MEALY-MOUTHEDMeal"y-mouthed`, a.
Defn: Using soft words; plausible; affectedly or timidly delicate of speech; unwilling to tell the truth in plain language. "Mealy-mouthed philanthropies." Tennyson. She was a fool to be mealy-mouthed where nature speaks so plain. L'Estrange. — Meal"y-mouth`ness, n.
MEAN Mean, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Meant; p. pr. & vb. n. Meaning.] Etym: [OE. menen, AS. mænan to recite, tell, intend, wish; akin to OS. menian to have in mind, mean, D. meenen, G. meinen, OHG. meinan, Icel. meina, Sw. mena, Dan. mene, and to E. mind. Mind, and cf. Moan.]
1. To have in the mind, as a purpose, intention, etc.; to intend; to purpose; to design; as, what do you mean to do What mean ye by this service Ex. xii. 26. Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good. Gen. 1. 20. I am not a Spaniard To say that it is yours and not to mean it. Longfellow.
2. To signify; to indicate; to import; to denote. What mean these seven ewe lambs Gen. xxi. 29. Go ye, and learn what that me. Matt. ix. 13.
MEANMean, v. i.
Defn: To have a purpose or intention. [Rare, except in the phrase to mean well, or ill.] Shak.
MEAN Mean, a. [Compar. Meaner; superl. Meanest.] Etym: [OE. mene, AS. m wicked; akin to man, a., wicked, n., wickedness, OS. m wickedness, OHG. mein, G. meineid perjury, Icel. mein harm, hurt, and perh. to AS. gem common, general, D. gemeen, G. gemein, Goth. gamáins, and L. communis. The AS. gem prob. influenced the meaning.]
1. Destitute of distinction or eminence; common; low; vulgar; humble. "Of mean parentage." Sir P. Sidney. The mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself. Is. ii. 9.
2. Wanting dignity of mind; low-minded; base; destitute of honor; spiritless; as, a mean motive. Can you imagine I so mean could prove, To save my life by changing of my love Dryden.
3. Of little value or account; worthy of little or no regard;contemptible; despicable.The Roman legions and great Cæsar found Our fathers no mean foes. J.Philips.
4. Of poor quality; as, mean fare.
5. Penurious; stingy; close-fisted; illiberal; as, mean hospitality.
Note: Mean is sometimes used in the formation of compounds, the sense of which is obvious without explanation; as, meanborn, mean-looking, etc.
Syn. — Base; ignoble; abject; beggarly; wretched; degraded; degenerate; vulgar; vile; servile; menial; spiritless; groveling; slavish; dishonorable; disgraceful; shameful; despicable; contemptible; paltry; sordid. See Base.
MEAN Mean, a. Etym: [OE. mene, OF. meiien, F. moyen, fr. L. medianus that is in the middle, fr. medius; akin to E. mid. See Mid.]
1. Occupying a middle position; middle; being about midway between extremes. Being of middle age and a mean stature. Sir. P. Sidney.
2. Intermediate in excellence of any kind. According to the fittest style of lofty, mean, or lowly. Milton.
3. (Math.)
Defn: Average; having an intermediate value between two extremes, or between the several successive values of a variable quantity during one cycle of variation; as, mean distance; mean motion; mean solar day. Mean distance (of a planet from the sun) (Astron.), the average of the distances throughout one revolution of the planet, equivalent to the semi-major axis of the orbit. — Mean error (Math. Phys.), the average error of a number of observations found by taking the mean value of the positive and negative errors without regard to sign. — Mean-square error, or Error of the mean square (Math. Phys.), the error the square of which is the mean of the squares of all the errors; — called also, especially by European writers, mean error. — Mean line. (Crystallog.) Same as Bisectrix. — Mean noon, noon as determined by mean time. — Mean proportional (between two numbers) (Math.), the square root of their product. — Mean sun, a fictitious sun supposed to move uniformly in the equator so as to be on the meridian each day at mean noon. — Mean time, time as measured by an equable motion, as of a perfect clock, or as reckoned on the supposition that all the days of the year are of a mean or uniform length, in contradistinction from apparent time, or that actually indicated by the sun, and from sidereal time, or that measured by the stars.
MEANMean, n.
1. That which is mean, or intermediate, between two extremes of place, time, or number; the middle point or place; middle rate or degree; mediocrity; medium; absence of extremes or excess; moderation; measure. But to speak in a mean, the virtue of prosperity is temperance; the virtue of adversity is fortitude. Bacon. There is a mean in all things. Dryden. The extremes we have mentioned, between which the wellinstracted Christian holds the mean, are correlatives. I. Taylor.
2. (Math.)
Defn: A quantity having an intermediate value between several others, from which it is derived, and of which it expresses the resultant value; usually, unless otherwise specified, it is the simple average, formed by adding the quantities together and dividing by their number, which is called an arithmetical mean. A geometrical mean is the square root of the product of the quantities.
3. That through which, or by the help of which, an end is attained; something tending to an object desired; intermediate agency or measure; necessary condition or coagent; instrument. Their virtuous conversation was a mean to work the conversion of the heathen to Christ. Hooker. You may be able, by this mean, to review your own scientific acquirements. Coleridge. Philosophical doubt is not an end, but a mean. Sir W. Hamilton.
Note: In this sense the word is usually employed in the plural formmeans, and often with a singular attribute or predicate, as if asingular noun.By this means he had them more at vantage. Bacon.What other means is left unto us. Shak.
4. pl.
Defn: Hence: Resources; property, revenue, or the like, considered as the condition of easy livelihood, or an instrumentality at command for effecting any purpose; disposable force or substance. Your means are very slender, and your waste is great. Shak.
5. (Mus.)
Defn: A part, whether alto or tenor, intermediate between the soprano and base; a middle part. [Obs.] The mean is drowned with your unruly base. Shak.
6. Meantime; meanwhile. [Obs.] Spenser.
7. A mediator; a go-between. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.He wooeth her by means and by brokage. Chaucer.By all means, certainly; without fail; as, go, by all means.— By any means, in any way; possibly; at all.If by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead. Phil.iii. ll.— By no means, or By no manner of means, not at all; certainly not;not in any degree.The wine on this side of the lake is by no means so good as that onthe other. Addison.
MEANDER Me*an"der, n. Etym: [L. Maeander, orig., a river in Phrygia, proverbial for its many windings, Gr. méandre.]
