LYTTA, lit'a, _n._ a longitudinal vermiform cartilaginous or fibrous band
on the under surface of the tongue in carnivores--the 'worm' of a dog's
tongue. [Gr.]
* * * * *
[Illustration]
M the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, belonging to the labio-nasal class
of consonants. M=1000; [=M]=1,000,000.--M-ROOF, a roof formed by the
junction of two common roofs, so that its end is like the letter M.
MA, mä, _n._ a childish contraction for _mamma_.
MA'AM, mäm, _n._ a colloquial contraction of madam--vulgarly MARM, MUM.
MAB, mab, _n._ the name of a female fairy: the queen of the fairies--hence
any fairy. [W. _mab_, child.]
MAB, mab, _v.t._ and _v.i._ (_prov._) to dress untidily.
MABINOGION, mab-i-n[=o]'ji-on, _n._ a collection of four Arthurian
romances, embodied in the 12th century, embraced with seven other prose
tales in the _Red Book_, or _Hergest_, a Welsh MS. of the 14th century--the
whole published and translated by Lady Charlotte Guest in 1838. [W.,
'children's tales.']
MAC, mak, a prefix in Scotch names, meaning _son_ (of). [Gael. and Ir.
_mac_, son; W. _map_, _mab_, also _ap_, _ab_.]
MACABERESQUE, ma-k[=a]-b[.e]r-esk', _adj._ pertaining to, or like, the
Dance of Death. [Fr. _La Danse Macabre_, Low L. _Machabæorum chorea_, the
dance of the Maccabees, prob. because the seven brothers whose martyrdom is
recorded in the 7th chapter of the 2d Book of Maccabees played an important
part in the earliest form of the 14th-cent. drama on the subject.]
MACADAMISE, mak-ad'am-[=i]z, _v.t._ to cover, as a road, with small broken
stones, so as to form a smooth, hard surface.--_ns._ MACAD'AM, macadamised
pavement; MACADAMIS[=A]'TION. [From John Loudon _Macadam_ (1756-1836).]
MACAQUE, ma-kak', _n._ a monkey of genus _Macacus_, between baboons and the
African mangabeys.
MACARISE, mak'a-r[=i]z, _v.t._ to bless, pronounce happy.--_adj._
MAC[=A]'RIAN, blessed.--_n._ MAC'ARISM, a beatitude. [Gr. _makar_, happy.]
MACARONI, mak-a-r[=o]'ni, _n._ a kind of paste or dough prepared from the
glutinous granular flour of hard varieties of wheat, pressed out through a
perforated vessel into long tubes, and then dried: a medley: something
fanciful and extravagant: a fool: a fop:--_pl._ MACAR[=O]'NIS,
MACAR[=O]'NIES.--_n._ MACARON'IC, a confused heap, a medley: a macaronic
poem.--_adjs._ MACARON'IC, MACAR[=O]'NIAN, like a macaroni, trifling,
affected: of a kind of burlesque verse, consisting of modern words
Latinised, or Latin words modernised, intermixed with genuine Latin words.
[Old It. _maccaroni_--_maccare_, to crush.]
MACAROON, mak-a-r[=oo]n', _n._ a sweet biscuit made chiefly of almonds and
sugar. [Fr.,--It. _maccaroni_ above.]
MACASSAR-OIL, ma-kas'ar-oil, _n._ an oil much used for the hair, imported
from India and other Eastern countries. [From _Macassar_ in Celebes.]
MACAW, ma-kaw', _n._ a genus of large and beautiful birds with a long tail,
found in tropical America, closely allied to the parrots. [Brazil.
_macao._]
MACCABEAN, mak-a-b[=e]'an, _adj._ pertaining to Judas _Maccabeus_, or to
the _Maccabees_, an ancient Jewish family who rescued Judea from the
persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes, king of Syria, about 166 B.C.--as
related in two historical books of the Apocrypha.
MACE, m[=a]s, _n._ a staff used as a mark of authority: a light,
flat-headed stick in use at billiards before the introduction of the bridge
or cue-rest: formerly, a weapon of war, consisting of a staff headed with a
heavy spiked ball of iron: a mallet used by a currier in dressing
leather.--_n._ MACE'-BEAR'ER, one who carries the mace in a procession, or
before men in authority--also MAC'ER. [O. Fr. _mace_ (Fr. _masse_)--obs. L.
_matea_, whence L. dim. _mateola_, a mallet.]
MACE, m[=a]s, _n._ a kind of spice: the second coat of the nutmeg. [O. Fr.
