METABOLITEMe*tab"o*lite, n. (Physiol Chem.)
Defn: A product of metabolism; a substance produced by metabolic action, as urea.
METABOLIZEMe*tab"o*lize, v. t. & i. (Physiol.)
Defn: To change by a metabolic process. See Metabolism.
METABRANCHIALMet`a*bran"chi*al, a. Etym: [Meta- + branchial.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the lobe of the carapace of crabs covering the posterior branchiæ.
METACARPALMet`a*car"pal, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the metacarpus.— n.
Defn: A metacarpal bone.
METACARPUSMet`a*car"pus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: That part of the skeleton of the hand or forefoot between the carpus and phalanges. In man it consists of five bones. See Illust. of Artiodactyla.
METACENTER; METACENTREMet`a*cen"ter or; Metacentre, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + center.](Hydrostatics)
Defn: The point of intersection of a vertical line through the center of gravity of the fluid displaced by a floating body which is tipped through a small angle from its position of equilibrium, and the inclined line which was vertical through the center of gravity of the body when in equilibrium.
Note: When the metacenter is above the center of gravity, the position of the body is stable; when below it, unstable.
METACETONEMe*tac"e*tone, n. Etym: [Pref. met- + acetone.] (Chem.)
Defn: A colorless liquid of an agreeable odor, C6H10O, obtained by distilling a mixture of sugar and lime; — so called because formerly regarded as a polymeric modification of acetone.
METACHLORALMet`a*chlo"ral, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + chloral.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white, amorphous, insoluble substance regarded as a polymeric variety of chloral.
METACHRONISMMe*tach"ro*nism, n. Etym: [Gr. métachronisme.]
Defn: An error committed in chronology by placing an event after its real time.
METACHROSISMet`a*chro"sis, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: The power og changing color at will by the expansion of special pigment cells, under nerve influence, as seen in many reptiles, fishes, etc. Cope.
METACINNABARITEMet`a*cin"na*bar*ite, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + cinnabar.] (Min.)
Defn: Sulphide of mercury in isometric form and black in color.
METACISMMet"a*cism, n. Etym: [L. metacismus, Gr.
Defn: A defect in pronouncing the letter m, or a too frequent use of it.
METACROLEINMet`a*cro"le*in, n. Etym: [Pref. met- + acrolein.] (Chem.)
Defn: A polymeric modification of acrolein obtained by heating it with caustic potash. It is a crystalline substance having an aromatic odor.
METACROMIONMet`a*cro"mi*on, n. Etym: [NL.] (Anat.)
Defn: A process projecting backward and downward from the acromion of the scapula of some mammals.
METADISCOIDALMet`a*dis*coid"al, a. Etym: [Meta- + discoidal.] (Anat.)
Defn: Discoidal by derivation; — applied especially to the placenta of man and apes, because it is supposed to have been derived from a diffused placenta.
METAGASTRICMet`a*gas"tric, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + gastric.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the two posterior gastric lobes of the carapace of crabs.
METAGEMet"age (; 48), n. Etym: [From Mete, v.]
1. Measurement, especially of coal. De Foe.
2. Charge for, or price of, measuring. Simmonds.
METAGENESISMet`a*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + genesis.]
1. (Biol.)
Defn: The change of form which one animal species undergoes in a series of successively produced individuals, extending from the one developed from the ovum to the final perfected individual. Hence, metagenesis involves the production of sexual individuals by nonsexual means, either directly or through intervening sexless generations. Opposed to monogenesis. See Alternate generation, under Generation.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: Alternation of sexual and asexual or gemmiparous generations; - - in distinction from heterogamy.
METAGENETICMet`a*ge*net"ic, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to metagenesis.
METAGENICMet`a*gen"ic, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Metagenetic.
METAGNATHOUSMe*tag"na*thous, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Cross-billed; — said of certain birds, as the crossbill.
METAGRAMMATISMMet`a*gram"ma*tism, n.
Defn: Anagrammatism.
METAGRAPHICMet`a*graph"ic, a.
Defn: By or pertaining to metagraphy.
METAGRAPHYMe*tag"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + -graphy.]
Defn: The art or act of rendering the letters of the alphabet of one language into the possible equivalents of another; transliteration. Stormonth.
METALMet"al ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [F. métal, L. metallum metal, mine, Gr.Mettle, Medal.]
1. (Chem.)
Defn: An elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc.
Note: Popularly, the name is applied to certain hard, fusible metals, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, nickel, etc., and also to the mixed metals, or metallic alloys, as brass, bronze, steel, bell metal, etc.
2. Ore from which a metal is derived; — so called by miners. Raymond.
3. A mine from which ores are taken. [Obs.] Slaves . . . and persons condemned to metals. Jer. Taylor.
4. The substance of which anything is made; material; hence, constitutional disposition; character; temper. Not till God make men of some other metal than earth. Shak.
5. Courage; spirit; mettle. See Mettle. Shak.
Note: The allusion is to the temper of the metal of a sword blade.Skeat.
6. The broken stone used in macadamizing roads and ballasting railroads.
7. The effective power or caliber of guns carried by a vessel of war.
8. Glass in a state of fusion. Knight.
9. pl.
Defn: The rails of a railroad. [Eng.] Base metal (Chem.), any one of the metals, as iron, lead, etc., which are readily tarnished or oxidized, in contrast with the noble metals. In general, a metal of small value, as compared with gold or silver. — Fusible metal (Metal.), a very fusible alloy, usually consisting of bismuth with lead, tin, or cadmium. — Heavy metals (Chem.), the metallic elements not included in the groups of the alkalies, alkaline earths, or the earths; specifically, the heavy metals, as gold, mercury, platinum, lead, silver, etc. — Light metals (Chem.), the metallic elements of the alkali and alkaline earth groups, as sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.; also, sometimes, the metals of the earths, as aluminium. — Muntz metal, an alloy for sheathing and other purposes, consisting of about sixty per cent of copper, and forty of zinc. Sometimes a little lead is added. It is named from the inventor. — Prince's metal (Old Chem.), an alloy resembling brass, consisting of three parts of copper to one of zinc; — also called Prince Rupert's metal.
