8 letter word starting with m

by
Words Parts of Speech Meaning/Definition/Similar Words
macarize verb t. To congratulate.
macaroni noun Long slender tubes made of a paste chiefly of wheat flour, and used as an article of food; Italian or Genoese paste., A medley; something droll or extravagant., A sort of droll or fool., A finical person; a fop; — applied especially to English fops of about 1775., The designation of a body of Maryland soldiers in the Revolutionary War, distinguished by a rich uniform.
macaroon noun A small cake, composed chiefly of the white of eggs, almonds, and sugar., A finical fellow, or macaroni.
macavahu noun A small Brazilian monkey (Callithrix torquatus), — called also collared teetee.
maccaboy noun Alt. of Maccoboy
maccoboy noun A kind of snuff.
macerate verb t. To make lean; to cause to waste away., To subdue the appetites of by poor and scanty diet; to mortify., 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.
machinal adjective Of or pertaining to machines.
machined imp. & past participle of Machine
machiner noun One who or operates a machine; a machinist.
macilent adjective Lean; thin.
mackerel noun A pimp; also, a bawd., 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.
mackinaw A thick blanket formerly in common use in the western part of the United States.
maclurea noun A genus of spiral gastropod shells, often of large size, characteristic of the lower Silurian rocks.
maclurin noun See Morintannic.
macropod noun Any one of a group of maioid crabs remarkable for the length of their legs; — called also spider crab.
macropus noun genus of marsupials including the common kangaroo.
macroura adjective Alt. of Macroural
macrural adjective Same as Macrurous.
macruran noun One of the Macrura.
maculate verb To spot; to stain; to blur., Marked with spots or maculae; blotched; hence, defiled; impure; as, most maculate thoughts.
maculose adjective Of or pertaining to spots upon a surface; spotted; maculate.
mesdames plural of Madam, of Madame, pl. of Madame and Madam.
madbrain adjective Hot-headed; rash., A rash or hot-headed person.
maddened imp. & past participle of Madden
madecass noun Alt. of Madecassee
madefied imp. & past participle of Madefy
madhouse noun A house where insane persons are confined; an insane asylum; a bedlam.
madrague noun A large fish pound used for the capture of the tunny in the Mediterranean; also applied to the seines used for the same purpose.
madrigal noun A little amorous poem, sometimes called a pastoral poem, containing some tender and delicate, though simple, thought., 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.
maegbote noun Alt. of Magbote
maestoso adjective & adverb Majestic or majestically; — a direction to perform a passage or piece of music in a dignified manner.
magazine noun A receptacle in which anything is stored, especially military stores, as ammunition, arms, provisions, etc., The building or room in which the supply of powder is kept in a fortification or a ship., A chamber in a gun for holding a number of cartridges to be fed automatically to the piece., A pamphlet published periodically containing miscellaneous papers or compositions., To store in, or as in, a magazine; to store up for use.
magdalen noun A reformed prostitute.
maggiore adjective Greater, in respect to scales, intervals, etc., when used in opposition to minor; major.
magician noun One skilled in magic; one who practices the black art; an enchanter; a necromancer; a sorcerer or sorceress; a conjurer.
magister noun 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.
magnesia noun 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.
magnesic adjective Pertaining to, or containing, magnesium; as, magnesic oxide.
magnetic adjective Alt. of Magnetical, A magnet., 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.
magneto- A prefix meaning pertaining to, produced by, or in some way connected with, magnetism.
magnific adjective Alt. of Magnifical
magnolia noun A genus of American and Asiatic trees, with aromatic bark and large sweet-scented whitish or reddish flowers.
maharmah noun A muslin wrapper for the head and the lower part of the face, worn by Turkish and Armenian women when they go abroad.
mahogany noun A large tree of the genus Swietenia (S. Mahogoni), found in tropical America., 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., A table made of mahogany wood.
mahoohoo noun The African white two-horned rhinoceros (Atelodus simus).
mahratta noun One of a numerous people inhabiting the southwestern part of India. Also, the language of the Mahrattas; Mahrati. It is closely allied to Sanskrit., Of or pertaining to the Mahrattas.
maidenly adjective Like a maid; suiting a maid; maiden-like; gentle, modest, reserved., In a maidenlike manner.
maidhood noun Maidenhood.
maidpale adjective Pale, like a sick girl.
maieutic adjective Alt. of Maieutical
mailable adjective Admissible lawfully into the mail.
mailclad adjective Protected by a coat of mail; clad in armor.
maimedly adverb In a maimed manner.
mainland noun The continent; the principal land; — opposed to island, or peninsula.
mainmast noun The principal mast in a ship or other vessel.
mainsail noun The principal sail in a ship or other vessel.
mainstay noun The stay extending from the foot of the foremast to the maintop., Main support; principal dependence.
maintain verb t. 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., To keep possession of; to hold and defend; not to surrender or relinquish., To continue; not to suffer to cease or fail., To bear the expense of; to support; to keep up; to supply with what is needed., To affirm; to support or defend by argument.
maistrie noun Alt. of Maistry
majestic adjective Possessing or exhibiting majesty; of august dignity, stateliness, or imposing grandeur; lofty; noble; grand.
majolica noun A kind of pottery, with opaque glazing and showy, which reached its greatest perfection in Italy in the 16th century.
majorate noun The office or rank of a major., To augment; to increase.
majorcan adjective Of or pertaining to Majorca., A native or inhabitant of Majorca.
majority noun The quality or condition of being major or greater; superiority., The military rank of a major., The condition of being of full age, or authorized by law to manage one’s own affairs., The greater number; more than half; as, a majority of mankind; a majority of the votes cast., Ancestors; ancestry., 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.
makebate noun One who excites contentions and quarrels.
makeless adjective Matchless., Without a mate.
maladies plural of Malady
malagash noun Same as Malagasy.
malagasy noun sing. & pl. A native or natives of Madagascar; also (sing.), the language.
malamate noun A salt of malamic acid.
malamide noun The acid amide derived from malic acid, as a white crystalline substance metameric with asparagine.
malapert adjective Bold; forward; impudent; saucy; pert., A malapert person.
malarial adjective Alt. of Malarious
malarian adjective Alt. of Malarious
malaxate verb t. To soften by kneading or stirring with some thinner substance.
maledict adjective Accursed; abominable.
malefice noun An evil deed; artifice; enchantment.
maligned imp. & past participle of Malign
maligner noun One who maligns.
malignly adverb In a malign manner; with malignity.
malinger verb i. To act the part of a malingerer; to feign illness or inability.
malleate verb t. To hammer; to beat into a plate or leaf.
mallecho noun Same as Malicho.
malleoli plural of Malleolus
mallotus noun A genus of small Arctic fishes. One American species, the capelin (Mallotus villosus), is extensively used as bait for cod.
malonate adjective At salt of malonic acid.
maltonic adjective Of, pertaining to, or derived from, maltose; specif., designating an acid called also gluconic or dextronic acid. See Gluconic.
maltreat verb t. To treat ill; to abuse; to treat roughly.
maltster noun A maltman.
maltworm noun A tippler.
malvesie noun Malmsey wine. See Malmsey.
mamaluke noun Same as Mameluke.
mameluco noun A child born of a white father and Indian mother.
mameluke noun One of a body of mounted soldiers recruited from slaves converted to Mohammedanism, who, during several centuries, had more or less control of the government of Egypt, until exterminated or dispersed by Mehemet Ali in 1811.
mammalia noun pl. The highest class of Vertebrata. The young are nourished for a time by milk, or an analogous fluid, secreted by the mammary glands of the mother.
mammetry noun See Mawmetry.
mammifer noun A mammal. See Mammalia.
mammilae plural of Mammilla
mammilla noun The nipple.
mammodis noun Coarse plain India muslins.
manacled imp. & past participle of Manacle
managing present participle & vb. noun of Manage
managery noun Management; manner of using; conduct; direction., Husbandry; economy; frugality.
manation noun The act of issuing or flowing out.
manciple noun A steward; a purveyor, particularly of a college or Inn of Court.
mandamus noun A writ issued by a superior court and directed to some inferior tribunal, or to some corporation or person exercising authority, commanding the performance of some specified duty.
mandarin noun A Chinese public officer or nobleman; a civil or military official in China and Annam., A small orange, with easily separable rind. It is thought to be of Chinese origin, and is counted a distinct species (Citrus nobilis)mandarin orange; tangerine –.
mandator noun A director; one who gives a mandate or order., The person who employs another to perform a mandate.
mandelic adjective Pertaining to an acid first obtained from benzoic aldehyde (oil of better almonds), as a white crystalline substance; — called also phenyl glycolic acid.
manderil noun A mandrel.
mandible noun The bone, or principal bone, of the lower jaw; the inferior maxilla; — also applied to either the upper or the lower jaw in the beak of birds., The anterior pair of mouth organs of insects, crustaceaus, and related animals, whether adapted for biting or not. See Illust. of Diptera.
mandioca noun See Manioc.
mandment noun Commandment.
mandolin noun Alt. of Mandoline
mandrake noun A low plant (Mandragora officinarum) of the Nightshade family, having a fleshy root, often forked, and supposed to resemble a man. It was therefore supposed to have animal life, and to cry out when pulled up. All parts of the plant are strongly narcotic. It is found in the Mediterranean region., The May apple (Podophyllum peltatum). See May apple under May, and Podophyllum.
mandrill noun a large West African baboon (Cynocephalus, / Papio, mormon). The adult male has, on the sides of the nose, large, naked, grooved swellings, conspicuously striped with blue and red.
manducus noun A grotesque mask, representing a person chewing or grimacing, worn in processions and by comic actors on the stage.
maneless adjective Having no mane.
manequin noun An artist’s model of wood or other material.
manerial adjective See Manorial.
maneuver noun Alt. of Manoeuvre, Alt. of Manoeuvre, Alt. of Manoeuvre
mamgabey noun Any one of several African monkeys of the genus Cercocebus, as the sooty mangabey (C. fuliginosus), which is sooty black.
manganic adjective Of, pertaining to resembling, or containing, manganese; specif., designating compounds in which manganese has a higher valence as contrasted with manganous compounds. Cf. Manganous.
mangcorn noun A mixture of wheat and rye, or other species of grain.
mangling present participle & vb. noun of Mangle
mangonel noun A military engine formerly used for throwing stones and javelins.
mangrove noun The name of one or two trees of the genus Rhizophora (R. Mangle, and R. mucronata, the last doubtfully distinct) inhabiting muddy shores of tropical regions, where they spread by emitting aerial roots, which fasten in the saline mire and eventually become new stems. The seeds also send down a strong root while yet attached to the parent plant., The mango fish.
manhaden noun See Menhaden.
maniable adjective Manageable.
maniacal adjective Affected with, or characterized by, madness; maniac.
manicate adjective Covered with hairs or pubescence so platted together and interwoven as to form a mass easily removed.
manichee noun A believer in the doctrines of Manes, a Persian of the third century A. D., who taught a dualism in which Light is regarded as the source of Good, and Darkness as the source of Evil.
