Chapter LI: Bella (19)

Defn: A partition; a septum; specifically, the folds of the pleura (and the space included between them) which divide the thorax into a right and left cavity. The space included between these folds of the pleura, called the mediastinal space, contains the heart and gives passage to the esophagus and great blood vessels.

MEDIATE Me"di*ate, a. Etym: [L. mediatus, p. p. of mediare, v. t., to halve, v. i., to be in the middle. See Mid, and cf. Moiety.]

1. Being between the two extremes; middle; interposed; intervening; intermediate. Prior.

2. Acting by means, or by an intervening cause or instrument; not direct or immediate; acting or suffering through an intervening agent or condition.

3. Gained or effected by a medium or condition. Bacon. An act of mediate knowledge is complex. Sir W. Hamilton.

MEDIATE Me"di*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Mediated; p. pr. & vb. n. Mediating.] Etym: [LL. mediatus, p. p. of mediare to mediate. See Mediate, a.]

1. To be in the middle, or between two; to intervene. [R.]

2. To interpose between parties, as the equal friend of each, esp. for the purpose of effecting a reconciliation or agreement; as, to mediate between nations.

MEDIATE Me"di*ate, v. t.

1. To effect by mediation or interposition; to bring about as a mediator, instrument, or means; as, to mediate a peace.

2. To divide into two equal parts. [R.] Holder.

MEDIATELY Me"di*ate*ly, adv.

Defn: In a mediate manner; by a secondary cause or agent; not directly or primarily; by means; -- opposed to immediately. God worketh all things amongst us mediately. Sir W. Raleigh. The king grants a manor to A, and A grants a portion of it to B. In this case. B holds his lands immediately of A, but mediately of the king. Blakstone.

MEDIATENESS Me"di*ate*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being mediate.

MEDIATION Me`di*a"tion, n. Etym: [OE. mediacioun, F. médiation. See Mediate, a.]

1. The act of mediating; action or relation of anything interposed; action as a necessary condition, means, or instrument; interposition; intervention. The soul [acts] by the mediation of these passions. South.

2. Hence, specifically, agency between parties at variance, with a view to reconcile them; entreaty for another; intercession. Bacon.

MEDIATIVE Me"di*a*tive, a.

Defn: Pertaining to mediation; used in mediation; as, mediative efforts. Beaconsfield.

MEDIATIZATION Me`di*at`i*za"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. médiatisation.]

Defn: The act of mediatizing.

MEDIATIZE Me"di*a*tize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mediatized; p. pr. & vb. n. Mediatizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. médiatiser.]

Defn: To cause to act through an agent or to hold a subordinate position; to annex; -- specifically applied to the annexation during the former German empire of a smaller German state to a larger, while allowing it a nominal sovereignty, and its prince his rank. The misfortune of being a mediatized prince. Beaconsfield.

MEDIATOR Me"di*a`tor, n. Etym: [L. mediator: cf. E. médiateur.]

Defn: One who mediates; especially, one who interposes between parties at variance for the purpose of reconciling them; hence, an intercessor. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. ii. 5.

MEDIATORIAL Me`di*a*to"ri*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a mediator, or to mediation; mediatory; as, a mediatorial office. -- Me`di*a*to"ri*al*ly, adv. My measures were . . . healing and mediatorial. Burke.

MEDIATORSHIP Me"di*a`tor*ship, n.

Defn: The office or character of a mediator.

MEDIATORY Me"di*a*to*ry, a.

Defn: Mediatorial.

MEDIATRESS; MEDIATRIX Me`di*a"tress, Me`di*a*"trix, n. Etym: [L. mediatrix, f. of mediator: cf. F. médiatrice.]

Defn: A female mediator.

MEDIC Med"ic, n. Etym: [L. medica, Gr. Media, from (Bot.)

Defn: A leguminous plant of the genus Medicago. The black medic is the Medicago lupulina; the purple medic, or lucern, is M. sativa.

MEDIC Med"ic, a. Etym: [L. medicus.]

Defn: Medical. [R.]

MEDICABLE Med"i*ca*ble, a. Etym: [L. medicabilis, from medicare, medicari, to heal, fr. medicus physician. See Medical.]

Defn: Capable of being medicated; admitting of being cured or healed.

MEDICAL Med"ic*al, a. Etym: [LL. medicalis, L. medicus belonging to healing, fr. mederi to heal; cf. Zend madha medical science, wisdom, gr. mind: cf. F. médical.]

1. Of, pertaining to, or having to do with, the art of healing disease, or the science of medicine; as, the medical profession; medical services; a medical dictionary; medical jurisprudence.

2. Containing medicine; used in medicine; medicinal; as, the medical properties of a plant.

MEDICALLY Med"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a medical manner; with reference to healing, or to the principles of the healing art.

MEDICAMENT Med"i*ca*ment, n. Etym: [L. medicamentum, fr. medicare, medicari, to heal: cf. F. médicament. See Medicable.]

Defn: Anything used for healing diseases or wounds; a medicine; a healing application.

MEDICAMENTAL Med`ica*men"tal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to medicaments or healing applications; having the qualities of medicaments. -- Med`ica*men"tal*ly, adv.

MEDICASTER Med"i*cas`ter, n. Etym: [Cf. F. médicastre. See Medical.]

Defn: A quack. [R.] Whitlock.

MEDICATE Med"i*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Medicated; p. pr. & vb. n. Medicating.] Etym: [L. medicatus, p. p. of medicare, medicari. See Medicable.]

1. To tincture or impregnate with anything medicinal; to drug. "Medicated waters." Arbuthnot.

2. To treat with medicine.

MEDICATION Med`i*ca"tion, Etym: [L. medicatio: cf. F. médication.]

Defn: The act or process of medicating.

MEDICATIVE Med"i*ca*tive, a.

Defn: Medicinal; acting like a medicine.

MEDICEAN Med`i*ce"an, a.

Defn: Of or relating to the Medici, a noted Italian family; as, the Medicean Venus. Medicean planets (Astron.), a name given by Galileo to the satellites of Jupiter.

MEDICINABLE Me*dic"i*na*ble, a.

Defn: Medicinal; having the power of healing. [Obs.] Shak.

MEDICINAL Me*dic"i*nal, a. Etym: [L. medicinalis: cf. F. médicinal. See Medicine.]

1. Having curative or palliative properties; used for the cure or alleviation of bodily disorders; as, medicinal tinctures, plants, or springs. Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees Their medicinal gum. Shak.

2. Of or pertaining to medicine; medical.

MEDICINALLY Me*dic"i*nal*ly, adv.

Defn: In a medicinal manner.

MEDICINE Med"i*cine, n. Etym: [L. medicina (sc. ars), fr. medicinus medical, fr. medicus: cf. F. médecine. See Medical.]

1. The science which relates to the prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease.

2. Any substance administered in the treatment of disease; a remedial agent; a remedy; physic. By medicine, life may be prolonged. Shak.

3. A philter or love potion. [Obs.] Shak.

4. Etym: [F. médecin.]

Defn: A physician. [Obs.] Shak. Medicine bag, a charm; -- so called among the North American Indians, or in works relating to them. -- Medicine man (among the North American Indians), a person who professes to cure sickness, drive away evil spirits, and regulate the weather by the arts of magic. -- Medicine seal, a small gem or paste engraved with reversed characters, to serve as a seal. Such seals were used by Roman physicians to stamp the names of their medicines.

MEDICINE Med"i*cine, v. t.

Defn: To give medicine to; to affect as a medicine does; to remedy; to cure. "Medicine thee to that sweet sleep." Shak.

MEDICO-LEGAL Med`i*co-le"gal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to law as affected by medical facts.

MEDICOMMISSURE Med`i*com"mis*sure, n. Etym: [L. medius middle + E. commissure.] (Anat.)

