Magnificat, mag-nif′i-kat,n.the song of the Virgin Mary, Luke, i. 46-55, beginning in the Vulgate with this word. [L. '(my soul) doth magnify,' 3d pers. sing. pres. ind. ofmagnificÄre.]
Magnificent, mag-nif′i-sent,adj.great in deeds or in appearance: grand: noble: pompous: displaying greatness of size or extent.—n.Magnif′icence.—adv.Magnif′icently.—n.Magnif′ico(Shak.), a title for a Venetian nobleman: a grandee.
Magnify, mag′ni-fÄ«,v.t.to make great or greater: to enlarge: to cause to appear greater: to exaggerate: to praise highly:—pa.p.mag′nified.—adjs.Mag′nifiable, that may be magnified;Magnif′ic,-al, great: splendid: noble.—adv.Magnif′ically, in a magnificent manner.—ns.MagnificÄ′tion, act of magnifying: increase of visual power in penetration as well as enlargement;Mag′nifier, one who, or that which, magnifies or enlarges: one who extols.—Magnify one's self, show great pride—against, oppose with pride;Magnifying glass, in optics, a convex lens, objects seen through it having their apparent dimensions increased. [Fr.,—L.magnificÄre—magnus, great,facÄ•re, to make.]
Magniloquent, mag-nil′o-kwent,adj.speaking in a grand or pompous style: bombastic.—n.Magnil′oquence.—adv.Magnil′oquently. [L., frommagnus, great,loqui, to speak.]
Magnitude, mag′ni-tūd,n.greatness: size: extent: importance. [L.magnitudo—magnus.]
Magnolia, mag-nÅl′i-a, or-ya,n.a North American tree with beautiful foliage, and large, white or purplish, sweet-scented flowers. [From PierreMagnol(1638-1715), a Montpellier botanist.]
Magnum, mag′num,n.a bottle holding two quarts: the quantity of wine filling such. [L.]
Magot, mag′ot,n.the Barbary ape, the only species of monkey existing in Europe: a small grotesque figure, crouching on the covers of vases; &c.
Magpie, mag′pī,n.a chattering bird, of a genus allied to the crow, with pied or coloured feathers: (slang) a halfpenny—(Shak.)Mag′ot-pie,Magg′ot-pie. [Mag, a familiar contr. ofMargaret(cf.Robin-Redbreast,Jenny Wren),pie, from L.pica, a magpie—pingĕre,pictum, to paint.]
Magyar, ma-jär′, or mag′yär,n.one of the prevailing race in Hungary: the native speech of Hungary.
Mahabharata, ma-hä-bä′ra-tä,n.the name of one of the two great epic poems of ancient India, the other being theRamayana. [Sans.; prob. 'the great history of the descendants ofBharata.']
Mahadeva, ma-ha-dÄ′va,n.one of the names of the Hindu god Siva. [Sans.mahÄ, great,deva, god.]
Maharajah, ma-ha-rä′jä,n.the title given to a great Indian prince:—fem.Mahara′ni,Mahara′nee. [Sans.mahÄ, great,rÄja, prince or king.]
Mahatma, ma-hat′ma,n.one skilled in mysteries or religious secrets: an adept. [Sans., 'high-souled.']
Mahdi, mä′dē,n.the great leader of the faithful Mohammedans, who is to appear in the last days—one pretended Mahdi overthrew the Egyptian power in the Soudan in 1884-85.—ns.Mah′dism;Mah′dist.
Mahl-stick, mäl′-stik,n.a tapering staff used by painters as a rest for the right hand.—AlsoMal′stick,Maul′stick. [Ger.mahlstock.]
Mahogany, ma-hog′a-ni,n.a tree of tropical America: its wood, which is of great value for making furniture.—n.Mahog′any-tree, same as mahogany: (hum.) the dinner-table. [Mahogoni, the native South American name.]
Mahomedan,Mahometan. SeeMohammedan.
Mahoun,Mahound, ma-hown′,ma-hownd′,ormä′-,n.an old form of the name ofMohammed: an evil spirit: the devil.
Mahout, ma-hÅÅt′,n.the keeper and driver of an elephant. [Hind.mahÄut,mahÄwat.]
Mahratta, ma-rat′a,n.one of a once powerful race of Hindus in Western and Central India.
Maid, mÄd,n.an unmarried woman, esp. one young: a virgin: a female servant.—ns.Maid′-child(B.), a female child;Maid′-MÄ′rian, the May-queen; a character in the old Morris-dance, usually represented by a man in woman's clothes (Marian, relating to Mary or to the Virgin Mary).—adj.Maid′-pale(Shak.), pale, like a sick girl.—n.Maid′servant, a female servant.—Maid of all work, a domestic who does general housework;Old maid, a woman left unmarried: a card game. [A.S.mægden—mægeð, a maid; cf.magu, son,mǽg, may.]
Maidan, mī′dan,n.an esplanade or parade-ground near a town in Persia and India. [Pers.]
Maiden, mÄd′n,n.a maid: in Scotland, a machine like the guillotine, formerly used for beheading criminals.—adj.pertaining to a virgin or young woman: consisting of maidens: (fig.) unpolluted: fresh: new: unused: first: that has never been captured, said of a fortress.—ns.Maid′enhair, a name given to a fern from the fine hair-like stalks of its fronds;Maid′enhood,Maid′enhead, the state of being a maid: virginity: purity: freshness;Maid′enliness.—adjs.Maid′enly, maiden-like: becoming a maiden: gentle: modest;Maid′en-meek(Tenn.), meek as a maiden;Maid′en-tongued, gentle in voice like a girl;Maid′en-wid′owed, widowed while still a virgin.—n.Maid′hood(Shak.).—Maiden assize, an assize at which there are no criminal cases;Maiden battle, a first contest;Maiden fortress, a fortress that has never been captured;Maiden name, the family name of a married woman before her marriage;Maiden over, in cricket, an over in which no runs are made;Maiden speech, the first public speech made by a person, esp. in Parliament;Maiden stakes, in horse-racing, the money contended for in a race between horses that have never run before.
Maieutic, mÄ-ū′tik,adj.helping childbirth.—n.midwifery. [Gr.]
Maigre, mÄ′gÄ—r,adj.made neither from flesh-meat nor from gravy: belonging to a fast-day or to a fast.—Maigre food, food allowed to be eaten on fast-days. [Fr.maigre, lean—L.macer.]
Mail, mÄl,n.defensive armour for the body formed of steel rings or network: armour generally.—v.t.to clothe in mail: (Scot.) to stain.—adjs.Mail′-clad, clad with a coat of mail;Mailed, protected by mail. [Fr.maille—L.macula, a spot or a mesh.]
