Unabridged Dictionary - Letter M
Etext from the Gutenberg project, formatted by r0k
Back to contents
View © info
View fine print
M
Maccaboy, Maccoboy
Mac"ca*boy (?), Mac"co*boy (?), n. [From a district in the Island of
Martinique where it is made: cf. F. macouba.] A kind of snuff.
Macco
Mac"co (?), n. A gambling game in vogue in the eighteenth century.
Thackeray.
Mace
Mace (?), n. [Jav. & Malay. m\'bes, fr. Skr. m\'besha a bean.] A money
of account in China equal to one tenth of a tael; also, a weight of
57.98 grains. S. W. Williams.
Mace
Mace (?), n. [F. macis, L. macis, macir, Gr. makaranda the nectar or
honey of a flower, a fragrant mango.] (Bot.) A kind of spice; the aril
which partly covers nutmegs. See Nutmeg.
NOTE: &hand; Re d ma ce is the aril of Myristica tingens, and white
mace that of M. Otoba, -- East Indian trees of the same genus with
the nutmeg tree.
Mace
Mace, n. [OF. mace, F. masse, from (assumed) L. matea, of which the
dim. mateola a kind of mallet or beetle, is found.]
1. A heavy staff or club of metal; a spiked club; -- used as weapon in
war before the general use of firearms, especially in the Middle Ages,
for breaking metal armor. Chaucer.
Death with his mace petrific . . . smote. Milton.
2. Hence: A staff borne by, or carried before, a magistrate as an
ensign of his authority. "Swayed the royal mace." Wordsworth.
3. An officer who carries a mace as an emblem of authority. Macaulay.
4. A knobbed mallet used by curriers in dressing leather to make it
supple.
5. (Billiards) A rod for playing billiards, having one end suited to
resting on the table and pushed with one hand.
Mace bearer, an officer who carries a mace before person in authority.
Macedonian
Mac`e*do"ni*an (?), a. [L. Macedonius, Gr. (Geog.) Belonging, or
relating, to Macedonia. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Macedonia.
Macedonian
Mac`e*do"ni*an, n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a certain religious sect,
followers of Macedonius, Bishop of Constantinople, in the fourth
century, who held that the Holy Ghost was a creature, like the angels,
and a servant of the Father and the Son.
Macedonianism
Mac`e*do"ni*an*ism (?), n. The doctrines of Macedonius.
Macer
Ma"cer (?), n. [F. massier. See Mace staff.] A mace bearer; an officer
of a court. P. Plowman.
Macerate
Mac"er*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Macerated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Macerating.] [L. maceratus, p. p. of macerare to make soft, weaken,
enervate; cf. Gr.
1. To make lean; to cause to waste away. [Obs. or R.] Harvey.
2. To subdue the appetites of by poor and scanty diet; to mortify.
Baker.
3. To soften by steeping in a liquid, with or without heat; to wear
away or separate the parts of by steeping; as, to macerate animal or
vegetable fiber.
Macerater
Mac"er*a`ter (?), n. One who, or that which, macerates; an apparatus
for converting paper or fibrous matter into pulp.
Maceration
Mac`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. maceratio: cf. F. mac\'82ration.] The act or
process of macerating.
Mach\'91rodus, Machairodus
Ma*ch\'91"ro*dus (?), Ma*chai"ro*dus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.) A
genus of extinct mammals allied to the cats, and having in the upper
jaw canine teeth of remarkable size and strength; -- hence called
saber-toothed tigers.
Machete
Ma*che"te (?), n. [Sp.] A large heavy knife resembling a broadsword,
often two or three feet in length, -- used by the inhabitants of
Spanish America as a hatchet to cut their way through thickets, and
for various other purposes. J. Stevens.
Machiavelian
Mach`i*a*vel"ian (?), a. [From Machiavel, an Italian writer, secretary
and historiographer to the republic of Florence.] Of or pertaining to
Machiavel, or to his supposed principles; politically cunning;
characterized by duplicity or bad faith; crafty.
Machiavelian
Mach`i*a*vel"ian, n. One who adopts the principles of Machiavel; a
cunning and unprincipled politician.
Machiavelism, Machiavelianism
Mach"i*a*vel*ism (?), Mach`i*a*vel"ian*ism (?), n. [Cf. F.
machiav\'82lisme; It. machiavellismo.] The supposed principles of
Machiavel, or practice in conformity to them; political artifice,
intended to favor arbitrary power.
Machicolated
Ma*chic"o*la`ted (?), a. [LL. machicolatus, p. p. of machicolare,
machicollare. See Machicolation.] Having machicolations. "Machicolated
turrets." C. Kingsley.
Machicolation
Mach`i*co*la"tion (?), n. [Cf. LL. machicolamentum, machacolladura, F.
m\'83chicolis, m\'83checoulis; perh. fr. F. m\'8ache match,
combustible matter + OF. coulis, couleis, flowing, fr. OF. & F. couler
to flow. Cf. Match for making fire, and Cullis.]
1. (Mil. Arh.) An opening between the corbels which support a
projecting parapet, or in the floor of a gallery or the roof of a
portal, shooting or dropping missiles upen assailants attacking the
base of the walls. Also, the construction of such defenses, in
general, when of this character. See Illusts. of Battlement and
Castle.
2. The act of discharging missiles or pouring burning or melted
substances upon assailants through such apertures.
Machicoulis
Ma`chi`cou`lis" (?), n. [F. m\'83chicoulis.] (Mil. Arch.) Same as
Machicolation.
Machinal
Ma*chin"al (?), a. [L. machinalis: cf. F. machinal.] Of or pertaining
to machines.
Machinate
Mach"i*nate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Machinated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Machinating (?).] [L. machinatus, p. p. of machinari to devise, plot.
See Machine.] To plan; to contrive; esp., to form a scheme with the
purpose of doing harm; to contrive artfully; to plot. "How long will
you machinate!" Sandys.
Machinate
Mach"i*nate (?), v. t. To contrive, as a plot; to plot; as, to
machinate evil.
Machination
Mach`i*na"tion (?), n. [L. machinatio: cf. F. machination.]
1. The act of machinating. Shak.
2. That which is devised; a device; a hostile or treacherous scheme;
an artful design or plot.
Devilish machinations come to naught. Milton.
His ingenious machinations had failed. Macaulay.
Machinator
Mach"i*na`tor (?), n. [L.] One who machinates, or forms a scheme with
evil designs; a plotter or artful schemer. Glanvill. Sir W. Scott.
Machine
Ma*chine" (?), n. [F., fr. L. machina machine, engine, device, trick,
Gr. Mechanic.]
1. In general, any combination of bodies so connected that their
relative motions are constrained, and by means of which force and
motion may be transmitted and modified, as a screw and its nut, or a
lever arranged to turn about a fulcrum or a pulley about its pivot,
etc.; especially, a construction, more or less complex, consisting of
a combination of moving parts, or simple mechanical elements, as
wheels, levers, cams, etc., with their supports and connecting
framework, calculated to constitute a prime mover, or to receive force
and motion from a prime mover or from another machine, and transmit,
modify, and apply them to the production of some desired mechanical
effect or work, as weaving by a loom, or the excitation of electricity
by an electrical machine.
NOTE: &hand; Th e te rm ma chine is mo st commonly applied to such
pieces of mechanism as are used in the industrial arts, for
mechanically shaping, dressing, and combining materials for various
purposes, as in the manufacture of cloth, etc. Where the effect is
chemical, or other than mechanical, the contrivance is usually
denominated an apparatus, not a machine; as, a bleaching apparatus.
Many large, powerful, or specially important pieces of mechanism
are called engines; as, a steam engine, fire engine, graduating
engine, etc. Although there is no well-settled distinction between
the terms engine and machine among practical men, there is a
tendency to restrict the application of the former to contrivances
in which the operating part is not distinct from the motor.
2. Any mechanical contrivance, as the wooden horse with which the
Greeks entered Troy; a coach; a bicycle. Dryden. Southey. Thackeray.
3. A person who acts mechanically or at will of another.
4. A combination of persons acting together for a common purpose, with
the agencies which they use; as, the social machine.
The whole machine of government ought not to bear upon the people
with a weight so heavy and oppressive. Landor.
5. A political organization arranged and controlled by one or more
leaders for selfish, private or partisan ends. [Political Cant]
6. Supernatural agency in a poem, or a superhuman being introduced to
perform some exploit. Addison.
Elementary machine, a name sometimes given to one of the simple
mechanical powers. See under Mechanical. -- Infernal machine. See
under Infernal. -- Machine gun.See under Gun. -- Machine screw, a
screw or bolt adapted for screwing into metal, in distinction from one
which is designed especially to be screwed into wood. -- Machine shop,
a workshop where machines are made, or where metal is shaped by
cutting, filing, turning, etc. -- Machine tool, a machine for cutting
or shaping wood, metal, etc., by means of a tool; especially, a
machine, as a lathe, planer, drilling machine, etc., designed for a
more or less general use in a machine shop, in distinction from a
machine for producing a special article as in manufacturing. --
Machine twist, silken thread especially adapted for use in a sewing
machine. -- Machine work, work done by a machine, in contradistinction
to that done by hand labor.
Machine
Ma*chine", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Machined (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Machining.] To subject to the action of machinery; to effect by aid of
machinery; to print with a printing machine.
Machiner
Ma*chin"er (?), n. One who or operates a machine; a machinist. [R.]
Machinery
Ma*chin"er*y (?), n. [From Machine: cf. F. machinerie.]
1. Machines, in general, or collectively.
2. The working parts of a machine, engine, or instrument; as, the
machinery of a watch.
3. The supernatural means by which the action of a poetic or
fictitious work is carried on and brought to a catastrophe; in an
extended sense, the contrivances by which the crises and conclusion of
a fictitious narrative, in prose or verse, are effected.
The machinery, madam, is a term invented by the critics, to signify
that part which the deities, angels, or demons, are made to act in
a poem. Pope.
4. The means and appliances by which anything is kept in action or a
desired result is obtained; a complex system of parts adapted to a
purpose.
An indispensable part of the machinery of state. Macaulay.
The delicate inflexional machinery of the Aryan languages. I.
Taylor (The Alphabet).
Machining
Ma*chin"ing, a. Of or pertaining to the machinery of a poem; acting or
used as a machine.[Obs.] Dryden.
Machinist
Ma*chin"ist, n. [Cf. F. machiniste.]
1. A constrictor of machines and engines; one versed in the principles
of machines.
2. One skilled in the use of machine tools.
3. A person employed to shift scenery in a theater.
Macho
Ma"cho (?), n. [Sp.] (Zo\'94l.) The striped mullet of California
(Mugil cephalus, OR Mexicanus).
Macilency
Mac"i*len*cy (?), n. [See Macilent.] Leanness.[Obs.] Sandys.
Macilent
Mac"i*lent (?), a. [L. macilentus, fr. macies leanness, macere to be
lean.] Lean; thin. [Obs.] Bailey.
Macintosh
Mac"in*tosh (?), n. Same as Mackintosh.
Mackerel
Mack"er*el (?), n. [OF. maquerel, F. maquereau, fr. D. makelaar
mediator, agent, fr. makelen to act as agent.] A pimp; also, a bawd.
[Obs.] Halliwell.
Mackerel
Mack`er*el (?), n. [OF. maquerel, F. maquereau (LL. macarellus), prob.
for maclereau, fr. L. macula a spot, in allusion to the markings on
the fish. See Mail armor.] (Zo\'94l.) Any species of the genus
Scomber, and of several related genera. They are finely formed and
very active oceanic fishes. Most of them are highly prized for food.
NOTE: &hand; The common mackerel (Scomber scombrus), which inhabits
both sides of the North Atlantic, is one of the most important food
fishes. It is mottled with green and blue. The Spanish mackerel
(Scomberomorus maculatus), of the American coast, is covered with
bright yellow circular spots.
Bull mackerel, Chub mackerel. (Zo\'94l.) See under Chub. -- Frigate
mackerel. See under Frigate. -- Horse mackerel . See under Horse. --
Mackerel bird (Zo\'94l.), the wryneck; -- so called because it arrives
in England at the time when mackerel are in season. -- Mackerel cock
(Zo\'94l.), the Manx shearwater; -- so called because it precedes the
appearance of the mackerel on the east coast of Ireland. -- Mackerel
guide. (Zo\'94l.) See Garfish (a). -- Mackerel gull (Zo\'94l.) any one
of several species of gull which feed upon or follow mackerel, as the
kittiwake. -- Mackerel midge (Zo\'94l.), a very small oceanic gadoid
fish of the North Atlantic. It is about an inch and a half long and
has four barbels on the upper jaw. It is now considered the young of
the genus Onos, or Motella. -- Mackerel plow, an instrument for
creasing the sides of lean mackerel to improve their appearance.
Knight. -- Mackerel shark (Zo\'94l.), the porbeagle. -- Mackerel sky,
OR Mackerel-back sky, a sky flecked with small white clouds; a
cirro-cumulus. See Cloud.
Mackerel sky and mare's-tails Make tall ships carry low sails. Old
Rhyme.
Mackinaw blanket, Mackinaw
Mack"i*naw blan"ket (?), Mack"i*naw.[From Mackinac,the State of
Michigan, where blankets and other stores were distributed to the
Indians.] A thick blanket formerly in common use in the western part
of the United States.
Mackintosh
Mack"in*tosh (?), n. A waterproof outer garment; -- so called from the
name of the inventor.
Mackle
Mac`kle (?), n. [See Macle.] Same Macule.
Mackle
Mac"kle, v. t. & i. To blur, or be blurred, in printing, as if there
were a double impression.
Macle
Ma"cle (?), n. [L. macula a spot: cf. F. macle. Cf. Mackle, Mascle.]
(Min.) (a) Chiastolite; -- so called from the tessellated appearance
of a cross section. See Chiastolite. (b) A crystal having a similar
tessellated appearance. (c) A twin crystal.
