Lupus
Lupus, lū′pus, n. a chronic tuberculosis of the skin, often affecting the nose. [L. lupus, a wolf.]
English · e-38538-7779 · brief source recordHistorical source · 1908
Thomas Davidson (editor). Read this edition’s full extracted entries and its original proposals. Publication here preserves a source; it does not endorse every claim.
Coverage: the complete A–Z main-entry clusters and dictionary Addenda. Derivative words remain within their original entry clusters. Non-dictionary appendices and standalone illustrations are excluded.
United States Publisher marks these historical texts public domain in the USA. Transformed book text excludes Gutenberg branding; source attribution is a bibliographic acknowledgment. No non-US public-domain determination is made. Rights statement ↗
Lupus, lū′pus, n. a chronic tuberculosis of the skin, often affecting the nose. [L. lupus, a wolf.]
English · e-38538-7779 · brief source recordLurch, lurch, n. an ancient card-game: in cribbage, the position of the party who has gained every point before the other makes one.—v.t. to overreach: (arch.) to steal.—Leave in the lurch, to leave in a difficult situat
English · e-38538-7780Lurch, lurch, v.i. to evade by stooping, to lurk: to roll or pitch suddenly to one side (as a ship).—n. a sudden roll of a ship.—n. Lurch′er, a name applied to any dog with a distinct cross of greyhound: one who lies in
English · e-38538-7781Lurdan, lur′dan, adj. (arch.) stupid.—n. a stupid person.—Also Lur′dane, Lur′den. [O. Fr. lourdein, dull—lourd, heavy.]
English · e-38538-7782 · brief source recordLure, lūr, n. any enticement: bait: decoy: (Shak.) a stuffed bird used in falconry for training the hawk.—v.t. to entice: decoy. [O. Fr. loerre (Fr. leurre)—Mid. High Ger. luoder (Ger. luder), bait.]
English · e-38538-7783Lure, lūr, n. a trumpet with long curved tube, used for calling cattle, &c. [Ice. lúdhr.]
English · e-38538-7784 · brief source recordLurid, lū′rid, adj. ghastly pale, wan: ghastly and sensational: gloomy.—adv. Lū′ridly. [L. luridus.]
English · e-38538-7785 · brief source recordLurk, lurk, v.i. to lie in wait: to be concealed.—n. a swindle.—n. Lurk′er.—adj. Lurk′ing, lying hid: keeping out of sight.—n. Lurk′ing-place, a hiding-place. [Scand., Sw. prov. luska.]
English · e-38538-7786Lurry, lur′i, n. (Milt.) confusion.
English · e-38538-7787 · brief source recordLuscious, lush′us, adj. sweet in a great degree: delightful: fulsome, as flattery.—adv. Lusc′iously.—n. Lusc′iousness. [Old form lushious, from lusty.]
English · e-38538-7788Lush, lush, adj. rich and juicy, of grass. [A contr. of lushious, old form of luscious.]
English · e-38538-7789 · brief source recordLush, lush, v.t. to swill.—n. plentiful liquor.—adj. Lush′y, tipsy.
English · e-38538-7790 · brief source recordLusiad, lū′si-ad, n. a Portuguese epic by Camoens, celebrating the chief events in the history of Portugal.—adj. Lusitā′nian, Portuguese. [Port. Os Lusiadas, the Lusitanians.]
English · e-38538-7791Lusk, lusk, adj. (obs.) lazy.—v.i. to lie about lazily.—adj. Lusk′ish (obs.).—n. Lusk′ishness (Spens.).
English · e-38538-7792 · brief source recordLust, lust, n. longing desire: eagerness to possess: carnal appetite: (B.) any violent or depraved desire.—v.i. to desire eagerly (with after, for): to have carnal desire: to have depraved desires.—adjs. Lust′-breathed (
English · e-38538-7793Lustre, lus′tėr, n. brightness, gloss, splendour: (fig.) renown: a candlestick ornamented with pendants of cut-glass: the characteristic appearance of a bright metallic surface, or of air within glass under water as seen
English · e-38538-7794Lustre, lus′tėr, Lustrum, lus′trum, n. a period of five years: (orig.) the solemn offering for the purification of the Roman people made by one of the censors at the conclusion of the census, taken every five years.—adj.
English · e-38538-7795Lustring, lus′tring, n. a glossy silk cloth.—Also Lus′trine, Lute′string. [Fr. lustrine—It. lustrino.]
English · e-38538-7796 · brief source recordLusty. See Lust.
English · e-38538-7797 · brief source recordLute, lūt, n. a medieval stringed instrument of music like the guitar.—v.i. to play on the lute.—ns. Lut′anist, Lut′er, Lut′ist, a player on a lute; Lute′string, the string of a lute. [O. Fr. lut (Fr. luth); like Ger. la
English · e-38538-7798Lute, lūt, n. a composition used to exclude air, as round pipe-joints: a brickmaker's straight-edge scraper: a rubber packing-ring for a jar.—v.t. to close or coat with lute.—adjs. Lutā′rious, Lū′teous, of or like mud.—n
English · e-38538-7799Luteolin, lū′tē-ō-lin, n. the yellow colouring matter of weld or dyer's weed.—adjs. Lutē′olous, yellowish; Lū′teous, golden-yellowish. [L. lutum, weld.]
