Historical source · 1908

Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 86

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Page 86 of 179

March

March, märch, n. a border: boundary of a territory:—used chiefly in pl. March′es.—v.i. to border: to be adjacent.—ns. March′man, a borderer; March′-trea′son, the betrayal of a border or march to an enemy.—Riding the marc

English · e-38538-8175

March

March, märch, v.i. to move in order, as soldiers: to walk in a grave or stately manner.—v.t. to cause to march.—n. the movement of troops: regular advance: a piece of music fitted for marching to: the distance passed ove

English · e-38538-8176

Märchen

Märchen, Mährchen, märh′hen, n.sing. and pl. a story or fable, a folk-tale. [Ger.]

English · e-38538-8177 · brief source record

Marchioness

Marchioness, mär′shun-es, Marchesa, mar-chē′za, n. feminine of Marquis.

English · e-38538-8178 · brief source record

Marchpane

Marchpane, märch′pān, n. (Shak.) a kind of sweet bread or biscuit composed of sugar, almonds, and a small quantity of flour. [Fr. massepain, the latter part of the word being from L. panis, bread.]

English · e-38538-8179

Marcid

Marcid, mär′sid, adj. withered, wasted.

English · e-38538-8180 · brief source record

Marcionite

Marcionite, mar′shun-īt, n. and adj. a follower of Marcion of Sinope (died 165 A.D.), who, partly under Gnostic influences, constructed an ethico-dualistic philosophy of religion, with rigorously ascetic practices. He cl

English · e-38538-8181

Marcobrunner

Marcobrunner, mär′ko-brōōn-ėr, n. a remarkably fine white wine, produced in Erbach, near Wiesbaden—from the Markbrunnen fountain hard by.

English · e-38538-8182

Marconigram

Marconigram, mar-cō′ni-gram, n. a message transmitted by 'wireless' telegraphy. [From Marconi, the inventor of the system, and Gr. gramma, that which is written.]

English · e-38700-10038

Mare

Mare, mār, n. the female of the horse.—ns. Mare's′-nest, a supposed discovery which turns out to be a hoax; Mare's-tail, a tall, erect marsh plant of the genus Hippuris: (pl.) long straight fibres of gray cirrus cloud; S

English · e-38538-8183

Mareschal

Mareschal, mär′shal. Same as Marshal.

English · e-38538-8184 · brief source record

Margarine

Margarine, mär′gar-in, n. the solid ingredient of human fat, olive-oil, &c.—so called from its pearly lustre: oleo-margarine or imitation butter (see under Olein).—adj. Margar′ic.—n. Mar′garite, one of the brittle micas.

English · e-38538-8185

Margay

Margay, mär′gā, n. a spotted S. American tiger-cat.

English · e-38538-8186 · brief source record

Margin

Margin, mär′jin, n. an edge, border: the blank edge on the page of a book: something allowed more than is needed, in case of unforeseen things happening: a sum of money, or its value in securities, deposited with a broke

English · e-38538-8187

Margrave

Margrave, mär′grāv, n. a German nobleman of rank equivalent to an English marquis:—fem. Margravine (mär′gra-vēn).—ns. Mar′gravate, Margrā′viate, the jurisdiction or dignity of a margrave. [Dut. markgraaf (Ger. markgraf)—

English · e-38538-8188

Marguerite

Marguerite, mär′ge-rēt, n. the common garden daisy: the ox-eye daisy: the China aster.

English · e-38538-8189 · brief source record

Marian

Marian, mā′ri-an, adj. relating to the Virgin Mary: to the great Roman general Caius Marius: to Queen Mary of England.

English · e-38538-8190 · brief source record

Marigold

Marigold, mar′i-gōld, n. a name applied to several composite plants bearing yellow flowers. [From the Virgin Mary and gold.]

English · e-38538-8191

Marine

Marine, ma-rēn′, adj. of or belonging to the sea: done at sea: representing the sea: near the sea.—n. a soldier serving on shipboard: the whole navy of a country or state: naval affairs: a sea-piece in painting.—ns. Mar′

English · e-38538-8192

Mariolatry

Mariolatry, mā-ri-ol′a-tri, n. the undue worship of the Virgin Mary—the veneration paid to her is strictly Hyperdulia.—n. Mariol′ater, one who practises mariolatry. [L. Maria, Mary, Gr. latreia, worship.]

English · e-38538-8193

Marionette

Marionette, mar-i-o-net′, n. a puppet moved by strings, a puppet-show. [Fr.]

English · e-38538-8194 · brief source record

Mariotte's law

Mariotte's law. See Law.

English · e-38538-8195 · brief source record

Mariput

Mariput, mar′i-put, n. the African zoril.

English · e-38538-8196 · brief source record

Marischal

Marischal, a Scotch form of marshal.

English · e-38538-8197 · brief source record

Marish

Marish, mar′ish, n. and adj. Same as Marsh.

English · e-38538-8198 · brief source record

Marist

Marist, mā′rist, n. a member of a modern R.C. congregation for teaching.—adj. devoted to the service of the Virgin.

English · e-38538-8199 · brief source record

Marital

Marital, mar′i-tal, adj. pertaining to a husband: of the nature of a marriage.—n. Maritā′gium, in the feudal system, the right of the lord of the fee to dispose of the heiress, later also of the male heir, in marriage. [

English · e-38538-8200

Maritime

Maritime, mar′i-tim, adj. pertaining to the sea: relating to navigation or to naval affairs: situated near the sea: living on the shore, littoral—opp. to Marine: having a navy and a naval commerce. [L. maritimus—mare, se

English · e-38538-8201

Marjoram

Marjoram, mär′jo-ram, n. an aromatic plant used as a seasoning in cookery. [Fr. marjolaine—Low L. majoraca—L. amaracus—Gr. amarakos.]