METAL Met"al, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Metaled ( or ) or Metalled; p. pr. & vb. n. Metaling or Metalling.]
Defn: To cover with metal; as, to metal a ship's bottom; to metal a road.
METALAMMONIUMMet`al*am*mo"ni*um, n. Etym: [Metal + ammonium.] (Chem.)
Defn: A hypothetical radical derived from ammonium by the substitution of metallic atoms in place of hydrogen.
METALBUMINMet`al*bu"min, n. Etym: [Pref. met- + albumin.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A form of albumin found in ascitic and certain serous fluids.It is sometimes regarded as a mixture of albumin and mucin.
METALDEHYDEMe*tal"de*hyde, n. Etym: [Pref. met- + aldehyde.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white crystalline substance isomeric with, and obtained from, acetic aldehyde by polymerization, and reconvertible into the same.
METALEPSISMet`a*lep"sis, n.; pl. Metalepses. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: The continuation of a trope in one word through a succession of significations, or the union of two or more tropes of a different kind in one word.
METALEPSYMet"a*lep`sy, n. (Chem.)
Defn: Exchange; replacement; substitution; metathesis. [R.]
METALEPTICMet`a*lep"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. Of or pertaining to a metalepsis.
2. Transverse; as, the metaleptic motion of a muscle.
3. (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, concerned in, or occurring by, metalepsy.
METALEPTICALMet`a*lep"tic*al, a.
Defn: Metaleptic.— Met`a*lep"tic*al*ly, adv.
METALLICMe*tal"lic, a. Etym: [L. metallicus, fr. metallum: cf. F. métallique.See Metal.]
1. Of or pertaining to a metal; of the nature of metal; resembling metal; as, a metallic appearance; a metallic alloy.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or characterized by, the essential and implied properties of a metal, as contrasted with a nonmetal or metalloid; basic; antacid; positive. Metallic iron, iron in the state of the metal, as distinquished from its ores, as magnetic iron. — Metallic paper, paper covered with a thin solution of lime, whiting, and size. When written upon with a pewter or brass pencil, the lines can hardly be effaced. — Metallic tinking (Med.), a sound heard in the chest, when a cavity communicating with the air passages contains both air and liquid.
METALLICALMe*tal"lic*al, a.
Defn: See Metallic. [Obs.]
METALLICLYMe*tal"lic*ly, adv.
Defn: In a metallic manner; by metallic means.
METALLIFACTURE Me*tal`li*fac"ture, n. Etym: [L. metallum metal + facere, factum, to make.]
Defn: The production and working or manufacture of metals. [R.] R.Park.
METALLIFEROUS Met`al*lif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. metallifer; metallum metal + ferre to bear: cf. F. métallifère.]
Defn: Producing metals; yielding metals.
METALLIFORM Me*tal"li*form, a. Etym: [L. metallum metal + -form: cf. F. métalliforme.]
Defn: Having the form or structure of a metal.
METALLINE Met"al*line, a. Etym: [Cf. F. métallin.] (Chem.) (a) Pertaining to, or resembling, a metal; metallic; as, metalline properties. (b) Impregnated with metallic salts; chalybeate; as, metalline water. [R.]
METALLINEMet"al*line ( or ), n. (Chem.)
Defn: A substance of variable composition, but resembling a soft, dark-colored metal, used in the bearings of machines for obviating friction, and as a substitute for lubricants.
METALLISTMet"al*list, n.
Defn: A worker in metals, or one skilled in metals.
METALLIZATIONMet`al*li*za"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métallisation.]
Defn: The act or process of metallizing. [R.]
METALLIZEMet"al*lize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Metallized; p. pr. & vb. n.Metallizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. métalliser.]
Defn: To impart metallic properties to; to impregnate with a metal.[R.]
METALLOCHROMEMe*tal"lo*chrome, n. Etym: [See Metallochromy.]
Defn: A coloring produced by the deposition of some metallic compound; specifically, the prismatic tints produced by depositing a film of peroxide of lead on polished steel by electricity.
METALLOCHROMYMe*tal"lo*chro`my, n. Etym: [L. metallum metal + Gr.
Defn: The art or process of coloring metals.
METALLOGRAPHMe*tal"lo*graph, n. Etym: [L. metallum metal + -graph.]
Defn: A print made by metallography.
METALLOGRAPHICMe*tal`lo*graph"ic, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or by means of, metallography.
METALLOGRAPHISTMet`al*log"ra*phist, n.
Defn: One who writes on the subject of metals.
METALLOGRAPHY Met`al*log"ra*phy, n. Etym: [L. metallum metal + -graphy: cf. F. métallographie.]
1. The science or art of metals and metal working; also, a treatise on metals.
2. A method of transferring impressions of the grain of wood to metallic surfaces by chemical action. Knight.
3. A substitute for lithography, in which metallic plates are used instead of stone. Knight.
METALLOID Met"al*loid, n. Etym: [L. metallum metal + -oid: cf. F. métalloïde.] (a) Formerly, the metallic base of a fixed alkali, or alkaline earth; — applied by Sir H. Davy to sodium, potassium, and some other metallic substances whose metallic character was supposed to be not well defined. (b) Now, one of several elementary substances which in the free state are unlike metals, and whose compounds possess or produce acid, rather than basic, properties; a nonmetal; as, boron, carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, chlorine, bromine, etc., are metalloids.
METALLOIDMet"al*loid, a.
1. Having the appearance of a metal.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: Having the properties of a nonmetal; nonmetallic; acid; negative.
METALLOIDALMet`al*loid"al, a.
Defn: Metalloid.
METALLOPHONE Me*tal"lo*phone, n. [L. metallum metal + Gr. sound.] (Music) (a) An instrument like a pianoforte, but having metal bars instead of strings. (b) An instrument like the xylophone, but having metallic instead of wooden bars.
METALLORGANICMet`al*lor*gan"ic, a.
Defn: Metalorganic.
METALLOTHERAPYMe*tal`lo*ther"a*py, n. Etym: [L. metallum metal + E. therapy.](Med.)