English · e-38538-7800Lutetian, lū-tē′shan, adj. Parisian. [L.]
English · e-38538-7801 · brief source recordLutheran, lū′thėr-an, adj. pertaining to Luther, the great German Protestant reformer (1483-1546), or to his doctrines: a follower of Luther.—ns. Lu′theranism, Lū′therism; Lū′therist.
English · e-38538-7802Luxate, luks′āt, v.t. to put out of joint: to displace.—n. Luxā′tion, a dislocation. [L. luxāre, -ātum—luxus—Gr. loxos, slanting.]
English · e-38538-7803Luxury, luk′sū-ri, n. free indulgence in rich diet or costly dress or equipage: anything delightful: a dainty: (Shak.) wantonness.—ns. Luxū′riance, Luxū′riancy, Luxurī′ety.—adj. Luxū′riant, exuberant in growth: overabund
English · e-38538-7804Luz, luz, n. a bone supposed by Rabbinical writers to be indestructible, probably the sacrum.
English · e-38538-7805 · brief source recordLuzula, lū′zū-lä, n. a genus of plants of the rush family, having plain leaves, covered with thinly scattered, longish hairs. [Old It. luzziola, a firefly.]
English · e-38538-7806Lyam, lī′am, n. a leash.—Also Lime.
English · e-38538-7807 · brief source recordLyart. See Liard.
English · e-38538-7808 · brief source recordLycanthropy, lī-kan′thro-pi, n. the power possessed by a person of changing himself into a wolf: a kind of madness, in which the patient fancies himself to be a wolf.—ns. Lycan′thrope, Lycan′thropist, a wolf-man or were-
English · e-38538-7809Lyceum, lī-sē′um, n. a place devoted to instruction by lectures: an association for literary improvement. [Orig. the name of a place in the immediate neighbourhood of Athens, consecrated to Apollo Lyceios, where Aristotl
English · e-38538-7810Lychgate. Same as Lichgate.
English · e-38538-7811 · brief source recordLychnic, lik′nik, n. a part of the vespers of the Greek Church on the occasion of a vigil.—n. Lychnap′sia, a series of seven prayers in the vespers of the Greek Church.—adj. Lychnid′iate, emitting light, phosphorescent.—
English · e-38538-7812Lychnis, lik′nis, n. a genus of erect ornamental herbs of the pink family—campions or wall-flowers. [L.]
English · e-38538-7813 · brief source recordLycopodiaceæ, lī-ko-pō-di-ā′se-ē, n.pl. a class of isoporous vascular cryptogams, having mostly a dichotomous form of branching—its typical genus Lycopō′dium.—n. Ly′copode, a highly inflammable yellow powder made up of t
English · e-38538-7814Lyddite, lid′īt, n. a powerful explosive made (at Lydd in Kent) from picrate of potash.
English · e-38538-7815 · brief source recordLydian, lid′i-an, adj. pertaining to Lydia in Asia Minor: of an ancient Greek mode of music: (mus.) soft and slow: luxurious and effeminate.
English · e-38538-7816Lye, lī, n. a short side-branch of railway.
English · e-38538-7817 · brief source recordLye, lī, n. a solution leached from ashes: a solution of the fixed alkalies, potash and soda, in water. [A.S. leáh; Ger. lauge; allied to lavāre, to wash.]
English · e-38538-7818Lyencephalous, lī-en-sef′a-lus, adj. having the corpus callosum absent or rudimentary.
English · e-38538-7819 · brief source recordLying, lī′ing, adj. addicted to telling lies.—n. the habit of telling lies.—adv. Ly′ingly.
English · e-38538-7820 · brief source recordLying, lī′ing, adj. being in a horizontal position.—n. Ly′ing-in, the confinement of women during child-bearing—also adj.
English · e-38538-7821Lyke-wake, līk′-wāk, n. Same as Lich-wake.
English · e-38538-7822 · brief source recordLym, lim, n. (Shak.) a lime-hound.—Also Lym′-hound.
English · e-38538-7823 · brief source recordLyme-grass, līm′-gras, n. any one of various coarse grasses of genus Elymus.
English · e-38538-7824 · brief source recordLymph, limf, n. water: a colourless or faintly-yellowish fluid in animal bodies, of a rather saltish taste, and with an alkaline reaction.—n. Lymphangī′tis (see Weed, 3).—adj. Lymphat′ic, pertaining to lymph.—n. a vessel
English · e-38538-7825Lymphad, lim′fad, n. (Scot.) a kind of sailing-vessel.
English · e-38538-7826 · brief source recordLynch, linsh, v.t. to judge and punish without the usual forms of law.—n. Lynch′-law (Amer.), a kind of summary justice exercised by the people. [From Charles Lynch (1736-96) of Virginia.]
