Mullions.
Mullion, mul′yun,n.an upright division between the lights of windows, between panels, &c.—v.t.to shape into divisions by mullions.—adj.Mull′ioned. [Same asmunnion, from Fr.moignon, a stump—L.mancus, maimed.]
Mullock, mul′ok,n.rubbish, esp. mining refuse.
Mulse, muls,n.sweetened wine. [L.mulsum—mulcēre, to soothe.]
Mulsh, mulsh,n.loose material, strawy dung, &c., laid down to protect the roots of plants—alsoMulch.—v.t.to cover with mulsh.—adj.soft.
Mult. SeeMulture.
Multangular, mult-ang′gul-ar,adj.having many angles or corners.—adv.Multang′ularly.—n.Multang′ularness.
Multanimous, mul-tan′i-mus,adj.having various faculties and powers of mind, many-sided.
Multarticulate, mul-tar-tik′ū-lāt,adj.many-jointed.—AlsoMultiartic′ulate.
Multeity, mul-tē′i-ti,n.manifoldness, very great numerousness.
Multiaxial, mul-ti-ak′si-al,adj.having many axes or lines of growth.
Multicamerate, mul-ti-kam′e-rāt,adj.having many chambers or cells.
Multicapitate, mul-ti-kap′i-tāt,adj.having many heads.—AlsoMulticip′ital.
Multicapsular, mul-ti-kap′sū-lar,adj.having many capsules.
Multicarinate, mul-ti-kar′i-nāt,adj.having many keel-like ridges, as the shells of certain molluscs.
Multicauline, mul-ti-kaw′lin,adj.having many stems.
Multicavous, mul-tik′a-vus,adj.having many holes or cavities.
Multicellular, mul-ti-sel′ū-lar,adj.having many cells.
Multicentral, mul-ti-sen′tral,adj.having many centres, esp. of organic development.
Multicharge, mul′ti-charj,adj.having, or capable of containing, several charges.
Multicipital, mul-ti-sip′i-tal,adj.having many heads, multicapitate.
Multicolour, mul′ti-kul-ur,adj.having many colours—alsoMul′ticoloured.—adj.Multicol′ourous, of many colours, parti-coloured.
Multicostate, mul-ti-kos′tāt,adj.(bot.) palmately nerved: (zool.) having many ribs, ridges, or costæ.
Multicuspid, mul-ti-kus′pid,adj.having more than two cusps—alsoMulticus′pidāte.—n.a multicuspid tooth.
Multicycle, mul′ti-sī-kl,n.a velocipede with more than three wheels, intended to carry several men.
Multidentate, mul-ti-den′tāt,adj.having many teeth or tooth-like processes.—adj.Multidentic′ulate, having many denticulations or fine teeth.
Multidigitate, mul-ti-dij′i-tāt,adj.having many fingers, toes, or digitate processes.
Multidimensional, mul-ti-di-men′shun-al,adj.(math.) of more than three dimensions.
Multifaced, mul′ti-fāst,adj.having many faces.
Multifarious, mul-ti-fā′ri-us,adj.having great diversity: made up of many parts: manifold: (bot.) in many rows or ranks.—adv.Multifā′riously.—n.Multifā′riousness, the state of being multifarious: multiplied variety: (law) the fault of improperly joining in one bill distinct and independent matters, and thereby confounding them. [L.multus, many,varius, diverse.]
Multifid, mul′ti-fid,adj.having many fissions or divisions, cleft into many parts, lobes, or segments.—AlsoMultif′idous.
Multiflagellate, mul-ti-flaj′e-lāt,adj.having many flagella, or whip-like appendages.
Multiflorous, mul-ti-flō′rus,adj.many-flowered.
Multiflue, mul′ti-flōō,adj.having many flues.
Multifoil, mul′ti-foil,adj.having more than five foils or arcuate divisions.—n.multifoil ornament.
Multifold, mul′ti-fōld,adj.many times doubled.
Multiform, mul′ti-form,adj.having many forms, polymorphic.—n.that which is multiform.—n.Multiform′ity.
Multiganglionate, mul-ti-gang′gli-on-āt,adj.having many ganglia.
Multigenerate, mul-ti-jen′e-rāt,adj.generated in many ways.
Multigenerous, mul-ti-jen′e-rus,adj.of many kinds.
Multigranulate, mul-ti-gran′ū-lāt,adj.having or consisting of many grains.
Multigyrate, mul-ti-jī′rāt,adj.having many convolutions.
Multijugous, mul-ti-jōō′gus,adj.(bot.) consisting of many pairs of leaflets.—AlsoMultiju′gate.
Multilaminate, mul-ti-lam′i-nāt,adj.having many layers or laminæ.
Multilateral, mul-ti-lat′ėr-al,adj.having many sides.
Multilineal, mul-ti-lin′e-al,adj.having many lines.—AlsoMultilin′ear.
Multilobate, mul-ti-lō′bāt,adj.having, or consisting of, many lobes.—adjs.Mul′tilobed, having many lobes;Multilob′ular, having many lobules.
Multilocular, mul-ti-lok′ū-lar,adj.having many cells, chambers, or compartments.—AlsoMultiloc′ulate.
Multiloquence, mul-til′o-kwens,n.verbosity.—adj.Multil′oquent—alsoMultiloq′uous.
Multinodal, mul-ti-nō′dal,adj.having many nodes.—AlsoMultinō′date,Multinō′dous.
Multinomial, mul-ti-nō′mi-al,adj.same asPolynomial.
Multinominous, mul-ti-nom′i-nus,adj.having many names or terms.—AlsoMultinom′inal.
Multinucleate, mul-ti-nū′klē-āt,adj.having many or several nuclei, as a cell—alsoMultinū′clear,Multinū′cleated.—adj.Multinū′cleolate, having many or several nucleoli.
Multiovulate, mul-ti-ō′vū-lāt,adj.(bot.) containing, or bearing, many ovules.
Multipara, mul-tip′a-ra,n.a woman who has had two or more children:—opp. toPrimipara.
Multiparous, mul-tip′a-rus,adj.producing many at a birth.—n.Multipar′ity, plural birth.
Multipartite, mul-ti-pär′tīt,adj.divided into many parts.
Multiped, mul′ti-ped,n.an insect having many feet. [L.multus, many,pes,pedis, foot.]
Multipinnate, mul-ti-pin′āt,adj.(bot.) many times pinnate.
Multiple, mul′ti-pl,adj.having many folds or parts: repeated many times.—n.a number or quantity which contains another an exact number of times.—n.Mul′tiplepoinding(Scots law), a process by which a person who has funds claimed by more than one, in order not to have to pay more than once, brings them all into court that one of them may establish his right.—Common multiple, a number or quantity that can be divided by each of several others without a remainder;Least common multiple, the smallest number that forms a common multiple. [L.multiplex—multus, many,plicāre, to fold.]
