Chapter LI: Bella (22)

Note: The existence of metameric compounds is due to the different arrangement of the same constituents in the molecule.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a metamere or its formation; as, metameric segmentation.

METAMERICALLY Met`a*mer"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a metameric manner.

METAMERISM Me*tam"er*ism, n.

1. (Biol.)

Defn: The symmetry of a metameric structure; serial symmetry; the state of being made up of metameres.

2. (Chem.)

Defn: The state or quality of being metameric; also, the relation or condition of metameric compounds.

METAMORPHIC Met`a*mor"phic, a. Etym: [See Metamorphosis.]

1. Subject to change; changeable; variable.

2. Causing a change of structure.

3. (Geol.)

Defn: Pertaining to, produced by, or exhibiting, certain changes which minerals or rocks may have undergone since their original deposition; -- especially applied to the recrystallization which sedimentary rocks have undergone through the influence of heat and pressure, after which they are called metamorphic rocks.

METAMORPHISM Met`a*mor"phism, n. (Geol.)

Defn: The state or quality of being metamorphic; the process by which the material of rock masses has been more or less recrystallized by heat, pressure, etc., as in the change of sedimentary limestone to marble. Murchison.

METAMORPHIST Met`a*mor"phist, n. (Eccl.)

Defn: One who believes that the body of Christ was merged into the Deity when he ascended.

METAMORPHIZE Met`a*mor"phize, v. t.

Defn: To metamorphose.

METAMORPHOSE Met`a*mor"phose, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Metamorphosed; p. pr. & vb. n. Metamorphosing.] Etym: [Cf. F. métamorphoser.]

Defn: To change into a different form; to transform; to transmute. And earth was metamorphosed into man. Dryden.

METAMORPHOSE Met`a*mor"phose, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métamorphose. See Metamorphosis.]

Defn: Same as Metamorphosis.

METAMORPHOSER Met`a*mor"pho*ser, n.

Defn: One who metamorphoses. [R.] Gascoigne.

METAMORPHOSIC Met`a*mor"pho*sic, a.

Defn: Changing the form; transforming. [R.] Pownall.

METAMORPHOSIS Met`a*mor"pho*sis, n.; pl. Metamorphoses. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. Change of form, or structure; transformation.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: A change in the form or function of a living organism, by a natural process of growth or development; as, the metamorphosis of the yolk into the embryo, of a tadpole into a frog, or of a bud into a blossom. Especially, that form of sexual reproduction in which an embryo undergoes a series of marked changes of external form, as the chrysalis stage, pupa stage, etc., in insects. In these intermediate stages sexual reproduction is usually impossible, but they ultimately pass into final and sexually developed forms, from the union of which organisms are produced which pass through the same cycle of changes. See Transformation.

3. (Physiol.)

Defn: The change of material of one kind into another through the agency of the living organism; metabolism. Vegetable metamorphosis (Bot.), the doctrine that flowers are homologous with leaf buds, and that the floral organs are transformed leaves.

METANAUPLIUS Met`a*nau"pli*us, n. Etym: [NL. See Meta-, and Nauplius.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A larval crustacean in a stage following the nauplius, and having about seven pairs of appendages.

METANEPHRITIC Met`a*ne*phrit"ic, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the metanephros.

METANEPHROS Met`a*neph"ros, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The most posterior of the three pairs of embryonic renal organs developed in many vertebrates.

METANOTUM Met`a*no"tum, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The dorsal portion of the metaphorax of insects.

METANTIMONATE Met`an*ti*mo"nate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of metantimonic acid.

METANTIMONIC Met`an*ti*mon"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. met- + antimonic.] (Chem.) (a) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid (formerly called antimonic acid) analogous to metaphosphoric acid, and obtained as a white amorphous insoluble substance, (HSbO3). (b) Formerly, designating an acid, which is now properly called pyroantimonic acid, and analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.

METAPECTIC Met`a*pec"tic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + pectic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a supposed acid obtained from pectin.

METAPECTIN Met`a*pec"tin, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A substance obtained from, and resembling, pectin, and occurring in overripe fruits.

METAPEPTONE Met`a*pep"tone, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + peptone.] (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: An intermediate product formed in the gastric digestion of albuminous matter.

METAPHOR Met"a*phor, n. Etym: [F. métaphore, L. metaphora, fr. Gr. meta` beyond, over + fe`rein to bring, bear.] (Rhet.)

Defn: The transference of the relation between one set of objects to another set for the purpose of brief explanation; a compressed simile; e. g., the ship plows the sea. Abbott & Seeley. "All the world's a stage." Shak.

Note: The statement, "that man is a fox," is a metaphor; but "that man is like a fox," is a simile, similitude, or comparison.

METAPHORIC; METAPHORICAL Met`a*phor"ic, Met`a*phor"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. métaphorique.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to metaphor; comprising a metaphor; not literal; figurative; tropical; as, a metaphorical expression; a metaphorical sense. -- Met`a*phor"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Met`a*phor"ic*al*ness, n.

METAPHORIST Met"a*phor*ist, n.

Defn: One who makes metaphors.

METAPHOSPHATE Met`a*phos"phate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of metaphosphoric acid.

METAPHOSPHORIC Met`a*phos*phor"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + phosphoric.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a monobasic acid, HPO3, analogous to nitric acid, and, by heating phosphoric acid, obtained as a crystalline substance, commonly called glacial phosphoric acid.

METAPHRASE Met"a*phrase, n. Etym: [Gr. meta`frasis, from metafrazein to paraphrase; meta` beyond, over + fra`zein to speak: cf. F. métaphrase.]

1. A verbal translation; a version or translation from one language into another, word for word; -- opposed to paraphrase. Dryden.

2. An answering phrase; repartee. Mrs. Browning.

METAPHRASED Met"a*phrased, a.

Defn: Translated literally.

METAPHRASIS Me*taph"ra*sis, n. Etym: [NL. See Metaphrase.]

Defn: Metaphrase.

METAPHRAST Met"a*phrast, n. Etym: [Gr. métaphraste.]

Defn: A literal translator.

METAPHRASTIC; METAPHRASTICAL Met`a*phras"tic, Met`a*phras"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Close, or literal.

METAPHYSIC Met`a*phys"ic, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métaphysique.]

Defn: See Metaphysics.

METAPHYSIC Met`a*phys"ic, a.

Defn: Metaphysical.

METAPHYSICAL Met`a*phys"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. métaphysique. See Metaphysics.]

1. Of or pertaining to metaphysics.

2. According to rules or principles of metaphysics; as, metaphysical reasoning.

3. Preternatural or supernatural. [Obs.] The golden round *Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem To have thee crowned withal. Shak.

METAPHYSICALLY Met`a*phys"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In the manner of metaphysical science, or of a metaphysician. South.

METAPHYSICIAN Met`a*phy*si"cian, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métaphysicien.]

Defn: One who is versed in metaphysics.

METAPHYSICS Met`a*phys"ics, n. Etym: [Gr. métaphysique. See Physics. The term was first used by the followers of Aristotle as a name for that part of his writings which came after, or followed, the part which treated of physics.]

1. The science of real as distinguished from phenomenal being; ontology; also, the science of being, with reference to its abstract and universal conditions, as distinguished from the science of determined or concrete being; the science of the conceptions and relations which are necessarily implied as true of every kind of being; phylosophy in general; first principles, or the science of first principles.