English · e-38538-7827Lynx, lingks, n. a genus of Felidæ, with the body elevated at the haunches, long fur, a short tail, the ears tipped with tufts of hair.—adjs. Lyncē′an, Lynx′-eyed, sharp-sighted. [L.,—Gr.]
English · e-38538-7828Lyon Court, lī′un kōrt, n. the court in Scotland with jurisdiction in questions of coat-armour and precedency—presided over by the Lyon King-of-arms. [From the heraldic lion of Scotland.]
English · e-38538-7829Lyre, līr, n. a musical instrument like the harp, anciently used as an accompaniment to poetry.—n. Ly′ra, one of the northern constellations.—adjs. Ly′rate, -d (bot.), lyre-shaped.—ns. Lyre′bird, an Australian bird about
English · e-38538-7830Lysimeter, lī-sim′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring the rate of percolation of rain through a soil.
English · e-38538-7831 · brief source recordLysis, lī′sis, n. the gradual abatement of a disease, as distinguished from crisis: (archit.) a plinth or step above the cornice of the podium in an ancient temple. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-7832Lyssa, lis′a, n. hydrophobia. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-7833 · brief source recordLyterian, lī-tē′ri-an, adj. terminating a disease. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-7834 · brief source recordLythe, līth, adj. (Spens.) pliant, flexible. [Lithe.]
English · e-38538-7835 · brief source recordLytta, lit′a, n. a longitudinal vermiform cartilaginous or fibrous band on the under surface of the tongue in carnivores—the 'worm' of a dog's tongue. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-7836M, the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, belonging to the labio-nasal class of consonants. M=1000; [overline: M]=1,000,000.—M-roof, a roof formed by the junction of two common roofs, so that its end is like the letter M
English · e-38538-7837M roof. See under letter M.
English · e-38538-9470 · brief source recordMa, mä, n. a childish contraction for mamma.
English · e-38538-7838 · brief source recordMa′am, mäm, n. a colloquial contraction of madam—vulgarly Marm, Mum.
English · e-38538-7839 · brief source recordMab, mab, n. the name of a female fairy: the queen of the fairies—hence any fairy. [W. mab, child.]
English · e-38538-7840 · brief source recordMab, mab, v.t. and v.i. (prov.) to dress untidily.
English · e-38538-7841 · brief source recordMabinogion, mab-i-nō′ji-on, n. a collection of four Arthurian romances, embodied in the 12th century, embraced with seven other prose tales in the Red Book, or Hergest, a Welsh MS. of the 14th century—the whole published
English · e-38538-7842Mac, mak, a prefix in Scotch names, meaning son (of). [Gael. and Ir. mac, son; W. map, mab, also ap, ab.]
English · e-38538-7843 · brief source recordMacaberesque, ma-kā-bėr-esk′, adj. pertaining to, or like, the Dance of Death. [Fr. La Danse Macabre, Low L. Machabæorum chorea, the dance of the Maccabees, prob. because the seven brothers whose martyrdom is recorded in
English · e-38538-7844Macadamise, mak-ad′am-īz, v.t. to cover, as a road, with small broken stones, so as to form a smooth, hard surface.—ns. Macad′am, macadamised pavement; Macadamisā′tion. [From John Loudon Macadam (1756-1836).]
English · e-38538-7845Macaque, ma-kak′, n. a monkey of genus Macacus, between baboons and the African mangabeys.
English · e-38538-7846 · brief source recordMacarise, mak′a-rīz, v.t. to bless, pronounce happy.—adj. Macā′rian, blessed.—n. Mac′arism, a beatitude. [Gr. makar, happy.]
English · e-38538-7847Macaroni, mak-a-rō′ni, n. a kind of paste or dough prepared from the glutinous granular flour of hard varieties of wheat, pressed out through a perforated vessel into long tubes, and then dried: a medley: something fanci
English · e-38538-7848Macaroon, mak-a-rōōn′, n. a sweet biscuit made chiefly of almonds and sugar. [Fr.,—It. maccaroni above.]
English · e-38538-7849 · brief source recordMacassar-oil, ma-kas′ar-oil, n. an oil much used for the hair, imported from India and other Eastern countries. [From Macassar in Celebes.]
English · e-38538-7850Macaw, ma-kaw′, n. a genus of large and beautiful birds with a long tail, found in tropical America, closely allied to the parrots. [Brazil. macao.]
English · e-38538-7851Maccabean, mak-a-bē′an, adj. pertaining to Judas Maccabeus, or to the Maccabees, an ancient Jewish family who rescued Judea from the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes, king of Syria, about 166 B.C.—as related in two hi
English · e-38538-7852Mace, mās, n. a staff used as a mark of authority: a light, flat-headed stick in use at billiards before the introduction of the bridge or cue-rest: formerly, a weapon of war, consisting of a staff headed with a heavy sp
English · e-38538-7853Mace, mās, n. a kind of spice: the second coat of the nutmeg. [O. Fr. macis—L. macer—Gr. maker.]
