Chapter LI: Bella (18)

Defn: An auxiliary verb qualifyng the meaning of another verb, by expressing: (a) Ability, competency, or possibility; -- now oftener expressed by can. How may a man, said he, with idle speech, Be won to spoil the castle of his health ! Spenser. For what he [the king] may do is of two kinds; what he may do as just, and what he may do as possible. Bacon. For of all sad words of tongue or pen The saddest are these: "It might have been." Whittier. (b) Liberty; permission; allowance. Thou mayst be no longer steward. Luke xvi. 2. (c) Contingency or liability; possibility or probability. Though what he learns he speaks, and may advance Some general maxims, or be right by chance. Pope. (d) Modesty, courtesy, or concession, or a desire to soften a question or remark. How old may Phillis be, you ask. Prior. (e) Desire or wish, as in prayer, imprecation, benediction, and the like. "May you live happily." Dryden. May be, and It may be, are used as equivalent to possibly, perhaps, by chance, peradventure. See 1st Maybe.

MAY May, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. mær, Goth. mawi; akin to E. maiden.

Defn: A maiden. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MAY May, n. Etym: [F. Mai, L. Maius; so named in honor of the goddess Maia (Gr.

1. The fifth month of the year, containing thirty-one days. Chaucer.

2. The early part or springtime of life. His May of youth, and bloom of lustihood. Shak.

3. (Bot.)

Defn: The flowers of the hawthorn; -- so called from their time of blossoming; also, the hawthorn. The palm and may make country houses gay. Nash. Plumes that micked the may. Tennyson.

4. The merrymaking of May Day. Tennyson. Italian may (Bot.), a shrubby species of Spiræa (S. hypericifolia) with many clusters of small white flowers along the slender branches. -- May apple (Bot.), the fruit of an American plant (Podophyllum peltatum). Also, the plant itself (popularly called mandrake), which has two lobed leaves, and bears a single egg-shaped fruit at the forking. The root and leaves, used in medicine, are powerfully drastic. -- May beetle, May bug (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of large lamellicorn beetles that appear in the winged state in May. They belong to Melolontha, and allied genera. Called also June beetle. -- May Day, the first day of May; -- celebrated in the rustic parts of England by the crowning of a May queen with a garland, and by dancing about a May pole. -- May dew, the morning dew of the first day of May, to which magical properties were attributed. -- May flower (Bot.), a plant that flowers in May; also, its blossom. See Mayflower, in the vocabulary. -- May fly (Zoöl.), any species of Ephemera, and allied genera; -- so called because the mature flies of many species appear in May. See Ephemeral fly, under Ephemeral. -- May game, any May-day sport. -- May lady, the queen or lady of May, in old May games. -- May lily (Bot.), the lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis). -- May pole. See Maypole in the Vocabulary. -- May queen, a girl or young woman crowned queen in the sports of May Day. -- May thorn, the hawthorn.

MAYA Ma"ya, n. (Hindoo Philos.)

Defn: The name for the doctrine of the unreality of matter, called, in English, idealism; hence, nothingness; vanity; illusion.

MAYAN Ma"yan, a.

1. Designating, or pertaining to, an American Indian linguistic stock occupying the Mexican States of Veracruz, Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatan, together with a part of Guatemala and a part of Salvador. The Mayan peoples are dark, short, and brachycephallic, and at the time of the discovery had attained a higher grade of culture than any other American people. They cultivated a variety of crops, were expert in the manufacture and dyeing of cotton fabrics, used cacao as a medium of exchange, and were workers of gold, silver, and copper. Their architecture comprised elaborately carved temples and places, and they possessed a superior calendar, and a developed system of hieroglyphic writing, with records said to go back to about 700 a. d.

2. Of or pertaining to the Mayas.

MAYAN ARCH; MAYA ARCH Mayan arch, or Maya arch .

Defn: A form of corbel arch employing regular small corbels.

MAYBE May"be, adv. Etym: [For it may be.]

Defn: Perhaps; possibly; peradventure. Maybe the amorous count solicits her. Shak. In a liberal and, maybe, somewhat reckless way. Tylor.

MAYBE May"be, a.

Defn: Possible; probable, but not sure. [R.] Then add those maybe years thou hast to live. Driden.

MAYBE May"be, n.

Defn: Possibility; uncertainty. [R.] What they offer is mere maybe and shift. Creech.

MAYBIRD May"bird`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The whimbrel; -- called also May fowl, May curlew, and May whaap. (b) The knot. [Southern U. S.] (c) The bobolink.

MAYBLOOM May"bloom`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The hawthorn.

MAYBUSH May"bush`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The hawthorn.

MAYDUKE May"duke`, n. Etym: [Corrupt. of Médoc, a province in France, where it is supposed to have originated.]

Defn: A large dark-red cherry of excellent quality.

MAYFISH May"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A common American minnow (Fundulus majalis). See Minnow.

MAYFLOWER May"flow`er, n. (Bot.)

Defn: In England, the hawthorn; in New England, the trailing arbutus (see Arbutus); also, the blossom of these plants.

MAYHAP May"hap, adv.

Defn: Perhaps; peradventure. [Prov. or Dialectic]

MAYHEM May"hem, n. Etym: [The same as maim. See Maim.] (Law)

Defn: The maiming of a person by depriving him of the use of any of his members which are necessary for defense or protection. See Maim.

MAYING May"ing, n.

Defn: The celebrating of May Day. "He met her once a-Maying." Milton.

MAY LAWS May laws.

1. See Kulturkampf, above.

2. In Russia, severe oppressive laws against Jews, which have given occasion for great persecution; -- so called because they received the assent of the czar in May, 1882, and because likened to the Prussian May laws (see Kulturkampf).

MAYONNAISE Ma`yon`naise", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A sauce compounded of raw yolks of eggs beaten up with olive oil to the consistency of a sirup, and seasoned with vinegar, pepper, salt, etc.; -- used in dressing salads, fish, etc. Also, a dish dressed with this sauce.

MAYOR May"or, n. Etym: [OE. maire, F. maire, fr. L. major greater, higher, nobler, compar. of magnus great; cf. Sp. mayor. See Major, and cf. Merino.]

Defn: The chief magistrate of a city or borough; the chief officer of a municipal corporation. In some American cities there is a city court of which the major is chief judge.

MAYORAL May"or*al, n. Etym: [Sp., fr. mayor greater, L. major.]

Defn: The conductir of a mule team; also, a head shepherd.

MAYORALTY May"or*al*ty, n.

Defn: The office, or the term of office, of a mayor.

MAYORESS May"or*ess, n.

Defn: The wife of a mayor.

MAYORSHIP May"or*ship, n.

Defn: The office of a mayor.

MAYPOLE May"pole`, n.