_macis_--L. _macer_--Gr. _maker_.]
MACERATE, mas'[.e]r-[=a]t, _v.t._ to steep: to soften by steeping: to make
lean: to mortify.--_n._ MACER[=A]'TION, act of softening by steeping:
mortification of the flesh by fasting and other severe modes of living. [L.
_macer[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to steep.]
MACHETE, ma-ch[=a]'t[=a], _n._ a heavy knife or cutlass used by the Cubans,
&c. [Sp.]
MACHIAVELLIAN, mak-i-a-v[=e]l'yan, _adj._ destitute of political morality,
following expediency rather than right: cunning, crafty, perfidious.--_n._
one who imitates Machiavel--more correctly, Niccolo _Machiavelli_--of
Florence (1469-1527): any cunning and unprincipled statesman.--_n._
MACHIAVELL'IANISM, the principles taught by Machiavel, or conduct regulated
by them: cunning statesmanship.
MACHICOLATION, mach-i-ko-l[=a]'shun, _n._ (_archit._) a projecting parapet
or gallery with openings for pouring molten substances upon an attacking
force below: the construction or use of such means of defence.--_adj._
MACHIC'OLATED. [Fr. _mâchicoulis_, from _mâche_, mash, _coulis_, a
flowing--L. _col[=a]re_, to filter.]
MACHINATE, mak'i-n[=a]t, _v.t._ to contrive skilfully: to form a plot or
scheme, esp. for doing harm.--_ns._ MACHIN[=A]'TION, act of machinating or
contriving a scheme for carrying out some purpose, esp. an evil one: an
artful design or plot: MACH'INATOR, one who machinates. [L. _machin[=a]ri_,
_-[=a]tus_--_mach[)i]na_.]
MACHINE, ma-sh[=e]n', _n._ any artificial means or contrivance: any
instrument for the conversion of motion: an engine: a coach or conveyance
of any kind: one who can do only what he is told: a contrivance in the
ancient Greek theatre for indicating a change of scene, by means of which a
god might cross the stage or deliver a divine message--whence the
expression _Deus ex mach[)i]na_ for a sudden interposition of Providence:
any literary contrivance for the development of a plot: supernatural agency
in a poem.--_v.t._ to use machinery for, esp. to print or sew by such: to
make by means of machinery.--_ns._ MACHINE'-GUN, a gun firing a great many
shots one after the other, sometimes as many as 1000 per minute;
MACHINE'-MAN, a man who manages the working of a machine, esp. in a
printing-office; MACHIN'ERY, machines in general: the working parts of a
machine: combined means for keeping anything in action, or for producing a
desired result; MACHINE'-SHOP, a workshop where machines are made;
MACHINE'-TOOL, an adjustable machine for doing work with cutting-tools, or
one utilising minor tools, as a planing-, drilling-machine, &c.;
MACHINE'-WORK, work done by a machine; MACHIN'IST, a constructor of
machines: one well versed in machinery: one who works a machine. [Fr.,--L.
_mach[)i]na_--Gr. _m[=e]chan[=e]_, akin to _m[=e]ch-os_, contrivance.]
MACK'EREL, mak'[.e]r-el, _n._ a food fish, dark blue, with wavy
cross-streaks above, and silvery below.--_n._ MACK'EREL-SKY, a sky with
clouds broken into long, thin, white, parallel masses. [O. Fr. _makerel_
(Fr. _maquereau_), prob. from L. _macula_, a spot.]
MACKINTOSH, mak'in-tosh, _n._ a waterproof overcoat. [From Charles
_Mackintosh_ (1766-1843), the inventor.]
MACKLE, mak'l, _n._ a spot or blemish in printing, by a double impression,
wrinkling, &c.--_v.t._ to spot, blur.
MACLE, mak'l, _n._ a kind of twin crystal: a kind of _cross-stone_ or
_hollow-spar_, called also _Chiastolite_, having the axis and angles of its
crystals coloured differently from the rest.--_adj._ MAC'LED, spotted.
[Through Fr., from L. _macula_, spot.]
MACMILLANITE, mak-mil'an-[=i]t, _n._ an old name for a member of the
Scottish sect of Cameronians or Reformed Presbyterians. [From John
_Macmillan_, (1670-1753), the first ordained minister who associated
himself with the 'suffering remnant.']
MACRAMÉ, mak-ra-m[=a]', _n._ a fringe or trimming of knotted thread--also
knotted bar-work. [It.]