English · e-38538-7854 · brief source recordMacerate, mas′ėr-āt, v.t. to steep: to soften by steeping: to make lean: to mortify.—n. Macerā′tion, act of softening by steeping: mortification of the flesh by fasting and other severe modes of living. [L. macerāre, -āt
English · e-38538-7855Machete, ma-chā′tā, n. a heavy knife or cutlass used by the Cubans, &c. [Sp.]
English · e-38538-7856 · brief source recordMachiavellian, mak-i-a-vēl′yan, adj. destitute of political morality, following expediency rather than right: cunning, crafty, perfidious.—n. one who imitates Machiavel—more correctly, Niccolo Machiavelli—of Florence (14
English · e-38538-7857Machicolation, mach-i-ko-lā′shun, n. (archit.) a projecting parapet or gallery with openings for pouring molten substances upon an attacking force below: the construction or use of such means of defence.—adj. Machic′olat
English · e-38538-7858Machinate, mak′i-nāt, v.t. to contrive skilfully: to form a plot or scheme, esp. for doing harm.—ns. Machinā′tion, act of machinating or contriving a scheme for carrying out some purpose, esp. an evil one: an artful desi
English · e-38538-7859Machine, ma-shēn′, n. any artificial means or contrivance: any instrument for the conversion of motion: an engine: a coach or conveyance of any kind: one who can do only what he is told: a contrivance in the ancient Gree
English · e-38538-7860Mack′erel, mak′ėr-el, n. a food fish, dark blue, with wavy cross-streaks above, and silvery below.—n. Mack′erel-sky, a sky with clouds broken into long, thin, white, parallel masses. [O. Fr. makerel (Fr. maquereau), prob
English · e-38538-7861Mackintosh, mak′in-tosh, n. a waterproof overcoat. [From Charles Mackintosh (1766-1843), the inventor.]
English · e-38538-7862 · brief source recordMackle, mak′l, n. a spot or blemish in printing, by a double impression, wrinkling, &c.—v.t. to spot, blur.
English · e-38538-7863 · brief source recordMacle, mak′l, n. a kind of twin crystal: a kind of cross-stone or hollow-spar, called also Chiastolite, having the axis and angles of its crystals coloured differently from the rest.—adj. Mac′led, spotted. [Through Fr.,
English · e-38538-7864Macmillanite, mak-mil′an-īt, n. an old name for a member of the Scottish sect of Cameronians or Reformed Presbyterians. [From John Macmillan, (1670-1753), the first ordained minister who associated himself with the 'suff
English · e-38538-7865Macramé, mak-ra-mā′, n. a fringe or trimming of knotted thread—also knotted bar-work. [It.]
English · e-38538-7866 · brief source recordMacrobiotic, mak-rō-bi-ot′ik, adj. long-lived.—ns. Macrobiō′sis, long life; Macrō′biote, one who lives long; Macrobiot′ics, the study of longevity.
English · e-38538-7867Macrocephalous, mak-ro-sef′a-lus, adj. having a large or long head.—Also Macrocephal′ic. [Gr. makros, long or great, kephalē, a head.]
English · e-38538-7868Macrocosm, mak′ro-kozm, n. the great world: the whole universe:—opp. to Microcosm.—adj. Macrocos′mic. [Gr. makros, long, kosmos, world.]
English · e-38538-7869Macrodactyl, mak-ro-dak′til, adj. having long toes.—n. a wading-bird having such:—pl. Macrodac′tylī, and -a. [Gr. makros, long, daktylos, finger.]
English · e-38538-7870Macrology, mak-rol′o-ji, n. much talk with little to say. [Gr. makros, long, logos, a word.]
English · e-38538-7871 · brief source recordMacron, mak′ron, n. a straight line placed over a vowel to show that it is long:—opp. to Breve, the mark of a short vowel. [Gr., 'long.']
English · e-38538-7872Macropod, mak′ro-pod, adj. having long feet.—n. a long-legged or long-footed animal: one of the spider-crabs.—adjs. Macrop′odal, Macrop′odan, Macropō′dian, Macrop′odous (bot.). [Gr. makros, long, pous, podos, a foot.]
English · e-38538-7873Macropterous, mak-rop′te-rus, adj. long-winged. [Gr. makros, long, pteron, a wing.]
English · e-38538-7874 · brief source recordMacroscian, mak-ros′i-an, adj. casting a long shadow.—n. an inhabitant of the Arctic or Antarctic zones. [Gr. makros, long, skia, shadow.]
English · e-38538-7875Macroscopic, mak-ro-skop′ik, adj. visible to the naked eye:—opp. to Microscopic.—adv. Macroscop′ically. [Gr. makros, long, skopein, to see.]
English · e-38538-7876Macrospore, mak′ro-spōr, n. a more than usually large spore of a flowerless plant, as in club-mosses, &c.—n. Macrosporan′gium, a sporangium containing macrospores. [Gr. makros, long, spora, a seed.]
