Defn: An animal (usually an old mare), wearing a bell and acting as the leader of a troop of pack mules. [S. America]
MADROMa*dro"ña, n. [Sp. madroño.] (Bot.)
Defn: A small evergreen tree or shrub (Arbutus Menziesii), of California, having a smooth bark, thick shining leaves, and edible red berries, which are often called madroña apples. [Written also madroño.]
MADRONA; MADRONYAMa*dro"ña, n. Etym: [Sp. madroño.] (Bot.)
Defn: A small evergreen tree or shrub (Arbutus Menziesii), of California, having a smooth bark, thick shining leaves, and edible red berries, which are often called madroña apples. [Written also madroño.]
MADWORTMad"wort`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of cruciferous plants (Alyssum) with white or yellow flowers and rounded pods. A. maritimum is the commonly cultivated sweet alyssum, a fragrant white-flowered annual.
MAEGBOTE; MAGBOTEMæg"bote`, Mag"bote`, n. Etym: [AS. mæg kinsman + bot compensation.](Anglo-Saxon Law)
Defn: Compensation for the injury done by slaying a kinsman. Spelman.
MAELSTROMMael"strom, n. Etym: [Norw., a whirlpool.]
1. A celebrated whirlpool on the coast of Norway.
2. Also Fig. ; as, a maelstrom of vice.
MAENADMæ"nad, n. Etym: [L. Maenas, -adis, Gr.
1. A Bacchante; a priestess or votary of Bacchus.
2. A frantic or frenzied woman.
MAESTOSOMa`es*to"so, a. & adv. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)
Defn: Majestic or majestically; — a direction to perform a passage or piece of music in a dignified manner.
MAESTRICHT MONITORMaes"tricht mon"i*tor. Etym: [So called from Maestricht, a town inHolland.] (Paleon.)
Defn: The Mosasaurus Hofmanni. See Mosasaurus.
MAESTROMa*es"tro, n. Etym: [It., fr. L. magister. See Master.]
Defn: A master in any art, especially in music; a composer.
MAFFIA; MAFIAMaf"fi*a, Ma"fi*a, n. [It. maffia.]
Defn: A secret society which organized in Sicily as a political organization, but is now widespread among Italians, and is used to further or protect private interests, reputedly by illegal methods.
MAFFIOSO; MAFIOSOMaf`fi*o"so, Ma`fi*o"so, n.; pl. -si (#). [It. maffioso.]
Defn: A member of the maffia.
MAFFLE Maf"fle, v. i. Etym: [Akin to OD. maffelen to stammer. Cf. Muffle to mumble.]
Defn: To stammer. [Obs.]
MAFFLERMaf"fler, n.
Defn: A stammerer. [Obs.]
MAGAZINE Mag`a*zine", n. Etym: [F. magasin, It. magazzino, or Sp. magacen, almagacen; all fr. Ar. makhzan, almakhzan, a storehouse, granary, or cellar.]
1. A receptacle in which anything is stored, especially military stores, as ammunition, arms, provisions, etc. "Armories and magazines." Milton.
2. The building or room in which the supply of powder is kept in a fortification or a ship.
3. A chamber in a gun for holding a number of cartridges to be fed automatically to the piece.
4. A pamphlet published periodically containing miscellaneous papers or compositions. Magazine dress, clothing made chiefly of woolen, without anything metallic about it, to be worn in a powder magazine. — Magazine gun, a portable firearm, as a rifle, with a chamber carrying cartridges which are brought automatically into position for firing. — Magazine stove, a stove having a chamber for holding fuel which is supplied to the fire by some self-feeding process, as in the common base-burner.
MAGAZINEMag`a*zine", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Magazined; p. pr. & vb. n.Magazining.]
Defn: To store in, or as in, a magazine; to store up for use.
MAGAZINE CAMERAMagazine camera. (Photog.)
Defn: A camera in which a number of plates can be exposed without reloading.
MAGAZINERMag`a*zin"er, n.
Defn: One who edits or writes for a magazine. [R.] Goldsmith.
MAGAZININGMag`a*zin"ing, n.
Defn: The act of editing, or writing for, a magazine. [Colloq.]Byron.
MAGAZINISTMag`a*zin"ist, n.
Defn: One who edits or writes for a magazine. [R.]
MAGBOTEMag"bote`, n.
Defn: See Mægbote.
MAGDALAMag"da*la, a.
Defn: Designating an orange-red dyestuff obtained from naphthylamine, and called magdala red, naphthalene red, etc.
MAGDALEN Mag"da*len, n. Etym: [From Mary Magdalene, traditionally reported to have been the repentant sinner forgiven by Christ. See Luke vii. 36.]
Defn: A reformed prostitute.
MAGDALEONMag*da"le*on, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A medicine in the form of a roll, a esp. a roll of plaster.
MAGDEBURGMag"de*burg, n.
Defn: A city of Saxony. Magdeburg centuries, Magdeburg hemispheres.See under Century, and Hemisphere.
MAGEMage, n. Etym: [F. mage. See Magi.]
Defn: A magician. [Archaic] Spenser. Tennyson.
MAGELLANICMag`el*lan"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to, or named from, Magellan, the navigator. Magellenic clouds (Astron.), three conspicuous nebulæ near the south pole, resembling thin white clouds.
MAGENTAMa*gen"ta, n. (Chem.)
Defn: An aniline dye obtained as an amorphous substance having a green bronze surface color, which dissolves to a shade of red; also, the color; — so called from Magenta, in Italy, in allusion to the battle fought there about the time the dye was discovered. Called also fuchsine, roseïne, etc.
MAGGEDMagged, a. (Naut.)
Defn: Worn; fretted; as, a magged brace. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
MAGGIOREMag`gio"re, a. Etym: [It., from L. major, compar. of magnus great.See Major.] (Mus.)
Defn: Greater, in respect to scales, intervals, etc., when used in opposition to minor; major. Moore (Encyc. of Music).
MAGGOT Mag"got, n. Etym: [W. macai, pl. maceiod, magiod, a worn or grub; cf. magu to bread.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The footless larva of any fly. See Larval.
2. A whim; an odd fancy. Hudibras. Tennyson.
MAGGOTINESSMag"got*i*ness, n.
Defn: State of being maggoty.
MAGGOTISHMag"got*ish, a.
Defn: Full of whims or fancies; maggoty.
MAGGOT-PIEMag"got-pie`, n.
Defn: A magpie. [Obs.] Shak.
MAGGOTYMag"got*y, a.
1. Infested with maggots.
2. Full of whims; capricious. Norris.
MAGHETMa"ghet, n. Etym: [Cf. Fl. maghet maid.] (Bot.)