Note: Metaphysics is distinguished as general and special. General metaphysics is the science of all being as being. Special metaphysics is the science of one kind of being; as, the metaphysics of chemistry, of morals, or of politics. According to Kant, a systematic exposition of those notions and truths, the knowledge of which is altogether independent of experience, would constitute the science of metaphysics. Commonly, in the schools, called metaphysics, as being part of the philosophy of Aristotle, which hath that for title; but it is in another sense: for there it signifieth as much as "books written or placed after his natural philosophy." But the schools take them for "books of supernatural philosophy;" for the word metaphysic will bear both these senses. Hobbes. Now the science conversant about all such inferences of unknown being from its known manifestations, is called ontology, or metaphysics proper. Sir W. Hamilton. Metaphysics are [is] the science which determines what can and what can not be known of being, and the laws of being, a priori. Coleridge.

2. Hence: The scientific knowledge of mental phenomena; mental philosophy; psychology. Metaphysics, in whatever latitude the term be taken, is a science or complement of sciences exclusively occupied with mind. Sir W. Hamilton. Whether, after all, A larger metaphysics might not help Our physics. Mrs. Browning.

METAPHYSIS Me*taph"y*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.

Defn: Change of form; transformation.

METAPLASM Met"a*plasm, n. Etym: [L. metaplasmus, Gr. métaplasme.] (Gram.)

Defn: A change in the letters or syllables of a word.

METAPLAST Met"a*plast, n. Etym: [See Metaplasm.] (Gram.)

Defn: A word having more than one form of the root.

METAPODE Met"a*pode, n. Etym: [NL. metapodium, from Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The posterior division of the foot in the Gastropoda and Pteropoda.

METAPODIAL Met`a*po"di*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the metapodialia, or to the parts of the limbs to which they belong.

METAPODIALE Met`a*po`di*a"le, n.; pl. Metapodialia. Etym: [NL. See Metapode.] (Anat.)

Defn: One of the bones of either the metacarpus or metatarsus.

METAPODIUM Met`a*po"di*um, n.; pl. Metapodia. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Metapode.

METAPOPHYSIS Met`a*poph"y*sis, n.; pl. Metapophyses. Etym: [NL. See Meta-, and Apophysis.] (Anat.)

Defn: A tubercle projecting from the anterior articular processes of some vertebræ; a mammillary process.

METAPTERYGIUM Me*tap`te*ryg"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The posterior of the three principal basal cartilages in the fins of fishes. -- Me*tap`ter*yg"i*al, a.

METASILICATE Met`a*sil"i*cate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of metasilicic acid.

METASILICIC Met`a*si*lic"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + silicic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Designating an acid derived from silicic acid by the removal of water; of or pertaining to such an acid.

Note: The salts of metasilicic acid are often called bisilicates, in mineralogy, as Wollastonite (CaSiO3). Metasilicic acid (Chem.), a gelatinous substance, or white amorphous powder, analogous to carbonic acid, and forming many stable salts.

METASOMATISM Met`a*so"ma*tism, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + Gr. (Geol.)

Defn: An alteration in a mineral or rock mass when involving a chemical change of the substance, as of chrysolite to serpentine; -- opposed to ordinary metamorphism, as implying simply a recrystallization. -- Met`a*so*mat"ic, a.

METASOME Met"a*some, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + -some body.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the component segments of the body of an animal.

METASTANNATE Met`a*stan"nate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of metastannic acid.

METASTANNIC Met`a*stan"nic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a compound of tin (metastannic acid), obtained, as an isomeric modification of stannic acid, in the form of a white amorphous substance.

METASTASIS Me*tas"ta*sis, n.; pl. Metastases. Etym: [L., transition, fr. Gr.

1. (Theol.)

Defn: A spiritual change, as during baptism.

2. (Med.)

Defn: A change in the location of a disease, as from one part to another. Dunglison.

3. (Physiol.)

Defn: The act or process by which matter is taken up by cells or tissues and is transformed into other matter; in plants, the act or process by which are produced all of those chemical changes in the constituents of the plant which are not accompanied by a production of organic matter; metabolism.

METASTATIC Met`a*stat"ic, a.

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or caused by, metastasis; as, a metastatic abscess; the metastatic processes of growth.

METASTERNAL Met`a*ster"nal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the metasternum.

METASTERNUM Met`a*ster"num, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + sternum.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: The most posterior element of the sternum; the ensiform process; xiphisternum.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The ventral plate of the third or last segment of the thorax of insects.

METASTOMA; METASTOME Me*tas"to*ma, Met"a*stome, n. Etym: [NL. metastoma, from Gr. meta` behind + sto`ma mouth.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A median elevation behind the mouth in the arthropods.

METATARSAL Met`a*tar"sal, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the metatarsus. -- n.

Defn: A metatarsal bone.

METATARSE Met"a*tarse, n. (Anat.)

Defn: Metatarsus.

METATARSUS Met`a*tar"sus, n.; pl. Metatarsi. Etym: [NL. See Meta-, and Tarsus.] (Anat.)

Defn: That part of the skeleton of the hind or lower limb between the tarsus and phalanges; metatarse. It consists, in the human foot, of five bones. See Illustration in Appendix.

METATE Me*ta"te, n. [Sp., fr. Mex. metlatl.]

Defn: A flat or somewhat hollowed stone upon which grain or other food is ground, by means of a smaller stone or pestle. [Southwestern U. S. & Sp. Amer.]

METATHESIS Me*tath"e*sis, n.; pl. Metatheses (. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. meta`thesis, fr. metatithe`nai to place differently, to transpose; meta` beyond, over + tithe`nai to place, set. See Thesis.]

1. (Gram.)

Defn: Transposition, as of the letters or syllables of a word; as, pistris for pristis; meagre for meager.

2. (Med.)

Defn: A mere change in place of a morbid substance, without removal from the body.

3. (Chem.)

Defn: The act, process, or result of exchange, substitution, or replacement of atoms and radicals; thus, by metathesis an acid gives up all or part of its hydrogen, takes on an equivalent amount of a metal or base, and forms a salt.

METATHETIC; METATHETICAL Met`a*thet"ic, Met`a*thet"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to metathesis.

METATHORACIC Met`a*tho*rac"ic, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the metathorax.

METATHORAX Met`a*tho"rax, n. Etym: [NL.: cf. F. métathorax. See Meta-, and Thorax.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The last or posterior segment of the thorax in insects. See Illust. of Coleoptera.

METATITANIC Met`a*ti*tan"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + titanic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid of titanium analogous to metasilicic acid.

METATUNGSTATE Met`a*tung"state, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of metatungstic acid.

METATUNGSTIC Met`a*tung"stic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + tungstic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid known only in its salts (the metatungstates) and properly called polytungstic, or pyrotungstic, acid.

METAVANADATE Met`a*van"a*date, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of metavanadic acid.

METAVANADIC Met`a*va*nad"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + vanadic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, a vanadic acid analogous to metaphosphoric acid.

METAXYLENE Met`a*xy"lene, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + xylene.] (Chem.)

Defn: That variety of xylene, or dimethyl benzene, in which the two methyl groups occupy the meta position with reference to each other. It is a colorless inf

METAYAGE Mé`ta`yage", n. Etym: [F. See Métayer.]

Defn: A system of farming on halves. [France & Italy]

METAYER Mé`ta`yer" (F. ; E. ), n. Etym: [F., fr. LL. medietarius, fr. L. medius middle, half. See Mid, a.]

Defn: One who cultivates land for a share (usually one half) of its yield, receiving stock, tools, and seed from the landlord. [France & Italy] Milman.