Defn: Treatment of disease by applying metallic plates to the surface of the body.
METALLURGIC; METALLURGICALMet`al*lur"gic, Met`al*lur"gic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. métallurgique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to metallurgy.
METALLURGISTMet"al*lur`gist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métallurgiste.]
Defn: One who works in metals, or prepares them for use; one who is skilled in metallurgy.
METALLURGYMet"al*lur`gy, n. Etym: [F. métallurgie, fr. L. metallum metal, Gr.Metal, and Work.]
Defn: The art of working metals, comprehending the whole process of separating them from other matters in the ore, smelting, refining, and parting them; sometimes, in a narrower sense, only the process of extracting metals from their ores.
METALMANMet"al*man, n.; pl. Metalmen (.
Defn: A worker in metals.
METALOGICALMet`a*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Beyond the scope or province of logic.
METALORGANICMet`al*or*gan"ic, a. Etym: [Metal, L. metallum + E. organic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or denoting, any one of a series of compounds of certain metallic elements with organic radicals; as, zinc methyl, sodium ethyl, etc. [Written also metallorganic.]
METAMERMet"a*mer, n. Etym: [See Metamere.] (Chem.)
Defn: Any one of several metameric forms of the same substance, or of different substances having the same composition; as, xylene has three metamers, viz., orthoxylene, metaxylene, and paraxylene.
METAMEREMet"a*mere, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + -mere.] (Biol.)
Defn: One of successive or homodynamous parts in animals and plants; one of a series of similar parts that follow one another in a vertebrate or articulate animal, as in an earthworm; a segment; a somite. See Illust. of Loeven's larva.
METAMERICMet`a*mer"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + Gr.
1. (Chem.)
Defn: Having the same elements united in the same proportion by weight, and with the same molecular weight, but possessing a different structure and different properties; as, methyl ether and ethyl alcohol are metameric compounds. See Isomeric.
Note: The existence of metameric compounds is due to the different arrangement of the same constituents in the molecule.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a metamere or its formation; as, metameric segmentation.
METAMERICALLYMet`a*mer"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a metameric manner.
METAMERISMMe*tam"er*ism, n.
1. (Biol.)
Defn: The symmetry of a metameric structure; serial symmetry; the state of being made up of metameres.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: The state or quality of being metameric; also, the relation or condition of metameric compounds.
METAMORPHICMet`a*mor"phic, a. Etym: [See Metamorphosis.]
1. Subject to change; changeable; variable.
2. Causing a change of structure.
3. (Geol.)
Defn: Pertaining to, produced by, or exhibiting, certain changes which minerals or rocks may have undergone since their original deposition; — especially applied to the recrystallization which sedimentary rocks have undergone through the influence of heat and pressure, after which they are called metamorphic rocks.
METAMORPHISMMet`a*mor"phism, n. (Geol.)
Defn: The state or quality of being metamorphic; the process by which the material of rock masses has been more or less recrystallized by heat, pressure, etc., as in the change of sedimentary limestone to marble. Murchison.
METAMORPHISTMet`a*mor"phist, n. (Eccl.)
Defn: One who believes that the body of Christ was merged into theDeity when he ascended.
METAMORPHIZEMet`a*mor"phize, v. t.
Defn: To metamorphose.
METAMORPHOSEMet`a*mor"phose, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Metamorphosed; p. pr. & vb. n.Metamorphosing.] Etym: [Cf. F. métamorphoser.]
Defn: To change into a different form; to transform; to transmute.And earth was metamorphosed into man. Dryden.
METAMORPHOSEMet`a*mor"phose, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métamorphose. See Metamorphosis.]
Defn: Same as Metamorphosis.
METAMORPHOSERMet`a*mor"pho*ser, n.
Defn: One who metamorphoses. [R.] Gascoigne.
METAMORPHOSICMet`a*mor"pho*sic, a.
Defn: Changing the form; transforming. [R.] Pownall.
METAMORPHOSISMet`a*mor"pho*sis, n.; pl. Metamorphoses. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. Change of form, or structure; transformation.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: A change in the form or function of a living organism, by a natural process of growth or development; as, the metamorphosis of the yolk into the embryo, of a tadpole into a frog, or of a bud into a blossom. Especially, that form of sexual reproduction in which an embryo undergoes a series of marked changes of external form, as the chrysalis stage, pupa stage, etc., in insects. In these intermediate stages sexual reproduction is usually impossible, but they ultimately pass into final and sexually developed forms, from the union of which organisms are produced which pass through the same cycle of changes. See Transformation.
3. (Physiol.)
Defn: The change of material of one kind into another through the agency of the living organism; metabolism. Vegetable metamorphosis (Bot.), the doctrine that flowers are homologous with leaf buds, and that the floral organs are transformed leaves.
METANAUPLIUSMet`a*nau"pli*us, n. Etym: [NL. See Meta-, and Nauplius.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A larval crustacean in a stage following the nauplius, and having about seven pairs of appendages.
METANEPHRITICMet`a*ne*phrit"ic, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the metanephros.
METANEPHROSMet`a*neph"ros, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The most posterior of the three pairs of embryonic renal organs developed in many vertebrates.
METANOTUMMet`a*no"tum, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The dorsal portion of the metaphorax of insects.
METANTIMONATEMet`an*ti*mo"nate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of metantimonic acid.
METANTIMONIC Met`an*ti*mon"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. met- + antimonic.] (Chem.) (a) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid (formerly called antimonic acid) analogous to metaphosphoric acid, and obtained as a white amorphous insoluble substance, (HSbO3). (b) Formerly, designating an acid, which is now properly called pyroantimonic acid, and analogous to pyrophosphoric acid.
METAPECTICMet`a*pec"tic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + pectic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a supposed acid obtained from pectin.
METAPECTINMet`a*pec"tin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A substance obtained from, and resembling, pectin, and occurring in overripe fruits.
METAPEPTONEMet`a*pep"tone, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + peptone.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: An intermediate product formed in the gastric digestion of albuminous matter.
METAPHOR Met"a*phor, n. Etym: [F. métaphore, L. metaphora, fr. Gr. meta` beyond, over + fe`rein to bring, bear.] (Rhet.)