English · e-38538-7877Macrurous, mak-rōō′rus, adj. long-tailed.—Also Macru′ral. [Gr. makros, long, oura, tail.]
English · e-38538-7878 · brief source recordMacula, mak′ū-la, n. a spot, as on the skin, or on the surface of the sun, moon, or planets:—pl. Maculæ (mak′ū-lē).—v.t. Mac′ulāte, to spot, to defile.—n. Maculā′tion, act of spotting, a spot.—adj. Maculose (mak′ū-lōz),
English · e-38538-7879Mad, mad, adj. (comp. Mad′der; superl. Mad′dest) disordered in intellect: insane: proceeding from madness, rabid: troubled in mind: excited with any violent passion or appetite: furious with anger.—v.t. (Shak.) to drive
English · e-38538-7880Mad-apple, mad′-ap-l, n. the egg-plant.
English · e-38538-7882 · brief source recordMadam, mad′am, n. a courteous form of address to a lady, esp. an elderly or a married one: a woman of fashion:—pl. Mad′ams, or Mesdames (mā-dam′). [Fr.,—ma, my, dame, lady—L. mea domina.]
English · e-38538-7881Madarosis, mad-a-rō′sis, n. loss of the hair, esp. of the eyelashes. [Gr.,—madaros, bald, madan, to fall off.]
English · e-38538-7883 · brief source recordMadder, mad′ėr, n. a plant whose root affords a red dye.—ns. Madd′er-lake, a colour mixed either with oil or water, made from madder; Madd′er-wort, any plant of the Rubiaceæ or madder family. [A.S. mæderu; Ice. maðra, Du
English · e-38538-7884Made, mād, pa.t. and pa.p. of make.—Made continually (Pr. Bk.), established for ever; Made dish, a dish of meat, &c., recooked: an entrée; Made up, put together, finished: dressed for a part, disguised: perfect: artifici
English · e-38538-7885Madeira, ma-dē′ra, n. a rich wine of the sherry class produced in Madeira.
English · e-38538-7886 · brief source recordMademoiselle, mad-mwa-zel′, n. a courteous form of address to a young lady: Miss. [Fr., ma, my, and demoiselle.]
English · e-38538-7887 · brief source recordMadge, maj, n. a leaden hammer.
English · e-38538-7888 · brief source recordMadge, maj, n. the magpie.
English · e-38538-7889 · brief source recordMadia, mā′di-a, n. a genus of American herbs of the aster family, the tarweeds—a Chilian species yielding a valuable oil.
English · e-38538-7890Madid, mad′id, adj. wet, dank. [L. madidus—madēre, to be wet; akin to Gr. madaein.]
English · e-38538-7891 · brief source recordMadonna, Madona, ma-don′a, n. a name given to the Virgin, esp. as seen in works of art: (Shak.) my lady.—adv. Madonn′a-wise, after the fashion of the Madonna, esp. in the arrangement of a woman's hair. [It., lit. 'my lad
English · e-38538-7892Madras, ma-dras′, n. a large handkerchief of silk and cotton, usually in bright colours, worn on the head by West Indian negroes.
English · e-38538-7893Madrepore, mad′re-pōr, n. the common coral. [Fr.,—It., from madre, mother—L. mater, and -pora—Gr. pōros, a soft stone.]
English · e-38538-7894 · brief source recordMadrigal, mad′ri-gal, n. (mus.) a piece of music for the voice in five or six parts: a short poem expressing a graceful and tender thought.—adj. Madrigā′lian.—n. Mad′rigalist. [It., from mandra, a sheep-fold—L. mandra.]
English · e-38538-7895Madroño, ma-drō′nyō, n. a handsome evergreen tree of North California.—Also Madrō′ña.
English · e-38538-7896 · brief source recordMæcenas, mā-sē′nas, n. a Roman knight who befriended the poets Virgil and Horace: any rich patron of art or literature.
English · e-38538-7897 · brief source recordMaelstrom, māl′strom, n. a celebrated whirlpool off the coast of Norway: any resistless overpowering influence for destruction. [Norw., 'grinding stream.']
English · e-38538-7898Mænad, mē′nad, n. a female follower of Bacchus, a woman beside herself with frenzy.—adj. Mænad′ic, bacchanalian: furious. [Gr. mainas, -ados, raving—mainesthai, to be mad.]
English · e-38538-7899Maestoso, mā-es-tō′zo, adj. and adv. (mus.) with dignity or majesty. [It.]
English · e-38538-7900 · brief source recordMaestro, ma-es′trō, n. a master, esp. an eminent musical composer or conductor. [It.]
English · e-38538-7901 · brief source recordMafficking, maf′fik-ing, n. noisy rejoicings of the mob. [From the scene in the streets of London when the news of the relief of Mafeking was received (1900).]
English · e-38700-10036Maffled, maf′ld, adj. (prov.) confused in the intellect.—n. Maff′ling, a simpleton.