METAZOA Met`a*zo"a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Those animals in which the protoplasmic mass, constituting the egg, is converted into a multitude of cells, which are metamorphosed into the tissues of the body. A central cavity is commonly developed, and the cells around it are at first arranged in two layers, -- the ectoderm and endoderm. The group comprises nearly all animals except the Protozoa.

METAZOAN Met`a*zo"an, n.; pl. Metazoans (. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Metazoa.

METAZOIC Met`a*zo"ic, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Metazoa.

METAZOON; METAZOOEN Met`a*zo"ön, n. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Metazoa.

METE Mete, n.

Defn: Meat. [Obs.] Chaucer.

METE Mete, v. t. & i.

Defn: To meet. [Obs.] Chaucer.

METE Mete, v. i. & t. [imp. Mette; p. p. Met.] Etym: [AS. m.]

Defn: To dream; also impersonally; as, me mette, I dreamed. [Obs.] "I mette of him all night." Chaucer.

METE Mete, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Meted; p. pr. & vb. n. Meting.] Etym: [AS. metan; akin to D. meten, G. messen, OHG. mezzan, Icel. meta, Sw. mäta, Goth. mitan, L. modus measure, moderation, modius a corn measure, Gr. measure, L. metiri to measure; cf. Skr. ma to measure. sq. root99. Cf. Measure, Meet, a., Mode.]

Defn: To find the quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by any rule or standard; to measure.

METE Mete, v. i.

Defn: To measure. [Obs.] Mark iv. 24.

METE Mete, n. Etym: [AS. met. See Mete to measure.]

Defn: Measure; limit; boundary; -- used chiefly in the plural, and in the phrase metes and bounds.

METECORN Mete"corn`, n.

Defn: A quantity of corn formerly given by the lord to his customary tenants, as an encouragement to, or reward for, labor and faithful service.

METELY Mete"ly, a.

Defn: According to measure or proportion; proportionable; proportionate. [Obs.]

METEMPIRIC; METEMPIRICAL Met`em*pir"ic, Met`em*pir"ic*al, a. Etym: [Pref. met- + empiric, - ical.] (Metaph.)

Defn: Related, or belonging, to the objects of knowledge within the province of metempirics. If then the empirical designates the province we include within the range of science, the province we exclude may be fitly styled the metempirical. G. H. Lewes.

METEMPIRICISM Met*em*pir"i*cism, n.

Defn: The science that is concerned with metempirics.

METEMPIRICS Met`em*pir"ics, n.

Defn: The concepts and relations which are conceived as beyond, and yet as related to, the knowledge gained by experience.

METEMPSYCHOSE Me*temp"sy*chose, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Metempsychosed; p. pr. & vb. n. Metempsychosing.] Etym: [See Metempsychosis.]

Defn: To translate or transfer, as the soul, from one body to another. [R.] Peacham.

METEMPSYCHOSIS Me*temp`sy*cho"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Psychology.]

Defn: The passage of the soul, as an immortal essence, at the death of the animal body it had inhabited, into another living body, whether of a brute or a human being; transmigration of souls. Sir T. Browne.

METEMPTOSIS Met`emp*to"sis, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Chron.)

Defn: The suppression of a day in the calendar to prevent the date of the new moon being set a day too late, or the suppression of the bissextile day once in 134 years. The opposite to this is the proemptosis, or the addition of a day every 330 years, and another every 2,400 years.

METENCEPHALON Met`en*ceph"a*lon, n. Etym: [Met- + encephalon.] (Anat.)

Defn: The posterior part of the brain, including the medulla; the afterbrain. Sometimes abbreviated to meten.

METENSOMATOSIS Met`en*so`ma*to"sis, n. Etym: [L., a change of body (by the soul), fr. Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: The assimilation by one body or organism of the elements of another.

METEOR Me"te*or, n. Etym: [F. météore, Gr.

1. Any phenomenon or appearance in the atmosphere, as clouds, rain, hail, snow, etc. Hail, an ordinary meteor. Bp. Hall.

2. Specif.: A transient luminous body or appearance seen in the atmosphere, or in a more elevated region. The vaulty top of heaven Figured quite o'er with burning meteors. Shak.

Note: The term is especially applied to fireballs, and the masses of stone or other substances which sometimes fall to the earth; also to shooting stars and to ignes fatui. Meteors are often classed as: aerial meteors, winds, tornadoes, etc.; aqueous meteors, rain, hail, snow, dew, etc.; luminous meteors, rainbows, halos, etc.; and igneous meteors, lightning, shooting stars, and the like.

METEORIC Me`te*or"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. météorique.]

1. Of or pertaining to a meteor, or to meteors; atmospheric, as, meteoric phenomena; meteoric stones.

2. Influenced by the weather; as, meteoric conditions.

3. Flashing; brilliant; transient; like a meteor; as, meteoric fame. "Meteoric politician." Craik. Meteoric iron, Meteoric stone. (Min.) See Meteorite. -- Meteoric paper, a substance of confervoid origin found floating in the air, and resembling bits of coarse paper; -- so called because formerly supposed to fall from meteors. -- Meteoric showers, periodical exhibitions of shooting stars, occuring about the 9th or 10th of August and 13th of November, more rarely in April and December, and also at some other periods.

METEORICAL Me`te*or"ic*al, a.

Defn: Meteoric.

METEORISM Me"te*or*ism, n. (Med.)

Defn: Flatulent distention of the abdomen; tympanites.

METEORITE Me"te*or*ite, n. Etym: [Cf. F. météorite.] (Min.)

Defn: A mass of stone or iron which has fallen to the earth from space; an aërolite.

Note: Meteorites usually show a pitted surface with a fused crust, caused by the heat developed in their rapid passage through the earth's atmosphere. A meteorite may consist: 1. Of metallic iron, alloyed with a small percentage of nickel (meteoric iron, holosiderite). When etched this usually exhibits peculiar crystalline figures, called Widmanstätten figures. 2. Of a cellular mass of iron with imbedded silicates (mesosiderite or siderolite). 3. Of a stony mass of silicates with little iron (meteoric stone, sporadosiderite). 4. Of a mass without iron (asiderite).

METEORIZE Me"te*or*ize, v. i. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: To ascend in vapors; to take the form of a meteor. Evelyn.

METEOROGRAPH Me`te*or"o*graph, n. Etym: [Meteor + -graph.]

Defn: An instrument which registers meteorologic phases or conditions.

METEOROGRAPHIC Me`te*or`o*graph"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to meteorography.

METEOROGRAPHY Me`te*or*og"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Meteor + -graphy.]

Defn: The registration of meteorological phenomena.

METEOROID Me"te*or*oid, n. Etym: [Meteor + -oid.] (Astron.)

Defn: A small body moving through space, or revolving about the sun, which on entering the earth's atmosphere would be deflagrated and appear as a meteor. These bodies [small, solid bodies] before they come into the air, I call meteoroids. H. A. Newton.

METEOROIDAL Me`te*or*oid"al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a meteoroid or to meteoroids.

METEOROLITE Me`te*or"o*lite, n. Etym: [Meteor + -lite : cf. F. météorolithe.]

Defn: A meteoric stone; an aërolite; a meteorite.

METEOROLOGIC; METEOROLOGICAL Me`te*or`o*log"ic, Me`te*or`o*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. météorologique.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the atmosphere and its phenomena, or to meteorology. Meteorological table, Meteorological register, a table or register exhibiting the state of the air and its temperature, weight, dryness, moisture, motion, etc.

METEOROLOGIST Me`te*or*ol"o*gist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. météorologiste.]

