MYELOPLAXMy*el"o*plax, n.; pl. E. Myeloplaxes, L. Myeloplaces. Etym: [NL., fr.Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: One of the huge multinucleated cells found in the marrow of bone and occasionally in other parts; a giant cell. See Osteoclast.
MYGALEMyg"a*le, n. Etym: [L., a field mouse, Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of very large hairy spiders having four lungs and only four spinnerets. They do not spin webs, but usually construct tubes in the earth, which are often furnished with a trapdoor. The South American bird spider (Mygale avicularia), and the crab spider, or matoutou (M. cancerides) are among the largest species. Some of the species are erroneously called tarantulas, as the Texas tarantula (M. Hentzii).
MYKISSMy"kiss, n. [Russ. muikize, prob. fr. a native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A salmon (Salmo mykiss, syn. S. purpuratus) marked with black spots and a red throat, found in most of the rivers from Alaska to the Colorado River, and in Siberia; — called also black-spotted trout, cutthroat trout, and redthroat trout.
MYLODONMyl"o*don, n. Etym: [Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: An extinct genus of large slothlike American edentates, allied to Megatherium.
MYLOHYOIDMy`lo*hy"oid, a. Etym: [Gr. hyoid.] (Anat.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or in the region of, the lower jaw and the hyoid apparatus; as, the mylohyoid nerve.
MYNAMy"na, n. Etym: [See Mino bird.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of Asiatic starlings of the genera Acridotheres, Sturnopastor, Sturnia, Gracula, and allied genera. In habits they resemble the European starlings, and like them are often caged and taught to talk. See Hill myna, under Hill, and Mino bird. [Spelt also mynah.]
MYNCHENMyn"chen, n. Etym: [AS. mynecen, fr. munec monk. See Monk.]
Defn: A nun. [Obs.]
MYNCHERYMyn"cher*y, n.
Defn: A nunnery; — a term still applied to the ruins of certain nunneries in England.
MYNHEERMyn*heer", n. Etym: [D. mijnheer.]
Defn: The Dutch equivalent of Mr. or Sir; hence, a Dutchman.
MYO-My"o-.
Defn: A combining form of Gr. muscle; as, myograph, myochrome.
MYOCARDITISMy`o*car*di"tis, n. Etym: [NL. see Myocardium.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the myocardium.
MYOCARDIUMMy`o*car"di*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The main substance of the muscular wall of the heart inclosed between the epicardium and endocardium.
MYOCHROMEMy"o*chrome, n. Etym: [Myo- + Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: A colored albuminous substance in the serum from red-colored muscles. It is identical with hemoglobin.
MYOCOMMA My`o*com"ma, n.; pl. L. Myocommata, E. Myocommas. Etym: [NL. See Myo- , and Comma.] (Anat.)
Defn: A myotome.
MYODYNAMICSMy`o*dy*nam"ics, n. Etym: [Myo- + dynamics.] (Physiol.)
Defn: The department of physiology which deals with the principles of muscular contraction; the exercise of muscular force or contraction.
MYODYNAMIOMETERMy`o*dy*na`mi*om"e*ter, n.
Defn: A myodynamometer.
MYODYNAMOMETERMy`o*dy`na*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Myo- + E. dynamometer.] (Physiol.)
Defn: An instrument for measuring the muscular strength of man or of other animals; a dynamometer. Dunglison.
MYOEPITHELIALMy`o*ep`i*the"li*al, a. Etym: [Myo- + epithelial.]
1. (Biol.)
Defn: Derived from epithelial cells and destined to become a part of the muscular system; — applied to structural elements in certain embryonic forms.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the characteristics of both muscle and epithelium; as, the myoepithelial cells of the hydra.
MYOGALIDMy*og"a*lid, n. Etym: [Myo- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Myogalodæ, a family of Insectivora, including the desman, and allied species.
MYOGRAMMy"o*gram, n. Etym: [Myo- + -gram.] (Physiol.)
Defn: See Muscle curve, under Muscle.
MYOGRAPHMy"o*graph, n. Etym: [Myo- + -graph.] (Physiol.)
Defn: An instrument for determining and recording the different phases, as the intensity, velocity, etc., of a muscular contraction.
MYOGRAPHIC; MYOGRAPHICALMy`o*graph"ic, My`o*graph"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to myography.
MYOGRAPHYMy*og"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. myographie.]
Defn: The description of muscles, including the study of muscular contraction by the aid of registering apparatus, as by some form of myograph; myology.
MYOHAEMATINMy`o*hæm"a*tin, n. Etym: [Myo- + hæmatin.] (Physiol.)
Defn: A red-colored respiratory pigment found associated with hemoglobin in the muscle tissue of a large number of animals, both vertebrate and invertebrate.
MYOIDMy"oid, a. Etym: [Myo- + -oid.]
Defn: Composed of, or resembling, muscular fiber.
MYOLEMMAMy`o*lem"ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Sarcolemma.
MYOLINMy"o*lin, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: The essential material of muscle fibers.
MYOLOGIC; MYOLOGICALMy`o*log"ic, My`o*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to myology.
MYOLOGISTMy*ol"o*gist, n.
Defn: One skilled in myology.
MYOLOGYMy*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Myo- + -logy: cf. F. myologie.]
Defn: That part of anatomy which treats of muscles.
MYOMAMy*o"ma, n. Etym: [NL. See Myo-, and -oma.] (Med.)
Defn: A tumor consisting of muscular tissue.
MYOMANCYMy"o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy.]
Defn: Divination by the movements of mice.
MYOMORPHMy"o*morph, n.
Defn: One of the Myomorpha.
MYOMORPHAMy`o*mor"pha, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An extensive group of rodents which includes the rats, mice, jerboas, and many allied forms.
MYOPATHIAMy`o*pa*thi"a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Any affection of the muscles or muscular system.
MYOPATHICMy`o*path"ic, a. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to myopathia.
MYOPATHYMy*op"a*thy, n.
Defn: Same as Myopathia.
MYOPEMy"ope, n. Etym: [F., fr. Gr.
Defn: A person having myopy; a myops.
MYOPHANMy"o*phan, n. Etym: [Myo- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A contractile striated layer found in the bodies and stems of certain Infusoria.
MYOPIAMy*o"pi*a, n. Etym: [NL. See Myope.] (Med.)
