MMad.SeeAngryandCrazy.MakeMakeorManufacture. Hammer the top of one fist with the other two or three times, giving both hands a twisting motion. (Sheeaka. Adopted from the Deaf.) CompareWork, which is mostly used byIndiansforMake.Fr.fabriquer; Ger.anfertigen.Make up one’s mind.SeeDecide.ManManorMale(The one alone; the erect one). Right G held up at height of chin, palm forward; many Cheyennes make it back forward. ForBoysignManthen drop the hand down to a level that indicates height, and turn it palm to you.Fr.l’homme; Ger.der Mann.Mandan.SeeIndian Tribes.Manitoba(Red River Country). Give signs forCountry,River,Red(suggested).Manner.SeeWay.Man who.SeeDoer.ManyMany(Many tens). Hold up both hands, face high, half closed, palms forward; throw them forward in 5 shape. Repeat several times. See alsoHeapandMuch.Fr.plusieurs; Ger.viele.Many timesMany times,Often, orAll the time. Hold out left arm level, hand flat palm in; tap it a few times with right G hand from near wrist, moving each time an inch or so toward elbow. CompareCheyenne.Fr.souvent; Ger.oft.MarriedMarriedorMarry(Side by side, united as one). SignTrade, that is,Bargain; then lay right G beside left G touching, both pointing forward level, not moved. (C) The Cheyennes omitTrade. CompareEqual,Parallel, andMates.Fr.marié,épouser; Ger.verheiratet,heiraten.MartenorSable. SignWeasel; that is, curve right G and push it forward, back up, in bounds; indicate size, yellow throat; then, running up a tree. This is a suggested description, as I found no established sign.Fr.la marte,la zibeline; Ger.der Marder,der Zobel.Match.Strike an imaginary match on right thigh, or left arm.Fr.l’allumette; Ger.das Streichholz.MateMateorPartner(One teepee and side by side). The G fingers in tent form, then up side by side, touching. (Sheeaka.)MateorChum. SignFriend,Same.Fr.le camarade,le compagnon; Ger.der Kamerad.MayorMaybe. SeePerhaps.Me.Touch one’s own chest with the tips of the compressed fingers of the right hand. (Sheeaka.) CompareI.Fr.moi; Ger.mich.Meals.ForBreakfast, signEatandSunrise; forLunch, signEatandNoon; forDinner, signEatandSundown.Fr.les repas; Ger.die Mahlzeiten.MeanorIntend. SignWantandSay.Fr.avoir en vue,vouloir dire; Ger.beabsichtigen,meinen.MeanorStingy. SignHeartandFew.Fr.avare; Ger.geizig.Meanwhile.SeeWhile.MeatMeat(1). Hold out the flat left, back up; then with the flat right, palm up, slice pieces off the left palm. This is generally used, but often with left palm up.MeatMeatorFlesh(2). With right index finger and thumb, grasp the flesh between left index finger and thumb. (Sioux and Blackfoot.) Note, if this be done by putting the right at the under side of the left, it is the same as the next sign.MeatMeat(3). Lay the flat left hand, little finger down, between the thumb and fingers of the flat right, as far in as possible; then pat the back of the left by opening and closing the right a little and addBuffalo. In conversation,Buffalowithout the first sign is often used forMeat, just as we useBeef. The first part of this is much likeThickandThin, but the whole of the left fingers are involved and the right hand is not slid along.The right in this, it will be noted, shows the pose of the hand when holding a thick piece of meat to be cut up for drying.Clark says there is no sign forMeat; yet, obviously, his sign forBaconis compounded ofMeat,Thin, andGreasy; and the sign he gives forCutting up, meansCutting up meat.Meat(4). With right index and thumb, pinch the flesh at the palmar base of the left thumb. (Father Isadore says this is fixed and universal among the Comanches.)Fr.la viande; Ger.das Fleisch.MedalMedal.Make a circle of right thumb and index (other fingers closed); lay it little finger in, on the centre of the breast. (C) ComparePoliceman.Fr.la médaille; Ger.die Medaille.MedicineMedicine,Mystery,Holy,Sacred, orWonderful(In the sense of Sacred Mystery). Hold V right hand close to forehead, palm forward, pointing up, separated; move the hand upward, twisting it so that the tips of the extended fingers will describe a spiral curve. This is hardly translatable.Fr.le mystère sacré; Ger.das heilige Geheimnis.Medicine(A curative drug or