MACROBIOTIC, mak-r[=o]-bi-ot'ik, _adj._ long-lived.--_ns._ MACROBI[=O]'SIS,
long life; MACR[=O]'BIOTE, one who lives long; MACROBIOT'ICS, the study of
longevity.
MACROCEPHALOUS, mak-ro-sef'a-lus, _adj._ having a large or long head.--Also
MACROCEPHAL'IC. [Gr. _makros_, long or great, _kephal[=e]_, a head.]
MACROCOSM, mak'ro-kozm, _n._ the great world: the whole universe:--opp. to
_Microcosm_.--_adj._ MACROCOS'MIC. [Gr. _makros_, long, _kosmos_, world.]
MACRODACTYL, mak-ro-dak'til, _adj._ having long toes.--_n._ a wading-bird
having such:--_pl._ MACRODAC'TYL[=I], and -A. [Gr. _makros_, long,
_daktylos_, finger.]
MACROLOGY, mak-rol'o-ji, _n._ much talk with little to say. [Gr. _makros_,
long, _logos_, a word.]
MACRON, mak'ron, _n._ a straight line placed over a vowel to show that it
is long:--opp. to _Breve_, the mark of a short vowel. [Gr., 'long.']
MACROPOD, mak'ro-pod, _adj._ having long feet.--_n._ a long-legged or
long-footed animal: one of the spider-crabs.--_adjs._ MACROP'ODAL,
MACROP'ODAN, MACROP[=O]'DIAN, MACROP'ODOUS (_bot._). [Gr. _makros_, long,
_pous_, _podos_, a foot.]
MACROPTEROUS, mak-rop'te-rus, _adj._ long-winged. [Gr. _makros_, long,
_pteron_, a wing.]
MACROSCIAN, mak-ros'i-an, _adj._ casting a long shadow.--_n._ an inhabitant
of the Arctic or Antarctic zones. [Gr. _makros_, long, _skia_, shadow.]
MACROSCOPIC, mak-ro-skop'ik, _adj._ visible to the naked eye:--opp. to
_Microscopic_.--_adv._ MACROSCOP'ICALLY. [Gr. _makros_, long, _skopein_, to
see.]
MACROSPORE, mak'ro-sp[=o]r, _n._ a more than usually large spore of a
flowerless plant, as in club-mosses, &c.--_n._ MACROSPORAN'GIUM, a
sporangium containing macrospores. [Gr. _makros_, long, _spora_, a seed.]
MACRUROUS, mak-r[=oo]'rus, _adj._ long-tailed.--Also MACRU'RAL. [Gr.
_makros_, long, _oura_, tail.]
MACULA, mak'[=u]-la, _n._ a spot, as on the skin, or on the surface of the
sun, moon, or planets:--_pl._ MACULÆ (mak'[=u]-l[=e]).--_v.t._
MAC'UL[=A]TE, to spot, to defile.--_n._ MACUL[=A]'TION, act of spotting, a
spot.--_adj._ MACULOSE (mak'[=u]-l[=o]z), spotted. [L. _macul[=a]re_,
_-[=a]tum_--_macula_, a spot.]
MAD, mad, _adj._ (_comp._ MAD'DER; _superl._ MAD'DEST) disordered in
intellect: insane: proceeding from madness, rabid: troubled in mind:
excited with any violent passion or appetite: furious with anger.--_v.t._
(_Shak._) to drive mad.--_adjs._ MAD'BRAIN, MAD'BRAINED (_Shak._),
disordered in brain or mind: rash: hot-headed; MAD'-BRED (_Shak._), bred in
madness or heat of passion.--_n._ MAD'CAP, a person who acts madly: a wild,
rash, hot-headed person.--_adj._ fond of wild and reckless action.--_v.t._
MAD'DEN, to make mad: to enrage.--_v.i._ to become mad: to act as one
mad.--_adj._ MAD'DING, distracted, acting madly.--_advs._ MAD'DINGLY,
MAD'LY.--_ns._ MAD'-DOC'TOR, a doctor who studies and treats the diseases
of mad people; MAD'HOUSE, a house for mad persons: a lunatic asylum;
MAD'LING, a mad person; MAD'MAN, a man who is mad: a maniac; MAD'NESS;
MAD'WORT, a plant believed to cure canine madness.--GO MAD, to become
demented; LIKE MAD, madly, furiously. [A.S. _ge-m['æ]d_; Old Sax. _ge-méd_,
foolish, Ice. _meidd-r_, hurt.]
