Chapter II: Front Matter (2)

2. One of the nobility, or certain high officers of state belonging to the noble estate in the national representation of Hungary, and formerly of Poland.

Mag"nes (?), n. [L.] Magnet. [Obs.] Spenser.

Mag*ne"si*a (?; 277), n. [L. Magnesia, fem. of Magnesius of the country Magnesia, Gr. h` Magnhsi`a li`qos a magnet. Cf. Magnet.] (Chem.) A light earthy white substance, consisting of magnesium oxide, and obtained by heating magnesium hydrate or carbonate, or by burning magnesium. It has a slightly alkaline reaction, and is used in medicine as a mild antacid laxative. See Magnesium.

Magnesia alba [L.] (Med. Chem.), a bulky white amorphous substance, consisting of a hydrous basic carbonate of magnesium, and used as a mild cathartic.

Mag*ne"sian (?), a. Pertaining to, characterized by, or containing, magnesia or magnesium.

Magnesian limestone. (Min.) See Dolomite.

Mag*ne"sic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, magnesium; as, magnesic oxide.

Mag"ne*site (?), n. [Cf. F. magnésite.] (Min.) Native magnesium carbonate occurring in white compact or granular masses, and also in rhombohedral crystals.

Mag*ne"si*um (?), n. [NL. & F. See Magnesia.] (Chem.) A light silver-white metallic element, malleable and ductile, quite permanent in dry air but tarnishing in moist air. It burns, forming (the oxide) magnesia, with the production of a blinding light (the so-called magnesium light) which is used in signaling, in pyrotechny, or in photography where a strong actinic illuminant is required. Its compounds occur abundantly, as in dolomite, talc, meerschaum, etc. Symbol Mg. Atomic weight, 24.4. Specific gravity, 1.75.

Magnesium sulphate. (Chem.) Same as Epsom salts.

Mag"net (mg"nt), n. [OE. magnete, OF. magnete, L. magnes, - etis, Gr. Magnh^tis li`qos a magnet, metal that looked like silver, prop., Magnesian stone, fr. Gr. Magnhsi`a, a country in Thessaly. Cf. Magnesia, Manganese.] 1. The loadstone; a species of iron ore (the ferrosoferric or magnetic ore, Fe3O4) which has the property of attracting iron and some of its ores, and, when freely suspended, of pointing to the poles; -- called also natural magnet.

Dinocrates began to make the arched roof of the temple of Arsinoë
all of magnet, or this loadstone.

Holland.

Two magnets, heaven and earth, allure to bliss, The larger
loadstone that, the nearer this.

Dryden.

2. (Physics) A bar or mass of steel or iron to which the peculiar properties of the loadstone have been imparted; -- called, in distinction from the loadstone, an artificial magnet.

An artificial magnet, produced by the action of a voltaic or electrical battery, is called an electro-magnet.

Field magnet (Physics & Elec.), a magnet used for producing and maintaining a magnetic field; -- used especially of the stationary or exciting magnet of a dynamo or electromotor in distinction from that of the moving portion or armature.

{ Mag*net"ic (?), Mag*net"ic*al (?), } a. [L. magneticus: cf. F. magnétique.] 1. Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the magnet, or corresponding properties; as, a magnetic bar of iron; a magnetic needle.

2. Of or pertaining to, or characterized by, the earth's magnetism; as, the magnetic north; the magnetic meridian.

3. Capable of becoming a magnet; susceptible to magnetism; as, the magnetic metals.

4. Endowed with extraordinary personal power to excite the feelings and to win the affections; attractive; inducing attachment.

She that had all magnetic force alone.

Donne.

5. Having, susceptible to, or induced by, animal magnetism, so called; as, a magnetic sleep. See Magnetism.

Magnetic amplitude, attraction, dip, induction, etc. See under Amplitude, Attraction, etc. -- Magnetic battery, a combination of bar or horseshoe magnets with the like poles adjacent, so as to act together with great power. -- Magnetic compensator, a contrivance connected with a ship's compass for compensating or neutralizing the effect of the iron of the ship upon the needle. -- Magnetic curves, curves indicating lines of magnetic force, as in the arrangement of iron filings between the poles of a powerful magnet. -- Magnetic elements. (a) (Chem. Physics) Those elements, as iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, etc., which are capable or becoming magnetic. (b) (Physics) In respect to terrestrial magnetism, the declination, inclination, and intensity. (c) See under Element. -- Magnetic equator, the line around the equatorial parts of the earth at which there is no dip, the dipping needle being horizontal. -- Magnetic field, or Field of magnetic force, any space through which a magnet exerts its influence. -- Magnetic fluid, the hypothetical fluid whose existence was formerly assumed in the explanations of the phenomena of magnetism. -- Magnetic iron, or Magnetic iron ore. (Min.) Same as Magnetite. -- Magnetic needle, a slender bar of steel, magnetized and suspended at its center on a sharp-pointed pivot, or by a delicate fiber, so that it may take freely the direction of the magnetic meridian. It constitutes the essential part of a compass, such as the mariner's and the surveyor's. -- Magnetic poles, the two points in the opposite polar regions of the earth at which the direction of the dipping needle is vertical. -- Magnetic pyrites. See Pyrrhotite. -- Magnetic storm (Terrestrial Physics), a disturbance of the earth's magnetic force characterized by great and sudden changes. -- Magnetic telegraph, a telegraph acting by means of a magnet. See Telegraph.

Mag*net"ic (?), n. 1. A magnet. [Obs.]

As the magnetic hardest iron draws.

Milton.

2. Any metal, as iron, nickel, cobalt, etc., which may receive, by any means, the properties of the loadstone, and which then, when suspended, fixes itself in the direction of a magnetic meridian.

Mag*net"ic*al*ly, adv. By or as by, magnetism.

Mag*net"ic*al*ness, n. Quality of being magnetic.

Mag`ne*ti"cian (?), n. One versed in the science of magnetism; a magnetist.

Mag*net"ic*ness, n. Magneticalness. [Obs.]

Mag*net"ics (?), n. The science of magnetism.

Mag`net*if"er*ous (?), a. [L. magnes, -etis + -ferous.] Producing or conducting magnetism.

Mag"net*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. magnétisme.] The property, quality, or state, of being magnetic; the manifestation of the force in nature which is seen in a magnet.

2. The science which treats of magnetic phenomena.

3. Power of attraction; power to excite the feelings and to gain the affections. "By the magnetism of interest our affections are irresistibly attracted." Glanvill.

