring 2 its dried bark, formerly used in liniments and in the treatment of some diseases •adj. designating a family (Thymelaeaceae, order Myrtales) of dicotyledonous plants including daphne Also me·ze´re·on (-эn) [ModL < LME mizerion < ML mezereon < Ar māzariyūn]
mezuza (mэ zu´zэ, -zu:´-) pl. -zot (-zout) or -zas Judaism a small piece of parchment inscribed with the Shema, from Deuteronomy (6:4-9 & 11:13-21), rolled and put into a case and attached to the doorpost of the home, as commanded in the Biblical passages Also sp. me·zu´zah •n. [Heb mezuza, lit., doorpost]
mezzanine (mez´э ni:n', mez'э ni:n´) •n. 1 a low-ceilinged story between two main stories in a building, usually immediately above the ground floor and in the form of a balcony projecting only partly over the floor below it: also mezzanine floor 2 in some theaters, the first few rows of the balcony, separated from the others by an aisle [Fr < It mezzanino < mezzano, middle < L medianus: see MEDIAN]
mezzo (met´sou, med´zou, mez´ou) •adj. Music medium; moderate; half •adv. Music moderately; somewhat •n. pl. -zos short for: 1 MEZZO-SOPRANO 2 MEZZOTINT [It < L medius, middle: see MID¹]
mezzo-relievo (-ri li:´vou) pl. -vos' (-vouz') •n. sculpture in which the figures project halfway from the background [It mezzo rilievo: see MEZZO & RELIEF]
mezzo-soprano (-sэ præn´ou, -prä´nou) pl. -nos or -ni (-i:, -ni:) •n. 1 the range of a female voice between soprano and contralto 2 a) a voice or singer with such a range b) a part for such a voice •adj. of, for, or having the range of a mezzo-soprano [It: see MEZZO & SOPRANO]
mezzotint (-tint') •n. 1 a method of engraving on a copper or steel plate by scraping or polishing parts of a roughened surface to produce impressions of light and shade 2 an engraving or print so produced •vt. to engrave by this method [It mezzotinto: see MEZZO & TINT]
mf 1 machine finish 2 medium frequency: also MF 3 Musical Direction moderately loud [It mezzo forte]
MFA or M.F.A. Master of Fine Arts
mfd manufactured
mfg manufacturing
MFH Master of Foxhounds
MFr Middle French mfr 1 manufacture 2 manufacturer
Mg Chem. symbol for magnesium mg 1 Football middle guard 2 milligram(s) MG 1 machine gun 2 Major General 3 Football middle guard
MGr Medieval (or Middle) Greek mgr manager Mgr 1 Monseigneur 2 Monsignor
MH 1 Medal of Honor 2 Most Honorable
mH or mh millihenry; millihenries
MHD magnetohydrodynamics
MHG Middle High German
mho (mou) •n. the unit of electrical conductance, reciprocal of the ohm [OHM spelled backward]
MHR Member of the House of Representatives
MHz or Mhz megahertz
MI 1 Michigan 2 middle initial 3 Military Intelligence Mi Bible Micah mi (mi:) •n. Music a syllable representing the third tone of the diatonic scale: see SOLFEGGIO [ML: see GAMUT] mi abbrev. 1 mile(s) 2 mill(s) 3 minute(s)
MIA missing in action
Miami (mai æm´i:, -э) city on the SE coast of Fla.: pop. 359,000 (met. area 1,937,000; urban area with Fort Lauderdale 3,193,000) •n. [Fr < Illinois miamioua] 1 pl. Mi·am´is or Mi·am´i a member of a North American Indian people of Indiana and nearby areas, emigrating in the 19th cent. to Oklahoma 2 the Algonquian language of this people Mi·am´i·an •n. [< Sp Mayaimi, name for Lake Okeechobee, infl. by name of the Miami Indian people]
Miami Beach resort city in SE Fla., on an island opposite Miami: pop. 93,000
miaow or miaou (mi: au´, myau) •n., vi. MEOW
miasma (mai æz´mэ, mi:-) pl. -mas or -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n. 1 a vapor rising as from marshes or decomposing animal or vegetable matter, formerly supposed to poison and infect the air, causing malaria, etc. 2 an unwholesome or befogging atmosphere, influence, etc. mi·as´mal, mi'as·mat´ic (-mæt´ik), or mi·as´mic •adj. [ModL < Gr, pollution < miainein, to pollute < IE base *mai- > OE mal, a spot]
Mic Bible Micah
mica (mai´kэ) •n. any of a group of minerals (complex silicates) that crystallize in thin, somewhat flexible, translucent or colored, easily separated layers, resistant to heat and electricity: the transparent form is often called ISINGLASS mi·ca´ceous (-kei´shэs) •adj. [ModL < L, a crumb, grain (< IE *(s)meik-, var. of base *(s)mei-, to smear, rub over > OE smitte, a smudge): sense infl. by micare, to shine, glitter < IE *meik-, to flicker, blink]
Micah (mai´kэ) Bible 1 a Hebrew prophet of the 8th cent. B.C. 2 the book of his prophecies: abbrev. Mic or Mi [Heb mīkhā(yah), lit., who is like (God)?]
mice (mais) •n. pl. of MOUSE
micelle (mai sel´, mi-) •n. 1 Biol. a submicroscopic structural unit composed of a group of molecules, as in living protoplasm, starch grains, etc. 2 Chem. a structural unit, as a) a colloidal ion composed of an oriented arrangement of molecules b) an aggregate of polymerized molecules joined together Also mi·cel´la (-sel´э), pl. -lae (-i:) mi·cel´lar •adj. [ModL micella, dim. < L mica, a grain, crumb: see MICA]
Mich 1 Michaelmas 2 Michigan
Michael (mai´kэl) 1 a masculine name: dim. Mike, Mickey; equiv. Fr. Michel, It. Michele, Sp. Miguel; fem. Michelle, Michele 2 Bible one of the archangels [LL(Ec) < Gr (LXX & N.T.) Michaēl < Heb mīkhā'ēl, lit., who is like God?]
Michaelmas (mik´эl mэs) •n. the feast of the archangel Michael, September 29 [ME Mighelmesse < OE Michaeles mæsse: see MICHAEL & MASS]
Michaelmas daisy [Chiefly Brit.] any of various asters, wild or cultivated, that bloom in the fall
miche (mich) miched, mich´ing •vi. [Brit. Dial.] to skulk [ME mychen < OFr muchier < Gaul *mukyare, to hide, akin to MIr muchaim, I conceal < IE base *meug-, to spy upon]
Michelangelo (mai'kэl æn´jэ lou', mik'эl-) (full name Michelangelo Buonarroti) 1475-1564; It. sculptor, painter, architect, & poet
Michelet (mi:sh le´), Jules (zhül) 1798-1874; Fr. historian
Michelle or Michele (mi shel´, mi:-) a feminine name: see MICHAEL
Michelson (mai´kэl sэn), Albert Abraham 1852-1931; U.S. physicist, born in Germany
Michigan (mish´i gэn) 1 Middle Western State of the U.S.: admitted, 1837; 58,216 sq. mi. (150,780 sq. km); pop. 9,295,000; cap. Lansing: abbrev. MI or Mich 2 Lake one of the Great Lakes, between Mich. & Wis.: 22,178 sq. mi. (57,440 sq. km) Mich'i·gan´der (-gæn´dэr) •n. Mich'i·ga´ni·an (-gei´ni: эn) or Mich´i·gan·ite' •adj., n. [< Fr < Algonquian, lit., great water]
Michoacán (mi:'chô ä kän´) state of WC Mexico: 23,138 sq. mi. (59,928 sq. km); pop. 2,869,000; cap. Morelia
mickey (mik´i:) •n. [Brit. Slang] spirit; pride; brag: chiefly in the fol. phrases take the mickey to make fun; mock take the mickey out of to deflate (a person) [after Mickey (nickname for MICHAEL, taken as typical Irish name), slang for Irishman]
Mickey Finn (mik'i: fin´) [also m- f-] [Slang] a drink of liquor to which a powerful narcotic or purgative has been added, given to an unsuspecting person: often shortened to Mick´ey or mick´ey pl. -eys •n. [< ?]
Mickey Mouse [also m- m-] [Slang] 1 designating dance-band music that is corny, unimaginative, bland, etc. 2 childish, oversimplified, unrelated to reality, etc. {a Mickey Mouse college course} [< a trademark for a cartoon character created by Walt(er Elias) DISNEY]
Mickiewicz (mits kye´vich), A·dam (ä´däm) 1798-1855; Pol. poet
mickle (mik´эl) •adj., adv., n. [Now Chiefly Scot.] much [ME (Northern) mikel < OE micel, infl. by ON mikell: for IE base see MUCH]
Micmac (mik´mæk') pl. -macs' or -mac' •n. 1 a member of a North American Indian people of the Maritime Provinces of Canada 2 the Algonquian language of this people [Fr < Micmac miikðmax, pl. (sing. miikðmaw), a self-designation]
micra (mai´krэ) •n. alt. pl. of MICRON
micro- (mai´krou, -krэ) combining form 1 a) little, small, minute {microcosm} b) exceptionally little, abnormally small {microcephaly} 2 enlarging or amplifying {microscope, microphone} 3 involving microscopes, microscopic {micrography} 4 one millionth part of; the factor 10-6: symbol µ {microsecond} Also micr- [Gr mikro- < mikros, small < IE *(s)meik-: see MICA]
microanalysis (mai'krou'э næl´э sis) •n. the chemical analysis and identification of very small quantities mi'cro·an´a·lyst (-æn´эl ist) •n.
microbar (mai´krou bär') •n. a metric unit of pressure, including acoustical pressure, equal to one dyne per square centimeter [MICRO- + BAR²]
microbarograph (mai'krou bær´э græf') •n. a barograph for recording very small changes in atmospheric pressure
microbe (mai´kroub') •n. a microscopic organism; esp., any of the bacteria that cause disease; germ mi·cro´bi·al or mi·cro´bic •adj. [Fr < Gr mikro- (see MICRO-) + bios, life (see BIO-)]
microbiology (mai'krou bai äl´э ji:) •n. the branch of biology that deals with microorganisms mi'cro·bi'o·log´i·cal (-э läj´i kэl) or mi'cro·bi'o·log´ic •adj. mi'cro·bi·ol´o·gist •n.
microcephaly (mai'krou sef´э li:) •n. a condition in which the head or cranial capacity is abnormally small: opposed to MACROCEPHALY mi'cro·ceph´a·lous or mi'cro·ce·phal´ic (-sэ fæl´ik) •adj. [MICRO- + -CEPHALY]
microchemistry (-kem´is tri:) •n. the chemistry of microscopic or submicroscopic quantities or objects
microchip (mai´krou chip') •n. CHIP (n. 8)
microcircuit (mai´krou sør'kit) •n. a highly miniaturized electronic circuit, used in computers, etc. mi'cro·cir´cuit·ry •n. [MICRO- + CIRCUIT]
microclimate (-klai'mit) •n. the climate of a small, distinct area, as of a forest or city, or of a confined space, as of a building or greenhouse [MICRO- + CLIMATE]
microclimatology (mai'krou klai'mэ täl´э ji:) •n. the study of climate and its characteristics in a small area mi'cro·cli'ma·tol´o·gist •n.
