M – Majority

M

M is the thirteenth letter of the English Alphabet, and a labial articulation, formed by a compression of the lips. It is called a semi-vowel, as the articulation or compression of the lips is accompanied with a humming sound through the nose, which constitutes a difference between this letter and b. Its sound is uniform; as in man, time, rim.

M is a numeral letter, and among the ancients stood for a thousand; a use which is retained by the moderns. With a dash or stroke over it, it stands for a thousand times a thousand, or a million.

As an abbreviation, m stands for Marcus, Martius, Manlius or Mutius.

A.M. or M.A. stands for artium magister, master of arts; m D. for medicinoe doctor, doctor of medicine; adjective M. for anno mundi, the year of the world; MS, for manuscript; MSS, for manuscripts.

In astronomical tables, m stands for meridian, meridional, or mid-day.

In medical prescriptions, m stands for maniple, or handful, or misce, mix, or mixtura, a mixture.

In the late British Pharmacopaeias it signifies mensura, by measure.

In law, m is a brand or stigma impressed on one convicted of manslaughter, and admitted to the benefit of clergy.

Mab

MAB, noun In northern mythology, the queen of the imaginary beings called fairies.

1. A slattern.

MAB, verb intransitive To dress negligently.

Mac

MAC, in names of Scotch and Irish origin, signifies son. [See Maid.]

Macao

MACA'O, noun The name of a race of beautiful fowls of the parrot kind, under the genus Psittacus.

MACAW'-TREE, noun A species of palm tree.

Macaroni

MACARO'NI, noun [Gr. happy.]

1. A kind of biscuit made of flour, eggs, sugar and almonds, and dressed with butter and spices.

2. A sort of droll or fool, and hence, a fop; a fribble; a finical fellow.

Macaronic

MACARON'IC, adjective Pertaining to or like a macaroni; empty; trifling; vain; affected.

1. Consisting of a mixture or jumble of ill formed or ill connected words.

MACARON'IC, noun A kind of burlesque poetry, in which native words are made to end in Latin terminations, or Latin words are modernized.

Macaroon

MACAROON, the same as macaroni.

Macauco

MACAU'CO, noun A name of several species of quadrupeds of the genus Lemur.

Macaw

MACAW'

MAC'CABEES, noun The name of two apocryphal books in the Bible.

Maccabees

MAC'CABEES, n. The name of two apocryphal books in the Bible.

Maccoboy

MAC'COBOY, noun A kind of snuff.

Mace

MACE, noun An ensign of authority borne before magistrates. Originally, the mace was a club or instrument of war, made of iron and much used by cavalry. It was in the shape of a coffee mill. Being no longer a weapon of war, its form is changed; it is made of silver or copper gilt, and ornamented with a crown, globe and cross.

A leaden mace

A heavy iron mace

MACE, noun [Latin macis.] A spice; the second coat which covers the nutmeg, a thin and membranaceous substance of an oleaginous nature and yellowish color, being in flakes divided into many ramifications; it is extremely fragrant and aromatic.

Mace-Ale

MA'CE-ALE, noun Ale spiced with mace.

Mace-Bearer

MA'CE-BEARER, noun A person who carries a mace before men in authority.

Mace-Reed

MACE-REED, or REED-MACE, noun A plant of the genus Typha.

Macerate

MAC'ERATE, verb transitive [Latin macero, from macer, thin, lean; maceo, to be thin or lean; Eng. meager, meek.]

1. To make lean; to wear away.

2. To mortify; to harass with corporeal hardships; to cause to pine or waste away.

Out of excessive zeal they macerate their bodies and impair their health.

3. To steep almost to solution; to soften and separate the parts of a substance by steeping it in a fluid, or by the digestive process. So we say, food is macerated in the stomach.

Macerated

MAC'ERATED, participle passive Made thin or lean; steeped almost to solution.

Macerating

MAC'ERATING, participle present tense Making lean; steeping almost to solution; softening.

Maceration

MACERA'TION, noun The act or the process of making thin or lean by wearing away, or by mortification.

1. The act, process or operation of softening and almost dissolving by steeping in a fluid.

The saliva serves for the maceration and dissolution of the meat into chyle.

Machiavelian

MACHIAVE'LIAN, adjective [from Machiavel, an Italian writer, secretary and historiographer to the republic of Florence.]

Pertaining to Machiavel, or denoting his principles; politically cunning; crafty; cunning in political management.

MACHIAVE'LIAN, noun One who adopts the principles of Machiavel.

Machiavelism

MACH'IAVELISM, noun The principles of Machiavel, or practice in conformity to them; political cunning and artifice, intended to favor arbitrary power.

Machicolation

MACHICOLA'TION, noun In old castles, the pouring of hot substances through apertures in the upper part of the gate assailants; or the apertures themselves.

Machinal

MACH'INAL, adjective [See Machine.] Pertaining to machines.

Machinate

MACH'INATE, verb transitive [Latin machinor.]

