Note: Medley is usually applied to vocal, potpourri to instrumental, compositions.
4. A cloth of mixed colors. Fuller.
MEDLEYMed"ley, a.
1. Mixed; of mixed material or color. [Obs.] "A medlè coat." Chaucer.
2. Mingled; confused. Dryden.
MEDLYMed"ly, v. t.
Defn: See Medle. Johnson.
MEDOCMé`doc", n. Etym: [Cf. Mayduke.]
Defn: A class of claret wines, including several varieties, from the district of Médoc in the department of Gironde.
MEDREGALMed"re*gal, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Bonito, 3.
MEDRICKMed"rick, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A species of gull or tern. [Prov.] Lowell.
MEDULLAMe*dul"la, n. Etym: [L.]
1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.] Milton.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: The marrow of bones; the deep or inner portion of an organ or part; as, the medulla, or medullary substance, of the kidney; specifically, the medula oblongata.
3. (Bot.)
Defn: A soft tissue, occupying the center of the stem or branch of a plant; pith. Medulla oblongata. Etym: [L., oblong medulla] (Anat.), the posterior part of the brain connected with the spinal cord. It includes all the hindbrain except the cerebellum and pons, and from it a large part of the cranial nerves arise. It controls very largely respiration, circulation, swallowing, and other functions, and is the most vital part of the brain; — called also bulb of the spinal cord. See Brain.
MEDULLARMe*dul"lar, a.
Defn: See Medullary.
MEDULLARY Med"ul*la*ry, a. Etym: [L. medullaris, fr. medulla marrow: cf. F. médullaire.]
1. (Anat.) (a) Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, marrow or medulla. (b) Pertaining to the medula oblongata.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Filled with spongy pith; pithy. Medullary groove (Anat.), a groove, in the epiblast of the vertebrate blastoderm, the edges of which unite, making a tube (the medullary canal) from which the brain and spinal cord are developed. — Medullary rays (Bot.), the rays of cellular tissue seen in a transverse section of exogenous wood, which pass from the pith to the bark. — Medullary sheath (Anat.), the layer of white semifluid substance (myelin), between the primitive sheath and axis cylinder of a medullated nerve fiber.
MEDULLATEDMe*dul"la*ted, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Furnished with a medulla or marrow, or with a medullary sheath; as, a medullated nerve fiber.
MEDULLINMe*dul"lin, n. Etym: [Cf. F. médulline.] (Bot. Chem.)
Defn: A variety of lignin or cellulose found in the medulla, or pith, of certain plants. Cf. Lignin, and Cellulose.
MEDUSAMe*du"sa, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. (Class. Myth.)
Defn: The Gorgon; or one of the Gorgons whose hair was changed into serpents, after which all who looked upon her were turned into stone.
2. [pl. Medusae (.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any free swimming acaleph; a jellyfish.
Note: The larger medusæ belong to the Discophora, and are sometimes called covered-eyed medusæ; others, known as naked-eyed medusæ, belong to the Hydroidea, and are usually developed by budding from hidroids. See Discophora, Hydroidea, and Hydromedusa. Medusa bud (Zoöl.), one of the buds of a hydroid, destined to develop into a gonophore or medusa. See Athecata, and Gonotheca. — Medusa's head. (a) (Zoöl.) An astrophyton. (b) (Astron.) A cluster of stars in the constellation Perseus. It contains the bright star Algol.
MEDUSIANMe*du"si*an, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A medusa.
MEDUSIFORMMe*du"si*form, a. Etym: [Medusa + -form.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Resembling a medusa in shape or structure.
MEDUSOIDMe*du"soid, a. Etym: [Medusa + -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Like a medusa; having the fundamental structure of a medusa, but without a locomotive disk; — said of the sessile gonophores of hydroids. — n.
Defn: A sessile gonophore. See Illust. under Gonosome.
MEECHMeech, v. i.
Defn: See Mich. [Obs. or Colloq.]
MEED Meed, n. Etym: [OE. mede, AS. med, meord; akin to OS. m, OHG. miata, mieta, G. miethe hire, Goth. mizdo reward, Bohem. & Russ. mzda, Gr. mistho`s, Skr. midha. sq. root276.]
1. That which is bestowed or rendered in consideration of merit; reward; recompense. A rosy garland was the victor's meed. Spenser.
2. Merit or desert; worth. My meed hath got me fame. Shak.
3. A gift; also, a bride. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MEEDMeed, v. t.
1. To reward; to repay. [Obs.] Waytt.
2. To deserve; to merit. [Obs.] Heywood.
MEEDFULMeed"ful, a.
Defn: Worthy of meed, reward, or recompense; meritorious. "Meedful works." Wiclif.
MEEDFULLYMeed"ful*ly, adv.
Defn: According to merit; suitably.
MEEK Meek, a. [Compar. Meeker; superl. Meekest.] Etym: [OE. mek, meoc; akin to Icel. mj mild, soft, Sw. mjuk, Dan. myg, D. muik, Goth. mukam
1. Mild of temper; not easily provoked or orritated; patient under injuries; not vain, or haughty, or resentful; forbearing; submissive. Not the man Moses was very meek. Num. xii. 3.
2. Evincing mildness of temper, or patience; characterized by mildness or patience; as, a meek answer; a meek face. "Her meek prayer." Chaucer.
Syn.— Gentle; mild; soft; yielding; pacific; unassuming; humble. SeeGentle.
MEEK; MEEKENMeek, Meek"en (-'n), v. t.
Defn: To make meek; to nurture in gentleness and humility. [Obs.]Chaucer.
MEEKLYMeek"ly, adv.
Defn: In a meek manner. Spenser.
MEEKNESSMeek"ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being meek.
MEERMeer, a.
Defn: Simple; unmixed. See Mere, a. [Obs.]
MEERMeer, n.
Defn: See Mere, a lake.
MEERMeer, n.
Defn: A boundary. See Mere.
MEERKATMeer"kat, n. Etym: [D.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A South African carnivore (Cynictis penicillata), allied to the ichneumons.
MEERSCHAUM Meer"schaum, n. Etym: [G., lit., sea foam; meer sea + schaum foam; but it perh. is a corruption of the Tartaric name myrsen. Cf. Mere a lake, and Scum.]
