Chapter LI: Bella (16)

MARSEILLAIS; MARSEILLAISE Mar`sei`llais", a. m. Mar`sei`llaise", a. f.Etym: [F.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Marseilles, in France, or to its inhabitants. Marseillaise hymn, or The Marseillaise, the national anthem of France, popularly so called. It was composed in 1792, by Rouget de l'Isle, an officer then stationed at Strasburg. In Paris it was sung for the first time by the band of men who came from Marseilles to aid in the revolution of August 10, 1792; whence the name.

MARSEILLAIS; MARSEILLAISE Mar`sei`llais", n. m. Mar`sei`llaise", n. f.Etym: [F.]

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Marseilles.

MARSEILLES Mar*seilles", n.

Defn: A general term for certain kinds of fabrics, which are formed of two series of threads interlacing each other, thus forming double cloth, quilted in the loom; -- so named because first made in Marseilles, France.

MARSH Marsh, n. Etym: [OE. mersch, AS. mersc, fr. mere lake. See Mere pool, and cf. Marish, Morass.]

Defn: A tract of soft wet land, commonly covered partially or wholly with water; a fen; a swamp; a morass. [Written also marish.] Marsh asphodel (Bot.), a plant (Nartheeium ossifragum) with linear equitant leaves, and a raceme of small white flowers; -- called also bog asphodel. -- Marsh cinquefoil (Bot.), a plant (Potentilla palustris) having purple flowers, and found growing in marshy places; marsh five- finger. -- Marsh elder. (Bot.) (a) The guelder-rose or cranberry tree (Viburnum Opulus). (b) In the United States, a composite shrub growing in salt marshes (Iva frutescens). -- Marsh five-finger. (Bot.) See Marsh cinquefoil (above). -- Marsh gas. (Chem.) See under Gas. -- Marsh grass (Bot.), a genus (Spartina) of coarse grasses growing in marshes; -- called also cord grass. The tall S. cynosuroides is not good for hay unless cut very young. The low S. juncea is a common component of salt hay. -- Marsh harrier (Zoöl.), a European hawk or harrier (Circus æruginosus); -- called also marsh hawk, moor hawk, moor buzzard, puttock. -- Marsh hawk. (Zoöl.) (a) A hawk or harrier (Circus cyaneus), native of both America and Europe. The adults are bluish slate above, with a white rump. Called also hen harrier, and mouse hawk. (b) The marsh harrier. -- Marsh hen (Zoöl.), a rail; esp., Rallus elegans of fresh-water marshes, and R. longirostris of salt-water marshes. -- Marsh mallow (Bot.), a plant of the genus Althæa ( A. officinalis) common in marshes near the seashore, and whose root is much used in medicine as a demulcent. -- Marsh marigold. (Bot.) See in the Vocabulary. -- Marsh pennywort (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous genus Hydrocotyle; low herbs with roundish leaves, growing in wet places; - - called also water pennywort. -- Marsh quail (Zoöl.), the meadow lark. -- Marsh rosemary (Bot.), a plant of the genus Statice (S. Limonium), common in salt marshes. Its root is powerfully astringent, and is sometimes used in medicine. Called also sea lavender. -- Marsh samphire (Bot.), a plant (Salicornia herbacea) found along seacoasts. See Glasswort. -- Marsh St. John's-wort (Bot.), an American herb (Elodes Virginica) with small opposite leaves and flesh-colored flowers. -- Marsh tea. (Bot.). Same as Labrador tea. -- Marsh trefoil. (Bot.) Same as Buckbean. -- Marsh wren (Zoöl.), any species of small American wrens of the genus Cistothorus, and allied genera. They chiefly inhabit salt marshes.

MARSHAL Mar"shal, n. Etym: [OE. mareschal, OF. mareschal, F. maréchal, LL. mariscalcus, from OHG. marah-scalc (G. marschall); marah horse + scalc servant (akin to AS. scealc, Goth. skalks). F. maréchal signifies, a marshal, and a farrier. See Mare horse, and cf. Seneschal.]

1. Originally, an officer who had the care of horses; a groom. [Obs.]

2. An officer of high rank, charged with the arrangement of ceremonies, the conduct of operations, or the like; as, specifically: (a) One who goes before a prince to declare his coming and provide entertainment; a harbinger; a pursuivant. (b) One who regulates rank and order at a feast or any other assembly, directs the order of procession, and the like. (c) The chief officer of arms, whose duty it was, in ancient times, to regulate combats in the lists. Johnson. (d) (France) The highest military officer. In other countries of Europe a marshal is a military officer of high rank, and called field marshal. (e) (Am. Law) A ministerial officer, appointed for each judicial district of the United States, to execute the process of the courts of the United States, and perform various duties, similar to those of a sheriff. The name is also sometimes applied to certain police officers of a city. Earl marshal of England, the eighth officer of state; an honorary title, and personal, until made hereditary in the family of the Duke of Norfolk. During a vacancy in the office of high constable, the earl marshal has jurisdiction in the court of chivalry. Brande & C. -- Earl marshal of Scotland, an officer who had command of the cavalry under the constable. This office was held by the family of Keith, but forfeited by rebellion in 1715. -- Knight marshal, or Marshal of the King's house, formerly, in England, the marshal of the king's house, who was authorized to hear and determine all pleas of the Crown, to punish faults committed within the verge, etc. His court was called the Court of Marshalsea. -- Marshal of the Queen's Bench, formerly the title of the officer who had the custody of the Queen's bench prison in Southwark. Mozley & W.

MARSHAL Mar"shal, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Marshaled or Marshalled; p. pr. & vb. n. Marshaling or Marshalling.]

1. To dispose in order; to arrange in a suitable manner; as, to marshal troops or an army. And marshaling the heroes of his name As, in their order, next to light they came. Dryden.

2. To direct, guide, or lead. Thou marshalest me the way that I was going. Shak.

3. (Her.)

Defn: To dispose in due order, as the different quarterings on an escutcheon, or the different crests when several belong to an achievement.

MARSHALER Mar"shal*er, n. Etym: [Written also marshaller.]

Defn: One who marshals.

MARSHALING Mar"shal*ing, n. Etym: [Written also marshalling.]

1. The act of arranging in due order.

2. (Her.)

Defn: The arrangement of an escutcheon to exhibit the alliances of the owner. Marshaling of assets (Law), the arranging or ranking of assets in due order of administration.

MARSHALSEA Mar"shal*sea, n. Etym: [Marshal + OE. se a seat. See See a seat.]

Defn: The court or seat of a marshal; hence, the prison in Southwark, belonging to the marshal of the king's household. [Eng.] Court of Marshalsea, a court formerly held before the steward and marshal of the king's house to administer justice between the king's domestic servants. Blackstone.

MARSHALSHIP Mar"shal*ship, n.

Defn: The office of a marshal.

MARSHBANKER; MARSEBANKER Marsh"bank`er, Marse"bank`er, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The menhaden.