To plan; to contrive; to form a scheme.

Machinated

MACH'INATED, participle passive Planned; contrived.

Machinating

MACH'INATING, participle present tense Contriving; scheming.

Machination

MACHINA'TION, noun The act of planning or contriving a scheme for executing some purpose, particularly an evil purpose; an artful design formed with deliberation.

Machinator

MACH'INATOR, noun One that forms a scheme, or who plots with evil designs.

Machine

MACHINE, noun [Latin machina.] An artificial work, simple or complicated, that serves to apply or regulate moving power, or to produce motion, so as to save time or force. The simple machines are the six mechanical powers, viz.; the lever, the pulley, the axis and wheel, the wedge, the screw, and the inclined plane. Complicated machines are such as combine two or more of these powers for the production of motion or force.

1. An engine; an instrument of force.

With inward arms the dire machine they load.

2. Supernatural agency in a poem, or a superhuman being introduced into a poem to perform some exploit.

Machinery

MACHINERY, noun A complicated work, or combination of mechanical powers in a work, designed to increase, regulate or apply motion and force; as the machinery of a watch or other chronometer.

1. Machines in general. The machinery of a cotton-mill is often moved by a single wheel.

2. In epic and dramatic poetry, superhuman beings introduced by the poet to solve difficulty, or perform some exploit which exceeds human power; or the word may signify the agency of such beings, as supposed deities, angels, demons and the like.

Nee Deus intersit, nisi dignus vindice nodus Incidit.

A deity is not to be introduced, unless a difficulty occurs that requires the intervention of a god.

The machinery of Milton's Paradise Lost, consists of numerous superhuman personages. Pope's Rape of the Lock is rendered very interesting by the machinery of sylphs.

Machining

MACHINING, adjective Denoting the machinery of a poem. [Not used.]

Machinist

MACH'INIST, noun A constructor of machines and engines, or one well versed in the principles of machines.

Macigno

MACIG'NO, noun A species of stone of two varieties, one of a grayish yellow color, the other of a bluish gray color.

Macilency

MAC'ILENCY, noun [See Macilent.] Leanness.

Macilent

MAC'ILENT, adjective [Latin macilentus, from macer, lean, thin. See Macerate.] Lean; thin; having little flesh.

Mackerel

MACK'EREL, noun [Latin macula, a spot; the spotted fish.]

A species of fish of the genus Scomber, an excellent table fish.

MACK'EREL, noun A pander or pimp.

Mackerel-gale, in Dryden, may mean a gate that ripples the surface of the sea, or one which is suitable for catching mackerel as this fish is caught with the bait in motion.

Mackerel-Sky

MACK'EREL-SKY, noun A sky streaked or marked like a mackerel.

Macle

MAC'LE, noun A name given to chiastolite or hollow spar.

Maclurite

MACLU'RITE, noun A mineral of a brilliant pale green color, so called in honor of Maclure, the mineralogist.

Macrocosm

MAC'ROCOSM, noun [Gr. great, and world.] The great world; the universe, or the visible system of worlds; opposed to microcosm, or the world of man.

Macrology

MACROL'OGY, noun [Gr. great, and discourse.] Long and tedious talk; prolonged discourse without matter; superfluity of words.

Mactation

MACTA'TION, noun [Latin macto, to kill.]

The act of killing a victim for sacrifice.

Macula

MAC'ULA, noun [Latin] A spot, as on the skin, or on the surface of the sun or other luminous orb.

Maculate

MAC'ULATE, verb transitive [Latin maculo.] To spot; to stain.

MAC'ULATE

Maculated

MAC'ULATED, adjective Spotted.

Maculation

MACULA'TION, noun The act of spotting a spot; a stain.

Macule

MAC'ULE, noun A spot. [supra.] [Little used.]

Mad

MAD, adjective

1. Disordered in intellect; distracted; furious.

We must bind our passions in chains, lest like mad folks, they break their locks and bolts.

2. Proceeding from disordered intellect or expressing it; as a mad demeanor.

3. Enraged; furious; as a mad bull.

And being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them, even to strange cities. Acts 26:11.

4. Inflamed to excess with desire; excited with violent and unreasonable passion or appetite; infatuated; followed properly by after.

The world is running made after farce, the extremity of bad poetry.

'Mad upon their idols, ' would be better rendered, 'Mad after their idols.' Jeremiah 1:1.

5. Distracted with anxiety or trouble; extremely perplexed.

Thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes--

Deuteronomy 28:34.

6. Infatuated with folly.

The spiritual man is mad Hosea 9.

7. Inflamed with anger; very angry. [This is a common and perhaps the most general sense of the word in America. It is thus used by Arbuthnot, and is perfectly proper.]

8. Proceeding from folly or infatuation.

MAD wars destroy in one year the works of many years of peace.

MAD, verb transitive To make mad furious or angry.

MAD, verb intransitive To be mad furious or wild.

Mad-Cap

MAD-CAP, adjective [mad-caput or cap.]