English · e-38538-7902 · brief source recordMag, mag, n. a halfpenny.—Also Maik, Make.
English · e-38538-7903 · brief source recordMag, mag, v.i. (prov.) to chatter.—v.t. to tease.—n. chatter: the magpie: the long-tailed titmouse.
English · e-38538-7904 · brief source recordMag, mag, v.t. (slang) to steal.—n. Mags′man, a street swindler.
English · e-38538-7905 · brief source recordMagazine, mag-a-zēn′, n. a storehouse: a place for military stores: the gunpowder-room in a ship: a pamphlet or small book published from time to time, containing compositions on various subjects.—ns. Magazine′-gun, or -
English · e-38538-7906Magdalen, mag′da-len, n. a repentant prostitute.—Also Mag′dalene. [From Mary Magdalene (Luke, viii. 2), confused with the woman of Luke vii. 37-50.]
English · e-38538-7907Magdeburg hemispheres, mag′de-bōōrg hem′i-sfērz, n.pl. two hemispherical cups from within which, when placed together, the air can be removed by an air-pump to show the pressure of the air on the outside. [Invented at Ma
English · e-38538-7908Mage, māj, n. a magician, enchanter (see Magi).
English · e-38538-7909 · brief source recordMagenta, ma-jen′ta, n. a colour between pink and red. [From the battle of Magenta in North Italy, 1859.]
English · e-38538-7910 · brief source recordMaggot, mag′ut, n. a worm or grub: a whim.—adj. Magg′oty, full of maggots. [W. maceiad, akin to magiaid, worms, magu, to breed.]
English · e-38538-7911Magi, mā′jī, n.pl. priests of the ancient Persians: the Wise Men of the East.—adj. Mā′gian, pertaining to the Magi.—n. one of the Magi.—ns. Mā′gianism, or Mā′gism, the philosophy or doctrines of the Magi. [L.,—Gr. magos,
English · e-38538-7912Magic, maj′ik, n. the pretended art of producing marvellous results by the aid of spirits, or of the secret forces of nature: enchantment: sorcery.—adjs. Mag′ic, -al, pertaining to, used in, or done by magic: causing won
English · e-38538-7913Magilp, ma-gilp′, n. a vehicle used by oil-painters, consisting of linseed-oil and mastic varnish—written also Megilp′. [Prob. from a proper name.]
English · e-38538-7914Magisterial, maj-is-tē′ri-al, adj. pertaining or suitable to a master: in the manner of a master: of the rank of a magistrate: authoritative: proud: dignified.—n. Magis′ter, master.—adv. Magistē′rially.—ns. Magistē′rialn
English · e-38538-7915Magistrate, maj′is-trāt, n. a person entrusted with the power of putting the laws in force: a justice of the peace.—n. Mag′istracy, the office or dignity of a magistrate: the body of magistrates.—adj. Mag′istral, magiste
English · e-38538-7916Magma, mag′ma, n. any soft doughy mass: the molten mass within the earth's crust: the residuum after expressing the juice from fruits. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-7917Magna Charta, mag′na kär′ta, n. the Great Charter obtained from King John, 1215 A.D. [L.]
English · e-38538-7918 · brief source recordMagnanerie, man-yan′e-rē, n. a place for rearing silkworms. [Fr.]
English · e-38538-7919 · brief source recordMagnanimity, mag-na-nim′i-ti, n. greatness of soul: elevation of dignity, of mind: that quality of mind which raises a person above all that is mean of unjust: generosity.—adj. Magnan′imous, elevated in sentiment, noble:
English · e-38538-7920Magnate, mag′nāt, n. a noble: a man of rank or wealth. [Fr. magnat, a title of Hungarian and Polish nobles—L. magnas, magnatis, a prince—magnus, great.]
English · e-38538-7921Magnes, mag′nēz, n. (Spens.) the magnet. [L.]
English · e-38538-7922 · brief source recordMagnesium, mag-nē′shi-um, or -si-um, n. a metal of a bright, silver-white colour, which while burning gives a dazzling white light, and forms magnesia.—n. Magnē′sia, a light white powder, got by burning magnesium, used a
English · e-38538-7923Magnet, mag′net, n. the lodestone, an iron ore which attracts iron, and, when hung so that it can move freely, points to the poles: a bar or piece of steel to which the properties of the lodestone have been imparted.—adj
English · e-38538-7924Magnificat, mag-nif′i-kat, n. the song of the Virgin Mary, Luke, i. 46-55, beginning in the Vulgate with this word. [L. '(my soul) doth magnify,' 3d pers. sing. pres. ind. of magnificāre.]
English · e-38538-7925Magnificent, mag-nif′i-sent, adj. great in deeds or in appearance: grand: noble: pompous: displaying greatness of size or extent.—n. Magnif′icence.—adv. Magnif′icently.—n. Magnif′ico (Shak.), a title for a Venetian noble
English · e-38538-7926Magnify, mag′ni-fī, v.t. to make great or greater: to enlarge: to cause to appear greater: to exaggerate: to praise highly:—pa.p. mag′nified.—adjs. Mag′nifiable, that may be magnified; Magnif′ic, -al, great: splendid: no
English · e-38538-7927Magniloquent, mag-nil′o-kwent, adj. speaking in a grand or pompous style: bombastic.—n. Magnil′oquence.—adv. Magnil′oquently. [L., from magnus, great, loqui, to speak.]