Multiply, mul′ti-plī,v.t.to fold or increase many times: to make more numerous: to repeat any given number or quantity as often as there are units in another number.—v.i.to increase: to perform the arithmetical process of multiplication:—pr.p.mul′tiplying;pa.t.andpa.p.mul′tiplied.—adjs.Mul′tiplex, having many folds: manifold: (bot.) with petals lying in folds over each other;Multiplī′able,Mul′tiplicable, that may be multiplied.—n.Mul′tiplicand, a number or quantity to be multiplied by another.—adj.Mul′tiplicāte, consisting of more than one: (bot.) multifold.—n.Multiplicā′tion, the act of multiplying or increasing in number: the rule or operation by which any given number or quantity is multiplied.—adj.Mul′tiplicātive, tending to multiply: having the power to multiply.—ns.Multiplic′ity, the state of being multiplied or various: a great number:Mul′tiplier,Mul′tiplicātor, one who, or that which, multiplies or increases the number or quantity by which another is multiplied.—Multiplication table, a tabular arrangement giving the products of pairs of numbers from 1 to 12.—Multiplying glass, lens, a glass, lens, with a number of facets, causing an object to appear multiplied many times. [Fr.,—L.multiplex.SeeMultiple.]
Multipolar, mul-ti-pō′lar,adj.having many poles, as a nerve-cell or dynamo.—n.an electro-magnetic machine in which several magnetic poles exist.
Multipotent, mul-tip′o-tent,adj.(Shak.) having power to do many things. [L.multus, many,potens,-entis, powerful.]
Multipresence, mul-ti-prez′ens,n.the power of being present in many places at the same time.—adj.Multipres′ent.
Multiradiate, mul-ti-rā′di-āt,adj.having many rays, polyactinal.
Multiradicate, mul-ti-rad′i-kāt,adj.having many roots.
Multiramified, mul-ti-ram′i-fīd,adj.having many branches.—AlsoMultirā′mous,Multirā′mose.
Multisaccate, mul-ti-sak′āt,adj.having many sacs.
Multiscient, mul-tish′ent,adj.knowing many things.
Multisect, mul′ti-sekt,adj.having many segments.
Multiseptate, mul-ti-sep′tāt,adj.having many septa or partitions.
Multiserial, mul-ti-sē′ri-al,adj.having many series or rows.—AlsoMultisē′riate.
Multisiliquous, mul-ti-sil′i-kwus,adj.having many pods or seed-vessels.
Multisonous, mul-tis′ō-nus,adj.having many sounds, sounding much.
Multispiral, mul-ti-spī′ral,adj.having many turns or whorls.
Multistaminate, mul-ti-stam′i-nāt,adj.bearing many stamens.
Multistriate, mul-ti-strī′āt,adj.having many striæ, streaks, or stripes.
Multisulcate, mul-ti-sul′kāt,adj.having many sulci or furrows.
Multisyllable, mul-ti-sil′a-bl,n.a word of many syllables.
Multitentaculate, mul-ti-ten-tak′ū-lāt,adj.having many tentacles.
Multititular, mul-ti-tit′ū-lar,adj.having many titles.
Multituberculate,-d, mul-ti-tū-ber′kū-lāt, -ed,adj.having many tubercles, as teeth.
Multitubular, mul-ti-tū′bū-lar,adj.having many tubes.
Multitude, mul′ti-tūd,n.the state of being many: a great number of individuals: a crowd: the vulgar or common people.—adjs.Multitud′inary(rare);Multitud′inous, consisting of, or having the appearance of, a multitude.—adv.Multitud′inously.—n.Multitud′inousness, the state or quality of being multitudinous. [Fr.,—L.multitudo—multus, many.]
Multivagous, mul-tiv′a-gus,adj.wandering much.—AlsoMultiv′agant.
Multivalent, mut-tiv′a-lent,adj.(chem.) equivalent in combining or displacing power to a number of hydrogen or other monad atoms.—n.Multiv′alence.
Multivalve, mul′ti-valv,n.a mollusc having a shell of more than two valves.—adj.having many valves—alsoMultival′vular.
Multiversant, mul-ti-ver′sant,adj.turning into many shapes.
Multivious, mul-tiv′i-us,adj.having many ways or roads.
Multivocal, mul-tiv′o-kal,adj.ambiguous, equivocal.
Multivoltine, mul-ti-vol′tin,adj.having more than two annual broods—of silkworm moths and their larvæ. [L.multus, much, It.volta, a turn, winding.]
Multocular, mul-tok′ū-lar,adj.having more than two eyes.
Multum, mul′tum,n.an adulterant compound in brewing of quassia and liquorice.
Multungulate, mul-tung′gū-lāt,adj.having more than two functional hoofs.—n.a multungulate mammal.
Multure, mul′tūr,n.a grinding of grain, or the grain ground: the toll paid to a miller for grinding, generally in kind: the percentage of ore paid to a pulverising-mill by those using it.—v.t.Mult, to take toll from for grinding corn.—n.Mul′turer. [O. Fr.,—L.molitura, a grinding.]
Mum, mum,adj.silent.—n.silence.—interj.be silent!—interj.Mum′-bud′get, an exclamation enjoining silence.—n.Mum′chance, a silent game with cards or dice: a fool.—adj.silent. [Cf. L. and Gr.mu, the least possible sound made with the lips: imit.]
Mum, mum,n.a peculiar kind of beer made of wheat-malt, to which some brewers add oat and bean meal. [Ger.mumme, from a personal name.]
Mumble, mum′bl,v.i.to speak indistinctly: to chew softly: to eat with the lips close.—v.t.to utter indistinctly or imperfectly: to mouth gently.—ns.Mum′blement, mumbling speech;Mum′ble-news(Shak.), a tale-bearer;Mum′bler, one who mumbles or speaks with a low, indistinct voice.—adj.Mum′bling, uttered with a low, indistinct voice: chewing softly.—adv.Mum′blingly. [Cf.Mum.]
Mumbo-jumbo, mum′bō-jum′bō,n.a god worshipped by certain negro tribes in Africa: any object of foolish worship or fear.
Mumm, mum,v.t.to mask: to make diversion with a mask on.—ns.Mumm′er, one who makes sport in disguise: a masker: a buffoon;Mumm′ery, sport with a mask on or in disguise: great show without reality;Mumm′ing, the sports of mummers.—adj.pertaining to the sports of mummers.—n.Mumm′ock, an old ragged coat. [O. Fr.momer—Old Dut.mommen, to mask,mom, a mask, prob. originating in the wordmum, used to frighten children while covering the face.]