A violent, rash, hot-headed person; a madman.

Madam

MAD'AM, noun An appellation or complimentary title given to married and elderly ladies, or chiefly to them.

Madapple

MAD'APPLE, noun A plant of the genus Solanum.

Madbrain

MAD'BRAIN

MAD'BRAINED, adjective Disordered in mind; hot-headed; rash.

Madbrained

MAD'BRAINED, a. Disordered in mind; hot-headed; rash.

Madden

MAD'DEN, verb transitive mad'n. To make mad.

MAD'DEN, verb intransitive To become mad; to act as if mad.

They rave, recite and madden round the land.

Maddened

MAD'DENED, participle passive Rendered mad.

Maddening

MAD'DENING, participle present tense Making mad or angry.

Madder

MAD'DER, noun A plant of the genus Rubia, one species of which is much used in dyeing red. The root is used in medicine as an aperient and detergent, and is in great reputation as an emmenagogue. It is cultivated in France and Holland.

Madding

MAD'DING, participle present tense of mad. Raging; furious.

MADE, preterit tense and participle passive of make.

Made

MADE, noun An earthworm. [But this is the Eng.moth.]

Madefaction

MADEFAC'TION, noun [Latin madefacio.] The act of making wet.

Madefied

MAD'EFIED, participle passive Made wet.

Madefy

MAD'EFY, verb transitive [Latin madefio.] To make wet or moist; to moisten. [Not much used.]

Madefying

MAD'EFYING, participle present tense Making moist or wet.

Madeira

MADEIRA, noun A rich wine made on the isle of madeira

Mademoiselle

MADEMOISELLE, noun A young woman, or the title given to one; miss; also, the puppet sent from the French metropolis to exhibit the prevailing fashions.

Madheaded

MAD'HEADED, noun Hot brained; rash.

Madhouse

MAD'HOUSE, noun A house where insane persons are confined for cure or for restraint.

Madid

MAD'ID, adjective [Latin madidus.] Wet; moist. [Not in use.]

Madly

MAD'LY, adverb [from mad.] Without reason or understanding; rashly; wildly.

1. With extreme folly or infatuated zeal or passion.

Madman

MAD'MAN, noun A man raving or furious with disordered intellect; a distracted man.

1. A man without understanding.

2. One inflamed with extravagant passion, and acting contrary to reason.

Madness

MAD'NESS, noun [from mad.] Distraction; a state of disordered reason or intellect, in which the patient raves or is furious.

There are degrees of madness as of folly.

1. Extreme folly; headstrong passion and rashness that act in opposition to reason; as the madness of a mob.

2. Wildness of passion; fury; rage; as the madness of despair.

Madona

MADO'NA

MADON'NA, noun A term of compellation equivalent to madam. It is given to the virgin Mary.

Madonna

MADON'NA, n. A term of compellation equivalent to madam. It is given to the virgin Mary.

Madrepore

MAD'REPORE, noun A submarine substance of a stony hardness, resembling coral. It consists of carbonate of lime with some animal matter. It is of a white color, wrinkled on the surface, and full of cavities or cells, inhabited by a small animal. From a liquor discharged by this animal, the substance is said to be formed. Madrepores constitute a genus of polypiers, of variable forms, always garnished with radiated plates.

Madreporite

MAD'REPORITE, noun A name given to certain petrified bones found in Normandy, in France, belonging to a cetaceous fish or to a species of crocodile. These bones contain many little brown lines in zigzag, resembling entangled threads. They have none of the properties of madrepore.

MAD'REPORITE, noun A variety of limestone, so called on account of its occurring in radiated prismatic concretions resembling the stars of madrepores. When rubbed, it emits the smell of sulphurated hydrogen gas.

1. Fossil madrepore.

Madrier

MADRIE'R, noun A thick plank armed with iron plates, with a cavity to receive the mouth of a petard, with which it is applied to any thing intended to be broken down; also, a plank used for supporting the earth in mines.

Madrigal

MAD'RIGAL, noun

1. A little amorous poem, sometimes called a pastoral poem, containing a certain number of free unequal verses, not confined to the scrupulous regularity of a sonnet or the subtilty of the epigram, but containing some tender and delicate, though simple thought, suitably expressed.

2. An elaborate vocal composition in five or six parts.

Madwort

MAD'WORT, noun A plant of the genus Alyssum.

Maestoso

MAESTO'SO, an Italian word signifying majestic, a direction in music to play the part with grandeur and strength.

Maffle

MAF'FLE, verb intransitive To stammer. [Not in use.]

Magazine

MAGAZINE, noun

1. A store of arms, ammunition or provisions; or the building in which such store is deposited. It is usually a public store or storehouse.

2. In ships of war, a close room in the hold, where the gunpowder is kept. Large ships have usually two magazines.

3. A pamphlet periodically published, containing miscellaneous papers or compositions. The first publication of this kind in England, was the Gentleman's magazine which first appeared in 1731, under the name of Sylvanus Urban, by Edward Cave, and which is still continued.