Defn: A tall pole erected in an open place and wreathed with flowers, about which the rustic May-day sports were had.

MAYPOP May"pop, n. Etym: [Perh. corrupt. fr. maracock.] (Bot.)

Defn: The edible fruit of a passion flower, especially that of the North American Passiflora incarnata, an oval yellowish berry as large as a small apple.

MAYWEED May"weed`, n. (Bot.) (a) A composite plant (Anthemis Cotula), having a strong odor; dog's fennel. It is a native of Europe, now common by the roadsides in the United States. (b) The feverfew.

MAZAMA; MAZAME Ma*za"ma, Ma*za"me, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A goatlike antelope (Haplocerus montanus) which inhabits the Rocky Mountains, frequenting the highest parts; -- called also mountain goat.

MAZARD Maz"ard, n. Etym: [Cf. F. merise a wild cherry.] (Bot.)

Defn: A kind of small black cherry.

MAZARD Maz"ard, n. Etym: [Prob. fr. mazer, the head being compared to a large goblet.]

Defn: The jaw; the head or skull. [Obs.] Shak.

MAZARD Maz"ard, v. t.,

Defn: To knock on the head. [Obs.]

MAZARINE Maz`a*rine", a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Cardinal Mazarin, prime minister of France, 1643-1661. Mazarine Bible, the first Bible, and perhaps the first complete book, printed with movable metal types; -- printed by Gutenberg at Mentz, 1450-55; -- so called because a copy was found in the Mazarine Library, at Paris, about 1760. -- Mazarine blue, a deep blue color, named in honor of Cardinal Mazarin.

MAZARINE Maz`a*rine", n.

Defn: Mazarine blue.

MAZDEAN Maz"de*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Ahura-Mazda, or Ormuzd, the beneficent deity in the Zoroastrian dualistic system; hence, Zoroastrian.

MAZDEISM Maz"de*ism, n.

Defn: The Zoroastrian religion.

MAZE Maze, n. Etym: [OE. mase; cf. OE. masen to confuse, puzzle, Norweg. masast to fall into a slumber, masa to be continually busy, prate, chatter, Icel. masa to chatter, dial. Sw. masa to bask, be slow, work slowly and lazily, mas slow, lazy.]

1. A wild fancy; a confused notion. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. Confusion of thought; perplexity; uncertainty; state of bewilderment.

3. A confusing and baffling network, as of paths or passages; an intricacy; a labyrinth. "Quaint mazes on the wanton green." Shak. Or down the tempting maze of Shawford brook. Wordaworth. The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate, Puzzled with mazes, and perplexed with error. Addison.

Syn. -- Labyrinth; intricacy. See Labyrinth.

MAZE Maze, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mazed; p. pr. & vb. n. Mazing.]

Defn: To perplex greatly; to bewilder; to astonish and confuse; to amaze. South.

MAZE Maze, v. i.

Defn: To be bewildered. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MAZEDNESS Maz"ed*ness, n.

Defn: The condition of being mazed; confusion; astonishment. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MAZEFUL Maze"ful, a.

Defn: Mazy. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

MAZER Maz"er, n. Etym: [OE. maser, akin to OD. maser an excrescence on a maple tree, OHG. masar, G. maser spot, Icel. mösurr maple.]

Defn: A large drinking bowl; -- originally made of maple. [Obs.] Their brimful mazers to the feasting bring. Drayton.

MAZILY Ma"zi*ly, adv.

Defn: In a mazy manner.

MAZINESS Ma"zi*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being mazy.

MAZOLOGICAL Maz`o*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to mazology.

MAZOLOGIST Ma*zol"o*gist, n.

Defn: One versed in mazology or mastology.

MAZOLOGY Ma*zol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]

Defn: Same as Mastology.

MAZOURKA; MAZURKA Ma*zour"ka, Ma*zur"ka, n.

Defn: A Polish dance, or the music which accompanies it, usually in 3-4 or 3-8 measure, with a strong accent on the second beat.

MAZY Ma"zy, a. Etym: [From Maze.]

Defn: Perplexed with turns and windings; winding; intricate; confusing; perplexing; embarrassing; as, mazy error. Milton. To range amid the mazy thicket. Spenser. To run the ring, and trace the mazy round. Dryden.

ME Me, pron.

Defn: One. See Men, pron. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ME Me, pers. pron. Etym: [AS. m, dat. & acc., mec, acc. only ; akin to D. mij, G. mich, Icel. & Goth. mik, L. me, Gr. ma, mam. Mine.]

Defn: The person speaking, regarded as an object; myself; a pronoun of the first person used as the objective and dative case of the pronoum I; as, he struck me; he gave me the money, or he gave the money to me; he got me a hat, or he got a hat for me.

Note: In methinks, me is properly in the dative case, and the verb is impersonal, the construction being, it appears to me. In early use me was often placed before forms of the verb to be with an adjective; as, me were lief. Me rather had my heart might frrl your love Than my unpleased eye see your courtesy. Shak.

MEACH Meach, v. i.

Defn: To skulk; to cower. See Mich.

MEACOCK Mea"cock, n. Etym: [Prob. fr. meek + cock.]

Defn: An uxorious, effeminate, or spiritless man. [Obs.] Johnson.

MEAD Mead, n. Etym: [OE. mede, AS. meodo; akin to D. mede, G. met, meth, OHG. metu, mitu, Icel. mjö, Dan. miöd, Sw. mjöd, Russ. med', Lith. midus, W. medd, Gr. madhu honey, a sweet drink, as adj., sweet. Metheglin.]

1. A fermented drink made of water and honey with malt, yeast, etc.; metheglin; hydromel. Chaucer.

2. A drink composed of sirup of sarsaparilla or other flavoring extract, and water. It is sometimes charged with carbonic acid gas. [U. S.]

MEAD Mead, n. Etym: [AS. m. See Meadow.]

Defn: A meadow. A mede All full of freshe flowers, white and reede. Chaucer. To fertile vales and dewy meads My weary, wandering steps he leads. Addison.

MEADOW Mead"ow, n. Etym: [AS. meady; akin to m, and to G. matte; prob. also to E. mow. See Mow to cut (grass), and cf. 2d Mead.]

1. A tract of low or level land producing grass which is mown for hay; any field on which grass is grown for hay.

2. Low land covered with coarse grass or rank herbage near rives and in marshy places by the sea; as, the salt meadows near Newark Bay.

MEADOW Mead"ow, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a meadow; of the nature of a meadow; produced, growing, or living in, a meadow. "Fat meadow ground." Milton.