1. (Min.)
Defn: A fine white claylike mineral, soft, and light enough when in dry masses to float in water. It is a hydrous silicate of magnesia, and is obtained chiefly in Asia Minor. It is manufacturd into tobacco pipes, cigar holders, etc. Also called sepiolite.
2. A tobacco pipe made of this mineral.
MEET Meet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Met; p. pr. & vb. n. Meeting.] Etym: [OE. meten, AS. m, fr. m, gem, a meeting; akin to OS. m to meet, Icel. mæta, Goth. gam. See Moot, v. t.]
1. To join, or come in contact with; esp., to come in contact with by approach from an opposite direction; to come upon or against, front to front, as distinguished from contact by following and overtaking.
2. To come in collision with; to confront in conflict; to encounter hostilely; as, they met the enemy and defeated them; the ship met opposing winds and currents.
3. To come into the presence of without contact; to come close to; to intercept; to come within the perception, influence, or recognition of; as, to meet a train at a junction; to meet carriages or persons in the street; to meet friends at a party; sweet sounds met the ear. His daughter came out to meet him. Judg. xi. 34.
4. To perceive; to come to a knowledge of; to have personal acquaintance with; to experience; to suffer; as, the eye met a horrid sight; he met his fate. Of vice or virtue, whether blest or curst, Which meets contempt, or which compassion first. Pope.
5. To come up to; to be even with; to equal; to match; to satisfy; to ansver; as, to meet one's expectations; the supply meets the demand. To meet half way, literally, to go half the distance between in order to meet (one); hence, figuratively, to yield or concede half of the difference in order to effect a compromise or reconciliation with.
MEETMeet, v. t.
1. To come together by mutual approach; esp., to come in contact, or into proximity, by approach from opposite directions; to join; to come face to face; to come in close relationship; as, we met in the street; two lines meet so as to form an angle. O, when meet now Such pairs in love and mutual honor joined ! Milton.
2. To come together with hostile purpose; to have an encounter or conflict. Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to better us and worse our foes. Milton.
3. To assemble together; to congregate; as, Congress meets on the first Monday of December. They . . . appointed a day to meet together. 2. Macc. xiv. 21.
4. To come together by mutual concessions; hence, to agree; to harmonize; to unite. To meet with. (a) To light upon; to find; to come to; — often with the sense of unexpectedness. We met with many things worthy of observation. Bacon. (b) To join; to unite in company. Shak. (c) To suffer unexpectedly; as, to meet with a fall; to meet with a loss. (d) To encounter; to be subjected to. Prepare to meet with more than brutal fury From the fierce prince. Rowe. (e) To obviate. [Obs.] Bacon.
MEETMeet, n.
Defn: An assembling together; esp., the assembling of huntsmen for the hunt; also, the persons who so assemble, and the place of meeting.
MEET Meet, a. Etym: [OE. mete fitting, moderate, scanty, AS. m moderate; akin to gemet fit, meet, metan to mete, and G. mässig moderate, gemäss fitting. See Mete.]
Defn: Suitable; fit; proper; appropriate; qualified; convenient.It was meet that we should make merry. Luke xv. 32.To be meet with, to be even with; to be equal to. [Obs.]
MEETMeet, adv.
Defn: Meetly. [Obs.] Shak.
MEETENMeet"en, v. t.
Defn: To render fit. [R.]
MEETERMeet"er, n.
Defn: One who meets.
MEETHMeeth
Defn: , Mead. See Meathe. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MEETINGMeet"ing, n.
1. A coming together; an assembling; as, the meeting of Congress.
2. A junction, crossing, or union; as, the meeting of the roads or of two rivers.
3. A congregation; a collection of people; a convention; as, a large meeting; an harmonius meeting.
4. An assembly for worship; as, to attend meeting on Sunday; — in England, applied distinctively and disparagingly to the worshiping assemblies of Dissenters.
Syn. — Conference; assembly; company; convention; congregation; junction; confluence; union.
MEETINGHOUSEMeet"ing*house`, n.
Defn: A house used as a place of worship; a church; — in England, applied only to a house so used by Dissenters.
MEETLYMeet"ly, adv.
Defn: Fitly; suitably; properly.
MEETNESSMeet"ness, n.
Defn: Fitness; suitableness; propriety.
MEG-; MEGA; MEGALO-Meg-, Meg"a, Meg"a*lo-. Etym: [Gr. me`gas, gen. mega`loy, great.]
Defn: Combining forms signifying: (a) Great, extended, powerful; as, megascope, megacosm. (b) (Metric System, Elec., Mech., etc.)
Defn: A million times, a million of; as, megameter, a million meters; megafarad, a million farads; megohm, a million ohms.
MEGACEPHALIC; MEGACEPHALOUSMeg`a*ce*phal"ic, Meg`a*ceph"a*lous, a. Etym: [Mega- Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Large headed; — applied to animals, and to plants when they have large flower heads.
MEGACEROSMe*gac"e*ros, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas great + horn.] (Paleon.)
Defn: The Irish elk.
MEGACHILEMeg"a*chile, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A leaf-cutting bee of the genus Megachilus. See Leaf cutter, under Leaf.
MEGACOSMMeg"a*cosm, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr.
Defn: See Macrocosm. Croft.
MEGACOULOMBMeg`a*cou`lomb", n. Etym: [Mega- + coulomb.] (Elec.)
Defn: A million coulombs.
MEGADERMMeg"a*derm, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of Old World blood-sucking bats of the genus Megaderma.
MEGADYNEMeg"a*dyne, n. Etym: [Mega- + dyne.] (Physics)
Defn: One of the larger measures of force, amounting to one million dynes.
MEGAFARADMeg"a*far`ad, n. Etym: [Mega- + farad.] (Elec.)
Defn: One of the larger measures of electrical capacity, amounting to one million farads; a macrofarad.
MEGALERGMeg"a*lerg, n. Etym: [Megalo- + erg.] (Physics)
Defn: A million ergs; a megerg.
MEGALESIAN Meg`a*le"sian, a. Etym: [L. Megalesius, fr. Gr. Mega`lh the Great, a surname of Cybele, the Magna Mater.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or in honor of, Cybele; as, the Megalesian games at Rome.