Macled
Ma"cled (?), a.
1. (Min.) (a) Marked like macle (chiastolite). (b) Having a twin
structure. See Twin, a.
2. See Mascled.
Maclurea
Ma*clu"re*a (?), n. [NL. Named from William Maclure, the geologist.]
(Paleon.) A genus of spiral gastropod shells, often of large size,
characteristic of the lower Silurian rocks.
Maclurin
Ma*clu"rin (?), n. (Chem.) See Morintannic. <-- macrame, n. the art of
tying knots in patterns. -->
Macrame lace
Mac"ra*me lace" (?). A coarse lace made of twine, used especially in
decorating furniture.
Macrencephalic, Macrencephalous
Mac`ren*ce*phal"ic (?), Mac`ren*ceph"a*lous (?), a. [Macro +
encephalic, encephalous.] Having a large brain. <-- macro (computer
programming) [short for macroinstruction] (a) a single instruction in
a program which symbolizes, and is replaced by during time of program
execution, a series of instructions. (b) a keystroke (or combination
of keystrokes) which symbolizes and is replaced by a series of
keystrokes. -- a convenient feature of some advanced programs, such as
word processors or database programs, which allows a user to rapidly
execute any series of operations which may be performed multiple
times. Such macros may typically be defined by the program user,
without rewriting or recompiling the program. -->
Macro-
Mac"ro- (?). [Gr. makro`s, adj.] A combining form signifying long,
large, great; as macrodiagonal, macrospore.<-- macromolecule,
macrocosm -->
Macrobiotic
Mac`ro*bi*ot"ic (?), a. [Gr. macrobiotique.] Long-lived. Dunglison.
Macrobiotics
Mac`ro*bi*ot"ics (?), n. (Physiol.) The art of prolonging life.
Macrocephalous
Mac`ro*ceph"a*lous (?), a. [Macro + Gr. kefalh` the head.]
1. Having a large head.
2. (Bot.) Having the cotyledons of a dicotyledonous embryo confluent,
and forming a large mass compared with the rest of the body. Henslow.
Macro-chemistry
Mac`ro-chem"is*try (?), n. [Macro- + chemistry.] (Chem.) The science
which treats of the chemical properties, actions or relations of
substances in quantity; -- distinguished from micro-chemistry.
Macrochires
Mac`ro*chi"res (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A division of
birds including the swifts and humming birds. So called from the
length of the distal part of the wing.
Macrocosm
Mac"ro*cosm (?), n. [Macro- + Gr. macrocosme.] The great world; that
part of the universe which is exterior to man; -- contrasted with
microcosm, or man. See Microcosm.
Macrocosmic
Mac`ro*cos"mic (?), a. Of or pertaining to the macrocosm. Tylor.
Macrocystis
Mac`ro*cys"tis (?), n. [NL. See Macro-, and Cyst.] (Bot.) An immensely
long blackish seaweed of the Pacific (Macrocystis pyrifera), having
numerous almond-shaped air vessels.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 880
Macrodactyl
Mac`ro*dac"tyl (?), n. [Gr. macrodactyle.] (Zo\'94l.) One of a group
of wading birds (Macrodactyli) having very long toes. [Written also
macrodactyle.]
Macrodactylic, Macrodactylous
Mac`ro*dac*tyl"ic (?), Mac`ro*dac"tyl*ous (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Having
long toes.
Macrodiagonal
Mac`ro*di*ag"o*nal (?), n. [Macro- + diagonal.] (Crystallog.) The
longer of two diagonals, as of a rhombic prism. See Crystallization.
Macrodome
Mac"ro*dome (?), n. [Macro- + dome.] (Crystallog.) A dome parallel to
the longer lateral axis of an orthorhombic crystal. See Dome, n., 4.
Macrodont
Mac"ro*dont, a. [Macro- + Gr. (Zo\'94l.) Having large teeth. -- n. A
macrodont animal.
Macrofarad
Mac"ro*far`ad (?), n. [Macro- + farad.] (Elec.) See Megafarad. [R.]
Macroglossia
Mac`ro*glos"si*a (?), n. [NL. See Macro-, and Glossa.] (Med.)
Enlargement or hypertrophy of the tongue.
Macrognathic
Mac`rog*nath"ic (?), a. [Macro- + gnathic.] (Anthropol.) Long-jawed.
Huxley.
Macrology
Ma*crol"o*gy (?), n. [L. macrologia, Gr. macrologie.] Long and tedious
talk without much substance; superfluity of words.
Macrometer
Ma*crom"e*ter (?), n. [Macro- + -meter.] An instrument for determining
the size or distance of inaccessible objects by means of two
reflectors on a common sextant.
Macron
Ma"cron (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. (Pron.) A short, straight, horizontal
mark [-], placed over vowels to denote that they are to be pronounced
with a long sound; as, \'be, in d\'beme; &emac;, in s&emac;am, etc.
Macropetalous
Mac`ro*pet"al*ous (?), a. [Macro- + petal.] (Bot.) Having long or
large petals.
Macrophyllous
Ma*croph"yl*lous (?), a. [Macro- + Gr. (Bot.) Having long or large
leaves.
Macropinacoid
Mac`ro*pin"a*coid (?), n. [Macro- + pinacoid.] (Crystallog.) One of
the two planes of an orthorhombic crystal which are parallel to the
vertical and longer lateral (macrodiagonal) axes.
Macropod
Mac"ro*pod (?), n. [Macro- + -pod.] (Zo\'94l.) Any one of a group of
maioid crabs remarkable for the length of their legs; -- called also
spider crab.
Macropodal
Ma*crop"o*dal (?), a. Having long or large feet, or a long stem.
Macropodian
Mac`ro*po"di*an (?), n. A macropod.
Macropodous
Ma*crop"o*dous (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Having long legs or feet.
Macroprism
Mac"ro*prism (?), n. [Macro- + prism.] (Crystallog.) A prism of an
orthorhombic crystal between the macropinacoid and the unit prism; the
corresponding pyramids are called macropyramids.
Macropteres
Ma*crop"te*res (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A division of
birds; the Longipennes.
Macropterous
Ma*crop"ter*ous (?), a. [See Macropteres.] (Zo\'94l.) Having long
wings.
Macropus
Mac"ro*pus (?), n. [NL. See Macropod.] (Zo\'94l.) genus of marsupials
including the common kangaroo.
Macropyramid
Mac`ro*pyr"a*mid (?), n. [Macro- + pyramid.] (Crystallog.) See
Macroprism.
Macroscopic, Macroscopical
Mac`ro*scop"ic (?), Mac`ro*scop"ic*al (?), a. [Macro- + Gr. Visible to
the unassisted eye; -- as opposed to microscopic. --
Mac`ro*scop"ic*al*ly, adv.
Macrosporangium
Mac`ro*spo*ran"gi*um (?), n. [NL. See Macro-, and Sporangium.] (Bot.)
A sporangium or conceptacle containing only large spores; -- opposed
to microsporangium. Both are found in the genera Selaginella, Isoctes,
and Marsilia, plants remotely allied to ferns.
Macrospore
Mac"ro*spore (?), n. [Macro- + spore.] (Bot.) One of the specially
large spores of certain flowerless plants, as Selaginella, etc.
Macrosporic
Mac`ro*spor"ic (?), a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to macrospores.
Macrotone
Mac"ro*tone (?), n. [Gr. Macro-, and Tone.] (Pron.) Same as Macron.
Macrotous
Ma*cro"tous (?), a. [Macro- + Gr. o"y^s, gen. 'wto`s, the ear.]
(Zo\'94l.) Large-eared.
Macroura, n. pl., Macroural
Ma*crou"ra (?), n. pl., Ma*crou"ral (, a., etc. (Zo\'94l.) Same as
Macrura, Macrural, etc.
Macrozo\'94spore
Mac`ro*zo"\'94*spore (?), n. [Macro- + zo\'94spore.] (Bot.) A large
motile spore having four vibratile cilia; -- found in certain green
alg\'91.
Macrura
Ma*cru"ra (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. (Zo\'94l.) A subdivision of
decapod Crustacea, having the abdomen largely developed. It includes
the lobster, prawn, shrimp, and many similar forms. Cf. Decapoda.
Macrural
Ma*cru"ral (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Macrurous.
Macruran
Ma*cru"ran (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) One of the Macrura.
Macruroid
Ma*cru"roid (?), a. [Macrura + -oid.] (Zo\'94l.) Like or pertaining to
the Macrura.
Macrurous
Ma*cru"rous (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to the Macrura; having
a long tail.
Mactation
Mac*ta"tion (?), n. [L. mactatio, fr. macture to slay, sacrifice.] The
act of killing a victim for sacrifice. [Obs.]
Mactra
Mac"tra (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. (Zo\'94l.) Any marine bivalve shell of
the genus Mactra, and allied genera. Many species are known. Some of
them are used as food, as Mactra stultorum, of Europe. See Surf clam,
under Surf.
Macula
Mac"u*la (?), n.; pl. Macul\'91 (#). [L., spot, stain, blot. See Mail
armor, and cf. Mackle, Macule.]
1. A spot, as on the skin, or on the surface of the sun or of some
other luminous orb.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A rather large spot or blotch of color.
Maculate
Mac"u*late (?), v. t. [L. maculatus, p. p. of maculare to spot. See
Macula, and cf. Macule, v.] To spot; to stain; to blur.
Maculate the honor of their people. Sir T. Elyot.
Maculate
Mac"u*late (?), a. [L. maculatus, p. p.] Marked with spots or
macul\'91; blotched; hence, defiled; impure; as, most maculate
thoughts. Shak.
Maculated
Mac"u*la`ted (?), a. Having spots or blotches; maculate.
Maculation
Mac"u*la"tion (?), n. [L. maculatio.] The act of spotting; a spot; a
blemish. Shak.
Maculatory
Mac"u*la*to*ry (?), a. Causing a spot or stain. T. Adams.
Maculature
Mac"u*la*ture (?), n, Blotting paper. [Obs.]
Macule
Mac"ule (?), n. [F. macule. See Macula.]
1. A spot. [Obs.]
2. (Print.) A blur, or an appearance of a double impression, as when
the paper slips a little; a mackle.
Macule
Mac"ule, v. t. [Cf. F. maculer. See Maculate,v.] To blur; especially
(Print.), to blur or double an impression from type. See Mackle.
Maculose
Mac"u*lose` (?), a. [L. maculosus.] Of or pertaining to spots upon a
surface; spotted; maculate.
Mad
Mad (?), obs. p. p. of Made. Chaucer.
Mad
Mad (?), a. [Compar. Madder (?); superl. Maddest (?).] [AS. gem,
gem\'bed, mad; akin to OS. gem foolish, OHG. gameit, Icel. mei to
hurt, Goth. gam\'a0ids weak, broken.
1. Disordered in intellect; crazy; insane.
I have heard my grandsire say full oft, Extremity of griefs would
make men mad. Shak.
2. Excited beyond self-control or the restraint of reason; inflamed by
violent or uncontrollable desire, passion, or appetite; as, to be mad
with terror, lust, or hatred; mad against political reform.
It is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.
Jer. 1. 88.
And being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto
strange cities. Acts xxvi. 11.
3. Proceeding from, or indicating, madness; expressing distraction;
prompted by infatuation, fury, or extreme rashness. "Mad demeanor."
Milton.
Mad wars destroy in one year the works of many years of peace.
Franklin.
The mad promise of Cleon was fulfilled. Jowett (Thucyd.).
4. Extravagant; immoderate. "Be mad and merry." Shak. "Fetching mad
bounds." Shak.
5. Furious with rage, terror, or disease; -- said of the lower
animals; as, a mad bull; esp., having hydrophobia; rabid; as, a mad
dog.
6. Angry; out of patience; vexed; as, to get mad at a person.
[Colloq.]
7. Having impaired polarity; -- applied to a compass needle. [Colloq.]
Like mad, like a mad person; in a furious manner; as, to run like mad.
L'Estrange. -- To run mad. (a) To become wild with excitement. (b) To
run wildly about under the influence of hydrophobia; to become
affected with hydrophobia. -- To run mad after, to pursue under the
influence of infatuation or immoderate desire. "The world is running
mad after farce." Dryden.
Mad
Mad, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Madded; p. pr. & vb. n. Madding.] To make mad
or furious; to madden.
Had I but seen thy picture in this plight, It would have madded me.
Shak.
Mad
Mad, v. i. To be mad; to go mad; to rave. See Madding. [Archaic]
Chaucer.
Festus said with great voice, Paul thou maddest. Wyclif (Acts).
Mad
Mad, n. [AS. ma; akin to D. & G. made, Goth. mapa, and prob. to E.
moth.] (Zo\'94l.) An earthworm. [Written also made.]
Madam
Mad"am (?), n.; pl. Madams, or Mesdames (#). [See Madame.] A
gentlewoman; -- an appellation or courteous form of address given to a
lady, especially an elderly or a married lady; -- much used in the
address, at the beginning of a letter, to a woman. The corresponding
word in addressing a man is Sir.
Madame
Ma`dame" (?), n.; pl. Mesdames (#). [F., fr. ma my (L. mea) + dame
dame. See Dame, and cf. Madonna.] My lady; -- a French title formerly
given to ladies of quality; now, in France, given to all married
women. Chaucer.
Mad-apple
Mad"-ap`ple (?), n. (Bot.) See Eggplant.
Madbrain
Mad"brain` (?), a. Hot-headed; rash. Shak. -- n. A rash or hot-headed
person.
Madbrained
Mad"brained` (?), a. Disordered in mind; hot-headed. Shak.
Madcap
Mad"cap` (?), a.
1. Inclined to wild sports; delighting in rash, absurd, or dangerous
amusements. "The merry madcap lord." Shak.
2. Wild; reckless. "Madcap follies" Beau. & Fl.
Madcap
Mad"cap`, n. A person of wild behavior; an excitable, rash, violent
person. Shak.
