Part 83

MORRHUA, mor'[=oo]-a, _n._ the chief genus of gadoid fishes, including the cod (_Gadus_).

MORRIS, MORRICE, mor'is, MORR'IS-DANCE, _n._ a Moorish dance: a dance in which bells, rattles, tambours, &c. are introduced.--_v.i._ MORR'IS, to perform by dancing.--_ns._ MORR'IS-DANC'ER; MORR'IS-PIKE (_Shak._), a Moorish pike.--NINE MEN'S MORRIS, an old English game in which a figure of squares, one within another, was marked out on aboard or on the turf, and eighteen pieces or stones, nine for each side, were moved alternately as at draughts--also _Nine men's merils_. [Sp. _morisco_, Moorish--Sp. _moro_, a Moor.]

MORROW, mor'[=o], _n._ the day following the present: to-morrow: the next following day: the time immediately after any event.--_n._ To-MORR'OW, next day--also _adv._ [M. E. _morwe_=_morwen_; cf. _Morn_.]

MORSE, mors, _n._ the walrus or sea-horse. [Russ. _morj[)u]_, a morse, prob. from _more_, the sea.]

MORSE, mors, _n._ the metal fastening of the cope, generally of precious metal, ornamented with jewels--also _Pectoral_. [L. _morsus_, a bite.]

MORSE, mors, _n._ (_coll._) the Morse-code signalling of telegraph operators, from Sam. F. B. _Morse_ (1791-1872).--MORSE ALPHABET, a system of symbols to be used in telegraphic messages where Morse's indicator is used, consisting of dots and dashes combined in different ways to indicate the different letters.

MORSEL, mor'sel, _n._ a bite or mouthful: a small piece of food: a small quantity of anything which is divided.--_ns._ MOR'S[=U]RE, the act of biting; MOR'SUS, a bite. [O. Fr. _morsel_ (Fr. _morceau_, It. _morsello_), dim. from L. _morsus_--_mord[=e]re_, _morsum_, to bite.]

MORSING-HORN, mor'sing-horn, _n._ the small horn that used to hold the fine powder used for priming. [Fr. _amorcer_, to prime a gun.]

MORT, mort, _n._ death: a flourish sounded at the death of a buck, & c., in hunting.

MORT, mort, _n._ a great number or amount of anything.

MORT, mort, _n._ (_slang_) a woman.

MORTAL, mor'tal, _adj._ liable to die: causing death: deadly: fatal: punishable with death: involving the penalty of spiritual death, as opposed to _Venial_: extreme, violent, implacable: human: (_coll._) very great, very long, confounded, very drunk.--_n._ a human being.--_v.t._ MOR'TALISE, to make mortal.--_n._ MORTAL'ITY, condition of being mortal: death: frequency or number of deaths, esp. in proportion to population: the human race.--_adv._ MOR'TALLY--(_coll._) MOR'TAL.--_ns._ MORT'-CLOTH, a pall; MORT'-STONE, a stone by the wayside on which the bearers lay the bier for a rest during a funeral procession.--BILLS OF MORTALITY, lists of the numbers of those who have died in any place during any given time; LAW OF MORTALITY, rules founded on experience or calculation, showing what average proportion of those living at the beginning of a given time will be surviving at its close. [Fr.,--L. _mortalis_--_mori_, to die.]

MORTAR, mor'tar, _n._ a vessel in which substances are pounded with a pestle: a short and very thick piece of artillery of large calibre, firing a heavy shell at a fixed angle of 45deg or thereabouts, so as to strike vertically: a cement of lime, sand, and water, used to bind together stones or bricks in building.--_v.t._ to close up or in as with mortar: to pound in a mortar.--_n._ MOR'TAR-BOARD, a square board with a handle beneath for holding mortar which the workman is using: a square-crowned academic cap. [A.S. _mortere_--L. _mortarium_, a mortar.]

