Part 80

MISS, mis, _v.t._ to fail to hit, reach, find, or keep: to omit: to fail to have: to discover the absence of: to feel the want of: to fail to observe: to leave out.--_v.i._ to fail to hit or obtain: to go wrong.--_n._ a failure to hit the mark: loss.--MISS FIRE, to fail to go off or explode from some cause; MISS ONE'S TIP (_slang_), to fail in one's plan or attempt; MISS STAYS (_naut._), to fail in going about from one tack to another. [A.S. _missan_; Dut. _missen_, to miss.]

MISSAL, mis'al, _n._ the book which contains the complete service for mass throughout the year. [Low L. _missale_, from _missa_, mass.]

MISSAY, mis-s[=a]', _v.i._ to say or speak incorrectly or falsely.--_v.t._ to utter amiss: to slander.

MISSEE, mis-s[=e]', _v.t._ and _v.i._ to see falsely or erroneously, to take a distorted view.

MISSEEM, mis-s[=e]m', _v.i._ (_Spens._) to seem or appear falsely, to misbecome.--_p.adj._ MISSEEM'ING, unbecoming.--_n._ false appearance.

MISSEL, mis'l, _n._ the largest of the European thrushes--supposed to be fond of the berries of the mistletoe.--Also MISS'EL-BIRD, MISS'EL-THRUSH.

MISSELTOE. See MISTLETOE.

MISSEL-TREE, mis'l-tr[=e], _n._ a tree of the Melastoma family in British Guiana.

MISSET, mis-set', _v.t._ to set or place wrongly or unfitly.--_p.adj._ (_Scot._) out of humour.

MISSHAPE, mis-sh[=a]p', _v.t._ to shape ill: to deform.--_n._ deformity.--_p.adj._ MISSHAP'EN, ill-shaped.--_n._ MISSHAP'ENNESS.

MISSHEATHED, mis-sh[=e]thd', _adj._ (_Shak._) wrongly sheathed.

MISSILE, mis'il, _adj._ that may be thrown from the hand or from any instrument.--_n._ a weapon thrown by the hand. [L. _missilis_--_mitt[)e]re_, _missum_, to throw.]

MISSING, mis'ing, _adj._ absent from the place where it was expected to be found: lost: wanting.--_adv._ MISS'INGLY (_Shak._), with a sense of loss.--MISSING LINK (see LINK). [See MISS (_v._).]

MISSION, mish'un, _n._ a sending of any agent, delegate, or messenger: the purpose for which one is sent: the sending out persons to spread a religion: a series of special religious services conducted by a _missioner_: any particular field of missionary enterprise: persons sent on a mission: an embassy: a station or association of missionaries: duty on which one is sent: purpose of life.--_v.t._ (_rare_) to commission.--_n._ MISS'IONARY, one sent upon a mission to spread the knowledge of religion.--_adj._ pertaining to missions.--_ns._ MISS'IONARY-BISH'OP, one having jurisdiction in a heathen country, or in districts not yet formed into dioceses; MISS'IONER, one who conducts a series of special mission services; MISS'ION-SCHOOL, a school for religious, and sometimes also secular, instruction for the poor, kept up by charity: a school conducted by a missionary abroad. [Fr.,--L. _mission-em_--_mitt[)e]re_, to send.]

MISSIS, mis'iz, _n._ a colloquial form of mistress: a wife.

MISSISH, mis'ish, _adj._ prim, affected.--_n._ MISS'ISHNESS.--_adj._ MISS'Y, namby-pamby, sentimental.--_n._ a diminutive of miss. [_Miss_.]

MISSIVE, mis'iv, _adj._ that may be sent: intended to be thrown or hurled.--_n._ that which is sent, as a letter: (_Shak._) messenger: (_pl._, _Scots law_) letters sent between two parties in which one makes an offer and the other accepts it. [Fr.,--L. _missus_.]

MISSPEAK, mis-sp[=e]k', _v.t._ to utter wrongly.--_v.i._ to mistake or err in speaking.

MISSPELL, mis-spel', _v.t._ to spell wrongly.--_n._ MISSPELL'ING, a wrong spelling.

MISSPEND, mis-spend', _v.t._ to spend ill: to waste or squander:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ misspent'.

MISSTATE, mis-st[=a]t', _v.t._ to state wrongly or falsely.--_n._ MISSTATE'MENT.