Defn: A person skilled in meteorology.

METEOROLOGY Me`te*or*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. météorologie. See Meteor.]

Defn: The science which treats of the atmosphere and its phenomena, particularly of its variations of heat and moisture, of its winds, storms, etc.

METEOROMANCY Me`te*or"o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Meteor + -mancy : cf. F. météoromancie.]

Defn: A species of divination by meteors, chiefly by thunder and lightning, which was held in high estimation by the Romans.

METEOROMETER Me`te*or*om"e*ter, n. Etym: [Meteor + -meter.]

Defn: An apparatus which transmits automatically to a central station atmospheric changes as marked by the anemometer, barometer, thermometer, etc.

METEOROSCOPE Me`te*or"o*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. météoroscope. See Meteor.] (Astron.) (a) An astrolabe; a planisphere. [Obs.] (b) An instrument for measuring the position, length, and direction, of the apparent path of a shooting star.

METEOROUS Me*te"o*rous ( or ), a. Etym: [See Meteor.]

Defn: Of the nature or appearance of a meteor.

-METER -me"ter. Etym: [L. metrum measure, or the allied Gr. Meter rhythm.]

Defn: A suffix denoting that by which anything is measured; as, barometer, chronometer, dynamometer.

METER Me"ter, n. Etym: [From Mete to measure.]

1. One who, or that which, metes or measures. See Coal-meter.

2. An instrument for measuring, and usually for recording automatically, the quantity measured. Dry meter, a gas meter having measuring chambers, with flexible walls, which expand and contract like bellows and measure the gas by filling and emptying. -- W, a gas meter in which the revolution of a chambered drum in water measures the gas passing through it.

METER Me"ter, n.

Defn: A line above or below a hanging net, to which the net is attached in order to strengthen it.

METER; METRE Me"ter, Me"tre, n. Etym: [OE. metre, F. mètre, L. metrum, fr. Gr. ma to measure. See Mete to measure.]

1. Rhythmical arrangement of syllables or words into verses, stanzas, strophes, etc.; poetical measure, depending on number, quantity, and accent of syllables; rhythm; measure; verse; also, any specific rhythmical arrangements; as, the Horatian meters; a dactylic meter. The only strict antithesis to prose is meter. Wordsworth.

2. A poem. [Obs.] Robynson (More's Utopia).

3. A measure of length, equal to 39.37 English inches, the standard of linear measure in the metric system of weights and measures. It was intended to be, and is very nearly, the ten millionth part of the distance from the equator to the north pole, as ascertained by actual measurement of an arc of a meridian. See Metric system, under Metric. Common meter (Hymnol.), four iambic verses, or lines, making a stanza, the first and third having each four feet, and the second and fourth each three feet; -- usually indicated by the initials C.M. -- Long meter (Hymnol.), iambic verses or lines of four feet each, four verses usually making a stanza; -- commonly indicated by the initials L.M. -- Short meter (Hymnol.), iambic verses or lines, the first, second, and fourth having each three feet, and the third four feet. The stanza usually consists of four lines, but is sometimes doubled. Short meter is indicated by the initials S.M.

METERAGE Me"ter*age, n. Etym: [See 1st Meter.]

Defn: The act of measuring, or the cost of measuring.

METERGRAM Me"ter*gram`, n. (Mech.)

Defn: A measure of energy or work done; the power exerted in raising one gram through the distance of one meter against gravitation.

METEWAND Mete"wand`, n. Etym: [Mete to measure + wand.]

Defn: A measuring rod. Ascham.

METEYARD Mete"yard`, n. Etym: [AS. metgeard. See Mete to measure, and Yard stick.]

Defn: A yard, staff, or rod, used as a measure. [Obs.] Shak.

METH Meth, n.

Defn: See Meathe. [Obs.] Chaucer.

METHAEMOGLOBIN Met`hæm*o*glo"bin ( or ), n. Etym: [Pref. met- + h.] (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: A stable crystalline compound obtained by the decomposition of hemoglobin. It is found in old blood stains.

METHAL Meth"al, n. Etym: [Myristic + ether + alcohol.] (Chem.)

Defn: A white waxy substance, found in small quantities in spermaceti as an ethereal salt of several fatty acids, and regarded as an alcohol of the methane series.

METHANE Meth"ane, n. Etym: [See Methal.] (Chem.)

Defn: A light, colorless, gaseous, inflammable hydrocarbon, CH4; marsh gas. See Marsh gas, under Gas. Methane series (Chem.), a series of saturated hydrocarbons, of which methane is the first member and type, and (because of their general chemical inertness and indifference) called also the paraffin (little affinity) series. The lightest members are gases, as methane, ethane; intermediate members are liquids, as hexane, heptane, etc. (found in benzine, kerosene, etc.); while the highest members are white, waxy, or fatty solids, as paraffin proper.

METHANOMETER Meth`a*nom"e*ter, n. [Methane + -meter.]

Defn: An instrument, resembling a eudiometer, to detect the presence and amount of methane, as in coal mines.

METHEGLIN Me*theg"lin, n. Etym: [W. meddyglyn; medd mead + llyn liquor, juice. See Mead a drink.]

Defn: A fermented beverage made of honey and water; mead. Gay.

METHENE Meth"ene, n. Etym: [Methyl + ethylene.] (Chem.)

Defn: See Methylene.

METHENYL Meth"e*nyl, n. Etym: [Methene + -yl.] (Chem.)

Defn: The hypothetical hydrocarbon radical CH, regarded as an essential residue of certain organic compounds.

METHIDE Meth"ide ( or ), n. Etym: [See Methyl.] (Chem.)

Defn: A binary compound of methyl with some element; as, aluminium methide, Al2(CH3)6.

METHINKS Me*thinks", v. impers. [imp. Methought.] Etym: [AS. þyncan to seem, me þynceedh, me þuhte, OE. me thinketh, me thoughte; akin to G. dünken to seem, denken to think, and E. think. See Me, and Think.]

Defn: It seems to me; I think. See Me. [R., except in poetry.] In all ages poets have been had in special reputation, and, methinks, not without great cause. Spenser.

METHIONATE Me*thi"on*ate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of methionic acid.

METHIONIC Meth`i*on"ic, a. Etym: [Methyl + thionic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, a sulphonic (thionic) acid derivative of methane, obtained as a stable white crystalline substance, CH2.(SO3H)2, which forms well defined salts.

METHOD Meth"od, n. Etym: [F. méthode, L. methodus, fr. Gr. meqodos method, investigation following after; meta` after + "odo`s way.]

1. An orderly procedure or process; regular manner of doing anything; hence, manner; way; mode; as, a method of teaching languages; a method of improving the mind. Addison.

2. Orderly arrangement, elucidation, development, or classification; clear and lucid exhibition; systematic arrangement peculiar to an individual. Though this be madness, yet there's method in it. Shak. All method is a rational progress, a progress toward an end. Sir W. Hamilton.

3. (Nat. Hist.)

Defn: Classification; a mode or system of classifying natural objects according to certain common characteristics; as, the method of Theophrastus; the method of Ray; the Linnæan method.

Syn. -- Order; system; rule; regularity; way; manner; mode; course; process; means. -- Method, Mode, Manner. Method implies arrangement; mode, mere action or existence. Method is a way of reaching a given end by a series of acts which tend to secmode relates to a single action, or to the form which a series of acts, viewed as a whole, exhibits. Manner is literally the handling of a thing, and has a wider sense, embracing both method and mode. An instructor may adopt a good method of teaching to write; the scholar may acquire a bad mode of holding his pen; the manner in which he is corrected will greatly affect his success or failure.

