MEXICAN, meks'i-kan, _n._ a native or inhabitant of _Mexico_.--_adj._
pertaining to Mexico or Mexicans.
MEZEREON, me-z[=e]'re-on, _n._ a deciduous shrub with pink flowers, and
having an extremely acrid bark used in medicine. [Fr.,--Pers.]
MEZZANINE, mez'a-n[=i]n, _n._ (_archit._) a low story introduced between
two higher ones: a small window used to light such apartments. [Fr.,--It.
_mezzanino_--_mezzo_--L. _medius_, middle.]
MEZZO-RILIEVO, med'zo-r[=e]-ly[=a]'v[=o], _n._ a degree of relief in
figures, half-way between high and low relief. [It.]
MEZZO-SOPRANO, med'zo-so-prä'n[=o], _n._ a quality of voice between soprano
and alto: low soprano.
MEZZOTINT, mez'[=o]-tint, or med'z[=o]-tint, _n._ a method of copperplate
engraving, producing an even gradation of tones, resembling those of a
photograph: an impression from a plate so produced.--Also MEZZOTINT'O.
[It.,--_mezzo_, middle, half, _tinto_, tint--L. _ting[)e]re_, _tinctum_, to
dye.]
MI, m[=e], _n._ the third note in the diatonic scale.
MIASMA, m[=i]-az'ma, _n._ unwholesome exhalations arising from putrescent
matter--also M[=I]'ASM:--_pl._ M[=I]'ASMS, MIAS'MATA.--_adjs._ MIAS'MAL,
MIASMAT'IC, MIAS'MATOUS, pertaining to, or containing, miasma.--_ns._
MIAS'MATIST; MIASMOL'OGY.--_adj._ MIAS'MOUS. [Gr. _miasma_--_miainein_, to
stain.]
MIAUL, mi-awl', _v.i._ to cry as a cat.
MICA, m[=i]'ka, _n._ a group of rock-forming minerals, with perfect
cleavage in one direction, the laminæ flexible and elastic, and generally
transparent.--_adj._ MIC[=A]'CEOUS.--_ns._ M[=I]'CA-SCHIST, M[=I]'CA-SLATE,
a metamorphic rock consisting of alternate layers of mica and quartz. [L.
_mica_, a crumb.]
MICE, m[=i]s, plural of _mouse_.
MICHAELMAS, mik'el-mas, _n._ the festival of St _Michael_, celebrated Sept.
29: a quarterly rent-day in England.
MICHE, mich, _v.i._ (_obs._) to lie hid, to skulk, to act by stealth: to
pilfer meanly--also MICH.--_ns._ MICH'ER; MICH'ING--also _adj._
MICKLE, mik'l, _adj._ (_arch._) much. [A.S. _micel_, _mycel_; Scot.
_muckle_.]
MICKY, mik'i, _n._ an Irish boy: a wild young bull.
MICROBE, m[=i]'kr[=o]b, mik'r[=o]b, _n._ a microscopic organism, esp. a
bacterium, found wherever organic matter is in process of
decomposition.--_adjs._ MICR[=O]'BIAL, MICR[=O]'BIAN, MICR[=O]'BIC.--_n._
MICROBIOL'OGY, the science of micro-organisms. [Fr.,--Gr. _mikros_, small,
_bios_, life.]
MICROCEPHALOUS, m[=i]-kr[=o]-sef'a-lus, _adj._ having a small or
imperfectly formed head.--Also MICROCEPHAL'IC. [Gr. _mikros_, small,
_kephal[=e]_, the head.]
MICROCHRONOMETER, m[=i]-kr[=o]-kr[=o]-nom'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for
registering very small periods of time.
MICROCOCCUS, m[=i]-kr[=o]-kok'us, _n._ a microscopic organism of a round
form.
MICROCOSM, m[=i]'kr[=o]-kozm, _n._ a little universe or world: (often
applied to) man, who was regarded by ancient philosophers as a model or
epitome of the universe.--_adjs._ MICROCOS'MIC, -AL, pertaining to the
microcosm.--_n._ MICROCOSMOG'RAPHY. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr.--_mikros_, little,
_kosmos_, world.]