MISSTEP, mis-step', _v.i._ to make a false step; to make a mistake.--_n._ a mistake in conduct, &c.

MISSUIT, mis-s[=u]t', _v.t._ to be unbecoming to.

MISSUMMATION, mis-su-m[=a]'shun, _n._ wrong addition.

MISSY. See MISSISH.

MIST, mist, _n._ watery vapour seen in the atmosphere: rain in very fine drops: anything that dims or darkens the sight or the judgment.--_n._ MIST'FLOW'ER, a North American plant of the Aster family, with clusters of blue or violet flowers.--_adj._ MIST'FUL, misty.--_adv._ MIST'ILY.--_n._ MIST'INESS.--_adj._ MIST'Y, full of mist: dim: obscure, not perspicuous.--SCOTCH MIST, a very wetting rain. [A.S. _mist_, darkness; Ice. _mistr_, _mist_, Dut. _mist_.]

MISTAKE, mis-t[=a]k', _v.t._ to understand wrongly: to take one thing or person for another.--_v.i._ to err in opinion or judgment.--_n._ a taking or understanding wrongly: an error.--_adjs._ MISTAK'ABLE; MISTAK'EN, understood wrongly: guilty of a mistake: erroneous: incorrect.--_adv._ MISTAK'ENLY.--_n._ MISTAK'ING (_Shak._), a mistake.--AND NO MISTAKE (_coll._), without any manner of doubt: without fail; BE MISTAKEN, to make or have made a mistake: to be misunderstood. [M. E. _mistaken_--Ice. _mistaka_, to take wrongly--_mis-_, wrongly, _taka_, to take.]

MISTEACH, mis-t[=e]ch', _v.t._ to teach wrongly.

MISTELL, mis-tel', _v.t._ to tell wrongly.

MISTEMPER, mis-tem'p[.e]r, _v.t._ to temper ill: to disorder.--_adj._ MISTEM'PERED (_Shak._), angry.

MISTER, mis't[.e]r, _n._ (_Spens._) manner, kind: (_Scot._) necessity.--_v.i._ (_Spens._) to need, require: to be poor: to be necessary. [O. Fr. _mestier_ (Fr. _m['e]tier_), trade--L. _ministerium_, service.]

MISTER, mis't[.e]r, _n._ sir: a title of address to a man, written MR. [A corr. of _master_, through the influence of _mistress_.]

MISTERM, mis-t[.e]rm', _v.t._ to term or name wrongly.

MISTERY, mis't[.e]r-i, _n._ (_Shak._) an art or trade--often spelt _mystery_. [_Mister_, trade.]

MISTHINK, mis-thingk', _v.t._ (_Shak._) to think ill of.--_v.i._ to think wrongly.--_n._ MISTHOUGHT', a wrong notion.

MISTICO, mis'ti-k[=o], _n._ a small Mediterranean coaster, between a xebec and a felucca. [Sp.,--Ar.]

MISTIGRIS, mis'ti-gris, _n._ a variation of poker in which a joker is used, to which the player holding it gives what value he chooses--also the joker when so used.

MISTIME, mis-t[=i]m', _v.t._ to time wrongly.--_adj._ MISTIMED', unseasonable.

MISTITLE, mis-t[=i]'tl, _v.t._ to call by a wrong title.

MISTLE. Same as MIZZLE.

MISTLETOE, miz'l-t[=o], _n._ a parasitic evergreen plant, with white viscous berries, found in southern England and elsewhere growing on the apple, apricot, &c. (very rarely on the oak). [A.S. _mistel-t['a]n_ (Ice. _mistel-teinn_)--_mistel_, mistletoe, A.S. _t['a]n_, twig; _mistel_ is a dim. of _mist_.]

MISTRADITION, mis-tra-dish'un, _n._ a false tradition.

MISTRAIN, mis-tr[=a]n', _v.t._ to train amiss.

MISTRAL, mis'tr[:a]l, _n._ a violent north-west wind which at certain seasons prevails on the south coast of France. [Fr. _mistral_, lit. a master (wind)--L. _magister_, master.]

MISTRANSLATE, mis-trans-l[=a]t', _v.t._ to translate incorrectly.--_n._ MISTRANSL[=A]'TION.

