Louvre-window.
Louvre,Louver, lōō′vėr,n.an opening of a turret shape on roofs, to allow the smoke or foul air to escape from halls, kitchens, &c.—n.Lou′vre-win′dow, an open window in a church tower, crossed by a series of sloping boards. [O. Fr.louvertforl'ouvert, the open space.]
Lovage, luv′āj,n.a genus of plants of the natural orderUmbelliferæ, allied to Angelica, used as a salad plant: a liquor made from the above. [O. Fr.luvesche—L.ligusticum, belonging to Liguria.]
Love, luv,n.fondness: an affection of the mind caused by that which delights: pre-eminent kindness: benevolence: reverential regard: devoted attachment to one of the opposite sex: the object of affection: the god of love, Cupid: (Shak.) a kindness, a favour done: nothing, in billiards, tennis, and some other games.—v.t.to be fond of: to regard with affection: to delight in with exclusive affection: to regard with benevolence.—v.i.to have the feeling of love.—adj.Lov′able, worthy of love: amiable.—ns.Love′-app′le, the fruit of the tomato;Love′bird, a genus of small birds of the parrot tribe, so called from their attachment to each other;Love′-brok′er(Shak.), a third person who carries messages and makes assignations between lovers;Love′-charm, a philtre;Love′-child, a bastard;Love′-day(Shak.), a day for settling disputes;Love′-fā′vour,something given to be worn in token of love;Love′-feast, a religious feast held periodically by certain sects of Christians in imitation of the love-feasts celebrated by the early Christians in connection with the Lord's-supper;Love′-feat, the gallant act of a lover;Love′-in-ī′dleness, the heart's-ease;Love′-juice, a concoction used to excite love;Love′-knot, an intricate knot, used as a token of love.—adj.Love′less, without love, tenderness, or kindness.—ns.Love′-lett′er, a letter of courtship;Love′-lies-bleed′ing, a species of the plant Amaranthus;Love′liness;Love′lock, a lock of hair hanging at the ear, worn by men of fashion in the reigns of Elizabeth and James I.—adj.Love′lorn, forsaken by one's love.—n.Love′lornness.—adj.Love′ly, exciting love or admiration: amiable: pleasing: delightful.—adv.beautifully, delightfully.—ns.Love′-match, a marriage for love, not money;Love′-mong′ėr, one who deals in affairs of love;Love′-pō′tion, a philtre;Lov′er, one who loves, esp. one in love with person of the opposite sex, in the singular almost exclusively of the man: one who is fond of anything: (B.) a friend.—adjs.Lov′ered(Shak.), having a lover;Lov′erly, like a lover.—n.Love′-shaft, a dart of love from Cupid's bow.—adjs.Love′-sick, languishing with amorous desire;Love′some, lovely.—ns.Love′-suit(Shak.), courtship;Love′-tō′ken, a gift in evidence of love.—adj.Lov′ing, having love or kindness: affectionate: fond: expressing love.—ns.Lov′ing-cup(see underCup);Lov′ing-kind′ness, kindness full of love: tender regard: mercy: favour.—adv.Lov′ingly.—n.Lov′ingness.—For love or money, in some way or another;In love, enamoured;Make love to, to try to gain the affections of;Play for love, to play without stakes;There's no love lost between them, they have no regard for each other. [A.S.lufu, love; Ger.liebe; cf. L.libet,lubet.]
Lovelace, luv′lās,n.a well-mannered libertine. [FromLovelace, the hero ofClarissa Harlowe.]
Lover, an obsolete form oflouvre.
Low, lō,v.i.to make the loud noise of oxen: to bellow.—n.the bellow of oxen.—n.Low′ing, the bellowing of cattle. [A.S.hlówan; Dut.loeijen; imit.]
Low, lō,adj.(comp.Low′er;superl.Low′est) lying in an inferior place or position: not high: deep: shallow: small: moderate: cheap: dejected: mean: plain: in poor circumstances: humble.—adv.not aloft: cheaply: meanly: in subjection, poverty, or disgrace: in times near our own: not loudly: (astron.) near the equator.—adj.Low′-born, of mean birth.—ns.Low′-church, a party within the Church of England minimising sacerdotal claims, ecclesiastical constitutions, ordinances, and forms, holding evangelical views of theology:—opp. toHigh-church;Low′-church′ism;Low′-church′man.—v.t.Low′er, to bring low: to depress: to degrade: to diminish.—v.i.to fall: to sink: to grow less.—adjs.Low′er-case(print.), kept in a lower case, denoting small letters as distinguished from capitals;Low′er-class, pertaining to persons of the humbler ranks.—n.Low′ering, the act of bringing low or reducing.—adj.letting down: sinking: degrading.—adj.Low′ermost, lowest.—ns.Low′land, land low with respect to higher land;Low′lander, a native of lowlands;Low′-life, humble life;Low′lihead,Low′lihood, a lowly or humble state;Low′liness.—adjs.Low′-lived, vulgar: shabby;Low′ly, of a low or humble mind: not high: meek: modest;Low′-mind′ed, moved by base or gross motives: vulgar;Low′-necked, cut low in the neck and away from the shoulders, décolleté.—n.Low′ness.—adjs.Low′-press′ure, employing or exerting a low degree of pressure (viz. less than 50 lb. to the sq. inch), said of steam and steam-engines;Low′-spir′ited, having the spirits low or cast down: not lively: sad.—n.Low′-spir′itedness.—adj.Low′-thought′ed, having the thoughts directed to low pursuits.—n.Low′-wa′ter, the lowest point of the tide at ebb.—Low Latin, a term often applied loosely to the Latin spoken and written after the fall of the Roman Empire, as well as during the Middle Ages;Low Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter, so called in contrast to the great festival whose octave it ends;Low wines, the weak spirit produced from the first distillation of substances containing alcohol.—Lie low, to keep quiet or hidden. [Ice.lágr, Dut.laag, low; allied to A.S.licgan, to lie.]
Low, low,n.(Scot.) a flame.—v.i.to blaze.—n.Low′-bell, a bell used in fowling by night, in connection with a light, to frighten birds into a net. [Ice.logi; cf. Dan.lue, Ger.lohe.]
Lower, low′ėr,v.i.to appear gloomy, as the clouds: to threaten a storm: to frown.—adjs.Lou′ry,Low′ery, cloudy;Low′ering, looking sullen: appearing dark and threatening.—adv.Low′eringly. [M. E.louren, from M. E.lure,lere, the cheek, allied to A.S.hleór, and thus a variant ofleer.]
Lown, lown,n.a variant ofloon.
Lown, lown,adj.(Scot.) sheltered, tranquil.
Loxia, lok′si-a,n.wryneck. [Gr.]