potion). Hold out left C back to left and pour into it from a bottle in right C hand. If a powder, pour on flat left palm. If a pill, pour on palm and afterward pick up with index and thumb. (Pop.) SignMedicineandEat. (Cheyenne, recent.)Fr.la médecine,le remède; Ger.die Arznei.Medicine-ManorShaman. Make signs forManandMedicine.Fr.le magicien,le médecin; Ger.der Medizinmann,der Schamane.MeetMeet.Hold forefingers of both G hands a foot apart, pointing up, left farthest off; move together till touching at the tips. CompareTrade,Mistake, andAvoid.Fr.rencontrer; Ger.treffen,begegnen.Melancholy.Incline the head slightly forward and rest forehead on left hand, left forearm close to body. Understood by Cheyennes, but they preferHeart on the Ground.Fr.triste; Ger.schwermütig.MeltMelt,Fade,Die out,Dissolve. Hold up both “5” hands six inches apart, fingers pointing up, palms towardyou; let the hands drop and slide aside, gradually assuming compressed position, backs up. (Sheeaka.)Melt.SignWipe out, but slide the right palm over the left toward the tips in small jerks, then over and beyond.Fr.fondre; Ger.schmelzen,vergehen.MemoriesMemories.Head hung forward; right A hand dropped a foot under chin; then signTime,Back. (Blackfoot.)Fr.les souvenirs; Ger.die Erinnerungen.MemoryorRemembering. SignHeartandKnow.Fr.la mémoire,se rappeler; Ger.das Gedächtnis,sich erinnern.MendMend.Lay the right G along to overlap the left G, then hammer on the left with right fist. (Sheeaka.) Note, this is mending iron or wood; to mend clothes, lay one index on other as above, then with right sew over edge of left. (Blackfoot.) The Cheyennes usually signMakeandGood. CompareFix.Fr.raccommoder; Ger.ausbessern,reparieren.Mercy.In the Roman Arena, the appeal for mercy was made by stretching the hand with first and second fingers raised and touching; others closed. (Pop.)Fr.la clémence,la miséricorde; Ger.das Erbarmen,die Gnade.Mercy on Another.SeePity.Mercy on Me.SeePity.Merry.SeeGlad.Message, i.e.,Spoken. SeeSpeech.Metal.SignHardand describe or point to a piece of the metal in question. Or signStrong,Hard.Fr.le métal; Ger.das Metall.Meteor.SignStarand with hand up high signFireand let it drop in a wavy line across the sky.Fr.le météore; Ger.das Meteor,die Feuerkugel.MiddayorNoon.SunandStraight up.Fr.le midi; Ger.der Mittag.MiddleMiddle(The point dividing in half). Hold out the left G hand, finger level. Drop the right G hand down onto it at the middle joint. CompareHalfandCentre.Middle.Strike down with lower edge of flat right between the fingers of left V held pointing up.Fr.le milieu; Ger.die Mitte.Middle one.Hold up three fingers of left, tap the two outer with right G, then bend the middle one down.Fr.celui au milieu; Ger.der Mittlere.Midnight.SignNightandMiddle.Fr.le minuit; Ger.die Mitternacht.MileMile(Stake, measure, and stake). Hold out closed left at arm’s length in front of shoulder, back up, index and thumb joined at top; drop it six inches, point down; then place index and thumb of similar right against it and swing right out level to right for two or three feet and drop it as before.Fr.le mille; Ger.die Meile.Milk.With both S hands make motion of milking.Fr.le lait; Ger.die Milch.Milky Way(Spirit’s Trail).DieandWay, and sweep the right hand high across the sky to show where.Fr.la voie lactée; Ger.die Milchstrasze.Mingle.SeeMix.Mink.SignWater,Creek, andAnimal. (Blackfoot.) Sometimes indicate size.Fr.le foutereau,le mink; Ger.der Mink,der Nerz.Minute(Division of time). SeeTime. Hold left O hand horizontal forWatch; tap around it with right G finger forhours; then for minute addOne,Small, andTime.Secondwould be the same with added signsFeworVery. (Sheeaka.)Fr.la minute; Ger.die Minute.Minute(Very small). SignSmall.Fr.trés petit; Ger.winzig.Mirage.Hold right 5 hand high, opposite left shoulder, back out, pointing to left; move it horizontally to right with a tremulous motion. (C)Fr.le mirage; Ger.die Luftspiegelung.MirrorMirror.Flat right, points up, opposite face, shaken a little forward and back as though adjusting the distance. Sometimes signLookfirst.Fr.le miroir; Ger.der Spiegel.Mislead.SignWay, then thrust right G to right and to left, but not straight. Or signTell,Straight,Not.Fr.