1. A winding, crooked, or involved course; as, the meanders of the veins and arteries. Sir M. Hale. While lingering rivers in meanders glide. Sir R. Blackmore.
2. A tortuous or intricate movement.
3. (Arch.)
Defn: Fretwork. See Fret.
MEANDERMe*an"der, v. t.
Defn: To wind, turn, or twist; to make flexuous. Dryton.
MEANDERMe*an"der, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Meandered; p. pr. & vb. n.Meandering.]
Defn: To wind or turn in a course or passage; to be intricate. Five miles meandering with a mazy motion Through wood and dale the sacred river ran. Coleridge.
MEANDRIANMe*an"dri*an, a. Etym: [L. Maeandrius: cf. F. méandrien.]
Defn: Winding; having many turns.
MEANDRINAMe`an*dri"na, n. Etym: [NL.: cf. F. méandrine.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of corals with meandering grooves and ridges, including the brain corals.
MEANDROUS; MEANDRYMe*an"drous, Me*an"dry, a.
Defn: Winding; flexuous.
MEANINGMean"ing, n.
1. That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim; object; as, a mischievous meaning was apparent. If there be any good meaning towards you. Shak.
2. That which is signified, whether by act lanquage; signification; sence; import; as, the meaning of a hint.
3. Sense; power of thinking. [R.] — Mean"ing*less, a.— Mean"ing*ly, adv.
MEANLYMean"ly, adv. Etym: [Mean middle.]
Defn: Moderately. [Obs.] A man meanly learned himself, but not meanly affectioned to set forward learning in others. Ascham.
MEANLYMean"ly, adv. Etym: [From Mean low.]
Defn: In a mean manner; unworthily; basely; poorly; ungenerously.While the heaven-born child All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies.Milton.Would you meanly thus rely On power you know I must obey Prior.We can not bear to have others think meanly of them [our kindred]. I.Watts.
MEANNESSMean"ness, n.
1. The condition, or quality, of being mean; want of excellence; poorness; lowness; baseness; sordidness; stinginess. This figure is of a later date, by the meanness of the workmanship. Addison.
2. A mean act; as, to be guilty of meanness. Goldsmith.
MEAN-SPIRITEDMean"-spir`it*ed, a.
Defn: Of a mean spirit; base; groveling.— Mean"-spir`it*ed*ness, n.
MEANTMeant, imp. & p. p.
Defn: of Mean.
MEANTIME; MEANWHILEMean"time`, Mean"while`, n.
Defn: The intervening time; as, in the meantime (or mean time).
MEANTIME; MEANWHILEMean"time`, Mean"while`, adv.
Defn: In the intervening time; during the interval.
MEARMear, n.
Defn: A boundary. See Mere. [Obs.]
MEASEMease, n. Etym: [Cf. G. mass measure.]
Defn: Five hundred; as, a mease of herrings. [Prov. Eng.]
MEASELRYMea"sel*ry, n. Etym: [OE. meselrie, OF. mesellerie. See lst Measle.]
Defn: Leprosy. [Obs.] R. of Brunne.
MEASLE Mea"sle, n. Etym: [OE. mesel, OF. mesel, LL. misellus, L. misellus unfortunate, dim. of miser. See Miser.]
Defn: A leper. [Obs.] [Written also meazel, and mesel.] Wyclif (Matt. x. 8. ).
MEASLEMea"sle, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A tapeworm larva. See 2d Measles, 4.
MEASLEDMea"sled, a. Etym: [See 2d Measles.]
Defn: Infected or spotted with measles, as pork.— Mea"sled*ness, n.
MEASLESMea"sles, n. Etym: [From lst Measle.]
Defn: Leprosy; also, a leper. [Obs.]
MEASLESMea"sles, n.; pl. in form, but used as singular in senses 1, 2, & 3.Etym: [D. mazelen; akin to G. masern, pl., and E. mazer, and orig.meaning, little spots. See Mazer.]
1. (Med.)
Defn: A contagious febrile disorder commencing with catarrhal symptoms, and marked by the appearance on the third day of an eruption of distinct red circular spots, which coalesce in a crescentic form, are slightly raised above the surface, and after the fourth day of the eruption gradually decline; rubeola. Measles commences with the ordinary symptoms of fever. Am. Cyc.
2. (Veter. Med.)
Defn: A disease of cattle and swine in which the flesh is filled with the embryos of different varieties of the tapeworm.
3. A disease of trees. [Obs.]
4. pl. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The larvæ of any tapeworm (Tænia) in the cysticerus stage, when contained in meat. Called also bladder worms.
MEASLYMea"sly, a.
1. Infected with measles.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Containing larval tapeworms; — said of pork and beef.
MEASURABLE Meas"ur*a*ble, a. Etym: [F. mesurable, L. mensurabilis. See Measure, and cf. Mensurable.]
1. Capable of being measured; susceptible of mensuration or computation.
2. Moderate; temperate; not excessive.Of his diet measurable was he. Chaucer.— Meas"ur*a*ble*ness, n.— Meas"ur*a*bly, adv.Yet do it measurably, as it becometh Christians. Latimer.
MEASUREMeas"ure, n. Etym: [OE. mesure, F. mesure, L. mensura, fr. metiri,mensus, to measure; akin to metrum poetical measure, Gr. meter. Cf.Immense, Mensuration, Mete to measure.]
1. A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or multiples of which anything is estimated and stated; hence, a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged.
2. An instrument by means of which size or quantity is measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like. False ells and measures be brought all clean adown. R. of Gloucester.
3. The dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated; estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a coat. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. Job xi. 9.
4. The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited quantity or amount. It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal. Luke xiii. 21.
5. Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds; moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in measure; with measure; without or beyond measure. Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure. Is. v. 14.
6. Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due proportion. Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days. Ps. xxxix. 4.
7. The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying and selling; as, to give good or full measure.
8. Undefined quantity; extent; degree. There is a great measure of discretion to be used in the performance of confession. Jer. Taylor.
9. Regulated division of movement: (a) (Dancing) A regulated movement corresponding to the time in which the accompanying music is performed; but, especially, a slow and stately dane, like the minuet. (b) (Mus.) (1) The group or grouping of beats, caused by the regular recurrence of accented beats. (2)
Defn: The space between two bars. See Beat, Triple, Quadruple, Sextuple, Compound time, under Compound, a., and Figure. (c) (Poetry) The manner of ordering and combining the quantities, or long and short syllables; meter; rhythm; hence, a foot; as, a poem in iambic measure.