Mail, mÄl,n.a bag for the conveyance of letters, &c.: the contents of such a bag: the person or the carriage by which the mail is conveyed.—v.t.to put into the mail: to send by mail.—adj.Mail′able, capable of being sent by mail.—ns.Mail′-bag, a bag in which letters are carried;Mail′-boat, a boat which carries the public mails;Mail′-cart, a cart in which mails are carried: a small cart, with long handles, for the amusement of children;Mail′-catch′er, an apparatus attached to a mail-carriage to catch up mail-bags while the train is in motion;Mail′-coach,-car, or-drag, the conveyance which carries the public mails;Mail′-guard, an officer who guards the public mails;Mail′ing-tÄ′ble, a table used in a post-office in sorting letters;Mail′-train, a railway train which carries the public mails. [O. Fr.male, a trunk, a mail—Old High Ger.malaha, a sack; Gael.mala, a sack.]
Mail, mÄl,n.an old French coin—half a denier: rent.—n.Mail′ing, a farm. [SeeBlackmail.]
Maim, mÄm,n.a bruise: an injury: a lameness: the loss of any essential part.—v.t.to bruise: to disfigure: to injure: to lame or cripple: to render defective.—n.Maim′edness, the state of being maimed or injured. [O. Fr.mehaing, a bruise.]
Main, mÄn,n.might: strength. [A.S.mægen.]
Main, mÄn,adj.chief, principal: first in importance: leading.—n.the chief or principal part: the ocean or main sea: a continent or a larger island as compared with a smaller: a principal gas or water pipe in a street, or the largest conductor in a system of electric lights.—ns.Main′boom, the spar which extends the foot of a fore-and-aft mainsail;Main′deck, the principal deck of a ship—so inMain′brace, the brace attached to the mainyard (seeSplice);Main′land, the principal or larger land, as opposed to a smaller portion.—adv.Main′ly, chiefly, principally.—ns.Main′mast, the principal mast of a ship, second from the prow;Main′sail, the principal sail generally attached to the mainmast;Main′sheet, the sheet or rope attached to the lower corner of the mainsail;Main′spring, the spring which gives motion to any piece of machinery, esp. that of a watch or a clock;Main′stay, the rope which stretches forward from the top of the mainmast: chief support;Main′top, a platform on the top of the mainmast;Main′topmast, the mast next above the lower mainmast;Main′topsail, the sail above the mainsail, in square-rigged vessels;Main′yard, the lower yard on the mainmast. [O. Fr.maineormagne, great—L.magnus, great.]
Main, mÄn,n.a hand at dice: a match at cockfighting: a banker's shovel for coin. [O. Fr.main—L.manus, hand.]
Mainor, mÄ′nor,n.act or fact, esp. of theft: that which is stolen.
Mains, mÄnz,n.(Scot.) the principal or home farm.
Cap of Maintenance.
Maintain, men-tÄn′,v.t.to keep in any state: to keep possession of: to preserve from capture or loss: to carry on: to keep up: to support: to make good: to support by argument: to affirm: to defend.—v.i.to affirm, as a position: to assert.—adj.Maintain′able, that can be supported or defended.—ns.Maintain′er, one who maintains;Main′tenance, the act of maintaining, supporting, or defending: continuance: the means of support: defence, protection: (law) an interference in a lawsuit, &c., in favour of one of the parties, by one who has no right or interest.—Cap of maintenance, a cap of dignity borne by or before nobles and other persons of rank. [Fr.maintenir—L.manu tenÄ“re, to hold in the hand—manus, a hand,tenÄ“re, to hold.]
Maister, mÄs′tÄ—r,n.an obsolete form ofMaster.—Maistery=Mastery;Maistring=Mastering;Maître=Master.
Maize, mÄz,n.a plant, and its fruit, called alsoIndian cornorwheat.[Sp.,—Haitian.]
Majesty, maj′es-ti,n.greatness: grandeur: dignity: elevation of manner or style: royal state: a title of kings and other sovereigns, esp. with possessive pronouns, asHisorHer Majesty, &c.: a symbolic representation of the first person of the Trinity enthroned: the canopy of a hearse: (her.) an eagle crowned and sceptred.—adjs.Majes′tic,-al, having or exhibiting majesty: stately: sublime.—adv.Majes′tically, in a majestic manner.—n.Majes′ticalness,Majes′ticness, majesty. [Fr.majesté—L.majestas—majus, comp. ofmagnus, great.]
Majolica, ma-jol′i-ka,n.name applied to decorative enamelled pottery, esp. that of Italy from the 15th to the 17th cent.: a modern ware in imitation, used for vases, &c. [FromMajorca, where first made.]
Major, mÄ′jur,adj.greater in number, quantity, or size: more important: (mus.) greater by a semitone.—n.a person of full age (21 years): an officer in rank between a captain and lieutenant-colonel.—v.i.to play the major, to talk big.—ns.Majorat(ma-zhÅ-rä′),primogeniture;MÄ′jorate,MÄ′jorship, the office or rank of major: majority;MÄ′jor-dÅ′mo, an official who has the general management in a large household: a general steward: a chief minister (Sp.mayor-domo, a house-steward—L.major, greater,domus, a house);MÄ′jor-gen′eral, an officer in the army next in rank below a lieutenant-general;Major′ity, the greater number: the amount between the greater and the less number: full age (at 21): the office or rank of major.—Major key(mus.), a key in which the semitones lie between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth;Major premise(logic), the principal or major statement in a syllogism;Major scale(seeMajor key).—Go over to, orJoin,the majority, to die;The majority, theGreat majority, the dead. [L., comp. ofmagnus.]
Majuscule, mÄ-jus′kÅ«l,n.in paleography, a capital or uncial letter:—opp. toMinuscule. [L.majuscula(litera), a somewhat larger letter.]
Make, mÄk,v.t.to fashion, frame, or form: to produce: to bring about: to perform: to force: to render: to represent, or cause to appear to be: to turn: to occasion: to bring into any state or condition: to establish: to prepare: to obtain: to ascertain: to arrive in sight of: to reach: (B.) to be occupied with: to do.—v.i.to tend or move: to contribute: (B.) to feign or pretend:—pa.t.andpa.p.mÄde.—n.form or shape: structure, texture.—v.i.Make′-believe′, to pretend, feign.—n.a mere pretence.—ns.Make′-peace(Shak.), a peace-maker;Mak′er, one who makes: the Creator: a poet;Make′shift, something done or used to serve a shift or turn: something used only for a time.—adj.having the character of a temporary resource.—ns.Make′-up, the way anything is arranged: an actor's materials for personating a part: (print.) the arrangement of composed types into columns or pages, as in imposition;Make′-weight, that which is thrown into a scale to make up the weight: something of little value added to supply a deficiency;Mak′ing, the act of forming: structure: form.—Make account of(seeAccount);Make a figure, to be conspicuous;Make after, to follow or pursue;Make amends, to render compensation or satisfaction;Make as if, to act as if, to pretend that;Make at, to make a hostile movement against;Make away, to put out of the way, to destroy;Make away with, to squander;Make believe(seeBelieve);Make bold(seeBold);Make for, to move toward, to tend to the advantage of—so inB.;Make free with, to treat freely or without ceremony;Make good, to maintain, to justify, to fulfil;Make head against, to oppose successfully;Make lightof (seeLight);Make little of, to treat as insignificant;Make love to(seeLove);Make much of, to treat with fondness, to cherish, to foster;Make no doubt, to have no doubt, to be confident;Make of, to understand by, to effect: to esteem;Make off with, to run away with;Make one's way, to proceed: to succeed;Make out, to discover: to prove: to furnish: to succeed;Make over, to remake, reconstruct: to transfer;Make pace, to increase the speed;Make sail, to increase the quantity of sail: to set sail;Make sure, to be certain of;Make sure of, to consider as certain, to secure to one's self;Make the most of, to use to the best advantage;Make up, to fabricate: to feign: to collect into one: to complete, supplement: to assume a particular form of features: to determine: to reckon: to make good: to repair: to harmonise, adjust;Make up for, to compensate;Make up to, to approach: to become friendly. [A.S.macian; Ger.machen.]