égarer; Ger.verleiten.Miss.SeeAvoid.Mist.SeeFog.MistakeMistake(Mark missed). Hold up left G hand, then pass it by with right G hand.Fr.l’erreur; Ger.der Irrtum.MixorMingle.Hold up the 5 hands, face high, points up, palm to palm touching; rotate one against the other. If in cookery, imitate the movement of stirring. ComparePlay.Fr.mélanger; Ger.mischen.Moccasin.Pass the open hands over feet from toe to ankle. Usually but one hand is used, and it need not touch the foot.Fr.le mocassin; Ger.der Mokassin.MockeryMockeryorInsolent defiance. Spread the right hand with fingers straight, point of thumb to point of nose, little finger toward the enemy. (Pop.) Not Indian originally, but all understand it now.Fr.la moquerie,la dérision; Ger.die Verspottung.Modesty.Cover the eyes with one flat hand, its fingers well apart. (Pop.) SeeAshamedandFog.Fr.la modestie; Ger.die Sittsamkeit,die Bescheidenheit.MoneyMoney(Coin). With right thumb and index, others closed, make a horizontal circle. CompareSun,Fruit, andLeaf.Fr.l’argent; Ger.das Geld.Money(Paper). SignWritingandMoney.MoneyMoney(Bills). Draw the flat left hand edgewise between the thumb and fingers of the right; then on left palm indicate shape. (C)Fr.billets de banque; Ger.die Banknoten.Monkey(Man’s face, dog’s run). SignFace,Man,Dog,Goes.Fr.le singe; Ger.der Affe.Month(One Moon). Sign forOneandMoonandDie.Fr.le mois; Ger.der Monat.Each tribe had, of course, its own names for the months. I have selected the ones most likely to be widely popular, without regard to their origin.JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilJanuary(Snow Moon). SignMoonandSnow.Fr.le janvier; Ger.der Januar.February(Hunger Moon). SignMoonandHunger.Fr.le février; Ger.der Februar.March(Crow Moon). SignMoonandCrow.Fr.le mars; Ger.der März.April(Grass Moon). SignMoonandShort grass.Fr.l’avril; Ger.der April.MayJuneJulyAugustMay(Planting Moon). SignMoonandPlanting.Fr.le mai; Ger.der Mai.June(Rose Moon). SignMoonandRose.Fr.le juin; Ger.der Juni.July(Thunder Moon). SignMoonandLightning.Fr.le juillet; Ger.der Juli.August(Red Moon). Sign forMoonandRed.Fr.l’août; Ger.der August.SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberSeptember(Hunting Moon). SignMoonand then draw a bow as in hunting.Fr.le septembre; Ger.der September.October(Leaf-falling Moon). SignMoonandLeaf-falling.Fr.l’octobre; Ger.der Oktober.November(Mad Moon). SignMoonandMad.Fr.le novembre; Ger.der November.December(Long Night). SignMoon,Night, andLong.Fr.le décembre; Ger.der Dezember.MoonMoon(Horns in the sky, or crescent). Close right hand except thumb and first finger, which forms a half-circle or crescent, held above the right ear, back of hand forward. Sometimes expressed asNightandSun.Fr.la lune; Ger.der Mond.MooseMoose(Elk with flat horns). Hold up flat hands for horns; but swing both backward and forward to indicate width; then, with both “L” hands, indicate the hanging muzzle. (Blackfoot.)Fr.l’orignal; Ger.das Elentier,der Elch.MoreMore.Hold out the flat left hand, palm up; then with right make as though throwing sand on it more and more, three times. (Sheeaka.) CompareMost. SeeRepeat,Add to, andAhead.Fr.plus; Ger.mehr.MorningMorningorDay(Opening up). Both hands palms down, flat, near together. Sweep them up, out, and apart; turning the palms up. The same asDay.MorningMorningorDawn. Hold out both arms level, full length, side by side, hands flat, backs forward, tips touching; raise them slowly to half height.Fr.le matin; Ger.der Morgen.Mosquito.With right index and thumb make as though pricking right cheek with a thorn; then slap the place with right palm.Fr.le moustique; Ger.der Moskito,die Stechmücke.MostMost.SignMore, then raise the right flat hand high above it. (Sheeaka.) Or signAhead,All.Fr.le plus; Ger.meist,am Meisten.MotherMother(Nurse or parent, female). With the finger tips of the right hand, make as though drawing milk from the left breast; add the sign forFemaleif necessary. (Scott.) Note the left breast forMother, nearer the heart; the right breast is forFather.Fr.la mère; Ger.die Mutter.Mother-in-law.SignBrother-in-law,Old,Woman.Fr.la