melodist (mel´э dist) •n. a singer or composer of melodies
melodize (mel´э daiz') -dized', -diz'ing •vt. 1 to make melodious 2 to set to melody •vi. to make melody or compose melodies mel´o·diz'er •n. [ML melodizare]
melodrama (mel´ou drä'mэ, -dræm'э; mel´э-) •n. 1 orig., a sensational or romantic stage play with interspersed songs and an orchestral accompaniment 2 now, a drama, as a play or film, concerned with exaggerated conflicts and emotions, stereotyped characters, etc.; also, such dramas collectively 3 any sensational, extravagantly emotional action, utterance, etc. mel'o·dram´a·tist (-dræm´э tist) •n. [altered (by assoc. with DRAMA) < Fr mélodrame < Gr melos, a song + Fr drame < LL: see DRAMA]
melodramatic (mel'ou drэ mæt´ik, mel'э-) •adj. of, characteristic of, or like melodrama; sensational, violent, and extravagantly emotional mel'o·dra·mat´i·cal·ly •adv.
melodramatics (-iks) •n.pl. melodramatic behavior
melody (mel´э di:) pl. -dies •n. 1 a) pleasing sounds or arrangement of sounds in sequence b) musical quality, as in the arrangement of words 2 Music a) a sequence of single tones, usually in the same key or mode, to produce a rhythmic whole; often, a tune, air, or song b) the element of form having to do with the arrangement of single tones in sequence (distinguished from HARMONY) c) the leading part, or voice, in a harmonic composition; the air SYN.—melody refers to the rhythmic arrangement of tones in sequence to express a musical idea; air, in strict application, refers to the principal, or leading, melody of a harmonized composition, but it is sometimes used as an equivalent of tune, which is the popular term for any easily remembered melody that identifies a song, dance, etc. [ME melodie < OFr < LL melodia < Gr melōidia < melos, song (see MELIC) + aeidein, to sing: see ODE]
meloid (mel´oid') •n. BLISTER BEETLE •adj. of such beetles [< ModL Meloidae < meloe, oil beetle]
melolonthid (mel'ou län´θid') •n. any of various scarab beetles whose larvae feed chiefly on roots, including the cockchafers and June bugs •adj. of these beetles [< Gr mēlolonthē, cockchafer + -ID]
melon (mel´эn) •n. 1 any of several large, juicy, thick-skinned, many-seeded fruits of certain trailing plants of the gourd family, as the watermelon, muskmelon, and cantaloupe 2 any of these plants Æ 3 [Slang] profits, winnings, political spoils, or the like, for distribution among stockholders, etc.: chiefly in cut a melon, to distribute such profits, etc. [OFr < LL melo (gen. melonis), for L melopepo < Gr mēlopepōn, melon < mēlon, apple + pepōn, ripe]
Melos (mi:´läs') var. of MÍLOS
Melpomene (mel päm´э ni:') Gr. Myth. the Muse of tragedy [L < Gr Melpomenē < melpein, to sing]
Melrose (mel´rouz) village in SE Scotland: site of the ruins of a Cistercian abbey
melt (melt) •vt., vi. 1 to change from a solid to a liquid state, generally by heat 2 to dissolve; disintegrate 3 to disappear or cause to disappear gradually: often with away 4 to merge gradually; blend {the sea melting into the sky} 5 to soften; make or become gentle and tender {a story to melt our hearts} •n. 1 a melting or being melted 2 something melted 3 the quantity melted at one operation or during one period 4 a dish, esp. a grilled sandwich, containing or covered with a layer of melted cheese {a tuna melt} melt down to melt (previously formed metal) so that it can be cast or molded again melt in your mouth 1 to require little or no chewing: said of tender foods 2 to taste especially delicious melt´a·ble •adj. melt´er •n. melt´ing·ly •adv. SYN.—melt implies the bringing of a substance from its solid to its liquid state, usually by heat [to melt butter]; dissolve refers specifically to the reduction of a solid to a liquid by placing it in another liquid so that its particles are evenly distributed among those of the solvent [to dissolve sugar in water]; liquefy is the general term meaning to change to a liquid state and may be applied to gases as well as solids; thaw implies the reducing of a frozen substance to its normal state, usually to a liquid or a semiliquid, by raising its temperature [the ice has thawed] —ANT. solidify, freeze [ME melten < OE vi. meltan, vt. mieltan < IE *meld-, soft < base *mel-, to grind > MILL¹]
meltage (-ij) •n. 1 the act of melting 2 the thing or quantity resulting from melting
meltdown (-daun') •n. 1 a situation in which a rapid rise in the power level of a nuclear reactor, as from a defect in the cooling system, results in the melting of the fuel rods and the release of dangerous radiation and may cause the core to sink into the earth 2 a decline or breakdown in a situation or condition
melting point the temperature at which a specified solid becomes liquid
melting pot 1 a container in which metals or other substances are melted; crucible 2 a country, place, or area in which immigrants of various nationalities and races are assimilated
melton (mel´tэn, melt´ªn) •n. a heavy woolen cloth with a smooth surface and a short nap, used for overcoats [after Melton Mowbray in LEICESTERSHIRE]
meltwater (melt´wöt'эr) •n. water produced by the melting of snow or ice
Melville (mel´vil) 1 a masculine name: var. Melvil 2 Herman 1819-91; U.S. novelist [after the surname (orig. place name)] Melville 1 island of Canada in the Arctic Ocean, north of Victoria Island: 16,141 sq. mi. (41,805 sq. km) 2 island of Australia, off the N coast: c. 2,400 sq. mi. (6,216 sq. km) [after R. Saunders, Viscount Melville (1771-1851), First Lord of the Admiralty]
Melville Peninsula peninsula in NE Canada, opposite Baffin Island: c. 250 mi. (402 km) long [after Viscount Melville: see MELVILLE]
Melvin (mel´vin) a masculine name [< ? mæl, mæthel, council + wine, friend, protector]
mem abbrev. 1 member 2 memoir(s) 3 memorandum 4 memorial mem (mem) name of the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet (מ, ם) •n. [Heb mēm, lit., water: see M]
member (mem´bэr) •n. 1 a part or organ of a human or animal body; specif., a) an arm or leg b) the penis 2 a part of a plant considered with regard to structure or position rather than function 3 a) a distinct part or element of a whole, as of a mathematical equation, a sentence, a syllogism, a series, a building, a bridge, etc. b) a part or division in a system of classification {species are members of a genus} 4 a person belonging to some association, society, community, party, etc. 5 [usually M-] Æ a) short for MEMBER OF CONGRESS b) short for MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT mem´bered •adj. [ME membre < OE < L membrum < IE *mēmsro-, var. of mēmso-, flesh > Sans māmsá-, Goth mimz, flesh]
Member of Congress a person who has been elected to the House of Representatives
Member of Parliament a person who has been elected to the House of Commons
membership (-ship') •n. 1 the state of being, or status as, a member 2 members collectively, as of an organization 3 the number of members
membrane (mem´brein') •n. a thin, soft, pliable sheet or layer, especially of animal or vegetable tissue, serving as a covering or lining, as for an organ or part mem´braned' •adj. [L membrana, membrane, fine skin, parchment < membrum, MEMBER]
membrane bone a bone developed in a connective tissue membrane rather than in cartilage
membranous (mem´brэ nэs; often mem brei´-) •adj. 1 of, having the nature of, or like membrane 2 characterized by the forming of a membrane: said of some diseases Also mem'bra·na´ceous (-nei´shэs) [Fr membraneux < L membraneus]
membranous labyrinth the soft tissue structure conforming to the bony labyrinth of the inner ear
Memel (mei´mэl; E mem´эl) Ger. name of KLAIPEDA
memento (mэ men´tou) pl. -tos or -toes •n. 1 [M-] R.C.Ch. either of two prayers in the Canon of the Mass, one for the living and one for the dead, beginning Memento 2 anything serving as a reminder or warning 3 a souvenir [L, imper. of meminisse, to remember: for IE base see MIND]
memento mori (mэ men´tou mour´i:, -ai) any reminder of death [L, remember that you must die]
Memling (mem´liŋ), Hans c. 1430-94; Fl. painter, prob. born in Germany: also Mem´linc (-liŋk)
Memnon (mem´nän') 1 Gr. Myth. an Ethiopian king killed by Achilles in the Trojan War and made immortal by Zeus 2 a gigantic statue of an Egyptian king at Thebes, said to have emitted a musical sound at sunrise Mem·no´ni·an (-nou´ni: эn) •adj. [L < Gr Memnōn]
memo (mem´ou) pl. -os •n. short for MEMORANDUM
memoir (mem´wär', -wör') •n. 1 a biography or biographical sketch, usually one written by someone who knew the subject well 2 [pl.] an autobiography, esp. one that is objective and anecdotal in emphasis rather than inward and subjective 3 [pl.] a report or record of important events based on the writer's personal observation or knowledge 4 a report or record of a scholarly investigation, scientific study, etc. 5 [pl.] the record of the proceedings of a learned society [Fr mémoire, masc., a memorandum, memoir, fem., memory < L memoria, MEMORY]
memoirist (-ist) •n. a writer of a memoir or memoirs
memorabilia (mem'э rэ bil´i: э, -bil´yэ; also, -bi:l´-) sing. mem'o·ra´bi·le' (-э ræ´bi li:') •n.pl. things worth remembering or recording, as a collection of anecdotes, accounts, etc., or of mementos, esp. about one subject, event, etc. [L, neut. pl. of memorabilis, memorable]
memorable (mem´э rэ bэl) •adj. worth remembering; notable; remarkable mem'o·ra·bil´i·ty •n. mem´o·ra·bly •adv. [L memorabilis]
memorandum (mem'э ræn´dэm) pl. -dums or -da (-dэ) •n. 1 a) a short note written to help one remember something or remind one to do something b) a record of events or observations, esp. one for future use 2 an informal written communication, as from one department to another in an office 3 in diplomacy, a summary or outline of a subject under discussion, reasons for or against some action, etc. 4 Business a statement, made by the consignor, of the goods and terms of a consignment sent with the privilege of return 5 Law a short written statement of the terms of an agreement, contract, or transaction [ME < L neut. of memorandus, to be remembered, ger. of memorare, to remember: see MEMORY]
memorial (mэ mör´i: эl) •adj. 1 serving to help people remember some person or event; commemorative 2 of memory •n. 1 anything meant to help people remember some person or event, as a monument, trust fund, holiday, etc. 2 an informal diplomatic paper 3 a statement of facts, often with a petition that something be done, sent to a governing body, official, etc. me·mo´ri·al·ly •adv. [OFr < L memorialis < memoria, MEMORY]
Memorial Day a legal holiday in the U.S. (the last Monday in May in most States) in memory of the dead servicemen of all wars; Decoration Day: in Southern States, Confederate Memorial Day is variously observed on April 26, May 10, June 3, etc.
memorialist (-ist) •n. 1 a person who draws up, signs, or presents a memorial 2 a writer of a memoir or memoirs
memorialize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to commemorate 2 to present a memorial to; petition
memorize (mem´э raiz') -rized', -riz'ing •vt. Æ to commit to memory; learn by heart mem'o·ri·za´tion •n.
memory (mem´э ri:; commonly mem´ri:) pl. -ries •n. 1 the power, act, or process of recalling to mind facts previously learned or past experiences 2 the total of what one remembers 3 a person, thing, happening, or act remembered 4 the length of time over which remembering extends {a happening within the memory of living men} 5 commemoration or remembrance {in memory of his father} 6 the fact of being remembered; posthumous reputation 7 PLASTIC MEMORY 8 Electronics a) a device in a computer, guidance system, etc., designed to accept, store, and recall information or instructions b) storage or storage capacity as of a computer, disk, etc. [ME memorie < OFr < L memoria < memor, mindful, remembering < IE *mimoro-, redupl. of base *(s)mer-, to remember, recall > MERIT]
Memphis (mem´fis) 1 capital of ancient Egypt, on the Nile just south of Cairo 2 city in SW Tenn., on the Mississippi: pop. 610,000 (met. area 982,000) [after the ancient Egypt city] Mem´phi·an (-fi: эn) •adj., n. Mem´phite' (-fait') •adj., n.