MORTGAGE, mor'g[=a]j, _n._ a conditional conveyance of or lien upon land or other property as security for the performance of some condition, as the payment of money, becoming void on the performance of the condition: the act of conveying, or the deed effecting it.--_v.t._ to pledge as security for a debt.--_ns._ MORTGAGEE', one to whom a mortgage is made or given; MORT'GAGER. [O. Fr., _mort_, dead, _gage_, a pledge.]

MORTIER, mor'tye, _n._ a cap of state worn by legal functionaries in France.

MORTIFEROUS, mor-tif'[.e]r-us, _adj._ death-bringing: fatal. [L. _mors_, death, _ferre_, to bring.]

MORTIFY, mor'ti-f[=i], _v.t._ to destroy the vital functions of: to subdue by severities and penance: to vex: to humble: (_Scots law_) to dispose of by mortification.--_v.i._ to lose vitality, to gangrene: to be subdued:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ mor'tified.--_ns._ MORTIFIC[=A]'TION, act of mortifying or state of being mortified: the death of one part of an animal body: a bringing under of the passions and appetites by a severe or strict manner of living: humiliation: vexation: that which mortifies or vexes: (_Scots law_) a bequest to some charitable institution; MOR'TIFIEDNESS, subjugation of the passions; MOR'TIFIER, one who mortifies.--_adj._ MOR'TIFYING, tending to mortify or humble: humiliating: vexing. [Fr.,--Low L. _mortific[=a]re_, to cause death to--_mors_ death, _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

MORTISE, mor'tis, _n._ a cavity cut into a piece of timber to receive the tenon, a projection on another piece made to fit it: stability, power of adhesion--also MOR'TICE.--_v.t._ to cut a mortise in: to join by a mortise and tenon. [Fr. _mortaise_; ety. unknown.]

MORTMAIN, mort'm[=a]n, _n._ the transfer of property to a corporation, which is said to be a dead hand, or one that can never part with it again.--STATUTES OF MORTMAIN, acts of parliament restricting or forbidding the giving of property to religious houses. [Fr. _mort_, dead, _main_--L. _manus_, the hand.]

MORTUARY, mort'[=u]-ar-i, _n. adj._ belonging to the burial of the dead.--_n._ a burial-place, place for the temporary reception of the dead: a gift claimed by the minister of a parish on the death of a parishioner. [Low L.,--L. _mortuus_, dead, _mori_, to die.]

MORULA, mor'[=u]-la, _n._ condition of an ovum after complete segmentation: button-scurvy.

MORUS, m[=o]'rus, _n._ a genus of trees or shrubs of the nettle family--the mulberries. [L.]

MOSAIC, m[:o]-z[=a]'ik, _n._ a kind of work in which designs are formed by small pieces of coloured marble, glass, &c. cemented on a ground of stucco, or inlaid upon metal.--_adj._ relating to, or composed of, mosaic.--_adv._ MOS[=A]'ICALLY.--_n._ MOS[=A]'ICIST.--MOSAIC GOLD, an alloy of copper and zinc--also _Ormolu_. [Fr.,--L. _musaeum_ or _musivum_ (_opus_), mosaic (work)--Gr. _mouseios_--_Mousa_, a muse.]

MOSAIC, m[=o]-z[=a]'ik, _adj._ pertaining to _Moses_, the great Jewish lawgiver.--_n._ M[=O]'SAISM.--MOSAIC LAW, the law of the Jews given by Moses at Mount Sinai.

MOSAUSAURUS, m[=o]-sa-saw'rus, _n._ the typical genus of a group of huge fossil marine reptiles, found in the Cretaceous strata of Europe and America. [L. _Mosa_, the river Meuse, Gr. _sauros_, a lizard.]

MOSCHATEL, mos'ka-tel, _n._ a plant with pale-green flowers and a musky smell. [Fr. _moscatelline_--Low L. _moschatellina_--_muscus_, musk.]

MOSCHIFEROUS, mos-kif'e-rus, _adj._ producing musk.

MOSE, m[=o]z, _n._ (_Shak._) a disease of horses.--_v.i._ to have this. [Prob. Old High Ger. _m[=a]s[=a]_, a spot.]