Madden
Mad"den (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maddened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Maddening.] To make mad; to drive to madness; to craze; to excite
violently with passion; to make very angry; to enrage.
Madden
Mad"den, v. i. To become mad; to act as if mad.
They rave, recite, and madden round the land. Pope.
Madder
Mad"der (?), n. [OE. mader, AS. m\'91dere; akin to Icel. ma.] (Bot.) A
plant of the Rubia (R. tinctorum). The root is much used in dyeing
red, and formerly was used in medicine. It is cultivated in France and
Holland. See Rubiaceous.
NOTE: &hand; Ma dder is so metimes us ed in fo rming pigments, as
lakes, etc., which receive their names from their colors; as.
madder yellow.
Field madder, an annual European weed (Sherardia arvensis) resembling
madder. -- Indian madder , the East Indian Rubia cordifolia, used in
the East for dyeing; -- called also munjeet. -- Wild madder, Rubia
peregrina of Europe; also the Galium Mollugo, a kind of bedstraw.
Madderwort
Mad"der*wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A name proposed for any plant of the same
natural order (Rubiace\'91) as the madder.
Madding
Mad"ding (?), a. Affected with madness; raging; furious. --
Mad"ding*ly, adv. [Archaic]
Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife. Gray.
The madding wheels Of brazen chariots raged. Milton.
Maddish
Mad"dish (?), a. Somewhat mad. Beau. & Fl.
Made
Made (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) See Mad, n.
Made
Made (?), imp. & p. p. of Make.
Made
Made, a. Artificially produced; pieced together; formed by filling in;
as, made ground; a made mast, in distinction from one consisting of a
single spar. Made up. (a) Complete; perfect. "A made up villain."
Shak. (b) Falsely devised; fabricated; as, a made up story. (c)
Artificial; as, a made up figure or complexion.
Madecass, Madecassee
Mad"e*cass (?), Mad`e*cas"see (?), n. A native or inhabitant of
Madagascar, or Madecassee; the language of the natives of Madagascar.
See Malagasy.
Madecassee
Mad`e*cas"see, a. Of or pertaining to Madagascar or its inhabitants.
Madefaction, Madefication
Mad`e*fac"tion (?), Mad`e*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L. madefacere to make
wet; madere to be wet + facere to make: cf. F. mad\'82faction.] The
act of madefying, or making wet; the state of that which is made wet.
[R.] Bacon.
Madefy
Mad"e*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Madefied (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Madefying (?).] [Cf. F. mad\'82fier, L. madefacere. See Madefaction.]
To make wet or moist. [R.]
Madegassy
Mad`e*gas"sy (?), n. & a. See Madecassee.
Madeira
Ma*dei"ra (?), n. [Pg., the Island Madeira, properly, wood, fr. L.
materia stuff, wood. The island was so called because well wooded. See
Matter.] A rich wine made on the Island of Madeira.
A cup of Madeira, and a cold capon's leg. Shak.
Madeira nut (Bot.), the European walnut; the nut of the Juglans regia.
Mademoiselle
Ma`de*moi`selle" (?), n.; pl. Mesdemoiselles (#). [F., fr. ma my, f.
of mon + demoiselle young lady. See Damsel.]
1. A French title of courtesy given to a girl or an unmarried lady,
equivalent to the English Miss. Goldsmith.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A marine food fish (Sci\'91na chrysura), of the Southern
United States; -- called also yellowtail, and silver perch.
Madge
Madge, n. [Cf. OF. & Prov. F. machette.] (Zo\'94l.) (a) The barn owl.
(b) The magpie.
Mad-headed
Mad"-head`ed (?), a. Wild; crack-brained.
Madhouse
Mad"house` (?), n. A house where insane persons are confined; an
insane asylum; a bedlam.
Madia
Ma"di*a (?), n. [NL., fr. Sp. madi, fr. Chilian madi, the native
name.] (Bot.) A genus of composite plants, of which one species (Madia
sativa) is cultivated for the oil yielded from its seeds by pressure.
This oil is sometimes used instead of olive oil for the table.
Madid
Mad"id (?), a. [L. madidus, fr. madere to be wet.] Wet; moist; as, a
madid eye. [R.] Beaconsfield.
Madisterium
Mad`is*te"ri*um (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. (Surg.) An instrument to extract
hairs.
Madjoun
Mad"joun (?), n. [Hind., fr. Ar. ma'j.] An intoxicating confection
from the hemp plant; -- used by the Turks and Hindoos. [Written also
majoun.]
Madly
Mad"ly (?), adv. [From Mad, a.] In a mad manner; without reason or
understanding; wildly. <-- intensely: "madly in love" -->
Madman
Mad"man (?), n.; pl. Madmen (. A man who is mad; lunatic; a crazy
person.
When a man mistakes his thoughts for person and things, he is mad.
A madman is properly so defined. Coleridge.
Madnep
Mad"nep (?), n. (Bot.) The masterwort (Peucedanum Ostruthium).
Madness
Mad"ness, n. [From Mad, a.]
1. The condition of being mad; insanity; lunacy.
2. Frenzy; ungovernable rage; extreme folly. Syn. -- Insanity;
distraction; derangement; craziness; lunacy; mania; frenzy;
franticness; rage; aberration; alienation; monomania. See Insanity.
Madonna
Ma*don"na (?), n. [It. madonna my lady. See Dame, Donna, and cf.
Madame, Monkey.]
1. My lady; -- a term of address in Italian formerly used as the
equivalent of Madame, but for which Signora is now substituted.
Sometimes introduced into English. Shak.
2. [pl. Madonnas (n&adot;z).] A picture of the Virgin Mary (usually
with the babe).
The Italian painters are noted for drawing the Madonnas by their
own wives or mistresses. Rymer.
Madoqua
Ma"do*qua (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A small Abyssinian antelope (Neotragus
Saltiana), about the size of a hare.
Madrague
Ma`drague" (?), n. [R.] A large fish pound used for the capture of the
tunny in the Mediterranean; also applied to the seines used for the
same purpose.
Madreperl
Ma"dre*perl (?), n. [It. madreperla.] Mother-of-pearl.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 881
Madrepora
Mad`re*po"ra (?), n. [NL. See Madre.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of reef
corals abundant in tropical seas. It includes than one hundred and
fifty species, most of which are elegantly branched. -- Mad`re*po"ral
(#), a.
Madreporaria
Mad`re*po*ra"ri*a (?), n. pl. [NL. See Madrepore.] (Zo\'94l.) An
extensive division of Anthozoa, including most of the species that
produce stony corals. See Illust. of Anthozoa. -- Mad`re*po*ra"ri*an
(#), a. & n.
Madrepore
Mad"re*pore (?), n. [F. madrepore, perh. fr. madr\'82 spotted, fr. OF.
madre, mazre, a kind of knotty wood with brown spots, fr. OHG. masar a
knot, grain, or vein in wood, a speck, G. maser + pore (see Pore); or
perh. F. madr\'82pore is rather from It. madrepora, and this perh. fr.
It. madre mother (see Mother) + Gr. (Zo\'94l.) Any coral of the genus
Madrepora; formerly, often applied to any stony coral.
Madreporian, Madreporic
Mad`re*po"ri*an (?), Mad`re*po"ric (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Resembling, or
pertaining to, the genus Madrepora. Madreporic plate (Zo\'94l.), a
perforated plate in echinoderms, through which water is admitted to
the ambulacral tubes; -- called also madreporic tubercule.
Madreporiform
Mad`re*po"ri*form (?), a. [Madrepore + -form.] (Zo\'94l.) Resembling a
madreporian coral in form or structure.
Madreporite
Mad"re*po*rite (?), n. [Cf. F. madr\'82porite]
1. (Paleon.) A fossil coral.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The madreporic plate of echinoderms.
Madrier
Ma*drier" (?), n. [F., from Sp. madero, or Pg. madeiro, fr. Sp. madera
wood for building, timber, Pg. madeira, L. materia stuff, materials,
lumber. See Matter.] A thick plank, used for several mechanical
purposes; especially: (a) A plank to receive the mouth of a petard,
with which it is applied to anything intended to be broken down. (b) A
plank or beam used for supporting the earth in mines or
fortifications.
Madrigal
Mad"ri*gal (?), n. [It. madrigale, OIt. madriale, mandriale (cf. LL.
matriale); of uncertain origin, possibly fr. It mandra flock, L.
mandra stall, herd of cattle, Gr. madrigal, originally, a pastoral
song.]
1. A little amorous poem, sometimes called a pastoral poem, containing
some tender and delicate, though simple, thought.
Whose artful strains have oft delayed The huddling brook to hear
his madrigal. Milton.
2. (Mus.) An unaccompanied polyphonic song, in four, five, or more
parts, set to secular words, but full of counterpoint and imitation,
and adhering to the old church modes. Unlike the freer glee, it is
best sung with several voices on a part. See Glee.
Madrigaler
Mad"ri*gal*er (?), n. A madrigalist.
Madrigalist
Mad"ri*gal*ist, n. A composer of madrigals.
Madrilenian
Mad`ri*le"ni*an (?), a. [Sp. Madrileno.] Of or pertaining to Madrid in
Spain, or to its inhabitants. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Madrid.
Madrina
Ma*dri"na (?), n. [Sp., prop., a godmother.] An animal (usually an old
mare), wearing a bell and acting as the leader of a troop of pack
mules. [S. America]
Madro\'a4a
Ma*dro"\'a4a (?), n. [Sp. madro\'a4o.] (Bot.) A small evergreen tree
or shrub (Arbutus Menziesii), of California, having a smooth bark,
thick shining leaves, and edible red berries, which are often called
madro\'a4a apples. [Written also madro\'a4o.]
Madwort
Mad"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A genus of cruciferous plants (Alyssum) with
white or yellow flowers and rounded pods. A. maritimum is the commonly
cultivated sweet alyssum, a fragrant white-flowered annual.
M\'91gbote, Magbote
M\'91g"bote`, Mag"bote` (?), n. [AS. m\'d6g kinsman + b\'d3t
compensation.] (Anglo-Saxon Law) Compensation for the injury done by
slaying a kinsman. Spelman.
Maelstrom
Mael"strom (?), n. [Norw., a whirlpool.]
1. A celebrated whirlpool on the coast of Norway.
2. Also Fig. ; as, a maelstrom of vice.
M\'91nad
M\'91"nad (?), n. [L. Maenas, -adis, Gr.
1. A Bacchante; a priestess or votary of Bacchus.
2. A frantic or frenzied woman.
Maestoso
Ma`es*to"so (?), a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.) Majestic or majestically; -- a
direction to perform a passage or piece of music in a dignified
manner.
Maestricht monitor
Maes"tricht mon"i*tor (?). [So called from Maestricht, a town in
Holland.] (Paleon.) The Mosasaurus Hofmanni. See Mosasaurus.
Maestro
Ma*es"tro (?), n. [It., fr. L. magister. See Master.] A master in any
art, especially in music; a composer.
Maffle
Maf"fle (?), v. i. [Akin to OD. maffelen to stammer. Cf. Muffle to
mumble.] To stammer. [Obs.]
Maffler
Maf"fler (?), n. A stammerer. [Obs.]
Magazine
Mag`a*zine" (?), n. [F. magasin, It. magazzino, or Sp. magacen,
almagacen; all fr. Ar. makhzan, almakhzan, a storehouse, granary, or
cellar.]
1. A receptacle in which anything is stored, especially military
stores, as ammunition, arms, provisions, etc. "Armories and
magazines." Milton.
2. The building or room in which the supply of powder is kept in a
fortification or a ship.
3. A chamber in a gun for holding a number of cartridges to be fed
automatically to the piece.
4. A pamphlet published periodically containing miscellaneous papers
or compositions.
Magazine dress, clothing made chiefly of woolen, without anything
metallic about it, to be worn in a powder magazine. -- Magazine gun, a
portable firearm, as a rifle, with a chamber carrying cartridges which
are brought automatically into position for firing. -- Magazine stove,
a stove having a chamber for holding fuel which is supplied to the
fire by some self-feeding process, as in the common base-burner.
Magazine
Mag`a*zine" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Magazined (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Magazining.] To store in, or as in, a magazine; to store up for use.
Magaziner
Mag`a*zin"er (?), n. One who edits or writes for a magazine. [R.]
Goldsmith.
Magazining
Mag`a*zin"ing, n. The act of editing, or writing for, a magazine.
[Colloq.] Byron.
Magazinist
Mag`a*zin"ist, n. One who edits or writes for a magazine. [R.]
Magbote
Mag"bote` (?), n. See M\'91gbote.
Magdala
Mag"da*la (?), a. Designating an orange-red dyestuff obtained from
naphthylamine, and called magdala red, naphthalene red, etc.
Magdalen
Mag"da*len (?), n. [From Mary Magdalene, traditionally reported to
have been the repentant sinner forgiven by Christ. See Luke vii. 36.]
A reformed prostitute.
Magdaleon
Mag*da"le*on (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.) A medicine in the form of a
roll, a esp. a roll of plaster.
Magdeburg
Mag"de*burg (?), n. A city of Saxony. Magdeburg centuries, Magdeburg
hemispheres. See under Century, and Hemisphere.
Mage
Mage (?), n. [F. mage. See Magi.] A magician. [Archaic] Spenser.
Tennyson.
Magellanic
Mag`el*lan"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to, or named from, Magellan,
the navigator. Magellenic clouds (Astron.), three conspicuous
nebul\'91 near the south pole, resembling thin white clouds.<-- they
are smaller than the Milky Way galaxy, but separate from it, and thus
are considered the galactic formations nearest to our galaxy, but not
part of it. -->
Magenta
Ma*gen"ta (?), n. (Chem.) An aniline dye obtained as an amorphous
substance having a green bronze surface color, which dissolves to a
shade of red; also, the color; -- so called from Magenta, in Italy, in
allusion to the battle fought there about the time the dye was
discovered. Called also fuchsine, rose\'8bne, etc.<-- now fuschin -->
<-- 2. n. the purpish-red color of magenta -->
Magged
Magged (?), a. (Naut.) Worn; fretted; as, a magged brace. Ham. Nav.