Defn: A name for daisies and camomiles of several kinds.
MAGIMa"gi, n. pl. Etym: [L., pl. of Magus, Gr. Mage, Magic.]
Defn: A caste of priests, philosophers, and magicians, among the ancient Persians; hence, any holy men or sages of the East. The inspired Magi from the Orient came. Sandys.
MAGIANMa"gi*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Magi.
MAGIANMa"gi*an, n.
Defn: One of the Magi, or priests of the Zoroastrian religion inPersia; an adherent of the Zoroastrian religion.— Ma"gi*an*ism, n.
MAGICMag"ic, n. Etym: [OE. magique, L. magice, Gr. Magic, a., and Magi.]
Defn: A comprehensive name for all of the pretended arts which claim to produce effects by the assistance of supernatural beings, or departed spirits, or by a mastery of secret forces in nature attained by a study of occult science, including enchantment, conjuration, witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, incantation, etc. An appearance made by some magic. Chaucer. Celestial magic, a supposed supernatural power which gave to spirits a kind of dominion over the planets, and to the planets an influence over men. — Natural magic, the art of employing the powers of nature to produce effects apparently supernatural. — Superstitious, or Geotic, magic, the invocation of devils or demons, involving the supposition of some tacit or express agreement between them and human beings.
Syn.— Sorcery; witchcraft; necromancy; conjuration; enchantment.
MAGIC; MAGICALMag"ic, Mag"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. magicus, Gr. magique. See Magi.]
1. Pertaining to the hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed by the Magi; relating to the occult powers of nature, and the producing of effects by their agency.
2. Performed by, or proceeding from, occult and superhuman agencies; done by, or seemingly done by, enchantment or sorcery. Hence: Seemingly requiring more than human power; imposing or startling in performance; producing effects which seem supernatural or very extraordinary; having extraordinary properties; as, a magic lantern; a magic square or circle. The painter's magic skill. Cowper.
Note: Although with certain words magic is used more than magical, — as, magic circle, magic square, magic wand, — we may in general say magic or magical; as, a magic or magical effect; a magic or magical influence, etc. But when the adjective is predicative, magical, and not magic, is used; as, the effect was magical. Magic circle, a series of concentric circles containing the numbers 12 to 75 in eight radii, and having somewhat similar properties to the magic square. — Magic humming bird (Zoöl.), a Mexican humming bird (Iache magica) , having white downy thing tufts. — Magic lantern. See Lantern. — Magic square, numbers so disposed in parallel and equal rows in the form of a square, that each row, taken vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, shall give the same sum, the same product, or an harmonical series, according as the numbers taken are in arithmetical, geometrical, or harmonical progression. — Magic wand, a wand used by a magician in performing feats of magic.
MAGICALLYMag"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a magical manner; by magic, or as if by magic.
MAGICIANMa*gi"cian, n. Etym: [F. magicien. See Magic, n.]
Defn: One skilled in magic; one who practices the black art; an enchanter; a necromancer; a sorcerer or sorceress; a conjurer.
MAGILP; MAGILPHMa*gilp", Ma*gilph", n. (Paint.)
Defn: See Megilp.
MAGISTERMa*gis"ter, n. Etym: [L. See Master.]
Defn: Master; sir; — a title of the Middle Ages, given to a person in authority, or to one having a license from a university to teach philosophy and the liberal arts.
MAGISTERIALMag`is*te"ri*al, a. Etym: [L. magisterius magisterial. See Master.]
1. Of or pertaining to a master or magistrate, or one in authority; having the manner of a magister; official; commanding; authoritative. Hence: Overbearing; dictatorial; dogmatic. When magisterial duties from his home Her father called. Glover. We are not magisterial in opinions, nor, dictator-like, obtrude our notions on any man. Sir T. Browne. Pretenses go a great way with men that take fair words and magisterial looks for current payment. L'Estrange.
2. (Alchem. & Old Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, produced by, or of the nature of, magistery. See Magistery, 2.
Syn. — Authoritative; stately; august; pompous; dignified; lofty; commanding; imperious; lordly; proud; haughty; domineering; despotic; dogmatical; arrogant. — Magisterial, Dogmatical, Arrogant. One who is magisterial assumes the air of a master toward his pupils; one who is dogmatical lays down his positions in a tone of authority or dictation; one who is arrogant in sults others by an undue assumption of superiority. Those who have long been teachers sometimes acquire, unconsciously, a manner which borders too much on the magisterial, and may be unjustly construed as dogmatical, or even arrogant.
MAGISTERIALITYMag`is*te`ri*al"i*ty, n.
Defn: Magisterialness; authoritativeness. [R.] Fuller.
MAGISTERIALLYMag`is*te"ri*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a magisterial manner.
MAGISTERIALNESSMag`is*te"ri*al*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being magisterial.
MAGISTERY Mag"is*ter*y, n. Etym: [L. magisterium the office of a chief, president, director, tutor. See Magistrate.]
1. Mastery; powerful medical influence; renowned efficacy; a sovereign remedy. [Obs.] Holland.
2. A magisterial injunction. [R.] Brougham.
3. (Chem.)
Defn: A precipitate; a fine substance deposited by precipitation; — applied in old chemistry to certain white precipitates from metallic solutions; as, magistery of bismuth. Ure.
MAGISTRACYMag"is*tra*cy, n.; pl. Magistracies. Etym: [From Magistrate.]
1. The office or dignity of a magistrate. Blackstone.
2. The collective body of magistrates.
MAGISTRALMag"is*tral, a. Etym: [L. magistralis: cf. F. magistral. SeeMagistrate.]
1. Pertaining to a master; magisterial; authoritative; dogmatic.
2. Commanded or prescribed by a magister, esp. by a doctor; hence, effectual; sovereign; as, a magistral sirup. "Some magistral opiate." Bacon.
3. (Pharmacy)
Defn: Formulated extemporaneously, or for a special case; — opposed to officinal, and said of prescriptions and medicines. Dunglison. Magistral line (Fort.), the guiding line, or outline, or outline, by which the form of the work is determined. It is usually the crest line of the parapet in fieldworks, or the top line of the escarp in permanent fortifications.
MAGISTRALMag"is*tral, n.
1. (Med.)
Defn: A sovereign medicine or remedy. [Obs.] Burton.
2. (Fort.)
Defn: A magistral line.
3. (Metal.)
Defn: Powdered copper pyrites used in the amalgamation of ores of silver, as at the Spanish mines of Mexico and South America.
MAGISTRALITYMag`is*tral"i*ty, n.; pl. -ties (.