MOSELLE, mo-zel', _n._ light wines from the district of the river _Moselle_, with an aromatic flavour.

MOSEY, m[=o]'zi, _v.i._ (_Amer. slang_) to go off quickly: to hurry up.

MOSLEM, moz'lem, _n._ a Mussulman or Mohammedan.--_adj._ of or belonging to the Mohammedans.--_n._ MOS'LEMISM. [Ar. _muslim_, pl. _muslim[=i]n_--_salama_, to submit (to God). Doublet _Mussulman_.]

MOSLINGS, moz'lingz, _n.pl._ the thin shavings taken off by the currier in dressing skins. [_Morsel_.]

MOSQUE, mosk, _n._ a Mohammedan place of worship. [Fr.,--Sp. _mezquita_--Ar. _masjid_--_sajada_, to pray.]

MOSQUITO, mos-k[=e]'to, _n._ a biting gnat, common in tropical countries:--_pl._ MOSQUI'TOES.--MOSQUITO CANOPY, curtain, net, an arrangement of netting set over a bed, in a window, &c., to keep out mosquitoes. [Sp., dim. of _mosca_, a fly--L. _musca_.]

MOSS, mos, _n._ a family of flowerless plants with branching stems and narrow, simple leaves: popularly any small cryptogamic plant, esp. a lichen: a piece of ground covered with moss: a bog.--_v.t._ to cover with moss.--_ns._ MOSS'-BACK, an old fish: a person of antiquated views; MOSS'-CHEEP'ER (_Scot._), the titlark.--_adj._ MOSS'-GROWN, covered with moss.--_ns._ MOSS'-HAG (_Scot._), a pit or slough in a bog; MOSS'INESS; MOSS'-LAND, land abounding in peat-bogs; MOSS'-ROSE, a variety of rose having a moss-like growth on and below the calyx; MOSS'TROOP'ER, one of the robbers that used to infest the mosses of the Border.--_adj._ MOSS'Y, overgrown or abounding with moss.--ICELAND MOSS (see ICELAND). [A.S. _me['o]s_; Dut. _mos_, Ger. _moos_.]

MOSS-BUNKER, mos'-bung-k[.e]r, _n._ the menhaden. [Dut. _mars-banker_, the scad or horse-mackerel.]

MOST, m[=o]st, _adj._ (_superl._ of MORE), greatest in age, position or rank, number, degree, &c.--_adv._ in the highest degree.--_n._ the greatest number or quantity.--_advs._ MOST'LY; MOST'WHAT (_Spens._), for the most part, mostly.--AT (THE) MOST, to the utmost extent; FOR THE MOST PART, chiefly; MAKE THE MOST OF (see MAKE). [A.S. _m['ae]st_; cog. with Ger. _meist_.]

MOT, m[=o], _n._ a pithy or witty saying.--MOT D'ORDRE, word of command. [Fr.]

MOT, mot, _n._ a note on the bugle, &c., or its mark in musical notation. [Fr.,--L. _muttum_, a murmur.]

MOTATORIOUS, m[=o]-ta-t[=o]'ri-us, _adj._ vibratory, excessively mobile--of long-legged spiders and crane-flies, &c. [L. _mot[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_ to keep moving, freq. of _mov[=e]re_, to move.]

MOTE, m[=o]t, _n._ an archaism for might or must.

MOTE, m[=o]t, _n._ a particle of dust: a speck: a stain or blemish: anything very small.--_adjs._ M[=O]T'ED, MOT'TY, containing motes. [A.S. _mot_; Dut. _mot_.]

MOTET, mo-tet', _n._ a sacred cantata of several unconnected movements, as a solo, trio, chorus, fugue, &c.: a choral composition having a biblical or similar prose text.--_n._ MOTET'TIST, a composer of such. [Fr.,--It. _mottetto_--_motto_, saying.]

