Part 75

MAUSER, mow'z[.e]r, _n._ a German magazine rifle, invented by Wilhelm _Mauser_ (1834-82).

MAUSOLEUM, maw-so-l[=e]'um, _n._ a magnificent tomb or monument.--_adj._ MAUSOL[=E]'AN, pertaining to a mausoleum: monumental. [L.,--Gr., _Maus[=o]leion_, from _Mausolus_, king of Caria, to whom his widow, Artemisia, erected a splendid tomb about 350 B.C.]

MAUTHER, m[:a]'th[.e]r, _n._ an Eng. prov. form of mother.

MAUVE, mawv, _n._ a beautiful purple dye extracted from coal-tar, so called from its likeness in colour to the flowers of the common mallow.--_adj._ of the colour of mauve. [Fr.,--L. _malva_, the mallow.]

MAVERICK, mav'[.e]r-ik, _n._ (_U.S._) an animal found straying without an owner's brand, esp. a strayed calf: anything dishonestly obtained.--_v.t._ to seize without legal claim. [From Samuel _Maverick_, a Texas cattle-raiser.]

MAVIS, m[=a]'vis, _n._ the song-thrush. [Fr. _mauvis_; prob. from Bret. _milfid_, a mavis.]

MAVOURNEEN, ma-v[=oo]r'n[=e]n, _n._ and _interj._ a term of endearment=my dear one. [Ir.]

MAW, maw, _n._ the stomach, esp. in the lower animals: the craw, in birds.--_ns._ MAW'-SEED, poppy-seed, so called when used as food for cage birds; MAW'-WORM, the thread-worm infesting the stomach. [A.S. _maga_; Ger. _magen_.]

MAWKIN. Same as MALKIN (q.v.).

MAWKISH, mawk'ish, _adj._ loathsome, disgusting, as anything beginning to breed mawks or maggots.--_n._ MAWK, a maggot.--_adv._ MAWK'ISHLY.--_n._ MAWK'ISHNESS. [Explained by Skeat as formed, with suffix _-ish_, from M. E. _mawk_, _mauk_, a contr. form of M. E. _madhek_, a maggot--Ice. _madhkr_, a maggot.]

MAWMET, maw'met, _n_. a puppet: an idol--_Mohammed_.

MAX, maks, _n_. a kind of gin. [L. _maximus_, greatest.]

MAXILLARY, maks'il-ar-i, _adj_. pertaining to the jawbone or jaw.--_n_. a maxillary bone, or maxilla.--_n_. MAXILL'A, a jawbone.--_adjs_. MAXILLIF'EROUS; MAXILL'IFORM.--_n_. MAXILL'IPEDE, in crustacea, one of those limbs serving both for mastication and locomotion. [L. _maxilla_, jawbone.]

MAXIM, maks'im, _n_. a general principle, serving as a rule or guide: a pithy saying: a proverb.--_adjs_. MAX'IMAL; MAX'IMED, reduced to a maxim.--_ns_. MAX'IMIST, MAX'IM-MONG'ER. [Fr.,--L. _maxima_ (_sententia_, an opinion), superl. of _magnus_, great.]

MAXIM, maks'im, _n_. often put for MAX'IM-GUN, an automatic machine-gun capable of firing as many as 620 rounds per minute, and of accurate shooting up to 3000 yards. [From Hiram _Maxim_, the inventor.]

MAXIMUM, maks'i-mum, _adj_. the greatest.--_n_. the greatest number, quantity, or degree: the highest point reached: (_math_.) the value of a variable when it ceases to increase and begins to decrease:--_pl_. MAX'IMA:--opp. to _Minimum_.--_adj_. MAX'IMAL, of the highest or maximum value.--_adv_. MAX'IMALLY.--_v.t._ MAX'IMISE, to raise to the highest degree. [L., superl. of _magnus_, great.]

MAY, m[=a], _v.i._ to be able: to be allowed: to be free to act: to be possible: to be by chance: to be competent:--_pa.t._ might (m[=i]t).--_adv_. MAY'BE, perhaps, possibly.--_n_. a possibility.--_adv_. MAY'HAP, perhaps. [A.S. _maeg_, pr.t. of _mugan_, to be able, pa.t. _mihte_; cog. with Goth. _magan_, Ger. _m[:o]gen_.]