microcline (mai´krou klain') •n. a grayish, yellowish, greenish, or reddish triclinic feldspar mineral, KAlSi3O8, having a glassy luster and good cleavage: it resembles orthoclase [Ger mikroklin (< Gr mikros, small + klinein, to incline: see LEAN¹): its cleavage angle differs slightly from 90°]
micrococcus (mai'krou käk´эs) pl. -coc´ci' (-käk´sai') •n. any of a genus (Micrococcus) of spherical or egg-shaped bacteria that occur in irregular masses or plates and feed on dead or living matter [ModL: see MICRO- & -COCCUS]
microcomputer (mai'krou kэm pyu:t´эr) •n. a very small, relatively inexpensive computer whose central processing unit is a microprocessor: used in the home, small businesses, etc.
microcopy (mai´krou käp'i:) pl. -cop'ies •n. a copy of printed or graphic matter produced by microfilming or other processes in very greatly reduced size [MICRO- + COPY]
microcosm (mai´krou kä'zэm) •n. a little world; miniature universe; specif., a) man regarded as an epitome of the world b) a community regarded as a miniature or epitome of the world c) Ecol. a small ecosystem, as a pond mi'cro·cos´mic •adj. mi'cro·cos´mi·cal·ly •adv. [ME microcosme < ML microcosmus < LGr mikros kosmos, little world: see MICRO- & COSMOS]
microcosmic salt a white, crystalline salt, Na(NH4)HPO4·4H2O, used as a reagent in blowpipe analysis because it forms characteristically colored compounds when fused with salts and oxides of metals
microcrystalline (mai'krou kris´tэl in) •adj. having crystalline structure that can be seen only with a microscope
microcyte (mai´krou sait') •n. an abnormally small red blood corpuscle, occurring esp. in certain types of anemia mi'cro·cyt´ic (-sit´ik) •adj. [MICRO- + -CYTE]
microdont (-dänt') •adj. having very small teeth: also mi'cro·dont´ous mi'cro·dont´ism' •n. [MICR(O)- + -ODONT]
microdot (-dät') •n. a microcopy of pinhead size, used in espionage, etc. [MICRO- + DOT¹]
microeconomics (mai'krou ek'э näm´iks, -i:'kэ-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] a branch of economics dealing with certain specific factors affecting an economy, as the behavior of individual consumers, the marketing of particular products, etc.: cf. MACROECONOMICS
microelectronics (mai'krou i:'lek trän´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the science dealing with the theory, design, and applications of microcircuits mi'cro·e'lec·tron´ic •adj. [MICRO- + ELECTRONICS]
microencapsulation (-en kæp'sэ lei´shэn) •n. a process in which tiny particles or droplets of a substance are separately encapsulated for controlled release: used to prolong the action of drugs, solidify liquids, etc. mi'cro·en·cap´su·late', -lat'ed, -lat'ing, •vt.
microevolution (-ev'э lu:´shэn) •n. small-scale hereditary changes in organisms through mutations and recombinations, resulting in the formation of slightly differing new varieties [MICRO- + EVOLUTION]
microfarad (mai'krou fær´æd', -эd) •n. one millionth of a farad: symbol µf
microfiche (mai´krou fi:sh') pl. -fich'es •n.or -fiche' a small sheet of microfilm on which a number of pages of microcopy can be recorded [Fr < micro-, MICRO- + fiche, a small card, mark on a card, orig. a pin, peg < OFr ficher, to attach: see FICHU]
microfilm (-film') •n. 1 film on which documents, printed pages, etc. are photographed in a reduced size for convenience in storage and transportation: enlarged prints can be made from such film, or the film can be viewed by projection 2 reproduction on microfilm •vt., vi. to photograph on microfilm
microform (-förm') •n. any form of photographically reduced document, print, etc., as microfilm or microfiche
microgamete (mai'krou gæm´i:t', -gæ mi:t´) •n. the smaller, usually the male, of a pair of conjugating gametes in heterogamous sexual reproduction
microgram (mai´krou græm') •n. 1 one millionth of a gram: symbol, µg 2 MICROGRAPH (sense 2)
micrograph (-græf') •n. 1 an apparatus for doing extremely small writing, drawing, or engraving 2 a photograph or drawing of an object as seen through a microscope 3 an apparatus by which, through the movements of a diaphragm, very slight movements can be recorded in magnified visual form [MICRO- + -GRAPH]
micrographics (-græf´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the creation, use, and storage of microform systems
micrography (mai kräg´rэ fi:) •n. 1 the description, depiction, or study of microscopic objects 2 the art or practice of writing in tiny characters [MICRO- + -GRAPHY]
microgroove (mai´krou gru:v') •n. the very narrow groove in an LP phonograph record
microlith (-liθ') •n. any of various tiny flint tools flaked in two directions and set in bone or wood: characteristic of the Mesolithic period [MICRO- + -LITH]
micromere (mai´krou mir') •n. any of certain small cells produced by unequal cell division during early embryologic development in many animals, as in mollusks, flatworms, etc. [MICRO- + -MERE]
micrometeorite (mai'krou mi:t´i: эr ait') •n. a very small meteorite, esp. one that drifts through the earth's atmosphere to the ground without becoming incandescent
micrometeoroid (-mi:t´i: эr oid') •n. an extremely small meteoroid [MICRO- + METEOROID]
micrometeorology (-mi:t'i: эr äl´э ji:) •n. the branch of meteorology that deals with the small-scale processes, physical conditions, and interactions that occur in the lowest part of the atmosphere, esp. in the first few hundred feet above the earth's surface [MICRO- + METEOROLOGY]
micrometer caliper (or calipers) (mai kräm´эt эr) calipers with a micrometer screw, for extremely accurate measurement
micrometer screw (mai kräm´эt эr) a finely threaded screw of definite pitch, with a head graduated to show how much the screw has been moved in or out: used in micrometers, etc. to give fine measurements, as of thickness, sometimes to .0001 of an inch
micrometer¹ (mai kräm´эt эr) •n. 1 an instrument for measuring very small distances, angles, diameters, etc., used on a telescope or microscope 2 MICROMETER CALIPER [Fr micromètre: see MICRO- & -METER]
micrometer² (mai´krou mi:t'эr) •n. MICRON
micrometry (mai kräm´э tri:) •n. measurement with micrometers
micromicro- (mai´krou mai´krou) combining form PICO-
micromicron (mai'krou mai´krän') •n. PICOMETER
micromilli- (-mil´i, -э) combining form NANO-
microminiature (-min´i: э chэr, -min´i chэr) •adj. of or using extremely small electronic parts, circuits, etc.
microminiaturize (-chэr aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to provide with electronic equipment of extremely small size mi'cro·min'i·a·tur·i·za´tion •n.
micron (mai´krän') pl. -crons' or -cra (-krэ) •n. a unit of linear measure equal to one millionth of a meter, or one thousandth of a millimeter [ModL < Gr mikron, neut. of mikros, small, minute: see MICA]
Micronesia (mai'krэ ni:´zhэ, -shэ) one of the three major divisions of the Pacific islands, north of the equator, east of the Philippines, & west of the international date line [ModL < MICRO- + Gr nēsos, island (see NATANT) + -IA]
Micronesian (-zhэn, -shэn) •adj. of Micronesia, its people, or their languages •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Micronesia 2 any of the Austronesian languages spoken in Micronesia
micronize (mai´krэn aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to reduce to particles of only a few microns in diameter [MICRON + -IZE]
micronucleus (mai'krou nu:´kli: эs, -nyu:´-) •n. the smaller of two types of nuclei present in the cells of ciliate protozoans, associated primarily with reproduction and genetics mi'cro·nu´cle·ar •adj.
micronutrient (-nu:´tri: эnt, -nyu:´-) •n. any of the chemical elements, as iron, required in minute quantities for growth of an organism [MICRO- + NUTRIENT]
microorganism (-ör´gэn iz'эm) •n. any microscopic or ultramicroscopic animal or vegetable organism; esp., any of the bacteria, protozoans, viruses, etc.
microparasite (-pær´э sait') •n. a parasitic microorganism mi'cro·par'a·sit´ic (-sit´ik) •adj.
microphone (mai´krэ foun') •n. an instrument containing a transducer that converts the mechanical energy of sound waves into an electric signal: microphones are used in telephony, radio, sound amplification, etc. mi·cro·phon·ic (mai'krэ fän´ik) •adj. [MICRO- + -PHONE]
microphonics (mai'krou fän´iks, -krэ-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] noise in the output of various electronic devices, as a loudspeaker, caused by mechanical vibration of some part [prec. + -ICS]
microphotograph (-fout´э græf') •n. 1 a very small photograph requiring enlargement to bring out the details 2 PHOTOMICROGRAPH 3 an enlarged photograph printed from a microfilm mi'cro·pho'to·graph´ic •adj. mi'cro·pho·tog´ra·phy (-fэ täg´rэ fi:) •n.
microphyte (mai´krou fait', -krэ-) •n. any microscopically small plant mi'cro·phyt´ic (-fit´ik) •adj. [MICRO- + -PHYTE]
microprint (-print') •n. a microphotograph of printed or written matter to be read by means of a magnifying projector or viewer
microprocessor (mai'krou präs´es'эr) •n. a chip containing the logical elements for performing calculations, carrying out stored instructions, etc.: used as the central processing unit of a microcomputer [MICRO- + PROCESSOR]
micropublishing (-pûb´lish iŋ) •n. publication in microform
micropyle (mai´krou pail') •n. 1 Bot. a) a very small opening in the outer coats of an ovule, through which the pollen tube penetrates b) the corresponding opening in the developed seed 2 Zool. a very small opening in the membrane of an ovum of some animals, through which spermatozoa can enter mi'cro·py´lar (-pai´lэr) •adj. [Fr < Gr mikro- (see MICRO-) + pylē, gate]
micropyrometer (mai'krou pai räm´эt эr) •n. an optical instrument for determining temperature, etc. of minute bodies giving off light or heat [MICRO- + PYROMETER]
microradiograph (-rei´di: ou græf') •n. an X-ray photograph showing very small details mi'cro·ra'di·o·graph´ic •adj. mi'cro·ra'di·og´ra·phy (-rei'di: äg´rэ fi:) •n. [MICRO- + RADIOGRAPH]
microscope (mai´krэ skoup') •n. an instrument consisting essentially of a lens or combination of lenses, for making very small objects, as microorganisms, look larger so that they can be seen and studied: see also ELECTRON MICROSCOPE [ModL microscopium: see MICRO- & -SCOPE]
microscopic (mai'krэ skäp´ik) •adj. 1 so small as to be invisible or obscure except through a microscope; extremely small; minute 2 of, with, or as if with a microscope 3 like or suggestive of a microscope; searching; minutely observing Also mi'cro·scop´i·cal mi'cro·scop´i·cal·ly •adv.