MARSHINESS Marsh"i*ness, n.

Defn: The state or condition of being marshy.

MARSH MARIGOLD Marsh mar"i*gold

Defn: . (Bot.) A perennial plant of the genus Caltha (C. palustris), growing in wet places and bearing bright yellow flowers. In the United States it is used as a pot herb under the name of cowslip. See Cowslip.

MARSHY Marsh"y, a. Etym: [E. Marsh.]

1. Resembling a marsh; wet; boggy; fenny.

2. Pertaining to, or produced in, marshes; as, a marshy weed. Dryden.

MARSIPOBRANCH Mar"si*po*branch`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Marsipobranchia.

MARSIPOBRANCHIA Mar"si*po*bran"chi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A class of Vertebrata, lower than fishes, characterized by their purselike gill cavities, cartilaginous skeletons, absence of limbs, and a suckerlike mouth destitute of jaws. It includes the lampreys and hagfishes. See Cyclostoma, and Lamprey. Called also Marsipobranchiata, and Marsipobranchii.

MARSUPIAL Mar*su"pi*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. marsupial.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having a pouch for carrying the immature young; of or pertaining to the Marsupialia.

2. (Anat. & Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a marsupium; as, the marsupial bones. Marsupial frog. (Zoöl.) See Nototrema.

MARSUPIAL Mar*su"pi*al, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Marsupialia.

MARSUPIALIA Mar*su`pi*a"li*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. marsupium a pouch, bag, purse, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A subclass of Mammalia, including nearly all the mammals of Australia and the adjacent islands, together with the opossums of America. They differ from ordinary mammals in having the corpus callosum very small, in being implacental, and in having their young born while very immature. The female generally carries the young for some time after birth in an external pouch, or marsupium. Called also Marsupiata.

MARSUPIALIAN; MARSUPIAN Mar*su`pi*a"li*an, Mar*su"pi*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Marsupialia.

MARSUPIATE Mar*su"pi*ate, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Related to or resembling the marsupials; furnished with a pouch for the young, as the marsupials, and also some fishes and Crustacea.

MARSUPION Mar*su"pi*on, n. Etym: [NL.]

Defn: Same as Marsupium.

MARSUPITE Mar"su*pite, n. Etym: [See Marsupial.] (Paleon.)

Defn: A fossil crinoid of the genus Marsupites, resembling a purse in form.

MARSUPIUM Mar*su"pi*um, n.; pl. Marsupia. Etym: [L., a pouch], (Anat. & Zoöl.) (a) The pouch, formed by a fold of the skin of the abdomen, in which marsupials carry their young; also, a pouch for similar use in other animals, as certain Crustacea. (b) The pecten in the eye of birds and reptiles. See Pecten.

MART Mart, n. Etym: [Contr. fr. market.]

1. A market. Where has commerce such a mart . . . as London Cowper.

2. A bargain. [Obs.] Shak.

MART Mart, v. t.

Defn: To buy or sell in, or as in, a mart. [Obs.] To sell and mart your officer for gold To undeservers. Shak.

MART Mart, v. t.

Defn: To traffic. [Obs.] Shak.

MART Mart, n. Etym: [See Mars.]

1. The god Mars. [Obs.]

2. Battle; contest. [Obs.] Fairfax.

MARTAGON Mar"ta*gon, n. Etym: [Cf. F. & Sp. martagon, It. martagone.] (Bot.)

Defn: A lily (Lilium Martagon) with purplish red flowers, found in Europe and Asia.

MARTEL Mar"tel, v. i. Etym: [F. marteler, fr. martel, marteau, hammer, a dim. fr. L. martulus, marculus, dim. of marcus hammer. Cf. March to step.]

Defn: To make a blow with, or as with, a hammer. [Obs.] Spenser.

MARTEL DE FER Mar`tel` de fer". Etym: [OF., hammer of iron.]

Defn: A weapon resembling a hammer, often having one side of the head pointed; -- used by horsemen in the Middle Ages to break armor. Fairholt.

MARTELINE Mar"te*line, n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A small hammer used by marble workers and sculptors.

MARTELLO TOWER Mar*tel"lo tow`er. Etym: [It. martello hammer. The name was orig. given to towers erected on the coasts of Sicily and Sardinia for protection against the pirates in the time of Charles the Fifth, which prob. orig. contained an alarm bell to be struck with a hammer. See Martel.] (Fort.)

Defn: A building of masonry, generally circular, usually erected on the seacoast, with a gun on the summit mounted on a traversing platform, so as to be fired in any direction.

Note: The English borrowed the name of the tower from Corsica in 1794.

MARTEN Mar"ten, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A bird. See Martin.

MARTEN Mar"ten, n. Etym: [From older martern, marter, martre, F. martre, marte, LL. martures (pl.), fr. L. martes; akin to AS. mear, meard, G. marder, OHG. mardar, Icel. mör. Cf. Foumart.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several fur-bearing carnivores of the genus Mustela, closely allied to the sable. Among the more important species are the European beech, or stone, marten (Mustela foina); the pine marten (M. martes); and the American marten, or sable (M. Americana), which some zoölogists consider only a variety of the Russian sable.

2. The fur of the marten, used for hats, muffs, etc.

MARTERN Mar"tern, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Marten. [Obs.]

MAR-TEXT Mar"-text`, n.

Defn: A blundering preacher.

MARTIAL Mar"tial, a. Etym: [F., fr. L. martialis of or belonging to Mars, the god of war. Cf. March the month.]

1. Of, pertaining to, or suited for, war; military; as, martial music; a martial appearance. "Martial equipage." Milton.

2. Practiced in, or inclined to, war; warlike; brave. But peaceful kings, o'er martial people set, Each other's poise and counterbalance are. Dryden.

3. Belonging to war, or to an army and navy; -- opposed to civil; as, martial law; a court-martial.

4. Pertaining to, or resembling, the god, or the planet, Mars. Sir T. Browne.

5. (Old Chem. & Old Med.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or containing, iron; chalybeate; as, martial preparations. [Archaic] Martial flowers (Med.), a reddish crystalline salt of iron; the ammonio-chloride of iron. [Obs.] -- Martial law, the law administered by the military power of a government when it has superseded the civil authority in time of war, or when the civil authorities are unable to enforce the laws. It is distinguished from military law, the latter being the code of rules for the regulation of the army and navy alone, either in peace or in war.

Syn. -- Martial, Warlike. Martial refers more to war in action, its array, its attendants, etc.; as, martial music, a martial appearance, a martial array, courts-martial, etc. Warlike describes the feeling or temper which leads to war, and the adjuncts of war; as, a warlike nation, warlike indication, etc. The two words are often used without discrimination.

MARTIALISM Mar"tial*ism, n.

Defn: The quality of being warlike; exercises suitable for war. [Obs.]

MARTIALIST Mar"tial*ist, n.

Defn: A warrior. [Obs.] Fuller.