Animal magnetism, a force, more or less analogous to magnetism, which, it has been alleged, is produced in animal tissues, and passes from one body to another with or without actual contact. The existence of such a force, and its potentiality for the cure of disease, were asserted by Mesmer in 1775. His theories and methods were afterwards called mesmerism, a name which has been popularly applied to theories and claims not put forward by Mesmer himself. See Mesmerism, Biology, Od, Hypnotism. -- Terrestrial magnetism, the magnetic force exerted by the earth, and recognized by its effect upon magnetized needles and bars.

Mag"net*ist, n. One versed in magnetism.

Mag"net*ite (?), n. (Min.) An oxide of iron (Fe3O4) occurring in isometric crystals, also massive, of a black color and metallic luster. It is readily attracted by a magnet and sometimes possesses polarity, being then called loadstone. It is an important iron ore. Called also magnetic iron.

Mag"net*i`za*ble (?), a. Capable of being magnetized.

Mag`net*i*za"tion (?), n. The act of magnetizing, or the state of being magnetized.

Mag"net*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Magnetized (?); prep. & adv. Magnetizing (?).] [Cf. F. magnétiser.] 1. To communicate magnetic properties to; as, to magnetize a needle.

2. To attract as a magnet attracts, or like a magnet; to move; to influence.

Fascinated, magnetized, as it were, by his character.

Motley.

3. To bring under the influence of animal magnetism.

Mag`net*i*zee" (?), n. A person subjected to the influence of animal magnetism. [R.]

Mag"net*i`zer (?), n. One who, or that which, imparts magnetism.

Mag"net*o- (?). [See Magnet.] A prefix meaning pertaining to, produced by, or in some way connected with, magnetism.

{ Mag`net*o-e*lec"tric (?), Mag`net*o- e*lec"tric*al (?), } a. (Physics) Pertaining to, or characterized by, electricity by the action of magnets; as, magneto-electric induction.

Magneto-electric machine, a form of dynamo- electric machine in which the field is maintained by permanent steel magnets instead of electro-magnets.

Mag`net*o-e`lec*tric"i*ty (?), n. 1. Electricity evolved by the action of magnets.

2. (Physics) That branch of science which treats of the development of electricity by the action of magnets; -- the counterpart of electro-magnetism.

Mag*net"o*graph (?), n. [Magneto- + -graph.] (Physics) An automatic instrument for registering, by photography or otherwise, the states and variations of any of the terrestrial magnetic elements.

Mag`net*om"e*ter (?), n. [Magneto- + -meter: cf. F. magnétomètre.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring the intensity of magnetic forces; also, less frequently, an instrument for determining any of the terrestrial magnetic elements, as the dip and declination.

Mag`net*o*met"ric (?), a. Pertaining to, or employed in, the measurement of magnetic forces; obtained by means of a magnetometer; as, magnetometric instruments; magnetometric measurements.

Mag`net*o*mo"tor (?), n. A voltaic series of two or more large plates, producing a great quantity of electricity of low tension, and hence adapted to the exhibition of electro-magnetic phenomena. [R.]

Mag`net*o*ther"a*py (?), n. (Med.) The treatment of disease by the application of magnets to the surface of the body.

Mag"ni*fi`a*ble, a. [From Magnify.] Such as can be magnified, or extolled.

{ Mag*nif"ic (?), Mag*nif"ic*al (?), } a. [L. magnificus; magnus great + facere to make: cf. F. magnifique. See Magnitude, Fact. and cf. Magnificent.] Grand; splendid; illustrious; magnificent. [Obs.] 1 Chron. xxii. 5. "Thy magnific deeds." Milton. -- Mag*nif"ic*al*ly, adv. [Obs.]

||Mag*nif"i*cat (?), n. [L., it magnifies.] The song of the Virgin ||Mary, Luke i. 46; -- so called because it commences with this word in ||the Vulgate.

Mag*nif"i*cate (?), v. t. [L. magnificatus, p. p. of magnificare.] To magnify or extol. [Obs.] Marston.

Mag`ni*fi*ca"tion (?), n. The act of magnifying; enlargement; exaggeration. [R.]

Mag*nif"i*cence (?), n. [F. magnificence, L. magnificentia. See Magnific.] The act of doing what is magnificent; the state or quality of being magnificent. Acts xix. 27. "Then cometh magnificence." Chaucer.

And, for the heaven's wide circuit, let it speak The Maker's high
magnificence, who built so spacious.

Milton.

The noblest monuments of Roman magnificence.

Eustace.

Mag*nif"i*cent (?), a. [See Magnificence.] 1. Doing grand things; admirable in action; displaying great power or opulence, especially in building, way of living, and munificence.

A prince is never so magnificent As when he's sparing to enrich a
few With the injuries of many.

Massinger.

2. Grand in appearance; exhibiting grandeur or splendor; splendid; pompous.

When Rome's exalted beauties I descry Magnificent in piles of ruin
lie.

Addison.

Syn. -- Glorious; majestic; sublime. See Grand.

Mag*nif"i*cent*ly, adv. In a Magnificent manner.

Mag*nif"i*co (?), n.; pl. Magnificoes (#). [It. See Magnific.] 1. A grandee or nobleman of Venice; -- so called in courtesy. Shak.

2. A rector of a German university.

Mag"ni*fi`er (?), n. One who, or that which, magnifies.

Mag"ni*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Magnified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Magnifying (?).] [OE. magnifien, F. magnifier, L. magnificare. See Magnific.] 1. To make great, or greater; to increase the dimensions of; to amplify; to enlarge, either in fact or in appearance; as, the microscope magnifies the object by a thousand diameters.

The least error in a small quantity . . . will in a great one . . .
be proportionately magnified.

Grew.

2. To increase the importance of; to augment the esteem or respect in which one is held.

On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel.

Joshua iv. 14.

3. To praise highly; to laud; to extol. [Archaic]

O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Ps. xxxiv. 3.

4. To exaggerate; as, to magnify a loss or a difficulty.

To magnify one's self (Script.), to exhibit pride and haughtiness; to boast. -- To magnify one's self against (Script.), to oppose with pride.

Mag"ni*fy, v. i. 1. To have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they really are; to increase the apparent dimensions of objects; as, some lenses magnify but little.

2. To have effect; to be of importance or significance. [Cant & Obs.] Spectator.

Magnifying glass, a lens which magnifies the apparent dimensions of objects seen through it.

Mag*nil"o*quence (?), n. [L. magniloquentia.] The quality of being magniloquent; pompous discourse; grandiloquence.

Mag*nil"o*quent (?), a. [L. magnus great + loquens, -entis, p. pr. of loqui to speak. See Magnitude, Loquacious.] Speaking pompously; using swelling discourse; bombastic; tumid in style; grandiloquent. -- Mag*nil"o*quent*ly, adv.

Mag*nil"o*quous (?), a. [L. magniloquus.] Magniloquent. [Obs.]