Microscopium (mai'krэ skou´pi: эm) a S constellation between Capricornus and Indus
microscopy (mai kräs´kэ pi:) •n. the use of a microscope; investigation by means of a microscope mi·cros´co·pist •n.
microsecond (mai´krou sek'эnd) •n. one millionth of a second [MICRO- + SECOND³]
microseism (mai´krou saiz'эm) •n. a very slight tremor or quivering of the earth's crust mi'cro·seis´mic (-saiz´mik, -sais´mik) •adj. [< MICRO- + Gr seismos: see SEISMIC]
microsome (-soum') •n. any of a number of minute granules in the cytoplasm of an active cell, that are filled with enzymes and thought to be associated with protein synthesis mi'cro·so´mal •adj. [MICRO- + -SOME³]
microsphere (mai´krou sfir') •n. any of various minute globules, as the hollow particles used in making lighter plastics or a cell-like structure resembling a proteinoid [MICRO- + -SPHERE]
microsporangium (mai'krou spou ræn´ji: эm) pl. -gi·a (-э) •n. a sporangium containing microspores, as the pollen sac of the anther in seed plants [ModL]
microspore (mai´krou spör') •n. a haploid spore, usually smaller than a megaspore of the same plant, which gives rise to a male gametophyte: found in all seed plants, where it is an immature pollen grain, and in many lower vascular plants mi'cro·spor´ic •adj.
microsporophyll (mai'krou spör´э fil') •n. a sporophyll bearing only microsporangia
microstomatous (-stäm´э tэs, -stou´mэ-) •adj. having a small mouth: also mi·cros´to·mous (-kräs´tэ mэs) [MICRO- + STOMATOUS]
microstructure (mai´krou strûk'chэr) •n. the structure, as of a metal or alloy, seen under a microscope
microsurgery (-sûr'jэr i:) •n. surgery performed while viewing through a microscope and using minute instruments or laser beams mi'cro·sur´gi·cal •adj.
microtome (-toum') •n. any of various precision instruments for cutting thin sections, as of organic tissue, for study under the microscope [MICRO- + -TOME]
microtomy (mai krät´э mi:) •n. the skill or work of using a microtome mi·crot´o·mist •n.
microtone (mai´krou toun') •n. Music an interval smaller than a semitone mi'cro·ton´al •adj.
microwave (mai´krou weiv') •adj. 1 designating or of that part of the electromagnetic spectrum associated with the larger infrared waves and the shorter radio waves: used for radar, communications, etc. and generally regarded as from 300,000 to 300 megahertz 2 designating an oven that cooks quickly by causing microwaves to penetrate the food, generating internal heat •vt. -waved', -wav'ing to cook in a microwave oven •n. 1 any electromagnetic wave of microwave frequency 2 a microwave oven
micturate (mik´tyu: reit', -tэ-) -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vi. URINATE [see MICTURITION & -ATE¹]
micturition (mik'tyu: rish´эn, -tэ-) •n. the act of urinating [< L micturitus, pp. of micturire, to desire to urinate < mingere, to urinate < meiere, to urinate < IE base *meiGh- > MASH]
mid abbrev. middle Mid Midshipman
mid- (mid) combining form middle or middle part of {midbrain, mid-June}
Mid Glamorgan (mid´ glэ mör´gэn) county of SW Wales: 393 sq. mi. (1,019 sq. km); pop. 536,000
mid¹ (mid) •adj. 1 MIDDLE 2 Phonet. articulated with the tongue in a position approximately halfway between high and low: said of certain vowels, as (e) in set •n. [Archaic] the middle [ME < OE midd-, akin to Goth midjis, ON mithr < IE *medhjo- (> L medius, Gr mesos) < base *me-, between]
mid² (mid) •prep. [Old Poet.] amid: also 'mid
midafternoon prayer (mid´æf'tэr nu:n´) [often M- P-] R.C.Ch. the fifth of the seven canonical hours; none
midair (-эr´) •n. any point in space not in contact with the ground or some other surface
Midas (mai´dэs) Gr. Myth. a king of Phrygia granted the power of turning everything that he touches into gold
mid-Atlantic (mid'æt læn´tik) •adj. characterized by a combination of both British and American elements, influences, etc. {mid-Atlantic speech}
midbrain (mid´brein') 1 the middle part of the three primary divisions of the brain of a vertebrate embryo 2 the part of the fully developed brain evolved from this; mesencephalon
midday (mid´dei') •n. the middle of the day; noon •adj. of or at midday [ME middai < OE middæg]
midday prayer [often M- P-] R.C.Ch. the fourth of the seven canonical hours; sext
midden (mid´ªn) •n. 1 [Brit.] a dunghill or refuse heap 2 short for KITCHEN MIDDEN [ME midding < Scand, as in Dan mögdynge < mög, muck + dynge, a heap]
middle (mid´ªl) •adj. 1 halfway between two given points, times, limits, etc.; also, equally distant from all sides or extremities; in the center; mean 2 in between; intermediate; intervening 3 Gram. a) denoting the voice or form of a verb whose subject is represented as acting reflexively, or upon itself: in Greek, such verbs are usually passive in grammatical form b) in or of the middle voice 4 [M-] Geol. designating a division of a period or a formation between those called Upper and Lower 5 [M-] designating a stage in language development intermediate between those called Old and Modern {Middle English} •n. 1 a point or part halfway between extremes; middle point, part, time, etc. 2 something intermediate 3 the middle part of the body; waist 4 Gram. the middle voice 5 MIDDLE TERM •vt., vi. -dled, -dling to put in the middle SYN.—middle refers to the point or part equally distant from either or all sides or extremities and may apply to space, time, etc. [the middle of the stage, the day, etc.]; center more precisely stresses the point equidistant from the bounding lines or surfaces of any plane or solid figure [the center of a circle, globe, etc.] and is sometimes used figuratively [the center of town, a trade center]; midst, usually used in prepositional phrases, denotes a middle part that is surrounded by persons or things or a middle point in some action [in the midst of a crowd, one's work, etc.] [ME middel < OE < midd-, MID¹ + -el, -LE]
middle age the time of life between youth and old age: now usually the years from about 40 to about 65
Middle Ages the period of European history between ancient and modern times, A.D. 476-c. 1450
Middle America Æ 1 the American middle class, characterized generally by moderate or conservative political attitudes and conventional social values; sometimes, specif., the middle class of Midwestern America 2 the part of America that includes Mexico, Central America, &, sometimes, the West Indies Middle American
Middle Atlantic States New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland
middle C 1 the musical note on the first ledger line below the treble staff and the first above the bass staff 2 the corresponding tone or key
middle class the social class between the aristocracy or very wealthy and the lower working class: people in business and the professions, highly skilled workers, well-to-do farmers, etc. are now generally included in the middle class: see also BOURGEOISIE mid´dle-class' •adj.
middle distance the space between the foreground and the background in a picture
middle ear the part of the ear including the tympanic membrane and the adjacent cavity containing three small bones (hammer, anvil, and stirrup); tympanum: see EAR¹; illus.
Middle East 1 orig., those regions between the Far East & the Near East 2 area from Afghanistan to Libya, including Arabia, Cyprus, & Asiatic Turkey Middle Eastern
Middle English the English language as written and spoken between c. 1100 and c. 1500, preceded by Old English and followed by Early Modern English: it is characterized by the loss of most of the inflectional endings and of the grammatical gender of Old English, by the emergence of a syntax based on word order and function words, by the attendant simplification of the pronominal system, and by extensive vocabulary borrowings from French, Latin, and Low German sources
Middle French the French language as written and spoken between the 14th and 16th centuries
Middle Greek MEDIEVAL GREEK
Middle High German the High German language as written and spoken between c. 1100 and c. 1500
Middle Irish the Irish language as written and spoken from the 11th to the 15th century
Middle Kingdom Chinese name for the Chinese Empire, considered as the center of the world
Middle Latin MEDIEVAL LATIN
Middle Low German the Low German language as written and spoken between c. 1100 and c. 1500
middle management those persons in management at a level below that of upper executives
middle passage the passage across the Atlantic from W Africa to the West Indies or America that was the route of the former slave trade
middle school a school between elementary school and high school, usually having three or four grades, variously including grades 5 through 8
Middle States those eastern States between the New England States and the South; New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland
Middle Stone Age the Mesolithic
Middle Temple see INNS OF COURT
middle term the term appearing in both premises of a syllogism but not in the conclusion
Middle West region of the NC U.S. between the Rocky Mountains & the E border of Ohio, north of the Ohio River & the S borders of Kans. & Mo. Middle Western
middle-aged (mid´ªl eijd´) •adj. in, of, characteristic of, or suitable for middle age
middlebreaker (mid´ªl breik'эr) •n. LISTER¹: also Æ mid´dle·bust'er (-bûs'tэr)
middlebrow (-brau') •n. [Colloq.] a person regarded as having conventional, middle-class tastes or opinions, and as being anti-intellectual or pseudo-intellectual •adj. [Colloq.] of or for a middlebrow Often a term of derision
middleman (mid´ªl mæn') pl. -men' •n. 1 a trader who buys commodities from the producer and sells them to the retailer or, sometimes, directly to the consumer 2 a go-between; intermediary
middlemost (-moust') •adj. MIDMOST (sense 1)
middle-of-the-road (-эv ðэ roud´) •adj. avoiding extremes, esp. of the political left and right; uncommitted to either liberalism or conservatism
Middlesbrough (mid´ªlz brэ) city in NE England, in Cleveland county, on the Tees River: pop. 148,000
Middlesex (mid´ªl seks') former county of SE England, now mostly a part of Greater London
middle-sized (-saizd') •adj. of medium size
Middleton (midªl tэn), Thomas 1580-1627; Eng. dramatist
Middletown (mid´ªl taun') 1 city in central Conn., on the Connecticut River: pop. 43,000 2 city in SW Ohio: pop. 46,000 3 city in EC N.J.: pop. 68,000 [each name descriptive of the city's location in relation to nearby communities]
middleweight (mid´ªl weit') •n. 1 one of average weight 2 a boxer between a junior middleweight and a super middleweight, with a maximum weight of 160 pounds (72.58 kg)
middling (mid´liŋ) •adj. of middle size, quality, grade, etc.; medium; ordinary; mediocre •adv. [Colloq.] fairly; moderately; somewhat •n. Æ 1 pork or bacon from between the ham and the shoulder 2 [pl.] products of medium quality, grade, size, or price 3 [pl.] particles of coarsely ground grain, often mixed with bran and used as feed [MID¹ + -LING¹]
middy (mid´i:) pl. -dies a loose blouse with a sailor collar, worn by women and children: in full middy blouse •n. [< slang shortening of MIDSHIPMAN]
midfield (mid´fi:ld') •n. the area of a playing field midway between the goals; specif., the middle third of the field in soccer and lacrosse
midfielder (-эr) •n. Soccer, Lacrosse any of the players who play primarily in the midfield area and whose responsibilities are both offensive and defensive
Midgard (mid´gärd') Norse Myth. the earth, regarded as midway between Asgard and the underworld and encircled by a huge serpent: also Mid´garth' (-gärð') [ON mithgarthr < mithr, MID¹ + garthr, YARD²]
midge (mij) •n. any of various families (esp. Chironomidae) of small, two-winged, gnatlike dipteran insects, including the gall midges and biting midges [ME migge < OE mycg, akin to Ger mücke < IE base *mu-, echoic for fly, gnat > L musca, a fly]
midget (mij´it) •n. 1 a very small person 2 anything very small of its kind •adj. very small of its kind; miniature [dim. of prec.]
midgut (mid´gût') •n. 1 the middle part of the alimentary canal in vertebrate embryos 2 the endoderm-lined portion of the digestive tract of arthropods
MIDI musical instrument digital interface Midi (mi: di:´) the south of France [Fr, south, lit., midday < mi-, half (< L medius, MIDDLE) + di (< L dies), day]
midi- (mid´i:, -i) combining form of a length to the middle of the calf {midiskirt} [< MID¹, after MINI-]
Midianite (mid´i: эn ait') •n. Bible a member of a nomadic tribe of Arabs that fought the Israelites: Num. 31, Judg. 6-8 [< Heb midhyān, name of a son of Abraham (see Gen. 25:2) + -ITE¹]
midinette (mid'ªn et´; Fr mi: di: net´) •n. a young, Parisian shopgirl, esp. one who works in a dress shop [Fr, blend of midi, midday + dinette, a little lunch < diner, to DINE + -ette, dim. suffix: in allusion to their customary light lunch]
Midi-Pyrénées (mi: di:´ pir´э ni:z') metropolitan region of SW France: 17,509 sq. mi. (45,348 sq. km); pop. 2,325,000; chief city, Toulouse
midiron (mid´ai'эrn) old term for number 2 iron: see IRON (n. 6) •n. [MID- + IRON]
Midland (mid´lэnd) city in WC Tex.: pop. 89,000 [from being about midway between Fort Worth and El Paso] midland (mid´lэnd) •n. 1 the middle region of a country; interior 2 [M-] a Midland dialect •adj. 1 in or of the midland; inland 2 [M-] of the Midlands 3 a) designating dialects of English spoken or formerly spoken in the Midlands of England and divided into eastern and western groups b) designating a dialect of American English spoken in S N.J.; central and S Pa., Ohio, Ind., and Ill.; N Del.; the Shenandoah Valley; the S Appalachians; the upper Piedmont of N.C. and S.C.; Ky.; and N Tenn.