Note: For many names of plants compounded with meadow, see the particular word in the Vocabulary. Meadow beauty. (Bot.) Same as Deergrass. -- Meadow foxtail (Bot.), a valuable pasture grass (Alopecurus pratensis) resembling timothy, but with softer spikes. -- Meadow grass (Bot.), a name given to several grasses of the genus Poa, common in meadows, and of great value for nay and for pasture. See Grass. -- Meadow hay, a coarse grass, or true sedge, growing in uncultivated swamp or river meadow; -- used as fodder or bedding for cattle, packing for ice, etc. [Local, U. S.] -- Meadow hen. (Zoöl.) (a) The American bittern. See Stake-driver. (b) The American coot (Fulica). (c) The clapper rail. -- Meadow lark (Zoöl.), any species of Sturnella, a genus of American birds allied to the starlings. The common species (S. magna) has a yellow breast with a black crescent. -- Meadow mouse (Zoöl.), any mouse of the genus Arvicola, as the common American species A. riparia; -- called also field mouse, and field vole. -- Meadow mussel (Zoöl.), an American ribbed mussel (Modiola plicatula), very abundant in salt marshes. -- Meadow ore (Min.), bog-iron ore , a kind of limonite. -- Meadow parsnip. (Bot.) See under Parsnip. -- Meadow pink. (Bot.) See under Pink. -- Meadow pipit (Zoöl.), a small singing bird of the genus Anthus, as A. pratensis, of Europe. -- Meadow rue (Bot.), a delicate early plant, of the genus Thalictrum, having compound leaves and numerous white flowers. There are many species. -- Meadow saffron. (Bot.) See under Saffron. -- Meadow sage. (Bot.) See under Sage. -- Meadow saxifrage (Bot.), an umbelliferous plant of Europe (Silaus pratensis), somewhat resembling fennel. -- Meadow snipe (Zoöl.), the common or jack snipe.

MEADOWSWEET; MEADOWWORT Mead"ow*sweet`, Mead"ow*wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The name of several plants of the genus Spiræa, especially the white- or pink-flowered S. salicifolia, a low European and American shrub, and the herbaceous S. Ulmaria, which has fragrant white flowers in compound cymes.

MEADOWY Mead"ow*y, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to meadows; resembling, or consisting of, meadow.

MEAGER; MEAGRE Mea"ger, Mea"gre, a. Etym: [OE. merge, F. maigre, L. macer; akin to D. & G. mager, Icel. magr, and prob. to Gr. Emaciate, Maigre.]

1. Destitue of, or having little, flesh; lean. Meager were his looks; Sharp misery had worn him to the bones. Shak.

2. Destitute of richness, fertility, strength, or the like; defective in quantity, or poor in quality; poor; barren; scanty in ideas; wanting strength of diction or affluence of imagery. "Meager soil." Dryden. Of secular habits and meager religious belief. I. Taylor. His education had been but meager. Motley.

3. (Min.)

Defn: Dry and harsh to the touch, as chalk.

Syn. -- Thin; lean; lank; gaunt; starved; hungry; poor; emaciated; scanty; barren.

MEAGER; MEAGRE Mea"ger, Mea"gre, v. t.

Defn: To make lean. [Obs.]

MEAGERLY; MEAGRELY Mea"ger*ly, Mea"gre*ly, adv.

Defn: Poorly; thinly.

MEAGERNESS; MEAGRENESS Mea"ger*ness, Mea"gre*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being meager; leanness; scantiness; barrenness.

MEAGRE Mea"gre, n. Etym: [F. maigre.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large European sciænoid fish (Sciæna umbra or S. aquila), having white bloodless flesh. It is valued as a food fish. [Written also maigre.]

MEAK Meak, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. m sword, OS. maki, Icel. mækir.]

Defn: A hook with a long handle. [Obs.] Tusser.

MEAKING Meak"ing, n. Etym: [See Meak.] (Naut.)

Defn: The process of picking out the oakum from the seams of a vessel which is to be recalked. Meaking iron (Naut.), the tool with which old oakum is picked out of a vessel's seams.

MEAL Meal, n. Etym: [OE. mele, AS. m part, portion, portion of time; akin to E. meal a repast. Cf. Piecemeal.]

Defn: A part; a fragment; a portion. [Obs.]

MEAL Meal, n. Etym: [OE. mel; akin to E. meal a part, and to D. maal time, meal, G. mal time, mahl meal, Icel. mal measure, time, meal, Goth. m time, and to E. measure. See Measure.]

Defn: The portion of food taken at a particular time for the satisfaction of appetite; the quantity usually taken at one time with the purpose of satisfying hunger; a repast; the acas, the traveler has not eaten a good meal for a week; there was silence during the meal. What strange fish Hath made his meal on thee Shak.

MEAL Meal, n. Etym: [OE. mele, AS. melu, melo; akin to D. meel, G. mehl, OHG. melo, Icel. mjöl, SW. mjöl, Dan. meel, also to D. malen to grind, G. mahlen, OHG., OS., & Goth. malan, Icel. mala, W. malu, L. molere, Gr. mill. Mill, Mold soil, Mole an animal, Immolate, Molar.]

1. Grain (esp. maize, rye, or oats) that is coarsely ground and unbolted; also, a kind of flour made from beans, pease, etc.; sometimes, any flour, esp. if coarse.

2. Any substance that is coarsely pulverized like meal, but not granulated. Meal beetle (Zoöl.), the adult of the meal worm. See Meal worm, below. -- Meal moth (Zoöl.), a lepidopterous insect (Asopia farinalis), the larvæ of which feed upon meal, flour, etc. -- Meal worm (Zoöl.), the larva of a beetle (Tenebrio molitor) which infests granaries, bakehouses, etc., and is very injurious to flour and meal.

MEAL Meal, v. t.

1. To sprinkle with, or as with, meal. Shak.

2. To pulverize; as, mealed powder.

MEALIES Meal"ies, n. pl. Etym: [From Mealy.] (Bot.)

Defn: Maize or Indian corn; -- the common name in South Africa.

MEALINESS Meal"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being mealy.

MEAL-MOUTHED Meal"-mouthed`, a.

Defn: See Mealy-mouthed.

MEALTIME Meal"time`, n.

Defn: The usual time of eating a meal.

MEALY Meal"y, a. [Compar. Mealier; superl. Mealiest.]

1. Having the qualities of meal; resembling meal; soft, dry, and friable; easily reduced to a condition resembling meal; as, a mealy potato.

2. Overspread with something that resembles meal; as, the mealy wings of an insect. Shak. Mealy bug (Zoöl.), a scale insect (Coccus adonidum, and related species), covered with a white powderlike substance. It is a common pest in hothouses.

MEALY-MOUTHED Meal"y-mouthed`, a.

Defn: Using soft words; plausible; affectedly or timidly delicate of speech; unwilling to tell the truth in plain language. "Mealy-mouthed philanthropies." Tennyson. She was a fool to be mealy-mouthed where nature speaks so plain. L'Estrange. -- Meal"y-mouth`ness, n.