Defn: Magisterialness; arbitrary dogmatism. Bacon.
MAGISTRALLYMag"is*tral*ly, adv.
Defn: In a magistral manner. Abp. Bramhall.
MAGISTRATE Mag"is*trate, n. Etym: [L. magistratus, fr. magister master: cf. F. magistrat. See Master.]
Defn: A person clothed with power as a public civil officer; a public civil officer invested with the executive government, or some branch of it. "All Christian rulers and magistrates." Book of Com. Prayer. Of magistrates some also are supreme, in whom the sovereign power of the state resides; others are subordinate. Blackstone.
MAGISTRATIC; MAGISTRATICALMag`is*trat"ic, Mag`is*trat"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or proceeding from, a magistrate; having the authority of a magistrate. Jer. Taylor.
MAGISTRATUREMag"is*tra`ture, n. Etym: [Cf. F. magistrature.]
Defn: Magistracy. [Obs.]
MAGMAMag"ma, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. Any crude mixture of mineral or organic matters in the state of a thin paste. Ure.
2. (Med.) (a) A thick residuum obtained from certain substances after the fluid parts are expressed from them; the grounds which remain after treating a substance with any menstruum, as water or alcohol. (b) A salve or confection of thick consistency. Dunglison.
3. (Geol.) (a) The molten matter within the earth, the source of the material of lava flows, dikes of eruptive rocks, etc. (b) The glassy base of an eruptive rock.
4. (Chem.)
Defn: The amorphous or homogenous matrix or ground mass, as distinguished from well-defined crystals; as, the magma of porphyry.
MAGNA CHARTAMag"na Char"ta. Etym: [L., great charter.]
1. The great Charter, so called, obtained by the English barons from King John, A. D. 1215. This name is also given to the charter granted to the people of England in the ninth year of Henry III., and confirmed by Edward I.
2. Hence, a fundamental constitution which guaranties rights and privileges.
MAGNALITYMag*nal"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. magnalis mighty, fr. magnus great.]
Defn: A great act or event; a great attainment. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
MAGNANIMITYMag`na*nim"i*ty, n. Etym: [F. magnanimité, L. magnanimitas.]
Defn: The quality of being magnanimous; greatness of mind; elevation or dignity of soul; that quality or combination of qualities, in character, which enables one to encounter danger and trouble with tranquility and firmness, to disdain injustice, meanness and revenge, and to act and sacrifice for noble objects.
MAGNANIMOUSMag*nan"i*mous, a.Etym: [L. magnanimus; magnus great + animus mind.See Magnate, and Animus.]
1. Great of mind; elevated in soul or in sentiment; raised above what is low, mean, or ungenerous; of lofty and courageous spirit; as, a magnanimous character; a magnanimous conqueror. Be magnanimous in the enterprise. Shak. To give a kingdom hath been thought Greater and nobler done, and to law down Far more magnanimousan to assume. Milton.
2. Dictated by or exhibiting nobleness of soul; honorable; noble; not selfish. Both strived for death; magnanimous debate. Stirling. There is an indissoluble union between a magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity. Washington.
MAGNANIMOUSLYMag*nan"i*mous*ly, adv.
Defn: In a magnanimous manner; with greatness of mind.
MAGNASE BLACKMag"nase black`. (Paint.)
Defn: A black pigment which dries rapidly when mixed with oil, and is of intense body. Fairholt.
MAGNATE Mag"nate, Etym: [F. magnat, L. (pl.) magnates, magnati, fr. magnus great. See Master.]
1. A person of rank; a noble or grandee; a person of influence or distinction in any sphere. Macaulay.
2. One of the nobility, or certain high officers of state belonging to the noble estate in the national representation of Hungary, and formerly of Poland.
MAGNESMag"nes, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: Magnet. [Obs.] Spenser.
MAGNESIAMag*ne"si*a, n. Etym: [L. Magnesia, fem. of Magnesius of the countryMagnesia, Gr. Magnet.] (Chem.)
Defn: A light earthy white substance, consisting of magnesium oxide, and obtained by heating magnesium hydrate or carbonate, or by burning magnesium. It has a slightly alkaline reaction, and is used in medicine as a mild antacid laxative. See Magnesium. Magnesia alba Etym: [L.] (Med. Chem.), a bulky white amorphous substance, consisting of a hydrous basic carbonate of magnesium, and used as a mild cathartic.
MAGNESIANMag*ne"sian, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, characterized by, or containing, magnesia or magnesium. Magnesian limestone. (Min.) See Dolomite.
MAGNESICMag*ne"sic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or containing, magnesium; as, magnesic oxide.
MAGNESITEMag"ne*site, n. Etym: [Cf. F. magnésite.] (Min.)
Defn: Native magnesium carbonate occurring in white compact or granular masses, and also in rhombohedral crystals.
MAGNESIUMMag*ne"si*um, n. Etym: [NL. & F. See Magnesia.] (Chem.)
Defn: A light silver-white metallic element, malleable and ductile, quite permanent in dry air but tarnishing in moist air. It burns, forming (the oxide) magnesia, with the production of a blinding light (the so-called magnesium light) which is used in signaling, in pyrotechny, or in photography where a strong actinic illuminant is required. Its compounds occur abundantly, as in dolomite, talc, meerschaum, etc. Symbol Mg. Atomic weight, 24.4. Specific gravity, 1.75. Magnesium sulphate. (Chem.) Same as Epsom salts.
MAGNETMag"net, n. Etym: [OE. magnete, OF. magnete, L. magnes, -etis, Gr.Magnesia, Manganese.]
1. The loadstone; a species of iron ore (the ferrosoferric or magnetic ore, Fe3O4) which has the property of attracting iron and some of its ores, and, when freely suspended, of pointing to the poles; — called also natural magnet. Dinocrates began to make the arched roof of the temple of Arsinoë all of magnet, or this loadstone. Holland. Two magnets, heaven and earth, allure to bliss, The larger loadstone that, the nearer this. Dryden.
2. (Physics)
Defn: A bar or mass of steel or iron to which the peculiar properties of the loadstone have been imparted; — called, in distinction from the loadstone, an artificial magnet.
Note: An artificial magnet, produced by the action of a voltaic or electrical battery, is called an electro-magnet. Field magnet (Physics & Elec.), a magnet used for producing and maintaining a magnetic field; — used especially of the stationary or exciting magnet of a dynamo or electromotor in distinction from that of the moving portion or armature.
MAGNETIC; MAGNETICAL Mag*net"ic, Mag*net"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. magneticus: cf. F. magnétique.]
1. Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the magnet, or corresponding properties; as, a magnetic bar of iron; a magnetic needle.