MARTIALIZE Mar"tial*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Martialized; p. pr. & vb. n. Martializing.]

Defn: To render warlike; as, to martialize a people.

MARTIALLY Mar"tial*ly, adv.

Defn: In a martial manner.

MARTIALNESS Mar"tial*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being martial.

MARTIAN Mar"tian, a. [L. Martius.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Mars, the Roman god of war, or to the planet bearing his name; martial.

MARTIAN Mar"tian, n.

Defn: An inhabitant of the planet Mars. Du Maurier.

MARTIN Mar"tin, n. (Stone Working) Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: A perforated stone-faced runner for grinding.

MARTIN Mar"tin, n. Etym: [F. martin, from the proper name Martin. Cf. Martlet.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of several species of swallows, usually having the tail less deeply forked than the tail of the common swallows. [Written also marten.]

Note: The American purple martin, or bee martin (Progne subis, or purpurea), and the European house, or window, martin (Hirundo, or Chelidon, urbica), are the best known species. Bank martin. (a) The bank swallow. See under Bank. (b) The fairy martin. See under Fairy. -- Bee martin. (a) The purple martin. (b) The kingbird. -- Sand martin, the bank swallow.

MARTINET Mar"ti*net`, n. Etym: [So called from an officer of that name in the French army under Louis XIV. Cf. Martin the bird, Martlet.]

Defn: In military language, a strict disciplinarian; in general, one who lays stress on a rigid adherence to the details of discipline, or to forms and fixed methods. [Hence, the word is commonly employed in a depreciatory sense.]

MARTINET Mar"ti*net`, n. Etym: [F.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The martin.

MARTINETA Mar`ti*ne"ta, n. Etym: [Cf. Sp. martinete.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A species of tinamou (Calopezus elegans), having a long slender crest.

MARTINETISM Mar"ti*net`ism, n.

Defn: The principles or practices of a martinet; rigid adherence to discipline, etc.

MARTINGALE; MARTINGAL Mar"tin*gale, Mar"tin*gal, n. Etym: [F. martingale; cf. It. martingala a sort of hose, martingale, Sp. martingala a greave, cuish, martingale, Sp. almártaga a kind of bridle.]

1. A strap fastened to a horse's girth, passing between his fore legs, and fastened to the bit, or now more commonly ending in two rings, through which the reins pass. It is intended to hold down the head of the horse, and prevent him from rearing.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: A lower stay of rope or chain for the jib boom or flying jib boom, fastened to, or reeved through, the dolphin striker. Also, the dolphin striker itself.

3. (Gambling)

Defn: The act of doubling, at each stake, that which has been lost on the preceding stake; also, the sum so risked; -- metaphorically derived from the bifurcation of the martingale of a harness. [Cant] Thackeray.

MARTINMAS Mar"tin*mas, n. Etym: [St. Martin + mass religious service.] (Eccl.)

Defn: The feast of St. Martin, the eleventh of November; -- often called martlemans. Martinmas summer, a period of calm, warm weather often experienced about the time of Martinmas; Indian summer. Percy Smith.

MARTITE Mar"tite, n. Etym: [L. Mars, Martis, the god Mars, the alchemical name of iron.] (Min.)

Defn: Iron sesquioxide in isometric form, probably a pseudomorph after magnetite.

MARTLEMAS Mar"tle*mas, n.

Defn: See Martinmas. [Obs.]

MARTLET Mart"let, n. Etym: [F. martinet. See Martin the bird, and cf. Martinet a disciplinarian.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The European house martin.

2. Etym: [Cf. F. merlette.] (Her.)

Defn: A bird without beak or feet; -- generally assumed to represent a martin. As a mark of cadency it denotes the fourth son.

MARTYR Mar"tyr, n. Etym: [AS., from L. martyr, Gr. ma`rtyr, ma`rtys, prop., a witness; cf. Skr. smrs to remember, E. memory.]

1. One who, by his death, bears witness to the truth of the gospel; one who is put to death for his religion; as, Stephen was the first Christian martyr. Chaucer. To be a martyr, signifies only to witness the truth of Christ; but the witnessing of the truth was then so generally attended with persecution, that martyrdom now signifies not only to witness, but to witness by death South.

2. Hence, one who sacrifices his life, his station, or what is of great value to him, for the sake of principle, or to sustain a cause. Then if thou fall'st, O Cromwell, Thou fall'st a blessed martyr ! Shak.

MARTYR Mar"tyr, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Martyred; p. pr. & vb. n. Martyring.]

1. To put to death for adhering to some belief, esp. Christianity; to sacrifice on account of faith or profession. Bp. Pearson.

2. To persecute; to torment; to torture. Chaucer. The lovely Amoret, whose gentle heart Thou martyrest with sorrow and with smart. Spenser. Racked with sciatics, martyred with the stone. Pope.

MARTYRDOM Mar"tyr*dom, n. Etym: [Martyr + -dom.]

1. The condition of a martyr; the death of a martyr; the suffering of death on account of adherence to the Christian faith, or to any cause. Bacon. I came from martyrdom unto this peace. Longfellow.

2. Affliction; torment; torture. Chaucer.

MARTYRIZATION Mar`tyr*i*za"tion, n.

Defn: Act of martyrizing, or state of being martyrized; torture. B. Jonson.

MARTYRIZE Mar"tyr*ize, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. martyriser, LL. martyrizare.]

Defn: To make a martyr of. Spenser.

MARTYRLY Mar"tyr*ly, adv.

Defn: In the manner of a martyr.

MARTYROLOGE Mar"tyr*o*loge, n. Etym: [LL. martyrologium: cf. F. martyrologe.]

Defn: A martyrology. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

MARTYROLOGIC; MARTYROLOGICAL Mar`tyr*o*log"ic, Mar`tyr*o*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Pertaining to martyrology or martyrs; registering, or registered in, a catalogue of martyrs.

MARTYROLOGIST Mar`tyr*ol"o*gist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. martyrologiste.]

Defn: A writer of martyrology; an historian of martyrs. T. Warton.

MARTYROLOGY Mar`tyr*ol"o*gy, n.; pl. -gies. Etym: [Martyr + -logy.]

Defn: A history or account of martyrs; a register of martyrs. Bp. Stillingfleet.

MARTYRSHIP Mar"tyr*ship, n.

Defn: Martyrdom. [R.] Fuller.

MARVEL Mar"vel, n. Etym: [OE. mervaile, F. merveille, fr. L. mirabilia wonderful things, pl., fr. mirabilis wonderful, fr. mirari to wonder or marvel at. See Admire, Smile, and cf. Miracle.]

1. That which causes wonder; a prodigy; a miracle. I will do marvels such as have not been done. Ex. xxxiv. 10. Nature's sweet marvel undefiled. Emerson.