MICROCOUSTIC, m[=i]-kr[=o]-k[=oo]s'tik, _adj._ serving to augment weak
sounds.--_n._ an instrument for such purpose.
MICROCRITH, m[=i]'kr[=o]-krith, _n._ (_chem._) the unit of molecular
weight, that of the half-molecule of hydrogen.
MICROCYTE, m[=i]'kr[=o]-s[=i]t, _n._ a small cell or corpuscle: a small
blood corpuscle found in anæmia.--_ns._ MICROCYTH[=E]'MIA,
MICROCYT[=O]'SIS, a condition of the blood with many very small corpuscles.
MICRODENTISM, m[=i]-kr[=o]-den'tizm, _n._ smallness of the teeth.
MICRODONT, m[=i]'kr[=o]-dont, _adj._ having short or small teeth.
MICROFARAD, m[=i]-kr[=o]-far'ad, _n._ one-millionth of a farad, the
practical unit of electrical capacity.
MICROGEOLOGY, m[=i]-kr[=o]-j[=e]-ol'o-ji, _n._ the department of geology
concerned with the study of microscopic structures.
MICROGRAPH, m[=i]'kr[=o]-graf, _n._ a pantograph instrument for minute
writing or drawing: a microscopic picture.--_n._ MICROG'RAPHER.--_adj._
MICROGRAPH'IC.--_n._ MICROG'RAPHY, the description of microscopic objects.
[Gr. _mikros_, little, _graphein_, write.]
MICROHM, mik'r[=o]m, _n._ an electric unit equal to the millionth part of
an ohm.
MICROLITE, m[=i]'kr[=o]-l[=i]t, _n._ a mineral related to pyrochlore.--_n._
M[=I]'CROLITH, a name suggested by Vogelsang in 1867 for the microscopic
acicular components of rocks.--_adj._ MICROLITH'IC. [Gr. _mikros_, small,
_lithos_, a stone.]
MICROLOGY, m[=i]-krol'o-ji, _n._ the branch of science which treats of
microscopic objects.--_adjs._ MICROLOG'IC, -AL.--_adv._ MICROLOG'ICALLY.
MICROMETER, m[=i]-krom'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for measuring minute
distances or angles.--_adjs._ MICROMET'RIC, -AL.--_ns._ MICROM'ETRY,
measuring with a micrometer; M[=I]'CRON, the millionth part of a metre, or
1/25400 of an inch; M[=I]'CRO-OR'GANISM, a microscopic organism. [Gr.
_mikros_, little, _metron_, measure.]
MICROPHONE, m[=i]'kr[=o]-f[=o]n, _n._ an instrument which renders the
faintest sounds distinctly audible.--_adjs._ MICROPHON'IC,
MICROPH'ONOUS.--_n._ M[=I]'CROPHONY. [Gr. _mikros_, little, _ph[=o]n[=e]_,
sound.]
MICROPHOTOGRAPHY, m[=i]-kr[=o]-f[=o]-tog'ra-fi, _n._ the photographing of
objects on a microscopic scale.
MICROPHYLLOUS, m[=i]-krof'il-us, _adj._ (_bot._) having small leaves. [Gr.
_mikros_, little, _phyllon_, leaf.]
MICROPHYTE, m[=i]'kr[=o]-f[=i]t, _n._ a microscopic plant, esp. one
parasitic.--_adjs._ M[=I]'CROPHYTAL, MICROPHYT'IC.
MICROPODA, m[=i]-krop'o-da, _n.pl._ in some systems a division of
monomyarian bivalves, with rudimentary feet, including oysters, &c. [Gr.
_mikros_, small, _pous_, _podos_, foot.]
MICROPSIA, m[=i]-krop'si-a, _n._ an affection of the eye in which objects
appear in less than actual size.
MICROPTEROUS, m[=i]-krop'te-rus, _adj._ having short wings or fins.