Defn: A large transverse commissure in the third ventricle of the brain; the middle or soft commissure. B. G. Wildex.

MEDICORNU Med`i*cor"nu, n.; pl. Medicornua. Etym: [NL., fr. L. medius middle + cornu horn.] (Anat.)

Defn: The middle or inferior horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain. B. G. Wilder.

MEDICS Med"ics, n.

Defn: Science of medicine. [Obs.]

MEDIETY Me*di"e*ty, n. Etym: [L. medietas.]

Defn: The middle part; half; moiety. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

MEDIEVAL; MEDIEVALISM; MEDIEVALIST Me`di*e"val, Me`di*e"val*ism, Me`di*e"val*ist.

Defn: Same as Medi, Medi, etc.

MEDINA EPOCH Me*di"na ep"och. Etym: [From Medina in New York.] (Geol.)

Defn: A subdivision of the Niagara period in the American upper Silurian, characterized by the formations known as the Oneida conglomerate, and the Medina sandstone. See the Chart of Geology.

MEDINO Me*di"no, n.

Defn: Same as Para.

MEDIOCRAL Me"di*o`cral, a.

Defn: Mediocre. [R.]

MEDIOCRE Me"di*o`cre, a. Etym: [F. médiocre, L. mediocris, fr. medius middle. See Mid.]

Defn: Of a middle quality; of but a moderate or low degree of excellence; indifferent; ordinary. " A very mediocre poet." Pope.

MEDIOCRE Me"di*o`cre, n.

1. A mediocre person. [R.]

2. A young monk who was excused from performing a portion of a monk's duties. Shipley.

MEDIOCRIST Me"di*o`crist, n.

Defn: A mediocre person. [R.]

MEDIOCRITY Me`di*oc"ri*ty, n. Etym: [F. médiocrité, L. mediocritas.]

1. The quality of being mediocre; a middle state or degree; a moderate degree or rate. "A mediocrity of success." Bacon.

2. Moderation; temperance. [Obs.] Hooker.

MEDIOSTAPEDIAL Me`di*o*sta*pe"di*al, a. Etym: [L. medius middle + E. stapedial.] (Anat.)

Defn: Pertaining to that part of the columella of the ear which, in some animals, connects the stapes with the other parts of the columella. -- n.

Defn: The mediostapedial part of the columella.

MEDIOXUMOUS Me`di*ox"u*mous, a. Etym: [L. medioxumus middlemost.]

Defn: Intermediate. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

MEDITANCE Med"i*tance, n.

Defn: Meditation. [Obs.]

MEDITATE Med"i*tate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Meditated; p. pr. & vb. n. Meditating.] Etym: [L. meditatus, p. p. of meditari to meditate; cf. Gr. mind.]

Defn: To keep the mind in a state of contemplation; to dwell on anything in thought; to think seriously; to muse; to cogitate; to reflect. Jer. Taylor. In his law doth he meditate day and night. Ps. i. 2.

MEDITATE Med"i*tate, v. t.

1. To contemplate; to keep the mind fixed upon; to study. "Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things." Ecclus. xiv. 20.

2. To purpose; to intend; to design; to plan by revolving in the mind; as, to meditate a war. I meditate to pass the remainder of life in a state of undisturbed repose. Washington.

Syn. -- To consider; ponder; weigh; revolve; study. -- To Meditate, Contemplate, Intend. We meditate a design when we are looking out or waiting for the means of its accomplishment; we contemplate it when the means are at hand, and our decision is nearly or quite made. To intend is stronger, implying that we have decided to act when an opportunity may offer. A general meditates an attack upon the enemy; he contemplates or intends undertaking it at the earliest convenient season.

MEDITATION Med`i*ta"tion, n. Etym: [OE. meditacioun, F. méditation, fr. L. meditatio.]

1. The act of meditating; close or continued thought; the turning or revolving of a subject in the mind; serious contemplation; reflection; musing. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. Ps. xix. 14.

2. Thought; -- without regard to kind. [Obs.] With wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love. Shak.

MEDITATIST Med"i*ta`tist, n.

Defn: One who is given to meditation.

MEDITATIVE Med"i*ta*tive, a. Etym: [L. meditativus: cf. F. méditatif.]

Defn: Disposed to meditate, or to meditation; as, a meditative man; a meditative mood. -- Med"i*ta*tive*ly, adv. -- Med"i*ta*tive*ness, n.

MEDITERRANEAN Med`i*ter*ra"ne*an, a. Etym: [L. mediterraneus; medius middle + terra land. See Mid, and Terrace.]

1. Inclosed, or nearly inclosed, with land; as, the Mediterranean Sea, between Europe and Africa.

2. Inland; remote from the ocean. [Obs.] Cities, as well mediterranean as maritime. Holland.

3. Of or pertaining to the Mediterranean Sea; as, Mediterranean trade; a Mediterranean voyage.

MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY Mediterranean fruit fly.

Defn: A two-winged fly (Ceratitis capitata) with black and white markings, native of the Mediterranean countries, but now widely distributed. Its larva lives in ripening oranges, peaches, and other fruits, causing them to decay and fall.

MEDITERRANEOUS Med`i*ter*ra"ne*ous, a.

Defn: Inland. Sir T. Browne.

MEDIUM Me"di*um, n.; pl. L. Media, E. Mediums. Etym: [L. medium the middle, fr. medius middle. See Mid, and cf. Medius.]

1. That which lies in the middle, or between other things; intervening body or quantity. Hence, specifically: (a) Middle place or degree; mean. The just medium . . . lies between pride and abjection. L'Estrange. (b) (Math.)

Defn: See Mean. (c) (Logic) The mean or middle term of a syllogism; that by which the extremes are brought into connection.

2. A substance through which an effect is transmitted from one thing to another; as, air is the common medium of sound. Hence: The condition upon which any event or action occurs; necessary means of motion or action; that through or by which anything is accomplished, conveyed, or carried on; specifically, in animal magnetism, spiritualism, etc., a person through whom the action of another being is said to be manifested and transmitted. Whether any other liquors, being made mediums, cause a diversity of sound from water, it may be tried. Bacon. I must bring together All these extremes; and must remove all mediums. Denham.

3. An average. [R.] A medium of six years of war, and six years of peace. Burke.

4. A trade name for printing and writing paper of certain sizes. See Paper.

5. (Paint.)

Defn: The liquid vehicle with which dry colors are ground and prepared for application. Circulating medium, a current medium of exchange, whether coin, bank notes, or government notes. -- Ethereal medium (Physics), the ether. -- Medium of exchange, that which is used for effecting an exchange of commodities -- money or current representatives of money.

MEDIUM Me"di*um, a.

Defn: Having a middle position or degree; mean; intermediate; medial; as, a horse of medium size; a decoction of medium strength.

MEDIUM-SIZED Me"di*um-sized`, a.

Defn: Having a medium size; as, a medium-sized man.

MEDIUS Me"di*us, n.; pl. Medii. Etym: [NL., fr. L. medius middle. See Medium.] (Anat.)

Defn: The third or middle finger; the third digit, or that which corresponds to it.

MEDJIDIE; MEDJIDIEH Me*dji"di*e, Me*dji"di*eh, n. [Turk. majidieh (prop. fem. a., fr. Ar. mejid glorious); -- so called after the sultan Abdul Mejid, lit., "servant of the Glorious One," i.e., of God.]

1. (a) A silver coin of Turkey formerly rated at twenty, but since 1880 at nineteen, piasters (about 83 cents). (b) A gold coin of Turkey equal to one hundred piastres ($4.396 or 18s. ¾d.); a lira, or Turkish pound.

2. A Turkish honorary order established in 1851 by Abdul-Mejid, having as its badge a medallion surrounded by seven silver rays and crescents. It is often conferred on foreigners.

MEDLAR Med"lar, n. Etym: [OE. medler medlar tree, OF. meslier, F. néflier, L. mespilum, mespilus, Gr. Naseberry.]