MOTH., moth, _n._ a family of insects like butterflies, seen mostly at night: the larva of this insect which gnaws cloth: that which eats away gradually and silently.--_v.t._ MOTH'-EAT, to prey upon, as a moth eats a garment.--_adj._ MOTH'-EAT'EN, eaten or cut by moths.--_n._ MOTH'-HUNT'ER, a little kind of swallow which hunts moths, &c., called also the _Goatsucker_.--_adj._ MOTH'Y, full of moths.--DEATH'S-HEAD MOTH, (see DEATH). [A.S. _moththe_, _mohthe_; Ger. _motte_.]

MOTHER, muth'[.e]r, _n._ a female parent, esp. one of the human race: a woman in relation to her child: a matron: that which has produced anything: the female head of a religious house: a familiar term of address to an old woman.--_adj._ received by birth, as it were from one's mother: natural:

## acting the part of a mother: originating.--_v.t._ to adopt as a son or

daughter.--_ns._ MOTH'ER-CHURCH, the church from which others have sprung; MOTH'ER-COUN'TRY, -LAND, the country of one's birth: the country from which a colony has gone out; MOTH'ERHOOD, state of being a mother; MOTH'ERING, a rural English custom of visiting one's parents on Mid-Lent Sunday; MOTH'ER-IN-LAW, the mother of one's husband or wife.--_adj._ MOTH'ERLESS, without a mother.--_n._ MOTH'ERLINESS.--_adj._ MOTH'ERLY, pertaining to, or becoming, a mother: like a mother: parental: tender.--_ns._ MOTH'ER-OF-PEARL', the nacreous internal layer of the shells of several molluscs, esp. of the pearl-oyster, so called because producing the pearl; MOTH'ER'S-MARK, a birth-mark; MOTH'ER-TONGUE, a person's native language: a language from which another has its origin; MOTH'ER-WA'TER, the residual liquid remaining after the chemical substances it contained have been crystallised or precipitated; MOTH'ER-WIT, native wit: common-sense; MOTH'ER-WORT, a labiate plant growing in waste places; QUEEN'-MOTH'ER, the mother of a reigning sovereign.--MOTHER CAREY'S CHICKEN, the stormy petrel, or other bird of the same family; MOTHER-HUBBARD, a woman's loose flowing gown, like that proper to the nursery heroine.--EVERY MOTHER'S SON, all, without exception. [A.S. _m['o]der_; Dut. _moeder_, Ice. _m['o]dhir_, Ger. _mutter_, Ir. and Gael. _mathair_, L. _mater_, Gr. _m[=e]t[=e]r_, Sans, _m['a]t['a]_, _m['a]tri_.]

MOTHER, muth[.e]r, _n._ dregs or sediments, as of vinegar.--_v.i._ to become concreted.--_adj._ MOTH'ERY. [_Mud_.]

MOTIF, m[=o]-t[=e]f', _n._ an old form of motive: a theme or ground for intellectual action, or a leading subject in a dramatic work: in a musical composition the principal subject on which the movement is constructed. [Fr.,--L. _motus_, moved.]

MOTION, m[=o]'shun, _n._ the act or state of moving: a single movement: change of posture: gait: power of moving or of being moved: angular velocity--_direct_ when from west to east; _retrograde_ when from east to west: excitement of the mind: any natural impulse, instigation: proposal made, esp. in an assembly: an application to a court, during a case before it, for an order or rule that something be done, esp. something incidental to the progress of the cause rather than its issue: evacuation of the intestine: (_pl._, _B._) impulses.--_v.i._ to make a significant movement, to offer a proposal.--_v.t._ to guide by a gesture, &c.: to move.--_adj._ M[=O]'TILE, capable of spontaneous motion.--_n._ MOTIL'ITY.--_adj._ MO'TIONAL, characterised by motions.--_n._ M[=O]'TIONIST, one who makes a motion.--_adj._ M[=O]'TIONLESS, without motion.--ABSOLUTE MOTION, change of absolute place; ACCELERATED MOTION, motion of which the velocity is continually increasing; ANGULAR MOTION, motion regarded as measured by the increase of the angle made with some standard direction by a line drawn from the moving object to a fixed point; LAWS OF MOTION, Newton's three laws: (1) Every body continues in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a straight line, except so far as it may be compelled by force to change that state; (2) Change of motion is proportional to force applied, and takes place in the direction of the straight line in which the force acts; (3) To every action there is always an equal and contrary reaction; PARALLEL MOTION (see PARALLEL); PERPETUAL MOTION (see PERPETUAL); QUANTITY OF MOTION, momentum. [Fr.,--L.,--_mov[=e]re_, _m[=o]tum_, to move.]