2. Wonder. [R.] "Use lessens marvel." Sir W. Scott. Marvel of Peru. (Bot.) See Four-o'clock.

MARVEL Mar"vel, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Marveled or Marvelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Marveling or Marvelling.] Etym: [OE. merveilen, OF. merveillier.]

Defn: To be struck with surprise, astonishment, or wonder; to wonder. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 1 john iii. 13.

MARVEL Mar"vel, v. t.

1. To marvel at. [Obs.] Wyclif.

2. To cause to marvel, or be surprised; -- used impersonally. [Obs.] But much now me marveleth. Rich. the Redeless.

MARVELOUS Mar"vel*ous, a. Etym: [OE. merveillous, OF. merveillos, F. Merveilleux. See Marvel, n.] [Written also marvellous.]

1. Exciting wonder or surprise; astonishing; wonderful. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Ps. cxiii. 23.

2. Partaking of the character of miracle, or superna The marvelous fable includes whatever is supernatural, and especially the machines of the gods. Pope. The marvelous, that which exceeds natural power, or is preternatural; that which is wonderful; -- opposed to the probable.

Syn. -- Wonderful; astonishing; surprising; strange; improbable; incredible. -- Marvelous, Wonderful. We speak of a thing as wonderful when it awakens our surprise and admiration; as marvelous when it is so much out of the ordinary course of things as to seem nearly or quite incredible.

MARVELOUSLY Mar"vel*ous*ly, adv.

Defn: In a marvelous manner; wonderfully; strangely.

MARVELOUSNESS Mar"vel*ous*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being marvelous; wonderfulness; strangeness.

MARVER Mar"ver, n. Etym: [Prob. corrupt. fr. OE. or F. marbre marble.] (Glass Marking)

Defn: A stone, or cast-iron plate, or former, on which hot glass is rolled to give it shape.

MARY Mar"y, n.

Defn: Marrow. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MARY Ma"ry, interj.

Defn: See Marry. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MARY-BUD Ma"ry-bud`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The marigold; a blossom of the marigold. Shak.

MARYOLATRY Ma`ry*ol"a*try, n.

Defn: Mariolatry.

MARYSOLE Ma"ry*sole, n. Etym: [Mary, the proper name + sole the fish.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large British fluke, or flounder (Rhombus megastoma); -- called also carter, and whiff. marchpane.

MASCAGNIN; MASCAGNITE Mas*ca"gnin, Mas*ca"gnite, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mascagnin.] (Min.)

Defn: Native sulphate of ammonia, found in volcanic districts; -- so named from Mascagni, who discovered it.

MASCLE Mas"cle, n. Etym: [OF. mascle, F. macle, L. macula spot, mesh of a net, LL. macula, macla, mascla a scale of a coat of mail. See Mail armor.] (Her.)

Defn: A lozenge voided.

MASCLED Mas"cled, a.

Defn: Composed of, or covered with, lozenge-shaped scales; having lozenge-shaped divisions. Mascled armor, armor composed of small lozenge-shaped scales of metal fastened on a foundation of leather or quilted cloth.

MASCOT; MASCOTTE Mas"cot, Mas"cotte, n. Etym: [Through French fr. Pr. mascot a little sorcerer or magician, mascotto witchcraft, sorcery.]

Defn: A person who is supposed to bring good luck to the household to which he or she belongs; anything that brings good luck.

MASCULATE Mas"cu*late, v. t. Etym: [L. masculus male, masculine.]

Defn: To make strong. [Obs.] Cockeram.

MASCULINE Mas"cu*line, a. Etym: [L. masculinus, fr. masculus male, manly, dim. of mas a male: cf. F. masculin. See Male masculine.]

1. Of the male sex; not female. Thy masculine children, that is to say, thy sons. Chaucer.

2. Having the qualities of a man; suitable to, or characteristic of, a man; virile; not feminine or effeminate; strong; robust. That lady, after her husband's death, held the reins with a masculine energy. Hallam.

3. Belonging to males; appropriated to, or used by, males. [R.] "A masculine church." Fuller.

4. (Gram.)

Defn: Having the inflections of, or construed with, words pertaining especially to male beings, as distinguished from feminine and neuter. See Gender. -- Mas"cu*line*ly, adv. -- Mas"cu*line*ness, n.

MASCULINITY Mas`cu*lin"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being masculine; masculineness.

MASE Mase, n. & v.

Defn: See Maze. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MASELYN Mas"e*lyn, n.

Defn: A drinking cup. See 1st Maslin, 2. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MASER Ma"ser, n.

Defn: Same as Mazer.

MASH Mash, n.

Defn: A mesh. [Obs.]

MASH Mash, n. Etym: [Akin to G. meisch, maisch, meische, maische, mash, wash, and prob. to AS. miscian to mix. See Mix.]

1. A mass of mixed ingredients reduced to a soft pulpy state by beating or pressure; a mass of anything in a soft pulpy state. Specifically (Brewing), ground or bruised malt, or meal of rye, wheat, corn, or other grain (or a mixture of malt and meal) steeped and stirred in hot water for making the wort.

2. A mixture of meal or bran and water fed to animals.

3. A mess; trouble. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl. Mash tun, a large tub used in making mash and wort.

MASH Mash, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mashed; p. pr. & vb. n. Mashing.] Etym: [Akin to G. meischen, maischen, to mash, mix, and prob. to mischen, E. mix. See 2d Mash.]

Defn: To convert into a mash; to reduce to a soft pulpy state by beating or pressure; to bruise; to crush; as, to mash apples in a mill, or potatoes with a pestle. Specifically (Brewing), to convert, as malt, or malt and meal, into the mash which makes wort. Mashing tub, a tub for making the mash in breweries and distilleries; -- called also mash tun, and mash vat.

MASHER Mash"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, mashes; also (Brewing), a machine for making mash.

2. A charmer of women. [Slang] London Punch.

MASHIE; MASHY Mash"ie, Mash"y, n.; pl. Mashies (#). [Etym. uncert.]

Defn: A golf club like the iron, but with a shorter head, slightly more lofted, used chiefly for short approaches.

MASHLIN Mash"lin, n.

Defn: See Maslin.

MASHY Mash"y, a.

Defn: Produced by crushing or bruising; resembling, or consisting of, a mash.

MASK Mask, n. Etym: [F. masque, LL. masca, mascha, mascus; cf. Sp. & Pg. máscara, It. maschera; all fr. Ar. maskharat buffoon, fool, pleasantry, anything ridiculous or mirthful, fr. sakhira to ridicule, to laugh at. Cf. Masque, Masquerade.]

1. A cover, or partial cover, for the face, used for disguise or protection; as, a dancer's mask; a fencer's mask; a ball player's mask.

2. That which disguises; a pretext or subterfuge.

3. A festive entertainment of dancing or other diversions, where all wear masks; a masquerade; hence, a revel; a frolic; a delusive show. Bacon. This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask. Milton.

4. A dramatic performance, formerly in vogue, in which the actors wore masks and represented mythical or allegorical characters.

5. (Arch.)