manicure noun A person who makes a business of taking care of people’s hands, especially their nails.
manifest adjective Evident to the senses, esp. to the sight; apparent; distinctly perceived; hence, obvious to the understanding; apparent to the mind; easily apprehensible; plain; not obscure or hidden., Detected; convicted; — with of., A public declaration; an open statement; a manifesto. See Manifesto., A list or invoice of a ship’s cargo, containing a description by marks, numbers, etc., of each package of goods, to be exhibited at the customhouse., To show plainly; to make to appear distinctly, — usually to the mind; to put beyond question or doubt; to display; to exhibit., To exhibit the manifests or prepared invoices of; to declare at the customhouse.
manifold adjective Various in kind or quality; many in number; numerous; multiplied; complicated., Exhibited at divers times or in various ways; — used to qualify nouns in the singular number., A copy of a writing made by the manifold process., A cylindrical pipe fitting, having a number of lateral outlets, for connecting one pipe with several others., The third stomach of a ruminant animal., To take copies of by the process of manifold writing; as, to manifold a letter.
maniform adjective Shaped like the hand.
mannered adjective Having a certain way, esp. a polite way, of carrying and conducting one’s self., Affected with mannerism; marked by excess of some characteristic peculiarity.
mannerly adjective Showing good manners; civil; respectful; complaisant., With good manners.
mannitan noun A white amorphous or crystalline substance obtained by the partial dehydration of mannite.
mannitic adjective Of, pertaining to, resembling, or derived from, mannite.
mannitol noun The technical name of mannite. See Mannite.
manofwar n A government vessel employed for the purposes of war, esp. one of large size; a ship of war.
manorial adjective Of or pertaining to a manor.
manovery noun A contrivance or maneuvering to catch game illegally.
mansuete adjective Tame; gentle; kind.
manswear verb i. To swear falsely. Same as Mainswear.
mantchoo adjective & noun Same as Manchu.
manteaux plural of Manteau
manteaus plural of Manteau
mantelet noun A short cloak formerly worn by knights., A short cloak or mantle worn by women., A musket-proof shield of rope, wood, or metal, which is sometimes used for the protection of sappers or riflemen while attacking a fortress, or of gunners at embrasures; — now commonly written mantlet.
mantilla noun A lady’s light cloak of cape of silk, velvet, lace, or the like., A kind of veil, covering the head and falling down upon the shoulders; — worn in Spain, Mexico, etc.
mantissa noun The decimal part of a logarithm, as distinguished from the integral part, or characteristic.
mantling present participle & vb. noun of Mantle, The representation of a mantle, or the drapery behind and around a coat of arms: — called also lambrequin.
manually adverb By hand.
manubial adjective Belonging to spoils; taken in war.
manubria plural of Manubrium
manucode noun Any bird of the genus Manucodia, of Australia and New Guinea. They are related to the bird of paradise.
manumise verb t. To manumit.
manurage noun Cultivation.
manuring present participle & vb. noun of Manure, The act of process of applying manure; also, the manure applied.
manurial adjective Relating to manures.
manyways adverb Alt. of Manywise
manywise adverb In many different ways; variously.
marabout noun A Mohammedan saint; especially, one who claims to work cures supernaturally.
marasmus noun A wasting of flesh without fever or apparent disease; a kind of consumption; atrophy; phthisis.
marauded imp. & past participle of Maraud
marauder verb A rover in quest of booty or plunder; a plunderer; one who pillages.
maravedi noun A small copper coin of Spain, equal to three mils American money, less than a farthing sterling. Also, an ancient Spanish gold coin.
marbling present participle & vb. noun of Marble, The art or practice of variegating in color, in imitation of marble., An intermixture of fat and lean in meat, giving it a marbled appearance., Distinct markings resembling the variegations of marble, as on birds and insects.
marching present participle & vb. noun of March, a. & n., fr. March, v.
marchman noun A person living in the marches between England and Scotland or Wales.
margaric adjective Pertaining to, or resembling, pearl; pearly.
margarin noun A fatty substance, extracted from animal fats and certain vegetable oils, formerly supposed to be a definite compound of glycerin and margaric acid, but now known to be simply a mixture or combination of tristearin and teipalmitin.
margined imp. & past participle of Margin, Having a margin., Bordered with a distinct line of color.
marginal adjective Of or pertaining to a margin., Written or printed in the margin; as, a marginal note or gloss.
margrave noun Originally, a lord or keeper of the borders or marches in Germany., The English equivalent of the German title of nobility, markgraf; a marquis.
marigold noun A name for several plants with golden yellow blossoms, especially the Calendula officinalis (see Calendula), and the cultivated species of Tagetes.
marikina noun A small marmoset (Midas rosalia); the silky tamarin.
marinade noun A brine or pickle containing wine and spices, for enriching the flavor of meat and fish.
marinate verb t. To salt or pickle, as fish, and then preserve in oil or vinegar; to prepare by the use of marinade.
maritime adjective Bordering on, or situated near, the ocean; connected with the sea by site, interest, or power; having shipping and commerce or a navy; as, maritime states., Of or pertaining to the ocean; marine; pertaining to navigation and naval affairs, or to shipping and commerce by sea.
marjoram noun A genus of mintlike plants (Origanum) comprising about twenty-five species. The sweet marjoram (O. Majorana) is pecularly aromatic and fragrant, and much used in cookery. The wild marjoram of Europe and America is O. vulgare, far less fragrant than the other.
markable adjective Remarkable.
marketed imp. & past participle of Market
marketer noun One who attends a market to buy or sell; one who carries goods to market.
markhoor noun A large wild goat (Capra megaceros), having huge flattened spiral horns. It inhabits the mountains of Northern India and Cashmere.
marksmen plural of Marksman
marksman noun One skillful to hit a mark with a missile; one who shoots well., One who makes his mark, instead of writing his name, in signing documents.
marlitic adjective Partaking of the qualites of marlite.
marmalet noun See Marmalade.
marmoset noun Any one of numerous species of small South American monkeys of the genera Hapale and Midas, family Hapalidae. They have long soft fur, and a hairy, nonprehensile tail. They are often kept as pets. Called also squirrel monkey.
marmozet noun See Marmoset.
maronite noun One of a body of nominal Christians, who speak the Arabic language, and reside on Mount Lebanon and in different parts of Syria. They take their name from one Maron of the 6th century.
marooned imp. & past participle of Maroon
marquess noun A marquis.
marquise noun The wife of a marquis; a marchioness.
marriage verb t. The act of marrying, or the state of being married; legal union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and wife; wedlock; matrimony., The marriage vow or contract., A feast made on the occasion of a marriage., Any intimate or close union.
marrried adjective Being in the state of matrimony; wedded; as, a married man or woman., Of or pertaining to marriage; connubial; as, the married state.
marrowed imp. & past participle of Marrow
marrying present participle & vb. noun of Marry
marsupia plural of Marsupium
martagon noun A lily (Lilium Martagon) with purplish red flowers, found in Europe and Asia.
mar-text noun A blundering preacher.
martinet noun In military language, a strict disciplinarian; in general, one who lays stress on a rigid adherence to the details of discipline, or to forms and fixed methods., The martin.
martyred imp. & past participle of Martyr
martyrly adverb In the manner of a martyr.
marveled imp. & past participle of Marvel
mary-bud noun The marigold; a blossom of the marigold.
marysole noun A large British fluke, or flounder (Rhombus megastoma); — called also carter, and whiff.
mascotte noun A person who is supposed to bring good luck to the household to which he or she belongs; anything that brings good luck.
masorite noun One of the writers of the Masora.
massacre noun The killing of a considerable number of human beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty, or contrary to the usages of civilized people; as, the massacre on St. Bartholomew’s Day., Murder., To kill in considerable numbers where much resistance can not be made; to kill with indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and contrary to the usages of nations; to butcher; to slaughter; — limited to the killing of human beings.
masseter noun The large muscle which raises the under jaw, and assists in mastication.
masseuse noun f. One who performs massage.
massicot noun Lead protoxide, PbO, obtained as a yellow amorphous powder, the fused and crystalline form of which is called litharge; lead ocher. It is used as a pigment.
massoret noun Same as Masorite.
mastered imp. & past participle of Master
masterly adjective Suitable to, or characteristic of, a master; indicating thorough knowledge or superior skill and power; showing a master’s hand; as, a masterly design; a masterly performance; a masterly policy., Imperious; domineering; arbitrary., With the skill of a master.
masthead noun The top or head of a mast; the part of a mast above the hounds., To cause to go to the masthead as a punishment.
masticin noun A white, amorphous, tenacious substance resembling caoutchouc, and obtained as an insoluble residue of mastic.
masticot noun Massicot.
mastiffs plural of Mastiff
mastives plural of Mastiff
mastitis noun Inflammation of the breast.
mastless adjective Bearing no mast; as, a mastless oak or beech., Having no mast; as, a mastless vessel.
mastodon noun An extinct genus of mammals closely allied to the elephant, but having less complex molar teeth, and often a pair of lower, as well as upper, tusks, which are incisor teeth. The species were mostly larger than elephants, and their romains occur in nearly all parts of the world in deposits ranging from Miocene to late Quaternary time.
mastress noun Mistress.
matachin noun An old dance with swords and bucklers; a sword dance.
matadore noun Alt. of Matador
matamata noun The bearded tortoise (Chelys fimbriata) of South American rivers.
matching present participle & vb. noun of Match
mateless adjective Having no mate.
matelote noun A dish of food composed of many kinds of fish.
material adjective Consisting of matter; not spiritual; corporeal; physical; as, material substance or bodies., Hence: Pertaining to, or affecting, the physical nature of man, as distinguished from the mental or moral nature; relating to the bodily wants, interests, and comforts., Of solid or weighty character; not insubstantial; of cinsequence; not be dispensed with; important., Pertaining to the matter, as opposed to the form, of a thing. See Matter., The substance or matter of which anything is made or may be made., To form from matter; to materialize.
materiel noun That in a complex system which constitutes the materials, or instruments employed, in distinction from the personnel, or men; as, the baggage, munitions, provisions, etc., of an army; or the buildings, libraries, and apparatus of a college, in distinction from its officers.
maternal adjective Of or pertaining to a mother; becoming to a mother; motherly; as, maternal love; maternal tenderness.
matfelon noun The knapweed (Centaurea nigra).
mathesis noun Learning; especially, mathematics.
mathurin noun See Trinitarian.
matrices plural of Matrix
matronal adjective Of or pertaining to a matron; suitable to an elderly lady or to a married woman; grave; motherly.
matronly adjective Advanced in years; elderly., Like, or befitting, a matron; grave; sedate.
mattages noun A shrike or butcher bird; — written also matagasse.
mattered imp. & past participle of Matter
mattress noun A quilted bed; a bed stuffed with hair, moss, or other suitable material, and quilted or otherwise fastened., A mass of interwoven brush, poles, etc., to protect a bank from being worn away by currents or waves.