belle-mère; Ger.die Schwiegermutter.Motor car.Make signs forWheels,Horse,Not. Or signFiretwice then make as though holding and turning steering wheel.Fr.l’automobile; Ger.das Automobil.MoundMoundorLow Hill. Flat hands together, backs up; separated and swept down to show shape. CompareHeap, which is just the reverse; also seeBox.Fr.la petite éminence; Ger.der Erdhügel.Mount(A horse). Hold right V to right side pointing up; swing it up to right, over and down, points down, onto flat left, which is held thumb up. Or, omit left. (Blackfoot.)Fr.monter; Ger.steigen.Mountain.Hold up A hand as inHill, but higher, and addHard. Use both hands alternately up and down in various places for plural. CompareHillandLump.Fr.la montagne; Ger.der Berg.Mountain Lion,Cat. SignCat,Long tail, andJump. (C) Or with both L hands indicate large round tracks; then, with right G, pointed down, raised and down, each time, indicate the zigzag trail. (Paiute sign, given me by C. B. Ruggles.)Fr.le couguar;Ger.der Kuguar.Mountain Pass.SeeGap.Mourn.With the flat hands used like knives, backs up, little fingers as though sharp edges, make as though to cut off the hair at each side of the head, and addCry.Fr.s’affliger; Ger.trauern.MouseMouse(Night nibbler). SignAnimal, with very small jumps, indicate size andNight; then, with right forefinger and thumb, nibble at left G forefinger.Fr.la souris; Ger.die Maus.MoveMove,To move camp(Teepee poles, travois). Both G hands in front, backs out; lay right forefinger on left at middle joint, crossing at an angle of 45 degrees, and push both hands forward in slight jerks, each jerk a day’s journey.Fr.changer de place,déménager; Ger.fortziehen,wegrücken.Mowing machine.SignGrassandKnife; the last at right lower than waist. AddWagonif needed to indicate horse mower.Fr.la machine à faucher; Ger.die Mähmaschine.MuchMuchorMany. Hold curved 5 hands, palm to palm, a foot apart; swing down together and up face high, closing them; swing a little apart at the finish.MuchMuch(Heap.) Hold the flat hands so the palms are toward each other, the left lower, and draw them apart, the left downward, the right upward. The extent to which they are drawn apart indicates the quantity. CompareBig,Great,Heap,Increase, andDecrease.Fr.beaucoup; Ger.viel.Much, Too.SeeExcessive.Mud.SeeSoft.MuleMule.Hold extended hands alongside of ears, palms to front, fingers pointing upward; by wrist action, flop the hands to front and rear, representing motion of mule’s ears.Fr.le mulet; Ger.das Maultier.Murder.SignKillandFree. Meaning an unjustified killing.Fr.le meurtre; Ger.der Mord.Must.SeeHave to; alsoBeginorPush. SeeImperative.MuskratorMusquash. SignBeaverandSmall.MuskratMuskrat(Tail, swimming and lump). Hold out right G, back up, nearly level, pointing forward and to left; shake it, draw it to right; then hold up compressed right hand, back up, pointing forward, and grasp right wrist on lower side with left hand. (Blackfoot.)Fr.le rat musqué du Canada,l’ondatra; Ger.die Bisamratte.My,Mine, orMy own. SignPossession; that is, hold out the A hand, thumb straight up; then swing it in till it touches the breast; or sometimes lay the spread flat hand on the breast. (Sheeaka.) SeeI.My,Mine, orMy own. Touch breast with point of compressed right, then signPossession.Fr.mon; Ger.mein.Mystery.SeeMedicine.
Mad.SeeAngryandCrazy.
Make
MakeorManufacture. Hammer the top of one fist with the other two or three times, giving both hands a twisting motion. (Sheeaka. Adopted from the Deaf.) CompareWork, which is mostly used byIndiansforMake.
Fr.fabriquer; Ger.anfertigen.
Make up one’s mind.SeeDecide.
Man
ManorMale(The one alone; the erect one). Right G held up at height of chin, palm forward; many Cheyennes make it back forward. ForBoysignManthen drop the hand down to a level that indicates height, and turn it palm to you.
Fr.l’homme; Ger.der Mann.
Mandan.SeeIndian Tribes.
Manitoba(Red River Country). Give signs forCountry,River,Red(suggested).
Manner.SeeWay.
Man who.SeeDoer.
Many
Many(Many tens). Hold up both hands, face high, half closed, palms forward; throw them forward in 5 shape. Repeat several times. See alsoHeapandMuch.