Memphremagog (mem'fri mei´gäg) lake in N Vt. & S Quebec, Canada: c. 30 mi. (48 km) long; 2-4 mi. (3-6.5 km) wide [AmInd, lit., beautiful water]
memsahib (mem sä´ib, -säb´) •n. lady; madam: a title used in colonial India by a servant, etc. in speaking to or of a European woman [Anglo-Ind < mem (< MA'AM) + Hindi sāhib, SAHIB]
men (men) •n. pl. of MAN
menace (men´эs) •n. 1 a threat or the act of threatening 2 anything threatening harm or evil 3 [Colloq.] a person who is a nuisance •vt., vi. -aced, -ac·ing to threaten or be a danger (to) SYN. THREATEN men´ac·ing·ly •adv. [OFr < L minacia < minax (gen. minacis), projecting, threatening < minari, to threaten < minae, threats, orig. projecting points of walls < IE base *men-, to project > Cornish meneth, mountain]
menad (mi:´næd') •n. alt. sp. of MAENAD
menadione (men'э dai´oun', men'э dai oun´) •n. a yellow, crystalline powder, C11H8O2, possessing vitamin K activity and used in medicine [ME(THYL) + na(phthoquinone) + DI-¹ + -ONE]
Menado (me nä´dou) seaport in NE Celebes, Indonesia: pop. 217,000
ménage à trois (mei nåzh å třwä´) 1 an arrangement by which a married couple and the lover of one of them live together 2 any ongoing sexual relationship involving three people, esp. when they live together [Fr, household of three]
ménage or menage (mei näzh´, mэ-) •n. 1 a household; domestic establishment 2 the management of a household; housekeeping [Fr ménage & ME menage, both < OFr manage < manoir (see MANOR), infl. in form and sense by maisniee, family < VL *mansionata < L mansio: see MANSION]
menagerie (mэ næj´эr i:, -næzh´-) •n. 1 a collection of wild or strange animals kept in cages or enclosures for exhibition 2 a place where such animals are kept [Fr ménagerie < ménage: see MÉNAGE]
Menai Strait (men´ai) narrow channel between the NW mainland of Wales & Anglesey island: 14 mi. (22.5 km) long
Menam (me näm´) CHAO PHRAYA
Menander (mэ næn´dэr) c. 342-c. 291 B.C.; Athenian comic dramatist
menarche (mэ när´ki:) •n. the first menstrual period of a girl in puberty [ModL < Gr mēn, month (see MOON) + archē, beginning]
Mencius (men´shi: эs, -shэs) (L. name of Meng-tzu) c. 372-c. 289 B.C.; Chin. Confucian philosopher
Mencken (meŋ´kэn), H(enry) L(ouis) 1880-1956; U.S. writer, editor, & critic
mend (mend) •vt. 1 to repair (something broken, torn, or worn); restore to good condition; make whole; fix 2 to make better; improve; reform; set right {to mend one's manners} 3 to atone for; make amends for: now only in least said, soonest mended •vi. 1 to get better; improve, esp. in health 2 to grow together again or heal, as a fracture •n. 1 the act of mending; improvement 2 a mended place, as on a garment on the mend improving, esp. in health mend´a·ble •adj. mend´er •n. SYN.—mend is the general word implying a making whole again something that has been broken, torn, etc. [to mend a toy, dress, etc.]; repair, often equivalent to mend, is preferred when the object is a relatively complex one that has become damaged or decayed through use, age, exhaustion, etc. [to repair an automobile, radio, etc.]; patch and darn imply the mending of a hole, tear, etc., the former by inserting or applying a piece of similar material [to patch a coat, a tire, etc.], the latter by sewing a network of stitches across the gap [to darn a sock] [ME menden, aphetic < amenden, AMEND]
mendacious (men dei´shэs) •adj. not truthful; lying or false men·da´cious·ly •adv. men·da´cious·ness •n. [< L mendax (gen. mendacis) < IE base *mend-, a flaw > L emendare, EMEND]
mendacity (men dæs´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality or state of being mendacious 2 a lie; falsehood [LL mendacitas < L mendax]
Mende (men´dei', men´di:') pl. -des' or -de' •n. 1 any member of a people living in Sierra Leone and Liberia 2 their Niger-Congo language
Mendel (men´dэl), Gre·gor Jo·hann (gřei´gôř you´hän') 1822-84; Austrian monk & botanist: founder of genetics: see MENDEL'S LAWS
Mendeleev (men'dэ lei´эf), Dmi·tri I·va·no·vich (dэ mi:´tři: i: vä´nô vich') 1834-1907; Russ. chemist
Mendeleev's law Chem. PERIODIC LAW
mendelevium (men'dэ li:´vi: эm) •n. a radioactive chemical element produced by bombarding einsteinium with high-energy alpha particles in a cyclotron: symbol, Md; at. wt., (258); at. no., 101 [ModL: so named in honor of MENDELEEV by its discoverers, A. Ghiorso, B. G. Harvey, G. R. Choppin, S. G. Thompson, & G. T. Seaborg, U.S. physicists]
Mendelian (men di:´li: эn, -di:l´yэn) •adj. 1 of Gregor Mendel 2 of, or inherited according to, Mendel's laws
Mendelism (men´dэl iz'эm) •n. the theory of heredity as formulated by Gregor Mendel Men´del·ist •adj., n.
Mendel's laws the four principles of hereditary phenomena discovered and formulated by Gregor Mendel: 1) the law of independent unit characters, which states that characters, as height, color, etc., are inherited separately as units 2) the law of segregation, which states that body cells and primordial germ cells contain pairs of such unit characters and that when gametes are produced, each gamete receives only one member of each such pair 3) the law of dominance, which states that in every individual there is a pair of determining factors (see GENE) for each unit character, one from each parent; if these factors are different (heterozygous), one character (the dominant) appears in the organism, the other (the recessive) being latent; the recessive character can appear in the organism only when the dominant is absent; hence in all crossbred generations, unit characters are shown in varying combinations, each appearing in a definite proportion of the total number of offspring 4) the law of independent assortment, which states that any one pair of characters is inherited independently, notwithstanding the simultaneous transmission of other traits: this principle has been modified by the discovery of linkage and pleiotropy
Mendelssohn (men´dэl soun', -zoun'; -sэn) 1 Fe·lix (fei´liks) (full name Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy) 1809-47; Ger. composer: grandson of Moses 2 Moses 1729-86; Ger. Jewish philosopher Men'dels·sohn´i·an (-i: эn) •adj.
Menderes (men'dэ res´) 1 river in W Turkey in Asia, flowing west into the Aegean: c. 250 mi. (403 km): ancient name MEANDER 2 river in NW Turkey in Asia, flowing west into the Dardanelles: 60 mi. (96 km): ancient name SCAMANDER
mendicant (men´di kэnt) •adj. 1 asking for alms; begging 2 of or characteristic of a beggar 3 designating or of any of various religious orders whose members originally held no personal or community property, living mostly on alms •n. 1 a beggar; person who begs for alms 2 a mendicant friar men´di·can·cy or men·dic·i·ty (men dis´i ti:) •n. [L mendicans (gen. mendicantis), prp. of mendicare, to beg < mendicus, needy: for base see MENDACIOUS]
mending (men´diŋ) •n. 1 the act of one who mends 2 things to be repaired by sewing, darning, patching, etc.
Mendocino (men'dэ si:´nou), Cape cape in NW Calif.: westernmost point of the State [Sp, prob. after Mendoza, surname of a viceroy of New Spain]
Mendoza (men dou´zэ) city in W Argentina: pop. 597,000
mene, mene, tekel, upharsin (mi:´ni: mi:´ni: tek´эl yu: fär´sin) Bible the writing on the wall, interpreted by Daniel to mean that God had weighed Belshazzar and his kingdom, found them wanting, and would destroy them: Dan. 5:25 [Aram, prob. lit., numbered, numbered, weighed, and divided]
Menelaus (men'э lei´эs) Gr. Myth. a king of Sparta: son of Atreus and husband of Helen of Troy [L < Gr Menelaos]
Menelik II (men´э lik) 1844-1913; emperor of Ethiopia (1889-1913)
Menéndez de Avilés (mэ nen´dez' dei ä'vi: leis´), Pe·dro (pe´drou) 1519-74; Sp. naval officer & explorer: founded St. Augustine, Fla., in 1565
Menes (mi:´ni:z') c. 3100 B.C.; traditionally, 1st king of the 1st dynasty of ancient Egypt
menfolk (men´fouk') •n.pl. [Colloq. or Dial.] men: also men´folks'
Mengtzu (mûŋ´dzû´) see MENCIUS
menhaden (men heid´ªn) pl. -den •n.or -dens any of a genus (Brevoortia) of clupeid fishes of the W Atlantic, used for bait or for making oil and fertilizer [< AmInd (Algonquian) name: orig. sense prob. fertilizer]
menhir (men´hir') •n. a tall, usually rough, upright megalith, probably erected as a Neolithic monument either alone or as part of a row or circle [Fr < Bret men, stone + hir, long]
menial (mi:´ni: эl, mi:n´yэl) •adj. 1 of or fit for servants 2 servile; low; mean •n. 1 a domestic servant 2 a servile, low person me´ni·al·ly •adv. [ME meynal < Anglo-Fr meignal < meiniee, a family retainer, servant < OFr meisniee, household < L mansio: see MANSION]
Ménière's syndrome (or disease) (mein yerz´) a malfunctioning of the semicircular canal of the inner ear, characterized by dizziness, nausea, vomiting, a buzzing in the ear, etc. [after P. Ménière (1799-1862), Fr physician]
meninges (mэ nin´ji:z') sing. me·ninx (mi:´niŋks') •n.pl. the three membranes that envelop the brain and the spinal cord: they are the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater me·nin´ge·al (-ji: эl) •adj. [ModL, pl. of meninx < Gr mēninx (gen. mēningos), a membrane, akin to L membrum, MEMBER]
meningitis (men'in jait´is) •n. inflammation of the meninges, esp. as the result of infection by bacteria or viruses men'in·git´ic (-jit´ik) •adj. [ModL: see MENINGES & -ITIS]
meningococcus (mэ niŋ'gou käk´эs) pl. -coc´ci' (-käk´sai') •n. the bacterium (Neisseria meningitidis) that is a common cause of meningitis me·nin'go·coc´cal (-käk´эl) or me·nin'go·coc´cic (-käk´sik) •adj.
meniscus (mэ nis´kэs) pl. -nis´cus·es or -nis´ci' (-nis´ai', -kai') •n. 1 a crescent or crescent-shaped thing 2 a lens convex on one side and concave on the other: see LENS, illus. 3 fibrous cartilage within a joint, esp. of the knee 4 Physics the curved upper surface of a column of liquid: as a result of capillarity it is concave when the walls of the container strongly attract the liquid, as with water, and it is convex when the liquid is more strongly attracted to itself, as with mercury [ModL < Gr mēniskos, dim. of mēnē, the MOON]
Menlo Park (men´lou) village in NE N.J. that was the site of Thomas Edison's workshop (1876-87) [after Menlo Park, Calif., in turn after Menlough, town in GALWAY]
Menninger (men´iŋ эr), Karl Augustus 1893-1990; U.S. psychiatrist
Mennonite (men´эn ait') •n. any member of an evangelical Christian sect with Anabaptist origins, founded in the Netherlands in the 16th cent. and existing in the U.S. since the 17th cent.: Mennonites oppose military service and the holding of public office, and favor plain dress: cf. AMISH •adj. designating or of this sect [after Menno Simons (c. 1496-1561), a Du reformer]
meno (mei´nou) •adv. Musical Direction less [It < L minus]
menology (mi: näl´э ji:, mэ-) pl. -gies •n. 1 a calendar of the months, with their events 2 a listing of saints, with brief biographies, arranged in calendar order [ModL menologium < LGr mēnologion < Gr mēn, month, MOON + logos, a word, account: see LOGIC]
Menomini (mэ näm´э ni:') pl. -nis' or -ni' •n. 1 a member of a North American Indian people now living in Wisconsin and formerly living also in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan 2 the Algonquian language of this people Also sp. Me·nom´i·nee' [Ojibwa manoominii, lit., person of the wild rice]
menopause (men´э pöz') •n. the permanent cessation of menstruation, normally between the ages of 40 and 50, or the period during which this occurs; female climacteric, or change of life men´o·paus'al •adj. [< Gr mēn (gen. mēnos), month, MOON + pauein, to bring to an end: see PAUSE]
menorah (mэ nou´rэ, -nör´э) •n. a candelabrum; specif., a) one with seven branches, a traditional symbol of Judaism b) one with nine branches, used during the festival of Hanuka [Heb menora, lamp stand < Aram nur, fire; akin to Ar manārah: see MINARET]
Menorca (me nôř´kä) Sp. name of MINORCA
menorrhagia (men'э rei´ji: э) •n. excessive menstrual flow men'or·rhag´ic (-ræj´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr mēn (gen. mēnos), month, MOON + -RRHAGIA]
Menotti (mэ nät´i:), Gian Car·lo (jän kär´lou) 1911- ; It. operatic composer, in the U.S.
men's room a restroom for men, with washbasins, toilets, and urinals
mens sana in corpore sano (menz sä´nэ in kör´pэ rei' sä´nou) a sound mind in a sound body [L]
Mensa (men´sэ) a S constellation between Dorado and Octans, containing part of the Large Magellanic Cloud [L, lit., table]
mensal¹ (men´sэl) •adj. of or used at the table [LL mensalis < L mensa, table, prob. < mensus: see MEASURE]
mensal² (men´sэl) •adj. [Rare] monthly [< L mensis, month (see MOON) + -AL]
mensch (mensh, mench) pl. mensch´en (-эn) •n. a sensible, mature, responsible person [Yidd < Ger, person < OHG mannisco, orig., human < mann, MAN + isc-, -ISH]
menses (men´si:z') •n.pl. the periodic flow of blood and sloughed-off tissue from the uterus, discharged through the genital tract: it normally occurs about every four weeks in a woman who is not pregnant, from menarche to menopause [L, pl. of mensis, month: see MOON]
Menshevik (men´shэ vik') pl. -viks' or -vik'i (-vi:'ki:) •n. a member of the minority faction (Mensheviki) of the Russian Social Democratic Workers' Party, which opposed the more radical majority faction (Bolsheviki) from 1903 on •adj. of, characteristic of, or like the Mensheviks Men´she·vism •n. Men´she·vist •n., adj. [Russ (1903) < menshe, the smaller, less, minority < OSlav miniji, smaller < IE *mineu-, var. of base *mei-, to lessen > L minor]
menstrual (men´strэl, -stru: эl) •adj. of menstruation [ME menstruall < L menstrualis < menstruus, monthly < mensis, month: see MOON]
menstruate (men´streit', -stru: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vi. to have a menstrual period; undergo menstruation [< L menstruatus, pp. of menstruare, to menstruate < menstruus: see MENSTRUAL]
menstruation (men'strei´shэn, -stru: ei´-) •n. the menses; menstrual flow or a menstrual period [ML menstruatio]
menstruous (men´stru: эs; often men´strэs) •adj. of or having the menses [ML menstruosus < L menstruus, monthly < mensis]
menstruum (men´stru: эm) pl. -stru·ums or -stru·a (-э) •n. a liquid that dissolves a solid; a solvent, esp. one used to extract a drug from a plant [ML, orig. neut. of L menstruus (see MENSTRUOUS): from an alchemistic notion of the power of the menses as a solvent]
mensurable (men´shэr э bэl) •adj. 1 that can be measured; measurable 2 Music MENSURAL men'sur·a·bil´i·ty •n. [Fr < LL mensurabilis < mensurare: see MENSURATION]
mensural (men´shэr эl) •adj. 1 of measure 2 Music designating or of polyphonic music in which each note is given a strictly determined value [LL mensuralis]
mensuration (men'shэ rei´shэn) •n. 1 the act, process, or art of measuring 2 the branch of mathematics dealing with the determination of length, area, or volume men´su·ra'tive (-reit'iv) •adj. [LL mensuratio < mensuratus, pp. of mensurare, to measure < L mensura, MEASURE]
menswear (menz´wer') •n. clothing for men Also men's wear
-ment (mэnt, mint) suffix forming nouns 1 a result or product {revetment, hutment} 2 a means, agency, or instrument {escapement} 3 the act, art, or process of {impressment} 4 the state, condition, fact, or degree of being ~ed {enchantment} Final y after a consonant becomes i before -ment [embodiment] [OFr < L -mentum]
mental age an individual's degree of mental development measured in terms of the chronological age of the average individual of corresponding mental ability
mental deficiency early term for MENTAL RETARDATION
mental reservation a qualification (of a statement) that one makes to oneself but does not express
mental retardation lack from birth of some mental function or functions present in the normal individual; congenital subnormality of intelligence; amentia; feeblemindedness: it ranges in degree from borderline (IQ of 68-83) to mild (IQ of 52-67) to moderate (IQ of 36-51) to severe (IQ of 20-35) to profound (IQ under 20): this technical classification has generally replaced the older terms moron, imbecile, and idiot: formerly called mental deficiency
mental¹ (ment´ªl) •adj. 1 of or for the mind or intellect {mental powers, mental aids} 2 done by, or carried on in, the mind (i.e., without using written symbols) {mental arithmetic} 3 a) of, having, or related to mental illness or any psychiatric disorder {a mental patient, mental health} b) [Colloq.] mentally deranged; insane 4 for the mentally ill {a mental hospital} 5 having to do with mind reading, telepathy, etc. men´tal·ly •adv. [ME < MFr < LL mentalis < L mens (gen. mentis), MIND]
mental² (ment´ªl) •adj. of the chin [< L mentum, the chin < IE base *men-, to project + -AL]
mentalism (ment´ªl iz'эm) •n. the doctrine that all objects exist only when perceived by some mind men'tal·is´tic •adj. men'tal·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.