MEGALETHOSCOPEMeg`a*leth"o*scope, n. Etym: [Mega- + alethoscope.]
Defn: An optical apparatus in which pictures are viewed through a large lens with stereoptical effects. It is often combined with the stereoscope.
MEGALITHMeg"a*lith, n. Etym: [Mega- + -lith; cf. F. mégalithe.]
Defn: A large stone; especially, a large stone used in ancientbuilding.— Meg`a*lith"ic, a.
MEGALO-Meg"a*lo-.
Defn: See Meg-.
MEGALOCEPHALIA; MEGALOCEPHALYMeg`a*lo*ce*pha"li*a, Meg`a*lo*ceph"a*ly, n. [NL. megalocephalia, fr.Gr. having a large head.] (Med.)
Defn: The condition of having an abnormally large head. —Meg`a*lo*ce*phal"ic (#), a.
MEGALOCYTEMeg"a*lo*cyte, n. Etym: [Megalo- + Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: A large, flattened corpuscle, twice the diameter of the ordinary red corpuscle, found in considerable numbers in the blood in profound anæmia.
MEGALOMANIAMeg`a*lo*ma"ni*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. megalo- + mania.] (Pathol.)
Defn: A form of mental alienation in which the patient has grandiose delusions.
MEGALONYX Meg`a*lon"yx, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. me`gas, mega`lh, great + 'o`nyx claw.] (Paleon.)
Defn: An extinct quaternary mammal, of great size, allied to the sloth.
MEGALOPHONOUSMeg`a*loph"o*nous, a. Etym: [Megalo- + Gr. fwnh` voice.]
Defn: Having a loud voice.
MEGALOPOLIS Meg`a*lop"o*lis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. megalo`polis; me`gas, mega`lh, great + po`lis city.]
Defn: A chief city; a metropolis. [R.]
MEGALOPS Meg"a*lops, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas, -a`loy, large + 'w`ps eye.] (Zoöl.)
1. A larva, in a stage following the zoëa, in the development of most crabs. In this stage the legs and abdominal appendages have appeared, the abdomen is relatively long, and the eyes are large. Also used adjectively.
2. A large fish; the tarpum.
MEGALOPSYCHYMeg`a*lop"sy*chy, n. Etym: [Megalo- + Gr.
Defn: Greatness of soul. [Obs. & R.]
MEGALOSAUR; MEGALOSAURUS Meg"a*lo*saur`, Meg`a*lo*sau"rus, n. Etym: [NL. megalosaurus, fr. Gr. mégalosaure.] (Paleon.)
Defn: A gigantic carnivorous dinosaur, whose fossil remains have been found in England and elsewhere.
MEGAMETERMe*gam"e*ter, n. Etym: [Mega- + -meter: cf. F. mégamètre.] (Physics)
1. An instrument for determining longitude by observation of the stars.
2. A micrometer. [R.] Knight.
MEGAMETER; MEGAMETREMeg"a*me`ter, Meg"a*me`tre, n. Etym: [Mega- + meter, metre, n., 2.]
Defn: In the metric system, one million meters, or one thousand kilometers.
MEGAMPEREMeg`am`père", n. Etym: [Mega- + ampère.] (Elec.)
Defn: A million ampères.
MEGAPHONEMeg"a*phone, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr.
Defn: A device to magnify sound, or direct it in a given direction in a greater volume, as a very large funnel used as an ear trumpet or as a speaking trumpet.
MEGAPHYTONMe*gaph"y*ton, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. me`gas great + fyto`n plant.](Paleon.)
Defn: An extinct genus of tree ferns with large, two-ranked leaves, or fronds.
MEGAPODEMeg"a*pode, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of large-footed, gallinaceous birds of the genera Megapodius and Leipoa, inhabiting Australia and other Pacific islands. See Jungle fowl (b) under Jungle, and Leipoa.
MEGAPOLISMe*gap"o*lis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas great + po`lis city.]
Defn: A metropolis. [Obs.] Sir T. Herbert.
MEGARIAN; MEGARICMe*ga"ri*an, Me*gar"ic, a.
Defn: Belonging, or pertaining, to Megara, a city of ancient Greece.Megarian, or Megaric, school, a school of philosophy established atMegara, after the death of Socrates, by his disciples, and remarkablefor its logical subtlety.
MEGASCOPEMeg"a*scope, n. Etym: [Mega- + -scope: cf. F. mégascope.]
Defn: A modification of the magic lantern, used esp. for throwing a magnified image of an opaque object on a screen, solar or artificial light being used.
MEGASCOPIC; MEGASCOPICALMeg`a*scop"ic, Meg`a*scop"ic*al, a.
1. (Physics) Of or pertaining to the megascope or the projection upon a screen of images of opaque objects. (b) Enlarged or magnified; — said of images or of photographic pictures, etc.
2. (Geol.) Large enough to be seen; —said of the larger structural features and components of rocks which do not require the use of the microscope to be perceived. Opposed to microscopic.
MEGASEMEMeg"a*seme, a. Etym: [Mega- + Gr. mégasème.] (Anat.)
Defn: Having the orbital index relatively large; having the orbits narrow transversely; — opposed to microseme.
MEGASS; MEGASSEMe"gass", Me*gasse", n.
Defn: See Bagasse.
MEGASTHENEMeg"as*thene, n. Etym: [Gr. me`gas great + sthe`nos strength.](Zoöl.)
Defn: One of a group which includes the higher orders of mammals, having a large size as a typical characteristic.
MEGASTHENICMeg`as*then"ic, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having a typically large size; belonging to the megasthenes.
MEGASTOMEMeg"a*stome, n. Etym: [Gr. me`gas great + sto`ma mouth.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of a group of univalve shells, having a large aperture or mouth.
MEGATHERE; MEGATHERIUM Meg"a*there, Meg`a*the"ri*um, n. Etym: [NL. megatherium, fr. Gr. me`gas great + thyri`on beast.] (Paleon.)
Defn: An extinct gigantic quaternary mammal, allied to the ant-eaters and sloths. Its remains are found in South America.
MEGATHEROIDMeg`a*the"roid, n. Etym: [Megatherium + -oid.] (Paleon.)