Mag"ni*tude (?), n. [L. magnitudo, from magnus great. See Master, and cf. Maxim.] 1. Extent of dimensions; size; -- applied to things that have length, breadth, and thickness.

Conceive those particles of bodies to be so disposed amongst
themselves, that the intervals of empty spaces between them may be
equal in magnitude to them all.

Sir I. Newton.

2. (Geom.) That which has one or more of the three dimensions, length, breadth, and thickness.

3. Anything of which greater or less can be predicated, as time, weight, force, and the like.

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4. Greatness; grandeur. "With plain, heroic magnitude of mind." Milton.

5. Greatness, in reference to influence or effect; importance; as, an affair of magnitude.

The magnitude of his designs.

Bp. Horsley.

Apparent magnitude (Opt.), the angular breadth of an object viewed as measured by the angle which it subtends at the eye of the observer; -- called also apparent diameter. -- Magnitude of a star (Astron.), the rank of a star with respect to brightness. About twenty very bright stars are said to be of first magnitude, the stars of the sixth magnitude being just visible to the naked eye. Telescopic stars are classified down to the twelfth magnitude or lower. The scale of the magnitudes is quite arbitrary, but by means of photometers, the classification has been made to tenths of a magnitude.

Mag*no"li*a (?), n. [NL. Named after Pierre Magnol, professor of botany at Montpellier, France, in the 17th century.] (Bot.) A genus of American and Asiatic trees, with aromatic bark and large sweet-scented whitish or reddish flowers.

Magnolia grandiflora has coriaceous shining leaves and very fragrant blossoms. It is common from North Carolina to Florida and Texas, and is one of the most magnificent trees of the American forest. The sweet bay (M. glauca)is a small tree found sparingly as far north as Cape Ann. Other American species are M. Umbrella, M. macrophylla, M. Fraseri, M. acuminata, and M. cordata. M. conspicua and M. purpurea are cultivated shrubs or trees from Eastern Asia. M. Campbellii, of India, has rose-colored or crimson flowers.

Magnolia warbler (Zoöl.), a beautiful North American wood warbler (Dendroica maculosa). The rump and under parts are bright yellow; the breast and belly are spotted with black; the under tail coverts are white; the crown is ash.

Mag*no`li*a"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) Pertaining to a natural order (Magnoliaceæ) of trees of which the magnolia, the tulip tree, and the star anise are examples.

||Mag"num (?), n. [Neut. sing. of L. magnus great.] 1. A large wine ||bottle.

They passed the magnum to one another freely.

Sir W. Scott.

2. (Anat.) A bone of the carpus at the base of the third metacarpal bone.

Mag"ot (?), n. [F.] (Zoöl.) The Barbary ape.

Mag"ot-pie` (?), n. A magpie. [Obs.] Shak.

Mag"pie (?), n. [OE. & Prov. E. magot pie, maggoty pie, fr. Mag, Maggot, equiv. to Margaret, and fr. F. Marquerite, and common name of the magpie. Marguerite is fr. L. margarita pearl, Gr. &?;, prob. of Eastern origin. See Pie magpie, and cf. the analogous names Tomtit, and Jackdaw.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of the genus Pica and related genera, allied to the jays, but having a long graduated tail.

The common European magpie (Pica pica, or P. caudata) is a black and white noisy and mischievous bird. It can be taught to speak. The American magpie (P. Hudsonica) is very similar. The yellow-belled magpie (P. Nuttalli) inhabits California. The blue magpie (Cyanopolius Cooki) inhabits Spain. Other allied species are found in Asia. The Tasmanian and Australian magpies are crow shrikes, as the white magpie (Gymnorhina organicum), the black magpie (Strepera fuliginosa), and the Australian magpie (Cracticus picatus).

Magpie lark (Zoöl.), a common Australian bird (Grallina picata), conspicuously marked with black and white; -- called also little magpie. -- Magpie moth (Zoöl.), a black and white European geometrid moth (Abraxas grossulariata); the harlequin moth. Its larva feeds on currant and gooseberry bushes.

||Ma`gua*ri" (?), n. [From native name: cf. Pg. magoari.] (Zoöl.) A ||South American stork (Euxenara maguari), having a forked tail.

Mag"uey (?), n. [Sp. maguey, Mexican maguei and metl.] (Bot.) The century plant, a species of Agave (A. Americana). See Agave.

Mag"yar (mg"yär; Hung. md"yr), n. [Hung.] 1. (Ethnol.) One of the dominant people of Hungary, allied to the Finns; a Hungarian.

2. The language of the Magyars.

||Ma"ha (?), n. (Zoöl.) A kind of baboon; the wanderoo.

{ ||Ma*ha*ba"ra*ta (?), ||Ma*ha*bha"ra*tam (?), } n. [Skr. mahbhrata.] A celebrated epic poem of the Hindus. It is of great length, and is chiefly devoted to the history of a civil war between two dynasties of ancient India.

||Ma*ha"led (?), n.[Ar. mahled.] (Bot.) A cherry tree (Prunus Mahaleb) ||of Southern Europe. The wood is prized by cabinetmakers, the twigs ||are used for pipe stems, the flowers and leaves yield a perfume, and ||from the fruit a violet dye and a fermented liquor (like ||kirschwasser) are prepared.

||Ma*ha*ra"jah (?), n. [Skr. mahrja; mahat great + rja king.] A ||sovereign prince in India; -- a title given also to other persons of ||high rank.

||Ma`ha*rif" (?), n. (Zoöl.) An African antelope (Hippotragus Bakeri). ||Its face is striped with black and white.

||Ma*har"mah (?), n. A muslin wrapper for the head and the lower part ||of the face, worn by Turkish and Armenian women when they go abroad.

Mah"di (?), n. [Ar., guide, leader.] Among Mohammedans, the last imam or leader of the faithful. The Sunni, the largest sect of the Mohammedans, believe that he is yet to appear.

The title has been taken by several persons in countries where Mohammedanism prevails, -- notably by Mohammad Ahmed, who overran the Egyptian Sudan, and in 1885 captured Khartum, his soldiers killing General Gordon, an Englishman, who was then the Egyptian governor of the region.

Mahl"-stick` (?), n. See Maul- stick.

Ma"hoe (?), n. (Bot.) A name given to several malvaceous trees (species of Hibiscus, Ochroma, etc.), and to their strong fibrous inner bark, which is used for strings and cordage.

Ma*hog"a*ny (?), n. [From the South American name.] 1. (Bot.) A large tree of the genus Swietenia (S. Mahogoni), found in tropical America.

Several other trees, with wood more or less like mahogany, are called by this name; as, African mahogany (Khaya Senegalensis), Australian mahogany (Eucalyptus marginatus), Bastard mahogany (Batonia apetala of the West Indies), Indian mahogany (Cedrela Toona of Bengal, and trees of the genera Soymida and Chukrassia), Madeira mahogany (Persea Indica), Mountain mahogany, the black or cherry birch (Betula lenta), also the several species of Cercocarpus of California and the Rocky Mountains.