Encyc.
Maggiore
Mag`gio"re (?), a. [It., from L. major, compar. of magnus great. See
Major.] (Mus.) Greater, in respect to scales, intervals, etc., when
used in opposition to minor; major. Moore (Encyc. of Music).
Maggot
Mag"got (?), n. [W. macai, pl. maceiod, magiod, a worn or grub; cf.
magu to bread.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) The footless larva of any fly. See Larval.
2. A whim; an odd fancy. Hudibras. Tennyson.
Maggotiness
Mag"got*i*ness (?), n. State of being maggoty.
Maggotish
Mag"got*ish, a. Full of whims or fancies; maggoty.
Maggot-pie
Mag"got-pie` (?), n. A magpie. [Obs.] Shak.
Maggoty
Mag"got*y (?), a.
1. Infested with maggots.
2. Full of whims; capricious. Norris.
Maghet
Ma"ghet (?), n. [Cf. Fl. maghet maid.] (Bot.) A name for daisies and
camomiles of several kinds.
Magi
Ma"gi (?), n. pl. [L., pl. of Magus, Gr. Mage, Magic.] A caste of
priests, philosophers, and magicians, among the ancient Persians;
hence, any holy men or sages of the East.
The inspired Magi from the Orient came. Sandys.
Magian
Ma"gi*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Magi.
Magian
Ma"gi*an, n. One of the Magi, or priests of the Zoroastrian religion
in Persia; an adherent of the Zoroastrian religion. -- Ma"gi*an*ism
(#), n.
Magic
Mag"ic (?), n. [OE. magique, L. magice, Gr. Magic, a., and Magi.] A
comprehensive name for all of the pretended arts which claim to
produce effects by the assistance of supernatural beings, or departed
spirits, or by a mastery of secret forces in nature attained by a
study of occult science, including enchantment, conjuration,
witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, incantation, etc.
An appearance made by some magic. Chaucer.
Celestial magic, a supposed supernatural power which gave to spirits a
kind of dominion over the planets, and to the planets an influence
over men. -- Natural magic, the art of employing the powers of nature
to produce effects apparently supernatural. -- Superstitious, OR
Geotic, magic, the invocation of devils or demons, involving the
supposition of some tacit or express agreement between them and human
beings. Syn. -- Sorcery; witchcraft; necromancy; conjuration;
enchantment.
Magic, Magical
Mag"ic (?), Mag"ic*al (?), a. [L. magicus, Gr. magique. See Magi.]
1. Pertaining to the hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed by the
Magi; relating to the occult powers of nature, and the producing of
effects by their agency.
2. Performed by, or proceeding from, occult and superhuman agencies;
done by, or seemingly done by, enchantment or sorcery. Hence:
Seemingly requiring more than human power; imposing or startling in
performance; producing effects which seem supernatural or very
extraordinary; having extraordinary properties; as, a magic lantern; a
magic square or circle.
The painter's magic skill. Cowper.
NOTE: &hand; Al though wi th ce rtain words magic is used more than
magical, -- as, magic circle, magic square, magic wand, -- we may
in general say magic or magical; as, a magic or magical effect; a
magic or magical influence, etc. But when the adjective is
predicative, magical, and not magic, is used; as, the effect was
magical.
Magic circle, a series of concentric circles containing the numbers 12
to 75 in eight radii, and having somewhat similar properties to the
magic square. -- Magic humming bird (Zo\'94l.), a Mexican humming bird
(Iache magica) , having white downy thing tufts. -- Magic lantern. See
Lantern. -- Magic square, numbers so disposed in parallel and equal
rows in the form of a square, that each row, taken vertically,
horizontally, or diagonally, shall give the same sum, the same
product, or an harmonical series, according as the numbers taken are
in arithmetical, geometrical, or harmonical progression. -- Magic
wand, a wand used by a magician in performing feats of magic.
Magically
Mag"ic*al*ly (?), adv. In a magical manner; by magic, or as if by
magic.
Magician
Ma*gi"cian (?), n. [F. magicien. See Magic, n.] One skilled in magic;
one who practices the black art; an enchanter; a necromancer; a
sorcerer or sorceress; a conjurer.<-- these days, mostly an
entertainer who produces seemingly magical effects by clever
illusions; most magicians admit that the craft is mere illusion,
rather than a true supernatural art. -->
Magilp, Magilph
Ma*gilp" (?), Ma*gilph" (?), n. (Paint.) See Megilp.
Magister
Ma*gis"ter (?), n. [L. See Master.] Master; sir; -- a title of the
Middle Ages, given to a person in authority, or to one having a
license from a university to teach philosophy and the liberal arts.
Magisterial
Mag`is*te"ri*al (?), a. [L. magisterius magisterial. See Master.]
1. Of or pertaining to a master or magistrate, or one in authority;
having the manner of a magister; official; commanding; authoritative.
Hence: Overbearing; dictatorial; dogmatic.
When magisterial duties from his home Her father called. Glover.
We are not magisterial in opinions, nor, dictator-like, obtrude our
notions on any man. Sir T. Browne.
Pretenses go a great way with men that take fair words and
magisterial looks for current payment. L'Estrange.
2. (Alchem. & Old Chem.) Pertaining to, produced by, or of the nature
of, magistery. See Magistery, 2. Syn. -- Authoritative; stately;
august; pompous; dignified; lofty; commanding; imperious; lordly;
proud; haughty; domineering; despotic; dogmatical; arrogant. --
Magisterial, Dogmatical, Arrogant. One who is magisterial assumes the
air of a master toward his pupils; one who is dogmatical lays down his
positions in a tone of authority or dictation; one who is arrogant in
sults others by an undue assumption of superiority. Those who have
long been teachers sometimes acquire, unconsciously, a manner which
borders too much on the magisterial, and may be unjustly construed as
dogmatical, or even arrogant.
Magisteriality
Mag`is*te`ri*al"i*ty (?), n. Magisterialness; authoritativeness. [R.]
Fuller.
Magisterially
Mag`is*te"ri*al*ly (?), adv. In a magisterial manner.
Magisterialness
Mag`is*te"ri*al*ness, n. The quality or state of being magisterial.
Magistery
Mag"is*ter*y (?), n. [L. magisterium the office of a chief, president,
director, tutor. See Magistrate.]
1. Mastery; powerful medical influence; renowned efficacy; a sovereign
remedy. [Obs.] Holland.
2. A magisterial injunction. [R.] Brougham.
3. (Chem.) A precipitate; a fine substance deposited by precipitation;
-- applied in old chemistry to certain white precipitates from
metallic solutions; as, magistery of bismuth. Ure.
Magistracy
Mag"is*tra*cy (?), n.; pl. Magistracies (#). [From Magistrate.]
1. The office or dignity of a magistrate. Blackstone.
2. The collective body of magistrates.
Magistral
Mag"is*tral (?), a. [L. magistralis: cf. F. magistral. See
Magistrate.]
1. Pertaining to a master; magisterial; authoritative; dogmatic.
2. Commanded or prescribed by a magister, esp. by a doctor; hence,
effectual; sovereign; as, a magistral sirup. "Some magistral opiate."
Bacon.
3. (Pharmacy) Formulated extemporaneously, or for a special case; --
opposed to officinal, and said of prescriptions and medicines.
Dunglison.
Magistral line (Fort.), the guiding line, or outline, or outline, by
which the form of the work is determined. It is usually the crest line
of the parapet in fieldworks, or the top line of the escarp in
permanent fortifications.
Magistral
Mag"is*tral, n.
1. (Med.) A sovereign medicine or remedy. [Obs.] Burton.
2. (Fort.) A magistral line.
3. (Metal.) Powdered copper pyrites used in the amalgamation of ores
of silver, as at the Spanish mines of Mexico and South America.
Magistrality
Mag`is*tral"i*ty (?), n.; pl. -ties (. Magisterialness; arbitrary
dogmatism. Bacon.
Magistrally
Mag"is*tral*ly (?), adv. In a magistral manner. Abp. Bramhall.
Magistrate
Mag"is*trate (?), n. [L. magistratus, fr. magister master: cf. F.
magistrat. See Master.] A person clothed with power as a public civil
officer; a public civil officer invested with the executive
government, or some branch of it. "All Christian rulers and
magistrates." Book of Com. Prayer.
Of magistrates some also are supreme, in whom the sovereign power
of the state resides; others are subordinate. Blackstone.
Magistratic, Magistratical
Mag`is*trat"ic (?), Mag`is*trat"ic*al (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or
proceeding from, a magistrate; having the authority of a magistrate.
Jer. Taylor.
Magistrature
Mag"is*tra`ture (?), n. [Cf. F. magistrature.] Magistracy. [Obs.]
Magma
Mag"ma (?), n. [L., fr. Gr.
1. Any crude mixture of mineral or organic matters in the state of a
thin paste. Ure.
2. (Med.) (a) A thick residuum obtained from certain substances after
the fluid parts are expressed from them; the grounds which remain
after treating a substance with any menstruum, as water or alcohol.
(b) A salve or confection of thick consistency. Dunglison.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 882
3. (Geol.) (a) The molten matter within the earth, the source of the
material of lava flows, dikes of eruptive rocks, etc. (b) The glassy
base of an eruptive rock.
4. (Chem.) The amorphous or homogenous matrix or ground mass, as
distinguished from well-defined crystals; as, the magma of porphyry.
Magna Charta
Mag"na Char"ta (?). [L., great charter.]
1. The great Charter, so called, obtained by the English barons from
King John, A. D. 1215. This name is also given to the charter granted
to the people of England in the ninth year of Henry III., and
confirmed by Edward I.
2. Hence, a fundamental constitution which guaranties rights and
privileges.
Magnality
Mag*nal"i*ty (?), n. [L. magnalis mighty, fr. magnus great.] A great
act or event; a great attainment. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Magnanimity
Mag`na*nim"i*ty (?), n. [F. magnanimit\'82, L. magnanimitas.] The
quality of being magnanimous; greatness of mind; elevation or dignity
of soul; that quality or combination of qualities, in character, which
enables one to encounter danger and trouble with tranquility and
firmness, to disdain injustice, meanness and revenge, and to act and
sacrifice for noble objects.
Magnanimous
Mag*nan"i*mous (?), a.[L. magnanimus; magnus great + animus mind. See
Magnate, and Animus.]
1. Great of mind; elevated in soul or in sentiment; raised above what
is low, mean, or ungenerous; of lofty and courageous spirit; as, a
magnanimous character; a magnanimous conqueror.
Be magnanimous in the enterprise. Shak.
To give a kingdom hath been thought Greater and nobler done, and to
law down Far more magnanimousan to assume. Milton.
2. Dictated by or exhibiting nobleness of soul; honorable; noble; not
selfish.
Both strived for death; magnanimous debate. Stirling.
There is an indissoluble union between a magnanimous policy and the
solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity. Washington.
Magnanimously
Mag*nan"i*mous*ly, adv. In a magnanimous manner; with greatness of
mind.
Magnase black
Mag"nase black` (?). (Paint.) A black pigment which dries rapidly when
mixed with oil, and is of intense body. Fairholt.
Magnate
Mag"nate (?), [F. magnat, L. (pl.) magnates, magnati, fr. magnus
great. See Master.]
1. A person of rank; a noble or grandee; a person of influence or
distinction in any sphere. <-- used mostly of prominent business
executives; an industrial magnate --> Macaulay.
2. One of the nobility, or certain high officers of state belonging to
the noble estate in the national representation of Hungary, and
formerly of Poland.
Magnes
Mag"nes (?), n. [L.] Magnet. [Obs.] Spenser.
Magnesia
Mag*ne"si*a (?; 277), n. [L. Magnesia, fem. of Magnesius of the
country Magnesia, Gr. Magnet.] (Chem.) A light earthy white substance,
consisting of magnesium oxide, and obtained by heating magnesium
hydrate or carbonate, or by burning magnesium. It has a slightly
alkaline reaction, and is used in medicine as a mild antacid laxative.
See Magnesium. Magnesia alba [L.] (Med. Chem.), a bulky white
amorphous substance, consisting of a hydrous basic carbonate of
magnesium, and used as a mild cathartic.
Magnesian
Mag*ne"sian (?), a. Pertaining to, characterized by, or containing,
magnesia or magnesium. Magnesian limestone. (Min.) See Dolomite.
Magnesic
Mag*ne"sic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, magnesium;
as, magnesic oxide.
Magnesite
Mag"ne*site (?), n. [Cf. F. magn\'82site.] (Min.) Native magnesium
carbonate occurring in white compact or granular masses, and also in
rhombohedral crystals.
Magnesium
Mag*ne"si*um (?), n. [NL. & F. See Magnesia.] (Chem.) A light
silver-white metallic element, malleable and ductile, quite permanent
in dry air but tarnishing in moist air. It burns, forming (the oxide)
magnesia, with the production of a blinding light (the so-called
magnesium light) which is used in signaling, in pyrotechny, or in
photography where a strong actinic illuminant is required. Its
compounds occur abundantly, as in dolomite, talc, meerschaum, etc.
Symbol Mg. Atomic weight, 24.4. Specific gravity, 1.75. Magnesium
sulphate. (Chem.) Same as Epsom salts.
Magnet
Mag"net (?), n. [OE. magnete, OF. magnete, L. magnes, -etis, Gr.
Magnesia, Manganese.]
1. The loadstone; a species of iron ore (the ferrosoferric or magnetic
ore, Fe3O4) which has the property of attracting iron and some of its
ores, and, when freely suspended, of pointing to the poles; -- called
also natural magnet.
