||Mon`si*gno"re (?), n.; pl. Monsignors (#). [It., my lord. Cf.
||Monseigneur.] My lord; -- an ecclesiastical dignity bestowed by the
||pope, entitling the bearer to social and domestic rank at the papal
||court. (Abbrev. Mgr.)
Mon*soon" (?), n. [Malay msim, fr. Ar. mausim a time, season: cf. F.
monson, mousson, Sr. monzon, Pg. monção, It. monsone.] A wind blowing
part of the year from one direction, alternating with a wind from the
opposite direction; -- a term applied particularly to periodical winds
of the Indian Ocean, which blow from the southwest from the latter part
of May to the middle of September, and from the northeast from about
the middle of October to the middle of December.
Mon"ster (?), n. [OE. monstre, F. monstre, fr. L. monstrum, orig., a
divine omen, indicating misfortune; akin of monstrare to show, point
out, indicate, and monere to warn. See Monition, and cf. Demonstrate,
Muster.] 1. Something of unnatural size, shape, or quality; a prodigy;
an enormity; a marvel.
A monster or marvel.
Chaucer.
2. Specifically , an animal or plant departing greatly from the usual
type, as by having too many limbs.
3. Any thing or person of unnatural or excessive ugliness, deformity,
wickedness, or cruelty.
Mon"ster, a. Monstrous in size. Pope.
Mon"ster, v. t. To make monstrous. [Obs.] Shak.
Mon"strance (?), n. [LL. monstrantia, fr. L. monstrare to show: cf. OF.
monstrance. See Monster.] (R. C. Ch.) A transparent pyx, in which the
consecrated host is exposed to view.
Mon*stra"tion (?), n. [L. monstratio.] The act of demonstrating; proof.
[Obs.]
A certain monstration.
Grafton.
Mon*stros"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Monstrosities (#). [Cf. F. monstruosité.
See Monstrous.] The state of being monstrous, or out of the common
order of nature; that which is monstrous; a monster. South.
A monstrosity never changes the name or affects the immutability of
a species.
Adanson (Trans. ).
Mon"strous (?), a. [OE. monstruous, F. monstrueux, fr. L. monstruosus,
fr. monstrum. See Monster.] 1. Marvelous; strange. [Obs.]
2. Having the qualities of a monster; deviating greatly from the
natural form or character; abnormal; as, a monstrous birth. Locke.
He, therefore, that refuses to do good to them whom he is bound to
love . . . is unnatural and monstrous in his affections.
Jer. Taylor.
3. Extraordinary in a way to excite wonder, dislike, apprehension,
etc.; -- said of size, appearance, color, sound, etc.; as, a monstrous
height; a monstrous ox; a monstrous story.
4. Extraordinary on account of ugliness, viciousness, or wickedness;
hateful; horrible; dreadful.
So bad a death argues a monstrous life.
Shak.