Midlands highly industrialized region of central England, usually considered to include the present counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, & E Hereford and Worcester: with the
midleg (mid´leg') •n. 1 the middle of the leg 2 one of the middle, or second, pair of legs of an insect
midlife (mid´laif') •n. MIDDLE AGE: esp. in midlife crisis the sense of uncertainty or anxiety about one's identity, values, relationships, etc. that some people experience in midlife
midline (-lain') •n. a median line
Midlothian (mid lou´ði: эn) former county of SE Scotland, now in the region of Lothian
midmorning prayer (mid´mörn´iŋ) [often M- P-] R.C.Ch. the third of the seven canonical hours; terce
midmost (mid´moust') •adj. 1 exactly in the middle, or nearest the middle; middlemost 2 most secret; inmost •adv. in the middle or midst •prep. in the middle or midst of •n. the middle part [ME mydmest (with -most for -mest from 17th c. onward) < OE midmest < *middjumo, in the middle (< IE *medhiemo-, superl. of *medhjo-, MID¹) + superl. suffix -est, -EST]
midnight (-nait') •n. 1 twelve o'clock at night; the middle of the night 2 deep darkness •adj. 1 of or at midnight 2 like or suggestive of midnight; very dark {midnight blue} burn the midnight oil to study or work very late at night
midnight sun the sun visible at midnight in the arctic or antarctic regions during their summers
midpoint (-point') •n. a point at or close to the middle or center, or equally distant from the ends
midrash (mid´räsh) pl. mid·rash·im (mid rä´shim) or mid·rash´oth (-shout) •n. any of the rabbinical commentaries and explanatory notes on the Scriptures, written between the beginning of the Exile and c. A.D. 1200 the Midrash these commentaries and notes collectively Mid·rash´ic •adj. [Heb midrash, explanation]
midrib (mid´rib') •n. the central vein, or rib, of a leaf, usually running from the stem to the apex
midriff (-rif) •n. 1 DIAPHRAGM (sense 1) 2 a) the middle part of the torso, between the abdomen and the chest b) that part of a woman's garment that covers this part, or that is cut away to expose it •adj. designating or of a garment that bares this part [ME mydrif < OE midhrif < midd- (see MID¹) + hrif, belly (akin to OHG href, body) < IE base *krep-, body > L corpus]
midsection (-sek'shэn) •n. the section in the middle; specif., the midriff region of the body
midshipman (mid´ship'mэn, mid ship´-) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a student in training for the rank of ensign; specif., such a student at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis 2 a junior British naval officer ranking between naval cadet and sublieutenant [aphetic for amidshipmen, from being amidships when on duty]
midships (mid´ships') •adv., adj. in or toward the middle of a ship; esp., halfway between bow and stern •n. the middle part of a ship
mid-size or midsize (mid´saiz') •adj. designating or of a size intermediate between large and small {a mid-size car}
midst¹ (midst, mitst) •n. the middle; central part; now mainly in phrases as below SYN. MIDDLE in our (or your or their) midst among us (or you or them) in the midst of 1 in the middle of; surrounded by 2 in the course of; during [ME middest, prob. merging of middes, gen. of mid (with unhistoric -t) + middest, superl. of mid, MID¹]
midst² (midst, mitst) •prep. [Old Poet.] in the midst of; amidst; amid Also 'midst
midstream (mid´stri:m') •n. the middle of a stream
midsummer (-sûm´эr) •n. 1 the middle of summer 2 the time of the summer solstice, about June 21 •adj. of, in, or like midsummer
Midsummer Day June 24, feast of St. John the Baptist
midterm (-tørm') Æ adj. occurring in the middle of a term •n. 1 the middle of a term Æ 2 [Colloq.] a midterm examination, as in a college course
mid-Victorian (mid'vik tör´i: эn) •adj. 1 of, like, or characteristic of the middle part of Queen Victoria's reign in Great Britain (c. 1850-1890) or the culture, morals, or art of this period 2 old-fashioned, prudish, morally strict, stuffy, etc. •n. 1 a person who lived during this period 2 a person of mid-Victorian ideas, manners, attitudes, etc.
midway (mid´wei'; also, for adj. & adv., -wei´) •n. 1 orig., a) the middle of the way or distance b) a middle way or course Æ 2 that part of a fair or exposition where sideshows and other amusements are located [orig. short for Midway Plaisance, the amusement area of the Columbian Exposition (1893), in Chicago] •adj., adv. in the middle of the way or distance; halfway [ME midwei < OE midweg]
Midway Islands coral atoll & two islets at the end of the Hawaiian chain: administered by the U.S. Navy: 2 sq. mi. (5.2 sq. km)
midweek (mid´wi:k') •n. 1 the middle of the week 2 [M-] Wednesday: so called by the Friends (Quakers) •adj. in the middle of the week mid'week´ly •adj., adv.
Midwest (mid'west´) •n. MIDDLE WEST •adj. MIDWESTERN
Midwest City city in central Okla.: suburb of Oklahoma City: pop. 52,000 [after Midwest Air Depot, nearby U.S. Air Force installation]
Midwestern (mid'wes´tэrn) •adj. of, in, or characteristic of the Middle West; Middle Western Mid'west´ern·er •n.
midwife (mid´waif') pl. -wives' (-waivz') •n. a person whose work is helping women in childbirth [ME midwyf < mid, with < OE (< Gmc mithi < IE *meti- < base *me- > MID¹, Ger mit, Gr meta) + wif, woman (see WIFE): basic sense woman with, woman assisting]
midwifery (mid'wif´ri:, -waif´-; -эr i:) •n. the work of a midwife
midwinter (mid´win´tэr) •n. 1 the middle of winter 2 the time of the winter solstice, about Dec. 22 •adj. of, in, or like midwinter
midyear (-yir') •adj. Æ occurring in the middle of the (calendar or academic) year •n. 1 the middle of the year Æ 2 [Colloq.] a midyear examination, as in a college course
mien (mi:n) •n. 1 a way of carrying and conducting oneself; manner 2 a way of looking; appearance SYN. BEARING [aphetic for DEMEAN², but altered by assoc. with Fr mine, look, air < Bret min, muzzle, beak]
Mies van der Rohe (mi:z´ væn dэr rou´э), Ludwig 1886-1969; U.S. architect, born in Germany
miff (mif) •n. [Colloq.] a trivial quarrel or fit of the sulks; tiff or huff •vt., vi. [Colloq.] to offend or take offense; put or be put out of humor [prob. orig. cry of disgust]
MIG (mig) •n. any of a series of high-speed, high-altitude jet fighter planes Also written MiG [after Artem Mikoyan & Mikhail Gurevich, its Soviet designers]
might¹ (mait) v.aux. 1 pt. of MAY¹ 2 used as a modal auxiliary in verbal phrases with present or future time reference, generally equivalent to MAY¹ in meaning and use, with the following functions: a) expressing esp. a shade of doubt or a lesser degree of possibility {it might rain} b) expressing a lesser degree of permission {might I go?} c) expressing a lesser degree of obligation {you might try to help} •vi. used elliptically in the same functions as MIGHT¹ (v.aux.) [ME mihte < OE, akin to Ger möchte]
might² (mait) •n. 1 great or superior strength, power, force, or vigor 2 strength or power of any degree SYN. STRENGTH [ME mighte < OE miht, akin to Ger macht < IE base *māgh-, to be able > ON magn]
mighty (mait´i:) might´i·er, might´i·est •adj. 1 having might; powerful; strong 2 remarkably large, extensive, etc.; great •adv. [Colloq.] very; extremely might´i·ly •adv. might´i·ness •n. [ME myghty < OE mihtig]
mignon (min´yän'; Fr mi: nyouñ´) •adj. small, delicately formed, and pretty; dainty mi·gnonne (min´yän'; Fr mi: nyôn´) •adj.fem. [Fr, for OFr mignot, dainty < *min-, echoic of a caressing cry, as in IE base *mī(n)-, var. of mēi-, gentle, soft > L mitis, soft, OIr min, gentle]
mignonette (min'yэ net´) •n. 1 any of a genus (Reseda) of plants of the mignonette family with thick stems and coarse foliage, esp. an annual plant (R. odorata) bearing terminal spikes of small greenish, whitish, or reddish flowers 2 any of several similar plants 3 a pale, yellowish green •adj. designating a family (Resedaceae, order Capparales) of dicotyledonous plants and shrubs [Fr mignonnette, dim. of mignon: see MIGNON]
mignonette tree HENNA (n. 1)
migraine (mai´grein') •n. a type of intense, periodically returning headache, usually limited to one side of the head and often accompanied by nausea, visual disorders, etc. mi´grain'ous •adj. [Fr < OFr < LL hemicrania < Gr hēmikrania < hēmi-, half + kranion, CRANIUM]
migrant (mai´grэnt) •adj. migrating; migratory •n. 1 a person, bird, or animal that migrates Æ 2 a farm laborer who moves from place to place to harvest seasonal crops [L migrans, prp. of migrare]
migrate (mai´greit') -grat'ed, -grat'ing •vi. 1 to move from one place to another; esp., to leave one's country and settle in another 2 to move from one region to another with the change in seasons, as many birds and some fishes 3 to move from place to place to harvest seasonal crops mi´gra'tor •n. SYN.—migrate denotes a moving from one region or country to another and may imply, of people, intention to settle in a new land, or, of animals, a periodical movement influenced by climate, food supply, etc.; emigrate and immigrate are used only of people, emigrate specifically denoting the leaving of a country to settle in another, and immigrate, the coming into the new country [< L migratus, pp. of migrare, to move from one place to another, change < IE *meigw-, to change location < base *mei-, to change, exchange, wander]
migration (mai grei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of migrating 2 a group of people, or of birds, fishes, etc., migrating together 3 Chem. a) the shifting of one or more atoms from one position in the molecule to another b) the movement of ions toward an electrode, under the influence of electromotive force mi·gra´tion·al •adj. [L migratio]
migratory (mai´grэ tör'i:) •adj. 1 migrating; characterized by migration 2 of migration 3 roving; wandering
mihrab (mi:´räb') •n. a niche in that wall of a mosque which faces toward Mecca [Ar mihrāb]
mikado (mi kä´dou) pl. -dos •n. [often M-] the emperor of Japan: title no longer used [Jpn, lit., exalted gate (i.e., of the Imperial palace) < mi, an honorific + kado, gate]
mike¹ (maik) •n. [Colloq.] a microphone •vt. miked, mik´ing [Colloq.] to record, amplify, etc. by means of a microphone
mike² (maik) •n. [Slang] a microgram, as of LSD
mikvah (mik´vэ) •n. a bath in which Orthodox Jews immerse themselves for ritual purification, as before the Sabbath or following menstruation [TalmudHeb mikve, lit., collection of water < root qwh, to gather, collect]
mil abbrev. 1 mileage 2 military 3 militia mil (mil) •n. 1 a unit of linear measure, equal to ¹/1000 inch (.0254 millimeter), used in measuring the diameter of wire, the thickness of coatings or films, etc. 2 a milliliter, or cubic centimeter 3 a unit of currency in Cyprus, equal to 1/1000 pound 4 Mil. a unit of angle measurement for artillery fire, missile launching, etc., equal to the angle forming an arc that is 1/6400 of the circumference of a circle [L mille, thousand]
milady or miladi (mi lei´di:) pl. -dies •n. 1 an English noblewoman or gentlewoman Æ 2 a woman of fashion: shopkeepers' or advertisers' term [Fr < Eng my lady]
milage (mail´ij) •n. alt. sp. of MILEAGE
Milan (mi læn´) commune in NW Italy, in Lombardy: pop. 1,520,000: It. name Mi·la·no (mi: lä´nô) Mil·a·nese (mil'э ni:z´), pl. -nese´, •adj., n.