maturant noun A medicine, or application, which promotes suppuration.
maturate adjective To bring to ripeness or maturity; to ripen., To promote the perfect suppuration of (an abscess)., To ripen; to become mature; specif/cally, to suppurate.
maturing present participle & vb. noun of Mature, Approaching maturity; as, maturing fruits; maturing notes of hand.
maturely adverb In a mature manner; with ripeness; completely., With caution; deliberately., Early; soon.
maturity noun The state or quality of being mature; ripeness; full development; as, the maturity of corn or of grass; maturity of judgment; the maturity of a plan., Arrival of the time fixed for payment; a becoming due; termination of the period a note, etc., has to run.
matutine adjective Matutinal.
maundril noun A pick with two prongs, to pry with.
mauveine noun An artificial organic base, obtained by oxidizing a mixture of aniline and toluidine, and valuable for the dyestuffs it forms.
maverick noun In the southwestern part of the united States, a bullock or heifer that has not been branded, and is unclaimed or wild; — said to be from Maverick, the name of a cattle owner in Texas who neglected to brand his cattle.
mawmetry noun The religion of Mohammed; also, idolatry. See Mawmet.
maxillae plural of Maxilla
maxillar adjective Alt. of Maxillary
maximize verb t. To increase to the highest degree.
maybloom noun The hawthorn.
mayoress noun The wife of a mayor.
mazarine adjective Of or pertaining to Cardinal Mazarin, prime minister of France, 1643-1661., Mazarine blue.
mazdeism noun The Zoroastrian religion.
maziness noun The state or quality of being mazy.
mazology noun Same as Mastology.
mazourka noun Alt. of Mazurka
meagerly adverb Alt. of Meagrely
meagrely adverb Poorly; thinly.
mealtime noun The usual time of eating a meal.
meanness noun The condition, or quality, of being mean; want of excellence; poorness; lowness; baseness; sordidness; stinginess., A mean act; as, to be guilty of meanness.
meantime noun Alt. of Meanwhile, Alt. of Meanwhile
measelry noun Leprosy.
measured imp. & past participle of Measure, Regulated or determined by a standard; hence, equal; uniform; graduated; limited; moderated; as, he walked with measured steps; he expressed himself in no measured terms.
measurer noun One who measures; one whose occupation or duty is to measure commondities in market.
meatless adjective Having no meat; without food.
meatuses plural of Meatus
meazling adjective Falling in small drops; mistling; mizzing.
meccawee adjective Of or pertaining to Mecca, in Arabia., A native or inhabitant of Mecca.
mechanic adjective The art of the application of the laws of motion or force to construction., A mechanician; an artisan; an artificer; one who practices any mechanic art; one skilled or employed in shaping and uniting materials, as wood, metal, etc., into any kind of structure, machine, or other object, requiring the use of tools, or instruments., Having to do with the application of the laws of motion in the art of constructing or making things; of or pertaining to mechanics; mechanical; as, the mechanic arts., Of or pertaining to a mechanic or artificer, or to the class of artisans; hence, rude; common; vulgar., Base.
meconate noun A salt of meconic acid.
meconium noun Opium., The contents of the fetal intestine; hence, first excrement.
medalled of Medal
medaling present participle & vb. noun of Medal
medalist noun A person that is skilled or curious in medals; a collector of medals., A designer of medals., One who has gained a medal as the reward of merit.
medallic adjective Of or pertaining to a medal, or to medals.
meddling present participle & vb. noun of Meddle, Meddlesome.
mediated imp. & past participle of Mediate
mediator noun One who mediates; especially, one who interposes between parties at variance for the purpose of reconciling them; hence, an intercessor.
medicate verb t. To tincture or impregnate with anything medicinal; to drug., To treat with medicine.
medicean adjective Of or relating to the Medici, a noted Italian family; as, the Medicean Venus.
medicine noun The science which relates to the prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease., Any substance administered in the treatment of disease; a remedial agent; a remedy; physic., A philter or love potion., A physician., To give medicine to; to affect as a medicine does; to remedy; to cure.
medieval Alt. of Medievalist
mediocre adjective Of a middle quality; of but a moderate or low degree of excellence; indifferent; ordinary., A mediocre person., A young monk who was excused from performing a portion of a monk’s duties.
meditate verb i. To keep the mind in a state of contemplation; to dwell on anything in thought; to think seriously; to muse; to cogitate; to reflect., To contemplate; to keep the mind fixed upon; to study., To purpose; to intend; to design; to plan by revolving in the mind; as, to meditate a war.
medregal noun See Bonito, 3.
medullar adjective See Medullary.
medullin noun A variety of lignin or cellulose found in the medulla, or pith, of certain plants. Cf. Lignin, and Cellulose.
medusian noun A medusa.
medusoid adjective Like a medusa; having the fundamental structure of a medusa, but without a locomotive disk; — said of the sessile gonophores of hydroids., A sessile gonophore. See Illust. under Gonosome.
meekness noun The quality or state of being meek.
meetness noun Fitness; suitableness; propriety.
megacosm noun See Macrocosm.
megaderm noun Any one of several species of Old World blood-sucking bats of the genus Megaderma.
megadyne noun One of the larger measures of force, amounting to one million dynes.
megalerg noun A million ergs; a megerg.
megalith noun A large stone; especially, a large stone used in ancient building.
megalops noun A larva, in a stage following the zoea, in the development of most crabs. In this stage the legs and abdominal appendages have appeared, the abdomen is relatively long, and the eyes are large. Also used adjectively., A large fish; the tarpum.
megapode noun Any one of several species of large-footed, gallinaceous birds of the genera Megapodius and Leipoa, inhabiting Australia and other Pacific islands. See Jungle fowl (b) under Jungle, and Leipoa.
megarian adjective Alt. of Megaric
megaseme adjective Having the orbital index relatively large; having the orbits narrow transversely; — opposed to microseme.
megavolt noun One of the larger measures of electro-motive force, amounting to one million volts.
meiocene adjective See Miocene.
meionite noun A member of the scapolite, group, occuring in glassy crystals on Monte Somma, near Naples.
melamine noun A strong nitrogenous base, C3H6N6, produced from several cyanogen compounds, and obtained as a white crystalline substance, — formerly supposed to be produced by the decomposition of melam. Called also cyanuramide.
melanian noun One of a family of fresh-water pectinibranchiate mollusks, having a turret-shaped shell.
melanism noun An undue development of dark-colored pigment in the skin or its appendages; — the opposite of albinism., A disease; black jaundice. See Mel/na.
melanite noun A black variety of garnet.
melanure noun A small fish of the Mediterranean; a gilthead. See Gilthead (a).
melasses noun See Molasses.
melassic adjective Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from molasses or glucose, and probably identical with saccharic acid. See Saccharic.
melchite noun One of a sect, chiefly in Syria and Egypt, which acknowledges the authority of the pope, but adheres to the liturgy and ceremonies of the Eastern Church.
melenite noun An explosive of great destructive power; — so called from its color, which resembles honey.
melibean adjective Alt. of Melib/an
melib/an adjective Alternately responsive, as verses.
melilite noun A mineral occurring in small yellow crystals, found in the lavas (melilite basalt) of Vesuvius, and elsewhere.
melissic adjective Pertaining to, or derived from, beeswax; specif., denoting an acid obtained by oxidation of myricin.
melissyl noun See Myricyl.
melitose noun A variety of sugar isomeric with sucrose, extracted from cotton seeds and from the so-called Australian manna (a secretion of certain species of Eucalyptus).
mellific adjective Producing honey.
mellitic adjective Containing saccharine matter; marked by saccharine secretions; as, mellitic diabetes., Pertaining to, or derived from, the mineral mellite.
mellowed imp. & past participle of Mellow
mellowly adverb In a mellow manner.
melodeon noun A kind of small reed organ; — a portable form of the seraphine., A music hall.
melodics noun The department of musical science which treats of the pitch of tones, and of the laws of melody.
melodist noun A composer or singer of melodies.
melodize verb t. To make melodious; to form into, or set to, melody., To make melody; to compose melodies; to harmonize.
melodies plural of Melody
melop/ia noun The art of forming melody; melody; — now often used for a melodic passage, rather than a complete melody.
melotype noun A picture produced by a process in which development after exposure may be deferred indefinitely, so as to permit transportation of exposed plates; also, the process itself.
meltable adjective Capable of being melted.
membered adjective Having limbs; — chiefly used in composition., Having legs of a different tincture from that of the body; — said of a bird in heraldic representations.
membrane noun A thin layer or fold of tissue, usually supported by a fibrous network, serving to cover or line some part or organ, and often secreting or absorbing certain fluids.
mementos plural of Memento
memorate verb t. To commemorate.
memorial adjective Serving to preserve remembrance; commemorative; as, a memorial building., Mnemonic; assisting the memory., Anything intended to preserve the memory of a person or event; something which serves to keep something else in remembrance; a monument., A memorandum; a record., A written representation of facts, addressed to the government, or to some branch of it, or to a society, etc., — often accompanied with a petition., Memory; remembrance., A species of informal state paper, much used in negotiation.
memorist noun One who, or that which, causes to be remembered.
memorize verb t. To cause to be remembered ; hence, to record., To commit to memory; to learn by heart.
memories plural of Memory
memphian adjective Of or pertaining to the ancient city of Memphis in Egypt; hence, Egyptian; as, Memphian darkness.
menacing present participle & vb. noun of Menace
mendable adjective Capable of being mended.
mendiant noun See Mendinant.
mendment noun Amendment.
menhaden noun An American marine fish of the Herring familt (Brevoortia tyrannus), chiefly valuable for its oil and as a component of fertilizers; — called also mossbunker, bony fish, chebog, pogy, hardhead, whitefish, etc.
menilite noun See Opal.
meninges noun pl. The three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord; the pia mater, dura mater, and arachnoid membrane.
meniscal adjective Pertaining to, or having the form of, a meniscus.
meniscus noun A crescent., A lens convex on one side and concave on the other., An interarticular synovial cartilage or membrane; esp., one of the intervertebral synovial disks in some parts of the vertebral column of birds.
menology noun A register of months., A brief calendar of the lives of the saints for each day in the year, or a simple remembrance of those whose lives are not written.
menopoma noun Alt. of Menopome
menopome noun The hellbender.
menstrue noun The menstrual flux; menses.
menstrua plural of Menstruum
mensural adjective Of or pertaining to measure.
mentagra noun Sycosis.
mentally adverb In the mind; in thought or meditation; intellectually; in idea.
menthene noun A colorless liquid hydrocarbon resembling oil of turpentine, obtained by dehydrating menthol. It has an agreeable odor and a cooling taste.
mephitic adjective Alt. of Mephitical
mephitis noun Noxious, pestilential, or foul exhalations from decomposing substances, filth, or other source., A genus of mammals, including the skunks.
mercable adjective Capable of being bought or sold.
merchand verb i. To traffic.