MAY, m[=a], _n_. the fifth month of the year: the early or gay part of life.--_v.i._ to gather _May_ (prov. Eng. the blossom of the hawthorn, which blooms in May):--_pr.p._ May'ing.--_ns_. MAY'-BEE'TLE, MAY'-BUG, the cockchafer; MAY'-BLOOM, the hawthorn flower; MAY'DAY, the first day of May; MAY'-DEW, the dew of May, esp. that of the morning of the first day of May, which is said to whiten linen, and to enable a face washed with it to keep its beauty; MAY'-DUKE, a variety of sour cherry; MAY'-FLOW'ER, the hawthorn, which blooms in May; MAY'FLY, a short-lived fly which appears in May; MAY'-GAME, sport such as is usual on 1st May, frolic generally; MAY'ING, the observance of Mayday sports and games; MAY'-L[=A]'DY, the queen of the May; MAY'-LIL'Y, the lily of the valley, so called because it blooms in May; MAY'-MORN (_Shak_.), freshness, like that of a morning in May, vigour; MAY'POLE, a pole erected for dancing round on Mayday; MAY'-QUEEN, a young woman crowned with flowers as queen on Mayday; MAY'TIME, May, the season of May. [O. Fr. _Mai_--L. _Maius_ (_mensis_, a month), sacred to _Maia_, the mother of Mercury.]

MAY, m[=a], _n_. a maid. [A.S. _m['ae]g_, a kinswoman.]

MAYA, m[:a]'ya, _n_. an illusive appearance, esp. of a celestial maiden personifying the active will of the creator of the universe. [Hind.]

MAYHEM, m[=a]'hem, _n_. the offence of depriving a person by violence of any limb, member, or organ, or causing any mutilation of the body. [_Maim_.]

MAYONNAISE, m[=a]-on-[=a]z', _n_. a sauce composed of the yoke of eggs, salad-oil, and vinegar or lemon-juice, seasoned: any cold dish of which the foregoing is an ingredient, as lobster. [Fr.]

MAYOR, m[=a]'ur, _n_. the chief magistrate of a city or borough:--_fem_. MAY'ORESS.--_adj_. MAY'ORAL.--_ns_. MAY'ORALTY, MAY'ORSHIP, the office of a mayor. [Fr. _maire_--L. _major_, comp. of _magnus_, great.]

MAZARD, MAZZARD, maz'ard, _n_. (_Shak_.) a head or skull: a wild European cherry. [Prob. from _mazer_, from the likeness of the skull to a goblet.]

MAZARINADE, maz-a-rin-[=a]d', _n_. a pamphlet or satire against the French minister, Cardinal _Mazarin_ (1602-61).--_n_. MAZARINE', a rich blue colour: a blue gown.--MAZARIN BIBLE, the first printed Bible, printed by Gutenberg and Fust about 1450, so called because Cardinal _Mazarin_ possessed twenty-five copies.

MAZDA, maz'da, _n_. or AHURA MAZD[^A]H, the supreme deity and creator of the Zend-Avesta.--_adj_. MAZ'D[=E]AN.--_n_. MAZ'D[=E]ISM, the religious system of the Zend-Avesta, the ancient sacred writings of the Parsees, Zoroastrianism. [Zend _ahu_=the living, life, or spirit, root _ah_=to be; _Mazd[^a]h_, the great Creator, _maz_+_d[^a]_=Sans. _mah[^a]_+_dh[^a]_.]

MAZE, m[=a]z, _n_. a place full of intricate windings: confusion of thought: perplexity.--_v.t._ to bewilder: to confuse.--_adjs_. MAZE'FUL (_Spens_.), MAZ'Y, full of mazes or windings: intricate.--_adv_. MAZ'ILY.--_n_. MAZ'INESS, state or quality of being mazy. [Scand., as in Ice. _masa_, to jabber.]

MAZER, maz'[.e]r, _n_. (_Spens_.) a kind of hard wood, probably maple: a cup or goblet made of maple, and usually highly ornamented. [Skeat explains as Ice. _m[:o]surr_, a maple-tree, lit. 'spot-wood.']

MAZOURKA, MAZURKA, ma-z[=oo]r'ka, _n_. a lively Polish round dance for four or eight couples: the music such as is played to it.