Loxodromic, lok-so-drom′ik,adj.pertaining to certain lines on the surface of a sphere which cut all meridians at the same angle, and indicate the course held by ships in rhumb sailing.—Loxodromic curve, line, or spiral, the course of a ship oblique to the equator and cutting all the meridians at the same angle, sailing constantly toward the same point of the compass.—Loxodromics, the art of such oblique sailing. [Gr.loxos, oblique,dromos, a course.]
Loyal, loi′al,adj.faithful to one's sovereign: obedient: true to a lover.—n.Loy′alist, a loyal adherent of his sovereign, esp. in English history, a partisan of the Stuarts: in the American war, one that sided with the British troops.—adv.Loy′ally.—n.Loy′alty. [Fr.,—L.legalis—lex,legis, law.]
Lozenge, loz′enj,n.an oblique-angled parallelogram or a rhombus: a small cake of flavoured sugar, originally lozenge or diamond shaped: (her.) the rhomb-shaped figure in which the arms of maids, widows, and deceased persons are borne.—adjs.Loz′enged, formed in the shape of a lozenge;Loz′enge-shaped, shaped like a lozenge or rhomb;Loz′engy(her.), divided into lozenge-shaped compartments. [O. Fr.losange, flattery, whence its use for an epitaph, square slab, window-pane.]
Lubber, lub′ėr,Lubbard,lub′ard,n.an awkward, clumsy fellow: a lazy, sturdy fellow.—adj.Lubb′ard, lubberly.—adj.andadv.Lubb′erly.—n.Lubb′er's-hole(naut.), a hole between the head of the lower mast and the edge of the top through which 'lubbers' may climb, instead of going round the futtock shroud. [W.llob, a dolt,llabbi, a stripling.]
Lubricate, lū′bri-kāt,v.t.to make smooth or slippery: to supply with oil to overcome friction.—adjs.Lū′bric,-al,Lū′bricous, slippery: lewd.—ns.Lū′bricant;Lubricā′tion.—adj.Lū′bricative.—ns.Lū′bricator;Lubricity(lū-bris′i-ti),slipperiness: smoothness: instability: lewdness;Lubrifac′tion. [L.lubricāre,-ātum—lubricus, slippery.]
Lucarne, lū′kärn,n.a dormer-window, esp. in a church spire. [Fr.,—L.lucerna, a lamp.]
Luce, lūs,n.a fresh-water fish, the pike. [O. Fr.lus—Low L.lucius.]
Lucent, lū′sent,adj.shining: bright.—n.Lū′cency, brightness.—adj.Lucer′nal, pertaining to a lamp. [L.lucens—lucēre, to shine—lux,lucis, light.]
Lucerne, lū′sėrn,n.a species of Medick, a valuable forage-plant. [Fr.luzerne.]
Lucid, lū′sid,adj.shining: transparent: easily understood: intellectually bright: not darkened with madness.—ns.Lucid′ity,Lū′cidness.—adv.Lū′cidly.—ns.Luc′ifer, the planet Venus when it appears as the morning-star: Satan: a match of wood tipped with a combustible substance ignited by friction.—adjs.Lucifē′rian,Lucif′erous, of or pertaining toLucifer: bearing light: affording means of discovery;Lucif′ugal,Lucif′ugous, shunning light.—n.Lucim′eter, an instrument for measuring the intensity and duration of sunshine in promoting evaporation. [L.,—lux,lucis, light.]
Lucigen, lū′si-jen,n.one of the most powerful artificial lamps, and specially adapted for lighting large spaces, whether open or covered. [L.lux,lucis, light, and root ofgignĕre, to beget.]
Lucina, lū′sī-na,n.a name applied both to Diana and to Juno—to the latter as the especial divinity that presides over childbirth. [L.,—lux, light.]
Luck, luk,n.fortune, good or bad: chance: lot: good fortune.—adv.Luck′ily.—n.Luck′iness.—adj.Luck′less, without good luck: unhappy.—adv.Luck′lessly.—ns.Luck′lessness;Luck′-penn′y, a trifle returned for luck by a seller to a buyer: a coin carried for luck.—adj.Luck′y, having good luck: auspicious.—n.Luck′y-bag, a receptacle for lost property on board a man-of-war.—Be down on one's luck, to be unfortunate. [From a Low Ger. root, seen in Dut.luk; cf. Ger.glück, prosperity.]
Lucky,Luckie, luk′i,n.(Scot.) an elderly woman.
Lucky, luk′i,n.(slang) departure.—Cut one's lucky, to bolt.
Lucre, lū′kėr,n.gain (esp. sordid gain): profit: advantage.—adj.Lū′crative, bringing lucre or gain: profitable.—adv.Lū′cratively. [Fr.,—L.lucrum, gain.]
Luctation, luk-tā′shun,n.struggle. [L.,—luctāri.]
Lucubrate, lū′kū-brāt,v.i.to study by lamplight or at night.—n.Lucubrā′tion, a product of close study or thought, any composition produced in retirement.—adj.Lū′cubrātory, composed by candle-light. [L.lucubrāre,-ātum—lux.]
Luculent, lū′kū-lent,adj.lucid: clear: transparent: evident.—adv.Lū′culently. [L.luculentus—lux.]
Lucumo, lū′kū-mō,n.an appellation of the Etruscan princes and priests. [L.]
Lud,n.a minced form oflord.
Ludicrous, lū′di-krus,adj.that serves for sport: adapted to excite laughter: laughable: comic.—adv.Lū′dicrously.—n.Lū′dicrousness. [L.ludicrus—ludĕre, to play.]
Lue, lū,v.t.to sift.
Lues, lū′ēz,n.a plague.—adj.Luet′ic. [L.]
Luff, luf,n.the windward side of a ship: the act of sailing a ship close to the wind: the loof.—v.t.to turn a ship towards the wind. [M. E.lof, a paddle; cf. Scot.loof, Dut.loef.]
Luffa, luf′a,n.a genus of climbing herbs of the gourd family, whose seeds are contained in a fibrous network removed entire by soaking, &c., and used as a flesh-brush.—AlsoLoof′a, &c. [Ar.]
Lug, lug,v.t.to pull along: to drag: to pull with difficulty:—pr.p.lug′ging;pa.t.andpa.p.lugged.—ns.Lug′gage, the trunks and other baggage of a traveller;Lug′gage-van, a wagon for baggage;Lug′ger, a small vessel with two or three masts, a running bowsprit, and long or lug sails;Lug′sail,Lug, a square sail bent upon a yard that hangs obliquely to the mast.—Lug in, to introduce without any apparent connection. [Scand., Sw.lugga, to pull by the hair—lugg, the forelock; from a baseluk, to pull, present in Scot.lug, the ear.]
Lug, lug,n.(Spens.) a perch or rod of land.
Lug, lug,n.(Scot.) the ear.—adj.Lugged, having ears.—n.Lug′gie, a small vessel with ears.
Lugubrious, lū-gū′bri-us,adj.mournful: dismal.—adv.Lugū′briously. [L.lugubris—lugēre, to mourn.]
