Mere"stead (?), n. [Mere boundary + stead place.] The land within the
boundaries of a farm; a farmstead or farm. [Archaic.] Longfellow.
Mere"stone` (?), n. A stone designating a limit or boundary; a
landmark. Bacon.
Mer`e*tri"cious (?), a. [L. meretricius, from meretrix, -icis, a
prostitute, lit., one who earns money, i. e., by prostitution, fr.
merere to earn, gain. See Merit.] 1. Of or pertaining to prostitutes;
having to do with harlots; lustful; as, meretricious traffic.
2. Resembling the arts of a harlot; alluring by false show; gaudily and
deceitfully ornamental; tawdry; as, meretricious dress or ornaments.
-- Mer`e*tri"cious*ly, adv. -- Mer`e*tri"cious*ness, n.
Mer*gan"ser (?), n. [Sp. mergánsar, fr. mergo a diver (L. mergus, fr.
mergere to dip, dive) + ánsar goose, L. anser.] (Zoöl.) Any bird of the
genus Merganser, and allied genera. They are allied to the ducks, but
have a sharply serrated bill.
The red-breasted merganser (Merganser serrator) inhabits both
hemispheres. It is called also sawbill, harle, and sheldrake. The
American merganser (M. Americanus.) and the hooded merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus) are well-known species. -- White merganser, the
smew or white nun.
Merge (mrj), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Merged (mrjd); p. pr. & vb. n. Merging
(mr"jng).] [L. mergere, mersum. Cf. Emerge, Immerse, Marrow.] To cause
to be swallowed up; to immerse; to sink; to absorb.
To merge all natural . . . sentiment in inordinate vanity.
Burke.
Whig and Tory were merged and swallowed up in the transcendent
duties of patriots.
De Quincey.
Merge, v. i. To be sunk, swallowed up, or lost.
Native irresolution had merged in stronger motives.