MEAN Mean, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Meant; p. pr. & vb. n. Meaning.] Etym: [OE. menen, AS. mænan to recite, tell, intend, wish; akin to OS. menian to have in mind, mean, D. meenen, G. meinen, OHG. meinan, Icel. meina, Sw. mena, Dan. mene, and to E. mind. Mind, and cf. Moan.]

1. To have in the mind, as a purpose, intention, etc.; to intend; to purpose; to design; as, what do you mean to do What mean ye by this service Ex. xii. 26. Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good. Gen. 1. 20. I am not a Spaniard To say that it is yours and not to mean it. Longfellow.

2. To signify; to indicate; to import; to denote. What mean these seven ewe lambs Gen. xxi. 29. Go ye, and learn what that me. Matt. ix. 13.

MEAN Mean, v. i.

Defn: To have a purpose or intention. [Rare, except in the phrase to mean well, or ill.] Shak.

MEAN Mean, a. [Compar. Meaner; superl. Meanest.] Etym: [OE. mene, AS. m wicked; akin to man, a., wicked, n., wickedness, OS. m wickedness, OHG. mein, G. meineid perjury, Icel. mein harm, hurt, and perh. to AS. gem common, general, D. gemeen, G. gemein, Goth. gamáins, and L. communis. The AS. gem prob. influenced the meaning.]

1. Destitute of distinction or eminence; common; low; vulgar; humble. "Of mean parentage." Sir P. Sidney. The mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself. Is. ii. 9.

2. Wanting dignity of mind; low-minded; base; destitute of honor; spiritless; as, a mean motive. Can you imagine I so mean could prove, To save my life by changing of my love Dryden.

3. Of little value or account; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable. The Roman legions and great Cæsar found Our fathers no mean foes. J. Philips.

4. Of poor quality; as, mean fare.

5. Penurious; stingy; close-fisted; illiberal; as, mean hospitality.

Note: Mean is sometimes used in the formation of compounds, the sense of which is obvious without explanation; as, meanborn, mean-looking, etc.

Syn. -- Base; ignoble; abject; beggarly; wretched; degraded; degenerate; vulgar; vile; servile; menial; spiritless; groveling; slavish; dishonorable; disgraceful; shameful; despicable; contemptible; paltry; sordid. See Base.

MEAN Mean, a. Etym: [OE. mene, OF. meiien, F. moyen, fr. L. medianus that is in the middle, fr. medius; akin to E. mid. See Mid.]

1. Occupying a middle position; middle; being about midway between extremes. Being of middle age and a mean stature. Sir. P. Sidney.

2. Intermediate in excellence of any kind. According to the fittest style of lofty, mean, or lowly. Milton.

3. (Math.)

Defn: Average; having an intermediate value between two extremes, or between the several successive values of a variable quantity during one cycle of variation; as, mean distance; mean motion; mean solar day. Mean distance (of a planet from the sun) (Astron.), the average of the distances throughout one revolution of the planet, equivalent to the semi-major axis of the orbit. -- Mean error (Math. Phys.), the average error of a number of observations found by taking the mean value of the positive and negative errors without regard to sign. -- Mean-square error, or Error of the mean square (Math. Phys.), the error the square of which is the mean of the squares of all the errors; -- called also, especially by European writers, mean error. -- Mean line. (Crystallog.) Same as Bisectrix. -- Mean noon, noon as determined by mean time. -- Mean proportional (between two numbers) (Math.), the square root of their product. -- Mean sun, a fictitious sun supposed to move uniformly in the equator so as to be on the meridian each day at mean noon. -- Mean time, time as measured by an equable motion, as of a perfect clock, or as reckoned on the supposition that all the days of the year are of a mean or uniform length, in contradistinction from apparent time, or that actually indicated by the sun, and from sidereal time, or that measured by the stars.

MEAN Mean, n.

1. That which is mean, or intermediate, between two extremes of place, time, or number; the middle point or place; middle rate or degree; mediocrity; medium; absence of extremes or excess; moderation; measure. But to speak in a mean, the virtue of prosperity is temperance; the virtue of adversity is fortitude. Bacon. There is a mean in all things. Dryden. The extremes we have mentioned, between which the wellinstracted Christian holds the mean, are correlatives. I. Taylor.

2. (Math.)

Defn: A quantity having an intermediate value between several others, from which it is derived, and of which it expresses the resultant value; usually, unless otherwise specified, it is the simple average, formed by adding the quantities together and dividing by their number, which is called an arithmetical mean. A geometrical mean is the square root of the product of the quantities.

3. That through which, or by the help of which, an end is attained; something tending to an object desired; intermediate agency or measure; necessary condition or coagent; instrument. Their virtuous conversation was a mean to work the conversion of the heathen to Christ. Hooker. You may be able, by this mean, to review your own scientific acquirements. Coleridge. Philosophical doubt is not an end, but a mean. Sir W. Hamilton.

Note: In this sense the word is usually employed in the plural form means, and often with a singular attribute or predicate, as if a singular noun. By this means he had them more at vantage. Bacon. What other means is left unto us. Shak.

4. pl.

Defn: Hence: Resources; property, revenue, or the like, considered as the condition of easy livelihood, or an instrumentality at command for effecting any purpose; disposable force or substance. Your means are very slender, and your waste is great. Shak.

5. (Mus.)

Defn: A part, whether alto or tenor, intermediate between the soprano and base; a middle part. [Obs.] The mean is drowned with your unruly base. Shak.

6. Meantime; meanwhile. [Obs.] Spenser.

7. A mediator; a go-between. [Obs.] Piers Plowman. He wooeth her by means and by brokage. Chaucer. By all means, certainly; without fail; as, go, by all means. -- By any means, in any way; possibly; at all. If by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead. Phil. iii. ll. -- By no means, or By no manner of means, not at all; certainly not; not in any degree. The wine on this side of the lake is by no means so good as that on the other. Addison.

MEANDER Me*an"der, n. Etym: [L. Maeander, orig., a river in Phrygia, proverbial for its many windings, Gr. méandre.]

1. A winding, crooked, or involved course; as, the meanders of the veins and arteries. Sir M. Hale. While lingering rivers in meanders glide. Sir R. Blackmore.

2. A tortuous or intricate movement.

3. (Arch.)

Defn: Fretwork. See Fret.

MEANDER Me*an"der, v. t.

Defn: To wind, turn, or twist; to make flexuous. Dryton.

MEANDER Me*an"der, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Meandered; p. pr. & vb. n. Meandering.]

Defn: To wind or turn in a course or passage; to be intricate. Five miles meandering with a mazy motion Through wood and dale the sacred river ran. Coleridge.

MEANDRIAN Me*an"dri*an, a. Etym: [L. Maeandrius: cf. F. méandrien.]