milch (milch) •adj. giving milk; kept for milking {milch cows} [ME milche, milk-giving < OE -milce, akin to meolc, MILK]
mild (maild) •adj. 1 a) gentle or kind in disposition, action, or effect; not severe, harsh, bitter, etc. b) not extreme in any way; moderate; temperate {a mild winter} 2 having a soft, pleasant taste or flavor; not strong, sour, bitter, biting, or sharp: said of tobacco, cheese, etc. 3 designating steel that is tough but malleable and contains only a small percentage of carbon SYN. SOFT mild´ness •n. [ME milde < OE, akin to Ger mild < IE *meldh- < base *mel-, to crush, rub fine, tender > MELT, MILL¹]
milden (mail´dэn) •vt., vi. [Rare] to make or become mild or milder
mildew (mil´du:', -dyu:') •n. 1 any fungus that attacks various plants or appears on organic matter, paper, leather, etc., esp. when exposed to damp, resulting in a thin, furry, whitish coating or discoloration 2 any such coating or discoloration 3 any plant disease caused by such fungus •vt., vi. to affect or become affected with mildew mil´dew'y •adj. [ME mildewe < OE meledeaw, nectar, lit., honeydew, akin to Goth milith, honey < IE base *melit- (> L mel, Gr meli, honey) + base of OE deaw, DEW]
mildly (maild´li:) •adv. 1 in a mild manner 2 to a mild degree; somewhat to put it mildly to state it with or as if with restraint
Mildred (mil´drid) a feminine name: dim. Mil, Millie, Milly [OE Myldthryth < milde, mild + thryth, power, strength]
mile (mail) pl. miles; sometimes, after a number, mile a unit of linear measure equal to 5,280 feet (1,760 yards) or 1.6097 kilometers: abbrev. mi: see also NAUTICAL MILE In full, statute mile •n. [ME < OE mil, pl. mila < WGmc *milja < L milia, pl. of mille, thousand, in milia passuum, thousand paces, mile]
mileage (mail´ij) •n. 1 an allowance for traveling expenses at a specified amount per mile 2 aggregate distance in miles or total number of miles traveled, recorded, etc. 3 rate per mile, as in allowing for travel expenses or in charging for the use of railroad freight cars 4 the number of miles a motor vehicle will go on a gallon of fuel, a tire will run before it wears out, etc. 5 the amount of use, service, or benefit one gets or can get from something
milepost (mail´poust') •n. a signpost showing the distance in miles to or from a specified place
miler (mail´эr) •n. one who competes in mile races
Miles (mailz) a masculine name [OFr Miles, Milon < OHG Milo, lit., mild, peaceful]
miles gloriosus (mai´li:z' glou'ri: ou´sэs) a braggart, swashbuckling soldier, esp. as a stock character in classical comedy [L]
milestone (mail´stoun') •n. 1 a stone or pillar set up to show the distance in miles to or from a specified place 2 a significant or important event in history, in the career of a person, etc.
Miletus (mai li:t´эs) ancient city in Ionia, SW Asia Minor Mi·le´sian (-li:´zhэn) •adj., n.
milfoil (mil´foil') •n. 1 YARROW 2 WATER MILFOIL [OFr < L millefolium < mille, thousand + folium, leaf (see FOLIATE): from the finely divided leaves]
Milford (mil´fэrd) city in SW Conn., on Long Island Sound, near Bridgeport: pop. 50,000 [? after Milford, town in England]
Milhaud (mi: you´), Da·rius (då řyüs´) 1892-1974; Fr. composer
miliaria (mil'i: er´i: э) •n. an acute skin disease resulting from inflammation of the sweat glands, as from exposure to heat, and characterized by small, white or red eruptions [ModL < fem. of L miliarius: see MILIARY]
miliary (mil´i: er'i:, -yэr i:) •adj. 1 like a millet seed or seeds 2 Med. characterized or accompanied by lesions about the size of millet seeds: said, specif., of a form of tuberculosis which spreads from a primary focus of infection to other parts of the body, forming many minute tubercles [L miliarius < milium, MILLET]
Milicent (mil´э sэnt) a feminine name: see MILLICENT
milieu (mi:l yø´, -yu´, -yu:´; mil-; mi:l´yu:', mil´-; Fr mi: lyö´) pl. -lieus´ or Fr. -lieux´ (-lyö´) •n. environment; esp., social or cultural setting [Fr, lit., middle < OFr mi (< L medius: see MID¹) + lieu, a place < L locus (see LOCUS)]
militant (mil´i tэnt) •adj. 1 at war; fighting 2 ready and willing to fight; esp., vigorous or aggressive in support or promotion of a cause •n. a militant person SYN. AGGRESSIVE mil´i·tan·cy •n. mil´i·tant·ly •adv. [ME < L militans, prp. of militare, to serve as a soldier < miles (gen. militis), soldier]
militarism (mil´э tэ riz'эm) •n. 1 military spirit; attitudes of professional soldiers 2 the glorification or prevalence of such a spirit, attitudes, etc. in a nation, or the predominance of the military caste in government 3 the policy of maintaining a strong military organization in aggressive preparedness for war [Fr militarisme]
militarist (-rist) •n. 1 a person who supports or advocates militarism 2 [Now Rare] an expert or specialist in military affairs mil'i·ta·ris´tic •adj. mil'i·ta·ris´ti·cal·ly •adv.
militarize (mil´i tэ raiz') -rized', -riz'ing •vt. 1 to make military; equip and prepare for war 2 to fill with warlike spirit mil'i·ta·ri·za´tion •n.
military (mil´э ter'i:) •adj. 1 of, characteristic of, for, fit for, or done by soldiers or the armed forces 2 of, for, or fit for war 3 of the army, as distinguished from the navy SYN. MARTIAL the military the armed forces; military personnel collectively; esp., military officers as an influential force mil´i·tar'i·ly •adv. [Fr militaire < L militaris < miles (gen. militis), soldier]
military attaché an officer of the armed forces attached to the staff of an ambassador to another country
military law the code of law concerned with the government and discipline of the armed forces: distinguished from MARTIAL LAW
military police armed forces personnel assigned to police duties; specif., soldiers assigned to police duties in the army
military science the study of military practices and the strategic, tactical, and logistic theories that determine them
military-industrial complex (-in dûs´tri: эl) the U.S. military establishment and those industries producing military materiel, viewed as together exerting a powerful influence on foreign and economic policy [first used by President Eisenhower in his farewell address (1961)]
militate (mil´э teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vi. 1 orig., to serve as a soldier; fight (against) 2 to be directed (against); operate or work (against or, rarely, for): said of facts, evidence, actions, etc. {his youth militated against him} [< L militatus, pp. of militare: see MILITANT]
militia (mэ lish´э) •n. 1 a) orig., any military force b) later, any army composed of citizens rather than professional soldiers, called up in time of emergency Æ 2 in the U.S., all able-bodied male citizens between 18 and 45 years old who are not already members of the regular armed forces: members of the National Guard and of the Reserves (of the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps) constitute the organized militia; all others, the unorganized militia mi·li´tia·man (-mэn), pl. -men (-mэn), •n. [L, military service, soldiery < miles (gen. militis), soldier]
milium (mil´i: эm) pl. -i·a (-э) •n. a small, whitish nodule of the skin, somewhat like a millet seed, resulting from retention of the secretion of a sebaceous gland [ModL < L: see MILLET]
milk (milk) •n. 1 a white or yellowish emulsion secreted by the mammary glands of female mammals for suckling their young and usually consisting of fats, proteins, sugars, vitamins, and minerals suspended in water 2 cow's milk, or, sometimes, that of goats, camels, etc., drunk by humans as a food or used to make butter, cheese, casein products, etc. 3 any liquid like this, as the juice of various plants or fruits (e.g., coconut milk), or any of various emulsions •vt. 1 to draw or squeeze milk from the mammary glands of (a cow, etc.) 2 to draw out or drain off; extract as if by milking 3 to drain off or extract money, ideas, strength, etc. from as if by milking; exploit 4 to extract juice, sap, venom, etc. from 5 to draw out (information, etc.) as if by milking •vi. 1 to give milk 2 to draw milk cry over spilt milk to mourn or regret something that cannot be undone [ME < OE meolc, akin to ON mjolk, Ger milch < IE base *melG-, to stroke, press out, wipe off, hence to milk (an animal) > Gr amelgein, L mulgere, to milk]
milk fever 1 [Now Rare] mild puerperal fever: so called because erroneously attributed to an accumulation of milk in the breasts 2 a disease often occurring in dairy cows shortly after calving, characterized by a drop in blood calcium, paralysis, etc.
milk glass a translucent or nearly opaque whitish glass
milk leg a painful swelling of the leg, caused by inflammation and clotting in the femoral veins, usually as a result of infection during childbirth
milk of magnesia a milky-white fluid, a suspension of magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2, in water, used as a laxative and antacid
milk run [Slang] a routine mission, as of a bomber aircraft, that is not expected to be dangerous
milk sickness a rare disease, formerly common in the W U.S., caused by consuming dairy products or flesh from cattle that have eaten any of various poisonous weeds
milk snake a harmless colubrine snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) with brown or reddish bands bordered by black: it feeds on rodents, reptiles, etc.