English · e-38538-8202

Mark

Mark, märk, n. a visible sign: any object serving as a guide: that by which anything is known: a badge: a trace, impression, proof: any visible effect: symptom: a thing aimed at or striven for: an attainable point: a cha

English · e-38538-8203

Mark

Mark, märk, n. an obsolete English coin=13s. 4d.: a coin of the present German Empire=about one shilling: a silver coin of Hamburg=about 1s. 4d. [A.S. marc, another form of the above word.]

English · e-38538-8204

Market

Market, mär′ket, n. a public place for the purposes of buying and selling: the time for the market: sale: rate of sale: value.—v.i. to deal at a market: to buy and sell.—ns. Marketabil′ity, Mar′ketableness.—adj. Mar′keta

English · e-38538-8205

Marl

Marl, märl, n. a fat earth or clay often used as manure.—v.t. to cover with marl.—adj. Marlā′ceous, having the qualities of marl: like marl.—n. Mar′lite, a variety of marl.—adjs. Marlit′ic; Mar′ly, like marl: abounding i

English · e-38538-8206

Marline

Marline, mär′lin, n. a small rope for winding round a larger one to keep it from being worn by rubbing.—v.t. Mar′line, Marl, to bind or wind round with marline.—n. Mar′linespike, an iron tool, like a spike, for separatin

English · e-38538-8207

Marmalade

Marmalade, mär′ma-lād, n. a jam or preserve generally made of the pulp of oranges, originally of quinces. [Fr., from Port. marmelada—marmelo, a quince—L. melimēlum—Gr. melimēlon, a sweet apple—meli, honey, mēlon, an appl

English · e-38538-8208

Marmoraceous

Marmoraceous, mar-mo-rā′shus, adj. belonging to, or like, marble.—adjs. Mar′morate, -d, covered with marble: variegated like marble.—n. Marmorā′tion.—adjs. Marmō′real, Marmō′rean, belonging to, or like, marble. [L. marmo

English · e-38538-8209

Marmose

Marmose, mar′mōs, n. one of several small South American opossums.

English · e-38538-8210 · brief source record

Marmoset

Marmoset, mär′mo-zet, n. a small variety of American monkey. [Fr. marmouset, a little grotesque figure beside a fountain—L. marmor, marble.]

English · e-38538-8211

Marmot

Marmot, mär′mot, n. a rodent animal, about the size of a rabbit, which inhabits the higher parts of the Alps and Pyrenees. [It. marmotto—Romansch murmont—L. mus montanus, mountain-mouse.]

English · e-38538-8212

Maronite

Maronite, mar′ō-nīt, n. one of a sect of Christians who live on or around the mountains of Lebanon. [St Maron, about 400 A.D., or John Maron, a patriarch of the sect in the 7th century.]

English · e-38538-8213

Maroon

Maroon, ma-rōōn′, n. a brownish crimson. [Fr. marron, a chestnut—It. marrone, a chestnut.]

English · e-38538-8214 · brief source record

Maroon

Maroon, ma-rōōn′, n. a fugitive slave living on the mountains, in the West Indies.—v.t. to put on shore on a desolate island.—ns. Maroon′er; Maroon′ing. [Fr. marron—Sp. cimarron, wild—cima, a mountain-summit—L. cyma—Gr.

English · e-38538-8215

Maroquin

Maroquin, mar′o-kwin, n. leather prepared from goatskin: morocco leather. [Fr.]

English · e-38538-8216 · brief source record

Marplot

Marplot, mär′plot, n. one who mars or defeats a plot or design by interference where he has no right.

English · e-38538-8217 · brief source record

Marprelate

Marprelate, mär-prel′āt, adj. pertaining to the series of vigorous pamphlets against prelacy issued in England in 1588-9, in spite of severe repression.

English · e-38538-8218

Marque

Marque, märk, n. a license to pass the marches or limits of a country for the purpose of making reprisals: a ship commissioned for making captures.—Letter-of-marque (see Letter). [Fr.]

English · e-38538-8219

Marquee

Marquee, mär-kē′, n. a large field-tent. [For marquees, the s being dropped as if a plural, from Fr. marquise, acc. to Littré, orig. a marchioness's tent.]

English · e-38538-8220

Marquetry

Marquetry, märk′et-ri, n. work inlaid with pieces of various-coloured wood. [Fr. marqueterie—marqueter, to inlay—marque, a mark.]

English · e-38538-8221

Marquis

Marquis, mär′kwis, Marquess, mär′kwes, n. a title of nobility next below that of a duke, first given in England in 1386:—fem. Mar′chioness.—ns. Mar′quisāte, the dignity or lordship of a marquis; Marquise (mär-kēz′), in F

English · e-38538-8222

Marriage

Marriage, mar′ij, n. the ceremony by which a man and woman become husband and wife: the union of a man and woman as husband and wife.—adj. Marr′iageable, suitable, or at a proper age, for marriage.—ns. Marr′iageableness;

English · e-38538-8223

Marrow

Marrow, mar′ō, n. the soft, fatty matter in the hollow parts of the bones: the pith of certain plants: the essence or best part of anything: the inner meaning or purpose.—ns. Marr′ow-bone, a bone containing marrow: (pl.)