Defn: The transference of the relation between one set of objects to another set for the purpose of brief explanation; a compressed simile; e. g., the ship plows the sea. Abbott & Seeley. "All the world's a stage." Shak.
Note: The statement, "that man is a fox," is a metaphor; but "that man is like a fox," is a simile, similitude, or comparison.
METAPHORIC; METAPHORICALMet`a*phor"ic, Met`a*phor"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. métaphorique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to metaphor; comprising a metaphor; notliteral; figurative; tropical; as, a metaphorical expression; ametaphorical sense.— Met`a*phor"ic*al*ly, adv.— Met`a*phor"ic*al*ness, n.
METAPHORISTMet"a*phor*ist, n.
Defn: One who makes metaphors.
METAPHOSPHATEMet`a*phos"phate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of metaphosphoric acid.
METAPHOSPHORICMet`a*phos*phor"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + phosphoric.] (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a monobasic acid, HPO3, analogous to nitric acid, and, by heating phosphoric acid, obtained as a crystalline substance, commonly called glacial phosphoric acid.
METAPHRASE Met"a*phrase, n. Etym: [Gr. meta`frasis, from metafrazein to paraphrase; meta` beyond, over + fra`zein to speak: cf. F. métaphrase.]
1. A verbal translation; a version or translation from one language into another, word for word; — opposed to paraphrase. Dryden.
2. An answering phrase; repartee. Mrs. Browning.
METAPHRASEDMet"a*phrased, a.
Defn: Translated literally.
METAPHRASISMe*taph"ra*sis, n. Etym: [NL. See Metaphrase.]
Defn: Metaphrase.
METAPHRASTMet"a*phrast, n. Etym: [Gr. métaphraste.]
Defn: A literal translator.
METAPHRASTIC; METAPHRASTICALMet`a*phras"tic, Met`a*phras"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Close, or literal.
METAPHYSICMet`a*phys"ic, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métaphysique.]
Defn: See Metaphysics.
METAPHYSICMet`a*phys"ic, a.
Defn: Metaphysical.
METAPHYSICALMet`a*phys"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. métaphysique. See Metaphysics.]
1. Of or pertaining to metaphysics.
2. According to rules or principles of metaphysics; as, metaphysical reasoning.
3. Preternatural or supernatural. [Obs.] The golden round *Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem To have thee crowned withal. Shak.
METAPHYSICALLYMet`a*phys"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In the manner of metaphysical science, or of a metaphysician.South.
METAPHYSICIANMet`a*phy*si"cian, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métaphysicien.]
Defn: One who is versed in metaphysics.
METAPHYSICS Met`a*phys"ics, n. Etym: [Gr. métaphysique. See Physics. The term was first used by the followers of Aristotle as a name for that part of his writings which came after, or followed, the part which treated of physics.]
1. The science of real as distinguished from phenomenal being; ontology; also, the science of being, with reference to its abstract and universal conditions, as distinguished from the science of determined or concrete being; the science of the conceptions and relations which are necessarily implied as true of every kind of being; phylosophy in general; first principles, or the science of first principles.
Note: Metaphysics is distinguished as general and special. General metaphysics is the science of all being as being. Special metaphysics is the science of one kind of being; as, the metaphysics of chemistry, of morals, or of politics. According to Kant, a systematic exposition of those notions and truths, the knowledge of which is altogether independent of experience, would constitute the science of metaphysics. Commonly, in the schools, called metaphysics, as being part of the philosophy of Aristotle, which hath that for title; but it is in another sense: for there it signifieth as much as "books written or placed after his natural philosophy." But the schools take them for "books of supernatural philosophy;" for the word metaphysic will bear both these senses. Hobbes. Now the science conversant about all such inferences of unknown being from its known manifestations, is called ontology, or metaphysics proper. Sir W. Hamilton. Metaphysics are [is] the science which determines what can and what can not be known of being, and the laws of being, a priori. Coleridge.
2. Hence: The scientific knowledge of mental phenomena; mental philosophy; psychology. Metaphysics, in whatever latitude the term be taken, is a science or complement of sciences exclusively occupied with mind. Sir W. Hamilton. Whether, after all, A larger metaphysics might not help Our physics. Mrs. Browning.
METAPHYSISMe*taph"y*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
Defn: Change of form; transformation.
METAPLASMMet"a*plasm, n. Etym: [L. metaplasmus, Gr. métaplasme.] (Gram.)
Defn: A change in the letters or syllables of a word.
METAPLASTMet"a*plast, n. Etym: [See Metaplasm.] (Gram.)
Defn: A word having more than one form of the root.
METAPODEMet"a*pode, n. Etym: [NL. metapodium, from Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The posterior division of the foot in the Gastropoda andPteropoda.
METAPODIALMet`a*po"di*al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the metapodialia, or to the parts of the limbs to which they belong.
METAPODIALEMet`a*po`di*a"le, n.; pl. Metapodialia. Etym: [NL. See Metapode.](Anat.)
Defn: One of the bones of either the metacarpus or metatarsus.
METAPODIUMMet`a*po"di*um, n.; pl. Metapodia. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Metapode.
METAPOPHYSISMet`a*poph"y*sis, n.; pl. Metapophyses. Etym: [NL. See Meta-, andApophysis.] (Anat.)
Defn: A tubercle projecting from the anterior articular processes of some vertebræ; a mammillary process.
METAPTERYGIUMMe*tap`te*ryg"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The posterior of the three principal basal cartilages in thefins of fishes.— Me*tap`ter*yg"i*al, a.
METASILICATEMet`a*sil"i*cate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of metasilicic acid.
METASILICICMet`a*si*lic"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + silicic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Designating an acid derived from silicic acid by the removal of water; of or pertaining to such an acid.
Note: The salts of metasilicic acid are often called bisilicates, in mineralogy, as Wollastonite (CaSiO3). Metasilicic acid (Chem.), a gelatinous substance, or white amorphous powder, analogous to carbonic acid, and forming many stable salts.
METASOMATISMMet`a*so"ma*tism, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + Gr. (Geol.)