Defn: Nearsightedness; shortsightedness; a condition of the eye in which the rays from distant object are brought to a focus before they reach the retina, and hence form an indistinct image; while the rays from very near objects are normally converged so as to produce a distinct image. It is corrected by the use of a concave lens.
MYOPICMy*op"ic, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or affected with, or characterized by, myopia; nearsighted. Myopic astigmatism, a condition in which the eye is affected with myopia in one meridian only.
MYOPSMy"ops, n. Etym: [NL.]
Defn: See Myope.
MYOPSISMy*op"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: The appearance of muscæ volitantes. See Muscæ volitantes, underMusca.
MYOPYMy"o*py, n. Etym: [F. myopie.] (Med.)
Defn: Myopia.
MYOSINMy"o*sin, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: An albuminous body present in dead muscle, being formed in the process of coagulation which takes place in rigor mortis; the clot formed in the coagulation of muscle plasma. See Muscle plasma, under Plasma.
Note: Myosin belongs to the group of globulins. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in dilute solution of salt, and is especially characterized by being completely precipitated by saturation of its solutions with salt.
MYOSISMy*o"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Long-continued contraction of the pupil of the eye.
MYOSITICMy`o*sit"ic, a. (Med.)
Defn: Myotic.
MYOSITISMy`o*si"tis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the muscles.
MYOSOTISMy`o*so"tis, n. Etym: [NL.; Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of plants. See Mouse-ear.
MYOTICMy*ot"ic, a. Etym: [See Myosis.] (Med.)
Defn: Producing myosis, or contraction of the pupil of the eye, as opium, calabar bean, etc. — n.
Defn: A myotic agent.
MYOTOME My"o*tome, n. Etym: [See Myotomy.] (Anat.) (a) A muscular segment; one of the zones into which the muscles of the trunk, especially in fishes, are divided; a myocomma. (b) One of the embryonic muscular segments arising from the protovertebræ; also, one of the protovertebræ themselves. (c) The muscular system of one metamere of an articulate.
MYOTOMICMy`o*tom"ic, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a myotome or myotomes.
MYOTOMYMy*ot"o*my, n. Etym: [Myo- + Gr. myotomie.]
Defn: The dissection, or that part of anatomy which treats of the dissection, of muscles.
MYRCIAMyr"ci*a, n. Etym: [NL.] (Bot.)
Defn: A large genus of tropical American trees and shrubs, nearly related to the true myrtles (Myrtus), from which they differ in having very few seeds in each berry.
MYRIA-Myr"i*a-. Etym: [Gr. Myriad.]
Defn: A prefix, esp. in the metric system, indicating ten thousand, ten thousand times; as, myriameter.
MYRIACANTHOUSMyr`i*a*can"thous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having numerous spines, as certain fishes.
MYRIADMyr"i*ad, n. Etym: [Gr. myriade.]
1. The number of ten thousand; ten thousand persons or things.
2. An immense number; a very great many; an indefinitely large number.
MYRIADMyr"i*ad, a.
Defn: Consisting of a very great, but indefinite, number; as, myriad stars.
MYRIAGRAM; MYRIAGRAMME Myr"i*a*gram, Myr"i*a*gramme, n. Etym: [F. myriagramme. See Myria-, and 3d Gram.]
Defn: A metric weight, consisting of ten thousand grams or ten kilograms. It is equal to 22.046 lbs. avoirdupois.
MYRIALITER; MYRIALITRE Myr"i*a*li`ter, Myr"i*a*li`tre, n. Etym: [F. myrialitre. See Myria-, and Liter.]
Defn: A metric measure of capacity, containing ten thousand liters.It is equal to 2641.7 wine gallons.
MYRIAMETER; MYRIAMETRE Myr"i*a*me`ter, Myr"i*a*me`tre, n. Etym: [F. myriamètre. See Myria-, and Meter.]
Defn: A metric measure of length, containing ten thousand meters. It is equal to 6.2137 miles.
MYRIAPODMyr"i*a*pod, n. Etym: [Cf. F. myriapode.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Myriapoda.
MYRIAPODAMyr`i*ap"o*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -poda.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A class, or subclass, of arthropods, related to the hexapod insects, from which they differ in having the body made up of numerous similar segments, nearly all of which bear true jointed legs. They have one pair of antennæ, three pairs of mouth organs, and numerous trachaæ, similar to those of true insects. The larvæ, when first hatched, often have but three pairs of legs. See Centiped, Galleyworm, Milliped.
Note: The existing Myriapoda are divided into three orders: Chilopoda, Chilognatha or Diplopoda, and Pauropoda (see these words in the Vocabulary). Large fossil species (very different from any living forms) are found in the Carboniferous formation.
MYRIARCHMyr"i*arch, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A captain or commander of ten thousand men.
MYRIAREMyr"i*are, n. Etym: [F. See Myria-, and 2d Are.]
Defn: A measure of surface in the metric system containing ten thousand ares, or one million square meters. It is equal to about 247.1 acres.
MYRICAMy*ri"ca, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A widely dispersed genus of shrubs and trees, usually with aromatic foliage. It includes the bayberry or wax myrtle, the sweet gale, and the North American sweet fern, so called.
MYRICIN Myr"i*cin, n. Etym: [Cf. F. myricine. Prob. so called from a fancied resemblance to the wax of the bayberry (Myrica).] (Chem.)
Defn: A silky, crystalline, waxy substance, forming the less soluble part of beeswax, and regarded as a palmitate of a higher alcohol of the paraffin series; — called also myricyl alcohol.
MYRICYLMyr"i*cyl, n. Etym: [Myricin + -yl.] (Chem.)
Defn: A hypothetical radical regarded as the essential residue of myricin; — called also melissyl.
MYRIOLOGICALMyr`i*o*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or relating to a myriologue.
MYRIOLOGISTMyr`i*ol"o*gist, n.
Defn: One who composes or sings a myriologue.
MYRIOLOGUEMyr"i*o*logue, n. Etym: [F. myriologue, myriologie, NGr.
Defn: An extemporaneous funeral song, composed and sung by a woman on the death of a friend. [Modern Greece]
MYRIOPHYLLOUSMyr`i*oph"yl*lous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having an indefinitely great or countless number of leaves.
MYRIOPODAMyr`i*op"o*da, n. pl.
Defn: See Myriapoda.