English · e-38538-8224

Marry

Marry, mar′i, v.t. to take for husband or wife: to give in marriage: to unite in matrimony.—v.i. to enter into the married state: to take a husband or a wife:—pr.p. marr′ying; pa.t. and pa.p. marr′ied. [Fr. marier—L. mar

English · e-38538-8225

Marry

Marry, mar′i, interj. indeed! forsooth! [By Mary.]

English · e-38538-8226 · brief source record

Mars

Mars, märz, n. the Roman god of war: the planet next to the earth in the order of distance from the sun. [L. Mars, Martis.]

English · e-38538-8227

Marsala

Marsala, mar′sä-la, n. a light wine resembling sherry, from Marsala in Sicily.

English · e-38538-8228 · brief source record

Marseillaise

Marseillaise, mär-se-lyāz′, or mär-se-lāz′, n. the French revolutionary hymn composed by Rouget de Lisle in 1792, sung by the volunteers of Marseilles as they entered Paris, 30th July, and when they marched to the stormi

English · e-38538-8229

Marsh

Marsh, märsh, n. a tract of low wet land: a morass, swamp, or fen.—adj. pertaining to wet or boggy places.—ns. Marsh′-gas, fire-damp; Marsh′-harr′ier, a harrier of genus Circus frequenting marshes; Marsh′iness; Marsh′-ma

English · e-38538-8230

Marshal

Marshal, mär′shal, n. an officer charged with the regulation of ceremonies, preservation of order, points of etiquette, &c.: the chief officer who regulated combats in the lists: a pursuivant or harbinger: a herald: in F

English · e-38538-8231

Marsipobranchiate

Marsipobranchiate, mar-si-po-brang′ki-āt, adj. having pursed gills, as lampreys, hags, &c.—Also Mar′sipobranch.

English · e-38538-8232 · brief source record

Marsupial

Marsupial, mär-sū′pi-al, adj. carrying young in a pouch.—n. a marsupial animal, as the opossum or the kangaroo.—n. Marsū′pium, a brood-pouch. [L. marsupium—Gr. marsipion, a pouch.]

English · e-38538-8233

Mart

Mart, märt, n. a place of trade. [Contr. of market.]

English · e-38538-8234 · brief source record

Martagon

Martagon, mär′ta-gon, n. the Turk's-cap lily.

English · e-38538-8235 · brief source record

Martel

Martel, mär′tel, v.t. (Spens.) to hammer, to strike. [Fr. marteler, It. martello. See Martello.]

English · e-38538-8236 · brief source record

Martello

Martello, mar-tel′o, n. a circular fort erected to protect a coast. [It. martello, a hammer—L. martulus, marculus, dim. of marcus, a hammer; or from Mortella Point in Corsica, where a tower of this kind withstood an Engl

English · e-38538-8237

Marten

Marten, mär′ten, n. a destructive kind of weasel valued for its fur. [Fr. martre, also marte—Low L. marturis, from a Teut. root seen in Ger. marder, and A.S. mearð, a marten.]

English · e-38538-8238

Martial

Martial, mär′shal, adj. belonging to Mars, the god of war, or to the planet Mars: of or belonging to war, or to the army and navy: warlike: brave.—ns. Mar′tialism; Mar′tialist.—adv. Mar′tially.—Martial law, law enforced

English · e-38538-8240

Martin

Martin, mär′tin, n. a bird of the swallow kind.—Also Mar′tinet. [The name Martin; cf. robin, &c.]

English · e-38538-8241 · brief source record

Martinet

Martinet, mär′tin-et, n. a strict disciplinarian.—n. Martinet′ism. [From Martinet, a very strict officer in the army of Louis XIV. of France.]

English · e-38538-8242

Martingale

Martingale, mär′tin-gāl, n. a strap passing between a horse's forelegs, fastened to the girth and to the bit, to keep his head down: in ships, a short spar under the bowsprit.—Also Mar′tingal. [Fr., from a kind of breech

English · e-38538-8243

Martinmas

Martinmas, mär′tin-mas, n. the mass or feast of St Martin: 11th Nov., a term-day in Scotland.

English · e-38538-8244 · brief source record

Martlet

Martlet, märt′let, n. the martin, the name of a bird: (her.) a martin or swallow without feet, used as a bearing, a crest, or a mark of cadency to designate the fourth son. [From Fr. martinet, dim. of martin.]

English · e-38538-8245

Martyr

Martyr, mär′tėr, n. one who by his death bears witness to the truth: one who suffers for his belief: one who suffers greatly from any cause.—v.t. to put to death for one's belief.—n. Mar′tyrdom, state of being a martyr:

English · e-38538-8246

Marvel

Marvel, mär′vel, n. a wonder: anything astonishing or wonderful: astonishment.—v.i. to wonder: to feel astonishment:—pr.p. mar′velling; pa.t. and pa.p. mar′velled.—adj. Mar′vellous, astonishing: almost or altogether beyo

English · e-38538-8247

Marybud

Marybud, mā′ri-bud, n. the marigold.

English · e-38538-8248 · brief source record

Mascle

Mascle, mas′kl, n. (her.) a bearing, lozenge-shaped and perforated: a plate of steel in the form of a lozenge, used in making scale-armour.—adjs. Mas′cled, Mascule′, Mas′culy. [Fr. macle—L. macula, the mesh of a net.]