10. (Arith.)
Defn: A number which is contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases, the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of two or more numbers.
11. A step or definite part of a progressive course or policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the accomplishment of an object; as, political measures; prudent measures; an inefficient measure. His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken in the conferring that trust, and lamented his error. Clarendon.
12. The act of measuring; measurement. Shak.
13. pl. (Geol.)
Defn: Beds or strata; as, coal measures; lead measures. Lineal, or Long, measure, measure of length; the measure of lines or distances. — Liquid measure, the measure of liquids. — Square measure, the measure of superficial area of surfaces in square units, as inches, feet, miles, etc. — To have hard measure, to have harsh treatment meted out to one; to be harshly or oppressively dealt with. — To take measures, to make preparations; to provide means. — To take one's measure, to measure one, as for a garment; hence, to form an opinion of one's disposition, character, ability, etc. — To tread a measure, to dance in the style so called. See 9 (a). Say to her, we have measured many miles To tread a measure with her on this grass. Shak.
MEASUREMeas"ure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Measured; p. pr. & vb. n. Measuring.]Etym: [F. mesurer, L. mensurare. See Measure, n.]
1. To ascertain by use of a measuring instrument; to compute or ascertain the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by a certain rule or standard; to take the dimensions of; hence, to estimate; to judge of; to value; to appraise. Great are thy works, Jehovah, infinite Thy power! what thought can measure thee Milton.
2. To serve as the measure of; as, the thermometer measures changes of temperature.
3. To pass throught or over in journeying, as if laying off and determining the distance. A true devoted pilgrim is not weary To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps. Shak.
4. To adjust by a rule or standard. To secure a contented spirit, measure your desires by your fortunes, not your fortunes by your desires. Jer. Taylor.
5. To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; — often with out or off. With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matt. vii. 2. That portion of eternity which is called time, measured out by the sun. Addison. To measure swords with one, to try another's skill in the use of the sword; hence, figuratively, to match one's abilities against an antagonist's.
MEASUREMeas"ure, v. i.
1. To make a measurement or measurements.
2. To result, or turn out, on measuring; as, the grain measures well; the pieces measure unequally.
3. To be of a certain size or quantity, or to have a certain length, breadth, or thickness, or a certain capacity according to a standard measure; as, cloth measures three fourths of a yard; a tree measures three feet in diameter.
MEASUREDMeas"ured, a.
Defn: Regulated or determined by a standard; hence, equal; uniform; graduated; limited; moderated; as, he walked with measured steps; he expressed himself in no measured terms. — Meas"ured*ly, adv.
MEASURELESSMeas"ure*less, a.
Defn: Without measure; unlimited; immeasurable.— Meas"ure*less*ness, n.
Syn.— Boundless; limitless; endless; unbounded; unlimited; vast;immense; infinite; immeasurable. Where Alf, the sacred river ran,Through canyons measureless to man, Down to a hidden sea. Coleridge
MEASUREMENTMeas"ure*ment, n.
1. The act or result of measuring; mensuration; as, measurement is required.
2. The extent, size, capacity, amount. or quantity ascertained by measuring; as, its measurement is five acres.
MEASURERMeas"ur*er, n.
Defn: One who measures; one whose occupation or duty is to measure commondities in market.
MEASURINGMeas"ur*ing, a.
Defn: Used in, or adapted for, ascertaining measurements, or dividing by measure. Measuring faucet, a faucet which permits only a given quantity of liquid to pass each time it is opened, or one by means of which the liquid which passes can be measured. — Measuring worm (Zoöl.), the larva of any geometrid moth. See Geometrid.
MEAT Meat, n. Etym: [OE. mete, AS. mete; akin to OS. mat, meti, D. met hashed meat, G. mettwurst sausage, OHG. maz food, Icel. matr, Sw. mat, Dan. mad, Goth. mats. Cf. Mast fruit, Mush.]
1. Food, in general; anything eaten for nourishment, either by man or beast. Hence, the edible part of anything; as, the meat of a lobster, a nut, or an egg. Chaucer. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, . . . to you it shall be for meat. Gen. i. 29. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you. Gen. ix. 3.
2. The flesh of animals used as food; esp., animal muscle; as, a breakfast of bread and fruit without meat.
3. Specifically, dinner; the chief meal. [Obs.] Chaucer. Meatbiscuit. See under Biscuit.— Meat earth (Mining), vegetable mold. Raymond.— Meat fly. (Zoöl.) See Flesh fly, under Flesh.— Meat offering (Script.), an offering of food, esp. of a cake madeof flour with salt and oil.— To go to meat, to go to a meal. [Obs.] — To sit at meat, to sitat the table in taking food.
MEATMeat, v. t.
Defn: To supply with food. [Obs.] Tusser.His shield well lined, his horses meated well. Chapman.
MEATALMe*a"tal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a meatus; resembling a meatus. Owen.
MEATEDMeat"ed, a.
1. Fed; fattened. [Obs.] Tusser.
2. Having (such) meat; — used chiefly in composition; as, thick- meated.
MEATH; MEATHEMeath, Meathe, n. Etym: [See Mead.]
Defn: A sweet liquor; mead. [Obs.] Chaucer. Milton.
MEATINESSMeat"i*ness, n.
Defn: Quality of being meaty.
MEATLESSMeat"less, a.
Defn: Having no meat; without food."Leave these beggars meatless." Sir T. More.
MEATOSCOPEMe*at"o*scope, n. Etym: [Meatus + -scope.] (Med.)
Defn: A speculum for examining a natural passage, as the urethra.
MEATOTOMEMe*at"o*tome, n. Etym: [Meatus + Gr. (Surg.)
Defn: An instrument for cutting into the urethra so as to enlarge its orifice.
MEATUS Me*a"tus, n. sing. & pl.; E. pl. Meatuses (. Etym: [L., a going, passage, fr. meare to go.] (Anat.)
Defn: A natural passage or canal; as, the external auditory meatus.See Illust. of Ear.
MEATYMeat"y, a.
Defn: Abounding in meat.
MEAWMeaw, n.
Defn: The sea mew. [Obs.] Spenser.
MEAWMeaw, v. i.
Defn: See Mew, to cry as a cat.