Lugworm, lug′wurm,n.a sluggish worm found in the sand on the sea-shore, much used for bait by fishermen.—AlsoLobworm.
Lukewarm, lūk′wawrm,adj.partially or moderately warm: indifferent—alsoLuke.—adv.Luke′warmly.—ns.Luke′warmness,Luke′warmth. [M. E.leuk,luke, an extension oflew, cog. with the A.S.hleó, the source oflee; prob. confused with A.S.wlæc,wlacu, tepid; cf. Dut.leuk, Ger.lau.]
Lull, lul,v.t.to soothe: to compose: to quiet.—v.i.to become calm: to subside.—n.a season of calm.—n.Lull′aby, a song to lull children to sleep, a cradle-song.—v.t.to lull to sleep. [Scand., as in Sw.lulla; imit. like Ger.lallen, Gr.lalein.]
Lum, lum,n.(Scot.) a chimney. [W.llumon.]
Lumbago, lum-bā′gō,n.a rheumatic affection of the muscles or fibrous tissues in the lumbar region.—adjs.Lumbag′inous;Lum′bar,Lum′bal, pertaining to, or near, the loins. [L.,—lumbus, loin.]
Lumber, lum′bėr,n.anything cumbersome or useless: timber sawed or split for use.—v.t.to fill with lumber: to heap together in confusion.—n.Lum′berer, one employed in felling timber and bringing it from the forest.—adj.Lum′bering, filling with lumber: putting in confusion.—n.Lum′ber-room, a room for holding things not in use. [Fr.Lombard—Ger.Langbart; thelumber-roombeing orig. theLombard-roomor place where the Lombards, the medieval bankers and pawnbrokers, stored their pledges.]
Lumber, lum′bėr,v.i.to move heavily. [Scand.; prov. Sw.lomra, to resound, Ice.hljómr, a sound.]
Lumbrical, lum′brik-al,adj.(anat.) worm-like.—adj.Lumbric′iform. [L.lumbricus, a worm.]
Luminary, lū′min-ar-i,n.any body which gives light, esp. one of the heavenly bodies: one who illustrates any subject or instructs mankind.—adj.Lū′minant, emitting light.—n.an illuminating agent.—n.Luminā′tion, a lighting up.—v.t.Lū′mine(Spens.), to illumine.—adjs.Luminif′erous, transmitting light;Lū′minous, giving light: shining: illuminated: clear: lucid.—adv.Lū′minously.—ns.Lū′minousness,Luminos′ity.—Luminous paint, a phosphorescent powder, such as sulphide or oxysulphide of calcium, ground up with a colourless varnish or other medium, and used as a paint. [L.lumen,luminis, light—lucēre, to shine.]
Lummy, lum′i,adj.(slang) knowing, cute.
Lump, lump,n.a small shapeless mass: a protuberance: swelling: the whole together: the gross.—v.t.to throw into a confused mass: to take in the gross.—ns.Lump′er, a labourer employed in the lading or unlading of ships: (prov.) a militiaman;Lump′fish, a clumsy sea-fish with a short, deep, and thick body and head, and a ridge on its back, also calledLump′sucker, from the power of its sucker.—adjs.Lump′ing, in a lump: heavy: bulky;Lump′ish, like a lump: heavy: gross: dull.—adv.Lump′ishly.—ns.Lump′ishness;Lump′-sug′ar, loaf-sugar in small pieces.—adj.Lump′y, full of lumps.—In the lump, in gross. [Scand., Norw.lump, a block; Dut.lomp.]
Lunar, lū′nar,adj.belonging to the moon: measured by the revolutions of the moon: caused by the moon: like the moon—alsoLū′nary.—ns.Lū′nacy, a kind of madness formerly supposed to be affected by the moon: insanity;Lunā′rian,Lū′narist, a student of lunar phenomena;Lū′nary, the moonwort fern.—adjs.Lū′nāte,-d, formed like a half-moon: crescent-shaped;Lū′natic, affected with lunacy.—n.a person so affected: a madman (De lunatico inquirendo, the title of the writ or commission for inquiry into the mental state of an alleged lunatic).—n.Lunā′tion, the time between two revolutions of the moon: a lunar month.—adjs.Lū′niform, moon-shaped;Lū′nisolar, resulting from the united action of the sun and moon: compounded of the revolution of the sun and the moon.—n.Lū′nula, a crescent-like appearance, esp. the whitish area at the base of the nails.—adjs.Lū′nulate,-d(bot.), shaped like a small crescent.—ns.Lū′nule,Lū′nulet, anything in form like a small crescent;Lū′nulite, a small circular fossil coral.—Lunar caustic, fused crystals of nitrate of silver, applied to ulcers, &c.;Lunar cycle=Metonic cycle(q.v.);Lunar month(seeMonth);Lunar observation, an observation of the moon's distance from a star for the purpose of finding the longitude;Lunar rainbow(seeRainbow, underRain);Lunar theory, a term employed to denote thea priorideduction of the moon's motions from the principles of gravitation;Lunar year(seeYear). [L.lunaris—luna, the moon—lucēre, to shine.]
Lunch, lunsh,n.a slight repast between breakfast and dinner—alsoLunch′eon.—v.i.to take lunch.—n.Lunch′eon-bar, a counter at a restaurant where luncheons are served. [Lunch, a contr. ofluncheon, itself extended fromlunch, a lump.]
Lune, lūn,n.anything in the shape of a half-moon: (Shak.) a fit of lunacy.—n.Lunette′, a little moon: (fort.) a detached bastion: a hole in a concave ceiling to admit light: a watch-glass flattened more than usual in the centre: in the R.C. Church, a moon-shaped case of crystal used for receiving the consecrated host. [Fr.lune—L.luna.]
Lung, lung,n.one of the organs of breathing—from its spongy texture.—adjs.Lunged;Lung′-grown, having an adhesion of the lung to the pleura.—n.Lung′wort, an herb with purple flowers and spotted leaves: a lichen on tree-trunks, used as a remedy for pulmonary diseases. [A.S.lunge, pl.lungan, the lungs; cog. withlight(adj.).]
Lunge, lunj,n.a sudden thrust in fencing.—v.i.to give such.—v.t.to cause to plunge. [Fr.allonger, to lengthen—L.ad, to,longus, long.]
Luniform,Lunisolar,Lunulate. SeeLunar.
Lunt, lunt,n.a light, blaze.—v.i.(Scot.) to burn, to smoke. [Dut.lont, a match; cf. Ger.lunte.]
Lupine, lū′pīn,adj.like a wolf: wolfish.—n.a genus of leguminous plants.—adj.Lupanā′rian, bawdy.—n.Lupercā′lia, a festival among the ancient Romans, held on the 15th of February, in honour ofLupercus(Pan), god of fertility and patron of shepherds—(Shak.)Lū′percal. [L.lupinus—lupus, a wolf,lupa, a whore.]
Luppa, lup′a,n.cloth having so much gold and silver thread as to look as if made entirely of metal.