METHODIC; METHODICAL Me*thod"ic, Me*thod"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. methodicus, Gr. méthodique.]

1. Arranged with regard to method; disposed in a suitable manner, or in a manner to illustrate a subject, or to facilitate practical observation; as, the methodical arrangement of arguments; a methodical treatise. "Methodical regularity." Addison.

2. Proceeding with regard to method; systematic. "Aristotle, strict, methodic, and orderly." Harris.

3. Of or pertaining to the ancient school of physicians called methodists. Johnson. -- Me*thod"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Me*thod"ic*al*ness, n.

METHODIOS Me*thod"ios, n.

Defn: The art and principles of method.

METHODISM Meth"o*dism, n. (Eccl.)

Defn: The system of doctrines, polity, and worship, of the sect called Methodists. Bp. Warburton.

METHODIST Meth"o*dist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. méthodiste. See Method.]

1. One who observes method. [Obs.]

2. One of an ancient school of physicians who rejected observation and founded their practice on reasoning and theory. Sir W. Hamilton.

3. (Theol.)

Defn: One of a sect of Christians, the outgrowth of a small association called the "Holy Club," formed at Oxford University, A.D. 1729, of which the most conspicuous members were John Wesley and his brother Charles; -- originally so called from the methodical strictness of members of the club in all religious duties.

4. A person of strict piety; one who lives in the exact observance of religious duties; -- sometimes so called in contempt or ridicule.

METHODIST Meth"o*dist, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the sect of Methodists; as, Methodist hymns; a Methodist elder.

METHODISTIC; METHODISTICAL Meth`o*dis"tic, Meth`o*dis"tic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to methodists, or to the Methodists. -- Meth`o*dis"tic*al*ly, adv.

METHODIZATION Meth`od*i*za"tion, n.

Defn: The act or process of methodizing, or the state of being methodized.

METHODIZE Meth"od*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Methodized; p. pr. & vb. n. Methodizing.]

Defn: To reduce to method; to dispose in due order; to arrange in a convenient manner; as, to methodize one's work or thoughts. Spectator.

METHODIZER Meth"od*i`zer, n.

Defn: One who methodizes.

METHODOLOGICAL Meth`od*o*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to methodology.

METHODOLOGY Meth`od*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]

Defn: The science of method or arrangement; a treatise on method. Coleridge.

METHOL Meth"ol, n. Etym: [Gr. -ol.] (Chem.)

Defn: The technical name of methyl alcohol or wood spirit; also, by extension, the class name of any of the series of alcohols of the methane series of which methol proper is the type. See Methyl alcohol, under Methyl.

METHOUGHT Me*thought", imp.

Defn: of Methinks.

METHOXYL Meth*ox"yl, n. Etym: [Methyl + hydroxyl.] (Chem.)

Defn: A hypothetical radical, CH3O, analogous to hydroxyl.

METHYL Meth"yl, n. Etym: [See Methylene.] (Chem.)

Defn: A hydrocarbon radical, CH3, not existing alone but regarded as an essential residue of methane, and appearing as a component part of many derivatives; as, methyl alcohol, methyl ether, methyl amine, etc. [Formerly written also methule, methyle, etc.] Methyl alcohol (Chem.), a light, volatile, inflammable liquid, CH3.OH, obtained by the distillation of wood, and hence called wood spirit; -- called also methol, carbinol, etc. -- Methyl amine (Chem.), a colorless, inflammable, alkaline gas, CH3.NH2, having an ammoniacal, fishy odor. It is produced artificially, and also occurs naturally in herring brine and other fishy products. It is regarded as ammonia in which a third of its hydrogen is replaced by methyl, and is a type of the class of substituted ammonias. -- Methyl ether (Chem.), a light, volatile ether CH3.O.CH3, obtained by the etherification of methyl alcohol; -- called also methyl oxide. -- Methyl green. (Chem.) See under Green, n. -- Methyl orange. (Chem.) See Helianthin. -- Methyl violet (Chem.), an artificial dye, consisting of certain methyl halogen derivatives of rosaniline.

METHYLAL Meth"yl*al, n. Etym: [Methylene + alcohol.] (Chem.)

Defn: A light, volatile liquid, H2C(OCH3)2, regarded as a complex ether, and having a pleasant ethereal odor. It is obtained by the partial oxidation of methyl alcohol. Called also formal.

METHYLAMINE Meth`yl*am"ine ( or ), n. (Chem.)

Defn: See Methyl amine, under Methyl.

METHYLATE Meth"yl*ate, n. Etym: [Methyl + alcoholate.] (Chem.)

Defn: An alcoholate of methyl alcohol in which the hydroxyl hydrogen is replaced by a metal, after the analogy of a hydrate; as, sodium methylate, CH3ONa.

METHYLATE Meth"yl*ate, v. t.

Defn: To impregnate or mix with methyl or methyl alcohol.

METHYLATED Meth"yl*a`ted, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Impregnated with, or containing, methyl alcohol or wood spirit; as, methylated spirits.

METHYLENE Meth"yl*ene, n. Etym: [F. méthylène, from Gr. wood spirit.] (Chem.)

Defn: A hydrocarbon radical, CH2, not known in the free state, but regarded as an essential residue and component of certain derivatives of methane; as, methylene bromide, CH2Br2; -- formerly called also methene. Methylene blue (Chem.), an artificial dyestuff consisting of a complex sulphur derivative of diphenyl amine; -- called also pure blue.

METHYLIC Me*thyl"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, methyl; specifically, designating methyl alcohol. See under Methyl.

METHYSTICIN Me*thys"ti*cin, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A white, silky, crystalline substance extracted from the thick rootstock of a species of pepper (Piper methysticum) of the South Sea Islands; -- called also kanakin.

METIC Met"ic ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [Gr. metoecus, F. métèque.] (Gr. Antiq.)

Defn: A sojourner; an immigrant; an alien resident in a Grecian city, but not a citizen. Mitford. The whole force of Athens, metics as well as citizens, and all the strangers who were then in the city. Jowett (Thucyd. ).

METICULOUS Me*tic"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. meticulosus, fr. metus fear: cf. F. méticuleux.]

Defn: Timid; fearful. -- Me*tic"u*lous*ly, adv.

METIER Mé`tier", n. [F.]

Defn: Calling; vocation; business; trade.

Not only is it the business of no one to preach the truth but it is the métier of many to conceal it. A. R. Colquhoun.

METIF; METIVE Mé`tif", n. m. Mé`tive", n. f.Etym: [F.]

Defn: See Métis.

METIS; METISSE Mé`tis", n. m. Mé`tisse", n. f.Etym: [F.; akin to Sp. mestizo. See Mestizo.]

1. The offspring of a white person and an American Indian.

2. The offspring of a white person and a quadroon; an octoroon. [Local, U. S.] Bartlett.

METOCHE Met"o*che, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Arch.) (a) The space between two dentils. (b) The space between two triglyphs.

METOL Me"tol, n. [G.; trade name, fr. meta- + kresol cresol.]

Defn: A whitish soluble powder used as a developer in photography. Chemically, it is the sulphate of methyl-p-amino-m-cresol.

METONIC Me*ton"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. métonique.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or discovered by, Meton, the Athenian. Metonic cycle or year. (Astron.) See under Cycle.

METONYMIC; METONYMICAL Met`o*nym"ic, Met`o*nym"ic*al, a. Etym: [See Metonymy.]