merchant noun One who traffics on a large scale, especially with foreign countries; a trafficker; a trader., A trading vessel; a merchantman., One who keeps a store or shop for the sale of goods; a shopkeeper., Of, pertaining to, or employed in, trade or merchandise; as, the merchant service., To be a merchant; to trade.
merciful adjective Full of mercy; having or exercising mercy; disposed to pity and spare offenders; unwilling to punish., Unwilling to give pain; compassionate.
mercuric adjective Of, pertaining to, or derived from, mercury; containing mercury; — said of those compounds of mercury into which this element enters in its lowest proportion.
meresman noun An officer who ascertains meres or boundaries.
mericarp noun One carpel of an umbelliferous fruit. See Cremocarp.
meridian adjective Being at, or pertaining to, midday; belonging to, or passing through, the highest point attained by the sun in his diurnal course., Pertaining to the highest point or culmination; as, meridian splendor., Midday; noon., Hence: The highest point, as of success, prosperity, or the like; culmination., A great circle of the sphere passing through the poles of the heavens and the zenith of a given place. It is crossed by the sun at midday., A great circle on the surface of the earth, passing through the poles and any given place; also, the half of such a circle included between the poles.
meringue noun A delicate pastry made of powdered sugar and the whites of eggs whipped up, — with jam or cream added.
meristem noun A tissue of growing cells, or cells capable of further division.
meriting present participle & vb. noun of Merit
merithal noun Alt. of Merithallus
meritory adjective Meritorious.
merocele noun Hernia in the thigh; femoral hernia .
merosome noun One of the serial segments, or metameres, of which the bodies of vertebrate and articulate animals are composed.
mesaraic adjective Mesenteric.
meseemed imp. of Meseems
meseraic adjective Mesaraic.
mesially adverb In, near, or toward, the mesial plane; mesiad.
mesmeree noun A person subjected to mesmeric influence; one who is mesmerized.
mesmeric adjective Alt. of Mesmerical
mesocarp noun The middle layer of a pericarp which consists of three distinct or dissimilar layers.
mesoderm noun The layer of the blastoderm, between the ectoderm and endoderm; mesoblast. See Illust. of Blastoderm and Ectoderm., The middle body layer in some invertebrates., The middle layer of tissue in some vegetable structures.
mesodont adjective Having teeth of moderate size.
mesogl/a noun A thin gelatinous tissue separating the ectoderm and endoderm in certain coelenterates.
mesolabe noun An instrument of the ancients for finding two mean proportionals between two given lines, required in solving the problem of the duplication of the cube.
mesolite noun A zeolitic mineral, grayish white or yellowish, occuring in delicate groups of crystals, also fibrous massive. It is a hydrous silicate of alumina, lime, and soda.
mesoseme adjective Having a medium orbital index; having orbits neither broad nor narrow; between megaseme and microseme.
mesotype noun An old term covering natrolite or soda mesolite, scolecite or lime mesotype, and mesolite or lime-soda mesotype.
mesozoic adjective Belonging, or relating, to the secondary or reptilian age, or the era between the Paleozoic and Cenozoic. See Chart of Geology., The Mesozoic age or formation.
mesprise noun Contempt; scorn., Misadventure; ill-success.
mesquite noun Alt. of Mesquit
messager noun A messenger.
messidor noun The tenth month of the French republican calendar dating from September 22, 1792. It began June 19, and ended July 18. See VendEmiaire.
messmate noun An associate in a mess.
messuage noun A dwelling house, with the adjacent buildings and curtilage, and the adjoining lands appropriated to the use of the household.
mestinos plural of Mestino
mestizos plural of Mestizo
mestling noun A kind of brass. See Maslin.
metabola noun Alt. of Metabole, Alt. of Metabolia
metabole noun A change or mutation; a change of disease, symptoms, or treatment.
metacism noun A defect in pronouncing the letter m, or a too frequent use of it.
metalled of Metal
metaling present participle & vb. noun of Metal
metallic adjective Of or pertaining to a metal; of the nature of metal; resembling metal; as, a metallic appearance; a metallic alloy., Of, pertaining to, or characterized by, the essential and implied properties of a metal, as contrasted with a nonmetal or metalloid; basic; antacid; positive.
metalmen plural of Metalman
metalman noun A worker in metals.
metamere noun One of successive or homodynamous parts in animals and plants; one of a series of similar parts that follow one another in a vertebrate or articulate animal, as in an earthworm; a segment; a somite. See Illust. of Loeven’s larva.
metaphor noun The transference of the relation between one set of objects to another set for the purpose of brief explanation; a compressed simile; e. g., the ship plows the sea.
metapode noun The posterior division of the foot in the Gastropoda and Pteropoda.
metasome noun One of the component segments of the body of an animal.
metayage noun A system of farming on halves.
metazoan noun One of the Metazoa.
metazoic adjective Of or pertaining to the Metazoa.
metazoon noun One of the Metazoa.
metecorn noun A quantity of corn formerly given by the lord to his customary tenants, as an encouragement to, or reward for, labor and faithful service.
meteoric adjective Of or pertaining to a meteor, or to meteors; atmospheric, as, meteoric phenomena; meteoric stones., Influenced by the weather; as, meteoric conditions., Flashing; brilliant; transient; like a meteor; as, meteoric fame.
meterage noun The act of measuring, or the cost of measuring.
metewand noun A measuring rod.
meteyard noun A yard, staff, or rod, used as a measure.
methenyl noun The hypothetical hydrocarbon radical CH, regarded as an essential residue of certain organic compounds.
methinks verb impers. It seems to me; I think. See Me.
methodic adjective Alt. of Methodical
methoxyl noun A hypothetical radical, CH3O, analogous to hydroxyl.
methylal noun A light, volatile liquid, H2C(OCH3)2, regarded as a complex ether, and having a pleasant ethereal odor. It is obtained by the partial oxidation of methyl alcohol. Called also formal.
methylic adjective Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, methyl; specifically, designating methyl alcohol. See under Methyl.
metonymy noun A trope in which one word is put for another that suggests it; as, we say, a man keeps a good table instead of good provisions; we read Virgil, that is, his poems; a man has a warm heart, that is, warm affections.
metrical adjective Of or pertaining to the meter; arranged in meter; consisting of verses; as, metrical compositions., Of or pertaining to measurement; as, the inch, foot, yard, etc., are metrical terms; esp., of or pertaining to the metric system.
metritis noun Inflammation of the womb.
mezereon noun A small European shrub (Daphne Mezereum), whose acrid bark is used in medicine.
mezquita noun A mosque.
mezuzoth noun A piece of parchment bearing the Decalogue and attached to the doorpost; — in use among orthodox Hebrews.
miascite noun A granitoid rock containing feldspar, biotite, elaeolite, and sodalite.
miasmata plural of Miasma
miauling present participle & vb. noun of Miaul
micellae plural of Micella
microbic adjective Of or pertaining to a microbe.
microzoa noun pl. The Infusoria.
midbrain noun The middle segment of the brain; the mesencephalon. See Brain.
middling adjective Of middle rank, state, size, or quality; about equally distant from the extremes; medium; moderate; mediocre; ordinary.
midnight noun The middle of the night; twelve o’clock at night., Being in, or characteristic of, the middle of the night; as, midnight studies; midnight gloom.
midships adverb In the middle of a ship; — properly amidships., The timbers at the broadest part of the vessel.
midwives plural of Midwife
mightful adjective Mighty.
mightily adverb In a mighty manner; with might; with great earnestness; vigorously; powerfully., To a great degree; very much.
mighties plural of Mighty
migniard adjective Soft; dainty.
migraine noun Same as Megrim.
migrated imp. & past participle of Migrate
milanese adjective Of or pertaining to Milan in Italy, or to its inhabitants., A native or inhabitant of Milan; people of Milan.
mildewed imp. & past participle of Mildew
mildness noun The quality or state of being mild; as, mildness of temper; the mildness of the winter.
milepost noun A post, or one of a series of posts, set up to indicate spaces of a mile each or the distance in miles from a given place.
milesian adjective Of or pertaining to Miletus, a city of Asia Minor, or to its inhabitants., Descended from King Milesius of Spain, whose two sons are said to have conquered Ireland about 1300 b. c.; or pertaining to the descendants of King Milesius; hence, Irish., A native or inhabitant of Miletus., A native or inhabitant of Ireland.
miliaria noun A fever accompanied by an eruption of small, isolated, red pimples, resembling a millet seed in form or size; miliary fever.
militant adjective Engaged in warfare; fighting; combating; serving as a soldier.
military adjective Of or pertaining to soldiers, to arms, or to war; belonging to, engaged in, or appropriate to, the affairs of war; as, a military parade; military discipline; military bravery; military conduct; military renown., Performed or made by soldiers; as, a military election; a military expedition., The whole body of soldiers; soldiery; militia; troops; the army.
militate verb i. To make war; to fight; to contend; — usually followed by against and with.
milkmaid noun A woman who milks cows or is employed in the dairy.
milkweed noun Any plant of the genera Asclepias and Acerates, abounding in a milky juice, and having its seed attached to a long silky down; silkweed. The name is also applied to several other plants with a milky juice, as to several kinds of spurge.
milkwort noun A genus of plants (Polygala) of many species. The common European P. vulgaris was supposed to have the power of producing a flow of milk in nurses.
milleped noun A myriapod with many legs, esp. a chilognath, as the galleyworm.
milliard noun A thousand millions; — called also billion. See Billion.
milliary adjective Of or pertaining to a mile, or to distance by miles; denoting a mile or miles., A milestone.
milliner noun Formerly, a man who imported and dealt in small articles of a miscellaneous kind, especially such as please the fancy of women., A person, usually a woman, who makes, trims, or deals in hats, bonnets, headdresses, etc., for women.
millinet noun A stiff cotton fabric used by milliners for lining bonnets.
milliped noun The same Milleped.
millreis noun See Milreis.
millrind noun Alt. of Millrynd
millrynd noun A figure supposed to represent the iron which holds a millstone by being set into its center.
millwork noun The shafting, gearing, and other driving machinery of mills., The business of setting up or of operating mill machinery.
miltonic adjective Of, pertaining to, or resembling, Milton, or his writings; as, Miltonic prose.
mimetene noun See Mimetite.
mimetism noun Same as Mimicry.
mimetite noun A mineral occurring in pale yellow or brownish hexagonal crystals. It is an arseniate of lead.
mimicked imp. & past participle of Mimic
mimicker noun One who mimics; a mimic., An animal which imitates something else, in form or habits.
minacity noun Disposition to threaten.
minatory adjective Threatening; menacing.
mindless adjective Not indued with mind or intellectual powers; stupid; unthinking., Unmindful; inattentive; heedless; careless.
mingling present participle & vb. noun of Mingle
miniated imp. & past participle of Miniate
minified imp. & past participle of Minify
miniment noun A trifle; a trinket; a token.
minimize verb t. To reduce to the smallest part or proportion possible; to reduce to a minimum.
minionly adjective & adverb Like a minion; daintily.