2. Of or pertaining to, or characterized by,, the earth's magnetism; as, the magnetic north; the magnetic meridian.
3. Capable of becoming a magnet; susceptible to magnetism; as, the magnetic metals.
4. Endowed with extraordinary personal power to excite the feelings and to win the affections; attractive; inducing attachment. She that had all magnetic force alone. Donne.
5. Having, susceptible to, or induced by, animal magnetism, so called; as, a magnetic sleep. See Magnetism. Magnetic amplitude, attraction, dip, induction, etc. See under Amplitude, Attraction, etc. — Magnetic battery, a combination of bar or horseshoe magnets with the like poles adjacent, so as to act together with great power. — Magnetic compensator, a contrivance connected with a ship's compass for compensating or neutralizing the effect of the iron of the ship upon the needle. — Magnetic curves, curves indicating lines of magnetic force, as in the arrangement of iron filings between the poles of a powerful magnet. — Magnetic elements. (a) (Chem. Physics) Those elements, as iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, etc., which are capable or becoming magnetic. (b) (Physics) In respect to terrestrial magnetism, the declination, inclination, and intensity. (c) See under Element. — Magnetic equator, the line around the equatorial parts of the earth at which there is no dip, the dipping needle being horizontal. — Magnetic field, or Field of magnetic force, any space through which magnet exerts its influence. — Magnetic fluid, the hypothetical fluid whose existence was formerly assumed in the explanations of the phenomena of magnetism. — Magnetic iron, or Magnetic iron ore. (Min.) Same as Magnetite. — Magnetic needle, a slender bar of steel, magnetized and suspended at its center on a sharp-pointed pivot, or by a delicate fiber, so that it may take freely the direction of the magnetic meridian. It constitutes the essential part of a compass, such as the mariner's and the surveyor's. — Magnetic poles, the two points in the opposite polar regions of the earth at which the direction of the dipping needle is vertical. — Magnetic pyrites. See Pyrrhotite. — Magnetic storm (Terrestrial Physics), a disturbance of the earth's magnetic force characterized by great and sudden changes. — Magnetic telegraph, a telegraph acting by means of a magnet. See Telegraph.
MAGNETICMag*net"ic, n.
1. A magnet. [Obs.] As the magnetic hardest iron draws. Milton.
2. Any metal, as iron, nickel, cobalt, etc., which may receive, by any means, the properties of the loadstone, and which then, when suspended, fixes itself in the direction of a magnetic meridian.
MAGNETICALLYMag*net"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: By or as by, magnetism.
MAGNETICALNESSMag*net"ic*al*ness, n.
Defn: Quality of being magnetic.
MAGNETICIANMag`ne*ti"cian, n.
Defn: One versed in the science of magnetism; a magnetist.
MAGNETICNESSMag*net"ic*ness, n.
Defn: Magneticalness. [Obs.]
MAGNETICSMag*net"ics, n.
Defn: The science of magnetism.
MAGNETIFEROUSMag`net*if"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. magnes, -etis + -ferous.]
Defn: Producing or conducting magnetism.
MAGNETISMMag"net*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. magnétisme.]
Defn: The property, quality, or state, of being magnetic; the manifestation of the force in nature which is seen in a magnet.
2. The science which treats of magnetic phenomena.
3. Power of attraction; power to excite the feelings and to gain the affections. "By the magnetism of interest our affections are irresistibly attracted." Glanvill. Animal magnetism, a force, more or less analogous to magnetism, which, it has been alleged, is produced in animal tissues, and passes from one body to another with or without actual contact. The existence of such a force, and its potentiality for the cure of disease, were asserted by Mesmer in 1775. His theories and methods were afterwards called mesmerism, a name which has been popularly applied to theories and claims not put forward by Mesmer himself. See Mesmerism, Biology, Od, Hypnotism. — Terrestrial magnetism, the magnetic force exerted by the earth, and recognized by its effect upon magnetized needles and bars.
MAGNETISTMag"net*ist, n.
Defn: One versed in magnetism.
MAGNETITEMag"net*ite, n. (Min.)
Defn: An oxide of iron (Fe3O4) occurring in isometric crystals, also massive, of a black color and metallic luster. It is readily attracted by a magnet and sometimes possesses polarity, being then called loadstone. It is an important iron ore. Called also magnetic iron.
MAGNETIZABLEMag"net*i`za*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of magnetized.
MAGNETIZATIONMag`net*i*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act of magnetizing, or the state of being magnetized.
MAGNETIZEMag"net*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Magnetized; prep. & adv.Magnetizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. magnétiser.]
1. To communicate magnetic properties to; as, to magnetize a needle.
2. To attract as a magnet attracts, or like a magnet; to move; to influence. Fascinated, magnetized, as it were, by his character. Motley.
3. To bring under the influence of animal magnetism.
MAGNETIZEEMag`net*i*zee", n.
Defn: A person subjected to the influence of animal magnetism. [R.]
MAGNETIZERMag"net*i`zer, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, imparts magnetism.
MAGNETO-Mag"net*o-. Etym: [See Magnet.]
Defn: A prefix meaning pertaining to, produced by, or in some way connected with, magnetism.
MAGNETO-ELECTRIC; MAGNETO-ELECTRICALMag`net*o-e*lec"tric, Mag`net*o-e*lec"tric*al, a. (Physics)
Defn: Pertaining to, or characterized by, electricity by the action of magnets; as, magneto-electric induction. Magneto-electric machine, a form of dynamo-electric machine in which the field is maintained by permanent steel magnets instead of electro-magnets.
MAGNETO-ELECTRICITYMag`net*o-e`lec*tric"i*ty, n.
1. Electricity evolved by the action of magnets.
2. (Physics)
Defn: That branch of science which treats of the development of electricity by the action of magnets; — the counterpart of electro- magnetism.
MAGNETOGRAPHMag*net"o*graph, n. Etym: [Magneto- + -graph.] (Physics)
Defn: An automatic instrument for registering, by photography or otherwise, the states and variations of any of the terrestrial magnetic elements.
MAGNETOMETERMag`net*om"e*ter, n. Etym: [Magneto- + -meter: cf. F. magnétomètre.](Physics)
Defn: An instrument for measuring the intensity of magnetic forces; also, less frequently, an instrument for determining any of the terrestrial magnetic elements, as the dip and declination.
MAGNETOMETRICMag`net*o*met"ric, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or employed in, the measurement of magnetic forces; obtained by means of a magnetometer; as, magnetometric instruments; magnetometric measurements.