ME, m[=e], _personal pron_. the objective case of I, including both the old English accusative and dative of the first personal pronoun. [A.S. _m['e]_.]

MEACOCK, m[=e]'kok, _adj_. (_Shak_.) timorous, effeminate, cowardly. [Perh. dim. of _meek_.]

MEAD, m[=e]d, _n_. honey and water fermented and flavoured. [A.S. _medu_; Ger. _meth_, W. _medd_.]

MEADOW, med'[=o], _n_. a level tract producing grass to be mown down: a rich pasture-ground--(_poet_.) MEAD.--_ns_. MEAD'OW-FOX'TAIL (see FOXTAIL); MEAD'OW-GRASS, the larger and more useful kinds of grass, grown in meadows for hay and pasture; MEAD'OW-HAY, a coarse grass or sedge growing in moist places, used as fodder or bedding; MEAD'OW-LARK, the American field-lark; MEAD'OW-SAFF'RON, the colchicum--also _Autumn-crocus_, or _Naked lady;_ MEAD'OW-SWEET, MEAD'OW-WORT, an ornamental shrub or plant with white flowers, called also _Queen of the meadow.--adj_. MEAD'OWY. [A.S. _m['ae]d_--_m['a]wan_, to mow; Ger. _mahd_, a mowing, Swiss _matt_, a meadow, as in Zer_matt_, &c.]

MEAGRE, m[=e]'g[.e]r, _adj_. having little flesh: lean: poor: without richness or fertility: barren: scanty: without strength.--_adv_. MEA'GRELY.--_n_. MEA'GRENESS, state or quality of being meagre. [Fr. _maigre_--L. _macer_, lean; cf. Ger. _mager_.]

MEAL, m[=e]l, _n_. the food taken at one time: the act or the time of taking food: a breakfast, dinner, or supper.--_ns_. MEAL'ER, one who takes his meals at a boarding-house, lodging elsewhere; MEAL'-TIME, the time for meals.--SQUARE MEAL, a full meal. [A.S. _m['ae]l_, time, portion of time; Dut. _maal_, Ger. _mahl_.]

MEAL, m[=e]l, _n_. grain ground to powder.--_v.i._ to yield or be plentiful in meal.--_ns_. MEAL'-ARK (_Scot_.), a large chest for holding meal; MEAL'INESS; MEAL'-MAN, or MEAL'-MONG'ER, one who deals in meal; MEAL'-POCK, or -POKE, a beggar's meal-bag; MEAL'WORM, the larva of an insect abounding in granaries and flour-stores.--_adj_. MEAL'Y, resembling meal: covered with meal or with something like meal: whitish.--_n_. MEAL'Y-BUG, a small species of cochineal insect covered with a while powdery substance resembling meal or flour.--_adj_. MEAL'Y-MOUTHED, smooth-tongued.--_n_. MEAL'Y-MOUTHEDNESS. [A.S. _melu, melo;_ Ger. _mehl_, Dut. _meel_, meal.]

MEALIE, m[=e]l'i, _n_. an ear of maize or Indian corn, esp. in _pl_., maize.

MEAN, m[=e]n, _adj_. low in rank or birth: base: sordid: low in worth or estimation: of little value or importance: poor, humble: despicable.--_adj_. MEAN'-BORN, of humble origin.--_adv_. MEAN'LY.--_n._ MEAN'NESS, state or quality of being mean: want of nobility or excellence: a low action.--_adj_. MEAN'-SPIR'ITED, having a mean spirit, base.--_n_. MEAN'-SPIR'ITEDNESS. [A.S. _m['ae]ne_, wicked, from _m['a]n_, wickedness; perh. conn. with A.S. _gem['ae]ne_, Ger. _gemein_, common.]