MICROPYLE, m[=i]'kr[=o]-p[=i]l, _n._ (_bot._) the orifice in the coats of
the ovule leading to the apex of the nucleus, through which the pollen-tube
penetrates: (_zool._) the hilum of an ovum at the point of attachment to
the ovary: any opening in the coverings of an ovum by which spermatozoa may
find entrance. [Gr. _mikros_, small, _pyl[=e]_, a gate.]
MICROSCOPE, m[=i]'kr[=o]-sk[=o]p, _n._ an instrument which magnifies to the
eye objects so minute as to be almost or quite undiscernible without its
aid.--_adjs._ MICROSCOP'IC, -AL, pertaining to a microscope: made by, or as
if by, a microscope: visible only by the aid of a microscope: working with,
or as if with, a microscope.--_adv._ MICROSCOP'ICALLY.--_ns._
M[=I]'CROSCOPIST, one skilled in the use of the microscope;
M[=I]'CROSCOPY.--BINOCULAR MICROSCOPE, a microscope with two eye-pieces,
for viewing an object with both eyes at once; COMPOUND MICROSCOPE, a
microscope with two sets of lenses so arranged that the image formed by the
lower or object glass is again magnified by the upper or eye-piece. [Gr.
_mikros_, little, _skopein_, to look at.]
MICROSEISM, m[=i]'kr[=o]-sizm, _n._ a slight earthquake tremor.--_adjs._
MICROSEIS'MIC, -AL.--_ns._ MICROSEIS'MOGRAPH; MICROSEISMOM'ETRY.
MICROSOMA, m[=i]-kr[=o]-s[=o]'ma, _n._ one of the minute granules embedded
in the hyaline plasm of the protoplasm of vegetable cells:--_pl._
MICROS[=O]'MATA. [Gr. _mikros_, small, _s[=o]ma_, body.]
MICROSPECTROSCOPE, m[=i]-kr[=o]-spek'tr[=o]-sk[=o]p, _n._ a combination of
the spectroscope with the microscope.
MICROSPORE, m[=i]'kr[=o]-sp[=o]r, _n._ (_bot._) a small asexually produced
spore: (_zool._) one of the numerous very small spore-like elements
produced through the encystment and subdivision of many monads.--_n._
MICROSPORAN'GIUM.--_adj._ M[=I]'CROSPOROUS. [Gr. _mikros_, small, _sporos_,
a seed.]
MICROTOME, m[=i]'kr[=o]-t[=o]m, _n._ an instrument for cutting thin
sections of objects for microscopic examination.--_adj._
MICROTOM'IC.--_ns._ MICROT'OMIST; MICROT'OMY. [Gr. _mikros_, little,
_temnein_, to cut.]
MICROZOA, m[=i]-kr[=o]-z[=o]'ä, _n.pl._ microscopic animals.--_n._ and
_adj._ MICROZ[=O]'AN.--_n._ MICROZO[=A]'RIA, a name sometimes used for
infusorians, &c.--_adj._ MICROZO[=A]'RIAN.--_n._ and _adj._ MICROZ[=O]'ÖID,
a very minute free-swimming zoöid, which buries itself in the body of a
sedentary animalcule.--_ns._ MICROZ[=O]'ÖN, any micro-organism of animal
nature; MICROZ[=O]'ÖSPORE, a zoöspore of abnormally small size;
M[=I]'CROZYME, a member of a class of extremely minute living organisms
floating in the atmosphere, supposed to be the means of communicating
certain epidemic and other zymotic diseases. [Gr. _mikros_, small,
_z[=o]on_, an animal, _sporos_, seed, _zym[=e]_, leaven.]
MICTURITION, mik-t[=u]-rish'un, _n._ the act of passing, or the frequent
desire to pass, urine.--_n._ MIC'TION, voiding urine.--_v.i._ MIC'TURATE.
[L. _mictur[=i]re_, _-[=i]tum_, to pass urine.]