MEAWLMeawl, v. i.
Defn: See Mewl, and Miaul.
MEAZELMea"zel, n.
Defn: See 1st Measle. [Obs.]
MEAZLINGMeaz"ling, a.
Defn: Falling in small drops; mistling; mizzing. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.
MEBLESMe"bles, n. pl.
Defn: See Moebles. [Obs.]
MECATEMe*ca"te, n. Etym: [Sp.]
Defn: A rope of hair or of maguey fiber, for tying horses, etc.[Southwestern U. S.]
MECCAWEEMec`ca*wee", a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Mecca, in Arabia.— n.
Defn: A native or inhabitant of Mecca.
MECHANICMe*chan"ic, n. Etym: [F. mécanique mechanics. See Mechanic, a.]
1. The art of the application of the laws of motion or force to construction. [Obs.]
2. A mechanician; an artisan; an artificer; one who practices any mechanic art; one skilled or employed in shaping and uniting materials, as wood, metal, etc., into any kind of structure, machine, or other object, requiring the use of tools, or instruments. An art quite lost with our mechanics. Sir T. Browne.
MECHANICMe*chan"ic, a. Etym: [F. mécanique, L. mechanicus, Gr. Machine.]
1. Having to do woth the application of the laws of motion in the art of constructing or making things; of or pertaining to mechanics; mechanical; as, the mechanic arts. "These mechanic philosophers." Ray. Mechanic slaves, With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers. Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to a mechanic or artificer, or to the class of artisans; hence, rude; common; vulgar. To make a god, a hero, or a king Descend to a mechanic dialect. Roscommon. Sometimes he ply'd the strong, mechanic tool. Thomson.
3. Base. [Obs.] Whitlock.
MECHANICALMe*chan"ic*al, a. Etym: [From Mechanic, a.]
1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter, as distinguished from mental, vital, chemical, etc.; as, mechanical principles; a mechanical theory; mechanical deposits.
2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to machinery or tools; made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical precision; mechanical products. We have also divers mechanical arts. Bacon.
3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by will or emotion; proceeding automatically, or by habit, without special intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing; mechanical verses; mechanical service.
4. Made and operated by interaction of forces without a directing intelligence; as, a mechanical universe.
5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.; approximate; empirical. See the 2d Note under Geometric. Mechanical effect, effective power; useful work exerted, as by a machine, in a definite time. — Mechanical engineering. See the Note under Engineering. — Mechanical maneuvers (Mil.), the application of mechanical appliances to the mounting, dismounting, and moving of artillery. Farrow. — Mechanical philosophy, the principles of mechanics applied to the inverstigation of physical phenomena. — Mechanical powers, certain simple instruments, such as the lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the screw and the wedge), which convert a small force acting throught a great space into a great force acting through a small space, or vice versa, and are used separately or in combination. — Mechanical solution (Math.), a solution of a problem by any art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means of the ruler and compasses, or other instruments.
MECHANICALMe*chan"ic*al, n.
Defn: A mechanic. [Obs.] Shak.
MECHANICALIZEMe*chan"ic*al*ize, v. t.
Defn: To cause to become mechanical.
MECHANICALLYMe*chan"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a mechanical manner.
MECHANICALNESSMe*chan"ic*al*ness, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being mechanical.
MECHANICIANMech`a*ni"cian, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mécanicien. See Mechanic.]
Defn: One skilled in the theory or construction of machines; a machinist. Boyle.
MECHANICO-CHEMICALMe*chan`i*co-chem"ic*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, connected with, or dependent upon, both mechanics and chemistry; — said especially of those sciences which treat of such phenomena as seem to depend on the laws both of mechanics and chemistry, as electricity and magnetism.
MECHANICSMe*chan"ics, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mécanique.]
Defn: That science, or branch of applied mathematics, which treats of the action of forces on bodies.
Note: That part of mechanics which considers the action of forces in producing rest or equilibrium is called statics; that which relates to such action in producing motion is called dynamics. The term mechanics includes the action of forces on all bodies, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous. It is sometimes, however, and formerly was often, used distinctively of solid bodies only: The mechanics of liquid bodies is called also hydrostatics, or hydrodynamics, according as the laws of rest or of motion are considered. The mechanics of gaseous bodies is called also pneumatics. The mechanics of fluids in motion, with special reference to the methods of obtaining from them useful results, constitutes hydraulics. Animal mechanics (Physiol.), that portion of physiology which has for its object the investigation of the laws of equilibrium and motion in the animal body. The most important mechanical principle is that of the lever, the bones forming the arms of the levers, the contractile muscles the power, the joints the fulcra or points of support, while the weight of the body or of the individual limbs constitutes the weight or resistance. — Applied mechanics, the principles of abstract mechanics applied to human art; also, the practical application of the laws of matter and motion to the construction of machines and structures of all kinds.
MECHANISMMech"an*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mécanisme, L. mechanisma. SeeMechanic.]
1. The arrangement or relation of the parts of a machine; the parts of a machine, taken collectively; the arrangement or relation of the parts of anything as adapted to produce an effect; as, the mechanism of a watch; the mechanism of a sewing machine; the mechanism of a seed pod.
2. Mechanical operation or action. He acknowledges nothing besides matter and motion; so that all must be performed either by mechanism or accident. Bentley.
3. (Kinematics)
Defn: An ideal machine; a combination of movable bodies constituting a machine, but considered only with regard to relative movements.
MECHANISTMech"an*ist, n.
1. A maker of machines; one skilled in mechanics.
2. One who regards the phenomena of nature as the effects of forces merely mechanical.
MECHANIZEMech"an*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mechanized; p. pr. & vb. n.Mechanizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. méchaniser.]
Defn: To cause to be mechanical. Shelley.
MECHANOGRAPHMech"an*o*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. -graph.]
Defn: One of a number of copies of anything multiplied mechanically.
MECHANOGRAPHICMech`an*o*graph`ic, a.
1. Treating of mechanics. [R.]
2. Written, copied, or recorded by machinery; produced by mechanography; as, a mechanographic record of changes of temperature; mechanographic prints.
MECHANOGRAPHISTMech`an*og"ra*phist, n.
Defn: An artist who, by mechanical means, multiplies copies of works of art.
MECHANOGRAPHYMech`an*og"ra*phy, n.
Defn: The art of mechanically multiplying copies of a writing, or any work of art.