Defn: A tree of the genus Mespilus (M. Germanica); also, the fruit of the tree. The fruit is something like a small apple, but has a bony endocarp. When first gathered the flesh is hard and austere, and it is not eaten until it has begun to decay. Japan medlar (Bot.), the loquat. See Loquat. -- Neapolitan medlar (Bot.), a kind of thorn tree (Cratægus Azarolus); also, its fruit.

MEDLE Med"le, v. t. Etym: [See Meddle.]

Defn: To mix; to mingle; to meddle. [Written also medly.] [Obs.] Chaucer.

MEDLEY Med"ley, n.; pl. Medleys. Etym: [OE. medlee, OF. meslée, medlée, mellée, F. mêlée. See Meddle, and cf. MelÉe, Mellay.]

1. A mixture; a mingled and confused mass of ingredients, usually inharmonious; a jumble; a hodgepodge; -- often used contemptuously. This medley of philosophy and war. Addison. Love is a medley of endearments, jars, Suspicions, reconcilements, wars. W. Walsh.

2. The confusion of a hand to hand battle; a brisk, hand to hand engagement; a mêlée. [Obs.] Holland.

3. (Mus.)

Defn: A composition of passages detached from several different compositions; a potpourri.

Note: Medley is usually applied to vocal, potpourri to instrumental, compositions.

4. A cloth of mixed colors. Fuller.

MEDLEY Med"ley, a.

1. Mixed; of mixed material or color. [Obs.] "A medlè coat." Chaucer.

2. Mingled; confused. Dryden.

MEDLY Med"ly, v. t.

Defn: See Medle. Johnson.

MEDOC Mé`doc", n. Etym: [Cf. Mayduke.]

Defn: A class of claret wines, including several varieties, from the district of Médoc in the department of Gironde.

MEDREGAL Med"re*gal, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Bonito, 3.

MEDRICK Med"rick, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A species of gull or tern. [Prov.] Lowell.

MEDULLA Me*dul"la, n. Etym: [L.]

1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.] Milton.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: The marrow of bones; the deep or inner portion of an organ or part; as, the medulla, or medullary substance, of the kidney; specifically, the medula oblongata.

3. (Bot.)

Defn: A soft tissue, occupying the center of the stem or branch of a plant; pith. Medulla oblongata. Etym: [L., oblong medulla] (Anat.), the posterior part of the brain connected with the spinal cord. It includes all the hindbrain except the cerebellum and pons, and from it a large part of the cranial nerves arise. It controls very largely respiration, circulation, swallowing, and other functions, and is the most vital part of the brain; -- called also bulb of the spinal cord. See Brain.

MEDULLAR Me*dul"lar, a.

Defn: See Medullary.

MEDULLARY Med"ul*la*ry, a. Etym: [L. medullaris, fr. medulla marrow: cf. F. médullaire.]

1. (Anat.) (a) Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, marrow or medulla. (b) Pertaining to the medula oblongata.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Filled with spongy pith; pithy. Medullary groove (Anat.), a groove, in the epiblast of the vertebrate blastoderm, the edges of which unite, making a tube (the medullary canal) from which the brain and spinal cord are developed. -- Medullary rays (Bot.), the rays of cellular tissue seen in a transverse section of exogenous wood, which pass from the pith to the bark. -- Medullary sheath (Anat.), the layer of white semifluid substance (myelin), between the primitive sheath and axis cylinder of a medullated nerve fiber.

MEDULLATED Me*dul"la*ted, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Furnished with a medulla or marrow, or with a medullary sheath; as, a medullated nerve fiber.

MEDULLIN Me*dul"lin, n. Etym: [Cf. F. médulline.] (Bot. Chem.)

Defn: A variety of lignin or cellulose found in the medulla, or pith, of certain plants. Cf. Lignin, and Cellulose.

MEDUSA Me*du"sa, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. (Class. Myth.)

Defn: The Gorgon; or one of the Gorgons whose hair was changed into serpents, after which all who looked upon her were turned into stone.

2. [pl. Medusae (.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any free swimming acaleph; a jellyfish.

Note: The larger medusæ belong to the Discophora, and are sometimes called covered-eyed medusæ; others, known as naked-eyed medusæ, belong to the Hydroidea, and are usually developed by budding from hidroids. See Discophora, Hydroidea, and Hydromedusa. Medusa bud (Zoöl.), one of the buds of a hydroid, destined to develop into a gonophore or medusa. See Athecata, and Gonotheca. -- Medusa's head. (a) (Zoöl.) An astrophyton. (b) (Astron.) A cluster of stars in the constellation Perseus. It contains the bright star Algol.

MEDUSIAN Me*du"si*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A medusa.

MEDUSIFORM Me*du"si*form, a. Etym: [Medusa + -form.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Resembling a medusa in shape or structure.

MEDUSOID Me*du"soid, a. Etym: [Medusa + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like a medusa; having the fundamental structure of a medusa, but without a locomotive disk; -- said of the sessile gonophores of hydroids. -- n.

Defn: A sessile gonophore. See Illust. under Gonosome.

MEECH Meech, v. i.

Defn: See Mich. [Obs. or Colloq.]

MEED Meed, n. Etym: [OE. mede, AS. med, meord; akin to OS. m, OHG. miata, mieta, G. miethe hire, Goth. mizdo reward, Bohem. & Russ. mzda, Gr. mistho`s, Skr. midha. sq. root276.]

1. That which is bestowed or rendered in consideration of merit; reward; recompense. A rosy garland was the victor's meed. Spenser.

2. Merit or desert; worth. My meed hath got me fame. Shak.

3. A gift; also, a bride. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MEED Meed, v. t.

1. To reward; to repay. [Obs.] Waytt.

2. To deserve; to merit. [Obs.] Heywood.

MEEDFUL Meed"ful, a.

Defn: Worthy of meed, reward, or recompense; meritorious. "Meedful works." Wiclif.

MEEDFULLY Meed"ful*ly, adv.

Defn: According to merit; suitably.

MEEK Meek, a. [Compar. Meeker; superl. Meekest.] Etym: [OE. mek, meoc; akin to Icel. mj mild, soft, Sw. mjuk, Dan. myg, D. muik, Goth. mukam

1. Mild of temper; not easily provoked or orritated; patient under injuries; not vain, or haughty, or resentful; forbearing; submissive. Not the man Moses was very meek. Num. xii. 3.

2. Evincing mildness of temper, or patience; characterized by mildness or patience; as, a meek answer; a meek face. "Her meek prayer." Chaucer.

Syn. -- Gentle; mild; soft; yielding; pacific; unassuming; humble. See Gentle.

MEEK; MEEKEN Meek, Meek"en (-'n), v. t.

Defn: To make meek; to nurture in gentleness and humility. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MEEKLY Meek"ly, adv.

Defn: In a meek manner. Spenser.

MEEKNESS Meek"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being meek.

MEER Meer, a.

Defn: Simple; unmixed. See Mere, a. [Obs.]

MEER Meer, n.

Defn: See Mere, a lake.

MEER Meer, n.

Defn: A boundary. See Mere.

MEERKAT Meer"kat, n. Etym: [D.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A South African carnivore (Cynictis penicillata), allied to the ichneumons.

MEERSCHAUM Meer"schaum, n. Etym: [G., lit., sea foam; meer sea + schaum foam; but it perh. is a corruption of the Tartaric name myrsen. Cf. Mere a lake, and Scum.]

1. (Min.)

Defn: A fine white claylike mineral, soft, and light enough when in dry masses to float in water. It is a hydrous silicate of magnesia, and is obtained chiefly in Asia Minor. It is manufacturd into tobacco pipes, cigar holders, etc. Also called sepiolite.