mentalist (-ist) •n. 1 a person who believes in mentalism 2 a person who professes to read minds or tell fortunes
mentality (men tæl´i ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 mental capacity, power, or activity; mind 2 mental attitude or outlook; state of mind
mentation (men tei´shэn) •n. mental functioning; activity of the mind [< L mens (gen. mentis), MIND + -ATION]
menthene (men´θi:n') •n. a colorless, oily hydrocarbon, C10H18, derived from oil of peppermint or from menthol by dehydration [MENTH(OL) + -ENE]
menthol (men´θöl', -θäl'; also, -θэl, -θoul') •n. a white, pungent, waxy, crystalline alcohol, C10H19OH, obtained from oil of peppermint and used in medicine, cosmetics, cigarettes, etc. [Ger < L mentha, MINT² + -ol, -OL¹]
mentholated (men´θэ leit'id) •adj. containing menthol; treated or impregnated with menthol
mention (men´shэn, -chэn) •n. 1 a brief, often incidental, reference or statement 2 a citing for honor •vt. 1 to refer to or speak about briefly or incidentally; specify, as by name 2 to cite for honor make mention of to mention not to mention with it being hardly necessary even to mention men´tion·a·ble •adj. [ME mencion < OFr mention < L mentio < mens (gen. mentis), MIND]
Menton (mäñ touñ´) seaport & resort town on the French Riviera: pop. 25,000
Mentor (men´tэr) city in NE Ohio, near Cleveland: pop. 47,000 [prob. after H. Mentor, early settler] Mentor (men´tэr, -tör') Gr. Myth. the loyal friend and advisor of Odysseus, and teacher of his son, Telemachus •n. [m-] 1 a wise, loyal advisor 2 a teacher or coach •vt., vi. [m-] to act as mentor (to); advise men´tor·ship •n. [L < Gr Mentōr, lit., adviser, akin to Sans mantár-: see MANDARIN]
menu (men´yu:; also mein´-) pl. men´us •n. 1 a) a detailed list of the foods served at a meal or of the foods available at a restaurant; bill of fare b) the foods served 2 a list, displayed as on a computer video screen, of the various functions available for selection by the user [Fr, small, detailed < L minutus: see MINUTE²]
Menuhin (men´yu: in), Ye·hu·di (yэ hu:´di:) 1916- ; U.S. violinist
Menzies (men´zi:z'), Sir Robert Gordon 1894-1978; Austral. statesman: prime minister (1939-41; 1949-66)
meow or meou (mi: au´, myau) •n. the characteristic vocal sound made by a cat •vi. to make such a sound [echoic]
mep mean effective pressure
meperidine (mэ per´э di:n') •n. a synthetic, bitter-tasting, crystalline narcotic, C15H21NO2, used as a sedative and analgesic [ME(THYL) + (PI)PERIDINE]
Mephistophelean or Mephistophelian (mef'is tэ fi:´li: эn, mэ fis'tэ-; mef'э stäf'э li:´эn) •adj. 1 of Mephistopheles 2 like Mephistopheles; fiendish, diabolic, crafty, malevolent, sardonic, etc.
Mephistopheles (mef'э stäf´э li:z') a devil in medieval legend and later literary and operatic works, to whom Faust, or Faustus, sells his soul for knowledge and power •n. a crafty, powerful, sardonic person Also Me·phis·to (mэ fis´tou) [Ger, earlier Miphostophiles < ? Heb mēphĭtz, destroyer + tōphĕl, liar]
mephitic (mэ fit´ik) •adj. 1 of or caused by mephitis 2 a) bad-smelling b) poisonous; noxious [LL mephiticus]
mephitis (-fait´is) •n. 1 a harmful, bad-smelling vapor from the earth, as the exhalation from decomposing organic matter or poisonous gas from a mine 2 a bad smell; stench [L, earlier mefitis < Oscan]
meprobamate (mэ prou´bэ meit') •n. a bitter, white, crystalline powder, C9H18N2O4, used as a tranquilizer [me(thyl) pro(pyl) (dicar)bamate]
mer meridian
merbromin (mэr brou´min) •n. MERCUROCHROME [mer(curic acetate) + (di)brom(ofluoresce)in]
mercado (meř kä´dou) pl. -dos •n. MARKET [Sp]
mercantile (mør´kэn tail', -til, -ti:l') •adj. 1 of or characteristic of merchants or trade; commercial 2 of mercantilism [Fr < It < mercante, merchant < L mercans, prp. of mercari: see MERCHANT]
mercantilism (mør´kэn til iz'эm, -tail'-, -ti:l'-) •n. 1 the doctrine that arose in Europe with the decline of feudalism, that the economic interests of the nation could be strengthened by the government by protection of home industries, as through tariffs, by increased foreign trade, as through monopolies, and by a balance of exports over imports, with a consequent accumulation of bullion 2 COMMERCIALISM mer´can·til·ist •n., adj. mer'can·til·is´tic •adj.
mercaptan (mэr kæp´tæn') •n. any of a class of thiol compounds analogous to the alcohols, characterized by the substitution of sulfur for oxygen in the OH radical and by strong, unpleasant odors; hydrosulfide [Ger, contr. < ML mercurium captans, lit., seizing mercury < L mercurius, mercury (see MERCURY, n.) + captans, prp. of captare, to seize, freq. of capere: see HAVE]
mercaptide (-taid') •n. a metallic salt of a mercaptan, characterized by the substitution of a metal for the hydrogen in the SH radical
mercapto (-tou) •adj. containing the monovalent radical SH [< MERCAPTAN]
Mercator (mэr keit´эr), Ge·rar·dus (jэ rär´dэs) 1512-94; Fl. geographer & cartographer [L calque of (Gerhard) Kremer, lit., dealer, merchant]
Mercator projection a method of making maps in which the earth's surface is shown with the meridians as parallel straight lines spaced at equal intervals and the parallels of latitude as parallel straight lines intersecting the meridians at right angles but spaced farther apart as their distance from the equator increases: on such maps the area of a country, sea, etc. is more distorted as the distance from the equator increases
mercenary (mør´sэ ner'i:) •adj. 1 working or done for payment only; motivated by a desire for money or other gain; venal; greedy 2 designating a soldier serving for pay in a foreign army; hired •n. pl. -nar'ies 1 a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army 2 any person who will do anything for money; hireling mer´ce·nar'i·ly •adv. mer´ce·nar'i·ness •n. [L mercenarius < merces, pay, wages, akin to merx: see MARKET]
mercer (mør´sэr) •n. [Brit.] a dealer in textiles; dry goods merchant [OFr mercier < merz, goods < L merx, wares: see MARKET]
mercerize (mør´sэr aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to treat (cotton thread or fabric) under tension with a caustic soda solution in order to strengthen it, give it a silky luster, and make it more receptive to dyes [after J. Mercer (1791-1866), Eng calico dealer]
mercery (mør´sэr i:) pl. -cer·ies •n. [Brit.] 1 goods sold by a mercer 2 the business or shop of a mercer [ME mercerie < OFr]
merchandise (mør´chэn daiz'; for n., also, -dais') •n. 1 things bought and sold; goods; commodities; wares 2 [Obs.] buying and selling; trade •vt., vi. -dised', -dis'ing 1 to buy and sell; carry on trade in (some kind of goods) 2 to advertise, promote, and organize the sale of (a particular product) mer´chan·dis'er •n. [ME marchandise < OFr < marchant: see MERCHANT]
merchandising (-daiz'iŋ; also, -dais'-) •n. that part of marketing involved with promoting sales of merchandise, as by consideration of the most effective means of selecting, pricing, displaying, and advertising items for sale in a retail store
merchandize (-daiz') -dized', -diz'ing •vt., vi. MERCHANDISE mer´chan·diz'er •n.
merchant (mør´chэnt) •n. 1 a person whose business is buying and selling goods for profit; trader, esp. one in the wholesale trade who deals with foreign countries 2 a person who sells goods at retail; storekeeper; shopkeeper •adj. 1 of or used in trade; mercantile; commercial 2 of the merchant marine •vt. to carry on trade in; deal in [ME marchant < OFr marchant < VL *mercatans, prp. of *mercatare, for L mercari, to trade, buy < merx, wares: see MARKET]
merchant marine 1 all the ships of a nation that are used in commerce 2 their personnel
Merchant of Venice , The 1 a comedy (c. 1596) by Shakespeare 2 Antonio, the merchant of the play who borrows money from SHYLOCK
merchantable (-э bэl) •adj. MARKETABLE
merchantman (-mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a ship used in commerce 2 [Archaic] a merchant
merci (meř si:´) •interj. thanks; thank you [Fr]
Mercia (mør´shэ; -shi: э, -si: э) former Anglo-Saxon kingdom in central & S England
Mercian (mør´shэn; -shi: эn, -si: эn) •adj. of Mercia, its people, or their dialects •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Mercia 2 the Old English dialect of the Mercians 3 sometimes, the Middle English dialects descended from these
merciful (mør´si fэl) •adj. full of mercy; having, feeling, or showing mercy; compassionate; lenient; clement mer´ci·ful·ly •adv. mer´ci·ful·ness •n.
merciless (-lis) •adj. without mercy; having, feeling, or showing no mercy; pitiless; cruel; implacable mer´ci·less·ly •adv. mer´ci·less·ness •n.
mercurate (mør´kyu reit') -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vt. to treat or combine with mercury or a compound of mercury mer'cu·ra´tion •n.
mercurial (mэr kyur´i: эl) •adj. 1 [M-] of Mercury (the god or planet) 2 of or containing mercury 3 caused by the action or use of mercury 4 having qualities attributed to the god Mercury or supposedly influenced by the planet Mercury; eloquent, clever, shrewd, thievish, etc. 5 having qualities suggestive of mercury; quick, quick-witted, volatile, changeable, fickle, etc. •n. a drug or preparation containing mercury mer·cu´ri·al·ly •adv. mer·cu´ri·al·ness •n. [ME < L mercurialis]
mercurialize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make mercurial 2 to treat with mercury or a compound of mercury mer·cu'ri·al·i·za´tion •n.
mercuric (mэr kyur´ik) •adj. of or containing mercury, esp. divalent mercury
mercuric chloride a very poisonous, white, crystalline compound, HgCl2, used in photography and as an insecticide, antiseptic, etc.
mercuric oxide a poisonous, red powder, HgO, used as an oxidizing agent and a chemical reagent and in the manufacture of pigment, cosmetics, batteries, etc.
Mercurochrome (mэr kyur´э kroum') trademark for merbromin, a green, iridescent compound, C20H8Br2HgNa2O6, that forms a red solution in water: used as a mild antiseptic and germicide •n. [m-] this red solution [< mercury (see MERCURY, n.) + -CHROME]
mercurous (mэr kyur´эs, mør´kyu rэs) •adj. of or containing mercury, esp. monovalent mercury
Mercury (mør´kyu ri:; often, -kэ ri:) 1 Rom. Myth. the messenger of the gods, god of commerce, manual skill, eloquence, cleverness, travel, and thievery: identified with the Greek Hermes 2 the eighth largest planet in the solar system and the one nearest to the sun: diameter, c. 4,880 km (c. 3,030 mi.); period of revolution, 88 earth days; period of rotation, 58.65 earth days; symbol, ♀ •n. [m-] 1 [ME < ML mercurius < L, Mercurius, Mercury: so named by the alchemists because of its fluidity: see QUICKSILVER] a) a heavy, silver-white metallic chemical element, liquid at ordinary temperatures, which sometimes occurs in a free state but usually in combination with sulfur; quicksilver: it is used in thermometers, air pumps, electrical products, etc. and in dentistry: symbol, Hg; at. wt. 200.59; at. no., 80; sp. gr., 13.546; melt. pt., -38.87°C; boil. pt., 356.58°C b) the mercury column in a thermometer or barometer2 pl. -ries [Now Rare] a messenger or guide 3 Bot. a) any of a genus (Mercurialis) of plants of the spurge family b) an edible European plant (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) of the goosefoot family [L Mercurius, Mercury, of Etr orig.]