minister noun A servant; a subordinate; an officer or assistant of inferior rank; hence, an agent, an instrument., An officer of justice., One to whom the sovereign or executive head of a government intrusts the management of affairs of state, or some department of such affairs., A representative of a government, sent to the court, or seat of government, of a foreign nation to transact diplomatic business., One who serves at the altar; one who performs sacerdotal duties; the pastor of a church duly authorized or licensed to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments., To furnish or apply; to afford; to supply; to administer., To act as a servant, attendant, or agent; to attend and serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular., To supply or to things needful; esp., to supply consolation or remedies.
ministry noun The act of ministering; ministration; service., Agency; instrumentality., The office, duties, or functions of a minister, servant, or agent; ecclesiastical, executive, or ambassadorial function or profession., The body of ministers of state; also, the clergy, as a body., Administration; rule; term in power; as, the ministry of Pitt.
minorate verb t. To diminish.
minoress noun See Franciscan Nuns, under Franciscan, a.
minorite noun A Franciscan friar.
minority adjective & noun The state of being a minor, or under age., State of being less or small., The smaller number; — opposed to majority; as, the minority must be ruled by the majority.
minotaur noun A fabled monster, half man and half bull, confined in the labyrinth constructed by Daedalus in Crete.
minstrel noun In the Middle Ages, one of an order of men who subsisted by the arts of poetry and music, and sang verses to the accompaniment of a harp or other instrument; in modern times, a poet; a bard; a singer and harper; a musician.
minutary adjective Pertaining to, or consisting of, minutes.
minutely adverb In a minute manner; with minuteness; exactly; nicely., Happening every minute; continuing; unceasing., At intervals of a minute; very often and regularly.
minutiae plural of Minutia
miquelet noun An irregular or partisan soldier; a bandit.
miriness noun The quality of being miry.
mirksome adjective Dark; gloomy; murky.
mirrored imp. & past participle of Mirror
mirthful adjective Full of mirth or merriment; merry; as, mirthful children., Indicating or inspiring mirth; as, a mirthful face.
misaimed adjective Not rightly aimed.
misalter verb t. To alter wrongly; esp., to alter for the worse.
misapply verb t. To apply wrongly; to use for a wrong purpose; as, to misapply a name or title; to misapply public money.
misassay verb t. To assay, or attempt, improperly or unsuccessfully.
misavize verb t. To misadvise.
misboden past participle of Misbede, p. p. of Misbede.
misbegot p. adjective Alt. of Misbegotten
miscarry verb i. To carry, or go, wrong; to fail of reaching a destination, or fail of the intended effect; to be unsuccessful; to suffer defeat., To bring forth young before the proper time.
mischief noun Harm; damage; esp., disarrangement of order; trouble or vexation caused by human agency or by some living being, intentionally or not; often, calamity, mishap; trivial evil caused by thoughtlessness, or in sport., Cause of trouble or vexation; trouble., To do harm to.
mischnic adjective See Mishnic.
mischose imp. of Mischoose
miscible adjective Capable of being mixed; mixable; as, water and alcohol are miscible in all proportions.
misclaim noun A mistaken claim.
miscolor verb t. To give a wrong color to; figuratively, to set forth erroneously or unfairly; as, to miscolor facts.
miscount verb t. & i. To count erroneously., An erroneous counting.
miscovet verb t. To covet wrongfully.
misdated imp. & past participle of Misdate
misdealt imp. & past participle of Misdeal
misdempt p. p. of Misdeem.
misdight adjective Arrayed, prepared, or furnished, unsuitably.
misdoing present participle & vb. noun of Misdo, A wrong done; a fault or crime; an offense; as, it was my misdoing.
misdoubt verb t. & i. To be suspicious of; to have suspicion., Suspicion., Irresolution; hesitation.
misdread noun Dread of evil.
miseased adjective Having discomfort or misery; troubled.
misenter verb t. To enter or insert wrongly, as a charge in an account.
misentry noun An erroneous entry or charge, as of an account.
miserere noun The psalm usually appointed for penitential acts, being the 50th psalm in the Latin version. It commences with the word miserere., A musical composition adapted to the 50th psalm., A small projecting boss or bracket, on the under side of the hinged seat of a church stall (see Stall). It was intended, the seat being turned up, to give some support to a worshiper when standing. Called also misericordia., Same as Ileus.
miseries plural of Misery
misfaith noun Want of faith; distrust.
misfeign verb i. To feign with an evil design.
misframe verb t. To frame wrongly.
misgiven past participle of Misgive
misgraff verb t. To misgraft.
misgraft verb t. To graft wrongly.
misguess verb t. & i. To guess wrongly.
misguide verb t. To guide wrongly; to lead astray; as, to misguide the understanding., Misguidance; error.
mishappy adjective Unhappy.
mishmash noun A hotchpotch.
misinfer verb t. To infer incorrectly.
misjudge verb t. & i. To judge erroneously or unjustly; to err in judgment; to misconstrue.
mislayer noun One who mislays.
mislearn verb t. To learn wrongly.
misletoe noun See Mistletoe.
mislight verb t. To deceive or lead astray with a false light.
misliked imp. & past participle of Mislike
misliker noun One who dislikes.
mislodge verb t. To lodge amiss.
mismatch verb t. To match unsuitably.
mismeter verb t. To give the wrong meter to, as to a line of verse.
misnomer noun The misnaming of a person in a legal instrument, as in a complaint or indictment; any misnaming of a person or thing; a wrong or inapplicable name or title., To misname.
misogamy noun Hatre/ of marriage.
misogyny noun Hatred of women.
misology noun Hatred of argument or discussion; hatred of enlightenment.
misorder verb t. To order ill; to manage erroneously; to conduct badly., Irregularity; disorder.
mispaint verb t. To paint ill, or wrongly.
mispense noun See Misspense.
misplace verb t. To put in a wrong place; to set or place on an improper or unworthy object; as, he misplaced his confidence.
misplead verb i. To err in pleading.
mispoint verb t. To point improperly; to punctuate wrongly.
misprint verb t. To print wrong., A mistake in printing; a deviation from the copy; as, a book full of misprints.
misprise verb t. See Misprize., To mistake.
misprize verb To slight or undervalue.
misproud adjective Viciously proud.
misquote verb t. & i. To quote erroneously or incorrectly.
misraise verb t. To raise or exite unreasonable.
misserve verb t. & i. To serve unfaithfully.
misshape verb t. To shape ill; to give an ill or unnatural from to; to deform.
missound verb t. To sound wrongly; to utter or pronounce incorrectly.
misspeak verb i. To err in speaking., To utter wrongly.
misspelt of Misspell
misspell verb t. To spell incorrectly.
misspent imp. & past participle of Misspend, imp. & p. p. of Misspend.
misspend verb t. To spend amiss or for wrong purposes; to aquander; to waste; as, to misspend time or money.
misstate verb t. To state wrongly; as, to misstate a question in debate.
misswear verb i. To swear falsely.
mistaken past participle of Mistake, Being in error; judging wrongly; having a wrong opinion or a misconception; as, a mistaken man; he is mistaken., Erroneous; wrong; as, a mistaken notion.
mistaker noun One who mistakes.
misteach verb t. To teach wrongly; to instruct erroneously.
misthink verb i. To think wrongly., To have erroneous thoughts or judgment of; to think ill of.
misthrow verb t. To throw wrongly.
mistigri noun A variety of the game of poker in which the joker is used, and called mistigris or mistigri.
mistitle verb t. To call by a wrong title.
mistrain verb t. To train amiss.
mistreat verb t. To treat amiss; to abuse.
mistress noun A woman having power, authority, or ownership; a woman who exercises authority, is chief, etc.; the female head of a family, a school, etc., A woman well skilled in anything, or having the mastery over it., A woman regarded with love and devotion; she who has command over one’s heart; a beloved object; a sweetheart., A woman filling the place, but without the rights, of a wife; a concubine; a loose woman with whom one consorts habitually., A title of courtesy formerly prefixed to the name of a woman, married or unmarried, but now superseded by the contracted forms, Mrs., for a married, and Miss, for an unmarried, woman., A married woman; a wife., The old name of the jack at bowls., To wait upon a mistress; to be courting.
mistrial noun A false or erroneous trial; a trial which has no result.
mistrist verb t. To mistrust.
mistrust noun Want of confidence or trust; suspicion; distrust., To regard with jealousy or suspicion; to suspect; to doubt the integrity of; to distrust., To forebode as near, or likely to occur; to surmise.
mistutor verb t. To instruct amiss.
misurato adjective Measured; — a direction to perform a passage in strict or measured time.
misusage noun Bad treatment; abuse.
misvalue verb t. To value wrongly or too little; to undervalue.
misvouch verb t. To vouch falsely.
miswrite verb t. To write incorrectly.
mitering present participle & vb. noun of Mitre
mitigant adjective Tending to mitigate; mitigating; lentitive.
mitigate verb t. To make less severe, intense, harsh, rigorous, painful, etc.; to soften; to meliorate; to alleviate; to diminish; to lessen; as, to mitigate heat or cold; to mitigate grief., To make mild and accessible; to mollify; — applied to persons.
mittened adjective Covered with a mitten or mittens.
mittimus noun A precept or warrant granted by a justice for committing to prison a party charged with crime; a warrant of commitment to prison., A writ for removing records from one court to another.
mizzling present participle & vb. noun of Mizzle
mnemonic adjective Alt. of Mnemonical
mobility noun The quality or state of being mobile; as, the mobility of a liquid, of an army, of the populace, of features, of a muscle., The mob; the lower classes.
mobilize verb t. To put in a state of readiness for active service in war, as an army corps.
mobocrat noun One who favors a form of government in which the unintelligent populace rules without restraint.
moccasin noun A shoe made of deerskin, or other soft leather, the sole and upper part being one piece. It is the customary shoe worn by the American Indians., A poisonous snake of the Southern United States. The water moccasin (Ancistrodon piscivorus) is usually found in or near water. Above, it is olive brown, barred with black; beneath, it is brownish yellow, mottled with darker. The upland moccasin is Ancistrodon atrofuscus. They resemble rattlesnakes, but are without rattles.
mockable adjective Such as can be mocked.
mockbird noun The European sedge warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis).
modalist noun One who regards Father, Son, and Spirit as modes of being, and not as persons, thus denying personal distinction in the Trinity.
modality noun The quality or state of being modal., A modal relation or quality; a mode or point of view under which an object presents itself to the mind. According to Kant, the quality of propositions, as assertory, problematical, or apodeictic.
modelled of Model
modeling present participle & vb. noun of Model, The act or art of making a model from which a work of art is to be executed; the formation of a work of art from some plastic material. Also, in painting, drawing, etc., the expression or indication of solid form.
modelize verb t. To model.
modenese adjective Of or pertaining to Modena or its inhabitants., A native or inhabitant of Modena; the people of Modena.