Defn: Used by way of metonymy. -- Met`o*nym"ic*al*ly, adv.

METONYMY Me*ton"y*my, n. Etym: [L. metonymia, Gr. métonymie. See Name.] (Rhet.)

Defn: A trope in which one word is put for another that suggests it; as, we say, a man keeps a good table instead of good provisions; we read Virgil, that is, his poems; a man has a warm heart, that is, warm affections.

METOPE Met"o*pe, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.

1. (Arch.)

Defn: The space between two triglyphs of the Doric frieze, which, among the ancients, was often adorned with carved work. See Illust. of Entablature.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The face of a crab.

Note: In the Parthenon, groups of centaurs and heroes in high relief occupy the metopes.

METOPIC Me*top"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the forehead or frontal bones; frontal; as, the metopic suture.

METOPOMANCY Met"o*po*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy.]

Defn: Fortune telling by physiognomy. [R.] Urquhart.

METOPOSCOPIC; METOPOSCOPICAL Met`o*po*scop"ic, Met`o*po*scop"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or relating to metoposcopy.

METOPOSCOPIST Met`o*pos"co*pist, n.

Defn: One versed in metoposcopy.

METOPOSCOPY Met`o*pos"co*py, n. Etym: [Gr. métoposcopie.]

Defn: The study of physiognomy; the art of discovering the character of persons by their features, or the lines of the face.

METOSTEON Me*tos"te*on, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The postero-lateral ossification in the sternum of birds; also, the part resulting from such ossification.

METRE Me"tre, n.

Defn: See Meter.

METRIC Met"ric, a. Etym: [L. metricus, Gr. métrique. See Meter rhythm.]

1. Relating to measurement; involving, or proceeding by, measurement.

2. Of or pertaining to the meter as a standard of measurement; of or pertaining to the decimal system of measurement of which a meter is the unit; as, the metric system; a metric measurement. Metric analysis (Chem.), analysis by volume; volumetric analysis. -- Metric system, a system of weights and measures originating in France, the use of which is required by law in many countries, and permitted in many others, including the United States and England. The principal unit is the meter (see Meter). From this are formed the are, the liter, the stere, the gram, etc. These units, and others derived from them, are divided decimally, and larger units are formed from multiples by 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000. The successive multiplies are designated by the prefixes, deca-, hecto-, kilo-, and myria-; successive parts by deci-, centi-, and milli-. The prefixes mega- and micro- are sometimes used to denote a multiple by one million, and the millionth part, respectively. See the words formed with these prefixes in the Vocabulary. For metric tables, see p. 1682.

METRICAL Met"ric*al, a.

1. Of or pertaining to the meter; arranged in meter; consisting of verses; as, metrical compositions.

2. Of or pertaining to measurement; as, the inch, foot, yard, etc., are metrical terms; esp., of or pertaining to the metric system.

METRICALLY Met"ric*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a metrical manner.

METRICIAN Me*tri"cian, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métricien. See Meter rhythm.]

Defn: A composer of verses. [Obs.]

METRIC SYSTEM Met"ric sys"tem.

Defn: See Metric, a.

METRIC TON Met"ric ton.

Defn: A weight of 1,000 kilograms, or 2,204.6 pounds avoirdupois.

METRIFICATION Met`ri*fi*ca"tion, n.

Defn: Composition in metrical form; versification. [R.] Tennyson.

METRIFY Met"ri*fy, v. i. Etym: [L. metrum meter + -fy: cf. F. métrifier.]

Defn: To make verse. [R.] Skelton.

METRIST Me"trist, n.

Defn: A maker of verses. Bale. Spenser was no mere metrist, but a great composer. Lowell.

METRITIS Me*tri"tis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -tis.] (Med.)

Defn: Inflammation of the womb.

METROCHROME Met"ro*chrome, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: An instrument for measuring colors.

METROGRAPH Met"ro*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. -graph.]

Defn: An instrument attached to a locomotive for recording its speed and the number and duration of its stops.

METROLOGICAL Met`ro*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. métrologique.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to metrology.

METROLOGY Me*trol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -métrologie.]

Defn: The science of, or a system of, weights and measures; also, a treatise on the subject.

METROMANIA Met`ro*ma"ni*a, n. Etym: [Gr. mania.]

Defn: A mania for writing verses.

METROMANIAC Met`ro*ma"ni*ac, n.

Defn: One who has metromania.

METROMETER Me*trom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.] (Med.)

Defn: An instrument for measuring the size of the womb. Knight.

METRONOME Met"ro*nome, n. Etym: [Gr. métronome, It. metronomo.]

Defn: An instrument consisting of a short pendulum with a sliding weight. It is set in motion by clockwork, and serves to measure time in music.

METRONOMY Me*tron"o*my, n. Etym: [See Metronome.]

Defn: Measurement of time by an instrument.

METRONYMIC Met`ro*nym"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Derived from the name of one's mother, or other female ancestor; as, a metronymic name or appellation. -- A metronymic appellation.

METROPOLE Met"ro*pole, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métropole. See Metropolis.]

Defn: A metropolis. [Obs.] Holinshed.

METROPOLIS Me*trop"o*lis, n. Etym: [L. metropolis, Gr. Mother, and Police.]

1. The mother city; the chief city of a kingdom, state, or country. [Edinburgh] gray metropolis of the North. Tennyson.

2. (Eccl.)

Defn: The seat, or see, of the metropolitan, or highest church dignitary. The great metropolis and see of Rome. Shak.

METROPOLITAN Met`ro*pol"i*tan, a. Etym: [L. metropolitanus: cf. F. métropolitain.]

1. Of or pertaining to the capital or principal city of a country; as, metropolitan luxury.

2. (Eccl.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, a metropolitan or the presiding bishop of a country or province, his office, or his dignity; as, metropolitan authority. "Bishops metropolitan." Sir T. More.

METROPOLITAN Met`ro*pol"i*tan, n. Etym: [LL. metropolitanus.]

1. The superior or presiding bishop of a country or province.

2. (Lat. Church.)

Defn: An archbishop.

3. (Gr. Church)

Defn: A bishop whose see is civil metropolis. His rank is intermediate between that of an archbishop and a patriarch. Hook.

METROPOLITANATE Met`ro*pol"i*tan*ate, n.

Defn: The see of a metropolitan bishop. Milman.

METROPOLITE Me*trop"o*lite, n. Etym: [L. metropolita, Gr.

Defn: A metropolitan. Barrow.

METROPOLITICAL Met`ro*po*lit"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a metropolis; being a metropolis; metropolitan; as, the metropolitical chair. Bp. Hall.

METRORRHAGIA Met`ror*rha"gi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Profuse bleeding from the womb, esp. such as does not occur at the menstrual period.

METROSCOPE Met"ro*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.]

Defn: A modification of the stethoscope, for directly auscultating the uterus from the vagina.

METROSIDEROS Met`ro*si*de"ros, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A myrtaceous genus of trees or shrubs, found in Australia and the South Sea Islands, and having very hard wood. Metrosideros vera is the true ironwood.

METROTOME Met"ro*tome, n. Etym: [See Metrotomy.] (Surg.)

Defn: An instrument for cutting or scarifying the uterus or the neck of the uterus.

METROTOMY Me*trot"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr. métrotomie.] (Surg.)

Defn: The operation of cutting into the uterus; hysterotomy; the Cæsarean section.

-METRY -me*try. Etym: [See -meter.]

Defn: A suffix denoting the art, process, or science, of measuring; as, acidmetry, chlorometry, chronometry.

METTE Mette, obs. imp.