Mummy, mum′i,n.a human body preserved by the Egyptian art of embalming, in which wax, spices, &c. were employed: a kind of wax used in grafting: a brown pigment: (obs.) a medicinal gum.—v.t.to embalm and dry as a mummy:—pr.p.mumm′ying;pa.p.mumm′ied.—n.Mummificā′tion.—adj.Mumm′iform.—v.t.Mumm′ify, to make into a mummy: to embalm and dry as a mummy:—pr.p.mumm′ifying;pa.p.mumm′ified.—ns.Mumm′y-case, a case of wood or cartonnage for an Egyptian mummy;Munny-cloth, the linen cloth in which a mummy was wrapped: a modern fabric resembling it, used as a basis for embroidery: a fabric like crape for mourning-dress, having a cotton or silk warp and woollen weft;Mumm′y-wheat, a variety of wheat with compound spikes—Triticum compositum. [O. Fr.mumie—It.mummia—Ar. and Pers.múmáyin, a mummy—Pers.móm, wax.]
Mump, mump,v.t.andv.i.to mumble, mutter, or move the lips with the mouth almost closed: to nibble: to cheat: to play the beggar.—ns.Mump′er, one who mumps: an old cant term for a beggar;Mump′ing-day, St Thomas's Day, 21st Dec.—adj.Mump′ish, having mumps: dull: sullen.—adv.Mump′ishly.—n.Mump′ishness.—n.Mumps, a contagious non-suppurative inflammation of the parotid and sometimes of the other salivary glands: gloomy silence. [Form ofmum.]
Mumpsimus, mump′si-mus,n.an error to which one clings after it has been thoroughly exposed. [Corr. of L.sumpsimus, in the mass, by an ignorant priest who refused to correct it.]
Mun, mun,n.a provincial form ofman.
Munch, munsh,v.t.andv.i.to chew with shut mouth.—n.Munch′er, one who munches.
Mundane, mun′dān,adj.belonging to the world: terrestrial.—adv.Mun′danely.—n.Mundan′ity. [Fr.,—L.mundanus—mundus, the world.]
Mundify, mun′di-fī,v.t.to cleanse, purify.—adjs.Mun′datory, cleansing;Mundif′icant, cleansing.—n.a cleansing ointment or plaster.—n.Mundificā′tion.—adj.Mun′dificātive. [Fr.mondifier—Low L.mundificāre—L.mundus, clean,facĕre, to make.]
Mundivagant, mun-div′a-gant,adj.wandering over the world.
Munerary, mū′ne-rā-ri,adj.of the nature of a gift.
Mungo, mung′gō,n.the waste produced in a woollen-mill from hard spun or felted cloth, or from tearing up old clothes, used in making cheap cloth.
Mungoose, same asMongoose.
Municipal, mū-nis′i-pal,adj.pertaining to a corporation or city.—n.Municipalisā′tion.—v.t.Munic′ipalise.—ns.Munic′ipalism;Municipal′ity, a town or city possessed of self-government: a district governed like a city: in France, a division of the country.—adv.Munic′ipally. [Fr.,—L.municipalis—municipium, a free town—munia, official duties,capĕre, to take.]
Munificence, mū-nif′i-sens,n.(Spens.) fortification, means of defence. [L.munīre, to fortify.]
Munificence, mū-nif′i-sens,n.quality of being munificent: bountifulness.—adj.Munif′icent, very liberal in giving: generous: bountiful.—adv.Munif′icently. [Fr.,—L.munificentia—munus, a present,facĕre, to make.]
Muniment, mū′ni-ment,n.that which fortifies: that which defends: a stronghold: place or means of defence: defence: (law) a record fortifying or making good a claim, title-deeds, or charters—preserved inMuniment chests,rooms, orhouses: any article carefully preserved for its interest or value.—p.adj.Mun′iting(Bacon), fortifying, strengthening.—n.Muni′tion, materials used in war: military stores of all kinds: (B.) stronghold, fortress. [Fr.,—L.munimentum, frommunīre,-itum, to fortify—mænia, walls.]
Munnion, mun′yun. Same asMullion.
Muræna, mū-rē′na,n.the typical genus ofMurænidæ, a family of eels, now limited to the European murry or moray (q.v.). [Gr.muraina, a lamprey.]
Mural, mū′ral,adj.pertaining to, or like, a wall: steep: trained against a wall, as plants.—Mural circle, a large circle marked with degrees, &c., fixed to a wall, for measuring arcs of the meridian;Mural crown, a crown of gold to imitate a battlement, given among the ancient Romans to him who first mounted the wall of a besieged city;Mural painting, a painting executed, especially in distemper colours, upon the wall of a building. [Fr.,—L.muralis, frommurus, a wall.]
Muratorian, mū-ra-tō′ri-an,adj.pertaining to the Italian scholar Lodovico AntonioMuratori(1672-1750).—Muratorian fragmentorcanon, a list of the New Testament writings, apparently drawn up by a contemporary of Irenæus, about 170A.D., edited by Muratori. It counts four Gospels, Acts, thirteen Pauline epistles (excluding Hebrews), 1 John, then Jude; 2 and 3 John are reckoned among catholic epistles. The Apocalypse is included.
Murder, mur′dėr,n.the act of putting a person to death, intentionally and from malice.—v.t.to commit murder: to destroy: to put an end to.—n.Mur′derer, one who murders, or is guilty of murder:—fem.Mur′deress.—adj.Mur′derous, guilty of murder: consisting in, or fond of, murder: bloody: cruel.—adv.Mur′derously.—n.Mur′dress, a battlement with interstices for firing through.—Murder in the first degree, murder with deliberation and premeditation, or that committed in the furtherance of any arson, rape, robbery, or burglary—in the second degree, murder of all other kinds;Murder will out, murder cannot remain hidden. [A.S.morthor—morth, death; Ger.mord, Goth.maurthr; cf. L.mors,mortis, death.]
Mure, mūr,n.(Shak.) a wall.—v.t.to enclose in walls: to immure. [Fr.mur—L.murus, a wall.]
Murex, mū′reks,n.a shellfish from which the Tyrian purple dye was obtained:—pl.Mū′rexes,Mū′rices. [L.]
Murgeon, mur′jon,n.(Scot.) a grimace. [Cf. Fr.morgue, a wry face.]
Muriatic, mū-ri-at′ik,adj.pertaining to, or obtained from, sea-salt.—n.Mū′riate, a salt composed of muriatic acid and a base.—adj.Muriatif′erous. [L.muriaticus—muria, brine.]
Muricate,-d, mū′ri-kāt, -ed,adj.(bot.) armed with sharp points or prickles. [L.muricatus, frommurex,muricis, a pointed stone.]
Muriform, mū′riform,adj.(bot.) resembling the bricks in a wall. [L.murus, a wall,forma, shape.]
Murky, murk′i,adj.dark: obscure: gloomy.—adv.Murk′ily.—n.Murk′iness—(Shak.)Murk.—adjs.Murk′some,Mirk′some(Spens.), darksome. [A.S.murc; Ice.myrkr, Dan. and Sw.mörk.]