moderate adjective Kept within due bounds; observing reasonable limits; not excessive, extreme, violent, or rigorous; limited; restrained, Limited in quantity; sparing; temperate; frugal; as, moderate in eating or drinking; a moderate table., Limited in degree of activity, energy, or excitement; reasonable; calm; slow; as, moderate language; moderate endeavors., Not extreme in opinion, in partisanship, and the like; as, a moderate Calvinist., Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild; gentle; as, a moderate winter., Limited as to degree of progress; as, to travel at moderate speed., Limited as to the degree in which a quality, principle, or faculty appears; as, an infusion of moderate strength; a man of moderate abilities., Limited in scope or effects; as, a reformation of a moderate kind., One of a party in the Church of Scotland in the 18th century, and part of the 19th, professing moderation in matters of church government, in discipline, and in doctrine., To restrain from excess of any kind; to reduce from a state of violence, intensity, or excess; to keep within bounds; to make temperate; to lessen; to allay; to repress; to temper; to qualify; as, to moderate rage, action, desires, etc.; to moderate heat or wind., To preside over, direct, or regulate, as a public meeting; as, to moderate a synod., To become less violent, severe, rigorous, or intense; as, the wind has moderated., To preside as a moderator.
moderato adjective & adverb With a moderate degree of quickness; moderately.
modernly adverb In modern times.
modestly adverb In a modest manner.
modicity noun Moderateness; smallness; meanness.
modifier noun One who, or that which, modifies.
modified imp. & past participle of Modify
modiolar adjective Shaped like a bushel measure.
modiolus noun The central column in the osseous cochlea of the ear.
modulate verb t. To form, as sound, to a certain key, or to a certain portion., To vary or inflect in a natural, customary, or musical manner; as, the organs of speech modulate the voice in reading or speaking., To pass from one key into another.
moelline noun An unguent for the hair.
mohicans noun pl. A tribe of Lenni-Lenape Indians who formerly inhabited Western Connecticut and Eastern New York.
mohurrum noun Alt. of Muharram
muharram noun The first month of the Mohammedan year., A festival of the Shiah sect of the Mohammedans held during the first ten days of the month Mohurrum.
moieties plural of Moiety
moistful adjective Full of moisture.
moisture noun A moderate degree of wetness., That which moistens or makes damp or wet; exuding fluid; liquid in small quantity.
mokadour noun A handkerchief.
molasses noun The thick, brown or dark colored, viscid, uncrystallizable sirup which drains from sugar, in the process of manufacture; any thick, viscid, sweet sirup made from vegetable juice or sap, as of the sorghum or maple. See Treacle.
moulding of Mould, The act or process of shaping in or on a mold, or of making molds; the art or occupation of a molder., Anything cast in a mold, or which appears to be so, as grooved or ornamental bars of wood or metal., A plane, or curved, narrow surface, either sunk or projecting, used for decoration by means of the lights and shades upon its surface. Moldings vary greatly in pattern, and are generally used in groups, the different members of each group projecting or retreating, one beyond another. See Cable, n., 3, and Crenelated molding, under Crenelate, v. t., Used in making a mold or moldings; used in shaping anything according to a pattern.
moldable adjective Alt. of Mouldable
moldered imp. & past participle of Moulder
mouldery adjective Covered or filled with mold; consisting of, or resembling, mold.
moldwarp noun Alt. of Mouldwarp
molecast noun A little elevation of earth made by a mole; a molehill.
molecule noun One of the very small invisible particles of which all matter is supposed to consist., The smallest part of any substance which possesses the characteristic properties and qualities of that substance, and which can exist alone in a free state., A group of atoms so united and combined by chemical affinity that they form a complete, integrated whole, being the smallest portion of any particular compound that can exist in a free state; as, a molecule of water consists of two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Cf. Atom.
molehill noun A little hillock of earth thrown up by moles working under ground; hence, a very small hill, or an insignificant obstacle or difficulty.
moleskin noun Any fabric having a thick soft shag, like the fur of a mole; esp., a kind of strong twilled fustian.
molested imp. & past participle of Molest
molester noun One who molests.
molestie noun Alt. of Molesty
molewarp noun See Moldwarp.
molinism noun The doctrines of the Molinists, somewhat resembling the tenets of the Arminians.
molinist noun A follower of the opinions of Molina, a Spanish Jesuit (in respect to grace); an opposer of the Jansenists.
mollient adjective Serving to soften; assuaging; emollient.
mollinet noun A little mill.
mollusca noun pl. One of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom, including the classes Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, PteropodaScaphopoda, and Lamellibranchiata, or Conchifera. These animals have an unsegmented bilateral body, with most of the organs and parts paired, but not repeated longitudinally. Most of them develop a mantle, which incloses either a branchial or a pulmonary cavity. They are generally more or less covered and protected by a calcareous shell, which may be univalve, bivalve, or multivalve.
molosses noun Molasses.
molossus noun A foot of three long syllables.
moulting of Moult
moltable adjective Capable of assuming a molten state; meltable; fusible.
molybdic adjective Of, pertaining to, or containing, molybdenum; specif., designating those compounds in which the element has a higher valence, as contrasted with molybdous compounds; as, molybdic oxide.
momental adjective Lasting but a moment; brief., Important; momentous., Of or pertaining to moment or momentum.
momently adverb For a moment., In a moment; every moment; momentarily.
momentum noun The quantity of motion in a moving body, being always proportioned to the quantity of matter multiplied into the velocity; impetus., Essential element, or constituent element.
monachal adjective Of or pertaining to monks or a monastic life; monastic.
monamide noun An amido compound with only one amido group.
monamine noun A basic compound containing one amido group; as, methyl amine is a monamine.
monander noun One of the Monandria.
monandry noun The possession by a woman of only one husband at the same time; — contrasted with polyandry.
monarcho noun The nickname of a crackbrained Italian who fancied himself an emperor.
monarchy noun A state or government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch., A system of government in which the chief ruler is a monarch., The territory ruled over by a monarch; a kingdom.
monastic noun A monk., Alt. of Monastical
monaxial adjective Having only one axis; developing along a single line or plane; as, monaxial development.
monazite noun A mineral occurring usually in small isolated crystals, — a phosphate of the cerium metals.
monecian adjective Alt. of Monecious
monerons plural of Moneron
monerula noun A germ in that stage of development in which its form is simply that of a non-nucleated mass of protoplasm. It precedes the one-celled germ. So called from its likeness to a moner.
monetary adjective Of or pertaining to money, or consisting of money; pecuniary.
monetize verb t. To convert into money; to adopt as current money; as, to monetize silver.
moneyage noun A tax paid to the first two Norman kings of England to prevent them from debashing the coin., Mintage; coinage.
mongcorn noun See Mangcorn.
mongolic adjective See Mongolian.
mongoose noun Alt. of Mongoos
monifier noun A fossil fish.
moniment noun Something to preserve memory; a reminder; a monument; hence, a mark; an image; a superscription; a record.
monisher noun One who monishes; an admonisher.
monistic adjective Of, pertaining to, or involving, monism.
monition noun Instruction or advice given by way of caution; an admonition; a warning; a caution., Information; indication; notice; advice., A process in the nature of a summons to appear and answer., An order monishing a party complained against to obey under pain of the law.
monitive adjective Conveying admonition; admonitory.
monitory adjective Giving admonition; instructing by way of caution; warning., Admonition; warning; especially, a monition proceeding from an ecclesiastical court, but not addressed to any one person.
monitrix noun A female monitor.
monkfish noun The angel fish (Squatina)., The angler (Lophius).
monkhood noun The character or condition of a monk., Monks, regarded collectively.
monocarp noun A monocarpic plant.
monocrat noun One who governs alone.
monocule noun A small crustacean with one median eye.
monodist noun A writer of a monody.
monodies plural of Monody
monoecia noun pl. A Linnaean class of plants, whose stamens and pistils are in distinct flowers in the same plant.
monogamy noun Single marriage; marriage with but one person, husband or wife, at the same time; — opposed to polygamy. Also, one marriage only during life; — opposed to deuterogamy., State of being paired with a single mate.
monogeny noun Monogenesis., The doctrine that the members of the human race have all a common origin.
monogram noun A character or cipher composed of two or more letters interwoven or combined so as to represent a name, or a part of it (usually the initials). Monograms are often used on seals, ornamental pins, rings, buttons, and by painters, engravers, etc., to distinguish their works., A picture in lines; a sketch., An arbitrary sign for a word.
monogyny noun Marriage with the one woman only., The state or condition of being monogynous.
monolith noun A single stone, especially one of large size, shaped into a pillar, statue, or monument.
monology noun The habit of soliloquizing, or of monopolizing conversation.
monomane noun A monomaniac.
monomial noun A single algebraic expression; that is, an expression unconnected with any other by the sign of addition, substraction, equality, or inequality., Consisting of but a single term or expression.
monopode noun One of a fabulous tribe or race of Ethiopians having but one leg and foot., A monopodium.
monopody noun A measure of but a single foot.
monopoly noun The exclusive power, or privilege of selling a commodity; the exclusive power, right, or privilege of dealing in some article, or of trading in some market; sole command of the traffic in anything, however obtained; as, the proprietor of a patented article is given a monopoly of its sale for a limited time; chartered trading companies have sometimes had a monopoly of trade with remote regions; a combination of traders may get a monopoly of a particular product., Exclusive possession; as, a monopoly of land., The commodity or other material thing to which the monopoly relates; as, tobacco is a monopoly in France.
monotone noun A single unvaried tone or sound., The utterance of successive syllables, words, or sentences, on one unvaried key or line of pitch.
monotony noun A frequent recurrence of the same tone or sound, producing a dull uniformity; absence of variety, as in speaking or singing., Any irksome sameness, or want of variety.
monotype adjective Alt. of Monotypic
monoxide noun An oxide containing one atom of oxygen in each molecule; as, barium monoxide.
monsieur noun The common title of civility in France in speaking to, or of, a man; Mr. or Sir., The oldest brother of the king of France., A Frenchman.
montanic noun Of or pertaining to mountains; consisting of mountains.
monteith noun See Monteth., A vessel in which glasses are washed; — so called from the name of the inventor.
monticle noun A little mount; a hillock; a small elevation or prominence.
montross noun See Matross.
monument noun Something which stands, or remains, to keep in remembrance what is past; a memorial., A building, pillar, stone, or the like, erected to preserve the remembrance of a person, event, action, etc.; as, the Washington monument; the Bunker Hill monument. Also, a tomb, with memorial inscriptions., A stone or other permanent object, serving to indicate a limit or to mark a boundary., A saying, deed, or example, worthy of record.
monureid noun Any one of a series of complex nitrogenous substances regarded as derived from one molecule of urea; as, alloxan is a monureid.
moonbeam noun A ray of light from the moon.
mooncalf noun A monster; a false conception; a mass of fleshy matter, generated in the uterus., A dolt; a stupid fellow.
moon-eye noun A eye affected by the moon; also, a disease in the eye of a horse., Any species of American fresh-water fishes of the genus Hyodon, esp. H. tergisus of the Great Lakes and adjacent waters., The cisco.