English · e-38538-8249

Mascot

Mascot, mas′kot, n. a luck-penny or talisman: a person whose presence brings good luck. [Fr. mascotte.]

English · e-38538-8250 · brief source record

Masculine

Masculine, mas′kū-lin, adj. of the male sex: having the qualities of a man: resembling a man, or suitable to a man: robust: of a woman, bold, forward, unwomanly: denoting nouns which are names of males.—n. (gram.) the ma

English · e-38538-8251

Mash

Mash, mash, v.t. to beat into a mixed mass: to bruise: in brewing, to mix malt and hot water together.—v.i. to act violently.—n. a mixture of ingredients beaten or stirred together, as of bran, meal, &c., or bran and boi

English · e-38538-8252

Masher

Masher, mash′ėr, n. a fellow who dresses showily to attract the attention of silly young women, a fop.—v.t. Mash, to gain the affections of one of the opposite sex, to treat as a sweetheart.—Be mashed on (slang), to be s

English · e-38538-8253

Mashie

Mashie, Mashy, mash′i, n. a kind of golf-club.

English · e-38538-8254 · brief source record

Masjid

Masjid, mas′jid, n. a Mohammedan mosque.

English · e-38538-8255 · brief source record

Mask

Mask, Masque, mask, n. anything disguising or concealing the face: anything that disguises: a pretence: a masquerade: a former kind of dramatic spectacle, in which actors personified mythological deities, shepherdesses,

English · e-38538-8256

Mask

Mask, mask, v.t. (Scot.) to steep, infuse.—v.i. to be infusing. [A form of mash.]

English · e-38538-8257 · brief source record

Maslin

Maslin, mas′lin, n. mixed grain, esp. rye and wheat.—Also Mash′lin, Mash′lim, Mash′lum.

English · e-38538-8258 · brief source record

Mason

Mason, mā′sn, n. one who cuts, prepares, and lays stones: a builder in stone: a member of the society of freemasons.—v.t. to build.—adjs. Mason′ic, relating to freemasonry; Mā′sonried, constructed of masonry.—n. Mā′sonry

English · e-38538-8259

Masoolah-boat

Masoolah-boat, ma-sōō′la-bōt, n. a high many-oared East Indian surf-boat.—Also Masu′la-boat.

English · e-38538-8260 · brief source record

Masque

Masque. See Mask.

English · e-38538-8261 · brief source record

Masquerade

Masquerade, mask-ėr-ād′, n. an assembly of persons wearing masks, generally at a ball: disguise.—v.i. to wear a mask: to join in a masquerade: to go in disguise.—n. Masquerad′er, a person wearing a mask: a person or thin

English · e-38538-8262

Mass

Mass, mas, n. a lump of matter: a quantity: a collected body: the main body: magnitude: the principal part or main body: quantity of matter in any body, weight being proportional to mass: (pl.) the lower classes of the p

English · e-38538-8263

Mass

Mass, mas, n. the celebration of the Lord's Supper or Eucharist in R.C. churches, also the office for the same: a musical setting of certain parts of the R.C. liturgy: a church festival or feast-day, as in Candlemas, Chr

English · e-38538-8264

Massa

Massa, mas′ä, n. a negro corruption of master.

English · e-38538-8265 · brief source record

Massacre

Massacre, mas′a-kėr, n. indiscriminate slaughter, esp. with cruelty: carnage.—v.t. to kill with violence and cruelty: to slaughter. [Fr.; from the Teut., as in Low Ger. matsken, to cut; cf. Ger. metz-ger, a butcher.]

English · e-38538-8266

Massage

Massage, ma-säzh′, n. in medicine, a system of treatment in which the manipulation and exercise of parts (passive movement) are employed for the relief of morbid conditions—by stroking, pressing, tapping, kneading, frict

English · e-38538-8267

Masse

Masse, ma-sā′, n. in billiards, a sharp stroke made with the cue perpendicular or nearly so. [Fr.]

English · e-38538-8268 · brief source record

Masseter

Masseter, mas-ē′tėr, n. a muscle which raises the under jaw, and thus closes the mouth. [Gr. masētēr—masasthai, to chew.]

English · e-38538-8269

Massicot

Massicot, mas′i-kot, n. protoxide of lead or yellow oxide of lead. [Fr.]

English · e-38538-8270 · brief source record

Massif

Massif, ma-sēf, n. a central mountain-mass; an orographic fault-block. [Fr.]

English · e-38538-8271 · brief source record

Massorah

Massorah, Masora, mas′ō-rä, n. the tradition by which Jewish scholars tried to preserve the text of the Old Testament—a collection of critical notes on the text of the Old Testament, first committed to writing in Tiberia

English · e-38538-8272

Mast

Mast, mast, n. a long upright pole for bearing the yards, rigging, &c. in a ship.—v.t. to supply with a mast or masts.—adj. Mast′ed.—n. Mast′-head, the head or top of the mast of a ship.—v.t. to raise to the mast-head: t

English · e-38538-8273

Mast

Mast, mast, n. the fruit of the oak, beech, chestnut, and other forest trees, on which swine feed: nuts, acorns.—adjs. Mast′ful; Mast′less; Mast′y. [A.S. mæst; Ger. mast, whence mästen, to feed.]

English · e-38538-8274

Master

Master, mas′tėr, n. one who commands: a lord or owner: a leader or ruler: a teacher: an employer: the commander of a merchant-ship: formerly the navigator or sailing-master of a ship-of-war: one eminently skilled in anyt

English · e-38538-8275

Mastic

Mastic, Mastich, mas′tik, n. a species of gum-resin from the lentisk-tree: a cement from mastic: the tree producing mastic. [Fr.,—L. mastiche—Gr. mastichē—mas-tizein, to chew.]