MAGNETOMOTIVEMag`net*o*mo"tive, a. [Magneto-+ motive, a.] (Elec.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a force producing magnetic flux, analogous to electromotive force, and equal to the magnetic flux multiplied by the magnetic reluctance.
MAGNETOMOTORMag`net*o*mo"tor, n.
Defn: A voltaic series of two or more large plates, producing a great quantity of electricity of low tension, and hence adapted to the exhibition of electro-magnetic phenomena. [R.]
MAGNETOTHERAPYMag`net*o*ther"a*py, n. (Med.)
Defn: The treatment of disease by the application of magnets to the surface of the body.
MAGNIFIABLEMag"ni*fi`a*ble, a. Etym: [From Magnify.]
Defn: Such as can be magnified, or extolled.
MAGNIFIC; MAGNIFICALMag*nif"ic, Mag*nif"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. magnificus; magnus great +facere to make: cf. F. magnifique. See Magnitude, Fact. and cf.Magnificent.]
Defn: Grand; splendid; illustrious; magnificent. [Obs.] 1 Chron. xxii. 5. "Thy magnific deeds." Milton. — Mag*nif"ic*al*ly, adv. [Obs.]
MAGNIFICATMag*nif"i*cat, n. Etym: [L., it magnifies.]
Defn: The song of the Virgin Mary, Luke i. 46; — so called because it commences with this word in the Vulgate.
MAGNIFICATEMag*nif"i*cate, v. t. Etym: [L. magnificatus, p. p. of magnificare.]
Defn: To magnify or extol. [Obs.] Marston.
MAGNIFICATIONMag`ni*fi*ca"tion, n.
Defn: The act of magnifying; enlargement; exaggeration. [R.]
MAGNIFICENCEMag*nif"i*cence, n. Etym: [F. magnificence, L. magnificentia. SeeMagnific.]
Defn: The act of doing what magnificent; the state or quality of being magnificent. Acts xix. 27. "Then cometh magnificence." Chaucer. And, for the heaven's wide circuit, let it speak The Maker's high magnificence, who built so spacious. Milton. The noblest monuments of Roman magnificence. Eustace.
MAGNIFICENTMag*nif"i*cent, a. Etym: [See Magnificence.]
1. Doing grand things; admirable in action; displaying great power or opulence, especially in building, way of living, and munificence. A prince is never so magnificent As when he's sparing to enrich a few With the injuries of many. Massinger.
2. Grand in appearance; exhibiting grandeur or splendor; splendid' pompous. When Rome's exalted beauties I descry Magnificent in piles of ruin lie. Addison.
Syn.— Glorious; majestic; sublime. See Grand.
MAGNIFICENTLYMag*nif"i*cent*ly, adv.
Defn: In a Magnificent manner.
MAGNIFICOMag*nif"i*co, n.; pl. Magnificoes. Etym: [It. See Magnific.]
1. A grandee or nobleman of Venice; — so called in courtesy. Shak.
2. A rector of a German university.
MAGNIFIERMag"ni*fi`er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, magnifies.
MAGNIFYMag"ni*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Magnified; p. pr. & vb. n.Magnifying.] Etym: [OE. magnifien, F. magnifier, L. magnificare. SeeMagnific.]
1. To make great, or greater; to increase the dimensions of; to amplify; to enlarge, either in fact or in appearance; as, the microscope magnifies the object by a thousand diameters. The least error in a small quantity . . . will in a great one . . . be proportionately magnified. Grew.
2. To increase the importance of; to augment the esteem or respect inwhich one is held.On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel.Joshua iv. 14.
3. To praise highly; to land; to extol. [Archaic] O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Ps. xxxiv. 3.
4. To exaggerate; as, to magnify a loss or a difficulty. To magnify one's self (Script.), to exhibit pride and haughtiness; to boast. — To magnify one's self against (Script.), to oppose with pride.
MAGNIFYMag"ni*fy, v. i.
1. To have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they really are; to increase the apparent dimensions of objects; as, some lenses magnify but little.
2. To have effect; to be of importance or significance. [Cant & Obs.] Spectator. Magnifying glass, a lens which magnifies the apparent dimensions of objects seen through it.
MAGNILOQUENCEMag*nil"o*quence, n. Etym: [L. magniloquentia.]
Defn: The quality of being magniloquent; pompous discourse; grandiloquence.
MAGNILOQUENT Mag*nil"o*quent, a. Etym: [L. magnus great + loquens, -entis, p. pr. of loqui to speak. See Magnitude, Loquacious.]
Defn: Speaking pompously; using swelling discourse; bombastic; tumid in style; grandiloquent. — Mag*nil"o*quent*ly, adv.
MAGNILOQUOUSMag*nil"o*quous, a. Etym: [L. magniloquus.]
Defn: Magniloquent. [Obs.]
MAGNITUDE Mag"ni*tude, n. Etym: [L. magnitudo, from magnus great. See Master, and cf. Maxim.]
1. Extent of dimensions; size; — applied to things that have length, breath, and thickness. Conceive those particles of bodies to be so disposed amongst themselves, that the intervals of empty spaces between them may be equal in magnitude to them all. Sir I. Newton.
2. (Geom.)
Defn: That which has one or more of the three dimensions, length, breadth, and thickness.
3. Anything of which greater or less can be predicated, as time, weight, force, and the like.
4. Greatness; grandeur. "With plain, heroic magnitude of mind." Milton.
5. Greatness, in reference to influence or effect; importance; as, an affair of magnitude. The magnitude of his designs. Bp. Horsley. Apparent magnitude (Opt.), the angular breadth of an object viewed as measured by the angle which it subtends at the eye of the observer; - - called also apparent diameter. — Magnitude of a star (Astron.), the rank of a star with respect to brightness. About twenty very bright stars are said to be of first magnitude, the stars of the sixth magnitude being just visible to the naked eye. Telescopic stars are classified down to the twelfth magnitude or lower. The scale of the magnitudes is quite arbitrary, but by means of photometers, the classification has been made to tenths of a magnitude.
MAGNOLIA Mag*no"li*a, n. Etym: [NL. Named after Pierre Magnol, professor of botany at Montpellier, France, in the 17th century.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of American and Asiatic trees, with aromatic bark and large sweet-scented whitish or reddish flowers.
Note: Magnolia grandiflora has coriaceous shining leaves and very fragrant blossoms. It is common from North Carolina to Florida and Texas, and is one of the most magnificent trees of the American forest. The sweet bay (M. glauca)is a small tree found sparingly as far north as Cape Ann. Other American species are M. Umbrella, M. macrophylla, M. Fraseri, M. acuminata, and M. cordata. M. conspicua and M. purpurea are cultivated shrubs or trees from Eastern Asia. M. Campbellii, of India, has rose-colored or crimson flowers. Magnolia warbler (Zoöl.), a beautiful North American wood warbler (Dendroica maculosa). The rump and under parts are bright yellow; the breast and belly are spotted with black; the under tail coverts are white; the crown is ash.