2. A tobacco pipe made of this mineral.

MEET Meet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Met; p. pr. & vb. n. Meeting.] Etym: [OE. meten, AS. m, fr. m, gem, a meeting; akin to OS. m to meet, Icel. mæta, Goth. gam. See Moot, v. t.]

1. To join, or come in contact with; esp., to come in contact with by approach from an opposite direction; to come upon or against, front to front, as distinguished from contact by following and overtaking.

2. To come in collision with; to confront in conflict; to encounter hostilely; as, they met the enemy and defeated them; the ship met opposing winds and currents.

3. To come into the presence of without contact; to come close to; to intercept; to come within the perception, influence, or recognition of; as, to meet a train at a junction; to meet carriages or persons in the street; to meet friends at a party; sweet sounds met the ear. His daughter came out to meet him. Judg. xi. 34.

4. To perceive; to come to a knowledge of; to have personal acquaintance with; to experience; to suffer; as, the eye met a horrid sight; he met his fate. Of vice or virtue, whether blest or curst, Which meets contempt, or which compassion first. Pope.

5. To come up to; to be even with; to equal; to match; to satisfy; to ansver; as, to meet one's expectations; the supply meets the demand. To meet half way, literally, to go half the distance between in order to meet (one); hence, figuratively, to yield or concede half of the difference in order to effect a compromise or reconciliation with.

MEET Meet, v. t.

1. To come together by mutual approach; esp., to come in contact, or into proximity, by approach from opposite directions; to join; to come face to face; to come in close relationship; as, we met in the street; two lines meet so as to form an angle. O, when meet now Such pairs in love and mutual honor joined ! Milton.

2. To come together with hostile purpose; to have an encounter or conflict. Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to better us and worse our foes. Milton.

3. To assemble together; to congregate; as, Congress meets on the first Monday of December. They . . . appointed a day to meet together. 2. Macc. xiv. 21.

4. To come together by mutual concessions; hence, to agree; to harmonize; to unite. To meet with. (a) To light upon; to find; to come to; -- often with the sense of unexpectedness. We met with many things worthy of observation. Bacon. (b) To join; to unite in company. Shak. (c) To suffer unexpectedly; as, to meet with a fall; to meet with a loss. (d) To encounter; to be subjected to. Prepare to meet with more than brutal fury From the fierce prince. Rowe. (e) To obviate. [Obs.] Bacon.

MEET Meet, n.

Defn: An assembling together; esp., the assembling of huntsmen for the hunt; also, the persons who so assemble, and the place of meeting.

MEET Meet, a. Etym: [OE. mete fitting, moderate, scanty, AS. m moderate; akin to gemet fit, meet, metan to mete, and G. mässig moderate, gemäss fitting. See Mete.]

Defn: Suitable; fit; proper; appropriate; qualified; convenient. It was meet that we should make merry. Luke xv. 32. To be meet with, to be even with; to be equal to. [Obs.]

MEET Meet, adv.

Defn: Meetly. [Obs.] Shak.

MEETEN Meet"en, v. t.

Defn: To render fit. [R.]

MEETER Meet"er, n.

Defn: One who meets.

MEETH Meeth

Defn: , Mead. See Meathe. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MEETING Meet"ing, n.

1. A coming together; an assembling; as, the meeting of Congress.

2. A junction, crossing, or union; as, the meeting of the roads or of two rivers.

3. A congregation; a collection of people; a convention; as, a large meeting; an harmonius meeting.

4. An assembly for worship; as, to attend meeting on Sunday; -- in England, applied distinctively and disparagingly to the worshiping assemblies of Dissenters.

Syn. -- Conference; assembly; company; convention; congregation; junction; confluence; union.

MEETINGHOUSE Meet"ing*house`, n.

Defn: A house used as a place of worship; a church; -- in England, applied only to a house so used by Dissenters.

MEETLY Meet"ly, adv.

Defn: Fitly; suitably; properly.

MEETNESS Meet"ness, n.

Defn: Fitness; suitableness; propriety.

MEG-; MEGA; MEGALO- Meg-, Meg"a, Meg"a*lo-. Etym: [Gr. me`gas, gen. mega`loy, great.]

Defn: Combining forms signifying: (a) Great, extended, powerful; as, megascope, megacosm. (b) (Metric System, Elec., Mech., etc.)

Defn: A million times, a million of; as, megameter, a million meters; megafarad, a million farads; megohm, a million ohms.

MEGACEPHALIC; MEGACEPHALOUS Meg`a*ce*phal"ic, Meg`a*ceph"a*lous, a. Etym: [Mega- Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: Large headed; -- applied to animals, and to plants when they have large flower heads.

MEGACEROS Me*gac"e*ros, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas great + horn.] (Paleon.)

Defn: The Irish elk.

MEGACHILE Meg"a*chile, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A leaf-cutting bee of the genus Megachilus. See Leaf cutter, under Leaf.

MEGACOSM Meg"a*cosm, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr.

Defn: See Macrocosm. Croft.

MEGACOULOMB Meg`a*cou`lomb", n. Etym: [Mega- + coulomb.] (Elec.)

Defn: A million coulombs.

MEGADERM Meg"a*derm, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of Old World blood-sucking bats of the genus Megaderma.

MEGADYNE Meg"a*dyne, n. Etym: [Mega- + dyne.] (Physics)

Defn: One of the larger measures of force, amounting to one million dynes.

MEGAFARAD Meg"a*far`ad, n. Etym: [Mega- + farad.] (Elec.)

Defn: One of the larger measures of electrical capacity, amounting to one million farads; a macrofarad.

MEGALERG Meg"a*lerg, n. Etym: [Megalo- + erg.] (Physics)

Defn: A million ergs; a megerg.

MEGALESIAN Meg`a*le"sian, a. Etym: [L. Megalesius, fr. Gr. Mega`lh the Great, a surname of Cybele, the Magna Mater.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or in honor of, Cybele; as, the Megalesian games at Rome.

MEGALETHOSCOPE Meg`a*leth"o*scope, n. Etym: [Mega- + alethoscope.]

Defn: An optical apparatus in which pictures are viewed through a large lens with stereoptical effects. It is often combined with the stereoscope.

MEGALITH Meg"a*lith, n. Etym: [Mega- + -lith; cf. F. mégalithe.]

Defn: A large stone; especially, a large stone used in ancient building. -- Meg`a*lith"ic, a.

MEGALO- Meg"a*lo-.

Defn: See Meg-.

MEGALOCEPHALIA; MEGALOCEPHALY Meg`a*lo*ce*pha"li*a, Meg`a*lo*ceph"a*ly, n. [NL. megalocephalia, fr. Gr. having a large head.] (Med.)

Defn: The condition of having an abnormally large head. -- Meg`a*lo*ce*phal"ic (#), a.

MEGALOCYTE Meg"a*lo*cyte, n. Etym: [Megalo- + Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: A large, flattened corpuscle, twice the diameter of the ordinary red corpuscle, found in considerable numbers in the blood in profound anæmia.

MEGALOMANIA Meg`a*lo*ma"ni*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. megalo- + mania.] (Pathol.)

Defn: A form of mental alienation in which the patient has grandiose delusions.

MEGALONYX Meg`a*lon"yx, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. me`gas, mega`lh, great + 'o`nyx claw.] (Paleon.)

Defn: An extinct quaternary mammal, of great size, allied to the sloth.

MEGALOPHONOUS Meg`a*loph"o*nous, a. Etym: [Megalo- + Gr. fwnh` voice.]

Defn: Having a loud voice.

MEGALOPOLIS Meg`a*lop"o*lis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. megalo`polis; me`gas, mega`lh, great + po`lis city.]

Defn: A chief city; a metropolis. [R.]

MEGALOPS Meg"a*lops, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas, -a`loy, large + 'w`ps eye.] (Zoöl.)

1. A larva, in a stage following the zoëa, in the development of most crabs. In this stage the legs and abdominal appendages have appeared, the abdomen is relatively long, and the eyes are large. Also used adjectively.