moonfish noun An American marine fish (Vomer setipennis); — called also bluntnosed shiner, horsefish, and sunfish., A broad, thin, silvery marine fish (Selene vomer); — called also lookdown, and silver moonfish., The mola. See Sunfish, 1.
moonless adjective Being without a moon or moonlight.
moonling noun A simpleton; a lunatic.
moonrise noun The rising of the moon above the horizon; also, the time of its rising.
moonsail noun A sail sometimes carried in light winds, above a skysail.
moonseed noun A climbing plant of the genus Menispermum; — so called from the crescentlike form of the seeds.
moonshee noun A Mohammedan professor or teacher of language.
moonwort noun The herb lunary or honesty. See Honesty., Any fern of the genus Botrychium, esp. B. Lunaria; — so named from the crescent-shaped segments of its frond.
moorball noun A fresh-water alga (Cladophora Aegagropila) which forms a globular mass.
moorband noun See Moorpan.
moorland noun Land consisting of a moor or moors.
mootable adjective Capable of being mooted.
mopboard noun A narrow board nailed against the wall of a room next to the floor; skirting board; baseboard. See Baseboard.
mopsical adjective Shortsighted; mope-eyed.
mopstick noun The long handle of a mop.
moquette noun A kind of carpet having a short velvety pile.
morainic adjective Of or pertaining to a moranie.
moralism noun A maxim or saying embodying a moral truth.
moralist noun One who moralizes; one who teaches or animadverts upon the duties of life; a writer of essays intended to correct vice and inculcate moral duties., One who practices moral duties; a person who lives in conformity with moral rules; one of correct deportment and dealings with his fellow-creatures; — sometimes used in contradistinction to one whose life is controlled by religious motives.
morality noun The relation of conformity or nonconformity to the moral standard or rule; quality of an intention, a character, an action, a principle, or a sentiment, when tried by the standard of right., The quality of an action which renders it good; the conformity of an act to the accepted standard of right., The doctrines or rules of moral duties, or the duties of men in their social character; ethics., The practice of the moral duties; rectitude of life; conformity to the standard of right; virtue; as, we often admire the politeness of men whose morality we question., A kind of allegorical play, so termed because it consisted of discourses in praise of morality between actors representing such characters as Charity, Faith, Death, Vice, etc. Such plays were occasionally exhibited as late as the reign of Henry VIII., Intent; meaning; moral.
moralize verb t. To apply to a moral purpose; to explain in a moral sense; to draw a moral from., To furnish with moral lessons, teachings, or examples; to lend a moral to., To render moral; to correct the morals of., To give a moral quality to; to affect the moral quality of, either for better or worse., To make moral reflections; to regard acts and events as involving a moral.
moration noun A delaying tarrying; delay.
moravian adjective Of or pertaining to Moravia, or to the United Brethren. See Moravian, n., One of a religious sect called the United Brethren (an offshoot of the Hussites in Bohemia), which formed a separate church of Moravia, a northern district of Austria, about the middle of the 15th century. After being nearly extirpated by persecution, the society, under the name of The Renewed Church of the United Brethren, was reestablished in 1722-35 on the estates of Count Zinzendorf in Saxony. Called also Herrnhuter.
morbidly adverb In a morbid manner.
morbific adjective Alt. of Morbifical
mordente noun An embellishment resembling a trill.
moreland noun Moorland.
moreness noun Greatness.
moreover adverb Beyond what has been said; further; besides; in addition; furthermore; also; likewise.
morepork noun The Australian crested goatsucker (Aegotheles Novae-Hollandiae). Also applied to other allied birds, as Podargus Cuveiri.
moresque adjective Of or pertaining to, or in the manner or style of, the Moors; Moorish., The Moresque style of architecture or decoration. See Moorish architecture, under Moorish.
moribund adjective In a dying state; dying; at the point of death., A dying person.
morindin noun A yellow dyestuff extracted from the root bark of an East Indian plant (Morinda citrifolia).
moringic adjective Designating an organic acid obtained from oil of ben. See Moringa.
mornward adverb Towards the morn.
moroccan adjective Of or pertaining to Morocco, or its inhabitants.
morology noun Foolish talk; nonsense; folly.
morosely adverb Sourly; with sullen austerity.
morosity noun Moroseness.
moroshop noun A philosophical or learned fool.
morosous adjective Morose.
moroxite noun A variety of apatite of a greenish blue color.
morphean adjective Of or relating to Morpheus, to dreams, or to sleep.
morpheus noun The god of dreams.
morphine noun A bitter white crystalline alkaloid found in opium, possessing strong narcotic properties, and much used as an anodyne; — called also morphia, and morphina.
morricer noun A morris dancer.
morrimal noun & adjective See Mormal.
mortally adverb In a mortal manner; so as to cause death; as, mortally wounded., In the manner of a mortal or of mortal beings., In an extreme degree; to the point of dying or causing death; desperately; as, mortally jealous.
mortgage noun A conveyance of property, upon condition, as security for the payment of a debt or the preformance of a duty, and to become void upon payment or performance according to the stipulated terms; also, the written instrument by which the conveyance is made., State of being pledged; as, lands given in mortgage., To grant or convey, as property, for the security of a debt, or other engagement, upon a condition that if the debt or engagement shall be discharged according to the contract, the conveyance shall be void, otherwise to become absolute, subject, however, to the right of redemption., Hence: To pledge, either literally or figuratively; to make subject to a claim or obligation.
mortised imp. & past participle of Mortise
mortling noun An animal, as a sheep, dead of disease or privation; a mortling., Wool plucked from a dead sheep; morling.
mortmain noun Possession of lands or tenements in, or conveyance to, dead hands, or hands that cannot alienate.
mortress noun Alt. of Mortrew
mortuary adjective A sort of ecclesiastical heriot, a customary gift claimed by, and due to, the minister of a parish on the death of a parishioner. It seems to have been originally a voluntary bequest or donation, intended to make amends for any failure in the payment of tithes of which the deceased had been guilty., A burial place; a place for the dead., A place for the reception of the dead before burial; a deadhouse; a morgue., Of or pertaining to the dead; as, mortuary monuments.
mosaical adjective Mosaic (in either sense).
mosasaur noun Alt. of Mosasaurian
moschine adjective Of or pertaining to Moschus, a genus including the musk deer.
moslings noun pl. Thin shreds of leather shaved off in dressing skins.
mosquito noun Any one of various species of gnats of the genus Culex and allied genera. The females have a proboscis containing, within the sheathlike labium, six fine, sharp, needlelike organs with which they puncture the skin of man and animals to suck the blood. These bites, when numerous, cause, in many persons, considerable irritation and swelling, with some pain. The larvae and pupae, called wigglers, are aquatic.
mossback noun A veteran partisan; one who is so conservative in opinion that he may be likened to a stone or old tree covered with moss.
mostwhat adverb For the most part.
motation noun The act of moving; motion.
moth-eat verb t. To eat or prey upon, as a moth eats a garment.
mothered imp. & past participle of Mother, Thick, like mother; viscid.
motherly adjective Of or pertaining to a mother; like, or suitable for, a mother; tender; maternal; as, motherly authority, love, or care., In a manner of a mother.
motility noun Capability of motion; contractility.
motioned imp. & past participle of Motion
motioner noun One who makes a motion; a mover.
motivity noun The power of moving or producing motion., The quality of being influenced by motives.
motorial noun Causing or setting up motion; pertaining to organs of motion; — applied especially in physiology to those nerves or nerve fibers which only convey impressions from a nerve center to muscles, thereby causing motion.
motorman noun A man who controls a motor.
mottling present participle & vb. noun of Mottle
mouchoir noun A handkerchief.
mouazzin noun See Muezzin.
moulinet noun The drum upon which the rope is wound in a capstan, crane, or the like., A machine formerly used for bending a crossbow by winding it up., In sword and saber exercises, a circular swing of the weapon.
mounding present participle & vb. noun of Mound
mounting present participle & vb. noun of Mount, The act of one that mounts., That by which anything is prepared for use, or set off to advantage; equipment; embellishment; setting; as, the mounting of a sword or diamond.
mountain noun A large mass of earth and rock, rising above the common level of the earth or adjacent land; earth and rock forming an isolated peak or a ridge; an eminence higher than a hill; a mount., A range, chain, or group of such elevations; as, the White Mountains., A mountainlike mass; something of great bulk., Of or pertaining to a mountain or mountains; growing or living on a mountain; found on or peculiar to mountains; among mountains; as, a mountain torrent; mountain pines; mountain goats; mountain air; mountain howitzer., Like a mountain; mountainous; vast; very great.
mountant adjective Raised; high.
mountlet noun A small or low mountain.
mourning present participle & vb. noun of Mourn, The act of sorrowing or expressing grief; lamentation; sorrow., Garb, drapery, or emblems indicative of grief, esp. clothing or a badge of somber black., Grieving; sorrowing; lamenting., Employed to express sorrow or grief; worn or used as appropriate to the condition of one bereaved or sorrowing; as, mourning garments; a mourning ring; a mourning pin, and the like.
mournful adjective Full of sorrow; expressing, or intended to express, sorrow; mourning; grieving; sad; also, causing sorrow; saddening; grievous; as, a mournful person; mournful looks, tones, loss.
mousekin noun A little mouse.
mouthing present participle & vb. noun of Mouth
mouthful noun As much as is usually put into the mouth at one time., Hence, a small quantity.
movables plural of Movable
moveless adjective Motionless; fixed.
movement noun The act of moving; change of place or posture; transference, by any means, from one situation to another; natural or appropriate motion; progress; advancement; as, the movement of an army in marching or maneuvering; the movement of a wheel or a machine; the party of movement., Motion of the mind or feelings; emotion., Manner or style of moving; as, a slow, or quick, or sudden, movement., The rhythmical progression, pace, and tempo of a piece., One of the several strains or pieces, each complete in itself, with its own time and rhythm, which make up a larger work; as, the several movements of a suite or a symphony., A system of mechanism for transmitting motion of a definite character, or for transforming motion; as, the wheelwork of a watch.
movingly adverb In a moving manner.
mozzetta noun A cape, with a small hood; — worn by the pope and other dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church.
mucamide noun The acid amide of mucic acid, obtained as a white crystalline substance.
muchness noun Greatness; extent.
muchwhat adverb Nearly; almost; much.
muciform adjective Resembling mucus; having the character or appearance of mucus.
mucilage noun A gummy or gelatinous substance produced in certain plants by the action of water on the cell wall, as in the seeds of quinces, of flax, etc., An aqueous solution of gum, or of substances allied to it; as, medicinal mucilage; mucilage for fastening envelopes.
mucivore noun An insect which feeds on mucus, or the sap of plants, as certain Diptera, of the tribe Mucivora.
muckerer noun A miser; a niggard.
muckworm noun A larva or grub that lives in muck or manure; — applied to the larvae of the tumbledung and allied beetles., One who scrapes together money by mean labor and devices; a miser.