MYRIORAMAMyr`i*o*ra"ma, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A picture made up of several smaller pictures, drawn upon separate pieces in such a manner as to admit of combination in many different ways, thus producing a great variety of scenes or landscapes.
MYRIOSCOPEMyr"i*o*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.]
Defn: A form of kaleidoscope.
MYRISTATEMy*ris"tate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of myristic acid.
MYRISTICMy*ris"tic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, the nutmeg (Myristica). Specifically, designating an acid found in nutmeg oil and otoba fat, and extracted as a white crystalline waxy substance.
MYRISTINMy*ris"tin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: The myristate of glycerin, — found as a vegetable fat in nutmeg butter, etc.
MYRISTONEMy*ris"tone, n. Etym: [Myristc + -one.] (Chem.)
Defn: The ketone of myristic acid, obtained as a white crystalline substance.
MYRMECOPHYTEMyr"me*co*phyte`, n. [Gr. my`rmhx, my`rmhkos, ant + fyto`n plant.](Bot.)
Defn: A plant that affords shelter and food to certain species of ants which live in symbiotic relations with it. Special adaptations for this purpose exist; thus, Acacia spadicigera has large hollows thorns, and species of Cecropia have stem cavities. — Myr`me*co*phyt"ic (#), a.
MYRMICINEMyr"mi*cine, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to Myrmica, a genus of ants including the small house ant (M. molesta), and many others.
MYRMIDONMyr"mi*don, n. Etym: [L. Myrmidones, Gr.
1. One of a fierce tribe or troop who accompained Achilles, their king, to the Trojan war.
2. A soldier or a subordinate civil officer who executes cruel orders of a superior without protest or pity; — sometimes applied to bailiffs, constables, etc. Thackeray. With unabated ardor the vindictive man of law and his myrmidons pressed forward. W. H. Ainsworth.
MYRMIDONIANMyr`mi*do"ni*an, a.
Defn: Consisting of, or like, myrmidons. Pope.
MYRMOTHERINEMyr`mo*the"rine, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Feeding upon ants; — said of certain birds.
MYROBALAN; MYROBOLAN My*rob"a*lan, My*rob"o*lan, n. Etym: [L. myrobalanum the fruit of a palm tree from which a balsam was made, Gr. myrobolan.]
Defn: A dried astringent fruit much resembling a prune. It contains tannin, and was formerly used in medicine, but is now chiefly used in tanning and dyeing. Myrobolans are produced by various species of Terminalia of the East Indies, and of Spondias of South America.
MYRONICMy*ron"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or obtained from, mustard; — used specifically to designate a glucoside called myronic acid, found in mustard seed.
MYROPOLISTMy*rop"o*list, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: One who sells unguents or perfumery. [Obs.] Jonhson.
MYROSINMyr"o*sin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A ferment, resembling diastase, found in mustard seeds.
MYROXYLONMy*rox"y*lon, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of leguminous trees of tropical America, the differentspecies of which yield balsamic products, among which are balsam ofPeru, and balsam of Tolu. The species were formerly referred toMyrospermum.
MYRRHMyrrh, n. Etym: [OE. mirre, OF. mirre, F. myrrhe, L. myrrha, murra,Gr. murr bitter, also myrrh, Heb. mar bitter.]
Defn: A gum resin, usually of a yellowish brown or amber color, of an aromatic odor, and a bitter, slightly pungent taste. It is valued for its odor and for its medicinal properties. It exuds from the bark of a shrub of Abyssinia and Arabia, the Balsamodendron Myrrha. The myrrh of the Bible is supposed to have been partly the gum above named, and partly the exudation of species of Cistus, or rockrose. False myrrh. See the Note under Bdellium.
MYRRHICMyr"rhic, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, myrrh.
MYRRHINEMyr"rhine, a.
Defn: Murrhine.
MYRTACEOUSMyr*ta"ceous, a. Etym: [L. myrtaceus.] (Bot.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a large and important natural order of trees and shrubs (Myrtaceæ), of which the myrtle is the type. It includes the genera Eucalyptus, Pimenta, Lechythis, and about seventy more.
MYRTIFORMMyr"ti*form, a. Etym: [L. myrtus myrtle + -form: cf. F. myrtiforme.]
Defn: Resembling myrtle or myrtle berries; having the form of a myrtle leaf.
MYRTLE Myr"tle, n. Etym: [F. myrtil bilberry, prop., a little myrtle, from myrte myrtle, L. myrtus, murtus, Gr. m.] (Bot.)
Defn: A species of the genus Myrtus, especially Myrtus communis. The common myrtle has a shrubby, upright stem, eight or ten feet high. Its branches form a close, full head, thickly covered with ovate or lanceolate evergreen leaves. It has solitary axillary white or rosy flowers, followed by black several-seeded berries. The ancients considered it sacred to Venus. The flowers, leaves, and berries are used variously in perfumery and as a condiment, and the beautifully mottled wood is used in turning.
Note: The name is also popularly but wrongly applied in America to two creeping plants, the blue-flowered periwinkle and the yellow- flowered moneywort. In the West Indies several myrtaceous shrubs are called myrtle. Bog myrtle, the sweet gale. — Crape myrtle. See under Crape. — Myrtle warbler (Zoöl.), a North American wood warbler (Dendroica coronata); — called also myrtle bird, yellow-rumped warbler, and yellow-crowned warbler. — Myrtle wax. (Bot.) See Bayberry tallow, under Bayberry. — Sand myrtle, a low, branching evergreen shrub (Leiophyllum buxifolium), growing in New Jersey and southward. — Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera). See Bayberry.
MYSELFMy*self", pron.; pl. Ourselves (.
Defn: I or me in person; — used for emphasis, my own self or person; as I myself will do it; I have done it myself; — used also instead of me, as the object of the first person of a reflexive verb, without emphasis; as, I will defend myself.
MYSELVENMy*selv"en, pron.
Defn: Myself. [Obs.]
MYSISMy"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of small schizopod shrimps found both in fresh and salt water; the opossum shrimps. One species inhabits the Great Lakes of North America, and is largely eaten by the whitefish. The marine species form part of the food of right whales.
MYSTACALMys"ta*cal, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the upper lip, or mustache.
MYSTAGOGIC; MYSTAGOGICALMys`ta*gog"ic, Mys`ta*gog"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to interpretation of mysteries or to mystagogue; of the nature of mystagogy.
MYSTAGOGUEMys"ta*gogue, n. Etym: [L. mystagogus, Gr. mystagogue. See 1stMystery.]