English · e-38538-7928Magnitude, mag′ni-tūd, n. greatness: size: extent: importance. [L. magnitudo—magnus.]
English · e-38538-7929 · brief source recordMagnolia, mag-nōl′i-a, or -ya, n. a North American tree with beautiful foliage, and large, white or purplish, sweet-scented flowers. [From Pierre Magnol (1638-1715), a Montpellier botanist.]
English · e-38538-7930Magnum, mag′num, n. a bottle holding two quarts: the quantity of wine filling such. [L.]
English · e-38538-7931 · brief source recordMagot, mag′ot, n. the Barbary ape, the only species of monkey existing in Europe: a small grotesque figure, crouching on the covers of vases; &c.
English · e-38538-7932Magpie, mag′pī, n. a chattering bird, of a genus allied to the crow, with pied or coloured feathers: (slang) a halfpenny—(Shak.) Mag′ot-pie, Magg′ot-pie. [Mag, a familiar contr. of Margaret (cf. Robin-Redbreast, Jenny Wr
English · e-38538-7933Magyar, ma-jär′, or mag′yär, n. one of the prevailing race in Hungary: the native speech of Hungary.
English · e-38538-7934 · brief source recordMahabharata, ma-hä-bä′ra-tä, n. the name of one of the two great epic poems of ancient India, the other being the Ramayana. [Sans.; prob. 'the great history of the descendants of Bharata.']
English · e-38538-7935Mahadeva, ma-ha-dā′va, n. one of the names of the Hindu god Siva. [Sans. mahā, great, deva, god.]
English · e-38538-7936 · brief source recordMaharajah, ma-ha-rä′jä, n. the title given to a great Indian prince:—fem. Mahara′ni, Mahara′nee. [Sans. mahā, great, rāja, prince or king.]
English · e-38538-7937Mahatma, ma-hat′ma, n. one skilled in mysteries or religious secrets: an adept. [Sans., 'high-souled.']
English · e-38538-7938 · brief source recordMahdi, mä′dē, n. the great leader of the faithful Mohammedans, who is to appear in the last days—one pretended Mahdi overthrew the Egyptian power in the Soudan in 1884-85.—ns. Mah′dism; Mah′dist.
English · e-38538-7939Mahl-stick, mäl′-stik, n. a tapering staff used by painters as a rest for the right hand.—Also Mal′stick, Maul′stick. [Ger. mahlstock.]
English · e-38538-7940Mahogany, ma-hog′a-ni, n. a tree of tropical America: its wood, which is of great value for making furniture.—n. Mahog′any-tree, same as mahogany: (hum.) the dinner-table. [Mahogoni, the native South American name.]
English · e-38538-7941Mahomedan, Mahometan. See Mohammedan.
English · e-38538-7942 · brief source recordMahoun, Mahound, ma-hown′, ma-hownd′, or mä′-, n. an old form of the name of Mohammed: an evil spirit: the devil.
English · e-38538-7943 · brief source recordMahout, ma-hōōt′, n. the keeper and driver of an elephant. [Hind. mahāut, mahāwat.]
English · e-38538-7944 · brief source recordMahratta, ma-rat′a, n. one of a once powerful race of Hindus in Western and Central India.
English · e-38538-7945 · brief source recordMaid, mād, n. an unmarried woman, esp. one young: a virgin: a female servant.—ns. Maid′-child (B.), a female child; Maid′-Mā′rian, the May-queen; a character in the old Morris-dance, usually represented by a man in woman
English · e-38538-7946Maidan, mī′dan, n. an esplanade or parade-ground near a town in Persia and India. [Pers.]
English · e-38538-7947 · brief source recordMaiden, mād′n, n. a maid: in Scotland, a machine like the guillotine, formerly used for beheading criminals.—adj. pertaining to a virgin or young woman: consisting of maidens: (fig.) unpolluted: fresh: new: unused: first
English · e-38538-7948Maieutic, mā-ū′tik, adj. helping childbirth.—n. midwifery. [Gr.]
English · e-38538-7949 · brief source recordMaigre, mā′gėr, adj. made neither from flesh-meat nor from gravy: belonging to a fast-day or to a fast.—Maigre food, food allowed to be eaten on fast-days. [Fr. maigre, lean—L. macer.]
English · e-38538-7950Mail, māl, n. defensive armour for the body formed of steel rings or network: armour generally.—v.t. to clothe in mail: (Scot.) to stain.—adjs. Mail′-clad, clad with a coat of mail; Mailed, protected by mail. [Fr. maille
English · e-38538-7951Mail, māl, n. a bag for the conveyance of letters, &c.: the contents of such a bag: the person or the carriage by which the mail is conveyed.—v.t. to put into the mail: to send by mail.—adj. Mail′able, capable of being s
English · e-38538-7952Mail, māl, n. an old French coin—half a denier: rent.—n. Mail′ing, a farm. [See Blackmail.]