MEAN, m[=e]n, _adj_. middle: coming between two others in size, degree, quantity, time, &c.: average: moderate.--_n_. the middle point, quantity, value, or degree: (_math_.) a term interpolated between two terms of a series, and consequently intermediate in magnitude: (_mus_.) a middle voice or voice-part, as the tenor or alto, the second or third string in a viol: instrument or medium: (_pl_.) that by which anything is caused or brought to pass: income: estate: instrument.--_n_. MEAN'-TIME, the interval between two given times.--_advs_. MEAN'TIME, MEAN'WHILE, in the intervening time.--MEANS OF GRACE, divine ordinances, by which divine grace reaches the hearts of men--word and sacraments.--ARITHMETICAL MEAN, the average obtained by adding several quantities together and dividing the sum by their number; HARMONIC MEAN, the reciprocal of the arithmetical mean of the reciprocals of the quantities concerned; GEOMETRIC MEAN, the mean obtained by multiplying two quantities together and extracting the square root of the product; GOLDEN MEAN, the middle course between two extremes: a wise moderation; QUADRATIC MEAN, the square root of the arithmetical mean of the squares of the given quantities.--BY ALL MEANS, certainly; BY ANY MEANS, in any way; BY NO MEANS, certainly not.--IN THE MEAN (_Spens_.), in the meantime. [O. Fr. _meien_ (Fr. _moyen_)--L. _medianus_, enlarged form of _medius_.]

MEAN, m[=e]n, _v.t._ to have in the mind or thoughts: to intend, to purpose: to signify.--_v.i._ to have in the mind: to have meaning or disposition:--_pr.p._ mean'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ meant (ment).--_n_. MEAN'ING, that which is in the mind or thoughts: signification: the sense intended: purpose.--_adj_. significant.--_adj_. MEAN'INGLESS, without meaning.--_adv_. MEAN'INGLY. [A.S. _m['ae]nan_; Ger. _meinen_, to think.]

MEAN, m[=e]n, _v.i._ (_Shak_.) to lament, to moan.

MEANDER, m[=e]-an'd[.e]r, _n_. a winding course: a maze: an intricate variety of fretwork: perplexity.--_v.i._ to flow, run, or proceed in a winding course: to be intricate.--_v.t._ to wind or flow round.--_adjs._ MEAN'DERED, formed into mazy passages or patterns; MEAN'DERING, winding in a course; MEAN'DRIAN, MEAN'DROUS, winding.--_n_. a winding course. [L.,--Gr. _Maiandros_, a winding river in Asia Minor.]

MEANT, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of mean (_v.t._).

MEAR, m[=e]r, _n_. (_Spens_.) a boundary. [See MERE.]

MEASE, m[=e]s, or m[=e]z, _n_. a tale of 500 herrings.

MEASLES, m[=e]'zlz, _n.sing._ a contagious fever accompanied with eruptions of small red spots upon the skin: a disease of swine and cattle, caused by larval tapeworms: a disease of trees, the leaves being covered with spots.--_adjs_. MEA'SLED, MEA'SLY, infected with measles: good for nothing, miserable.--_n_. MEAS'LINESS.--GERMAN MEASLES, a name somewhat loosely used of a disease, resembling measles, but mostly less prolonged and severe. [Dut. _maselen_, measles, from Old Dut. _masche_, a spot, cog. with Old High Ger. _m[=a]s[=a]_, a spot; Ger. _masern_, measles.]

MEASURE, mezh'[=u]r, _n_. that by which extent is ascertained or expressed: the size of anything: a rule or standard by which anything is adjusted (_Apothecaries'_, _Cubic_, _Decimal_, _Dry_, _Liquid_, &c.): (_politics_) a proposal or plan by which some end can be brought about: proportion: a stated quantity: degree: extent: moderation: means to an end: metre: (_mus_.) that division of time, containing a specified number of beats, by which the air and motion of music are regulated: rate of movement, time, rhythm, metre, arrangement of syllables in poetry: a slow and stately dance, as the minuet: (_print_.) the width of a page or column, usually in _ems_: (_pl_., _geol_.) a series of beds or strata.--_v.t._ to ascertain the dimensions of: to adjust by a rule or standard: to mark out: to allot: to show a certain measurement.--_v.i._ to be of a certain size: to be equal or uniform.--_adj_. MEAS'URABLE, that may be measured or computed: moderate: in small quantity or extent.--_n._ MEAS'URABLENESS, the quality of being measurable.--_adv._ MEAS'URABLY.--_adjs._ MEAS'URED, of a certain measure: equal: uniform: steady: restricted; MEAS'URELESS, boundless: immense.--_ns._ MEAS'UREMENT, the act of measuring: quantity found by measuring--(MEASUREMENT GOODS, light goods carried for charges according to bulk, not weight); MEAS'URER, one who, or that which, measures.--_adj._ MEAS'URING, that measures, or fitted for measuring.--MEASURE ONE'S LENGTH, to fall or be thrown down at full length; MEASURE STRENGTH, to engage in a contest; MEASURE SWORDS, to fight with swords: to try one's skill against.--ABOVE, or BEYOND, MEASURE, to an exceedingly great degree; IN A MEASURE, to some degree.--TAKE MEASURES, to adopt means (to gain an end); TAKE ONE'S MEASURE, to find out what one is, and what he can or cannot do; TREAD A MEASURE, to dance; USE HARD MEASURES, to apply harsh treatment to; WITHIN MEASURE, moderately; WITHOUT MEASURE, immoderately. [O. Fr. _mesure_--L. _mensura_, a measure--_met[=i]ri_, to measure.]