mercury arc an electric discharge passed through mercury vapor inside a quartz tube
mercury chloride 1 MERCURIC CHLORIDE 2 CALOMEL
mercury switch an electric switch consisting of a sealed capsule containing two electrodes at one end and a drop of liquid mercury which can connect the electrodes when tilted to that end
mercury-vapor lamp (-vei´pэr) a discharge tube containing mercury vapor
mercy (mør´si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 a refraining from harming or punishing offenders, enemies, persons in one's power, etc.; kindness in excess of what may be expected or demanded by fairness; forbearance and compassion 2 imprisonment rather than the death penalty imposed on those found guilty of capital crimes 3 a disposition to forgive, pity, or be kind 4 the power to forgive or be kind; clemency {to throw oneself on the mercy of the court} 5 kind or compassionate treatment; relief of suffering 6 a fortunate thing; thing to be grateful for; blessing {a mercy he wasn't killed} •interj. a mild exclamation expressing surprise, annoyance, etc. at the mercy of completely in the power of SYN.—mercy implies a kindness or forbearance, as in punishing offenders, in excess of what may be demanded by fairness, or it may connote kindness and sympathy to those in distress; clemency refers to a tendency toward mercy in one whose duty it is to punish offenders; lenity usually implies excessive mercy or mildness toward offenders where greater strictness might be preferable; charity, in this connection, implies a kindly understanding and tolerance in judging others —ANT. severity, cruelty [OFr merci < L merces, hire, payment, reward (in LL, mercy, pity, favor) < merx, wares: see MARKET]
mercy killing EUTHANASIA
mercy seat Bible the gold covering on the ark of the covenant regarded as the resting place of God: Ex. 25:17 [transl. (by William TYNDALE, 1530) of Ger gnadenstuhl, transl. (by Martin LUTHER) of Gr(Ec) hilastērion (< Gr hilasia, propitiation: for IE base see SILLY), transl. (in LXX) of Heb kappōreth]
merde (meřd) •n. [Vulgar] excrement •interj. [Vulgar] an exclamation of annoyance, irritation, etc. [Fr]
-mere (mir) combining form part {blastomere} [< Gr meros, a part: see MERIT]
mere¹ (mir) superl. mer´est •adj. 1 nothing more or other than; only (as said to be) {a mere boy} 2 [Obs.] unmixed; pure 3 [Obs.] absolute; downright [ME < L merus, unmixed, pure < IE base *mer-, to sparkle > MORNING, OE amerian, to purify]
mere² (mir) •n. 1 [Old Poet.] a lake or pond 2 [Brit. Dial.] a marsh 3 [Obs.] a) the sea b) an arm of the sea [ME < OE: see MARE²]
mere³ (mir) •n. [Now Dial., Chiefly Brit.] a boundary [ME < OE (ge)mære < IE base *mei-, to secure, a post, wooden wall > L murus, wall]
Meredith (mer´э diθ) 1 a masculine and feminine name 2 George 1828-1909; Eng. novelist & poet 3 Owen (pseud. of Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton) 1831-91; Eng. poet & diplomat [Welsh, prob. < mor, sea + base of differaf, I protect; lit., sea protector]
merely (mir´li:) •adv. 1 no more than; and nothing else; only 2 [Obs.] absolutely; altogether [MERE¹ + -LY²]
merengue (mэ reŋ´gei) •n. 1 a fast ballroom dance in 2/4 rhythm, that originated in the Dominican Republic in the 19th cent.: the dancers keep one leg stiff 2 music for this dance [AmSp < Haitian Creole méringue, lit., meringue < Fr meringue]
meretricious (mer'э trish´эs) •adj. 1 orig., of, like, or characteristic of a prostitute 2 alluring by false, showy charms; attractive in a flashy way; tawdry 3 superficially plausible; specious mer'e·tri´cious·ly •adv. mer'e·tri´cious·ness •n. [L meretricius < meretrix (gen. meretricis), a prostitute < mereri, to serve for hire, earn: see MERIT]
merganser (mэr gæn´sэr) pl. -sers or -ser any of several fish-eating, diving ducks with a long, slender, serrated bill hooked at the tip and, usually, a crested head, as the large common merganser (Mergus merganser) and the small hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) •n. [ModL < L mergus, diver (waterfowl) < mergere (see MERGE) + anser, GOOSE]
merge (mørj) merged, merg´ing •vi., vt. 1 to lose or cause to lose identity by being absorbed, swallowed up, or combined 2 to join together; unite; combine SYN. MIX mer´gence •n. [L mergere, to dip, plunge, sink < IE base *mezg-, to plunge > Sans májjati, (he) sinks under]
Mergenthaler (mør´gэn θäl'эr, -thöl'-), Ott·mar (ät´mär') 1854-99; U.S. inventor of the Linotype, born in Germany
merger (mør´jэr) •n. a merging; specif., Æ a) a combining of two or more companies, corporations, etc. into one, as by issuing stock of the controlling corporation to replace the greater part of that of the other or others b) the absorption of one estate, interest, obligation, contract, etc. in another, or of a lesser offense in a greater
Mérida (me´ři: dä') city in SE Mexico: capital of Yucatán state: pop. 425,000
Meriden (mer´i dэn) city in central Conn.: pop. 59,000: see NEW HAVEN [prob. after Meriden, England]
Meridian (mэ rid´i: эn) city in E Miss.: pop. 41,000 [named for its location at a railroad junction, from the idea that meridian meant junction] meridian (mэ rid´i: эn) •adj. 1 of or at noon 2 of or passing through the highest point in the daily course of any celestial body 3 of or at the highest point of prosperity, splendor, power, etc. 4 of or along a meridian 5 [Rare] southern •n. 1 orig., the highest apparent point reached by a celestial body in its course 2 a) the highest point of power, prosperity, splendor, etc.; zenith; apex b) the middle period of one's life, regarded as the highest point of health, vigor, etc.; prime 3 [Obs.] noon 4 Astron. a great circle passing through the celestial poles, the observer's zenith and nadir, and the horizon's north and south points: also called celestial meridian 5 Geog. a) a great circle of the earth passing through the geographical poles and any given point on the earth's surface b) either half of such a circle between the poles c) any of the lines of longitude running north and south on a globe or map, representing such a half circle (see LATITUDE, illus.) 6 [Archaic] distinctive character as of a particular place [OFr meridien < L meridianus, of noon, southern < meridies, noon, the south < older medidies < medius, MID¹ + dies, day: see DEITY]
meridional (mэ rid´i: э nэl) •adj. 1 southern; southerly 2 of or characteristic of the south or people living in the south, esp. of France 3 of or like a meridian •n. [often M-] an inhabitant of the south, esp. of France [OFr < LL meridionalis < L meridianus: see MERIDIAN]
merienda (me ryen´dä) •n. a light meal in the late afternoon or early evening [Sp]
Mérimée (mei ři: mei´), Pros·per (přôs peř´) 1803-70; Fr. novelist, essayist, & historian
meringue (mэ ræŋ´) •n. 1 egg whites mixed with sugar, beaten until stiff, spread over pies, cakes, etc., and often browned in the oven 2 a baked shell made of this mixture, often filled with fruit or ice cream [Fr < ?]
merino (mэ ri:´nou) pl. -nos •n. 1 any of a breed of hardy, white-faced sheep with long, fine wool, orig. from Spain 2 the wool 3 a fine, soft yarn made from this wool, often mixed with cotton 4 a soft, thin cloth made of this yarn •adj. designating or of this sheep, wool, yarn, or cloth [Sp, prob. after (Beni) Merin, name of a Berber tribe of nomads and shepherds]
Merionethshire (mer'i: än´iθ shir', -shэr) former county of NW Wales, now part of Gwynedd county: also Merioneth
meristem (mer´э stem') •n. undifferentiated plant tissue, as the growing tips of roots and stems, the cambium, etc., consisting of actively growing and dividing cells that give rise to various permanent tissues mer'i·ste·mat´ic (-stэ mæt´ik) •adj. mer'i·ste·mat´i·cal·ly •adv. [< Gr meristos, divided < merizein, to divide < meros, a part (see MERIT) + -ēm(a), n. suffix]
merit (mer´it) •n. 1 [sometimes pl.] the state, fact, or quality of deserving well or, sometimes, ill; desert 2 worth; value; excellence 3 something deserving reward, praise, or gratitude 4 a reward or honor given for superior qualities or conduct; mark, badge, etc. awarded for excellence 5 [pl.] intrinsic rightness or wrongness apart from formalities, emotional considerations, etc. {to decide a case on its merits} •vt. to deserve; be worthy of mer´it·less •adj. [OFr merite < L meritum < meritus, pp. of merere, to deserve, earn, akin to mereri, to serve for hire < IE base *(s)mer-, to remember, care (hence provide for, allot a share to) > MOURN, L memor, mora, Gr meros, a part, moira, lot, fate]
merit system a system of hiring and promoting people to civil service positions on the basis of merit as determined by competitive examinations
meritocracy (mer'i täk´rэ si:) •n. 1 an intellectual elite, based on academic achievement 2 a system in which such an elite achieves special status, as in positions of leadership mer´it·o·crat' •n. mer'it·o·crat´ic •adj. [prec. + -O- + -CRACY]
meritorious (mer'i tör´i: эs) •adj. having merit; deserving reward, praise, etc. mer'i·to´ri·ous·ly •adv. [ME < L meritorius, bringing in money < meritus: see MERIT]
merl or merle (mørl) •n. [Archaic] the European black thrush (Turdus merula) [ME merle < OFr < LL merulus < L merula, prob. < IE base *(a)mes- > OE osle, Ger amsel]
Merleau-Ponty (meř lou pouñ ti:´), Maurice 1908-61; Fr. philosopher
Merlin (mør´lin) Arthurian Legend a magician and seer, helper of King Arthur [ML Merlinus < Welsh Myrrdin < Brythonic *Mori-dünon < *mori, sea + Proto-Celt *dunom, hill, fortified hill, fort, hence, lit., sea-hill or sea-fortress] merlin (mør´lin) •n. a small, dark falcon (Falco columbarius) with a striped, brownish-red breast, of North America and Eurasia [ME merlion < OFr esmerillon, dim. of esmeril, merlin < OHG smirl, merlin]
merlon (mør´lэn) •n. the solid part of a battlement or parapet, between two openings, or crenels [Fr < It merlone < merlo, a battlement < ML merulus < ?]
merlot (mer lou´) •n. [also M-] 1 a red grape used in making a number of Bordeaux wines 2 a dark, dry red wine made from this grape, esp. in California [Fr]
mermaid (mør´meid') •n. 1 an imaginary sea creature with the head and upper body of a beautiful woman and the tail of a fish 2 a girl or woman who swims well [ME mermayde: see MERE² & MAID]
merman (mør´mæn') pl. -men' (-men') •n. 1 an imaginary sea creature with the head and upper body of a man and the tail of a fish 2 a man or boy who swims well [ME mereman: see MERE² + MAN]
meroblastic (mer'ou blæs´tik) •adj. Embryology undergoing only partial cleavage: said of certain ova with much yolk, as bird's eggs: cf. HOLOBLASTIC mer'o·blas´ti·cal·ly •adv. [< Gr meros, part (see MERIT) + -BLAST + -IC]
merocrine (mer´ou krin, -krain', -kri:n') •adj. designating or of any gland which secretes its products without any obvious damage to its cells [< Gr meros, part + krinein, to separate: see CRISIS]
Meroë (mer´ou i:') ruined city in N Sudan, on the Nile: capital of ancient Ethiopia
meromorphic (mer'ou mör´fik) •adj. Math. designating or of a function of a complex variable that is regular in a given domain except for a finite number of poles [< Gr meros, part (see MERIT) + -MORPHIC]
meroplankton (mer'ou plæŋk´tэn) •n. an organism that spends only a part of its life cycle as a member of the plankton community (e.g., the barnacle or starfish, in which only the larval stages are planktonic): cf. HOLOPLANKTON [< Gr meros, part (see MERIT) + PLANKTON]
-merous (mэr эs) combining form forming adjectives having (a specified number or kind of) parts; partite {trimerous (often written 3-merous)} [< Gr meros, a part (see MERIT) + -OUS]
Merovingian (mer'ou vin´ji: эn, -jэn) •adj. designating or of the Frankish line of kings who reigned in Gaul (ancient France) from c. A.D. 500 to 751: the line was founded by Clovis I •n. a king of this line [Fr Mérovingien < ML Merovingi, descendants of Merovaeus, Latinized name of Merowig, grandfather of CLOVIS I]
merozoite (mer'ou zou´ait) •n. any of various cells produced by multiple fission in the asexual stage of certain protozoans, as the malaria parasite [< Gr meros, part (see MERIT) + ZO(O)- + -ITE¹]
Merrimack or Merrimac (mer´э mæk') river flowing from S N.H. through NE Mass. into the Atlantic: 110 mi. (177 km) •n. a U.S. frigate armored by the Confederates, engaged in the first battle (1862) between ironclads by the Monitor, a Union ironclad [< AmInd, ? place of swift current]
merriment (mer´i mэnt) •n. 1 a merrymaking; gaiety and fun; mirth; hilarity 2 [Obs.] something that amuses or entertains
merry (mer´i:) -ri·er, -ri·est •adj. 1 full of fun and laughter; lively and cheerful; gay; mirthful 2 conducive to fun and laughter; festive {the merry month of May} 3 [Archaic] pleasant or amusing make merry to be festive and full of gaiety; have fun mer´ri·ly •adv. mer´ri·ness •n. [ME mery < OE myrge, pleasing, agreeable, akin to OHG murgi, short < IE base *mreGhu-, *mrGhu-, short > Gr brachys, L brevis, short: basic sense lasting a short time, seeming brief]
merry-andrew (mer´i: æn´dru:') •n. a buffoon; clown [prec. + ANDREW: orig. uncert.]
merry-go-round (mer´i: gou raund') •n. 1 a circular, revolving platform with forms of animals as seats on it, used at carnivals, amusement parks, etc.: it is turned by machinery, usually to music; carrousel 2 a whirl or busy round, as of work or pleasure
merrymaking (-meik'iŋ) •n. 1 a making merry, laughing, and having fun; conviviality; festivity 2 a joyous festival or entertainment •adj. taking part in merrymaking mer´ry·mak'er •n.