Defn: A grotesque head or face, used to adorn keystones and other prominent parts, to spout water in fountains, and the like; -- called also mascaron.

6. (Fort.) (a) In a permanent fortification, a redoubt which protects the caponiere. (b) A screen for a battery.

7. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The lower lip of the larva of a dragon fly, modified so as to form a prehensile organ. Mask house, a house for masquerades. [Obs.]

MASK Mask, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Masked; p. pr. & vb. n. Masking.]

1. To cover, as the face, by way of concealment or defense against injury; to conceal with a mask or visor. They must all be masked and vizarded. Shak.

2. To disguise; to cover; to hide. Masking the business from the common eye. Shak.

3. (Mil.) (a) To conceal; also, to intervene in the line of. (b) To cover or keep in check; as, to mask a body of troops or a fortess by a superior force, while some hostile evolution is being carried out.

MASK Mask, v. i.

1. To take part as a masker in a masquerade. Cavendish.

2. To wear a mask; to be disguised in any way. Shak.

MASKED Masked, a.

1. Wearing a mask or masks; characterized by masks; cincealed; hidden.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Same as Personate.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the anterior part of the head differing decidedly in color from the rest of the plumage; -- said of birds. Masked ball, a ball in which the dancers wear masks. -- Masked battery (Mil.), a battery so placed as not to be seen by an enemy until it opens fire. H. L. Scott. -- Masked crab (Zoöl.), a European crab (Corystes cassivelaunus) with markings on the carapace somewhat resembling a human face. -- Masked pig (Zoöl.), a Japanese domestic hog (Sus pliciceps). Its face is deeply furrowed.

MASKER Mask"er, n.

Defn: One who wears a mask; one who appears in disguise at a masquerade.

MASKER Mask"er, v. t.

Defn: To confuse; to stupefy. [Obs.] Holland.

MASKERY Mask"er*y, n.

Defn: The dress or disguise of a maske [Obs.] Marston.

MASKINONGE Mas"ki*nonge, n.

Defn: The muskellunge.

MASK SHELL Mask" shell`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any spiral marine shell of the genus Persona, having a curiously twisted aperture.

MASLACH Mas"lach, n. Etym: [Ar. maslaq: cf. F. masloc.] (Med.)

Defn: An excitant containing opium, much used by the Turks. Dunglison.

MASLIN Mas"lin, n. Etym: [OE. missellane, misceline, miscelin, meslin, fr. miscellane. See Miscellane.]

1. A mixture composed of different materials; especially: (a) A mixture of metals resembling brass. (b) A mixture of different sorts of grain, as wheat and rye. [Written also meslin, mislin, maselyn, mastlin.]

2. A vessel made of maslin, 1 (a). [Obs.] Mead eke in a maselyn. Chaucer.

MASLIN Mas"lin, a.

Defn: Composed of different sorts; as, maslin bread, which is made of rye mixed with a little wheat. [Written also meslin, mislin, etc.]

MASON Ma"son, n. Etym: [F. ma, LL. macio, machio, mattio, mactio, marcio, macerio; of uncertain origin.]

1. One whose occupation is to build with stone or brick; also, one who prepares stone for building purposes.

2. A member of the fraternity of Freemasons. See Freemason. Mason bee (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of solitary bees of the genus Osmia. They construct curious nests of hardened mud and sand. -- Mason moth (Zoöl.), any moth whose larva constructs an earthen cocoon under the soil. -- Mason shell (Zoöl.), a marine univalve shell of the genus Phorus; -- so called because it cements other shells and pebbles upon its own shell; a carrier shell. -- Mason wasp (Zoöl.), any wasp that constructs its nest, or brood cells, of hardened mud. The female fills the cells with insects or spiders, paralyzed by a sting, and thus provides food for its larvæ

MASON Ma"son, v. t.

Defn: To build stonework or brickwork about, under, in, over, etc.; to construct by masons; -- with a prepositional suffix; as, to mason up a well or terrace; to mason in a kettle or boiler.

MASONIC Ma*son"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Freemasons or to their craft or mysteries.

MASONRY Ma"son*ry, n. Etym: [F. maçonnerie.]

1. The art or occupation of a mason.

2. The work or performance of a mason; as, good or bad masonry; skillful masonry.

3. That which is built by a mason; anything constructed of the materials used by masons, such as stone, brick, tiles, or the like. Dry masonry is applied to structures made without mortar.

4. The craft, institution, or mysteries of Freemasons; freemasonry.

MASOOLA BOAT Ma*soo"la boat`

Defn: . A kind of boat used on the coast of Madras, India. The planks are sewed together with strands of coir which cross over a wadding of the same material, so that the shock on taking the beach through surf is much reduced. [Written also masula, masulah, etc.]

MASORA Ma*so"ra, n. Etym: [NHeb. mas tradition.]

Defn: A Jewish critical work on the text of the Hebrew Scriptures, composed by several learned rabbis of the school of Tiberias, in the eighth and ninth centuries. [Written also Masorah, Massora, and Massorah.]

MASORET Mas"o*ret, n.

Defn: A Masorite. [Written also Masorete, and Massorete.]

MASORETIC; MASORETICAL Mas`o*ret"ic, Mas`o*ret"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. massorétique.]

Defn: Of or relating to the Masora, or to its authors. Masoretic points and accents, the vowel points and accents of the Hebrew text of the Bible, of which the first mention is in the Masora.

MASORITE Mas"o*rite, n.

Defn: One of the writers of the Masora.

MASQUE Masque, n.

Defn: A mask; a masquerade.

MASQUERADE Mas`quer*ade", n. Etym: [F. mascarade, fr. Sp. mascarada, or It. mascherata. See Mask.]

1. An assembly of persons wearing masks, and amusing themselves with dancing, conversation, or other diversions. In courtly balls and midnight masquerades. Pope.

2. A dramatic performance by actors in masks; a mask. See 1st Mask, 4. [Obs.]

3. Acting or living under false pretenses; concealment of something by a false or unreal show; pretentious show; disguise. That masquerade of misrepresentation which invariably accompanied the political eloquence of Rome. De Quincey.

4. A Spanish diversion on horseback.

MASQUERADE Mas`quer*ade", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Masqueraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Masquerading.]

1. To assemble in masks; to take part in a masquerade.

2. To frolic or disport in disquise; to make a pretentious show of being what one is not. A freak took an ass in the head, and he goes into the woods, masquerading up and down in a lion's skin. L'Estrange.

MASQUERADE Mas`quer*ade", v. t.

Defn: To conceal with masks; to disguise. "To masquerade vice." Killingbeck.

MASQUERADER Mas`quer*ad"er, n.

Defn: One who masquerades; a person wearing a mask; one disguised.