Defn: One of a family of extinct edentates found in America. The family includes the megatherium, the megalonyx, etc.
MEGAVOLTMeg`a*volt", n. Etym: [Mega- + volt.] (Elec.)
Defn: One of the larger measures of electro-motive force, amounting to one million volts.
MEGAWEBERMeg`a*we"ber, n. Etym: [Mega- + weber.] (Elec.)
Defn: A million webers.
MEGERGMeg"erg`, n. Etym: [Mega- + erg.] (Physics)
Defn: One of the larger measures of work, amounting to one million ergs; — called also megalerg.
MEGILP; MEGILPHMe*gilp", Me*gilph", n. (Paint.)
Defn: A gelatinous compound of linseed oil and mastic varnish, used by artists as a vehicle for colors. [Written also magilp, and magilph.]
MEGOHMMeg"ohm", n. Etym: [Mega- + ohm.] (Elec.)
Defn: One of the larger measures of electrical resistance, amounting to one million ohms.
MEGRIMMe"grim, n. Etym: [OE. migrim, migrene, F. migraine, LL. hemigrania,L. hemicrania, hemicranium, Gr. Hemi- and Cranium, and cf.Hemicrania, Migraine.]
1. A kind of sick or nevrous headache, usually periodical and confined to one side of the head.
2. A fancy; a whim; a freak; a humor; esp., in the plural, lowness of spirits. These are his megrims, firks, and melancholies. Ford.
3. pl. (Far.)
Defn: A sudden vertigo in a horse, succeeded sometimes by unconsciousness, produced by an excess of blood in the brain; a mild form of apoplexy. Youatt.
MEGRIMMe"grim, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The British smooth sole, or scaldfish (Psetta arnoglossa).
MEIBOMIANMei*bo"mi*an, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or discovered by, Meibomius. Meibomian glands, the slender sebaceous glands of the eyelids, which discharge, through minute orifices in the edges of the lids, a fatty secretion serving to lubricate the adjacent parts.
MEINEMeine, v. t.
Defn: See Menge.
MEINE; MEINYMein"e, Mein"y, (, n. Etym: [OF. maisniée, maisnie. See Menial.]
1. A family, including servants, etc.; household; retinue; train. [Obs.] Chaucer. Shak.
2. Company; band; army. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MEIOCENEMei"o*cene, a. (Geol.)
Defn: See Miocene.
MEIONITEMei"o*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A member of the scapolite, group, occuring in glassy crystals on Monte Somma, near Naples.
MEIOSISMei*o"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Meionite.] (Rhet.)
Defn: Diminution; a species of hyperbole, representing a thing as being less than it really is.
MEIOSTEMONOUSMei`o*stem"o*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having fever stamens than the parts of the corolla.
MEISTERSINGERMeis"ter*sing`er, n. Etym: [G.]
Defn: See Mastersinger.
MEKHITARISTMekh"i*tar*ist, n. (Ecc. Hist.)
Defn: See Mechitarist.
MELACONITEMe*lac"o*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: An earthy black oxide of copper, arising from the decomposition of other ores.
MELADA; MELADO Me*la"da, Me*la"do, n. Etym: [Sp., prop. p. p. of melar to sugar, candy, fr. L. mel honey. See Molasses.]
Defn: A mixture of sugar and molasses; crude sugar as it comes from the pans without being drained.
MELAENAMe*læ"na, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A discharge from the bowels of black matter, consisting of altered blood.
MELAINMel"ain, n. Etym: [See Melna.]
Defn: The dark coloring matter of the liquid of the cuttlefish.
MELAINOTYPEMe*lai"no*type, n.
Defn: See Melanotype.
MELAMMe"lam, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mélam.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white or buff-colored granular powder,
MELAMINEMe*lam"ine, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A strong nitrogenous base, C3H6N6, produced from several cyanogen compounds, and obtained as a white crystalline substance, — formerly supposed to be produced by the decomposition of melam. Called also cyanuramide.
MELAMPODEMel"am*pode, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The black hellebore. [Obs.] Spenser.
MELAMPYRIN; MELAMPYRITEMel`am*py"rin, Mel`am*py"rite, n. Etym: [NL. Melampyrum cowwheat; Gr.(Chem.)
Defn: The saccharine substance dulcite; — so called because found in the leaves of cowwheat (Melampyrum). See Dulcite.
MELANAEMIAMel`a*næ"mi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A morbid condition in which the blood contains black pigment either floating freely or imbedded in the white blood corpuscles.
MELANAGOGUEMe*lan"a*gogue, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A medicine supposed to expel black bile or choler. [Obs.]
MELANCHOLIAMel`an*cho"li*a, n. Etym: [L. See Melancholy.] (Med.)
Defn: A kind of mental unsoundness characterized by extreme depression of spirits, ill-grounded fears, delusions, and brooding over one particular subject or train of ideas.
MELANCHOLIANMel`an*cho"li*an, n.
Defn: A person affected with melancholy; a melancholic. [Obs.] Dr. J.Scott.
MELANCHOLICMel"an*chol`ic, a. Etym: [L. melancholicus, Gr. mélancholique.]
Defn: Given to melancholy; depressed; melancholy; dejected; unhappy.Just as the melancholic eye Sees fleets and armies in the sky. Prior.
MELANCHOLICMel"an*chol`ic, n. [Obs.]
1. One affected with a gloomy state of mind. J. Spenser.
2. A gloomy state of mind; melancholy. Clarendon.
MELANCHOLILYMel"an*chol`i*ly, adv.
Defn: In a melancholy manner.
MELANCHOLINESSMel"an*chol`i*ness, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being melancholy. Hallywell.
MELANCHOLIOUSMel`an*cho"li*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. melancholieux.]
Defn: Melancholy. [R.] Milton.
MELANCHOLISTMel"an*chol*ist, n.
Defn: One affected with melancholy or dejection. [Obs.] Glanvill.
MELANCHOLIZEMel"an*cho*lize, v. i.
Defn: To become gloomy or dejected in mind. Barrow.
MELANCHOLIZEMel"an*cho*lize, v. t.
Defn: To make melancholy.
MELANCHOLY Mel"an*chol*y, n. Etym: [OE. melancolie, F. mélancolie, L. melancholia, fr. Gr. Malice, and 1st Gall.]