MAGNOLIACEOUSMag*no`li*a"ceous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Pertaining to a natural order (Magnoliaceæ) of trees of which the magnolia, the tulip tree, and the star anise are examples.
MAGNUMMag"num, n. Etym: [Neut. sing. of L. magnus great.]
1. A large wine bottle. They passed the magnum to one another freely. Sir W. Scott .
2. (Anat.)
Defn: A bone of the carpus at the base of the third metacarpal bone.
MAGOTMag"ot, n. Etym: [F.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Barbary ape.
MAGOT-PIEMag"ot-pie`, n.
Defn: A magpie. [Obs.] Shak.
MAGPIE Mag"pie, n. Etym: [OE. & Prov. E. magot pie, maggoty pie, fr. Mag, Maggot, equiv. to Margaret, and fr. F. Marquerite, and common name of the magpie. Marguerite is fr. L. margarita pearl, Gr. Pie magpie, and cf. the analogous names Tomtit, and Jackdaw.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of the genus Pica and related genera, allied to the jays, but having a long graduated tail.
Note: The common European magpie (Pica pica, or P. caudata) is a black and white noisy and mischievous bird. It can be taught to speak. The American magpie (P. Hudsonica) is very similar. The yellow-belled magpie (P. Nuttalli) inhabits California. The blue magpie (Cyanopolius Cooki) inhabits Spain. Other allied species are found in Asia. The Tasmanian and Australian magpies are crow shrikes, as the white magpie (Gymnorhina organicum), the black magpie (Strepera fuliginosa), and the Australian magpie (Cracticus picatus). Magpie lark (Zoöl.), a common Australian bird (Grallina picata), conspicuously marked with black and white; — called also little magpie. — Magpie moth (Zoöl.), a black and white European geometrid moth (Abraxas grossulariata); the harlequin moth. Its larva feeds on currant and gooseberry bushes.
MAGUARIMa`gua*ri", n. Etym: [From native name: cf. Pg. magoari.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A South American stork (Euxenara maguari), having a forked tail.
MAGUEYMag"uey, n. Etym: [Sp. maguey, Mexican maguei and metl.] (Bot.)
Defn: The century plant, a species of Agave (A. Americana). SeeAgave.
MAGYARMag"yar, n. Etym: [Hung.]
1. (Ethnol.)
Defn: One of the dominant people of Hungary, allied to the Finns; aHungarian.
2. The language of the Magyars.
MAHAMa"ha, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A kind of baboon; the wanderoo.
MAHABARATA; MAHABHARATAMMa*ha*ba"ra*ta, Ma*ha*bha"ra*tam, n. Etym: [Skr. mahabharata.]
Defn: A celebrated epic poem of the Hindoos. It is of great length, and is chiefly devoted to the history of a civil war between two dynasties of ancient India.
MAHALEDMa*ha"led, n.Etym: [Ar. mahled.]
Defn: (Bot.) A cherry tree (Prunus Mahaleb) of Southern Europe. The wood is prized by cabinetmakers, the twigs are used for pipe stems, the flowers and leaves yield a perfume, and from the fruit a violet dye and a fermented liquor (like kirschwasser) are prepared.
MAHARAJAHMa*ha*ra"jah, n. Etym: [Skr. maharaja; mahat great + raja king.]
Defn: A sovereign prince in India; — a title given also to other persons of high rank.
MAHARIFMa`ha*rif", n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An African antelope (Hippotragus Bakeri). Its face is striped with black and white.
MAHARMAHMa*har"mah, n.
Defn: A muslin wrapper for the head and the lower part of the face, worn by Turkish and Armenian women when they go abroad.
MAHATMAMa*hat"ma, n. [Skr. mahatman, lit., great-souled, wise.] (Theosophy)
Defn: One of a class of sages, or "adepts," reputed to have knowledge and powers of a higher order than those of ordinary men. — Ma*hat"ma*ism (#), n.
MAHDIMah"di, n. Etym: [Ar., guide, leader.]
Defn: Among Mohammedans, the last imam or leader of the faithful. The Sunni, the largest sect of the Mohammedans, believe that he is yet to appear.
Note: The title has been taken by several persons in countries whereMohammedanism prevails, — notably by Mohammad Ahmed, who overran theEgyptian Sudan, and in 1885 captured Khartum, his soldiers killingGeneral Gordon, an Englishman, who was then the Egyptian governor ofthe region.
MAHDIISMMah"di*ism, n.
Defn: See Mahdism.
MAHDISMMah"dism, n.
Defn: Belief in the coming of the Mahdi; fanatical devotion to the cause of the Mahdi or a pretender to that title. — Mah"dist (#), n.
Mahdism has proved the most shameful and terrible instrument of bloodshed and oppression which the modern world has ever witnessed. E. N. Bennett.
MAHL-STICKMahl"-stick`, n.
Defn: See Maul-stick.
MAHOEMa"hoe, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A name given to several malvaceous trees (species of Hibiscus, Ochroma, etc.), and to their strong fibrous inner bark, which is used for strings and cordage.
MAHOGANYMa*hog"a*ny, n. Etym: [From the South American name.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: A large tree of the genus Swietenia (S. Mahogoni), found in tropical America.
Note: Several other trees, with wood more or less like mahogany, are called by this name; as, African mahogany (Khaya Senegalensis), Australian mahogany (Eucalyptus marginatus), Bastard mahogany (Batonia apetala of the West Indies), Indian mahogany (Cedrela Toona of Bengal, and trees of the genera Soymida and Chukrassia), Madeira mahogany (Persea Indica), Mountain mahogany, the black or cherry birch (Betula lenta), also the several species of Cercocarpus of California and the Rocky Mountains.
2. The wood of the Swietenia Mahogoni. It is of a reddish brown color, beautifully veined, very hard, and susceptible of a fine polish. It is used in the manufacture of furniture.
3. A table made of mahogany wood. [Colloq.] To be under the mahogany, to be so drunk as to have fallen under the table. [Eng.] — To put one's legs under some one's mahogany, to dine with him. [Slang]
MAHOLIMa*ho"li, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A South African lemur (Galago maholi), having very large ears.[Written also moholi.]
MAHOMEDAN; MAHOMETANMa*hom"ed*an, Ma*hom"et*an, n.
Defn: See Mohammedan.
MAHOMETANISMMa*hom"et*an*ism, n.