Murmur, mur′mur,n.a low, indistinct sound, like that of running water: a complaint in a low, muttering voice.—v.i.to utter a murmur: to grumble:—pr.p.mur′muring;pa.t.andpa.p.mur′mured.—n.Mur′murer.—adj.Mur′muring, making a low continuous noise.—adv.Mur′muringly, with a low murmuring sound: in a murmuring manner.—adj.Mur′murous, attended with murmurs: exciting murmur.—adv.Mur′murously. [Fr.,—L.; imit.]
Murphy, mur′fi,n.(coll.) a potato:—pl.Mur′phies(-fiz). [From the common Irish nameMurphy.]
Murra, mur′a,n.an ornamental stone for vases, &c., described by Pliny, most probably fluor-spar; it was first brought to Rome by Pompey, 61B.C.—adjs.Murr′hine,Murr′ine,Myrr′hine.
Murrain, mur′rān, or -′rin,n.an infectious and fatal disease among cattle, esp. foot-and-mouth disease.—n.Mur′ren(Milt.). [O. Fr.morine, a carcass—L.mori, to die. SeeMortal.]
Murrey, mur′i,adj.dark red or reddish brown, of mulberry colour.
Murry, same asMoray(q.v.).
Murther,Murtherer=Murder,Murderer.
Musaceous, mū-zā′shus,adj.relating to an order of plants, of which the genusMū′sais the type, the banana or plantain family.
Musang, mū-sang′,n.a paradoxure, or a related civet, esp. the East Indian coffee-rat. [Malay.]
Musca, mus′kä,n.a genus of insects, including the house-fly, &c.—n.Muscatō′rium, a flabellum.—Muscæ volitantes, ocular spectra like floating black spots before the eyes. [L.musca.]
Muscadel, mus′ka-del,n.a rich, spicy wine: also the grape producing it: a fragrant and delicious pear—alsoMus′cadine,Mus′cat,Mus′catel.—n.pl.Mus′catels, sun-dried raisins. [O. Fr.,—It.moscadello, dim. ofmuscato—L.muscus, musk.]
Muscadin, müs-ka-dang′,n.a fop or dandy. [Fr.]
Muscardine, mus′kar-din,n.a fungus destructive to silkworms, also the disease caused by it. [Fr.]
Muscardine, mus′kar-din,n.a dormouse. [Fr.]
Muschelkalk, mush′el-kalk,n.the middle member of the Triassic system as developed in Germany, consisting chiefly of limestone—wanting in Britain. [Ger.muschel, shell,kalk, lime.]
Muschetor, mus′che-tor,n.(her.) a black spot like an ermine spot, but without its three specks.—AlsoMus′chetour. [O. Fr.,—L.musca, a fly.]
Muscle, mus′l,n.an animal tissue consisting of bundles of fibres through whose contractility bodily movement is effected, the fibres of thevoluntarymuscles being striped, those of theinvoluntary(of intestinal canal, blood-vessels, and of skin) unstriped.—adj.Mus′cled, supplied with muscles.—ns.Mus′cle-read′ing, the interpretation of slight involuntary muscular movements;Mus′cling, the delineation of muscles, as in a picture;Musculā′tion, the arrangement of muscles of a body;Musculos′ity.—adj.Mus′culous, pertaining to muscle: full of muscles, strong. [Fr.,—L.musculus, dim. ofmus, a mouse, a muscle.]
Muscoid, mus′koid,adj.(bot.) moss-like.—n.a moss-like, flowerless plant.—ns.Muscol′ogist, one skilled in muscology;Muscol′ogy, the part of botany which treats of mosses;Muscos′ity, mossiness. [L.muscus, moss, Gr.eidos, form.]
Muscovado, mus-kō-vā′do,n.the moist, dark-coloured impure sugar left after evaporating the juice from the sugar-cane and draining off the molasses, unrefined sugar. [Sp.moscabado.]
Muscovite, mus′co-vīt,n.a native or an inhabitant ofMoscow, or of Russia: the desman or Muscovitic rat: (min.) potash mica, a silicate of alumina and potash, yellowish, brownish, or greenish, with pearly or almost metallic lustre, its thin transparent plates still used as glass—alsoMuscovy glass.—adj.of or pertaining to Moscow or to Russia—alsoMuscovit′ic.—n.Mus′covy-duck(seeMusk).
Muscular, mus′kū-lar,adj.pertaining to a muscle: consisting of muscles: having strong muscles: brawny: strong: vigorous.—n.Muscular′ity, state of being muscular.—adv.Mus′cularly.—adjs.Musculocutā′neous, muscular and cutaneous—of certain nerves;Mus′culous, sinewy.—Muscular Christianity, a phrase humorously applied to that vigorous combination of Christian living with devotion to athletic enjoyments associated with Charles Kingsley and his admirers (the name was, however, repudiated by him);Muscular excitability, the contracting property of a muscle;Muscular pile, a voltaic battery employed in biological experiments;Muscular system, the whole of the muscular tissue of a body.
Muse, mūz,v.i.to study in silence: to be absent-minded: to meditate.—n.deep thought: contemplation: absence of mind: the inspiring power, as of a poet.—adj.Mused, bemused, muzzy, fuddled.—n.Mus′er.—adv.Mus′ingly. [Fr.muser, to loiter (It.musare); acc. to Diez and Skeat, from O. Fr.muse(Fr.museau), the snout of an animal. Others explain Fr.museras from Low L.mussāre—L.mussāre, to murmur.]
Muse, mūz,n.one of the nine goddesses of poetry, music, and the other liberal arts—daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne: an inspiring poetic inspiration: (Milt.) an inspired poet.—Names of the Muses:—Calliope, of epic poetry;Clio, of history;Erato, of amatory poetry;Euterpe, of lyric poetry;Melpomene, of tragedy;Polyhymnia, of lyric poetry and eloquence;Terpsichore, of dancing;Thalia, of comedy;Urania, of astronomy. [Fr.,—L.musa—Gr.mousa.]
Muset, mūz′et,n.(Shak.) a gap in a fence or thicket through which an animal passes.
Musette, mū-zet′,n.a small oboe: an old French bagpipe: a simple pastoral melody.
Museum, mū-zē′um,n.a collection of natural, scientific, or other curiosities, or of works of art.—ns.Museol′ogy, the science of arranging—Museog′raphy, of describing, museums. [L.,—Gr.mouseion; cf.Muse.]
Mush, mush,n.meal boiled in water, esp. Indian meal: anything pulpy.—adj.Mush′y, soft, pulpy. [Prob.mash.]
Mush, mush,v.t.to notch, a dress-fabric ornamentally at the side with a stamp. [Prob. a form ofmesh.]
Mushed, musht,adj.(prov.) worn out, exhausted.
Mushroom, mush′rōōm,n.the common name of certain fungi, esp. such as are edible: (fig.) one who rises suddenly from a low condition: an upstart.—n.Mush′room-spawn, the substance in which the reproductive mycelium of the mushroom is embodied. [O. Fr.mousseron, throughmousse, moss—Old High Ger.mos(Ger.moos, moss).]