Defn: An alteration in a mineral or rock mass when involving a chemical change of the substance, as of chrysolite to serpentine; — opposed to ordinary metamorphism, as implying simply a recrystallization. — Met`a*so*mat"ic, a.
METASOMEMet"a*some, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + -some body.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the component segments of the body of an animal.
METASTANNATEMet`a*stan"nate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of metastannic acid.
METASTANNICMet`a*stan"nic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a compound of tin (metastannic acid), obtained, as an isomeric modification of stannic acid, in the form of a white amorphous substance.
METASTASISMe*tas"ta*sis, n.; pl. Metastases. Etym: [L., transition, fr. Gr.
1. (Theol.)
Defn: A spiritual change, as during baptism.
2. (Med.)
Defn: A change in the location of a disease, as from one part to another. Dunglison.
3. (Physiol.)
Defn: The act or process by which matter is taken up by cells or tissues and is transformed into other matter; in plants, the act or process by which are produced all of those chemical changes in the constituents of the plant which are not accompanied by a production of organic matter; metabolism.
METASTATICMet`a*stat"ic, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or caused by, metastasis; as, a metastatic abscess; the metastatic processes of growth.
METASTERNALMet`a*ster"nal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the metasternum.
METASTERNUMMet`a*ster"num, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + sternum.]
1. (Anat.)
Defn: The most posterior element of the sternum; the ensiform process; xiphisternum.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The ventral plate of the third or last segment of the thorax of insects.
METASTOMA; METASTOME Me*tas"to*ma, Met"a*stome, n. Etym: [NL. metastoma, from Gr. meta` behind + sto`ma mouth.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A median elevation behind the mouth in the arthropods.
METATARSALMet`a*tar"sal, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the metatarsus.— n.
Defn: A metatarsal bone.
METATARSEMet"a*tarse, n. (Anat.)
Defn: Metatarsus.
METATARSUSMet`a*tar"sus, n.; pl. Metatarsi. Etym: [NL. See Meta-, and Tarsus.](Anat.)
Defn: That part of the skeleton of the hind or lower limb between the tarsus and phalanges; metatarse. It consists, in the human foot, of five bones. See Illustration in Appendix.
METATEMe*ta"te, n. [Sp., fr. Mex. metlatl.]
Defn: A flat or somewhat hollowed stone upon which grain or other food is ground, by means of a smaller stone or pestle. [Southwestern U. S. & Sp. Amer.]
METATHESIS Me*tath"e*sis, n.; pl. Metatheses (. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. meta`thesis, fr. metatithe`nai to place differently, to transpose; meta` beyond, over + tithe`nai to place, set. See Thesis.]
1. (Gram.)
Defn: Transposition, as of the letters or syllables of a word; as, pistris for pristis; meagre for meager.
2. (Med.)
Defn: A mere change in place of a morbid substance, without removal from the body.
3. (Chem.)
Defn: The act, process, or result of exchange, substitution, or replacement of atoms and radicals; thus, by metathesis an acid gives up all or part of its hydrogen, takes on an equivalent amount of a metal or base, and forms a salt.
METATHETIC; METATHETICALMet`a*thet"ic, Met`a*thet"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to metathesis.
METATHORACICMet`a*tho*rac"ic, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the metathorax.
METATHORAXMet`a*tho"rax, n. Etym: [NL.: cf. F. métathorax. See Meta-, andThorax.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The last or posterior segment of the thorax in insects. SeeIllust. of Coleoptera.
METATITANICMet`a*ti*tan"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + titanic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid of titanium analogous to metasilicic acid.
METATUNGSTATEMet`a*tung"state, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of metatungstic acid.
METATUNGSTICMet`a*tung"stic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + tungstic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid known only in its salts (the metatungstates) and properly called polytungstic, or pyrotungstic, acid.
METAVANADATEMet`a*van"a*date, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of metavanadic acid.
METAVANADICMet`a*va*nad"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + vanadic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, a vanadic acid analogous to metaphosphoric acid.
METAXYLENEMet`a*xy"lene, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + xylene.] (Chem.)
Defn: That variety of xylene, or dimethyl benzene, in which the two methyl groups occupy the meta position with reference to each other. It is a colorless inf
METAYAGEMé`ta`yage", n. Etym: [F. See Métayer.]
Defn: A system of farming on halves. [France & Italy]
METAYER Mé`ta`yer" (F. ; E. ), n. Etym: [F., fr. LL. medietarius, fr. L. medius middle, half. See Mid, a.]
Defn: One who cultivates land for a share (usually one half) of its yield, receiving stock, tools, and seed from the landlord. [France & Italy] Milman.
METAZOAMet`a*zo"a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Those animals in which the protoplasmic mass, constituting the egg, is converted into a multitude of cells, which are metamorphosed into the tissues of the body. A central cavity is commonly developed, and the cells around it are at first arranged in two layers, — the ectoderm and endoderm. The group comprises nearly all animals except the Protozoa.
METAZOANMet`a*zo"an, n.; pl. Metazoans (. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Metazoa.
METAZOICMet`a*zo"ic, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Metazoa.
METAZOON; METAZOOENMet`a*zo"ön, n. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Metazoa.
METEMete, n.
Defn: Meat. [Obs.] Chaucer.
METEMete, v. t. & i.
Defn: To meet. [Obs.] Chaucer.
METEMete, v. i. & t. [imp. Mette; p. p. Met.] Etym: [AS. m.]
Defn: To dream; also impersonally; as, me mette, I dreamed. [Obs.] "I mette of him all night." Chaucer.
METE Mete, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Meted; p. pr. & vb. n. Meting.] Etym: [AS. metan; akin to D. meten, G. messen, OHG. mezzan, Icel. meta, Sw. mäta, Goth. mitan, L. modus measure, moderation, modius a corn measure, Gr. measure, L. metiri to measure; cf. Skr. ma to measure. sq. root99. Cf. Measure, Meet, a., Mode.]
Defn: To find the quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by any rule or standard; to measure.
METEMete, v. i.
Defn: To measure. [Obs.] Mark iv. 24.