Make, mÄk,n.(Spens.) a mate, consort, equal.—adj.Make′less(Shak.), without a make or mate. [A.S.ge-maca; Ice.maki, a mate.]
Maketh, mÄk′eth, old 3d pers. sing. pres. ind. ofmake.
Makimono, mak-i-mÅ′nÅ,n.a roll, as of silk, esp. a long picture or writing rolled up and not hung. [Jap.]
Makwa, mak′wa,n.a Chinese short outer jacket.
Malachite, mal′a-kīt,n.a green-coloured mineral, composed essentially of carbonate of copper, much used for inlaid-work. [Gr.malachē, a mallow, a plant of a green colour.]
Malacolite, mal′a-kÅ-lÄ«t,n.a greenish lime-magnesia variety of pyroxene.
Malacology, mal-a-kol′o-ji,n.the branch of natural history which treats of the structure and habits of molluscs.—adj.Mal′acoid, soft-bodied.—n.Malacol′ogist. [Gr.malakos, soft,logia, a discourse.]
Malacopterygian, mal-a-kop-tėr-ij′i-an,adj.having the rays of the fins soft, excepting the first ray of the dorsal and pectoral fins, as in the pike, salmon, &c.—AlsoMalacopteryg′ious. [Gr.malakos, soft,pteryx,pterygos, a wing.]
Malacostracan, mal-a-kos′tra-kan,n.an individual belonging to a sub-class of crustaceans, including the shrimps, lobsters, &c.—adj.belonging to this class—alsoMalacos′tracous.—adj.Malacostracolog′ical.—ns.Malacostracol′ogist;Malacostracol′ogy. [Gr.malakos, soft,ostrakon, a shell.]
Malacozoa, mal-a-ko-zÅ′a,n.pl.soft-bodied animals, the Mollusca generally.—adj.MalacozÅ′ic, possessing the common features of molluscan life.
Maladaptation, mal-ad-ap-tÄ′shun,n.faulty adaptation.
Maladdress, mal-a-dres′,n.awkwardness: clumsiness.
Maladjustment, mal-ad-just′ment,n.a wrong adjustment.
Maladministration, mal-ad-min-is-trÄ′shun,n.bad management, esp. of public affairs.
Maladroit, mal-a-droit′,adj.not dexterous: unskilful: clumsy.—adv.Maladroit′ly.—n.Maladroit′ness, want of adroitness: awkwardness.
Malady, mal′a-di,n.illness: disease, either of the body or of the mind. [Fr.maladie—malade, sick—L.male habitus, in ill condition—male, badly,habitus, pa.p. ofhabēre, have, hold.]
Malaga, mal′a-ga,n.a wine imported fromMalagain Spain.
Malagasy, mal-a-gas′i,adj.of or pertaining to Madagascar or its inhabitants.—n.a native of Madagascar.—AlsoMalagash′.
Malaguetta pepper. SeePepper.
Malaise, ma-lÄz′,n.uneasiness: a feeling of discomfort or of sickness. [O. Fr.malaise.]
Malapert, mal′a-pėrt,adj.bold: forward: saucy: impudent.—adv.Mal′apertly.—n.Mal′apertness. [O. Fr.,mal—L.malus, bad,apert, well-bred—L.apertus, open.]
Malappropriate, mal-a-prÅ′pri-Ät,v.t.to misuse.—adj.Malapropos(mal-ap-ro-pÅ′),out of place: unsuitable: inapt.—adv.badly apropos: not suited to the purpose: unseasonably.
Malapropism, mal′a-prop-izm,n.the act of misapplying words, in the attempt to use fine language, from MrsMalapropin Sheridan's play,The Rivals.
Malar, mÄ′lar,adj.pertaining to the cheek.—n.the bone which forms the prominence of the cheek. [L.mala, the cheek—mandÄ•re, to chew.]
Malaria, ma-lÄ′ri-a,n.the poisonous air arising from marshy districts, producing fever, &c.: miasma: the fever so caused.—adjs.MalÄ′rious,MalÄ′rial,MalÄ′rian. [It.mal' aria—L.malus, bad,aër, air.]
Malassimilation, mal-a-sim-i-lÄ′shun,n.imperfect assimilation or nutrition.
Malay,-an, ma-lÄ′, -an,n.a native or inhabitant ofMalacca, or of theMalayArchipelago.—adj.of or pertaining to the Malays.—n.Malayä′lam, the language of Malabar, a Dravidian dialect.—adj.Malay′sian, relating to the Malay Peninsula, or to the Malays.
Malconformation, mal-kon-for-mÄ′shun,n.bad conformation or form: imperfection or disproportion of parts.
Malcontent, mal′kon-tent,adj.discontented, dissatisfied, esp. in political matters.—n.one discontented—alsoMalcontent′ed.—adv.Malcontent′edly.—n.Malcontent′edness.—adv.Malcontent′ly.
Male, mÄl,n.(Spens.) mail, armour.
Male, mÄl,adj.masculine: pertaining to the sex that begets (not bears) young: (bot.) bearing stamens.—n.one of the male sex: a he-animal: a stamen-bearing plant.—n.Male′-fern, an elegant fern, with the fronds growing in a crown.—Male order, in architecture, the Doric order;Male rhymes, those in which only the final syllables correspond;Male screw, a screw whose threads correspond to and enter the spiral grooves of the female screw. [O. Fr.male—L.masculus, male—mas, a male.]
Malediction, mal-e-dik′shun,n.evil-speaking: a calling down of evil: curse: execration or imprecation.—adjs.Maledict′ory, imprecatory;Maledikt′, accursed. [O. Fr.,—L.malediction-em—male, badly,dicĕre,dictum, to speak.]
Malefactor, mal′e-fak-tur, ormal-e-fak′tur,n.an evil-doer: a criminal.—n.Malefac′tion(Shak.), a crime, an offence.—adj.Malef′ic, doing mischief: producing evil.—adv.Malef′ically.—v.t.Malef′icate, to bewitch.—ns.Mal′efice(obs.), an evil deed: enchantment;Malef′icence, the character of being maleficent.—adjs.Malef′icent,Malefic′ient. [L.,male, badly,facĕre, to do.]