merrythought (-θöt') •n. [Chiefly Brit.] the wishbone [< the supposed granting of a wish to the person winning the wishbone contest: cf. WISHBONE]
Mersey (mør´zi:) river in NW England, flowing into the Irish Sea through an estuary at Liverpool: 70 mi. (113 km)
Merseyside (-said') county of NW England, on the Mersey River & the Irish Sea: 251 sq. mi. (652 sq. km); pop. 1,490,000
Merthiolate (mэr θai´э leit') trademark for THIMEROSAL [(sodium ethyl-)mer(curi-)thio(salicy)late]
Merthyr Tydfil (mør´θэr tid´vil) city in Mid Glamorgan, SE Wales: pop. 60,000
Merton (mørt´ªn) borough of SW Greater London: pop. 164,000 Merton (mørt´ªn), Thomas 1915-68; U.S. religious, writer, & mystic
Mervin (mør´vin) a masculine name: var. Mervyn, Merwin, Merwyn: see MARVIN [prob. var. of MARVIN]
mes- (mes, mez) combining form MESO-: used before a vowel
Mesa (mei´sэ) city in SC Ariz., on the Salt River, near Phoenix: pop. 288,000 [see MESA] mesa (mei´sэ) •n. a small, high plateau or flat tableland with steep sides, esp. in the SW U.S. [Sp < L mensa, a table: see MENSAL¹]
Mesa Verde National Park (mei´sэ vørd´, vør´di:, ver´dei) national park in SW Colo., with ruins of early cliff dwellings: 80 sq. mi. (207 sq. km) [Sp mesa verde, green plateau]
Mesabi Range (mэ sä´bi:) range of hills in NE Minn., containing rich iron ore deposits [< Ojibwa missabe wudjiu, giant mountain]
mésalliance (mei'zэ lai´эns, mei zæl´i: эns; Fr mei zå lyäñs´) •n. a marriage with a person of lower social status [Fr < més- (< L mis-), MIS-¹ + alliance]
mesarch (mes´ärk', mez´-) •adj. 1 Bot. having the primary xylem maturing from the center toward both the interior and exterior of the stem, as in certain ferns 2 Ecol. beginning in a moderately moist habitat [MES- + Gr archē, beginning]
mescal (mes kæl´) •n. 1 a colorless alcoholic liquor of Mexico made from pulque or other fermented agave juice: it is lower in quality and rougher in taste than tequila 2 any plant from which this liquor is made 3 a small, spineless cactus (Lophophora williamsii) of N Mexico, and the SW U.S., with rounded stems, whose buttonlike tops (mescal buttons) are chewed, specif., in religious ceremonies by Mexican Indians, for their hallucinogenic effects [Sp mezcal < Nahuatl mexcalli]
mescaline (mes´kэ li:n', -lin) •n. a white, crystalline alkaloid, C11H17NO3, that is a psychedelic drug, obtained from mescal buttons [prec. + -INE³]
mesdames (mei däm´; Fr mei dåm´) •n. pl. of MADAME, MADAM (sense 1), or MRS.: abbrev. Mmes
mesdemoiselles (meid mwå zel´) •n. pl. of MADEMOISELLE: abbrev. Mlles
meseems (mi: si:mz´) pt. me·seemed´ [Archaic] (it) seems to me: also me·seem´eth v.impersonal
mesembryanthemum (mes em'bri: æn´θэ mэm, mez-) •n. 1 FIG MARIGOLD Æ 2 any of a large group of fleshy, succulent plants of the carpetweed family, sometimes grown for ornament in warm climates; esp., any of several species of a genus (Carpobrotus) growing wild in California [ModL < Gr mesēmbria, midday (< mesos, MID¹ + hēmera, day) + anthemon, flower < anthos, flower: see ANTHO-]
mesencephalon (mes'en sef´э län', mez'-) pl. -la (-lэ) •n. MIDBRAIN mes'en·ce·phal´ic (-sэ fæl´ik) •adj. [ModL: see MESO- & ENCEPHALON]
mesenchyme (mes´эn kaim', mez´-) Embryology that part of the unspecialized mesoderm from which the connective tissues, cartilage, bone, blood, heart, and lymphatic vessels are derived mes·en·chy·mal (mes eŋ´ki mэl, mez-) •adj. [< MES- + ModL -enchyma, suffix denoting a type of cell tissue: see PARENCHYMA]
mesenteron (mes en´tэr än', mez-) pl. -ter·a (-э) •n. MIDGUT mes·en'ter·on´ic •adj. [ModL: see MESO- & ENTERON]
mesentery (mes´эn ter'i:, mez´-) pl. -ter'ies •n. a supporting membrane or membranes enfolding some internal organ and attaching it either to the body wall or to another organ; esp., a double thickness of the peritoneum enfolding most of the small intestine and attaching it to the spinal wall of the abdominal cavity mes'en·ter´ic •adj. [ML mesenterium < Gr mesenterion < mesos, MID¹ + enteron, intestine: see INTER-]
mesh (mesh) •n. 1 any of the open spaces of a net, screen, sieve, etc.: a 50-mesh screen is one with 50 such open spaces per linear inch 2 [pl.] the threads, cords, etc. forming these openings 3 a net or network 4 a netlike, woven material, as that used for stockings 5 a structure of interlocking metal links 6 anything that entangles, snares, or entraps 7 the engagement of the teeth of gears •vt., vi. 1 to entangle or become entangled Æ 2 to engage or become engaged: said of gears or gear teeth 3 to fit closely together; interlock in mesh in gear; interlocked mesh´y •adj. [earlier meash, prob. < MDu maesche < ODu maske < IE base *mezg-, to knit, entwine > Lith mezgù, to knit together, OE max, a net]
Meshach (mi:´shæk') Bible one of the three captives who came out of the fiery furnace miraculously unharmed: Dan. 3 [Heb mēshakh]
Meshed (mэ shed´) var. of MASHHAD
meshuga (mэ shug´э) •adj. crazy; mad; insane: also me·shug´ga or me·shu´gah [Yidd < Heb meshuggāh]
meshwork (mesh´wørk') •n. meshes; network
mesial (mi:´zi: эl, -si:-; mez´i:-, mes´-) •adj. 1 of, in, toward, or along the middle; middle; median; esp., designating or of a median plane or line 2 Dentistry toward the midline of the face along the curve of the dental arch me´si·al·ly •adv. [< Gr mesos, MID¹ + -IAL]
mesic (mi:´zik, -sik; mez´ik, mes´-) •adj. 1 Bot. requiring moderate amounts of moisture: said of plants 2 Ecol. moderately moist: said of a habitat 3 Physics of or pertaining to a meson [MES(ON) + -IC] [MES- + -IC]
mesitylene (mi sit´ªl i:n') •n. a colorless, aromatic hydrocarbon, C6H3(CH3)3, found in coal tar or made by distillation of a mixture of sulfuric acid and acetone [mesityl (< Gr mesitēs, mediator < mesos, MID¹ + -YL) + -ENE]
mesmerism (mez´mэr iz'эm, mes´-) •n. 1 hypnotism, esp. as practiced by Mesmer in connection with his theory of animal magnetism 2 hypnotic or irresistible attraction; fascination mes·mer´ic (-mer´ik) •adj. mes·mer´i·cal·ly •adv. mes´mer·ist •n. [Fr Mesmérisme, after F. A. Mesmer (1734-1815), Ger physician]
mesmerize (-iz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to hypnotize; esp., to spellbind mes'mer·i·za´tion •n. mes´mer·iz'er •n.
mesne (mi:n) •adj. Law middle; intermediate; intervening: mesne profits are profits accruing from the time possession of land has been improperly withheld from its rightful owner until his or her reinstatement in possession of the property •n. MESNE LORD [Anglo-Fr meen < OFr meien: see MEAN³]
mesne lord a feudal lord holding land from a superior
meso- (mes´ou, mez´ou; -э; mi:´sou, -sэ) combining form in the middle, intermediate {mesocarp, Mesozoic} [< Gr mesos, middle: see MID¹]
Mesoamerica (mes'ou э mer´i kэ, mez'-; mi:'sou-, -zou-) region that includes parts of Mexico and Central America, inhabited by various ancient and pre-Columbian Indian civilizations Mes'o·a·mer´i·can •adj.
mesobenthos (mes'ou ben´θäs', mez'-) •n. all the animals and plants living on the sea bottom at depths between 200 and 1,000 meters (c. 656 to c. 3,280 ft.) [ModL: see MESO- & BENTHOS]
mesoblast (mes´ou blæst', mez´-) •n. MESODERM mes'o·blas´tic •adj. [MESO- + -BLAST]
mesocarp (-kärp') •n. the middle layer of the wall of a ripened ovary or fruit, as the flesh of a plum mes'o·car´pic •adj. [MESO- + -CARP]
mesocephalic (mes'ou sэ fæl´ik, mez'-) •adj. having an intermediate head shape with a width of 76 to 80.9 percent of its length from front to back: see also CEPHALIC INDEX: also mes'o·ceph´a·lous (-sef´э lэs) mes'o·ceph´a·ly (-sef´э li:) •n. [MESO- + CEPHALIC]
mesocranial (mes'ou krei´ni: эl, mez'-) •adj. MESOCEPHALIC: also mes'o·cra´nic (-krei´nik) mes´o·cra'ny (-krei'ni:) •n. [MESO- + CRANIAL]
mesocratic (-kræt´ik) •adj. containing 30 to 60 percent of heavy, dark minerals: said esp. of igneous rocks [< MESO- + Gr kratein, to rule (< kratos, strength: see HARD) + -IC]
mesoderm (mes´ou dørm', mez´-) •n. the middle layer of cells of an embryo, from which the skeletal, reproductive, muscular, vascular, connective, etc. tissues develop mes'o·der´mal or mes'o·der´mic •adj. [MESO- + -DERM]
mesogastrium (mes'ou gæs´tri: эm, mez'-) pl. -tri·a (-э) •n. 1 the dorsal mesentery of the stomach of an embryo 2 the region of the abdomen about the navel mes'o·gas´tric •adj. [ModL < Gr mesos (see MESO-) + gastēr, belly (see GASTRO-)]
mesoglea or mesogloea (-gli:´э) •n. a jellylike layer in cnidarians and ctenophores, lying between the ectoderm and the endoderm mes'o·gle´al or mes'o·gloe´al •adj. [ModL < Gr mesos, MID¹ + LGr gloia, glue, akin to Gr gloios, sticky oil: see GLUE]
mesolimnion (-lim´ni: än', -эn) •n. an unfrozen lake's thermocline: see EPILIMNION [ModL: see MESO- & HYPOLIMNION]
Mesolithic (-liθ´ik) •adj. designating or of an Old World cultural period (c. 10,000-c. 8000 B.C.) between the Paleolithic and the Neolithic, characterized by the earliest exploitation of local and relatively permanent food resources and the use of microliths the Mesolithic the Mesolithic period; Middle Stone Age [MESO- + -LITHIC]
mesomorph (mes´ou mörf', mez´-; -э mörf') •n. a person of the mesomorphic physical type
mesomorphic (mes'ou mör´fik, mez'-; -э mör´-) •adj. 1 of a state intermediate between the liquid and the crystalline; of or like liquid crystal [MESO- + -MORPHIC] 2 designating or of the muscular physical type, characterized by predominance of the structure developed from the mesoderm: cf. ECTOMORPHIC, ENDOMORPHIC [MESO(DERM) + -MORPHIC] mes'o·mor´phism •n. mes´o·mor'phy (-fi:) •n.
meson (mes´än', mez´-; mei´sän', -zän'; mi:´-) •n. any of a class of unstable bosons, first observed in cosmic rays, usually having a mass between that of the electron and the proton, including kaons and pions me·son·ic (me sän´ik, -zän´-; mi:-) •adj. [< MES(OTR)ON]
mesonephros (mes'ou nef´räs', mez'-) •n. the excretory organ serving as the adult kidney of fishes and amphibians and as the embryonic kidney of higher vertebrates: the mesonephros and its duct develop into the epididymis and vas deferens in higher vertebrates mes'o·neph´ric •adj. [ModL < meso-, MESO- + Gr nephros, kidney: see NEPHRO-]
mesopause (mes´ou pöz', mez´-; -э pöz') •n. an atmospheric transition zone or shell located between the mesosphere and the thermosphere at an altitude of c. 80 to 85 km (c. 50 to 53 miles) in which temperatures begin to rise with increasing altitude [MESO(SPHERE) + PAUSE]
mesophyll (mes´ou fil', mez´-; -э fil') •n. the soft tissue (green parenchyma) inside a leaf, between the lower epidermis and the upper, chiefly concerned in photosynthesis mes'o·phyl´lic or mes'o·phyl´lous •adj. [< ModL mesophyllum: see MESO- & -PHYLL]
mesophyte (-fait') •n. any plant adapted to grow under medium conditions of moisture mes'o·phyt´ic (-fit´ik) •adj. [MESO- + -PHYTE]
Mesopotamia (mes'э pэ tei´mi: э) ancient country in SW Asia, between the upper Tigris & Euphrates rivers: a part of modern Iraq Mes'o·po·ta´mi·an •adj., n. [Gr mesopotamia (chōra), lit., (land) between rivers < mesos, MID¹ + potamos, river, orig., rapids < IE base *pet-, to fall, rush at > FEATHER]
mesosphere (mes´ou sfir', mez´-; -э sfir') •n. the atmospheric zone or shell located above the stratopause at an altitude of c. 55 to 80 km (c. 34 to 50 miles) and characterized by a decrease in temperature with increasing altitude [MESO- + SPHERE]
mesothelioma (mes'ou θi:'li: ou´mэ) •n. a tumor of the mesothelium, often malignant and thought to be caused most commonly by the inhalation of asbestos particles [< fol. + -OMA]
mesothelium (mes'ou θi:´li: эm, mez'-) pl. -li·a (-э) •n. epithelium of mesodermal origin; specif., the thin layer of mesodermal epithelial cells lining the pericardial, pleural, peritoneal, and scrotal cavities [ModL < MESO- + (epi)thelium]
mesothorax (-θör´æks) •n. the middle one of the three segments of an insect's thorax mes'o·tho·rac´ic (-θö ræs´ik) •adj.
mesothorium (-θör´i: эm) •n. 1 a radioactive isotope of radium (mesothorium 1), formed from thorium 2 a radioactive isotope of actinium (mesothorium 2), formed from this isotope of radium [ModL: see MESO- & THORIUM]
mesotron (mes´ou trän', mez´-) •n. early term for MESON mes'o·tron´ic •adj. [MESO- + (ELEC)TRON]
Mesozoic (mes'ou zou´ik, mez'-; -э zou´-) •adj. designating or of a geologic era after the Paleozoic and before the Cenozoic: it covered a period between c. 225,000,000 and 65,000,000 years ago and is characterized by the development and extinction of the dinosaurs, the appearance of flowering plants, grasses, birds, etc. the Mesozoic the Mesozoic Era or its rocks: see GEOLOGY, chart [MESO- + ZO- + -IC]
Mesquite (mэ ski:t´, me-) city in NE Tex.: suburb of Dallas: pop. 101,000 [after the mesquite trees found there]
mesquite or mesquit (mes ki:t´, mes´ki:t') •n. any of several thorny trees or shrubs (genus Prosopis) of the mimosa family, common in the SW U.S. and in Mexico, including the screw bean: the sugary, beanlike, edible pods are used as fodder [Sp mezquite < Nahuatl mizquitl]
mess (mes) •n. 1 a portion or quantity of food for a meal or dish 2 a portion of soft or semiliquid food, as porridge 3 unappetizing food; disagreeable concoction 4 a) a group of people who regularly have their meals together, as in the army b) the meal eaten by such a group c) the place where it is eaten 5 a disorderly or confused collection or mass of things; jumble; hodgepodge 6 a) a state of embarrassment, trouble, difficulty, or confusion; muddle b) a state of being disorderly, untidy, or dirty Æ c) [Colloq.] a person in either of these states •vt. 1 to supply meals to 2 to make a mess of; specif., to make dirty, soiled, or untidy; also, to bungle; muddle; botch: often with up •vi. 1 to eat as one of a MESS (sense 4a) 2 to make a mess 3 to putter (with) 4 to meddle (in or with) Æ mess around (or about) 1 to be busy in a desultory way; putter around 2 [Colloq.] to become involved (with) [ME messe < OFr mes < L missus, a course (at a meal), orig. pp. of mittere, to send, put: see MISSION]
mess hall a room or building where a group, as of soldiers, regularly have their meals
mess jacket a man's short, closefitting jacket worn for semiformal dress, as by the military, or as part of the uniform of waiters, etc.