2. A large fish; the tarpum.

MEGALOPSYCHY Meg`a*lop"sy*chy, n. Etym: [Megalo- + Gr.

Defn: Greatness of soul. [Obs. & R.]

MEGALOSAUR; MEGALOSAURUS Meg"a*lo*saur`, Meg`a*lo*sau"rus, n. Etym: [NL. megalosaurus, fr. Gr. mégalosaure.] (Paleon.)

Defn: A gigantic carnivorous dinosaur, whose fossil remains have been found in England and elsewhere.

MEGAMETER Me*gam"e*ter, n. Etym: [Mega- + -meter: cf. F. mégamètre.] (Physics)

1. An instrument for determining longitude by observation of the stars.

2. A micrometer. [R.] Knight.

MEGAMETER; MEGAMETRE Meg"a*me`ter, Meg"a*me`tre, n. Etym: [Mega- + meter, metre, n., 2.]

Defn: In the metric system, one million meters, or one thousand kilometers.

MEGAMPERE Meg`am`père", n. Etym: [Mega- + ampère.] (Elec.)

Defn: A million ampères.

MEGAPHONE Meg"a*phone, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr.

Defn: A device to magnify sound, or direct it in a given direction in a greater volume, as a very large funnel used as an ear trumpet or as a speaking trumpet.

MEGAPHYTON Me*gaph"y*ton, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. me`gas great + fyto`n plant.] (Paleon.)

Defn: An extinct genus of tree ferns with large, two-ranked leaves, or fronds.

MEGAPODE Meg"a*pode, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of large-footed, gallinaceous birds of the genera Megapodius and Leipoa, inhabiting Australia and other Pacific islands. See Jungle fowl (b) under Jungle, and Leipoa.

MEGAPOLIS Me*gap"o*lis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas great + po`lis city.]

Defn: A metropolis. [Obs.] Sir T. Herbert.

MEGARIAN; MEGARIC Me*ga"ri*an, Me*gar"ic, a.

Defn: Belonging, or pertaining, to Megara, a city of ancient Greece. Megarian, or Megaric, school, a school of philosophy established at Megara, after the death of Socrates, by his disciples, and remarkable for its logical subtlety.

MEGASCOPE Meg"a*scope, n. Etym: [Mega- + -scope: cf. F. mégascope.]

Defn: A modification of the magic lantern, used esp. for throwing a magnified image of an opaque object on a screen, solar or artificial light being used.

MEGASCOPIC; MEGASCOPICAL Meg`a*scop"ic, Meg`a*scop"ic*al, a.

1. (Physics) Of or pertaining to the megascope or the projection upon a screen of images of opaque objects. (b) Enlarged or magnified; -- said of images or of photographic pictures, etc.

2. (Geol.) Large enough to be seen; --said of the larger structural features and components of rocks which do not require the use of the microscope to be perceived. Opposed to microscopic.

MEGASEME Meg"a*seme, a. Etym: [Mega- + Gr. mégasème.] (Anat.)

Defn: Having the orbital index relatively large; having the orbits narrow transversely; -- opposed to microseme.

MEGASS; MEGASSE Me"gass", Me*gasse", n.

Defn: See Bagasse.

MEGASTHENE Meg"as*thene, n. Etym: [Gr. me`gas great + sthe`nos strength.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a group which includes the higher orders of mammals, having a large size as a typical characteristic.

MEGASTHENIC Meg`as*then"ic, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having a typically large size; belonging to the megasthenes.

MEGASTOME Meg"a*stome, n. Etym: [Gr. me`gas great + sto`ma mouth.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a group of univalve shells, having a large aperture or mouth.

MEGATHERE; MEGATHERIUM Meg"a*there, Meg`a*the"ri*um, n. Etym: [NL. megatherium, fr. Gr. me`gas great + thyri`on beast.] (Paleon.)

Defn: An extinct gigantic quaternary mammal, allied to the ant-eaters and sloths. Its remains are found in South America.

MEGATHEROID Meg`a*the"roid, n. Etym: [Megatherium + -oid.] (Paleon.)

Defn: One of a family of extinct edentates found in America. The family includes the megatherium, the megalonyx, etc.

MEGAVOLT Meg`a*volt", n. Etym: [Mega- + volt.] (Elec.)

Defn: One of the larger measures of electro-motive force, amounting to one million volts.

MEGAWEBER Meg`a*we"ber, n. Etym: [Mega- + weber.] (Elec.)

Defn: A million webers.

MEGERG Meg"erg`, n. Etym: [Mega- + erg.] (Physics)

Defn: One of the larger measures of work, amounting to one million ergs; -- called also megalerg.

MEGILP; MEGILPH Me*gilp", Me*gilph", n. (Paint.)

Defn: A gelatinous compound of linseed oil and mastic varnish, used by artists as a vehicle for colors. [Written also magilp, and magilph.]

MEGOHM Meg"ohm", n. Etym: [Mega- + ohm.] (Elec.)

Defn: One of the larger measures of electrical resistance, amounting to one million ohms.

MEGRIM Me"grim, n. Etym: [OE. migrim, migrene, F. migraine, LL. hemigrania, L. hemicrania, hemicranium, Gr. Hemi- and Cranium, and cf. Hemicrania, Migraine.]

1. A kind of sick or nevrous headache, usually periodical and confined to one side of the head.

2. A fancy; a whim; a freak; a humor; esp., in the plural, lowness of spirits. These are his megrims, firks, and melancholies. Ford.

3. pl. (Far.)

Defn: A sudden vertigo in a horse, succeeded sometimes by unconsciousness, produced by an excess of blood in the brain; a mild form of apoplexy. Youatt.

MEGRIM Me"grim, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The British smooth sole, or scaldfish (Psetta arnoglossa).

MEIBOMIAN Mei*bo"mi*an, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or discovered by, Meibomius. Meibomian glands, the slender sebaceous glands of the eyelids, which discharge, through minute orifices in the edges of the lids, a fatty secretion serving to lubricate the adjacent parts.

MEINE Meine, v. t.

Defn: See Menge.

MEINE; MEINY Mein"e, Mein"y, (, n. Etym: [OF. maisniée, maisnie. See Menial.]

1. A family, including servants, etc.; household; retinue; train. [Obs.] Chaucer. Shak.

2. Company; band; army. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MEIOCENE Mei"o*cene, a. (Geol.)

Defn: See Miocene.

MEIONITE Mei"o*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)

Defn: A member of the scapolite, group, occuring in glassy crystals on Monte Somma, near Naples.

MEIOSIS Mei*o"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Meionite.] (Rhet.)

Defn: Diminution; a species of hyperbole, representing a thing as being less than it really is.

MEIOSTEMONOUS Mei`o*stem"o*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: Having fever stamens than the parts of the corolla.

MEISTERSINGER Meis"ter*sing`er, n. Etym: [G.]

Defn: See Mastersinger.

MEKHITARIST Mekh"i*tar*ist, n. (Ecc. Hist.)

Defn: See Mechitarist.

MELACONITE Me*lac"o*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)

Defn: An earthy black oxide of copper, arising from the decomposition of other ores.

MELADA; MELADO Me*la"da, Me*la"do, n. Etym: [Sp., prop. p. p. of melar to sugar, candy, fr. L. mel honey. See Molasses.]

Defn: A mixture of sugar and molasses; crude sugar as it comes from the pans without being drained.

MELAENA Me*læ"na, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A discharge from the bowels of black matter, consisting of altered blood.

MELAIN Mel"ain, n. Etym: [See Melna.]

Defn: The dark coloring matter of the liquid of the cuttlefish.

MELAINOTYPE Me*lai"no*type, n.

Defn: See Melanotype.

MELAM Me"lam, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mélam.] (Chem.)