METEMete, n. Etym: [AS. met. See Mete to measure.]
Defn: Measure; limit; boundary; — used chiefly in the plural, and in the phrase metes and bounds.
METECORNMete"corn`, n.
Defn: A quantity of corn formerly given by the lord to his customary tenants, as an encouragement to, or reward for, labor and faithful service.
METELYMete"ly, a.
Defn: According to measure or proportion; proportionable; proportionate. [Obs.]
METEMPIRIC; METEMPIRICAL Met`em*pir"ic, Met`em*pir"ic*al, a. Etym: [Pref. met- + empiric, - ical.] (Metaph.)
Defn: Related, or belonging, to the objects of knowledge within the province of metempirics. If then the empirical designates the province we include within the range of science, the province we exclude may be fitly styled the metempirical. G. H. Lewes.
METEMPIRICISMMet*em*pir"i*cism, n.
Defn: The science that is concerned with metempirics.
METEMPIRICSMet`em*pir"ics, n.
Defn: The concepts and relations which are conceived as beyond, and yet as related to, the knowledge gained by experience.
METEMPSYCHOSEMe*temp"sy*chose, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Metempsychosed; p. pr. & vb. n.Metempsychosing.] Etym: [See Metempsychosis.]
Defn: To translate or transfer, as the soul, from one body to another. [R.] Peacham.
METEMPSYCHOSISMe*temp`sy*cho"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Psychology.]
Defn: The passage of the soul, as an immortal essence, at the death of the animal body it had inhabited, into another living body, whether of a brute or a human being; transmigration of souls. Sir T. Browne.
METEMPTOSISMet`emp*to"sis, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Chron.)
Defn: The suppression of a day in the calendar to prevent the date of the new moon being set a day too late, or the suppression of the bissextile day once in 134 years. The opposite to this is the proemptosis, or the addition of a day every 330 years, and another every 2,400 years.
METENCEPHALONMet`en*ceph"a*lon, n. Etym: [Met- + encephalon.] (Anat.)
Defn: The posterior part of the brain, including the medulla; the afterbrain. Sometimes abbreviated to meten.
METENSOMATOSIS Met`en*so`ma*to"sis, n. Etym: [L., a change of body (by the soul), fr. Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: The assimilation by one body or organism of the elements of another.
METEORMe"te*or, n. Etym: [F. météore, Gr.
1. Any phenomenon or appearance in the atmosphere, as clouds, rain, hail, snow, etc. Hail, an ordinary meteor. Bp. Hall.
2. Specif.: A transient luminous body or appearance seen in the atmosphere, or in a more elevated region. The vaulty top of heaven Figured quite o'er with burning meteors. Shak.
Note: The term is especially applied to fireballs, and the masses of stone or other substances which sometimes fall to the earth; also to shooting stars and to ignes fatui. Meteors are often classed as: aerial meteors, winds, tornadoes, etc.; aqueous meteors, rain, hail, snow, dew, etc.; luminous meteors, rainbows, halos, etc.; and igneous meteors, lightning, shooting stars, and the like.
METEORICMe`te*or"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. météorique.]
1. Of or pertaining to a meteor, or to meteors; atmospheric, as, meteoric phenomena; meteoric stones.
2. Influenced by the weather; as, meteoric conditions.
3. Flashing; brilliant; transient; like a meteor; as, meteoric fame. "Meteoric politician." Craik. Meteoric iron, Meteoric stone. (Min.) See Meteorite. — Meteoric paper, a substance of confervoid origin found floating in the air, and resembling bits of coarse paper; — so called because formerly supposed to fall from meteors. — Meteoric showers, periodical exhibitions of shooting stars, occuring about the 9th or 10th of August and 13th of November, more rarely in April and December, and also at some other periods.
METEORICALMe`te*or"ic*al, a.
Defn: Meteoric.
METEORISMMe"te*or*ism, n. (Med.)
Defn: Flatulent distention of the abdomen; tympanites.
METEORITEMe"te*or*ite, n. Etym: [Cf. F. météorite.] (Min.)
Defn: A mass of stone or iron which has fallen to the earth from space; an aërolite.
Note: Meteorites usually show a pitted surface with a fused crust, caused by the heat developed in their rapid passage through the earth's atmosphere. A meteorite may consist: 1. Of metallic iron, alloyed with a small percentage of nickel (meteoric iron, holosiderite). When etched this usually exhibits peculiar crystalline figures, called Widmanstätten figures. 2. Of a cellular mass of iron with imbedded silicates (mesosiderite or siderolite). 3. Of a stony mass of silicates with little iron (meteoric stone, sporadosiderite). 4. Of a mass without iron (asiderite).
METEORIZEMe"te*or*ize, v. i. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: To ascend in vapors; to take the form of a meteor. Evelyn.
METEOROGRAPHMe`te*or"o*graph, n. Etym: [Meteor + -graph.]
Defn: An instrument which registers meteorologic phases or conditions.
METEOROGRAPHICMe`te*or`o*graph"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to meteorography.
METEOROGRAPHYMe`te*or*og"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Meteor + -graphy.]
Defn: The registration of meteorological phenomena.
METEOROIDMe"te*or*oid, n. Etym: [Meteor + -oid.] (Astron.)
Defn: A small body moving through space, or revolving about the sun, which on entering the earth's atmosphere would be deflagrated and appear as a meteor. These bodies [small, solid bodies] before they come into the air, I call meteoroids. H. A. Newton.
METEOROIDALMe`te*or*oid"al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a meteoroid or to meteoroids.
METEOROLITEMe`te*or"o*lite, n. Etym: [Meteor + -lite : cf. F. météorolithe.]
Defn: A meteoric stone; an aërolite; a meteorite.
METEOROLOGIC; METEOROLOGICAL Me`te*or`o*log"ic, Me`te*or`o*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. météorologique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the atmosphere and its phenomena, or to meteorology. Meteorological table, Meteorological register, a table or register exhibiting the state of the air and its temperature, weight, dryness, moisture, motion, etc.
METEOROLOGISTMe`te*or*ol"o*gist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. météorologiste.]
Defn: A person skilled in meteorology.