1. interprets mysteries, especially of a religious kind.
2. One who keeps and shows church relics.
MYSTAGOGYMys"ta*go`gy, n.
Defn: The doctrines, principles, or practice of a mystagogue; interpretation of mysteries.
MYSTERIALMys*te"ri*al, a.
Defn: Mysterious. [Obs.]
MYSTERIARCHMys*te"ri*arch, n. Etym: [L. mysteriarches, Gr.
Defn: One presiding over mysteries. [Obs.]
MYSTERIOUSMys*te"ri*ous, a. Etym: [F. mystèrieux. See 1st Mystery.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to mystery; containing a mystery; difficult or impossible to understand; obscure not revealed or explained; enigmatical; incomprehensible. God at last To Satan, first in sin, his doom applied, Thought in mysterious terms. Milton.
Syn. — Obscure; secret; occult; dark; mystic; cabalistic; enigmatical; unintelligible; incomprehensible.
MYSTERIOUSLYMys*te"ri*ous*ly, adv.
Defn: In a mysterious manner.
MYSTERIOUSNESSMys*te"ri*ous*ness, n.
1. The state or quality of being mysterious.
2. Something mysterious; a mystery. [R.] Jer. Taylor.
MYSTERIZEMys"ter*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mysterized; p. pr. & vb. n.Mysterizing.]
Defn: To make mysterious; to make a mystery of.
MYSTERYMys"ter*y, n.; pl. Mysteries. Etym: [L. mysterium, Gr. Mute, a.]
1. A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder; something which has not been or can not be explained; hence, specifically, that which is beyond human comprehension. We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. 1 Cor. ii. 7. If God should please to reveal unto us this great mystery of the Trinity, or some other mysteries in our holy religion, we should not be able to understand them, unless he would bestow on us some new faculties of the mind. Swift.
2. A kind of secret religious celebration, to which none were admitted except those who had been initiated by certain preparatory ceremonies; — usually plural; as, the Eleusinian mysteries.
3. pl.
Defn: The consecrated elements in the eucharist.
4. Anything artfully made difficult; an enigma.
MYSTERY Mys"ter*y, n.; pl. Mysteries. Etym: [OE. mistere, OF. mestier, F. métier, L. ministerium. See Ministry.]
1. A trade; a handicraft; hence, any business with which one is usually occupied. Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery. Shak. And that which is the noblest mystery Brings to reproach and common infamy. Spenser.
2. A dramatic representation of a Scriptural subject, often some event in the life of Christ; a dramatic composition of this character; as, the Chester Mysteries, consisting of dramas acted by various craft associations in that city in the early part of the 14th century. "Mystery plays," so called because acted by craftsmen. Skeat.
MYSTIC; MYSTICALMys"tic, Mys"tic*al, a. Etym: [L. mysticus, Gr. mystique. See 1stMystery, Misty.]
1. Remote from or beyond human comprehension; baffling human understanding; unknowable; obscure; mysterious. Heaven's numerous hierarchy span The mystic gulf from God to man. Emerson. God hath revealed a way mystical and supernatural. Hooker.
2. Importing or implying mysticism; involving some secret meaning; allegorical; emblematical; as, a mystic dance; mystic Babylon. Thus, then, did the spirit of unity and meekness inspire every joint and sinew of the mystical body. Milton. — Mys"tic*al*ly, adv. — Mys"tic*al*ness, n.
MYSTICMys"tic, n.
Defn: One given to mysticism; one who holds mystical views, interpretations, etc.; especially, in ecclesiastical history, one who professed mysticism. See Mysticism.
MYSTICETEMys"ti*cete, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any right whale, or whalebone whale. See Cetacea.
MYSTICISMMys"ti*cism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mysticisme.]
1. Obscurity of doctrine.
2. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: The doctrine of the Mystics, who professed a pure, sublime, and wholly disinterested devotion, and maintained that they had direct intercourse with the divine Spirit, and aquired a knowledge of God and of spiritual things unattainable by the natural intellect, and such as can not be analyzed or explained.
3. (Philos.)
Defn: The doctrine that the ultimate elements or principles of knowledge or belief are gained by an act or process akin to feeling or faith.
MYSTIFICATIONMys`ti*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mystification.]
Defn: The act of mystifying, or the state of being mystied; also, something designed to, or that does, mystify. The reply of Pope seems very much as though he had been playing off a mystification on his Grace. De Quincey.
MYSTIFICATORMys"ti*fi*ca`tor, n.
Defn: One who mystifies.
MYSTIFYMys"ti*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mystified; p. pr. & vb. n.Mystifying.] Etym: [F. mystifier, fr. Gr. -ficare (in comp.) to make.See 1st Mystery, and -fy.]
1. To involve in mystery; to make obscure or difficult to understand; as, to mystify a passage of Scripture.
2. To perplex the mind of; to puzzle; to impose upon the credulity of ; as, to mystify an opponent. He took undue advantage of his credulity and mystified him exceedingly. Ld. Campbell.
MYTACISMMy"ta*cism, n. Etym: [Gr. Metacism.]
Defn: Too frequent use of the letter m, or of the sound represented by it.
MYTHMyth, n. [Written also mythe.] Etym: [Gr. mythe.]
1. A story of great but unknown age which originally embodied a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon of experience, and in which often the forces of nature and of the soul are personified; an ancient legend of a god, a hero, the origin of a race, etc.; a wonder story of prehistoric origin; a popular fable which is, or has been, received as historical.
2. A person or thing existing only in imagination, or whose actual existence is not verifiable. As for Mrs. Primmins's bones, they had been myths these twenty years. Ld. Lytton. Myth history, history made of, or mixed with, myths.
MYTHEMythe, n.
Defn: See Myth. Grote.
MYTHIC; MYTHICALMyth"ic, Myth"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. mythicus, Gr. Myth.]
Defn: Of or relating to myths; described in a myth; of the nature of a myth; fabulous; imaginary; fanciful. — Myth"ic*al*ly, adv. The mythic turf where danced the nymphs. Mrs. Browning. Hengist and Horsa, Vortigern and Rowena, Arthur and Mordred, are mythical persons, whose very existence may be questioned. Macaulay.
MYTHOGRAPHERMy*thog"ra*pher, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A composer of fables.
MYTHOLOGERMy*thol"o*ger, n.