Fr.plusieurs; Ger.viele.
Many times
Many times,Often, orAll the time. Hold out left arm level, hand flat palm in; tap it a few times with right G hand from near wrist, moving each time an inch or so toward elbow. CompareCheyenne.
Fr.souvent; Ger.oft.
Married
MarriedorMarry(Side by side, united as one). SignTrade, that is,Bargain; then lay right G beside left G touching, both pointing forward level, not moved. (C) The Cheyennes omitTrade. CompareEqual,Parallel, andMates.
Fr.marié,épouser; Ger.verheiratet,heiraten.
MartenorSable. SignWeasel; that is, curve right G and push it forward, back up, in bounds; indicate size, yellow throat; then, running up a tree. This is a suggested description, as I found no established sign.
Fr.la marte,la zibeline; Ger.der Marder,der Zobel.
Match.Strike an imaginary match on right thigh, or left arm.
Fr.l’allumette; Ger.das Streichholz.
Mate
MateorPartner(One teepee and side by side). The G fingers in tent form, then up side by side, touching. (Sheeaka.)
MateorChum. SignFriend,Same.
Fr.le camarade,le compagnon; Ger.der Kamerad.
MayorMaybe. SeePerhaps.
Me.Touch one’s own chest with the tips of the compressed fingers of the right hand. (Sheeaka.) CompareI.
Fr.moi; Ger.mich.
Meals.ForBreakfast, signEatandSunrise; forLunch, signEatandNoon; forDinner, signEatandSundown.
Fr.les repas; Ger.die Mahlzeiten.
MeanorIntend. SignWantandSay.
Fr.avoir en vue,vouloir dire; Ger.beabsichtigen,meinen.
MeanorStingy. SignHeartandFew.
Fr.avare; Ger.geizig.
Meanwhile.SeeWhile.
Meat
Meat(1). Hold out the flat left, back up; then with the flat right, palm up, slice pieces off the left palm. This is generally used, but often with left palm up.
Meat
MeatorFlesh(2). With right index finger and thumb, grasp the flesh between left index finger and thumb. (Sioux and Blackfoot.) Note, if this be done by putting the right at the under side of the left, it is the same as the next sign.
Meat
Meat(3). Lay the flat left hand, little finger down, between the thumb and fingers of the flat right, as far in as possible; then pat the back of the left by opening and closing the right a little and addBuffalo. In conversation,Buffalowithout the first sign is often used forMeat, just as we useBeef. The first part of this is much likeThickandThin, but the whole of the left fingers are involved and the right hand is not slid along.
The right in this, it will be noted, shows the pose of the hand when holding a thick piece of meat to be cut up for drying.
Clark says there is no sign forMeat; yet, obviously, his sign forBaconis compounded ofMeat,Thin, andGreasy; and the sign he gives forCutting up, meansCutting up meat.
Meat(4). With right index and thumb, pinch the flesh at the palmar base of the left thumb. (Father Isadore says this is fixed and universal among the Comanches.)
Fr.la viande; Ger.das Fleisch.
Medal
Medal.Make a circle of right thumb and index (other fingers closed); lay it little finger in, on the centre of the breast. (C) ComparePoliceman.
Fr.la médaille; Ger.die Medaille.
Medicine
Medicine,Mystery,Holy,Sacred, orWonderful(In the sense of Sacred Mystery). Hold V right hand close to forehead, palm forward, pointing up, separated; move the hand upward, twisting it so that the tips of the extended fingers will describe a spiral curve. This is hardly translatable.
Fr.le mystère sacré; Ger.das heilige Geheimnis.
Medicine(A curative drug or potion). Hold out left C back to left and pour into it from a bottle in right C hand. If a powder, pour on flat left palm. If a pill, pour on palm and afterward pick up with index and thumb. (Pop.) SignMedicineandEat. (Cheyenne, recent.)
Fr.la médecine,le remède; Ger.die Arznei.
Medicine-ManorShaman. Make signs forManandMedicine.
Fr.le magicien,le médecin; Ger.der Medizinmann,der Schamane.
Meet
Meet.Hold forefingers of both G hands a foot apart, pointing up, left farthest off; move together till touching at the tips. CompareTrade,Mistake, andAvoid.
Fr.rencontrer; Ger.treffen,begegnen.
Melancholy.Incline the head slightly forward and rest forehead on left hand, left forearm close to body. Understood by Cheyennes, but they preferHeart on the Ground.
Fr.triste; Ger.schwermütig.