Defn: Winding; having many turns.

MEANDRINA Me`an*dri"na, n. Etym: [NL.: cf. F. méandrine.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of corals with meandering grooves and ridges, including the brain corals.

MEANDROUS; MEANDRY Me*an"drous, Me*an"dry, a.

Defn: Winding; flexuous.

MEANING Mean"ing, n.

1. That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim; object; as, a mischievous meaning was apparent. If there be any good meaning towards you. Shak.

2. That which is signified, whether by act lanquage; signification; sence; import; as, the meaning of a hint.

3. Sense; power of thinking. [R.] -- Mean"ing*less, a. -- Mean"ing*ly, adv.

MEANLY Mean"ly, adv. Etym: [Mean middle.]

Defn: Moderately. [Obs.] A man meanly learned himself, but not meanly affectioned to set forward learning in others. Ascham.

MEANLY Mean"ly, adv. Etym: [From Mean low.]

Defn: In a mean manner; unworthily; basely; poorly; ungenerously. While the heaven-born child All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies. Milton. Would you meanly thus rely On power you know I must obey Prior. We can not bear to have others think meanly of them [our kindred]. I. Watts.

MEANNESS Mean"ness, n.

1. The condition, or quality, of being mean; want of excellence; poorness; lowness; baseness; sordidness; stinginess. This figure is of a later date, by the meanness of the workmanship. Addison.

2. A mean act; as, to be guilty of meanness. Goldsmith.

MEAN-SPIRITED Mean"-spir`it*ed, a.

Defn: Of a mean spirit; base; groveling. -- Mean"-spir`it*ed*ness, n.

MEANT Meant, imp. & p. p.

Defn: of Mean.

MEANTIME; MEANWHILE Mean"time`, Mean"while`, n.

Defn: The intervening time; as, in the meantime (or mean time).

MEANTIME; MEANWHILE Mean"time`, Mean"while`, adv.

Defn: In the intervening time; during the interval.

MEAR Mear, n.

Defn: A boundary. See Mere. [Obs.]

MEASE Mease, n. Etym: [Cf. G. mass measure.]

Defn: Five hundred; as, a mease of herrings. [Prov. Eng.]

MEASELRY Mea"sel*ry, n. Etym: [OE. meselrie, OF. mesellerie. See lst Measle.]

Defn: Leprosy. [Obs.] R. of Brunne.

MEASLE Mea"sle, n. Etym: [OE. mesel, OF. mesel, LL. misellus, L. misellus unfortunate, dim. of miser. See Miser.]

Defn: A leper. [Obs.] [Written also meazel, and mesel.] Wyclif (Matt. x. 8. ).

MEASLE Mea"sle, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tapeworm larva. See 2d Measles, 4.

MEASLED Mea"sled, a. Etym: [See 2d Measles.]

Defn: Infected or spotted with measles, as pork. -- Mea"sled*ness, n.

MEASLES Mea"sles, n. Etym: [From lst Measle.]

Defn: Leprosy; also, a leper. [Obs.]

MEASLES Mea"sles, n.; pl. in form, but used as singular in senses 1, 2, & 3. Etym: [D. mazelen; akin to G. masern, pl., and E. mazer, and orig. meaning, little spots. See Mazer.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: A contagious febrile disorder commencing with catarrhal symptoms, and marked by the appearance on the third day of an eruption of distinct red circular spots, which coalesce in a crescentic form, are slightly raised above the surface, and after the fourth day of the eruption gradually decline; rubeola. Measles commences with the ordinary symptoms of fever. Am. Cyc.

2. (Veter. Med.)

Defn: A disease of cattle and swine in which the flesh is filled with the embryos of different varieties of the tapeworm.

3. A disease of trees. [Obs.]

4. pl. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The larvæ of any tapeworm (Tænia) in the cysticerus stage, when contained in meat. Called also bladder worms.

MEASLY Mea"sly, a.

1. Infected with measles.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Containing larval tapeworms; -- said of pork and beef.

MEASURABLE Meas"ur*a*ble, a. Etym: [F. mesurable, L. mensurabilis. See Measure, and cf. Mensurable.]

1. Capable of being measured; susceptible of mensuration or computation.

2. Moderate; temperate; not excessive. Of his diet measurable was he. Chaucer. -- Meas"ur*a*ble*ness, n. -- Meas"ur*a*bly, adv. Yet do it measurably, as it becometh Christians. Latimer.

MEASURE Meas"ure, n. Etym: [OE. mesure, F. mesure, L. mensura, fr. metiri, mensus, to measure; akin to metrum poetical measure, Gr. meter. Cf. Immense, Mensuration, Mete to measure.]

1. A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or multiples of which anything is estimated and stated; hence, a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged.

2. An instrument by means of which size or quantity is measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like. False ells and measures be brought all clean adown. R. of Gloucester.

3. The dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated; estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a coat. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. Job xi. 9.

4. The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited quantity or amount. It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal. Luke xiii. 21.

5. Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds; moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in measure; with measure; without or beyond measure. Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure. Is. v. 14.

6. Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due proportion. Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days. Ps. xxxix. 4.

7. The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying and selling; as, to give good or full measure.

8. Undefined quantity; extent; degree. There is a great measure of discretion to be used in the performance of confession. Jer. Taylor.

9. Regulated division of movement: (a) (Dancing) A regulated movement corresponding to the time in which the accompanying music is performed; but, especially, a slow and stately dane, like the minuet. (b) (Mus.) (1) The group or grouping of beats, caused by the regular recurrence of accented beats. (2)

Defn: The space between two bars. See Beat, Triple, Quadruple, Sextuple, Compound time, under Compound, a., and Figure. (c) (Poetry) The manner of ordering and combining the quantities, or long and short syllables; meter; rhythm; hence, a foot; as, a poem in iambic measure.

10. (Arith.)

Defn: A number which is contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases, the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of two or more numbers.

11. A step or definite part of a progressive course or policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the accomplishment of an object; as, political measures; prudent measures; an inefficient measure. His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken in the conferring that trust, and lamented his error. Clarendon.

12. The act of measuring; measurement. Shak.

13. pl. (Geol.)

Defn: Beds or strata; as, coal measures; lead measures. Lineal, or Long, measure, measure of length; the measure of lines or distances. -- Liquid measure, the measure of liquids. -- Square measure, the measure of superficial area of surfaces in square units, as inches, feet, miles, etc. -- To have hard measure, to have harsh treatment meted out to one; to be harshly or oppressively dealt with. -- To take measures, to make preparations; to provide means. -- To take one's measure, to measure one, as for a garment; hence, to form an opinion of one's disposition, character, ability, etc. -- To tread a measure, to dance in the style so called. See 9 (a). Say to her, we have measured many miles To tread a measure with her on this grass. Shak.