MISTREADING, mis-tred'ing, _n._ (_Shak._) a wrong treading or going, a false step.

MISTREAT, mis-tr[=e]t', _v.t._ to treat ill: to abuse.--_n._ MISTREAT'MENT, ill-treatment: abuse.

MISTRESS, mis'tres, _n._ (_fem._ of _Master_) a woman having power or ownership: the female head of a family, school, &c.: a woman well skilled in anything: a woman loved and courted: a concubine: (_fem._ of _Mister_) a form of address once applied to any woman or girl, now given to a married woman (usually written _Mrs_ and pronounced mis'ez): (_Shak._) the small ball at bowls, now called the Jack, at which the players aim.--_v.t._ to play the mistress. [O. Fr. _maistresse_ (Fr. _ma[^i]tresse_).]

MISTRIAL, mis-tr[=i]'al, _n._ a trial void because of error, as by disqualification of a juror, &c.: a trial in which the jury fail to agree.

MISTRUST, mis-trust', _n._ want of trust or confidence.--_v.t._ to regard with suspicion: to doubt.--_adj._ MISTRUST'FUL, full of mistrust.--_adv._ MISTRUST'FULLY.--_n._ MISTRUST'FULNESS.--_adv._ MISTRUST'INGLY, with mistrust: without confidence.--_adj._ MISTRUST'LESS, without mistrust or suspicion.

MISTRYST, mis-tr[=i]st', _v.t._ (_Scot._) to disappoint by not keeping an engagement: to deceive.

MISTUNE, mis-t[=u]n', _v.t._ to tune wrongly or falsely: to put out of tune.

MISUNDERSTAND, mis-un-d[.e]r-stand', _v.t._ to take in a wrong sense.--_n._ MISUNDERSTAND'ING, a mistake as to meaning: a slight disagreement.

MISUSE, mis-[=u]s', _n._ improper use: application to a bad purpose.--_v.t._ MISUSE (mis-[=u]z'), to use for a wrong purpose or in a wrong way: to treat ill: to abuse.--_n._ MISUS'AGE, ill-usage: abuse.

MISVENTURE, mis-ven't[=u]r, _n._ a misadventure.--_adj._ MISVEN'TUROUS.

MISWEEN, mis-w[=e]n', _v.i._ to judge wrongly.

MISWEND, mis-wend', _v.i._ to wander.

MISWORSHIP, mis-wur'ship, _v.t._ to worship wrongly.--_n._ worship of a wrong object.

MISWRITE, mis-r[=i]t', _v.t._ to write incorrectly.

MISWROUGHT, mis-rawt', _adj._ badly wrought.

MITE, m[=i]t, _n._ an acaridan arachnid, esp. one of the smaller forms, as the cheese-mite, &c. [A.S. _m['i]te_.]

MITE, m[=i]t, _n._ the minutest or smallest of coins, about one-fourth of a farthing: anything very small, even a person: a very little quantity. [Old Dut. _mijt_.]

MITHRAS, mith'ras, _n._ a Perso-Iranian divinity of light, worshipped with elaborate secret rites and mysteries, popular at Rome in the early Empire--representations of Mithras as a beautiful youth in Phrygian dress sacrificing a bull being common in Roman art--also MITH'RA.--_n._ MITHRAE'UM, a grotto sacred to Mithras.--_adj._ MITHR[=A]'IC.--_ns._ MITHR[=A]'ICISM, MITH'RAISM.--_v.i._ MITH'RAISE.--_n._ MITH'RAIST. [L.,--Gr.,--Old Pers. _Mitra_.]

MITHRIDATE, mith'ri-d[=a]t, _n._ an antidote to poison, _Mithridates_, king of Pontus (b.c. 120-63), having made himself proof against poisons.--_adj._ MITHRIDAT'IC.

MITIGATE, mit'i-g[=a]t, _v.t._ to make more easily borne: to lessen the severity of: to temper: to reduce in amount (as evil).--_adjs._ MIT'IGABLE, that can be mitigated; MIT'IGANT, mitigating.--_n._ MITIG[=A]'TION, act of mitigating: alleviation: abatement.--_adjs._ MIT'IGATIVE, MIT'IGATORY, tending to mitigate: soothing.--_n._ MIT'IGATOR, one who mitigates. [L. _mitig[=a]re_, _-atum_--_mitis_, mild.]