milk sugar LACTOSE
milk tooth any of the temporary, first set of teeth of young mammals: normally a child's set consists of 20, including 8 incisors, 4 cuspids, and 8 molars
milk vetch any of a genus (Astragalus) of plants of the pea family, with deeply cut leaves, flowers in spikes or racemes, and, usually, inflated pods [from the notion that it increases the secretion of milk in goats]
milk-and-water (-эn wöt´эr) •adj. insipid; weak; wishy-washy; namby-pamby
milker (milk´эr) •n. 1 a person who milks 2 a machine for milking 3 a cow or other animal that gives milk
milkfish (-fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es a large, silvery food fish (Chanos chanos) of an order (Gonorhynchiformes) of toothless bony fishes, found in the tropical Pacific and Indian oceans
milkiness (milk´i: nis) •n. a milky quality or state
milk-livered (milk´liv'эrd) •adj. timid; cowardly
milkmaid (milk´meid') •n. a girl or woman who milks cows or works in a dairy; dairymaid
milkman (-mæn') pl. -men' (-men') •n. a man who sells or delivers milk for a dairy
milkshake (-sheik') •n. a drink made of milk, flavoring, and, usually, ice cream, mixed or shaken until frothy
milkshed (-shed') •n. all the dairy farm areas supplying milk for a given city [MILK + (WATER)SHED]
milksop (-säp') •n. a man seen as timid, ineffectual, effeminate, etc.
milkweed (milk´wi:d') •n. 1 any of a genus (Asclepias) of perennial plants of the milkweed family, with a milky juice, or latex, and pods which when ripe burst to release plumed seeds 2 any of various plants with similar milky juice •adj. designating a large family (Asclepiadaceae, order Gentianales) of dicotyledonous plants with a milky juice, including the anglepods and stapelias
milkwort (-wørt') •n. any of a genus (Polygala) of plants of the milkwort family with showy flowers of various colors •adj. designating a family (Polygalaceae, order Polygalales) of dicotyledonous plants, including the gaywings [from the former notion that it increases the secretion of milk in nursing women]
milky (milk´i:) milk´i·er, milk´i·est •adj. 1 like milk; esp., white as milk 2 of, containing, or yielding milk 3 timid, meek, mild, etc.
milky disease any of several bacterial diseases of the larvae of scarab beetles, as a disease of Japanese beetle grubs, characterized by the milky-white appearance of the infected larvae
Milky Way the spiral galaxy containing our sun: seen from the earth as a broad, faintly luminous band of stars and interstellar gas, arching across the night sky with the constellation Sagittarius marking the direction to its center [transl. of L via lactea, transl. of Gr galaxias kyklos: see GALAXY]
Mill (mil) 1 James 1773-1836; Scot. philosopher, historian, & economist 2 John Stuart 1806-73; Eng. philosopher & economist: son of James
mill wheel the wheel, usually a water wheel, that drives the machinery in a mill
mill¹ (mil) •n. 1 a) a building with machinery for grinding grain into flour or meal b) the machine for grinding grain 2 a) a machine for grinding or pulverizing any solid material {a coffee mill} b) a machine for grinding or crushing fruits or vegetables to press out the juice {a cider mill} 3 a) any of various machines for stamping, shaping, polishing, or dressing metal surfaces, coins, etc., or for making something by some action done again and again Æ b) [Colloq.] an organization, establishment, etc. where things are done, produced, issued, etc. in a routine, rapid, mechanical way {a diploma mill, a divorce mill} 4 a building or group of buildings with machinery for manufacturing or processing something; factory {a textile mill} 5 a roller of hardened steel with a raised design on it, for making a die or printing plate by pressure 6 a) MILLING CUTTER b) MILLING MACHINE 7 a raised edge, ridged surface, etc. made by milling •vt. 1 to grind, work, process, form, polish, etc. by, in, or as in a mill 2 to raise and ridge the edge of (a coin), as a safeguard against wear and clipping; knurl 3 [Now Rare] to beat or whip (chocolate, etc.) to a froth •vi. Æ to move slowly in a circle, as cattle, or aimlessly, as a confused crowd: often with around or about in the mill in preparation through the mill [Colloq.] through a hard, painful, instructive experience, training, test, etc. [ME melle < OE mylen, akin to OHG mulin, ON mylna, all < 4th-c. Gmc borrowing < LL molinae, pl. of molina, mill < LL(Ec) molina, of a mill < L mola, millstone < IE base *mel-, to grind, crush > MEAL², MILD, Ger mahlen, Gr mylē, mill, L mollis, soft, molere, to grind]
mill² (mil) •n. one tenth of a cent: $.001: a monetary unit used in calculating but not as a coin [for L millesimus, thousandth < mille, thousand: cf. CENT]
millage (mil´ij) •n. taxation in mills per dollar of valuation [MILL² + -AGE]
Millais (mi lei´), Sir John Everett 1829-96; Eng. painter
Millay (mi lei´), Edna St. Vincent 1892-1950; U.S. poet
millcake (mil´keik') •n. the residue left after the oil has been pressed from linseed
milldam (-dæm') •n. 1 a dam built across a stream to raise its level enough to provide water power for turning a mill wheel 2 MILLPOND
milled (mild) •adj. 1 ground, cut, worked, etc. by or in a mill 2 having the edges raised and ridged or grooved, as a coin; knurled
mille-feuille (mi:l fö´yª) pl. mille-feuilles´ (-fö´yª) •n. a pastry consisting of many small, very thin layers of puff paste, filled with custard, whipped cream, fruit, purée, etc. [Fr < mille, thousand + feuille, a leaf]
millefleurs (mi:l'flør´) •adj. having an allover, multicolored pattern of many flowers, as a tapestry [Fr mille fleurs, a thousand flowers]
millenarian (mil'э ner´i: эn) •adj. of 1,000 years; of the millennium •n. a person who believes in the coming of the millennium mil'le·nar´i·an·ism' •n. [< LL millenarius, containing a thousand < L milleni, a thousand each < mille, thousand + -AN]
millenary (mil´э ner'i:) •adj. 1 of or consisting of a thousand, esp. a thousand years 2 of the millennium or millenarians •n. pl. -nar'ies 1 a thousand 2 a thousand years; millennium 3 a thousandth anniversary or its commemoration 4 a millenarian [LL millenarius: see MILLENARIAN]
millennium (mi len´i: эm) pl. -ni·ums or -ni·a (-э) •n. 1 any period of 1,000 years {2000 B.C. through 1001 B.C. is the 2d millennium B.C.} 2 a 1,000th anniversary or its commemoration 3 Christian Theol. the period of 1,000 years during which Christ will reign on earth: with the: Rev. 20:1-5 4 any period of great happiness, peace, prosperity, etc.; imagined golden age mil·len´ni·al •adj. mil·len´ni·al·ism' •n. mil·len´ni·al·ist •n. [ModL < L mille, thousand + annus, year (after L biennium): see ANNUAL]
millepede (mil´э pi:d') •n. MILLIPEDE
millepore (-pör') •n. any of an order (Milleporina) of coral-like hydrozoans that form branching or leaflike calcareous masses with small openings on the surface [Fr millépore < mille, thousand + pore < L porus, PORE²]
miller (mil´эr) •n. 1 a person who owns or operates a mill, esp. a flour mill 2 a) MILLING MACHINE b) a tool to be used in such a machine 3 any of various moths with wings that look dusty or powdered, suggesting a miller's clothes [ME mylnere] Miller (mil´эr) 1 Arthur 1915- ; U.S. playwright 2 Henry 1891-1980; U.S. writer 3 Joa·quin (wä ki:n´) (pseud. of Cincinnatus Heine Miller) c. 1837-1913; U.S. poet 4 Joe 1684-1738; Eng. stage comedian: Joe Miller's Jest-book (1739), a book of jokes attributed to him, was published after his death
millerite (mil´эr ait') •n. native nickel sulfide, NiS, a brassy-yellow, crystalline mineral [Ger millerit, after W. H. Miller (1801-80), Brit mineralogist] Millerite (mil´эr ait') •n. a follower of William Miller (1782-1849), a U.S. preacher who declared that the end of the world and the second coming of Christ would occur in 1843
miller's-thumb (mil´эrz θûm´) •n. SCULPIN (sense 1)
millesimal (mi les´э mэl) •adj. 1 thousandth 2 of or consisting of thousandths •n. a thousandth [L millesimus < mille, thousand + -AL]
Millet (mi lei´; Fr mi: ye´, -le´), Jean Fran·çois (zhäñ fřäñ swå´) 1814-75; Fr. painter millet (mil´it) •n. 1 a) a cereal grass (Panicum miliaceum) whose small grain is used for food in Europe and Asia b) the grain 2 any of several other similar grasses or their seed, as foxtail millet and pearl millet [ME milet < MFr, dim. of mil < L milium, millet < IE *melēi-, var. of base *mel-, to grind > MILL¹, Gr melinē, millet]
milli- (mil´i, -э, -i:) combining form one thousandth part of; the factor 10-³ {millimeter} [< L mille, thousand]
milliampere (mil'i: æm´pir) •n. one thousandth of an ampere
milliard (mil´yэrd, -yärd') •n. [Brit.] 1,000 millions: now largely replaced by BILLION [Fr < million (see MILLION) + -ard (see -ARD), orig., large million]
milliary (mil´i: er'i:) •adj. of the ancient Roman mile, or 1,000 paces •n. pl. -ar'ies an ancient Roman milestone [L milliarius, containing a thousand < mille, thousand]
millibar (mil´i bär') •n. a unit of atmospheric pressure equal to ¹/1000 bar, or 1,000 dynes per square centimeter: abbrev. mb [< MILLI- + Gr baros, weight]
Millicent (mil´i sэnt) a feminine name [OFr Melisent < OHG Amalaswind < amal, work + *swind-, strong, akin to Goth swinths]
millicurie (mil´i kyur'i:) •n. one thousandth of a curie
millifarad (mil´i fær'æd', -эd) •n. one thousandth of a farad
milligal (-gæl') •n. one thousandth of a gal
milligram (mil´i græm') •n. one thousandth of a gram (.0154 grain): abbrev. mg [Fr milligramme]
millihenry (-hen'ri:) •n. one thousandth of a henry
Millikan (mil´i kэn), Robert Andrews 1868-1953; U.S. physicist
milliliter (mil´i li:t'эr) •n. one thousandth of a liter, equal to 1.000027 cubic centimeters (.0338 fluid ounce): abbrev. ml Brit. sp. mil´li·li'tre [Fr millilitre]
millime (mil´i:m', -im) •n. a monetary unit of Tunisia, equal to ¹/1000 of a dinar [Fr < millième, a thousandth < MFr < mille, a thousand < L]
millimeter (mil´i mi:t'эr) •n. one thousandth of a meter (.03937 inch): abbrev. mm Brit. sp. mil´li·me'tre [Fr millimètre: see MILLI- & METER¹]
milline (mil´lain') •n. 1 a unit of measurement equal to a one-column agate line (of an advertisement) in one million copies of a publication 2 the cost per milline of an advertisement [MIL(LION) + LINE¹]
milliner (mil´i nэr) •n. a person who designs, makes, trims, or sells women's hats [< Milaner, inhabitant of Milan, vendor of bonnets and dress wares from Milan]
millinery (mil´i ner'i:) •n. 1 women's hats, headdresses, etc. 2 the work or business of a milliner [< prec. + -ERY]
milling (mil´iŋ) •vt., vi. prp. of MILL¹ •n. 1 the process or business of grinding grain into flour or meal 2 the grinding, cutting, or processing of metal, cloth, etc. in a mill 3 a) the process of ridging the edge of a coin, etc. b) the ridging thus produced; milled edge 4 circular or random motion of or as of a herd or crowd
milling cutter any of various rotating toothed cutters used in a milling machine to cut or shape metal parts
milling machine a machine with a table on which material rests as it is fed against a rotating milling cutter
million (mil´yэn) •n. 1 a thousand thousands; 1,000,000 2 a million (unspecified but understood) monetary units, as dollars, pounds, francs, etc. 3 an indefinite but very large number: a hyperbolic use •adj. amounting to one million in number [ME millioun < OFr million < It milione < mille, thousand < L]
millionaire (mil'yэ ner´) •n. a person whose wealth comes to at least a million dollars, pounds, francs, etc. [Fr millionnaire]
millionairess (mil'yэ ner´is) •n. a woman or girl whose wealth comes to at least a million dollars, pounds, francs, etc.