Maleic, ma-lē′ik,adj.obtained from malic acid.
Malengine, ma-len′jin,n.(Spens.) evil device, deceit. [L.malus, bad,ingenium, ingenuity.]
Maletote, mal′e-tÅt,n.an illegal exaction.—AlsoMal′etolt. [O. Fr.]
Malevolent, mal-ev′o-lent,adj.wishing evil: ill-disposed towards others: rejoicing in another's misfortune: envious: malicious—alsoMalev′olous.—n.Malev′olence.—adv.Malev′olently. [L.male, badly,volens, pr.p. ofvelle, to wish.]
Malfeasance, mal-fē′zans,n.evil-doing: the doing of what one ought not to do: an illegal deed. [Fr.malfaisance—L.male, evil,facĕre, to do.]
Malformation, mal-for-mÄ′shun,n.bad or wrong formation: irregular or anomalous structure.—adj.Malformed′.
Malgrado, mal-grä′do,adv.in spite of. [It.]
Malgre. Same asMaugre.
Malic, mÄ′lik,adj.obtained from the juice of several fruits, esp. the apple. [L.malum, an apple.]
Malice, mal′is,n.ill-will: spite: disposition to harm others: deliberate mischief: intention to harm another.—adj.Malic′ious, bearing ill-will or spite: moved by hatred or ill-will: having mischievous intentions.—adv.Malic′iously.—n.Malic′iousness. [Fr.,—L.malitia—malus, bad.]
Malign, ma-līn′,adj.of an evil disposition towards others: malicious: unfavourable.—v.t.to speak evil of: (obs.) to treat with malice.—ns.Malign′er;Malig′nity, state or quality of being malign: great hatred, virulence: deadly quality.—adv.Malign′ly.—n.Malign′ment. [Fr.malin, fem.maligne—L.malignusformaligenus, of evil disposition—malus, bad, andgen, root ofgenus.]
Malignant, ma-lig′nant,adj.disposed to do harm or to cause suffering: malign: acting maliciously: actuated by great hatred: tending to cause death.—n.a name applied by the Puritan party to one who had fought for Charles I. in the Civil War.—n.Malig′nancy,Malig′nance, state or quality of being malignant.—adv.Malig′nantly. [L.malignans, pr.p. ofmalignÄre, to act maliciously.]
Malines lace. Same asMechlin lace. SeeLace.
Malinfluence, mal-in′flÅÅ-ens,n.evil influence.
Malinger, ma-ling′gėr,v.i.to feign sickness in order to avoid duty.—ns.Maling′erer;Maling′ery, feigned sickness. [Fr.malingre—mal—L.malus, bad, O. Fr.heingre, ailing—L.æger, sick.]
Malison, mal′i-zn,n.a curse:—opp. toBenison. [O. Fr.; a doublet ofmalediction; cf.benisonandbenediction.]
Malkin, maw′kin,n.(Shak.) a term used in contempt for a dirty woman: a mop: (Scot.) a hare.—AlsoMaw′kin. [Dim. ofMalorMoll, Mary.]
Mall, mawl, or mal,n.a large wooden beetle or hammer.—v.t.to beat with a mall or something heavy: to bruise. [O. Fr.mail—L.malleus.]
Mall, mel, or mal,n.a level shaded walk: a public walk. [Contr. through O. Fr. of Old It.palamaglio—It.palla, a ball,maglio, a mace.]
Mallard, mal′ard,n.a drake: the common duck in its wild state. [O. Fr.malard(Fr.malart)—male, male, and suffix-ard.]
Malleate, mal′e-Ät,v.t.to hammer: to form into a plate or leaf by hammering.—adj.Mall′eable, that may be malleated or beaten out by hammering.—ns.Mall′eableness,Malleabil′ity, quality of being malleable;MalleÄ′tion.—adj.Mall′eiform, hammer-shaped.—n.Mall′eus, one of the small bones of the middle ear in mammals. [L.malleus, a hammer.]
Mallecho, mal′ē-chÅ,n.(Shak.) villainy—probably a corruption of Spanishmalhecho, mischief.—AlsoMal′icho.
Mallee, mal′ē,n.two dwarf species of Eucalyptus in Australia.—ns.Mall′ee-bird,Mall′ee-hen, an Australian mound-bird or megapode.
Mallemaroking, mal′ē-ma-rÅ′king,n.the visiting and carousing of seamen in the Greenland ships. [Prob. to act like themallemuck.]
Mallemuck, mal′e-muk,n.the fulmar petrel. [Ger.]
Malleolus, ma-lē′Å-lus,n.a bony protuberance on either side of the ankle.—adj.Mal′lÄ“olar. [L.]
Mallet, mal′et,n.a small wooden hammer: the long-handled hammer for driving the balls in croquet. [Fr.maillet, dim. ofmail, a mall.]
Mallow, mal′Å,n.any plant of genusMalva—from its emollient properties or its soft downy leaves. [A.S.malwe—L.malva; Gr.malachē—malassein, to make soft.]
Malm,Maum, mäm,n.calcareous loam, earth specially good for brick. [A.S.mealm, sand.]
Malmsey, mäm′ze,n.a sort of grape: a strong and sweet wine, first made in Greece, but now also in the Canary Islands and the Azores. [O. Fr.malvoisie, fromMalvasiain the Morea.]
Malodour, mal-Å′dor,n.an offensive odour.—adj.MalÅ′dorous.—n.MalÅ′dorousness.
Malpighian, mal-pig′i-an,adj.applied in anatomy to several structures in the kidney and spleen investigated by MarcelloMalpighi(1628-94).
Malposition, mal-pÅ-zish′un,n.a wrong position, misplacement.
Malpractice, mal-prak′tis,n.evil practice or conduct: practice contrary to established rules.—n.Malpractit′ioner, a physician guilty of malpractice.
Malpresentation, mal-prÄ“-zen-tÄ′shun,n.abnormal presentation in childbirth.
Malstick. SeeMahl-stick.
Malt, mawlt,n.barley or other grain steeped in water, allowed to sprout, and dried in a kiln, used in brewing ale, &c.—v.t.to make into malt.—v.i.to become malt: (hum.) to drink malt liquor.—adj.containing or made with malt.—ns.Malt′-dust, grain-sprouts produced and 'screened off' in malt-making;Malt′-floor, a perforated floor in the chamber of a malt-kiln, through which heat rises;Malt′-horse, a heavy horse, such as used by brewers—hence (Shak.) used in reproach for a dull, stupid person;Malt′ing;Malt′-kiln;Malt′-mill, a mill for grinding malt;Malt′ose, a hard, white, crystalline sugar, formed by the action of malt or diastase on starch;Malt′ster,Malt′man, one whose trade or occupation it is to make malt (-sterwas up to the end of the 13th century a feminine affix);Malt′worm(Shak.), a lover of malted liquors, a tippler.—adj.Malt′y.—Malt liquor, a liquor, as beer, ale, or porter, formed from malt;Malt tea, the liquid infusion of the mash in brewing. [A.S.mealt, pa.t. ofmeltan, to soften; cf. Ger.malz.]