Dinocrates began to make the arched roof of the temple of
Arsino\'89 all of magnet, or this loadstone. Holland.
Two magnets, heaven and earth, allure to bliss, The larger
loadstone that, the nearer this. Dryden.
2. (Physics) A bar or mass of steel or iron to which the peculiar
properties of the loadstone have been imparted; -- called, in
distinction from the loadstone, an artificial magnet.
NOTE: &hand; An ar tificial ma gnet, pr oduced by the action of a
voltaic or electrical battery, is called an electro-magnet.
Field magnet (Physics & Elec.), a magnet used for producing and
maintaining a magnetic field; -- used especially of the stationary or
exciting magnet of a dynamo or electromotor in distinction from that
of the moving portion or armature.
Magnetic, Magnetical
Mag*net"ic (?), Mag*net"ic*al (?), a. [L. magneticus: cf. F.
magn\'82tique.]
1. Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the magnet,
or corresponding properties; as, a magnetic bar of iron; a magnetic
needle.
2. Of or pertaining to, or characterized by,, the earth's magnetism;
as, the magnetic north; the magnetic meridian.
3. Capable of becoming a magnet; susceptible to magnetism; as, the
magnetic metals.
4. Endowed with extraordinary personal power to excite the feelings
and to win the affections; attractive; inducing attachment.
She that had all magnetic force alone. Donne.
5. Having, susceptible to, or induced by, animal magnetism, so called;
as, a magnetic sleep. See Magnetism.
Magnetic amplitude, attraction, dip, induction, etc. See under
Amplitude, Attraction, etc. -- Magnetic battery, a combination of bar
or horseshoe magnets with the like poles adjacent, so as to act
together with great power. -- Magnetic compensator, a contrivance
connected with a ship's compass for compensating or neutralizing the
effect of the iron of the ship upon the needle. -- Magnetic curves,
curves indicating lines of magnetic force, as in the arrangement of
iron filings between the poles of a powerful magnet. -- Magnetic
elements. (a) (Chem. Physics) Those elements, as iron, nickel, cobalt,
chromium, manganese, etc., which are capable or becoming magnetic. (b)
(Physics) In respect to terrestrial magnetism, the declination,
inclination, and intensity. (c) See under Element. -- Magnetic
equator, the line around the equatorial parts of the earth at which
there is no dip, the dipping needle being horizontal. -- Magnetic
field, OR Field of magnetic force, any space through which magnet
exerts its influence. -- Magnetic fluid, the hypothetical fluid whose
existence was formerly assumed in the explanations of the phenomena of
magnetism. -- Magnetic iron, OR Magnetic iron ore. (Min.) Same as
Magnetite. -- Magnetic needle, a slender bar of steel, magnetized and
suspended at its center on a sharp-pointed pivot, or by a delicate
fiber, so that it may take freely the direction of the magnetic
meridian. It constitutes the essential part of a compass, such as the
mariner's and the surveyor's. -- Magnetic poles, the two points in the
opposite polar regions of the earth at which the direction of the
dipping needle is vertical. -- Magnetic pyrites. See Pyrrhotite. --
Magnetic storm (Terrestrial Physics), a disturbance of the earth's
magnetic force characterized by great and sudden changes. -- Magnetic
telegraph, a telegraph acting by means of a magnet. See Telegraph.
Magnetic
Mag*net"ic (?), n.
1. A magnet. [Obs.]
As the magnetic hardest iron draws. Milton.
2. Any metal, as iron, nickel, cobalt, etc., which may receive, by any
means, the properties of the loadstone, and which then, when
suspended, fixes itself in the direction of a magnetic meridian.
Magnetically
Mag*net"ic*al*ly, adv. By or as by, magnetism.
Magneticalness
Mag*net"ic*al*ness, n.Quality of being magnetic.
Magnetician
Mag`ne*ti"cian (?), n. One versed in the science of magnetism; a
magnetist.
Maneticness
Ma*net"ic*ness, n.Magneticalness. [Obs.]
Magnetics
Mag*net"ics (?), n.The science of magnetism.
Magnetiferous
Mag`net*if"er*ous (?), a. [L. magnes, -etis + -ferous.] Producing or
conducting magnetism.
Magnetism
Mag"net*ism (?), n. [Cf. F. magn\'82tisme.] The property, quality, or
state, of being magnetic; the manifestation of the force in nature
which is seen in a magnet.
2. The science which treats of magnetic phenomena.
3. Power of attraction; power to excite the feelings and to gain the
affections. "By the magnetism of interest our affections are
irresistibly attracted." Glanvill.
Animal magnetism, a force, more or less analogous to magnetism, which,
it has been alleged, is produced in animal tissues, and passes from
one body to another with or without actual contact. The existence of
such a force, and its potentiality for the cure of disease, were
asserted by Mesmer in 1775. His theories and methods were afterwards
called mesmerism, a name which has been popularly applied to theories
and claims not put forward by Mesmer himself. See Mesmerism, Biology,
Od, Hypnotism. -- Terrestrial magnetism, the magnetic force exerted by
the earth, and recognized by its effect upon magnetized needles and
bars.
Magnetist
Mag"net*ist, n.One versed in magnetism.
Magnetite
Mag"net*ite (?), n. (Min.) An oxide of iron (Fe3O4) occurring in
isometric crystals, also massive, of a black color and metallic
luster. It is readily attracted by a magnet and sometimes possesses
polarity, being then called loadstone. It is an important iron ore.
Called also magnetic iron.
Magnetizable
Mag"net*i`za*ble (?), a. Capable of magnetized.
Magnetization
Mag`net*i*za"tion (?), n. The act of magnetizing, or the state of
being magnetized.
Magnetize
Mag"net*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Magnetized (?); prep. & adv.
Magnetizing (?).] [Cf. F. magn\'82tiser.]
1. To communicate magnetic properties to; as, to magnetize a needle.
2. To attract as a magnet attracts, or like a magnet; to move; to
influence.
Fascinated, magnetized, as it were, by his character. Motley.
3. To bring under the influence of animal magnetism.
Magnetizee
Mag`net*i*zee" (?), n. A person subjected to the influence of animal
magnetism. [R.]
Magnetizer
Mag"net*i`zer (?), n. One who, or that which, imparts magnetism.
Magneto-
Mag"net*o- (?). [See Magnet.] A prefix meaning pertaining to, produced
by, or in some way connected with, magnetism.
Magneto-electric, Magneto-electrical
Mag`net*o-e*lec"tric (?), Mag`net*o-e*lec"tric*al (?), a. (Physics)
Pertaining to, or characterized by, electricity by the action of
magnets; as, magneto-electric induction. Magneto-electric machine, a
form of dynamo-electric machine in which the field is maintained by
permanent steel magnets instead of electro-magnets.
Magneto-electricity
Mag`net*o-e`lec*tric"i*ty (?), n.
1. Electricity evolved by the action of magnets.
2. (Physics) That branch of science which treats of the development of
electricity by the action of magnets; -- the counterpart of
electro-magnetism.
Magnetograph
Mag*net"o*graph (?), n. [Magneto- + -graph.] (Physics) An automatic
instrument for registering, by photography or otherwise, the states
and variations of any of the terrestrial magnetic elements.
Magnetometer
Mag`net*om"e*ter (?), n. [Magneto- + -meter: cf. F.
magn\'82tom\'8atre.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring the
intensity of magnetic forces; also, less frequently, an instrument for
determining any of the terrestrial magnetic elements, as the dip and
declination.
Magnetometric
Mag`net*o*met"ric (?), a. Pertaining to, or employed in, the
measurement of magnetic forces; obtained by means of a magnetometer;
as, magnetometric instruments; magnetometric measurements.
Magnetomotor
Mag`net*o*mo"tor (?), n.A voltaic series of two or more large plates,
producing a great quantity of electricity of low tension, and hence
adapted to the exhibition of electro-magnetic phenomena. [R.]
Magnetotherapy
Mag`net*o*ther"a*py (?), n. (Med.) The treatment of disease by the
application of magnets to the surface of the body.
Magnifiable
Mag"ni*fi`a*ble, a. [From Magnify.] Such as can be magnified, or
extolled.
Magnific, Magnifical
Mag*nif"ic (?), Mag*nif"ic*al (?), a. [L. magnificus; magnus great +
facere to make: cf. F. magnifique. See Magnitude, Fact. and cf.
Magnificent.] Grand; splendid; illustrious; magnificent. [Obs.] 1
Chron. xxii. 5. "Thy magnific deeds." Milton. -- Mag*nif"ic*al*ly,
adv. [Obs.]
Magnificat
Mag*nif"i*cat (?), n. [L., it magnifies.] The song of the Virgin Mary,
Luke i. 46; -- so called because it commences with this word in the
Vulgate.
Magnificate
Mag*nif"i*cate (?), v. t. [L. magnificatus, p. p. of magnificare.] To
magnify or extol. [Obs.] Marston.
Magnification
Mag`ni*fi*ca"tion (?), n. The act of magnifying; enlargement;
exaggeration. [R.]
Magnificence
Mag*nif"i*cence (?), n. [F. magnificence, L. magnificentia. See
Magnific.] The act of doing what magnificent; the state or quality of
being magnificent. Acts xix. 27. "Then cometh magnificence." Chaucer.
And, for the heaven's wide circuit, let it speak The Maker's high
magnificence, who built so spacious. Milton.
The noblest monuments of Roman magnificence. Eustace.
Magnificent
Mag*nif"i*cent (?), a. [See Magnificence.]
1. Doing grand things; admirable in action; displaying great power or
opulence, especially in building, way of living, and munificence.
A prince is never so magnificent As when he's sparing to enrich a
few With the injuries of many. Massinger.
2. Grand in appearance; exhibiting grandeur or splendor; splendid'
pompous.
When Rome's exalted beauties I descry Magnificent in piles of ruin
lie. Addison.
Syn. -- Glorious; majestic; sublime. See Grand.
Magnificently
Mag*nif"i*cent*ly, adv. In a Magnificent manner.
Magnifico
Mag*nif"i*co (?), n.; pl. Magnificoes (#). [It. See Magnific.]
1. A grandee or nobleman of Venice; -- so called in courtesy. Shak.
2. A rector of a German university.
Magnifier
Mag"ni*fi`er (?), n. One who, or that which, magnifies.
Magnify
Mag"ni*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Magnified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Magnifying (?).] [OE. magnifien, F. magnifier, L. magnificare. See
Magnific.]
1. To make great, or greater; to increase the dimensions of; to
amplify; to enlarge, either in fact or in appearance; as, the
microscope magnifies the object by a thousand diameters.
The least error in a small quantity . . . will in a great one . . .
be proportionately magnified. Grew.
2. To increase the importance of; to augment the esteem or respect in
which one is held.
On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel.
Joshua iv. 14.
3. To praise highly; to land; to extol. [Archaic]
O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Ps. xxxiv. 3.
4. To exaggerate; as, to magnify a loss or a difficulty.
To magnify one's self (Script.), to exhibit pride and haughtiness; to
boast. -- To magnify one's self against (Script.), to oppose with
pride.
Magnify
Mag"ni*fy, v. i.
1. To have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they
really are; to increase the apparent dimensions of objects; as, some
lenses magnify but little.
2. To have effect; to be of importance or significance. [Cant & Obs.]
Spectator.
Magnifying glass, a lens which magnifies the apparent dimensions of
objects seen through it.
Magniloquence
Mag*nil"o*quence (?), n. [L. magniloquentia.] The quality of being
magniloquent; pompous discourse; grandiloquence.
Magniloquent
Mag*nil"o*quent (?), a. [L. magnus great + loquens, -entis, p. pr. of
loqui to speak. See Magnitude, Loquacious.] Speaking pompously; using
swelling discourse; bombastic; tumid in style; grandiloquent. --
Mag*nil"o*quent*ly, adv.
Magniloquous
Mag*nil"o*quous (?), a. [L. magniloquus.] Magniloquent. [Obs.]
Magnitude
Mag"ni*tude (?), n. [L. magnitudo, from magnus great. See Master, and
cf. Maxim.]
1. Extent of dimensions; size; -- applied to things that have length,
breath, and thickness.
Conceive those particles of bodies to be so disposed amongst
themselves, that the intervals of empty spaces between them may be
equal in magnitude to them all. Sir I. Newton.
2. (Geom.) That which has one or more of the three dimensions, length,
breadth, and thickness.
3. Anything of which greater or less can be predicated, as time,
weight, force, and the like.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 883
4. Greatness; grandeur. "With plain, heroic magnitude of mind."
Milton.
5. Greatness, in reference to influence or effect; importance; as, an
affair of magnitude.
The magnitude of his designs. Bp. Horsley.
Apparent magnitude (Opt.), the angular breadth of an object viewed as
measured by the angle which it subtends at the eye of the observer; --
called also apparent diameter. -- Magnitude of a star (Astron.), the
rank of a star with respect to brightness. About twenty very bright
stars are said to be of first magnitude, the stars of the sixth
magnitude being just visible to the naked eye. Telescopic stars are
classified down to the twelfth magnitude or lower. The scale of the
magnitudes is quite arbitrary, but by means of photometers, the
classification has been made to tenths of a magnitude. <-- the
difference in actual brightness between magnitudes is now specified as
a factor of 2.512, i.e. the difference in brightness is 100 for stars
differing by five magnitudes. -->
Magnolia
Mag*no"li*a (?), n. [NL. Named after Pierre Magnol, professor of
botany at Montpellier, France, in the 17th century.] (Bot.) A genus of
American and Asiatic trees, with aromatic bark and large sweet-scented
whitish or reddish flowers.
NOTE: &hand; Magnolia grandiflora has coriaceous shining leaves and
very fragrant blossoms. It is common from North Carolina to Florida
and Texas, and is one of the most magnificent trees of the American
forest. The sweet bay (M. glauca)is a small tree found sparingly as
far north as Cape Ann. Other American species are M. Umbrella, M.
macrophylla, M. Fraseri, M. acuminata, and M. cordata. M. conspicua
and M. purpurea are cultivated shrubs or trees from Eastern Asia.