MASS Mass, n. Etym: [OE. masse, messe, AS. mæsse. LL. missa, from L. mittere, missum, to send, dismiss: cf. F. messe. In the ancient churches, the public services at which the catechumens were permitted to be present were called missa catechumenorum, ending with the reading of the Gospel. Then they were dismissed with these words : "Ite, missa est" [sc. ecclesia], the congregation is dismissed. After that the sacrifice proper began. At its close the same words were said to those who remained. So the word gave the name of Mass to the sacrifice in the Catholic Church. See Missile, and cf. Christmas, Lammas, Mess a dish, Missal.]

1. (R. C. Ch.)

Defn: The sacrifice in the sacrament of the Eucharist, or the consecration and oblation of the host.

2. (Mus.)

Defn: The portions of the Mass usually set to music, considered as a musical composition; -- namely, the Kyrie, the Gloria, the Credo, the Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei, besides sometimes an Offertory and the Benedictus. Canon of the Mass. See Canon. -- High Mass, Mass with incense, music, the assistance of a deacon, subdeacon, etc. -- Low Mass, Mass which is said by the priest through-out, without music. -- Mass bell, the sanctus bell. See Sanctus. -- Mass book, the missal or Roman Catholic service book.

MASS Mass, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Massed; p. pr. & vb. n. Massing.]

Defn: To celebrate Mass. [Obs.] Hooker.

MASS Mass, n. Etym: [OE. masse, F. masse, L. massa; akin to Gr. Macerate.]

1. A quantity of matter cohering together so as to make one body, or an aggregation of particles or things which collectively make one body or quantity, usually of considerable size; as, a mass of ore, metal, sand, or water. If it were not for these principles, the bodies of the earth, planets, comets, sun, and all things in them, would grow cold and freeze, and become inactive masses. Sir I. Newton. A deep mass of continual sea is slower stirred To rage. Savile.

2. (Phar.)

Defn: A medicinal substance made into a cohesive, homogeneous lump, of consistency suitable for making pills; as, blue mass.

3. A large quantity; a sum. All the mass of gold that comes into Spain. Sir W. Raleigh. He had spent a huge mass of treasure. Sir J. Davies.

4. Bulk; magnitude; body; size. This army of such mass and charge. Shak.

5. The principal part; the main body. Night closed upon the pursuit, and aided the mass of the fugitives in their escape. Jowett (Thucyd.).

6. (Physics)

Defn: The quantity of matter which a body contains, irrespective of its bulk or volume.

Note: Mass and weight are often used, in a general way, as interchangeable terms, since the weight of a body is proportional to its mass (under the same or equal gravitative forces), and the mass is usually ascertained from the weight. Yet the two ideas, mass and weight, are quite distinct. Mass is the quantity of matter in a body; weight is the comparative force with which it tends towards the center of the earth. A mass of sugar and a mass of lead are assumed to be equal when they show an equal weight by balancing each other in the scales. Blue mass. See under Blue. -- Mass center (Geom.), the center of gravity of a triangle. -- Mass copper, native copper in a large mass. -- Mass meeting, a large or general assembly of people, usually a meeting having some relation to politics. -- The masses, the great body of the people, as contrasted with the higher classes; the populace.

MASS Mass, v. t.

Defn: To form or collect into a mass; to form into a collective body; to bring together into masses; to assemble. But mass them together and they are terrible indeed. Coleridge.

MASSACRE Mas"sa*cre, n. Etym: [F., fr. LL. mazacrium; cf. Prov. G. metzgern, metzgen, to kill cattle, G. metzger a butcher, and LG. matsken to cut, hew, OHG. meizan to cut, Goth. máitan.]

1. The killing of a considerable number of human beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty, or contrary to the usages of civilized people; as, the massacre on St. Bartholomew's Day.

2. Murder. [Obs.] Shak.

Syn. -- Massacre, Butchery, Carnage. Massacre denotes the promiscuous slaughter of many who can not make resistance, or much resistance. Butchery refers to cold-blooded cruelty in the killing of men as if they were brute beasts. Carnage points to slaughter as producing the heaped-up bodies of the slain. I'll find a day to massacre them all, And raze their faction and their family. Shak. If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds, Brhold this pattern of thy butcheries. Shak. Such a scent I draw Of carnage, prey innumerable ! Milton.

MASSACRE Mas"sa*cre, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Massacred; p. pr. & vb. n. Massacring.] Etym: [Cf. F. massacrer. See Massacre, n.]

Defn: To kill in considerable numbers where much resistance can not be made; to kill with indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and contrary to the usages of nations; to butcher; to slaughter; -- limited to the killing of human beings. If James should be pleased to massacre them all, as Maximian had massacred the Theban legion. Macaulay.

MASSACRER Mas"sa*crer, n.

Defn: One who massacres. [R.]

MASSAGE Mas"sage, n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A rubbing or kneading of the body, especially when performed as a hygienic or remedial measure.

MASSAGIST Mas"sag*ist, n.

Defn: One who practices massage; a masseur or masseuse.

MASSASAUGA Mas`sa*sau"ga, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The black rattlesnake (Crotalus, or Caudisona, tergemina), found in the Mississippi Valley.

MASSE; MASSE SHOT Massé, or Masse shot, n. (Billiards)

Defn: A stroke made with the cue held vertically.

MASSER Mass"er, n.

Defn: A priest who celebrates Mass. [R.] Bale.

MASSETER Mas"se*ter, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. masséter.] (Anat.)

Defn: The large muscle which raises the under jaw, and assists in mastication.

MASSETERIC Mas`se*ter"ic, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the masseter.

MASSETERINE Mas"se*ter`ine, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Masseteric.

MASSEUR; MASSEUSE Mas`seur", n. m., Mas`seuse", n. f.,} Etym: [F., or formed in imitation of French. See Massage.] (Med.)

Defn: One who performs massage.

MASSICOT Mas"si*cot, n. Etym: [F. massicot; E. masticot is a corruption.] (Chem.)

Defn: Lead protoxide, PbO, obtained as a yellow amorphous powder, the fused and crystalline form of which is called litharge; lead ocher. It is used as a pigment.

Note: Massicot is sometimes used by painters, and also as a drier in the composition of ointments and plasters.

MASSINESS Mass"i*ness, n. Etym: [From Massy.]

Defn: The state or quality of being massy; ponderousness.

MASSIVE Mass"ive, a. Etym: [F. massif.]

1. Forming, or consisting of, a large mass; compacted; weighty; heavy; massy. "Massive armor." Dr. H. More.

2. (Min.)

Defn: In mass; not necessarily without a crystalline structure, but having no regular form; as, a mineral occurs massive. Massive rock (Geol.), a compact crystalline rock not distinctly schistone, as granite; also, with some authors, an eruptive rock.

MASSIVELY Mass"ive*ly, adv.

Defn: In a heavy mass.

MASSIVENESS Mass"ive*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being massive; massiness.

MASSOOLA BOAT Mas*soo"la boat`.

Defn: See Masoola boat.

MASSORA Mas*so"ra, n.

Defn: Same as Masora.