Maltalent, mal′tal-ent,n.(Spens.) bad inclination, ill-humour.
Maltese, mal-tēz′,n.a native, or the natives, ofMalta: the dialect, a corrupt Arabic mixed with Italian.—adj.belonging to Malta, or to its inhabitants.—Maltese cross(seeCross);Maltese dog, a very small spaniel with long silky hair.
Maltha, mal′tha,n.a thick mineral pitch: any similar preparation used by the ancients as a cement, stucco, or mortar. [L.]
Malthusian, mal-thū′zhan,adj.relating toMalthusor to the principles he taught regarding the necessity of preventing population from increasing faster than the means of living.—n.a disciple of Thomas RobertMalthus(1766-1834).
Maltreat, mal-trÄ“t′,v.t.to abuse: to use roughly or unkindly.—n.Maltreat′ment. [Fr.maltraiter—L.male, ill,tractÄre, to treat.]
Malvaceous, mal-vÄ′shus,adj.(bot.) pertaining to plants of the mallow family.
Malversation, mal-vÄ—r-sÄ′shun,n.evil conduct: misbehaviour in office: corruption: extortion. [Fr.—L.male, badly,versÄri,-Ätus, to occupy one's self.]
Malvoisie, mal′vwä-zē,n.Same asMalmsey.
Mambrino, mam-brē′no,n.a medieval iron hat, from its likeness to the barber's basin inDon Quixote.
Mameluke, mam′e-lÅÅk,n.one of a force of light horse in Egypt formed of Circassian slaves—dispersed in 1811. [Fr.,—Ar.mamlûk, a purchased slave—malaka, to possess.]
Mamma,Mama, mam-mä′,n.mother—used chiefly by young children.—n.Mamm′y, mother. [Mama, a repetition ofma, the first syllable a child naturally utters.]
Mammalia, mam-mÄ′li-a,n.pl.(zool.) the whole class of animals that suckle their young.—ns.Mam′elon, a small hillock with a rounded top;Mam′ma, the mammary gland:—pl.Mam′mæ;Mam′mal, (zool.), one of the mammalia:—pl.Mammals(mam′alz).—adjs.MammÄ′lian;Mammalif′erous(geol.), bearing mammals;Mammalog′ical.—ns.Mammal′ogist;Mammal′ogy, the scientific knowledge of mammals.—adjs.Mam′mary, relating to the mammæ or breasts;Mam′mate, having breasts.—n.Mam′mifer, an animal having mammæ.—adjs.Mammif′erous, having mammaæ;Mam′miform, having the form of a breast or pap—alsoMammil′iform.—n.Mammil′la, the nipple of the mammary gland:—pl.Mammil′læ.—adjs.Mam′millary, pertaining to, or resembling, the breasts: studded with rounded projections;Mam′millate, having a mammilla;Mam′millated, having small nipples, or little globes like nipples: nipple-shaped.—n.MammillÄ′tion—adj.Mammose′(bot.), breast-shaped. [L.]
Mammee, mam-mē′,n.a highly esteemed fruit of the West Indies and tropical America, having a sweet taste and aromatic odour: the tree producing the fruit, theMammea. [Haitian.]
Mammer, mam′ėr,v.i.(Shak.) to hesitate, to stand muttering and in doubt. [Prob. imit.]
Mammet, mam′et,n.(Shak.) a puppet, a figure dressed up. [Cf.mawmet, an idol.]
Mammock, mam′uk,n.a shapeless piece.—v.t.(Shak.) to tear to pieces, to mangle.
Mammon, mam′un,n.riches: the god of riches.—adj.Mamm′onish, devoted to money-getting.—ns.Mamm′onism, devotion to gain;Mamm′onist,Mamm′onite, a person devoted to riches: a worldling.—adj.Mammonist′ic. [Low L.mammona—Gr.mamÅnas—Syriacmamônâ, riches.]
Mammoth, mam′uth,n.an extinct species of elephant.—adj.resembling the mammoth in size: very large. [Russ.mamantÅ—Tartarmamma, the earth.]
Man, man,n.a human being: mankind: a grown-up male: a male attendant: one possessing a distinctively masculine character: a husband: a piece used in playing chess or draughts: a ship, as in man-of-war: a word of familiar address:—pl.Men.—v.t.to supply with men: to strengthen or fortify:—pr.p.man′ning;pa.t.andpa.p.manned.—ns.Man′-at-arms, a soldier;Man-child, a male child: a boy;Man′dom(rare), humanity, men collectively;Man′-eat′er, a cannibal: a tiger;Man′-en′gine, an elevator for raising and lowering men in some deep mines.—adj.Man′ful, having the qualities of a man: full of manliness: bold: courageous: noble-minded.—adv.Man′fully.—ns.Man′fulness;Man′-hole, a hole in a drain, cesspool, &c., large enough to admit a man, for the purpose of cleaning or repairing it;Man′hood, state of being a man: manly quality: human nature;Man′kind, the kind or race of man: the mass of human beings.—adj.Man′-like, having the appearance, characteristics, or qualities of a man.—n.Man′liness.—adj.Man′ly, becoming a man: brave: dignified: noble: pertaining to manhood: not childish or womanish.—n.Man′-mill′iner, a man engaged in millinery—often in contempt.—adjs.Man′-mind′ed(Tenn.), having the mind or qualities of a man;Man′nish, like a man: masculine: bold.—ns.Man′-of-war, a war-ship: (B.) a soldier;Man′-of-war's-man, a man who serves on board a war-ship;Man′-quell′er(Shak.), a man-killer, a murderer;Man′slaughter, the slaying of a man: (law) the killing of any one unlawfully, but without malice or forethought;Man′slayer, one who kills a man;Man′stealer, one who steals human beings, esp. to make slaves of them;Man′trap, a trap or machine for catching people who trespass.—Man about town, a fashionable idler, dangling about clubs, theatres, &c.;Man alive!an exclamation of surprise;Man Friday, a servile attendant, factotum—from Robinson Crusoe's man;Man in the moon, a fancied semblance of a man walking in the moon, with a bush near, and his dog behind him;Man of business, an agent or a lawyer;Man of (his) hands, a handy, clever fellow;Man of letters, a scholar and writer;Man of sin, the devil: Antichrist;Man of straw, a person put in the front of some business, but who is not really responsible;Man of the world, a person well accustomed to the ways and dealings of men. [A.S.mann; Ger.mann, Dut.man, L.mas—mans, a male, Sans.manu, a man.]
Manacle, man′a-kl,n.a handcuff.—v.t.to put manacles on: to restrain the use of the limbs or any of the natural powers. [Through O. Fr., from L.manicula, dim. ofmanica, sleeve—manus, hand.]