English · e-38538-8276

Masticate

Masticate, mas′ti-kāt, v.t. to chew: to grind with the teeth.—adj. Mas′ticable, that may be chewed.—ns. Masticā′tion, act or process of chewing; Masticā′tor, a machine for cutting up meat for people unable to chew: a mac

English · e-38538-8277

Masticot

Masticot. Same as Massicot.

English · e-38538-8278 · brief source record

Mastiff

Mastiff, mas′tif, n. a thick-set and powerful variety of dog much used as a watch-dog. [Skeat follows Scheler and Diez in explaining mastiff as 'house-dog,' from an assumed O. Fr. mastif, prob. a variant of O. Fr. mastin

English · e-38538-8279

Mastitis

Mastitis, mas-tī′tis, n. inflammation of the mammary gland.—n. Mastodyn′ia, pain in the breast.—adj. Mas′toid, like a nipple or teat: denoting a part or process of the temporal bone.—n. Mastol′ogy, mammology. [Gr. mastos

English · e-38538-8280

Mastodon

Mastodon, mas′to-don, n. a genus of extinct elephants, so named from the mamillary cusps or teat-like prominences on the molar teeth. [Gr. mastos, the breast, odous, odontos, a tooth.]

English · e-38538-8281

Masturbation

Masturbation, mas-tur-bā′shun, n. self-defilement, onanism.—v.i. Mas′turbate, to commit self-abuse.—n. Mas′turbator, one guilty of this. [L. masturbāri.]

English · e-38538-8282

Mat

Mat, mat, n. a texture of sedge, rushes, straw, &c. for cleaning the feet on: a web of rope-yarn: an ornamental border for a picture: a piece of cloth, &c. put below dishes on a table: anything like a mat in appearance,

English · e-38538-8283

Mat

Mat, mat, adj. and n. having a dull or dead surface, without lustre: an instrument by means of which such is produced.—v.t. to produce such a surface on metal. [Ger. matt, dull.]

English · e-38538-8284

Matador

Matador, Matadore, mat-a-dōr′, n. the man who kills the bull in bull-fights: one of the three chief cards at ombre and quadrille. [Sp. matador—matar, to kill—L. mactāre, to kill, to honour by sacrifice—mactus, honoured.]

English · e-38538-8285

Matafunda

Matafunda, mat-a-fun′da, n. an old military engine which slung stones. [Low L., prob. Sp. matar, to kill, L. funda, a sling.]

English · e-38538-8286

Match

Match, mach, n. a piece of inflammable material which easily takes or carries fire: a prepared rope for firing a gun, &c.: a lucifer.—ns. Match′-box, a box for holding matches; Match′lock, the lock of a musket containing

English · e-38538-8287

Match

Match, mach, n. anything which agrees with or suits another thing: an equal: one able to cope with another: a contest or game: a pairing, a marriage: one to be gained in marriage.—v.i. to be of the same make, size, &c.,

English · e-38538-8288

Mate

Mate, māt, n. a companion: an equal: one of a pair, the male or female of animals that go in pairs: in a merchant-ship the first-mate is the second in command—in the navy the term is now confined to petty-officers, such

English · e-38538-8289

Mate

Mate, māt, n. and v.t. in chess=Checkmate.

English · e-38538-8290 · brief source record

Mate

Mate, Maté, mä′tā, n. a South American species of holly, the leaves and green shoots of which, dried and roughly ground, furnish the yerba de mate of Paraguay and Brazil. [Sp. mate, orig. the vessel in which it was infus

English · e-38538-8291

Mate

Mate, māt, v.t. (Bacon) to weaken, to confound, to crush. [O. Fr. mater; cf. Sp. matar, to weaken.]

English · e-38538-8292 · brief source record

Matelasse

Matelasse, mat-las′ā, adj. and n. having a raised pattern on the surface as if quilted, of silks. [Fr. matelas, a mattress.]

English · e-38538-8293

Matelote

Matelote, mat′e-lōt, n. fish stewed with wine-sauce, onions, &c. [Fr. matelot, a sailor.]

English · e-38538-8294 · brief source record

Mateology

Mateology, mat-ē-ol′o-ji, n. a foolish inquiry. [Gr. mataios, vain, matē, folly, logia, discourse.]

English · e-38538-8295 · brief source record

Mater

Mater, mā′tėr, n. a mother: one of the two membranes of the brain, outer and inner, separated by the arachnoid—the dura mater, or dura, and pia mater, or pia.—Mā′ter dolorō′sa, the Virgin Mary represented as the sorrowin

English · e-38538-8296

Materia medica

Materia medica, ma-tē′ri-a med′i-ka, n. the various substances used in making up medicines: the science of the nature and use of substances used as medicines. [L. materia, material, medicus, medical.]

English · e-38538-8298

Material

Material, ma-tē′ri-al, adj. consisting of matter: corporeal, not spiritual: substantial: essential: important, esp. of legal importance: (phil.) pertaining to matter and not to form, relating to the object as it exists.—

English · e-38538-8297

Matériel

Matériel, ma-tā-re-el′, n. the totality of materials or instruments employed (as in an army), as distinguished from the personnel or men—applied esp. to military stores, arms, baggage, horses, &c. [Fr.]