MITRAILLEUSE, m[=e]-tra-lyez', _n._ a breech-loading machine-gun, discharging a stream of bullets with great rapidity--first brought into use by the French in 1870-71.--_n._ MITRAILLE (m[=e]-traly'), grapeshot.--_v.t._ to fire mitraille at--_n._ MITRAILLEUR (m[=e]-tra-ly[.e]r'), a man in charge of a mitrailleuse. [Fr. _mitrailler_, to fire with grapeshot--_mitraille_, grapeshot.]

[Illustration]

MITRE, m[=i]'t[.e]r, _n._ a head-dress worn by archbishops and bishops, and sometimes by abbots: (_fig._) episcopal dignity: (_archit._) a junction of two pieces, as of moulding, at an angle of 45deg: a cap or cowl for a chimney or ventilator-pipe: a gusset in sewing, &c.--_v.t._ to adorn with a mitre: to unite at an angle of 45deg.--_adjs._ M[=I]'TRAL, MIT'RIFORM, having the form of a mitre: (_bot._) conical, and somewhat dilated at the base.--_ns._ M[=I]'TRE-JOINT, a joint between two pieces, each cut at an angle of 45deg; M[=I]'TRE-WHEEL, a bevel-wheel having its face inclined 45deg to its axis. [Fr.,--L. _mitra_--Gr. _mitra_, belt, fillet.]

MITT, mit, short for _mitten_.

MITTEN., mit'n, _n._ a kind of glove for winter use, without a separate cover for each finger: a glove for the hand and wrist, but not the fingers.--_v.t._ to put mittens on.--GET THE MITTEN, to be rejected as a lover. [O. Fr. _mitaine_, perh. from Middle High Ger. _mittemo_, 'half glove;' but perh. Celtic, cf. Gael. and Ir. _mutan_, a muff.]

MITTIMUS, mit'i-mus, _n._ (_law_) a warrant granted for sending to prison a person charged with a crime: a writ by which a record is transferred out of one court to another: a formal dismissal from a situation. [L., 'we send'--_mitt[)e]re_, to send.]

MITY, m[=i]t'i, _adj._ full of mites or insects.

MIURUS, m[=i]-[=u]'rus, _n._ a dactylic hexameter with short penultimate syllable. [Gr. _meiouros_, curtailed, _mei[=o]n_, less, _oura_, a tail.]

MIX, miks, _v.t._ to unite two or more things into one mass: to mingle: to associate.--_v.i._ to become mixed: to be joined: to associate.--_n._ a jumble, a mess.--_adjs._ MIX'ABLE, MIX'IBLE; MIXED, mingled: promiscuous: confused.--_adv._ MIX'EDLY.--_n._ MIX'ER.--_adjs._ MIX'O-BARBAR'IC, not purely barbarous; MIX'TIFORM, of a mixed character; MIXTIL[=I]'NEAL, consisting of a mixture of lines, right, curved, &c.--_ns._ MIX'TION, a mixture of amber, mastic, and asphaltum used as a mordant for fixing gold-leaf to distemper pictures or to wood; MIX'T[=U]RE, act of mixing or state of being mixed: a mass or compound formed by mixing: (_chem._) a composition in which the ingredients retain their properties--opp. to _Combination_: a compound-stop in organ-building: a preparation in which an insoluble compound is suspended in an aqueous solution: a cloth of variegated colouring.--_adj._ MIX'TY-MAX'TY (_Scot._), mixed confusedly together.--MIX UP, to confuse.--MIXED CHALICE, the chalice prepared for the eucharist, containing wine mixed with water; MIXED MARRIAGE, one in which the contracting persons are of different religions. [A.S. _miscan_; Ger. _mischen_.]

MIXEN, miks'n, _n._ (_Tenn._) a dunghill. [A.S. _mixen_--_mix_, _meox_, dung.]

MIZMAZE, miz'm[=a]z, _n._ a labyrinth: bewilderment.

MIZZEN, MIZEN, miz'n, _n._ in a three-masted vessel, the hindmost of the fore-and-aft sails: the spanker or driver.--_adj._ belonging to the mizzen: nearest the stern.--_n._ MIZZ'EN-MAST, the mast that bears the mizzen. [Fr. _misaine_--It. _mezzana_--Low L. _medianus_--L. _medius_, the middle.]