MOTIVE, m[=o]'tiv, _adj._ causing motion: having power to cause motion.--_n._ that which moves or excites to action: inducement: reason.--_v.t._ to act on as a motive, instigate.--_v.t._ M[=O]'TIV[=A]TE, to act on as a motive, induce.--_n._ MOTIV[=A]'TION.--_adj._ M[=O]TIVELESS.--_ns._ M[=O]'TIVELESSNESS; M[=O]'TIVE-POWER, or -FORCE, the force acting upon a body so as to cause it to move; MOTIV'ITY, power of producing motion: the quality of being influenced by motion. [Fr., through Low L., from _mov[=e]re_, _m[=o]tum_ to move.]

MOTLEY, mot'li, _adj._ covered with spots of different colours: consisting of different colours: composed of various parts, heterogeneous.--_n._ clothes made of pieces of different colours: the dress of a jester: any mixture, esp. of colours.--_adj._ MOT'LEY-MIND'ED (_Shak._), having fickle and foolish thoughts and feelings.--MAN OF MOTLEY, a jester. [Skeat explains M. E. _mottelee_ as through O. Fr. _mattel['e]_, clotted, curdled--Bavarian _matte_, curds.]

MOTMOT, mot'mot, _n._ a sawbill.

MOTOGRAPH, m[=o]'to-graf, _n._ a device of Edison's, used as a telephone receiver, &c., by which the variation of the friction between two conductors in relative motion is diminished periodically by the passage of a current of electricity from one to the other across the surface of contact.--_adj._ MOTOGRAPH'IC. [L. _motus_, motion, Gr. _graphein_, to write.]

MOTOPHONE, m[=o]'to-f[=o]n, _n._ a sound-engine of Edison's actuated by aerial sound-waves. [L. _motus_, motion, Gr. _ph[=o]n[=e]_, a voice.]

MOTOR, m[=o]'tor, _n._ a mover: that which gives motion: a machine by means of which steam or other sources of force can be used to give motion or produce work.--_adj._ giving or transmitting motion.--_ns._ M[=O]'TOR-CAR, a vehicle for the road impelled by steam, electricity, or petrol (petroleum spirit); M[=O]'TOR-DY'NAMO, a dynamo used as a motor.--_adjs._ MOT[=O]'RIAL, M[=O]'TORY, giving motion.--_n._ MOT[=O]'RIUM, that part of the nervous organism instrumental in the exertion of motor influence:--opp. to _Sensorium_, that which feels or perceives.--_adj._ MOTORPATH'IC, belonging to MOTOR'PATHY or the movement cure.--MOTOR NERVE, any nerve which transmits impulse to the muscles.--AIR-MOTOR, a machine impelled by compressed air. [Cf. _Motive_.]

MOTTLE, mot'l, _v.t._ to mark with spots as if stained.--_n._ the arrangement of spots on any mottled surface, in marble, &c.--_adjs._ MOTT'LED, marked with spots of various colours or shades; Mott'LE-FACED.--_n._ MOTT'LING. [_Motley_.]

MOTTO, mot'[=o], _n._ a short sentence or phrase prefixed in anything intimating the subject of it: a phrase attached to a coat-of-arms: a paper packet containing a sweetmeat, cracker, &c., together with a scrap of paper bearing a motto--a motto-kiss:--_pl._ MOTTOES (mot'[=o]z).--_adj._ MOTT'OED. [Low L. _muttum_--_mutt[=i]re_, to mutter.]