M. Campbellii, of India, has rose-colored or crimson flowers.
Magnolia warbler (Zo\'94l.), a beautiful North American wood warbler
(Dendroica maculosa). The rump and under parts are bright yellow; the
breast and belly are spotted with black; the under tail coverts are
white; the crown is ash.
Magnoliaceous
Mag*no`li*a"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) Pertaining to a natural order
(Magnoliace\'91) of trees of which the magnolia, the tulip tree, and
the star anise are examples.
Magnum
Mag"num (?), n. [Neut. sing. of L. magnus great.]
1. A large wine bottle.
They passed the magnum to one another freely. Sir W. Scott
.
2. (Anat.) A bone of the carpus at the base of the third metacarpal
bone.
Magot
Mag"ot (?), n. [F.] (Zo\'94l.) The Barbary ape.
Magot-pie
Mag"ot-pie` (?), n. A magpie. [Obs.] Shak.
Magpie
Mag"pie (?), n. [OE. & Prov. E. magot pie, maggoty pie, fr. Mag,
Maggot, equiv. to Margaret, and fr. F. Marquerite, and common name of
the magpie. Marguerite is fr. L. margarita pearl, Gr. Pie magpie, and
cf. the analogous names Tomtit, and Jackdaw.] (Zo\'94l.) Any one of
numerous species of the genus Pica and related genera, allied to the
jays, but having a long graduated tail.
NOTE: &hand; Th e common European magpie (Pica pica, or P. caudata)
is a black and white noisy and mischievous bird. It can be taught
to speak. The American magpie (P. Hudsonica) is very similar. The
yellow-belled magpie (P. Nuttalli) inhabits California. The blue
magpie (Cyanopolius Cooki) inhabits Spain. Other allied species are
found in Asia. The Tasmanian and Australian magpies are crow
shrikes, as the white magpie (Gymnorhina organicum), the black
magpie (Strepera fuliginosa), and the Australian magpie (Cracticus
picatus).
Magpie lark (Zo\'94l.), a common Australian bird (Grallina picata),
conspicuously marked with black and white; -- called also little
magpie. -- Magpie moth (Zo\'94l.), a black and white European
geometrid moth (Abraxas grossulariata); the harlequin moth. Its larva
feeds on currant and gooseberry bushes.
Maguari
Ma`gua*ri" (?), n. [From native name: cf. Pg. magoari.] (Zo\'94l.) A
South American stork (Euxenara maguari), having a forked tail.
Maguey
Mag"uey (?), n. [Sp. maguey, Mexican maguei and metl.] (Bot.) The
century plant, a species of Agave (A. Americana). See Agave.
Magyar
Mag"yar (?), n. [Hung.]
1. (Ethnol.) One of the dominant people of Hungary, allied to the
Finns; a Hungarian.
2. The language of the Magyars.
Maha
Ma"ha (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A kind of baboon; the wanderoo.
Mahabarata, Mahabharatam
Ma*ha*ba"ra*ta (?), Ma*ha*bha"ra*tam (?), n. [Skr. mah\'bebh\'berata.]
A celebrated epic poem of the Hindoos. It is of great length, and is
chiefly devoted to the history of a civil war between two dynasties of
ancient India.
Mahaled
Ma*ha"led (?), n.[Ar. mahled.] (Bot.) A cherry tree (Prunus Mahaleb)
of Southern Europe. The wood is prized by cabinetmakers, the twigs are
used for pipe stems, the flowers and leaves yield a perfume, and from
the fruit a violet dye and a fermented liquor (like kirschwasser) are
prepared.
Maharajah
Ma*ha*ra"jah (?), n. [Skr. mah\'ber\'beja; mahat great + r\'beja
king.] A sovereign prince in India; -- a title given also to other
persons of high rank.
Maharif
Ma`ha*rif" (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) An African antelope (Hippotragus
Bakeri). Its face is striped with black and white.
Maharmah
Ma*har"mah (?), n. A muslin wrapper for the head and the lower part of
the face, worn by Turkish and Armenian women when they go abroad.
Mahdi
Mah"di (?), n. [Ar., guide, leader.] Among Mohammedans, the last imam
or leader of the faithful. The Sunni, the largest sect of the
Mohammedans, believe that he is yet to appear.
NOTE: &hand; Th e ti tle ha s be en ta ken by se veral pe rsons in
countries where Mohammedanism prevails, -- notably by Mohammad
Ahmed, who overran the Egyptian Sudan, and in 1885 captured
Khartum, his soldiers killing General Gordon, an Englishman, who
was then the Egyptian governor of the region.
Mahl-stick
Mahl"-stick` (?), n. See Maul-stick.
Mahoe
Ma"hoe (?), n. (Bot.) A name given to several malvaceous trees
(species of Hibiscus, Ochroma, etc.), and to their strong fibrous
inner bark, which is used for strings and cordage.
Mahogany
Ma*hog"a*ny (?), n. [From the South American name.]
1. (Bot.) A large tree of the genus Swietenia (S. Mahogoni), found in
tropical America.
NOTE: &hand; Se veral ot her tr ees, wi th wo od mo re or less like
mahogany, are called by this name; as, African mahogany (Khaya
Senegalensis), Australian mahogany (Eucalyptus marginatus), Bastard
mahogany (Batonia apetala of the West Indies), Indian mahogany
(Cedrela Toona of Bengal, and trees of the genera Soymida and
Chukrassia), Madeira mahogany (Persea Indica), Mountain mahogany,
the black or cherry birch (Betula lenta), also the several species
of Cercocarpus of California and the Rocky Mountains.
2. The wood of the Swietenia Mahogoni. It is of a reddish brown color,
beautifully veined, very hard, and susceptible of a fine polish. It is
used in the manufacture of furniture.
3. A table made of mahogany wood. [Colloq.]
To be under the mahogany, to be so drunk as to have fallen under the
table. [Eng.] -- To put one's legs under some one's mahogany, to dine
with him. [Slang]
Maholi
Ma*ho"li (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A South African lemur (Galago maholi),
having very large ears. [Written also moholi.]
Mahomedan, Mahometan
Ma*hom"ed*an (?), Ma*hom"et*an (?), n. See Mohammedan.
Mahometanism
Ma*hom"et*an*ism (?), n. See Mohammedanism.
Mahometanize
Ma*hom"et*an*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mahometanized (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. Mahometanizing (?).] To convert to the religion of Mohammed; to
Mohammedanize.
Mahometism
Ma*hom"et*ism (?), n. See Mohammedanism.
Mahometist
Ma*hom"et*ist, n. A Mohammedan. [R.]
Mahometry
Ma*hom"et*ry (?), n. Mohammedanism. [Obs.]
Mahone
Ma*hone" (?), n. A large Turkish ship. Crabb.
Mahonia
Ma*ho"ni*a (?), n. [Named after Bernard McMahon.] (Bot.) The Oregon
grape, a species of barberry (Berberis Aquifolium), often cultivated
for its hollylike foliage.
Mahon stock
Ma*hon" stock` (?). (Bot.) An annual cruciferous plant with reddish
purple or white flowers (Malcolmia maritima). It is called in England
Virginia stock, but the plant comes from the Mediterranean.
Mahoohoo
Ma*hoo"hoo (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The African white two-horned rhinoceros
(Atelodus simus).
Mahori
Ma"ho*ri (?), n. [Native name. Cf. Maori.] (Ethnol.) One of the dark
race inhabiting principally the islands of Eastern Polynesia. Also
used adjectively.
Mahound
Ma`hound (?), n. A contemptuous name for Mohammed; hence, an evil
spirit; a devil. [Obs.]
Who's this, my mahound cousin ? Beau. & Fl.
Mahout
Ma*hout" (?), n. [Hind. mah\'bewat, Skr. mah\'bem\'betra; mahat great
+ m\'betr\'be measure.] The keeper and driver of an elephant. [East
Indies]
Mahovo
Ma*ho"vo (?), n. (Mach.) A device for saving power in stopping and
starting a railroad car, by means of a heavy fly wheel.
Mahrati
Mah*rat"i (?), n. The language of the Mahrattas; the language spoken
in the Deccan and Concan. [Written also Marathi.]
Mahratta
Mah*rat"ta (?), n. [Hind. Marhat\'be, Marh\'bett\'be, the name of a
famous Hindoo race, from the old Skr. name Mah\'be-r\'beshtra.] One of
a numerous people inhabiting the southwestern part of India. Also, the
language of the Mahrattas; Mahrati. It is closely allied to Sanskrit.
-- a. Of or pertaining to the Mahrattas. [Written also Maratha.]
Mahumetan, Mahumetanism
Ma*hu"met*an (?), Ma*hu"met*an*ism (?), n.See Mohammedan,
Mohammedanism.
Mahwa tree
Mah"wa tree` (?). (Bot.) An East Indian sapotaceous tree (Bassia
latifolia, and also B. butyracea), whose timber is used for wagon
wheels, and the flowers for food and in preparing an intoxicating
drink. It is one of the butter trees. The oil, known as mahwa and
yallah, is obtained from the kernels of the fruit.
Maia
Ma"i*a (?), n. [From L. Maia, a goddess.] (Zo\'94l.) (a) A genus of
spider crabs, including the common European species (Maia squinado).
(b) A beautiful American bombycid moth (Eucronia maia).
Maian
Ma"ian (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) Any spider crab of the genus Maia, or family
Maiad\'91.
Maid
Maid (?), n. [Shortened from maiden. . See Maiden.]
1. An unmarried woman; usually, a young unmarried woman; esp., a girl;
a virgin; a maiden.
Would I had died a maid, And never seen thee, never borne thee son.
Shak.
Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my
people have forgotten me. Jer. ii. 32.
2. A man who has not had sexual intercourse. [Obs.]
Christ was a maid and shapen as a man. Chaucer.
3. A female servant.
Spinning amongst her maids. Shak.
NOTE: &hand; Ma id is us ed ei ther adjectively or in composition,
signifying female, as in maid child, maidservant.
4. (Zo\'94l.) The female of a ray or skate, esp. of the gray skate
(Raia batis), and of the thornback (R. clavata). [Prov. Eng.]
Fair maid. (Zo\'94l.) See under Fair, a. -- Maid of honor, a female
attendant of a queen or royal princess; -- usually of noble family,
and having to perform only nominal or honorary duties. -- Old maid.
See under Old. <-- maid of honor. principal female attendant (if
unmarried) of a bride at wedding. (If married, matron of honor.) -->
Maiden
Maid"en (?), n. [OE. maiden, meiden, AS. m\'91gden, dim. of AS.
m\'91g, fr. mago son, servant; akin to G. magd, m\'84dchen, maid, OHG.
magad, Icel. m\'94gr son, Goth. magus boy, child, magaps virgin, and
perh. to Zend. magu youth. Cf. Maid a virgin.]
1. An unmarried woman; a girl or woman who has not experienced sexual
intercourse; a virgin; a maid.
She employed the residue of her life to repairing of highways,
building of bridges, and endowing of maidens. Carew.
A maiden of our century, yet most meek. Tennyson.
2. A female servant. [Obs.]
3. An instrument resembling the guillotine, formerly used in Scotland
for beheading criminals. Wharton.
4. A machine for washing linen.
Maiden
Maid"en, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a maiden, or to maidens; suitable to, or
characteristic of, a virgin; as, maiden innocence. "Amid the maiden
throng." Addison.
Have you no modesty, no maiden shame ? Shak.
2. Never having been married; not having had sexual intercourse;
virgin; -- said usually of the woman, but sometimes of the man; as, a
maiden aunt. "A surprising old maiden lady." Thackeray.
3. Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure; hitherto unused. "Maiden
flowers.' Shak.
Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword. Shak.
4. Used of a fortress, signifying that it has never been captured, or
violated. T. Warton. Macaulay.
Maiden assize (Eng. Law), an assize which there is no criminal
prosecution; an assize which is unpolluted with blood. It was usual,
at such an assize, for the sheriff to present the judge with a pair of
white gloves. Smart. -- Maiden name, the surname of a woman before her
marriage. -- Maiden pink. (Bot.) See under Pink. -- Maiden plum
(Bot.), a West Indian tree (Comocladia integrifolia) with purplish
drupes. The sap of the tree is glutinous, and gives a persistent black
stain. -- Maiden speech, the first speech made by a person, esp. by a
new member in a public body. -- Maiden tower, the tower most capable
of resisting an enemy.<-- maiden voyage. first regular service voyage
of a ship -->
Maiden
Maid"en, v. t. To act coyly like a maiden; -- with it as an indefinite
object.
For had I maiden'd it, as many use. Loath for to grant, but loather
to refuse. Bp. Hall.
Maidenhair
Maid"en*hair` (?), n. (Bot.) A fern of the genus Adiantum (A.
pedatum), having very slender graceful stalks. It is common in the
United States, and is sometimes used in medicine. The name is also
applied to other species of the same genus, as to the Venus-hair.
Maiden grass, the smaller quaking grass. -- Maiden tree. See Ginkgo.
Maidenhead
Maid"en*head (?), n. [See Maidenhood.]
1. The state of being a maiden; maidenhood; virginity. Shak.
2. The state of being unused or uncontaminated; freshness; purity.
[Obs.]
The maidenhead of their credit. Sir H. Wotton.
3. The hymen, or virginal membrane.
Maidenhood
Maid"en*hood (?), n. [AS. m\'91gdenh\'bed. See Maid, and -hood.]
1. The state of being a maid or a virgin; virginity. Shak.
2. Newness; freshness; uncontaminated state.
The maidenhood Of thy fight. Shak.
Maidenlike
Maid"en*like` (?), a. Like a maiden; modest; coy.