Lupulus, lū′pu-lus,n.the common hop.—n.Lū′pulin, the peculiar bitter aromatic principle of the hop.
Lupus, lū′pus,n.a chronic tuberculosis of the skin, often affecting the nose. [L.lupus, a wolf.]
Lurch, lurch,n.an ancient card-game: in cribbage, the position of the party who has gained every point before the other makes one.—v.t.to overreach: (arch.) to steal.—Leave in the lurch, to leave in a difficult situation without help. [O. Fr.lourche.]
Lurch, lurch,v.i.to evade by stooping, to lurk: to roll or pitch suddenly to one side (as a ship).—n.a sudden roll of a ship.—n.Lurch′er, a name applied to any dog with a distinct cross of greyhound: one who lies in wait: a glutton. [Lurk.]
Lurdan, lur′dan,adj.(arch.) stupid.—n.a stupid person.—AlsoLur′dane,Lur′den. [O. Fr.lourdein, dull—lourd, heavy.]
Lure, lūr,n.any enticement: bait: decoy: (Shak.) a stuffed bird used in falconry for training the hawk.—v.t.to entice: decoy. [O. Fr.loerre(Fr.leurre)—Mid. High Ger.luoder(Ger.luder), bait.]
Lure, lūr,n.a trumpet with long curved tube, used for calling cattle, &c. [Ice.lúdhr.]
Lurid, lū′rid,adj.ghastly pale, wan: ghastly and sensational: gloomy.—adv.Lū′ridly. [L.luridus.]
Lurk, lurk,v.i.to lie in wait: to be concealed.—n.a swindle.—n.Lurk′er.—adj.Lurk′ing, lying hid: keeping out of sight.—n.Lurk′ing-place, a hiding-place. [Scand., Sw. prov.luska.]
Lurry, lur′i,n.(Milt.) confusion.
Luscious, lush′us,adj.sweet in a great degree: delightful: fulsome, as flattery.—adv.Lusc′iously.—n.Lusc′iousness. [Old form lushious, from lusty.]
Lush, lush,adj.rich and juicy, of grass. [A contr. oflushious, old form ofluscious.]
Lush, lush,v.t.to swill.—n.plentiful liquor.—adj.Lush′y, tipsy.
Lusiad, lū′si-ad,n.a Portuguese epic by Camoens, celebrating the chief events in the history of Portugal.—adj.Lusitā′nian, Portuguese. [Port.Os Lusiadas, the Lusitanians.]
Lusk, lusk,adj.(obs.) lazy.—v.i.to lie about lazily.—adj.Lusk′ish(obs.).—n.Lusk′ishness(Spens.).
Lust, lust,n.longing desire: eagerness to possess: carnal appetite: (B.) any violent or depraved desire.—v.i.to desire eagerly (withafter,for): to have carnal desire: to have depraved desires.—adjs.Lust′-breathed(Shak.), animated by lust;Lust′-dī′eted(Shak.), pampered by lust.—n.Lust′er.—adj.Lust′ful, having lust: inciting to lust: sensual.—adv.Lust′fully.—n.Lust′fulness.—adj.Lust′ic(Shak.), lusty, healthy, vigorous.—ns.Lust′ihead,Lust′ihood,Lust′iness.—adv.Lust′ily.—adj.Lust′less(Spens.), listless, feeble.—n.Lust′wort, the sundew.—adj.Lust′y, vigorous: healthful: stout: bulky: (Milt.) lustful. [A.S.lust, pleasure.]
Lustre, lus′tėr,n.brightness, gloss, splendour: (fig.) renown: a candlestick ornamented with pendants of cut-glass: the characteristic appearance of a bright metallic surface, or of air within glass under water as seen under certain angles of total reflection: a dress material having a highly finished surface: a glaze applied to porcelain.—adjs.Lus′treless, destitute of lustre;Lus′trous, bright: shining: luminous.—adv.Lus′trously. [Fr.,—Low L.lustrum, a window—L.lucēre, to shine.]
Lustre, lus′tėr,Lustrum,lus′trum,n.a period of five years: (orig.) the solemn offering for the purification of the Roman people made by one of the censors at the conclusion of the census, taken every five years.—adj.Lus′tral, relating to or used in lustration: of or pertaining to a lustre.—n.Lustrā′tion, a purification by sacrifice: act of purifying.—adj.Lus′trical, pertaining to purification by lustration. [L.lustrum—luĕre, to wash, to purify.]
Lustring, lus′tring,n.a glossy silk cloth.—AlsoLus′trine,Lute′string. [Fr.lustrine—It.lustrino.]
Lusty. SeeLust.
Lute, lūt,n.a medieval stringed instrument of music like the guitar.—v.i.to play on the lute.—ns.Lut′anist,Lut′er,Lut′ist, a player on a lute;Lute′string, the string of a lute. [O. Fr.lut(Fr.luth); like Ger.laute, from Ar.al, the,‛úd, wood, the lute.]
Lute, lūt,n.a composition used to exclude air, as round pipe-joints: a brickmaker's straight-edge scraper: a rubber packing-ring for a jar.—v.t.to close or coat with lute.—adjs.Lutā′rious,Lū′teous, of or like mud.—n.Lutā′tion.—adj.Lū′tose, miry. [L.lutum, fromluĕre, to wash.]
Luteolin, lū′tē-ō-lin,n.the yellow colouring matter of weld or dyer's weed.—adjs.Lutē′olous, yellowish; Lū′teous, golden-yellowish. [L.lutum, weld.]
Lutetian, lū-tē′shan,adj.Parisian. [L.]
Lutheran, lū′thėr-an,adj.pertaining toLuther, the great German Protestant reformer (1483-1546), or to his doctrines: a follower of Luther.—ns.Lu′theranism,Lū′therism;Lū′therist.
Luxate, luks′āt,v.t.to put out of joint: to displace.—n.Luxā′tion, a dislocation. [L.luxāre,-ātum—luxus—Gr.loxos, slanting.]
Luxury, luk′sū-ri,n.free indulgence in rich diet or costly dress or equipage: anything delightful: a dainty: (Shak.) wantonness.—ns.Luxū′riance,Luxū′riancy,Luxurī′ety.—adj.Luxū′riant, exuberant in growth: overabundant.—adv.Luxū′riantly.—v.i.Luxū′riate, to be luxuriant: to grow exuberantly: to live luxuriously: to expatiate with delight.—n.Luxuriā′tion, the act of luxuriating.—adj.Luxū′rious, given to luxury: administering to luxury: furnished with luxuries: softening by pleasure: (Milt.) luxuriant: (Shak.) lustful.—adv.Luxū′riously.—ns.Luxū′riousness;Lux′urist, one given to luxury. [O. Fr.luxurie—L.luxuria, luxury—luxus, excess.]
Luz, luz,n.a bone supposed by Rabbinical writers to be indestructible, probably the sacrum.