Magaziner

MAGAZINER, noun One who writes for a magazine. [Little used.]

Mage

MAGE, noun A magician. [Not used.]

MAGEllanic clouds, whitish clouds, or appearances like clouds near the south pole, which revolve like the stars; so called from Magellan, the navigator. They are three in number.

Maggot

MAG'GOT, noun

1. A worm or grub; particularly, the flyworm, from the egg of the large blue or green fly. This maggot changes into a fly.

2. A whim; an odd fancy.

Maggoty

MAG'GOTY, adjective Full of maggots.

Maggoty-Headed

MAG'GOTY-HEADED, adjective Having a head full of whims.

Magi

MA'GI, noun plural [Latin] Wise men or philosophers of the East.

Magian

MA'GIAN, adjective [Latin magus.] Pertaining to the Magi, a sect of philosophers in Persia.

MA'GIAN, noun One of the sect of the Persian Magi, who hold that there are two principles, one that cause of good, the other of evil. The knowledge of these philosophers was deemed by the vulgar to be supernatural.

Magianism

MA'GIANISM, noun The philosophy or doctrines of the Magi.

Magic

MAG'IC, noun [Latin magia; Gr. a philosopher among the Persians.]

1. The art or science of putting into action the power of spirits; or the science of producing wonderful effects by the aid of superhuman beings, or of departed spirits; sorcery; enchantment. [This art or science is now discarded.]

2. The secret operations of natural causes.

Natural magic the application of natural causes to passive subjects, by which surprising effects are produced.magic, attributes to spirits a kind of dominion over the planets, and to the planets an influence over men.

Superstitious or geotic magic consists in the invocation of devils or demons, and supposes some tacit or express agreement between them and human beings.

Magic square, a square figure, formed by a series of numbers in mathematical proportion, so disposed in parallel and equal ranks, as that the sums of each row or line taken perpendicularly, horizontally, or diagonally, are equal.

Magic lantern, a dioptric machine invented by Kircher, which, by means of a map in a dark room, exhibits images of objects in their distinct colors and proportions, with the appearance of life itself.

MAG'IC

Magical

MAG'ICAL, adjective Pertaining to magic; used in magic; as a magic wand; magic art.

1. Performed by magic, the agency of spirits, or by the invisible powers of nature; as magical effects.

Magically

MAG'ICALLY, adverb By the arts of magic; according to the rules or rites of magic; by enchantment.

Magician

MAGI'CIAN, noun One skilled in magic; one that practices the black art; an enchanter; a necromancer; a sorcerer or sorceress.

Magisterial

MAGISTE'RIAL, adjective [See Magistrate.] Pertaining to a master; such as suits a master; authoritative.

1. Proud; lofty; arrogant; imperious; domineering.

Pretenses go a great way with men that take fair words and magisterial looks for current payment.

2. In chimistry, pertaining to magistery, which see.

Magisterially

MAGISTE'RIALLY, adverb With the air of a master; arrogantly; authoritatively.

Magisterialness

MAGISTE'RIALNESS, noun The air and manner of a master; haughtiness; imperiousness; peremptoriness.

Magistery

MAG'ISTERY, noun [Latin magisterium.] Among chimists, a precipitate; a fine substance deposited by precipitation; usually applied to particular kinds of precipitate, as that of bismuth, coal, crab's eyes, sulphur, etc.

Magistracy

MAG'ISTRACY, adjective [See Magistrate.] The office or dignity of a magistrate.

Duelling is not only an usurpation of the divine prerogative, but it is an insult upon magistracy

1. The body of magistrates.

Magistral

MAG'ISTRAL, adjective Suiting a magistrate; authoritative.

MAG'ISTRAL, noun A sovereign medicine or remedy.

Magistrality

MAGISTRAL'ITY, noun Despotic authority in opinion.

Magistrally

MAG'ISTRALLY, adverb Authoritatively; with imperiousness.

Magistrate

MAG'ISTRATE, noun [Latin magistratus, from magister, master; magis, major, and ster, Teutonic steora, a director; steoran, to steer; the principal director.] A public civil officer, invested with the executive government of some branch of it. In this sense, a king is the highest or first magistrate as is the President of the United States. But the word is more particularly applied to subordinate officers, as governors, intendants, prefects, mayors, justices of the peace, and the like.

The magistrate must have his reverence; the laws their authority.

Magistratic

MAGISTRAT'IC, adjective Having the authority of a magistrate.

Magistrature

MAG'ISTRATURE, noun Magistracy. [Little used.]

MAGNA CHARTA, noun [Latin great charter.]

1. The great charter, so called obtained by the English barons from king John, adjective D.1215. This name is also given to the charter granted to the people of England in the ninth year of Henry III. and confirmed by Edward I.