mess kit the compactly arranged metal or plastic plates and eating utensils carried by a soldier or camper for use in the field: also mess gear
message (mes´ij) •n. 1 a communication passed or sent by speech, in writing, by signals, etc. 2 a formal, official communication {the President's message to Congress} 3 a) an inspired communication, as of a prophet or philosopher b) the chief idea or theme that an artist, writer, etc. seeks to communicate in a work 4 [Archaic] the errand or function of a messenger 5 [Colloq.] COMMERCIAL •vt., vi. -saged, -sag·ing to send (as) a message get the message [Colloq.] to understand the implications of a hint, insinuation, etc. Æ send a message [Colloq.] to convey or communicate one's feelings, desires, etc. in a subtle or indirect manner [OFr < ML missaticum < pp. of L mittere, to send: see MISSION]
Messalina (mes'э lai´nэ), Valeria c. A.D. 22-48; Rom. empress: 3d wife of Claudius I: notorious for her dissolute life: executed
messaline (mes'э li:n´, mes´э li:n') •n. a thin, soft, lustrous twilled silk cloth [Fr]
messeigneurs (mes'en yørz´; Fr mei se nyëř´) •n. pl. of MONSEIGNEUR
Messene (me si:´ni:) town in Messenia: it was the capital of the region in ancient times
messenger (mes´эn jэr) •n. 1 a) a person who carries a message or goes on an errand b) a person whose work is delivering telegrams, official dispatches, or the like 2 [Archaic] a harbinger; forerunner 3 Naut. a light line tied to a heavier one and used in pulling it as from a ship to a pier [ME messengere (with unhistoric -n-) < OFr messagier: see MESSAGE]
messenger RNA a single-stranded form of RNA that carries genetic information for protein synthesis from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes
Messenia (mэ si:´ni: э, -si:n´yэ) 1 ancient region in the SW Peloponnesus bordering on the Ionian Sea 2 region of modern Greece in the same general area
Messiaen (mei syæñ´), O·li·vi·er (Eugène Prosper Charles) (ou li: vyei´) 1908-92; Fr. composer
Messiah (mэ sai´э) 1 Judaism the promised and expected deliverer of the Jews 2 Christianity Jesus, regarded as the realization of the prophecy that the Messiah would come, and hence called the Christ Also Mes·si´as (-эs) •n. [m-] any expected savior or liberator of a people or country Mes·si´ah·ship' •n. Mes·si·an·ic (mes'i: æn´ik) •adj. mes·si´a·nism •n. [used by the Geneva translators (1560) for LL(Ec) Messias & ME Messie, both (ME via OFr < LL) < Gr(Ec) Messias < Aram měshīhā, Heb māshīah, lit., anointed]
messieurs (mes´эrz; Fr mei syö´) •n. pl. of MONSIEUR: abbrev. MM: see also MESSRS
Messina (mэ si:´nэ, me-) 1 seaport in NE Sicily, on the Strait of Messina: pop. 265,000 2 Strait of strait between Sicily & Italy: 2-12 mi. (3-19 km) wide; 20 mi. (32 km) long
messmate (mes´meit') •n. a person with whom one regularly has meals, as in the army [MESS, n. 4 + MATE¹]
Messrs (mes´эrz) messieurs: now used chiefly as the pl. of MR.
messuage (mes´wij') •n. Law a dwelling house with its outbuildings and adjacent land [ME < Anglo-Fr mesuage, prob. altered < OFr mesnage: see MÉNAGE]
messy (mes´i:) mess´i·er, mess´i·est •adj. in, like, or characterized by a mess; untidy, disordered, dirty, etc. mess´i·ly •adv. mess´i·ness •n.
mestizo (mes ti:´zou) pl. -zos •n.or -zoes a person of mixed parentage; esp., in the western U.S. and in Latin American countries, a person born of a Spaniard or Portuguese and an American Indian mes·ti´za (-zэ) •n.fem. [Sp < LL(Ec) misticius, of mixed race (transl. of Gr symmiktos, commingled) < pp. of L miscere, MIX]
met abbrev. 1 metaphor 2 metaphysics 3 metropolitan 4 meteorological 5 meteorology met (met) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of MEET¹
meta- (met´э) prefix 1 change in position or form, alteration, transposition {metathesis, metasomatism}: equivalent to TRANS- 2 after {metapneumonic}: sometimes, as in medical terms, equivalent to POST- 3 behind, at the back {metanephros}: in anatomical terms, equivalent to DORSO- 4 going beyond or higher, transcending: used to form terms designating an area of study whose purpose is to examine the nature, assumptions, structure, etc. of a (specified) field {metalinguistics, metacriticism} [< supposed analogy to metaphysics] 5 between {metope} 6 Chem. a) a polymer of {metaldehyde} b) a derivative of {metaprotein} c) a less hydrated acid or salt {metaphosphoric acid} (see ORTHO-, sense 4a) d) characterized by substitutions in the 1, 3 position in the benzene ring (usually italicized and hyphenated in chemical names) {meta-aminobenzoic acid} (see PARA-¹, sense 2b, ORTHO-, sense 4b) Also (except for sense 6d), before a vowel, met- [< Gr meta, along with, after, between, among < IE *meta < base *me-, between > MID¹]
metabolic (met'э bäl´ik) •adj. of, involving, characterized by, or resulting from metabolism [Gr metabolikos]
metabolism (mэ tæb´э liz'эm) •n. the chemical and physical processes continuously going on in living organisms and cells, consisting of anabolism and catabolism [< Gr metabolē, change < meta, beyond (see META-) + ballein, to throw (see BALL²) + -ISM]
metabolite (mэ tæb´э lait') •n. any substance produced by or taking part in metabolism
metabolize (-laiz') -lized', -liz'ing •vt., vi. to change by or subject to metabolism me·tab´o·liz'a·ble •adj.
metacarpal (met'э kär´pэl) •adj. of the metacarpus •n. any of the bones of the metacarpus: see SKELETON, illus.
metacarpus (-kär´pэs) pl. -pi (-pai) •n. 1 the part of the hand consisting of the five bones between the wrist and the fingers 2 the corresponding part of a land vertebrate's forelimb [ModL, altered < metacarpium < Gr metakarpion < meta, META- + karpion, dim. of karpos: see CARPUS]
metacenter (met´э sen'tэr) •n. that point in a floating body at which a vertical line drawn through its center of buoyancy when it is upright meets the vertical line drawn through its center of buoyancy when it is tipped; center of gravity of the part of a floating body that is not submerged: for stability the metacenter must be above the center of gravity met'a·cen´tric (-trik) •adj. [Fr métacentre: see META- & CENTER]
metachromatism (met'э krou´mэ tiz'эm) •n. a change of color, esp. as a result of a change in temperature met'a·chro·mat´ic (-krou mæt´ik) •adj. [< META- + Gr chroma, color (see CHROMA) + -ISM]
metafiction (met´э fik'shэn) •n. 1 fiction in which the mediating function of the author and the technical methods used in writing are self-consciously emphasized and in which the traditional concern with verisimilitude is minimized 2 a work of such fiction met'a·fic´tion·al •adj. met'a·fic´tion·ist •n.
metagalaxy (-gæl´эk si:) •n. Astron. the total assemblage of all galaxies, including all intergalactic matter; the measurable material universe met'a·ga·lac´tic (-gэ læk´tik) •adj.
metage (mi:t´ij) •n. 1 official measurement of contents or weight of coal, grain, etc. 2 the charge for this [METE¹ + -AGE]
metagenesis (met'э jen´э sis) •n. Biol. reproduction in which there is alternation of an asexual with a sexual generation, as in many cnidarians met'a·ge·net´ic (-jэ net´ik) •adj. [ModL: see META- & -GENESIS]
metagnathous (mэ tæg´nэ θэs) •adj. 1 having the points of the beak crossed, as in the crossbills 2 having larvae that feed by chewing and adults that feed by sucking, as in butterflies and moths me·tag´na·thism •n. [META- + -GNATHOUS]
Metairie (met´э ri:) city in SE La.: suburb of New Orleans: pop. 149,000 [< Fr, lit., sharecropping farm, for nearby farms owned by Jesuits]
metal (met´ªl) •n. 1 a) any of a class of chemical elements, as iron, gold, or aluminum, generally characterized by ductility, malleability, luster, and conductivity of heat and electricity: these elements act as cations in chemical reactions, form bases with the hydroxyl radical, and can replace the hydrogen of an acid to form a salt b) an alloy of such elements, as brass or bronze 2 any substance or thing consisting of metal 3 material or substance of which someone or something is made; stuff 4 molten cast iron 5 molten material for making glassware 6 [Chiefly Brit.] ROAD METAL 7 Heraldry either of the tinctures gold (or) and silver (argent) 8 Printing a) type metal b) composed type •adj. made of metal •vt. -aled or -alled, -al·ing or -al·ling to cover or supply with metal [OFr < L metallum, metal, mine, quarry < Gr metallon, mine, quarry]
metal lath lath made of expanded metal or metal mesh
metalanguage (met´э læŋ'gwij) •n. Linguis. a language used to describe or discuss another language
metalinguistics (met'э liŋ gwis´tiks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the branch of linguistics dealing with relations between language and other elements of a culture
metalist (met´ªl ist) •n. 1 a person who works in metals 2 an advocate of the use of metallic instead of paper money Also sp. met´al·list
metalize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to treat, cover, or impregnate with metal or a compound of metal 2 to make metallic Also sp. met´al·lize'
metallic (mэ tæl´ik) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, metal 2 containing, yielding, or producing metal 3 like, characteristic of, or suggestive of metal; specif., a) sharp or bitter {a metallic taste} b) reflectively iridescent {metallic cloth} c) harsh or rasping {a metallic sound} me·tal´li·cal·ly •adv. [L metallicus < Gr metallikos]
metallic soap a soaplike substance made by combining the salts of lead, aluminum, and some other metals with fatty acids: it is used in making paint, lubricants, cloth, etc.
metalliding (met´э laid'iŋ, met´ªl aid'-) •n. a method of creating alloy coatings on the surface of a wide variety of materials by electrolytically diffusing metals and metalloids into the surface [< METAL + -IDE + -ING]
metalliferous (met'э lif´эr эs, met'ªl if´-) •adj. containing, yielding, or producing metal or ore [L metallifer < metallum, METAL + fere, to BEAR¹ + -OUS]
metalline (met´ªl in, -ain') •adj. 1 resembling metal; metallic 2 containing metal or metallic salts [ME mettaline < ML metallinus]
metallography (met'ªl äg´rэ fi:) •n. the study of the structure and physical properties of metals and alloys, esp. by the use of the microscope and X-rays met·al·lo·graph·ic (mэ tæl'э græf´ik) •adj. met·al'lo·graph´i·cal·ly •adv. [Fr métallographie: see METAL & -GRAPHY]
metalloid (met´э loid', met´ªl oid') •n. 1 NONMETAL 2 an element having some of, but not all, the properties of metals, as arsenic or silicon •adj. 1 like a metal in appearance 2 of, or having the nature of, a metalloid
metallurgy (met´э lør'ji:, met´ªl ør'ji:) •n. the science of metals, esp. the science of separating metals from their ores and preparing them for use, by smelting, refining, etc. met'al·lur´gi·cal or met'al·lur´gic •adj. met'al·lur´gi·cal·ly •adv. met´al·lur'gist •n. [ModL metallurgia < Gr metallourgein, to work in metals or mines < metallon, metal, mine + ergon, WORK]
metalware (met´ªl wer') •n. kitchenware, etc. made of metal
metalwork (met´ªl wørk') •n. 1 things made of metal 2 METALWORKING
metalworking (-wørk'iŋ) •n. the act or process of making things of metal met´al·work'er •n.
metamathematics (met'э mæθ'э mæt´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the logical study of the nature and validity of mathematical reasoning and proof
metamer (met´э mэr) •n. Chem. a compound exhibiting metamerism with another or others [< META- + Gr meros, a part: see MERIT]
metamere (met´э mir') •n. any of a longitudinal series of similar segments making up the body of a worm, crayfish, etc. [META- + -MERE]
metameric (met'э mer´ik) •adj. 1 Chem. of or exhibiting metamerism 2 Zool. of or formed of metameres; segmented met'a·mer´i·cal·ly •adv.
metamerism (mэ tæm´эr iz'эm) •n. 1 Chem. the type of isomerism in which chemical compounds have identical proportions of the same elements and the same molecular weight, but have radicals differing in type or position, with resulting differences in chemical properties [METAMER + -ISM] 2 Zool. the condition of being made up of metameres
metamorphic (met'э mör´fik) •adj. of, characterized by, causing, or formed by metamorphism or metamorphosis
metamorphism (-mör´fiz'эm) •n. 1 METAMORPHOSIS 2 change in the mineralogical, structural, or textural composition of rocks under pressure, heat, chemical action, etc., which turns limestone into marble, granite into gneiss, etc.