2. The wood of the Swietenia Mahogoni. It is of a reddish brown color, beautifully veined, very hard, and susceptible of a fine polish. It is used in the manufacture of furniture.

3. A table made of mahogany wood. [Colloq.]

To be under the mahogany, to be so drunk as to have fallen under the table. [Eng.] -- To put one's legs under some one's mahogany, to dine with him. [Slang]

||Ma*ho"li (?), n. (Zoöl.) A South African lemur (Galago maholi), ||having very large ears. [Written also moholi.]

{ Ma*hom"ed*an (?), Ma*hom"et*an (?), } n. See Mohammedan.

Ma*hom"et*an*ism (?), n. See Mohammedanism.

Ma*hom"et*an*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mahometanized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mahometanizing (?).] To convert to the religion of Mohammed; to Mohammedanize.

Ma*hom"et*ism (?), n. See Mohammedanism.

Ma*hom"et*ist, n. A Mohammedan. [R.]

Ma*hom"et*ry (?), n. Mohammedanism. [Obs.]

Ma*hone" (?), n. A large Turkish ship. Crabb.

Ma*ho"ni*a (?), n. [Named after Bernard McMahon.] (Bot.) The Oregon grape, a species of barberry (Berberis Aquifolium), often cultivated for its hollylike foliage.

Ma*hon" stock` (?). (Bot.) An annual cruciferous plant with reddish purple or white flowers (Malcolmia maritima). It is called in England Virginia stock, but the plant comes from the Mediterranean.

||Ma*hoo"hoo (?), n. (Zoöl.) The African white two-horned rhinoceros ||(Atelodus simus).

Ma"ho*ri (?), n. [Native name. Cf. Maori.] (Ethnol.) One of the dark race inhabiting principally the islands of Eastern Polynesia. Also used adjectively.

Ma`hound (?), n. A contemptuous name for Mohammed; hence, an evil spirit; a devil. [Obs.]

Who's this, my mahound cousin ?

Beau. & Fl.

||Ma*hout" (?), n. [Hind. mahwat, Skr. mahmtra; mahat great + mtr ||measure.] The keeper and driver of an elephant. [East Indies]

Ma*ho"vo (?), n. (Mach.) A device for saving power in stopping and starting a railroad car, by means of a heavy fly wheel.

Mah*rat"i (?), n. The language of the Mahrattas; the language spoken in the Deccan and Concan. [Written also Marathi.]

Mah*rat"ta (?), n. [Hind. Marhat, Marhtt, the name of a famous Hindoo race, from the old Skr. name Mah- rshtra.] One of a numerous people inhabiting the southwestern part of India. Also, the language of the Mahrattas; Mahrati. It is closely allied to Sanskrit. -- a. Of or pertaining to the Mahrattas. [Written also Maratha.]

{ Ma*hu"met*an (?), Ma*hu"met*an*ism (?), n. } See Mohammedan, Mohammedanism.

Mah"wa tree` (?). (Bot.) An East Indian sapotaceous tree (Bassia latifolia, and also B. butyracea), whose timber is used for wagon wheels, and the flowers for food and in preparing an intoxicating drink. It is one of the butter trees. The oil, known as mahwa and yallah, is obtained from the kernels of the fruit.

||Ma"i*a (?), n. [From L. Maia, a goddess.] (Zoöl.) (a) A genus of ||spider crabs, including the common European species (Maia squinado). ||(b) A beautiful American bombycid moth (Eucronia maia).

Ma"ian (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any spider crab of the genus Maia, or family Maiadæ.

Maid (?), n. [Shortened from maiden. &?;. See Maiden.] 1. An unmarried woman; usually, a young unmarried woman; esp., a girl; a virgin; a maiden.

Would I had died a maid, And never seen thee, never borne thee son.

Shak.

Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my
people have forgotten me.

Jer. ii. 32.

2. A man who has not had sexual intercourse. [Obs.]

Christ was a maid and shapen as a man.

Chaucer.

3. A female servant.

Spinning amongst her maids.

Shak.

Maid is used either adjectively or in composition, signifying female, as in maid child, maidservant.

4. (Zoöl.) The female of a ray or skate, esp. of the gray skate (Raia batis), and of the thornback (R. clavata). [Prov. Eng.]

Fair maid. (Zoöl.) See under Fair, a. -- Maid of honor, a female attendant of a queen or royal princess; -- usually of noble family, and having to perform only nominal or honorary duties. -- Old maid. See under Old.

Maid"en (?), n. [OE. maiden, meiden, AS. mægden, dim. of AS. mæg&?;, fr. mago son, servant; akin to G. magd, mädchen, maid, OHG. magad, Icel. mögr son, Goth. magus boy, child, magaps virgin, and perh. to Zend. magu youth. Cf. Maid a virgin.] 1. An unmarried woman; a girl or woman who has not experienced sexual intercourse; a virgin; a maid.

She employed the residue of her life to repairing of highways,
building of bridges, and endowing of maidens.

Carew.

A maiden of our century, yet most meek.

Tennyson.

2. A female servant. [Obs.]

3. An instrument resembling the guillotine, formerly used in Scotland for beheading criminals. Wharton.

4. A machine for washing linen.

Maid"en, a. 1. Of or pertaining to a maiden, or to maidens; suitable to, or characteristic of, a virgin; as, maiden innocence. "Amid the maiden throng." Addison.

Have you no modesty, no maiden shame ?

Shak.

2. Never having been married; not having had sexual intercourse; virgin; -- said usually of the woman, but sometimes of the man; as, a maiden aunt. "A surprising old maiden lady." Thackeray.

3. Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure; hitherto unused. "Maiden flowers." Shak.

Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword.

Shak.

4. Used of a fortress, signifying that it has never been captured, or violated. T. Warton. Macaulay.

Maiden assize (Eng. Law), an assize which there is no criminal prosecution; an assize which is unpolluted with blood. It was usual, at such an assize, for the sheriff to present the judge with a pair of white gloves. Smart. -- Maiden name, the surname of a woman before her marriage. -- Maiden pink. (Bot.) See under Pink. -- Maiden plum (Bot.), a West Indian tree (Comocladia integrifolia) with purplish drupes. The sap of the tree is glutinous, and gives a persistent black stain. -- Maiden speech, the first speech made by a person, esp. by a new member in a public body. -- Maiden tower, the tower most capable of resisting an enemy.

Maid"en, v. t. To act coyly like a maiden; -- with it as an indefinite object.

For had I maiden'd it, as many use. Loath for to grant, but loather
to refuse.