Music, mū′zik,n.a connected series of sweet sounds: melody or harmony: the science which treats of harmony: the art of combining sounds so as to please the ear: a musical composition: (U.S.) heated argument, also amusement.—adj.Mū′sical, pertaining to, or producing, music: pleasing to the ear: melodious.—adv.Mū′sicallly.—ns.Mū′sicalness;Mū′sic-case,-fō′lio,-hold′er, &c., a roll, cabinet, &c. for carrying sheet music;Mū′sic-demy′, a size of writing-paper, 20¾ in. × 14⅜ in.;Mū′sic-hall, a public hall for musical entertainments, esp. when varied by dancing, variety performances, &c., often with concomitant smoking and drinking;Mū′sic-house, a place for public musical entertainments: a firm dealing in music or musical instruments;Musi′cian, one skilled in music: a performer of music—(obs.)Musi′cianer.—adv.Musi′cianly.—ns.Musi′cianship;Mū′sic-mas′ter, or-mis′tress, a man or a woman who teaches music;Mū′sic-of-the-spheres(seeHarmony);Mū′sic-pā′per, paper ruled with staffs for writing music in;Mū′sic-pen, a pen marking at once a series of fine parallel lines for music;Mū′sic-rack, a rack attached to a musical instrument for holding the player's music;Mū′sic-record′er, a device for recording music as played on an organ, pianoforte, &c.;Mū′sic-school, a place where music is regularly taught, a conservatory;Mū′sic-shell, a Gasteropod of the Caribbean Sea, marked with figures like printed music;Mū′sic-stand, a music-rack: a raised platform for a musical band;Mū′sic-stool, a stool or chair, generally adjustable in height, for the performer on the pianoforte, &c.;Mū′sic-wire, wire such as the strings of musical instruments are made of.—Music(-al)box, a case containing a mechanism contrived, when the spring is wound up, to reproduce melodies;Music club, a meeting for practising music.—Musical director, the conductor of an orchestra, &c.;Musical glasses(seeHarmonica, underHarmonium). [Fr.musique—L.musica—Gr.mousikē(technē, art),mousa, a muse.]
Musimon, mū′si-mon,n.the moufflon.—AlsoMus′mon.
Musing, mūz′ing,n.the act of one who muses: contemplation: meditation.—adj.meditative, preoccupied.—adv.Mus′ingly.
Musive, mū′siv,adj.Same asMosaic.
Musk, musk,n.a strong perfume, obtained from the male musk-deer, or the odour thereof: a hornless deer, in Tibet and Nepaul, yielding musk.—v.t.to perfume with musk.—ns.Musk(bot.), a name given to a number of plants which smell more or less strongly of musk;Musk′-bag,-ball, a bag, ball, containing musk as a perfuming sachet;Musk′-cat, a civet-cat: a scented effeminate dandy;Musk′-cāv′y, a West Indian echimyine rat-like rodent;Musk′-deer, a hornless deer, native of Central Asia, which produces the perfume called musk;Musk′-duck, the Muscovy-duck, so called from its musky odour;Musk′-gland, a skin-pit in mammals producing a secretion with a musky odour, esp. in the male musk-deer and male beaver.—adv.Musk′ily.—ns.Musk′iness;Musk′-mall′ow, an ornamental species of mallow, with faint odour of musk;Musk′-melon, the juicy edible fruit of a trailing herb (Cucumis melo), or the plant;Musk′-ox, a ruminant of arctic America, with long smooth hair, its horns meeting in a shield over the forehead, exhaling a strong musky smell;Musk′-pear, a fragrant variety of pear;Musk′-plum, a fragrant kind of plum;Musk′-rat, a North American aquatic, arvicoline, rat-like rodent, yielding a valuable fur, and secreting in its gland a substance with a musky smell—alsoMus′quash;Musk′-rose, a fragrant species of rose.—adj.Musk′y, having the odour of musk. [Fr.musc—L.muscus, Gr.moschos—Pers.musk—Sans.mushka, a testicle.]
Musket, mus′ket,n.any kind of smooth-bore military hand-gun: a male sparrow-hawk.—ns.Musketeer′, a soldier armed with a musket;Musketoon′,Musquetoon′, a short musket: one armed with a musketoon.—adj.Mus′ket-proof, capable of resisting the force of a musket-ball.—ns.Mus′ket-rest, a fork used as a support for the heavy 16th-century musket—alsoCroc;Mus′ketry, muskets in general; practice with muskets: a body of troops armed with muskets;Mus′ket-shot, the discharge of a musket, the reach of a musket. [O. Fr.mousquet, a musket, formerly a hawk—It.mosquetto—L.musca, a fly.]
Muslim, mus′lim,n.andadj.Same asMoslem.
Muslin, muz′lin,n.a fine soft cotton fabric resembling gauze in appearance, but woven plain without any looping of the warp threads on the weft—generally uncoloured: a coarser fabric than Indian muslin, printed with coloured patterns, &c.: (U.S.) cotton cloth for shirts, bedding, &c.: a collector's name for several different moths.—adj.made of muslin.—adj.Mus′lined, clothed with muslin.—ns.Mus′linet, a coarse kind of muslin;Mus′lin-kale(Scot.), thin broth made without meat. [Fr.mousseline—It.mussolino, fromMosulin Mesopotamia.]
Musquash, mus′kwosh,n.the musk-rat. [Am. Ind.]
Musrole, muz′rōl,n.the nose-band of a horse's bridle.
Muss, mus,n.(Shak.) a scramble: confusion, disorder.—v.t.(U.S.) to throw into confusion. [O. Fr.mousche, a fly—L.musca, a fly.]
Mussel,Muscle, mus′l,n.a. marine bivalve shellfish, used for food.—n.Mus′cūlite, a petrified mussel or shell. [A.S.muxle; Ger.muschel, Fr.moule; all from L.musculus.]
Mussitation, mus-i-tā′shun,n.the movement of the tongue or lips as if in speech, without producing articulate sounds, muttering.—v.t.Muss′itate, to mutter.
Mussulman, mus′ul-man,n.a Moslem or Mohammedan:—pl.Muss′ulmans(-manz). [Turk.musulmān—Ar.muslim,moslim, Moslem.]
Mussy, mus′i,adj.disordered.—n.Muss′iness.
Must, must,v.i.to be obliged physically or morally. [A.S.mót,móste; Ger.müssen.]
Must, must,n.wine pressed from the grape, but not fermented: potato-pulp prepared for fermentation. [A.S.must—L.mustus, new, fresh.]
Must, must,n.an occasional state of dangerous frenzy in adult male elephants.
Mustache. Same asMoustache.
Mustang, mus′tang,n.the wild horse of the American prairies: (U.S.) a naval officer from the merchant service in the Civil War.