Luzula, lū′zū-lä,n.a genus of plants of the rush family, having plain leaves, covered with thinly scattered, longish hairs. [Old It.luzziola, a firefly.]
Lyam, lī′am,n.a leash.—AlsoLime.
Lyart. SeeLiard.
Lycanthropy, lī-kan′thro-pi,n.the power possessed by a person of changing himself into a wolf: a kind of madness, in which the patient fancies himself to be a wolf.—ns.Lycan′thrope,Lycan′thropist, a wolf-man or were-wolf, one affected with lycanthropy.—adjs.Lycanthrop′ic,Lycan′thropous. [Gr.lykos, a wolf,anthrōpos, a man.]
Lyceum, lī-sē′um,n.a place devoted to instruction by lectures: an association for literary improvement. [Orig. the name of a place in the immediate neighbourhood of Athens, consecrated toApollo Lyceios, where Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, taught.]
Lychgate. Same asLichgate.
Lychnic, lik′nik,n.a part of the vespers of the Greek Church on the occasion of a vigil.—n.Lychnap′sia, a series of seven prayers in the vespers of the Greek Church.—adj.Lychnid′iate, emitting light, phosphorescent.—ns.Lych′nobite, one who works by night and sleeps by day;Lych′nomancy, divination by means of lamps;Lych′noscope, a small window-like opening in the south wall of a church. [Gr.lychnos, a light.]
Lychnis, lik′nis,n.a genus of erect ornamental herbs of the pink family—campions or wall-flowers. [L.]
Lycopodiaceæ, lī-ko-pō-di-ā′se-ē,n.pl.a class of isoporous vascular cryptogams, having mostly a dichotomous form of branching—its typical genusLycopō′dium.—n.Ly′copode, a highly inflammable yellow powder made up of the spores of Lycopodium. [Gr.lykos, a wolf,pous, the foot.]
Lyddite, lid′īt,n.a powerful explosive made (atLyddin Kent) from picrate of potash.
Lydian, lid′i-an,adj.pertaining toLydiain Asia Minor: of an ancient Greek mode of music: (mus.) soft and slow: luxurious and effeminate.
Lye, lī,n.a short side-branch of railway.
Lye, lī,n.a solution leached from ashes: a solution of the fixed alkalies, potash and soda, in water. [A.S.leáh; Ger.lauge; allied tolavāre, to wash.]
Lyencephalous, lī-en-sef′a-lus,adj.having the corpus callosum absent or rudimentary.
Lying, lī′ing,adj.addicted to telling lies.—n.the habit of telling lies.—adv.Ly′ingly.
Lying, lī′ing,adj.being in a horizontal position.—n.Ly′ing-in, the confinement of women during child-bearing—alsoadj.
Lyke-wake, līk′-wāk,n.Same asLich-wake.
Lym, lim,n.(Shak.) a lime-hound.—AlsoLym′-hound.
Lyme-grass, līm′-gras,n.any one of various coarse grasses of genusElymus.
Lymph, limf,n.water: a colourless or faintly-yellowish fluid in animal bodies, of a rather saltish taste, and with an alkaline reaction.—n.Lymphangī′tis(seeWeed, 3).—adj.Lymphat′ic, pertaining to lymph.—n.a vessel which conveys the lymph.—adjs.Lymph′y,Lymph′oid. [L.lympha.]
Lymphad, lim′fad,n.(Scot.) a kind of sailing-vessel.
Lynch, linsh,v.t.to judge and punish without the usual forms of law.—n.Lynch′-law(Amer.), a kind of summary justice exercised by the people. [From CharlesLynch(1736-96) of Virginia.]
Lynx, lingks,n.a genus ofFelidæ, with the body elevated at the haunches, long fur, a short tail, the ears tipped with tufts of hair.—adjs.Lyncē′an,Lynx′-eyed, sharp-sighted. [L.,—Gr.]
Lyon Court, lī′un kōrt,n.the court in Scotland with jurisdiction in questions of coat-armour and precedency—presided over by theLyon King-of-arms. [From the heraldic lion of Scotland.]
Lyre.
Lyre, līr,n.a musical instrument like the harp, anciently used as an accompaniment to poetry.—n.Ly′ra, one of the northern constellations.—adjs.Ly′rate,-d(bot.), lyre-shaped.—ns.Lyre′bird, an Australian bird about the size of a pheasant, having the 16 tail-feathers of the male arranged in the form of a lyre;Lyric(lir′-),a lyric poem: (obs.) a composer of lyric poetry.—adjs.Lyric,-al(lir′-),pertaining to the lyre: fitted to be sung to the lyre: written in stanzas: said of poetry which expresses the individual emotions of the poet: that composes lyrics.—ns.Lyricism(lir′-),a lyrical expression or composition;Lyr′ism, the art of playing on the lyre;Lyr′ist, a player on the lyre or harp. [Fr.,—L.lyra—Gr.]
Lysimeter, lī-sim′e-tėr,n.an instrument for measuring the rate of percolation of rain through a soil.
Lysis, lī′sis,n.the gradual abatement of a disease, as distinguished from crisis: (archit.) a plinth or step above the cornice of the podium in an ancient temple. [Gr.]
Lyssa, lis′a,n.hydrophobia. [Gr.]
Lyterian, lī-tē′ri-an,adj.terminating a disease. [Gr.]
Lythe, līth,adj.(Spens.) pliant, flexible. [Lithe.]
Lytta, lit′a,n.a longitudinal vermiform cartilaginous or fibrous band on the under surface of the tongue in carnivores—the 'worm' of a dog's tongue. [Gr.]
M-roof.
M
the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, belonging to the labio-nasal class of consonants.M=1000;M=1,000,000.—M-roof, a roof formed by the junction of two common roofs, so that its end is like the letter M.
Ma, mä,n.a childish contraction formamma.
Ma′am, mäm,n.a colloquial contraction of madam—vulgarlyMarm,Mum.
Mab, mab,n.the name of a female fairy: the queen of the fairies—hence any fairy. [W.mab, child.]
Mab, mab,v.t.andv.i.(prov.) to dress untidily.
Mabinogion, mab-i-nō′ji-on,n.a collection of four Arthurian romances, embodied in the 12th century, embraced with seven other prose tales in theRed Book, orHergest, a Welsh MS. of the 14th century—the whole published and translated by Lady Charlotte Guest in 1838. [W., 'children's tales.']
Mac, mak, a prefix in Scotch names, meaningson(of). [Gael. and Ir.mac, son; W.map,mab, alsoap,ab.]
Macaberesque, ma-kā-bėr-esk′,adj.pertaining to, or like, the Dance of Death. [Fr.La Danse Macabre, Low L.Machabæorum chorea, the dance of the Maccabees, prob. because the seven brothers whose martyrdom is recorded in the 7th chapter of the 2d Book of Maccabees played an important part in the earliest form of the 14th-cent. drama on the subject.]