2. A fundamental constitution which guarantees rights and privileges.

Magnanimity

MAGNANIM'ITY, noun [Latin magnanimitas; magnus, great, and animus, mind.] Greatness of mind; that elevation or dignity of soul, which encounters danger and trouble with tranquillity and firmness, which raises the possessor above revenge, and makes him delight in acts of benevolence, which makes him disdain injustice and meanness, and prompts him to sacrifice personal ease, interest and safety for the accomplishment of useful and noble objects.

Magnanimous

MAGNAN'IMOUS, adjective [Latin magnanimus.]

1. Great of mind; elevated in soul or in sentiment; brave; disinterested; as a magnanimous prince or general.

2. Dictated by magnanimity; exhibiting nobleness of soul; liberal and honorable; not selfish.

There is an indissoluble union between a magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity.

Magnanimously

MAGNAN'IMOUSLY, adverb With greatness of mind; bravely; with dignity and elevation of sentiment.

Magnesia

MAGNE'SIA, noun s as z. [Gr. the lodestone.]

1. A primitive earth, having for its base a metallic substance, called magnesium. It is generally found in combination with other substances. It is absorbent and antacid, and moderately cathartic.

Magnesian

MAGNE'SIAN, adjective Pertaining to magnesia, or partaking of its qualities.

Magnesite

MAG'NESITE, noun Carbonated magnesia, or magnesia combined with silex. It occurs in amorphous masses, or in masses tuberous and spungiform; its color is yellowish gray, or white with spots, and dendritic delineations of blackish brown.

Magnesium

MAGNE'SIUM, noun The undecomposable base of magnesia.

Magnet

MAG'NET, noun [Latin from Gr. Magnesia, in Asia Minor.] The lodestone; an ore of iron which has the peculiar properties of attracting metallic iron, of pointing to the poles, and of dipping or inclining downwards. These properties it communicates to iron by contact. A bar of iron to which these properties are imparted, is called an artificial magnet

Magnetic

MAGNET'IC

MAGNET'ICAL, adjective Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the magnet, or corresponding properties; as a magnetic bar of iron, or a magnetic needle.

1. Attractive.

She that had all magnetic force along--

Magnetical

MAGNET'ICAL, a. Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the magnet, or corresponding properties; as a magnetic bar of iron, or a magnetic needle. 1. Attractive. She that had all magnetic force along--

Magnetically

MAGNET'ICALLY, adverb By means of magnetism; by the power of attraction.

Magneticalness

MAGNET'ICALNESS, noun The quality of being magnetic.

Magnetics

MAGNET'ICS, noun The science or principles of magnetism.

Magnetiferous

MAGNETIF'EROUS, adjective Producing or conducting magnetism.

Magnetism

MAG'NETISM, noun That branch of science which treats of the properties of the magnet, the power of the lodestone, etc.

1. Power of attraction; as the magnetism of interest.

Animal magnetism a sympathy supposed to exist between the magnet and the human body, by means of which the magnet is said to be able to cure diseases; or a fluid supposed to exist throughout nature, and to be the medium of influence between celestial bodies, and the earth and human bodies.

Magnetize

MAG'NETIZE, verb transitive To communicate magnetic properties to any thing; as, to magnetize a needle.

Seven of Deslon's patients were magnetized at Dr. Franklin's house.

MAG'NETIZE, verb intransitive To acquire magnetic properties; to become magnetic. A bar of iron standing some time in an inclined position, will magnetize

Magnetized

MAG'NETIZED, participle passive Made magnetic.

Magnetizing

MAG'NETIZING, participle present tense Imparting magnetism to.

Magnifiable

MAG'NIFIABLE, adjective [See Magnify.] That may be magnified; worthy of being magnified or extolled.

Magnific

MAGNIF'IC

MAGNIF'ICAL, adjective [Latin magnificus.] Grand; splendid; illustrious.

Magnifical

MAGNIF'ICAL, a. [L. magnificus.] Grand; splendid; illustrious.

Magnifically

MAGNIFICALLY, adverb In a magnificent manner.

Magnificate

MAGNIF'ICATE, verb transitive To magnify or extol. [Not used.]

Magnificence

MAGNIFICENCE, noun [Latin magnificentia.] Grandeur of appearance; greatness and splendor of show or state; as the magnificence of a palace or of a procession; the magnificence of a Roman triumph.

Magnificent

MAGNIF'ICENT, adjective Grand in appearance; splendid; pompous.

Man he made, and for him built

Magnificent this world.

1. Exhibiting grandeur.

Magnificently

MAGNIF'ICENTLY, adverb With splendor of appearance, or pomp of show. The minister was magnificently entertained at court.

1. With exalted sentiments. We can never conceive too magnificently of the Creator and his works.

Magnifico

MAGNIF'ICO, noun A grandee of Venice.

Magnifier

MAG'NIFIER, noun [from magnify.] One who magnifies; one who extols or exalts in praises.

1. A glass that magnifies; a convex lens which increases the apparent magnitude of bodies.

Magnify

MAGNIFY, verb transitive [Latin magnifico; magnus, great, and facio, to make.]