Mustard, mus′tard,n.a plant of the genus Brassica, formerly classed as Sinapis, having a pungent taste: the seed thereof ground and used as a seasoning for meat, as a plaster, &c.—French mustard, mustard prepared for table by adding salt, sugar, vinegar, &c.;Wild mustard, the charlock. [O. Fr.mostarde(Fr.moutarde)—L.mustum, must.]
Mustela, mus-tē′la,n.the typical genus ofMustelidæ, the martens and sables.—adj.Mus′teline, like a marten or weasel: tawny in colour.—n.a musteline mammal.—adj.Mus′teloid, like a weasel. [L.]
Muster, mus′tėr,v.t.to assemble, as troops for duty or inspection: to gather, summon (withup).—v.i.to be gathered together, as troops.—n.an assembling of troops: a register of troops mustered: assemblage: collected show.—ns.Mus′ter-book(Shak.), a book in which military forces are registered;Mus′ter-file(Shak.), a muster-roll;Mus′ter-mas′ter, the master of the muster, or who takes an account of troops, their arms, &c.;Mus′ter-roll, a register of the officers and men in each company, troop, or regiment present at the time of muster.—Pass muster, to pass inspection uncensured. [O. Fr.mostre,monstre—L.monstrum—monēre, to warn.]
Musty, must′i,adj.mouldy: spoiled by damp: sour: foul.—adv.Must′ily.—n.Must′iness. [Doublet ofmoisty—L.musteus, new.]
Mutable, mū′ta-bl,adj.that may be changed: subject to change: inconstant.—ns.Mutabil′ity,Mū′tableness, state or quality of being mutable.—adv.Mū′tably.—n.Mutan′dum, something to be altered:—pl.Mutan′da.—v.t.Mū′tate, to change a vowel-sound by the influence of a vowel in the following syllable.—n.Mutā′tion, act or process of changing a vowel through the influence of one in the next syllable—the Germanumlaut: change: succession.—adjs.Mū′tative,Mū′tātory, changing, mutable. [Fr.,—L.mutabilis—mutāre,-ātum, to change—movēre,motum, to move.]
Mutage, mū′tāj,n.a process for arresting fermentation in the must of grapes. [Fr.]
Mutch, much,n.(Scot.) a woman's cap. [Old Dut.mutse; Dut.muts, Ger.mütze.]
Mutchkin, much′kin,n.a Scottish liquid measure of four gills, or forming one-fourth of a Scottish pint. [Scot.mutch, a cap,kin, little.]
Mute, mūt,adj.incapable of speaking: dumb: silent: unpronounced.—n.one dumb, or remaining silent: a person stationed by undertakers at the door of a house at a funeral: a stopped sound, formed by the shutting of the mouth-organs, esp. the surdst,p,k, but also applied to the sonant or voiced consonantsd,b,g, and even the nasalsn,m,ng: (law) one who refuses to plead.—v.t.to deaden sound.—adv.Mute′ly.—n.Mute′ness. [Fr.,—L.mutus.]
Mute, mūt,v.i.to dung, as birds. [O. Fr.mutir,esmeutir—Old Dut.smelten, to smelt.]
Mutilate, mū′ti-lāt,v.t.to maim: to cut off: to remove a material part of.—ns.Mutilā′tion, act of mutilating: deprivation of a limb or essential part;Mū′tilator, one who mutilates. [L.mutilāre—mutilus—Gr.mutilos,mitulos, curtailed.]
Mutineer, mū-ti-nēr′,n.one guilty of mutiny.—v.i.to mutiny.—n.andv.i.Mū′tine(Shak.).
Mutiny, mū′ti-ni,v.i.to rise against authority in military or naval service: to revolt against rightful authority:—pr.p.mū′tinying;pa.t.andpa.p.mū′tinied.—n.insurrection against constituted authority, esp. naval or military: revolt, tumult, strife.—adj.Mū′tinous, disposed to mutiny: seditious.—adv.Mū′tinously.—n.Mū′tinousness.—Mutiny Act, an act passed by the British parliament from year to year, to regulate the government of the army, from 1689 down to 1879, when it was superseded by the Army Discipline and Regulation Act, modified by the Army Act of 1881. [O. Fr.mutiner,mutin, riotous,meute, a sedition—L.motus, rising—movēre,motum, to move.]
Mutism, mūt′izm,n.the state or habit of being mute.
Mutter, mut′ėr,v.i.to utter words in a low voice: to murmur: to sound with a low, rumbling noise.—v.t.to utter indistinctly.—ns.Mutt′er(Milt.), a murmuring;Mutterā′tion, act of muttering or complaining;Mutt′erer;Mutt′ering.—adv.Mutt′eringly, in a muttering or grumbling manner: with indistinct articulation. [Prob. imit., like prov. Ger.mustern; L.muttīre.]
Mutton, mut′n,n.the flesh of sheep: an old Anglo-French gold coin impressed with a lamb: (slang) a loose woman, hence illicit commerce: a sheep.—n.Mutt′on-chop, a rib of mutton chopped at the small end for broiling or frying.—adj.like a mutton-chop (of whiskers cut round at the ends).—ns.Mutt′on-cut′let, a steak cut usually from a leg of mutton for broiling or frying;Mutt′on-fist, a coarse, big hand;Mutt′on-ham, a salted leg of mutton;Mutt′on-head, a heavy, stupid person.—adj.Mutt′on-head′ed, stupid.—ns.Mutt′on-sū′et, the fat about the kidneys and loins of sheep;Mutt′on-thump′er, a clumsy bookbinder.—adj.Mutt′ony.—Laced mutton (Shak.), a loose woman;Return to one's muttons(coll.), to return to the subject of discussion—a humorous mistranslation of the Fr. proverb, 'Revenons à nos moutons.' [O. Fr.moton(Fr.mouton), a sheep—Low L.multo, acc. to Diez, from L.mutilus, mutilated.]
Mutual, mū′tū-al,adj.interchanged: in return: given and received, equally affecting two or more: common, conjoint, shared alike, as in 'mutual friend.'—ns.Mū′tualism,Mutual′ity.—adv.Mū′tually.—Mutual accounts, accounts in which each of two have charges against the other;Mutual insurance, a reciprocal contract among several persons to indemnify each other against certain designated losses, the system of a company in which policy-holders receive a certain share of the profits, &c.;Mutual wall, a wall equally belonging to each of two houses. [Fr.mutuel—L.mutuus—mutāre, to change.]
Mutule, mūt′ūl,n.a kind of square, flat bracket used in the Doric order of architecture, above each triglyph and each metope, having round projections like nail-heads on the lower surface.
Mutuum, mū′tū-um,n.a bailment consisting of a loan of goods for consumption, as corn, coal, &c., to be returned in goods of the same amount.
Mux, muks,v.t.to spoil, botch.—n.a mess.
Muzhik, mōō-zhik′,n.a Russian peasant.