MECHANURGYMech"an*ur`gy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: That branch of science which treats of moving machines.
MECHITARISTMech"i*tar*ist, n. Etym: [From Mechitar, an Armenian., who foundedthe congregation in the early part of the eighteenth century.] (Eccl.Hist.)
Defn: One of a religious congregation of the Roman Catholic Church devoted to the improvement of Armenians.
MECHLINMech"lin, n.
Defn: A kind of lace made at, or originating in, Mechlin, in Belgium.
MECHOACANMe*cho"a*can, n.
Defn: A species of jalap, of very feeble properties, said to be obtained from the root of a species of Convolvulus (C. Mechoacan); — so called from Michoacan, in Mexico, whence it is obtained.
MECKELIANMeck*e"li*an, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or discovered by, J. F. Meckel, a German anatomist. Meckelian cartilage, the cartilaginous rod which forms the axis of the mandible; — called also Meckel's cartilage.
MECONATEMec"o*nate, n. Etym: [Cf. F. méconate.] (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of meconic acid.
MECONICMe*con"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. méconique.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or obtained from, the poppy or opium; specif. (Chem.), designating an acid related to aconitic acid, found in opium and extracted as a white crystalline substance.
MECONIDINEMe*con"i*dine, n. (Chem)
Defn: An alkaloid found in opium, and extracted as a yellow amorphous substance which is easily decomposed.
MECONIDIUMMec`o*nid"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., dim. of Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A kind of gonophore produced by hydroids of the genus Gonothyræa. It has tentacles, and otherwise resembles a free medusa, but remains attached by a pedicel.
MECONINMec"o*nin, n. Etym: [Cf. F. méconine.] (Chem.)
Defn: A substance regarded as an anhydride of meconinic acid, existing in opium and extracted as a white crystalline substance. Also erroneously called meconina, meconia, etc., as though it were an alkaloid.
MECONINICMec`o*nin"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid which occurs in opium, and which may be obtained by oxidizing narcotine.
MECONIUM Me*co"ni*um, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Med.) (a) Opium. [Obs.] (b) The contents of the fetal intestine; hence, first excrement.
MEDALMed"al, n. Etym: [F. médaille, It. medaglia, fr. L. metallum metal,through (assumed) LL. metalleus made of metal. See Metal, and cf.Mail a piece of money.]
Defn: A piece of metal in the form of a coin, struck with a device, and intended to preserve the remembrance of a notable event or an illustrious person, or to serve as a reward.
MEDALMed"al, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Medaled, or Medalled; p. pr. & vb. n.Medaling or Medalling.]
Defn: To honor or reward with a medal. "Medaled by the king."Thackeray.
MEDALETMed"al*et, n.
Defn: A small medal.
MEDALIST Med"al*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. médailliste, It. medaglista.] [Written also medallist.]
1. A person that is skilled or curious in medals; a collector of medals. Addison.
2. A designer of medals. Macaulay.
3. One who has gained a medal as the reward of merit.
MEDALLICMe*dal"lic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a medal, or to medals. "Our medallic history." Walpole.
MEDALLION Me*dal"lion, n. Etym: [F. médaillion, It. medaglione, augm. of medaglia. See Medal.]
1. A large medal or memorial coin.
2. A circular or oval (or, sometimes, square) tablet bearing a figure or figures represented in relief.
MEDAL PLAYMed"al play`. (Golf)
Defn: Play in which the score is reckoned by counting the number of strokes.
MEDALURGYMed"al*ur`gy, n. Etym: [Medal + the root of Gr.
Defn: The art of making and striking medals and coins. [Written also medallurgy.]
MEDDLEMed"dle`, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Meddled; p. pr. & vb. n. Meddling.]Etym: [OE. medlen to mix, OF. medler, mesler, F. mêler, LL.misculare, a dim. fr. L. miscere to mix. Mix, and cf. Medley,Mellay.]
1. To mix; to mingle. [Obs.] More to know Did never meddle with my thoughts. Shak.
2. To interest or engage one's self; to have to do; — [Obs.] Barrow. Study to be quiet, and to meddle with your own business. Tyndale.
3. To interest or engage one's self unnecessarily or impertinently, to interfere or busy one's self improperly with another's affairs; specifically, to handle or distrub another's property without permission; — often followed by with or in. Why shouldst thou meddle to thy hurt 2 Kings xiv. 10. The civil lawyers . . . have meddled in a matter that belongs not to them. Locke. To meddle and make, to intrude one's self into another person's concerns. [Archaic] Shak.
Syn.— To interpose; interfere; intermeddle.
MEDDLEMed"dle, v. t.
Defn: To mix; to mingle. [Obs.] Chaucer."Wine meddled with gall." Wyclif (Matt. xxvii. 34).
MEDDLERMed"dler, n.
Defn: One who meddles; one who interferes or busies himself with things in which he has no concern; an officious person; a busybody.
MEDDLESOMEMed"dle*some, a.
Defn: Given to meddling; apt to interpose in the affairs of others;officiously intrusive.— Med"dle*some*ness, n.
MEDDLINGMed"dling, a.
Defn: Meddlesome. Macaulay.
MEDDLINGLYMed"dling*ly, adv.
Defn: In a meddling manner.
MEDEMede, n.
Defn: A native or inhabitant of Media in Asia.
MEDEMede, n.
Defn: See lst & 2d Mead, and Meed. [Obs.]
MEDIAMe"di*a, n.,
Defn: pl. of Medium.
MEDIAMe"di*a, n.; pl. Mediæ (-e). Etym: [NL., fr. L. medius middle.](Phonetics)
Defn: One of the sonant mutes b, d, g (b, d, g), in Greek, or of their equivalents in other languages, so named as intermediate between the tenues, p, t, k (p, t, k), and the aspiratæ (aspirates) f, th, x (ph or f, th, ch). Also called middle mute, or medial, and sometimes soft mute.
MEDIACYMe"di*a*cy, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being mediate. Sir W. Hamilton.
MEDIAEVALMe`di*æ"val, a. Etym: [L. medius middle + aevum age. See Middle, andAge.]
Defn: Of or relating to the Middle Ages; as, mediæval architecture.[Written also medieval.]
MEDIAEVALISMMe`di*æ"val*ism, n.
Defn: The method or spirit of the Middle Ages; devotion to the institutions and practices of the Middle Ages; a survival from the Middle Ages. [Written also medievalism.]