MOUCHARABY, m[=oo]-shar'a-bi, _n._ a balcony enclosed with lattice-work: an embattled balcony with parapet and machicolations. [Fr.]

MOUCHARD, m[=oo]-sh[:a]r', _n._ a police spy in France. [_Mouche_, a fly.]

MOUCHER, mow'ch[.e]r, _n._ one who idles about, a loafer, a beggar--same as MICHER.--_v.i._ MOUCH, to skulk or sneak about; to live a vagabond life. [O. Fr. _muchier_ (Fr. _musser_), to hide.]

MOUCHOIR, m[=oo]-shwor', _n._ a pocket-handkerchief. [Fr.]

MOUFFLON, m[=oo]f'lon, _n._ a wild sheep in the mountains of Corsica, Greece, &c. [Fr.]

MOUGHT, mowt (_Bacon_), obsolete _pa.t._ of _may_.

MOUILLE, m[=oo]l-ly[=a]', _adj._ sounded in a liquid manner, as certain consonants in many French words. [Fr.]

MOULD, m[=o]ld, _n._ dust: soil rich in decayed matter: the matter of which anything is composed: a minute fungus which grows on bodies in a damp atmosphere, so named from often growing on mould: the earth, the ground, the grave, esp. in _pl._ MOOLS (_Scot._).--_v.t._ to cover with mould or soil: to cause to become mouldy.--_v.i._ to become mouldy.--_n._ MOULD'-BOARD, the curved plate in a plough which turns over the furrow.--_v.i._ MOULD'ER, to crumble to mould: to turn to dust: to waste away gradually.--_v.t._ to turn to dust.--_ns._ MOULD'INESS; MOULD'WARP, the mole, which casts up little heaps of mould.--_adj._ MOULD'Y, overgrown with mould. [A.S. _molde_; Ger. _mull_, Goth. _mulda_.]

MOULD, m[=o]ld, _n._ a hollow form in which anything is cast: a pattern; the form received from a mould, a former or matrix for jellies, &c., also a dish shaped in such: character.--_v.t._ to form in a mould: to knead, as dough.--_adj._ MOULD'ABLE, that may be moulded.--_ns._ MOULD'-BOX, a box in which molten steel is hydraulically compressed; MOULD'ER; MOULD'-FAC'ING, a fine powder or wash applied to the face of a mould to ensure a smooth casting; MOULD'ING, the process of shaping, esp. any soft substance: anything formed by or in a mould: an ornamental edging on a picture-frame, &c., or (_archit._) raised above or sunk below the surface of a wall, on cornices, jambs, lintels, &c.--the _fillet_ or _list_, _astragal_ or _bead_, _ogee_, _cyma_, &c.; MOULDING-T[=A]'BLE, a table on which a potter moulds his ware; MOULD'-LOFT, a large room in a shipbuilding yard in which the several parts of a ship's hull are laid off to full size from the construction drawings.--MOULDING MACHINE, a machine for making wood-mouldings; MOULDING PLANE, a plane used in forming mouldings, a match-plane; MOULDING SAND, a mixture of sand and loam used by founders in making sand-moulds. [Fr. _moule_--L. _modulus_, a measure.]

MOULIN, m[=oo]-lang', _n._ a cavity formed in a glacier by the running down of surface water, sometimes allowing a cascade to be formed. [Fr.]

MOULINAGE, m[=oo]'lin[=a]j, _n._ the operation of reeling-off, twisting, and doubling raw silk.

MOULINET, m[=oo]'li-net, _n._ the drum of a windlass, &c., on which the rope is wound: a machine for bending a crossbow. [Fr., 'a little mill.']

MOULT, m[=o]lt, _v.i._ to change or cast the feathers, &c., as birds, &c.--_n._ MOULT'ING, the act or process of moulting or casting feathers, skin, &c. [L. _mut[=a]re_, to change, with intrusive _l_.]