Bp. Hall.

Maid"en*hair` (?), n. (Bot.) A fern of the genus Adiantum (A. pedatum), having very slender graceful stalks. It is common in the United States, and is sometimes used in medicine. The name is also applied to other species of the same genus, as to the Venus-hair.

Maiden grass, the smaller quaking grass. -- Maiden tree. See Ginkgo.

Maid"en*head (?), n. [See Maidenhood.] 1. The state of being a maiden; maidenhood; virginity. Shak.

2. The state of being unused or uncontaminated; freshness; purity. [Obs.]

The maidenhead of their credit.

Sir H. Wotton.

3. The hymen, or virginal membrane.

Maid"en*hood (?), n. [AS. mægdenhd. See Maid, and -hood.] 1. The state of being a maid or a virgin; virginity. Shak.

2. Newness; freshness; uncontaminated state.

The maidenhood Of thy fight.

Shak.

Maid"en*like` (?), a. Like a maiden; modest; coy.

Maid"en*li*ness (?), n. The quality of being maidenly; the behavior that becomes a maid; modesty; gentleness.

Maid"en*ly, a. Like a maid; suiting a maid; maiden-like; gentle, modest, reserved.

Must you be blushing ? . . . What a maidenly man-at-arms are you
become !

Shak.

Maid"en*ly, adv. In a maidenlike manner. "Maidenly demure." Skelton.

Maid"en*ship, n. Maidenhood. [Obs.] Fuller.

Maid"hood (?), n. [AS. mægðhd. See Maid, and -hood.] Maidenhood. Shak.

Maid`ma"ri*an (?), n. [Maid + Marian, relating to Mary, or the Virgin Mary.] 1. The lady of the May games; one of the characters in a morris dance; a May queen. Afterward, a grotesque character personated in sports and buffoonery by a man in woman's clothes.

2. A kind of dance. Sir W. Temple.

Maid"pale` (?), a. Pale, like a sick girl. Shak.

Maid"serv`ant (?), n. A female servant.

Maid's" hair` (?). (Bot.) The yellow bedstraw (Galium verum).

{ Ma*ieu"tic (m*"tk), Ma*ieu"tic*al (-t*kal), } a. [Gr. maieytiko`s, fr. mai^a midwife.] 1. Serving to assist childbirth. Cudworth.

2. Fig. : Aiding, or tending to, the definition and interpretation of thoughts or language. Payne.

Ma*ieu"tics (?), n. The art of giving birth (i. e., clearness and conviction) to ideas, which are conceived as struggling for birth. Payne.

Mai"ger (?), n. (Zoöl.) The meagre.

Mai"gre (?), a. [F. See Meager.] Belonging to a fast day or fast; as, a maigre day. Walpole.

Maigre food (R. C. Ch.), food allowed to be eaten on fast days.

<! p. 884 !>

Mai"hem (m"hm), n. See Maim, and Mayhem.

||Mai*kel" (mä*kl"), n. (Zoöl.) A South American carnivore of the genus ||Conepatus, allied to the skunk, but larger, and having a longer ||snout. The tail is not bushy.

||Mai*kong" (?), n. (Zoöl.) A South American wild dog (Canis ||cancrivorus); the crab- eating dog.

Mail (ml), n. A spot. [Obs.]

Mail, n. [F. maille, OF. also maaille, LL. medalia. See Medal.] 1. A small piece of money; especially, an English silver half-penny of the time of Henry V. [Obs.] [Written also maile, and maille.]

2. Rent; tribute. [Obs., except in certain compounds and phrases, as blackmail, mails and duties, etc.]

Mail and duties (Scots Law), the rents of an estate, in whatever form paid.

Mail, n. [OE. maile, maille, F. maille a ring of mail, mesh, network, a coat of mail, fr. L. macula spot, a mesh of a net. Cf. Macle, Macula, Mascle.] 1. A flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. It was used especially for defensive armor. Chaucer.

Chain mail, Coat of mail. See under Chain, and Coat.

2. Hence generally, armor, or any defensive covering.

3. (Naut.) A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage.

4. (Zoöl.) Any hard protective covering of an animal, as the scales and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc.

We . . . strip the lobster of his scarlet mail.

Gay.

Mail, v. t. 1. To arm with mail.

2. To pinion. [Obs.]

Mail, n. [OE. male bag, OF. male, F. malle bag, trunk, mail, OHG. malaha, malha, wallet; akin to D. maal, male; cf. Gael. & Ir. mala, Gr. molgo`s hide, skin.] 1. A bag; a wallet. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. The bag or bags with the letters, papers, or other matter contained therein, conveyed under public authority from one post office to another; the whole system of appliances used by government in the conveyance and delivery of mail matter.

There is a mail come in to-day, with letters dated Hague.

Tatler.

3. That which comes in the mail; letters, etc., received through the post office.

4. A trunk, box, or bag, in which clothing, etc., may be carried. [Obs.] Sir W. Scott.

Mail bag, a bag in which mailed matter is conveyed under public authority. -- Mail boat, a boat that carries the mail. -- Mail catcher, an iron rod, or other contrivance, attached to a railroad car for catching a mail bag while the train is in motion. -- Mail guard, an officer whose duty it is to guard the public mails. [Eng.] -- Mail train, a railroad train carrying the mail.

Mail, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mailed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mailing.] To deliver into the custody of the postoffice officials, or place in a government letter box, for transmission by mail; to post; as, to mail a letter. [U. S.]

In the United States to mail and to post are both in common use; as, to mail or post a letter. In England post is the commoner usage.

Mail"a*ble (?), a. Admissible lawfully into the mail. [U.S.]

Mail"clad` (?), a. Protected by a coat of mail; clad in armor. Sir W. Scott.

Mailed (?), a. (Zoöl.) Protected by an external coat, or covering, of scales or plates.

Mailed, a. [See 1st Mail.] Spotted; speckled.

Mail"ing (?), n. [Scot., fr. mail tribute, rent. See 2d Mail.] A farm. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

Mail"-shell` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A chiton.

Maim (mm), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maimed (mmd);p. pr. & vb. n. Maiming.] [OE. maimen, OF. mahaignier, mehaignier, meshaignier, cf. It. magagnare, LL. mahemiare, mahennare; perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Armor. mac'haña to mutilate, mc'ha to crowd, press; or cf. OHG. mangn to lack, perh. akin to E. mangle to lacerate. Cf. Mayhem.] 1. To deprive of the use of a limb, so as to render a person in fighting less able either to defend himself or to annoy his adversary.

By the ancient law of England he that maimed any man whereby he
lost any part of his body, was sentenced to lose the like part.

Blackstone.

2. To mutilate; to cripple; to injure; to disable; to impair.

My late maimed limbs lack wonted might.