1. Depression of spirits; a gloomy state continuing a considerable time; deep dejection; gloominess. Shak.
2. Great and continued depression of spirits, amounting to mental unsoundness; melancholia.
3. Pensive maditation; serious thoughtfulness. [Obs.] "Hail, divinest Melancholy !" Milton.
4. Ill nature. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MELANCHOLYMel"an*chol*y, a.
1. Depressed in spirits; dejected; gloomy dismal. Shak.
2. Producing great evil and grief; causing dejection; calamitous; afflictive; as, a melancholy event.
3. Somewhat deranged in mind; having the jugment impaired. [Obs.] Bp. Reynolds.
4. Favorable to meditation; somber. A pretty, melancholy seat, well wooded and watered. Evelin.
Syn. — Gloomy; sad; dispirited; low-spirited; downhearted; unhappy; hypochondriac; disconsolate; heavy, doleful; dismal; calamitous; afflictive.
MELANCONIACEAEMel`an*co`ni*a"ce*æ, n. pl. [NL.] (Bot.)
Defn: A family of fungi constituting the order Melanconiales. —Mel`an*co`ni*a"ceous (#), a.
MELANCONIALESMel`an*co`ni*a"les, n. pl. [NL., fr. Melanconium, name of the typicalgenus, fr. Gr. black + dust, in allusion to the dark spores.](Bot.)
Defn: The smallest of the three orders of Fungi Imperfecti, including those with no asci nor pycnidia, but as a rule having the spores in cavities without special walls. They cause many of the plant diseases known as anthracnose.
MELANESIAN Mel`a*ne"sian, a. Etym: [Gr. Melanesia was so called from the dark complexion of the natives.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Melanesia.
MELANGEMé`lange", n. Etym: [F. See Mell, Meddle.]
Defn: A mixture; a medley.
MELANIANMe*la"ni*an, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of a family of fresh-water pectinibranchiate mollusks, having a turret-shaped shell.
MELANICMe*lan"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. Melanotic.
2. (Ethnol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the black-haired races. Prichard.
MELANILINEMe*lan"i*line, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A complex nitrogenous hydrocarbon obtained artificially (as by the action of cyanogen chloride on aniline) as a white, crystalline substance; — called also diphenyl guanidin.
MELANINMel"a*nin, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: A black pigment found in the pigment-bearing cells of the skin (particularly in the skin of the negro), in the epithelial cells of the external layer of the retina (then called fuscin), in the outer layer of the choroid, and elsewhere. It is supposed to be derived from the decomposition of hemoglobin.
MELANISMMel"a*nism, n. Etym: [Gr. , , black.]
1. An indue development of dark-colored pigment in the skin or its appendages; — the opposite of albinism.
2. (Med.)
Defn: A disease; black jaundice. See Mel.
MELANISTICMel`a*nis"tic, a.
Defn: Affected with melanism; of the nature of melanism.
MELANITEMel"a*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. mélanite.] (Min.)
Defn: A black variety of garnet.
MELANOCHROIMel`a*noch"ro*i, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Melanochroic.] (Ethnol.)
Defn: A group of the human race, including the dark whites.
MELANOCHROICMel`a*no*chro"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Having a dark complexion; of or pertaining to the Melanochroi.
MELANOCHROITEMel`a*no*chro"ite, n. Etym: [See Melanochroic.] (Min.)
Defn: A mineral of a red, or brownish or yellowish red color. It is a chromate of lead; — called also phoenicocroite.
MELANOCOMOUSMel`a*noc"o*mous, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Having very dark or black hair; black-haired. Prichard.
MELANOMA Mel`a*no"ma, n.; L. pl. -nomata (#). [NL.; Gr. , , black + -oma.] (Med.) (a) A tumor containing dark pigment. (b) Development of dark-pigmented tumors.
MELANORRHOEAMel`a*nor*rhoe"a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: An East Indian genus of large trees. Melanorrhoea usitatissima is the lignum-vitæ of Peru, and yelds a valuable black varnish.
MELANOSCOPEMe*lan"o*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.] (Opt.)
Defn: An instrument containing a combination of colored glasses such that they transmit only red light, so that objects of other colors, as green leaves, appear black when seen through it. It is used for viewing colored flames, to detect the presence of potassium, lithium, etc., by the red light which they emit.
MELANOSISMel`a*no"sis, Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: The morbid deposition of black matter, often of a malignant character, causing pigmented tumors.
MELANOSPERMMe*lan"o*sperm, n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: An alga of any kind that produces blackish spores, or seed dust. The melanosperms include the rockweeds and all kinds of kelp. — Mel`a*no*sper"mous, a.
MELANOTICMel`a*not"ic
Defn: , Melanistic.
MELANOTYPEMe*lan"o*type, n. Etym: [Gr. -type.] (Photog.)
Defn: A positive picture produced with sensitized collodion on a smooth surface of black varnish, coating a thin plate of iron; also, the process of making such a picture. [Written also melainotype.]
MELANTERITEMe*lan"ter*ite, n. (Min.)
Defn: A hydrous sulphate of iron of a green color and vitreous luster; iron vitriol.
MELANUREMel"a*nure, n. Etym: [NL. melanurus, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small fish of the Mediterranean; a gilthead. See Gilthead (a).
MELANURICMel`a*nu"ric, a. Etym: [Melam + urea.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a complex nitrogenous acid obtained by decomposition of melam, or of urea, as a white crystalline powder; — called also melanurenic acid.
MELAPHYREMel"a*phyre, n. Etym: [F., fr. Gr. phyre porphyry.] (Min.)
Defn: Any one of several dark-colored augitic, eruptive rocks allied to basalt.
MELASMAMe*las"ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A dark discoloration of the skin, usually local; as, Addison's melasma, or Addison's disease. — Me*las"mic, a.
MELASSESMe*las"ses, n.
Defn: See Molasses.
MELASSICMe*las"sic, a. Etym: [See Molasses.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from molasses or glucose, and probably identical with saccharic acid. See Saccharic.
MELASTOMAMe*las"to*ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of evergreen tropical shrubs; — so called from the black berries of some species, which stain the mouth.
MELASTOMACEOUSMel`a*sto*ma"ceous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Belonging to the order of which Melastoma is the type.