MEASURE Meas"ure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Measured; p. pr. & vb. n. Measuring.] Etym: [F. mesurer, L. mensurare. See Measure, n.]

1. To ascertain by use of a measuring instrument; to compute or ascertain the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by a certain rule or standard; to take the dimensions of; hence, to estimate; to judge of; to value; to appraise. Great are thy works, Jehovah, infinite Thy power! what thought can measure thee Milton.

2. To serve as the measure of; as, the thermometer measures changes of temperature.

3. To pass throught or over in journeying, as if laying off and determining the distance. A true devoted pilgrim is not weary To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps. Shak.

4. To adjust by a rule or standard. To secure a contented spirit, measure your desires by your fortunes, not your fortunes by your desires. Jer. Taylor.

5. To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; -- often with out or off. With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matt. vii. 2. That portion of eternity which is called time, measured out by the sun. Addison. To measure swords with one, to try another's skill in the use of the sword; hence, figuratively, to match one's abilities against an antagonist's.

MEASURE Meas"ure, v. i.

1. To make a measurement or measurements.

2. To result, or turn out, on measuring; as, the grain measures well; the pieces measure unequally.

3. To be of a certain size or quantity, or to have a certain length, breadth, or thickness, or a certain capacity according to a standard measure; as, cloth measures three fourths of a yard; a tree measures three feet in diameter.

MEASURED Meas"ured, a.

Defn: Regulated or determined by a standard; hence, equal; uniform; graduated; limited; moderated; as, he walked with measured steps; he expressed himself in no measured terms. -- Meas"ured*ly, adv.

MEASURELESS Meas"ure*less, a.

Defn: Without measure; unlimited; immeasurable. -- Meas"ure*less*ness, n.

Syn. -- Boundless; limitless; endless; unbounded; unlimited; vast; immense; infinite; immeasurable. Where Alf, the sacred river ran, Through canyons measureless to man, Down to a hidden sea. Coleridge

MEASUREMENT Meas"ure*ment, n.

1. The act or result of measuring; mensuration; as, measurement is required.

2. The extent, size, capacity, amount. or quantity ascertained by measuring; as, its measurement is five acres.

MEASURER Meas"ur*er, n.

Defn: One who measures; one whose occupation or duty is to measure commondities in market.

MEASURING Meas"ur*ing, a.

Defn: Used in, or adapted for, ascertaining measurements, or dividing by measure. Measuring faucet, a faucet which permits only a given quantity of liquid to pass each time it is opened, or one by means of which the liquid which passes can be measured. -- Measuring worm (Zoöl.), the larva of any geometrid moth. See Geometrid.

MEAT Meat, n. Etym: [OE. mete, AS. mete; akin to OS. mat, meti, D. met hashed meat, G. mettwurst sausage, OHG. maz food, Icel. matr, Sw. mat, Dan. mad, Goth. mats. Cf. Mast fruit, Mush.]

1. Food, in general; anything eaten for nourishment, either by man or beast. Hence, the edible part of anything; as, the meat of a lobster, a nut, or an egg. Chaucer. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, . . . to you it shall be for meat. Gen. i. 29. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you. Gen. ix. 3.

2. The flesh of animals used as food; esp., animal muscle; as, a breakfast of bread and fruit without meat.

3. Specifically, dinner; the chief meal. [Obs.] Chaucer. Meat biscuit. See under Biscuit. -- Meat earth (Mining), vegetable mold. Raymond. -- Meat fly. (Zoöl.) See Flesh fly, under Flesh. -- Meat offering (Script.), an offering of food, esp. of a cake made of flour with salt and oil. -- To go to meat, to go to a meal. [Obs.] -- To sit at meat, to sit at the table in taking food.

MEAT Meat, v. t.

Defn: To supply with food. [Obs.] Tusser. His shield well lined, his horses meated well. Chapman.

MEATAL Me*a"tal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a meatus; resembling a meatus. Owen.

MEATED Meat"ed, a.

1. Fed; fattened. [Obs.] Tusser.

2. Having (such) meat; -- used chiefly in composition; as, thick- meated.

MEATH; MEATHE Meath, Meathe, n. Etym: [See Mead.]

Defn: A sweet liquor; mead. [Obs.] Chaucer. Milton.

MEATINESS Meat"i*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being meaty.

MEATLESS Meat"less, a.

Defn: Having no meat; without food. "Leave these beggars meatless." Sir T. More.

MEATOSCOPE Me*at"o*scope, n. Etym: [Meatus + -scope.] (Med.)

Defn: A speculum for examining a natural passage, as the urethra.

MEATOTOME Me*at"o*tome, n. Etym: [Meatus + Gr. (Surg.)

Defn: An instrument for cutting into the urethra so as to enlarge its orifice.

MEATUS Me*a"tus, n. sing. & pl.; E. pl. Meatuses (. Etym: [L., a going, passage, fr. meare to go.] (Anat.)

Defn: A natural passage or canal; as, the external auditory meatus. See Illust. of Ear.

MEATY Meat"y, a.

Defn: Abounding in meat.

MEAW Meaw, n.

Defn: The sea mew. [Obs.] Spenser.

MEAW Meaw, v. i.

Defn: See Mew, to cry as a cat.

MEAWL Meawl, v. i.

Defn: See Mewl, and Miaul.

MEAZEL Mea"zel, n.

Defn: See 1st Measle. [Obs.]

MEAZLING Meaz"ling, a.

Defn: Falling in small drops; mistling; mizzing. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.

MEBLES Me"bles, n. pl.

Defn: See Moebles. [Obs.]

MECATE Me*ca"te, n. Etym: [Sp.]

Defn: A rope of hair or of maguey fiber, for tying horses, etc. [Southwestern U. S.]

MECCAWEE Mec`ca*wee", a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Mecca, in Arabia. -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Mecca.

MECHANIC Me*chan"ic, n. Etym: [F. mécanique mechanics. See Mechanic, a.]

1. The art of the application of the laws of motion or force to construction. [Obs.]

2. A mechanician; an artisan; an artificer; one who practices any mechanic art; one skilled or employed in shaping and uniting materials, as wood, metal, etc., into any kind of structure, machine, or other object, requiring the use of tools, or instruments. An art quite lost with our mechanics. Sir T. Browne.

MECHANIC Me*chan"ic, a. Etym: [F. mécanique, L. mechanicus, Gr. Machine.]

1. Having to do woth the application of the laws of motion in the art of constructing or making things; of or pertaining to mechanics; mechanical; as, the mechanic arts. "These mechanic philosophers." Ray. Mechanic slaves, With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers. Shak.