Muzzle, muz′l,n.the projecting jaws and nose of an animal: a fastening for the mouth to prevent biting, by a strap or a cage: the extreme end of a gun, &c.—v.t.to put a muzzle on: to restrain from biting: to keep from hurting: to gag or silence.—ns.Muzz′le-bag, a canvas bag fixed to the muzzle of a gun at sea, to keep out water;Muzz′le-load′er, a firearm loaded through the muzzle—opp. toBreech-loader.—adj.Muzz′le-load′ing.—n.Muzz′le-veloc′ity, the velocity of a projectile the moment it leaves the muzzle of a gun. [O. Fr.musel(Fr.museau), prob. from L.morsus—mordēre, to bite.]
Muzzy, muz′i,adj.dazed, bewildered, tipsy.—n.Muzz′iness.
My, (when emphatic or distinct) mī, (otherwise) me,poss. adj.belonging to me. [Contr. ofmine, A.S.mín, of me.]
Mya, mī′a,n.a genus of bivalve shells: a clam of this genus.—n.Myā′ria, an old name for theMyidæ, a family of dimyarian bivalves.—adj.Myā′rian. [Gr.myax, a sea-mussel.]
Myalgia, mī-al′ji-a,n.a morbid state of a muscle.—adj.Myal′gic. [Gr.mys, muscle,algos, pain.]
Myall, mī′al,n.a hard, scented wood yielded by several Australian acacias, esp. good for tobacco-pipes and whip-handles.
Mycelium, mī-sē′li-um,n.the white thread-like parts from which a mushroom or a fungus is developed: mushroom spawn:—pl.Mycē′lia. [Gr.mykēs, a fungus,ēlos, a nail or wart.]
Mycetes, mī-sē′tēz,n.a kind of South American monkey, called alsoHowlers.[Gr.mykētēs, bellower.]
Mycetes, mī-sē′tēz,n.pl.mushrooms or fungi.—ns.Mycetol′ogy(same asMycology);Mycetō′ma, a chronic disease of the feet and hands in India.—n.pl.Mycetozō′a, a group of fungus-like organisms, now mostly contained in the division Myxomycetes or slime-fungi.—adjs.Mycolog′ic,-al.—ns.Mycol′ogist;Mycol′ogy, the science treating of the fungi or mushrooms;Mycoph′agist;Mycoph′agy, the eating of fungi;My′cose, a kind of sugar obtained from certain lichens and fungi, as ergot of rye—alsoTrehalose;Mycō′sis, the presence of fungus growth within the body.—adj.Mycot′ic. [Gr.mykētēs, pl. ofmykēsa mushroom.]
Mydriasis, mi-drī′a-sis,n.morbid dilatation of the pupil of the eye.—adj.Mydriat′ic.—n.a drug causing this.
Myelitis, mī-e-lī′tis,n.inflammation of the substance of the spinal cord.—ns.Myelasthenī′a, spinal exhaustion;Myelatrō′phia, atrophy of the spinal cord.—adjs.Myelit′ic,My′eloid, medullary.—ns.Myelomalā′cia, softening of the spinal cord;Myelomeningī′tis, spinal meningitis;My′elon, the spinal cord.—adjs.My′elonal,Myelon′ic. [Gr.myelos, marrow.]
Mygale, mig′a-lē,n.an American tarantula or bird-catching spider. [Gr.mygalē, a field-mouse.]
Mylodon, mī′lō-don,n.a genus of large fossil sloths.—adj.My′lodont. [Gr.mylē, a mill,odous,odontos, a tooth.]
Mylohyoid, mī-lō-hī′oid,adj.pertaining to the molar teeth and to the hyoid bone.—n.the mylohyoid muscle. [Gr.mylē, a mill.]
Myna, mī′na,n.one of several sturnoid passerine birds of India.—AlsoMī′na.
Mynheer, mīn-hār′,n.my lord: Dutch form ofMrorSir: a Dutchman. [Dut.mijn, my,heer, lord.]
Myoid, mī′oid,adj.like muscle.—n.My′oblast, a cell producing muscle-tissue.—adj.Myoblast′ic.—ns.Myocardī′tis, inflammation of the myocardium;Myocar′dium, the muscular substance of the heart;Myodynā′mia, muscular force;My′ogram, the tracing of a contracting and relaxing muscle by the myograph;My′ograph, an instrument for noting and recording muscular contractions.—adjs.Myograph′ic,-al, relating to myography.—ns.Myog′raphist;Myog′raphy, a description of the muscles of the body.—adj.Myolog′ical.—ns.Myol′ogist;Myol′ogy, the part of anatomy which treats of the muscles;Myō′ma, a tumour composed of muscular tissue;Myonic′ity, the contractile property of muscular tissue. [Gr.mys,myos, muscle.]
Myomancy, mī′o-man-si,n.divination from the movements of mice.—adj.Myoman′tic. [Gr.mys, a mouse,manteia, divination.]
Myopia, mī-ō′pi-a,n.shortness or nearness of sight.—adj.Myop′ic.—ns.My′ops,My′ope, a short-sighted person. [Gr.,—myein, to close,ōps, the eye.]
Myosin, mī′ō-sin,n.an albuminous compound contained in the contractile muscular tissue.
Myosis, mī-ō′sis,n.abnormal contraction of the pupil of the eye.—adjs.Myosit′ic;Myot′ic. [Gr.myein, to close.]
Myositis, mī-o-sī′tis,n.inflammation of a muscle—properlyMy′itis.
Myosotis, mī-ō-sō′tis,n.a genus of annual or perennial herbs of the borage family, with alternate leaves and simple or branched racemes of bractless blue, pink, or white flowers: a flower of this genus, as the common blue forget-me-not. [Gr.mys,myos, a mouse,ous,ōtos, an ear.]
Myotomy, mī-ot′o-mi,n.the dissection of the muscles. [Gr.mys,myos, muscle,temnein, to cut.]
Myriad, mir′i-ad,n.any immense number.—adj.numberless. [Gr.myrias,myriados, ten thousand.]
Myriapod, mir′i-a-pod, (more correctly)Myr′iopod,n.a worm-shaped animal with many-jointed legs.—n.Myriap′oda, a class of jointed animals, of which some of the lower kinds have an immense number of legs. [Gr.myrios, numberless,pous,podos, a foot.]
Myrica, mi-rī′ka,n.a genus of shrubs of the sweet-gale family, including the bay-berry or wax-myrtle, yielding a tallow used for candles. [Gr.myrikē.]
Myriorama, mir-i-o-rä′ma,n.a picture composed of interchangeable parts which can be combined into a variety of pictures. [Gr.myrios, numberless,horama, a view.]
Myrioscope, mir′i-o-skōp,n.a variety of kaleidoscope, esp. a form of it consisting of mirrors so arranged as by multiplied reflection from a small piece of carpet to show how it looks covering a whole floor. [Gr.myrios, numberless,skopein, to view.]
Myristica, mī-ris′ti-ka,n.a genus of fragrant apetalous trees—the nutmegs: the kernel of the seed ofMyristica fragrans, as used in cookery. [Gr.myrizein, to anoint.]