MIZZLE, miz'l, _v.i._ to rain in small drops.--_n._ fine rain.--_n._ MIZZ'LING, a thick mist.--_adj._ MIZZ'LY, misty. [For _mist-le_, freq. from _mist_.]

MIZZLE, miz'l, _v.i._ to yield: (_slang_) to decamp.--_v.t._ to muddle, confuse.

MJOLNIR, my[=o]l'nir, _n._ Thor's terrible hammer.

MNEMONIC, -AL, n[=e]-mon'ik, -al, _adj._ assisting the memory.--_ns._ MNEMON'ICS, the art of assisting the memory: a mode of recalling to the mind any fact or number, or a series of disconnected terms or figures; MNEMOS'YNE, goddess of memory, mother of the Muses.--_adj._ MNEMOTECH'NIC, mnemonic.--_n._ MNEMOTECH'NICS, mnemonics. [Gr. _mn[=e]monikos_--_mn[=e]m[=o]n_, mindful--_mnasthai_, to remember.]

MO, m[=o], _adj._ and _adv._ (_obs._) more.--Also MOE. [A.S. _m['a]_, more, connected with _m['a]ra_.]

MOA, m[=o]'a, _n._ an extinct large wingless ostrich-like bird of New Zealand.

MOABITE, m[=o]'a-b[=i]t, _n._ one of the ancient people of _Moab_, living to the east of the lower part of Jordan and the Dead Sea.--_adj._ of or pertaining to Moab.--_n._ M[=O]'ABITE-STONE, slab of black, basalt found in 1868 among the ruins of Dhib[^a]n (_Dibon_) in Moab, bearing an inscription of 34 lines in Hebrew-Phoenician letters, about the revolt of Mesha, king of Moab, against the king of Israel (2 Kings, iii.)

MOAN, m[=o]n, _v.i._ to make a low sound of grief or pain: to lament audibly.--_v.t._ to lament.--_n._ a low sound of grief or pain: audible expression of pain.--_adj._ MOAN'FUL, expressing sorrow: lamentable.--_adv._ MOAN'FULLY, with lamentation. [A.S. _m['ae]nan_.]

MOAT, m[=o]t, _n._ a deep trench round a castle or fortified place, sometimes filled with water: (_obs._) a hill or mound.--_v.t._ to surround with a moat.--_adj._ MOAT'ED. [O. Fr, _mote_, a mound, trench.]

MOB, mob, _n._ the mobile or fickle common people: the vulgar: the rabble: a disorderly crowd, a riotous assembly: a large herd or flock.--_v.t._ to attack in a disorderly crowd:--_pr.p._ mob'bing; _pa.p._ mobbed.--_adj._ MOB'BISH.--_ns._ MOB'-LAW, lynch-law; MOBOC'RACY, rule or ascendency exercised by the mob; MOB'OCRAT, a demagogue.--_adj._ MOBOCRAT'IC.--_n._ MOBS'MAN, a well-dressed thief or swindler--usually _Swell-mobsman_. [Contr. for L. _mobile_ (_vulgus_), the fickle (multitude); _mov[=e]re_ to move.]

MOB, mob, or MOB'-CAP, _n._ a cap with puffy crown, a broad band, and frills--_v.t._ to cover, as the face, by a cap or hood. [Old Dut. _mop_; mod. Dut. _mopmuts_, a woman's nightcap; cf. Scotch _Mutch_.]

MOBBY, mob'i, _n._ the juice of apples or peaches from which brandy is to be distilled.

MOBILE, m[=o]'bil, or mob'il, _adj._ that can be moved or excited.--_n._ MOBILIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ M[=O]'BILISE, to put in readiness for service in war: to call into active service, as troops.--_n._ MOBIL'ITY, quality of being mobile: (_slang_) the mob.--CR['E]DIT MOBILIER, the system in banking of advancing money to the owners of movable property--as opposed to CREDIT FONCIER, on the security of real or immovable property. [Fr. _mobiliser_--L. _mobilis_.]

MOBLE, mob'l, _v.t._ (_Shak._) to muffle or cover the head, as in a mob or hood. [Freq. of _mob_, a cap.]