Maidenliness
Maid"en*li*ness (?), n. The quality of being maidenly; the behavior
that becomes a maid; modesty; gentleness.
Maidenly
Maid"en*ly, a. Like a maid; suiting a maid; maiden-like; gentle,
modest, reserved.
Must you be blushing ? . . . What a maidenly man-at-arms are you
become ! Shak.
Maidenly
Maid"en*ly, adv. In a maidenlike manner. "Maidenly demure." Skelton.
Maidenship
Maid"en*ship, n. Maidenhood. [Obs.] Fuller.
Maidhood
Maid"hood (?), n. [AS. m\'91g. See Maid, and -hood.] Maidenhood. Shak.
Maidmarian
Maid`ma"ri*an (?), n. [Maid + Marian, relating to Mary, or the Virgin
Mary.]
1. The lady of the May games; one of the characters in a morris dance;
a May queen. Afterward, a grotesque character personated in sports and
buffoonery by a man in woman's clothes.
2. A kind of dance. Sir W. Temple.
Maidpale
Maid"pale` (?), a. Pale, like a sick girl. Shak.
Maidservant
Maid"serv`ant (?), n. A female servant.
Maid's hair
Maid's" hair` (?). (Bot.) The yellow bedstraw (Galium verum).
Maieutic, Maieutical
Ma*ieu"tic (?), Ma*ieu"tic*al (?), a. [Gr.
1. Serving to assist childbirth. Cudworth.
2. Fig. : Aiding, or tending to, the definition and interpretation of
thoughts or language. Payne.
Maieutics
Ma*ieu"tics (?), n. The art of giving birth (i. e., clearness and
conviction) to ideas, which are conceived as struggling for birth.
Payne.
Maiger
Mai"ger (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) The meagre.
Maigre
Mai"gre (?), a. [F. See Meager.] Belonging to a fast day or fast; as,
a maigre day. Walpole. Maigre food (R. C. Ch.), food allowed to be
eaten on fast days.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 884
Maihem
Mai"hem (?), n. See Maim, and Mayhem.
Maikel
Mai*kel" (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A South American carnivore of the genus
Conepatus, allied to the skunk, but larger, and having a longer snout.
The tail is not bushy.
Maikong
Mai*kong" (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A South American wild dog (Canis
cancrivorus); the crab-eating dog.
Mail
Mail (?), n. A spot. [Obs.]
Mail
Mail, n. [F. maille, OF. also maaille, LL. medalia. See Medal.]
1. A small piece of money; especially, an English silver half-penny of
the time of Henry V. [Obs.] [Written also maile, and maille.]
2. Rent; tribute. [Obs., except in certain compounds and phrases, as
blackmail, mails and duties, etc.]
Mail and duties (Scots Law), the rents of an estate, in whatever form
paid.
Mail
Mail, n. [OE. maile, maille, F. maille a ring of mail, mesh, network,
a coat of mail, fr. L. macula spot, a mesh of a net. Cf. Macle,
Macula, Mascle.]
1. A flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. It was used
especially for defensive armor. Chaucer.
Chain mail, Coat of mail. See under Chain, and Coat.
2. Hence generally, armor, or any defensive covering.
3. (Naut.) A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing off the
loose hemp on lines and white cordage.
4. (Zo\'94l.) Any hard protective covering of an animal, as the scales
and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc.
We . . . strip the lobster of his scarlet mail. Gay.
Mail
Mail, v. t.
1. To arm with mail.
2. To pinion. [Obs.]
Mail
Mail, n. [OE. male bag, OF. male, F. malle bag, trunk, mail, OHG.
malaha, malha, wallet; akin to D. maal, male; cf. Gael. & Ir. mala,
Gr.
1. A bag; a wallet. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. The bag or bags with the letters, papers, papers, or other matter
contained therein, conveyed under public authority from one post
office to another; the whole system of appliances used by government
in the conveyance and delivery of mail matter.
There is a mail come in to-day, with letters dated Hague. Tatler.
3. That which comes in the mail; letters, etc., received through the
post office.
4. A trunk, box, or bag, in which clothing, etc., may be carried.
[Obs.] Sir W. Scott.
Mail bag, a bag in which mailed matter is conveyed under public
authority. -- Mail boat, a boat that carries the mail. -- Mail
catcher, an iron rod, or other contrivance, attached to a railroad car
for catching a mail bag while the train is in motion. -- Mail guard,
an officer whose duty it is to guard the public mails. [Eng.] -- Mail
train, a railroad train carrying the mail.
Mail
Mail, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mailed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mailing.] To
deliver into the custody of the postoffice officials, or place in a
government letter box, for transmission by mail; to post; as, to mail
a letter. [U. S.]
NOTE: &hand; In th e United States to mail and to post are both in
common use; as, to mail or post a letter. In England post is the
commoner usage.
Mailable
Mail"a*ble (?), a. Admissible lawfully into the mail. [U.S.]
Mailclad
Mail"clad` (?), a. Protected by a coat of mail; clad in armor. Sir W.
Scott.
Mailed
Mailed (?), a. (Zo\'94l.) Protected by an external coat, or covering,
of scales or plates.
Mailed
Mailed, a. [See 1st Mail.] Spotted; speckled.
Mailing
Mail"ing (?), n. [Scot., fr. mail tribute, rent. See 2d Mail.] A farm.
[Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
Mail-shell
Mail"-shell` (?), n. (Zo\'94l.) A chiton.
Maim
Maim (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maimed (?);p. pr. & vb. n. Maiming.]
[OE. maimen, OF. mahaignier, mehaignier, meshaignier, cf. It.
magagnare, LL. mahemiare, mahennare; perh. of Celtic origin; cf.
Armor. mac'ha to mutilate, m\'bec'ha to crowd, press; or cf. OHG. mang
to lack, perh. akin to E. mangle to lacerate. Cf. Mayhem.]
1. To deprive of the use of a limb, so as to render a person on
fighting less able either to defend himself or to annoy his adversary.
By the ancient law of England he that maimed any man whereby he
lost any part of his body, was sentenced to lose the like part.
Blackstone.
2. To mutilate; to cripple; to injure; to disable; to impair.
My late maimed limbs lack wonted might. Spenser.
You maimed the jurisdiction of all bishops. Shak.
Syn. -- To mutilate; mangle; cripple.
Maim
Maim, n. [Written in law language maihem, and mayhem.] [OF. mehaing.
See Maim, v.]
1. The privation of the use of a limb or member of the body, by which
one is rendered less able to defend himself or to annoy his adversary.
2. The privation of any necessary part; a crippling; mutilation;
injury; deprivation of something essential. See Mayhem.
Surely there is more cause to fear lest the want there of be a maim
than the use of it a blemish. Hooker.
A noble author esteems it to be a maim in history that the acts of
Parliament should not be recited. Hayward.
Maimedly
Maim"ed*ly (?), adv. In a maimed manner.
Maimedness
Maim"ed*ness, n. State of being maimed. Bolton.
Main
Main (?), n. [F. main hand, L. manus. See Manual.]
1. A hand or match at dice. Prior. Thackeray.
2. A stake played for at dice. [Obs.] Shak.
3. The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given
limits, as in the game of hazard.
4. A match at cockfighting. "My lord would ride twenty miles . . . to
see a main fought." Thackeray.
5. A main-hamper. [Obs.] Ainsworth.
Main
Main, n. [AS. m\'91gen strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan,
Icel. megin, and to E. may, v. May, v.]
1. Strength; force; might; violent effort. [Obs., except in certain
phrases.]
There were in this battle of most might and main. R. of Gl.
He 'gan advance, With huge force, and with importable main.
Spenser.
2. The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing.
[Obs., except in special uses.]
Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to
use the other two . . . but as supporters. Bacon.
3. Specifically: (a) The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay,
etc. ; the high sea; the ocean. "Struggling in the main." Dryden. (b)
The continent, as distinguished from an island; the mainland. "Invaded
the main of Spain." Bacon. (c) principal duct or pipe, as
distinguished from lesser ones; esp. (Engin.), a principal pipe
leading to or from a reservoir; as, a fire main.
Forcing main, the delivery pipe of a pump. -- For the main, OR In the
main, for the most part; in the greatest part. -- With might and main,
OR With all one's might and main, with all one's strength; with
violent effort.
With might and main they chased the murderous fox. Dryden.
Main
Main (?), a. [From Main strength, possibly influenced by OF. maine,
magne, great, L. magnus. Cf. Magnate.]
1. Very or extremely strong. [Obs.]
That current with main fury ran. Daniel.
2. Vast; huge. [Obs.] "The main abyss." Milton.
3. Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. [Obs.] "It's a man untruth."
Sir W. Scott.
4. Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.
Our main interest is to be happy as we can. Tillotson.
5. Important; necessary. [Obs.]
That which thou aright Believest so main to our success, I bring.
Milton.
By main force, by mere force or sheer force; by violent effort; as, to
subdue insurrection by main force.
That Maine which by main force Warwick did win. Shak.
-- By main strength, by sheer strength; as, to lift a heavy weight by
main strength. -- Main beam (Steam Engine), working beam. -- Main boom
(Naut.), the boom which extends the foot of the mainsail in a fore and
aft vessel. -- Main brace. (a) (Mech.) The brace which resists the
chief strain. Cf. Counter brace. (b) (Naut.) The brace attached to the
main yard. -- Main center (Steam Engine), a shaft upon which a working
beam or side lever swings. -- Main chance. See under Chance. -- Main
couple (Arch.), the principal truss in a roof. -- Main deck (Naut.),
the deck next below the spar deck; the principal deck. -- Main keel
(Naut.), the principal or true keel of a vessel, as distinguished from
the false keel. Syn. -- Principal; chief; leading; cardinal; capital.
Main
Main, adv. [See Main, a.] Very extremely; as, main heavy. "I'm main
dry." Foote. [Obs. or Low]
Maine
Maine (?), n. One of the New England States. Maine law, any law
prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating beverages, esp.
one resembling that enacted in the State of Maine.
Main-gauche
Main`-gauche" (m&acr;N`g&omac;sh"), n. [F., the left hand.] (Ancient
Armor) The dagger held in the left hand, while the rapier is held in
the right; -- used to parry thrusts of the adversary's rapier.
Main-hamper
Main"-ham`per (?), n. [F. main hand (see Main a hand at dice) + E.
hamper.] A hamper to be carried in the hand; a hand basket used in
carrying grapes to the press.
Mainland
Main"land` (?), n. The continent; the principal land; -- opposed to
island, or peninsula. Dryden.
After the two wayfarers had crossed from the peninsula to the
mainland. Hawthorne.
Mainly
Main"ly (?), adv. [From main strong. See Main strength.] Very
strongly; mightily; to a great degree. [Obs.] Bacon. Shak.
Mainly
Main"ly, adv. [From main principal, chief.] Principally; chiefly.
Mainmast
Main"mast` (?), n. (Naut.) The principal mast in a ship or other
vessel.
Mainor
Main"or (?), n. [Anglo-Norm. meinoure, OF. manuevre. See Maneuver.]
(O. Eng. Law) A thing stolen found on the person of the thief.
NOTE: &hand; A th ief was said to be "taken with the mainor," when
he was taken with the thing stolen upon him, that is, in his hands.
Wharton. Bouvier.
Mainpernable
Main"per*na*ble (?), a. [OF. main hand + pernable, for prenable, that
may be taken, pregnable. See Mainpernor.] (Law) Capable of being
admitted to give surety by mainpernors; able to be mainprised.
Mainpernor
Main"per*nor (?), n. [OF. main hand + pernor, for preneor, a taker, F.
preneur, fr. prendre to take.] (Law) A surety, under the old writ of
mainprise, for a prisoner's appearance in court at a day.
NOTE: &hand; Ma inpernors differ from bail in that a man's bail may
imprison or surrender him before the stipulated day of appearance;
mainpernors can do neither; they are bound to produce him to answer
all charges whatsoever.
Blackstone.
Mainpin
Main"pin (?), n. (Vehicles) A kingbolt.
Mainprise
Main"prise (?), n. [F. main hand + prise a taking, fr. prendre, p. p.
pris to take, fr. L. prehendere, prehensum.] (Law) (a) A writ directed
to the sheriff, commanding him to take sureties, called mainpernors,
for the prisoner's appearance, and to let him go at large. This writ
is now obsolete. Wharton. (b) Deliverance of a prisoner on security
for his appearance at a day.
Mainprise
Main"prise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mainprised (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mainprising.] (Law) To suffer to go at large, on his finding sureties,
or mainpernors, for his appearance at a day; -- said of a prisoner.
Mains
Mains (?), n. [Scot. See Manse.] The farm attached to a mansion house.
[Scot.]
Mainsail
Main"sail` (?), n. (Naut.) The principal sail in a ship or other
vessel.
[They] hoised up the mainsail to the wind. Acts xxvii. 40.
NOTE: &hand; Th e ma insail of a sh ip is ex tended up on a yard
attached to the mainmast, and that of a sloop or schooner upon the
boom.
Mainsheet
Main"sheet` (?), n. (Naut.) One of the ropes by which the mainsail is
hauled aft and trimmed.
Mainspring
Main"spring` (?), n. The principal or most important spring in a piece
of mechanism, especially the moving spring of a watch or clock or the
spring in a gunlock which impels the hammer. Hence: The chief or most
powerful motive; the efficient cause of action.
Mainstay
Main"stay` (?), n.
1. (Naut.) The stay extending from the foot of the foremast to the
maintop.
2. Main support; principal dependence.
The great mainstay of the Church. Buckle.
Mainswear
Main"swear` (?), v. i. [AS. m\'benswerian to forswear; m\'ben sin,
crime + swerian to swear.] To swear falsely. [Obs.] Blount.
Maintain
Main*tain (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maintained (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Maintaining.] [OE. maintenen, F. maintenir, properly, to hold by the
hand; main hand (L. manus) + F. tenir to hold (L.tenere). See Manual,
and Tenable.]