MADAM, mad'am, _n._ a courteous form of address to a lady, esp. an elderly
or a married one: a woman of fashion:--_pl._ MAD'AMS, or MESDAMES
(m[=a]-dam'). [Fr.,--_ma_, my, _dame_, lady--L. _mea domina_.]
MAD-APPLE, mad'-ap-l, _n._ the egg-plant.
MADAROSIS, mad-a-r[=o]'sis, _n._ loss of the hair, esp. of the eyelashes.
[Gr.,--_madaros_, bald, _madan_, to fall off.]
MADDER, mad'[.e]r, _n._ a plant whose root affords a red dye.--_ns._
MADD'ER-LAKE, a colour mixed either with oil or water, made from madder;
MADD'ER-WORT, any plant of the _Rubiaceæ_ or madder family. [A.S. _mæderu_;
Ice. _maðra_, Dut. _meed_.]
MADE, m[=a]d, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _make_.--MADE CONTINUALLY (_Pr. Bk._),
established for ever; MADE DISH, a dish of meat, &c., recooked: an entrée;
MADE UP, put together, finished: dressed for a part, disguised: perfect:
artificial, invented.
MADEIRA, ma-d[=e]'ra, _n._ a rich wine of the sherry class produced in
_Madeira_.
MADEMOISELLE, mad-mwa-zel', _n._ a courteous form of address to a young
lady: Miss. [Fr., _ma_, my, and _demoiselle_.]
MADGE, maj, _n._ a leaden hammer.
MADGE, maj, _n._ the magpie.
MADIA, m[=a]'di-a, _n._ a genus of American herbs of the aster family, the
tarweeds--a Chilian species yielding a valuable oil.
MADID, mad'id, _adj._ wet, dank. [L. _madidus_--_mad[=e]re_, to be wet;
akin to Gr. _madaein_.]
MADONNA, MADONA, ma-don'a, _n._ a name given to the Virgin, esp. as seen in
works of art: (_Shak._) my lady.--_adv._ MADONN'A-WISE, after the fashion
of the Madonna, esp. in the arrangement of a woman's hair. [It., lit. 'my
lady'--L. _mea domina_.]
MADRAS, ma-dras', _n._ a large handkerchief of silk and cotton, usually in
bright colours, worn on the head by West Indian negroes.
MADREPORE, mad're-p[=o]r, _n._ the common coral. [Fr.,--It., from _madre_,
mother--L. _mater_, and _-pora_--Gr. _p[=o]ros_, a soft stone.]
MADRIGAL, mad'ri-gal, _n._ (_mus._) a piece of music for the voice in five
or six parts: a short poem expressing a graceful and tender
thought.--_adj._ MADRIG[=A]'LIAN.--_n._ MAD'RIGALIST. [It., from _mandra_,
a sheep-fold--L. _mandra_.]
MADROÑO, ma-dr[=o]'ny[=o], _n._ a handsome evergreen tree of North
California.--Also MADR[=O]'ÑA.
MÆCENAS, m[=a]-s[=e]'nas, _n._ a Roman knight who befriended the poets
Virgil and Horace: any rich patron of art or literature.
MAELSTROM, m[=a]l'strom, _n._ a celebrated whirlpool off the coast of
Norway: any resistless overpowering influence for destruction. [Norw.,
'grinding stream.']
MÆNAD, m[=e]'nad, _n._ a female follower of Bacchus, a woman beside herself
with frenzy.--_adj._ MÆNAD'IC, bacchanalian: furious. [Gr. _mainas_,
_-ados_, raving--_mainesthai_, to be mad.]
MAESTOSO, m[=a]-es-t[=o]'zo, _adj._ and _adv._ (_mus._) with dignity or
majesty. [It.]
MAESTRO, ma-es'tr[=o], _n._ a master, esp. an eminent musical composer or
conductor. [It.]
MAFFLED, maf'ld, _adj._ (_prov._) confused in the intellect.--_n._
MAFF'LING, a simpleton.
MAG, mag, _n._ a halfpenny.--Also MAIK, MAKE.
MAG, mag, _v.i._ (_prov._) to chatter.--_v.t._ to tease.--_n._ chatter: the
magpie: the long-tailed titmouse.
MAG, mag, _v.t._ (_slang_) to steal.--_n._ MAGS'MAN, a street swindler.