Myrmidon, mėr′mi-don,n.one of a tribe of warriors who accompanied Achilles to Troy: one of a ruffianly band under a daring leader: one who carries out another's orders without fear or pity.—adj.Myrmidō′nian.—Myrmidons of the law, policemen, bailiffs, &c. [L.,—Gr.]
Myrobalan, mī-rob′a-lan,n.the astringent fruit of certain Indian mountain species ofTerminalia. [Gr.myron, an unguent,balanos, a corn.]
Myrrh, mėr,n.a bitter, aromatic, transparent gum, exuded from the bark of a shrub in Arabia.—adj.Myr′rhic.—ns.Myr′rhin, the fixed resin of myrrh;Myr′rhol, the volatile oil of myrrh. [O. Fr.mirre(Fr.myrrhe)—L. and Gr.myrrha—Ar.murr.]
Myrrhine. Same asMurrine.
Myrtle, mėr′tl,n.an evergreen shrub with beautiful and fragrant leaves.—n.Myr′tle-wax, wax from the candle-berry. [O. Fr.myrtil, dim. ofmyrte—L. and Gr.myrtus.]
Myself, mī-self′, or me-self′,pron.I or me, in person—used for the sake of emphasis and also as the reciprocal of me.
Mystagogue, mis′ta-gōg,n.an initiator into religious mysteries, a teacher or catechist—alsoMystagō′gus.—adj.Mystagog′ic(-goj′-).—n.Mys′tagogy(-goj-), the practice of a mystagogue: the sacraments. [Gr.mystēs, one initiated,agōgos, a leader.]
Mystery, mis′tėr-i,n.a secret doctrine: anything very obscure: that which is beyond human knowledge to explain: anything artfully made difficult: (pl.) secret rites, in ancient religions rites known only to and practised by initiated persons, as the Eleusinian mysteries in Greece, &c.: a sacrament: a rude medieval drama founded on the historical parts of the Bible and the lives of the saints—the Basquepastoralesare a survival.—adj.Mystē′rious, containing mystery: obscure: secret: incomprehensible.—adv.Mystē′riously.—n.Mystē′riousness. [M. E.mysterie—L.mysterium—Gr.mystērion—mystēs, one initiated—muein, to close the eyes.]
Mystery, mis′tėr-i,n.a trade, handicraft. [M. E.mistere—O. Fr.mestier(Fr.métier)—L.ministerium—minister. Prop.mistery; the formmysteryis due to confusion with the above.]
Mystic,-al, mis′tik, -al,adj.relating to, or containing, mystery: sacredly obscure or secret: involving a sacred or a secret meaning hidden from the eyes of the ordinary reader, only revealed to a spiritually enlightened mind, allegorical: belonging to mysticism.—n.Mys′tic, one who seeks for direct intercourse with God in elevated religious feeling or ecstasy.—adv.Mys′tically.—ns.Mys′ticalness, the quality of being mystical;Mys′ticism, the doctrine of the mystics, a tendency of religious feeling marked by an effort to attain to direct and immediate communion with God: obscurity of doctrine;Mystificā′tion.—v.t.Mys′tify, to make mysterious, obscure, or secret: to involve in mystery:—pr.p.mys′tifying;pa.t.andpa.p.mys′tified.—Mystic recitation, the recitation of parts of the Greek liturgy in an inaudible voice;Mystical theology, the knowledge of divine things attained by spiritual insight and experience only, without authority, the process of reason, &c. [L.mysticus—Gr.mystikos. Cf.Mystery, a secret doctrine.]
Mytacism, mī′ta-sizm,n.a too recurrent use of the lettermin speech or writing.
Myth, mith,n.a fable, a legend, a fabulous narrative founded on a remote event, esp. those made in the early period of a people's existence: an invented story: a falsehood.—adjs.Myth′ic,-al, relating to myths: fabulous: untrue.—adv.Myth′ically.—ns.Myth′icist,Myth′iciser, an adherent of the mythical theory;Myth′ist, a maker of myths;Mythogen′esis, the production of, or the tendency to originate, myths;Mythog′rapher, a writer or narrator of myths;Mythog′raphy, representation of myths in graphic or plastic art, art-mythology;Mythol′oger,Mytholō′gian, a mythologist.—adjs.Mytholog′ic,-al, relating to mythology, fabulous.—adv.Mytholog′ically.—v.t.Mythol′ogise, to interpret or explain myths: to render mythical.—ns.Mythol′ogiser, one who, or that which, mythologises;Mythol′ogist, one versed in, or who writes on, mythology;Mythol′ogy, the myths or stories of a country: a treatise regarding myths: a collection of myths: the science which investigates myths;Mython′omy, the deductive and predictive stage of mythology;Myth′oplasm, a narration of mere fable;Mythopœ′ist, a myth-maker.—adjs.Mythopoet′ic,Mythopœ′ic, myth-making, tending to generate myth.—n.Myth′us, the same asmyth:—pl.Myth′ī.—Mythical theory, the theory of D. F. Strauss (1808-74) and his school, that the Gospels are mainly a collection of myths, developed during the first two centuries, from the imagination of the followers of Jesus;Comparative mythology, the science which investigates myths and seeks to relate those of different races. [Gr.mythos.]
Mytilus, mit′i-lus,n.a genus of bivalves, or an individual bivalve belonging to it.—adjs.Mytil′iform,Myt′iloid.
Myxœdema, mik-sē-dē′ma,n.a diseased condition occurring in adults, generally females, characterised by a thickening of the subcutaneous tissue, most noticeable in the face, with a simultaneous dulling of all the faculties and slowing of the movements of the body. A precisely similar condition occurs in many cases where the thyroid gland has been removed for disease. [Gr.myxa, mucus, and Eng.edema.]
Myxoma, mik-sō′ma,n.a tumour consisting of mucous tissue—alsoCollonema. [Gr.myxa, mucus.]
Myxomycetes, mik-sō-mī-sē′tēz,n.pl.a class of very simple organisms, often claimed by botanists as fungi, generally regarded by zoologists as primitive Protozoa, living on damp surfaces exposed to air, esp. on rotting wood, and feeding on organic débris forming composite masses orplasmodia. [Gr.myxa, mucus,mykētes, pl. ofmykēs, a mushroom.]
Myxopod, mik′so-pod,n.andadj.a protozoan animal having pseudopodia, as distinguished from amastigopod, which has cilia or flagella.—n.pl.Myxop′oda, protozoans whose locomotive appendages are pseudopodia—the same asRhizopoda.—adj.Myxop′odous. [Gr.myxa, mucus,pous,podos, a foot.]
Myxosarcoma, mik-sō-sär-kō′ma,n.a tumour composed of mucous and sarcomatous tissue:—pl.Myxosarcō′mata. [Gr.myxa, mucus,sarcōma, a fleshy lump.]