Defn: See Mohammedanism.
MAHOMETANIZEMa*hom"et*an*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mahometanized; p. pr. & vb. n.Mahometanizing.]
Defn: To convert to the religion of Mohammed; to Mohammedanize.
MAHOMETISMMa*hom"et*ism, n.
Defn: See Mohammedanism.
MAHOMETISTMa*hom"et*ist, n.
Defn: A Mohammedan. [R.]
MAHOMETRYMa*hom"et*ry, n.
Defn: Mohammedanism. [Obs.]
MAHONEMa*hone", n.
Defn: A large Turkish ship. Crabb.
MAHONIAMa*ho"ni*a, n. Etym: [Named after Bernard McMahon.] (Bot.)
Defn: The Oregon grape, a species of barberry (Berberis Aquifolium), often cultivated for its hollylike foliage.
MAHON STOCKMa*hon" stock`. (Bot.)
Defn: An annual cruciferous plant with reddish purple or white flowers (Malcolmia maritima). It is called in England Virginia stock, but the plant comes from the Mediterranean.
MAHOOHOOMa*hoo"hoo, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The African white two-horned rhinoceros (Atelodus simus).
MAHORIMa"ho*ri, n. Etym: [Native name. Cf. Maori.] (Ethnol.)
Defn: One of the dark race inhabiting principally the islands ofEastern Polynesia. Also used adjectively.
MAHOUNDMa`hound, n.
Defn: A contemptuous name for Mohammed; hence, an evil spirit; adevil. [Obs.]Who's this, my mahound cousin Beau. & Fl.
MAHOUT Ma*hout", n. Etym: [Hind. mahawat, Skr. mahamatra; mahat great + matra measure.]
Defn: The keeper and driver of an elephant. [East Indies]
MAHOVOMa*ho"vo, n. (Mach.)
Defn: A device for saving power in stopping and starting a railroad car, by means of a heavy fly wheel.
MAHRATIMah*rat"i, n.
Defn: The language of the Mahrattas; the language spoken in theDeccan and Concan. [Written also Marathi.]
MAHRATTAMah*rat"ta, n. Etym: [Hind. Marhata, Marhatta, the name of a famousHindoo race, from the old Skr. name Maha-rashtra.]
Defn: One of a numerous people inhabiting the southwestern part ofIndia. Also, the language of the Mahrattas; Mahrati. It is closelyallied to Sanskrit.— a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Mahrattas. [Written also Maratha.]
MAHUMETAN; MAHUMETANISMMa*hu"met*an, Ma*hu"met*an*ism, n.
Defn: See Mohammedan, Mohammedanism.
MAHWA TREEMah"wa tree`. (Bot.)
Defn: An East Indian sapotaceous tree (Bassia latifolia, and also B. butyracea), whose timber is used for wagon wheels, and the flowers for food and in preparing an intoxicating drink. It is one of the butter trees. The oil, known as mahwa and yallah, is obtained from the kernels of the fruit.
MAIA Ma"i*a, n. Etym: [From L. Maia, a goddess.] (Zoöl.) (a) A genus of spider crabs, including the common European species (Maia squinado). (b) A beautiful American bombycid moth (Eucronia maia).
MAIANMa"ian, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any spider crab of the genus Maia, or family Maiadæ.
MAIDMaid, n. Etym: [Shortened from maiden. . See Maiden.]
1. An unmarried woman; usually, a young unmarried woman; esp., a girl; a virgin; a maiden. Would I had died a maid, And never seen thee, never borne thee son. Shak. Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire Yet my people have forgotten me. Jer. ii. 32.
2. A man who has not had sexual intercourse. [Obs.] Christ was a maid and shapen as a man. Chaucer.
3. A female servant. Spinning amongst her maids. Shak.
Note: Maid is used either adjectively or in composition, signifying female, as in maid child, maidservant.
4. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The female of a ray or skate, esp. of the gray skate (Raia batis), and of the thornback (R. clavata). [Prov. Eng.] Fair maid. (Zoöl.) See under Fair, a. — Maid of honor, a female attendant of a queen or royal princess; - - usually of noble family, and having to perform only nominal or honorary duties. — Old maid. See under Old.
MAIDAN Mai*dan", n. [Written also midan, meidan, mydan, etc.] [Hind. & Per. maidan, fr. Ar. maidan.]
Defn: In various parts of Asia, an open space, as for military exercises, or for a market place; an open grassy tract; an esplanade.
A gallop on the green maidan.M. Crawford.
MAIDENMaid"en, n. Etym: [OE. maiden, meiden, AS. mægden, dim. of AS. mæg,fr. mago son, servant; akin to G. magd, mädchen, maid, OHG. magad,Icel. mögr son, Goth. magus boy, child, magaps virgin, and perh. toZend. magu youth. Cf. Maid a virgin.]
1. An unmarried woman; a girl or woman who has not experienced sexual intercourse; a virgin; a maid. She employed the residue of her life to repairing of highways, building of bridges, and endowing of maidens. Carew. A maiden of our century, yet most meek. Tennyson.
2. A female servant. [Obs.]
3. An instrument resembling the guillotine, formerly used in Scotland for beheading criminals. Wharton.
4. A machine for washing linen.
MAIDENMaid"en, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a maiden, or to maidens; suitable to, or characteristic of, a virgin; as, maiden innocence. "Amid the maiden throng." Addison. Have you no modesty, no maiden shame Shak.
2. Never having been married; not having had sexual intercourse; virgin; — said usually of the woman, but sometimes of the man; as, a maiden aunt. "A surprising old maiden lady." Thackeray.
3. Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure; hitherto unused. "Maiden flowers.' Shak. Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword. Shak.
4. Used of a fortress, signifying that it has never been captured, or violated. T. Warton. Macaulay. Maiden assize (Eng. Law), an assize which there is no criminal prosecution; an assize which is unpolluted with blood. It was usual, at such an assize, for the sheriff to present the judge with a pair of white gloves. Smart. — Maiden name, the surname of a woman before her marriage. — Maiden pink. (Bot.) See under Pink. — Maiden plum (Bot.), a West Indian tree (Comocladia integrifolia) with purplish drupes. The sap of the tree is glutinous, and gives a persistent black stain. — Maiden speech, the first speech made by a person, esp. by a new member in a public body. — Maiden tower, the tower most capable of resisting an enemy.
MAIDENMaid"en, v. t.
Defn: To act coyly like a maiden; — with it as an indefinite object. For had I maiden'd it, as many use. Loath for to grant, but loather to refuse. Bp. Hall.