MEAT, m[=e]t, _n._ anything eaten as food, the edible part of anything: act of taking meat: (_obs._) meal, flour: the flesh of animals used as food--sometimes beef, mutton, pork, veal, &c., as opposed to poultry, fish, &c.--_ns._ MEAT'-BIS'CUIT, a preparation of meat, made with meal into a biscuit; MEAT'INESS, quality of being meaty; MEAT'-OFF'ERING, a Jewish sacrificial offering of fine flour or first-fruits with oil and frankincense; MEAT'-PIE, a pie mainly made up of meat; MEAT'-SAFE, a receptacle for storing meat, walled with perforated zinc or gauze; MEAT'-SALES'MAN, one who sells meat, esp. to the retail butchers; MEAT'-TEA, a high tea, at which meat is served; MEAT'-TUB, a pickling-tub.--_adj._ MEAT'Y, full of meat: fleshy: pithy.--HANG MEAT, to hang up meat before cooking; SIT AT MEAT, to sit at table. [A.S. _mete_; Dut. _met_.]

MEATH, MEATHE, m[=e]th, _n._ a form of _mead_, liquor.

MEATUS, m[=e]-[=a]'tus, _n._ a passage or canal, as the urethral meatus.--_adj._ ME[=A]'TAL.--_n._ MEAT'OSCOPE, an instrument for examining the urethral or other meatus. [L. _me[=a]tus_--_me[=a]re_, to go.]

MEAZEL, m[=e]'zl, _n._ (_Shak._) a leper. [_Measles_.]

MECHANIC, -AL, me-kan'ik, -al, _adj._ pertaining to machines or mechanics: constructed according to the laws of mechanics: possessing mechanical talent: acting by physical power: done by a machine: pertaining to artisans: done simply by force of habit, slavish, artificial: vulgar.--_n._ MECHAN'IC, one engaged in a mechanical trade: an artisan--(_Shak._) MECHAN'ICAL.--_adv._ MECHAN'ICALLY.--_ns._ MECHANIC'IAN, MECH'ANIST, a machine-maker: one skilled in mechanics; MECHAN'ICS, the science which treats of machines: the science which treats of the nature of forces and of their action on bodies, either directly or by the agency of machinery.--_v.t._ MECH'ANISE, to make mechanical: to work out the details of a machine.--_ns._ MECH'ANISM, the construction of a machine: the arrangement and action of its parts, by which it produces a given result; MECH'ANOGRAPH, a copy, esp. of a work of art produced by a mechanical process on a machine.--_adj._ MECH'ANOGRAPHIC.--_ns._ MECHANOG'RAPHIST; MECHANOG'RAPHY, the art of multiplying copies of a writing or work of art by means of a machine; MECHANOL'OGY, a treatise on mechanics: the knowledge of such.--MECHANICAL EFFECT, work produced by the use of mechanical power; MECHANICAL PHILOSOPHY, the principles of mechanics applied to solve questions or phenomena involving force; MECHANICAL POWERS, the elementary forms or parts of machines--three _primary_, the lever, inclined plane, and pulley; and three _secondary_, the wheel-and-axle, the wedge, and the screw.--MECHANICS' INSTITUTE, an institution for mechanics, with lectures, library, museum, &c. [O. Fr.,--L. _mechanicus_; Gr. _m[=e]chanikos_--_m[=e]chane_, a contrivance.]