2. Of or pertaining to a mechanic or artificer, or to the class of artisans; hence, rude; common; vulgar. To make a god, a hero, or a king Descend to a mechanic dialect. Roscommon. Sometimes he ply'd the strong, mechanic tool. Thomson.

3. Base. [Obs.] Whitlock.

MECHANICAL Me*chan"ic*al, a. Etym: [From Mechanic, a.]

1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter, as distinguished from mental, vital, chemical, etc.; as, mechanical principles; a mechanical theory; mechanical deposits.

2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to machinery or tools; made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical precision; mechanical products. We have also divers mechanical arts. Bacon.

3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by will or emotion; proceeding automatically, or by habit, without special intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing; mechanical verses; mechanical service.

4. Made and operated by interaction of forces without a directing intelligence; as, a mechanical universe.

5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.; approximate; empirical. See the 2d Note under Geometric. Mechanical effect, effective power; useful work exerted, as by a machine, in a definite time. -- Mechanical engineering. See the Note under Engineering. -- Mechanical maneuvers (Mil.), the application of mechanical appliances to the mounting, dismounting, and moving of artillery. Farrow. -- Mechanical philosophy, the principles of mechanics applied to the inverstigation of physical phenomena. -- Mechanical powers, certain simple instruments, such as the lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the screw and the wedge), which convert a small force acting throught a great space into a great force acting through a small space, or vice versa, and are used separately or in combination. -- Mechanical solution (Math.), a solution of a problem by any art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means of the ruler and compasses, or other instruments.

MECHANICAL Me*chan"ic*al, n.

Defn: A mechanic. [Obs.] Shak.

MECHANICALIZE Me*chan"ic*al*ize, v. t.

Defn: To cause to become mechanical.

MECHANICALLY Me*chan"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a mechanical manner.

MECHANICALNESS Me*chan"ic*al*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being mechanical.

MECHANICIAN Mech`a*ni"cian, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mécanicien. See Mechanic.]

Defn: One skilled in the theory or construction of machines; a machinist. Boyle.

MECHANICO-CHEMICAL Me*chan`i*co-chem"ic*al, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, connected with, or dependent upon, both mechanics and chemistry; -- said especially of those sciences which treat of such phenomena as seem to depend on the laws both of mechanics and chemistry, as electricity and magnetism.

MECHANICS Me*chan"ics, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mécanique.]

Defn: That science, or branch of applied mathematics, which treats of the action of forces on bodies.

Note: That part of mechanics which considers the action of forces in producing rest or equilibrium is called statics; that which relates to such action in producing motion is called dynamics. The term mechanics includes the action of forces on all bodies, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous. It is sometimes, however, and formerly was often, used distinctively of solid bodies only: The mechanics of liquid bodies is called also hydrostatics, or hydrodynamics, according as the laws of rest or of motion are considered. The mechanics of gaseous bodies is called also pneumatics. The mechanics of fluids in motion, with special reference to the methods of obtaining from them useful results, constitutes hydraulics. Animal mechanics (Physiol.), that portion of physiology which has for its object the investigation of the laws of equilibrium and motion in the animal body. The most important mechanical principle is that of the lever, the bones forming the arms of the levers, the contractile muscles the power, the joints the fulcra or points of support, while the weight of the body or of the individual limbs constitutes the weight or resistance. -- Applied mechanics, the principles of abstract mechanics applied to human art; also, the practical application of the laws of matter and motion to the construction of machines and structures of all kinds.

MECHANISM Mech"an*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mécanisme, L. mechanisma. See Mechanic.]

1. The arrangement or relation of the parts of a machine; the parts of a machine, taken collectively; the arrangement or relation of the parts of anything as adapted to produce an effect; as, the mechanism of a watch; the mechanism of a sewing machine; the mechanism of a seed pod.

2. Mechanical operation or action. He acknowledges nothing besides matter and motion; so that all must be performed either by mechanism or accident. Bentley.

3. (Kinematics)

Defn: An ideal machine; a combination of movable bodies constituting a machine, but considered only with regard to relative movements.

MECHANIST Mech"an*ist, n.

1. A maker of machines; one skilled in mechanics.

2. One who regards the phenomena of nature as the effects of forces merely mechanical.

MECHANIZE Mech"an*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mechanized; p. pr. & vb. n. Mechanizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. méchaniser.]

Defn: To cause to be mechanical. Shelley.

MECHANOGRAPH Mech"an*o*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. -graph.]

Defn: One of a number of copies of anything multiplied mechanically.

MECHANOGRAPHIC Mech`an*o*graph`ic, a.

1. Treating of mechanics. [R.]

2. Written, copied, or recorded by machinery; produced by mechanography; as, a mechanographic record of changes of temperature; mechanographic prints.

MECHANOGRAPHIST Mech`an*og"ra*phist, n.

Defn: An artist who, by mechanical means, multiplies copies of works of art.

MECHANOGRAPHY Mech`an*og"ra*phy, n.

Defn: The art of mechanically multiplying copies of a writing, or any work of art.

MECHANURGY Mech"an*ur`gy, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: That branch of science which treats of moving machines.

MECHITARIST Mech"i*tar*ist, n. Etym: [From Mechitar, an Armenian., who founded the congregation in the early part of the eighteenth century.] (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: One of a religious congregation of the Roman Catholic Church devoted to the improvement of Armenians.

MECHLIN Mech"lin, n.

Defn: A kind of lace made at, or originating in, Mechlin, in Belgium.

MECHOACAN Me*cho"a*can, n.

Defn: A species of jalap, of very feeble properties, said to be obtained from the root of a species of Convolvulus (C. Mechoacan); -- so called from Michoacan, in Mexico, whence it is obtained.

MECKELIAN Meck*e"li*an, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or discovered by, J. F. Meckel, a German anatomist. Meckelian cartilage, the cartilaginous rod which forms the axis of the mandible; -- called also Meckel's cartilage.

MECONATE Mec"o*nate, n. Etym: [Cf. F. méconate.] (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of meconic acid.

MECONIC Me*con"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. méconique.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or obtained from, the poppy or opium; specif. (Chem.), designating an acid related to aconitic acid, found in opium and extracted as a white crystalline substance.

MECONIDINE Me*con"i*dine, n. (Chem)

Defn: An alkaloid found in opium, and extracted as a yellow amorphous substance which is easily decomposed.

MECONIDIUM Mec`o*nid"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., dim. of Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A kind of gonophore produced by hydroids of the genus Gonothyræa. It has tentacles, and otherwise resembles a free medusa, but remains attached by a pedicel.

MECONIN Mec"o*nin, n. Etym: [Cf. F. méconine.] (Chem.)

Defn: A substance regarded as an anhydride of meconinic acid, existing in opium and extracted as a white crystalline substance. Also erroneously called meconina, meconia, etc., as though it were an alkaloid.