MELCHITEMel"chite, n. Etym: [Heb. melek king.] (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: One of a sect, chiefly in Syria and Egypt, which acknowledges the authority of the pope, but adheres to the liturgy and ceremonies of the Eastern Church.
MELD Meld, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Melded; p. pr. & vb. n. Melding.] [G. melden to announce.] (Card Playing)
Defn: In the game of pinochle, to declare or announce for a score; as, to meld a sequence.
MELDMeld, n. (Card Playing)
Defn: Any combination or score which may be declared, or melded, in pinochle.
MELEAGRINEMel`e*a"grine, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the genus Meleagris.
MELEAGRISMel`e*a"gris, n. Etym: [L., the Guinea fowl.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of American gallinaceous birds, including the common and the wild turkeys.
MELEEMê`lée", n. Etym: [F., fr. mêler to mix. See Meddle, Mell, and cf.Mellay.]
Defn: A fight in which the combatants are mingled
MELENAMe*le"na, n. (Med.)
Defn: See Mel.
MELENEMel"ene, n. Etym: [Melissic + ethylene.] (Chem.)
Defn: An unsaturated hydrocarbon, C30H60, of the ethylene series, obtained from beeswax as a white, scaly, crystalline wax; — called also melissene, and melissylene.
MELENITEMel"e*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. me`li honey.]
Defn: An explosive of great destructive power; — so called from its color, which resembles honey.
MELETINMel"e*tin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: See Quercitin.
MELEZITOSEMe*lez"i*tose`, n. Etym: [F. mélèze the larch + melitose.] (Chem.)
Defn: A variety of sugar, isomeric with sucrose, extracted from the manna of the larch (Larix). [Written also melicitose.]
MELIACEOUSMe`li*a"ceous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Pertaining to a natural order (Meliacæ) of plants of which the genus Melia is the type. It includes the mahogany and the Spanish cedar.
MELIBEAN; MELIBOEAN Mel`i*be"an, Mel`i*boe"an, a. Etym: [From L. Meliboeus, one of the interlocutors in Virgil's first Eclogue.] (Rhet.)
Defn: Alternately responsive, as verses.
MELICMel"ic, Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Of or pertaining to song; lyric; tuneful.
MELICEROUS Me*lic"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. meliceris a kind of tumor, fr. Gr. me`li honey + (Med.)
Defn: Consisting of or containing matter like honey; — said of certain encysted tumors.
MELIC GRASSMel"ic grass`. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of grasses (Melica) of little agricultural importance.
MELICOTOONMel`i*co*toon", n. (Bot.)
Defn: See Melocoton.
MELICRATORYMe*lic"ra*to*ry, n. Etym: [Gr. meli`kraton.]
Defn: A meadlike drink. [Obs.]
MELILITEMel"i*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. me`li honey + -lite; cf. F. mélilithe.](Min.)
Defn: A mineral occurring in small yellow crystals, found in the lavas (melilite basalt) of Vesuvius, and elsewhere. [Written also mellilite.]
MELILOTMel"i*lot, n. Etym: [F. mélilot, L. melilotus, fr. Gr. me`li honey +(Bot.)
Defn: Any species of Melilotus, a genus of leguminous herbs having a vanillalike odor; sweet clover; hart's clover. The blue melilot (Melilotus cærulea) is used in Switzerland to give color and flavor to sapsago cheese.
MELILOTICMel`i*lot"ic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, sweet clover or meliot; specifically, designating an acid of the aromatic series, obtained from melilot as a white crystalline substance.
MELINITEMé"lin*ite, n. [F.] (Chem.)
Defn: A high explosive similar to lyddite, consisting principally of picric acid, used in the French military service.
MELIORATEMel"io*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Meliorated; p. pr. & vb. n.Meliorating.] Etym: [L. melioratus, p. p. of meliorare to meliorate,fr. melior better; akin to Gr. Ameliorate.]
Defn: To make better; to improve; to ameliorate; to soften; to makemore tolerable.Nature by art we nobly meliorate. Denham.The pure and bening light of revelation has had a melioratinginfluence on mankind. Washington.
MELIORATEMel"io*rate, v. i.
Defn: To grow better.
MELIORATERMel"io*ra`ter, n.
Defn: Same as Meliorator.
MELIORATIONMel`io*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. melioratio.]
Defn: The act or operation of meliorating, or the state of being meliorated; improvement. Bacon.
MELIORATORMel"io*ra`tor, n.
Defn: One who meliorates.
MELIORISMMel"io*rism, n. Etym: [From L. melior better.]
Defn: The doctrine that there is a tendency throughout nature toward improvement. J. Sully.
MELIORITYMel*ior"i*ty, n. Etym: [LL. melioritas, fr. L. melior. SeeMeliorate.]
Defn: The state or quality of being better; melioration. [Obs.]Bacon.
MELIPHAGANMe*liph"a*gan, a. Etym: [Gr. me`li honey + (Zoöl.)
Defn: Belonging to the genus Meliphaga.
MELIPHAGANMe*liph"a*gan, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any bird of the genus Meliphaga and allied genera; a honey eater; — called also meliphagidan.
MELIPHAGOUSMe*liph"a*gous, a. Etym: [See Meliphagan.] (Zool.)
Defn: Eating, or feeding upon, honey.
MELISMA Me*lis"ma, n.; pl. Melismata. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Mus.) (a) A piece of melody; a song or tune, — as opposed to recitative or musical declamation. (b) A grace or embellishment.
MELISSAMe*lis"sa, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. me`lissa a bee, honey.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of labiate herbs, including the balm, or bee balm(Melissa officinalis).
MELISSICMe*lis"sic, a. Etym: [Gr. me`lissa a bee, honey.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, beeswax; specif., denoting an acid obtained by oxidation of myricin.
MELISSYLMe*lis"syl, n. Etym: [Melissic +yl.] (Chem.)
Defn: See Myricyl.
MELISSYLENEMe*lis"sy*lene, n. Etym: [Melissic + -yl + -ene.] (Chem.)
Defn: See Melene.
MELITOSEMel"i*tose`, n. Etym: [Gr. me`li honey.] (Chem.)