MEDIAEVALISTMe`di*æ"val*ist, n.
Defn: One who has a taste for, or is versed in, the history of theMiddle Ages; one in sympathy with the spirit or forms of the MiddleAges. [Written also medievalist.]
MEDIAEVALLYMe`di*æ"val*ly, adv.
Defn: In the manner of the Middle Ages; in accordance with mediævalism.
MEDIAEVALSMe`di*æ"vals, n. pl.
Defn: The people who lived in the Middle Ages. Ruskin.
MEDIALMe"di*al, a. Etym: [L. medialis, fr. medius middle: cf. F. médial.See Middle.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a mean or average; mean; as, medial alligation.
MEDIALMe"di*al, n. (Phonetics)
Defn: See 2d Media.
MEDIALUNAMe"di*a*lu"na, n. Etym: [Sp. media luna half-moon.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Half-moon.
MEDIANMe"di*an, a. Etym: [L. medianus, fr. medius middle. See Medial.]
1. Being in the middle; running through the middle; as, a median groove.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Situated in the middle; lying in a plane dividing a bilateral animal into right and left halves; — said of unpaired organs and parts; as, median coverts. Median line. (a) (Anat.) Any line in the mesial plane; specif., either of the lines in which the mesial plane meets the surface of the body. (b) (Geom.) The line drawn from an angle of a triangle to the middle of the opposite side; any line having the nature of a diameter. — Median plane (Anat.), the mesial plane. — Median point (Geom.), the point where the three median lines of a triangle mutually intersect.
MEDIANMe"di*an, n. (Geom.)
Defn: A median line or point.
MEDIANT Me"di*ant, n. Etym: [L. medians, p. p. of mediare to halve: cf. It. mediante, F. médiante.] (Mus.)
Defn: The third above the keynote; — so called because it divides the interval between the tonic and dominant into two thirds.
MEDIASTINALMe`di*as*ti"nal, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a mediastinum.
MEDIASTINE; MEDIASTINUM Me`di*as"tine, Me`di*as*ti"num, n. Etym: [NL. mediastinum, fr. L. medius middle; cf. mediastinus helper, a menial servant, LL. mediastinus equiv. to medius: cf F. médiastin.] (Anat.)
Defn: A partition; a septum; specifically, the folds of the pleura (and the space included between them) which divide the thorax into a right and left cavity. The space included between these folds of the pleura, called the mediastinal space, contains the heart and gives passage to the esophagus and great blood vessels.
MEDIATE Me"di*ate, a. Etym: [L. mediatus, p. p. of mediare, v. t., to halve, v. i., to be in the middle. See Mid, and cf. Moiety.]
1. Being between the two extremes; middle; interposed; intervening; intermediate. Prior.
2. Acting by means, or by an intervening cause or instrument; not direct or immediate; acting or suffering through an intervening agent or condition.
3. Gained or effected by a medium or condition. Bacon. An act of mediate knowledge is complex. Sir W. Hamilton.
MEDIATEMe"di*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Mediated; p. pr. & vb. n. Mediating.]Etym: [LL. mediatus, p. p. of mediare to mediate. See Mediate, a.]
1. To be in the middle, or between two; to intervene. [R.]
2. To interpose between parties, as the equal friend of each, esp. for the purpose of effecting a reconciliation or agreement; as, to mediate between nations.
MEDIATEMe"di*ate, v. t.
1. To effect by mediation or interposition; to bring about as a mediator, instrument, or means; as, to mediate a peace.
2. To divide into two equal parts. [R.] Holder.
MEDIATELYMe"di*ate*ly, adv.
Defn: In a mediate manner; by a secondary cause or agent; not directly or primarily; by means; — opposed to immediately. God worketh all things amongst us mediately. Sir W. Raleigh. The king grants a manor to A, and A grants a portion of it to B. In this case. B holds his lands immediately of A, but mediately of the king. Blakstone.
MEDIATENESSMe"di*ate*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being mediate.
MEDIATION Me`di*a"tion, n. Etym: [OE. mediacioun, F. médiation. See Mediate, a.]
1. The act of mediating; action or relation of anything interposed; action as a necessary condition, means, or instrument; interposition; intervention. The soul [acts] by the mediation of these passions. South.
2. Hence, specifically, agency between parties at variance, with a view to reconcile them; entreaty for another; intercession. Bacon.
MEDIATIVEMe"di*a*tive, a.
Defn: Pertaining to mediation; used in mediation; as, mediative efforts. Beaconsfield.
MEDIATIZATIONMe`di*at`i*za"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. médiatisation.]
Defn: The act of mediatizing.
MEDIATIZEMe"di*a*tize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mediatized; p. pr. & vb. n.Mediatizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. médiatiser.]
Defn: To cause to act through an agent or to hold a subordinate position; to annex; — specifically applied to the annexation during the former German empire of a smaller German state to a larger, while allowing it a nominal sovereignty, and its prince his rank. The misfortune of being a mediatized prince. Beaconsfield.
MEDIATORMe"di*a`tor, n. Etym: [L. mediator: cf. E. médiateur.]
Defn: One who mediates; especially, one who interposes betweenparties at variance for the purpose of reconciling them; hence, anintercessor.For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the manChrist Jesus. 1 Tim. ii. 5.
MEDIATORIALMe`di*a*to"ri*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a mediator, or to mediation; mediatory; as,a mediatorial office.— Me`di*a*to"ri*al*ly, adv.My measures were . . . healing and mediatorial. Burke.
MEDIATORSHIPMe"di*a`tor*ship, n.
Defn: The office or character of a mediator.
MEDIATORYMe"di*a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Mediatorial.
MEDIATRESS; MEDIATRIX Me`di*a"tress, Me`di*a*"trix, n. Etym: [L. mediatrix, f. of mediator: cf. F. médiatrice.]
Defn: A female mediator.
MEDICMed"ic, n. Etym: [L. medica, Gr. Media, from (Bot.)
Defn: A leguminous plant of the genus Medicago. The black medic is the Medicago lupulina; the purple medic, or lucern, is M. sativa.
MEDICMed"ic, a. Etym: [L. medicus.]
Defn: Medical. [R.]
MEDICABLE Med"i*ca*ble, a. Etym: [L. medicabilis, from medicare, medicari, to heal, fr. medicus physician. See Medical.]
Defn: Capable of being medicated; admitting of being cured or healed.