Spenser.

You maimed the jurisdiction of all bishops.

Shak.

Syn. -- To mutilate; mangle; cripple.

Maim, n. [Written in law language maihem, and mayhem.] [OF. mehaing. See Maim, v.] 1. The privation of the use of a limb or member of the body, by which one is rendered less able to defend himself or to annoy his adversary.

2. The privation of any necessary part; a crippling; mutilation; injury; deprivation of something essential. See Mayhem.

Surely there is more cause to fear lest the want there of be a maim
than the use of it a blemish.

Hooker.

A noble author esteems it to be a maim in history that the acts of
Parliament should not be recited.

Hayward.

Maim"ed*ly (?), adv. In a maimed manner.

Maim"ed*ness, n. State of being maimed. Bolton.

Main (?), n. [F. main hand, L. manus. See Manual.] 1. A hand or match at dice. Prior. Thackeray.

2. A stake played for at dice. [Obs.] Shak.

3. The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given limits, as in the game of hazard.

4. A match at cockfighting. "My lord would ride twenty miles . . . to see a main fought." Thackeray.

5. A main-hamper. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

Main, n. [AS. mægen strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan, Icel. megin, and to E. may, v. &?;. See May, v.] 1. Strength; force; might; violent effort. [Obs., except in certain phrases.]

There were in this battle of most might and main.

R. of Gl.

He 'gan advance, With huge force, and with importable main.

Spenser.

2. The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing. [Obs., except in special uses.]

Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to
use the other two . . . but as supporters.

Bacon.

3. Specifically: (a) The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc. ; the high sea; the ocean. "Struggling in the main." Dryden. (b) The continent, as distinguished from an island; the mainland. "Invaded the main of Spain." Bacon. (c) principal duct or pipe, as distinguished from lesser ones; esp. (Engin.), a principal pipe leading to or from a reservoir; as, a fire main.

Forcing main, the delivery pipe of a pump. -- For the main, or In the main, for the most part; in the greatest part. -- With might and main, or With all one's might and main, with all one's strength; with violent effort.

With might and main they chased the murderous fox.

Dryden.

Main (?), a. [From Main strength, possibly influenced by OF. maine, magne, great, L. magnus. Cf. Magnate.] 1. Very or extremely strong. [Obs.]

That current with main fury ran.

Daniel.

2. Vast; huge. [Obs.] "The main abyss." Milton.

3. Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. [Obs.] "It's a man untruth." Sir W. Scott.

4. Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.

Our main interest is to be happy as we can.

Tillotson.

5. Important; necessary. [Obs.]

That which thou aright Believest so main to our success, I bring.

Milton.

By main force, by mere force or sheer force; by violent effort; as, to subdue insurrection by main force.

That Maine which by main force Warwick did win.

Shak.

-- By main strength, by sheer strength; as, to lift a heavy weight by main strength. -- Main beam (Steam Engine), working beam. -- Main boom (Naut.), the boom which extends the foot of the mainsail in a fore and aft vessel. -- Main brace. (a) (Mech.) The brace which resists the chief strain. Cf. Counter brace. (b) (Naut.) The brace attached to the main yard. -- Main center (Steam Engine), a shaft upon which a working beam or side lever swings. -- Main chance. See under Chance. -- Main couple (Arch.), the principal truss in a roof. -- Main deck (Naut.), the deck next below the spar deck; the principal deck. -- Main keel (Naut.), the principal or true keel of a vessel, as distinguished from the false keel.

Syn. -- Principal; chief; leading; cardinal; capital.

Main, adv. [See Main, a.] Very; extremely; as, main heavy. "I'm main dry." Foote. [Obs. or Low]

Maine (?), n. One of the New England States.

Maine law, any law prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating beverages, esp. one resembling that enacted in the State of Maine.

Main`-gauche" (mN`gsh"), n. [F., the left hand.] (Ancient Armor) The dagger held in the left hand, while the rapier is held in the right; -- used to parry thrusts of the adversary's rapier.

Main"-ham`per (?), n. [F. main hand (see Main a hand at dice) + E. hamper.] A hamper to be carried in the hand; a hand basket used in carrying grapes to the press.

Main"land` (?), n. The continent; the principal land; -- opposed to island, or peninsula. Dryden.

After the two wayfarers had crossed from the peninsula to the
mainland.

Hawthorne.

Main"ly (?), adv. [From main strong. See Main strength.] Very strongly; mightily; to a great degree. [Obs.] Bacon. Shak.

Main"ly, adv. [From main principal, chief.] Principally; chiefly.

Main"mast` (?), n. (Naut.) The principal mast in a ship or other vessel.

Main"or (?), n. [Anglo-Norm. meinoure, OF. manuevre. See Maneuver.] (O. Eng. Law) A thing stolen found on the person of the thief.

A thief was said to be "taken with the mainor," when he was taken with the thing stolen upon him, that is, in his hands. Wharton. Bouvier.

Main"per*na*ble (?), a. [OF. main hand + pernable, for prenable, that may be taken, pregnable. See Mainpernor.] (Law) Capable of being admitted to give surety by mainpernors; able to be mainprised.

Main"per*nor (?), n. [OF. main hand + pernor, for preneor, a taker, F. preneur, fr. prendre to take.] (Law) A surety, under the old writ of mainprise, for a prisoner's appearance in court at a day.

Mainpernors differ from bail in that a man's bail may imprison or surrender him before the stipulated day of appearance; mainpernors can do neither; they are bound to produce him to answer all charges whatsoever. Blackstone.

Main"pin (?), n. (Vehicles) A kingbolt.

Main"prise (?), n. [F. main hand + prise a taking, fr. prendre, p. p. pris to take, fr. L. prehendere, prehensum.] (Law) (a) A writ directed to the sheriff, commanding him to take sureties, called mainpernors, for the prisoner's appearance, and to let him go at large. This writ is now obsolete. Wharton. (b) Deliverance of a prisoner on security for his appearance at a day.

Main"prise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mainprised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mainprising.] (Law) To suffer to go at large, on his finding sureties, or mainpernors, for his appearance at a day; -- said of a prisoner.

Mains (mnz), n. [Scot. See Manse.] The farm attached to a mansion house. [Scot.]

Main"sail` (mn"sl`), n. (Naut.) The principal sail in a ship or other vessel.

[They] hoised up the mainsail to the wind.

Acts xxvii. 40.

The mainsail of a ship is extended upon a yard attached to the mainmast, and that of a sloop or schooner upon the boom.

Main"sheet` (?), n. (Naut.) One of the ropes by which the mainsail is hauled aft and trimmed.

Main"spring` (?), n. The principal or most important spring in a piece of mechanism, especially the moving spring of a watch or clock or the spring in a gunlock which impels the hammer. Hence: The chief or most powerful motive; the efficient cause of action.