Defn: A variety of sugar isomeric with sucrose, extracted from cotton seeds and from the so-called Australian manna (a secretion of certain species of Eucalyptus).
MELLMell, v. i. & t. Etym: [F. mêler, OF. meller, mester. See Meddle.]
Defn: To mix; to meddle. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MELLMell, n. Etym: [See Mellifluous.]
Defn: Honey. [Obs.] Warner.
MELLMell, n.
Defn: A mill. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MELLATEMel"late, n. Etym: [L. mel, mellis, honey. Cf. Mellitate.] (Chem.)
Defn: A mellitate. [R.]
MELLAYMel"lay, n.
Defn: A mêlée; a conflict. Tennyson.
MELLICMel"lic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: See Mellitic. [R.]
MELLIFEROUS Mel*lif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. mellifer; mel, mellis, honey + ferre to bear.]
Defn: Producing honey.
MELLIFIC Mel*lif"ic, a. Etym: [L. mel, mellis, honey + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.]
Defn: Producing honey.
MELLIFICATION Mel`li*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. mellificare to make honey: cf. F. mellification. See Mellific.]
Defn: The making or production of honey.
MELLIFLUENCEMel*lif"lu*ence, n.
Defn: A flow of sweetness, or a sweet, smooth flow.
MELLIFLUENTMel*lif"lu*ent, a. Etym: [L. mellifluens. See Mellifluous.]
Defn: Flowing as with honey; smooth; mellifluous.
MELLIFLUENTLYMel*lif"lu*ent*ly, adv.
Defn: In a mellifluent manner.
MELLIFLUOUSMel*lif"lu*ous, a. Etym: [L. mellifluus; mel, mellis, honey (akin toGr. milip) + fluere to flow. See Mildew, Fluent, and cf. Marmalade.]
Defn: Flowing as with honey; smooth; flowing sweetly or smoothly; as,a mellifluous voice.— Mel*lif"lu*ous*ly, adv.
MELLIGENOUSMel*lig"e*nous, a. Etym: [L. mel, mellis + -genous.]
Defn: Having the qualities of honey. [R.]
MELLIGOMel*li"go, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: Honeydew.
MELLILOQUENT Mel*lil"o*quent, a. Etym: [L. mel, mellis honey + loquens speaking, p. pr. of loqui to speak.]
Defn: Speaking sweetly or harmoniously.
MELLIPHAGANMel*liph"a*gan, n.
Defn: See Meliphagan.
MELLIPHAGOUSMel*liph"a*gous, a.
Defn: See Meliphagous.
MELLITATEMel"li*tate, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mellitate. See Mellitic.] (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of mellitic acid.
MELLITEMel"lite, n. Etym: [L. mel, mellis, honey: cf. F. mellite.] (Min.)
Defn: A mineral of a honey color, found in brown coal, and partly the result of vegetable decomposition; honeystone. It is a mellitate of alumina.
MELLITIC Mel*lit"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. mellitique. See Mellite.] (Chem.) (a) Containing saccharine matter; marked by saccharine secretions; as, mellitic diabetes. (b) Pertaining to, or derived from, the mineral mellite. Mellitic acid (Chem.), a white, crystalline, organic substance, C6(CO2H)6, occurring naturally in combination with aluminium in the mineral mellite, and produced artificially by the oxidation of coal, graphite, etc., and hence called also graphitic acid.
MELLONEMel"lone, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A yellow powder, C6H3N9, obtained from certain sulphocyanates.It has acid properties and forms compounds called mellonides.
MELLONIDEMel"lon*ide, n.
Defn: See Mellone.
MELLOW Mel"low, a. [Compar. Mellower; superl. Mellowest.] Etym: [OE. melwe; cf. AS. mearu soft, D. murw, Prov. G. mollig soft, D. malsch, and E. meal flour.]
1. Soft or tender by reason of ripeness; having a tender pulp; as, a mellow apple.
2. Hence: (a) Easily worked or penetrated; not hard or rigid; as, a mellow soil. "Mellow glebe." Drayton (b) Not coarse, rough, or harsh; subdued; soft; rich; delicate; — said of sound, color, flavor, style, etc. "The mellow horn." Wordsworth. "The mellow-tasted Burgundy." Thomson. The tender flush whose mellow stain imbues Heaven with all freaks of light. Percival.
3. Well matured; softened by years; genial; jovial.May health return to mellow age. Wordsworth.As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever followed a hound. W.Irving.
4. Warmed by liquor; slightly intoxicated. Addison.
MELLOWMel"low, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mellowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Mellowing.]
Defn: To make mellow. Shak. If the Weather prove frosty to mellow it [the ground], they do not plow it again till April. Mortimer. The fervor of early feeling is tempered and mellowed by the ripeness of age. J. C. Shairp.
MELLOWMel"low, v. i.
Defn: To become mellow; as, ripe fruit soon mellows. "Prosperity begins to mellow." Shak.
MELLOWLYMel"low*ly, adv.
Defn: In a mellow manner.
MELLOWNESSMel"low*ness, n.
Defn: Quality or state of being mellow.
MELLOWYMel"low*y, a.
Defn: Soft; unctuous. Drayton.
MELLUCOMel*lu"co, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A climbing plant (Ullucus officinalis) of the Andes, having tuberous roots which are used as a substitute for potatoes.
MELNEMel"ne, n.
Defn: A mill. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MELOCOTON; MELOCOTOON Mel`o*co*ton", Mel`o*co*toon", n. Etym: [Sp. melocoton a kind of peach tree and its fruit, L. malum cotonium, or cotonea, or Cydonia, a quince, or quince tree, lit., apple of Cydonia, Gr. Quince.] (Bot.) (a) A quince. (b) A kind of peach having one side deep red, and the flesh yellow. [Written also malacatoon, malacotune.]
MELODEONMe*lo"de*on, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Melody, and cf. Odeon.]
1. (Mus.)
Defn: A kind of small reed organ; — a portable form of the seraphine.
2. A music hall.
MELODICMe*lod"ic, a. Etym: [L. melodicus, Gr. mélodique.]
Defn: Of the nature of melody; relating to, containing, or made up of, melody; melodious.
MELODICSMe*lod"ics, n.
Defn: The department of musical science which treats of the pitch of tones, and of the laws of melody.