Defn: A mythologist.
MYTHOLOGIANMyth`o*lo"gi*an, n.
Defn: A mythologist.
MYTHOLOGIC; MYTHOLOGICAL Myth`o*log"ic, Myth`o*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. mythologicus: cf. F. mytholigique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to mythology or to myths; mythical; fabulous.— Myth`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
MYTHOLOGISTMy*thol"o*gist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mythologiste.]
Defn: One versed in, or who writes on, mythology or myths.
MYTHOLOGIZEMy*thol"o*gize, v. i. Etym: [Cf. F. mythologiser.]
1. To relate, classify, and explain, or attempt to explain, myths; to write upon myths.
2. To construct and propagate myths.
MYTHOLOGIZERMy*thol"o*gi`zer, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, mythologizes. Imagination has always been, and still is, in a narrower sense, the great mythologizer. Lowell.
MYTHOLOGUEMyth"o*logue, n. Etym: [See Mythology.]
Defn: A fabulous narrative; a myth. [R.] May we not … consider his history of the fall as an excellent mythologue, to account for the origin of human evil Geddes.
MYTHOLOGY My*thol"o*gy, n.; pl. Mythologies. Etym: [F. mythologie, L. mythologia, Gr.
1. The science which treats of myths; a treatise on myths.
2. A body of myths; esp., the collective myths which describe the gods of a heathen people; as, the mythology of the Greeks.
MYTHOPLASMMyth"o*plasm, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A narration of mere fable.
MYTHOPOEICMyth`o*poe"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Making or producing myths; giving rise to mythical narratives.The mythopoeic fertility of the Greeks. Grote.
MYTHOPOETICMyth`o*po*et"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Making or producing myths or mythical tales.
MYTILOIDMyt"i*loid, a. Etym: [Mytilus + -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Like, or pertaining to, the genus Mytilus, or family Mytilidæ.
MYTILOTOXINEMyt`i*lo*tox"ine, n. Etym: [Mytilus + toxic.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A poisonous base (leucomaine) found in the common mussel. It either causes paralysis of the muscles, or gives rise to convulsions, including death by an accumulation of carbonic acid in the blood.
MYTILUSMyt"i*lus, n. Etym: [L., a sea mussel, Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of marine bivalve shells, including the common mussel.See Illust. under Byssus.
MYXAMyx"a, n. Etym: [L., a lamp nozzle, Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The distal end of the mandibles of a bird.
MYXINEMyx"ine, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of marsipobranchs, including the hagfish. See Hag, 4.
MYXINOIDMyx"i*noid, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Like, or pertaining to, the genus Myxine.— n.
Defn: A hagfish.
MYXOCYSTODEAMyx`o*cys*to"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Infusoria including the Noctiluca. See Noctiluca.
MYXOEDEMAMyx`o*de"ma, n. [NL. fr. Gr. mucus + odema.] (Med.)
Defn: A disease producing a peculiar cretinoid appearance of the face, slow speech, and dullness of intellect, and due to failure of the functions of the thyroid gland. — Myx`o*dem"a*tous (#), a., Myx`o*dem"ic (#), a.
MYXOMAMyx*o"ma, n.; pl. Myxomata. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -oma.] (Med.)
Defn: A tumor made up of a gelatinous tissue resembling that found in the umbilical cord.
MYXOMYCETESMyx`o*my*ce"tes, n. pl. [NL.; Gr. mucus, slime + myceles.] (Bot.)
Defn: A class of peculiar organisms, the slime molds, formerly regarded as animals (Mycetozoa), but now generally thought to be plants and often separated as a distinct phylum (Myxophyta). They are found on damp earth and decaying vegetable matter, and consist of naked masses of protoplasm, often of considerable size, which creep very slowly over the surface and ingest solid food. — Myx`o*my*ce"tous (#), a.
MYXOPHYTAMyx*oph"y*ta, n. pl. [NL.; Gr. mucus, slime + plant.] (Bot.)
Defn: A phylum of the vegetable kingdom consisting of the classMyxomycetes. By some botanists it is not separated from theThallophyta.
MYXOPODMyx"o*pod, n. Etym: [Gr. -pod.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A rhizopod or moneran. Also used adjectively; as, a myxopod state.
MYZONTESMy*zon"tes, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Marsipobranchiata.
MYZOSTOMATA My`zo*stom"a*ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. my`zein to suck + sto`ma, -atos, mouth.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of curious parasitic worms found on crinoids. The body is short and disklike, with four pairs of suckers and five pairs of hook-bearing parapodia on the under side.
Defn: N, the fourteenth letter of English alphabet, is a vocal consonent, and, in allusion to its mode of formation, is called the dentinasal or linguanasal consonent. Its commoner sound is that heard in ran, done; but when immediately followed in the same word by the sound of g hard or k (as in single, sink, conquer), it usually represents the same sound as the digraph ng in sing, bring, etc. This is a simple but related sound, and is called the gutturo-nasal consonent. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 243-246. The letter N came into English through the Latin and Greek from the Phoenician, which probably derived it from the Egyptian as the ultimate origin. It is etymologically most closely related to M. See M.
NN, n. (Print.)
Defn: A measure of space equal to half an M (or em); an en.
NANa, a. & adv.
Defn: No, not. See No. [Obs.] Chaucer.
NABNab, n. Etym: [Cf. Knap, Knop, Knob.]
1. The summit of an eminence. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
2. (Firearms)
Defn: The cock of a gunlock. Knight.
3. (Locksmithing)
Defn: The keeper, or box into which the lock is shot. Knight.
NAB Nab, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nabbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Nabbing.] Etym: [Dan nappe, or Sw. nappa.]
Defn: To catch or seize suddenly or unexpectedly. [Colloq.] Smollett.
NABITNa"bit, n.
Defn: Pulverized sugar candy. Crabb.
NABKNabk, n. Etym: [Ar. nabiqa,nibqa.] (Bot.)
Defn: The edible berries of the Zizyphys Lotus, a tree of Northern Africa, and Southwestern Europe. [Written also nubk.] See Lotus (b), and Sadr.
NABOB Na"bob, n. Etym: [Hind. nawab, from Ar. nawab, pl. of na\'8bb a vicegerent, governor. Cf Nawab.]
1. A deputy or viceroy in India; a governor of a province of the ancient Mogul empire.
2. One who returns to Europe from the East with immense riches: hence, any man of great wealth. " A bilious old nabob." Macaulay.