1. To make great or greater; to increase the apparent dimensions of a body. A convex lens magnifies the bulk of a body to the eye.

2. To make great in representation; to extol; to exalt in description or praise. The embassador magnified the king and queen.

3. To extol; to exalt; to elevate; to raise in estimation.

Thee that day

Thy thunders magnified.

The Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly. 1 Chronicles 29:1.

To magnify one's self, to raise in pride and pretensions.

He shall magnify in his heart. Daniel 8:25.

Magnifying

MAG'NIFYING, participle present tense Enlarging apparent bulk or dimensions; extolling; exalting.

Magniloquence

MAGNIL'OQUENCE, noun [Latin magnus, great, and loquens, speaking.]

A lofty manner of speaking; tumid, pompous words or style.

Magnitude

MAG'NITUDE, noun [Latin magnitudo.] Extent of dimensions or parts; bulk; size; applied to things that have length, breadth or thickness.

1. Greatness; grandeur.

With plain heroic magnitude of mind.

2. Greatness, in reference to influence or effect; importance. In affairs or magnitude disdain not to take counsel.

Magnolia

MAGNO'LIA, noun The laurel-leafed tulip tree, of several species.

Magpie

MAG'PIE, noun [Latin pica, with mag.] A chattering bird of the genus Corvus.

Maguey

MAG'UEY, adjective A species of aloe in Mexico, which furnished the natives with timber for their buildings. Its leaves were used for covering the roofs of their houses, and for paper, clothing and cordage.

The maguey is a species of the Genus Agave, and is now cultivated in Mexico, for the purpose of preparing from its leaves a spirituous liquor called pulque.

Mahogany

MAHOG'ANY, noun A tree of the genus Swietenia, growing in the tropical climates of America. The wood is of a reddish or brown color, very hard, and susceptible of a fine polish. Of this are made our most beautiful and durable pieces of cabinet furniture.

Mahometan

MAHOM'ETAN

MA'HOUND, noun Formerly a contemptuous name for Mohammed and the devil, etc.

Maid

MAID, noun A species of skate fish.

Maid-Servant

MA'ID-SERVANT, noun A female servant.

Maiden

MA'IDEN, noun

1. An unmarried woman, or a young unmarried woman; a virgin.

2. A female servant.

3. It is used in composition, to express the feminine gender, as in maid-servant.

MA'IDEN, noun A maid; also, an instrument for beheading criminals, and another for washing linen.

MA'IDEN, adjective Pertaining to a young woman or virgin; as maiden charms.

1. Consisting of young women or virgins.

Amid the maiden throng.

2. Fresh; new; unused.

He fleshed his maiden sword.

MA'IDEN, verb intransitive To speak and act demurely or modestly.

Maidenhair

MA'IDENHAIR, noun A plant of the genus Adiantum.

Maidenhood

MA'IDENHOOD, noun

1. The state of being a maid or virgin; virginity.

The modest lore of maidenhood

2. Newness; freshness; uncontaminated state.

Maidenlike

MA'IDENLIKE, adjective Like a maid; modest.

Maidenliness

MA'IDENLINESS, noun The behavior that becomes a maid; modesty; gentleness.

Maidenlip

MA'IDENLIP, noun A plant.

Maidenly

MA'IDENLY, adjective Like a maid; gentle; modest; reserved.

MA'IDENLY, adverb In a maidenlike manner.

Maidhood

MA'IDHOOD, noun Virginity.

Maidmarian

MAIDMAR'IAN, noun A dance; so called from a buffoon dressed like a man.

Maidpale

MA'IDPALE, adjective Pale, like a sick girl.

Mail

MAIL, noun [Latin macula.]

1. A coat of steel net-work, formerly worn for defending the body against swords, poniards, etc. The mail was of two sorts, chain and plate mail; the former consisting of iron rings, each having four others inserted into it; the latter consisting of a number of small lamins of metal, laid over one another like the scales of a fish, and sewed down to a strong linen or leathern jacket.

2. Armor; that which defends the body.

We strip the lobster of his scarlet mail

We read also of shirts of mail and gloves of mail

3. In ships, a square machine composed of rings interwoven, like net-work, used for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage.

4. A rent. Also, a spot.

MAIL, noun A bag for the conveyance of letters and papers, particularly letters conveyed from one post office to another, under public authority.

MAIL, verb transitive To put on a coat of mail or armor; to arm defensively.

1. To inclose in a wrapper and direct to a post office. We say, letters were mailed for Philadelphia.

Mail-Coach

MA'IL-COACH, noun A coach that conveys the public mails.

Mailed

MA'ILED, participle passive Covered with a mail or with armor; inclosed and directed, as letters in a bundle.

1. adjective Spotted; speckled.

Mailing

MA'ILING, participle present tense Investing with a coat of mail; inclosing in a wrapper and directing to a post office.

Maim

MAIM, verb transitive

1. To deprive of the use of a limb, so as to render a person less able to defend himself in fighting, or to annoy his adversary.