MELODIOGRAPHMe*lo"di*o*graph, n. Etym: [Melody + -graph.]
Defn: A contrivance for preserving a record of music, by recording the action of the keys of a musical instrument when played upon.
MELODIOUSMe*lo"di*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. mélodieux. See Melody.]
Defn: Containing, or producing, melody; musical; agreeable to the ear by a sweet succession of sounds; as, a melodious voice. "A melodious voice." "A melodious undertone." Longfellow. — Me*lo"di*ous*ly, adv. — Me*lo"di*ous*ness, n.
MELODISTMel"o*dist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mélodiste.]
Defn: A composer or singer of melodies.
MELODIZEMel"o*dize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Melodized; p. pr. & vb. n.Melodizing.]
Defn: To make melodious; to form into, or set to, melody.
MELODIZEMel"o*dize, v. i.
Defn: To make melody; to compose melodies; to harmonize.
MELODRAMAMel`o*dra"ma, n. Etym: [F. mélodrame, fr. Gr.
Defn: Formerly, a kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes. Now, a drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic. In opera, a passage in which the orchestra plays a somewhat descriptive accompaniment, while the actor speaks; as, the melodrama in the gravedigging scene of Beethoven's "Fidelio".
MELODRAMATICMel`o*dra*mat"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. mélodramatique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to melodrama; like or suitable to a melodrama; unnatural in situation or action. — Mel`o*dra*mat"ic*al*ly, adv.
MELODRAMATISTMel`o*dram"a*tist, n.
Defn: One who acts in, or writes, melodramas.
MELODRAMEMel"o*drame, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: Melodrama.
MELODY Mel"o*dy, n.; pl. Melodies. Etym: [OE. melodie, F. mélodie, L. melodia, fr. Gr. Ode.]
1. A sweet or agreeable succession of sounds. Lulled with sound of sweetest melody. Shak.
2. (Mus.)
Defn: A rhythmical succession of single tones, ranging for the most part within a given key, and so related together as to form a musical whole, having the unity of what is technically called a musical thought, at once pleasing to the ear and characteristic in expression.
Note: Melody consists in a succession of single tones; harmony is a consonance or agreement of tones, also a succession of consonant musical combinations or chords.
3. The air or tune of a musical piece.
Syn.— See Harmony.
MELOEMel"o*e, Etym: [ NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of beetles without wings, but having short oval elytra; the oil beetles. These beetles are sometimes used instead of cantharides for raising blisters. See Oil beetle, under Oil.
MELOGRAPHMel"o*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. -graph : cf. F. mélographe.]
Defn: Same as Melodiograph.
MELOLONTHIDIANMel`o*lon*thid"i*an, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A beetle of the genus Melolontha, and allied genera. See May beetle, under May.
MELON Mel"on, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. melo, for melopepo an apple-shaped melon, Gr. malum apple. Cf. Marmalade.]
1. (Bot.)
Defn: The juicy fruit of certain cucurbitaceous plants, as the muskmelon, watermelon, and citron melon; also, the plant that produces the fruit.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large, ornamental, marine, univalve shell of the genus Melo. Melon beetle (Zoöl.), a small leaf beetle (Diabrotiea vittata), which damages the leaves of melon vines. — Melon cactus, Melon thistle. (a) (Bot.) A genus of cactaceous plants (Melocactus) having a fleshy and usually globose stem with the surface divided into spiny longitudinal ridges, and bearing at the top a prickly and woolly crown in which the small pink flowers are half concealed. M. communis, from the West Indies, is often cultivated, and sometimes called Turk's cap. (b) The related genus Mamillaria, in which the stem is tubercled rather than ribbed, and the flowers sometimes large. See Illust. under Cactus.
MELOPIANOMel`o*pi*a"no, n. Etym: [Gr. piano.]
Defn: A piano having a mechanical attachment which enables the player to prolong the notes at will.
MELOPLASTICMel`o*plas"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to meloplasty, or the artificial formation of a new cheek.
MELOPLASTYMel"o*plas`ty, n. Etym: [Gr. -plasty: cf. F. méloplastie.] (Surg.)
Defn: The process of restoring a cheek which has been destroyed wholly or in part.
MELOPOEIAMel`o*poe"ia, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Mus.)
Defn: The art of forming melody; melody; — now often used for a melodic passage, rather than a complete melody.
MELOTYPEMel"o*type, n. (Photog.)
Defn: A picture produced by a process in which development after exposure may be deferred indefinitely, so as to permit transportation of exposed plates; also, the process itself.
MELPOMENEMel*pom"e*ne, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. (Class. Myth.)
Defn: The Muse of tragedy.
2. (Astron.)
Defn: The eighteenth asteroid.
MELROSEMel"rose, n.
Defn: Honey of roses.
MELTMelt, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See 2d Milt.
MELTMelt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Melted (obs.) p. p. Molten; p. pr. & vb. n.Melting.] Etym: [AS. meltan; akin to Gr. malt, and prob. to E. smelt,v. Smelt, v., Malt, Milt the spleen.]
1. To reduce from a solid to a liquid state, as by heat; to liquefy; as, to mell wax, tallow, or lead; to melt ice or snow.
2. Hence: To soften, as by a warming or kindly influence; to relax; to render gentle or susceptible to mild influences; sometimes, in a bad sense, to take away the firmness of; to weaken. Thou would'st have . . . melted down thy youth. Shak. For pity melts the mind to love. Dryden.
Syn.— To liquefy; fuse; thaw; mollify; soften.
MELTMelt, v. i.
1. To be changed from a solid to a liquid state under the influence of heat; as, butter and wax melt at moderate temperatures.
2. To dissolve; as, sugar melts in the mouth.
3. Hence: To be softened; to become tender, mild, or gentle; also, to be weakened or subdued, as by fear. My soul melteth for heaviness. Ps. cxix. 28. Melting with tenderness and kind compassion. Shak.
4. To lose distinct form or outline; to blend. The soft, green, rounded hills, with their flowing outlines, overlapping and melting into each other. J. C. Shairp.
5. To disappear by being dispersed or dissipated; as, the fog melts away. Shak.
MELTABLEMelt"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being melted.
MELTERMelt"er