NACARAT Nac"a*rat, n. Etym: [F. nacarat, fr. Sp. or Pg. nacarado, fr. nácar mother-of-pearl. See Nacre.]
1. A pale red color, with a cast of orange. Ure.
2. Fine linen or crape dyed of this color. Ure.
NACELLENa*celle", n. [F.]
1. A small boat. [Obs.]
2. The basket suspended from a balloon; hence, the framework forming the body of a dirigible balloon, and containing the machinery, passengers, etc.
3. A boatlike, inclosed body of an aëroplane.
NACKERNack"er, n.
Defn: See Nacre. Johnson.
NACRENa"cre, n. Etym: [F., cf. Sp. nácara, nácar, It. nacchera, naccaro,LL. nacara, nacrum; of Oriental origin, cf. Ar. nakir hollowed.](Zoöl.)
Defn: A pearly substance which lines the interior of many shells, and is most perfect in the mother-of-pearl. [Written also nacker and naker.] See Pearl, and Mother-of-pearl.
NACREOUSNa"cre*ous, a. Etym: [See Nacre.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Consisting of, or resembling, nacre; pearly.
NAD; NADDENad, Nad"de. Etym: [Contr. fr. ne hadde.]
Defn: Had not. [Obs.] Chaucer.
NADDERNad"der, n. Etym: [AS.nædre. See Adder.]
Defn: An adder. [Obs.] Chaucer.
NADIR Na"dir, n. Etym: [F., Sp., & It. nadir; all fr. Ar. nasiru's samt nadir, prop., the point opposite the zenith (as samt), in which nasir means alike, corresponding to. Cf. Azimuth, Zenith.]
1. That point of the heavens, or lower hemisphere, directly opposite the zenith; the inferior pole of the horizon; the point of the celestial sphere directly under the place where we stand.
2. The lowest point; the time of greatest depression. The seventh century is the nadir of the human mind in Europe. Hallam. Nadir of the sun (Astron.), the axis of the conical shadow projected by the earth. Crabb.
NAENIANæ"ni*a, n.
Defn: See Nenia.
NAEVENæve, n. Etym: [L. naevus.]
Defn: A nævus. [Obs.] Dryden.
NAEVOIDNæ"void, a. Etym: [Nævus + -oid.]
Defn: Resembling a nævus or nævi; as, nævoid elephantiasis.Dunglison.
NAEVOSENæ"vose`, a.
Defn: Spotted; frecled.
NAEVUSNæ"vus, n.; pl.Nævi (-vi). Etym: [L.] (Med.)
Defn: A spot or mark on the skin of children when born; a birthmark; — usually applied to vascular tumors, i. e., those consisting mainly of blood vessels, as dilated arteries, veins, or capillaries.
NAGNag, n. Etym: [OE. nagge, D. negge; akin to E. neigh.]
1. A small horse; a pony; hence, any horse.
2. A paramour; — in contempt. [Obs.] Shak.
NAGNag, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Nagged; p. pr. & vb. n. Nagging.] Etym:[Cf. Sw. nagga to nibble, peck, Dan. nage to gnaw, Icel. naga, gnaga,G. nagen, & E. gnaw.]
Defn: To tease in a petty way; to scold habitually; to annoy; to fret pertinaciously. [Colloq.] "She never nagged." J. Ingelow.
NAGANANa*ga"na, n. [Prob. native name.] (Med.)
Defn: The disease caused by the tsetse fly. [South Africa]
NAGGINGNag"ging, a.
Defn: Fault-finding; teasing; persistently annoying; as, a nagging toothache. [Colloq.]
NAGGYNag"gy a.
Defn: Irritable; touchy. [Colloq.]
NAGORNa"gor, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A West African gazelle (Gazella redunca).
NAGYAGITENag"yag*ite, n. Etym: [So called from Nagyag, in Transylvania.](Min.)
Defn: A mineral of blackish lead-gray color and metallic luster, generally of a foliated massive structure; foliated tellurium. It is a telluride of lead and gold.
NAIAD Na"iad, n. Etym: [L. naias, -adis, naïs, -idis, a water nymph, Gr naïade. Cf. Naid.]
1. (Myth.)
Defn: A water nymph; one of the lower female divinities, fabled to preside over some body of fresh water, as a lake, river, brook, or fountain.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any species of a tribe (Naiades) of freshwater bivalves, including Unio, Anodonta, and numerous allied genera; a river mussel.
3. (Zoöl)
Defn: One of a group of butterflies. See Nymph.
4. (Bot.)
Defn: Any plant of the order Naiadaceæ, such as eelgrass, pondweed, etc.
NAIANTNa"iant, a.
Defn: (Her.) See Natant. Crabb.
NAIDNa"id, n. Etym: [See Naiad.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of small, fresh-water, chætopod annelids of the tribe Naidina. They belong to the Oligochæta.
NAIFNa"ïf` (formerly , a. Etym: [F. naïf. See Naïve.]
1. Having a true natural luster without being cut; — applied by jewelers to a precious stone.
2. Naïve; as, a naïf remark. London Spectator.
NAIKNa"ik, n. Etym: [Hind. nayak.]
Defn: A chief; a leader; a Sepoy corporal. Balfour (Cyc. of India).
NAIL Nail, n. Etym: [AS. nægel, akin to D. nagel, OS nagal, G. nagel, Icel. nagl, nail (in sense 1), nagli nail (in sense 3), Sw. nagel nail (in senses 1 and 3), Dan. nagle, Goth. ganagljan to nail, Lith. nagas nail (in sense 1), Russ. nogote, L. unguis, Gr. nakha.
1. (Anat.)
Defn: the horny scale of plate of epidermis at the end of the fingers and toes of man and many apes. His nayles like a briddes claws were. Chaucer.
Note: The nails are strictly homologous with hoofs and claws. When compressed, curved, and pointed, they are called talons or claws, and the animal bearing them is said to be unguiculate; when they incase the extremities of the digits they are called hoofs, and the animal is ungulate.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) The basal thickened portion of the anterior wings of certain hemiptera. (b) The terminal horny plate on the beak of ducks, and other allied birds.
3. A slender, pointed piece of metal, usually with a head, used for fastening pieces of wood or other material together, by being driven into or through them.