millionth (mil´yэnθ) •adj. 1 coming last in a series of a million 2 designating any of the million equal parts of something •n. 1 the last in a series of a million 2 any of the million equal parts of something
millipede (mil´i pi:d') •n. any of a class (Diplopoda) of many-legged arthropods with an elongated body having two pairs of walking legs on each segment [< L millepeda < mille, thousand + pes (gen. pedis), FOOT]
millirem (-rem') •n. one thousandth of a rem
millisecond (-sek'эnd) •n. one thousandth of a second
millivolt (-voult') •n. one thousandth of a volt: abbrev. mV or mv
milliwatt (-wät') •n. one thousandth of a watt: abbrev. mW or mw
millpond (mil´pänd') •n. a pond formed by a milldam, from which water flows for driving a mill wheel
millrace (-reis') •n. 1 the current of water that drives a mill wheel 2 the channel in which it runs
millrun (-rûn') •n. 1 MILLRACE Æ 2 a quantity of ore whose quality or mineral content is tested by milling 3 the mineral obtained by such testing
mill-run (mil´rûn´) •adj. Æ just as it comes out of the mill; ordinary; average; run-of-the-mill
millstone (-stoun') •n. 1 either of a pair of large, flat, round stones between which grain or other substances are ground 2 stone used for these, usually a hard sandstone or conglomerate 3 a heavy burden 4 something that grinds, pulverizes, or crushes
millstream (-stri:m') •n. water flowing in a millrace
millwork (-wørk') •n. 1 doors, windows, sashes, moldings, etc. made in a planing mill 2 work done in a mill mill´work'er •n.
millwright (-rait') •n. 1 a person who designs or builds mills or installs their machinery 2 a worker who installs, maintains, and, sometimes, repairs the machinery in a factory
Milne (miln), A(lan) A(lexander) 1882-1956; Eng. playwright, novelist, & writer of children's books
Milo (mai´lou) a famous Greek athlete, c. 520 B.C. milo (mai´lou') •n. any of a group of grain sorghums with somewhat juicy stalks and compact heads of white or yellow, soft grains [< Bantu (Sesuto) maili]
milord (mi lörd´) •n. 1 a continental term of address for an English nobleman or gentleman 2 an Englishman of high social status: often pejorative or mocking {a haughty young milord} [Fr < Eng my lord]
Mílos (mi:´läs') Greek island of the SW Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea: 61 sq. mi. (157 sq. km): It. name Mi·lo (mi:´lô)
milpa (mil´pэ) •n. a small tract of arable land cleared from a forest area, cultivated until the land is exhausted, then abandoned [MexSp (< Nahuatl), cornfield]
milquetoast (milk´toust') •n. a timid, shrinking, apologetic person [after Caspar Milquetoast, character of this sort in a comic strip by H. T. Webster (1885-1952), U.S. cartoonist (< milk toast, toast in warm milk)]
Milstein (mil´stain'), Nathan 1904-92; U.S. violinist, born in Russia
milt (milt) •n. 1 the reproductive glands of male fishes, esp. when filled with germ cells and the milky fluid containing them 2 such cells and fluid; fish sperm •adj. breeding: said of male fishes •vt. to fertilize (fish roe) with milt milt´er •n. [ME milte, prob. < Scand (as in Norw milt, mjelte), altered (infl. by ON milti, spleen) < base of ON mjolk, MILK]
Miltiades (mil tai´э di:z') died c. 489 B.C.; Athenian general: defeated the Persians at Marathon in 490
Milton (mil´tэn, milt´ªn) 1 a masculine name: dim. Milt, Miltie 2 John 1608-74; Eng. poet [after surname or place name Milton < OE Middel-tun (lit., Middletown) & OE Mylen-tun (lit., Mill town)]
Miltonic (mil tän´ik) •adj. 1 of or relating to John Milton or his writings 2 like Milton's style, esp. in being solemn, elevated, majestic, etc. Also Mil·to´ni·an (-tou´ni: эn)
Milwaukee (mil wö´ki:) city & port in SE Wis., on Lake Michigan: pop. 628,000 (met. area 1,432,000; urban area with Racine 1,607,000) [< Fr < Algonquian, lit., good land, council place]
mim (mim) •adj. [Brit. Dial.] primly quiet or shy; demure [echoic of sound made with pursed lips: cf. MUM5]
Mimas (mai´mæs') a small satellite of Saturn with a gigantic crater
mime (maim) •n. 1 an ancient Greek or Roman farce, in which people and events were mimicked and burlesqued 2 the representation of an action, character, mood, etc. by means of gestures and actions rather than words 3 an actor who performs in mimes; specif., a mimic or pantomimist •vt. mimed, mim´ing to imitate, mimic, or act out as a mime •vi. to act as a mime; play a part with gestures and actions, but usually without words mim´er •n. [L mimus < Gr mimos, imitator, actor]
mimeograph (mim´i: э græf') •n. a machine for making copies of written, drawn, or typewritten matter by means of a stencil placed around a drum containing ink •vt. 1 to make copies of on such a machine 2 to make (copies) on such a machine [a former trademark < Gr mimeomai, I imitate < mimos (see MIME) + -GRAPH]
mimesis (mi mi:´sis, mai-) •n. imitation; specif., a) Art, Literature imitation or representation; often, specif., IMITATION (n. 5b) b) Biol. MIMICRY [ModL < Gr mimēsis, imitation < mimos, imitator]
mimetic (mi met´ik, mai-) •adj. 1 of or characterized by imitation; imitative 2 of or characterized by mimicry mi·met´i·cal·ly •adv. [Gr mimētikos < mimeisthai, to imitate < mimos, actor]
mimic (mim´ik) •adj. 1 inclined to copy; imitative 2 of, or having the nature of, mimicry or imitation 3 make-believe; simulated; mock {mimic tears} •n. a person or thing that imitates; esp., a performer skilled in mimicry •vt. mim´icked, mim´ick·ing 1 to imitate in speech or action, often so as to ridicule 2 to copy closely; imitate accurately 3 to resemble closely; have or take on the appearance of {animals that mimic their environment} SYN. IMITATE mim´ick·er •n. [L mimicus < Gr mimikos < mimos, actor]
mimicry (mim´ik ri:) pl. -ries •n. 1 the practice or art, or an instance or way, of mimicking 2 close resemblance, in color, form, or behavior, of one organism to another or to some object in its environment, as of some insects to the leaves or twigs of plants: it serves to disguise or conceal the organism from predators
Mimir (mi:´mir') Norse Myth. a giant guarding the spring of wisdom at the root of the tree Ygdrasil [ON Mīmir, redupl. of Gmc *mer- < IE base *(s)mer-, to remember > MOURN]
mimosa (mi mou´sэ, mai-; -zэ) •n. 1 any of a large genus (Mimosa) of trees, shrubs, and herbs of the mimosa family, growing in warm regions and usually having bipinnate leaves, and heads or spikes of small, white, yellow, or pink flowers 2 any of several similar trees of this family, including the albizia 3 a drink made of champagne and orange juice •adj. designating a family (Mimosaceae, order Fabales) of dicotyledonous, leguminous trees and shrubs, including acacia and mesquite [ModL < L mimus: see MIME: from the apparent mimicry of the sensitivity of animal life]
min 1 mineralogical 2 mineralogy 3 minim(s) 4 minimum 5 mining 6 minister 7 minor 8 minute(s)
mina¹ (mai´nэ) pl. -nae (-ni:) •n.or -nas a varying unit of weight and money used in ancient Greece, Egypt, etc., generally equal to 1/60 talent or 100 drachmas [L < Gr mna, of Sem orig., as in Heb māneh]
mina² (mai´nэ) •n. MYNA
minable or mineable (main´э bэl) •adj. that can be mined
minacious (mi nei´shэs) •adj. menacing; threatening mi·nac´i·ty (-næs´э ti:) •n. [< L minax (gen. minacis): see MENACE & -OUS]
Minamata disease (min'э mät´э) mercury poisoning from industrially contaminated water and fish, often resulting in severe neurological disorders or death [after Minamata, Jpn fishing village where first diagnosed]
minaret (min'э ret´, min´э ret') •n. a high, slender tower attached to a mosque, with one or more projecting balconies from which a muezzin, or crier, calls the people to prayer [Fr < Turk menāret < Ar manāra(t), lighthouse, minaret < base of nār, fire]
Minas Basin (mai´nэs) NE arm of the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, Canada: c. 60 mi. (96.5 km) long [< Fr Le Bassin des Mines, lit., basin of mines, for nearby copper mines]
Minas Gerais (mi:´nэs zhi rais´) state of EC Brazil: 226,708 sq. mi. (587,172 sq. km); pop. 13,378,000; cap. Belo Horizonte
Minatitlán (mi:'nэ ti tlän´) city in SE Mexico: pop. 145,000
minatory (min´э tör'i:) •adj. menacing; threatening [OFr minatoire < LL minatorius < pp. of L minari, to threaten: see MENACE]
minaudière (mi:'nou dyer´) •n. a woman's small handbag, often decorated with costly material, used for formal wear [Fr]
mince (mins) minced, minc´ing •vt. 1 to cut up or chop up (meat, etc.) into very small pieces; hash 2 to subdivide minutely 3 to express or do with affected elegance or daintiness 4 to lessen the force of; weaken, as by euphemism {to mince no words} •vi. 1 to speak or act with affected elegance or daintiness 2 to walk with short steps or in an affected, dainty manner •n. MINCEMEAT not mince matters to speak frankly minc´er •n. [ME mincen < OFr mincier < VL *minutiare < L minutus, small: see MINUTE²]
mince pie a pie with a filling of mincemeat
mincemeat (-mi:t') •n. 1 a mixture of chopped apples, spices, suet, raisins, etc., and sometimes meat, used as a pie filling 2 [Obs.] minced meat make mincemeat of 1 to chop into small pieces 2 to defeat or refute completely [< minced meat]
mincing (mins´iŋ) •adj. 1 affectedly elegant or dainty: of a person or a person's speech, manner, etc. 2 characterized by short steps or affected daintiness {a mincing walk} minc´ing·ly •adv.