MAIDENHAIRMaid"en*hair`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A fern of the genus Adiantum (A. pedatum), having very slender graceful stalks. It is common in the United States, and is sometimes used in medicine. The name is also applied to other species of the same genus, as to the Venus-hair. Maiden grass, the smaller quaking grass. — Maiden tree. See Ginkgo.
MAIDENHEADMaid"en*head, n. Etym: [See Maidenhood.]
1. The state of being a maiden; maidenhood; virginity. Shak.
2. The state of being unused or uncontaminated; freshness; purity. [Obs.] The maidenhead of their credit. Sir H. Wotton.
3. The hymen, or virginal membrane.
MAIDENHOODMaid"en*hood, n. Etym: [AS. mægdenhad. See Maid, and -hood.]
1. The state of being a maid or a virgin; virginity. Shak.
2. Newness; freshness; uncontaminated state. The maidenhood Of thy fight. Shak.
MAIDENLIKEMaid"en*like`, a.
Defn: Like a maiden; modest; coy.
MAIDENLINESSMaid"en*li*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being maidenly; the behavior that becomes a maid; modesty; gentleness.
MAIDENLYMaid"en*ly, a.
Defn: Like a maid; suiting a maid; maiden-like; gentle, modest,reserved.Must you be blushing . . . What a maidenly man-at-arms are you become! Shak.
MAIDENLYMaid"en*ly, adv.
Defn: In a maidenlike manner. "Maidenly demure." Skelton.
MAIDENSHIPMaid"en*ship, n.
Defn: Maidenhood. [Obs.] Fuller.
MAIDHOODMaid"hood, n. Etym: [AS. mæg. See Maid, and -hood.]
Defn: Maidenhood. Shak.
MAIDMARIANMaid`ma"ri*an, n. Etym: [Maid + Marian, relating to Mary, or theVirgin Mary.]
1. The lady of the May games; one of the characters in a morris dance; a May queen. Afterward, a grotesque character personated in sports and buffoonery by a man in woman's clothes.
2. A kind of dance. Sir W. Temple.
MAIDPALEMaid"pale`, a.
Defn: Pale, like a sick girl. Shak.
MAIDSERVANTMaid"serv`ant, n.
Defn: A female servant.
MAID'S HAIRMaid's" hair`. (Bot.)
Defn: The yellow bedstraw (Galium verum).
MAIEUTIC; MAIEUTICALMa*ieu"tic, Ma*ieu"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. Serving to assist childbirth. Cudworth.
2. Fig. : Aiding, or tending to, the definition and interpretation of thoughts or language. Payne.
MAIEUTICSMa*ieu"tics, n.
Defn: The art of giving birth (i. e., clearness and conviction) to ideas, which are conceived as struggling for birth. Payne.
MAIGERMai"ger, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The meagre.
MAIGREMai"gre, a. Etym: [F. See Meager.]
Defn: Belonging to a fast day or fast; as, a maigre day. Walpole.Maigre food (R. C. Ch.), food allowed to be eaten on fast days.
MAIHEMMai"hem, n.
Defn: See Maim, and Mayhem.
MAIKELMai*kel", n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A South American carnivore of the genus Conepatus, allied to the skunk, but larger, and having a longer snout. The tail is not bushy.
MAIKONGMai*kong", n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A South American wild dog (Canis cancrivorus); the crab-eating dog.
MAILMail, n.
Defn: A spot. [Obs.]
MAILMail, n. Etym: [F. maille, OF. also maaille, LL. medalia. See Medal.]
1. A small piece of money; especially, an English silver half-penny of the time of Henry V. [Obs.] [Written also maile, and maille.]
2. Rent; tribute. [Obs., except in certain compounds and phrases, as blackmail, mails and duties, etc.] Mail and duties (Scots Law), the rents of an estate, in whatever form paid.
MAILMail, n. Etym: [OE. maile, maille, F. maille a ring of mail, mesh,network, a coat of mail, fr. L. macula spot, a mesh of a net. Cf.Macle, Macula, Mascle.]
1. A flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. It was used especially for defensive armor. Chaucer. Chain mail, Coat of mail. See under Chain, and Coat.
2. Hence generally, armor, or any defensive covering.
3. (Naut.)
Defn: A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage.
4. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any hard protective covering of an animal, as the scales and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc. We . . . strip the lobster of his scarlet mail. Gay.
MAILMail, v. t.
1. To arm with mail.
2. To pinion. [Obs.]
MAILMail, n. Etym: [OE. male bag, OF. male, F. malle bag, trunk, mail,OHG. malaha, malha, wallet; akin to D. maal, male; cf. Gael. & Ir.mala, Gr.
1. A bag; a wallet. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. The bag or bags with the letters, papers, papers, or other matter contained therein, conveyed under public authority from one post office to another; the whole system of appliances used by government in the conveyance and delivery of mail matter. There is a mail come in to-day, with letters dated Hague. Tatler.
3. That which comes in the mail; letters, etc., received through the post office.
4. A trunk, box, or bag, in which clothing, etc., may be carried. [Obs.] Sir W. Scott. Mail bag, a bag in which mailed matter is conveyed under public authority. — Mail boat, a boat that carries the mail. — Mail catcher, an iron rod, or other contrivance, attached to a railroad car for catching a mail bag while the train is in motion. — Mail guard, an officer whose duty it is to guard the public mails. [Eng.] — Mail train, a railroad train carrying the mail.
MAILMail, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mailed; p. pr. & vb. n. Mailing.]
Defn: To deliver into the custody of the postoffice officials, or place in a government letter box, for transmission by mail; to post; as, to mail a letter. [U. S.]
Note: In the United States to mail and to post are both in common use; as, to mail or post a letter. In England post is the commoner usage.
MAILABLEMail"a*ble, a.
Defn: Admissible lawfully into the mail. [U.S.]
MAILCLADMail"clad`, a.
Defn: Protected by a coat of mail; clad in armor. Sir W. Scott.
MAILEDMailed, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Protected by an external coat, or covering, of scales or plates.
MAILEDMailed, a. Etym: [See 1st Mail.]
Defn: Spotted; speckled.
MAILINGMail"ing, n. Etym: [Scot., fr. mail tribute, rent. See 2d Mail.]
Defn: A farm. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
MAIL-SHELLMail"-shell`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A chiton.
MAIM Maim, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maimed;p. pr. & vb. n. Maiming.] Etym: [OE. maimen, OF. mahaignier, mehaignier, meshaignier, cf. It. magagnare, LL. mahemiare, mahennare; perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Armor. mac'ha to mutilate, mac'ha to crowd, press; or cf. OHG. mang to lack, perh. akin to E. mangle to lacerate. Cf. Mayhem.]