metamorphose (-fouz', -fous') -phosed', -phos'ing •vt., vi. to change in form or nature; transform; subject to or undergo metamorphosis or metamorphism SYN. TRANSFORM [Fr métamorphoser]
metamorphosis (-mör´fэ sis, -mör fou´sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. 1 a) change of form, shape, structure, or substance; transformation, as, in myths, by magic or sorcery b) the form resulting from such change 2 a marked or complete change of character, appearance, condition, etc. 3 Biol. a change in form, structure, or function as a result of development; specif., the physical transformation, more or less sudden, undergone by various animals during development after the embryonic state, as of the larva of an insect to the pupa and the pupa to the adult, or of the tadpole to the frog 4 Med. a pathological change of form of some tissues [L < Gr metamorphōsis < metamorphoun, to transform, transfigure < meta, over (see META-) + morphē, form, shape]
metanephros (met'э nef´räs') pl. -roi' (-roi') •n. the excretory organ lying behind the mesonephros in an embryo, which in mammals, reptiles, and birds develops into the permanent, or adult, kidney met'a·neph´ric •adj. [ModL < META- + Gr nephros, kidney: see NEPHRO-]
metaph 1 metaphor 2 metaphysics
metaphase (met´э feiz') •n. Biol. the stage in mitosis and meiosis, after the prophase and before the anaphase, during which the chromosomes are arranged along the equatorial plane of the spindle [META- + PHASE¹]
metaphor (met´э fэr, -för') •n. a figure of speech containing an implied comparison, in which a word or phrase ordinarily and primarily used of one thing is applied to another (Ex.: the curtain of night, all the world's a stage): cf. SIMILE, MIXED METAPHOR met'a·phor´ic or met'a·phor´i·cal •adj. met'a·phor´i·cal·ly •adv. [Fr métaphore < L metaphora < Gr < metapherein, to carry over < meta, over (see META-) + pherein, to BEAR¹]
metaphosphate (met'э fäs´feit') •n. any salt of metaphosphoric acid
metaphosphoric acid (-fäs för´ik) glacial phosphoric acid, HPO3, a deliquescent solid obtained by heating orthophosphoric acid: used as an analytical reagent
metaphrase (met´э freiz') •n. a translation; esp., a literal, word-for-word translation, as distinguished from a paraphrase •vt. -phrased', -phras'ing 1 to translate, esp. literally 2 to change the wording of met'a·phras´tic (-fræs´tik) •adj. [ModL metaphrasis < Gr < metaphrazein: see META- & PHRASE]
metaphrast (-fræst') •n. [Rare] a person who puts a piece of writing into another literary form, as prose into verse [Gr metaphrastēs: see METAPHRASE]
metaphysic (met'э fiz´ik) •n. METAPHYSICS •adj. [Rare] metaphysical
metaphysical (met'э fiz´i kэl) •adj. 1 of, connected with, or having the nature of, metaphysics 2 very abstract, abstruse, or subtle: often a derogatory usage 3 beyond the physical or material; incorporeal, supernatural, or transcendental 4 designating or of the school of early 17th-cent. English poets, including esp. John Donne, George Herbert, Richard Crashaw, and Abraham Cowley, whose verse is characterized by very subtle, highly intellectualized imagery, sometimes deliberately fantastic and far-fetched met'a·phys´i·cal·ly •adv. [ML metaphysicalis]
metaphysician (-fэ zish´эn) •n. a person who specializes or is versed in metaphysics [Fr métaphysicien]
metaphysics (met´э fiz'iks, met'э fiz´iks) •n.pl. 1 the branch of philosophy that deals with first principles and seeks to explain the nature of being or reality (ontology) and of the origin and structure of the universe (cosmology): it is closely associated with the study of the nature of knowledge (epistemology) 2 speculative philosophy in general 3 esoteric, often mystical or theosophical, lore 4 the theory or principles (of some branch of knowledge) 5 popularly, any very subtle or difficult reasoning [< ML metaphysica, neut. pl. < Gr (ta) meta (ta) physika, lit., (that) after (the) physics (in reference to location after the Physics in early collections of Aristotle's works)]
metaplasia (met'э plei´zhэ) •n. 1 abnormal change of one type of adult tissue to another 2 conversion of one tissue into another, as of cartilage into bone met'a·plas´tic (-plæs´tik) •adj. [META- + -PLASIA]
metaplasm (met´э plæz'эm) •n. 1 that part of the contents of a cell which consists of lifeless matter, as certain fatty or starch granules [META- + -PLASM] 2 a change in a linguistic form made by the addition, omission, or transposition of a sound or sounds or a syllable or syllables [L metaplasmus, an irregularity < Gr metaplasmes, formation of cases of nouns from a missing nom. < meta, over (see META-) + plassein, to form (see PLASTIC)] met'a·plas´mic •adj.
metaprotein (met'э prou´ti:n', -prout´i: in) •n. any of a group of complex hydrolytic substances produced by the action of acids or alkalies on proteins and soluble in alkalies or weak acids, but insoluble in water
metapsychology (-sai käl´э ji:) •n. speculation about the origin, structure, function, etc. of the mind and about the relation between the mental and the physical, regarded as supplemental to psychology met'a·psy'cho·log´i·cal (-kэ läj´i kэl) •adj.
metasequoia (-si kwoi´э) •n. DAWN REDWOOD [ModL: see META- & SEQUOIA]
metasomatism (-sou´mэ tiz'эm) •n. the process by which minerals of a rock or ore body are replaced by minerals of different chemical composition, usually as a result of action by ascending waters met'a·so·mat´ic (-sou mæt´ik) •adj. [META- + SOMAT(O)- + -ISM]
metastable (-stei´bэl) •adj. changing readily either to a more stable or less stable condition, as certain electrons; unstable
metastasis (mэ tæs´tэ sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. 1 [Rare] change of form or matter; transformation 2 Med. the spread of disease from one part of the body to another unrelated to it, as in the transfer of the cells of a malignant tumor by way of the bloodstream or lymphatics met·a·stat·ic (met'э stæt´ik) •adj. met'a·stat´i·cal·ly •adv. [ModL < LL, a passing over, transition < Gr < methistanai, to place in another way, change < meta, after (see META-) + histanai, to place (see STAND)]
metastasize (-saiz') -sized', -siz'ing •vi. Med. to spread to other parts of the body by metastasis
metatarsal (met'э tär´sэl) •adj. of the metatarsus •n. any of the bones of the metatarsus: see SKELETON, illus.
metatarsus (-tär´sэs) pl. -tar´si' (-sai') •n. 1 the part of the human foot consisting of the five bones between the ankle and toes 2 a) the corresponding part of a land vertebrate's hind limb b) the bone between the tibia and the phalanges in a bird's leg [ModL: see META- & TARSUS]
metate (mэ tät´ei, -tät´i:) •n. a stone with a flat or concave surface on which grain, nuts, etc. can be ground with a smaller stone [Sp]
metathesis (mэ tæθ´э sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. transposition or interchange; specif., a) the transposition of sounds in a word or between words {clasp developed from Middle English clapse by metathesis; spoonerisms are examples of metathesis} b) Chem. the interchange of elements or radicals between compounds, as when two compounds react with each other to form two new compounds met·a·thet·ic (met'э θet´ik) or met'a·thet´i·cal •adj. [LL < Gr, transposition, a going over < metatithenai, to put over, transpose < meta, over (see META-) + tithenai, to place (see DO¹)]
metathorax (met'э θör´æks') pl. -tho´rax'es or -tho´ra·ces' (-θör´э si:z') •n. the hindmost of the three segments of an insect thorax met'a·tho·rac´ic (-θou ræs´ik) •adj. [ModL]
metaxylem (met'э zai´lэm) •n. the outer part of the primary xylem, or woody tissue of a plant, consisting of thick-walled or pitted cells [META- + XYLEM]
metazoan (met'э zou´эn) •n. in some systems of classification, any of the very large subkingdom (Metazoa) made up of all animals whose bodies, originating from a single cell, are composed of many differentiated cells arranged into definite organs •adj. of the metazoans [< ModL Metazoa (< META- + -ZOA) + -AN]
Metchnikoff (mech´ni köf'), É·lie (ei li:´) (Russ. Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov) 1845-1916; Russ. biologist & bacteriologist, in France
mete¹ (mi:t) met´ed, met´ing •vt. 1 to allot; distribute; apportion: usually with out 2 [Archaic] to measure [ME meten < OE metan, akin to Ger messen < IE *med- (> L modus, Gr metron) < base *me-, to mark off, MEASURE]
mete² (mi:t) •n. 1 a boundary; limit 2 a boundary mark or line [OFr < L meta, boundary, goal < IE *meit- (var. of *mei-), post, stake > ON meithr, a tree, MIr methos, boundary mark]
metempsychosis (mi tem'si kou´sis; met'эm sai-) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. the supposed passing of the soul at death into another body, either human or animal; transmigration [LL < Gr metempsychōsis < metempsychoun < meta, over (see META-) + empsychoun, to put a soul into < en, IN + psychē, soul, life (see PSYCHE)]
metencephalon (met'en sef´э län') pl. -la (-lэ) •n. 1 that part of the brain of an embryo from which the pons and cerebellum are derived 2 the part of the hindbrain consisting of the cerebellum and pons met'en'ce·phal´ic (-sэ fæl´ik) •adj. [ModL: see META- & ENCEPHALON]
meteor (mi:t´i: эr, -i: ör') •n. 1 the luminous phenomenon observed when a meteoroid is heated by its entry into the earth's atmosphere; shooting star; falling star: see FIREBALL 2 loosely, a meteoroid or meteorite 3 Meteorol. any atmospheric phenomenon, as precipitation, lightning, or a rainbow [ME < ML meteorum < Gr meteōron, pl. meteōra, things in the air < meteōros, lifted up, in air < meta, beyond (see META-) + eōra, a hovering in the air (akin to aeirein, to lift up)]
meteor shower the effect produced by a group of meteoroids, probably the debris left by the passage of a comet, coming from the same area in the sky
meteoric (mi:t'i: ör´ik) •adj. 1 atmospheric or meteorological {hail is a meteoric phenomenon} 2 of a meteor or meteors 3 like a meteor; momentarily dazzling or brilliant, flashing, or swift me'te·or´i·cal·ly •adv. [ML meteoricus: also < prec. + -IC]
meteorite (mi:t´i: эr ait') •n. that part of a relatively large meteoroid that survives passage through the atmosphere and falls to the surface of a planet or moon as a mass of metal or stone me'te·or·it´ic (-it´ik) •adj.
meteorograph (mi:t'i: ör´э græf'; mi:t´i: эr э-) •n. an apparatus for automatically recording various weather conditions, as moisture, temperature, etc., at the same time me'te·or'o·graph´ic •adj. [Fr metéorographe: see METEOR & -GRAPH]
meteoroid (mi:t´i: эr oid') •n. any of the many small, solid bodies traveling through outer space, which are seen as meteors when they enter the earth's atmosphere
meteorological (mi:t'i: эr э läj´i kэl, -ör'э-) •adj. 1 of the atmosphere or atmospheric phenomena; of weather or climate 2 of meteorology: also me'te·or·o·log´ic me'te·or·o·log´i·cal·ly •adv.
meteorology (mi:t'i: эr äl´э ji:) •n. the science of the atmosphere and atmospheric phenomena; study of weather, including weather forecasting me'te·or·ol´o·gist •n. [Gr meteōrologia: see METEOR & -LOGY]
-meter (mi:t´эr, mi tэr) combining form 1 a device for measuring (a specified thing) {thermometer, barometer} 2 a line of verse having (a specified number of) metrical feet {heptameter} [Fr -mètre or ModL -metrum, both < Gr metron, a measure: see METER¹]
meter maid a woman employed by a police traffic department to issue tickets for illegal or overtime parking, jaywalking, etc.
meter¹ (mi:t´эr) •n. 1 a) rhythm in verse; measured, patterned arrangement of syllables, primarily according to stress or length (see also FOOT, sense 9) b) the specific rhythm as determined by the prevailing foot and the number of feet in the line {iambic meter} c) the specific rhythmic pattern of a stanza as determined by the kind and number of lines 2 the basic pattern of beats in successive measures of a piece of music: it is usually indicated in the time signature 3 the basic metric unit of linear measure, equal to c. 39.37 inches: now officially equal to the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second: abbrev. m [Fr mètre] [ME metre < OFr < L metrum < Gr metron, measure < IE base *mē-, to mark off, MEASURE]
meter² (mi:t´эr) •n. 1 a person who measures; esp., an official who measures commodities [METE¹ + -ER] 2 [< words ending in fol.] a) an instrument or apparatus for measuring; esp., an apparatus for measuring and recording the quantity or rate of flow of gas, electricity, or water passing through it Æ b) POSTAGE METER Æ c) PARKING METERvt. 1 to measure or record with a meter or meters 2 to provide in measured quantities Æ 3 to process (mail) in a postage meter
meter-kilogram-second (-kil´э græm'sek´эnd) •adj. designating or of a system of measurement in which the meter, kilogram, and second are used as the units of length, mass, and time, respectively
metes and bounds (mi:ts) Law the precisely described boundary lines of a parcel of land, as found in a deed [see METE²]
metestrus (met es´trэs) •n. the quiescent period of the estrous cycle in mammals [ModL: see META- & ESTRUS]
Meth Methodist meth (meθ) •n. [Slang] short for METHEDRINE
methacrylate (meθ æk´rэ leit') •n. a salt or ester of methacrylic acid
methacrylate resin any of several plastic substances formed by polymerizing esters of methacrylic acid
methacrylic acid (meθ'э kril´ik) a colorless liquid, CH2:C(CH3)COOH, prepared by treating acetone cyanohydrin with dilute sulfuric acid: it is readily polymerized and is used in making synthetic resins [METH(YL) + ACRYLIC]
methadone (meθ´э doun') •n. a synthetic narcotic drug, C21H27NO, used in medicine to treat heroin and morphine addicts: it is more potent than morphine, with a longer duration of action and milder withdrawal symptoms [< (6 di)meth(yl)a(mino-4,4-)d(iphenyl-3-heptan)one]
methamphetamine (meθ'æm fet´э mi:n') •n. a white, crystalline derivative of amphetamine, C10H15N, used in the form of its hydrochloride as a drug that is more stimulating than amphetamine [METH(O)- + AMPHETAMINE]
methane (meθ´ein') •n. a colorless, odorless, flammable, gaseous alkane, CH4, present in natural gas and formed by the decomposition of vegetable matter, as in marshes and mines, or produced artificially by heating carbon monoxide and hydrogen: it is the simplest alkane and is used as a fuel, a source of carbon black, etc. [METH(YL) + -ANE]
methane series a series consisting of the alkanes, with methane as the first member
methanogen (mэ θæn´э jэn, -jen'; meθ æn´-) •n. an anaerobic microorganism that lives on carbon dioxide and hydrogen and gives off methane, found in swamp sediment, cows' stomachs, etc. me·than'o·gen´ic (-jen´ik) •adj.