Defn: of Mete, to dream. Chaucer.

METTLE Met"tle, n. Etym: [E. metal, used in a tropical sense in allusion to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. See Metal.]

Defn: Substance or quality of temperament; spirit, esp. as regards honor, courage, fortitude, ardor, etc.; disposition; -- usually in a good sense. A certain critical hour which shall... try what mettle his heart is made of. South. Gentlemen of brave mettle. Shak. The winged courser, like a generous horse, Shows most true mettle when you check his course. Pope. To put one one's mettle, to cause or incite one to use one's best efforts.

METTLED Met"tled, a.

Defn: Having mettle; high-spirited; ardent; full of fire. Addison.

METTLESOME Met"tle*some, a.

Defn: Full of spirit; possessing constitutional ardor; fiery; as, a mettlesome horse. -- Met"tle*some*ly, adv. -- Met"tle*some*ness, n.

MEUM Me"um, n. [L., neut. of meus mine.]

Defn: Lit., mine; that which is mine; -- used in the phrase meum et tuum, or meum and tuum; as, to confound meum and tuum, to fail to distinguish one's own property from that of others; to be dishonest.

Ancestors . . . generally esteemed more renowned for ancient family and high courage than for accurately regarding the trifling distinction of meum and tuum. Sir W. Scott.

MEUTE Meute, n.

Defn: A cage for hawks; a mew. See 4th Mew, 1. Milman.

MEVE Meve, v. t. & i.

Defn: To move. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MEW Mew, n. Etym: [AS. m, akin to D. meeuw, G. möwe, OHG. m, Icel. mar.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A gull, esp. the common British species (Larus canus); called also sea mew, maa, mar, mow, and cobb.

MEW Mew, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mewed; p. pr. & vb. n. Mewing.] Etym: [OE. muen, F. muer, fr. L. mutare to change, fr. movere to move. See Move, and cf. Mew a cage, Molt.]

Defn: To shed or cast; to change; to molt; as, the hawk mewed his feathers. Nine times the moon had mewed her horns. Dryden.

MEW Mew, v. i.

Defn: To cast the feathers; to molt; hence, to change; to put on a new appearance. Now everything doth mew, And shifts his rustic winter robe. Turbervile.

MEW Mew, n. Etym: [OE. mue, F. mue change of feathers, scales, skin, the time or place when the change occurs, fr. muer to molt, mew, L. mutare to change. See 2d Mew.]

1. A cage for hawks while mewing; a coop for fattening fowls; hence, any inclosure; a place of confinement or shelter; -- in the latter sense usually in the plural. Full many a fat partrich had he in mewe. Chaucer. Forthcoming from her darksome mew. Spenser. Violets in their secret mews. Wordsworth.

2. A stable or range of stables for horses; -- compound used in the plural, and so called from the royal stables in London, built on the site of the king's mews for hawks.

MEW Mew, v. t. Etym: [From Mew a cage.]

Defn: To shut up; to inclose; to confine, as in a cage or other inclosure. More pity that the eagle should be mewed. Shak. Close mewed in their sedans, for fear of air. Dryden.

MEW Mew, v. i. Etym: [Of imitative origin; cf. G. miauen.]

Defn: To cry as a cat. [Written also meaw, meow.] Shak.

MEW Mew, n.

Defn: The common cry of a cat. Shak.

MEWL Mewl, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Mewled; p. pr. & vb. n. Mewling.] Etym: [Cf. F. miauler to mew, E. mew to cry as a cat. Cf. Miaul.]

Defn: To cry, as a young child; to squall. [Written also meawl.] Shak.

MEWLER Mewl"er, n.

Defn: One that mewls.

MEWS Mews, n. sing. & pl. Etym: [Prop. pl. of mew. See Mew a cage.]

Defn: An alley where there are stables; a narrow passage; a confined place. [Eng.] Mr. Turveydrop's great room... was built out into a mews at the back. Dickens.

MEXAL; MEXICAL Mex*al", Mex"i*cal, n. Etym: [Sp. mexcal.]

Defn: See Mescal.

MEXICAN Mex"i*can, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Mexico or its people. -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Mexico. Mexican poppy (Bot.), a tropical American herb of the Poppy family (Argemone Mexicana) with much the look of a thistle, but having large yellow or white blossoms. -- Mexican tea (Bot.), an aromatic kind of pigweed from tropical America (Chenopodium ambrosioides).

MEXICANIZE Mex"i*can*ize, v. t.

Defn: To cause to be like the Mexicans, or their country, esp. in respect of frequent revolutions of government.

MEXICANIZE Mex"i*can*ize, v. i.

Defn: To become like the Mexicans, or their country or government.

MEYNE Meyn"e, n. [Obs.]

Defn: Same as Meine.

MEZCAL Mez*cal", n.

Defn: Same as Mescal.

MEZEREON Me*ze"re*on, n. Etym: [F. mézéréon, Per. mazriyun.] (Bot.)

Defn: A small European shrub (Daphne Mezereum), whose acrid bark is used in medicine.

MEZQUITA Mez*qui"ta, n. Etym: [Sp.]

Defn: A mosque.

MEZUZOTH Mez"u*zoth, n. Etym: [Heb. mêzuzoth, pl. of mêzuzah doorpost.]

Defn: A piece of parchment bearing the Decalogue and attached to the doorpost; -- in use among orthodox Hebrews.

MEZZA MAJOLICA Mez"za ma*jol"i*ca. [It. See Mezzo; Majolica.] (Ceramics)

Defn: Italian pottery of the epoch and general character of majolica, but less brilliantly decorated, esp. such pottery without tin enamel, but painted and glazed.

MEZZANINE Mez"za*nine, n. Etym: [F. mezzanine, It. mezzanino, fr. mezzano middle, fr. mezzo middle, half. See Mezzo.] (Arch.) (a) Same as Entresol. (b) A partial story which is not on the same level with the story of the main part of the edifice, as of a back building, where the floors are on a level with landings of the staircase of the main house.

MEZZA VOCE Mez"za vo"ce. Etym: [It., fr. mezzo, fem. mezza middle, half + voce voice, L. vox.] (Mus.)

Defn: With a medium fullness of sound.

MEZZO Mez"zo, a. Etym: [It., from L. medius middle, half. See Mid, a.] (Mus.)

Defn: Mean; not extreme.

MEZZO-RELIEVO Mez"zo-re*lie"vo, n.

Defn: Mezzo-rilievo.

MEZZO-RILIEVO Mez"zo-ri*lie"vo, n. Etym: [It.] (a) A middle degree of relief in figures, between high and low relief. (b) Sculpture in this kind of relief. See under Alto-rilievo.

MEZZO-SOPRANO Mez"zo-so*pra"no, a. (Mus.)

Defn: Having a medium compass between the soprano and contralto; -- said of the voice of a female singer. -- n. (a) A mezzo-soprano voice. (b) A person having such a voice.

MEZZOTINT Mez"zo*tint, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mezzo-tinto.]

Defn: A manner of engraving on copper or steel by drawing upon a surface previously roughened, and then removing the roughness in places by scraping, burnishing, etc., so as to produce the requisite light and shade. Also, an engraving so produced.

MEZZOTINT Mez"zo*tint, v. t.

Defn: To engrave in mezzotint.

MEZZOTINTER Mez"zo*tint`er, n.

Defn: One who engraves in mezzotint.

MEZZOTINTO Mez`zo*tin"to, n. Etym: [It. mezzo half + tinto tinted, p. p. of tingere to dye, color, tinge, L. tingere. See Mezzo.]