Macadamise, mak-ad′am-īz,v.t.to cover, as a road, with small broken stones, so as to form a smooth, hard surface.—ns.Macad′am, macadamised pavement;Macadamisā′tion. [From John LoudonMacadam(1756-1836).]
Macaque, ma-kak′,n.a monkey of genusMacacus, between baboons and the African mangabeys.
Macarise, mak′a-rīz,v.t.to bless, pronounce happy.—adj.Macā′rian, blessed.—n.Mac′arism, a beatitude. [Gr.makar, happy.]
Macaroni, mak-a-rō′ni,n.a kind of paste or dough prepared from the glutinous granular flour of hard varieties of wheat, pressed out through a perforated vessel into long tubes, and then dried: a medley: something fanciful and extravagant: a fool: a fop:—pl.Macarō′nis,Macarō′nies.—n.Macaron′ic, a confused heap, a medley: a macaronic poem.—adjs.Macaron′ic,Macarō′nian, like a macaroni, trifling, affected: of a kind of burlesque verse, consisting of modern words Latinised, or Latin words modernised, intermixed with genuine Latin words. [Old It.maccaroni—maccare, to crush.]
Macaroon, mak-a-rōōn′,n.a sweet biscuit made chiefly of almonds and sugar. [Fr.,—It.maccaroniabove.]
Macassar-oil, ma-kas′ar-oil,n.an oil much used for the hair, imported from India and other Eastern countries. [FromMacassarin Celebes.]
Macaw, ma-kaw′,n.a genus of large and beautiful birds with a long tail, found in tropical America, closely allied to the parrots. [Brazil.macao.]
Maccabean, mak-a-bē′an,adj.pertaining to JudasMaccabeus, or to theMaccabees, an ancient Jewish family who rescued Judea from the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes, king of Syria, about 166B.C.—as related in two historical books of the Apocrypha.
Mace, mās,n.a staff used as a mark of authority: a light, flat-headed stick in use at billiards before the introduction of the bridge or cue-rest: formerly, a weapon of war, consisting of a staff headed with a heavy spiked ball of iron: a mallet used by a currier in dressing leather.—n.Mace′-bear′er, one who carries the mace in a procession, or before men in authority—alsoMac′er. [O. Fr.mace(Fr.masse)—obs. L.matea, whence L. dim.mateola, a mallet.]
Mace, mās,n.a kind of spice: the second coat of the nutmeg. [O. Fr.macis—L.macer—Gr.maker.]
Macerate, mas′ėr-āt,v.t.to steep: to soften by steeping: to make lean: to mortify.—n.Macerā′tion, act of softening by steeping: mortification of the flesh by fasting and other severe modes of living. [L.macerāre,-ātum, to steep.]
Machete, ma-chā′tā,n.a heavy knife or cutlass used by the Cubans, &c. [Sp.]
Machiavellian, mak-i-a-vēl′yan,adj.destitute of political morality, following expediency rather than right: cunning, crafty, perfidious.—n.one who imitates Machiavel—more correctly, NiccoloMachiavelli—of Florence (1469-1527): any cunning and unprincipled statesman.—n.Machiavell′ianism, the principles taught by Machiavel, or conduct regulated by them: cunning statesmanship.
Machicolation, mach-i-ko-lā′shun,n.(archit.) a projecting parapet or gallery with openings for pouring molten substances upon an attacking force below: the construction or use of such means of defence.—adj.Machic′olated. [Fr.mâchicoulis, frommâche, mash,coulis, a flowing—L.colāre, to filter.]
Machinate, mak′i-nāt,v.t.to contrive skilfully: to form a plot or scheme, esp. for doing harm.—ns.Machinā′tion, act of machinating or contriving a scheme for carrying out some purpose, esp. an evil one: an artful design or plot:Mach′inator, one who machinates. [L.machināri,-ātus—machĭna.]
Machine, ma-shēn′,n.any artificial means or contrivance: any instrument for the conversion of motion: an engine: a coach or conveyance of any kind: one who can do only what he is told: a contrivance in the ancient Greek theatre for indicating a change of scene, by means of which a god might cross the stage or deliver a divine message—whence the expressionDeus ex machĭnafor a sudden interposition of Providence: any literary contrivance for the development of a plot: supernatural agency in a poem.—v.t.to use machinery for, esp. to print or sew by such: to make by means of machinery.—ns.Machine′-gun, a gun firing a great many shots one after the other, sometimes as many as 1000 per minute;Machine′-man, a man who manages the working of a machine, esp. in a printing-office;Machin′ery, machines in general: the working parts of a machine: combined means for keeping anything in action, or for producing a desired result;Machine′-shop, a workshop where machines are made;Machine′-tool, an adjustable machine for doing work with cutting-tools, or one utilising minor tools, as a planing-, drilling-machine, &c.;Machine′-work, work done by a machine;Machin′ist, a constructor of machines: one well versed in machinery: one who works a machine. [Fr.,—L.machĭna—Gr.mēchanē, akin tomēch-os, contrivance.]
Mack′erel, mak′ėr-el,n.a food fish, dark blue, with wavy cross-streaks above, and silvery below.—n.Mack′erel-sky, a sky with clouds broken into long, thin, white, parallel masses. [O. Fr.makerel(Fr.maquereau), prob. from L.macula, a spot.]
Mackintosh, mak′in-tosh,n.a waterproof overcoat. [From CharlesMackintosh(1766-1843), the inventor.]
Mackle, mak′l,n.a spot or blemish in printing, by a double impression, wrinkling, &c.—v.t.to spot, blur.
Macle, mak′l,n.a kind of twin crystal: a kind ofcross-stoneorhollow-spar, called alsoChiastolite, having the axis and angles of its crystals coloured differently from the rest.—adj.Mac′led, spotted. [Through Fr., from L.macula, spot.]
Macmillanite, mak-mil′an-īt,n.an old name for a member of the Scottish sect of Cameronians or Reformed Presbyterians. [From JohnMacmillan, (1670-1753), the first ordained minister who associated himself with the 'suffering remnant.']
Macramé, mak-ra-mā′,n.a fringe or trimming of knotted thread—also knotted bar-work. [It.]
Macrobiotic, mak-rō-bi-ot′ik,adj.long-lived.—ns.Macrobiō′sis, long life;Macrō′biote, one who lives long;Macrobiot′ics, the study of longevity.
Macrocephalous, mak-ro-sef′a-lus,adj.having a large or long head.—AlsoMacrocephal′ic. [Gr.makros, long or great,kephalē, a head.]
Macrocosm, mak′ro-kozm,n.the great world: the whole universe:—opp. toMicrocosm.—adj.Macrocos′mic. [Gr.makros, long,kosmos, world.]
Macrodactyl, mak-ro-dak′til,adj.having long toes.—n.a wading-bird having such:—pl.Macrodac′tylī, and-a. [Gr.makros, long,daktylos, finger.]