2. To deprive of a necessary part; to cripple; to disable.

You maim'd the jurisdiction of all bishops.

MAIM, noun [written in law-language, mayhem.]

1. The privation of the use of a limb or member of the body, so as to render the sufferer less able to defend himself or to annoy his adversary.

2. The privation of any necessary part; a crippling.

Surely there is more cause to fear lest the want thereof be a maim than the use of it a blemish.

3. Injury; mischief.

4. Essential defect.

A noble author esteems it to be a maim in history. [Not used.]

Maimed

MA'IMED, participle passive Crippled; disabled in limbs; lame.

Maimedness

MA'IMEDNESS, noun A state of being maimed.

Maiming

MA'IMING, participle present tense Disabling by depriving of the use of a limb; crippling; rendering lame or defective.

Main

MAIN, adjective [Latin magnus.]

1. Principal; chief; that which has most power in producing an effect, or which is mostly regarded in prospect; as the main branch or tributary stream of a river; the main timbers of an edifice; a main design; a main object.

Our main interest is to be as happy as we can, and as long as possible.

2. Mighty; vast; as the main abyss.

3. Important; powerful.

This young prince, with a train of young noblemen and gentlemen, not with any main army, came over to take possession of his patrimony.

MAIN, noun Strength; force; violent effort; as in the phrase, 'with might and main '

1. The gross; the bulk; the greater part.

The main of them may be reduced to language and an improvement in wisdom--

2. The ocean; the great sea, as distinguished from rivers, bays, sounds and the like.

He fell, and struggling in the main--

3. The continent, as distinguished from an isle. We arrived at Nantucket on Saturday, but did not reach the main till Monday. In this use of the word, land is omitted; main for main land.

4. A hamper.

5. A course; a duct.

For the main in the main for the most part; in the greatest part.

MAIN, noun [Latin manus, hand.] A hand at dice. We throw a merry main

And lucky mains make people wise. [Not used.]

1. A match at cock fighting.

Main-Keel

MA'IN-KEEL, noun The principal keel, as distinguished from the false keel.

Main-Land

MA'IN-LAND, noun The continent; the principal land, as opposed to an isle.

Main-Mast

MA'IN-MAST, noun The principal mast in a ship or other vessel.

Main-Sail

MA'IN-SAIL, noun The principal sail in a ship. The main-sail of a ship or brig is extended by a yard attached to the main-mast, and that of a sloop, by the boom.

Main-Sheet

MA'IN-SHEET, noun The sheet that extends and fastens the main-sail.

Main-Top

MA'IN-TOP, noun The top of the main-mast of a ship or brig.

Main-Yard

MA'IN-YARD, noun The yard on which the main-sail is extended, supported by the main-mast.

Mainly

MA'INLY, adverb Chiefly; principally.

He is mainly occupied with domestic concerns.

1. Greatly; to a great degree; mightily.

Mainor

MA'INOR, noun [ Latin a manu, from the hand, or in the work.] The old law phrase, to be taken as a thief with the mainor signifies, to be taken in the very act of killing venison or stealing wood, or in preparing so to do; or it denotes the being taken with the thing stolen upon him.

Mainpernable

MAINPERN'ABLE, adjective That may be admitted to give surety by mainpernors; that may be mainprized.

Mainpernor

MAINPERN'OR, noun In law, a surety for a prisoner's appearance in court at a day. Mainpernors differ from bail, in that a man's bail may imprison or surrender him before the stipulated day of appearance; mainpernors can do neither; they are bound to produce him to answer all charges whatsoever.

Mainprize

MA'INPRIZE, noun

1. In law, a writ directed to the sheriff, commanding him to take sureties for the prisoner's appearance, and to let him go at large. These sureties are called mainpernors.

2. Deliverance of a prisoner on security for his appearance at a day.

MA'INPRIZE, verb transitive To suffer a prisoner to go at large, on his finding sureties, mainpernors, for his appearance at a day.

Mainswear

MA'INSWEAR, verb intransitive To swear falsely; to perjure one's self.

Maintain

MAINTA'IN, verb transitive [Latin manus and teneo.]

1. To hold, preserve or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present character or reputation.

2. To hold; to keep; not to lose or surrender; as, to maintain a place or post.

3. To continue; not to suffer to cease; as, to maintain a conversation.

4. To keep up; to uphold; to support the expense of; as, to maintain state or equipage.

What maintains one vice would bring up two children.

5. To support with food, clothing and other conveniences; as, to maintain a family by trade or labor.

6. To support by intellectual powers, or by force of reason; as, to maintain an argument.

7. To support; to defend; to vindicate; to justify; to prove to be just; as, to maintain one's right or cause.

8. To support by assertion or argument; to affirm.

In tragedy and satire, I maintain that this age and the last have excelled the ancients.

Maintainable

MAINTA'INABLE, adjective That may be maintained, supported, preserved or sustained.