Main"stay` (?), n. 1. (Naut.) The stay extending from the foot of the foremast to the maintop.

2. Main support; principal dependence.

The great mainstay of the Church.

Buckle.

Main"swear` (?), v. i. [AS. mnswerian to forswear; mn sin, crime + swerian to swear.] To swear falsely. [Obs.] Blount.

Main*tain (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maintained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Maintaining.] [OE. maintenen, F. maintenir, properly, to hold by the hand; main hand (L. manus) + F. tenir to hold (L. tenere). See Manual, and Tenable.] 1. To hold or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain; to uphold; to keep up; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain a fence or a railroad; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present reputation.

2. To keep possession of; to hold and defend; not to surrender or relinquish.

God values . . . every one as he maintains his post.

Grew.

3. To continue; not to suffer to cease or fail.

Maintain talk with the duke.

Shak.

4. To bear the expense of; to support; to keep up; to supply with what is needed.

Glad, by his labor, to maintain his life.

Stirling.

What maintains one vice would bring up two children.

Franklin.

5. To affirm; to support or defend by argument.

It is hard to maintain the truth, but much harder to be maintained
by it.

South.

Syn. -- To assert; vindicate; allege. See Assert.

Main*tain"a*ble (?), a. That may be maintained.

Main*tain"er (?), n. One who maintains.

Main*tain"or (?), n. [OF. mainteneor, F. mainteneur.] (Crim. Law) One who, not being interested, maintains a cause depending between others, by furnishing money, etc., to either party. Bouvier. Wharton.

Main"te*nance (?), n. [OF. maintenance. See Maintain.] 1. The act of maintaining; sustenance; support; defense; vindication.

Whatsoever is granted to the church for God's honor and the
maintenance of his service, is granted to God.

South.

2. That which maintains or supports; means of sustenance; supply of necessaries and conveniences.

Those of better fortune not making learning their maintenance.

Swift.

3. (Crim. Law) An officious or unlawful intermeddling in a cause depending between others, by assisting either party with money or means to carry it on. See Champerty. Wharton.

Cap of maintenance. See under Cap.

Main"top` (?), n. (Naut.) The platform about the head of the mainmast in square-rigged vessels.

Main" yard` (?). (Naut.) The yard on which the mainsail is extended, supported by the mainmast.

Mai"oid (?), a. [Maia + - oid.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the genus Maia, or family Maiadeæ.

Mais"ter (?), n. Master. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.

Mais"ter, a. Principal; chief. [Obs.] Chaucer.

{ Mais"tre (?), Mais"trie, Mais"try (?) }, n. Mastery; superiority; art. See Mastery. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Mais"tress (?), n. Mistress. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Mai"thes (?), n. (Bot.) Same as Maghet.

Maize (?), n. [Sp. maiz. fr. mahiz or mahis, is the language of the Island of Hayti.] (Bot.) A large species of American grass of the genus Zea (Z. Mays), widely cultivated as a forage and food plant; Indian corn. Also, its seed, growing on cobs, and used as food for men and animals.

Maize eater (Zoöl.), a South American bird of the genus Pseudoleistes, allied to the troupials. -- Maize yellow, a delicate pale yellow.

{ Maj`es*tat"ic (?), Maj`es*tat"*al (?), } a. Majestic. [Obs.] E. Pocock. Dr. J. Scott.

Ma*jes"tic (?), a. [From Majesty.] Possessing or exhibiting majesty; of august dignity, stateliness, or imposing grandeur; lofty; noble; grand. "The majestic world." Shak. "Tethys' grave majestic pace." Milton.

The least portions must be of the epic kind; all must be grave,
majestic, and sublime.

Dryden.

Syn. -- August; splendid; grand; sublime; magnificent; imperial; regal; pompous; stately; lofty; dignified; elevated.

<! p. 885 !>

Ma*jes"tic*al (?), a. Majestic. Cowley.

An older architecture, greater, cunninger, more majestical.

M. Arnold.

-- Ma*jes"tic*al*ly, adv. -- Ma*jes"tic*al*ness, n.

Ma*jes"tic*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being majestic. Oldenburg.

Maj"es*ty (?), n.; pl. Majesties (#). [OE. magestee, F. majesté, L. majestas, fr. an old compar. of magnus great. See Major, Master.] The dignity and authority of sovereign power; quality or state which inspires awe or reverence; grandeur; exalted dignity, whether proceeding from rank, character, or bearing; imposing loftiness; stateliness; -- usually applied to the rank and dignity of sovereigns.

The Lord reigneth; he is clothed with majesty.

Ps. xciii. 1.

No sovereign has ever represented the majesty of a great state with
more dignity and grace.

Macaulay.

2. Hence, used with the possessive pronoun, the title of an emperor, king or queen; -- in this sense taking a plural; as, their majesties attended the concert.

In all the public writs which he [Emperor Charles V.] now issued as
King of Spain, he assumed the title of Majesty, and required it
from his subjects as a mark of respect. Before that time all the
monarchs of Europe were satisfied with the appellation of Highness
or Grace.

Robertson.

3. Dignity; elevation of manner or style. Dryden.

Ma*jol"i*ca (?), n. [It.] A kind of pottery, with opaque glazing and showy decoration, which reached its greatest perfection in Italy in the 16th century.

The term is said to be derived from Majorca, which was an early seat of this manufacture. Heyse.

Ma"jor (?), [L. major, compar. of magnus great: cf. F. majeur. Cf. Master, Mayor, Magnitude, More, a.] 1. Greater in number, quantity, or extent; as, the major part of the assembly; the major part of the revenue; the major part of the territory.

2. Of greater dignity; more important. Shak.

3. Of full legal age. [Obs.]

4. (Mus.) Greater by a semitone, either in interval or in difference of pitch from another tone.

Major axis (Geom.), the greater axis. See Focus, n., 2. -- Major key (Mus.), a key in which one and two, two and three, four and five, five and six and seven, make major seconds, and three and four, and seven and eight, make minor seconds. -- Major offense (Law), an offense of a greater degree which contains a lesser offense, as murder and robbery include assault. -- Major premise (Logic), that premise of a syllogism which contains the major term. -- Major scale (Mus.), the natural diatonic scale, which has semitones between the third and fourth, and seventh and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees; the scale of the major mode, of which the third is major. See Scale, and Diatonic. -- Major second (Mus.), a second between whose tones is a difference in pitch of a step. -- Major sixth (Mus.), a sixth of four steps and a half step. In major keys the third and sixth from the key tone are major. Major keys and intervals, as distinguished from minors, are more cheerful. -- Major term (Logic), that term of a syllogism which forms the predicate of the conclusion. -- Major third (Mus.), a third of two steps.