MEDICAL Med"ic*al, a. Etym: [LL. medicalis, L. medicus belonging to healing, fr. mederi to heal; cf. Zend madha medical science, wisdom, gr. mind: cf. F. médical.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or having to do with, the art of healing disease, or the science of medicine; as, the medical profession; medical services; a medical dictionary; medical jurisprudence.
2. Containing medicine; used in medicine; medicinal; as, the medical properties of a plant.
MEDICALLYMed"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a medical manner; with reference to healing, or to the principles of the healing art.
MEDICAMENT Med"i*ca*ment, n. Etym: [L. medicamentum, fr. medicare, medicari, to heal: cf. F. médicament. See Medicable.]
Defn: Anything used for healing diseases or wounds; a medicine; a healing application.
MEDICAMENTALMed`ica*men"tal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to medicaments or healing applications; having the qualities of medicaments. — Med`ica*men"tal*ly, adv.
MEDICASTERMed"i*cas`ter, n. Etym: [Cf. F. médicastre. See Medical.]
Defn: A quack. [R.] Whitlock.
MEDICATEMed"i*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Medicated; p. pr. & vb. n.Medicating.] Etym: [L. medicatus, p. p. of medicare, medicari. SeeMedicable.]
1. To tincture or impregnate with anything medicinal; to drug. "Medicated waters." Arbuthnot.
2. To treat with medicine.
MEDICATIONMed`i*ca"tion, Etym: [L. medicatio: cf. F. médication.]
Defn: The act or process of medicating.
MEDICATIVEMed"i*ca*tive, a.
Defn: Medicinal; acting like a medicine.
MEDICEANMed`i*ce"an, a.
Defn: Of or relating to the Medici, a noted Italian family; as, the Medicean Venus. Medicean planets (Astron.), a name given by Galileo to the satellites of Jupiter.
MEDICINABLEMe*dic"i*na*ble, a.
Defn: Medicinal; having the power of healing. [Obs.] Shak.
MEDICINALMe*dic"i*nal, a. Etym: [L. medicinalis: cf. F. médicinal. SeeMedicine.]
1. Having curative or palliative properties; used for the cure or alleviation of bodily disorders; as, medicinal tinctures, plants, or springs. Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees Their medicinal gum. Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to medicine; medical.
MEDICINALLYMe*dic"i*nal*ly, adv.
Defn: In a medicinal manner.
MEDICINE Med"i*cine, n. Etym: [L. medicina (sc. ars), fr. medicinus medical, fr. medicus: cf. F. médecine. See Medical.]
1. The science which relates to the prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease.
2. Any substance administered in the treatment of disease; a remedial agent; a remedy; physic. By medicine, life may be prolonged. Shak.
3. A philter or love potion. [Obs.] Shak.
4. Etym: [F. médecin.]
Defn: A physician. [Obs.] Shak. Medicine bag, a charm; — so called among the North American Indians, or in works relating to them. — Medicine man (among the North American Indians), a person who professes to cure sickness, drive away evil spirits, and regulate the weather by the arts of magic. — Medicine seal, a small gem or paste engraved with reversed characters, to serve as a seal. Such seals were used by Roman physicians to stamp the names of their medicines.
MEDICINEMed"i*cine, v. t.
Defn: To give medicine to; to affect as a medicine does; to remedy; to cure. "Medicine thee to that sweet sleep." Shak.
MEDICO-LEGALMed`i*co-le"gal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to law as affected by medical facts.
MEDICOMMISSUREMed`i*com"mis*sure, n. Etym: [L. medius middle + E. commissure.](Anat.)
Defn: A large transverse commissure in the third ventricle of the brain; the middle or soft commissure. B. G. Wildex.
MEDICORNU Med`i*cor"nu, n.; pl. Medicornua. Etym: [NL., fr. L. medius middle + cornu horn.] (Anat.)
Defn: The middle or inferior horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain. B. G. Wilder.
MEDICSMed"ics, n.
Defn: Science of medicine. [Obs.]
MEDIETYMe*di"e*ty, n. Etym: [L. medietas.]
Defn: The middle part; half; moiety. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
MEDIEVAL; MEDIEVALISM; MEDIEVALISTMe`di*e"val, Me`di*e"val*ism, Me`di*e"val*ist.
Defn: Same as Medi, Medi, etc.
MEDINA EPOCHMe*di"na ep"och. Etym: [From Medina in New York.] (Geol.)
Defn: A subdivision of the Niagara period in the American upper Silurian, characterized by the formations known as the Oneida conglomerate, and the Medina sandstone. See the Chart of Geology.
MEDINOMe*di"no, n.
Defn: Same as Para.
MEDIOCRALMe"di*o`cral, a.
Defn: Mediocre. [R.]
MEDIOCREMe"di*o`cre, a. Etym: [F. médiocre, L. mediocris, fr. medius middle.See Mid.]
Defn: Of a middle quality; of but a moderate or low degree of excellence; indifferent; ordinary. " A very mediocre poet." Pope.
MEDIOCREMe"di*o`cre, n.
1. A mediocre person. [R.]
2. A young monk who was excused from performing a portion of a monk's duties. Shipley.
MEDIOCRISTMe"di*o`crist, n.
Defn: A mediocre person. [R.]
MEDIOCRITYMe`di*oc"ri*ty, n. Etym: [F. médiocrité, L. mediocritas.]
1. The quality of being mediocre; a middle state or degree; a moderate degree or rate. "A mediocrity of success." Bacon.
2. Moderation; temperance. [Obs.] Hooker.
MEDIOSTAPEDIALMe`di*o*sta*pe"di*al, a. Etym: [L. medius middle + E. stapedial.](Anat.)
Defn: Pertaining to that part of the columella of the ear which, in some animals, connects the stapes with the other parts of the columella. — n.
Defn: The mediostapedial part of the columella.
MEDIOXUMOUSMe`di*ox"u*mous, a. Etym: [L. medioxumus middlemost.]
Defn: Intermediate. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.
MEDITANCEMed"i*tance, n.
Defn: Meditation. [Obs.]
MEDITATEMed"i*tate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Meditated; p. pr. & vb. n.Meditating.] Etym: [L. meditatus, p. p. of meditari to meditate; cf.Gr. mind.]
Defn: To keep the mind in a state of contemplation; to dwell onanything in thought; to think seriously; to muse; to cogitate; toreflect. Jer. Taylor.In his law doth he meditate day and night. Ps. i. 2.