MECHLIN, meh'lin, _adj._ and _n._ produced at _Mechlin_ or Malines: lace made at Mechlin.

MECONIC, me-kon'ik, _adj._ denoting an acid obtained from poppies.--_ns._ MEC'ONATE, a salt of meconic acid; MEC'ONINE, a white, fusible, neutral substance existing in opium; MEC[=O]'NIUM, the first faeces of a new-born child: opium. [Gr. _m[=e]k[=o]n_, the poppy.]

MEDAL, med'al, _n._ a piece of metal in the form of a coin bearing some device or inscription, struck or cast: a reward of merit.--_v.t._ to decorate with a medal.--_n._ MED'ALET, a small medal, esp. the representation of saints, worn by Roman Catholics.--_adj._ MEDALL'IC, pertaining to medals.--_ns._ MEDALL'ION, a large medal: a bas-relief of a round (sometimes a square) form: a round ornament enclosing a portrait or lock of hair; MED'ALLIST, MED'ALIST, one skilled in medals: an engraver of medals: one who has gained a medal; MED'ALLURGY, the art of producing medals and coins. [O. Fr. _medaille_--It. _medaglia_; through a Low L. form _medalla_ or _medalia_, a small coin, from L. _metallum_, a metal.]

MEDDLE, med'l, _v.i._ to interfere unnecessarily (_with_ or _in_): to take

## part in a matter with which one has nothing to do: to have to do

(_with_).--_n._ MEDD'LER, one who interferes with matters in which he has no concern.--_adj._ MEDD'LESOME, given to meddling.--_n._ MEDD'LESOMENESS.--_adj._ MEDD'LING, interfering in the concerns of others: officious--also _n._ [O. Fr. _medler_, a corr. of _mesler_ (Fr. _m[^e]ler_)--Low L. _misculare_--L. _misc[=e]re_, to mix.]

MEDIA. See MEDIUM.

MEDIAEVAL, MEDIAEVALIST. See MEDIEVAL.

MEDIAL, m[=e]'di-al, _adj._ lying between two extremes, median: of or pertaining to a mean or average.--_n._ one of the sonant-mute group, _g_, _d_, _b_, intermediate between the surd or smooth group (_c_, _t_, _p_) and the rough or aspirate group (_gh_, _dh_, _bh_, _kh_, _th_, _ph_). [Low L. _medialis_--L. _medius_, middle.]

MEDIAN, m[=e]'di-an, _adj._ being in the middle, running through the middle: situated in the median plane, that dividing the body longitudinally into symmetrical halves.--_adv._ MED'IANLY.--_n._ MED'IANT (_mus._), the third tone of a diatonic scale. [L. _medianus_--_medius_, middle.]

MEDIAN, m[=e]'di-an, _adj._ pertaining to _Media_ or the _Medes_, an ancient Aryan race which became fused with the Persians under the victorious Cyrus about 550 B.C.--_n._ MEDE, a member of this race.

MEDIASTINUM, m[=e]-di-as-t[=i]'num, _n._ a membranous septum or cavity between two principal portions of an organ, esp. the folds of the pleura and the space between the right and left lungs.--_adj._ MEDIAST[=I]'NAL. [L., _medius_.]

MEDIATE, m[=e]'di-[=a]t, _adj._ middle: between two extremes: acting by or as a means: not direct and independent: dependent on some intervening thing.--_v.i._ to interpose between parties as a friend of each: to intercede: to hold a mediate position: to act as a spiritualistic medium.--_v.t._ to bring about by mediation: to effect a relation between two things.--_n._ M[=E]'DIACY.--_adv._ M[=E]'DIATELY.--_ns._ M[=E]'DIATENESS, state of being mediate; MEDI[=A]'TION, the act of mediating or coming between: entreaty for another; MEDIATIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ M[=E]'DIAT[=I]SE, to cause to act in a subordinate position or through an agent: to annex, or to subordinate, as a smaller state to a larger neighbouring one.--_adj._ M[=E]'DIATIVE.--_n._ M[=E]'DIATOR, one who mediates between parties at strife:--_fem._ MEDIAT'RESS, M[=E]'DIATRIX.--_adj._ MEDIAT[=O]'RIAL, belonging to a mediator or intercessor.--_adv._ MEDIAT[=O]'RIALLY.--_n._ MEDIAT'ORSHIP, the office of a mediator.--_adj._ M[=E]'DIATORY. [Low L. _medi[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--L. _medius_.]