Manage, man′Äj,v.t.to guide by use of the hands: to have under command or control: to bring round to one's plans: to conduct with great carefulness: to wield: to handle: to contrive: to train by exercise, as a horse.—v.i.to conduct affairs.—n.Manageabil′ity, the quality of being manageable.—adj.Man′ageable, that can be managed: governable.—n.Man′ageableness.—adv.Man′ageably.—ns.Man′agement, art or act of managing: manner of directing or of using anything: administration: skilful treatment: a body of managers;Man′ager, one who manages: a person who controls a business or other concern.—adj.Managē′rial, of or pertaining to a manager, or to management. [Fr.manége, the managing of a horse—It.maneggio—L.manus, the hand.]
Manakin, man′a-kin,n.a small tropical American piproid bird: a variant form ofmanikin.
Manatee, man-a-tē′,n.an aquatic animal—also called theSea-coworDugong(q.v.).
Manche, manch,n.(her.) a sleeve: the neck of a violin, &c. [Fr.]
Manchester goods, man′ches-tėr goods,n.pl.goods or articles made inManchester, esp. cotton and woollen cloths: similar goods made elsewhere.
Manchet, man′chet,n.(Tenn.) a small loaf or cake of fine white bread. [Ety. dub.]
Manchette, man-shet′,n.an ornamental cuff.
Manchineel, manch-i-nēl′,n.a West Indian tree, remarkable for the poisonous qualities of its juice, and having a fruit resembling a small apple. [Sp.manzanillo, a small apple.]
Manchu,Manchoo, man-chÅÅ′,n.one of the race from which Manchuria took its name, and which governed China in the 17th century.—adj.of or pertaining to Manchuria or to its inhabitants. [Chin., meaning 'pure.']
Mancipation, man-si-pÄ′shun,n.in ancient Rome, a legal formality for acquiring title to property by actual or by simulated purchase.—v.t.Man′cipate.—adj.Man′cipatory.
Manciple, man′si-pl,n.a steward: a purveyor, particularly of a college or an inn of court. [O. Fr.,—L.manceps, a purchaser—manus, hand,capĕre, take.]
Mandæan, man-dē′an,n.andadj.one of an ancient and still surviving sect in southern Babylonia, their religion a corrupt Gnosticism, with many Jewish and Parsee elements.—AlsoMendaites,Nasoreans, andSabians, and alsoChristians of St John. [MandæanmandÄ, knowledge, gnosis.]
Mandamus, man-dÄ′mus,n.a writ or command issued by a higher court to a lower. [L., 'we command'—mandÄre, to command.]
Mandarin, man-da-rÄ“n′,n.a European name for a Chinese official, civil or military: a small kind of orange, thought to be of Chinese origin.—-n.Mandarī′nate. [Port,mandarim—MalayanmantrÃ, counsellor—Sans.mantra, counsel.]
Mandate, man′dÄt,n.a charge: a command from a superior official or judge to an inferior, ordering him how to act, esp. from the Pope to a legate, &c.: a right given to a person to act in name of another: a rescript of the Pope.—ns.Man′datary,Man′datory, one to whom a mandate is given by aMan′dator.—adj.Man′datory, containing a mandate or command; preceptive: directory. [Fr.mandat—L.mandÄtum,mandÄre—manus, hand,dăre, give.]
Mandible, man′di-bl,n.a jaw-bone, esp. that of the lower jaw.—adjs.Mandib′ular, relating to the jaw;Mandib′ulÄte,-d, having mandibles for biting, like many insects. [L.mandibula—mandÄ•re, chew.]
Mandoline,Mandolin, man′do-lin,n.a musical instrument somewhat like a lute, having strings, finger-board, and neck like a guitar.—n.MandÅ′la, a large mandoline. [Fr.,—It.mandola,mandora, a lute.]
Mandorla, man-dor′la,n.an oval panel, or a work of art filling such: thevesica piscis. [It.]
Mandrake, man′drÄk,n.a plant of the genusMandragora, with narcotic properties, once regarded as an aphrodisiac, shrieking when pulled out of the ground.—Mandrag′ora(Shak.). [L.,—Gr.mandragoras.]
Mandrel, man′drel,n.a bar of iron fitted to a turning-lathe on which articles to be turned are fixed: the axle of a circular saw.—AlsoMan′dril. [Fr.mandrin; prob. through Low L. from Gr.mandra.]
Mandrill, man′dril,n.a large kind of baboon, a native of Western Africa. [Fr.]
Manducate, man′dÅ«-kÄt,v.t.to chew or eat.—adj.Man′ducable.—n.ManducÄ′tion.—adj.Man′ducatory. [L.manducÄre—mandÄ•re, to chew.]
Mane, mÄn,n.the long hair flowing from the neck of some quadrupeds, as the horse and the lion.—adjs.Maned, having a mane;Mane′less, without a mane;Mane′-like(Tenn.), like a mane: hanging in the form of a mane.—n.Mane′-sheet, a covering for the upper part of a horse's head. [A.S.manu; Ice.mön; Ger.mähne.]
Manège, man-Äzh′,n.the managing of horses: the art of horsemanship or of training horses: a riding-school.—v.t.to train, as a horse. [Fr.; cf.manage.]
Maneh, mÄ′ne,n.a Hebrew weight of uncertain value. SeeMina. [Heb.]
Manequin. Same asManikin.
Manes, mÄ′nÄ“z,n.(Roman myth.) the benevolent or tutelary spirits of departed persons: the lower world, as being the abode of the manes. [L.]
Manet, mÄ′net, he remains, a stage direction. [L. 3d sing. pres. ind. ofmanÄ“re, to remain.]
Manga, man′ga,n.a covering for a cross.
Mangabey, mang′ga-bÄ,n.a slender and agile African monkey.
Mangal, man′gal,n.a Turkish brazier for charcoal.
Manganese, mang-ga-nēz′, ormang′ga-nēz,n.a hard and brittle metal of a grayish-white colour, somewhat like iron.—adjs.Manganē′sian,Manganē′sic,Mangan′ic,Mang′anous;Manganif′erous.—n.Mang′anite, gray ore of manganese, used in glass manufacture. [O. Fr.manganese, a material used in making glass, prob. from It. and cog. withmagnesia.]
Mange, mÄnj,n.the scab or itch which eats the skin of domestic animals. [From adj.mangy.]
Mangel-wurzel, mang′gl-wur′zl,n.a plant of the beet kind cultivated as food for cattle.—AlsoMang′old-wur′zel. [Ger.mangold, beet,wurzel, root.]
Manger, mÄnj′ėr,n.a trough in which food is laid for horses and cattle.—Dog in the manger, one who will neither enjoy something himself nor let others do so—also adjectively. [O. Fr.mangeoire—mangier, to eat—L.manducus, a glutton—mandÄ•re, to chew.]
Mangle, mang′gl,v.t.to cut and bruise: to tear in cutting: to mutilate: to take by piecemeal.—n.Mang′ler. [Skeat suggests a freq. form of O. Fr.mahaigner, to maim—mehaing, a hurt.]