[Illustration]

MOCCASIN, mok'a-sin, _n._ a shoe of deerskin or other soft leather, worn by the North American Indians: a venomous North American serpent.--Also MOC'ASSIN. [Algonkin _mawcahsun_.]

MOCHA, m[=o]'ka, _n._ a very fine kind of coffee produced in Arabia, and brought from _Mocha_, the port of Yemen.

MOCHE, m[=o]sh, _n._ an imported package of spun silk.

MOCK, mok, _v.t._ to laugh at: to make sport of: to mimic in ridicule: to disappoint the hopes of: to deceive: to set at nought, defy.--_n._ ridicule, a sneer: a bringing into ridicule.--_adj._ imitating reality, but not real: false.--_adj._ MOCK'ABLE, exposed to, or deserving, derision.--_ns._ MOCK'ER; MOCK'ERY, MOCK'ING, derision: ridicule: subject of laughter or sport: fruitless labour: vain imitation: false show.--_adj._ MOCK'-HER[=O]'IC, mocking the heroic style, or the actions or characters of heroes.--_n._ MOCK'ING-BIRD, a bird of North America, of the thrush family, which mocks or imitates the notes of birds and other sounds.--_adv._ MOCK'INGLY.--_n._ MOCK'-OR'ANGE, an ornamental shrub of the saxifrage family--also _Syringa_. MOCK SUN (see PARHELION); MOCK TURTLE SOUP, a dish made of calf's head, veal, &c., seasoned in imitation of turtle soup. [O. Fr. _moquer_; from a Teut. root seen in Ger. _mucken_, to mutter; prob. imit.]

MOCUDDUM, mo-kud'um, _n._ a chief: a head-man. [Hind. from Ar., _mukaddam_, a head-man.]

MOD, mod, _n._ an assembly, meeting, of a similar nature to the Welsh Eisteddfod. [Gael.]

MODE, m[=o]d, _n._ manner of acting, doing, or existing: rule: custom: form: that which exists only as a quality of substance: a form of the verb, same as _mood_: in lace-making, a small decorative piece inserted in a pattern: the openwork between the solid parts of a pattern: a woman's mantle with a hood: (_mus._) the method of dividing the octave for melodic purposes according to the position of its steps and half-steps.--_adj._ M[=O]'DAL, relating to mode or form without reference to substance: consisting of mode only: (_logic_) indicating some mode of expression.--_ns._ M[=O]'DALISM, the doctrine first set forth by Sabellius that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not three distinct personalities, but only three different modes of manifestation; M[=O]'DALIST, one who holds this theory.--_adj._ MODALIST'IC.--_n._ MODAL'ITY, mode in its logical sense: (_law_) the quality of being limited by a condition.--_adv._ M[=O]'DALLY.--GREEK MODES, consisting each of two tetra-chords and one whole step; GREGORIAN, MEDIEVAL, or ECCLESIASTICAL MODES, derived from the above by Ambrose, Gregory the Great, &c., each of the seven natural sounds of the diatonic scale forming the keynote or _final_ of a mode, which embraced that note and the seven above it. To each of these seven modes is attached another, in which the melody, while having the same final or keynote, instead of ascending to the octave above, ranges from the fourth below it to the fifth above. The former are called the _authentic modes_, the latter _plagal_; MAJOR MODE, a modern mode, consisting of two steps, a half-step, three steps, and a half-step; MINOR MODE, a modern mode, consisting of a step, a half-step, two steps, a half-step, and two steps. [Fr.,--L. _modus_.]

MODEL, mod'el, _n._ something to show the mode or way: something to be copied: a pattern: a mould: an imitation of something on a smaller scale: a living person from whom an artist works: something worthy of imitation.--_adj._ serving as a model: fit for a model.--_v.t._ to form after a model: to shape: to make a model or copy of: to form in some soft material.--_v.i._ to practise modelling:--_pr.p._ mod'elling; _pa.p._ mod'elled.--_ns._ MOD'ELLER; MOD'ELLING, the act or art of making a model of something, a branch of sculpture. [Fr.,--L. _modulus_, dim. of _modus_, a measure.]

MODENA, mod'e-na, _n._ a shade of crimson.