Defn: A white or buff-colored granular powder,

MELAMINE Me*lam"ine, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A strong nitrogenous base, C3H6N6, produced from several cyanogen compounds, and obtained as a white crystalline substance, -- formerly supposed to be produced by the decomposition of melam. Called also cyanuramide.

MELAMPODE Mel"am*pode, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: The black hellebore. [Obs.] Spenser.

MELAMPYRIN; MELAMPYRITE Mel`am*py"rin, Mel`am*py"rite, n. Etym: [NL. Melampyrum cowwheat; Gr. (Chem.)

Defn: The saccharine substance dulcite; -- so called because found in the leaves of cowwheat (Melampyrum). See Dulcite.

MELANAEMIA Mel`a*næ"mi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A morbid condition in which the blood contains black pigment either floating freely or imbedded in the white blood corpuscles.

MELANAGOGUE Me*lan"a*gogue, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A medicine supposed to expel black bile or choler. [Obs.]

MELANCHOLIA Mel`an*cho"li*a, n. Etym: [L. See Melancholy.] (Med.)

Defn: A kind of mental unsoundness characterized by extreme depression of spirits, ill-grounded fears, delusions, and brooding over one particular subject or train of ideas.

MELANCHOLIAN Mel`an*cho"li*an, n.

Defn: A person affected with melancholy; a melancholic. [Obs.] Dr. J. Scott.

MELANCHOLIC Mel"an*chol`ic, a. Etym: [L. melancholicus, Gr. mélancholique.]

Defn: Given to melancholy; depressed; melancholy; dejected; unhappy. Just as the melancholic eye Sees fleets and armies in the sky. Prior.

MELANCHOLIC Mel"an*chol`ic, n. [Obs.]

1. One affected with a gloomy state of mind. J. Spenser.

2. A gloomy state of mind; melancholy. Clarendon.

MELANCHOLILY Mel"an*chol`i*ly, adv.

Defn: In a melancholy manner.

MELANCHOLINESS Mel"an*chol`i*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being melancholy. Hallywell.

MELANCHOLIOUS Mel`an*cho"li*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. melancholieux.]

Defn: Melancholy. [R.] Milton.

MELANCHOLIST Mel"an*chol*ist, n.

Defn: One affected with melancholy or dejection. [Obs.] Glanvill.

MELANCHOLIZE Mel"an*cho*lize, v. i.

Defn: To become gloomy or dejected in mind. Barrow.

MELANCHOLIZE Mel"an*cho*lize, v. t.

Defn: To make melancholy.

MELANCHOLY Mel"an*chol*y, n. Etym: [OE. melancolie, F. mélancolie, L. melancholia, fr. Gr. Malice, and 1st Gall.]

1. Depression of spirits; a gloomy state continuing a considerable time; deep dejection; gloominess. Shak.

2. Great and continued depression of spirits, amounting to mental unsoundness; melancholia.

3. Pensive maditation; serious thoughtfulness. [Obs.] "Hail, divinest Melancholy !" Milton.

4. Ill nature. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MELANCHOLY Mel"an*chol*y, a.

1. Depressed in spirits; dejected; gloomy dismal. Shak.

2. Producing great evil and grief; causing dejection; calamitous; afflictive; as, a melancholy event.

3. Somewhat deranged in mind; having the jugment impaired. [Obs.] Bp. Reynolds.

4. Favorable to meditation; somber. A pretty, melancholy seat, well wooded and watered. Evelin.

Syn. -- Gloomy; sad; dispirited; low-spirited; downhearted; unhappy; hypochondriac; disconsolate; heavy, doleful; dismal; calamitous; afflictive.

MELANCONIACEAE Mel`an*co`ni*a"ce*æ, n. pl. [NL.] (Bot.)

Defn: A family of fungi constituting the order Melanconiales. -- Mel`an*co`ni*a"ceous (#), a.

MELANCONIALES Mel`an*co`ni*a"les, n. pl. [NL., fr. Melanconium, name of the typical genus, fr. Gr. black + dust, in allusion to the dark spores.] (Bot.)

Defn: The smallest of the three orders of Fungi Imperfecti, including those with no asci nor pycnidia, but as a rule having the spores in cavities without special walls. They cause many of the plant diseases known as anthracnose.

MELANESIAN Mel`a*ne"sian, a. Etym: [Gr. Melanesia was so called from the dark complexion of the natives.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Melanesia.

MELANGE Mé`lange", n. Etym: [F. See Mell, Meddle.]

Defn: A mixture; a medley.

MELANIAN Me*la"ni*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a family of fresh-water pectinibranchiate mollusks, having a turret-shaped shell.

MELANIC Me*lan"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.

1. Melanotic.

2. (Ethnol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the black-haired races. Prichard.

MELANILINE Me*lan"i*line, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A complex nitrogenous hydrocarbon obtained artificially (as by the action of cyanogen chloride on aniline) as a white, crystalline substance; -- called also diphenyl guanidin.

MELANIN Mel"a*nin, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: A black pigment found in the pigment-bearing cells of the skin (particularly in the skin of the negro), in the epithelial cells of the external layer of the retina (then called fuscin), in the outer layer of the choroid, and elsewhere. It is supposed to be derived from the decomposition of hemoglobin.

MELANISM Mel"a*nism, n. Etym: [Gr. , , black.]

1. An indue development of dark-colored pigment in the skin or its appendages; -- the opposite of albinism.

2. (Med.)

Defn: A disease; black jaundice. See Mel.

MELANISTIC Mel`a*nis"tic, a.

Defn: Affected with melanism; of the nature of melanism.

MELANITE Mel"a*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. mélanite.] (Min.)

Defn: A black variety of garnet.

MELANOCHROI Mel`a*noch"ro*i, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Melanochroic.] (Ethnol.)

Defn: A group of the human race, including the dark whites.

MELANOCHROIC Mel`a*no*chro"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Having a dark complexion; of or pertaining to the Melanochroi.

MELANOCHROITE Mel`a*no*chro"ite, n. Etym: [See Melanochroic.] (Min.)

Defn: A mineral of a red, or brownish or yellowish red color. It is a chromate of lead; -- called also phoenicocroite.

MELANOCOMOUS Mel`a*noc"o*mous, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Having very dark or black hair; black-haired. Prichard.

MELANOMA Mel`a*no"ma, n.; L. pl. -nomata (#). [NL.; Gr. , , black + -oma.] (Med.) (a) A tumor containing dark pigment. (b) Development of dark-pigmented tumors.

MELANORRHOEA Mel`a*nor*rhoe"a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: An East Indian genus of large trees. Melanorrhoea usitatissima is the lignum-vitæ of Peru, and yelds a valuable black varnish.

MELANOSCOPE Me*lan"o*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.] (Opt.)

Defn: An instrument containing a combination of colored glasses such that they transmit only red light, so that objects of other colors, as green leaves, appear black when seen through it. It is used for viewing colored flames, to detect the presence of potassium, lithium, etc., by the red light which they emit.

MELANOSIS Mel`a*no"sis, Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: The morbid deposition of black matter, often of a malignant character, causing pigmented tumors.

MELANOSPERM Me*lan"o*sperm, n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: An alga of any kind that produces blackish spores, or seed dust. The melanosperms include the rockweeds and all kinds of kelp. -- Mel`a*no*sper"mous, a.

MELANOTIC Mel`a*not"ic

Defn: , Melanistic.

MELANOTYPE Me*lan"o*type, n. Etym: [Gr. -type.] (Photog.)

Defn: A positive picture produced with sensitized collodion on a smooth surface of black varnish, coating a thin plate of iron; also, the process of making such a picture. [Written also melainotype.]

MELANTERITE Me*lan"ter*ite, n. (Min.)

Defn: A hydrous sulphate of iron of a green color and vitreous luster; iron vitriol.