1. That may be defended or kept by force or resistance; as, a military post is not maintainable

2. That may be defended by argument or just claim; vindicable; defensible.

Maintained

MAINTA'INED, participle passive Kept in any state; preserved; upheld; supported; defended; vindicated.

Maintainer

MAINTA'INER, noun One who supports, preserves, sustains or vindicates.

Maintaining

MAINTA'INING, participle present tense Supporting; preserving; upholding; defending; vindicating.

Maintenance

MA'INTENANCE, noun Sustenance; sustentation; support by means of supplies of food, clothing and other conveniences; as, his labor contributed little to the maintenance of his family.

1. Means of support; that which supplies conveniences.

Those of better fortune not making learning their maintenance

2. Support; protection; defense; vindication; as the maintenance of right or just claims.

3. Continuance; security from failure or decline.

Whatever is granted to the church for God's honor and the maintenance of his service, is granted to God.

4. In law, an officious intermeddling in a suit in which the person has no interest, by assisting either party with money or means to prosecute or defend it. This is a punishable offense. But to assist a poor kinsman from compassion, is not maintenance

Maister

MAISTER, for master, is obsolete.

Maistress

MAISTRESS, for mistress, is obsolete.

Maiz

MAIZ, noun A plant of the genus Zea, the native corn of America, called Indian corn.

Maja

MA'JA, noun A bird of Cuba, of a beautiful yellow color, whose flesh is accounted a delicacy.

Majestic

MAJES'TIC, adjective [from majesty.] August; having dignity of person or appearance; grand; princely. The prince was majestic in person and appearance.

In his face

Sat meekness, hightened with majestic grace.

1. Splendid; grand.

Get the start of this majestic world.

2. Elevated; lofty.

The least portions must be of the epic kind; all must be grave, majestic and sublime.

3. Stately; becoming majesty; as a majestic air or walk.

Majestical

MAJES'TICAL, adjective Majestic. [Little used.]

Majestically

MAJES'TICALLY, adverb With dignity; with grandeur; with a lofty air or appearance.

Majesty

MAJ'ESTY, noun [Latin majestas, from the root of magis, major, more, greater.]

1. Greatness of appearance; dignity; grandeur; dignity of aspect or manner; the quality or state of a person or thing which inspires awe or reverence in the beholder; applied with peculiar propriety to God and his works.

Jehovah reigneth; he is clothed with majesty Psalms 93:1.

The voice of Jehovah is full of majesty Psalms 29:4.

It is applied to the dignity, pomp and splendor of earthly princes.

When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom--the honor of his excellent majesty many days-- Esther 1:4.

2. Dignity; elevation of manner.

The first in loftiness of thought surpass'd,

The next in majesty--

3. A title of emperors, kings and queens; as most royal majesty; may it please your majesty In this sense, it admits of the plural; as, their majesties attended the concert.

Major

MA'JOR, adjective [Latin] Greater in number, quantity or extent; as the major part of the assembly; the major part of the revenue; the major part of the territory.

1. Greater in dignity.

My major vow lies here.

2. In music, an epithet applied to the modes in which the third is four semitones above the tonic or key-note, and to intervals consisting of four semitones.

Major and minor, in music, are applied to concords which differ from each other by a semitone.

Major tone, the difference between the fifth and fourth, and major semitone is the difference between the major fourth and the third. The major tone surpasses the minor by a comma.

MA'JOR, noun In military affairs, an officer next in rank above a captain, and below a lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer.

1. The mayor of a town. [See Mayor.]

Aid-major, an officer appointed to act as major on certain occasions.

Brigade-major. [See Brigade.]

Drum-major, the first drummer in a regiment, who has authority over the other drummers.

Fife-major, the first or chief fifer.

Sergeant-major, a non-commissioned officer, subordinate to the adjutant.

MA'JOR, noun In law, a person of full age to manage his own concerns.

MAJOR, noun In logic, the first proposition of a regular syllogism, containing the principal term; as, no unholy person is qualified for happiness in heaven, [the major ] Every man in his natural state is unholy, [minor.] Therefore, no man in his natural state, is qualified for happiness in heaven, [conclusion or inference.]

Major-Domo

MAJOR-DO'MO, noun [major and domus, house.] A man who holds the place of master of the house; a steward; also, a chief minister.

Major-General

MA'JOR-GENERAL, noun A military officer who commands a division or a number of regiments; the next in rank below a lieutenant general.

Majoration

MAJORA'TION, noun Increase; enlargement. [Not used.]

Majority

MAJOR'ITY, noun

1. The greater number; more than half; as a majority of mankind; a majority of votes in Congress. A measure may be carried by a large or small majority

2. Full age; the age at which the laws of a country permit a young person to manage his own affairs. Henry III. had no sooner come to his majority than the barons raised war against him.

3. The office, rank or commission of a major.

4. The state of being greater.

It is not a plurality of parts, without majority of parts. [Little used.]

5. [Latin majores.] Ancestors; ancestry. [Not used.]

6. Chief rank. [Not used.]