Macrology, mak-rol′o-ji,n.much talk with little to say. [Gr.makros, long,logos, a word.]
Macron, mak′ron,n.a straight line placed over a vowel to show that it is long:—opp. toBreve, the mark of a short vowel. [Gr., 'long.']
Macropod, mak′ro-pod,adj.having long feet.—n.a long-legged or long-footed animal: one of the spider-crabs.—adjs.Macrop′odal,Macrop′odan,Macropō′dian,Macrop′odous(bot.). [Gr.makros, long,pous,podos, a foot.]
Macropterous, mak-rop′te-rus,adj.long-winged. [Gr.makros, long,pteron, a wing.]
Macroscian, mak-ros′i-an,adj.casting a long shadow.—n.an inhabitant of the Arctic or Antarctic zones. [Gr.makros, long,skia, shadow.]
Macroscopic, mak-ro-skop′ik,adj.visible to the naked eye:—opp. toMicroscopic.—adv.Macroscop′ically. [Gr.makros, long,skopein, to see.]
Macrospore, mak′ro-spōr,n.a more than usually large spore of a flowerless plant, as in club-mosses, &c.—n.Macrosporan′gium, a sporangium containing macrospores. [Gr.makros, long,spora, a seed.]
Macrurous, mak-rōō′rus,adj.long-tailed.—AlsoMacru′ral. [Gr.makros, long,oura, tail.]
Macula, mak′ū-la,n.a spot, as on the skin, or on the surface of the sun, moon, or planets:—pl.Maculæ(mak′ū-lē).—v.t.Mac′ulāte, to spot, to defile.—n.Maculā′tion, act of spotting, a spot.—adj.Maculose(mak′ū-lōz),spotted. [L.maculāre,-ātum—macula, a spot.]
Mad, mad,adj.(comp.Mad′der;superl.Mad′dest) disordered in intellect: insane: proceeding from madness, rabid: troubled in mind: excited with any violent passion or appetite: furious with anger.—v.t.(Shak.) to drive mad.—adjs.Mad′brain,Mad′brained(Shak.), disordered in brain or mind: rash: hot-headed;Mad′-bred(Shak.), bred in madness or heat of passion.—n.Mad′cap, a person who acts madly: a wild, rash, hot-headed person.—adj.fond of wild and reckless action.—v.t.Mad′den, to make mad: to enrage.—v.i.to become mad: to act as one mad.—adj.Mad′ding, distracted, acting madly.—advs.Mad′dingly,Mad′ly.—ns.Mad′-doc′tor, a doctor who studies and treats the diseases of mad people;Mad′house, a house for mad persons: a lunatic asylum;Mad′ling, a mad person;Mad′man, a man who is mad: a maniac;Mad′ness;Mad′wort, a plant believed to cure canine madness.—Go mad, to become demented;Like mad, madly, furiously. [A.S.ge-mǽd; Old Sax.ge-méd, foolish, Ice.meidd-r, hurt.]
Madam, mad′am,n.a courteous form of address to a lady, esp. an elderly or a married one: a woman of fashion:—pl.Mad′ams, orMesdames(mā-dam′).[Fr.,—ma, my,dame, lady—L.mea domina.]
Mad-apple, mad′-ap-l,n.the egg-plant.
Madarosis, mad-a-rō′sis,n.loss of the hair, esp. of the eyelashes. [Gr.,—madaros, bald,madan, to fall off.]
Madder, mad′ėr,n.a plant whose root affords a red dye.—ns.Madd′er-lake, a colour mixed either with oil or water, made from madder;Madd′er-wort, any plant of theRubiaceæor madder family. [A.S.mæderu; Ice.maðra, Dut.meed.]
Made, mād,pa.t.andpa.p.ofmake.—Made continually(Pr. Bk.), established for ever;Made dish, a dish of meat, &c., recooked: an entrée;Made up, put together, finished: dressed for a part, disguised: perfect: artificial, invented.
Madeira, ma-dē′ra,n.a rich wine of the sherry class produced inMadeira.
Mademoiselle, mad-mwa-zel′,n.a courteous form of address to a young lady: Miss. [Fr.,ma, my, anddemoiselle.]
Madge, maj,n.a leaden hammer.
Madge, maj,n.the magpie.
Madia, mā′di-a,n.a genus of American herbs of the aster family, the tarweeds—a Chilian species yielding a valuable oil.
Madid, mad′id,adj.wet, dank. [L.madidus—madēre, to be wet; akin to Gr.madaein.]
Madonna,Madona, ma-don′a,n.a name given to the Virgin, esp. as seen in works of art: (Shak.) my lady.—adv.Madonn′a-wise, after the fashion of the Madonna, esp. in the arrangement of a woman's hair. [It., lit. 'my lady'—L.mea domina.]
Madras, ma-dras′,n.a large handkerchief of silk and cotton, usually in bright colours, worn on the head by West Indian negroes.
Madrepore, mad′re-pōr,n.the common coral. [Fr.,—It., frommadre, mother—L.mater, and-pora—Gr.pōros, a soft stone.]
Madrigal, mad′ri-gal,n.(mus.) a piece of music for the voice in five or six parts: a short poem expressing a graceful and tender thought.—adj.Madrigā′lian.—n.Mad′rigalist. [It., frommandra, a sheep-fold—L.mandra.]
Madroño, ma-drō′nyō,n.a handsome evergreen tree of North California.—AlsoMadrō′ña.
Mæcenas, mā-sē′nas,n.a Roman knight who befriended the poets Virgil and Horace: any rich patron of art or literature.
Maelstrom, māl′strom,n.a celebrated whirlpool off the coast of Norway: any resistless overpowering influence for destruction. [Norw., 'grinding stream.']
Mænad, mē′nad,n.a female follower of Bacchus, a woman beside herself with frenzy.—adj.Mænad′ic, bacchanalian: furious. [Gr.mainas,-ados, raving—mainesthai, to be mad.]
Maestoso, mā-es-tō′zo,adj.andadv.(mus.) with dignity or majesty. [It.]
Maestro, ma-es′trō,n.a master, esp. an eminent musical composer or conductor. [It.]
Maffled, maf′ld,adj.(prov.) confused in the intellect.—n.Maff′ling, a simpleton.
Mag, mag,n.a halfpenny.—AlsoMaik,Make.
Mag, mag,v.i.(prov.) to chatter.—v.t.to tease.—n.chatter: the magpie: the long-tailed titmouse.
Mag, mag,v.t.(slang) to steal.—n.Mags′man, a street swindler.
Magazine, mag-a-zēn′,n.a storehouse: a place for military stores: the gunpowder-room in a ship: a pamphlet or small book published from time to time, containing compositions on various subjects.—ns.Magazine′-gun, or-rī′fle, a gun or rifle from which many shots can be fired one after another without reloading. [Fr.magasin—It.magazzino—Ar.makhzan, a storehouse.]