Melt
Melt,Fade,Die out,Dissolve. Hold up both “5” hands six inches apart, fingers pointing up, palms towardyou; let the hands drop and slide aside, gradually assuming compressed position, backs up. (Sheeaka.)
Melt.SignWipe out, but slide the right palm over the left toward the tips in small jerks, then over and beyond.
Fr.fondre; Ger.schmelzen,vergehen.
Memories
Memories.Head hung forward; right A hand dropped a foot under chin; then signTime,Back. (Blackfoot.)
Fr.les souvenirs; Ger.die Erinnerungen.
MemoryorRemembering. SignHeartandKnow.
Fr.la mémoire,se rappeler; Ger.das Gedächtnis,sich erinnern.
Mend
Mend.Lay the right G along to overlap the left G, then hammer on the left with right fist. (Sheeaka.) Note, this is mending iron or wood; to mend clothes, lay one index on other as above, then with right sew over edge of left. (Blackfoot.) The Cheyennes usually signMakeandGood. CompareFix.
Fr.raccommoder; Ger.ausbessern,reparieren.
Mercy.In the Roman Arena, the appeal for mercy was made by stretching the hand with first and second fingers raised and touching; others closed. (Pop.)
Fr.la clémence,la miséricorde; Ger.das Erbarmen,die Gnade.
Mercy on Another.SeePity.
Mercy on Me.SeePity.
Merry.SeeGlad.
Message, i.e.,Spoken. SeeSpeech.
Metal.SignHardand describe or point to a piece of the metal in question. Or signStrong,Hard.
Fr.le métal; Ger.das Metall.
Meteor.SignStarand with hand up high signFireand let it drop in a wavy line across the sky.
Fr.le météore; Ger.das Meteor,die Feuerkugel.
MiddayorNoon.SunandStraight up.
Fr.le midi; Ger.der Mittag.
Middle
Middle(The point dividing in half). Hold out the left G hand, finger level. Drop the right G hand down onto it at the middle joint. CompareHalfandCentre.
Middle.Strike down with lower edge of flat right between the fingers of left V held pointing up.
Fr.le milieu; Ger.die Mitte.
Middle one.Hold up three fingers of left, tap the two outer with right G, then bend the middle one down.
Fr.celui au milieu; Ger.der Mittlere.
Midnight.SignNightandMiddle.
Fr.le minuit; Ger.die Mitternacht.
Mile
Mile(Stake, measure, and stake). Hold out closed left at arm’s length in front of shoulder, back up, index and thumb joined at top; drop it six inches, point down; then place index and thumb of similar right against it and swing right out level to right for two or three feet and drop it as before.
Fr.le mille; Ger.die Meile.
Milk.With both S hands make motion of milking.
Fr.le lait; Ger.die Milch.
Milky Way(Spirit’s Trail).DieandWay, and sweep the right hand high across the sky to show where.
Fr.la voie lactée; Ger.die Milchstrasze.
Mingle.SeeMix.
Mink.SignWater,Creek, andAnimal. (Blackfoot.) Sometimes indicate size.
Fr.le foutereau,le mink; Ger.der Mink,der Nerz.
Minute(Division of time). SeeTime. Hold left O hand horizontal forWatch; tap around it with right G finger forhours; then for minute addOne,Small, andTime.Secondwould be the same with added signsFeworVery. (Sheeaka.)
Fr.la minute; Ger.die Minute.
Minute(Very small). SignSmall.
Fr.trés petit; Ger.winzig.
Mirage.Hold right 5 hand high, opposite left shoulder, back out, pointing to left; move it horizontally to right with a tremulous motion. (C)
Fr.le mirage; Ger.die Luftspiegelung.
Mirror
Mirror.Flat right, points up, opposite face, shaken a little forward and back as though adjusting the distance. Sometimes signLookfirst.
Fr.le miroir; Ger.der Spiegel.
Mislead.SignWay, then thrust right G to right and to left, but not straight. Or signTell,Straight,Not.
Fr.égarer; Ger.verleiten.
Miss.SeeAvoid.
Mist.SeeFog.
Mistake
Mistake(Mark missed). Hold up left G hand, then pass it by with right G hand.
Fr.l’erreur; Ger.der Irrtum.
MixorMingle.Hold up the 5 hands, face high, points up, palm to palm touching; rotate one against the other. If in cookery, imitate the movement of stirring. ComparePlay.
Fr.mélanger; Ger.mischen.
Moccasin.Pass the open hands over feet from toe to ankle. Usually but one hand is used, and it need not touch the foot.
Fr.le mocassin; Ger.der Mokassin.