1. To hold or keep in any particular state or condition; to support;
to sustain; to uphold; to keep up; not to suffer to fail or decline;
as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain a
fence or a railroad; to maintain the digestive process or powers of
the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present
reputation.
2. To keep possession of; to hold and defend; not to surrender or
relinquish.
God values . . . every one as he maintains his post. Grew.
3. To continue; not to suffer to cease or fail.
Maintain talk with the duke. Shak.
4. To bear the expense of; to support; to keep up; to supply with what
is needed.
Glad, by his labor, to maintain his life. Stirling.
What maintains one vice would bring up two children. Franklin.
5. To affirm; to support or defend by argument.
It is hard to maintain the truth, but much harder to be maintained
by it. South.
Syn. -- To assert; vindicate; allege. See Assert.
Maintainable
Main*tain"a*ble (?), a. That maybe maintained.
Maintainer
Main*tain"er (?), n. One who maintains.
Maintainor
Main*tain"or (?), n. [OF. mainteneor, F. mainteneur.] (Crim. Law) One
who, not being interested, maintains a cause depending between others,
by furnishing money, etc., to either party. Bouvier. Wharton.
Maintenance
Main"te*nance (?), n. [OF. maintenance. See Maintain.]
1. The act of maintaining; sustenance; support; defense; vindication.
Whatsoever is granted to the church for God's honor and the
maintenance of his service, is granted to God. South.
2. That which maintains or supports; means of sustenance; supply of
necessaries and conveniences.
Those of better fortune not making learning their maintenance.
Swift.
3. (Crim. Law) An officious or unlawful intermeddling in a cause
depending between others, by assisting either party with money or
means to carry it on. See Champerty. Wharton.
Cap of maintenance. See under Cap.
Maintop
Main"top` (?), n. (Naut.) The platform about the head of the mainmast
in square-rigged vessels.
Main yard
Main" yard` (?). (Naut.) The yard on which the mainsail is extended,
supported by the mainmast.
Maioid
Mai"oid (?), a. [Maia + -oid.] (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to the
genus Maia, or family Maiade\'91.
Maister
Mais"ter (?), n. Master. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.
Maister
Mais"ter, a. Principal; chief. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Maistre, Maistrie, Maistry
Mais"tre (?), Mais"trie, Mais"try (?), n. Mastery; superiority; art.
See Mastery. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Maistress
Mais"tress (?), n. Mistress. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Maithes
Mai"thes (?), n. (Bot.) Same as Maghet.
Maize
Maize (?), n. [Sp. maiz. fr. mahiz or mahis, i (Bot.) A large species
of American grass of the genus Zea (Z. Mays), widely cultivated as a
forage and food plant; Indian corn. Also, its seed, growing on cobs,
and used as food for men animals. Maize eater (Zo\'94l.), a South
American bird of the genus Pseudoleistes, allied to the troupials. --
Maize yellow, a delicate pale yellow.
Majestatic, Majestatal
Maj`es*tat"ic (?), Maj`es*tat"*al (?), a. Majestic. [Obs.] E. Pocock.
Dr. J. Scott.
Majestic
Ma*jes"tic (?), a. [From Majesty.] Possessing or exhibiting majesty;
of august dignity, stateliness, or imposing grandeur; lofty; noble;
grand. "The majestic world." Shak. "Tethys'grave majestic pace."
Milton.
The least portions must be of the epic kind; all must be grave,
majestic, and sublime. Dryden
. Syn. -- August; splendid; grand; sublime; magnificent; imperial;
regal; pompous; stately; lofty; dignified; elevated.
_________________________________________________________________
Page 885
Majestical
Ma*jes"tic*al (?), a. Majestic. Cowley.
An older architecture, greater, cunninger, more majestical. M.
Arnold.
-- Ma*jes"tic*al*ly, adv. -- Ma*jes"tic*al*ness, n.
Majesticness
Ma*jes"tic*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being majestic.
Oldenburg.
Majesty
Maj"es*ty (?), n.; pl. Majesties (#). [OE. magestee, F. majest\'82, L.
majestas, fr. an old compar. of magnus great. See Major, Master.] The
dignity and authority of sovereign power; quality or state which
inspires awe or reverence; grandeur; exalted dignity, whether
proceeding from rank, character, or bearing; imposing loftiness;
stateliness; -- usually applied to the rank and dignity of sovereigns.
The Lord reigneth; he is clothed with majesty. Ps. xciii. 1.
No sovereign has ever represented the majesty of great state with
more dignity and grace. Macaulay.
2. Hence, used with the possessive pronoun, the title of an emperor,
king or queen; -- in this sense taking a plural; as, their majesties
attended the concert.
In all the public writs which he [Emperor Charles V.] now issued as
King of Spain, he assumed the title of Majesty, and required it
from his subjects as a mark of respect. Before that time all the
monarchs of Europe were satisfied with the appellation of Highness
or Grace. Robertson.
3. Dignity; elevation of manner or style. Dryden.
Majolica
Ma*jol"i*ca (?), n. [It.] A kind of pottery, with opaque glazing and
showy, which reached its greatest perfection in Italy in the 16th
century.
NOTE: &hand; The term is said to be derived from Majorca, which was
an early seat of this manufacture.
Heyse.
Major
Ma"jor (?), [L. major, compar. of magnus great: cf. F. majeur. Cf.
Master, Mayor, Magnitude, More, a.]
1. Greater in number, quantity, or extent; as, the major part of the
assembly; the major part of the revenue; the major part of the
territory.
2. Of greater dignity; more important. Shak.
3. Of full legal age. [Obs.]
4. (Mus.) Greater by a semitone, either in interval or in difference
of pitch from another tone.
Major axis (Geom.), the greater axis. See Focus, n., 2. -- Major key
(Mus.), a key in which one and two, two and three, four and five, five
and six and seven, make major seconds, and three and four, and seven
and eight, make minor seconds. -- Major offense (Law), an offense of a
greater degree which contains a lesser offense, as murder and robbery
include assault. -- Major premise (Logic), that premise of a syllogism
which contains the major term. -- Major scale (Mus.), the natural
diatonic scale, which has semitones between the third and fourth, and
seventh and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees; the scale of the
major mode, of which the third is major. See Scale, and Diatonic. --
Major second (Mus.), a second between whose tones is a difference in
pitch of a step. -- Major sixth (Mus.), a sixth of four steps and a
half step. In major keys the third and sixth from the key tone are
major. Major keys and intervals, as distinguished from minors, are
more cheerful. -- Major term (Logic), that term of a syllogism which
forms the predicate of the conclusion. -- Major third (Mus.), a third
of two steps.
Major
Ma"jor, n. [F. major. See Major, a.]
1. (Mil.) An officer next in rank above a captain and next below a
lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer.
2. (Law) A person of full age.
3. (Logic) That premise which contains the major term. It its the
first proposition of a regular syllogism; as: No unholy person is
qualified for happiness in heaven [the major]. Every man in his
natural state is unholy [minor]. Therefore, no man in his natural
state is qualified for happiness in heaven [conclusion or inference].
NOTE: &hand; In hy pothetical syllogisms, the hypothetical premise
is called the major.
4. [LL. See Major.] A mayor. [Obs.] Bacon.
Majorat
Ma`jo`rat" (?), n. [F. majorat, LL. majoratus. See Major, a., and cf.
Majorate.]
1. The right of succession to property according to age; -- so termed
in some of the countries of continental Europe.
2. (French Law) Property, landed or funded, so attached to a title of
honor as to descend with it.
Majorate
Ma"jor*ate (?), n. The office or rank of a major.
Majorate
Ma"jor*ate (?), v. t. [LL. majorare to augment. See Major, a.] To
augment; to increase. [Obs.] Howell.
Majoration
Ma`jor*a"tion (?), n. Increase; enlargement. [Obs.] Bacon.
Majorcan
Ma*jor"can (?), a. Of or pertaining to Majorca. -- n. A native or
inhabitant of Majorca.
Major-domo
Ma`jor-do"mo (?), n. [Sp. mayordomo, or It. maggiordomo; both fr. LL.
majordomus; L. major greater + domus house.] A man who has authority
to act, within certain limits, as master of the house; a steward;
also, a chief minister or officer.
Major general
Ma"jor gen"er*al (?). An officer of the army holding a rank next above
that of brigadier general and next below that of lieutenant general,
and who usually commands a division or a corps.
Majority
Ma*jor"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Majorities (#). [F. majorit\'82. See Major.]
1. The quality or condition of being major or greater; superiority.
Specifically: (a) The military rank of a major. (b) The condition of
being of full age, or authorized by law to manage one's own affairs.
2. The greater number; more than half; as, a majority of mankind; a
majority of the votes cast.
3. [Cf. L. majores.] Ancestors; ancestry. [Obs.]
4. The amount or number by which one aggregate exceeds all other
aggregates with which it is contrasted; especially, the number by
which the votes for a successful candidate exceed those for all other
candidates; as, he is elected by a majority of five hundred votes. See
Plurality.
To go over to, OR To join, the majority, to die.
Majorship
Ma"jor*ship (?), n. The office of major.
Majoun
Maj"oun (?), n. See Madjoun.
Majuscul\'91
Ma*jus"cu*l\'91 (?), n. pl. [L., fem. pl. fr. majusculus somewhat
greater or great, dim. of major, majus. See Major.] (Pal\'91ography)
Capital letters, as found in manuscripts of the sixth century and
earlier.
Majuscule
Ma*jus"cule (?), n. [Cf. F. majuscule. See Majuscul\'91.] A capital
letter; especially, one used in ancient manuscripts. See Majuscul\'91.
Majuscule writing, writing composed wholly of capital letters,
especially the style which prevailed in Europe from the third to the
sixth century.
Makable
Mak"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being made.
Makaron
Mak"a*ron (?), n. See Macaroon, 2. [Obs.]
Make
Make (?), n. [AS. maca, gemaca. See Match.] A companion; a mate;
often, a husband or a wife. [Obs.]
For in this world no woman is Worthy to be my make. Chaucer.
Make
Make, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Made (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Making.] [OE.
maken, makien, AS. macian; akin to OS. mak, OFries. makia, D. maken,
G. machen, OHG. mahh to join, fit, prepare, make, Dan. mage. Cf. Match
an equal.]
1. To cause to exist; to bring into being; to form; to produce; to
frame; to fashion; to create. Hence, in various specific uses or
applications: (a) To form of materials; to cause to exist in a certain
form; to construct; to fabricate.
He . . . fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a
molten calf. Ex. xxxii. 4.
(b) To produce, as something artificial, unnatural, or false; -- often
with up; as, to make up a story.
And Art, with her contending, doth aspire To excel the natural with
made delights. Spenser.
(c) To bring about; to bring forward; to be the cause or agent of; to
effect, do, perform, or execute; -- often used with a noun to form a
phrase equivalent to the simple verb that corresponds to such noun;
as, to make complaint, for to complain; to make record of, for to
record; to make abode, for to abide, etc.
Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. Judg. xvi. 25.
Wealth maketh many friends. Prov. xix. 4.
I will neither plead my age nor sickness in excuse of the faults
which I have made. Dryden.
(d) To execute with the requisite formalities; as, to make a bill,
note, will, deed, etc. (e) To gain, as the result of one's efforts; to
get, as profit; to make acquisition of; to have accrue or happen to
one; as, to make a large profit; to make an error; to make a loss; to
make money.
He accuseth Neptune unjustly who makes shipwreck a second time.
Bacon.
(f) To find, as the result of calculation or computation; to ascertain
by enumeration; to find the number or amount of, by reckoning,
weighing, measurement, and the like; as, he made the distance of; to
travel over; as, the ship makes ten knots an hour; he made the
distance in one day. (h) To put a desired or desirable condition; to
cause to thrive.
Who makes or ruins with a smile or frown. Dryden.
2. To cause to be or become; to put into a given state verb, or
adjective; to constitute; as, to make known; to make public; to make
fast.
Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? Ex. ii. 14.
See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh. Ex. vii. 1.
NOTE: &hand; When used reflexively with an adjective, the reflexive
pronoun is often omitted; as, to make merry; to make bold; to make
free, etc.
3. To cause to appear to be; to constitute subjectively; to esteem,
suppose, or represent.
He is not that goose and ass that Valla would make him. Baker.
4. To require; to constrain; to compel; to force; to cause; to
occasion; -- followed by a noun or pronoun and infinitive.
NOTE: &hand; In th e ac tive vo ice th e to of the infinitive is
usually omitted.
I will make them hear my words. Deut. iv. 10.
They should be made to rise at their early hour. Locke.
5. To become; to be, or to be capable of being, changed or fashioned
into; to do the part or office of; to furnish the material for; as, he
will make a good musician; sweet cider makes sour vinegar; wool makes
warm clothing.
And old cloak makes a new jerkin. Shak.
6. To compose, as parts, ingredients, or materials; to constitute; to
form; to amount to.
The heaven, the air, the earth, and boundless sea, Make but one
temple for the Deity. Waller.
7. To be engaged or concerned in. [Obs.]
Gomez, what makest thou here, with a whole brotherhood of city
bailiffs? Dryden.
8. To reach; to attain; to arrive at or in sight of. "And make the
Libyan shores." Dryden.
They that sail in the middle can make no land of either side. Sir
T. Browne.
To make a bed, to prepare a bed for being slept on, or to put it in
order. -- To make a card (Card Playing), to take a trick with it. --
To make account. See under Account, n. -- To make account of, to
esteem; to regard. -- To make away. (a) To put out of the way; to
kill; to destroy. [Obs.]
If a child were crooked or deformed in body or mind, they made him
away. Burton.
(b) To alienate; to transfer; to make over. [Obs.] Waller. -- To make
believe, to pretend; to feign; to simulate. -- To make bold, to take
the liberty; to venture. -- To make th