MODERATE, mod'[.e]r-[=a]t, _v.t._ to keep within measure or bounds: to regulate: to reduce in intensity: to make temperate or reasonable: to pacify: to decide as a moderator.--_v.i._ to become less violent or intense: to preside or act as a moderator.--_adj._ kept within measure or bounds: not excessive or extreme: temperate: of middle rate.--_n._ one of a party in Scottish Church history dominant in the 18th century, lax in doctrine and discipline, but intolerant of Evangelicanism and popular rights--it caused the secessions of 1733 and 1761, and its final resultant was the Disruption of 1843.--_adv._ MOD'ERATELY.--_ns._ MOD'ERATENESS; MODER[=A]'TION, act of moderating: state of being moderated or moderate: freedom from excess: calmness of mind; MOD'ERATISM, moderate opinions in religion or politics.--_adv._ MODER[:A]'TO (_mus._), with moderate quickness.--_ns._ MOD'ER[=A]TOR, one who, or that which, moderates or restrains: a president or chairman, esp. in Presbyterian Church courts: an officer at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge who superintends the examination for degrees: a kind of lamp in which the flow of the oil to the wick is regulated:--_fem._ MOD'ERATRIX; MOD'ERATORSHIP. [L. _moder[=a]ri_, _-[=a]tus_--_modus_, a measure.]

MODERN, mod'[.e]rn, _adj._ limited to the present or recent time: not ancient: (_Shak._) commonplace.--_n._ one who lives in modern times: (_pl._) the nations of the present day, distinguished from the Greeks and Romans--the ancients.--_n._ MODERNIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ MOD'ERNISE, to adapt to the present time.--_ns._ MOD'ERNISER; MOD'ERNISM, modern practice or character: something of modern origin; MOD'ERNIST, an admirer of modern ideas or habits.--_adv._ MOD'ERNLY.--_ns._ MOD'ERNNESS, MOD'ERNITY, state or quality of being modern. [Fr.,--L. _modernus_--_modo_; just now, orig. abl. of _modus_.]

MODEST, mod'est, _adj._ restrained by a sense of propriety: not forward: decent: chaste: pure and delicate, as thoughts or language: not excessive or extreme: moderate.--_adv._ MOD'ESTLY.--_n._ MOD'ESTY, humility: purity of thought and manners: becoming behaviour: chastity, purity: moderation. [Fr.,--L. _modestus_--_modus_; a measure.]

MODICUM, mod'i-kum, _n._ a small quantity: something of a moderate size: anything very small. [L. neut. of _modicus_, moderate--_modus_.]

MODIFY, mod'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to set bounds to: to moderate: to change the form or quality of: to alter slightly: to vary.--_adj._ MODIF[=I]'ABLE.--_n._ MODIFIC[=A]'TION, act of modifying or state of being modified: result of alteration or change: changed shape or condition.--_adjs._ MOD'IFIC[=A]TIVE, MOD'IFIC[=A]TORY, tending to modify: causing change of form or condition.--_n._ MOD'IF[=I]ER. [Fr. _modifier_--L. _modific[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_modus_, a measure, _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

MODILLION, mod-il'yun, _n._ (_archit._) an ornamental bracket used in the cornices of the Corinthian and composite styles. [Fr.,--L. _modulus_--_modus_, a measure.]

MODIOLUS, mo-d[=i]'o-lus, _n._ the central stem round which wind the passages of the cochlea of the internal ear.--_adjs._ MOD[=I]'OLAR, MOD[=I]'OLIFORM.

MODISH, m[=o]'dish, _adj._ according to the fashion.--_adv._ M[=O]'DISHLY.--_ns._ M[=O]'DISHNESS; M[=O]'DIST, one who follows the fashion; MODISTE (m[=o]-d[=e]st'), a fashionable dressmaker.

MODIUS, m[=o]'di-us, _n._ a Roman dry measure=2 gal.: a cylindrical head-dress:--_pl._ M[=O]'DII (-[=i]). [L.]

MODULATE, mod'[=u]-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to measure, to regulate: to vary the tone of voice so as to give expression: (_mus._) to change the key or mode.--_v.i._ to pass from one key into another.--_adj._ MOD'ULAR, of or pertaining to mode or modulation, or to a module.--_ns._ MODUL[=A]'TION, the act of modulating: state of being modulated: (_mus._) the changing of the keynote and of the original scale by the introduction of a new sharp or flat; MOD'UL[=A]TOR, one who, or that which, modulates: a chart in the Tonic Sol-fa musical notation on which the modulations or changes from one scale to another are shown by the relative position of the notes; MOD'ULE, a small measure or quantity: (_archit._) a measure such as the diameter of the shaft for regulating the proportions of the other parts of columns: (_Shak._) a model, image; MOD'ULUS (_math._), a constant multiplier in a function of a variable, by which the function is adapted to a particular base:--_pl._ MODULI (mod'[=u]-l[=i]). [L. _modul[=a]ri_, _-[=a]tus_--_modulus_, dim. of _modus_, a measure.]