Mockery
MockeryorInsolent defiance. Spread the right hand with fingers straight, point of thumb to point of nose, little finger toward the enemy. (Pop.) Not Indian originally, but all understand it now.
Fr.la moquerie,la dérision; Ger.die Verspottung.
Modesty.Cover the eyes with one flat hand, its fingers well apart. (Pop.) SeeAshamedandFog.
Fr.la modestie; Ger.die Sittsamkeit,die Bescheidenheit.
Money
Money(Coin). With right thumb and index, others closed, make a horizontal circle. CompareSun,Fruit, andLeaf.
Fr.l’argent; Ger.das Geld.
Money(Paper). SignWritingandMoney.
Money
Money(Bills). Draw the flat left hand edgewise between the thumb and fingers of the right; then on left palm indicate shape. (C)
Fr.billets de banque; Ger.die Banknoten.
Monkey(Man’s face, dog’s run). SignFace,Man,Dog,Goes.
Fr.le singe; Ger.der Affe.
Month(One Moon). Sign forOneandMoonandDie.
Fr.le mois; Ger.der Monat.
Each tribe had, of course, its own names for the months. I have selected the ones most likely to be widely popular, without regard to their origin.
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilJanuary(Snow Moon). SignMoonandSnow.Fr.le janvier; Ger.der Januar.February(Hunger Moon). SignMoonandHunger.Fr.le février; Ger.der Februar.March(Crow Moon). SignMoonandCrow.Fr.le mars; Ger.der März.April(Grass Moon). SignMoonandShort grass.Fr.l’avril; Ger.der April.MayJuneJulyAugustMay(Planting Moon). SignMoonandPlanting.Fr.le mai; Ger.der Mai.June(Rose Moon). SignMoonandRose.Fr.le juin; Ger.der Juni.July(Thunder Moon). SignMoonandLightning.Fr.le juillet; Ger.der Juli.August(Red Moon). Sign forMoonandRed.Fr.l’août; Ger.der August.SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberSeptember(Hunting Moon). SignMoonand then draw a bow as in hunting.Fr.le septembre; Ger.der September.October(Leaf-falling Moon). SignMoonandLeaf-falling.Fr.l’octobre; Ger.der Oktober.November(Mad Moon). SignMoonandMad.Fr.le novembre; Ger.der November.December(Long Night). SignMoon,Night, andLong.Fr.le décembre; Ger.der Dezember.
JanuaryFebruaryMarchApril
January(Snow Moon). SignMoonandSnow.
Fr.le janvier; Ger.der Januar.
February(Hunger Moon). SignMoonandHunger.
Fr.le février; Ger.der Februar.
March(Crow Moon). SignMoonandCrow.
Fr.le mars; Ger.der März.
April(Grass Moon). SignMoonandShort grass.
Fr.l’avril; Ger.der April.
MayJuneJulyAugust
May(Planting Moon). SignMoonandPlanting.
Fr.le mai; Ger.der Mai.
June(Rose Moon). SignMoonandRose.
Fr.le juin; Ger.der Juni.
July(Thunder Moon). SignMoonandLightning.
Fr.le juillet; Ger.der Juli.
August(Red Moon). Sign forMoonandRed.
Fr.l’août; Ger.der August.
SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
September(Hunting Moon). SignMoonand then draw a bow as in hunting.
Fr.le septembre; Ger.der September.
October(Leaf-falling Moon). SignMoonandLeaf-falling.
Fr.l’octobre; Ger.der Oktober.
November(Mad Moon). SignMoonandMad.
Fr.le novembre; Ger.der November.
December(Long Night). SignMoon,Night, andLong.
Fr.le décembre; Ger.der Dezember.
Moon
Moon(Horns in the sky, or crescent). Close right hand except thumb and first finger, which forms a half-circle or crescent, held above the right ear, back of hand forward. Sometimes expressed asNightandSun.
Fr.la lune; Ger.der Mond.
Moose
Moose(Elk with flat horns). Hold up flat hands for horns; but swing both backward and forward to indicate width; then, with both “L” hands, indicate the hanging muzzle. (Blackfoot.)
Fr.l’orignal; Ger.das Elentier,der Elch.
More
More.Hold out the flat left hand, palm up; then with right make as though throwing sand on it more and more, three times. (Sheeaka.) CompareMost. SeeRepeat,Add to, andAhead.
Fr.plus; Ger.mehr.
Morning
MorningorDay(Opening up). Both hands palms down, flat, near together. Sweep them up, out, and apart; turning the palms up. The same asDay.