English · e-38538-8299

Maternal

Maternal, ma-tėr′nal, adj. belonging to a mother: motherly.—adv. Mater′nally.—n. Mater′nity, the state, character, or relation of a mother: motherhood: a lying-in hospital. [Fr. maternel (It. maternale)—L. maternus—mater

English · e-38538-8300

Math

Math, math, n. a mowing.

English · e-38538-8301 · brief source record

Mathematic

Mathematic, -al, math-e-mat′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to, or done by, mathematics: very accurate.—adv. Mathemat′ically.—ns. Mathematic′ian, one versed in mathematics; Mathemat′ics, the science of magnitude and number, and

English · e-38538-8302

Mathesis

Mathesis, ma-thē′sis, n. mental discipline. [Gr.]

English · e-38538-8303 · brief source record

Matico

Matico, ma-tē′ko, n. a Peruvian shrub, used in medicine as a styptic and astringent.

English · e-38538-8304 · brief source record

Matin

Matin, mat′in, adj. morning: used in the morning.—n. in pl. the daily morning service of the Church of England: one of the seven canonical hours, usually sung between midnight and daybreak.—adj. Mat′inal.—n. Matinée (mat

English · e-38538-8305

Matrass

Matrass, mat′ras, n. a chemical vessel with a tapering neck, a cucurbit.

English · e-38538-8306 · brief source record

Matriarchy

Matriarchy, mā′tri-är-ki, n. government by a mother or by mothers, esp. a primitive order of society existing in many Indian tribes, in which the mother takes precedence of the father in tracing line of descent and in in

English · e-38538-8307

Matrice

Matrice, mā′tris, n. Same as Matrix.

English · e-38538-8308 · brief source record

Matricide

Matricide, mat′ri-sīd, n. a murderer of one's own mother: the murder of one's own mother.—adj. Mat′ricidal [Fr.,—L. matricida, matricidium—mater, mother, cædĕre, to kill.]

English · e-38538-8309

Matriculate

Matriculate, ma-trik′ū-lāt, v.t. to admit to membership by entering one's name in a register, esp. in a college.—v.i. to become a member of a college, university, &c., by being enrolled.—n. one admitted to membership in

English · e-38538-8310

Matrimony

Matrimony, mat′ri-mun-i, n. union of husband and wife, marriage: state of marriage.—adj. Matrimō′nial, relating to, derived from, marriage.—adj. Matrimō′nially. [O. Fr.,—L. matrimonium—mater.]

English · e-38538-8311

Matrix

Matrix, mā′triks, or mat′riks, n. (anat.) the cavity in which an animal is formed before its birth, the womb: the cavity in which anything is formed, a mould: (mining) earthy or stony substances in which minerals are fou

English · e-38538-8312

Matron

Matron, mā′trun, n. an elderly married woman: an elderly lady of staid and sober habits: a head-nurse in a hospital, or a female superintendent in a school.—ns. Mā′tronage, Mā′tronhood, state of being a matron: a body of

English · e-38538-8313

Matross

Matross, ma-tros′, n. formerly a soldier set to help the gunners in an artillery train. [Dut. matroos—Fr. matelot, a sailor.]

English · e-38538-8314

Matte

Matte, mat, n. a product of the smelting of sulphuretted ores.—Also Regulus and Coarse metal. [Fr.,—Ger.]

English · e-38538-8315 · brief source record

Matter

Matter, mat′ėr, n. that which occupies space, and with which we become acquainted by our bodily senses: that out of which anything is made: that which receiving a form becomes a substance: the subject or thing treated of

English · e-38538-8316

Matting

Matting, mat′ing, n. a covering with mats: a texture like a mat, but larger: material for mats.

English · e-38538-8317 · brief source record

Mattins

Mattins. Same as Matins, pl. of Matin.

English · e-38538-8318 · brief source record

Mattock

Mattock, mat′uk, n. a kind of pickaxe for loosening the soil, having the iron ends broad instead of pointed. [A.S. mattuc—W. matog.]

English · e-38538-8319

Mattress

Mattress, mat′res, n. a bed made of a bag stuffed with wool, horse-hair, &c.: a mass of brushwood, &c., used to form a foundation for roads, &c., or for the walls of embankments, &c.—Spring mattress, a mattress in which

English · e-38538-8320

Maturate

Maturate, mat′ū-rāt, v.t. to make mature: (med.) to promote the suppuration of.—v.i. (med.) to suppurate perfectly.—ns. Mat′urant, a maturative; Maturā′tion, a bringing or a coming to maturity: the process of suppurating

English · e-38538-8321

Mature

Mature, ma-tūr′, adj. grown to its full size: perfected: ripe: (med.) come to suppuration: fully digested, as a plan.—v.t. to ripen: to bring to perfection: to prepare for use.—v.i. to become ripe: to become payable, as

English · e-38538-8322

Maturescent

Maturescent, mat-ū-res′ent, adj. becoming ripe: approaching maturity. [L. maturescĕre, to become ripe—maturus.]

English · e-38538-8323 · brief source record

Matutinal

Matutinal, mat-ū-tī′nal, adj. pertaining to the morning: happening early in the day.—Also Mat′utine. [L. matutinalis, matutinus. See Matin.]

English · e-38538-8324

Maud

Maud, mawd, n. a Scotch shepherd's woollen plaid.