mucocele noun An enlargement or protrusion of the mucous membrane of the lachrymal passages, or dropsy of the lachrymal sac, dependent upon catarrhal inflammation of the latter.
muconate noun A salt of muconic acid.
mucosity noun The quality or state of being mucous or slimy; mucousness.
muculent adjective Slimy; moist, and moderately viscous.
muddling present participle & vb. noun of Muddle
muddying present participle & vb. noun of Muddy
muffetee noun A small muff worn over the wrist.
muffling present participle & vb. noun of Muffle
mughouse noun An alehouse; a pothouse.
mugiency noun A bellowing.
mugiloid adjective Like or pertaining to the genus Mugil, or family Mugilidae.
mulberry noun The berry or fruit of any tree of the genus Morus; also, the tree itself. See Morus., A dark pure color, like the hue of a black mulberry.
mulching present participle & vb. noun of Mulch
mulcting present participle & vb. noun of Mulct
mulctary adjective Alt. of Mulctuary
muleteer noun One who drives mules.
mulewort noun A fern of the genus Hemionitis.
mulierly adverb In the manner or condition of a mulier; in wedlock; legitimately.
mulierty noun Condition of being a mulier; position of one born in lawful wedlock.
multeity noun Multiplicity.
multifid adjective Having many segments; cleft into several parts by linear sinuses; as, a multifid leaf or corolla.
multiped noun An insect having many feet, as a myriapod., Having many feet.
multiple adjective Containing more than once, or more than one; consisting of more than one; manifold; repeated many times; having several, or many, parts., A quantity containing another quantity a number of times without a remainder.
multiply verb t. To increase in number; to make more numerous; to add quantity to., To add (any given number or quantity) to itself a certain number of times; to find the product of by multiplication; thus 7 multiplied by 8 produces the number 56; to multiply two numbers. See the Note under Multiplication., To increase (the amount of gold or silver) by the arts of alchemy., To become greater in number; to become numerous., To increase in extent and influence; to spread., To increase amount of gold or silver by the arts of alchemy.
mumbling present participle & vb. noun of Mumble, Low; indistinct; inarticulate.
mummying present participle & vb. noun of Mummy
munching present participle & vb. noun of Munch
mungcorn noun Same as Mangcorn.
mungoose noun Alt. of Mungoos
muniment noun The act of supporting or defending., That which supports or defends; stronghold; place or means of defense; munition; assistance., A record; the evidences or writings whereby a man is enabled to defend the title to his estate; title deeds and papers.
munition noun Fortification; stronghold., Whatever materials are used in war for defense or for annoying an enemy; ammunition; also, stores and provisions; military stores of all kinds.
murenoid adjective Like or pertaining to the genus Muraena, or family Muraenidae.
murdered imp. & past participle of Murder
murderer noun One guilty of murder; a person who, in possession of his reason, unlawfully kills a human being with premeditated malice., A small cannon, formerly used for clearing a ship’s decks of boarders; — called also murdering piece.
murdress noun A battlement in ancient fortifications with interstices for firing through.
murenger noun One who had charge of the wall of a town, or its repairs.
murexide noun A crystalline nitrogenous substance having a splendid dichroism, being green by reflected light and garnet-red by transmitted light. It was formerly used in dyeing calico, and was obtained in a large quantities from guano. Formerly called also ammonium purpurate.
murexoin noun A complex nitrogenous compound obtained as a scarlet crystalline substance, and regarded as related to murexide.
muriated adjective Put in brine., Combined or impregnated with muriatic or hydrochloric acid., Prepared with chloride of silver through the agency of common salt.
muriatic adjective Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, sea salt, or from chlorine, one of the constituents of sea salt; hydrochloric.
muricate adjective Alt. of Muricated
muricoid adjective Like, or pertaining to, the genus Murex, or family Muricidae.
muriform adjective Resembling courses of bricks or stones in squareness and regular arrangement; as, a muriform variety of cellular tissue.
muringer noun See Murenger.
murmured imp. & past participle of Murmur
murmurer noun One who murmurs.
murnival noun In the game of gleek, four cards of the same value, as four aces or four kings; hence, four of anything.
murrayin noun A glucoside found in the flowers of a plant (Murraya exotica) of South Asia, and extracted as a white amorphous slightly bitter substance.
murrelet noun One of several species of sea birds of the genera Synthliboramphus and Brachyramphus, inhabiting the North Pacific. They are closely related to the murres.
murrhine adjective Made of the stone or material called by the Romans murrha; — applied to certain costly vases of great beauty and delicacy used by the luxurious in Rome as wine cups; as, murrhine vases, cups, vessels.
muscadel noun See Muscatel, n.
muscales noun pl. An old name for mosses in the widest sense, including the true mosses and also hepaticae and sphagna.
muscarin noun A solid crystalline substance, C5H13NO2, found in the toadstool (Agaricus muscarius), and in putrid fish. It is a typical ptomaine, and a violent poison.
muscatel adjective Of, pertaining to, or designating, or derived from, a muscat grapes or similar grapes; a muscatel grapes; muscatel wine, etc., A common name for several varieties of rich sweet wine, made in Italy, Spain, and France., Finest raisins, dried on the vine; “sun raisins.”
muscling noun Exhibition or representation of the muscles.
muscular adjective Of or pertaining to a muscle, or to a system of muscles; consisting of, or constituting, a muscle or muscles; as, muscular fiber., Performed by, or dependent on, a muscle or the muscles., Well furnished with muscles; having well-developed muscles; brawny; hence, strong; powerful; vigorous; as, a muscular body or arm.
musculin noun See Syntonin.
museless adjective Unregardful of the Muses; disregarding the power of poetry; unpoetical.
mushroom noun An edible fungus (Agaricus campestris), having a white stalk which bears a convex or oven flattish expanded portion called the pileus. This is whitish and silky or somewhat scaly above, and bears on the under side radiating gills which are at first flesh-colored, but gradually become brown. The plant grows in rich pastures and is proverbial for rapidity of growth and shortness of duration. It has a pleasant smell, and is largely used as food. It is also cultivated from spawn., Any large fungus, especially one of the genus Agaricus; a toadstool. Several species are edible; but many are very poisonous., One who rises suddenly from a low condition in life; an upstart., Of or pertaining to mushrooms; as, mushroom catchup., Resembling mushrooms in rapidity of growth and shortness of duration; short-lived; ephemerial; as, mushroom cities.
musicale noun A social musical party.
musician noun One skilled in the art or science of music; esp., a skilled singer, or performer on a musical instrument.
musingly adverb In a musing manner.
muskadel noun See Muscadel.
musketry noun Muskets, collectively., The fire of muskets.
muskwood noun The wood of a West Indian tree of the Mahogany family (Moschoxylum Swartzii)., The wood of an Australian tree (Eurybia argophylla).
muslinet noun A sort of coarse or light cotton cloth.
musquash noun See Muskrat.
musquito noun See Mosquito.
mustache noun That part of the beard which grows on the upper lip; hair left growing above the mouth., A West African monkey (Cercopithecus cephus). It has yellow whiskers, and a triangular blue mark on the nose., Any conspicuous stripe of color on the side of the head, beneath the eye of a bird.
mustacho noun A mustache.
mustaiba noun A close-grained, neavy wood of a brownish color, brought from Brazil, and used in turning, for making the handles of tools, and the like.
mustered imp. & past participle of Muster
mutacism noun See Mytacism.
mutandum noun A thing which is to be changed; something which must be altered; — used chiefly in the plural.
mutation noun Change; alteration, either in form or qualities.
muteness noun The quality or state of being mute; speechlessness.
muticous adjective Without a point or pointed process; blunt.
mutilate adjective Deprived of, or having lost, an important part; mutilated., Having finlike appendages or flukes instead of legs, as a cetacean., A cetacean, or a sirenian., To cut off or remove a limb or essential part of; to maim; to cripple; to hack; as, to mutilate the body, a statue, etc., To destroy or remove a material part of, so as to render imperfect; as, to mutilate the orations of Cicero.
mutilous adjective Mutilated; defective; imperfect.
mutineer noun One guilty of mutiny.
mutinous adjective Disposed to mutiny; in a state of mutiny; characterized by mutiny; seditious; insubordinate.
mutinies plural of Mutiny
mutinied imp. & past participle of Mutiny
muttered imp. & past participle of Mutter
mutterer noun One who mutters.
mutually adverb In a mutual manner.
muzzling present participle & vb. noun of Muzzle
mycelium noun The white threads or filamentous growth from which a mushroom or fungus is developed; the so-called mushroom spawn.
myceloid adjective Resembling mycelium.
mycetoid Resembling a fungus.
mycology noun That branch of botanical science which relates to the musgrooms and other fungi.
myelitis noun Inflammation of the spinal marrow or its membranes.
myelonal adjective Of or pertaining to the myelon; as, the myelonal, or spinal, nerves.
mynchery noun A nunnery; — a term still applied to the ruins of certain nunneries in England.
myocomma noun A myotome.
myogalid noun One of the Myogalodae, a family of Insectivora, including the desman, and allied species.
myograph noun An instrument for determining and recording the different phases, as the intensity, velocity, etc., of a muscular contraction.
myolemma noun Sarcolemma.
myologic adjective Alt. of Myological
myomancy noun Divination by the movements of mice.
myomorph noun One of the Myomorpha.
myopathy noun Same as Myopathia.
myositic adjective Myotic.
myositis noun Inflammation of the muscles.
myosotis noun A genus of plants. See Mouse-ear.
myotomic adjective Of or pertaining to a myotome or myotomes.
myriapod noun One of the Myriapoda.
myriarch noun A captain or commander of ten thousand men.
myristic adjective Pertaining to, or derived from, the nutmeg (Myristica). Specifically, designating an acid found in nutmeg oil and otoba fat, and extracted as a white crystalline waxy substance.
myristin noun The myristate of glycerin, — found as a vegetable fat in nutmeg butter, etc.
myrmidon noun One of a fierce tribe or troop who accompained Achilles, their king, to the Trojan war., A soldier or a subordinate civil officer who executes cruel orders of a superior without protest or pity; — sometimes applied to bailiffs, constables, etc.
myrrhine adjective Murrhine.
myselven pronoun Myself.
mystacal adjective Of or pertaining to the upper lip, or mustache.
mystical adjective Remote from or beyond human comprehension; baffling human understanding; unknowable; obscure; mysterious., Importing or implying mysticism; involving some secret meaning; allegorical; emblematical; as, a mystic dance; mystic Babylon.
mytacism noun Too frequent use of the letter m, or of the sound represented by it.
mythical adjective Of or relating to myths; described in a myth; of the nature of a myth; fabulous; imaginary; fanciful.
mytiloid adjective Like, or pertaining to, the genus Mytilus, or family Mytilidae.
myxinoid adjective Like, or pertaining to, the genus Myxine., A hagfish.
myxomata plural of Myxoma
myzontes noun pl. The Marsipobranchiata.