Note: The different sorts of nails are named either from the use to which they are applied, from their shape, from their size, or from some other characteristic, as shingle, floor, ship-carpenters', and horseshoe nails, roseheads, diamonds, fourpenny, tenpenny (see Penny), chiselpointed, cut, wrought, or wire nails, etc.
4. A measure of length, being two inches and a quarter, or the sixteenth of a yard. Nail ball (Ordnance), a round projectile with an iron bolt protruding to prevent it from turning in the gun. — Nail plate, iron in plates from which cut nails are made. — On the nail, in hand; on the spot; immediately; without delay or time of credit; as, to pay money on the nail. "You shall have ten thousand pounds on the nail." Beaconsfield. — To hit the nail on the head, to hit most effectively; to do or say a thing in the right way.
NAILNail, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nailed; p. pr. & vb. n. Nailing.] Etym:[AS. næglian. See Nail, n.]
1. To fasten with a nail or nails; to close up or secure by means of nails; as, to nail boards to the beams. He is now dead, and nailed in his chest. Chaucer.
2. To stud or boss with nails, or as with nails. The rivets of your arms were nailed with gold. Dryden.
3. To fasten, as with a nail; to bind or hold, as to a bargain or to acquiescence in an argument or assertion; hence, to catch; to trap. When they came to talk of places in town, you saw at once how I nailed them. Goldsmith.
4. To spike, as a cannon. [Obs.] Crabb. To nail a lie or an assertion, etc., to detect and expose it, so as to put a stop to its currency; — an expression probably derived from the former practice of shopkeepers, who were accustomed to nail bad or counterfeit pieces of money to the counter.
NAILBRUSHNail"brush`, n.
Defn: A brush for cleaning the nails.
NAILERNail"er, n.
1. One whose occupation is to make nails; a nail maker.
2. One who fastens with, or drives, nails.
NAILERESSNail"er*ess, n.
Defn: A women who makes nailes.
NAILERYNail"er*y, n.; pl. Naileries (.
Defn: A manufactory where nails are made.
NAIL-HEADEDNail"-head`ed, a.
Defn: Having a head like that of a nail; formed so as to resemble the head of a nail. Nail-headed characters, arrowheaded or cuneiform characters. See under Arrowheaded. — Nail-headed molding (Arch.), an ornament consisting of a series of low four-sided pyramids resembling the heads of large nails; — called also nail-head molding, or nail-head. It is the same as the simplest form of dogtooth. See Dogtooth.
NAILLESSNail"less, a.
Defn: Without nails; having no nails.
NAINSOOKNain`sook", n. Etym: [Nainsukh, a valley in Kaghan.]
Defn: A thick sort of jaconet muslin, plain or striped, formerly made in India.
NAISNa"is, n. Etym: [L., a naiad.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Naiad.
NAISSANTNais`sant", a. Etym: [F., p. pr. of naître to be born, L. nasci.](Her.)
Defn: Same as Jessant.
NAIVE Na"ïve`, a. Etym: [F. naïf, fem. naïve, fr. L. nativus innate, natural, native. See Native, and cf. Naïf.]
Defn: Having native or unaffected simplicity; ingenuous; artless; frank; as, naïve manners; a naïve person; naïve and unsophisticated remarks.
NAIVELYNa"ïve`ly, adv.
Defn: In a naïve manner.
NAIVETENa`ïve`té", n. Etym: [F. See Naïve, and cf. Nativity.]
Defn: Native simplicity; unaffected plainness or ingenuousness;artlessness.A story which pleases me by its naïveté — that is, by itsunconscious ingenuousness. De Quincey.
NAIVETYNa"ïve`ty
Defn: , n. Naïveté. Carlyle.
NAKENake
Defn: ,v.t. To make naked. [Obs.] Chaucer.Come, be ready, nake your swords. Old Play.
NAKED Na"ked, a. Etym: [AS. nacod; akin to D. naakt, G. nackt, OHG. nacchot, nahhot, Icel. nökvi, nakinn, Sw. naken, Dan. nögen, Goth. naqa, Lith. n, Russ. nagii, L. nudus, Skr. nagna. sq. root266. Cf. Nude.]
1. Having no clothes on; uncovered; nude; bare; as, a naked body; a naked limb; a naked sword.
2. Having no means of defense or protection; open; unarmed;defenseless.Thy power is full naked. Chaucer.Behold my bosom naked to your swords. Addison.
3. Unprovided with needful or desirable accessories, means of sustenance, etc.; destitute; unaided; bare. Patriots who had exposed themselves for the public, and whom they say now left naked. Milton.
4. Without addition, exaggeration, or excuses; not concealed or disguised; open to view; manifest; plain. The truth appears so naked on my side, That any purblind eye may find it out. Shak. All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we to do. Heb. iv. 13.
5. Mere; simple; plain. The very naked name of love. Shak.
6. (Bot.)
Defn: Without pubescence; as, a naked leaf or stem; bare, or not covered by the customary parts, as a flower without a perianth, a stem without leaves, seeds without a pericarp, buds without bud scales.
7. (Mus.)
Defn: Not having the full complement of tones; — said of a chord of only two tones, which requires a third tone to be sounded with them to make the combination pleasing to the ear; as, a naked fourth or fifth. Naked bed, a bed the occupant of which is naked, no night linen being worn in ancient times. Shak. — Naked eye, the eye alone, unaided by glasses, or by telescope, microscope, or the like. — Naked-eyed medusa. (Zoöl.) See Hydromedusa. — Naked flooring (Carp.), the timberwork which supports a floor. Gwilt. — Naked mollusk (Zoöl.), a nudibranch. — Naked wood (Bot.), a large rhamnaceous tree (Colibrina reclinata) of Southern Florida and the West Indies, having a hard and heavy heartwood, which takes a fine polish. C. S. Sargent.
Syn. — Nude; bare; denuded; uncovered; unclothed; exposed; unarmed; plain; defenseless.
NAKEDLYNa"ked*ly, adv.
Defn: In a naked manner; without covering or disguise; manifestly; simply; barely.
NAKEDNESSNa"ked*ness, n.
1. The condition of being naked.
2. (Script.)
Defn: The privy parts; the genitals.Ham … saw the nakedness of his father. Gen. ix. 22.
NAKERNa"ker, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Nacre.
NAKERNa"ker, n. Etym: [OE. nakere, F. nakaire, LL. nacara, Per. naqaret.]