MID, mid, _adj._ middle: situated between extremes.--_prep._ amid.--_n._
(_Shak._) middle.--_ns._ MID'-AGE (_Shak._), the middle time of life, a
person in middle-life; MID'-AIR, MID'-HEAV'EN, the middle of the sky;
MID'DAY, the middle of the day: noon.--_adj._ of or pertaining to
noon.--_adj._ MID'DEST (_Spens._), most nearly in the middle:
middlemost.--_n._ the midst, middle.--_n._ MID'-HOUR, the middle part of
the day.--_adj._ MID'LAND, in the middle of, or surrounded by, land:
distant from the coast: inland.--_n._ the interior of a country: (_pl._)
esp. the central parts of England.--_n._ MID'-LENT, the middle or fourth
Sunday in Lent.--_adj._ MID'MOST, middlemost.--_n._ MID'NIGHT, the middle
of the night: twelve o'clock at night.--_adj._ being at midnight: dark as
midnight.--_ns._ MID'NOON, noon; MID'-SEA, the open sea.--_adj._ MID'SHIP,
being in the middle of a ship.--_n._ MID'SHIPMAN, in the British navy, an
officer whose rank is next above that of a naval cadet: in the U.S. navy,
the lowest grade of officers in the line of promotion, now called NAVAL
CADET.--_adv._ MID'SHIPS.--_ns._ MID'SUMMER, the middle of summer: the
summer solstice, about the 21st of June; MID'SUMMER-DAY, the 24th of June;
MID'WAY, the middle of the way or distance.--_adj._ being in the middle of
the way or distance.--_adv._ half-way.--_n._ MID'WINTER, the middle of
winter: the winter solstice (21st or 22d December), or the time shortly
before or after it. [A.S. (_mid-_), _middgen_; Ger. _mitte_ and _mittel_,
L. _medius_, Gr. _mesos_.]
MIDAS, m[=i]'das, _n._ a fabulously rich man, from the king of Phrygia who
got the power of turning everything he touched into gold, till he was like
to be starved. His ears were changed by Apollo to those of an ass for
deciding a musical contest in favour of Pan.
MIDDEN, mid'en, _n._ a heap of ashes or dung (see also
KITCHEN-MIDDEN).--_n._ MIDD'ENSTEAD, a place where dung is heaped up.
[Scand., as Dan. _mödding_--_mög_, dung; cf. _Muck_.]
MIDDLE, mid'l, _adj._ equally distant from the extremes: intermediate:
intervening: (_gram._) intermediate between active and passive,
reflexive.--_n._ the middle point or part: midst: central portion,
waist.--_adjs._ MIDD'LE-AGED, of or about the middle period of life (from
about 35 to 50); MIDD'LE-CLASS, pertaining to, or included in, the middle
class.--_ns._ MIDD'LE-EARTH (_Shak._), the earth, considered as placed
between the upper and lower regions; MIDD'LEMAN, one who stands in the
middle between two persons: an agent who does business between two parties:
in Ireland, one who rents land in large tracts, and lets it in small
portions to the peasantry.--_adjs._ MIDD'LEMOST, MID'MOST (_B._), nearest
the middle; MIDD'LE-SIZED, of middle or average size.--_ns._ MIDD'LE-WATCH,
the period between midnight and 4 A.M.; MIDD'LE-WEIGHT, a boxer or jockey
of intermediate weight, between light and heavy weight.--_adj._ MIDD'LING,
of middle rate, state, size, or quality: about equally distant from the
extremes: moderate: (_Scot._) not in very good health: fairly well or
prosperous.--_adv._ moderately.--_n._ MIDD'LINGNESS, mediocrity.--_n.pl._
MIDD'LINGS, the coarser part of ground wheat.--MIDDLE AGES, the time
between the downfall of the western Roman empire, about 476 A.D., and the
Reformation in the first quarter of the 16th century, or even earlier--in
the later half of the preceding century, when printing was invented,
America discovered, and the revival of learning took place; MIDDLE CLASS,
that part of the people which comes between the nobility and the
working-class; MIDDLE DISTANCE (same as MIDDLE GROUND); MIDDLE ENGLISH,
English as spoken and written from 1350 to 1500 or 1550; MIDDLE GROUND, the
central portion of a picture--that is, between the foreground and
background; MIDDLE KINGDOM, China; MIDDLE PASSAGE, the voyage across the
Atlantic from Africa to the West Indies, which was a time of horror on
board a slave-ship; MIDDLE STATES, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware; MIDDLE TERM (_logic_), that term of a syllogism which appears
both in the major premise and the minor, but not in the
conclusion.--MIDDLE-CLASS SCHOOLS, schools for the higher education of the
middle class, intermediate between the primary schools and the large public
schools or the universities. [A.S. _middel_--_mid_; Dut. _middel_, Ger.