MEDIC, med'ik, _n._ one of several plants of the genus _Medicago_, esp. the purple medic or lucerne--leguminous plants, with leaves like those of clover.--Also MED'ICK. [L. _medica_--Gr. _m[=e]dik[=e]_ (_poa_), 'median' (grass).]

MEDICAL, med'i-kal, _adj._ relating to the art of healing diseases: containing that which heals: intended to promote the study of medicine.--_adv._ MED'ICALLY.--MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE (see JURISPRUDENCE). [Fr.,--Low L. _medicalis_--L. _medicus_, pertaining to healing, a physician--_med[=e]ri_, to heal.]

MEDICATE, med'i-k[=a]t, _v.t._ to treat with medicine: to impregnate with anything medicinal.--_adj._ MED'ICABLE, that may be healed.--_n._ MED'ICAMENT, anything used for healing: a medicine: healing power.--_adj._ MEDICAMEN'TAL.--_n._ MED'ICASTER, an ignorant physician.--_adj._ MED'ICATED, mixed with medicine: made medicinal: treated with medicine.--_n._ MEDIC[=A]'TION, the act or process of medicating or of mixing with medicinal substances: the use of medicine.--_adj._ MED'ICATIVE, having the power of healing: tending to heal.--_n._ MEDIC[=A]'TOR, any medical appliance. [L. _medic[=a]re_, to heal--_medicus_.]

MEDICEAN, med-i-s[=e]'an, _adj._ relating to the _Medici_, a distinguished Florentine family which attained to sovereign power in the 15th century, and became extinct in 1737.

MEDICINE, med'i-sin, or med'sin, _n._ anything applied for the cure or lessening of disease or pain, whether simple or compound (made up of more than one ingredient): the science which treats of the prevention or cure of disease: a charm.--_v.t._ to treat or cure by medicine.--_adj._ MEDIC'INAL, relating to medicine: fitted to cure or to lessen disease or pain.--_adv._ MEDIC'INALLY.--_ns._ MED'ICINE-BAG, a Red Indian's receptacle for charms; MED'ICINE-CHEST, a chest for keeping medicines in a ship, &c.; MED'ICINE-MAN, among savages, a witch-doctor or exorciser.--_adjs._ MED'ICO-CHIRUR'GICAL, relating to both medicine and surgery; MED'ICO-L[=E]'GAL, relating to the application of medicine to questions of law. [Fr.,--L. _medicina_--_medicus_.]

MEDIEVAL, MEDIAEVAL, m[=e]-di-[=e]'val, _adj._ relating to the Middle Ages.--_ns._ MEDI[=E]'VALISM, the spirit of the Middle Ages, devotion to medieval ideals; MEDI[=E]'VALIST, MEDIAE'VALIST, one versed in the history of the Middle Ages.--MEDIEVAL ARCHITECTURE, MEDIEVAL ART, the style of architecture and art used in public buildings in Europe from the 4th to the 16th century. [L. _medius_, middle, _aevum_, age.]

MEDIO-, MEDI-, middle, in compounds like _mediocarpal_, _mediodorsal_, _mediotarsal_, _medioventral_. [L. _medius_, middle.]

MEDIOCRE, m[=e]'di-[=o]-k[.e]r, _adj._ of middling extent or quality: moderate.--_n._ MEDIOC'RITY, a middle state or condition: a moderate degree: a person of little power or importance. [Fr.,--L. _mediocris_--_medius_, middle.]

MEDISM, m[=e]d'izm, _n._ the adoption of Persian interests--to a Greek, a treachery to his country.

MEDITATE, med'i-t[=a]t, _v.i._ to consider thoughtfully: to purpose (with on, upon).--_v.t._ to think on: to revolve in the mind: to intend.--_adj._ MED'ITATED, thought of: planned.--_n._ MEDIT[=A]'TION, the act of meditating: deep thought: serious contemplation: the direction of the thoughts of others, in a discourse, &c.: a literary or musical theme treated in a meditative manner.--_adj._ MED'ITATIVE, given to meditation: expressing design.--_adv._ MED'ITATIVELY.--_n._ MED'ITATIVENESS. [L. _medit[=a]ri_, prob. cog. with L. _med[=e]ri_, to heal.]