METEOROLOGYMe`te*or*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. météorologie. See Meteor.]
Defn: The science which treats of the atmosphere and its phenomena, particularly of its variations of heat and moisture, of its winds, storms, etc.
METEOROMANCYMe`te*or"o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Meteor + -mancy : cf. F. météoromancie.]
Defn: A species of divination by meteors, chiefly by thunder and lightning, which was held in high estimation by the Romans.
METEOROMETERMe`te*or*om"e*ter, n. Etym: [Meteor + -meter.]
Defn: An apparatus which transmits automatically to a central station atmospheric changes as marked by the anemometer, barometer, thermometer, etc.
METEOROSCOPE Me`te*or"o*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. météoroscope. See Meteor.] (Astron.) (a) An astrolabe; a planisphere. [Obs.] (b) An instrument for measuring the position, length, and direction, of the apparent path of a shooting star.
METEOROUSMe*te"o*rous ( or ), a. Etym: [See Meteor.]
Defn: Of the nature or appearance of a meteor.
-METER -me"ter. Etym: [L. metrum measure, or the allied Gr. Meter rhythm.]
Defn: A suffix denoting that by which anything is measured; as, barometer, chronometer, dynamometer.
METERMe"ter, n. Etym: [From Mete to measure.]
1. One who, or that which, metes or measures. See Coal-meter.
2. An instrument for measuring, and usually for recording automatically, the quantity measured. Dry meter, a gas meter having measuring chambers, with flexible walls, which expand and contract like bellows and measure the gas by filling and emptying. — W, a gas meter in which the revolution of a chambered drum in water measures the gas passing through it.
METERMe"ter, n.
Defn: A line above or below a hanging net, to which the net is attached in order to strengthen it.
METER; METRE Me"ter, Me"tre, n. Etym: [OE. metre, F. mètre, L. metrum, fr. Gr. ma to measure. See Mete to measure.]
1. Rhythmical arrangement of syllables or words into verses, stanzas, strophes, etc.; poetical measure, depending on number, quantity, and accent of syllables; rhythm; measure; verse; also, any specific rhythmical arrangements; as, the Horatian meters; a dactylic meter. The only strict antithesis to prose is meter. Wordsworth.
2. A poem. [Obs.] Robynson (More's Utopia).
3. A measure of length, equal to 39.37 English inches, the standard of linear measure in the metric system of weights and measures. It was intended to be, and is very nearly, the ten millionth part of the distance from the equator to the north pole, as ascertained by actual measurement of an arc of a meridian. See Metric system, under Metric. Common meter (Hymnol.), four iambic verses, or lines, making a stanza, the first and third having each four feet, and the second and fourth each three feet; — usually indicated by the initials C.M. — Long meter (Hymnol.), iambic verses or lines of four feet each, four verses usually making a stanza; — commonly indicated by the initials L.M. — Short meter (Hymnol.), iambic verses or lines, the first, second, and fourth having each three feet, and the third four feet. The stanza usually consists of four lines, but is sometimes doubled. Short meter is indicated by the initials S.M.
METERAGEMe"ter*age, n. Etym: [See 1st Meter.]
Defn: The act of measuring, or the cost of measuring.
METERGRAMMe"ter*gram`, n. (Mech.)
Defn: A measure of energy or work done; the power exerted in raising one gram through the distance of one meter against gravitation.
METEWANDMete"wand`, n. Etym: [Mete to measure + wand.]
Defn: A measuring rod. Ascham.
METEYARD Mete"yard`, n. Etym: [AS. metgeard. See Mete to measure, and Yard stick.]
Defn: A yard, staff, or rod, used as a measure. [Obs.] Shak.
METHMeth, n.
Defn: See Meathe. [Obs.] Chaucer.
METHAEMOGLOBINMet`hæm*o*glo"bin ( or ), n. Etym: [Pref. met- + h.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A stable crystalline compound obtained by the decomposition of hemoglobin. It is found in old blood stains.
METHALMeth"al, n. Etym: [Myristic + ether + alcohol.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white waxy substance, found in small quantities in spermaceti as an ethereal salt of several fatty acids, and regarded as an alcohol of the methane series.
METHANEMeth"ane, n. Etym: [See Methal.] (Chem.)
Defn: A light, colorless, gaseous, inflammable hydrocarbon, CH4; marsh gas. See Marsh gas, under Gas. Methane series (Chem.), a series of saturated hydrocarbons, of which methane is the first member and type, and (because of their general chemical inertness and indifference) called also the paraffin (little affinity) series. The lightest members are gases, as methane, ethane; intermediate members are liquids, as hexane, heptane, etc. (found in benzine, kerosene, etc.); while the highest members are white, waxy, or fatty solids, as paraffin proper.
METHANOMETERMeth`a*nom"e*ter, n. [Methane + -meter.]
Defn: An instrument, resembling a eudiometer, to detect the presence and amount of methane, as in coal mines.
METHEGLINMe*theg"lin, n. Etym: [W. meddyglyn; medd mead + llyn liquor, juice.See Mead a drink.]
Defn: A fermented beverage made of honey and water; mead. Gay.
METHENEMeth"ene, n. Etym: [Methyl + ethylene.] (Chem.)
Defn: See Methylene.
METHENYLMeth"e*nyl, n. Etym: [Methene + -yl.] (Chem.)
Defn: The hypothetical hydrocarbon radical CH, regarded as an essential residue of certain organic compounds.
METHIDEMeth"ide ( or ), n. Etym: [See Methyl.] (Chem.)
Defn: A binary compound of methyl with some element; as, aluminium methide, Al2(CH3)6.
METHINKS Me*thinks", v. impers. [imp. Methought.] Etym: [AS. þyncan to seem, me þynceedh, me þuhte, OE. me thinketh, me thoughte; akin to G. dünken to seem, denken to think, and E. think. See Me, and Think.]
Defn: It seems to me; I think. See Me. [R., except in poetry.] In all ages poets have been had in special reputation, and, methinks, not without great cause. Spenser.
METHIONATEMe*thi"on*ate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of methionic acid.