MOUND, mownd, _n._ an artificial mount: a natural hillock, appearing as if thrown up by man's work: (_fort._) a bank of earth or stone raised as a protection.--_v.t._ to fortify with a mound.--_n.pl._ MOUND'-BIRDS, a family of Australasian gallinaceous birds which build large mounds as incubators for their eggs.--_n._ MOUND'-BUILD'ER, one of the primitive race which built the vast so-called _Indian mounds_ found in the United States, esp. east of the Mississippi River. [A.S. _mund_, a defence; cf. Old High Ger. _munt_, defence, and perh. L. _mons_, a mount.]

[Illustration]

MOUND, mownd, _n._ (_her._) the representation of a globe encircled with bands, and surmounted by a cross.--Also MONDE. [Fr. _monde_--L. _mundus_, the world.]

MOUNT, mownt, _n._ ground rising above the level of the surrounding country: a hill: an ornamental mound: that on which anything is mounted for more convenient use or exhibition: a saddle-horse for riding: a step, &c., to give aid in mounting a horse, also a signal for mounting: (_her._) a green hillock in the base of a shield: (_fort._) a cavalier or raised hillock commanding the surrounding country: one of the seven fleshy cushions in the palm of the hand: (_B._) a bulwark for offence or defence.--_v.i._ to project or rise up: to be of great elevation.--_v.t._ to raise aloft: to climb: to get upon, as a horse: to put on horseback: to put upon something: to arrange or set in fitting order.--_adjs._ MOUNT'ABLE, that may be mounted or ascended; MOUNT'ED, raised, esp. set on horseback: (_her._) raised on steps, generally three, as a cross: furnished, supplied.--_ns._ MOUNT'ER; MOUNT'ING, the act of rising or getting higher: the act of mounting or embellishing, as the setting of a gem, &c.: that which mounts; MOUNT'ING-BLOCK, a block or stone to enable one to mount a horse.--MOUNT GUARD (see GUARD). [A.S. _munt_--L. _mons_, _montis_, a mountain.]

MOUNTAIN, mownt'[=a]n, or -'in, _n._ a high hill: anything very large: a wine made from mountain grapes: the extreme party in the French Revolution (see MONTAGNARD).--_adj._ of or relating to a mountain: growing or dwelling on a mountain.--_ns._ MOUNT'AIN-ASH, the rowan-tree, with bunches of red berries, common on mountains; MOUNT'AIN-BLUE, blue carbonate of copper; MOUNT'AIN-BRAM'BLE, the cloudberry; MOUNT'AIN-CAT, a catamount, a wild-cat; MOUNT'AIN-CHAIN, a number of mountains connected together in one line; MOUNT'AIN-CORK, MOUNT'AIN-LEATH'ER, a very light and whitish variety of asbestos; MOUNT'AIN-DEER, the chamois; MOUNT'AIN-DEW, whisky.--_adj._ MOUNT'AINED.--_ns._ MOUNTAINEER', an inhabitant of a mountain: a climber of mountains: a rustic; MOUNTAINEER'ING, the practice of climbing mountains; MOUNT'AIN-FLAX, a fibrous asbestos; MOUNT'AIN-LIME'STONE (_geol._), a series of limestone strata separating the Old Red Sandstone from the coal-measures; MOUNT'AIN-L[=I]ON, the cougar; MOUNT'AIN-MILK, a spongy carbonate of lime.--_adj._ MOUNT'AINOUS, full of mountains: large as a mountain: huge.--_ns._ MOUNT'AIN-RICE, an awnless rice grown without irrigation on the Himalayas, &c.; MOUNT'AIN-SHEEP, the bighorn of the Rocky Mountains; MOUNT'AIN-SOAP, a greasy clay-like mineral, a kind of halloysite--also _Rock-soap_; MOUNT'AIN-TALL'OW, a mineral substance, called also _Hatchettite_; MOUNT'AIN-TEA, the American evergreen, _Gaultheria procumbens_.--OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN, a popular name for the chief of the 11th century _Hashsh[=a]sh[=i]n_ (see ASSASSIN). [O. Fr. _montaine_--Low L. _montana_, a mountain--L. _montanus_--_mons_, _montis_.]