MASSORET Mas"so*ret, n.

Defn: Same as Masorite.

MASSY Mass"y, a. [Compar. Massier; superl. Massiest.]

Defn: Compacted into, or consisting of, a mass; having bulk and weight ot substance; ponderous; bulky and heavy; weight; heavy; as, a massy shield; a massy rock. Your swords are now too massy for your strengths, And will not be uplifted. Shak. Yawning rocks in massy fragments fly. Pope.

MAST Mast, n. Etym: [AS. mæst, fem. ; akin to G. mast, and E. meat. See Meat.]

Defn: The fruit of the oak and beech, or other forest trees; nuts; acorns. Oak mast, and beech, . . . they eat. Chapman. Swine under an oak filling themselves with the mast. South.

MAST Mast, n. Etym: [AS. mæst, masc.; akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw. mast, Icel. mastr, and perh. to L. malus.]

1. (Naut.)

Defn: A pole, or long, strong, round piece of timber, or spar, set upright in a boat or vessel, to sustain the sails, yards, rigging, etc. A mast may also consist of several pieces of timber united by iron bands, or of a hollow pillar of iron or steel. The tallest pine Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast Of some great ammiral. Milton.

Note: The most common general names of masts are foremast, mainmast, and mizzenmast, each of which may be made of separate spars.

2. (Mach.)

Defn: The vertical post of a derrick or crane. Afore the mast, Before the mast. See under Afore, and Before. -- Mast coat. See under Coat. -- Mast hoop, one of a number of hoops attached to the fore edge of a boom sail, which slip on the mast as the sail is raised or lowered; also, one of the iron hoops used in making a made mast. See Made.

MAST Mast, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Masted; p. pr. & vb. n. Masting.]

Defn: To furnish with a mast or masts; to put the masts of in position; as, to mast a ship.

MASTABA; MASTABAH Mas"ta*ba, n. Also Mas"ta*bah . [Ar. maçtabah a large stone bench.]

1. In Mohammedan countries, a fixed seat, common in dwellings and in public places.

2. (Egyptology) A type of tomb, of the time of the Memphite dynasties, comprising an oblong structure with sloping sides (sometimes containing a decorated chamber, sometimes of solid masonry), and connected with a mummy chamber in the rock beneath.

MASTAX Mas"tax, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.) (a) The pharynx of a rotifer. It usually contains four horny pieces. The two central ones form the incus, against which the mallei, or lateral ones, work so as to crush the food. (b) The lore of a bird.

MASTED Mast"ed, a.

Defn: Furnished with a mast or masts; -- chiefly in composition; as, a three-masted schooner.

MASTER Mast"er, n. (Naut.)

Defn: A vessel having (so many) masts; -- used only in compounds; as, a two-master.

MASTER Mas"ter, n. Etym: [OE. maistre, maister, OF. maistre, mestre, F. maître, fr. L. magister, orig. a double comparative from the root of magnus great, akin to Gr. Maestro, Magister, Magistrate, Magnitude, Major, Mister, Mistress, Mickle.]

1. A male person having another living being so far subject to his will, that he can, in the main, control his or its actions; -- formerly used with much more extensive application than now. (a) The employer of a servant. (b) The owner of a slave. (c) The person to whom an apprentice is articled. (d) A sovereign, prince, or feudal noble; a chief, or one exercising similar authority. (e) The head of a household. (f) The male head of a school or college. (g) A male teacher. (h) The director of a number of persons performing a ceremony or sharing a feast. (i) The owner of a docile brute, -- especially a dog or horse. (j) The controller of a familiar spirit or other supernatural being.

2. One who uses, or controls at will, anything inanimate; as, to be master of one's time. Shak. Master of a hundred thousand drachms. Addison. We are masters of the sea. Jowett (Thucyd. ).

3. One who has attained great skill in the use or application of anything; as, a master of oratorical art. Great masters of ridicule. Maccaulay. No care is taken to improve young men in their own language, that they may thoroughly understand and be masters of it. Locke.

4. A title given by courtesy, now commonly pronounced mìster, except when given to boys; -- sometimes written Mister, but usually abbreviated to Mr.

5. A young gentleman; a lad, or small boy. Where there are little masters and misses in a house, they are impediments to the diversions of the servants. Swift.

6. (Naut.)

Defn: The commander of a merchant vessel; -- usually called captain. Also, a commissioned officer in the navy ranking next above ensign and below lieutenant; formerly, an officer on a man-of-war who had immediate charge, under the commander, of sailing the vessel.

7. A person holding an office of authority among the Freemasons, esp. the presiding officer; also, a person holding a similar office in other civic societies. Little masters, certain German engravers of the 16th century, so called from the extreme smallness of their prints. -- Master in chancery, an officer of courts of equity, who acts as an assistant to the chancellor or judge, by inquiring into various matters referred to him, and reporting thereon to the court. -- Master of arts, one who takes the second degree at a university; also, the degree or title itself, indicated by the abbreviation M. A., or A. M. -- Master of the horse, the third great officer in the British court, having the management of the royal stables, etc. In ceremonial cavalcades he rides next to the sovereign. -- Master of the rolls, in England, an officer who has charge of the rolls and patents that pass the great seal, and of the records of the chancery, and acts as assistant judge of the court. Bouvier. Wharton. -- Past master, one who has held the office of master in a lodge of Freemasons or in a society similarly organized. -- The old masters, distinguished painters who preceded modern painters; especially, the celebrated painters of the 16th and 17th centuries. -- To be master of one's self, to have entire self-control; not to be governed by passion. -- To be one's own master, to be at liberty to act as one chooses without dictation from anybody.

Note: Master, signifying chief, principal, masterly, superior, thoroughly skilled, etc., is often used adjiectively or in compounds; as, master builder or master-builder, master chord or master-chord, master mason or master-mason, master workman or master-workman, master mechanic, master mind, master spirit, master passion, etc. Throughout the city by the master gate. Chaucer. Master joint (Geol.), a quarryman's term for the more prominent and extended joints traversing a rock mass. -- Master key, a key adapted to open several locks differing somewhat from each other; figuratively, a rule or principle of general application in solving difficulties. -- Master lode (Mining), the principal vein of ore. -- Master mariner, an experienced and skilled seaman who is certified to be competent to command a merchant vessel. -- Master sinew (Far.), a large sinew that surrounds the hough of a horse, and divides it from the bone by a hollow place, where the windgalls are usually seated. -- Master singer. See Mastersinger. -- Master stroke, a capital performance; a masterly achievement; a consummate action; as, a master stroke of policy. -- Master tap (Mech.), a tap for forming the thread in a screw cutting die. -- Master touch. (a) The touch or skill of a master. Pope. (b) Some part of a performance which exhibits very skillful work or treatment. "Some master touches of this admirable piece." Tatler. -- Master work, the most important work accomplished by a skilled person, as in architecture, literature, etc.; also, a work which shows the skill of a master; a masterpiece. -- Master workman, a man specially skilled in any art, handicraft, or trade, or who is an overseer, foreman, or employer.