Mangle, mang′gl,n.a rolling-press for smoothing linen.—v.t.to smooth with a mangle: to calender.—n.Mang′ler. [Dut.mangelen, to roll with a rolling-pin, through Low L., from Gr.manganon, the axis of a pulley.]
Mango, mang′gÅ,n.the fruit of the mango-tree of the East Indies: a green musk-melon pickled. [MalaymañggÄ.]
Mangonel, mang′go-nel,n.an engine used before the invention of cannon for throwing stones, &c. [O. Fr.,—Low L.mangonellus—Gr.manganon, a machine for throwing stones.]
Mangostan, mang′go-stan,Mangosteen,mang′go-stēn,n.an East Indian tree, and its fruit, which is of a most delicious taste. [Malay.]
Mangrove, man′grÅv,n.a tree which grows on muddy shores and river-banks in the East and West Indies. [Malayan.]
Mangy, mÄnj′i,adj.scabby.—n.Mang′iness. [Anglicised form of Fr.mangé, eaten, pa.p. ofmanger, to eat—L.manducÄre, to chew.]
Mania, mÄ′ni-a,n.violent madness: insanity: excessive or unreasonable desire.—n.MÄ′niac, a person affected with mania: a madman.—adj.raving mad.—adj.Maniacal(ma-nī′a-kal).—adv.Manī′acally. [L.,—Gr.mania; cf.menos, mind.]
Manicate, man′i-kÄt,adj.(bot.) covered with hairs so matted or interwoven as to be easily stripped off. [L.manicÄtus, sleeved—manicæ, long sleeves.]
Manichæan,Manichean, man-i-kē′an,adj.pertaining to theManicheesor followers ofMani, a native of Ecbatana (215-276A.D.), who taught that everything sprang from two chief principles, light and darkness, or good and evil.—n.a believer in Manichæanism—alsoMan′ichee.—ns.Manichæ′anism,Manichē′ism, the doctrines of the Manichæans.
Manicure, man′i-kūr,n.the care of hands and nails: one who practises this.—v.t.to treat the hands and nails. [L.manus, hand,cura, care.]
Manifest, man′i-fest,adj.that may be easily seen by the eye or perceived by the mind: clear: apparent: evident.—v.t.to make clear or easily seen: to show plainly: to put beyond doubt: to reveal or declare.—n.an open or public statement: a list or invoice of a ship's cargo to be exhibited at the custom-house.—adjs.Manifest′able,Manifest′ible, that can be manifested or clearly shown.—n.ManifestÄ′tion, act of disclosing what is dark or secret: that by which something is manifested or shown: display: revelation.—adv.Man′ifestly.—n.Man′ifestness, state of being manifest. [Fr.,—L.manifestus—manus, the hand,-festus,pa.p.of obs.fendÄ•re, to dash against.]
Manifesto, man-i-fest′Å,n.a public written declaration of the intentions, opinions, or motives of a sovereign or of a leader of a party.—v.i.(rare) to issue a manifesto. [It.,—L.; seeManifest.]
Manifold, man′i-fÅld,adj.various in kind or quality: many in number: multiplied.—adj.Man′ifolded(Spens.), having many folds or complications.—adv.Man′ifoldly.—n.Man′ifoldness.
Maniform, man′i-form,adj.having the shape or form of a hand. [L.manus, the hand,forma, a shape.]
Manigraph, man′i-graf,n.a device for multiplying copies of writings or drawings.
Manihot, man′i-hot,n.a genus of tropical American, mainly Brazilian, herbs of the spurge family—two species yielding the bitter and the sweet cassava respectively.
Manikin, man′i-kin,n.a dwarf: a pasteboard model exhibiting the different parts and organs of the human body. [Old Dut.mann-ek-en, a double dim. ofman, Eng.man.]
Manila,Manilla, ma-nil′a,n.a cheroot manufactured inManila, in the Philippine Islands.
Manilla, ma-nil′a,n.a ring worn as an ornament on the arm or leg, or used as money among the tribes of West Africa.—AlsoMÄ′nilio,Manille′. [Low L.manilia, a bracelet—L.manus, the hand.]
Manille, ma-nil′,n.in ombre and quadrille, the highest card but one. [Fr.]
Manioc, mÄ′ni-ok,n.a tropical plant from which cassava and tapioca are obtained.—Also writtenMan′dioc,MÄ′nihoc,MÄ′nihot. [Sp.mandioca—Brazilian.]
Maniple, man′i-pl,n.a company of foot-soldiers in the Roman army: in the Western Church, a eucharistic vestment, a narrow strip worn on the left arm.—adj.Manip′ular, of or pertaining to a maniple: pertaining to handling or manipulation. [L.manipulus—manus, the hand,plēre, to fill.]
Manipulate, ma-nip′ū-lÄt,v.t.to work with the hands.—v.i.to use the hands, esp. in scientific experiments: to handle or manage: to give a false appearance to: to turn to one's own purpose or advantage.—n.ManipulÄ′tion, act of manipulating or working by hand: use of the hands in a skilful manner in science or in art.—adjs.Manip′ulative,Manip′ulatory, done by manipulation.—n.Manip′ulator, one who manipulates or works with the hand. [Low L.manipulÄre,-Ätum. SeeManiple.]
Manis, mÄ′nis,n.the pangolin or scaly ant-eater.
Manito, man′i-tÅ,n.a spirit or other object of reverence among some of the American Indians.—AlsoManitou. [Algonkin.]
Manna, man′a,n.the food supplied to the Israelites in the wilderness of Arabia: delicious food for body or mind: a sweet juice or gum got from many trees, as the ash of Sicily.—adj.Mannif′erous. [Heb.mÄn hÅ«, what is it? or fromman, a gift.]
Manner, man′ėr,n.the way in which anything is done: method: fashion: personal style of acting or bearing one's self: habit: custom: style of writing or of thought: sort: style: (pl.) morals: good behaviour: character: respectful deportment.—adj.Mann′ered, having manners (esp. in compounds, as well- or ill-mannered): affected with mannerism: artificial: stilted.—ns.Mann′erism, a constant sameness of manner: a marked peculiarity of style or manner, esp. in literary composition: manner or style becoming wearisome by its sameness;Mann′erist, one addicted to mannerism.—adj.Manneris′tic.—adv.Manneris′tically.—n.Mann′erliness.—adj.Mann′erly, showing good manners: well-behaved: complaisant: not rude.—adv.with good manners: civilly: respectfully: without rudeness.—By no manner of means, under no circumstances whatever;In a manner, to a certain degree;In, orWith, the manner(B.), in the very act;Make one's manners, to salute a person on meeting by a bow, courtesy, &c.;Shark's manners, rapacity;To the manner born, accustomed to something from birth. [Fr.manière—main—L.manus, the hand.]
Manning, man′ing,n.the act of supplying with men.
Mannite, man′īt,n.a sweetish crystalline compound found in celery, sea-grasses, the dried sap of the flowering ash, &c.