MELANURE Mel"a*nure, n. Etym: [NL. melanurus, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small fish of the Mediterranean; a gilthead. See Gilthead (a).

MELANURIC Mel`a*nu"ric, a. Etym: [Melam + urea.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a complex nitrogenous acid obtained by decomposition of melam, or of urea, as a white crystalline powder; -- called also melanurenic acid.

MELAPHYRE Mel"a*phyre, n. Etym: [F., fr. Gr. phyre porphyry.] (Min.)

Defn: Any one of several dark-colored augitic, eruptive rocks allied to basalt.

MELASMA Me*las"ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A dark discoloration of the skin, usually local; as, Addison's melasma, or Addison's disease. -- Me*las"mic, a.

MELASSES Me*las"ses, n.

Defn: See Molasses.

MELASSIC Me*las"sic, a. Etym: [See Molasses.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from molasses or glucose, and probably identical with saccharic acid. See Saccharic.

MELASTOMA Me*las"to*ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of evergreen tropical shrubs; -- so called from the black berries of some species, which stain the mouth.

MELASTOMACEOUS Mel`a*sto*ma"ceous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Belonging to the order of which Melastoma is the type.

MELCHITE Mel"chite, n. Etym: [Heb. melek king.] (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: One of a sect, chiefly in Syria and Egypt, which acknowledges the authority of the pope, but adheres to the liturgy and ceremonies of the Eastern Church.

MELD Meld, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Melded; p. pr. & vb. n. Melding.] [G. melden to announce.] (Card Playing)

Defn: In the game of pinochle, to declare or announce for a score; as, to meld a sequence.

MELD Meld, n. (Card Playing)

Defn: Any combination or score which may be declared, or melded, in pinochle.

MELEAGRINE Mel`e*a"grine, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the genus Meleagris.

MELEAGRIS Mel`e*a"gris, n. Etym: [L., the Guinea fowl.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of American gallinaceous birds, including the common and the wild turkeys.

MELEE Mê`lée", n. Etym: [F., fr. mêler to mix. See Meddle, Mell, and cf. Mellay.]

Defn: A fight in which the combatants are mingled

MELENA Me*le"na, n. (Med.)

Defn: See Mel.

MELENE Mel"ene, n. Etym: [Melissic + ethylene.] (Chem.)

Defn: An unsaturated hydrocarbon, C30H60, of the ethylene series, obtained from beeswax as a white, scaly, crystalline wax; -- called also melissene, and melissylene.

MELENITE Mel"e*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. me`li honey.]

Defn: An explosive of great destructive power; -- so called from its color, which resembles honey.

MELETIN Mel"e*tin, n. (Chem.)

Defn: See Quercitin.

MELEZITOSE Me*lez"i*tose`, n. Etym: [F. mélèze the larch + melitose.] (Chem.)

Defn: A variety of sugar, isomeric with sucrose, extracted from the manna of the larch (Larix). [Written also melicitose.]

MELIACEOUS Me`li*a"ceous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Pertaining to a natural order (Meliacæ) of plants of which the genus Melia is the type. It includes the mahogany and the Spanish cedar.

MELIBEAN; MELIBOEAN Mel`i*be"an, Mel`i*boe"an, a. Etym: [From L. Meliboeus, one of the interlocutors in Virgil's first Eclogue.] (Rhet.)

Defn: Alternately responsive, as verses.

MELIC Mel"ic, Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Of or pertaining to song; lyric; tuneful.

MELICEROUS Me*lic"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. meliceris a kind of tumor, fr. Gr. me`li honey + (Med.)

Defn: Consisting of or containing matter like honey; -- said of certain encysted tumors.

MELIC GRASS Mel"ic grass`. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of grasses (Melica) of little agricultural importance.

MELICOTOON Mel`i*co*toon", n. (Bot.)

Defn: See Melocoton.

MELICRATORY Me*lic"ra*to*ry, n. Etym: [Gr. meli`kraton.]

Defn: A meadlike drink. [Obs.]

MELILITE Mel"i*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. me`li honey + -lite; cf. F. mélilithe.] (Min.)

Defn: A mineral occurring in small yellow crystals, found in the lavas (melilite basalt) of Vesuvius, and elsewhere. [Written also mellilite.]

MELILOT Mel"i*lot, n. Etym: [F. mélilot, L. melilotus, fr. Gr. me`li honey + (Bot.)

Defn: Any species of Melilotus, a genus of leguminous herbs having a vanillalike odor; sweet clover; hart's clover. The blue melilot (Melilotus cærulea) is used in Switzerland to give color and flavor to sapsago cheese.

MELILOTIC Mel`i*lot"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, sweet clover or meliot; specifically, designating an acid of the aromatic series, obtained from melilot as a white crystalline substance.

MELINITE Mé"lin*ite, n. [F.] (Chem.)

Defn: A high explosive similar to lyddite, consisting principally of picric acid, used in the French military service.

MELIORATE Mel"io*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Meliorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Meliorating.] Etym: [L. melioratus, p. p. of meliorare to meliorate, fr. melior better; akin to Gr. Ameliorate.]

Defn: To make better; to improve; to ameliorate; to soften; to make more tolerable. Nature by art we nobly meliorate. Denham. The pure and bening light of revelation has had a meliorating influence on mankind. Washington.

MELIORATE Mel"io*rate, v. i.

Defn: To grow better.

MELIORATER Mel"io*ra`ter, n.

Defn: Same as Meliorator.

MELIORATION Mel`io*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. melioratio.]

Defn: The act or operation of meliorating, or the state of being meliorated; improvement. Bacon.

MELIORATOR Mel"io*ra`tor, n.

Defn: One who meliorates.

MELIORISM Mel"io*rism, n. Etym: [From L. melior better.]

Defn: The doctrine that there is a tendency throughout nature toward improvement. J. Sully.

MELIORITY Mel*ior"i*ty, n. Etym: [LL. melioritas, fr. L. melior. See Meliorate.]

Defn: The state or quality of being better; melioration. [Obs.] Bacon.

MELIPHAGAN Me*liph"a*gan, a. Etym: [Gr. me`li honey + (Zoöl.)

Defn: Belonging to the genus Meliphaga.

MELIPHAGAN Me*liph"a*gan, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any bird of the genus Meliphaga and allied genera; a honey eater; -- called also meliphagidan.

MELIPHAGOUS Me*liph"a*gous, a. Etym: [See Meliphagan.] (Zool.)

Defn: Eating, or feeding upon, honey.

MELISMA Me*lis"ma, n.; pl. Melismata. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Mus.) (a) A piece of melody; a song or tune, -- as opposed to recitative or musical declamation. (b) A grace or embellishment.

MELISSA Me*lis"sa, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. me`lissa a bee, honey.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of labiate herbs, including the balm, or bee balm (Melissa officinalis).

MELISSIC Me*lis"sic, a. Etym: [Gr. me`lissa a bee, honey.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, beeswax; specif., denoting an acid obtained by oxidation of myricin.

MELISSYL Me*lis"syl, n. Etym: [Melissic +yl.] (Chem.)

Defn: See Myricyl.

MELISSYLENE Me*lis"sy*lene, n. Etym: [Melissic + -yl + -ene.] (Chem.)

Defn: See Melene.

MELITOSE Mel"i*tose`, n. Etym: [Gr. me`li honey.] (Chem.)

Defn: A variety of sugar isomeric with sucrose, extracted from cotton seeds and from the so-called Australian manna (a secretion of certain species of Eucalyptus).

MELL Mell, v. i. & t. Etym: [F. mêler, OF. meller, mester. See Meddle.]

Defn: To mix; to meddle. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MELL Mell, n. Etym: [See Mellifluous.]

Defn: Honey. [Obs.] Warner.

MELL Mell, n.

Defn: A mill. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MELLATE Mel"late, n. Etym: [L. mel, mellis, honey. Cf. Mellitate.] (Chem.)