MECONINIC Mec`o*nin"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid which occurs in opium, and which may be obtained by oxidizing narcotine.

MECONIUM Me*co"ni*um, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Med.) (a) Opium. [Obs.] (b) The contents of the fetal intestine; hence, first excrement.

MEDAL Med"al, n. Etym: [F. médaille, It. medaglia, fr. L. metallum metal, through (assumed) LL. metalleus made of metal. See Metal, and cf. Mail a piece of money.]

Defn: A piece of metal in the form of a coin, struck with a device, and intended to preserve the remembrance of a notable event or an illustrious person, or to serve as a reward.

MEDAL Med"al, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Medaled, or Medalled; p. pr. & vb. n. Medaling or Medalling.]

Defn: To honor or reward with a medal. "Medaled by the king." Thackeray.

MEDALET Med"al*et, n.

Defn: A small medal.

MEDALIST Med"al*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. médailliste, It. medaglista.] [Written also medallist.]

1. A person that is skilled or curious in medals; a collector of medals. Addison.

2. A designer of medals. Macaulay.

3. One who has gained a medal as the reward of merit.

MEDALLIC Me*dal"lic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a medal, or to medals. "Our medallic history." Walpole.

MEDALLION Me*dal"lion, n. Etym: [F. médaillion, It. medaglione, augm. of medaglia. See Medal.]

1. A large medal or memorial coin.

2. A circular or oval (or, sometimes, square) tablet bearing a figure or figures represented in relief.

MEDAL PLAY Med"al play`. (Golf)

Defn: Play in which the score is reckoned by counting the number of strokes.

MEDALURGY Med"al*ur`gy, n. Etym: [Medal + the root of Gr.

Defn: The art of making and striking medals and coins. [Written also medallurgy.]

MEDDLE Med"dle`, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Meddled; p. pr. & vb. n. Meddling.] Etym: [OE. medlen to mix, OF. medler, mesler, F. mêler, LL. misculare, a dim. fr. L. miscere to mix. Mix, and cf. Medley, Mellay.]

1. To mix; to mingle. [Obs.] More to know Did never meddle with my thoughts. Shak.

2. To interest or engage one's self; to have to do; -- [Obs.] Barrow. Study to be quiet, and to meddle with your own business. Tyndale.

3. To interest or engage one's self unnecessarily or impertinently, to interfere or busy one's self improperly with another's affairs; specifically, to handle or distrub another's property without permission; -- often followed by with or in. Why shouldst thou meddle to thy hurt 2 Kings xiv. 10. The civil lawyers . . . have meddled in a matter that belongs not to them. Locke. To meddle and make, to intrude one's self into another person's concerns. [Archaic] Shak.

Syn. -- To interpose; interfere; intermeddle.

MEDDLE Med"dle, v. t.

Defn: To mix; to mingle. [Obs.] Chaucer. "Wine meddled with gall." Wyclif (Matt. xxvii. 34).

MEDDLER Med"dler, n.

Defn: One who meddles; one who interferes or busies himself with things in which he has no concern; an officious person; a busybody.

MEDDLESOME Med"dle*some, a.

Defn: Given to meddling; apt to interpose in the affairs of others; officiously intrusive. -- Med"dle*some*ness, n.

MEDDLING Med"dling, a.

Defn: Meddlesome. Macaulay.

MEDDLINGLY Med"dling*ly, adv.

Defn: In a meddling manner.

MEDE Mede, n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Media in Asia.

MEDE Mede, n.

Defn: See lst & 2d Mead, and Meed. [Obs.]

MEDIA Me"di*a, n.,

Defn: pl. of Medium.

MEDIA Me"di*a, n.; pl. Mediæ (-e). Etym: [NL., fr. L. medius middle.] (Phonetics)

Defn: One of the sonant mutes b, d, g (b, d, g), in Greek, or of their equivalents in other languages, so named as intermediate between the tenues, p, t, k (p, t, k), and the aspiratæ (aspirates) f, th, x (ph or f, th, ch). Also called middle mute, or medial, and sometimes soft mute.

MEDIACY Me"di*a*cy, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being mediate. Sir W. Hamilton.

MEDIAEVAL Me`di*æ"val, a. Etym: [L. medius middle + aevum age. See Middle, and Age.]

Defn: Of or relating to the Middle Ages; as, mediæval architecture. [Written also medieval.]

MEDIAEVALISM Me`di*æ"val*ism, n.

Defn: The method or spirit of the Middle Ages; devotion to the institutions and practices of the Middle Ages; a survival from the Middle Ages. [Written also medievalism.]

MEDIAEVALIST Me`di*æ"val*ist, n.

Defn: One who has a taste for, or is versed in, the history of the Middle Ages; one in sympathy with the spirit or forms of the Middle Ages. [Written also medievalist.]

MEDIAEVALLY Me`di*æ"val*ly, adv.

Defn: In the manner of the Middle Ages; in accordance with mediævalism.

MEDIAEVALS Me`di*æ"vals, n. pl.

Defn: The people who lived in the Middle Ages. Ruskin.

MEDIAL Me"di*al, a. Etym: [L. medialis, fr. medius middle: cf. F. médial. See Middle.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a mean or average; mean; as, medial alligation.

MEDIAL Me"di*al, n. (Phonetics)

Defn: See 2d Media.

MEDIALUNA Me"di*a*lu"na, n. Etym: [Sp. media luna half-moon.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Half-moon.

MEDIAN Me"di*an, a. Etym: [L. medianus, fr. medius middle. See Medial.]

1. Being in the middle; running through the middle; as, a median groove.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Situated in the middle; lying in a plane dividing a bilateral animal into right and left halves; -- said of unpaired organs and parts; as, median coverts. Median line. (a) (Anat.) Any line in the mesial plane; specif., either of the lines in which the mesial plane meets the surface of the body. (b) (Geom.) The line drawn from an angle of a triangle to the middle of the opposite side; any line having the nature of a diameter. -- Median plane (Anat.), the mesial plane. -- Median point (Geom.), the point where the three median lines of a triangle mutually intersect.

MEDIAN Me"di*an, n. (Geom.)

Defn: A median line or point.

MEDIANT Me"di*ant, n. Etym: [L. medians, p. p. of mediare to halve: cf. It. mediante, F. médiante.] (Mus.)

Defn: The third above the keynote; -- so called because it divides the interval between the tonic and dominant into two thirds.

MEDIASTINAL Me`di*as*ti"nal, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a mediastinum.

MEDIASTINE; MEDIASTINUM Me`di*as"tine, Me`di*as*ti"num, n. Etym: [NL. mediastinum, fr. L. medius middle; cf. mediastinus helper, a menial servant, LL. mediastinus equiv. to medius: cf F. médiastin.] (Anat.)