Defn: A kind of kettledrum. [Obs.] Chaucer.
NAKOONa"koo, n. Etym: [From the native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The gavial. [Written also nako.]
NALE Nale, n. Etym: [A corrupt form arising from the older "at þen ale" at the nale.]
Defn: Ale; also, an alehouse. [Obs.]Great feasts at the nale. Chaucer.
NALL Nall, n. Etym: [Either fr. Icel. nal (see Needle); or fr. awl, like newt fr. ewt.]
Defn: An awl. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Tusser.
NAMNam. Etym: [Contr. fr. ne am.]
Defn: Am not. [Obs.]
NAMNam, obs. imp.
Defn: of Nim. Chaucer.
NAMABLENam"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being named.
NAMATIONNa*ma"tion, n. Etym: [LL. namare to take; cf. AS. niman to take.] (O.Eng. & Scots Law)
Defn: A distraining or levying of a distress; an impounding. Burrill.
NAMAYCUSHNam"ay*cush, n. Etym: [Indian name.] (Zool.)
Defn: A large North American lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). It is usually spotted with red, and sometimes weighs over forty pounds. Called also Mackinaw trout, lake trout, lake salmon, salmon trout, togue, and tuladi.
NAMBY-PAMBY Nam"by-pam`by, n. Etym: [From Ambrose Phillips, in ridicule of the extreme simplicity of some of his verses.]
Defn: Talk or writing which is weakly sentimental or affectedly pretty. Macaulay.
NAMBY-PAMBYNam"by-pam`by, a.
Defn: Affectedly pretty; weakly sentimental; finical; insipid.Thackeray.Namby-pamby madrigals of love. W. Gifford.
NAME Name, n. Etym: [AS. nama; akin to D. naam, OS. & OHG. namo, G. name, Icel. nafn, for namn, Dan. navn, Sw. namn, Goth. namo, L. nomen (perh. influenced by noscere, gnoscere, to learn to know), Gr. 'o`mona, Scr. naman. sq. root267. Cf. Anonymous, Ignominy, Misnomer, Nominal, Noun.]
1. The title by which any person or thing is known or designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of an individual or a class. Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. Gen. ii. 19. What's in a name That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet. Shak.
2. A descriptive or qualifying appellation given to a person or thing, on account of a character or acts. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Is. ix. 6.
3. Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation; fame; especially, illustrious character or fame; honorable estimation; distinction. What men of name resort to him Shak. Far above … every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. Eph. i. 21. I will get me a name and honor in the kingdom. 1 Macc. iii. 14. He hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin. Deut. xxii. 19. The king's army …had left no good name behind. Clarendon.
4. Those of a certain name; a race; a family. The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his name, came every day to pay their feigned civilities. Motley.
5. A person, an individual. [Poetic] They list with women each degenerate name. Dryden. Christian name. (a) The name a person receives at baptism, as distinguished from surname; baptismal name. (b) A given name, whether received at baptism or not. — Given name. See under Given. — In name, in profession, or by title only; not in reality; as, a friend in name. — In the name of. (a) In behalf of; by the authority of. " I charge you in the duke's name to obey me." Shak. (b) In the represented or assumed character of. " I'll to him again in name of Brook." Shak. — Name plate, a plate as of metal, glass, etc., having a name upon it, as a sign; a doorplate. — Pen name, a name assumed by an author; a pseudonym or nom de plume. Bayard Taylor. — Proper name (Gram.), a name applied to a particular person, place, or thing. — To call names, to apply opprobrious epithets to; to call by reproachful appellations. — To take a name in vain, to use a name lightly or profanely; to use a name in making flippant or dishonest oaths. Ex. xx. 7.
Syn. — Appellation; title; designation; cognomen; denomination; epithet. — Name, Appellation, Title, Denomination. Name is generic, denoting that combination of sounds or letters by which a person or thing is known and distinguished. Appellation, although sometimes put for name simply, denotes, more properly, a descriptive term, used by way of marking some individual peculiarity or characteristic; as, Charles the Bold, Philip the Stammerer. A title is a term employed to point out one's rank, office, etc.; as, the Duke of Bedford, Paul the Apostle, etc. Denomination is to particular bodies what appellation is to individuals; thus, the church of Christ is divided into different denominations, as Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, etc.
NAME Name, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Named; p. pr. & vb. n. Naming.] Etym: [AS. namian. See Name, n.]
1. To give a distinctive name or appellation to; to entitle; to denominate; to style; to call. She named the child Ichabod. 1 Sam. iv. 21. Thus was the building left Ridiculous, and the work Confusion named. Milton.
2. To mention by name; to utter or publish the name of; to refer to by distinctive title; to mention. None named thee but to praise. Halleck. Old Yew, which graspest at the stones That name the underlying dead. Tennyson.
3. To designate by name or specifically for any purpose; to nominate; to specify; to appoint; as, to name a day for the wedding. Whom late you have named for consul. Shak.
4. (House of Commons)
Defn: To designate (a member) by name, as the Speaker does by way of reprimand.
Syn. — To denominate; style; term; call; mention; specify; designate; nominate.
NAMELESSName"less, a.
1. Without a name; not having been given a name; as, a nameless star. Waller.
2. Undistinguished; not noted or famous. A nameless dwelling and an unknown name. Harte.
3. Not known or mentioned by name; anonymous; as, a nameless writer."Nameless pens." Atterbury.
4. Unnamable; indescribable; inexpressible.But what it is, that is not yet known; what I can not name; namelesswoe,I wot. Shak.I have a nameless horror of the man. Hawthorne.
NAMELESSLYName"less*ly, adv.
Defn: In a nameless manner.
NAMELYName"ly, adv.
1. By name; by particular mention; specifically; especially; expressly. [Obs.] Chaucer. The solitariness of man …God hath namely and principally ordered to prevent by marriage. Milton.
2. That is to say; to wit; videlicet; — introducing a particular or specific designation. For the excellency of the soul, namely, its power of divining dreams; that several such divinations have been made, none Addison.
NAMERNam"er, n.
Defn: One who names, or calls by name.
NAMESAKE Name"sake`, n. Etym: [For name's sake; i. e., one named for the sake of another's name.]
Defn: One that has the same name as another; especially, one called after, or named out of regard to, another.
NAMONa*mo", adv.
Defn: No more. [Obs.] Chaucer.
NANNan, inerj. Etym: [For anan.]