Defn: Mezzotint.

MEZZOTINTO Mez`zo*tin"to, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mezzotintoed; p. pr. & vb. n. Mezzotintoing.]

Defn: To engrave in mezzotint; to represent by mezzotint.

MHO Mho, n. [Anagram of ohm.] (Elec.)

Defn: A unit of conductivity, being the reciprocal of the ohm.

MHOMETER Mhom"e*ter, n. [Mho + -meter.] (Elec.)

Defn: An instrument for measuring conductivity.

MHORR Mhorr, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Mohr.

MI Mi, n. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)

Defn: A syllable applied to the third tone of the scale of C, i. e., to E, in European solmization, but to the third tone of any scale in the American system.

MIAMIS Mi*a"mis, n. pl.; sing. Miami (. (Ethnol.)

Defn: A tribe of Indians that formerly occupied the country between the Wabash and Maumee rivers.

MIARGYRITE Mi*ar"gy*rite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)

Defn: A mineral of an iron-black color, and very sectile, consisting principally of sulphur, antimony, and silver.

MIAS Mi"as, n. Etym: [Malayan.]

Defn: The orang-outang.

MIASCITE Mi*asc"ite, n. Etym: [Named from Miask, in the Ural Mountains.] (Min.)

Defn: A granitoid rock containing feldspar, biotite, elæolite, and sodalite.

MIASM Mi"asm, n. Etym: [Cf. F. miasme.]

Defn: Miasma.

MIASMA Mi*as"ma, n.; pl. Miasmata. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.

Defn: Infectious particles or germs floating in the air; air made noxious by the presence of such particles or germs; noxious effluvia; malaria.

MIASMAL Mi*as"mal, a.

Defn: Containing miasma; miasmatic.

MIASMATIC; MIASMATICAL Mi`as*mat"ic, Mi`as*mat"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. miasmatique.]

Defn: Containing, or relating to, miasma; caused by miasma; as, miasmatic diseases.

MIASMATIST Mi*as"ma*tist, n.

Defn: One who has made a special study of miasma.

MIASMOLOGY Mi`as*mol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Miasma + -logy.]

Defn: That department of medical science which treats of miasma.

MIAUL Mi*aul", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Miauled; p. pr. & vb. n. Miauling.] Etym: [Cf. F. miauler, of imitative origin, and E. mew. Cf. Mewl.]

Defn: To cry as a cat; to mew; to caterwaul. Sir W. Scott.

MIAUL Mi*aul", n.

Defn: The crying of a cat.

MICA Mi"ca, n. Etym: [L. mica crumb, grain, particle; cf. F. mica.] (Min.)

Defn: The name of a group of minerals characterized by highly perfect cleavage, so that they readily separate into very thin leaves, more or less elastic. They differ widely in composition, and vary in color from pale brown or yellow to green or black. The transparent forms are used in lanterns, the doors of stoves, etc., being popularly called isinglass. Formerly called also cat-silver, and glimmer.

Note: The important species of the mica group are: muscovite, common or potash mica, pale brown or green, often silvery, including damourite (also called hydromica); biotite, iron-magnesia mica, dark brown, green, or black; lepidomelane, iron, mica, black; phlogopite, magnesia mica, colorless, yellow, brown; lepidolite, lithia mica, rose-red, lilac. Mica (usually muscovite, also biotite) is an essential constituent of granite, gneiss, and mica slate; biotite is common in many eruptive rocks; phlogopite in crystalline limestone and serpentine. Mica diorite (Min.), an eruptive rock allied to diorite but containing mica (biotite) instead of hornblende. -- Mica powder, a kind of dynamite containing fine scales of mica. -- Mica schist, Mica slate (Geol.), a schistose rock, consisting of mica and quartz with, usually, some feldspar.

MICACEO-CALCAREOUS Mi*ca`ce*o-cal*ca"re*ous, a. (Geol.)

Defn: Partaking of the nature of, or consisting of, mica and lime; -- applied to a mica schist containing carbonate of lime.

MICACEOUS Mi*ca"ceous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. micacé.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or containing, mica; splitting into laminæ or leaves like mica.

MICE Mice, n.,

Defn: pl of Mouse.

MICELLA Mi*cel"la, n.; pl. Micellæ. Etym: [NL., dim. of L. mica a morsel, grain.] (Biol.)

Defn: A theoretical aggregation of molecules constituting a structural particle of protoplasm, capable of increase or diminution without change in chemical nature.

MICH; MICHE Mich, Miche, v. i. Etym: [OE. michen; cf. OE. muchier, mucier, to conceal, F. musser, and OHG. muhhen to waylay. Cf. Micher, Curmudgeon, Muset.]

Defn: To lie hid; to skulk; to act, or carry one's self, sneakingly. [Obs. or Colloq.] [Written also meach and meech.] Spenser.

MICHAELMAS Mich"ael*mas, n. Etym: [Michael + mass religious service; OE. Mighelmesse.]

Defn: The feat of the archangel Michael, a church festival, celebrated on the 29th of September. Hence, colloquially, autumn. Michaelmas daisy. (Bot.) See under Daisy.

MICHER Mich"er, n. Etym: [OE. michare, muchare. See Mich.]

Defn: One who skulks, or keeps out of sight; hence, a truant; an idler; a thief, etc. [Obs.] Shak.

MICHERY Mich"er*y, n.

Defn: Theft; cheating. [Obs.] Gower.

MICHING Mich"ing, a.

Defn: Hiding; skulking; cowardly. [Colloq.] [Written also meaching and meeching.]

MICKLE Mic"kle, a. Etym: [OE. mikel, muchel, mochel, mukel, AS. micel, mycel; akin to OS. mikil, OHG. mihil, mihhil, Icel. mikill, mykill, Goth. mikils, L. magnus, Gr. mahat. sq. root103. Cf. Much, Muckle, Magnitude.]

Defn: Much; great. [Written also muckle and mockle.] [Old Eng. & Scot.] "A man of mickle might." Spenser.

MICMACS Mic"macs, n. pl.; sing. Micmac (. (Ethnol.)

Defn: A tribe of Indians inhabiting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. [Written also Mikmaks.]

MICO Mi"co, n. Etym: [Sp. or Pg. mico.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small South American monkey (Mico melanurus), allied to the marmoset. The name was originally applied to an albino variety.

MICRACOUSTIC Mi`cra*cous"tic, a.

Defn: Same as Microustic.

MICRASTER Mi*cras"ter, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: A genus of sea urchins, similar to Spatangus, abounding in the chalk formation; -- from the starlike disposal of the ambulacral furrows.

MICRENCEPHALOUS Mi`cren*ceph"a*lous, Etym: [Micr- + Gr.

Defn: Having a small brain.

MICRO-; MICR- Mi"cro-, Mi"cr-. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: A combining form signifying: (a) Small, little, trivial, slight; as, microcosm, microscope. (b) (Metric System, Elec., Mech., etc.) A millionth part of; as, microfarad, microohm, micrometer.

MICROAMPERE Mi`cro*am`père", n. Etym: [Micr- + ampère.] (Elec.)

Defn: One of the smaller measures of electrical currents; the millionth part of one ampère.

MICROANALYSIS Mi`cro*a*nal"y*sis, n. [Micro-+ analysis.]

Defn: Analysis of the structure of materials from careful observation of photomicrographs.

MICROBACTERIA Mi`cro*bac*te"ri*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Micro-, and Bacterium.] (Biol.)

Defn: In the classification of Cohn, one of the four tribes of Bacteria.