MEDITATEMed"i*tate, v. t.
1. To contemplate; to keep the mind fixed upon; to study. "Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things." Ecclus. xiv. 20.
2. To purpose; to intend; to design; to plan by revolving in the mind; as, to meditate a war. I meditate to pass the remainder of life in a state of undisturbed repose. Washington.
Syn. — To consider; ponder; weigh; revolve; study. — To Meditate, Contemplate, Intend. We meditate a design when we are looking out or waiting for the means of its accomplishment; we contemplate it when the means are at hand, and our decision is nearly or quite made. To intend is stronger, implying that we have decided to act when an opportunity may offer. A general meditates an attack upon the enemy; he contemplates or intends undertaking it at the earliest convenient season.
MEDITATION Med`i*ta"tion, n. Etym: [OE. meditacioun, F. méditation, fr. L. meditatio.]
1. The act of meditating; close or continued thought; the turning or revolving of a subject in the mind; serious contemplation; reflection; musing. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. Ps. xix. 14.
2. Thought; — without regard to kind. [Obs.] With wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love. Shak.
MEDITATISTMed"i*ta`tist, n.
Defn: One who is given to meditation.
MEDITATIVEMed"i*ta*tive, a. Etym: [L. meditativus: cf. F. méditatif.]
Defn: Disposed to meditate, or to meditation; as, a meditative man; ameditative mood.— Med"i*ta*tive*ly, adv.— Med"i*ta*tive*ness, n.
MEDITERRANEAN Med`i*ter*ra"ne*an, a. Etym: [L. mediterraneus; medius middle + terra land. See Mid, and Terrace.]
1. Inclosed, or nearly inclosed, with land; as, the Mediterranean Sea, between Europe and Africa.
2. Inland; remote from the ocean. [Obs.] Cities, as well mediterranean as maritime. Holland.
3. Of or pertaining to the Mediterranean Sea; as, Mediterranean trade; a Mediterranean voyage.
MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLYMediterranean fruit fly.
Defn: A two-winged fly (Ceratitis capitata) with black and white markings, native of the Mediterranean countries, but now widely distributed. Its larva lives in ripening oranges, peaches, and other fruits, causing them to decay and fall.
MEDITERRANEOUSMed`i*ter*ra"ne*ous, a.
Defn: Inland. Sir T. Browne.
MEDIUM Me"di*um, n.; pl. L. Media, E. Mediums. Etym: [L. medium the middle, fr. medius middle. See Mid, and cf. Medius.]
1. That which lies in the middle, or between other things; intervening body or quantity. Hence, specifically: (a) Middle place or degree; mean. The just medium . . . lies between pride and abjection. L'Estrange. (b) (Math.)
Defn: See Mean. (c) (Logic) The mean or middle term of a syllogism; that by which the extremes are brought into connection.
2. A substance through which an effect is transmitted from one thing to another; as, air is the common medium of sound. Hence: The condition upon which any event or action occurs; necessary means of motion or action; that through or by which anything is accomplished, conveyed, or carried on; specifically, in animal magnetism, spiritualism, etc., a person through whom the action of another being is said to be manifested and transmitted. Whether any other liquors, being made mediums, cause a diversity of sound from water, it may be tried. Bacon. I must bring together All these extremes; and must remove all mediums. Denham.
3. An average. [R.] A medium of six years of war, and six years of peace. Burke.
4. A trade name for printing and writing paper of certain sizes. See Paper.
5. (Paint.)
Defn: The liquid vehicle with which dry colors are ground and prepared for application. Circulating medium, a current medium of exchange, whether coin, bank notes, or government notes. — Ethereal medium (Physics), the ether. — Medium of exchange, that which is used for effecting an exchange of commodities — money or current representatives of money.
MEDIUMMe"di*um, a.
Defn: Having a middle position or degree; mean; intermediate; medial; as, a horse of medium size; a decoction of medium strength.
MEDIUM-SIZEDMe"di*um-sized`, a.
Defn: Having a medium size; as, a medium-sized man.
MEDIUSMe"di*us, n.; pl. Medii. Etym: [NL., fr. L. medius middle. SeeMedium.] (Anat.)
Defn: The third or middle finger; the third digit, or that which corresponds to it.
MEDJIDIE; MEDJIDIEH Me*dji"di*e, Me*dji"di*eh, n. [Turk. majidieh (prop. fem. a., fr. Ar. mejid glorious); — so called after the sultan Abdul Mejid, lit., "servant of the Glorious One," i.e., of God.]
1. (a) A silver coin of Turkey formerly rated at twenty, but since 1880 at nineteen, piasters (about 83 cents). (b) A gold coin of Turkey equal to one hundred piastres ($4.396 or 18s. ¾d.); a lira, or Turkish pound.
2. A Turkish honorary order established in 1851 by Abdul-Mejid, having as its badge a medallion surrounded by seven silver rays and crescents. It is often conferred on foreigners.
MEDLARMed"lar, n. Etym: [OE. medler medlar tree, OF. meslier, F. néflier,L. mespilum, mespilus, Gr. Naseberry.]
Defn: A tree of the genus Mespilus (M. Germanica); also, the fruit of the tree. The fruit is something like a small apple, but has a bony endocarp. When first gathered the flesh is hard and austere, and it is not eaten until it has begun to decay. Japan medlar (Bot.), the loquat. See Loquat. — Neapolitan medlar (Bot.), a kind of thorn tree (Cratægus Azarolus); also, its fruit.
MEDLEMed"le, v. t. Etym: [See Meddle.]
Defn: To mix; to mingle; to meddle. [Written also medly.] [Obs.]Chaucer.
MEDLEY Med"ley, n.; pl. Medleys. Etym: [OE. medlee, OF. meslée, medlée, mellée, F. mêlée. See Meddle, and cf. MelÉe, Mellay.]
1. A mixture; a mingled and confused mass of ingredients, usually inharmonious; a jumble; a hodgepodge; — often used contemptuously. This medley of philosophy and war. Addison. Love is a medley of endearments, jars, Suspicions, reconcilements, wars. W. Walsh.
2. The confusion of a hand to hand battle; a brisk, hand to hand engagement; a mêlée. [Obs.] Holland.
3. (Mus.)
Defn: A composition of passages detached from several different compositions; a potpourri.