Morning
MorningorDawn. Hold out both arms level, full length, side by side, hands flat, backs forward, tips touching; raise them slowly to half height.
Fr.le matin; Ger.der Morgen.
Mosquito.With right index and thumb make as though pricking right cheek with a thorn; then slap the place with right palm.
Fr.le moustique; Ger.der Moskito,die Stechmücke.
Most
Most.SignMore, then raise the right flat hand high above it. (Sheeaka.) Or signAhead,All.
Fr.le plus; Ger.meist,am Meisten.
Mother
Mother(Nurse or parent, female). With the finger tips of the right hand, make as though drawing milk from the left breast; add the sign forFemaleif necessary. (Scott.) Note the left breast forMother, nearer the heart; the right breast is forFather.
Fr.la mère; Ger.die Mutter.
Mother-in-law.SignBrother-in-law,Old,Woman.
Fr.la belle-mère; Ger.die Schwiegermutter.
Motor car.Make signs forWheels,Horse,Not. Or signFiretwice then make as though holding and turning steering wheel.
Fr.l’automobile; Ger.das Automobil.
Mound
MoundorLow Hill. Flat hands together, backs up; separated and swept down to show shape. CompareHeap, which is just the reverse; also seeBox.
Fr.la petite éminence; Ger.der Erdhügel.
Mount(A horse). Hold right V to right side pointing up; swing it up to right, over and down, points down, onto flat left, which is held thumb up. Or, omit left. (Blackfoot.)
Fr.monter; Ger.steigen.
Mountain.Hold up A hand as inHill, but higher, and addHard. Use both hands alternately up and down in various places for plural. CompareHillandLump.
Fr.la montagne; Ger.der Berg.
Mountain Lion,Cat. SignCat,Long tail, andJump. (C) Or with both L hands indicate large round tracks; then, with right G, pointed down, raised and down, each time, indicate the zigzag trail. (Paiute sign, given me by C. B. Ruggles.)
Fr.le couguar;Ger.der Kuguar.
Mountain Pass.SeeGap.
Mourn.With the flat hands used like knives, backs up, little fingers as though sharp edges, make as though to cut off the hair at each side of the head, and addCry.
Fr.s’affliger; Ger.trauern.
Mouse
Mouse(Night nibbler). SignAnimal, with very small jumps, indicate size andNight; then, with right forefinger and thumb, nibble at left G forefinger.
Fr.la souris; Ger.die Maus.
Move
Move,To move camp(Teepee poles, travois). Both G hands in front, backs out; lay right forefinger on left at middle joint, crossing at an angle of 45 degrees, and push both hands forward in slight jerks, each jerk a day’s journey.
Fr.changer de place,déménager; Ger.fortziehen,wegrücken.
Mowing machine.SignGrassandKnife; the last at right lower than waist. AddWagonif needed to indicate horse mower.
Fr.la machine à faucher; Ger.die Mähmaschine.
Much
MuchorMany. Hold curved 5 hands, palm to palm, a foot apart; swing down together and up face high, closing them; swing a little apart at the finish.
Much
Much(Heap.) Hold the flat hands so the palms are toward each other, the left lower, and draw them apart, the left downward, the right upward. The extent to which they are drawn apart indicates the quantity. CompareBig,Great,Heap,Increase, andDecrease.
Fr.beaucoup; Ger.viel.
Much, Too.SeeExcessive.
Mud.SeeSoft.
Mule
Mule.Hold extended hands alongside of ears, palms to front, fingers pointing upward; by wrist action, flop the hands to front and rear, representing motion of mule’s ears.
Fr.le mulet; Ger.das Maultier.
Murder.SignKillandFree. Meaning an unjustified killing.
Fr.le meurtre; Ger.der Mord.
Must.SeeHave to; alsoBeginorPush. SeeImperative.
MuskratorMusquash. SignBeaverandSmall.
Muskrat
Muskrat(Tail, swimming and lump). Hold out right G, back up, nearly level, pointing forward and to left; shake it, draw it to right; then hold up compressed right hand, back up, pointing forward, and grasp right wrist on lower side with left hand. (Blackfoot.)
Fr.le rat musqué du Canada,l’ondatra; Ger.die Bisamratte.
My,Mine, orMy own. SignPossession; that is, hold out the A hand, thumb straight up; then swing it in till it touches the breast; or sometimes lay the spread flat hand on the breast. (Sheeaka.) SeeI.
My,Mine, orMy own. Touch breast with point of compressed right, then signPossession.
Fr.mon; Ger.mein.
Mystery.SeeMedicine.