Defn: A mellitate. [R.]

MELLAY Mel"lay, n.

Defn: A mêlée; a conflict. Tennyson.

MELLIC Mel"lic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: See Mellitic. [R.]

MELLIFEROUS Mel*lif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. mellifer; mel, mellis, honey + ferre to bear.]

Defn: Producing honey.

MELLIFIC Mel*lif"ic, a. Etym: [L. mel, mellis, honey + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.]

Defn: Producing honey.

MELLIFICATION Mel`li*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. mellificare to make honey: cf. F. mellification. See Mellific.]

Defn: The making or production of honey.

MELLIFLUENCE Mel*lif"lu*ence, n.

Defn: A flow of sweetness, or a sweet, smooth flow.

MELLIFLUENT Mel*lif"lu*ent, a. Etym: [L. mellifluens. See Mellifluous.]

Defn: Flowing as with honey; smooth; mellifluous.

MELLIFLUENTLY Mel*lif"lu*ent*ly, adv.

Defn: In a mellifluent manner.

MELLIFLUOUS Mel*lif"lu*ous, a. Etym: [L. mellifluus; mel, mellis, honey (akin to Gr. milip) + fluere to flow. See Mildew, Fluent, and cf. Marmalade.]

Defn: Flowing as with honey; smooth; flowing sweetly or smoothly; as, a mellifluous voice. -- Mel*lif"lu*ous*ly, adv.

MELLIGENOUS Mel*lig"e*nous, a. Etym: [L. mel, mellis + -genous.]

Defn: Having the qualities of honey. [R.]

MELLIGO Mel*li"go, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: Honeydew.

MELLILOQUENT Mel*lil"o*quent, a. Etym: [L. mel, mellis honey + loquens speaking, p. pr. of loqui to speak.]

Defn: Speaking sweetly or harmoniously.

MELLIPHAGAN Mel*liph"a*gan, n.

Defn: See Meliphagan.

MELLIPHAGOUS Mel*liph"a*gous, a.

Defn: See Meliphagous.

MELLITATE Mel"li*tate, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mellitate. See Mellitic.] (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of mellitic acid.

MELLITE Mel"lite, n. Etym: [L. mel, mellis, honey: cf. F. mellite.] (Min.)

Defn: A mineral of a honey color, found in brown coal, and partly the result of vegetable decomposition; honeystone. It is a mellitate of alumina.

MELLITIC Mel*lit"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. mellitique. See Mellite.] (Chem.) (a) Containing saccharine matter; marked by saccharine secretions; as, mellitic diabetes. (b) Pertaining to, or derived from, the mineral mellite. Mellitic acid (Chem.), a white, crystalline, organic substance, C6(CO2H)6, occurring naturally in combination with aluminium in the mineral mellite, and produced artificially by the oxidation of coal, graphite, etc., and hence called also graphitic acid.

MELLONE Mel"lone, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A yellow powder, C6H3N9, obtained from certain sulphocyanates. It has acid properties and forms compounds called mellonides.

MELLONIDE Mel"lon*ide, n.

Defn: See Mellone.

MELLOW Mel"low, a. [Compar. Mellower; superl. Mellowest.] Etym: [OE. melwe; cf. AS. mearu soft, D. murw, Prov. G. mollig soft, D. malsch, and E. meal flour.]

1. Soft or tender by reason of ripeness; having a tender pulp; as, a mellow apple.

2. Hence: (a) Easily worked or penetrated; not hard or rigid; as, a mellow soil. "Mellow glebe." Drayton (b) Not coarse, rough, or harsh; subdued; soft; rich; delicate; -- said of sound, color, flavor, style, etc. "The mellow horn." Wordsworth. "The mellow-tasted Burgundy." Thomson. The tender flush whose mellow stain imbues Heaven with all freaks of light. Percival.

3. Well matured; softened by years; genial; jovial. May health return to mellow age. Wordsworth. As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever followed a hound. W. Irving.

4. Warmed by liquor; slightly intoxicated. Addison.

MELLOW Mel"low, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mellowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Mellowing.]

Defn: To make mellow. Shak. If the Weather prove frosty to mellow it [the ground], they do not plow it again till April. Mortimer. The fervor of early feeling is tempered and mellowed by the ripeness of age. J. C. Shairp.

MELLOW Mel"low, v. i.

Defn: To become mellow; as, ripe fruit soon mellows. "Prosperity begins to mellow." Shak.

MELLOWLY Mel"low*ly, adv.

Defn: In a mellow manner.

MELLOWNESS Mel"low*ness, n.

Defn: Quality or state of being mellow.

MELLOWY Mel"low*y, a.

Defn: Soft; unctuous. Drayton.

MELLUCO Mel*lu"co, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A climbing plant (Ullucus officinalis) of the Andes, having tuberous roots which are used as a substitute for potatoes.

MELNE Mel"ne, n.

Defn: A mill. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MELOCOTON; MELOCOTOON Mel`o*co*ton", Mel`o*co*toon", n. Etym: [Sp. melocoton a kind of peach tree and its fruit, L. malum cotonium, or cotonea, or Cydonia, a quince, or quince tree, lit., apple of Cydonia, Gr. Quince.] (Bot.) (a) A quince. (b) A kind of peach having one side deep red, and the flesh yellow. [Written also malacatoon, malacotune.]

MELODEON Me*lo"de*on, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Melody, and cf. Odeon.]

1. (Mus.)

Defn: A kind of small reed organ; -- a portable form of the seraphine.

2. A music hall.

MELODIC Me*lod"ic, a. Etym: [L. melodicus, Gr. mélodique.]

Defn: Of the nature of melody; relating to, containing, or made up of, melody; melodious.

MELODICS Me*lod"ics, n.

Defn: The department of musical science which treats of the pitch of tones, and of the laws of melody.

MELODIOGRAPH Me*lo"di*o*graph, n. Etym: [Melody + -graph.]

Defn: A contrivance for preserving a record of music, by recording the action of the keys of a musical instrument when played upon.

MELODIOUS Me*lo"di*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. mélodieux. See Melody.]

Defn: Containing, or producing, melody; musical; agreeable to the ear by a sweet succession of sounds; as, a melodious voice. "A melodious voice." "A melodious undertone." Longfellow. -- Me*lo"di*ous*ly, adv. -- Me*lo"di*ous*ness, n.

MELODIST Mel"o*dist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mélodiste.]

Defn: A composer or singer of melodies.

MELODIZE Mel"o*dize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Melodized; p. pr. & vb. n. Melodizing.]

Defn: To make melodious; to form into, or set to, melody.

MELODIZE Mel"o*dize, v. i.

Defn: To make melody; to compose melodies; to harmonize.

MELODRAMA Mel`o*dra"ma, n. Etym: [F. mélodrame, fr. Gr.

Defn: Formerly, a kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes. Now, a drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic. In opera, a passage in which the orchestra plays a somewhat descriptive accompaniment, while the actor speaks; as, the melodrama in the gravedigging scene of Beethoven's "Fidelio".

MELODRAMATIC Mel`o*dra*mat"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. mélodramatique.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to melodrama; like or suitable to a melodrama; unnatural in situation or action. -- Mel`o*dra*mat"ic*al*ly, adv.

MELODRAMATIST Mel`o*dram"a*tist, n.

Defn: One who acts in, or writes, melodramas.

MELODRAME Mel"o*drame, n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: Melodrama.

MELODY Mel"o*dy, n.; pl. Melodies. Etym: [OE. melodie, F. mélodie, L. melodia, fr. Gr. Ode.]

1. A sweet or agreeable succession of sounds. Lulled with sound of sweetest melody. Shak.

2. (Mus.)

Defn: A rhythmical succession of single tones, ranging for the most part within a given key, and so related together as to form a musical whole, having the unity of what is technically called a musical thought, at once pleasing to the ear and characteristic in expression.