_mittel_.]
MIDDY, mid'i, _n._ for midshipman.
MIDGARD, mid'g[=a]rd, _n._ (_Scand. myth._) the abode of men, midway
between heaven and hell. [Ice. _midhgardhr_=mid-yard.]
MIDGE, mij, _n._ the common name of several species of small two-winged
insects, like gnats, but with a shorter proboscis.--_n._ MIDG'ET, a little
midge: something very small of its kind: a very small person. [A.S.
_micge_; Ger. _mücke_, a gnat.]
MIDRASH, mid'rash, _n._ the Hebrew exposition of the Old Testament--its two
divisions, _Haggada_ and _Halakha_:--_pl._ MIDRASHIM (mid-rä'sh[=e]m),
commentaries to individual books or sections of the Old Testament. [Heb.,
'exposition.']
MIDRIB, mid'rib, _n._ (_bot._) the continuation of the leaf-stalk to the
point of a leaf.
MIDRIFF, mid'rif, _n._ the diaphragm. [A.S. _mid_, middle, _hrif_, the
belly.]
MIDST, midst, _n._ the middle.--_adv._ in the middle.--_prep._ amidst.
[From the M. E. phrase _in middle-s_, in the midst, with excrescent _t_
(cf. _whil-s-t_).]
MIDWIFE, mid'w[=i]f, _n._ a woman who assists others in childbirth:--_pl._
MIDWIVES (mid'w[=i]vz).--_n._ MID'WIFERY, art or practice of a midwife or
accoucheuse: assistance at childbirth. [A.S. _mid_, together with (Ger.
_mit_, Gr. _met-a_), _wíf_, woman.]
MIEN, m[=e]n, _n._ the look or appearance of a person: the expression of
the face: manner: bearing. [Fr. _mine_--It. _mina_, deportment--Low L.
_min[=a]re_, to conduct--L. _min[=a]ri_, to threaten.]
MIFF, mif, _n._ (_coll._) a slight feeling of resentment. [Akin to Ger.
_muffen_, to sulk.]
MIGHT, m[=i]t, _pa.t._ of may.
MIGHT, m[=i]t, _n._ power: ability: strength: energy or intensity of
purpose or feeling.--_adj._ MIGHT'FUL (_Shak._), mighty: powerful.--_adv._
MIGHT'ILY.--_n._ MIGHT'INESS, state of being mighty: power: greatness:
great amount: a title of dignity: excellency.--_adj._ MIGHT'Y, having
greater power: strong: valiant: very great: important: exhibiting might:
wonderful.--MIGHT AND MAIN, utmost strength. [A.S. _meaht_, _miht_; Ger.
_macht_; cf. _May_.]
MIGNONETTE, min-yo-net', _n._ an annual with sweet-scented flowers.
[Fr.,--_mignon_, darling.]
MIGRAINE, mi-gr[=a]n', _n._ Same as MEGRIM.
MIGRATE, m[=i]'gr[=a]t, _v.i._ to pass from one place to another: to remove
for residence from one country, college, &c. to another.--_adjs._
M[=I]'GRANT, M[=I]'GR[=A]TORY, migrating or accustomed to migrate:
wandering.--_ns._ MIGR[=A]'TION, a change of abode: a removal from one
country or climate to another: a number removing together;
MIGR[=A]'TIONIST, MIGR[=A]'TOR.--MIGRATORY ANIMALS, animals that remove
from one region to another as the seasons change. [L. _migr[=a]re_,
-_[=a]tum_; cf. _me[=a]re_, to go.]
MIKADO, mi-kä'd[=o], _n._ a title of the Emperor of Japan. [Jap., 'exalted
gate.']
MIL, mil, _n._ a unit of length in measuring the diameter of wire. [L.
_mille_, a thousand.]