Ma"jor, n. [F. major. See Major, a.] 1. (Mil.) An officer next in rank above a captain and next below a lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer.

2. (Law) A person of full age.

3. (Logic) That premise which contains the major term. It its the first proposition of a regular syllogism; as: No unholy person is qualified for happiness in heaven [the major]. Every man in his natural state is unholy [minor]. Therefore, no man in his natural state is qualified for happiness in heaven [conclusion or inference].

In hypothetical syllogisms, the hypothetical premise is called the major.

4. [LL. See Major.] A mayor. [Obs.] Bacon.

||Ma`jo`rat" (?), n. [F. majorat, LL. majoratus. See Major, a., and cf. ||Majorate.] 1. The right of succession to property according to age; ||-- so termed in some of the countries of continental Europe.

2. (French Law) Property, landed or funded, so attached to a title of honor as to descend with it.

Ma"jor*ate (?), n. The office or rank of a major.

Ma"jor*ate (?), v. t. [LL. majorare to augment. See Major, a.] To augment; to increase. [Obs.] Howell.

Ma`jor*a"tion (?), n. Increase; enlargement. [Obs.] Bacon.

Ma*jor"can (?), a. Of or pertaining to Majorca. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Majorca.

Ma`jor-do"mo (?), n. [Sp. mayordomo, or It. maggiordomo; both fr. LL. majordomus; L. major greater + domus house.] A man who has authority to act, within certain limits, as master of the house; a steward; also, a chief minister or officer.

Ma"jor gen"er*al (?). An officer of the army holding a rank next above that of brigadier general and next below that of lieutenant general, and who usually commands a division or a corps.

Ma*jor"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Majorities (#). [F. majorité. See Major.] 1. The quality or condition of being major or greater; superiority. Specifically: (a) The military rank of a major. (b) The condition of being of full age, or authorized by law to manage one's own affairs.

2. The greater number; more than half; as, a majority of mankind; a majority of the votes cast.

3. [Cf. L. majores.] Ancestors; ancestry. [Obs.]

4. The amount or number by which one aggregate exceeds all other aggregates with which it is contrasted; especially, the number by which the votes for a successful candidate exceed those for all other candidates; as, he is elected by a majority of five hundred votes. See Plurality.

To go over to, or To join, the majority, to die.

Ma"jor*ship (?), n. The office of major.

Maj"oun (?), n. See Madjoun.

||Ma*jus"cu*læ (?), n. pl. [L., fem. pl. fr. majusculus somewhat ||greater or great, dim. of major, majus. See Major.] (Palæography) ||Capital letters, as found in manuscripts of the sixth century and ||earlier.

Ma*jus"cule (?), n. [Cf. F. majuscule. See Majusculæ.] A capital letter; especially, one used in ancient manuscripts. See Majusculæ.

Majuscule writing, writing composed wholly of capital letters, especially the style which prevailed in Europe from the third to the sixth century.

Mak"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being made.

Mak"a*ron (?), n. See Macaroon, 2. [Obs.]

Make (?), n. [AS. maca, gemaca. See Match.] A companion; a mate; often, a husband or a wife. [Obs.]

For in this world no woman is Worthy to be my make.

Chaucer.

Make, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Made (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Making.] [OE. maken, makien, AS. macian; akin to OS. mak&?;n, OFries. makia, D. maken, G. machen, OHG. mahh&?;n to join, fit, prepare, make, Dan. mage. Cf. Match an equal.] 1. To cause to exist; to bring into being; to form; to produce; to frame; to fashion; to create. Hence, in various specific uses or applications: (a) To form of materials; to cause to exist in a certain form; to construct; to fabricate.

He . . . fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a
molten calf.

Ex. xxxii. 4.

(b) To produce, as something artificial, unnatural, or false; -- often with up; as, to make up a story.

And Art, with her contending, doth aspire To excel the natural with
made delights.

Spenser.

(c) To bring about; to bring forward; to be the cause or agent of; to effect, do, perform, or execute; -- often used with a noun to form a phrase equivalent to the simple verb that corresponds to such noun; as, to make complaint, for to complain; to make record of, for to record; to make abode, for to abide, etc.

Call for Samson, that he may make us sport.

Judg. xvi. 25.

Wealth maketh many friends.

Prov. xix. 4.

I will neither plead my age nor sickness in excuse of the faults
which I have made.

Dryden.

(d) To execute with the requisite formalities; as, to make a bill, note, will, deed, etc. (e) To gain, as the result of one's efforts; to get, as profit; to make acquisition of; to have accrue or happen to one; as, to make a large profit; to make an error; to make a loss; to make money.

He accuseth Neptune unjustly who makes shipwreck a second time.

Bacon.

(f) To find, as the result of calculation or computation; to ascertain by enumeration; to find the number or amount of, by reckoning, weighing, measurement, and the like; as, he made the distance of; to travel over; as, the ship makes ten knots an hour; he made the distance in one day. (h) To put in a desired or desirable condition; to cause to thrive.

Who makes or ruins with a smile or frown.

Dryden.

2. To cause to be or become; to put into a given state verb, or adjective; to constitute; as, to make known; to make public; to make fast.

Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?

Ex. ii. 14.

See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh.

Ex. vii. 1.

When used reflexively with an adjective, the reflexive pronoun is often omitted; as, to make merry; to make bold; to make free, etc.

3. To cause to appear to be; to constitute subjectively; to esteem, suppose, or represent.

He is not that goose and ass that Valla would make him.

Baker.

4. To require; to constrain; to compel; to force; to cause; to occasion; -- followed by a noun or pronoun and infinitive.

In the active voice the to of the infinitive is usually omitted.

I will make them hear my words.

Deut. iv. 10.

They should be made to rise at their early hour.

Locke.

5. To become; to be, or to be capable of being, changed or fashioned into; to do the part or office of; to furnish the material for; as, he will make a good musician; sweet cider makes sour vinegar; wool makes warm clothing.

And old cloak makes a new jerkin.

Shak.

6. To compose, as parts, ingredients, or materials; to constitute; to form; to amount to.

The heaven, the air, the earth, and boundless sea, Make but one
temple for the Deity.

Waller.

7. To be engaged or concerned in. [Obs.]

Gomez, what makest thou here, with a whole brotherhood of city
bailiffs?

Dryden.

8. To reach; to attain; to arrive at or in sight of. "And make the Libyan shores." Dryden.

They that sail in the middle can make no land of either side.

Sir T. Browne.

To make a bed, to prepare a bed for being slept on, or to put it in order. -- To make a card (Card Playing), to take a trick with it. -- To make account. See under Account, n. -- To make account of, to esteem; to regard. -- To make away. (a) To put out of the way; to kill; to destroy. [Obs.]