methanol (meθ´э nöl', -noul') •n. a colorless, volatile, flammable, poisonous liquid, CH3OH, obtained by the destructive distillation of wood and synthesized chiefly from carbon monoxide and hydrogen: it is used in organic synthesis, as a fuel, solvent, and antifreeze, and in the manufacture of formaldehyde, smokeless powders, paints, etc.; methyl alcohol [METHAN(E) + -OL¹]
methantheline (meθ æn´θэ li:n', -lin) •n. a synthetic drug having an atropinelike action and used in the form of its bromide, C21H26BrNO3, in treating peptic ulcers [METH(YL) + (x)anthe(ne) (carboxy)l(ate) + -INE³]
methaqualone (meθ æk´wэ loun') •n. a white, crystalline powder, C16H14N2O, used in the form of its hydrochloride salt as a sedative and hypnotic [METH(O)- + -a- + qu(in)a(zo)lone]
Methedrine (meθ´э dri:n') trademark for methamphetamine hydrochloride •n. [m-] this compound used as a drug [METH(AMPHETAMINE) + (EPH)EDRINE]
metheglin (mэ θeg´lin) •n. an alcoholic liquor made of fermented honey, often containing a spice or medicinal substance: a kind of mead [Welsh meddyglyn < medd, MEAD¹ + llyn, juice]
methemoglobin (met hi:´mou glou'bin, -mэ-; -hem´ou-, -э-) •n. a brownish, crystalline substance containing ferric iron, formed in the blood by the oxidation of hemoglobin, as by the action of certain drugs or in the decomposition of the blood, and no longer able to combine reversibly with oxygen [MET(A)- + HEMOGLOBIN]
methenamine (mэ θi:´nэ mi:n', -min) •n. HEXAMETHYLENETETRAMINE [< METH(YL) + -EN(E) + AMINE]
methinks (mi: θiŋks´) v.impersonal pt. me·thought´ [Archaic] it seems to me [ME me thinketh < OE me thyncth < me, me, to me + thyncth, it seems < thyncan, to seem: see THINK²]
methionine (mэ θai´э ni:n', -nin) •n. an essential amino acid, CH3SCH2CH2CH(NH2)COOH, that contains sulfur, obtained from various proteins and used as a food supplement and in medicine [ME(THYL) + THION(IC) + -INE³]
metho- (meθ´ou, -э) combining form methyl {methamphetamine}: also, before a vowel, meth-
method (meθ´эd) •n. 1 a way of doing anything; mode; procedure; process; esp., a regular, orderly, definite procedure or way of teaching, investigating, etc. 2 regularity and orderliness in action, thought, or expression; system in doing things or handling ideas 3 regular, orderly arrangement •adj. [often M-] using the Method the Method a realistic style of acting in which the actor strives for close personal identification with the role being played [Fr méthode < L methodus < Gr methodos, a going after, pursuit, system < meta, after (see META-) + hodos, a way (see -ODE¹)]
methodical (mэ θäd´i kэl) •adj. characterized by method; orderly; systematic Also me·thod´ic me·thod´i·cal·ly •adv. me·thod´i·cal·ness •n. [< LL methodicus < Gr methodikos + -AL]
Methodism (meθ´э diz'эm) •n. 1 the beliefs and practices of Methodists, emphasizing personal and social responsibility and John Wesley's ideal of Christian perfection: influenced by Arminianism 2 [m-] excessive adherence to systematic procedure
Methodist (-dist) •n. 1 a member of any branch of a Protestant Christian denomination that developed from the evangelistic teachings and work of John and Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, and others in the early 18th cent.: so called from the methodical study and worship practiced by the founders in their Holy Club at Oxford University (1729) 2 [m-] [Rare] one who strictly adheres to method •adj. of or characteristic of the Methodists or Methodism: also Meth'od·is´tic
methodize (meθ´э daiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make methodical; systematize meth´od·iz'er •n.
methodology (meθ'э däl´э ji:) •n. 1 the science of method, or orderly arrangement; specif., the branch of logic concerned with the application of the principles of reasoning to scientific and philosophical inquiry 2 pl. -gies a system of methods, as in any particular science meth'od·o·log´i·cal (-э läj´i kэl) •adj. meth'od·o·log´i·cal·ly •adv. meth'od·ol´o·gist •n. [ModL: see METHOD & -LOGY]
methotrexate (meθ'ou treks´eit') •n. an orange-brown, crystalline powder, C20H22N8O5, that is a folic acid antagonist: used in medicine, esp. in treating leukemia and various tumors [METH(YL) + -trex- (< ?) + -ATE²]
methought (mi: θöt´) v.impersonal pt. of METHINKS
methoxide (meθ äks´aid') •n. METHYLATE [METH(YL) + OXIDE]
methoxychlor (meθ äks´i klör') •n. a white solid, Cl3CCH(C6H4OCH3)2, used as an insecticide, esp. against mosquitoes and flies [METH(YL) + OXY-¹ + (tri)chlor(omethane)]
meths (meθs) •n. [Brit. Colloq.] short for METHYLATED SPIRITS
Methuselah (mэ θu:´zэ lэ, -thyu:´-) Bible one of the patriarchs, who lived 969 years: Gen. 5:27 •n. [often m-] a large wine bottle, esp. one for champagne, holding 6 liters [Heb methūshelah, lit., ? man of the dart, or ? man of Shelah (a Babylonian deity)]
methyl (meθ´il) •n. the monovalent hydrocarbon radical CH3, normally existing only in combination, as in methanol me·thyl·ic (me θil´ik) •adj. [Fr méthyle, back-form. < méthylène: see METHYLENE]
methyl acetate a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid, CH3CO2CH3, used as a solvent, paint remover, etc.
methyl alcohol METHANOL
methyl benzene TOLUENE
methyl bromide a colorless, poisonous gas, CH3Br, with an odor resembling chloroform, used as a refrigerant, fumigant, and in organic synthesis
methyl chloride a colorless, poisonous gas, CH3Cl, which when compressed becomes a sweet, transparent liquid: it is used as a refrigerant and local anesthetic
methyl ethyl ketone a highly flammable liquid, CH3COCH2CH3, used as a solvent; butanone
methyl violet GENTIAN VIOLET
methylal (meθ'il æl´, meθ´il æl') •n. a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid, CH3OCH2OCH3, that smells like chloroform: it is produced by the incomplete oxidation of methanol and is used as a solvent and in perfumes, organic synthesis, etc. [Fr méthylal < méthyle, methyl + alcool, ALCOHOL]
methylamine (meθ'il э mi:n´, -il æm´i:n') •n. a colorless, flammable gas, CH3NH2, that smells like ammonia and is usually prepared synthetically by heating methanol with ammonia under pressure in the presence of a catalyst: it is used in the manufacture of dyes, pharmaceuticals, insecticides, etc. [METHYL + AMINE]
methylate (meθ´il eit') •n. a compound derived from methanol, in which the hydroxyl hydrogen is replaced by a metal •vt. -at'ed, -at'ing 1 to mix with methanol, often in order to make the resulting mixture undrinkable 2 to introduce a methyl group into (a compound) meth'yl·a´tion •n. meth´yl·a'tor •n.
methylated spirits (or spirit) ethyl alcohol made unfit to drink by the addition of methanol
methylene (meθ´il i:n') •n. the divalent hydrocarbon radical CH2, normally existing only in combination [Fr méthylène < Gr methy, wine (see MEAD¹) + hylē, wood]
methylene blue a bluish-green aniline dye, C16H18N3ClS·3H2O, used as a bacteriologic stain, an antidote in cyanide poisoning, etc.
metical (met'i käl´) pl. met'i·cais´ (-kaish´) •n. the basic monetary unit of Mozambique: see MONEY, table [Ar mithgal, former Arab unit of currency once used there]
meticulous (mэ tik´yu: lэs, -yэ-) •adj. extremely or excessively careful about details; scrupulous or finicky SYN. CAREFUL me·tic´u·lous·ly •adv. me·tic´u·lous·ness or me·tic'u·los´i·ty (-läs´i ti:) •n. [L meticulosus, fearful < metus, fear]
métier (mei tyei´) •n. 1 a trade, profession, or occupation; esp., the work that one is particularly suited for 2 one's area of expertise or strength; forte [Fr < OFr mestier, ult. < L ministerium: see MINISTRY]
métis (mei ti:s´, -ti:´) pl. -tis´ •n. a person of mixed parentage; esp., the offspring of a French Canadian and an American Indian [Fr < LL(Ec) misticius, of mixed race, born of parents of different nations: present sense in Fr infl. by Sp mestizo: see MESTIZO]
Metol (mi:´töl', -toul') trademark for a white, soluble powder, (HOC6H4NHCH3)2·H2SO4, used as a photographic developer [< met(hyl-amino-cres)ol(-sulfate)]
Metonic cycle (mэ tän´ik) a period of about 19 years (almost 235 lunar revolutions), in which the phases of the moon repeat on the same dates as in the previous period: used for finding the date of Easter [after Meton, Athenian astronomer (5th c. B.C.)]
metonym (met´э nim) •n. a word or phrase used in metonymy, as a substitute for another [back-form. < fol.]
metonymy (mэ tän´э mi:) pl. -mies a figure of speech in which the name of one thing is used in place of that of another associated with or suggested by it (Ex.: the White House for the President) •n. met·o·nym·ic (met'э nim´ik) or met'o·nym´i·cal •adj. [LL metonymia < Gr metōnymia < meta, other (see META-) + onoma, onyma, NAME]
me-too (mi:´tu:´) •adj. [Colloq.] designating or of policies or attitudes, esp. of a politician, adopted from a successful or powerful rival me´-too´ism' •n.
metope (met´э pi:', met´oup) •n. any of the square areas, plain or decorated, between triglyphs in a Doric frieze [Gr metopē < meta, between (see META-) + opē, an opening, hole in frieze for beam, akin to ōps, EYE]
metopic (mi täp´ik) •adj. of the forehead; frontal [< Gr metōpon, forehead (akin to prec.) + -IC]
metopon hydrochloride (met´э pän') a narcotic drug, C18H21O3N·HCl, derived from morphine, but slightly more potent: used in medicine to relieve pain [< met(hyldihydr)o(mor)p(hin)on(e)]
metralgia (mi træl´ji: э) •n. pain in the uterus [ModL < Gr mētra, uterus (see METRO-²) + -ALGIA]
Metrazol (me´trэ zöl', -zoul') trademark for PENTYLENETETRAZOL [< (penta)met(hylenetet)razol]
metre (mi:´tэr) •n. [Brit.] METER¹
metric (me´trik) •adj. 1 METRICAL 2 [Fr métrique] a) of the meter (unit of linear measure) b) designating or of the system of measurement based on the meter and the gram: see METRIC SYSTEM
metric hundredweight a unit of weight equal to 50 kilograms
metric mile Track & Field a measure of distance equal to 1,500 meters
metric system a decimal system of weights and measures in which the gram (.0022046 pound), the meter (39.37 inches), and the liter (61.025 cubic inches) are the basic units of weight, length, and capacity, respectively: names for the most common other units are formed by the addition of the following prefixes to these three terms: deca-, hecto-, kilo- (ten, hundred, thousand) and deci-, centi-, milli- (¹/10, ¹/100, ¹/1000) Examples: decameter (10 meters); centimeter (¹/100 meter); kilogram (1,000 grams); milliliter (¹/1000 liter) See also MEASURE, table
metric ton a unit of weight equal to 1,000 kilograms or 2,204.62 pounds
metrical (me´tri kэl) •adj. 1 of or composed in meter or verse 2 of, involving, or used in measurement; metric met´ri·cal·ly •adv. [L metricus < Gr metrikos (see METER¹ & -IC) + -AL]
metricate (me´tri kæt') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. to change over to the metric system of weights and measures met·ri·ca·tion (me'tri kei´shэn) •n.
metrics (me´triks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the science or art of writing in meter
metrificate (me´trэ fi keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. METRICATE met'ri·fi·ca´tion •n.
metrist (me´trist, mi:´trist) •n. a person skilled in metrics [ML metrista]
metritis (mi trait´is) •n. inflammation of the uterus [ModL < Gr mētra, uterus (see METRO-²) + -ITIS]
metro¹ (me´trou) •adj. short for METROPOLITAN •n. pl. -ros [often M-] a metropolitan government
metro-¹ (me´trou, -trэ) combining form measure {metrology} [< Gr metron, MEASURE]
metro² (me´trou) pl. -ros [often M-] a SUBWAY (sense 2) •n. [Fr métro, contr. < chemin de fer métropolitain: in England, taken as contr. for Metropolitan District Railway, in London]
metro-² (me´trou, -trэ) combining form uterus, womb {metrorrhagia}: also, before a vowel, metr- [< Gr mētra, uterus < mētēr, MOTHER¹]
metrology (mi träl´э ji:) •n. 1 the science of weights and measures 2 pl. -gies a system of weights and measures met·ro·log·i·cal (met'rэ läj´i kªl) •adj. met'ro·log´i·cal·ly •adv. me·trol´o·gist •n. [METRO-¹ + -LOGY]
metronome (me´trэ noum') •n. 1 a clockwork device with an inverted pendulum that beats time at a rate determined by the position of a sliding weight on the pendulum; it is used esp. to help a person maintain regular tempo in practicing on the piano, etc. 2 an electrical device that makes an intermittent sound or flashing light for similar use met'ro·nom´ic (-näm´ik) •adj. [< METRO-¹ + Gr nomos, law: see -NOMY]
metronymic (mi:'trэ nim´ik, me'trэ-) •adj., n. MATRONYMIC
metropolis (mэ träp´эl is) pl. -lis·es •n. 1 the main city, often the capital, of a country, state, or region 2 any large city or center of population, culture, etc. 3 in ancient Greece, the mother city or state of a colony [LL < Gr mētropolis < mētēr, MOTHER¹ + polis, a state, city: see POLICE]
metropolitan (me'trou päl´i tэn, -trэ-) •adj. 1 of or constituting a METROPOLIS (senses 1 & 2) 2 designating or of a METROPOLITAN (sense 2) Æ 3 designating or of a population area consisting of a central city and smaller surrounding communities 4 designating or of a mother country as distinguished from a colony, territory, etc. •n. 1 a person who lives in and knows a METROPOLIS (senses 1 & 2) or one who has the characteristic attitudes and manners of such a person 2 [LL(Ec) Metropolitanus] a) an archbishop having authority over the bishops of a church province b) Eastern Ch. a bishop ranking just below a patriarch3 in ancient Greece, a citizen of a METROPOLIS (sense 3) [LL metropolitanus]