English · e-38538-7953 · brief source recordMaim, mām, n. a bruise: an injury: a lameness: the loss of any essential part.—v.t. to bruise: to disfigure: to injure: to lame or cripple: to render defective.—n. Maim′edness, the state of being maimed or injured. [O. F
English · e-38538-7954Main, mān, n. might: strength. [A.S. mægen.]
English · e-38538-7955 · brief source recordMain, mān, adj. chief, principal: first in importance: leading.—n. the chief or principal part: the ocean or main sea: a continent or a larger island as compared with a smaller: a principal gas or water pipe in a street,
English · e-38538-7956Main, mān, n. a hand at dice: a match at cockfighting: a banker's shovel for coin. [O. Fr. main—L. manus, hand.]
English · e-38538-7957 · brief source recordMainor, mā′nor, n. act or fact, esp. of theft: that which is stolen.
English · e-38538-7958 · brief source recordMains, mānz, n. (Scot.) the principal or home farm.
English · e-38538-7959 · brief source recordMaintain, men-tān′, v.t. to keep in any state: to keep possession of: to preserve from capture or loss: to carry on: to keep up: to support: to make good: to support by argument: to affirm: to defend.—v.i. to affirm, as
English · e-38538-7960Maister, mās′tėr, n. an obsolete form of Master.—Maistery=Mastery; Maistring=Mastering; Maître=Master.
English · e-38538-7961 · brief source recordMaize, māz, n. a plant, and its fruit, called also Indian corn or wheat. [Sp.,—Haitian.]
English · e-38538-7962 · brief source recordMajesty, maj′es-ti, n. greatness: grandeur: dignity: elevation of manner or style: royal state: a title of kings and other sovereigns, esp. with possessive pronouns, as His or Her Majesty, &c.: a symbolic representation
English · e-38538-7963Majolica, ma-jol′i-ka, n. name applied to decorative enamelled pottery, esp. that of Italy from the 15th to the 17th cent.: a modern ware in imitation, used for vases, &c. [From Majorca, where first made.]
English · e-38538-7964Major, mā′jur, adj. greater in number, quantity, or size: more important: (mus.) greater by a semitone.—n. a person of full age (21 years): an officer in rank between a captain and lieutenant-colonel.—v.i. to play the ma
English · e-38538-7965Majuscule, mā-jus′kūl, n. in paleography, a capital or uncial letter:—opp. to Minuscule. [L. majuscula (litera), a somewhat larger letter.]
English · e-38538-7966Make, māk, v.t. to fashion, frame, or form: to produce: to bring about: to perform: to force: to render: to represent, or cause to appear to be: to turn: to occasion: to bring into any state or condition: to establish: t
English · e-38538-7967Make, māk, n. (Spens.) a mate, consort, equal.—adj. Make′less (Shak.), without a make or mate. [A.S. ge-maca; Ice. maki, a mate.]
English · e-38538-7968Maketh, māk′eth, old 3d pers. sing. pres. ind. of make.
English · e-38538-7969 · brief source recordMakimono, mak-i-mō′nō, n. a roll, as of silk, esp. a long picture or writing rolled up and not hung. [Jap.]
English · e-38538-7970 · brief source recordMakwa, mak′wa, n. a Chinese short outer jacket.
English · e-38538-7971 · brief source recordMalachite, mal′a-kīt, n. a green-coloured mineral, composed essentially of carbonate of copper, much used for inlaid-work. [Gr. malachē, a mallow, a plant of a green colour.]
English · e-38538-7972Malacolite, mal′a-kō-līt, n. a greenish lime-magnesia variety of pyroxene.
English · e-38538-7973 · brief source recordMalacology, mal-a-kol′o-ji, n. the branch of natural history which treats of the structure and habits of molluscs.—adj. Mal′acoid, soft-bodied.—n. Malacol′ogist. [Gr. malakos, soft, logia, a discourse.]
English · e-38538-7974Malacopterygian, mal-a-kop-tėr-ij′i-an, adj. having the rays of the fins soft, excepting the first ray of the dorsal and pectoral fins, as in the pike, salmon, &c.—Also Malacopteryg′ious. [Gr. malakos, soft, pteryx, pter
English · e-38538-7975Malacostracan, mal-a-kos′tra-kan, n. an individual belonging to a sub-class of crustaceans, including the shrimps, lobsters, &c.—adj. belonging to this class—also Malacos′tracous.—adj. Malacostracolog′ical.—ns. Malacostr
English · e-38538-7976A historical dictionary can preserve useful evidence and superseded analyses at the same time. These records retain their source identity; no parent edge, sound law, first-use date or confidence score is generated from a sentence’s position.
Inspect acquisition and rights →