ManÅ“uvre, ma-nÅÅ′vÄ—r, orma-nū′-,n.a piece of dexterous management: stratagem: a skilful and clever movement in military or naval tactics.—v.i.andv.t.to perform a manÅ“uvre: to manage with art: to change the position of troops or of ships: to affect or to gain by manÅ“uvres.—n.ManÅ“u′vrer. [Fr.,—Low L.manuopera—L.manu, by hand,opera, work. Cf.manure.]
Manometer, man-om′e-tėr,n.an instrument for measuring the rarity or density of gases from their elastic force—alsoMan′oscope.—adjs.Manomet′ric,-al.—n.Manos′copy. [Gr.manos, rare,metron, measure.]
Manor, man′or,n.the land belonging to a nobleman, or so much as he formerly kept for his own use: the district over which the court of the lord of the manor had authority: a tract of land in America for which a fee-farm rent was paid.—ns.Man′or-house,-seat, the house or seat belonging to a manor.—adj.ManÅ′rial, pertaining to a manor. [O. Fr.manoir—L.manÄ“re,mansum, to stay.]
Manqué, mang′kÄ,adj.spoiled: defective: off: lost: missed. [Fr.]
Mansard-roof, man′sard-rÅÅf,n.a form of roof having a break in the slope, the lower part being steeper than the upper, so called from the architect, FrançoisMansart(1598-1666).
Manse, mans,n.the residence of a clergyman, esp. of Presbyterians in Scotland. [O. Fr.,—Low L.mansa, a farm—manēre,mansus, to remain.]
Mansion, man′shun,n.a house, esp. one of some size: a manor-house: the dwelling of a nobleman or a landholder: (B.) a resting-place.—ns.Man′sion-house, a mansion: the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London;Man′sionry(Shak.), a mansion, place of residence. [O. Fr.,—L.mansion-em—manēre,mansus, to remain.]
Mansuetude, man′swe-tūd,n.gentleness: tameness: mildness.—adj.Man′suete(rare), mild. [Fr.,—L.mansuetudo, mildness.]
Mansworn, man′sworn,p.adj.(obs.) perjured. [A.S.manswérian, to swear falsely.]
Mantel, man′tl,n.the ornamental shelf over a fireplace.—AlsoMan′tel-piece,Man′tel-shelf.
Mantic, man′tik,adj.relating to divination: prophetic. [Gr.mantikos—mantis, a prophet.]
Manticore, man′ti-kÅr,n.a fabulous beast of prey with a human head. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr.mantichÅras.]
Mantilla, man-til′a,n.a small mantle: a kind of veil covering the head and falling down upon the shoulders. [Sp.; cf.mantle.]
Mantis, man′tis,n.a genus of orthopterous insects somewhat like locusts, carrying their large spinous forelegs in the attitude of prayer. [Gr.mantis.]
Mantle, man′tl,n.a covering: a cloak or loose outer garment: spirit: (zool.) the thin fleshy membrane lining a mollusc's shell: a conical wire-network covered with some highly refractory earth that becomes luminous under a flame.—v.t.to cover: to disguise.—v.i.to spread like a mantle: to revel: to joy: to froth: to rush to the face and impart a crimson glow, as blood.—ns.Man′tlet,Man′telet, a small cloak for women: (fort.) a movable shield or screen to protect an attacking force, or gunners while serving their guns;Man′tling, cloth suitable for mantles: (her.) the representation of a mantle, or the drapery of a coat-of-arms. [O. Fr.mantel(Fr.manteau)—L.mantellum, a napkin.]
Mantology, man-tol′Å-ji,n.the act or art of divination.—n.Mantol′ogist.
Manton, man′tun,n.a shawl or wrap. [Sp.,—manta, a cloak. Same root asmantle.]
Mantra, man′tra,n.a Vedic hymn of praise: the matter of the Sanhita or first division of the Veda: a sacred text used as an incantation. [Sans., 'thought.']
Mantua, man′tū-a,n.a lady's cloak or mantle: a lady's gown—(Scot.)Mant′y.—n.Man′tua-mak′er, a maker of ladies' gowns and dresses. [Prob. arose through confusion ofmanteau(It.manto) withMantua, in Italy.]
Mantuan, man′tū-an,adj.of or pertaining toMantuain Italy, or to the poet Virgil or his works.—n.a native of Mantua, esp. Virgil.
Manual, man′ū-al,adj.pertaining to the hand: done, made, or used by the hand.—n.drill in the use of weapons, &c.: a handbook: a handy compendium of a large subject or treatise: the key-board of an organ, &c.: an old office-book like the modern R.C.ritual.—adv.Man′ually.—Manual alphabet, the letters made by the deaf and dumb with the hand in conversation;Manual exercise, the exercise by which soldiers are made to handle their arms. [L.manualis—manus, the hand.]
Manubrium, mÄ-nū′bri-um,n.the presternum of most mammals: in organ-building, a stop-knob or handle.—adj.Manū′briÄted. [L., 'a handle.']
Manufacture, man-ū-fakt′ūr,v.t.to make from raw materials by any means into a form suitable for use.—v.i.to be occupied in manufactures.—n.the process of manufacturing: anything manufactured.—n.Manufact′ory, a factory or place where goods are manufactured.—adj.Manufact′ural.—n.Manufact′urer, one who manufactures.—p.adj.Manufact′uring, pertaining to manufactures. [Fr.,—L.manus, the hand,factura, a making, fromfacĕre,factum, to make.]
Manumit, man-ū-mit′,v.t.to release from slavery: to set free, as a slave:—pr.p.manūmit′ting;pa.t.andpa.p.manūmit′ted.—n.Manumiss′ion, act of manumitting or setting free from slavery. [L.manumittĕre—manus, the hand,mittĕre,missum, to send.]
Manumotor, man-Å«-mÅ′tor,n.a small wheel-carriage moved by the hand of the person in it.—adj.ManumÅ′tive. [L.manus, hand,motor, a mover.]
Manure, man-ūr′,v.t.to enrich land with any fertilising substance.—n.any substance applied to land to make it more fruitful.—ns.Manur′ance(Spens.), cultivation;Manur′er.—adj.Manū′rial.—n.Manur′ing, a dressing or spreading of manure on land. [Contr. of Fr.manœuvrer. SeeManœuvre.]
Manus, mÄ′nus,n.the hand, the corresponding part of an animal's fore-limb.
Manuscript, man′ū-skript,adj.written by the hand: not printed.—n.a book or paper written by the hand.—adj.Manuscript′al. [L.manus, the hand,scribĕre,scriptum, to write.]
Manx, mangks,n.the language of the Isle ofMan, belonging to the Gadhelic branch of Celtic.—adj.pertaining to the Isle of Man or to its inhabitants.
Many, men′i,adj.consisting of a great number of individuals: not few: numerous:—comp.More(mÅr);superl.Most(mÅst).—n.many persons: a great number: (with def. art.) the people.—adj.Man′y-sid′ed, having many qualities or aspects: not narrow-minded.—n.Man′y-sid′edness.—The many, the crowd. [A.S.manig.]