MEDITERRANEAN, med-i-t[.e]r-r[=a]'ne-an, _adj._ situated in the middle of earth or land: inland--also MEDITERR[=A]'NEOUS.--MEDITERRANEAN SEA, so called from being, as it were, in the middle of the land of the Old World. [L., _medius_, middle, _terra_, earth.]

MEDIUM, m[=e]'di-um, _n._ the middle: the middle place or degree: any intervening means, instrument, or agency: the substance in which bodies exist, or through which they move: in spiritualism, the person through whom spirits are said to make themselves seen or heard:--_pl._ M[=E]'DIUMS, or M[=E]'DIA.--_adjs._ M[=E]'DIUM, mediocre; MEDIUMIS'TIC, of or pertaining to spiritualistic mediums.--CIRCULATING MEDIUM, money passing from hand to hand, as coin, bank-notes, &c. [L.]

MEDIUS, m[=e]'di-us, _n._ the middle finger of the hand.

MEDJIDIE, me-jid'i-e, _n._ a Turkish order of knighthood instituted in 1852, having five classes. [Turk. _mej[=i]d_, glorious.]

MEDLAR, med'lar, _n._ a small tree of the rose family, or its fruit. [O. Fr. _meslier_, a medlar-tree--L. _mespilum_--Gr. _mespilon_.]

MEDLEY, med'li, _n._ a mingled and confused mass: a miscellany: a song or piece of music made up of bits from various sources continuously: a cloth woven from yarn of different colours: (_obs._) a m[^e]l['e]e, fight. [O. Fr. _medler_, _mesler_, to mix.]

M['E]DOC, me-dok', _n._ a French wine produced in the district of _M['e]doc_, department of Gironde.

MEDORRHEA, m[=e]-dor-[=e]'a, _n._ mucous discharge from the genitals. [Gr. _m[=e]dos_, bladder, _rhoia_, a flowing.]

MEDULLA, me-dul'a, _n._ the inner portion of an organ or part, as the pith of a hair, spinal cord, or its continuation within the cranium, (_medulla oblongata_): the pith of a plant, the thallus in lichens, &c.--_adjs._ MEDULL'AR, -Y, consisting of, or resembling, marrow or pith; MED'ULLATED, provided with a medullary sheath.--_n._ MEDULL'IN, the cellulose in the medulla of plants like the lilac.--_adj._ MED'ULLOSE, like pith.--MEDULLARY RAYS, the bands of cells in various trees extending across the wood from the pith to the bark; MEDULLARY SHEATH (_bot._), a thin layer surrounding the pith. [L. _medulla_, marrow.]

MEDUSA, me-d[=u]'sa, _n._ one of the three Gorgons, whose head, cut off by Perseus, and placed in the aegis of Minerva, had the power of turning those who looked on it into stone: the name given to the common kinds of jelly-fishes, prob. from the likeness of their tentacles to the snakes on Medusa's head:--_pl._ MED[=U]'SAE, a division of hydrozoans.--_adjs._ MED[=U]'SIFORM, MED[=U]'SOID--also _ns._ [Gr., 'ruler,' fem.]

MEED, m[=e]d, _n._ wages: reward: what is bestowed for merit. [A.S. _m['e]d_, _meord_; Ger. _miethe_.]

MEEK, m[=e]k, _adj._ mild and gentle of temper: submissive.--_adv._ MEEK'LY.--_n._ MEEK'NESS, state or quality of being meek. [Ice. _mj['u]kr_; Dut. _muik_.]

MEER, m[=e]r, _n._ a form of _mere_.

MEERSCHAUM, m[=e]r'shawm, _n._ a fine light whitish clay making excellent tobacco-pipes--once supposed to be a petrified sea-scum: a pipe made of this material. [Ger. _meer_, sea, _schaum_, foam.]

MEET, m[=e]t, _adj._ fitting: qualified.--_adv._ MEET'LY.--_n._ MEET'NESS. [A.S. _ge-met_--_metan_, to measure.]