Magdalen, mag′da-len,n.a repentant prostitute.—AlsoMag′dalene. [From MaryMagdalene(Luke, viii. 2), confused with the woman of Luke vii. 37-50.]
Magdeburg hemispheres, mag′de-bōōrghem′i-sfērz,n.pl.two hemispherical cups from within which, when placed together, the air can be removed by an air-pump to show the pressure of the air on the outside. [Invented atMagdeburgin Germany.]
Mage, māj,n.a magician, enchanter (seeMagi).
Magenta, ma-jen′ta,n.a colour between pink and red. [From the battle ofMagentain North Italy, 1859.]
Maggot, mag′ut,n.a worm or grub: a whim.—adj.Magg′oty, full of maggots. [W.maceiad, akin tomagiaid, worms,magu, to breed.]
Magi, mā′jī,n.pl.priests of the ancient Persians: the Wise Men of the East.—adj.Mā′gian, pertaining to the Magi.—n.one of the Magi.—ns.Mā′gianism, orMā′gism, the philosophy or doctrines of the Magi. [L.,—Gr.magos, orig. a title given to the wise men of Chaldea, astrologers and wizards.]
Magic, maj′ik,n.the pretended art of producing marvellous results by the aid of spirits, or of the secret forces of nature: enchantment: sorcery.—adjs.Mag′ic,-al, pertaining to, used in, or done by magic: causing wonderful or startling results.—adv.Mag′ically.—ns.Magic′ian, one skilled in magic: a wizard: an enchanter;Mag′ic-lan′tern(seeLantern).—Magic square, a square filled with rows of figures so arranged that the sums of all the rows will be the same, perpendicularly or horizontally—as 2, 7, 6; 9, 5, 1; 4, 3, 8, &c.; there are alsoMagic circles,cubes,cylinders, andspheressimilarly arranged.—Black magic, the black art, magic by means of union with evil spirits;Natural magic, the art of working wonders by a superior knowledge of the powers of nature;White magic, magic without the aid of the devil. [O. Fr.magique—L.,—Gr. SeeMagi.]
Magilp, ma-gilp′,n.a vehicle used by oil-painters, consisting of linseed-oil and mastic varnish—written alsoMegilp′. [Prob. from a proper name.]
Magisterial, maj-is-tē′ri-al,adj.pertaining or suitable to a master: in the manner of a master: of the rank of a magistrate: authoritative: proud: dignified.—n.Magis′ter, master.—adv.Magistē′rially.—ns.Magistē′rialness;Magistē′rium, an authoritative statement;Mag′istery, a term in alchemy for various preparations, esp. a precipitate of bismuth: any sovereign remedy: a mandate. [L.magisterius—magister, a master—mag, root of L.magnus, great.]
Magistrate, maj′is-trāt,n.a person entrusted with the power of putting the laws in force: a justice of the peace.—n.Mag′istracy, the office or dignity of a magistrate: the body of magistrates.—adj.Mag′istral, magisterial: specially prescribed or made up, as a medicine: effectual.—n.(fort.) the guiding line determining the other positions: a special preacher in Spanish cathedrals, &c.—n.Magistrand′, an arts student ready to proceed to graduation, at Aberdeen.—adj.Magistrat′ic. [O. Fr.,—L.magistratus,magister.]
Magma, mag′ma,n.any soft doughy mass: the molten mass within the earth's crust: the residuum after expressing the juice from fruits. [Gr.]
Magna Charta, mag′na kär′ta,n.the Great Charter obtained from King John, 1215A.D.[L.]
Magnanerie, man-yan′e-rē,n.a place for rearing silkworms. [Fr.]
Magnanimity, mag-na-nim′i-ti,n.greatness of soul: elevation of dignity, of mind: that quality of mind which raises a person above all that is mean of unjust: generosity.—adj.Magnan′imous, elevated in sentiment, noble: brave: unselfish.—adv.Magnan′imously. [L.magnanimitas—magnus, great,animus, the mind.]
Magnate, mag′nāt,n.a noble: a man of rank or wealth. [Fr.magnat, a title of Hungarian and Polish nobles—L.magnas,magnatis, a prince—magnus, great.]
Magnes, mag′nēz,n.(Spens.) the magnet. [L.]
Magnesium, mag-nē′shi-um, or-si-um,n.a metal of a bright, silver-white colour, which while burning gives a dazzling white light, and forms magnesia.—n.Magnē′sia, a light white powder, got by burning magnesium, used as a medicine.—adj.Magnē′sian, belonging to, containing, or resembling magnesia.—n.Mag′nesite, native magnesium carbonate.
Magnet, mag′net,n.the lodestone, an iron ore which attracts iron, and, when hung so that it can move freely, points to the poles: a bar or piece of steel to which the properties of the lodestone have been imparted.—adjs.Magnet′ic,-al, pertaining to the magnet: having the properties of the magnet: attractive.—adv.Magnet′ically.—ns.Magnetic′ian,Mag′netist, one versed in magnetism.—adj.Magnetis′able.—n.Magnetisā′tion.—v.t.Mag′netise, to render magnetic: to attract as if by a magnet.—v.i.to become magnetic.—ns.Mag′netiser, one who, or that which, imparts magnetism;Mag′netism, the cause of the attractive power of the magnet: attraction: the science which treats of the properties of the magnet—(Animal magnetism, Mesmer's name for the phenomena of mesmerism;Terrestrial magnetism, the magnetic properties possessed by the earth as a whole);Mag′netist, one skilled in magnetism.—adjs.Mag′neto-elec′tric,-al, pertaining to magneto-electricity.—ns.Mag′neto-electric′ity, electricity produced by the action of magnets: the science which treats of electricity produced by magnetism;Bar′-mag′net, a magnet in the form of a bar.—Magnetic battery, several magnets placed with their like poles together, so as to act with great force;Magnetic curves, the curves formed by iron-filings around the poles of a magnet;Magnetic equator, the line round the earth where the magnetic needle remains horizontal;Magnetic field, the space over which magnetic force is felt;Magnetic fluid, a hypothetical fluid assumed to explain the phenomena of magnetism;Magnetic meridian, the meridian lying in the direction in which the magnetic needle points;Magnetic needle, the light bar in the mariner's compass which, because it is magnetised, points always to the north;Magnetic north, that point of the horizon which is indicated by the direction of the magnetic needle;Magnetic poles, two nearly opposite points on the earth's surface, where the dip of the needle is 90°;Magnetic storm, a disturbance in the magnetism of the earth or air, which causes the magnetic needle to move rapidly backwards and forwards.—Artificial magnet, a magnet made by rubbing with other magnets;Horse-shoe magnet, a magnet bent like a horse-shoe;Permanent magnet, a magnet that keeps its magnetism after the force which magnetised it has been removed. [Through O. Fr., from L.magnes, a magnet—Gr.magnēs=Magnesian stone, fromMagnēsia, in Lydia or Thessaly.]