MAGAZINE, mag-a-z[=e]n', _n._ a storehouse: a place for military stores:
the gunpowder-room in a ship: a pamphlet or small book published from time
to time, containing compositions on various subjects.--_ns._ MAGAZINE'-GUN,
or -R[=I]'FLE, a gun or rifle from which many shots can be fired one after
another without reloading. [Fr. _magasin_--It. _magazzino_--Ar. _makhzan_,
a storehouse.]
MAGDALEN, mag'da-len, _n._ a repentant prostitute.--Also MAG'DALENE. [From
Mary _Magdalene_ (Luke, viii. 2), confused with the woman of Luke vii.
37-50.]
MAGDEBURG HEMISPHERES, mag'de-b[=oo]rg hem'i-sf[=e]rz, _n.pl._ two
hemispherical cups from within which, when placed together, the air can be
removed by an air-pump to show the pressure of the air on the outside.
[Invented at _Magdeburg_ in Germany.]
MAGE, m[=a]j, _n._ a magician, enchanter (see MAGI).
MAGENTA, ma-jen'ta, _n._ a colour between pink and red. [From the battle of
_Magenta_ in North Italy, 1859.]
MAGGOT, mag'ut, _n._ a worm or grub: a whim.--_adj._ MAGG'OTY, full of
maggots. [W. _maceiad_, akin to _magiaid_, worms, _magu_, to breed.]
MAGI, m[=a]'j[=i], _n.pl._ priests of the ancient Persians: the Wise Men of
the East.--_adj._ M[=A]'GIAN, pertaining to the Magi.--_n._ one of the
Magi.--_ns._ M[=A]'GIANISM, or M[=A]'GISM, the philosophy or doctrines of
the Magi. [L.,--Gr. _magos_, orig. a title given to the wise men of
Chaldea, astrologers and wizards.]
MAGIC, maj'ik, _n._ the pretended art of producing marvellous results by
the aid of spirits, or of the secret forces of nature: enchantment:
sorcery.--_adjs._ MAG'IC, -AL, pertaining to, used in, or done by magic:
causing wonderful or startling results.--_adv._ MAG'ICALLY.--_ns._
MAGIC'IAN, one skilled in magic: a wizard: an enchanter; MAG'IC-LAN'TERN
(see LANTERN).--MAGIC SQUARE, a square filled with rows of figures so
arranged that the sums of all the rows will be the same, perpendicularly or
horizontally--as 2, 7, 6; 9, 5, 1; 4, 3, 8, &c.; there are also MAGIC
CIRCLES, CUBES, CYLINDERS, and SPHERES similarly arranged.--BLACK MAGIC,
the black art, magic by means of union with evil spirits; NATURAL MAGIC,
the art of working wonders by a superior knowledge of the powers of nature;
WHITE MAGIC, magic without the aid of the devil. [O. Fr.
_magique_--L.,--Gr. See MAGI.]
MAGILP, ma-gilp', _n._ a vehicle used by oil-painters, consisting of
linseed-oil and mastic varnish--written also MEGILP'. [Prob. from a proper
name.]
MAGISTERIAL, maj-is-t[=e]'ri-al, _adj._ pertaining or suitable to a master:
in the manner of a master: of the rank of a magistrate: authoritative:
proud: dignified.--_n._ MAGIS'TER, master.--_adv._
MAGIST[=E]'RIALLY.--_ns._ MAGIST[=E]'RIALNESS; MAGIST[=E]'RIUM, an
authoritative statement; MAG'ISTERY, a term in alchemy for various
preparations, esp. a precipitate of bismuth: any sovereign remedy: a
mandate. [L. _magisterius_--_magister_, a master--_mag_, root of L.
_magnus_, great.]
MAGISTRATE, maj'is-tr[=a]t, _n._ a person entrusted with the power of
putting the laws in force: a justice of the peace.--_n._ MAG'ISTRACY, the
office or dignity of a magistrate: the body of magistrates.--_adj._
MAG'ISTRAL, magisterial: specially prescribed or made up, as a medicine:
effectual.--_n._ (_fort._) the guiding line determining the other
positions: a special preacher in Spanish cathedrals, &c.--_n._ MAGISTRAND',
an arts student ready to proceed to graduation, at Aberdeen.--_adj._
MAGISTRAT'IC. [O. Fr.,--L. _magistratus_, _magister_.]
MAGMA, mag'ma, _n._ any soft doughy mass: the molten mass within the
earth's crust: the residuum after expressing the juice from fruits. [Gr.]
MAGNA CHARTA, mag'na kär'ta, _n._ the Great Charter obtained from King
John, 1215 A.D. [L.]