MOUNTANT, mownt'ant, _adj._ (_Shak._) rising on high. [Fr. _montant_, pr.p. of _monter_, to mount.]

MOUNTEBANK, mown'te-bangk, _n._ a quack-doctor who boasts of his skill and his medicines: a boastful pretender.--_adj._ pertaining to such, sham.--_v.t._ to cheat by false pretences, to humbug.--_v.i._ to play the mountebank.--_ns._ MOUN'TEBANKERY, MOUN'TEBANKING, MOUN'TEBANKISM. [It. _montambanco_--_montare_, to mount, _in_, on, _banco_, a bench.]

MOURN, m[=o]rn, _v.i._ to grieve: to be sorrowful: to wear mourning.--_v.t._ to grieve for: to utter in a sorrowful manner.--_n._ MOURN'ER, one who mourns, one who attends a funeral in mourning-dress, esp. one of those related to the deceased.--_adj._ MOURN'FUL, mourning: causing or expressing sorrow: feeling grief.--_adv._ MOURN'FULLY.--_n._ MOURN'FULNESS.--_adj._ MOURN'ING, grieving: lamenting.--_n._ the act of expressing grief: the dress of mourners, or other tokens of mourning.--_ns._ MOURN'ING-BRIDE, the sweet scabious; MOURN'ING-CLOAK, an undertaker's cloak, formerly worn at a funeral; MOURN'ING-COACH, a closed carriage for carrying mourners to a funeral; MOURN'ING-DOVE, the common American turtle-dove.--_adv._ MOURN'INGLY.--_ns._ MOURN'ING-PIECE, a picture intended to be a memorial of the dead; MOURN'ING-RING, a ring worn in memorial of a dead person; MOURN'ING-STUFF, a lustreless black dress fabric, as crape, cashmere, &c., for making mourning clothes. [A.S. _murnan_, _meornan_; Old High Ger. _morn[=e]n_, to grieve.]

MOUSE, mows, _n._ a little rodent animal found in houses and in the fields:--_pl._ MICE (m[=i]s): one of various animals like the mouse, the _flitter_-mouse, _shrew_-mouse: part of a hind-leg of beef, next the round--also MOUSE'-BUTT'OCK and MOUSE'-PIECE: a match for firing a cannon or mine: a small cushion for a woman's hair: (_slang_) a black eye, or discoloured swelling: a term of endearment.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ (mowz), to hunt for mice: to pursue slyly: to prowl: to tear as a cat tears a mouse: (_naut._) to pass a turn or two of rope yarn round the point of a tackle-hook to prevent its unhooking.--_ns._ MOUSE'-EAR, a name of several plants with soft leaves shaped like a mouse's ear; MOUSE'-HOLE, a hole for mice: a small hole or opening; MOUSE'-HUNT (_Shak._), a mouser; MOUSE'KIN, MOUS'IE, a young mouse; MOUS'ER, a catcher of mice; MOUS'ERY, a resort of mice; MOUSE'-SIGHT, myopia; MOUSE'TAIL, a small plant with a spike of seed-vessels very like the tail of a mouse; MOUSE'-TRAP, a trap for catching mice; MOUS'ING, act of catching mice.--_adj._ given to catching mice.--_adj._ MOUS'Y, like a mouse in colour or smell: abounding with mice. [A.S. _m['u]s_, pl. _m['y]s_; Ger. _maus_, L. and Gr. _mus_.]

MOUSQUETAIRE, m[=oo]s-ke-t[=a]r', _n._ a musketeer: a woman's cloak trimmed with ribbons, with large buttons, fashionable about 1855: a broad turnover linen collar worn a few years earlier.--MOUSQUETAIRE GLOVE, a woman's glove, long-armed, loose at top, without slit lengthwise. [Fr.]

MOUSSELINE, m[=oo]-se-l[=e]n', _n._ fine French muslin: a very thin glass for claret-glasses.--_n._ MOUSSELINE'-DE-LAINE, an untwilled woollen cloth, in many colours and varied patterns. [Fr.]