METHIONICMeth`i*on"ic, a. Etym: [Methyl + thionic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, a sulphonic (thionic) acid derivative of methane, obtained as a stable white crystalline substance, CH2.(SO3H)2, which forms well defined salts.
METHOD Meth"od, n. Etym: [F. méthode, L. methodus, fr. Gr. meqodos method, investigation following after; meta` after + "odo`s way.]
1. An orderly procedure or process; regular manner of doing anything; hence, manner; way; mode; as, a method of teaching languages; a method of improving the mind. Addison.
2. Orderly arrangement, elucidation, development, or classification; clear and lucid exhibition; systematic arrangement peculiar to an individual. Though this be madness, yet there's method in it. Shak. All method is a rational progress, a progress toward an end. Sir W. Hamilton.
3. (Nat. Hist.)
Defn: Classification; a mode or system of classifying natural objects according to certain common characteristics; as, the method of Theophrastus; the method of Ray; the Linnæan method.
Syn. — Order; system; rule; regularity; way; manner; mode; course; process; means. — Method, Mode, Manner. Method implies arrangement; mode, mere action or existence. Method is a way of reaching a given end by a series of acts which tend to secmode relates to a single action, or to the form which a series of acts, viewed as a whole, exhibits. Manner is literally the handling of a thing, and has a wider sense, embracing both method and mode. An instructor may adopt a good method of teaching to write; the scholar may acquire a bad mode of holding his pen; the manner in which he is corrected will greatly affect his success or failure.
METHODIC; METHODICALMe*thod"ic, Me*thod"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. methodicus, Gr. méthodique.]
1. Arranged with regard to method; disposed in a suitable manner, or in a manner to illustrate a subject, or to facilitate practical observation; as, the methodical arrangement of arguments; a methodical treatise. "Methodical regularity." Addison.
2. Proceeding with regard to method; systematic. "Aristotle, strict, methodic, and orderly." Harris.
3. Of or pertaining to the ancient school of physicians calledmethodists. Johnson.— Me*thod"ic*al*ly, adv.— Me*thod"ic*al*ness, n.
METHODIOSMe*thod"ios, n.
Defn: The art and principles of method.
METHODISMMeth"o*dism, n. (Eccl.)
Defn: The system of doctrines, polity, and worship, of the sect called Methodists. Bp. Warburton.
METHODISTMeth"o*dist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. méthodiste. See Method.]
1. One who observes method. [Obs.]
2. One of an ancient school of physicians who rejected observation and founded their practice on reasoning and theory. Sir W. Hamilton.
3. (Theol.)
Defn: One of a sect of Christians, the outgrowth of a small association called the "Holy Club," formed at Oxford University, A.D. 1729, of which the most conspicuous members were John Wesley and his brother Charles; — originally so called from the methodical strictness of members of the club in all religious duties.
4. A person of strict piety; one who lives in the exact observance of religious duties; — sometimes so called in contempt or ridicule.
METHODISTMeth"o*dist, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the sect of Methodists; as, Methodist hymns; a Methodist elder.
METHODISTIC; METHODISTICALMeth`o*dis"tic, Meth`o*dis"tic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to methodists, or to the Methodists.— Meth`o*dis"tic*al*ly, adv.
METHODIZATIONMeth`od*i*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act or process of methodizing, or the state of being methodized.
METHODIZEMeth"od*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Methodized; p. pr. & vb. n.Methodizing.]
Defn: To reduce to method; to dispose in due order; to arrange in a convenient manner; as, to methodize one's work or thoughts. Spectator.
METHODIZERMeth"od*i`zer, n.
Defn: One who methodizes.
METHODOLOGICALMeth`od*o*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to methodology.
METHODOLOGYMeth`od*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: The science of method or arrangement; a treatise on method.Coleridge.
METHOLMeth"ol, n. Etym: [Gr. -ol.] (Chem.)
Defn: The technical name of methyl alcohol or wood spirit; also, by extension, the class name of any of the series of alcohols of the methane series of which methol proper is the type. See Methyl alcohol, under Methyl.
METHOUGHTMe*thought", imp.
Defn: of Methinks.
METHOXYLMeth*ox"yl, n. Etym: [Methyl + hydroxyl.] (Chem.)
Defn: A hypothetical radical, CH3O, analogous to hydroxyl.
METHYLMeth"yl, n. Etym: [See Methylene.] (Chem.)
Defn: A hydrocarbon radical, CH3, not existing alone but regarded as an essential residue of methane, and appearing as a component part of many derivatives; as, methyl alcohol, methyl ether, methyl amine, etc. [Formerly written also methule, methyle, etc.] Methyl alcohol (Chem.), a light, volatile, inflammable liquid, CH3.OH, obtained by the distillation of wood, and hence called wood spirit; — called also methol, carbinol, etc. — Methyl amine (Chem.), a colorless, inflammable, alkaline gas, CH3.NH2, having an ammoniacal, fishy odor. It is produced artificially, and also occurs naturally in herring brine and other fishy products. It is regarded as ammonia in which a third of its hydrogen is replaced by methyl, and is a type of the class of substituted ammonias. — Methyl ether (Chem.), a light, volatile ether CH3.O.CH3, obtained by the etherification of methyl alcohol; — called also methyl oxide. — Methyl green. (Chem.) See under Green, n. — Methyl orange. (Chem.) See Helianthin. — Methyl violet (Chem.), an artificial dye, consisting of certain methyl halogen derivatives of rosaniline.
METHYLALMeth"yl*al, n. Etym: [Methylene + alcohol.] (Chem.)
Defn: A light, volatile liquid, H2C(OCH3)2, regarded as a complex ether, and having a pleasant ethereal odor. It is obtained by the partial oxidation of methyl alcohol. Called also formal.
METHYLAMINEMeth`yl*am"ine ( or ), n. (Chem.)
Defn: See Methyl amine, under Methyl.
METHYLATEMeth"yl*ate, n. Etym: [Methyl + alcoholate.] (Chem.)
Defn: An alcoholate of methyl alcohol in which the hydroxyl hydrogen is replaced by a metal, after the analogy of a hydrate; as, sodium methylate, CH3ONa.