MASTER Mas"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mastered; p. pr. vb. n. Mastering.]

1. To become the master of; to subject to one's will, control, or authority; to conquer; to overpower; to subdue. Obstinacy and willful neglects must be mastered, even though it cost blows. Locke.

2. To gain the command of, so as to understand or apply; to become an adept in; as, to master a science.

3. To own; to posses. [Obs.] The wealth That the world masters. Shak.

MASTER Mas"ter, v. i.

Defn: To be skillful; to excel. [Obs.]

MASTERDOM Mas"ter*dom, n. Etym: [Master + -dom.]

Defn: Dominion; rule; command. [R.] Shak.

MASTERFUL Mas"ter*ful, a.

1. Inclined to play the master; domineering; imperious; arbitrary. Dryden.

2. Having the skill or power of a master; indicating or expressing power or mastery. His masterful, pale face. Mrs. Browning.

MASTERFULLY Mas"ter*ful*ly, adv.

Defn: In a masterful manner; imperiously. A lawless and rebellious man who held lands masterfully and in high contempt of the royal authority. Macaulay.

MASTERHOOD Mas"ter*hood, n.

Defn: The state of being a master; hence, disposition to command or hector. C. Bronté.

MASTERLESS Mas"ter*less, a.

Defn: Destitute of a master or owner; ungoverned or ungovernable. -- Mas"ter*less*ness, n.

MASTERLINESS Mas"ter*li*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being masterly; ability to control wisely or skillfully.

MASTERLY Mas"ter*ly, a.

1. Suitable to, or characteristic of, a master; indicating thorough knowledge or superior skill and power; showing a master's hand; as, a masterly design; a masterly performance; a masterly policy. "A wise and masterly inactivity." Sir J. Mackintosh.

2. Imperious; domineering; arbitrary.

MASTERLY Mas"ter*ly, adv.

Defn: With the skill of a master. Thou dost speak masterly. Shak.

MASTEROUS Mas"ter*ous, a.

Defn: Masterly. [Obs.] Milton.

MASTERPIECE Mas"ter*piece`, n.

Defn: Anything done or made with extraordinary skill; a capital performance; a chef-d'oeuvre; a supreme achievement. The top and masterpiece of art. South. Dissimulation was his masterpiece. Claredon.

MASTERSHIP Mas"ter*ship, n.

1. The state or office of a master.

2. Mastery; dominion; superior skill; superiority. Where noble youths for mastership should strive. Driden.

3. Chief work; masterpiece. [Obs.] Dryden.

4. An ironical title of respect. How now, seignior Launce ! what news with your mastership Shak.

MASTERSINGER Mas"ter*sing`er, n. Etym: [A translation of G. meistersänger.]

Defn: One of a class of poets which flourished in Nuremberg and some other cities of Germany in the 15th and 16th centuries. They bound themselves to observe certain arbitrary laws of rhythm.

MASTER VIBRATOR Mas"ter vi"bra*tor.

Defn: In an internal-combustion engine with two or more cylinders, an induction coil and vibrator placed in the circuit between the battery or magneto and the coils for the different cylinders, which are used without vibrators of their own.

MASTERWORT Mas"ter*wort`, n. (Bot.) (a) A tall and coarse European umbelliferous plant (Peucedanum Ostruthium, formerly Imperatoria). (b) The Astrantia major, a European umbelliferous plant with a showy colored involucre. (c) Improperly, the cow parsnip (Heracleum lanatum).

MASTERY Mas"ter*y, n.; pl. Masteries. Etym: [OF. maistrie.]

1. The position or authority of a master; dominion; command; supremacy; superiority. If divided by mountains, they will fight for the mastery of the passages of the tops. Sir W. Raleigh.

2. Superiority in war or competition; victory; triumph; preëminence. The voice of them that shout for mastery. Ex. xxxii. 18. Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. 1 Cor. ix. 25. O, but to have gulled him Had been a mastery. B. Jonson.

3. Contest for superiority. [Obs.] Holland.

4. A masterly operation; a feat. [Obs.] I will do a maistrie ere I go. Chaucer.

5. Specifically, the philosopher's stone. [Obs.]

6. The act process of mastering; the state of having mastered. He could attain to a mastery in all languages. Tillotson. The learning and mastery of a tongue, being unpleasant in itself, should not be cumbered with other difficulties. Locke.

MASTFUL Mast"ful, a. Etym: [See lst Mast.]

Defn: Abounding in mast; producing mast in abundance; as, the mastful forest; a mastful chestnut. Dryden.

MASTHEAD Mast"head`, n. (Naut.)

Defn: The top or head of a mast; the part of a mast above the hounds.

MASTHEAD Mast"head", v. t. (Naut.)

Defn: To cause to go to the masthead as a punishment. Marryat.

MASTHOUSE Mast"house`, n.

Defn: A building in which vessels' masts are shaped, fitted, etc.

MASTIC Mas"tic, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. mastiche, mastichum, Gr. [Written also mastich.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: A low shrubby tree of the genus Pistacia (P. Lentiscus), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; -- called also, mastic tree.

2. A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes.

3. A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc. Barbary mastic (Bot.), the Pistachia Atlantica. -- Peruvian mastic tree (Bot.), a small tree (Schinus Molle) with peppery red berries; -- called also pepper tree. -- West Indian mastic (Bot.), a lofty tree (Bursera gummifera) full of gum resin in every part.

MASTICABLE Mas"ti*ca*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being masticated.

MASTICADOR Mas`ti*ca"dor, n. Etym: [Cf. Sp. mastigador. See Masticate.] (Man.)

Defn: A part of a bridle, the slavering bit. [Written also mastigador.]

MASTICATE Mas"ti*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Masticated; p. pr. & vb. n. Masticating.] Etym: [L. masticatus, p. p. of masticare to chew, prob. fr. mastiche mastic. See Mastic.]

Defn: To grind or crush with, or as with, the teeth and prepare for swallowing and digestion; to chew; as, to masticate food.

MASTICATER Mas"ti*ca`ter, n.

Defn: One who masticates.

MASTICATION Mas`ti*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. masticatio: cf. F. mastication.]

Defn: The act or operation of masticating; chewing, as of food. Mastication is a necessary preparation of solid aliment, without which there can be no good digestion. Arbuthnot.

MASTICATOR Mas"ti*ca`tor, n.

1. One who masticates.

2. A machine for cutting meat into fine pieces for toothless people; also, a machine for cutting leather, India rubber, or similar tough substances, into fine pieces, in some processes of manufacture.

MASTICATORY Mas"ti*ca*to*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. masticatoire.]

Defn: Chewing; adapted to perform the office o

MASTICATORY Mas"ti*ca*to*ry, n.; pl. -ries (. (Med.)

Defn: A substance to be chewed to increase the saliva. Bacon.