MODUS, m[=o]'dus, _n._ the way or style of expressing anything: a fixed payment instead of tithes: (_law_) a departure from, or a modification of, some general rule or form:--_pl._ M[=O]'D[=I]. [L. _modus_, manner.]

MODWALL, mod'wal, _n._ (_prov._) the bee-eater.

MOE, m[=o], _adj._ and _adv._ (_Shak._). See MO.

MOE, m[=o], _n._ (_Shak._) a wry mouth, grimace.--_v.i._ to make grimaces.--Better MOW (_q.v._).

MOELLON, m[=o]'el-lon, _n._ rubble-stone with mortar, used as a filling in mason-work. [Fr.,--_moelle_, marrow--L. _medulla_, marrow--_medius_, middle.]

MOEROLOGY, m[=e]-rol'o-ji, _n._ the practice of professional mourning. [Gr. _moira_, fate, _legein_, to speak.]

MOESO-GOTHIC, m[=e]-s[=o]-goth'ik, _adj._ relating to the Goths who settled in _Moesia_, or to their language.

MOFETTE, m[=o]-fet', _n._ a noxious gas escaping from the earth. [L. _mephitis_.]

MOFF, mof, _n._ a thin silk fabric.

MOFFLE, mof'l, _v.i._ (_prov._) to do anything clumsily.

MOFUSSIL, m[=o]-fus'il, _n._ the country districts and stations in India, as distinguished from the towns and official residencies: rural: provincial. [Hind. _mufassal_, the country--Ar. _fasala_, separate.]

MOG, mog, _v.i._ (_prov._) to move away.

MOGUL, m[=o]-gul', _n._ a Mongol or Mongolian, esp. one of the followers of Baber, the conqueror of India (1483-1530): a name applied to the best quality of playing-cards.--_adj._ pertaining to the Mogul Empire, architecture, &c.--_adj._, the title by which Europeans knew the Emperors of Delhi. [Pers., properly 'a _Mongol_.']

MOHAIR, m[=o]'h[=a]r, _n._ the fine silken hair of the Angora goat of Asia Minor: cloth made of mohair. [O. Fr. _mouaire_ (Fr. _moire_)--Ar. _mukhayyar_.]

MOHAMMEDAN, mo-ham'ed-an, _adj._ pertaining to Mohammed or to his religion.--_n._ a follower of Mohammed: one who professes Mohammedanism--also MAHOM'ETAN, MAHOM'EDAN.--_v.t._ MOHAMM'EDANISE, to convert to, or made conformable to, MOHAMMEDANISM.--_ns._ MOHAMM'EDANISM, MOHAMM'EDISM, the religion of Mohammed, contained in the Koran. [_Mohammed_, the great prophet of Arabia (570-632); lit. 'praised.']

MOHARRAM, mo-har'am, _n._ the first month of the Mohammedan year: the great fast held during the first ten days of this month.--Also MUHARR'AM.

MOHAWK, m[=o]'hawk, _n._ the name of a tribe of North American Indians of the Huron-Iroquois family--hence one of a set of London street-ruffians about the beginning of the 18th century.--Also M[=O]'HOCK.

MOHICAN, m[=o]-h[=e]'kan, _adj._ and _n._ relating to the _Mohicans_, a tribe of North American Indians of the Algonkin stock.

MOHR, m[=o]r, _n._ a small African gazelle.

MOHUR, m[=o]'hur, _n._ in British India, a gold coin=from twelve to fifteen rupees, or 30s. [Pers.]

MOIDER, moi'd[.e]r, _v.t._ to confuse: to spend.--_v.i._ to work hard.

MOIDORE, moi'd[=o]r, _n._ a disused gold coin of Portugal worth 27s. [Port. _moeda d'ouro_--L. _moneta de auro_, money of gold.]