English · e-38538-8325 · brief source record

Maudlin

Maudlin, mawd′lin, adj. silly: sickly-sentimental: fuddled, half-drunk: (obs.) tearful.—n. Maud′linism, the tearful stage of drink. [Contr. from M. E. Maudelein, which comes through O. Fr. and L. from Gr. Magdalēnē, the

English · e-38538-8326

Maugre

Maugre, maw′gėr, prep. in spite of.—n. (obs.) ill-will: spite. [O. Fr. malgré—L. male gratum—male, badly, gratum, agreeable.]

English · e-38538-8327

Maul

Maul, mawl, v.t. to beat with a mall or a heavy stick: to injure greatly by beating.—n. a heavy wooden hammer: a struggle for the ball in football, when it has been carried across the goal-line, but has not yet been touc

English · e-38538-8328

Maulstick

Maulstick. See Mahl-stick.

English · e-38538-8329 · brief source record

Maumet

Maumet, Mammet. Same as Mawmet.

English · e-38538-8330 · brief source record

Maund

Maund, mawnd, n. (Shak.) a basket. [A.S. mand.]

English · e-38538-8331 · brief source record

Maund

Maund, mawnd, n. a measure of weight in India, its value varying in different places from about 25 to about 85 pounds avoirdupois. [Hind. mān.]

English · e-38538-8332

Maunder

Maunder, mawn′dėr, v.i. to beg: to whine like a beggar, to grumble: to mutter, to talk foolishly, to drivel.—ns. Maun′derer; Maun′dering, drivelling talk. [O. Fr. mendier, to beg—L. mendicāre.]

English · e-38538-8333

Maundril

Maundril, mawn′dril, n. a pick with two prongs.

English · e-38538-8334 · brief source record

Maundy

Maundy, mawn′di, n. the religious ceremony of washing the feet of others, esp. of inferiors, in commemoration of Christ's washing His disciples' feet at the Last Supper—still practised in Austria by the emperor.—Maundy m

English · e-38538-8335

Maurist

Maurist, maw′rist, n. a member of the reformed Benedictine Congregation of St Maur, settled from 1618 at the abbey of St Maur-sur-Loire, near Saumur, notable for its great services to learning.

English · e-38538-8336

Mauser

Mauser, mow′zėr, n. a German magazine rifle, invented by Wilhelm Mauser (1834-82).

English · e-38538-8337 · brief source record

Mausoleum

Mausoleum, maw-so-lē′um, n. a magnificent tomb or monument.—adj. Mausolē′an, pertaining to a mausoleum: monumental. [L.,—Gr., Mausōleion, from Mausolus, king of Caria, to whom his widow, Artemisia, erected a splendid tom

English · e-38538-8338

Mauther

Mauther, mä′thėr, n. an Eng. prov. form of mother.

English · e-38538-8339 · brief source record

Mauve

Mauve, mawv, n. a beautiful purple dye extracted from coal-tar, so called from its likeness in colour to the flowers of the common mallow.—adj. of the colour of mauve. [Fr.,—L. malva, the mallow.]

English · e-38538-8340

Maverick

Maverick, mav′ėr-ik, n. (U.S.) an animal found straying without an owner's brand, esp. a strayed calf: anything dishonestly obtained.—v.t. to seize without legal claim. [From Samuel Maverick, a Texas cattle-raiser.]

English · e-38538-8341

Mavis

Mavis, mā′vis, n. the song-thrush. [Fr. mauvis; prob. from Bret. milfid, a mavis.]

English · e-38538-8342 · brief source record

Mavourneen

Mavourneen, ma-vōōr′nēn, n. and interj. a term of endearment=my dear one. [Ir.]

English · e-38538-8343 · brief source record

Maw

Maw, maw, n. the stomach, esp. in the lower animals: the craw, in birds.—ns. Maw′-seed, poppy-seed, so called when used as food for cage birds; Maw′-worm, the thread-worm infesting the stomach. [A.S. maga; Ger. magen.]

English · e-38538-8344

Mawkin

Mawkin. Same as Malkin (q.v.).

English · e-38538-8345 · brief source record

Mawkish

Mawkish, mawk′ish, adj. loathsome, disgusting, as anything beginning to breed mawks or maggots.—n. Mawk, a maggot.—adv. Mawk′ishly.—n. Mawk′ishness. [Explained by Skeat as formed, with suffix -ish, from M. E. mawk, mauk,

English · e-38538-8346

Mawmet

Mawmet, maw′met, n. a puppet: an idol—Mohammed.

English · e-38538-8347 · brief source record

Max

Max, maks, n. a kind of gin. [L. maximus, greatest.]

English · e-38538-8348 · brief source record

Maxillary

Maxillary, maks′il-ar-i, adj. pertaining to the jawbone or jaw.—n. a maxillary bone, or maxilla.—n. Maxill′a, a jawbone.—adjs. Maxillif′erous; Maxill′iform.—n. Maxill′ipede, in crustacea, one of those limbs serving both

English · e-38538-8349

Maxim

Maxim, maks′im, n. a general principle, serving as a rule or guide: a pithy saying: a proverb.—adjs. Max′imal; Max′imed, reduced to a maxim.—ns. Max′imist, Max′im-mong′er. [Fr.,—L. maxima (sententia, an opinion), superl.

English · e-38538-8350

Maxim

Maxim, maks′im, n. often put for Max′im-gun, an automatic machine-gun capable of firing as many as 620 rounds per minute, and of accurate shooting up to 3000 yards. [From Hiram Maxim, the inventor.]