mind (maind) •n. 1 memory; recollection or remembrance {to bring to mind a story} 2 what one thinks; opinion {speak your mind} 3 a) that which thinks, perceives, feels, wills, etc.; seat or subject of consciousness b) the thinking and perceiving part of consciousness; intellect or intelligence c) attention; notice d) all of an individual's conscious experiences e) the conscious and the unconscious together as a unit; psyche 4 the intellect in its normal state; reason; sanity {to lose one's mind} 5 a person having intelligence or regarded as an intellect {the great minds of today} 6 way, state, or direction of thinking and feeling {the reactionary mind} 7 Philos. consciousness and thought as an element in reality: contrasted with MATTER •vt. 1 to direct one's mind to; specif., a) [Now Dial.] to perceive; observe b) to pay attention to; heed c) to obey d) to attend to; apply oneself to (a task, etc.) e) to tend; take care of; watch over; look after {mind the baby} f) to be careful about; watch out for {mind those rickety stairs} 2 a) to care about; feel concern about b) to object to; dislike {to mind the cold} 3 [Dial.] to remember: sometimes used reflexively 4 [Dial.] to intend; purpose 5 [Now Chiefly Dial.] to remind •vi. 1 to pay attention; give heed 2 to be obedient 3 to be careful; watch out 4 a) to care; feel concern b) to object Æ [M-] Christian Science God: in full Divine Mind bear (or keep) in mind to remember be in one's right mind to be mentally well; be sane be of one mind to have the same opinion or desire be of two minds to be undecided or irresolute call to mind 1 to remember 2 to be a reminder of change one's mind 1 to change one's opinion 2 to change one's intention, purpose, or wish give someone a piece of one's mind to criticize or rebuke someone sharply have a (goodor great) mind to to feel (strongly) inclined to have half a mind to to be somewhat inclined to have in mind 1 to remember 2 to think of 3 to intend; purpose know one's own mind to know one's own real thoughts, desires, etc. make up one's mind to form a definite opinion or decision meeting of (the) minds an agreement never mind don't be concerned; it doesn't matter on one's mind 1 occupying one's thoughts 2 worrying one out of one's mind 1 mentally ill; insane 2 frantic (with worry, grief, etc.) put in mind to remind set one's mind on to be determined on or determinedly desirous of take one's mind off to stop one from thinking about; turn one's attention from to one's mind in one's opinion mind´er •n. [ME mynde < OE (ge)mynd, memory < IE base *men-, to think > Gr menos, spirit, force, L mens, mind]
mind reader a person who seems or professes to be able to perceive another's thoughts without apparent means of communication mind reading
mind-altering (mind´öl'tэr iŋ) •adj. affecting the mind or state of consciousness; esp., PSYCHEDELIC {a mind-altering drug}
Mindanao (min'dэ nau´, -nä´ou) 2d largest island of the Philippines, at the S end of the group: 36,906 sq. mi. (95,586 sq. km)
mind-bending (maind´ben'diŋ) •adj. [Slang] MIND-BLOWING
mind-blowing (maind´blou'iŋ) •adj. [Slang] 1 PSYCHEDELIC 2 causing shock, surprise, excitement, etc.; overwhelming 3 difficult to comprehend; confusing mind´blow'er •n.
mind-boggling (maind´bäg'liŋ) •adj. [Slang] 1 hard to comprehend; confusing 2 surprising, shocking, overwhelming, etc.
minded (main´did) •adj. 1 having a (specified kind of) mind: used in hyphenated compounds {high-minded} 2 having a mind to; inclined; disposed
mind-expanding (maind´eks pæn'diŋ) •adj. PSYCHEDELIC
mindful (maind´fэl) •adj. having in mind; aware, heedful, or careful (of) {to be mindful of the danger} mind´ful·ly •adv. mind´ful·ness •n.
mindless (-lis) •adj. 1 not using one's mind; showing little or no intelligence or intellect; senseless or thoughtless 2 taking no thought; heedless or careless (of); unmindful mind´less·ly •adv. mind´less·ness •n.
Mindoro (min dör´ou) island of the Philippines, south of Luzon: 3,759 sq. mi. (9,735 sq. km)
mind's eye the imagination
mind-set (maind´set') •n. a fixed mental attitude formed by experience, education, prejudice, etc. Also mind´set'
mine detector an electromagnetic device for locating the position of hidden explosive mines
mine¹ (main) pron. that or those belonging to me: the absolute form of my, used without a following noun [that book is mine; mine are better]: also used after of to indicate possession [a friend of mine] possessive pronominal adj. [Archaic] my: formerly used before a word beginning with a vowel or h [mine eyes, mine honor], now sometimes used after a noun in direct address [daughter mine] [ME min < OE, gen. sing of ic, I, akin to Ger mein: for base see ME]
mine² (main) •n. 1 a) a large excavation made in the earth, from which to extract metallic ores, coal, precious stones, salt, or certain other minerals (distinguished from QUARRY³) b) the surface buildings, shafts, elevators, etc. of such an excavation c) a deposit of ore, coal, etc. 2 any great source of supply {a mine of information} 3 a kind of fireworks device that explodes in the air and scatters a number of smaller fireworks 4 Mil. a) a tunnel dug under an enemy's trench, fort, etc., esp. one in which an explosive is placed to destroy the enemy or its fortifications b) an explosive charge in a container, buried in the ground for destroying enemy troops or vehicles on land, or placed in the sea for destroying enemy ships 5 Zool. the burrow of an insect, esp. of a leaf miner •vi. mined, min´ing to dig a mine; [ME minen < OFr miner] specif., a) to dig ores, coal, etc. from the earth b) to dig or lay military minesvt. 1 a) to dig in (the earth) for ores, coal, etc. b) to dig (ores, coal, etc.) from the earth 2 to take from (a source) 3 a) to dig a tunnel under (an enemy installation) b) to place explosive mines in or under 4 to make hollows under the surface of {leaves mined by larvae} 5 to undermine or ruin slowly by secret methods, plotting, etc. [ME < MFr < VL *mina < Celt, as in Ir mein, Welsh mwyn, vein of metal]
minefield (main´fi:ld') •n. an area on land or in water where explosive mines have been set
minelayer (main´lei'эr) •n. a naval vessel specially designed and equipped to lay explosive mines in the water
miner (-эr) •n. 1 a person whose work is digging coal, ore, etc. in a mine 2 [Archaic] a soldier who mines enemy installations, etc. [ME minour < OFr < miner, to MINE²]
mineral (min´эr эl; often min´rэl) •n. 1 an inorganic substance occurring naturally in the earth and having a consistent and distinctive set of physical properties (e.g., a usually crystalline structure, hardness, color, etc.) and a composition that can be expressed by a chemical formula: sometimes applied to substances in the earth of organic origin, such as coal 2 ORE 3 any substance that is neither vegetable nor animal 4 any element or inorganic compound needed by plants and animals for proper growth and functioning, as iron, phosphorus, or nitrate 5 [Brit.] a) [usually pl.] MINERAL WATER b) a flavored, carbonated soft drink •adj. of, like, consisting of, or containing a mineral or minerals [OFr < ML minerale, neut. of mineralis, mineral < minera, ore < VL *mina, MINE²]
mineral jelly PETROLATUM
mineral oil 1 any oil found in the rock strata of the earth; specif., petroleum 2 any colorless, tasteless oil derived from petroleum and used as a laxative
mineral spring any spring of natural mineral water
mineral tar MALTHA (sense 1)
mineral water water naturally or artificially impregnated with mineral salts or gases
mineral wax OZOKERITE
mineral wool a fibrous material made from molten rock, slag, or glass and used as insulation in buildings
mineralize (min´эr эl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to convert (organic matter) into a mineral; petrify 2 to impregnate (water, etc.) with minerals 3 to convert (a metal) into an ore, as by oxidation •vi. [Rare] to collect minerals for study min'er·al·i·za´tion •n.
mineralizer (-эr) •n. 1 a substance, such as water, acid, or certain gases, which, when dissolved in magma, lowers the melting point and viscosity, promotes crystallization, and influences the formation of minerals 2 an element, as sulfur, arsenic, etc., that combines chemically with a metal to form an ore
mineralogy (min'эr æl´э ji:) •n. 1 the scientific study of minerals 2 pl. -gies a book about minerals min'er·al·og´i·cal (-эr эl äj´i kэl) •adj. min'er·al·og´i·cal·ly •adv. min'er·al´o·gist •n. [< MINERAL + -LOGY]
Minerva (mэ nør´vэ) 1 a feminine name: dim. Minnie 2 Rom. Myth. the goddess of wisdom, technical skill, and invention: identified with the Greek Athena [L, prob. < Etr]
minestrone (min'э strou´ni:; It mi:'ne střô´ne) •n. a thick vegetable soup containing vermicelli, barley, etc. in a meat broth [It < minestra, soup < minestrare, to serve < L ministrare: see MINISTER, vt.]
minesweeper (main´swi:p'эr) •n. a naval vessel specially designed and equipped for destroying enemy mines at sea
Ming (miŋ) Chin. dynasty (1368-1644): period noted for scholarly achievements & artistic works, esp. porcelains [Chin, lit., luminous]
ming tree an artificial plant made in imitation of a bonsai [MING + TREE]
mingle (miŋ´gэl) -gled, -gling •vt. 1 to bring or mix together; combine; blend 2 [Now Rare] to make by mixing ingredients; compound •vi. 1 to be or become mixed, blended, etc. 2 to join, unite, associate, or take part with others SYN. MIX min´gler •n. [ME mengelen, freq. of mengen < OE mengan, to mix, akin to Ger mengen < IE base *menk-, to knead > Gr massein]
Mingus (miŋ´gэs), Charlie (born Charles Mingus) 1922-79; U.S. jazz musician & composer
mingy (min´ji:) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. [Colloq.] mean and stingy [prob. altered < MANGY, after STINGY¹]
mini- (min´i, -э, -i:) combining form 1 miniature, very small, very short {miniskirt} 2 of lesser scope, extent, etc. than usual: used in nonce compounds, often hyphenated {mini-crisis, mini-culture} [< fol.]
miniature (min´i: э chэr, min´i chэr) •n. 1 a small painting or illuminated letter, as in a medieval manuscript 2 a) a very small painting, esp. a portrait, done on ivory, vellum, etc. b) the art of making such paintings 3 a copy or model on a very small scale •adj. on or done on a very small scale; diminutive; minute SYN. SMALL in miniature on a small scale; greatly reduced [It miniatura, rubrication, illumination of manuscripts < ML < pp. of L miniare, to paint red < minium, red lead (see MINIUM): sense infl. by L minutus, MINUTE²]
miniature golf a form of golf, played with putters on a small-scale course characterized by a wide variety of ingenious obstacles
miniature pinscher any of a breed of toy dog similar to the Doberman pinscher, but much smaller
miniaturist (-chэr ist) •n. a painter of miniatures
miniaturize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make in a small and compact form min'i·a·tur'i·za´tion •n.
minibike (min´i: baik') •n. a compact type of motorcycle, usually intended for use as an off-road vehicle [MINI- + BIKE (sense 2)]
minibus (min´i: bûs') pl. -bus'es •n. a very small bus [MINI- + BUS]
minicam (min´i: kæm') •n. a portable television camera operated from the shoulder, for telecasting or videotaping news events, sports, etc. [MINI- + CAM(ERA)]
minicomputer (min'i: kэm pyu:t´эr) •n. a computer intermediate in size, power, storage capacity, etc. between a mainframe and microcomputer
Minicoy (min´i koi') southernmost island of the Laccadives, off the W coast of Kerala, India: 1.8 sq. mi. (4.7 sq. km); pop. 7,000
Minié ball (min´i:, min´i: ei') a cone-shaped rifle bullet with a cavity in its base, which expanded, when fired, to fit the rifling in the bore: used in the 19th cent. [after C. E. Minié (1814-79), Fr inventor]