English · e-38538-8351

Maximum

Maximum, maks′i-mum, adj. the greatest.—n. the greatest number, quantity, or degree: the highest point reached: (math.) the value of a variable when it ceases to increase and begins to decrease:—pl. Max′ima:—opp. to Mini

English · e-38538-8352

May

May, mā, v.i. to be able: to be allowed: to be free to act: to be possible: to be by chance: to be competent:—pa.t. might (mīt).—adv. May′be, perhaps, possibly.—n. a possibility.—adv. May′hap, perhaps. [A.S. mæg, pr.t. o

English · e-38538-8353

May

May, mā, n. the fifth month of the year: the early or gay part of life.—v.i. to gather May (prov. Eng. the blossom of the hawthorn, which blooms in May):—pr.p. May′ing.—ns. May′-bee′tle, May′-bug, the cockchafer; May′-bl

English · e-38538-8354

May

May, mā, n. a maid. [A.S. mǽg, a kinswoman.]

English · e-38538-8355 · brief source record

Maya

Maya, mä′ya, n. an illusive appearance, esp. of a celestial maiden personifying the active will of the creator of the universe. [Hind.]

English · e-38538-8356

Mayhem

Mayhem, mā′hem, n. the offence of depriving a person by violence of any limb, member, or organ, or causing any mutilation of the body. [Maim.]

English · e-38538-8357

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise, mā-on-āz′, n. a sauce composed of the yoke of eggs, salad-oil, and vinegar or lemon-juice, seasoned: any cold dish of which the foregoing is an ingredient, as lobster. [Fr.]

English · e-38538-8358

Mayor

Mayor, mā′ur, n. the chief magistrate of a city or borough:—fem. May′oress.—adj. May′oral.—ns. May′oralty, May′orship, the office of a mayor. [Fr. maire—L. major, comp. of magnus, great.]

English · e-38538-8359

Mazard

Mazard, Mazzard, maz′ard, n. (Shak.) a head or skull: a wild European cherry. [Prob. from mazer, from the likeness of the skull to a goblet.]

English · e-38538-8360

Mazarinade

Mazarinade, maz-a-rin-ād′, n. a pamphlet or satire against the French minister, Cardinal Mazarin (1602-61).—n. Mazarine′, a rich blue colour: a blue gown.—Mazarin Bible, the first printed Bible, printed by Gutenberg and

English · e-38538-8361

Mazda

Mazda, maz′da, n. or Ahura Mazdâh, the supreme deity and creator of the Zend-Avesta.—adj. Maz′dēan.—n. Maz′dēism, the religious system of the Zend-Avesta, the ancient sacred writings of the Parsees, Zoroastrianism. [Zend

English · e-38538-8362

Maze

Maze, māz, n. a place full of intricate windings: confusion of thought: perplexity.—v.t. to bewilder: to confuse.—adjs. Maze′ful (Spens.), Maz′y, full of mazes or windings: intricate.—adv. Maz′ily.—n. Maz′iness, state or

English · e-38538-8363

Mazer

Mazer, maz′ėr, n. (Spens.) a kind of hard wood, probably maple: a cup or goblet made of maple, and usually highly ornamented. [Skeat explains as Ice. mösurr, a maple-tree, lit. 'spot-wood.']

English · e-38538-8364

Mazourka

Mazourka, Mazurka, ma-zōōr′ka, n. a lively Polish round dance for four or eight couples: the music such as is played to it.

English · e-38538-8365

Me

Me, mē, personal pron. the objective case of I, including both the old English accusative and dative of the first personal pronoun. [A.S. mé.]

English · e-38538-8366

Meacock

Meacock, mē′kok, adj. (Shak.) timorous, effeminate, cowardly. [Perh. dim. of meek.]

English · e-38538-8367 · brief source record

Mead

Mead, mēd, n. honey and water fermented and flavoured. [A.S. medu; Ger. meth, W. medd.]

English · e-38538-8368 · brief source record

Meadow

Meadow, med′ō, n. a level tract producing grass to be mown down: a rich pasture-ground—(poet.) Mead.—ns. Mead′ow-fox′tail (see Foxtail); Mead′ow-grass, the larger and more useful kinds of grass, grown in meadows for hay

English · e-38538-8369

Meagre

Meagre, mē′gėr, adj. having little flesh: lean: poor: without richness or fertility: barren: scanty: without strength.—adv. Mea′grely.—n. Mea′greness, state or quality of being meagre. [Fr. maigre—L. macer, lean; cf. Ger

English · e-38538-8370

Meal

Meal, mēl, n. the food taken at one time: the act or the time of taking food: a breakfast, dinner, or supper.—ns. Meal′er, one who takes his meals at a boarding-house, lodging elsewhere; Meal′-time, the time for meals.—S

English · e-38538-8371

Meal

Meal, mēl, n. grain ground to powder.—v.i. to yield or be plentiful in meal.—ns. Meal′-ark (Scot.), a large chest for holding meal; Meal′iness; Meal′-man, or Meal′-mong′er, one who deals in meal; Meal′-pock, or -poke, a

English · e-38538-8372

Mealie

Mealie, mēl′i, n. an ear of maize or Indian corn, esp. in pl., maize.

English · e-38538-8373 · brief source record

Mean

Mean, mēn, adj. low in rank or birth: base: sordid: low in worth or estimation: of little value or importance: poor, humble: despicable.—adj. Mean′-born, of humble origin.—adv. Mean′ly.—n. Mean′ness, state or quality of

English · e-38538-8374

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